I had some leftover Gauls from my last pack of Old Glory figures, so I decided to finish them off.
With many Warbands now being'Deep" units in To the Strongest!, these extra troops should come in handy.
A bit heavy on the Command figures, but that meant less shield patterns to paint!
Flowing cloaks are always fun to paint and shade. Maybe if I am ambitions, I will go back and add checks, etc to them!
Tremble at the fury of our charge, ye Roman Dogs!
Just a week ago, we returned from a short vacation in Orlando, FL, visiting Universal Studios. We had a great time there staying at the convenient and excellent (if pricey) Royal Pacifica hotel on site. We arrived on Wednesday in the early afternoon, and left Saturday morning. We had a super time there. I would heartily recommend visiting Universal in late September; the crowds were small, the waits for attractions minimal, and the weather was hot but tolerable. Our last visit there was roughly 15 years ago, so a lot had been added in the interim. We were especially interested in the Harry Potter themed portions of the park, although many of the other newer attractions were outstanding, including the new Minions attraction, Revenge of the Mummy, and (surprisingly), "Jimmy Fallon Live". We enjoyed getting thoroughly soaked on the two main water rides... after we were already drenched by a Florida deluge/thunderstorm!
The Hogwarts express, ready to depart from London to Hogsmeade... and Hogwarts!
Entryway to Hogsmeade, after exiting the station there.
An impending Florida afternoon thunderstorm lent a suitably eerie look to the late September sky.
View of Hogwarts Castle in the distance... home to spectacular and immersive ride in and through the skies around the famous school of Wizarding!
A trio of muggles. While it looks like winter with the "snow" on the buildings and the grey skies, it was of course 90 degrees F outside!
A trio of muggles. While it looks like winter with the "snow" on the buildings and the grey skies, it was of course 90 degrees F outside!
"Wands by Gregorovich"; the interactive wands have cool effects in certain location in both Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure park) and Diagon Alley (in Universal Studios proper). The Hogwarts Express connects the two.
The entrance to the amazing "Escape from Gringott's"attraction. The flame projects even further than shown here, and the heat is easily felt in the alley below!
For those partying late, you can always try to catch a ride on the Knight Bus!
The entrance to the amazing "Escape from Gringott's"attraction. The flame projects even further than shown here, and the heat is easily felt in the alley below!
For those partying late, you can always try to catch a ride on the Knight Bus!
Nice pictures...and great looking warbands, these Gauls look beautiful and colorful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind remarks, as always, Phil!
DeleteGood usage of leftovers Gauls, Peter! Yankee thrift in action. Excellent vacation photos. Didn't realize there was a Hogwarts park. Looks like a fun getaway.
ReplyDeleteYep, I try not to waste figures, LOL! These had been sitting around half done for at least a few years before I decided to finish them off!
Delete"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is spread across two parks: The "Islands of Adventure" park has as a subsection, which includes Hogsmeade (the butterbeer is surprisingly delicious and refreshing - sort of a frozen butterscotch soda slushie, complete with "head"), Hogwarts itself with the outstanding "Harry Potter: The Forbidden Journey""ride" inside", and a Hippogriff themed mini roller-coaster (and evidently another attraction under construction). In Universal proper, the subsection is Diagon Alley (and includes the dark "Knockturn Alley", and the amazing Gringotts attraction. There are a lot of stores and eateries all from the Potter books. Quite the experience. The Hogwarts Express links the two zones (or you can walk, but c'mon, who's going to do that?!)
Nice scratch Gaul unit! I almost prefer making units out of bits and pieces,I like the cloaks!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain!
DeleteGreat looking unit, Peter. Love the multiple hornists. Great looking family too!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them, Dean!
DeleteWe stayed at the Royal Pacifica several years ago and loved the location. Does your room key still serve as a fast pass for the rides? That made the extra expense well worth the money, because we were able to ride many of the major rides several times in an hour.
ReplyDeleteThis was before Hogwarts Express and the other subsection had been built. Would like to go back at some point.
Yes, if you stay at one of the upscale hotels on site (Royal Pacifica, Portofino, or Hard Rock Hotel) your key acts as an express pass.
DeleteThere was new construction under way near Islands of Adventure while we were there. The Universal Waterpark, Volcano Bay, is complete. We didn't visit it, as we were only there 2 full days.
Nicely done with the Gauls, and especially realising the shield designs.
ReplyDeleteFor a moment there I thought you had nipped across to London and had visited Kings Cross. Looks like a fun day out.
Thanks, Lawrence.
DeleteThe entrance to the Hogwarts Express (and Diagon Alley) is disguised and made to look exactly like King's Cross.
Your figures always look great Peter, but you have excelled by even your own standards with these--brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAppropriate adjective given the 'brilliant' trip to Hogwarts?!
Thanks for the kind words, James. I feel I copped out to a degree by not patterning their cloaks, but I just couldn't make myself do it! :-)
DeleteWe had a great time on the short trip to Universal; there is plenty more to do and see there than the Harry Potter themed areas, but those were our favorites!