JessicaR
<font color=blue>DIS Veteran<br><font color=green>
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2000
- Messages
- 15,730
Wake up call at 7:30A and we are up and in the shower ready to get this day started! We decided to head downstairs to The Orchid Court for a continental breakfast. Being on vacation we expect to spend money and a lot of it however, $2.75 for a bagel is a bit over the top! This morning we spent $33.00 for the four of us to have a little something! We could have had a full breakfast at Pastamore for less. Ahhh but its so convenient not to mention we passed it every morning walking out of the hotel. Its a very nice set up and they do have plenty to offer. Flavored coffees and teas. Bagels and Croissants (with a toaster). All types of pastries, cookies and a big bowl with different fruits. At the end in a large covered heated tray they have cinnamon buns. The kids and my husband had to have one daily! The seating in this area is very inviting and comfortable and many to choose from. I liked the different options . If you buy coffee you can come back with your receipt for free refills until noon. Okay with full bellies it is time to head to USO.
AS we are 1/2 way through the walking path to IOA (lets you out right at Margaritaville) when I notice my older son waddling. I asked why? He said my legs hurt. So I look and sure enough from being so wet most the day yesterday and walking around he is chaffed. I tell my husband and younger son to wait there and enjoy the pretty flowers. I was going to take him back to the room. As we walked away I heard my husband mutter that he would count the boats that passed while he waited. All the way back to the room do what I can to make him more comfortable and we head out again. We get back to where we left them and my younger son is holding his hand and jumping up and down (but not crying, good sign). It seems those flowers were so pretty he touched a few and sliced his finger on something. Now normally I always have band aids and first aid cream with me but of course this morning I did not. I will have it everywhere we go for the rest of the trip, but of course we wont need it! So I look at my husband he looks at me and he says "mommies fix boo- boos so much better". So back once again to the room for some first aid. We return and I can see the look on their faces before I am even next to them, something is wrong again! My husband says Ya know, Robert, forgot his sunglasses in the room to which I replied well Daddy can buy him a new pair at $20.00 when we pass City Walk. Well...he says I really need to go to the bathroom anyway soooo and with this the boys say yeah we need to use to bathroom too! I feel like I've woken up in the middle of a bad dream at this point! So one LAST (I swear its the last no matter what) time we all head back to the room. Of course our room is now being cleaned and I am determined to not waste anymore time. I ask nicely if she could please just let them use the bathroom and we will make it quick! Yeah right like anything has been quick since we woke up! Finally, finally we leave the room and depart once again. At this point short of a broken limb we are not turning back!
This morning they are having another AP preview for Shrek and we just have to do it again. So we walked over to Universal and there is this huge inflatable Shrek hugging the Universal Building. Really cute and we take some pictures before entering. Went right to Shrek and didnt wait too long to see it this time. Each time we noticed something different and that was very cool. After exiting we saw Jimmy Neutron across the street signing autographs and posing for pictures. The kids really enjoyed adding him to their autograph books and having a picture with him. Jimmy ride was down so we headed to MIB. Did that twice and decided to go over to IOA.
We started at Suess Landing and did Cat in the Hat first no wait with express. From there we went into the book store and looked around. We love walking around Seuss Landing taking all the different paths to see something new and always do. We stopped at Hop on Pop for some ice cream. This is a great little place for some different flavors you can get elsewhere and different creations. My son had an upside down brownie sundae. Guess what kids...that was lunch!
We headed to Lost Continent and the boys have wanted the Dragon Claw necklaces at the Coin Mint since last trip so we got them each one and a little velvet pouch. Nice reminders and they wear them often. Watch as they design a coin.
This area is one of my favorites. The theme is wonderful. I love the feel of it. As you enter stop for a great photo op with the statues. Next we did Poseidons Fury and for the first time had a female Taylor as our guide. This was the first time we were first at the entrance and it really made a difference to our involvement. The special effects impress me every time.
Next we went over to spend some time with the Mystic Fountain before the Sinbad show. I can get lost here and lose track of time. There was an extremely obnoxious kid that was asked continuously by the fountain to get off his top step! He explained he couldnt see. The kid could care less and his parents didnt care either. This is the first time I have heard the fountain get a bit miffed. After only 5-10 minutes he just gave up (the fountain) and went back to sleep! snoring and all. Too bad for all the others that did listen. I think there were many a parent that wanted to knock the kid in the fountain after that! Oh well we would come back and visit him again tomorrow. We walked over to express for Sinbad and upon entering from the right side my kids saw the splash zone. They wanted to sit there. So we did and the section remained empty surprisingly? I'm figuring splash zone how bad can it be? The show starts and we are told you WILL get wet. I love this show and each time we see it I have greater appreciation for these actors. Okay so one moment comes and BOOM we get soaked! Like a tidal wave coming over us. Fun though! We next went to Flying Unicorn. This is the ride we have a very hard time getting the kids to leave. I think if we let them they would just keep riding till closing. After 3 times we tell them the ride will be closing and we'll just have to do it again tomorrow. Of course it didnt close and of course they didnt believe us, but thats ok.
