Another 18 nights RPR, just the two of us & HHN (2015 Trip)

[MyTalula]

We waited till the queue had an empty space, which wasn't long at all then headed down towards our favourite rides once more. We always take our time here and savour the beauty that is Port of Entry......when we take pictures sometimes people look and see what we`re taking.....today was no different and we told a family again to listen to the windows at the top of the buildings.......they had never knew you could hear anything.......it`s not a magical thing or anything but cute, and adds to the wonderful theming that is Universal.

Theming again is top notch. It never appeals to us to eat in here.......but it does look nice. We head back out and have a bathroom break and listen to Moaning Myrtle for a bit......again, so many people don't know about this little slice of information.......again, a nice touch.

I love these details you share! We would never have known to check out Myrtle, or listen to the windows in Port of Entry, thank you I'm taking notes!!

 

[schumigirl]

We do go on DD twice before we depart for the train........we get the front row second time and second row first time......love the front row on this ride. Then wander around for the HE..........there is literally no-one here..........

We had the carriage to ourselves which is always nice.......and in a few minutes were arriving in London........this really is something you should do at least once each way.......it is quite unique and very cute.

But we get out and it is busier this end of the journey, but not crowded. We really only plan to do Gringotts today, so we walk straight to that and try not get distracted....but we do as usual, get distracted.......

We get on Gringottos first as there is no queue at the moment...we do this twice, once regular queue and then single rider as there is a queue when we get off.....sort of......we get to sit one row apart this time......single rider is an excellent option if available and queue is too big. We come out and it`s still a glorious day........we think twice about leaving the park today but we have a place we want to eat at outside and have some shopping to do.

Now we were heading out for lunch. Planned to go to Chilis in LBV.......always like a meal here. But we were going back to the room first as yesterday we had bought a few packages......some from DA and last night as we went into horror nights we first went in and bought Kyle two HHN tees and some other bits and bobs like mugs, lanyards for next year and shot glasses, so we were keen to see them.

 

[schumigirl]

I love these details you share! We would never have known to check out Myrtle, or listen to the windows in Port of Entry, thank you I'm taking notes!!

Glad to help MyTalula..........it really is little things like that that make Universal so amazing.....everything is so well themed!!

Glad you`re still enjoying reading....thank you

 

[tink1957]

Hey Carole...did you buy a bottle of that purple vodka?

Thanks for the latest updates, it was fun catching up with you and next time we need to share a meal together as our time was too brief.

Love the pics, no matter how many times I've seen different versions of them, it takes me back to the darkside and the joy of our trips.

 

[schumigirl]

Hey Carole...did you buy a bottle of that purple vodka?

Thanks for the latest updates, it was fun catching up with you and next time we need to share a meal together as our time was too brief.

Love the pics, no matter how many times I've seen different versions of them, it takes me back to the darkside and the joy of our trips.

No Vicki.......wouldn't trust we could get it home safely, however well we wrapped it in the suitcase.......we were tempted by the huge bottles of rum though!!! But........yes we were tempted........

Glad you're enjoying the report, yes it was a brief meet and so nice to catch up.....we seem to be so busy despite having no plans every year.........

Thanks for the lovely comments.........

 

[keishashadow]

Hey Carole...did you buy a bottle of that purple vodka?

Thanks for the latest updates, it was fun catching up with you and next time we need to share a meal together as our time was too brief.

Love the pics, no matter how many times I've seen different versions of them, it takes me back to the darkside and the joy of our trips.

nice pic of you two!
carole we marvel at 'cheap' beer & liquor prices in Fla too, taxes make all the difference.
impressed with your pics of the 'dark alley', very clear...for that matter ALL the pics were great, thanks for the tR

 

[schumigirl]

nice pic of you two!
carole we marvel at 'cheap' beer & liquor prices in Fla too, taxes make all the difference.
impressed with your pics of the 'dark alley', very clear...for that matter ALL the pics were great, thanks for the tR

Thanks Janet.......I do enjoy doing them......nice way to keep the memories for us........

Yes for some reason Vicki and I have never taken a picture previous visits, so I made sure we got one this time.......HHN and our weekend with mac coming up........

