THIRD DAY AT UNIVERSAL’S THEME PARKS

Going back to these parks for the third time was a good idea as we had plenty of time to re-visit the most interesting attractions, take a few more photos and even see a couple of things that we missed the first time around.  We went back for a ride on Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey and it was just as impressive, maybe even better as we were able to focus on some of the peripherals that went past us very fast.  The lineups for Butterbeer were starting early even though the drinks were expensive at $12 each including a plastic beer mug.  Of course, they don’t post the prices so you don’t know what you’re getting unless you ask someone.  We saw plenty of young people walking around in the wizard’s robes and found out that they cost $109.95.  And then where do you wear it after you get home?

This time we went on the newest ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.  We waited in line for this one but it was a great ride and the 3D effects were so good that you felt like you were really in the setting.  Wonder what they will do with rides in the future?

As a convenience to the customers, many of the rides had lockers where you could stow your back packs and bags while on the rides.  They were free for the first 25 minutes in most locations and longer in the more popular places.  You could also pay if you wanted to leave them for a longer time period.  Here’s what they looked like:

New for us this time was the Fear Factor show where they choose contestants from a group of volunteer, 70 minutes before showtime.  They had to meet height and weight criteria.  Not sure what they do back stage in preparation but the show is presented just like the TV show.  They had 6 contestants whose first challenge was to hang from a bar while suspended up in the air.  

The two that fell first were eliminated and the remaining four did a partner challenge where one guy retrieved bean bags from an eel tank and threw them into a bucket that the other partner was holding while suspended in the air.  Then they had the guy in the air toss slimy octopi into a bucket held by the guy on the ground.

In between the main challenges, they had volunteers for some of the creepy stuff.  One girl put her head in a glassed in box and they dropped scorpions on her head.  She did really well and didn't completely freak out.  

Then they blended a drink of seafood bits, mystery meat, sour milk and crawly bugs for 4 contestants to drink.  Two guys drank theirs down without much hesitation but the two teenage girls couldn't do it and looked very sick after trying to drink it.  Yuck.

The final main challenge had the two guys scaling a vertical wall and pulling flags off as they went while being drenched with water.  Then they slid down a pole and climbed into an open automobile that was then hoisted in the air and tilted forward.  They had to climb out on the hood and pull flags off the front fender and of course, they were still getting pelted with water.  The final move was to jump into the back seat, pull out a gun and shoot a target on stage.  Both guys did well and it was thrilling to watch.

All in all it was a great day.