SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER
We all had a fantastic sleep last night.......probably the best one of the trip and we all awoke bright....but incredibly sad as this was our last full day. When you say you have 17 nights anywhere...it sounds such a long time, and it is, but inevitably it has to end sometime. But we do try and put it to the back of our minds so we can enjoy our day.
We head up for breakfast armed with our gifts for the staff in there as they have been so lovely to us over the days. There was 4 of them that have been exceptional so I was very glad to see it was them that were working today. We gave them their gifts and a thank you card and we had our breakfast. We were all quite hungry this morning so I had an iced doughnut and some fruit, both of them just had cereal and fruit...it was lovely and the lounge wasn`t busy so it was nice and relaxing. We took our time and then headed down to get our lanyards and sun cream. We also had a bag of coins that we were going to tip into the Mystic Fountain, loose change that we tipped in to a bag at the end of every day. It soon mounts up though as there was nearly $70 in the bag........we weren`t going to carry loose change that home with us and thought that was a good way of getting rid of it.
We wanted to go to IOA first so we had a lovely relaxing walk trying to take in every sight, smell, flower and tree as we walked. When we got to the security check the guard asked if we had moved in to the hotel......we looked at him and he said he had checked our bags a couple of times and the first time seemed like ages ago........we just laughed and said we were leaving tomorrow. He was very nice.
We got into IOA and went on all our usual rides.......we got lockers as we had that bag of money with us, but it wasn't an issue as the parks were quite quiet today so no real queues for anything. We went on the hulk 3 or 4 times and got the front twice, we really do prefer the front rows, it seems smoother somehow. Eventually we had to move on to Dr Doom and Spiderman which were amazing as usual.....lost count of Doom rides......yes it`s very short but that initial blast off is sooooo good........if you don`t pull the harness too tight you really come out of year seat.....a lot.........it`s a fantastic feeling and one that used to terrify me beyond belief.......They love teasing me with reminding me of our first trip in the distant past when we used to go to Disney, when I was scared to do Splash Mountain.....lol......it`s true.....I soon discovered a love of thrill rides and the thing I used to dread most......drops!!!!! They have always loved thrill rides so it was frustrating for them when I used to say I was too scared and they knew if I just did it once I would be hooked......and I was.
We worked our way around the park slowly, again just taking everything in....sights sounds smells all of it. Universal parks are like a very pleasant assault on your senses......from the smells of cinnabon the sounds of the Hulk whooshing around your ears and the colors of everything as you walk from one gently defined area to another. One minute Betty Boop and Popeye are overwhelming your vision to the next you are transported into the Jurassic area. Sublime divisions of senses..........we adore these parks.
We wandered around to JP, deciding to give Dudley a miss today, love this ride but you get totally drenched beyond belief so JP it is. We did this a few times and didn`t get too wet....just a bit windswept........we sadly left this ride and headed to HP. It is usually a bit busier here and today was no exception. We did FJ once using single rider as we were not getting any ride pics this year....we have so many already so not sitting together didn`t matter to us. We came off this and went to Duelling Dragons, I only did this once but they wanted to ride numerous times so after I did one side I headed off to the mystic Fountain.
There was no-one around, the fountain was snoring very gently so I went to the back of it and tipped the stream of coins into the back of it and went and sat towards the back of it to wait for them coming off the ride. As I was sat I heard Kyle cheering as the ride went past at one point.....it was funny being able to distinguish him from all the other people but I could easily hear him. I sat for a while longer just enjoying the sit down and watching people....I wandered over to the fountain to take some pics when it came to life.........I nearly jumped out of my skin when it spoke to me........I was also praying it didn`t turn on the whole sprinkler system....I would get soaked....you feel a bit silly talking to a fountain....lol........but he said to me he saw what I did.......I immediately felt guilty and thought what the heck did I do........he said thank you for your donation for the kids.........well, what do you say......so I said you`re welcome.......he asked where I was from and I always say Scotland.......he started to sing Flower Of Scotland........now that song makes me cry at the best of times....so today wasn`t a good day to hear it as I could cry at the drop of a hat, but at that Tom and Kyle appeared as he asked if I liked the bagpipes.....I said I hated them which I do, and he said yeah he wasn`t a fan either.........after that we said our goodbyes to the Fountain and I had been saved form an embarrassing show of emotion!! For now.
We headed round to Mythos again for lunch now. We had enjoyed our visits to Mythos this trip so one last one today for this year. We were seated immediately although it seemed very busy, we must have been lucky
Tom ordered the philly cheesesteak pizza, which was delicious
I had the Pad Thai, which was nice, but I have to say the Confisco Grill Pad Thai was much much nicer than this one.