 

[tink1957]

 

[Meredith]

I'm beginning to get sad that you trip report is going to end soon!

 

[macraven]

i'm sure carole has a lot more pics and posts still to come!

 

[J'aime Paris]

I've read this entire thread over the last 24 hours, and I must say I'm loving it!
We booked our first trip in many years to US/IOA---this trip report is getting me very excited to go back!
We are staying at RPR, so I've learned many valuable tips already. Cannot wait to try the sushi at Orchid Lounge!!
Will continue to follow......

 

[schumigirl]

I'm beginning to get sad that you trip report is going to end soon!

Aww thanks......I get sad too just writing it as it nears the end!!! Glad you`ve enjoyed it though........

i'm sure carole has a lot more pics and posts still to come!

.......you know me so well.........

I've read this entire thread over the last 24 hours, and I must say I'm loving it!
We booked our first trip in many years to US/IOA---this trip report is getting me very excited to go back!
We are staying at RPR, so I've learned many valuable tips already. Cannot wait to try the sushi at Orchid Lounge!!
Will continue to follow......

Thank you!!!!! Great user name....me too

Oh you`ll love RPR.....and yes Orchids for Sushi is gorgeous......it`s on a par with any decent sushi venue outside. So glad to hear you`re enjoying reading along with my little ramblings.........

Hope you enjoy the rest and thank you again for the lovely comments

 

[schumigirl]

*Some pictures deleted by Photobucket*



So we get back to the room to freshen up and we see two packages have been delivered......but the biggest one with the tees, mugs and stuff is not there. We will check on it later, may have just been delayed. So we unwrap the other packages and now I begin to think where on earth am I going to put all this stuff......we only have two cases this year.........hmmm. Will worry about that later.......

Head out to Chilis in LBV. We usually eat here every year.......cheap and cheerful and food is always good. There is a Chilis nearer than this one, but it didn't look as clean or just as nice. So LBV it is.......not before a wander through the lobby to catch a friend.

We do manage to catch him for a brief chat before we head off.........Tom goes and gets the car as I wait in the shade today.......

I love the entrance to this hotel.......so familiar and welcoming now.

Tom brings the car and thankfully the air conditioning has cooled the car beautifully.......although I love heat I always have our car very cool. Our air conditioning at home is always on cool even in winter......I get a little travel sick if it`s too hot. So I do like a cool car......it`s a nice little drive to LBV, avoiding the I4 and using Turkey Lake Road is so much quieter. It only takes 15 minutes to get there and now I`m hungry..........

We are seated immediately, it`s not too busy and we immediately order strawberry lemonades......we are fairly regular in our drink choices......usually that or Fanta.........they are lovely in here too.....and I`m sure we drank a few of them today. The menu is a fair size and we have no idea what we will have.......but Tom knows quickly what he wants.......Southern Smokehouse Burger with fries.......I ask for half rack of ribs with sweet potato fries and a side of cornbread....I adore cornbread and this had jalapenos in it.......anyway......they don't do that anymore.......awww.........she suggests a side of jalapeno mac n cheese......it`s fairly small so I order that........as we wait for lunch we see everyone`s food around us and it all looks gorgeous.......someone got Fajitas and the smell was beautiful.....now we were both starving!!! It was worth waiting for.........

It was all gorgeous!!! I wasn't sure about the mac n cheese but it was so nice.........Tom loved his burger and really got his teeth into that one.........we sat and finished our drink as we definitely had no room for dessert.......we aren't the biggest dessert people especially at lunch.

We left and headed off to LBV outlet centre to get some stuff.......some of it is gifts for people here, so not for the suitcase......well, not all of it. Got a few things then it was chocolate time. The Lindt shop is here now since it moved from Mall at Millenia......there is one at the outlets at top of IDrive, but this one is better. We got a few boxes of the stuff and thought we`d better head back to the hotel before it melted.......

We walked through the lobby area as we came back in and spoke to a member of staff we hadn't seen in a while. Passed 10 minutes, then of course took some more snaps........

So many photo ops around the hotel, you get spoiled by how pretty it is.

