First time to Universal Staying at resort and with out children!

[tazzielou]

October 23, 2009 –

We got into the two seat crossfire car and we were off. (I tell you this because this will be very important later on in this trip report.) This is our first vacation together without kids in YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! We got a late start and left at 3 pm. Our first stop was in Hampstead to get gas. Fill up the car and now we are traveling!

We make our way through Friday night traffic in Wilmington to Lumberton and then Highway 95. Once here we can book along. We have a very peaceful ride and then around 7pm we are hungry. We stopped at a Mexican place somewhere off of 95. It was good and both of us needed the break from the car.

My turn to drive now, so off we go again. We got to Georgia and then the construction starts. I do NOT like road construction. I am thinking we will never get to Florida. I have taken about all I can take of this when I tell my DH we have to stop for the night now. We are only 3 miles from the Florida border but I can not take any more. I have no clue if the construction is done or not but all I know is I have to get out of the car. We check into a cute hotel and spend the night.

 

[tazzielou]

October 24, 2009 –

Good Morning! Time to get back into the car and drive to Florida!!!!!!!!!!!! We ate at Burger King and off to Sanford we were. We wanted to go to the Flea Market. We spent a few hours at the Market then we decided we were going to go to the Flea Market in Kissimmee that we love so much.

We checked in for the night at Old Town Suites in Kissimmee. We got the room for $59.00. The hotel is old, but let me tell you, we have stayed here when ever we have the kids with us. We have always enjoyed our stay here. They have a pool and all of the rooms are suites. They have a living room with a trundle bed a kitchen with a full size fridge, stove and a table with 4 chairs, a bathroom and a bedroom with two double beds and a sink for your make-up/ hair table. Two TVs and a balcony.

That night we went to Old Town and ate dinner watched the cars line up for the drive around parade then did some shopping. We were tired so went to bed early because in the morning we are checking into Royal Pacific Resort! Universal here we come!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tazzielou]

October 25, 2009

We arrive at our hotel after a stop at Wal-Mart for drinks, shorts, and cigarettes. We did not know it was going to be soooooooo hot in Florida. We packed jeans and only 2 pair of shorts. Now for the smokers my husband got a real shock a carton of cigarettes was like $55. I do not smoke but I do know cigarettes are cheaper in North Carolina.
We pull up to the hotel and there are cars everywhere. People are all around esp. young teenage children. Now before anyone thinks I have an issue with kids you are wrong. I love kids!!! We have our own children but this is a weekend for us. We picked a time when kids should be in school and not too many people around. I am dreading this hotel choice. How could I have not been correct in picking a time when children are running around? Well there are 700 room checking out when I am checking in. Teen all over the place because they were from Miami and up for the Halloween Horror nights and have made a Mess of the hotel, been drunk from mini bars in rooms and such what a a total mess!!!!

Well first of all I am a mother of teen sons (17 and 18) and as such how could I book a room for my children and not stay with them. Well I WOULD NOT!!!!! What is wrong with patents today?????? Well anyway because of this we had to wait and be called for our room.

So we checked our bags and went off to find the boat to City Walk because the game starts at 1pm. Did I mention my husband is a HUGE Steelers Fan? WE CAN NOT MISS ONE SECOND OF THE GAME!!!!!! When we finally found the boat it had left. A guy asked us if we wanted to take a bike ride to City Walk so we did. Both Husband and I felt so funny riding in the bike. We both said if we miss the boat again we would just wait.

We went to NBC to watch the game and eat. I can not find the receipt for our lunch. I had a chicken club and husband had Jambalaya. We both liked our lunch. I then left and went shopping while he stayed at NBC to watch the game. A few people in Steelers Jerseys came in so I knew he would be fine and have a great time.

I went into the Endangered Species store just to look around. I ended up getting a tiny brush to fit in a fanny pack. It cost $5.28 and came with 3 hair ties. I went to Universal Studios store and got a fanny pack and a lanyard. My total cost was $21.95
After shopping I went back to him and had a drink during the last quarter of the game. Bacardi Silver and Coke was $5.95 each, Caramel Apple Martini (Which was WONDERFUL) $8.95 the COOL Martini glass which I had to have was $5.00. The Staff there was OUTSTANDING!!!!!! They were all friendly and helpful. They cracked jokes with us and made us feel like we were home.

Our room was ready. We got the call at 3:45 so after the Steelers game we went to the boat for the ride to the hotel. Our room was 2421, tower 2. After we unpacked we wanted to explore City Walk together, so back to the boat. Now you will see as this trip report goes 2 things are very important to us. My two are food and shopping. His two are food and drinks.

