Traveling: May 2022

Sunday, 8 May 2022

Florida 2022 - Part 1

Vacation Time

Friday - April 1st 2022

Two years later we are finally going to Florida. Thanks to Covid-19 we had to cancel our Florida trip in 2022 and again in 2021, but this year we were finally able to go to USA. Since the US still required a negatice covid test, we were quite nervous the days before, but our tests Friday morning came back negative and so after work we hit the road towards Munich Airport. Our flight departed Saturday morning and so we decided to spend the night before at Novotel Airport Hotel. After we arrived and checked in, we took the suburban line to the terminals to get something to eat. We stopped at Starbucks first for a coffen and then at McDonalds for their vegan burger. After we checked out some of the airport shops, we took the train back to the hotel, where we got drinks at the hotel bar. Back at the room we watched TV until it was time for bed.

Novotel Airport Hotel

Munich Airport

Dinner at McDonald's

Munich Airport

Saturday - April 2nd 2022

Although our Delta flight to Atlanta didn't depart before late morning, we had to be at the terminal early, because the airline had to check our vaccination status. Once we passed security, we got breakfast and then we had to wait until it was time for departure. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful and we arrived on time. Unfortunately when we landed we got the information that our connecting flight to Orlando was delayed for two hours. At first we were angry, but once we found out that most flights to and from Orlando were cancelled due to a heavy thunderstorm, we were really happy that our flight was at least going to happen. There was quite the chaos at Atlanta Airport, because many people going to Florida were stranded due to all the cancelled flights. In the meantime Claudia and I got drinks and pretzels at a bar. Finally we departed Atlanta and arrived in Orlando around 10pm. After we got our luggage and found the bus taking us to Universal Orlando Resort, we were finally on our way to the hotel. At Universal we stayed the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which was fine but nothing special. Luckily check in was quick and easy and soon we were in our beds after an exhausting journey.

Breakfast at the Airport

Munich Airport

Saturday, 7 May 2022

Florida 2022 - Part 2

Universal Studios Florida

Sunday - April 3rd 2022

After a short night we got up pretty early due to the jet lag and got ready for our first day at Universal Studios. At first we wanted to get coffee at Starbucks located at our hotel, but once we saw the huge line we decided against that and instead we took the bus to CityWalk, where we stopped at Starbucks to get our coffee. Universal Studios Park was already open and so we headed directly to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, but unfortunately the attraction had some technical issues and so we gave Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon a try. That simulator based ride was okay, but nothing to write home about. Afterwards Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was finally running and we got in line. During our last visit in 2015 we weren't able to ride the rollercoaster, so we were really happy to experience that fun coaster. Our next stop was Transformers - The Ride. Although that ride is not among my favorite attractions at Universal, it was still a nice attraction that shouldn't be missed. Then we just strolled around the park to see what changed since our last visit.

Universal Studios

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Transformers - The Ride

Universal Studios

Knight Bus

The Simpsons

Back to the Future Train

During our visit Universal was hosting the Mardi Gras Festival, which was basically a food festival with many food booths scattered accross the park. At one we they were selling Stiegl Radler, that's a beer mixed with lemonade, from out home town Salzburg. Of course I had to get, but not before riding E.T, another attraction we hadn't done yet. Although it was a rather old ride, we really enjoyed it. Now it was time for our well deserved beer break. Additionally we ordered patatas bravas, because we hadn't had a proper breakfast yet. Then we saw that another showing of Bourne Stuntacular was about to begin. That show blew our minds, because it was so well done with all the special effects. After that amazing stunt show we checked out the merchandise shop before heading over to Diagon Alley.

E.T. Adventure

Stiegl Radler & Patatas Bravas

Universal Studios

The Bourne Stuntacular

Universal Studios

Since it was already noon, Claudia and I decided to have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. Luckily the line were short and soon we had ordered our food and got seated. We both ordered the vegan Shepherd's Pasty Pie, which was delicious, Pumpkin Juice and Otter's Fizzy Orange Juice. Our lunch was amazing, not only because of the food, but also because of the fantastic location. Afterwards we did Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, a rollercoaster ride through Gringotts Bank. Before we left Diagon Alley we checked out the shops, but unfortunately the merchandise was rather disappointing.

Diagon Alley

Leaky Cauldron

Pumpkin Juice & Otter's Fizzy Orange Juice

Shepherd's Pasty Pie

Leaky Cauldron

Diagon Alley

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gingotts

Diagon Alley

Universal Studios

After leaving Diagon Alley we got in line for Men In Black Alien Attack, an interactive dark ride where we had to shoot at aliens. Next was Kang and Kodos Twirl'n'Hurl in The Simpsons area before riding the Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster. The last attraction for today was Fast & Furious Supercharged, which was one of the worst attractions I had ever done, but at least we could cross it off our list. After that disappointment, we got a Bloody Mary cocktail and walked towards the exit.

Men in Black Alien Attack

Kang & Kodos' Twirl'n'Hurl

Universal Studios

Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster

Universal Studios

Fast & Furious Supercharged

Bloody Mary

Transformers - The Ride

Hollywood Rip Ride Rock It

Universal Studios

After we left Universal Studios we headed to Voodoo Doughnut to get some sweet treats. We also got an iced coffee from Starbucks and once we found a quiet place we enjoyed our delicious donuts. Then we just strolled through the shops at CityWalk before walking back to our hotel. There we had a drink at the hotel bar and got dinner at the food court, which we took with us to our room. I had a vegan chicken wrap and Claudia got the lentil soup, both dishes were surprisingly good. We concluded the evening with watching TV and thanks to the jetlag we were in bed pretty soon.