Can a single Mom take 3 teenage boys to Universal and survive?

[lindalinda]

Ok, heres my trip report!

The players:

Me- single mom super mom goddess of the universe (universal?)

K- my darling baby boy, best kid in the world, horrible slob, drummer extraordinaire, 15 yr old

B- easy going neighbor, we always take him on vacation, great kid, star football player, 13 yr old

J- buddy of K, football player, in K's rock band, plays bass, 15 yr old.

Day 1 and 2....drive down and 1st day

It's friday, April 6. I go to school to pick up the boys at around 1pm. B is at middle achool so I pick him up first, then head to the high school to get K and J. We make good time and are on the road at 2pm. I had packed a cooler with drinks and sandwiches so we didnt need to stop. It is good weather and an easy drive. We stop at Marietta , Ga overnight. We stay at the Hampton Inn. It is nice enough. It is not , however, a double queen room. No way those were queen beds. Try putting 2 football players in a full bed. Not happening, so B sleeps on the floor. I feel bad about it, but hey, teenagers can survive that.

The hotel has a continental breakfast buffet so we eat there at 6 am and are on the road by 7ish. Good weather again, but cold. I really thought by Ga it would be warm. I didnt dress properly, I was freezing. We hit Florida at 11:30ish. We stop at the welcome center for a few minutes and get sodas. The vending machine takes J's money. He tries to talk to the workers there about it, but they arent in charge of vending. I pretty much tell him "stuff happens" and we move on. A little over an hour later J suddenly says "I left my wallet on top of the vending machine" After a few " are you sures?" and "what was in it?s" I decide that I am NOT going back. It would be almost 3 hours extra driving for 60$ so I told J i would just front him the $ and he would have to be ok with that, and we would call and see if anyone turned it in.

We arrived at the Portofino Bay Hotel at around 2:30. I had decided to valet park because the boys had done an excellent job of cleaning the car, but as I drove up, I saw the self-parking (just where motherfletcher said it was) and went ahead and self-parked by the elevator (thanks for the tip). Very easy to find. When I checked in they had someone come out and introduce herself (desk manager or loews rep maybe?) I can't remember ( I was tired) but I thought that was very nice.
No wait to check in, and they gave us all our keys etc. (more on this later)

Our room was a deluxe in the villa wing. Room # 2474. We faced the villa pool, were only 2 doors down from the elevator the went to the beach and villa pools. Very nice location. I would have liked
to be on the other side of the hall facing the beach pool, but it was nice. Rooms was gorgeous!
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[JMLBrats]

If you're even contemplating it, then you can handle it and will probably have a blast! Oh, duh! I didn't realize this was a trip report, I just read the question real fast...sorry....

 

[lindalinda]

Okay, I'm cant seem to figure out the posting thing bubbas mom tried to teach me, but I'm trying.

Anyhow, still day 2, we head to Universal for Mardi Gras! The place is packed! 30 min wait for express for Mummy! The weather is great though, cool, low 70s but sunny, so it felt good for the parks. Stilt people were every where! Do they have like, an Orlando College of Stilt-walking or something? I was amazed!

We met these guys in line for Shrek.

Heres some pics of the parade. They arent very good, but hey, it was dark.

blurry pretty much decribes them, but it was blurry kind of night!

I left early and went back to the hotel, leaving the teenagers to fight their way thru the massive crowds. The boys said they were shoulder to shoulder and it was crazy....(and they wondered why anyone would try to bring strollers in there!)

I walked back, not a bad walk, but definitely longer than the other hotels. Took a couple of evening shots of the hotel.

I did like wandering around the piazza at night.

Be back later to post more!

 

[damo]

Excellent so far! Keep going! Your pictures of the parade are exactly the way it is. Hands reaching everywhere. People jostling. Great.

 

[lindalinda]

I forgot something from saturday...the concierge. Remember how I promised J that we would call the welcome center in case someone turned in his wallet? Well, I went to the concierge desk and talked to Ally, who not only got me the number, she called and talked to them, they had the wallet, and she convinced them to fed-ex it to us at the hotel! Gracie and bravisimo to Ally the concierge! I am sending an email about her to management. She also made us a reservation at Tratorria for brunch the next day , which was easter.

