Disney Trip 2016 - day 5 - part 2 - Universal - Islands of Adventure/Seuss Landing

In Toon Lagoon, Gaby, Cheryl, and Shan went on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. It was a raft ride where you can get very wet - and they did. There was also places where the crown can fire water jets on the riders. It was only a 20 minute wait.

Back at Super Hero Island, after a 10 to 20 minute wait, Gaby went as a single rider on The Incredible Hulk ride. I did not.


Then we crossed over into Suess Landing to finish up our day.

We started on the Caro-Suess-el. Shan loves carousels and was worried about not fitting on this due to the lap belts but she had no problem. It was a quick wait - less than 10 minutes, but Cheryl sat out.

After a brief 5 minute wait we all did the Cat in the Hat ride. You ride a "couch" through the Cat in the hat story - with animatronic characters. We bought some shirts in the gift shop.

We were able to make it to the High in the Sky Suess Trolley Train Ride! It was a longer 30 minute wait for a slow trolley ride through Suess Landing on an elevated track. This went through the top of Circus McGurkus restaurant, the Café Stoo-Penduous, and closed out the gift shop afterwards.

Gaby got an Ash Katchem Pokémon hat on the way out and we ended up getting snagged by a gypsy cab for the ride home. It worked out okay and still cost the same.

We had another late dinner back at the Resort - pasta. I had the chicken alfredo with a fruit cup for the next day. We finished up the day at the pool. David3 did not come to the pool.

Disney Trip 2016 - day 5 - part 1 - Universal - Islands of Adventure/Hogwarts.

On the Thursday, we got up and had breakfast at the resort. I had the special - eggs, bacon, sausage, and a small Mickey waffle.

We took the taxi back to Universal - another $40 after tip. Today we are staying in the Islands of Adventure. We went clockwise this time, through Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, and headed straight for Skull Island, stopping for the occasional picture.


We went on the Reign of Kong ride, and David3 sat out. The wait was about 40 minutes. The holding areas were well decorated but the ride was not nearly as good - being video screens again.


Next was the Jurassic Park section. We all went on the Jurassic Park River Adventure. It was great. We all got quite wet - which was good on a hot day. It was only a 20 to 30 minute wait.
Afterwards we had lunch. My son and I had the meatball sub and caesar salad and we bought two refillable mugs. They were a bit pricey at about $12 each but they turned out to be well worth it.
We popped in briefly to the Discovery Center but didn't go downstairs as we had to make it to the Lost Continent for the Sinbad Stunt Show. We zipped through Hogsmeade and made it to the show on time.
It was good. We ended up sitting in the splash zone and got a bit damp again. D3 thought that the final fire effect was a bit much for the small children.


Next was Poseidon's Fury - another interactive show - this one was a walk through. I thought it was pretty well acted but Shan was a bit disappointed in the effects.


We went back anti-clockwise, heading back through Hogsmeade. Gaby, Cheryl, and I rode the Dragon Challenge - first the Blue Dragon, and then the Red. About half-way back you get a chance to re-ride so we did and tried the other. The wait was only about 20 minutes for the first ride and we were able to walk on for the second.

We looked around at some of the shops - less on tis side of the park. We tried the seats for the Forbidden Journey. I would fit modified but Shan would not. We all got the tour - the walk-in part - but Shan and David3 did not ride. Because we had a mixed group like this, we got to skip ahead a bit and only had about a 20 minute wait.
It was another motion and screen ride - pretty good. Gaby thinks that they should warn about the large spiders though.
The Dragons and then this accelerated Cheryl's motion sickness. But she was able to hold it together until after the ride ended.

After a 15 minute wait, Gaby and I rode the Flight of the Hippogriff. It was a rather simple roller coaster. Then we left Hogsmeade and headed back to Jurassic Pack. It was just after 5pm and the visitor center had just closed but we took a rest with the drink refills.
We skipped over the Pteranodon Flyers - which seem to be a swing coaster - but alas more for the kids. Adults were not allowed on without one.

Knight Models update - Batman Miniatures, Marvel/DC Universe, Suicide Squad

I did pick up the Flash and Arrow expansion on sale from Miniature Market in January. It has the rules for speedsters, new teams, and vehicles. It only give I got the Black Flash model as a bonus and also purchased a Heath Ledger Joker. The other Jokers look too skinny and I’m not a big fan of the Jared Leto Joker.

I was going to wait to get the Suicide Squad box but Knight Models posted that purchases from them or retailers until Feb 15 would also include a Ben Affleck Batman figure as well as a Bombshell Harley Quinn figure. So I ordered one from a MeepleMart at the end of January. The shipping was super fast – it came within a week but it did not have the extra Harley. There was a bunch of finger pointing between both companies. Knight Models said that MeepleMart should have received a box of the extra figures to send and MeepleMart said that they did not get them and that I should check with Knight Models.
So as a result, even though I bought the set they said during the time they said, Knight Models isn't honoring what they said it would include. I'm disappointed in their customer service in this regard.
Aside from that, the set is great. In contains thirteen figures – enough for two teams – Joker and Task Force X. It also includes a streamlined rulebook, counters, dice, and two stand-up buildings that can be combined into one taller building.

Knight Models also just announced that they are stopping their Marvel Universe line. They are still keeping the DC Universe line which has the same rules. It allows you to use a lot of the major figures from the Batman Miniature game in an easier skirmish game. The Marvel version was on my list to get some teams and try but now it is going to be harder to get so I may have to rethink that. The nice thing was that if I was building scenery for the Batman Miniatures game anyways, I could also use it for the Universe games.
I was going to get the DC Universe Starter for the rules (which are also available online from their site). I put that aside to get the Suicide Squad set first due to the promos. I might still get some starters of the Marvel set, and a few of the figures if they are still available in a few months.

Figure painting total - January 2017

I picked up a copy of The Flash and The Arrow expansion book for the Batman Miniatures game. It was on sale and still included the Black Flash figure. At the same time I picked up a Heath Ledger Joker figure. I picked up the Suicide Squad set but am not a big fan of the Jared Leto Joker so I can always use the Heath as a replacement.
I also bought the new version of The Lost Patrol. It comes with 5 Space Marine Scouts and 12 Genestealers. I don't have the original version but I do already have figures painted that I can use for this.

Batman Miniatures - Heath Ledger Joker
Batman Miniatures - Black Flash
5 Space Maine Scouts
12 Genestealers


Jan figures bought - 19, figures painted – 0

Running total 2017 – figures bought 19, figures painted - 0