But we were headed up to start the unpleasant task of packing.......we planned to just make a start as we had a full weekend planned and horror nights tonight. It is very depressing to bring the cases back out and begin to ponder where we are going to put everything......I had a brainwave of picking out clothes I wouldn't need anymore and leaving them.........I got the look from my adoring husband that suggested that may not be the answer.......lol........I did try........

We were saved a decision at that point by Kyle ringing us through Skype......yay..........I can be a procrastinator at times like this, so any delay is good, but Kyle was perfect.......we were so missing him by now......phone calls are ok but being able to see each other every day was so much better than just calls........so we chatted for ages and felt very guilty for going to horror nights again tonight......he just laughed and said to enjoy it as always.......we showed him the sun still shining outside......it was already dark in the uk. Didn't miss that........

Eventually he said he was going, so we said our goodbyes knowing it would only a few days till we were back.......

We got back to packing some of our stuff and trying to wrap delicates and things like all my shampoos and conditoners which I had to concede were heavy. Very heavy. We managed most of it and kept out what we would need for next few days.

We then showered and got changed to go to lounge for drinks before heading to Studios again.

 

[schumigirl]

Lounge was quiet when we first got there as food wasn't being served yet....so we got settled and had a couple of glasses of wine and chatted as usual with staff in there. There was a couple we didn't know tonight, but nice people. Food looked so good tonight but we were heading to either Cowfish or Margaritaville.......we would decide when we got there.........so we didn't bother with any food.....even though the salad looked gorgeous.......but we would wait.

We headed back to room to drop of ipads and immediately saw we had another gift of strawberries dipped in chocolate.......They were gorgeous and very much appreciated.........it`s touches like this that make this place so special to us........so much more too. I did tear up a little as always for kind gestures. We devoured the strawberries almost immediately, trying to savour them as they were succulently sweet and juicy.......and gone!!! I got the white ones...........so after wiping our faces.....we headed back out for the boats. Didn't plan to walk tonight as it was so hot. Boat was quite busy again.......Citywalk was going to be busy.......

We got off the boat and it was indeed busy.........we headed up the steps and looked at the queue for Cowfish....it was huge......even with room key advantage it was quite a wait......so we headed to Margaritaville.......it was busy, but with room key it was only going to be a 10 minute wait again. That was ok.......if it had been longer we would have grabbed something in the park once we were in. It was just over 10 minutes when the buzzer buzzed.......we had been walking around the store so it passed quickly anyway.

We got a good seat again in front of the stage and we had same lady as lunch time take care of us tonight........love this restaurant......yes it can be a bit noisy but it has a great atmosphere and you get to sing along with the Salt song and of course Jimmy Buffet Wastin away.........well, we do anyway.......

Tom ordered his favourite.....Landshark lager, I ordered a Strawberry Daiquiri....alcoholic one this time......it was night time......and I did ask for a strawberry lemonade too....it was hot!

Tom went for the French Dip sandwich with fries, another of his favourite sandwiches........I rather boringly again had the Jamaican Jerk Wings which were gorgeous and a portion of sweet potato fries.........Stephanie said there may be a slight delay as they were incredibly busy.....no rush for us......she asked if we wanted a picture together while we waited.....of course......so nice of her to offer as we could see she was run off her feet, so we were grateful for her kindness

Food wasn't long at all, and again it was lovely. I don`t think we have ever been disappointed in the food in here in all our visits. The menu has shrunk since Universal took it over, but everyone can get something I imagine.

Love this place!!!! We loved our meal in here tonight and thanked Stephanie profusely for her time and the way she looked after us. We had sung along to everything we knew.....and a few we hadn't...........

We headed out into the night heat which was still so balmy and walked over to studios for a full night of horror!

 

[schumigirl]

Tonight we had pledged to not enjoy the whole night through a camera lens.......this would be our fifth horror night, so we had seen it all and enjoyed it immensely......so tonight was all about relaxingly mooching through the zones and doing the houses of our choice. If any were too busy, we would leave them. We got through the metal detectors quite easily tonight......it was busy though. We would again be grateful for EP. Some people ask why we don't do rip TOUR........well, quite simply the idea of spending all those hours in one night is not appealing to us at all. We prefer to go over several nights and take our time. After spending time in the parks during the day our little feet would object a little I think.

