Our vacation has come and gone
put it in the books
another memorable and fantastic Orlando vacation! Sorry to all my DISer's...life got in the way and I am finally getting around to an overall review...
We initially werent planning on a WDW trip this summer (although we wanted to!), but when our other plans werent working out and I brought up Harry Potter at Universal and WDW, the kids got excited
and so the plans were quickly made. We spent the first two nights at Hard Rock Hotel and the next 6 at YC. It was a big year for us (my DD graduated high school, our 25th wedding anniversary, and both hubby and I had milestone birthdays) so this trip was wonderful timing!
Transportation it worked out great. We booked a town car service to the HRH, which included a stop at Publix. This was a nice extra - so we could buy a Styrofoam cooler (there is no refrigerator to use at the HRH, just a mini bar filled with overpriced items!), water, and a few other items. We transferred over to YC via taxi (they are always outside HRH so it worked out great) in the late afternoon of our third day. Once at the YC we later booked ME for our return trip to the airport.
HRH very nice hotel (beds were so comfortable!). We arrived very early (around 9:30 a.m. or so) and our garden view room was ready. We got a
AAA rate, but at this time of year, its still expensive! The bell man who brought our bags to our room was talkative and funny. The big perk to Universal onsite hotels is the FOTL (front of the line) access to rides (all rides in both parks with the exception of Rip Ride Rocket and Forbidden Journey; also no FOTL for Olivanders show the latter was really cute!). Staying onsite is totally worth it, especially during peak vacation times like ours! HRH is closest to Universal Studios
a short walk or rickshaw ride. I would only recommend the boat when going to citi walk or IOA due to the drop off point being at city walk(though thats not a much longer walk
however after all the walking we did all day, we did use the water taxi a couple times when coming back from IOA/citywalk!). The pool area is nice and all, but the depth only went to about 3 feet! So most people are sitting in it. My daughter commented that she was looking forward to SAB. Zero entry pool on the one side was nice, but it would have been nice to have it a little deeper. The landscaping are HRH area is very pretty and the walk pleasant. Just a little extra info
RPR is closest to IOA. I wanted to visit there but we never got around to it. I wonder what their pool is like. We initially had reservation for a standard room but no AAA rate at RPR, but for a few dollars more we got AAA rate HRH garden view. I would probably try RPR next time to check another hotel out. The Portofino is beyond HRH. Since its the most expensive of the three and further than the HRH, I probably wouldnt stay there. However, it looks beautiful from the pictures Ive seen on websites and via Dees trip report (thanks Dee for all your help/advice on US/IOA!!).
US/IOA had a great time, much more so than our previous visit. Our only previous visit was 6 years ago during our WDW Wilderness lodge Free-dining vacation where we took 2 day trips there. A big addition was the Harry Potter themed land. We all loved it, especially my kids. We were also able to enjoy it more this time since we stayed onsite and didnt really have to wait in lines. It was nice to walk back and forth and use the pool a bit. I think 2 nights worked out great
enough time to get to do just about everything along with a little relaxation in between. We ate at Margaritaville in City Walk (made a reservation via website, though we would have been able to walk in at the time we went 6:30 Wednesday night) on our first night. The volcano nachos are a must
and a yummy on the Land Shark Lager. Dont worry, I got my margaritas at Margaritavilles outside bar on one afternoon during their happy hour! Margaritas were ½ price at the Lone Palm airport
truly a bargain at $3.63!!). We also enjoyed Finnegans at Universal Studios. I think we picked up some quick breakfast items at Three Broomsticks as well after our early a.m. visit to Olivanders. We loved the frozen Butterbeer and got this a few times! So tasty and nice and cold on very HOT days!
YC Our first stay in this area was the BC in August 2010. It was booked so we stayed at YC. Honestly I wouldnt hesitate to stay at BC or YC. They are both beautiful!! We arrived late Friday afternoon. We got a surprise upgrade to CL, which we loved and really enjoyed. Within a half hour of checking in or so, we headed to the CL for appys
yummy
nice way to start our YC stay. The staff was great here as well. The club lounge is similar in size to the BC, but has two different areas one for food offerings and refrigerated drinks, and the other area for juices, coffee, wine, water. I liked the separate area to get my coffee. This cut down on wait time in the morning when it was busy.