If you are enjoying my trip report like this I will continue on. I will tell you about our evening On October 25 and all the days that follow. I do not want to tell you stuff you do not want to know about. I can also be less detailed. Just let me know. For those of you taking the time to read this, thanks.

 

[phamton]

I'm really enjoying your report. Please continue with it!

 

[tazzielou]

Still October 25 –
Dinner at Margaritaville. Here we had Jerk Chicken, $15.95, Crab Cakes $18.95, Barcardi and Coke $6.50, Double $8.00 and a 5 O’Clock Somewhere $14.25. Our total bill was $86.58. Since I got a glass I needed a swizzle stick with a parrot on it. That was $3.20. While in Margaritaville one of the guys on stilts was the dancing security guard. I am a fan of his on Facebook so of course I was all excited to meet him!

Off to the Universal Studios store to get husband a lanyard for his room key since he liked mine. Then off to the boat. We stopped at Jakes for drinks then off to bed. The Parks are screaming to me. LOL

 

[tazzielou]

October 26 –
Breakfast at Island Dinning. This is the only meal we did not enjoy. We thought it was very over priced and just was nothing to write home about. I think we spent like $30 here.
Now let me first say our room. It is nice, clean, very pretty but the air control was just too much. I am used to controlling my own air. I have night issues with heat. I need the room to stay cold in order to sleep. I woke up all night long. Not very much fun. So I go to the front desk tell them about the heat – I am told someone will override the air for me.

Then we get on the boat to Island of Adventure. We got a drink cup which was $7.45 to fill up during our stay here.

Lunch at 2:30 was at Mythos. I am like everyone else – THIS PLACE IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!! We had a wonderful lunch. I had a spinach salad with shrimp $14.40, Coke $2.25, Barcardi and Coke $6.50 Blueberry Pork $13.50. Total was $40.60. We enjoyed this soooooooo much!

Now we walked around then went to City Walk again that evening. I got us two egg rolls from Panda Express. It was $3.73. My husband was not feeling up to doing much more so back to the hotel. We ordered room service that night around 11:45 pm Chicken Fingers and Fries. $17.82. The temperature in our room was a little better.

Dueling Dragons always Great. Rode both Fire and Ice. (I like fire better – husband thinks Ice is faster) We rode Cat in the Hat and the trolley train. Went on a man hunt for a penny machine with the Fish from Cat in the Hat. Walked around the park twice. Played toss the rings over the bottles and won a guitar. Had that sent to our room. Played a water gun game won a Steeler Bear. Watched Sinbad, talked to the fountain. Over all had a wonderful day. Not crowded at all. We were able to see and enjoy lots of things.

 

[tazzielou]

October 27 –
Today we are off to Universal Studios. We have a great breakfast at Boulagerie. We had Bacon Egg Cheese $4.99 and Ham and Cheese $4.99 a refill of Coke in our Cup $.79, Each sandwich came with a slice of melon and a strawberry.

Lunch we ate at Louie’s Italian this was OK. It was not the Best Pizza I have ever had nor was it the worse. We got the special which was a slice of pizza and a Caesar salad. Husband got Pepp. And I had veggie. It was $6.99 each. So total was $13.40. Which for a park is really a good deal.

Dinner was at Hard Rock. We had pulled pork sandwiches $ 12.75 I had onion rings $3.00 and a Hot Fudge Browine $8.00. It was most excellent. Total was $56.70 (Barcardi and Coke was $6.25 and Coke was $2.99)

OK now for the Rides. The Mummy Ride was SOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!! Men in Black was a hoot. Husband won that round. The Simpson ride had me in stitches. So did Jaws. I just can not help it. It cracks me up sooo much that Movie and Ride. I guess because we live at the beach. I am not sure why I laugh at that fish movie.

Shopping Items so you get an idea on how items are priced. I bought an Angel on Sale for my mom for $23.96. This was a really great buy. At the Simpson’s gift shop I got a Can of Mints, A Name Tag Pin and a Can Koozie for $19.98. Stuff here is nice because things are on Sale. Most Parks do not sell stuff on sale. Universal does which I really like.

It’s a Wrap is a store right at the gates where you exit the park. Check it out. They have GREAT sales. (Bought most of the stuff to take home here.)

