GrumpyMom1
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 24, 2003
- Messages
- 697
Part 1
Thought Id share a quick summary of our 8/4 8/14 trip to Universal and WDW. We had a great time and I trying to figure out when we can go back again.
Cast of characters Me, DH, DD18, DD14, and DD1 (just turned one in July). I know what youre thinking - Yes, there is a huge age gap with our kids!
We are Disneyland veterans from California who have only been to WDW once before. We let DD18 pick the vacation this year since she was graduating this year and she picked WDW. You would think that an 18yo and 14yo would have no interest in a trip to WDW (or anywhere) with their parents but not in our house. My kids love family vacations and love all things Disney.
I am going to my report by categories instead of a day by day report. Lots and lots of pictures from our trip can be found here.
Hotels since our flight from California did not get in until midnight, we spent the first night at the Hyatt in the airport. We then spent 2 nights at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal and then 7 nights in 2 connecting rooms at the Pop Century. At all hotels the service was good, check-in was quick and the rooms were clean. Our initial room at the Royal Pacific had toilet troubles but they quickly moved us to another room. We loved the pool at the Royal Pacific and how easy it was to walk to the parks.
We also loved the Pop Century and will definitely consider staying there again. Our rooms were in building 3 in the 50s section on the 4th floor. The location was very quiet and we were just around the corner from the elevators which was very convenient. The walk to the main building and bus stop was not long. The connecting rooms gave us plenty of room to spread out.
Transportation we used a van from Tiffany Town Cars to get from the airport to Universal and then from Universal to WDW. We had the same driver both times and he was very prompt. I realized after we checked in at the Royal Pacific that my cell phone was missing. We decided it must have been left in the van so we called Tiffany Town Cars who contacted the driver. He checked around and sure enough it was there. He had to make another trip to Universal later in the day so he dropped my phone off at the front desk. I was so happy that we used the car service instead of just getting a taxi.
We used the Disney transportation to get around at WDW and then used Magical Express to get back to the airport. I think there was only one time where we had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a bus. We did have to stand a lot on the buses but thats ok. On one our first bus rides, the bus was full and I was standing with the baby which isnt the easiest thing to do. About half way through the ride a woman offered her seat to me. I couldnt believe that it took that long for someone to step up. On all of our other bus rides where we were standing someone usually offered a seat to whoever was holding the baby. And in turn, if we were sitting and someone came on with a small child, we offered a seat to them.
Magical Express worked well for getting back to the airport. I liked that we could check our luggage with Delta at the Pop and not have to deal with it at the airport. There were too many people trying to get on the bus for our time slot and not everyone could get on which created some unhappy folks. Im not sure if they scheduled too many people at that time slot or if some people were trying to go when it was not their time.
Dining While at Universal, we at Margaritaville and Hard Rock Café. Both were good but I think the food was better at Hard Rock Café. For breakfast and lunch we either ate at the hotel or at the parks.
At WDW we used the DDP and boy do you get a lot of food! We ate breakfast at Crystal Palace, dinner at Planet Hollywood, dinner at Coral Reef, dinner at Ohana, dinner at 50s Prime Time Café, dinner at Garden Grill, and breakfast at Chef Mickeys.
We really enjoyed the character meals and breakfast was wonderful at both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. The food was also very good at Garden Grill. We were able to get some extra character attention at Crystal Palace because we had a late morning reservation and by the time we were done, most of the restaurant had cleared out as they were preparing for lunch. I didnt plan it that way but I will keep that trick in mind in the future.
The food at Planet Hollywood was ok but the service was really slow. It took 2 hours to complete our meal.
Coral Reef was delicious and the atmosphere nice. Most of us had the steak and it was delicious. The portions are smaller here so this is the only restaurant where we didnt feel like there was too much food. Our server here was not the friendliest guy around but the service was good.
Our biggest disappointment was Ohana where my picky teenagers didnt really like the food and the entertainment was very annoying. If you havent been there, they have a lady come out about every 15 minutes and she sings Hawaiian songs and plays games. She spoke like she was teaching a kindergarten class.
Our favorite meal was at 50s Prime Time Café! The food was very good and our server was a lot of fun! Im sure its one of those places where the server makes a difference and Im glad we had a good one!
Coming in Part 2 - the weather, parks and general thoughts on travelling with 2 teenagers and a baby.
