Universal Fun

    Before starting my job with Disney, I had to visit their competitor. 

Diagon Alley was the first Universal stop with Alicia and Carlos. 

    I was informed by telephone that something had been hexed. 

But I knew it would be ok. 

   We spoke to a Knight driver and the shrunken head about the hex. 

    The only way to help was to acquire a wand. I went to Ollivander's where a group of people enter his shop with one selected (usually a child) to have a wand choose them. For those not familiar with Harry Potter and his crew (what's wrong with you?), the wand chooses the wizard/witch, not the other way around. Ollivander scoured the room with his gaze resting on Alicia, who promptly whispered, "Oh no" under her breath. Ollivander then turned his attention in my direction, asking if we were sisters. It seemed that I was the chosen one to have a wand choose me.

    I wasn't originally going to purchase a wand, but it did choose me. 

    It was time to try out my new vine wand with phoenix feather.

I made it rain on Harry.

Lost a duel with Alicia.

    We also tried on headwear of the wizarding world variety. 

    Butterbeer is the witch, wizard and muggle beverage of choice. Last time I came to Universal I recall making suggestions of hot Butterbeer and Butterbeer ice-cream.

I didn't record those ideas, so I can't take credit. This time my new ideas for Butterbeer are cupcakes and perfume. Let's see if they feature at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter by the end of the year.

    On the second day at Universal, after conquering the Hulk, as well as the delay at the end of the ride, it began to rain.

Each of us donned a poncho and our alter egos emerged. 

Foxy Fighter,

Deranged Ranger

and Concealed Sheila

joined forces to become the Poncho Posse.

    After 2 days at Universal Alicia and I went a bit bananas. 

    I ran into Blue Mountains Musical Society friends Adam and Sara a few times on my two days at Universal.

Following the two day Universal stint I had dinner with Adam and Sara and two of their local Orlando friends, Kyra and Tristan. Adam dubbed the restaurant Tacky Thai Orlando. It was true sensory overload; Midas and his golden touch had infected the entire establishment.

    Stay tuned for the low down on the Disney check in experience.