SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CALIFORNIA 2023

One of the highlights of our family's US trip this year was our visit once more to Universal Studios. 

I know, I know, there are many more places to go in the US... BUT if you've been reading my weird blog, you'll know that if we're there, we cannot NOT go to Disneyland and Universal Studios (hopefully I'll be able to blog on those soon ha ha ha ha ha) as they are my favorite places, EVER.

ANYWHO.... 

I chose to post about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD because it's the newest attraction in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS the month we came. I'm not really familiar with the game but the boys, especially the hub, played a lot of this growing up so it's just important that we go.

And what SUPER time we had there!!!!!!! 

We're in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CALIFORNIA!!!!!

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND 2017 (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in DISNEYLAND HONG KONG and I don't know if it's because the boys are bigger, or there aren't many people that day in the theme park, or that we were able to ride all the attractions that we wanted, or that we just make it a point to always have a fun time whenever we can....

But we were all having such an awesome time that it may be one of our best vacations to date!!!!!

Here's part two of our DISNEYLAND HONG KONG trip with more of our great times and pictures! He he he he he! Don't say I didn't warn you.

Yoo to the hoo! 

In part one, the boys were thrilled to be able to chat up with IRON MAN.

When I said "boys", yes the Chinese Dimpol is included. He he he he! 

The little lords were also able to undergo Jedi training and spar with the likes of Darth Vader!

We also got to meet the very cute BB8!

OUR LUNCH IN HONG KONG DISNEYLAND (2017)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having the "bestest", "superest", and "awesomest" time (tee hee) in DISNEYLAND RESORT that we were all running non-stop from one place to the next.

Did we feel tired?

HELL no!

Did we get hungry??

Of course we DID!!!!!

With THE YAPPY BUNCH, of course eating is part of the fun. And that we did in DISNEYLAND!

We're in the happiest place on earth! But even if we're all having a awesome time, we cannot ignore the growls of our needy tummies!

We had several snacks and munchies all through out the theme park. But when it was time for lunch, we came upon THIS place -- Clopin's Festival of Foods!

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND 2017 (PART ONE)

When we planned our HONG KONG trip, we decided to focus on one thing alone...

DISNEYLAND!!!

The trip pushed through because I promised Master Mati that we'll go to the DISNEYLAND HONGKONG IRON MAN EXPERIENCE if he reached his academic goal that year. At that time, I thought it was something far-fetched, but my dear Mati was able to pull it off (perhaps with that trip in mind) and I was so proud of him!

I'm glad that even if they're not as young as before, the boys were still excited to go to DISNEYLAND. Other pre-teens would usually be jaded and prefer to go for the more  R-13 experience to feel more like "men". He he he he he! But not the little lords! I guess they're very secure in themselves and more focused on having fun that they don't mind acting like small kiddies again with their Mommy and Daddy.

The Yub and I were happy too because we will also be forever kids at heart and we will NEVER get tired of DISNEYLAND. It is one place I would always make it a point to go to whenever there's a chance. I'm thankful that the Chinese Dimpol feels the same.

We had a VERY grand time in DISNEYLAND HONG KONG and as expected, the classic theme park gave us a lot of fun in so many levels!!! At one point, I told Master Mati to promise me that even if I'm already old, he'll should still take me to DISNEYLAND so that we'll all be kiddies again. Without batting an eyelash, he answered that he'll rent me a wheelchair should I be too old to go around. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Wohooo!!! Yay for all of us. Nothing brings out that unique childlike and loving attitude when you're in the happiest place on earth!

Yihiii! We're in DISNEYLAND HONG KONG!

DREAMPLAY!!

When we celebrated MATI'S BIRTHDAY 2016, one of my recommendations to him was to visit DREAMPLAY since we haven't been there since it opened. As usual, my always appreciative boy was grateful for the idea and agreed to it. So we scheduled a long overdue visit to this indoor theme park of CITY OF DREAMS...

DREAMPLAY!!!!

HARRY POTTER LAND (UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN)

Ever since I set my eyes on the-boy-who-lived, I have always been a Harry Potter fan. Although I'm not really a scary fanatic, I've read all of the books several times and watched all of the movies several times as well. I'm so happy with how the franchise was developed and created that I know it's already a classic within our very midst. I may be even be so bold to declare that everything about the Harry Potter  universe is perfect, more so if Sir Richard Harris was able to finish the whole series. But it is what it is and I'm sure many will agree that we cannot get enough of it.

