This was our family's first trip to Universal Resort but I grew up going to Disney since the days of tickets for each section!! We are a family of 4 with a 12 and 13 yr old. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! We flew on Wed. AM and went to the hotel RPH to check-in and drop off bags. Surprisingly there was a line at the check-in but it went fairly quickly. We had decided to do Aquatica that day. Not really worth paying extra for but we had purchased passes that included BG, SW and Aquatica over spring break when traveling to Clearwater. There were not many thrill rides and several of the rides were not clearly marked (for one of them you had to pick up your float at the lazy river). We spent about 3 1/2 hours there and then we left for the hotel with a stop at a Publix on the way. Had brought a large collapsable cooler in the suitcase and purchased milk, yogurt, fruit, beer, sodas and water (along with various snacks) and a bag of ice. It worked out perfectly and all were satisfied prior to entering the park in the AM and we were happy when we returned to have a cold beer or two without having to pay $5 for it. We continually filled the cooler with the hotel ice once a day. We returned to the hotel around 4:00 just in time for a FLA afternoon thunderstorm and debated on whether we should use one of the days of our 3-day pass. The storm passed and we were IOA bound by 6:30 (park closed at 10:00). We where surprised at how many people were still in the park even after a thunderstorm and tornado warnings in the vicinity... Went directly to HP and were in awe of the details and atmosphere. Both kids are HP fans and my daughter has read the books about 7 times. Did the Dragon challenge, had a butterbeer (went to back of Hogs Head bar), and scoped out FJ. The wait was 75 min. so we decided to go to the Hulk and come back at 9:30 which is when they said they would stop letting people get in line. After the Hulk it was 8:10 and we were hungry. Decided on Mythos and were seated by 8:15. Food was good and used AAA card for 10% dis. Told waiter we needed to be done by 9:15 and we were. Went to FJ and got in line. Husband did not fit in the seat so he took our bags and did the "walk thru" while we waited one hour. Loved the ride and left the park around 10:15. They were still letting people on FJ close to 10:00! Went back to the hotel exhausted (we had gotten up at 5 AM).
The next day we go into the park around 7:50 and my husband got in line for Ollivander's. The rest of us went to FJ and got in to the single rider line (very short!) The ride was broken and did not start running until about 8:15 and we rode twice by 8:45. Left HP area around 9 AM and GP was marching in behind TM!! Went to Suessville, Poseidon's Fury (be there 15 min before posted time - very frustrating when we showed up at 9:55 for the 10 AM show and they said we were too late! so we skipped it) It does not say this on the map like it does for other attractions!!! No one was interested in doing the water rides (although it was steamy out) so we headed to Moe's in Citywalk for lunch and then back to the hotel for some down time. Kids stayed in room while hubby and I went to pool. Not very relaxing since the chairs are dark brown (extremely hot) and the pool was just about body temp. There was also a TM on the bull horn yelling out whatever (could not understand her) for about 30 min. Ate dinner at the Latin Quarter (20% coupon at orlandocoupons.com) and it was delicious and authentic. My husband is from PR and is a foodie and we all enjoyed our meals. My daughter and I shared 3 appetizers and it was more than enough! Try the Carne Frita- very good. Went to US after dinner, did Shrek 4D, Simpsons, MIB, Jaws, and RRR. All were fun but it was a good thing that I took my dramamine! Park was supposed to close at 8 PM but stayed open until 9. Headed back to IOA so that my daughter could do Ollivander's without the line but we found out that they stop the line at 9:30 and we were there only minutes late. My son and I rode FJ and while on the ride it stopped and the lights came on! We were at the very end so we did not see much but it was still memorable.
Friday we drove to Wekiwa Springs to do a little nature and canoeing. Great side trip and we even saw some baby gators. That night we ate at Bravo (AKA Brio Tuscan Grill) on Sand Lake Rd and it was good. The waitress was very personable and told us of a good ice cream shop a few doors down. We tried it the next night (Kilwin's) and it was devine!
Saturday AM we went to SW and rode the Manta Ray twice (2nd time we were in the front), the Kraaken, Journey to Atlantis, saw the sea lion and otter show, winter arctic simulation ride (very nauseating) and were so hot we had to leave. Ate at Panera on Sand Lake Rd, replenished a few items at Publix and then headed to the Hard Rock Hotel to experience a different hotel. The trip there took about 30 minutes by water taxi and once we docked there were no signs to the pool so we blindly followed other guests and just happened upon the pool. Much different crowd from the RPH with many visibly drunk people who insisted on making a scene. Enjoyed the live music and the water slide though. That night for dinner we ended up at Ceviche which is a tapas restaurant on Church street in downtown Orlando. The food was great - overpriced though. The people that hang out in that area are questionable and we were glad to be leaving before 9:30.
