basic trip report

[brooker]

Well we got back last Monday after 7 days split between Al Star Sports and the Royal Pacific Hotel. We enjoyed both hotels although our RPH room seemed more worn....worn carpets was most noticeable. We enjoyed all Disney parks again plus Typhoon Lagoon. We loved Expedition Everest as it wasn't quite ready on our last trip. We once again enjoyed AK park the most. It just has such a relaxing atmosphere.

After 4 days commando style at Disney we picked up our Dollar rental at the Grosenvor Hotel(shuttle pickup was promptly at 9:00AM). It too was very smooth and quick. We got our Dodge Caliper as requested. We got a great rate. We picked it up and 9:00AM Friday morning, and drove it to the airport Monday morning. The final cost was $106.

We didn't rush to US on either of our 3 days. In fact we went to I Drive for buffet breakfasts each day and arrived at the park around 11-12 each day. The FOTL perk is good obviously for this time of arrival.

Our first day at IOA we did Hulk, Spiderman, fire side of Dueling Dragons, Dr. Doom Fearfall, all with minimal waits,( 5 minutes at most). We also did Jurrasic Park river Adv. We actually left after only 2-3 hours because it was extremely hot ( we were told 103' with humidity)We later went to I Drive for dinner and shopping.

The next day we went to US side. Did Shrek, Nicktoons, Mummy( we all loved this one), Earthquake, Twister, Jaws, MIB, ET, and T2(we all felt the pre-show was too long for T2). After this we called it a day and went for dinner and shopping.

Our last day, we we back to US, took in the Fear Factor show(entertaining), went to the Horror makeup show which was fun as well, did the Mummy again 2 more times. We then went over to IOA. We did the Hulk 2 times, Spiderman again( the best 3D of all parks IMO.) We went to Dueling Dragons again but there were thunder storms causing problems so we unfortunately we didn't get a chance to ride the ice side. We then decided to go to the water rides before we left. Unfortunately the weather shut these down as well. By this time we were ready to go but we got caught up in a major rainstorm. The water taxis weren't running so we decided to jog over to RPH as we were already soaked anyway. We joked later that we did get a water ride after all.

Overall we had a good time, we enjoyed US more than Disney, but this was only our first trip to US and our 2nd to Disney. Our day at the Magic Kingdom wasn't so great as the Big Thunder RailRoad was broke the day we were there as well as Pirates of the Carribean. All flights were on time finding the airport was easy driving for the first time. I think personally if we ever go to Orlando again we would stay off site from Disney and US and get a car for longer, to be able to take in more sites.

Oh yeah...can't forget to mention TOT at MGM. In my opinion, the best attraction at Disney.

 

[tlinus]

Thanks for the trip report. Glad you had a good time and enjoyed Universal! Bummer about the thunderdtorms - but from what I hear, they could use all the rain they could get right about now in Florida

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks for the TR and info
Question, on the Universal side of your report , I noticed you went offsite alot to eat, just curious why, as there seems to be alot of choices at CW etc, any suggestions for offsite

I was wondering about this for our first trip there this summer
Thx

 

[brooker]

Thanks for the TR and info
Question, on the Universal side of your report , I noticed you went offsite alot to eat, just curious why, as there seems to be alot of choices at CW etc, any suggestions for offsite

I was wondering about this for our first trip there this summer
Thx

We just wanted something different than "theme park food". We also had a car which we wanted to get some use out of...lol. We went to the Ponderosa on I Drive(next to Wet' n' Wild) for breakfast. We fed 2 adults a teenager and a 9 year old for around $20. That would last us until the afternoon when we left the park again. Park food is generally much more expensive and sometimes the quality is lacking for the price we have found.

On the storms...we actually only have the one thunderstorm on our last day. Everyday other day was sunny and hot so I am not complaining at all to be honest. If you have any questions on the Disney or Universal side just ask. I can give you answers from our perspective of trying to stay within a budget.

 

[robvia]

Great TR.

I tell people to rent the car, and your TR is proof why. Yes, it may cost a little bit more, but now you've become an expert and figured everything out.

Staying onsite at each resort gives you the cool pools, and FOTL for the Universal resorts, but costs more. It's a tradeoff on whether you want to "feel" like part of the action. We do both, sometimes we stay onsite for a splurge trip, others we save money staying offsite and show up early.

Agree that the theme park restaurants are more expensive than eating offsite, expecially when it comes to drink prices. It's really funny to visit a Citywalk restaurant, pay $50 for dinner, then drive to McDonalds the next day and buy lunch for $10. I laugh to myself when I only need a $10 bill for lunch after I've been using the credit card in the parks. The offsite restaurants are somewhere in the middle.

 

[bubba's mom]

Park food is generally much more expensive and sometimes the quality is lacking for the price we have found.

i find the quality and selection worth the more expensive when we go to UO...but, we don't park a car there to use to go offsite either....we just enjoy the food selection at the park....altho, i can see you wanting to save on meals..... thanks for the great TR and NOT "bashing" Universal.

(see, he didn't get flamed for his "dislikes" of UO)

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I enjoy reading other's experiences.

 

[macraven]

brooker, i can remember when you were posting in the forums to get info on your trip.

it is so good to see you here with your fantastic trip report.
i am glad you had a good time in florida.


loved your great trip report.

 

[brooker]

brooker, i can remember when you were posting in the forums to get info on your trip.

it is so good to see you here with your fantastic trip report.
i am glad you had a good time in florida.


loved your great trip report.

Hopefully my little bit of info can help another first timer to US. We did have a great time, we liked US more overall as it definitely had a more grown up feel to it(buying a beer and walking around with it) for example. The only negative thing I would comment on is the lack of water fountains for getting a quick water refill. At Disney you see them all over the parks. At US, I saw only one, on the way up to Dueling Dragons.(I may have missed a bunch who knows). At $3.00 for a water, the costs can quickly add up for a group of 4.
All of the questions we got answered here definitely helped us plan better, thanks to all for the great help and suggestions.

 

[macraven]

brooker, you can go to any stand in UO and ask for a cup of water. it is free

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for sharing and glad you had a good time!

 

[brooker]

brooker, you can go to any stand in UO and ask for a cup of water. it is free

lol.....thats good to know after about $50 in water later....oh well at least I'll know if theres a next time. Might be a while though. We needed a break after we got home from our theme park vacation. I think next winter we are going further south on down to the Dominican Republic. Hopefully we'll get a chance to actually relax and sit by the pool with a nice cool drink in hand.....can't wait for next March!

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent ~ Thanx for posting.