A Mostly Good Day at Universal Islands of Adventure

After our great first day at Universal, we were all looking forward to Day 2.

Universal Orlando has two theme parks, plus a water park. Day 1 was spent at Universal Studios. On Day 2 we walked back over to Studios, then took the Hogwarts Express over to the other theme park, Islands of Adventure. (For those of you who are not Harry Potter fans, Hogwarts Express is the train that takes young wizards to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry). Of course, to catch the train, we had to go to the secret platform 9 3/4.

The train ride was a cool experience... rather than seeing scenery of the park, they made it look like you were riding the train in Harry's world.

When we arrived at Islands of Adventure, we were in the Harry Potter area of that park. (Universal was smart to put Harry in both parks). There, we first went over to the Harry ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

While waiting for that ride, Kai got agitated with something in his eye. With most kids, something like this would not be a big deal but with Kai the little things become big deals. He got angry and loud. I took him over to the restroom to have him wash his face/eyes, but once agitated, he doesn't listen well and didn't follow my instructions to make a cup of water with his hands and dip his face in it. Eventually, whatever was irritating him did come out just from all the blinking, and we were able to go on the ride.

The ride itself was very thrilling, and scary for Kai. My wife and I liked all the effects, but were both a little nauseous afterward.

We were happy to sit down and have breakfast, go to a few shops, and then go to the Suess area where the rides are a lot gentler.

This theme park has three water rides and we saved them for later in the day when it would be hotter. And it did get hot. It was in the upper 80s by early afternoon.

First we rode Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges and got completely soaked.

After lunch we went down Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and got completely soaked.

And we wrapped up by going on the Jurassic River Challenge and got completely soaked.

So we had a good day. But there were some difficult moments later in the day. With Kai, one thing tends to lead to other things. I don't remember all the particulars but he was angry about the limits of his iPad time, he was angry about school for some reason, he used inappropriate language, and then he was angry when we spoke to him about all that.

One more day in Orlando. Hoping that happy Kai will be more present than angry Kai.