A Salute to AK but mostly Dinosaur! TR 9/5-9/14/24! New TR link**

[disneyAndi14]

If I ran the Circus

It was now lunchtime, and we decided to get the tots at green eggs and ham.

I got the Carnitas tots. This was roasted pork, jalapeños, tomato, salsa, scallions, lime, Crema and white cheese sauce over tater tots.

The girls got the buffalo chicken tots. These were chicken tenders, mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced scallions, ranch and buffalo sauce over tater tots, I did give my jalapeños to Andi. She loves them.
We went into Circus McGurkus to eat our tots. It is really cute in here decorated like a crazy circus.

I love this sign! I often say if I ran the world , haha so why not a circus

We gave 2 thumbs up to the tots.

Our plan was to ride the Jurassic Park river raft.

It was basically a walk on with our express pass. I did it once with the girls and they went again. Again, I must remind you, Andi will not ride this with me, because she doesn’t like to get wet.

I tried to get a picture of them on their second ride. After the drop, we hardly got wet because we were in the second row in the middle. I love this ride. The second time the girls went alone, they also were in that same spot. If you zoom in on the picture the girls are in the first 2 seats in second row.

Our next ride was King Kong.

I wasn’t sure if it would bother Kait being screens and motion, because they did away with the 3-D glasses she had no problems, and really enjoyed It. I love the animatronic King Kong at the end of the ride.

The girls debated on doing the water rides, but once they looked at them, it was a no. The rides had roller coaster vibes with lots of quick motions. Kait thought she would get sick.
We went into the pass holder lounge and got our buttons as a Pass holder.

The button was back to the future. Unfortunately, the magnet with little boo did not come out until after we had left, which was such a bummer. I really wanted that magnet. I’m excited to report that the Christmas annual pass magnet will be available when I am there, so I will get a Universal Magnet again.

We decided to head back to the room to rest some before our dinner at Strongwater Tavern.

Here is a picture of the girls on city walk.


We did go in the new epic preview store and checked out the designs, and the model for the epic universe, which is opening in May. It looks amazing. I am most excited for the Harry Potter area and the monsters dark universe. I really don’t know much about Mario or the dragon movie so those are lost on me. It will be fun to check it all out. Our plan is to go in September 2025 when we are there for horror nights.

Stay tuned for our delicious meal at Strong Water Tavern. Coming up soon.

 

[Paulaparm]

Both versions of those tots sound delicious!

 

[pkondz]

Haha doesn’t sound like much of a vacation!

Not quite like a vacation.

It was odd! Maybe they were new barely teen cops strutting their stuff

Ha! Maybe so. "Look at us! We have power!"

Friday the 13th today and our last full day at USO and in Florida.

Friday the 13th... I wonder how crowded HHN would be that night...

Here we are looking bright and chipper for the day.

Very nice shot of all of you.

Halloween tribute store.

Hello! This would be right up my alley...

this is the Ghostbusters shirt that I bought. I really liked the shape and size of this one.

I like it.

We didn’t think the tribute store was anything great this year compared to last year.

...or not. That's unfortunate.

Love the ghost catchers.

We headed out and went into the store that has Frankenstein and the bride of Frankenstein. I love the store.

How could you not??

We decided to see the horror makeup show.

Great show!

I definitely recommend seeing the show while you are at Universal.

Our plan was to take the Hogwarts Express to islands of adventure.

They really did a good job with that. They could've just made a plain shuttle to the other park. This was so much better.

On the way, fountain was talking and making jokes with people, as you passed by.

Oh! I've never heard it talk.

We went into Seuss Landing and we rode the trolley in the sky, which I love.

Of course! US version of the People Mover.

I got the Carnitas tots. This was roasted pork, jalapeños, tomato, salsa, scallions, lime, Crema and white cheese sauce over tater tots.

Dang! I'm not a huge tots fan, but that sounds good!

We went into Circus McGurkus to eat our tots. It is really cute in here decorated like a crazy circus.

I've eaten in there. Liked it.

I love this sign! I often say if I ran the world , haha so why not a circus

I did it once with the girls and they went again. Again, I must remind you, Andi will not ride this with me, because she doesn’t like to get wet.