Head over to Jurassic Park and knew we were only going to do JP River Adventure in this area today, we would go back again tmorrow. We get on the ride (express) and I'm looking around and I am sure they have dino's missing! So upon exiting I walked up to the entrance again and asked the guy standing there "where are all the dinosaurs?" He said huh? I said the dinousars...some are missing! At this point I realize he thinks I'm a nut saying dinosaurs escaped or something. I explain the ones that are NOT there . He looks a bit embarassesed now that he has to tell me this isnt his normal place to be and hes never actually riden this ride so he doesnt know where they are. We both laughed and I said OK no problem! I later asked and found out the big guy was out for refurbishment. I understand he has since been brought back. Love this ride! Scares the heck outta me every time just before that drop. Someday I hope to be able to pry my eyes open to actually see it and maybe even buy the picture at the end.
Toon Lagoon is next. My 6 year old has been begging to do Dudley and I really wanna just say NO. This ride scares me silly. My husband says he'll take him and I remind him that this is my baby and if anything happens....you get the gist. My other son wanted a drink and a snack so he waited with me. The express on this ride isnt as good as the others. It cuts some of the line but left about 200 people still ahead of them. No biggy just took a little longer and I didnt expect that long wait for them. I was sure something must have happened and was making my way over to ask when I saw them at the top coming down the drop! My son of course loved it and asked to do it again! Tommorow. They were soaked now and we werent and is that fair? NO! So we went over to Bilge Rat Barges. This is my 2nd favorite ride in IOA next to Spiderman. I get sheer pleasure from boarding with unsuspecting people that will always ask "do we get wet on this"? I will also drop many a quarter to get people wet on this ride after we ride it. Its such a long ride until you do it a few times you always think its over before it actually is. We did this 3-4 today right in a row. We were SOAKED! There was not a dry spot on any of us.
We actually had people staring at us as we entered Marvel Island, like we had been caught in a strom they hadnt. The kids wanted to do Spiderman but I just couldnt freeze right at that moment. I needed to dry off a little at least. Good thing the Superhero, Villian parade was just starting (a diversion)! We love this little parade the characters are awesome! Dr. Doom and Green Goblin are just so BAD! My kids are rushing to see Spiderman and Capt America and X-Men and there I am chasing after the bad guys! Quite a sight to see. Makes my husband laugh. It was crowded today so we decided to get autographs and pics tomorrow. Notice this tomorrow list is getting bigger by the Island! The kids wanted to go on Strom Force before we left and I love watching Hulk from here. Standing right under the twist is so cool. Ok time to go.
Back to the hotel to shower, again. We had dinner reservations at Mama Della's. We headed for the boat and the shy went dark and it got very windy, Uh oh. Boats close down because of lightening and a strom approaching. They tell us to take the shuttle (bus).
We waited about 20 min. We arrived at Mama Della's and were greeted by Mama. She walked us to our table and told the kids all about the desserts they could have if they ate all their dinner. The kids ordered hot chocolates and I had a glass of chianti and my husband had sode. We got a ravioli app. and we each had veal parm and the kids had spaghetti and meatballs. I also ordered a side of broccoli raab. We love eating here it is so homey the service is excellent and the food delicious. The hot chocolates came out and I couldnt believe what I saw. Little china pots given to each with a cup that is layered in thick warm chocolate. So indulgent! A table salad came out in a large bowl. I love this salad and once asked for the recipe. Our meal was wonderful! The portions here are quite large. I got an espresso to go and the boys took their desserts to go. Too full for dessert. The bill was $63.00. Very reasonable for a great Italian meal with atmosphere. We had coffee out on the piazza. It had stopped raining. The boys played on the vespa's they have around the piazza. It was then I felt a small pang. I missed not staying here. Portofino is home to us. We can love all the rest but love Portofino the best. Probably has something to do with it being the first on-site we stayed at.
We caught the boat back to CW. The captain was so nice we sat up front and chatted with him. He called the boat dock and asked the boat heading to RPR to wait for us. That was very nice. We headed to the room to change into bathing suits. The beds had been turned down and soft music was playing. On each pillow was a small gift I think this night it was shell magnets.
When we got to the pool we found it empty. The lifeguards were cleaning it. It seems a few kids had gotten sick. The kids area was still open so the boys had a blast. We relaxed in lounge chairs while we watched the boys play. It wasnt too long before my husband had to get in on that water blasting action. At around 10:30P we headed back to the room. The pool reopened in the morning. Exhausted we all climbed into bed anticipating tomorrow.
This was a full, perfect day!