That is why when I learned that there was a WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, OSAKA, I got excited at the prospect of being in the midst of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. Even though the boys of THE YAPPY BUNCH did not share (yet) my love for all things HARRY POTTER, they were also looking forward to going to a place filled with magic.

And that is what exactly THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER did to us all: take us to a place so enchanting, so spellbinding, so extraordinary that it wouldn't take a Gryffindor fanatic to be sucked right in stronger than Tom Riddle's diary.

Suddenly we all don't feel like ordinary muggles anymore!

Picture from the internet!

The WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER!!!! 

 

We got our tickets for UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!!!

 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, OSAKA (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

One of the reasons why I agreed to treat THE YAPPY BUNCH to go to Japan as part of my 30th birthday is because I wanted Andrei to get his wishes -- to ride the bullet train or the Shinkansen, and go on the JAWS ride (which was not featured in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CALIFORNIA). So instead of heading out to explore the sites and cultures of Japan, we went straight to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OSAKA on our first official day.

Now even if we have been to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS many times, we know that we are still in for a treat going to the one that they have in Japan.  And, even if our legs got sore from walking the whole day and that we didn't understand all of the rides because it was in Japanese, it was still an unforgettable trip of the family that I will always cherish.

Because of course, it's always a special time when you're able to make your child's wishes come true. And, with the whole family at that!

The YAPPY BUNCH in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, OSAKA with Rocio!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2015 (PART ONE)

Early last year, Andrei came up to me and gave a letter that I thought would melt my heart!

It was a letter asking permission to go to Japan with his Tita Jojit!!! GRRRRR!!!!!

I discovered later on that my Ate Jit and Kuya Jon have been playfully discussing with Andrei that they will be taking a trip to the land of the rising sun. I lovingly learned too that my little lord did not even think of his Mommy and Daddy -- he just wanted to go to Japan with his Tita Jojit and Tito Jon to see JAWS in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS there. Yes. No separation anxiety there. He he he he he he!

The group did not push through that year because THE YAPPY BUNCH went to the US for summer vacation. They finalized that they will be taking the trip the summer of 2015 because my Mom wanted to treat her grandchildren as part of her 70th birthday wish. With that, they were going to invite Mati and my other niece Rocio along. 

HUWEYT A MINIT KAPENG MAINIT!!! Now that doesn't seem right. If my little lords are all going we're going as well!!! I guess my eldest brother Kuya Jay and his wife Karen thought of the same thing because they wanted to come along too!

Wow! A GATDULA siblings trip! This should be fun!

As this was an impromptu trip, I wasn't able to save up for Japan as I normally would for our other travels. Be that as it may, I do have regular savings from my salary and I'm sure "borrowing" a small amount would never hurt. Besides, I told myself, it IS supposed to be my 30th (ahem) birthday. And instead of just spending on myself to commemorate the glorious event, it would be more fun to invest on family memories with THE YAPPY BUNCH. 

Now as this is the first YAPPY BUNCH trip with my brothers and sister, you could just imagine how much I wanted to remember every single second of this travel. Once again I will be blogging an overview of our whole Japan tour (it'll be 4 parts baby YEAHHH!) and also write posts on tourist spots, our restaurant stops, and other interesting stuff you may want to know about this cool country.

Yes, there will be A LOT of posts on Japan. It will definitely be a series. I hope you guys won't block me for it. That is, if you haven't done it already. Tee hee...

Please don't.

So yes! I'm so happy for my bunsoy! Andrei's dream finally pushed through and we are going all going with him!!!!

OMG, watashitachi wa totemo kōfun shite imasu! ! ! ! !

That's Japanese for "OMG! We're so excited!!!"

See? Japan and ERICJAZ FOODIES are meant to be!

 

WE'RE GOING TO JAPAN!

 

This is the first time that the YAPPY BUNCH will be traveling with my brothers and sisters. You could say that the GATDULA SQUAD is complete here.

Minus our parents of course!

 

And we have boarded!

OF TURKEY LEGS and MR. CUMBERBATCH

So sorry for not writing on my blog for the longest time. I know I may be talking to a blank wall here but it doesn't hurt to address a question that may be asked by imaginary people or something.

