A Live Report Begins.....

[scanne]

Now! We are packing up the van to head to the airport. Our first four nights will be at Portofini Bay at Universal then on Sunday we are transferring to the Polynesian for 8 nights and we will be on the DxDP.

I'll be sure to post something each day (probably more than that) and if you have any questions, please ask!

I'm posting via iPhone so please pardon any typos that may occur.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I'm in! We'll be staying at Portofino Bay and Wilderness Lodge in just two weeks. It will be our first onsite stay at Universal, so I'm very interested in your report! Have fun!

 

[scanne]

Well after a two hour flight delay, we are finally in Orlando!

Surprise number 1 - Limo ride to Portofino! My kids were so excited! I will add photos when I return home....but my 6 year old DD said "Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Today is her birthday, too, so this was part of her gift.

So we are in the limo on our way to Universal. We have never stayed at Universal so we are all very excited!!!! More to come!

Thanks for reading.

 

[sandym718]

So exciting!! I can imagine my 6 y.o. DD saying the same thing!!! Have a great trip, thanks for posting and I'm excited to follow along!

 

[scanne]

Portofino is beautiful! We had a great dinner at Trattoria del Porta and our room is located in the east side and we are just steps to the boat to the parks. We explored the beach pool and it's nice - almost like Stormalong Bay just not as big. They have a slide and zero entry and it looks like it's a blast. We are going to swim tomorrow after visiting IOA.

I'm looking forward to butterbeer for breakfast!!!!!


More in the morning.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Can't wait to read more - we will be at Portofino Bay for 4 nights in just 35 days (not that I'm counting ) Then on to the Grand Floridian for 16 nights!! Your report will get me even more excited and I didn't think that was possible!!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Thanks, scanne! More, please!

 

[scanne]

Today has been crazy!
We got to IOA at 7:15 this morning and were let in at 7:30. We for in line for Ollivander's first thing and waited about 20 minutes. Got a pumpkin juice (6.25$!) and a fruit cup to hold us until breakfast.

DD6 and I rode FJ. It is like Soarin' x 10000! It is really hard to describe. It is a unique motion experience complete with amazing filmed imagery and in-your-face animatronics. Unreal! My DD was a bit scared and was shaking a bit when we got off the ride, but she was excited that she tried it (but she said she won't go again).

We had breakfast at Three Broomsticks as part of our AAA package. The meal would have cost $50.00 oop so it was a nice inclusion.

We next went to Seussland and rode everything there. We then went to Marvel island and DH and DS7 rode Spiderman. Then we all went on Blutos raft ride AND GOT SOAKED!!!!!!!

We are heading to the pool now then to Universal and back to IOA just to grab a cauldron cake, chocolate
Frog and some other goodies for bedtime treats.

Oh we got pizza and a sandwich from Sal's here at the hotel. One word = $$$$

I can honestly day that I prefer pre-paying for my food at Disney for the dining plans.

More later. We are hoping to get to Bubba Gumps for dinner but we will see how our time goes.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Cotta]

We leave in five days!! We are staying at Grand Floridian for four nights and then Royal Pacific for 3! I am wondering if my son will be able to handle FJ... if you don't mind me asking how old your daughter is?

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Can't wait to hear all about it! And please post some pics, if possible...you know we LOVE pics! Have a great time

 

[scanne]

Hey everyone!
Cotta, my DD is 6- just turned 6 on 7/14. She did ride FJ but only once. Just be aware that it's dark in the queue and the ride itself is based more on the scary elements of the Harry Potter stories. But if your son likes thrills and doesn't mind the dark, he may be ok.

Last night we went to Universal and saw Shrek 4D. Then my DS accidentally banged his head into my lip and now I look like Angelina Jolie. LOL!!!

We rode the Woody Woodpecker coaster twice then hoppe back over to IOA. DH rode FJ in the single rider line at 9pm and it was 20 minutes from start to finish. I took the kids on Cat in the Hat and the Caro-Seuss-Sel. Then we went to CityWalk and had a late dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It was very good, but DS fell asleep and missed his meal.

Today we didn't get as early a start. We got to IOA at 8 and walked right in. DH went straight to FJ and the kids and I rode Cat in the Hat an One Fish Two Fish. Then we met DH and he had gotten me a parent swap card so I got to ride FJ.

We then ride Flight of the Hippogriff 3 times and grabbed a cauldron cake, pumpkin tart, lightening bolt rice krispie treats and chocolate frogs, fudge flies and a few other treats.

DD and I headed back to the hotel to swim and the boys met Spidey in marvel Island.

Now, we have had an enjoyable time, but we cancelled our last night here bs added a room only ressie at the Polynesian for tomorrow night before our package starts on Sunday. So tonight we are going to a character dinner with Shrek and Fiona then back to IOA for another walk through Hogwarts.
Tomorrow we will head to Disney and we will be going to Downtown Disney and we are going to hang out at the pool, too.