You've been replaced!!

I love the animatronic King Kong at the end of the ride.

Loved the first two movies. (Not so much the third)

The girls debated on doing the water rides, but once they looked at them, it was a no. The rides had roller coaster vibes with lots of quick motions. Kait thought she would get sick.

Haven't been on, so can't comment. Better safe than sorry?

We did go in the new epic preview store and checked out the designs, and the model for the epic universe, which is opening in May. It looks amazing.

I'm hoping to see it... some day.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Not quite like a vacation.

No you need a real vacation!

Ha! Maybe so. "Look at us! We have power!"

It was weird, ever had an experience like that. You think they would be more interested in the wild teens that come into HHN. They can be very disrespectful.

Friday the 13th... I wonder how crowded HHN would be that night...

I bet is was very busy! We decided to not do Friday or Saturday because of all the local teens that come in. They are very annoying in the lines!

Very nice shot of all of you.

Hello! This would be right up my alley...

Usually the Tribute stores are amazing. This one was a little meh I’m looking forward to the Christmas Tribute store.

Great show!

It really is a good one! It had been awhile since we did the show, glad we did!

They really did a good job with that. They could've just made a plain shuttle to the other park. This was so much better.

It is a great attraction. I have been to Kings Cross station in London a few times and it does look like this!

I've never heard it talk.

It was really cool! I had read about but hadn’t seen it before

Of course! US version of the People Mover.

Love it!

I've eaten in there. Liked it.

It is very nice in the circus, lol I haven’t tried the food in there yet.

You've been replaced!!

I guess, haha Who knew Andi would do water rides for her partner! I know how I rate!

I'm hoping to see it... some day.

We are planning to visit in September 2025. I’m really excited!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Both versions of those tots sound delicious!

The tot were delicious the green eggs and ham quick service consistently gets good reviews! A must try!

 

[disneyAndi14]

This evening was our reservation for Strong Water Tavern. We headed out to the restaurant and we’re seated on time.

We started with drinks Kait and I both had the tavern brew this is Bacardi light rum, pomegranate Liquor, IPA beer, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. I don’t know what it is about this drink, but it is so good. I love it. Andi went with the Reverend again, which is plantation stiggins fancy Pineapple Rum, banana, pineapple, lime, and lemon juice with habanero bitters. She really enjoyed this.

The restaurant is known for it’s light bites from different regions. I decided to go with the house made black Angus beef sliders, two beef sliders with caramelized, onions and cheese. These were delicious. I also went with another favorite of mine, which is the Tequenos. This is queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, and roasted pepper sauce. These are delicious!

Andi and Kait decided to get the vegan bread fruit tostones. This is sautéed mushrooms, avocado purée, red pepper, Sofrito and vegan Chicharron. They also went with the buttermilk fried chicken tenders Cajun seasoning, cabbage slaw, steak fries, and hot sauce. They also had another entrée from the vegetarian menu. I cannot remember what this one was but they did really like all of their food. We had a great dinner and drinks. I really recommend Strongwater Tavern while you are visiting Universal Studios Orlando.
We wanted to go to the dead Coconut club, which is a bar on CityWalk and they theme it to Halloween horror nights. We went to CityWalk and found out the coconut club was closed for a private party and it was going to open again at about 10:30 in the evening.
Well this was too late for me to hang out to wait for that so I went back to our hotel at Portofino and packed up some things and lounged around.

The girls waited until the coconut club opened up and they went in and got a couple drinks and took a few pictures for me. It was themed with 80s memorabilia and some of the Blumhouse characters.


The girls came back and we got ready for bed and packed up for our last day in Florida

Today was Saturday, September 14, 2024 and it was our last day in Florida. We decided to go to Universal Studios to do a few things. We went on ET, and Men in Black. We checked out the new minions bakery.

We also went in the sweet shop and looked at some of the Halloween candy.

We decided to get some garlic rolls at the pizza place and these were delicious. We were all hungry. The buttery garlic rolls are located at the outside window of the pizza restaurant. This is at Louise’s restaurant. I recommend trying them. After we had our snack, we walked over to islands of adventure. We spent some time in Seuss Landing again. We rode the trolley and cat in the hat.