We decided to sleep in a little the next morning, and just go to brunch. there was a huge line (easter). I was very glad we had the reservation. I went to the hostess and told her my name, and she said it would be just a few moments. After maybe 5 minutes I heard her call my name. I turned around, called the boys , and walked up..this took maybe 5 seconds...just in time to see her leading another family in! I was confused, I have an unusual name. I kind of went, hey...that was us....and then kind of convinced myself I had misheard. We waited another 15 mins or so and then I went back up and asked again....and was told I had already been seated! So we had to wait a little longer. We finally got in, but it was probably 25 mins or so. Neat trick tho..if youre willing to try it...just take someone elses name! If youre caught you can just say..oops!

Waiting pics

boys are silly

humongous bagel

We headed to IOA for the afternoon. It was cool still. 70ish, but sunny, quite nice. We rode Hulk, Doom, Spidey, Dragons, and then I made the boys ride The Flying Unicorn. They complained a lot, but it is actually a little bit scary for such a little coaster! And they agreed much faster than they expected!

I left them early, and wandered around on my own, listened to the Music de la Nochte (thats probably wrong) on the piazza. It was beautiful.

More later!

 

[macraven]

double linda, bring on the mummy dust.

great tr so far, keep it coming....




btw, you are a super woman driving and doing a trip with 3 teen boys.
i have 4 boys, so i know how trips can go

 

[ATAfamily]

I am really enjoying your trip report so far. Can't wait to hear your review on the Portofino as we will be staying there for the first time in June.

 

[robvia]

Great TR, stuff always happens on trips. Somehow it always works out, amazing how honest people are. Here's my lost and found stories.
Disney sent back a stuffed animal that dropped out of our stroller for free. It was the daughter's favorite doll.
At BGT credit cards fell out of my pocket on Kumba (velcro pants are a good idea). They found them and sent them back a few days later for free.
At BGT on Sheikra I lost car keys, but had a hidden key under the car. They found the keys and sent them back a few days later for free.
At Hilton Garden Inn I left a phone charger, they sent it back once I gave them a credit card for the shipping charge.
And most recent at a Best Western we left a stuff dog animal behind. For that one I had to send them a box with pre paid postage. What I did there was send them a USPS box in a box. We got the animal back.

No matter how hard you try, someone forgets something, or leaves it behind even if you check the room a zillion times before leaving. Be happy they didn't lose a $200 cell phone, that happens often on roller coasters. I was on Goliath at SFoG and a girl next to me lost her phone. They usually get these things back, but can't look until the end of the day. Like I said, velcro pants are a good idea.

And always make sure you have a hidden key somewhere under your car.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Did you have 2 rooms? OR do they have larger rooms there? Never went to PB, have been to HRH and RPR and would like to try Portofino Bay.

 

[lindalinda]

Hi all! I dont have time to post TR stuff tonite, my son was working on a paper so I'll do more tomorrow.

tinker: we only had 1 room, but it was a deluxe. thats around 500 sq feet with 2 queens and a sofa sleeper.

robvia: great stories, I really felt lucky to get his wallet back because he was moping around because of it!

More TR tomorrow!

 

[macraven]

i'll be waiting.......

 

[JMCDAD]

Good stuff
look forward to more

 

[lindalinda]

I'm back! Day 3, monday. The forecast said 80 degrees 30 percent chance of rain. When i wake up its in the 50s and cloudy...looks like a rainy day. Its ok tho...its florida, it could change at any minute. I let the boys sleep in and wander around taking some pics in the morning. the place is pretty much deserted.


beach pool from the window across the hall from our room

promenade at the villa pool

bocce ball court

villa pool

plunge pools at the villa pool, front one is cold, back one hot

hot tub at beach pool

slide at beach pool

baby pool

After dragging the boys out of bed we headed to studios. It was cold all day, and rainy off and on. About 60 degrees. I had to buy a sweatshirt. We decided to get the boys the meal deal, to see how it went. I didnt get it for myself, since I dont stay in the parks all day.