So for my family, US/IOA is ok for a couple of days, but my kids aren't ready for big thrills yet. We have had fun, but would rather be at Disney.

More to follow and if you have any questions, please ask.

 

[Echo queen]

Love live reports. We are doing 2 nights at US onsite after or 7 nights at WDW.

 

[scanne]

I'm back and happy to report that we are "home" at disney's Polynesian Resort!!!! We checked in at 11am and our room was ready and our building request was granted. We are in Tahiti on the first floor with a dead-on view of the castle! I love the patio and room location. We had lunch at Captain Cook's. This meal was OOP because our package starts tomorrow. We asked to be able to stay in the same room and that was granted as well.

Lunch was kids chicken nuggets with jello and a chocolate chip cookie and a chocolate milk for DS, a kids turkey and cheese sandwich with grapes and cookie and diet coke for DD, the aloha pulled pork Sammie and a vitamin water for DH and I got the grilled chicken Caesar salad and water. We shared a plate of Polynesian chips and had dole whip for dessert. Yummy....

DH loves the Polynesian and so do I, so we are thrilled to be here!

A quick comparison for you: food wise, Disney is way ahead of Portofino! Captain Cook's is a prime example of that. We love the casual, quick serve location because there's a good selection and the prices are reasonable and it only took 5 minutes to get our food whereas at Sal's it took 45 minutes for pizza and a sandwich the other day.

Needless to say, we are extremely happy to be on Disney property!

We are going to Downtown Disney at some point this afternoon for our shopping! We might do the movie on the beach tonight at the GF and we are going to MK or Epcot bright and early tomorrow morning.

Oh, one more thing.
There is a TON of Polynesian merchandise in Boutiki! Hats, tees, towels, magnets, coffee mugs, notepads, etc. Very nice selection and I will be getting a new magnet and some other items later in the week.

Questions? Please ask an I will do my best to get you an answer!

Thanks for reading!!

 

[crate1]

Love live reports! Thanks so much! The later morning in IOA, how was the wait time for FJ for your husband? Can you keep us posted on what you think of the crowd levels for Disney parks while there? We will be at Universal 20July for 2nts then 6nts at the Poly.

 

[scanne]

Hello from Epcot! We got here at 8:00 for morning emh's. Rode Test Track with no wait and Soarin' was 25 minutes. Got fp's also. In line now for the character spot and it's taken 20 minutes to get 2/3 through. We are almost to Mickey....
Weather is nice 89 but a bit muggy. Crowds are typical but manageable with a good plan.
We are going on Soarin' one more time then hopping to MK. More reports later. We are on the DxDp so I'll be posting about our meals as well.

Thanks!

 

[Aristocath]

I love live reports! I know what you mean about Universal with younger kids. We are going for one day next month just for the WWoHP.

Good to hear about the Poly merchandise. Have fun!

 

[scanne]

Back again with an update.

Today's plans changed up a bit and instead of hopping to MK for lunch we stayed in Epcot because DS needed food pronto! All he had eaten for breakfast (at Seasons) was half a chocolate chip muffin and a small nesquick. So by noon the boy was a cranky mess! DH disagreed with me about DS needing food but I insisted on getting lunch and once he ate some protein, he was his old self. Note to DH - Mommies know best!

So we had a not-so-great QS lunch at Electric Umbrella, but it served it's purpose and we were able to continue with our day.

DS and I rode Soarin' again while DH and DD rode
Nemo and Friends and Journey into Figments imagination. DD then did some splashing around in one of the fountains then we came back to the Polynesian for naps.

We got 2 hour naps and are getting ready for dinner at 'Ohana then evening emh's at Magic Kingdom. I'm really looking forward to MSEP and Summer Nightastic fireworks!!!!

More to come....

 

[scanne]

Just finishing our 'Ohana dinner. DH and the kids are doing the hukilau and I'm trying not to eat anymore bread pudding!
We had an awesome sever-CJ- and everything was well-paced and delicious!!!!

I love the bread pudding.....

Mmmm.....

So we are going to MK now. Yay!!!!

Bread pudding is calling....make it stop....

 

[Disney_Jill]

I love live trip reports. Sounds like a great trip so far!! I hope you guys have a great night at MK. I wish I was there.

 

[scanne]

Live! From MK and we are waiting on Main Street for MSEP to start. The weather is beautiful. Warm with a nice breeze and not humid. We have a great spot in front of the confectionary and DH is off getting fastpasses for Buzz Lightyear. We are planning to stay as late as the kids can function for EMH's and since we all had a two hour nap, I am thinking we are good until midnight!

I brought glow sticks from home which worked out great because my kids were so excited that I had magical surprises for them and I didn't have to spend a lot of $$$ on a light up toy.

So I think we are in store for a magical night! I am so looking forward to MSEP!!!

More magic to come.....