Yeah the YC lobby is darker, but it is quieter than the lobby at BC. I probably like the lighter tones of the BC more (and YC doesnt have Teena & Pete, however Teena was recovering at home during our WDW stay
we really missed not seeing her when we walked through the BC lobby a few times), but YC is really nice. I like the quiet pool area at the BC more (though I only went to the YC quiet pool area to do laundry one day). They both have SAB and all the other amenities that make it great in the Epcot area. We did enjoy the quick boat access. We did not walk to DHS this year. We learned our lesson last year when we melted. Its a nice walk, when its cooler outside. I think the temps were generally around 95 with high humidity. I remember hearing on the TV in the lounge how it felt like 104-107 on a few days! However, I can tolerate the heat when on vacation, especially WDW. Also had to vacate SAB a couple of times due to lightening
but overall we really had good weather
rain never lasted too long. And it cooled off afterwards.
Okay so drum roll do we have a favorite between YC and BC. My hubby and I give a slight edge to BC (holds a soft spot given our first stay was there in August 2010 and we met Teena and Pete!). My kids seem to give a slight edge to YC. Though my son was quick to say he liked having the Marketplace in the BC
haha (always thinking of food). We all loved CL...so nice and quick to have breakfast there, loved the chips and dip in the afternoons, appys and drinks, etc. My son was on Swedish fish overload...haha! There were many nice CMs there!
I just love staying in this area...and it's great to be so close to Epcot (and eat at the many great restaurants there) and DHS.
WDW parks enjoyed them all, it was busy. We used fast pass, but we are not as efficient as natebenma
haha. Okay, we came to the conclusion that during our stay, EMH night hours did not work out. Lines were very long in Epcot
and forget about getting on RNR and Toy Story at DHS! I would do early EMH but its tough getting the kids up
and as our trip goes on, we all get more tired. My daughter and I went to Fantasmic (my son and hubby went back to YC to relax and avoid the boat line after the late show). The line for the early show was all the way down the street
yikes! The last time I went to that show was in 2000 in November. Good show, but nowhere near Illuminations and Wishes for me.
We ate at LeCellier (which my family loves) again (third time in as many trips). Can you believe I snagged a Saturday lunch reservation the night before we left for vacation? My filet was wonderful. We also ate at the Rose and Crown and Via Napoli (couldnt get a reservation but walked up and waited about 35 minutes). However, next time we need inside seating at Rose and Crown. The bees were hanging around and my daughter took a bee-line inside (shes allergic to bees). Both were very good. We just loved the pizza at Via Napoli. Also enjoyed 50s Prime time Café (always a must for us). This year I finally got the Grey Goose Slushie while roaming through World Showcase before Illumination
yummy. My hubby got the grand marnier version. I didnt get the Sunken Treasure at Hurricane Hannas though
will get it on my next trip
haha.
I have to say that a trip to WDW has to include Illuminations and Wishes. Those shows just bring it all together for me. I just love Illuminations
I think we saw it 2 or 3 times. Its those times when I get a little teary-eyed
call me corny
thats okay! My daughter got picked to be in the street show in the Great Britain. I took lots of pictures. She loved it. We loved the new Star Tours ride. The one night we went on it 2 times in a row. My daughter was picked as the rebel spy both times
cute! Of course, because of this she had to buy a pin and shirt
that girl loves to shop
All in all, we had a blast! My kids loved our vacation. They both thanked us several times, while on vacation and when returned to the real world. They love WDW
and they are 18 and 20. So dont worry if you are afraid of your youngsters not wanting to vacation there or with parents. We made wonderful memories
and many more to come Im sure
some pics will follow
Kerry
In answer to the park schedule question, last time I was at the YC/BC there were schedules in the room when we checked in, I don't know if they still do that. Looks like there will be a few disers (is that a word?) there so hope to meet some of ya'll.
that would take. My 10 year old LOVES the pool and so do her parents. We have only one child so anything that keeps her occupied is a win for us!