This stilt mummy guy had white contacts or something, very creepy!

my attempt at the trick photo....ignore the left side

had a blast dancing to the blues brothers!

irritated people in line by repeated pushing the red button

The meal deal was a big success, they did it 3 days while we were there. It saved me money, since we didnt eat at the nice restaurants I usually like!

It was on this day that I checked my bill on the tv in the room. (which is a very handy feature, I might add). I was shocked to see my rate listed as 439$. I knew I had the confirmation paperwork, but I had left it in the car in the parking garage. I decided to ask at the front desk before going out to the car. This was my only negative experience at the hotel. I told the clerk that my rate was supersaver, and 329$. She checked and said no, it wasnt. I told her my story, that they had gotten it wrong originally, and had fixed it. She checked again and said no, that I couldnt possibly have that rate on spring break when they were all booked up. I knew I had the paperwork, so I should have walked away, but I still tried to explain it to her. My only real issue was that she seemed to be implying that I didnt know what I was talking about, and that my upgrade would have been bay view and not deluxe, so therefore I had to pay for the deluxe since that wasnt my upgrade???????????At that point I knew it was pointless, and told her I had my paperwork and would get it out of the car. The rate was changed before I got back to my room! The phone was ringing when I walked in. So be sure and bring that confirmation with you people! Anyway, it was all told about 30 minutes of irritation, not that bad I guess. I put it on the survey, so maybe they will pay attention since this seems to be a regular issue.

About this time I get a text message from my boy. It aid "I just got 675,440 on M.I.B!" Cool! I totall stunk it up this year 241000 was my high score . I hope to do well next year! K had high (comparatively anyway) all week in the 5s and 6s.

The forecast for tuesday is 80 degrees, 30 percent chance of rain. So, any one want to bet on the ACTUAL weather?

thats enough for tonite....more tomorrow.

 

[disneyfan67]

Thank you for posting your pictures and trip report. I'm staying at the PBH this July 26th to the 28th and love your pictures. It's cool to see real photos instead of what you see on the official website and your pictures just reconfirm I made the right choice in picking the PBH. I'm looking forward to relaxing in that beach pool come July. Can you tell me how the meal plan was and it good for adults as well? You can PM me if you don't want to interrupt the thread.

Keep your pictures and trip report coming, it's excellent so far.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Good read. You need to make it an annual thing! I started with my son when he was 14 and now we both look forward to it.

 

[macraven]

i'm loving your report.

you take great pictures!

 

[lindalinda]

Thank you for posting your pictures and trip report. I'm staying at the PBH this July 26th to the 28th and love your pictures. It's cool to see real photos instead of what you see on the official website and your pictures just reconfirm I made the right choice in picking the PBH. I'm looking forward to relaxing in that beach pool come July. Can you tell me how the meal plan was and it good for adults as well? You can PM me if you don't want to interrupt the thread.

Keep your pictures and trip report coming, it's excellent so far.

The meal plan was good for the kids since they spent so much time in the park, but I wouldnt get it for myself, since I would leave, come back to the hotel, and eat there. Its counter service food, and almost all the places have the same stuff, burger, chicken, pizza. It would be worth it if you plan on spending the whole day in the park I think.

 

[lindalinda]

I interrupt this trip report for some financial info, for those who are interested.

I put everything on the room key, so I have it ALL here. I had a key, and so did my son (he was just supposed to use it for drinks and snacks when I wasnt there)

Heres the rundown, remember its spring break

Room charges: 329.33 supersaver rate for garden, gold upgrade to deluxe
6 nights, 1975.99
plus room tax 247.02
parking plus tax 76.68
food..all including meal plans, snacks, everything 931.62
other stuff, souveniers, ponchos, mummy pics 172.57

total- 3403.88

I spent around 200$ in gas driving as well. ( I couldnt put that on the room key)

When I preplanned it I was counting on 1000$ for food so that was about right, all in all I did pretty good for 4 people , 3 of them teen boys.


