First, a few confessions…
I’ve actually been to USJ twice in the past month or so. The first time was just a short, after-school jaunt that was spent almost entirely in the Snoopy indoor play area. Very relaxing—so much so that my inner procrastinator took over and I didn’t get around to writing till now, some four weeks later. Ooops.
But that particular trip was just what the boys and I needed that day. It was a Friday at the end of an especially busy week. We got to the park just two hours before the scheduled close at 6:00 pm, and that turned out to be just the right amount of time to try all the playthings in the Snoopy area, plus make some new Print Club stickers in the adjoining shop. I sense a tradition in the making… Without the stimulus of thrill rides or bright shows or parades, our short visit turned out to be a great way to wind down the week.
We put a lot more energy into our next visit just a week ago. After several tense and helpless weeks watching news of the devastation wreaked by the earthquake and tsunami, we happily got to play host to a cousin of mine who had just begun working as a teacher in Sendai when the disaster struck. She and her school were largely unscathed, thank goodness. After helping with some initial relief efforts, she came out to Kansai for a week’s break before heading back to Sendai to start the new school year.
I had been a little concerned that a visit to a frivolous, noisy park might somehow be inappropriate or unpleasant. Quite the opposite. Our afternoon and evening at USJ turned out to be just the sort of healthy, fun release we all needed.
In spite of our best intentions, we didn’t end up arriving at the park till almost 3:00 pm. Fortunately, though, that meant we got to save on entry fees by using the more affordable twilight pass tickets.
And we’d planned ahead by bringing our souvenir popcorn bucket for a refill. Properly provisioned, we quickly found the site for the afternoon’s big 10th Anniversary show. The singing and dancing were predictably good, but everyone’s favorite was by far the acrobatic display put on by three performers on this three-cage Ferris wheel contraption. With the big wheel turning the whole time, the acrobats leapt in, out, and on top of their cages, jumping rope and looking like they were basically immune to gravity. Very cool. They boys were also really excited by the confetti (giant, floaty pieces of tissue paper and mylar in different shapes) and by colorful beach balls the performers launched out into the audience. No luck snagging one this time, but Rey has sworn to get one of his own on our next visit.
With the help of Express Passes, my cousin and I both got to zip past the waiting crowds and ride the Hollywood Dream: The Ride roller coaster. My hands-down favorite, absolutely. And on busy days the Express Passes are a worthwhile investment.
We finished out our visit with Backdraft and then a walk over to the viewing point at the end of the Jurassic Park ride to watch as the boats splashed down and drenched their riders. Vicarious pleasure, yes, but we were having a difficult time convincing the kids to actually ride the ride. Another thrill to save for another visit.
All in all, another great day at USJ. Stay tuned for updates on whether Rey scores his beach ball, and other fun happenings!
