Fab News: We Came, We Saw, We Ate Butterbeer Ice Cream

We Came for the Butterbeer Ice Cream. We Stayed for the Fun.

This is the photo that started it all:

One would think that with my Disneyland Pass expiring on the 14th and me not planning to renew it (not because of the price; I’ve been through this on Facebook, thanks) that I would go there to say goodbye. So, last Tuesday, I worked EXTRA hard with Wendy, my trainer who looks just like Moana, and drove the mile from there to Jurassic Parking, where there are four EV plugs for everyone who goes to Universal Studios Hollywood. We parked nearby and I went back twice during the day until I finally found a free charger.

I’m grateful that they have chargers at all, because so many places we go to still don’t. We had to stop for donuts, because CityWalk Hollywood is the Donut Capital of California (I will fight you) and also some Stumptown Coffee, because I also earned that, and it was worth each one of the 200 lbs. I leg-pressed.

Our first stop was Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest. If I ever complain about Universal doing a 4D movie in a theater again, tell me to shut up. I think the Minion ride is the last time that is ever going to happen. First of all, right before you get to the last part before the theater, check out the silhouettes in the metal entry. Can you name them? Alice had to help me because I’m Bad at Dreamworks. (All Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest Images: Universal Studios Hollywood)

Second, in the great big preshow room, try to stand near the hammer, especially if you like animatronics, even very very very brief ones. But keep a clear view of above the doors into the theater.

This is important: if you push and shove your way to the front rows, I will laugh at you, because you will miss half the show. Sit in the back 8-10 rows to see everything. I love that karma for inconsiderate jerks is built right into the show.

Jack Black made me promise (over a loudspeaker as I was exiting the show) that I wouldn’t give away the good parts, so I won’t, but this isn’t a thrill ride per se, but it is fun, and it is also funny. It’s nice that they recognize how much we love Mr. Ping. But if it’s busy, the upcharge for Universal Express is MORE than worth it for all of the attraction and show extra love your legs get. This is a great, fun attraction. we came out laughing and saying “That was great!” and Alice thanked me for “making her go on it”.

Then we headed into Hogsmeade, went on a few adventures – Alice had only been to Universal Orlando – and the Three Broomsticks. They’re selling the ice cream at the wonderfully-themed carts there as well, but I didn’t want to stand around in the sun, and besides, Three Broomsticks has some seasonal meals to try. We decided to split the enormous Ploughman’s Lunch:

We could barely finish it! (We DID have dessert first, but it was VERY hot and we didn’t want it to melt.) It’s among the three new seasonal lunchtime menu items for the summer: 

o   Ploughman’s Lunch, featuring an imported selection of ham, salami, country paté, English cheese (including GREEN!), homemade pickles (tiny sour pickles, green and SALTY black olives, pickled tiny white onions and little slices of bell pepper, in our case) and a warm scotch egg served with bread, cranberry chutney and grain mustard

o   Cheese Toastie with Chicken, featuring grilled English Cheddar cheese with chicken, crispy bacon, mustard and sliced tomato topped with a sunny side egg served with a fresh salad or potato wedges

o   Sunday Roast Sandwich served on a freshly baked baguette filled with warm prime rib, caramelized onions, English Cheddar, horseradish sauce and homemade garlic pickles served with fresh salad or potato wedges

We then went to see Blue, who was just finishing up her time out with the guests and was beginning to get hungry, tired and cranky, just like any youngster, and was beginning to show it, snapping and not paying as much attention to her handler’s orders. Kids. What can you do?

She finally got herded into her pen, but not after terrifying a few guests coming off the Studio Tour who had no idea what was going on and an employee headed towards a break. @UniStudios life hack: when in that area, keep your wits about you.

Checked to see if Putonghua Megatron was going on, but he wasn’t, so we headed back up. We don’t want to see any Jurassic Boat Adventure until the new one debuts. We played around in Springfields and Super Silly Fun Land (?) and Alice checked out the Minions store and reported back to me with “Dead Dove. Do Not Eat.”  I was there opening day. I could have told her that.

Alice just finished a semester of Stage Fighting at OCC. Yes, stunt fighting, and one of her classmates works in the Waterworld show a couple of days a week, so i thought she’d want to see it, other than the fact that it’s a REALLY good show! Nope. I whined at her until she said yes. She screamed and grabbed me at a certain HUGE part in the show and kept saying OH MY GOD! and when the show was over she said “Bless you for making me see that. It was REALLY good!” Her classmate was not there that day BUT the actor who played Sage was someone I’d had in an earlier Fab News when I had some pics from ABC’s The Middle. He’d been on.

They’ve opened somethng fantastic that isn’t really an attraction, and they’re hoping to open another on the lower lot soon.

The main room was being used by family members of all ages; there are gender-neutral restrooms, a TV, comfy couches, indirect lighting, calming colors and a restful atmosphere. It’s a nice respite from the mayhem that can sometimes occur in theme parks. I think I saw someone charging there but I can’t be completely certain.

The Quiet Rooms are also used for nursing and have sharps disposals.