Our last ride of the day was King Kong. This was Kait‘s choice. It was now time to head back to city walk for our lunch reservation at Hard Rock Cafe. We stopped atToothsome’s chocolate Emporium and bought some macarons to take home. Best Macarons ever!

We then went into Hard Rock Café for our lunch. I had a cheeseburger and fries and it was very good. The girls had some type of chicken sandwiches and Mac and cheese. I have no photographic evidence of our meal so I’m guessing a little bit on what they had. I do know overall we were happy with our meal. It was fun looking at all the hard rock memorabilia in the restaurant. We went back to our hotel, retrieved our luggage from Bell Service and called a Lyft to take us to the airport. We wanted some extra time because Kait does not have TSA pre-check. It did take Kait about 30 minutes to get through security. Andi and I were through in about 10 minutes with TSA pre-check, best thing I ever bought.
We did have enough time to go and check out the Delta sky lounge. I am a member and we loved it in there. The girls were excited to get some snacks and drinks for free and they kept saying oh this is how the fancy rich people wait for their flight.

Our flight was delayed about a half an hour due to a thunderstorm. They were not boarding any planes at all at the airport until the storm passed. We did get on our airplane and took off without problems once the storm was over. Our flight was uneventful and we were back in Duluth by midnight. That is a wrap!

Thank you so much for following along and reading my trip report.

I really wanted to finish this one before I leave on Sunday for my Christmas trip to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. I am getting very excited for my trip.

See you real soon.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I've enjoyed your trip report. And I learned a lot of stuff about Universal. The Minions bakery is especially cute.

We wanted some extra time because Kait does not have TSA pre-check. It did take Kait about 30 minutes to get through security. Andi and I were through in about 10 minutes with TSA pre-check, best thing I ever bought.

It was an extremely long line at MCO which prompted us to get TSA precheck. It is well worth it.

I really wanted to finish this one before I leave on Sunday for my Christmas trip to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. I am getting very excited for my trip.

See you real soon.

We are leaving on Tuesday. I hope we can meet up in WDW. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[pkondz]

It was weird, ever had an experience like that. You think they would be more interested in the wild teens that come into HHN. They can be very disrespectful.

We decided to not do Friday or Saturday because of all the local teens that come in. They are very annoying in the lines!

How so?

I have been to Kings Cross station in London a few times and it does look like this!

How cool is that?

It is very nice in the circus, lol I haven’t tried the food in there yet.

I don't remember ordering in there... just eating in there.

I guess, haha Who knew Andi would do water rides for her partner! I know how I rate!

We are planning to visit in September 2025. I’m really excited!

How could you not be?

 

[pkondz]

This evening was our reservation for Strong Water Tavern.

Know you like it there.

We headed out to the restaurant and we’re seated on time.

Personally, I prefer being seated on chairs, but you do you.

Bacardi light rum, pomegranate Liquor, IPA beer, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. I don’t know what it is about this drink, but it is so good.

Hmm... rum and beer?

I'd still try it.

Pineapple Rum, banana, pineapple, lime, and lemon juice with habanero bitters.

Again with the rum... but I'd try that too.

black Angus beef sliders, two beef sliders with caramelized, onions and cheese. These were delicious.

Yum.

Tequenos. This is queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, and roasted pepper sauce. These are delicious!

These sound both interesting and tasty. Would try for sure.

Andi and Kait decided to get the vegan bread fruit tostones. This is sautéed mushrooms, avocado purée, red pepper, Sofrito and vegan Chicharron.

Think I'll pass on that.

They also went with the buttermilk fried chicken tenders Cajun seasoning, cabbage slaw, steak fries, and hot sauce.

Sounds okay, but of all the items, the tequenos sound the most interesting.

We wanted to go to the dead Coconut club

I approve. The only good coconut is a dead coconut.

which is a bar on CityWalk and they theme it to Halloween horror nights.

Oohh... I like the idea of that.

The girls waited until the coconut club opened up

I knew they would!

our last day in Florida.

Ugh... I hate that.

