Saturday, March 31, 2018

Spring break

Super excited to begin our spring break, spring is my favorite season of all,  it reminds me of new beginnings, new leaves sprouting on my rose bushes, gives me a positive boost of energy that nothing in life is permanent!!! The spring flowers don't stay long but even for a short period of time, the beauty of it remains forever in our hearts!!! Can't wait to see my cherry blossom flowers...

After months of planning and researching our day of vacation has finally arrived, can't wait to fly today to the sunshine state, Orlando, Florida as Winter storm is still in the air for the New jerseyans & New Yorkers, but glad we will be flying, bravo to those who will be staying back. Weeks of shopping, packing and finally leaving for the airport hours before our flight as we will be taking our flight from Bradley Airport in Hartford Connecticut. We visited this airport for the first time and found it much cleaner and less crowded than the Newark and JFK airport. We didn't have much time to hang out with another half of the group whom we greeted at the airport, so we directly headed to check in the bags and get over with security.  Well, flight started boarding within few minutes and had to settle down to catch up some time to myself.

Finally after 2 and half hours of flight, and watching the beautiful sunset on the right side window and moon on the left side of the window was a spectacular view. Kids were enjoying, especially my 3-year-old was inquisitive about how a plane works and watched from the window seat with curiosity at the side wings of the plane were the flaps kept opening and closing with air pressure.

Ahh, what a relief from the cold weather of east coast, after arriving late night in Orlando, we directly headed to get some quick late night brunch at Taco Bell, Well even though it was quarter to 12, the city of Orlando, didn't seem to have any effect of it, there was as much traffic as it would be in normal hours and many of the stores still open. After grabbing something to ease our tummy, We had to quickly go to our rented Villa in Kissimmee, as our next few days were fully packed and hectic, better to catch up with some sleep, not to mention along with kids almost drowsy and tired from the hours-long journey.


Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Universal studio, Florida

Image result for universal map of rides

One day itinerary to Universal  Studios, Orlando  

Get to the park as early as possible, I would suggesst get at least 30 minutes before the park opens for the best chance to jump-start your touring day. Once you get there, be sure to pick up a park guide map or have one ready by printing at home. Universal’s in-park guide map covers both theme parks, and it includes times for the live shows and many of the character meet-and-greets.
#1 – Despicable Me: Minion MayhemProduction Central. EP
Restrictions and access: 40 inches to ride the motion simulator; otherwise, there are stationary platforms available; must be 48 inches to ride alone; Summary: join Gru and the girls in this family-friendly 3D simulator ride featuring an all-new storyline, new animation, and plenty of minion shenanigans. Wait times: 30 to 45 minutes on slower days, 90 to 120 on busier days.
#2 – Transformers: The Ride – 3D Production Central. EP, SR
Restrictions and access: 40 inches;  Summary: intense 3D simulator experience and prepare for battle alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. Wait times: 30 to 60 minutes throughout most of the day, and up to 90 minutes in the middle of very busy days.
#3 – Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit  Production Central. EP, SR
Restrictions and access: 51 inches; must stow loose articles in free lockers just past the attraction’s entrance;  Summary: high-speed outdoor roller coaster where you pick your soundtrack. Wait times: generally above 30 minutes and possibly as high as 60 minutes or more.
#4 – Shrek 4D  Production Central. EP
Restrictions and access: none; has Express Pass access. Summary: standard 3D movie experience with 4D in-the-theater special effects. Wait times: this is the most popular kids’ attraction at USF. During busy period,s the wait can be as long as 60 minutes.
#5 – Revenge of the Mummy New York. 
Restrictions and access: 48 inches; must stow loose articles in free lockers adjacent to the attraction’s entrance. Summary: Revenge of the Mummy is a not-to-be-missed high-speed, indoor roller coaster. Wait times: this is an older attraction, but, as a fan-favorite, the wait times can get higher than 45 to 60 minutes when the park is at its busiest.
#6 – The Simpsons Ride World Expo/Springfield, USA. EP,SR
Restrictions and access: 40 inches;
Its a motion-simulator ride chock full of characters straight from the show and generous portions of Simpsons humor. Wait times: typically not longer than 30 minutes, and often no longer than 10 minutes.
#7 – Men in Black: Alien Attack World Expo. EP,SR
Restrictions and access: 42 inches; must stow loose articles in the free lockers adjacent to the attraction’s entrance;
Men in Black is a shooter ride where you are the newest MIB recruit. Wait times: not often higher than 30 minutes, and there is a single-rider line if you don’t want to put up with that.
#9 – Ollivander’s Wand Shop
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Its a  meticulously-themed boutique where the wand chooses the wizard. Wait times: now that Ollivander’s Wand Shop is in both parks, wait times to see the show (or, perhaps, have a wand choose you) have come down dramatically to less than 15 minutes, even on busy days.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
Restrictions and access: 42 inches; must stow loose articles in free lockers before the attraction’s entrance;
Its an impressive tour through Gringotts Wizarding Bank followed by a multi-dimensional, multi-sensory 3D track-based motion ride (remember, single-rider line skips the bank tour and entire pre-show).
#10 – Universal’s Superstar Parade
See the in-park map for the parade route. Universal’s first-ever daily parade brings guests face-to-face with their favorite characters, larger-than-life floats, and dozens of street performers, all set to a high-energy soundtrack. T
he parade is scheduled daily in the afternoon or evening (weather permitting). There are also additional meet-and-greet opportunities with the parade’s characters that occur throughout the day – see the “Party Zone” in the guide map for the schedule.
#11 – E.T. Adventure EP
Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone.  34 inches; access. gondola-style dark ride designed to appeal to younger guests. Wait times: typically not more than 30 minutes, and many times it is 10 minutes or less.
#12 – Kang & Kodos’s Twirl ‘n Hurl
World Expo/Springfield, USA. 48 inches to ride without an adult; Express Pass access.

Ride is about  silly humans are “captured” and forced to “attack” their fellow man using the flight path of their flying saucer to activate targets. Wait times: since this is a simple attraction designed for kids, wait times generally hover around 10 to 20 minutes.

Shows at Universal Studios Florida

Tales of Beedle the Bard and Celestina Warbeck (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley) – no Express Pass access; elaborate puppet productions and the jazz stylings of Molly Weasley’s favorite singer. Fear Factor Live (World Expo) – has Express Pass access; a true-to-the-TV-show live version of Fear Factor, where USF guests volunteer to compete in scary and gross tasks. Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show (Hollywood) – has Express Pass access; just as much of a comedy routine as a behind-the-scenes look at horror effects. Animal Actors on Location (Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone) – has Express Pass access; see the animal stars of Hollywood perform in Orlando. Blues Brothers Show (New York) – no Express Pass access; street party that brings you face-to-face with the bad boys of blues, Jake and Elwood.

Stuff for the kids at Universal Studios Florida

Young travelers to Universal Studios Florida get their very own area: Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone. This is a surprisingly large section of the park that is strictly for the Kids. Here you will find plenty of activities, character meet-and-greets, three shows, as well as two rides. It would not be difficult to spend at least a few hours just in KidZone. Once you’re done here, skip over to Springfield, USA for the Kang & Kodos spinner ride. Young Potter fans will also enjoy the shopping experiences and the treats (Butterbeer ice cream!) inside Diagon Alley.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Winter storm Toby welcomes spring!!!

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2018-03-19-winter-storm-toby-fourth-march-noreaster-northeast-snow

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Three bean salad cups