24 hours Rendevous at Universal/IOA, can it be done????

[louise1928]

I started out planning a weekend trip for two with my husband (as a surprise for his birthday in January), but since we are planning for a major trip in 2006, I decided to book overnight accomodations at Portofino Bay, and airfare, and one day passes to the parks. I often read on the New York Times website, travel writers stories, about how they spend 24 hours in a major city like LA or NYC, flying there overnight, and figure we can do the same. We are flying from Philly (about 2 hour flight), and if we get there early enough, we can have the whole day to explore, and part of the next day. Sort of a overnight Rendevous

What do you think about that idea?? Can it be done??

I asked my husband not long ago, would what would he say if I surprised him with a overnight stay at Portofino Bay, and his eyes certainly lit up like a christmas tree, (he absolutely fell in love with this hotel when we visited last year and got to see a room that was unoccupied) so by the time January arrives he will have forgotten all about it, which is what I want. (believe me he forgets things I have said last week).

 

[MartDM]

I think it's a great idea for a surprise! I'm not sure how much you'll be able to accomplish not knowing your arrival or departure times - park hours are limited during that time of the year so you might only have a few hours to enjoy the parks. It might be worth considering skipping the parks & just enjoying the Portofino for the day but, no matter what you choose, I hope you have a swell time!

 

[louise1928]

Thanks for posting. I have not confirmed anything yet, but I have been looking at flight times in January, and we as of right now we can arrive as early as 11am from Philly, which would give us plenty of time to enjoy the parks, and then we can relax during the evening at citywalk or the hotel.

I just can't see paying $200.00+ dollars per ticket for an overnight flight. I'm hoping for a better deal as it gets closer.

 

[Snoopymom]

Sounds fantastic! I'd definitely try to leave Friday after work and make it two nights though. There's nothing more fun especially when it's a surprise, than hopping on a plane, checking in to your hotel, sitting down with a fancy drink and then remembering that just 2 or 3 hours ago you were at work....and now you're in another world, aaahhhh!!!

You could get annual passes since you said you're going back in 2006 and save on both trips!

Have fun planning!

 

[robvia]

Agree, one night is not enough. It will be over so fast.
I've heard of people who fly to NY for dinner, then fly home the same evening, but those days are ova with the security and having to arrive 2 hours before. Plus most flights end up stopping at a hub before going to the final destination. And you only get one carry on, so you'll probably have to check a bag. In the old days, I'd stuff everything into two carry ons, and walk off the jet to my rental car. The things you read about on the NYT web site are of people flying the red eye thru the night, from California to the East coast, which could be done. But your flight is entirely on the east coast, so you'll be flying during the day. When I book my trips, I always fly on the first plane out at 05:30am, and by the time I've got my rental car, and drive to the park, it's about 1pm. That gives me a few hours at a park, but I couldn't imagine flying home the next day.

I'd do it on a Friday and check into an offsite hotel for that evening like the Amerisuites across from the parking garage. Visit Citywalk that night and have dinner. Then you can wake up early, pre-check in to the PBH, get your magic keys, and have the entire Saturday to visit the parks with an early start.
Sunday, you can sleep in, walk around the hotel, pack,and check out for your afternoon flight home. The Amerisuites costs about $100, and you can see more offsite hotels here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/Amerisuites.htm
That means you need to tell hubby to take Friday off of work. Maybe he'll forget what it's for until Thursday night when you tell him it's time to pack.