Thought Id share a quick summary of our 8/4 8/14 trip to Universal and WDW. We had a great time and I trying to figure out when we can go back again.
Cast of characters Me, DH, DD18, DD14, and DD1 (just turned one in July). I know what youre thinking - Yes, there is a huge age gap with our kids!
We are Disneyland veterans from California who have only been to WDW once before. We let DD18 pick the vacation this year since she was graduating this year and she picked WDW. You would think that an 18yo and 14yo would have no interest in a trip to WDW (or anywhere) with their parents but not in our house. My kids love family vacations and love all things Disney.
I am going to my report by categories instead of a day by day report. Lots and lots of pictures from our trip can be found here.
Hotels since our flight from California did not get in until midnight, we spent the first night at the Hyatt in the airport. We then spent 2 nights at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal and then 7 nights in 2 connecting rooms at the Pop Century. At all hotels the service was good, check-in was quick and the rooms were clean. Our initial room at the Royal Pacific had toilet troubles but they quickly moved us to another room. We loved the pool at the Royal Pacific and how easy it was to walk to the parks.
We also loved the Pop Century and will definitely consider staying there again. Our rooms were in building 3 in the 50s section on the 4th floor. The location was very quiet and we were just around the corner from the elevators which was very convenient. The walk to the main building and bus stop was not long. The connecting rooms gave us plenty of room to spread out.
Transportation we used a van from Tiffany Town Cars to get from the airport to Universal and then from Universal to WDW. We had the same driver both times and he was very prompt. I realized after we checked in at the Royal Pacific that my cell phone was missing. We decided it must have been left in the van so we called Tiffany Town Cars who contacted the driver. He checked around and sure enough it was there. He had to make another trip to Universal later in the day so he dropped my phone off at the front desk. I was so happy that we used the car service instead of just getting a taxi.
We used the Disney transportation to get around at WDW and then used Magical Express to get back to the airport. I think there was only one time where we had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a bus. We did have to stand a lot on the buses but thats ok. On one our first bus rides, the bus was full and I was standing with the baby which isnt the easiest thing to do. About half way through the ride a woman offered her seat to me. I couldnt believe that it took that long for someone to step up. On all of our other bus rides where we were standing someone usually offered a seat to whoever was holding the baby. And in turn, if we were sitting and someone came on with a small child, we offered a seat to them.
Magical Express worked well for getting back to the airport. I liked that we could check our luggage with Delta at the Pop and not have to deal with it at the airport. There were too many people trying to get on the bus for our time slot and not everyone could get on which created some unhappy folks. Im not sure if they scheduled too many people at that time slot or if some people were trying to go when it was not their time.
Dining While at Universal, we at Margaritaville and Hard Rock Café. Both were good but I think the food was better at Hard Rock Café. For breakfast and lunch we either ate at the hotel or at the parks.
At WDW we used the DDP and boy do you get a lot of food! We ate breakfast at Crystal Palace, dinner at Planet Hollywood, dinner at Coral Reef, dinner at Ohana, dinner at 50s Prime Time Café, dinner at Garden Grill, and breakfast at Chef Mickeys.
We really enjoyed the character meals and breakfast was wonderful at both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. The food was also very good at Garden Grill. We were able to get some extra character attention at Crystal Palace because we had a late morning reservation and by the time we were done, most of the restaurant had cleared out as they were preparing for lunch. I didnt plan it that way but I will keep that trick in mind in the future.
The food at Planet Hollywood was ok but the service was really slow. It took 2 hours to complete our meal.
Coral Reef was delicious and the atmosphere nice. Most of us had the steak and it was delicious. The portions are smaller here so this is the only restaurant where we didnt feel like there was too much food. Our server here was not the friendliest guy around but the service was good.
Our biggest disappointment was Ohana where my picky teenagers didnt really like the food and the entertainment was very annoying. If you havent been there, they have a lady come out about every 15 minutes and she sings Hawaiian songs and plays games. She spoke like she was teaching a kindergarten class.
Our favorite meal was at 50s Prime Time Café! The food was very good and our server was a lot of fun! Im sure its one of those places where the server makes a difference and Im glad we had a good one!
Coming in Part 2 - the weather, parks and general thoughts on travelling with 2 teenagers and a baby.