So we are immediately welcomed by the chain saw wielding clowns......this did become tiresome....so loud and smelly......not nice to be around all the time. Definite overkill on those and hopefully there will be less of them next year. But, it's till so much fun.........

Tonight we again decide to do Jack first........there is a queue.......but not for EP!!! I honestly would not consider horror nights without it......even for us going many nights, it`s worth it to save those sometimes horrendous queues. We get in fairly quickly.....less than 10 minutes and again....it is an amazing house.......in and out in no time though......

On to AWiL.......although this wasn't our favourite house by far, it was still good......maybe if we hadn`t seen how much better it was previous years we would have enjoyed it more.......the animatronics were excellent though and they had improved the werewolves......

We went back into the old Twister store again.......they had some good old relics that we had enjoyed from previous years, and some we hadn't........so it was fun to just mooch around and snap some pictures........

After this we realised we needed a bathroom break.......walked around to the bathrooms behind this store and the queue was horrific!!! Wish they had EP for this.......one woman told me not to bother.....so we double backed and went over to Monsters Café to use the bathroom in there.......there was no-one in there.........did speak to the girl cleaning it.....Tom does say I can talk to anyone and I usually do. Monsters Café is somewhere we never eat........food has never appealed to us and the times we did try it wasn't good. So it`s a nice place to see and take pictures but wouldn't recommend the quality of food in there, along with Mel`s and Richter Burger in the Studios......just our opinion of course........

So eventually headed back out and wandered to Body Collectors again........it was pitch black by now and much more horror like for the full effects of everything.........Loved this house again........so many scares and we then decided it was definitely a shared no 1 with Jack`s house........for this year anyway. We double backed again and did Freddy v Jason.......superb house and again, I caught so many things I had missed previous nights. Liked this house.

Headed through Psychoscareapy zone again........we did take some pics here again........but very similar to previous ones......we wandered around to Insidious and The Purge which were our next favourite houses........we didn't wait too long for these houses tonight.....I think Insidious was about 20 minutes which was the longest we waited the whole event. It was worth it though. You get to talking to people in the lines and usually everyone is in very good spirits and ready for a laugh in the queue.....we found this almost every night......we were lucky and had some nice people around us every night.

We did the Purge and decided we needed a drink........we bought a beer and sat and just people watched for a while.......it had gotten cooler tonight and Tom thinks it rained tonight but I haven't written that down, so I really cant remember as the nights were now melding into one.........but we decided to just wander through the zones again and get some pictures and then we were going to watch the Jack show again..........although the thought of standing was a little off putting.........

Some of these pics are out of sequence.......from another evening, but the ones from tonight didn't always turn out as good......so I hope you don't mind the out of sequence pictures

Continued..........

 

[schumigirl]

The Insidious house was the wonderful Halloween House last year........we did think though these type of houses lend themselves to being in the soundstages more than stuck out here........but, they were still good!!! Again, better when it`s dark.

We did decide to wait for the Jack show tonight again.......it is good......but there`s something not quite right for me....but as I say that, we really enjoyed it......much better than B&T.........it is so busy stood in the middle of all that crowd and I have to say I got a little claustrophobic at one point........before I became the drama queen I can, be we hastily retreated and got into some clear air........kind of.......it was busy tonight. We sat outside Mel`s Diner for a few minutes and got some water.........now I felt fine. Anyone who doesn't suffer a little from claustrophobia wont get it......but it was quite overwhelming in that crowd.

Back through Icons zone again........we got many of the same pictures again.......but a few SA we had missed from before......we had a lovely encounter with The roaming Usher......but I had put my camera away at that point.........typical!!! But we had so many it wasn't an issue........

 

[schumigirl]

*These pictures deleted by Photobucket*


We now felt we were planning to head out the park..........it was fairly late (for us) but we were so tired....talk about feeling old!!! But we got a few more moments before we did.........

She was quite freaky with the red dress...........I have to say we never tire of admiring all TM whether it`s HHN or any of them.....they do such an amazing job and the SA always go above and beyond.......they are tremendous and we appreciate just how much of an effort they put in every night........they are amazing!!!