Kyle had his usual cheese pizza, which he really enjoyed.....wouldn`t even share a bit!!!
We did enjoy our lunch but wished we had gone to Confisco Grill again, we seem to prefer that to Mythos........
We headed out the park now, but at the last minute thought we would do the Hulk one last time........as we walked past Confisco`s I heard someone call my name.......it`s always a surprise to hear your name shouted over there and when I turned it was Vicki and Trey........we were delighted to see them again, so unexpected to bump into someone you know.......we spoke for a bit.....they were heading off to do water rides.......I kinda wished we were joining them but we were headed to the Studios for the afternoon, so we said goodbye...again and headed out of IOA......
I could feel the tears coming now, so deep breath and sunglasses on and we marched to the Studios.......well, we kinda wandered slowly....it was hot!
We were at the Studios in no time at all. They are so close together so it`s so convenient to go between them when you feel like it. We went straight to DM, I can`t remember how long the normal queue was, but it looked long......we got straight on with EP and each and every time we use it we thank our lucky stars we have it and are very grateful for it. We did this 3 times, then went to The Mummy and went on about 5 or 6 times. They wanted to do TF, so I sat outside on the steps and waited. I don`t like TF as much as Spiderman, so I wasn`t fussed on doing it again.....it is good I`m just not a fan. In no time at all they were out. It was getting later on in the afternoon by now so we wandered around what is to be HP2 and took some pictures......it really does look amazing, but will change the Studios beyond anything it ever was.......which is good for Universal but as I said in an earlier day....I miss the days of 07/08 when it was so quiet. Won`t see those days again.
We went on MIB, then went on ET which inexplicably set me off in tears today.......my son gave me a hug at this point which made me feel better......then I felt bad because I knew they weren`t looking forward to going home either.....but they didn`t cry over it!!
So for the last time we headed out of the park, passing a waving Scooby and Shaggy........I know I said we weren`t going to be doing any character pics this year as we really do have loads, but I can`t resist Scooby. So we got our pics taken but I just look as if Ive been crying in them all....so won`t post them....lol. We went through the gates and I didn`t cry at all here......yay.....so we wandered back to the hotel to get showered and changed. We just walked today, even though our feet were hurting a bit, it was just nice.
After we got changed, we went down to say our goodbyes to someone we had missed yesterday. Thankfully we caught him and could thank him and say our goodbyes personally.
We went up to he lounge to pass an hour before we headed out for dinner. We had decided on Nascar again as we had enjoyed it so much. We both had a couple of glasses of wine and sat and chatted to the lovely staff before setting off. It was such a lovely night....and our feet had recovered so we decided to walk. Citywalk was quite busy as it was still a HHN and a Saturday. It is such a fun atmosphere here. Anyway we got seated immediately and ordered our drinks, I had some kind of cocktail and Tom had a beer, Kyle had his usual strawberry daiquiri
Kyle ordered his usual.....yes he is a creature of habit......Teriyaki Chicken fries and veg......we had to order him another as he went to use the pepper and the whole pepperpot emptied into his dinner........I should have taken a picture of that........but they brought another out as quickly as possible.....it looked gorgeous
I decided to order what Tom said was his dish........Boogity Shrimp
He ordered a Beef salad dish, can`t remember the name but it was lovely too
After we had finished eating, we waited a while before ordering dessert for them........it`s such a nice place to sit and have a drink and relax. But after a bit Kyle wanted dessert so they each ordered a chocolate dish....they enjoyed it last time and said it was even better tonight.
So very reluctantly we left Nascar and had a wander around Citywalk one last time and took in the lights and sounds. We bought some last minute stuff from Margaritaville........Tom wouldn`t let me buy the blender though......said we had no more room.......he was right actually. So after we had done our last minute shopping we headed back to the hotel and finish our packing as we head to Downtown Disney where Virgin have their check in and bag drop to save us carrying our luggage about all day. Very handy as our flight is not till evening time.
So a quite sombre walk back to the hotel. We have one drink in the bar and then head up. Pack and into bed just before midnight. Not looking forward to tomorrow.
I did like this sign when I saw it. Very apt for Universal.
We all fell asleep very quickly despite wanting to watch a scary movie that was on tv. 
). We're taking a break next visit in protest.
I`m sure we did another house too.....maybe AWiL???? I forget now.
So we said our goodbyes on the phone and we all got showered, changed and headed up to the lounge for a drink before we went out. They had chicken mac and cheese again, blue cheese salad, dips and chips and cheese and crackers.........we didn`t have anything as we were headed to Longhorn again tonight.
