Best Vacation in the Universal 2019: part 2

Our first full day in the parks was brimming with excitement and enthusiasm. Everything felt particularly magical because of all the Christmas decorations that were still out and about (even though we were wearing shorts and sandals, which felt a little odd). We hit the ground running and started riding all the things that were kid-friendly. I want to say we started with the Hogwarts Express?

Well, first we all got dressed and ready for the day. I did my best to dress the girls in matching bright colors for our days in the parks. Very much didn't want to lose anyone.

Brynn I dressed in Dr. Seuss-themed onesies because a) there's an entire Seuss section of the park and b) she wasn't walking yet, so she would always be in the stroller or with one of us (and I wouldn't need to identify her by bright clothing).

Headed in!

Never letting go of Bo's hand

The Christmas decorations were so, so pretty.

Waiting for the train!

The girls enjoyed the train, even if it was vastly different from the trains we had recently been riding in DC.

Off the train and headed for fun!

Brynn's just along for the ride. She was *mostly* ok with that. 

We rode Harry Potter rides (OH MY WORD my kids are adrenaline junkies! The Flight of the Hippogriff makes them giddy and jumpy and bouncy), watched the Frog Choir perform, did several of the Seuss rides, and were all pretty well wrung out by the time lunch rolled around. We had a dining plan, so we chose to use one of our sit-down meals at Mythos, which we love because it is DELICIOUS.

The castle. If you look closely, you can see Claire's bright blue shirt.

Hogsmeade views. It was CROWDED.

Waiting on the frogs.

Watching the choir...a little confused about the frogs.

Seuss Landing is a family favorite. We all really enjoy it.

Seriously. Look how fun that is! We had been reading The Lorax recently, so the girls were excited to see truffula trees "in the wild."

And the Lorax himself!

On the Caro-seuss-el!

We squeezed Claire, Amiee, Lily, Poppy, and Brynna on one row.

Sweetie baby.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish! You WILL get wet, even if you listen to the instructions in the song. Some of my children enjoyed this, and some did not.

In line to ride The Cat in the Hat, which is a family favorite. Including my mom, who does not typically love rides. The girls were so excited to see one of their favorite books in "real life."

We knew from past experience that it's a good idea to show up a little before the restaurant opens (they weren't accepting reservations during the holidays- otherwise, we would have done that), so we got to Mythos about 15 minutes early. Annnnnd, Mom and Lily had a hilarious photo shoot. Please enjoy:

Are these not GREAT?

All that posing is really hard work, guys. 

Cuddles with Bo at Mythos (this is also a reenactment of a picture we took three years ago)

Just some people watching. I'm sure the folks on the other side of the booth loved it.

After lunch, we took the children back for naps (in our hotel room), and the adults all crashed for a bit in Mom/Dad/Amiee's room. We were all tired and worn out, so that was a needed respite. We went back out after nap and had a fun interaction while waiting out some rain.

Snacks

Waiting out some rain in a back corner of the outdoor eating area next to Circus McGurkus.

While we were sitting and waiting, Thing 1 and Thing 2 and their "handler" (what do you call the person that escorts characters?) walked into our back corner on their way to their photo spot. The girls lost their minds with excitement! We are big Seuss readers, so they were so excited to see some of their characters in real life! Since it was still rainy, the Things hugged them and played with them for about ten-ish minutes, which was just a dream come true for them!

They were only moderately successful in winning Brynnie's favor. She was very skeptical.

When the rain let up, the Things surprised us all by taking the girls' hands and escorting them out. We just followed and then realized that they were taking the girls to meet the Grinch. Not only that, but they took them to the front of a very long line and let them cut in! It was so unexpected and so very fun for everyone! (except maybe the people who had been waiting in line...)

Lily could NOT stop giggling at him!

Then he tickled her ear, and all was lost on Lily regaining her chill.

After we said goodbye to the Grinch and the Things, I made Lily pose in this tiny doorway that she matched perfectly.

For supper, we ate at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade (which is another favorite), and Lily decided to mostly forego her own supper and mooch ribs off of Mom's plate. Lily, apparently, LOVES ribs.

Waiting to order and trying to keep Lily out of mischief (full-time job)

It was a wonderful first day! The girls were so good, it was great to get to spend time with Amiee in person, and we ate really well. And everyone slept HARD, so we were just winning all around.