We are bit whooped now, so we head out of the park and get the boat back to the hotel........although once we are out in Citywalk we do hang around a bit......it`s such a vibrant place and full of fun every night.

Back into the hotel we stop past reception to enquire about our missing parcel that hadn't arrived........turned out the guy in the store had put wrong room number on order......Housekeeping had realised the name didn't match the room so had kept it downstairs......the lovely girl on reception told us it could either be sent up or we could pick it up from reception in the morning.......we said we would be happy to pick it up.

We love this hotel, if you haven't already guessed........so pretty and such a warm feel about it at any time of the day........there are so many little places to just sit and relax or watch the world go by for a few minutes......

Even though we were tired we walked around the outside of the property for a bit........so peaceful and tranquil and just beautiful. We were going to miss this so much when we went home.

Then it was up to bed.......it was after midnight now and we were ready for bed. We were so looking forward to tomorrow.

 

[schumigirl]

SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER

Today we were up very early. We were still tired, but we had a lot to cram in today.

Over the years on the Dis, you make friends that come and go sometimes, for various reasons, but some you keep up with.

macraven was one of those people. After 7 years of exchanging emails and having........"very" long phone calls described by my husband as "epic length" lol.....they really were, anyway we were finally going to meet. We had missed each other by weeks, days and on one occasion, hours. So we were determined this time it would happen.

I had made sure we made no other plans this weekend with anyone, although we had arranged for the three of us to go to horror nights on Sunday night and meet with Marquibiri and a couple of others.........that was the extent of our plans.

We started our day with our usual Skype from Kyle........I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic this was for keeping in touch with each other........we chatted for ages as usual, then he had things to be going on with so we said our goodbyes till tomorrow morning. Once we were showered and changed we headed for breakfast in Club Lounge. We were so hungry this morning........we ate well and chatted to some our favourite guys in there........it looked to be a lovely day outside again, but no parks today.

We went down to lobby and spoke to reception and got our parcel that hadn't been delivered to our room. The guy had just made a mistake in the shop.......but thankfully whoever was delivering noticed the mismatch of room number and name....otherwise someone else would have had a nice surprise!!! We took it back up to our room and unwrapped it.......then wondered how we could squeeze it into our already straining suitcases!! Oh dear.........and we still had a few bits to get.........

We were meeting mac around 10.30 as she had to transfer over from her other hotel......so we mooched around a bit then went down to sit in the lobby and wait.......we sat in Orchids and we could see through to the check in area......we could keep and eye out so we wouldn't miss her......although not that that would happen.......mac is immediately recognisable........so we passed the time and then I saw her head through to the booth to have pictures taken for EP........I would surprise her.....I stood and waited till she had her picture taken then as she turned to walk round I appeared......of course she was surprised I was right there.........lol........

We hugged and said Hi........I said she was taller than I thought........I imagined her smaller.....lol.......I walked her through to meet Tom and then we sat and chatted for a while........that followed the pattern of the weekend......time ran away with us and we didn't know where it went half the time. We soon realised we wouldn't do half the things we had planned for the day as by now it was almost lunchtime........but we headed up to our room as I had forgotten my camera, so we mooched up and she could see the new room in all it`s glory.......mac knows I love Purple!!!

Tom was like our personal photographer for the day...........There were many pictures taken, but I really like this picture!!!

Once we had all our stuff together we headed out to the Mall at Millenia.........it`s literally 5 minutes away so didn't take long......as I said we chatted so much we didn't realise just how near lunchtime it was by now........so Tom managed to take advantage of a pause in the conversation and asked where we wanted to eat lunch. This Mall has a very good food court......so we thought we might have pizza......so off we went upstairs and chose Sbarro for lunch......they have so many options from Johnny Rockets, Subway, Wraps, Chinese and other options too........but today was pizza.........

mac was having pizza slice with Caesar salad and we had pepperoni pizza with salad......I have to say it was really nice!!!

To say we devoured these was an understatement..........for Mall pizza it was delicious.........again, the theme was very much talking.....we could have been eating anything and we would have enjoyed it.