Sunday we headed back to HP around 8:00 (put our luggage in storage before we went and packed one specific bag with suits and change of clothes for after parks). Sunday is definitely a less croweded day! Even at 9:15 AM the wait times for the rides were less than 30 mins. Finally rode Poseidon's Fury and the TM said that we were lucky b/c we were the 1st people to see something that people had not seen for 2 years! It was the water vortex and very cool but extremelyu loud. A tip for this show - be in the back of the first room because then you are in the front for the reaminder of the show. We missed a lot because we were in the back. You do not want to be first in line for the ride. Ended up eating lunch at Confisco (had to wait for it to open promptly at 12:00 - and it closes at 6). It was good and we drank as much as we could since they do not charge for refills. My husband and I had the full pitcher of sangria (only $15- what a deal) and it was great and refreshing! Went back to US to ride the Mummy (great!!) and a few others - it was super hot and humid! Went back to hotel at 3:00 to refresh in the very hot pool, shower in the gym locker area (very nice-shampoo, soap, sauna, hairdryer, towels, A/C). Left the hotel around 4:30, ate at Chili's on the way to the airport and headed home at 8:30 PM.
All in all a good trip. Suggestions-go to the lockers that are in the back - everyone goes to the ones in the front, visit orlandocoupons.com for great meal coupons, If at RPH walk instead of taking boat, wherever you are staying, Google Map it and "search nearby" if you need to know where a grocery store, bank, restaurant or store is. You can even label, save and bring with you! If you have a AAA card make sure you use it! We used it at all stores and restaurants and saved about $30.
The next day we go into the park around 7:50 and my husband got in line for Ollivander's. The rest of us went to FJ and got in to the single rider line (very short!) The ride was broken and did not start running until about 8:15 and we rode twice by 8:45. Left HP area around 9 AM and GP was marching in behind TM!! Went to Suessville, Poseidon's Fury (be there 15 min before posted time - very frustrating when we showed up at 9:55 for the 10 AM show and they said we were too late! so we skipped it) It does not say this on the map like it does for other attractions!!! No one was interested in doing the water rides (although it was steamy out) so we headed to Moe's in Citywalk for lunch and then back to the hotel for some down time. Kids stayed in room while hubby and I went to pool. Not very relaxing since the chairs are dark brown (extremely hot) and the pool was just about body temp. There was also a TM on the bull horn yelling out whatever (could not understand her) for about 30 min. Ate dinner at the Latin Quarter (20% coupon at orlandocoupons.com) and it was delicious and authentic. My husband is from PR and is a foodie and we all enjoyed our meals. My daughter and I shared 3 appetizers and it was more than enough! Try the Carne Frita- very good. Went to US after dinner, did Shrek 4D, Simpsons, MIB, Jaws, and RRR. All were fun but it was a good thing that I took my dramamine! Park was supposed to close at 8 PM but stayed open until 9. Headed back to IOA so that my daughter could do Ollivander's without the line but we found out that they stop the line at 9:30 and we were there only minutes late. My son and I rode FJ and while on the ride it stopped and the lights came on! We were at the very end so we did not see much but it was still memorable.
Friday we drove to Wekiwa Springs to do a little nature and canoeing. Great side trip and we even saw some baby gators. That night we ate at Bravo (AKA Brio Tuscan Grill) on Sand Lake Rd and it was good. The waitress was very personable and told us of a good ice cream shop a few doors down. We tried it the next night (Kilwin's) and it was devine!
Saturday AM we went to SW and rode the Manta Ray twice (2nd time we were in the front), the Kraaken, Journey to Atlantis, saw the sea lion and otter show, winter arctic simulation ride (very nauseating) and were so hot we had to leave. Ate at Panera on Sand Lake Rd, replenished a few items at Publix and then headed to the Hard Rock Hotel to experience a different hotel. The trip there took about 30 minutes by water taxi and once we docked there were no signs to the pool so we blindly followed other guests and just happened upon the pool. Much different crowd from the RPH with many visibly drunk people who insisted on making a scene. Enjoyed the live music and the water slide though. That night for dinner we ended up at Ceviche which is a tapas restaurant on Church street in downtown Orlando. The food was great - overpriced though. The people that hang out in that area are questionable and we were glad to be leaving before 9:30.
Sunday we headed back to HP around 8:00 (put our luggage in storage before we went and packed one specific bag with suits and change of clothes for after parks). Sunday is definitely a less croweded day! Even at 9:15 AM the wait times for the rides were less than 30 mins. Finally rode Poseidon's Fury and the TM said that we were lucky b/c we were the 1st people to see something that people had not seen for 2 years! It was the water vortex and very cool but extremelyu loud. A tip for this show - be in the back of the first room because then you are in the front for the reaminder of the show. We missed a lot because we were in the back. You do not want to be first in line for the ride. Ended up eating lunch at Confisco (had to wait for it to open promptly at 12:00 - and it closes at 6). It was good and we drank as much as we could since they do not charge for refills. My husband and I had the full pitcher of sangria (only $15- what a deal) and it was great and refreshing! Went back to US to ride the Mummy (great!!) and a few others - it was super hot and humid! Went back to hotel at 3:00 to refresh in the very hot pool, shower in the gym locker area (very nice-shampoo, soap, sauna, hairdryer, towels, A/C). Left the hotel around 4:30, ate at Chili's on the way to the airport and headed home at 8:30 PM.
All in all a good trip. Suggestions-go to the lockers that are in the back - everyone goes to the ones in the front, visit orlandocoupons.com for great meal coupons, If at RPH walk instead of taking boat, wherever you are staying, Google Map it and "search nearby" if you need to know where a grocery store, bank, restaurant or store is. You can even label, save and bring with you! If you have a AAA card make sure you use it! We used it at all stores and restaurants and saved about $30.