ANYWHO, just in case you WERE wondering, Well not only was I busy with work (yep even if it doesn't look like it)  but I was also nursing this terrible migraine that may have something to do with my enormous forehead.

Well not only THAT. Since I ran out of television shows to watch, I went back to savoring (yep I will use that word) SHERLOCK HOLMES season 1 and 2. And you know what happened the last time I became a "Cumberbabe". Well... let's just say that I used the same lines as above when I made a blogpost about my obsession with Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch. He he he he!

Oh and congratulations dear Benedict for winning this year's Emmy for best actor in a mini-series or movie! I told you, you could do it! (Tee hee!)

Oooh la... la! (grabbed from Emmy.com)

Now on a totally different note (and I mean TOTALLY), when you do get a chance to go to a US theme park, for the love of all delicious things on earth, PLEASE do not miss having a TURKEY LEG.

A TURKEY LEG? For a snack in a theme park???

Yes I actually found the idea very absurd at first. I mean I grew up thinking that a fat and juicy TURKEY was only supposed to be served during special occasions, case in point, Thanksgiving. Since we don't have that in the Philippines, my family would sometimes have it for Christmas. But to walk in a congested sunny theme park while biting on some TURKEY LEGS is truly unimaginable for me. That is, until one time we were in Disneyland California  and this family beside me was feasting a TURKEY LEG while we were waiting for the parade to start. The aroma emitted from the smoked TURKEY LEG made my mouth water and even at the risk of being called out as a  gawker, I still kept on staring while they tore the meat from that blasted TURKEY LEG and got all greasy hands in the process.

Homer drools... GWRRRKKKKK....

From then on, it became my mission to have that fat and juicy TURKEY LEG. However, my desire to bite into that meaty flesh took a while due to severe long lines and/or unavailability in the following theme parks that we went to.

At last, when we were in SEAWORLD, there was a decent line for that much revered TURKEY LEG and finally I was able to take a big bite out of it.

And wow... there were no words...

I wonder though if dear Benedict's warm embrace is as yummy as that TURKEY LEG?

Tee hee! 

Lining up for my TURKEY LEG!

SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

The last leg of our "theme park tripping" in the US is SEAWORLD. It was really not included in our itinerary but we were so nearby with LEGOLAND that it would be great to spend another day in it. Besides, I remember the wet fun that my sister and I had there before that I'm sure the little lords will love it there as well.

And so it was set....

We're going to SEAWORLD BABY!!!!

Could Shamu do this? HUH???

SEAWORLD!!!!

LEGOLAND WATERPARK (CALIFORNIA)

If you have plans to go to LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA, pretty please make sure that you also make time to spend the day in LEGOLAND WATERPARK.

When we had an overnight stay in LEGOLAND HOTEL, we each received 2-day park hopper tickets that we really did not think much of. We just thought, "Okay cool, we'll get more time to go around in LEGOLAND". But while we were walking around the theme park, we came upon LEGOLAND WATERPARK and peeked inside --- what the kids saw made them ecstatic! They loved swimming and to do so in a vast water park influenced by their favorite LEGO shows is a dream come true.

So with that, we decided to check out early from LEGOLAND HOTEL to spend the whole day in LEGOLAND WATERPARK.  At first the little lords were fretting that we had to wake up early then check out from what is already their favorite hotel in the whole universe. But a step in LEGOLAND WATERPARK's big pool painted instant wide smiles on their cute little faces that lasted for the whole weekend. 

If your kiddies love swimming and LEGO, for the love of Benedict Cumberbatch (???), take them to LEGOLAND WATERPARK! The shrieks of fun you'll hear while everyone is swimming will definitely be worth the travel and extra payment for the entrance.

Sorry for the Benedict Cumberbatch inclusion. I'm re-watching Sherlock Holmes now. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

LEGOLAND WATERPARK!!!!

LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA

When we were in the US for Andrei's 7th birthday, the original schedule was to just see his idol Jaws in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD then go to the happiest place in the world, DISNEYLAND. But then dear Mati saw that there was a LEGOLAND in California that we just HAVE to go to. With that, we changed our itinerary in an instant.

One of the great things about our trip to LEGOLAND was that the weather was very cloudy and quite cool. In addition to that "plus factor", there was not a lot of people in the theme park (possibly because we went on a weekday). Because of that, we all walked comfortably without getting bumped on and had many repeated rides because the lines were not that long.