Tom had been told by Kyle he had to have a slice of his favourite cake ever........Linda`s Chocolate Fudge from CF........anyone who has read our previous trip reports will know how much our son loves chocolate cake.....and this one is the daddy of them all......apparently.......I don`t like chocolate cake at all so couldn't possibly comment. Tom was going to get him and mac a slice.....I didn't want anything at all......I was full from pizza. He brought them back and they did enjoy them.....Kyle`s eagle eye spotted from the pictures that they are now slightly smaller......they were still huge though!!

They did enjoy the cakes!!!!!

Yes indeed, mac and Tom did enjoy the fudge cake........I wish I liked it.........

Now we just wandered the mall and I put my watch into a little store we always get new batteries from if we need them.....Kyle`s watches usually need changing, but he has a lot of watches!!! So we said we`d be back in 15 minutes to pick it up. We wandered into our favourite kitchen store, Williams and Sonoma.....deliberately didn't buy anything as most things in there are so heavy!!! Had a good look around the mall then went back to get my watch.

It`s such a nice mall, never overly busy even on a Saturday, although the parking lot would have made you think differently......it was mayhem!!

We decided we would head to LBV outlet centre, again mac had never been there, so although it was hot we decided to brave it without suncream and wander over. By this time Tom began to understand how we can chat for hours at a time on the phone!!! He was smiling as he does enjoy just sitting back and listening to us "yakking"......my word not his.......lol........

We went deliberately into the Lindt shop where we got some more boxes that were gifts for staff members and a few bits for Kyle too.......he adores Lindt chocolate and yes we can get it in the UK easily, we don't get the same variety of flavours in the loose selection.........but the bars are more or less the same. And in the States we can get the massive boxes. Kyle basically loves the dark ones.........I loved the orange and a few others.........this could get expensive!!! But we resisted and only bought what we needed......I think.

At that point as I said the day had gotten away with us........we had sat and chatted for so long this morning and over lunch it was later in the day than we realised. So we headed back to the hotel as we wanted mac to get settled in her room and we could go shower and change as we were meeting later for dinner. We agreed to be at her room at 6.30-6.45ish........we had a few ideas for where to eat dinner tonight, but at this point all we really wanted to do was stay in the hotel to save driving anywhere so we decided on Jake`s as we knew mac liked it in there too.........although she had said she would be happy eating a bag of potato chips as we were already having such a nice time!!! awwww!!!!

So we parted ways and were looking forward to meeting up later.

 

[schumigirl]

Tom fell asleep for a while as I showered and changed, quite a while actually..........we both could have done with a snooze actually. He did catch me having a mooch online for a while.........he does think I am addicted to wonderful world of the Internet.....he jokingly tells friends I can vacuum with my IPad in the other hand......lol......I don't really.........

But once ready we headed up to Club Lounge as we weren't going out anywhere Tom could grab a drink.......it was around 6pm by now and it was fairly busy tonight with people eating......we just had the drink and grabbed a staff member we were looking for to give them a gift from us as we wouldn't see them after tonight. I was glad we hadn't missed him.

We also had a bag of goodies for mac........quite a bit of chocolate from the UK........and some other stuff too that was a late birthday gift that I hadn't managed to post out. So we grabbed that and headed down to her floor and knocked on the door. It was funny being in an older room after the delight that is the refurbished room!! The King Suite is nice and spacious though and bright as the sun was still streaming in a little.............this is the view from mac`s room........almost identical from our previous room that was just along the corridor..........

Now, not only did we have presents for mac.......she had stuff for me too.........so we regaled each other with stories about how the gifts had come about........I was very touched by some of the thoughtful and personal touches with what she had given me.

Here we are exchanging what we had brought each other......

We were still talking a lot.......lol........Tom was getting hungry for dinner and again, we had been chatting so much the time had gotten away with us. But we were both happy with the gifts and mementos we had from each other.

We headed down to Jake`s Bar.......although it was Saturday night it wasn't busy, although I suppose it was fairly early still as it did open late.......far too late for us.........

Jake`s is such a nice place to eat. Food is always so good and service is excellent.


Continued......

 

[schumigirl]

Damn.......posted before I meant to again..........back in a bit with more..........