AS we are 1/2 way through the walking path to IOA (lets you out right at Margaritaville) when I notice my older son waddling. I asked why? He said my legs hurt. So I look and sure enough from being so wet most the day yesterday and walking around he is chaffed. I tell my husband and younger son to wait there and enjoy the pretty flowers. I was going to take him back to the room. As we walked away I heard my husband mutter that he would count the boats that passed while he waited. All the way back to the room do what I can to make him more comfortable and we head out again. We get back to where we left them and my younger son is holding his hand and jumping up and down (but not crying, good sign). It seems those flowers were so pretty he touched a few and sliced his finger on something. Now normally I always have band aids and first aid cream with me but of course this morning I did not. I will have it everywhere we go for the rest of the trip, but of course we wont need it! So I look at my husband he looks at me and he says "mommies fix boo- boos so much better". So back once again to the room for some first aid. We return and I can see the look on their faces before I am even next to them, something is wrong again! My husband says Ya know, Robert, forgot his sunglasses in the room to which I replied well Daddy can buy him a new pair at $20.00 when we pass City Walk. Well...he says I really need to go to the bathroom anyway soooo and with this the boys say yeah we need to use to bathroom too! I feel like I've woken up in the middle of a bad dream at this point! So one LAST (I swear its the last no matter what) time we all head back to the room. Of course our room is now being cleaned and I am determined to not waste anymore time. I ask nicely if she could please just let them use the bathroom and we will make it quick! Yeah right like anything has been quick since we woke up! Finally, finally we leave the room and depart once again. At this point short of a broken limb we are not turning back!
This morning they are having another AP preview for Shrek and we just have to do it again. So we walked over to Universal and there is this huge inflatable Shrek hugging the Universal Building. Really cute and we take some pictures before entering. Went right to Shrek and didnt wait too long to see it this time. Each time we noticed something different and that was very cool. After exiting we saw Jimmy Neutron across the street signing autographs and posing for pictures. The kids really enjoyed adding him to their autograph books and having a picture with him. Jimmy ride was down so we headed to MIB. Did that twice and decided to go over to IOA.
We started at Suess Landing and did Cat in the Hat first no wait with express. From there we went into the book store and looked around. We love walking around Seuss Landing taking all the different paths to see something new and always do. We stopped at Hop on Pop for some ice cream. This is a great little place for some different flavors you can get elsewhere and different creations. My son had an upside down brownie sundae. Guess what kids...that was lunch!
We headed to Lost Continent and the boys have wanted the Dragon Claw necklaces at the Coin Mint since last trip so we got them each one and a little velvet pouch. Nice reminders and they wear them often. Watch as they design a coin.
This area is one of my favorites. The theme is wonderful. I love the feel of it. As you enter stop for a great photo op with the statues. Next we did Poseidons Fury and for the first time had a female Taylor as our guide. This was the first time we were first at the entrance and it really made a difference to our involvement. The special effects impress me every time.
Next we went over to spend some time with the Mystic Fountain before the Sinbad show. I can get lost here and lose track of time. There was an extremely obnoxious kid that was asked continuously by the fountain to get off his top step! He explained he couldnt see. The kid could care less and his parents didnt care either. This is the first time I have heard the fountain get a bit miffed. After only 5-10 minutes he just gave up (the fountain) and went back to sleep! snoring and all. Too bad for all the others that did listen. I think there were many a parent that wanted to knock the kid in the fountain after that! Oh well we would come back and visit him again tomorrow. We walked over to express for Sinbad and upon entering from the right side my kids saw the splash zone. They wanted to sit there. So we did and the section remained empty surprisingly? I'm figuring splash zone how bad can it be? The show starts and we are told you WILL get wet. I love this show and each time we see it I have greater appreciation for these actors. Okay so one moment comes and BOOM we get soaked! Like a tidal wave coming over us. Fun though! We next went to Flying Unicorn. This is the ride we have a very hard time getting the kids to leave. I think if we let them they would just keep riding till closing. After 3 times we tell them the ride will be closing and we'll just have to do it again tomorrow. Of course it didnt close and of course they didnt believe us, but thats ok.
Head over to Jurassic Park and knew we were only going to do JP River Adventure in this area today, we would go back again tmorrow. We get on the ride (express) and I'm looking around and I am sure they have dino's missing! So upon exiting I walked up to the entrance again and asked the guy standing there "where are all the dinosaurs?" He said huh? I said the dinousars...some are missing! At this point I realize he thinks I'm a nut saying dinosaurs escaped or something. I explain the ones that are NOT there . He looks a bit embarassesed now that he has to tell me this isnt his normal place to be and hes never actually riden this ride so he doesnt know where they are. We both laughed and I said OK no problem! I later asked and found out the big guy was out for refurbishment. I understand he has since been brought back. Love this ride! Scares the heck outta me every time just before that drop. Someday I hope to be able to pry my eyes open to actually see it and maybe even buy the picture at the end.