So yes, we were all glad that we made this little change in our US trip. The kiddies swore that this was the best place ever that my husband and I couldn't be more happier for them.

Oh and everywhere we go, whenever we get to talk to somebody, we would always say,  EVERYTHING IS AWESOME (coining the famous phrase from the Lego Movie).

And you know what, because it really was.

OH YEAH! We are at LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA!!!!

It's a dream come true for my little lords!!!

PINK'S

I really hate the times when I could be so stupid.

Don't get me wrong, those "times" are really rare (ahem ahem) but yes it happens and when it does I want to kick my big behind for it.

Take the instance when we went to the US for Andrei's 7th birthday! When Yub and I were planning that we'll be going to Los Angeles to invade all of the theme parks there, I declared to him that by hook or by crook we will be eating at PINK'S. My obsession stems from my round the clock watching of the FOOD NETWORK. If you see some of their specials, they would always include the famed hotdog restaurant in their "best of something" countdowns. So after watching "Top 10" or "The Best Hotdog" show one after another, I was really excited and looked forward to get a taste of it. In fact, upon meeting my nieces in Los Angeles, I immediately said that "YES, we will be eating at PINK'S".

Even if my niece had promised to take us to PINK'S when we have an LA day, we got a chance to eat at the popular hotdog stand when we were in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS (SEE HERE).

So after years and years of obsessing over PINK'S hotdogs, what do I do while I was standing by the counter to give my orders?

I. Ordered. A. Burger.

Oh yes. I did. SO DUMB of me. I misread the menu and ordered a friggin burger.  I wanted to bonk my big forehead right then and there. I know that I should've just ordered one more but the sandwiches were too big even for us to finish so at that time, it felt impractical and wrong (see stupid again?).

It is really now that I am kicking and regretting everything that happened that day at PINK'S.

Haaay! Oh well. So there it is. Ha ha ha ha ha!

PINK'S!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS (HOLLYWOOD)

Besides DISNEYLAND, the one place that I will NEVER get tired of going to is UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. Yup! By some stroke of luck, I've been to this famous theme park more than the wonderful world of Disney because every time I'm in the US, fate would always find a way to bring us to where movie magic comes alive! And I don't really mind. Though I am no Siskel and Ebert, I love movies (be it the classics or razzies)  and everything behind it.

Again, this will be a pretty long post as I would like to record here all the extreme fun we had in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD. Though the theme park may not be as "complete" as we wanted it to be (some of my old favorites were missing in preparation for this boy wizard), there were still a lot of cool sights and attractions that made our visit truly fit for a blog entry.

Take a look and see what awaits you when you go to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD!

DISNEYLAND (ANAHEIM, LOS ANGELES)

DISNEYLAND was not hailed as the "Happiest Place On Earth" for nothing. And yes, I strongly agree. Even if there may be more exciting or technologically induced theme parks opening up here and there, DISNEYLAND will forever be the place where all my childhood dreams came true.

I remember when I was a kid growing up (yes a little "tiyanak" does too you know), I would always wish to go to DISNEYLAND with my family. I was such a fan of all their cartoons, characters, and songs! Every time I go into "DISNEY mode", I am suddenly enveloped with different feelings of love, warmth, and fun. I remember watching in awe as the DISNEY Princesses would meet their dashing Princes and get that lovely feeling knowing they will be living "happily ever after". Yes it was something that I used to wish for all the time -- that I will meet my own Prince soon and we will go to DISNEYLAND.

From all of my day dreaming, I have already been to DISNEYLAND (US and HK) many times where each trip was more memorable than the last. But for me, the best would have to be THE YAPPY BUNCH's DISNEYLAND invasion this 2014 because not only were the boys old enough to explore around by themselves but I saw the fun they had upon with the new sights and rides that were whipped up for the little Prince Charmings.

Thinking about it now, yes this 2014 trip for us was very memorable because I always daydreamed that I will be able to save up and have fun with my Prince where "dreams came true".

And yes it did! Only this time, I went to DISNEYLAND with not just one but 3 PRINCES! 

Now THAT is something I am surely to be HAPPY ever after for! :)

Yes... we L-O-V-E DISNEYLAND!!!!

Yub parked in the 5th level of DISNEYLAND LA carpark so it was a LOOOONG way down via escalator.

EGAD! I HATE high escalators!