 

[tazzielou]

October 28 –

We set off to IOA again. Today’s mission was to do the rides we had missed the first time we were here. My husband forgot to bring his tennis shoes with him so we bought shoes for him on Saturday. By now he has blisters on his feet and is in much pain. So after a little while in IOA he needed to go back to the room. So back to the room we go.

I leave him here to rest and head out to do what I do best. …. SHOP!!!!!!!!! So I am off. I went back to IOA because with husband in tow I can not go into every store. Well without him I went into everyone!

FYI – At IOA the store at the exit that has great Sales is Port Provisions.
For those of you wanting to know like how much stuff costs I bought a watch in the park at Gasoline Alley for $14.33. I was most please with this purchase. I got a leather bracelet for 10.65 at Sunshine Leather. (Now at Old Town I could have gotten the bracelet for $5.95 but I am in the park now)

I am getting tired and hungry. I called husband to see if he wanted me to bring him lunch and he said sure. It was really a late lunch. I went to Moe’s. Let me tell you this was the second most enjoyable meal we had. I bought 2 chicken tacos, and chicken nachos. And a drink. These tacos were huge. The nachos could have been for 3 or 4 people. They packed it up so nicely for me. (This was like $22.00) I got some salsa in to go cups and headed for the boat.

The boat captain was so very nice and helped me with all of my stuff. I must have been a sight. Me all of 5 feet 1 inch. – lol with several packages and a large bag from Moes running down the stairs to catch the boat before it left because I wanted our lunch to be warm. Well he saw me running and waited. Then he helped me on the boat. A most wonderful gentleman.

We went into the pool. This was so nice. Well we went in the hot tub. The pool was just too cool for me. Then we went to the Bula Bar for drinks. Now here we had yet another issue. They charged us 18% on our bill. Well I do not think that is right. We were only 2 people. But we paid it. Drinks at the hotel are very expensive. Barcardi and Coke $8.50, Pacific Sunset $9.50 Coke $3.00 Draft Beer $3.00.

For a late night dinner we stayed at the hotel. We had dinner at Jakes. I had a steak. $19.99, he had a Cuban Sandwich $12.49 and my coke was $3.00.

I had to call the front desk again because it again was too hot in our room.

 

[tazzielou]

October 29

We went to IOA. We rode the Hulk. Today we were doing the water rides. We rode them all and then ate at Thunder Falls. Let me tell you when you are drenched from head to toe thanks to the Popeye Ride it is very cold standing in line to place your order. My husband was freezing so he went outside to get us a table. We ordered the Chicken platter $9.99 The Rib and Chicken Combo $11.49, Chocolate Cake $3.59 and a Coke refill. Total was $24.79

We went back to the room to rest a little while. My husband did laundry while I took a much needed nap. We then got ready for a night on the town. When we got to City Walk all of the clubs and places to eat were closed. They were closed to a private party until 10:30. Well that set my husband off. We were wanting to eat a Bob Marley’s that night. Well the only places were NBA, Hard Rock, Margaritaville, and Bubba Gump. So we will give Bubba a try tonight.

Dinner was good. We had Shrimp New Orleans $16.99, Stuffed Shrimp $17.25, Barcardi Coke $5.75, Coke $2.75 and a Blue Louisiana Lemonade in a Glass $9.95. Total was $68.35. I enjoyed the drink very much. The glass was great with a shrimp on it. We come from a Shrimp town too. Shrimp boats all around us. We even have a Shrimp Festival once a year so I loved the glass.

Off to Margaritaville again. Here we had Barcardi Coke $5.75 and me a Raspberry Margarita $7.50. I took two sips and really did not like it. I am not a drinker at all. I do not hold my drinks well, so I told husband I just could not drink this. I talked about my drink at dinner and how much I enjoyed it and decided to get one more because I really wanted two shrimp glasses. So I got a drink to go and another glass. $10.59. I walked back to him at the Margaritaville bar sipping my Blue Louisiana Lemonade. We had a really wonderful evening. Then back to our room we went.

 

[tazzielou]

October 30 –

We started out at Universal Studios again. I just had to get the winning score in Men in Black ride which I did. We rode the Mummy again. We bought a cool picture frame of the dueling Dragons which is all discounted because they are changing this ride.

