Second Day at Universal Resort Again & Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2 - Day 9. 16/11/2021

This first part might not be the best! Woke up in the morning with a really bad headache and all my painkillers were stupidly in my Disney hotel room.

I was very glad I did most of my Universal stuff already yesterday as I could tell I wasn’t going to last too long today.

My plan was to hit the two big rides and the ones I missed which wasn’t many, have lunch and then head back to Coronado Springs to sleep this off before the Christmas party. (Plus I have to pack at some point!)

So first up I made my way straight to Hagrid’s. Already there was a pretty huge line for it even before the start of the official queue and once I’d got my stuff into the locker it said 75 minutes wait time. The queue winds for ages around the grounds and then around and around inside too, and it’s pretty dark.

I was only in the actual queue for about 50 minutes I think and the ride was TOTALLY worth it, really great. I was with another single rider who didn’t have a preference of bike or sidecar (yes you get to choose!) so I asked if I could ride the bike and I’m so glad I did, it was great!

My plan was actually to have breakfast at the Three Broomsticks this morning but I really didn’t feel like eating anything so sadly I gave that a miss.

I then bought myself another wand for my collection - I got Narcissa Malfoy’s to honour Helen McCrory then off to get on VelociCoaster. I used the single rider line this time which cut about 10 minutes off the 35 minute posted wait time. SUCH a great ride but didn’t do anything good for my headache.

I got in the line for the Raptor Encounter but was actually starting to feel worse so I cancelled my lunch reservation (Universal don’t charge you for cancelling day-of) got my little bit of time with Blue then decided to head back to my hotel.

I’m gutted to not have more time at Universal but I did get a lot done yesterday and I got to ride Hagrid’s plus tonight I have my second Very Merriest event and I’d be annoyed to miss that.

I called in at the merchandise store at the entrance to Islands of Adventure and got a bottle of water and I also asked the lady if she sold any painkillers at which, thank god she brought out a massive drawer full of goodies which is useful to know!

It cost $2 for 2 tylenol tablets which wasn’t the best but I was desperate so I took one as they were extra strength, walked slowly back to the hotel, where I checked out and then got a Lyft back to Coronado Springs.

Incidentally these Lyfts take about 20-25 minutes and cost about $30 for an XL which is a bigger car and is the most you could probably expect to pay. Look out for discounts though in the Lyft app.

I grabbed some fruit and a sandwich at the Mercado even though I still wasn’t wanting food yet, and headed back to my room where I decided it might be a good idea to do a little packing so that I can really enjoy the last two days. Got a good chunk of that done, then finally felt like eating at about 1.30pm

I ate my sandwich and fruit and had a coffee using one of the special 50th Anniversary Blend Kreurig pods then tried to get my head down for a few hours.

I got up again at 5pm, feeling better and had a nice shower to get ready for the evening’s Very Merriest After Hours. I already did quite a few rides on the first evening so this time I was planning to watch the shows, meet some characters and get some photos.

I picked up my wristband, but first I had a reservation at Be Our Guest restaurant before starting out to the party. A lovely, albeit quick meal of French onion soup, scallops and then a trio of desserts including the Grey Stuff of course, with the Beast making two very smart entrances.

I really wanted to get the Tangled magic shot with the floating lanterns so I started there for when the party started but nobody showed up to take pictures right away so instead I went to get in line to meet Santa! It’s never to early to make sure you’re on the nice list WHICH HE CONFIRMED! Had a lovely chat with Santa, got some honestly beautiful pictures and came away feeling very very Christmassy!!

Next up I went back to the Tangled photopass. There was a small queue but not much and I was right at the front of it when something happened to the prop lantern - noooo! They got it fixed though. Yay!

I went to Pinnochio’s Village Haus to get some hot cocoa and a Snickerdoodle cookie - I asked if there were nuts in the cookie and the poor cast member looked at me like I was nuts and said, “it’s…. a snickerdoodle?!” so I had to explain that being from England I’d never had one!

We found the ingredients in the end. For your reference, there are no nuts!! The cocoa was VERY sweet but delicious nonetheless.

After the cocoa I went wandering back around towards the castle but via where I thought Pooh and Tigger were / they were NOT where I thought but I found Tweedledum and Tweedledee looking smart in their Christmas scarves.

More aimless wandering about ending up with me right in front of the castle chatting with two really lovely cast members before Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories show started at 10.35pm.

As this finished just before 10.55 and the fireworks started at 11.15, I kept my prime spot right at the very front and chatted with Clare my new cast member buddy until the fireworks began.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show is really lovely! And if you can get to the front to watch them you’ll get the perfect view!

After the fireworks I finally made my way to another part of the park to see The Reindeer Wranglers singing and catch Liver Lips and Big Al having a good bop at the Country Bear Jamboree.

I was then going to go and ride Big Thunder but thought I would make my way around to Seven Dwarves if there was time. On my way I noticed that Pirates of the Caribbean was a walk on so of course I jumped on and when I got off the ride Smee and Captain Hook were there too to take pictures with! Fun!

At this point I had probably run out of time to ride Seven Dwarves and see Mickey before I left so I walked towards Main Street and at last found Pooh and Tigger of COURSE at the Crystal Palace. Pooh was getting very confused over his map and Tigger was bouncy as ever and showing off his dance moves!

Then the parade was coming and I had already spotted Donald so I decided to take WAY to many pictures of him in his gorgeous holiday outfit as I walked down Main Street until I suddenly ended up in the perfect viewing place for the parade so I stood and filmed it all with a front row view!

Lastly I popped to see Mickey in his gorgeous outfit and asked him to say hi to all my friends across the Pond! Then I went for my bus and headed back to my resort.

A much quieter but still very fun Very Merriest After Hours. I’m so glad I was able to to after a dodgy start to the day!