Join us for a Theme Park Insider's birthday adventure!
If you could ditch work for the day and head to the parks, what would you do?
Okay, covering theme parks is my job, but I always welcome the opportunity to visit the parks just for fun. Since today was my birthday, I decided to leave the computer at home for the day and hit up some of my favorites at the local theme parks. And I invited our Theme Park Insider newsletter subscribers to follow along on our Twitter and Instagram accounts. Here's what I did!
Good morning from Disneyland, where I'm spending my birthday! pic.twitter.com/RNHzbOGKI1
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
I decided to start with the Disneyland versions of the rides I used to work back when I was a Walt Disney World cast member. But Disneyland's Thunder is even better than the Magic Kingdom version where I worked, thanks to its plussed finale (which will be debuting in Orlando soon).
The explosive finale from Disneyland Big Thunder Mountain. pic.twitter.com/pYFIRqiwjn
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
There's even a quick look at the future from the top of the "B" lift.
Sure, I like Thunder. But I love Pirates.
There's still no way to tweet the smell of Pirates of the Caribbean. Mmmm, home. (I'm weird, I know.) pic.twitter.com/1onxaVKZsV
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
This birthday is on fire! (Sorry...) #APiratesLifeForMe #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/Z2sSBHLjY0
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
But if you know me, you know where my heart lies in any Magic Kingdom.
I turned around and accepted my consolation prize.
Fortunately, it's time for Haunted Mansion Holiday. Halloween, Christmas, and a Birthday, oh my! #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/8oigPQOAh2
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
As much as I love Disneyland — the first theme park I ever visited — I had other things on my birthday to-do list.
Let's head over to Disney California Adventure. (If you know me, you can guess where I'm headed.) pic.twitter.com/j2ospxxkF4
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
You have your Happiest Place on Earth. I have mine. #AnimationAcademy #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/NOQcaLHV64
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
We drew Phineas and Ferb today, which I've probably done more than any other characters at Animation Academy. Perhaps I was trying to be too cute, but it wasn't my best work today. (Follow the instructions, friends!) But I had fun, as always.
Of course, I wanted a birthday button, but the line to get one outside City Hall in Disneyland might have been the longest I'd faced all day. Fortunately, I knew a Theme Park Insider's tip.
Two parks on one day? That's normal. But this is supposed to be a special day, so I did something that Orlando theme park fans might take for granted, but Southern Californians might find crazy.
Next stop on today's birthday tour: @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/rmw2WWJQl1
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
You know where I'm going with this!
Birthday lunch at the best counter service theme park restaurant, The Three Broomsticks. pic.twitter.com/PE9woh9AcZ
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
I know I'd been out playing all day, but at some point I guess I had to acknowledge that this was a Tuesday.
Feels like a school day today. #WizardingWorldHollywood pic.twitter.com/deQlfw2Z02
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
After my trip on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, I decided to pick up a Universal birthday button to go with the one from Disney. And in the Guest Relations office, I discovered something I'd never seen before in a Universal theme park.
Who said Universal didn't have MagicBands? ?? pic.twitter.com/XplcfmP6NS
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) October 25, 2016
I wished I could have kept going until close, but even on a birthday, certain responsibilities can't be skipped.
Thank you to everyone who followed along today, and to everyone who sent good wishes along, as well. Thanks for reading Theme Park Insider and, yes, I'm already making plans for what I should do on my rather big birthday next year!
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Replies (17)
Happy birthday Rob! I'm glad you had fun on your own and the weather seemed great. I have yet to spend a birthday at one of the Disney or Universal parks but I sure will someday! Best wishes and THANK YOU for creating such an amazing and friendly space for us Theme Park lovers.
Hope you had a great birthday Robert!
I wasn't on twitter much yesterday so I am going to relive it today on there. Does that mean you have two birthdays now? :-)
Happy Birthday. Sounds like a dream day.
Happy Birthday Robert! Most of us are lucky if we get to go out and eat for our birthdays...you made the MOST of yours!!
Who's "Rebert"? Isn't that what the USH pin says? Regardless, happy birthday!
Happy B day!!! I'm diggin' those shades. I'm afraid if I lived in So Cal or Orlando I'd probably get fired for playing hooky so much.
Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday, Robert! Looks like you had a terrific time!
Happy Birthday! Great way to spend it :-)
Happy belated birthday, Robert.
That was a great birthday filled with great rides, food and fun.
James K beat me to it, but Happy Birthday, Rebert!!
Thanks to everyone for the kind words!
Yeah, the handwriting on the Universal button is amazing. The "o" looks like an "e," but is different from the actually "e," and the "b" is capitalized. And the three strokes in the R don't connect. Basically, I want these letters made into the most spectacularly anarchic font face ever. When next to the straight-laced Disney button, the Universal button is totally, well, Universal.
Happy Birthday Robert!
I did Disneyland & Universal in the same day before & it's cool. I wanted to add Knotts in there, but figured those 2 were enough!
Happy Birthday, Robert (or is it Rebert?)! It sounds like you had a great one.
Three parks in a day is a lot, especially when they're all major parks. While I've done two with some regularity, the only time I've managed to do three has been a major park and a couple small parks (for example, Scandia Amusement Park, Castle Amusement Park, and Knott's Berry Farm).
Initially, I thought about including Knott's, but I would have needed another couple hours to fit that. And I would have liked to include the Tiki Room at Disneyland, too. But I didn't get out of bed early enough, due to having to stay up so late the night before to chase the Dreamworld story.
Happy B'lated B'day, Robert!
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Happy Birthday, Robert! I've followed TPI for years and it's because of your fantastic writing and generous, nearly daily output that keeps me coming back. You are my fix in between visits, and I am grateful for that. I hope this next year treats you well! Maybe a trip to Pandora next year?