Our Experience With Quicksilver Tours and Transportation

When planning for our grand summer 2014 vacation that included Universal Studios, a 7-night Disney Cruise, and a week at Walt Disney World, we had to make decisions about transportation.  We knew we were staying at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport upon arrival to Orlando and that we want to get to the Universal Orlando Resort the next day, but how would we get there?

There are various options—taxi, car rental, even public transportation.  Our choice was a town car service—Quicksilver.

Making arrangements was fast and easy with their web-site—click here for a no obligation quote.  Since we had used them before, we even got a discount.

Instead of picking us up at the typical locations at the airport which are very busy, we were picked up at the Hyatt’s “motor lobby” located below the hotel at street level. 

There is a lovely waiting area featuring comfy chairs, air conditioning, a glass wall that keeps the noise and weather outside while you wait inside.  And, the entire motor lobby is covered, too.  Members of the Hyatt staff are also on hand to assist guests along with luggage racks and a digital kiosk for information.

Our stylish ride arrived and we were whisked away to a smooth ride through Orlando to Universal Studios.  We were dropped off at the transportation drop-off near the escalators to City Walk.  The driver also pointed out where our pick-up would be.

Riding the escalator to City Walk!

Speaking of pick-up. . . we were worn out and ready to go before our designated pick-up time and thankfully, Quicksilver was able to adjust their schedule and we were able to return to the Hyatt sooner than expected.  It was easy to contact them as I was given a card with a number and I also had them programmed on my phone.

We highly recommend Quicksilver for transportation needs in the Orlando area.

We Came To Play--Some Of Our Favorite Photos!

One of the things I noticed when looking back upon our grand summer 2014 vacation was that we came to play and the pictures taken reflect just that.

Yes, we had several traditional photos taken with characters and in front of park icons, but we had even more playful photos taken.

Here are some examples:

 Just outside The Simpsons ride, there is a photo studio or shall I say stand.  This was one of many photos we had taken at the location and added to our Star Card--part of Universal's Photo Connect service.

 This photo opp is in the middle of the High In The Sky Trolley ride queue.  We missed it by using Express Pass, but was able to get it taken after we exited the ride.

 Even though we missed this photo opportunity in the Express Pass line, we asked at the end of the ride and were taken back to have our photos taken.  Watch out--we're shooting webs!

 The number one duck and the number one boy were sporting some attitude for this photo taken in front of the Walt Disney Theater on formal night.  It's amazing what a pair of sunglasses can do!

 Who doesn't dream of being a pirate?  And as guests on board a Disney ship, that is exactly what we got to do.  The photographer captured us being sinister. 

 And, then, there's the loving side.  This is one of my favorite pictures from the entire trip!

 Since Minnie was all dressed up and so were we, we decided to dance a bit.  That's us trying to do the Charleston.  Yep, we paid for that photo.

 Not even a little rain could dampen our spirits in paradise.  The rain eventually passed and blue skies and sunshine reigned.

 But Rapunzel, your hair would make such a great mustache!  This photo was the husband's idea.

 Paws up!  Pluto and the boy gave the same pose for this photo.  But I don't remember who ended up getting the treat.

 These two photos have to be seen as a set.  The little poser was smiling for the camera and the sunglasses stayed on his head even after the drop!  Gotta love Photopass photographers for capturing the moments!

 Yes, that's us floating along in the lazy river at Blizzard Beach. . . not a care in the world.  Water shoes, sunglasses, visors, and waterproof watches.  The MagicBands made getting our picture taken so easy--and ordering lunch!

 Okay, these two photos also need to be seen as a pair.  I'm just imagining the caption for the photo below.  "Ah, c'mon Dad, my driving isn't THAT bad.  And, remember, I learned from you."

And, of course, a photo from the best meet and greet of the vacation.  Minnie and I comparing our yellow shoes!  Click here to read more.

 Ralph tried to block the camera but we all made it into the shot.  Not your traditional character meet and greet photo, but we love it!

 The final wave photo at Typhoon Lagoon.  The photographer took a series of photos with the last one being when the wave hit us.  I love how the photo shows our personalities.  Click here to see the series of photos and read the story.

 The boy asked Duffy to turn around and then proceeded to announce and show what is on display on his backside--a hidden Mickey!  Duffy and the boy made up with hugs.

 At Enchanted Tales with Belle, the boy was chosen from the group to be The Best.  The photographer then took a series of photos that we later downloaded into our Photopass account. The photo above shows him scaring Belle.