Toon Lagoon is next. My 6 year old has been begging to do Dudley and I really wanna just say NO. This ride scares me silly. My husband says he'll take him and I remind him that this is my baby and if anything happens....you get the gist. My other son wanted a drink and a snack so he waited with me. The express on this ride isnt as good as the others. It cuts some of the line but left about 200 people still ahead of them. No biggy just took a little longer and I didnt expect that long wait for them. I was sure something must have happened and was making my way over to ask when I saw them at the top coming down the drop! My son of course loved it and asked to do it again! Tommorow. They were soaked now and we werent and is that fair? NO! So we went over to Bilge Rat Barges. This is my 2nd favorite ride in IOA next to Spiderman. I get sheer pleasure from boarding with unsuspecting people that will always ask "do we get wet on this"? I will also drop many a quarter to get people wet on this ride after we ride it. Its such a long ride until you do it a few times you always think its over before it actually is. We did this 3-4 today right in a row. We were SOAKED! There was not a dry spot on any of us.
We actually had people staring at us as we entered Marvel Island, like we had been caught in a strom they hadnt. The kids wanted to do Spiderman but I just couldnt freeze right at that moment. I needed to dry off a little at least. Good thing the Superhero, Villian parade was just starting (a diversion)! We love this little parade the characters are awesome! Dr. Doom and Green Goblin are just so BAD! My kids are rushing to see Spiderman and Capt America and X-Men and there I am chasing after the bad guys! Quite a sight to see. Makes my husband laugh. It was crowded today so we decided to get autographs and pics tomorrow. Notice this tomorrow list is getting bigger by the Island! The kids wanted to go on Strom Force before we left and I love watching Hulk from here. Standing right under the twist is so cool. Ok time to go.
Back to the hotel to shower, again. We had dinner reservations at Mama Della's. We headed for the boat and the shy went dark and it got very windy, Uh oh. Boats close down because of lightening and a strom approaching. They tell us to take the shuttle (bus).
We waited about 20 min. We arrived at Mama Della's and were greeted by Mama. She walked us to our table and told the kids all about the desserts they could have if they ate all their dinner. The kids ordered hot chocolates and I had a glass of chianti and my husband had sode. We got a ravioli app. and we each had veal parm and the kids had spaghetti and meatballs. I also ordered a side of broccoli raab. We love eating here it is so homey the service is excellent and the food delicious. The hot chocolates came out and I couldnt believe what I saw. Little china pots given to each with a cup that is layered in thick warm chocolate. So indulgent! A table salad came out in a large bowl. I love this salad and once asked for the recipe. Our meal was wonderful! The portions here are quite large. I got an espresso to go and the boys took their desserts to go. Too full for dessert. The bill was $63.00. Very reasonable for a great Italian meal with atmosphere. We had coffee out on the piazza. It had stopped raining. The boys played on the vespa's they have around the piazza. It was then I felt a small pang. I missed not staying here. Portofino is home to us. We can love all the rest but love Portofino the best. Probably has something to do with it being the first on-site we stayed at.
We caught the boat back to CW. The captain was so nice we sat up front and chatted with him. He called the boat dock and asked the boat heading to RPR to wait for us. That was very nice. We headed to the room to change into bathing suits. The beds had been turned down and soft music was playing. On each pillow was a small gift I think this night it was shell magnets.
When we got to the pool we found it empty. The lifeguards were cleaning it. It seems a few kids had gotten sick. The kids area was still open so the boys had a blast. We relaxed in lounge chairs while we watched the boys play. It wasnt too long before my husband had to get in on that water blasting action. At around 10:30P we headed back to the room. The pool reopened in the morning. Exhausted we all climbed into bed anticipating tomorrow.
This was a full, perfect day!
I really contribute it being a new restaurant at the time to the experience we had. That night he spoke to concierge and set up another birthday dinner for the next evening at Mama Della's. It was wonderful! We had FUN! The atmosphere for us anyway is much more to our liking for a celebration.
I'm sure we did pass in the parks. I always look but I dont think anyone wears lime ribbons at Universal. With Hulk and Shrek now lime green works! We did wear our shrek ears
Thanks for the Balmex tip I will surely pack that for next time. Sounds like a handy dandy ointment. Sunburn is the worst! My son and I are fair and that can ruin a vacation. Hope your vacation was a great one! I am already planning the next for December. I wonder what my boys would think if they found out there are other vacation destinations (kidding). Thanks for enjoying the report! I wrote one for our first trip 3 years ago and will continue to write them from now on. Its really fun to read them a few years later and relive the vacation. I add them to our growing scrap book along with menus and some pictures and that trips schedules and maps.
About 1/2 hr- 45 minutes. Also when they come out it is not uncommon for them to walk to their rides and mingle!
