FULL trip report 1/22- 1/27

[natebenma]

I enjoyed your report.

Our family went to US/IoA for the first time this summer. We stayed club level at PBH, too. You made much better use of it than we did. WWoHP opened at 7 am, so the two days we went early we were not able to have breakfast first. Sounds like they had some yummy nighttime offerings!

I'm sorry to hear you experienced so many technical issues with attractions and issues with the tour groups.

We ate at Lombards and Mythos as well, enjoyed both.

We didn't see the Horror Makeup show or Beetlejuice, which I regret, but my boys don't like to watch shows. We missed Sinbad and Poeseiden, too.

So your daughter didn't have any issues with Mummy? I loved it, it was my favorite attraction, but DS10 only rode it once. We kept switching off to ride it with my older son.

[RMulieri]

Originally Posted by natebenma

I enjoyed your report.

Our family went to US/IoA for the first time this summer. We stayed club level at PBH, too. You made much better use of it than we did. WWoHP opened at 7 am, so the two days we went early we were not able to have breakfast first. Sounds like they had some yummy nighttime offerings!

I'm sorry to hear you experienced so many technical issues with attractions and issues with the tour groups.

We ate at Lombards and Mythos as well, enjoyed both.

We didn't see the Horror Makeup show or Beetlejuice, which I regret, but my boys don't like to watch shows. We missed Sinbad and Poeseiden, too.

So your daughter didn't have any issues with Mummy? I loved it, it was my favorite attraction, but DS10 only rode it once. We kept switching off to ride it with my older son.

I guess I should have been more clear.Dh and I rode mummy and switched off.DD didn't want to ride ,but she enjoyed hanging in the swap area watching everything and the Tms were entertaining her anyhow

[blackjack68]

Boy, now I have a lot to live up to with our trip report from last week...same days different hotel (Royal Pacific).

But I will shout a big Amen to the tour group issues. Crowds of relatively rude folks. Thank God for hotel Express Pass and early hours!

[RMulieri]

Originally Posted by blackjack68

Boy, now I have a lot to live up to with our trip report from last week...same days different hotel (Royal Pacific).

But I will shout a big Amen to the tour group issues. Crowds of relatively rude folks. Thank God for hotel Express Pass and early hours!

they were like swarms of locusts..Everywhere,extremely loud all the time..We learned just to go in the opposite direction,forget most character meet and greets since getting them to line up orderly was a joke..We were with Spongebob when the hordes spotted him and they were all over him instantly.The handler took Spongebob away pretty quickly..LOL.. I had worse experiences with them at Disney though.So I thought this trip was a easier to deal..Like I said Universal employees were on top of them when bad behavior started.But I am THANKFUL for the express pass and getting to the parks early.Dh kept saying and "Obama wants to make it easier for Brazil to visit? the WHOLE country is here now..Whats next?

[RMulieri]

Another TIP...We bought lanyard/zip pocuhes at walmart before our trip.It had a clear window for our room key and a zip pocket on the back.IT was PERFECT for holding our room key, money etc.The Express pass was able to be scanned right thru the plastic too.They costed about $3 and even my DH thought they were a great idea to go bag free

[blackjack68]

I saw those but was afraid of losing tickets/keys on some of the rides.

BTW, you missed out on the best roller coaster. Rip Ride Rockit is my favorite in all the Universal and Disney parks. Everest would be second. Mummy is also great but in a different class.

But now you have a reason to go back...right? (Like you needed a reason.)

[RMulieri]

Originally Posted by blackjack68

I saw those but was afraid of losing tickets/keys on some of the rides.

BTW, you missed out on the best roller coaster. Rip Ride Rockit is my favorite in all the Universal and Disney parks. Everest would be second. Mummy is also great but in a different class.

But now you have a reason to go back...right? (Like you needed a reason.)

I know I missed RRR, but honestly I have a history of a closed head injury and Hulk and Dragon challenge had rattled my fragile,little mind...LOL..I LOVE coasters though and RRR looked awesome.Its on my list for next visit.AS for the pouches, my tickets never budged.I just made sure I shoved the pocket down the front of my shirt and that the neck strap was tight

[macraven]

i hate to see this trip report end. it was a delight to read.


it is so full of information that will be extremely helpful to newbies adventuring to the darkside!


the one thing about the darkside is something is always changing.
new things are added many times over the years and this keeps the parks fresh.


sounds like the poster is going to make another trip someday.
i bet it will be as fabulous as their first trip there!

thanx for sharing your days at the darkside with us.
very much appreciated!

[schumigirl]

What a lovely trip report.....I enjoyed reading every bit

Sounds like you had a wonderful time with lots of highs. Sorry about the tour groups though.

I agree about the Universal employees....we have only ever came across staff that are so friendly and very helpful when we have ever asked them anything and genuinely happy to talk to us.

I feel your pain when leaving......it doesn`t seem to get any easier leaving such a wonderful place.

Thanks for writing your trippie, I felt I was there with you

[EPRV We love Disney]

Yay! Loved your report! How awesome was your weather! Woohoo!

I'm glad you loved PBH, I'd love to try to stay there sometime. We're heading back to RPR, love it there.

Glad the tour groups didn't make you too crazy. I'm hoping not to be deluged with any large groups....

Thanks so much for taking the time to post! It was a great read!

[Shanismom]

I really enjoyed your trip report! It was both entertaining and informative. Thanks for posting this.

[wookiebeck]

To the OP,

I also want to say 'thanks' for spending a decent amount of time posting your report. I just booked PBH club level and can't find enough about it on the boards. I thought I had made a mistake since everyone seems to be going to HRH and RPR. I'm excited now.

Well done!

[wookiebeck]

Originally Posted by natebenma

I enjoyed your report.

We stayed club level at PBH, too. You made much better use of it than we did. WWoHP opened at 7 am, so the two days we went early we were not able to have breakfast first.

Let me get this straight. If you are club, the breakfast time is 7-9am. If you are in summer, you have leave for early IOA entry before 7am? If you are in winter, you can do both breakfast and early entry.

Shouldn't they change times accordingly in the high season?

Anyone know? Thanks.

[c&m]

Thank you for your report! We're going to IOA for the first time and will be staying at the Portofino Bay. How did you request a pet-free room? Did you call a few days before arrival or request it when you booked your room? I need to do this before we arrive in spring break - very important as we have pet allergies in the family.

[RMulieri]

Originally Posted by wookiebeck

Let me get this straight. If you are club, the breakfast time is 7-9am. If you are in summer, you have leave for early IOA entry before 7am? If you are in winter, you can do both breakfast and early entry.

Shouldn't they change times accordingly in the high season?

Anyone know? Thanks.

I am not sure..I do know that the lounge was opened at 7am when I was there and IOA opened at 0800 for resort guests.We were down in the lounge by 705am ,ate and either hoofed it to the park on foot or took the boat.We made it in plenty of time