After dinner at the Three Broomsticks – there are literally NO other sit-down restaurants in the park, just sandwiches and fast food – we slid out the back balcony and stood in front of the photo of Gilderoy Lockhart to get a perfect view of The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle. Gorgeous!

At Gladrags’ Wizardwear, we saw Ginny Weasley’s and Cho Chang’s Yule Ball gowns. Breathtaking!

All too soon, it was time to brave the freeways home. I couldn’t tell Noe a thing because Alice wouldn’t stop talking about all of the fun things we did and saw and she really wants to go shopping at Nectar. I have a feeling we’ll be back soon, on our own. Thanks for hosting us!

Speaking of Nectar and other things at Citywalk…

FREE Street Performers Stage Concert July 13

Universal CityWalk is Hosting a FREE One Night Only Concert for lucky attendees Friday, July 13 at 7:00pm, featuring Rising Stars from its Renowned “Street Performers Program” at the 5 Towers Stage. 

 Universal CityWalk’s incredible Street Performers program will feature some of today’s brightest up-and-coming stars in a free standing-room-only (there are no seats, you see) concert performance at the “5 Towers” outdoor concert venue. Alice and I actually saw a few of these artists performing (three) during our trips back to see if the EV charger was vacant yet and we thought they were all excellent. They hail from across the globe, and perform original and cover songs as well as collaborated sets, so that will be really, really sweet. Sadly, I think World Cup will be over by then, because watching it with a Stumptown and a donut or six is really, really swell. Go England! Alice and Noe say Viva Mexico!

Remember, Universal Studios is not just a Theme Park, it’s a real working studio, and part of that is that it’s a place where hard-working, upcoming talent come when they are ready to show what they’ve got – and the musical acts here are no different.

Diversity is key to @UniStudios, so you’ll findfolk pop, country, blues, steel drums, singer-songwriters, Latin jazz, pop viola, and R&B soul and will include the following, subject to change, maybe less, maybe MORE:

Featured artists:

And if you decide to spend the day inside the park beforehand, Butterbeer ice cream. Work out extra. It’s worth it.

Disney Quizney Premieres LIVE July 16 with $1000 in Daily Prizes!!!

Do you have a strong showing when it comes to Disney AND Disney Channel trivia? “Disney QUIZney,” is for kids and families and they are invited to play starting MONDAY, JULY 16 (9:00-9:07 p.m., EDT/6:00-6:07 p.m., PDT) for 10 weeknights.During the 7-minute-long show on the DisneyNow apps and DisneyNOW.com , viewers can watch and play along. 12-year-old Trinitee Stokes from Disney Channel’s “K.C. Undercover”) hosts this exciting trivia show, with realtime results and live commentary seen exclusively on Disney Channel.

“We continually look to leverage the most current technology in ways that enable our viewers to have active roles within live linear TV. ‘Disney QUIZney’ invites kids and families to be active participants in a live game show in a new and exciting way.” said Kimberly Hicks, vice president, Digital Media, Disney Channel.

Disney Channel viewers, ages 6 and older get a chance to test their skills as contestants through a simultaneous interactive experience on DisneyNOW. Lightning-fast questions challenge players to answer Disney Channel and Disney heritage trivia for a chance to win $100 in digital gift cards. Each show also features five trivia questions that home viewers must answer within 25 seconds on DisneyNOW.  Questions increase in difficulty with each round.

SuperCaliFragiListicExpiAliBoilerplate: “Disney QUIZney” is available in the U.S., and only players age 6 and older will be eligible to win prizes. No purchase is necessary, and children under the age of 18 must get their parent’s permission to enter. The DisneyNOW app is available on iOS, Android and Kindle platforms. Past games will be available for free-play on all DisneyNOW apps after they air, but only the live trivia shows debuting weeknights at 9 p.m. EDT and 6 p.m. PDT will offer cash prizing. Official rules and more information is available here and here.

Disney Emoji Blitz Celebrates Its 2nd Birthday AND World Emoji Day!

#BlitzLikeThis2018 Photo Challenge: Now – July 17 – Disney Emoji Blitz is challenging Disney fans around the world to share how they are blitzing this summer with the #BlitzLikeThis2018 photo challenge on Instagram. From now through World Emoji Day, fans can use the hashtag #BlitzLikeThis2018 for the chance to be featured on Disney Emoji Blitz’s Instagram.

Two-Day Anniversary Giveaway: July 13 – July 14 – Paying homage to where it all began, Disney Emoji Blitz’ two-year anniversary giveaway will feature Disney classics Steamboat Willie, Oswald and Retro Minnie. One free emoji will be given to players upon opening the app each day of the giveaway.  If a player pulls an emoji they already have from the gift box, that emoji’s special power will be leveled up.

World Emoji Day Giveaway: July 17 – Celebrate World Emoji Day with an emoji giveaway, featuring Mulan, Miguel, Moana, Kristoff and Aladdin. When opening the app, players will automatically receive a giveaway box with one of these emojis on World Emoji Day.

Happy Birthday (and when can I level up my Kylo Ren?)

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