We checked out the new minions bakery.

Looks fun.

We decided to get some garlic rolls at the pizza place and these were delicious. We were all hungry. The buttery garlic rolls are located at the outside window of the pizza restaurant.

Good info.

But will I remember it?????


No. Probably not.

We stopped atToothsome’s chocolate Emporium and bought some macarons to take home. Best Macarons ever!

You know... I've been there at least twice... Do you think I tried the macarons? No. I did not.
Do you know why? No. I do not know why, either.

It did take Kait about 30 minutes to get through security.

Not bad for MCO.

We did have enough time to go and check out the Delta sky lounge. I am a member and we loved it in there.

Nice.

The girls were excited to get some snacks and drinks for free and they kept saying oh this is how the fancy rich people wait for their flight.

Thank you so much for following along and reading my trip report.

Thanks so much for writing! Really enjoyed following along.

I really wanted to finish this one before I leave on Sunday for my Christmas trip to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. I am getting very excited for my trip.

Have a great time!
Can't wait to read all about it.

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Enjoyed your report as usual! Enjoy your upcoming trip. Good timing now that it’s finally getting cold here in the Midwest

 

[disneyAndi14]

Have a wonderful Day. Eat like you mean it!

 

[Paulaparm]

Thanks for sharing and have a great time on the next trip!

 

[suse66]

Thanks for another awesome trip report! I really enjoyed reading along! See you in 6 days!!!!!

 

[schumigirl]

Glad you all enjoyed your trip so much, it really shows in your pictures which are lovely!

Thank you for taking the time to do it, always appreciate the work that goes into them and always enjoy reading along so much!

Till the next time

 

[cheryllarsen]

What a fun trip!!!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Thanks so much for sharing about your trip! I enjo

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Great wrap up to your trip!!! And honestly, if 2 random girls came up to me to ask for ID, I would have questioned it too. Go ahead and kick me out but you need to have some indication that you work here. Goodness.

I hope you have the best trip coming up. I got home Saturday from my Thanksgiving trip. Christmas is in full bloom at Disney!!! Enjoy!!!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I approve. The only good coconut is a dead coconut.

Haha It was really fun at Christmas time, decorated really nice!

You know... I've been there at least twice... Do you think I tried the macarons? No. I did not.
Do you know why? No. I do not know why, either.

Try the Macarons! No coconut in these little precious gems

Thanks so much for writing! Really enjoyed following along.

Thank you, I started my new report!

Have a great time!
Can't wait to read all about it.

I did, time flies when having fun!

Enjoyed your report as usual! Enjoy your upcoming trip. Good timing now that it’s finally getting cold here in the Midwest

Thank you It was actually colder than I like in Florida this trip but no rain and still way warmer than here!

Thanks for sharing and have a great time on the next trip!

Thank you for joining in!

Thanks for another awesome trip report! I really enjoyed reading along! See you in 6 days!!!!!

Thank you! Really enjoyed visiting with you this trip! It goes too fast!

Glad you all enjoyed your trip so much, it really shows in your pictures which are lovely!

Thank you for taking the time to do it, always appreciate the work that goes into them and always enjoy reading along so much!

Till the next time

Thank you so much! My new TR is up and will feature USO first!

What a fun trip!!!

Thank you!

Thanks so much for sharing about your trip! I enjo

I’m so happy you joined in!

Great wrap up to your trip!!! And honestly, if 2 random girls came up to me to ask for ID, I would have questioned it too. Go ahead and kick me out but you need to have some indication that you work here. Goodness.

Thank you and yes these two young undercover security people did raise suspicion to me!

I hope you have the best trip coming up. I got home Saturday from my Thanksgiving trip. Christmas is in full bloom at Disney!!! Enjoy!!!!

Thank you! It was a nice trip, a little cool for me but still beautiful at Christmas time!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I started my new TR, you can find it here!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...-christmas-tr-12-1-12-9.3958930/post-65887474

 

[pkondz]

Haha It was really fun at Christmas time, decorated really nice!

I'll take your word for it.

Try the Macarons! No coconut in these little precious gems

I will!

Thank you, I started my new report!

On my way.