Some day I will get to come on the off season and see what the difference is.

 

[damo]

I interrupt this trip report for some financial info, for those who are interested.

I put everything on the room key, so I have it ALL here. I had a key, and so did my son (he was just supposed to use it for drinks and snacks when I wasnt there)

Heres the rundown, remember its spring break

Room charges: 329.33 supersaver rate for garden, gold upgrade to deluxe
6 nights, 1975.99
plus room tax 247.02
parking plus tax 76.68
food..all including meal plans, snacks, everything 931.62
other stuff, souveniers, ponchos, mummy pics 172.57

total- 3403.88

I spent around 200$ in gas driving as well. ( I couldnt put that on the room key)

When I preplanned it I was counting on 1000$ for food so that was about right, all in all I did pretty good for 4 people , 3 of them teen boys.


Some day I will get to come on the off season and see what the difference is.

That's not bad at all! Did you add in the park tickets somewhere?

 

[lindalinda]

That's not bad at all! Did you add in the park tickets somewhere?

whoops! I guess I should add that in! I had my annual pass, but I got the boys each the 7 day tickets for 85$, so thats 255$ more.


Tuesday, day 4.

the weather forecast said 80 degrees, 30 percent chance of rain. Heres a hint, it said the same thing EVERY day we were there!

I woke up early and wandered outside. It felt pretty warm I thought, so I got the boys up and told them I thought it was gonna be nice. While they were getting ready I decided I would just go hang out at the villa pool and read, even though it was cloudy. There was like 3 people there. It was kinda nice tho, no sun , but I ordered a drink and some of those fried raviolis. Man they are good!

Of course it took a while for the guys to get ready, so at about noon they came down from the room. They ended up on the wrong side of the pool and jumped the fence. So they were chased down by the pool guy and fussed at. We decided we would meet at 3 at Mythos for a late lunch.

So they headed in and I just vegged. About an hour later I got chilly and it started to get windy. A few minutes later it started to rain. By 1:30 it was POURING and COLD. Maybe 60 degrees. I ended up wandering around and sloshing thru the rain for a while, then headed to Mythos.

I put on jeans and a sweatshirt before going to the park. Luckily we didnt have to wait long. (I forgot my camera tho, so no pics of the food). The boys all ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and I got the Pastabilities, which was chicken piccatta on a pesto linguini. It was delish. We all got the little desserts, choloate and rasberry in the little shot glasses. Yum!


We bought ponchos, and headed over Spiderman. I love it so much. We got front row every time this year!

The rain caused me to ditch the boys again and head back. They didnt mind the rain but I did. They did tell me that the Hulk in the rain was BAD> It started out great but when the rain hit them , it was like stabbing needles thru them and they were screaming "AAUUGGHHHH!!!"

I decided to just chill and read my book, so I sat at a table by the Splendido Grill by the Beach pool. That way I could stay dry and look at the pool ( there were a few brave souls who were swimming, I think they were English). Anyhow...there was this family ....that cracked me up completely. I really wish I had taken a picture, but I was afraid it would be rude. Anyway it was raining HARD. It was hitting the awnings and it was really noisy. One family, mom dad sister brother, were taking refuge under the awning. Then the little boy (4 maybe?) started running into the ran and back....and then catching rain in his mouth.....not rain from the sky...from the awning!!! It was running straight off the awning into his mouth and he was laughing and carrying on and having a good ole time! He kept doing it for maybe 15 minutes and his mom never stopped him. He was hilarious to watch, having so much fun! , But Yuck!

Anyway, then I wanderd up to the Thirsty Fish, which was a nice bar on the Piazza.
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When the boys came back, we had dinner at Sals. It was good, we had the Frommagio pizza.

Now tomorrow the forscast is...you guessed it....80 and 30 % chance of rain. I am hoping and praying at this time that it gets a little bit better!