Sunday we were excited to visit Universal Studios for the first time since 1997. After making the 20 minute walk from the parking garages, we were finally at the entrance. Everything had changed so much. Now two parks and a whole line of restaurant as part of City Walk, nothing looked like it had the last time we were there.

Greg finally got his wish to see Terminator 3-D as Preston and Brooklyn agreed they were up for the adventure. A little leery, Preston sat down for the special effects stage show and got excited to see all of the robots and guns. Though he watched much of it without his glasses, he enjoyed to performance. He still hasn't gotten over his fear of 3-D. One of Preston's favorite movies is Twister. He loves playing storm chasers. When he spots dust devils in the desert, he pretends they are tornados and gets prepared. He was excited to experience the new ride, Twister, and even more so when he saw Dorothy from the movie on display.

On the way out of Twister was a great Jurassic Park display. Though the ride was part of the new Islands of Adventure theme park and not at Universal Studios, the cool-looking display helped build the excitement. The kids remembered the ride from our visit to Universal Studios in Hollywood over Christmas break and were anxious to ride it in Florida.

Big orange sploches marked the way to the Nickelodeon Zone, a long anticipated visit for the kids. As part of Nickelodeon Nation, their favorite movies and cartoons are on that channel so they were excited to see the place. Both Preston and Brooklyn have become fans of Slime Time and Family Double Dare. Part of the stage tour includes family games on a sound stage. The kids sat in the kids' section, Preston and Brooklyn on the top row. Though they really had fun watching the show, they didn't want to volunteer to participate.

As part of the promotion for Viva Rock Vegas, Wilma and Fred Flinstone stood in front of their sound stage greeting visitors. The kids were excited to get their autographs to add to their books though Greg was disappointed Wilma wasn't quite as sexy as she is in the cartoon.

At Universal, Preston and Brooklyn got more autographs than at any other park. It was exciting because many of them were new characters who they had not met before. They had fun meeting Yogi Bear and Boo Boo too as well as one of their favorite cartoon characters, Scooby Doo.

We finally worked our way over to the new, ride-through video game, Men In Black. On this ride we used laser guns to shoot aliens as our car twisted and turned throughout the city. Susan was the high scorer, but Greg used the excuse he had to help Brooklyn.

Always a favorite, the Amity Ville Boat Ride gives you a great view of this quaint little town; of course, that is until Jaws visits along the way.

On our way out late that night, Preston and Brooklyn can't resist pretending to surf on a big wave.

No matter how big he gets, Preston will always love the squirting waters. He was dragging and lagging as we exited the park and made our way down the City Walk until he saw the jumping waters. After watching him a Brooklyn for a while, Greg couldn't resist and went in with them. It made for a wet trip home, but it was great.

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