 Later, he bowed in her honor, followed by dancing.  Someday he will either be embarrassed by these photos or thrilled that he was dancing with a Disney Princess.  I will say when he was selecting photos to go into his "All About Me" bag for school, he did not pick any of these. . .

A final bow at the end of the story.  How regal and confident he looks!

What is so fantastic is that all of these photos were taken for us--by either ships' photographers, Photo Connect photographers, or Disney Photopass photographers.  I so appreciate how they let us relax and be on vacation while they do the work for us--capturing the moments and the memories.  Just another reason we keep coming back;  oh, that, and to play!

Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Express, And Hogsmeade

Just after we returned from our first visit to the Universal Orlando Resort in 2008, Harry Potter’s Island was in the works featuring the Forbidden Journey ride along with a themed area of Hogsmeade.  Actually, we could see some of the construction going on while we were there.  It was serendipitous then, that just 10 days prior to our Summer 2014 vacation, Universal Orlando announced the opening of Diagon Alley, The Hogwarts Express, and Escape from Gringotts. 

While Hogsmeade featuring Forbidden Journey was located in Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley and Escape from Gringotts was located in Universal Studios, giving Potter fans something in each park.  The Hogwarts Express traveled from park to park—or Diagon Alley—actually King's Cross—to Hogsmeade.

We started our day at Universal Studios heading directly to Diagon Alley along with hundreds of other people.  We were shuffled into a queue to get a ticket for a return time to the area.  The park opened at 8:00 am and we were there prior to opening.  The time on our return ticket was 9:15 to 10:15.  No one was getting into Diagon Alley with a ticket as the area was fenced off with one side only as an entrance and exits on either side.

The magic portal that transports you to Platform 9 3/4.

We decided to head to King's Cross Station and ride the Hogwarts Express.  There was NO wait for the train.  It took us longer to get through the enormously long queue that was well themed, featured its own set of restrooms, and included a snack shop, than it did to wait for the train.  Know that the queue has several sets of steps, so be prepared.

When I tell people that there was no wait, may ask me why.  My speculation is that guests do not realize that a park-to-park ticket is required to ride Hogwarts Express as you end up in the other park—Islands of Adventure to Universal Studios or the reverse.  So, your ticket is scanned at the entrance to the ride as if you are entering the other park and in essence, you are.

Riding the Hogwarts Express was one of our favorite things.  The rooms on the train were  spacious and incredibly themed.  The ride is short and of course there is a “show” on what would be the train window, but there is also goings on behind the frosted doors that lead to the hallway.  It was hard to know which way to look.

We exited the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade and made our way through the shops, including Olivander’s Wand Shop, and then up the hill to the castle. 

The plan was for all of us to ride Forbidden Journey until we hit our first “you must use lockers for your things” situation.  Yes, the lockers were free.  But the area was dark, cramped, noisy, and incredibly crowded.  I just grabbed the backpack and told the guys I would meet them at the exit. 

There were mixed feelings about the ride.  The boy loved it; the husband not so much.  Though I did hear great things about the queue.

The boy and I rode Flight of the Gryffindor while the husband bought a Butterbeer for all of us to sample.  Sweet and yummy.

Since we had entered the window of the return time for Diagon Alley, we decided to get back on the Hogwarts Express for the return ride. 

Again, the queue area is quite long and includes steps.  But there was NO wait.

The show for this trip was different than the ride the other way so we were so glad we took the round trip!

After exiting, we went directly to Diagon Alley and showed our tickets for the return time.  Now, since there never was a signed entrance to Diagon Alley, guests just sort of looked around for the entrance and Universal Staff play the part of “I’ve never heard of such a place” if you ask.  So, just go to the blankest wall and follow the side walk.  Eventually, there is an opening in the bricks that leads to Diagon Alley.

The dragon sits on top of Gringott’s Bank at the far end of the street lined shops.  There is both a “light” side and a “dark” side to the area.

We walked into the bank and took a photo, but decided to not wait the four hours needed to ride the ride.

The Weasley’s have a shop at Diagon Alley, so we stopped there to take a look at all the fun things for sale such as chocolate frogs and flavored jelly beans.

On the way out, we stopped at the triple-decker bus for a chat and photos with the driver.

After taking a few more photos, we exited Diagon Alley and toured the rest of Universal Studios.

We were glad we had the chance to see Diagon Alley, ride Forbidden Journey, and experience Hogsmeade.  The highlight really was riding the Hogwarts Express.  Next time, Escape from Gringotts!