Around the World in 6 days (and Harry Potter too!) A Feb 2011 trip report- travel day

[Jax1023]

Hello and welcome to my very first trip report! This will be the story of our trip to Universal Studios and Disney world from February 9th to February 15th. We were booked with the free dining promotion.
I had not really been planning to write a trip report but as it remains cold and grey here, and I long to return to Disney, I think this may help to reduce the post Disney depression.
The cast of characters for this trip are me, Jackie, and my husband Tom. We currently live in Pittsburgh PA.

I am 28, and I work as a dietitian. Tom is 30 and works at our local university.

Not travelling with us, but an important member of our family is our beagle, Shea. Here she is in her lovely Christmas outfit.

I hope you will join us as I recount our adventures around the World and to visit Harry Potter in just 6 days!

 

[Disney999]

I can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[Bella213]

I'm excited to read about your trip!
I also live in PA and couldn't agree more about how cold and gray the weather is...looking at your pictures has reminded me what the sun and blue sky looks like!

 

[kmrein]

Hi there. Looking forward to reading your report. I am planning a trip of a similar length this December that will also include a stop at Harry Potter for my completely Harry Potter-obsessed sister, so especially looking forward to reading about your experience with that!

 

[Jax1023]

Hi there. Looking forward to reading your report. I am planning a trip of a similar length this December that will also include a stop at Harry Potter for my completely Harry Potter-obsessed sister, so especially looking forward to reading about your experience with that!

Welcome Harry Potter was incredible, but it rained the day we were there so it was very empty

I'm excited to read about your trip!
I also live in PA and couldn't agree more about how cold and gray the weather is...looking at your pictures has reminded me what the sun and blue sky looks like!

Thanks for joining in! The weather has been the worst this spring

I can't wait to hear about your trip!

Thanks for coming along!!

 

[Jax1023]

Day 0: Travel Day
Travel day did not quite go as planned. That means I have no pictures. Our close friends were having a baby and we had agreed to dog sit. However, baby was late, and we ended up picking up their dog the day before we left. So we were a bit distracted. I have no photos except the dogs!


We were leaving in the evening on February 9th. Our flight was at 7:30 PM. We had both originally been planning to work this day. I ended up with day off as one of my coworkers asked me to switch weekends with her. So due to the dog sitting situation instead of sleeping in, I got up at 6 to walk to dogs with Tom in lovely 5 degree weather.

After a freezing dog walk, Tom went off to work and I spent the day cleaning the house and doing some last minute packing. I went and got a pedicure before our new daddy friend came over to pick up his dog.

Tom came home from work around 3, we packed up the car and headed off to drop Shea at the kennel and drove to the airport.

The Pittsburgh airport was not very busy and we were parked and through security in about 20 minutes. Since we had 2 hours to kill, we decided to sit down and have dinner at the airport at Friday’s. We started our vacation with dinner and drinks!

We soon boarded our Southwest flight (boarding group A), but encountered our first large group of cheerleaders. They were very enthusiastic the entire flight.

We listened to our Ipods and before we knew it, we were on the ground in Orlando.

Since we were starting our trip at Universal, we picked up our rental car and drove off to our first night hotel, the Wyndham Resort Orlando. I have no pictures as it was about midnight at this point, but it served its purpose for the 40 dollars I paid on priceline. I would not recommend it for a longer stay.
We set an alarm clock for 6 am and headed off to bed, tomorrow would be our long awaited visit to Islands of Adventure to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I'm here!!!

Great start so far!

 

[angiepangie]

Since we were starting our trip at Universal, we picked up our rental car and drove off to our first night hotel, the Wyndham Resort Orlando. I have no pictures as it was about midnight at this point, but it served its purpose for the 40 dollars I paid on priceline. I would not recommend it for a longer stay.

We are planning a 7 day trip in June. 2 days at Universal (specifically for Harry Potter) and 4 days at WDW (with one free day). We are thinking about staying at the Wyndham Resort near Universal and I would really like to hear your opinions on the hotel. Hope you finish this thread!