A guy stopped me to take a survey and said after I completed the survey they would give me $10 in Universal Cash. Well of course I had to do this. My husband sat in the smoking area while I completed my survey and when I came out $10 richer, I passed a bench. On this bench was a man with a baby in a stroller. I passed him and then stopped. It hit me I know this man. I went up to him and said, please forgive me but you are the lead singer for Twisted Sister aren’t you? He said today I am twisted Grandpa and to please not tell anyone. I shook his hand introduced myself and made a fuss about his cute grandbaby. Thanked him and went back to my husband. Of course he was like are you sure that was him and I told him YES look at him. He agreed but true to my word we left him alone and then I was like I did not even get his picture! Oh well.

This being our last day here were wanted to eat at Mythos again. We made our reservations for 2:30. We went into the arcade and won tickets. I got a dino head on a stick and a wooden snake for my husband. We were like little kids holding our toys. He loved the wooden snake and my dino was a hoot. I was making him bite leaves and my husband’s shirt. We really had a fun day. We played ring toss again and this time I won a guitar.

At Mythos we had Cedar Salmon $18.95, Blueberry Pork $13. 50, a mini salad $2.99, Cream Burlee mini shot dessert $1.75 and a Chocolate Sabayon mini shot dessert $1.75, Barcardi Coke $6.50 and a Coke $2.25. Total was $56.87.

Here we were leaving to go back to the room and I had to use the restroom. We stopped at the Circus restraint in Cat in the Hat. I found a penny machine with the fish is a tea pot!!!!! This made me so very happy.

Back to the room to change and get ready for our last night here. We ate at Bob Marley’s finally. We had Jerk Chicken $10.99, Barcardi Coke double $9.00 and a Jamaican Freeze $7.99 total was $65.94

We then went to Pat O’Briens. Husband got me two sets of beads. There were $2.71 for one set and $3.60 for the other. They were having a special night with the Halloween Horror going on and we got Jeckel and Hide Beads and light up shot glasses. I had a Hurricane and got a glass as well.

Back on our finally boat ride. What a great time we had.

 

[tazzielou]

October 31 –
Well this is it. Today we leave. Looking all around the room I am thinking how is this ever going to make the trip home. We call for a luggage person. He comes and we load the cart. It is FULL. Then we give him the valet card for our car. I go to check out. When I get outside people are watching my husband and the valet guy stuff our little two seat car with all of the stuff we now have. We had to leave our cooler. It just would not make the trip. A lady in charge of valet and bell men said we won the prize for getting the most stuff into a tiny car. My husband was able to get in two guitars, all of my stuff I bought, our luggage, and several other items. Then we were off. Now for the long 11 hour ride home.

 

[tazzielou]

November 1 –
We stopped for the night in Florence SC. We ate breakfast at South of the Border. This was the first time since we were married that we stopped here. We were married in Dillon SC and had our first dinner as man and wife at South of the Border so it was kind of sweet. It was good to be home. I did miss the boys very much. They must have missed us too because both were waiting for us when we did get home.
Thanks for reading my trip report.

This is my link to facebook where I have my picture of the trip. I dont know how to post pictures. Incase anyone wants to see us.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040913&l=511c050c22&id=1415426748

 

[Metro West]

That's the best TR I've read in a LONG time!

Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[tazzielou]

Thank you so much Metro.

I do also want to say Never did I have a problem with anyone in the parks, hotel, shopes. bars or any food place. Everyone was nice and most helpful. The employees all of them I encountered were wonderful. One even gave me a pin to get me started on pin trading.

 

[maggieb9975]

Thanks for a great trip report sounds like you guys had a great time! I can sympathize with your husbands blisters! My last trip I had them while at HHN...I was miserable....

I am going to check your pics now...take care

 

[macraven]

thank you for that wonderful trip report.

i always love to read reports with details. i was sorry it had to end!
i use it to refer back to when peeps list the prices for the food and shopping items.
it gives me ideas for my next trip.

so good to hear you both had fun.


btw, i agree with your husband.........ice is my favorite side on DD.

 

[glenpreece]

Great TR Thanks!!!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Great trip report! Thank you. We have recently added universal to our Christmas plans so getting geared up What restaurants, apart from Mythos of course should be a "do not miss" for us? We eat just about anything.

 

[ready4mouse]

Great report~thank you! It was fun to read and got me excited for our first trip down! It sounds like you had both a fun and relaxing time which is just what we're looking for!

Do you think your length of stay was "just right" for what you wanted to do? I find it so hard to figure out how many nights to book...

 

[tazzielou]

The length of our stay was just about right. The parks are easy enough to do in just 2 to 3 days. But to enjoy the parks, (Stop and smell the roses type of thing) I would say 4 days. We really had a good time not rushing. We only stayed 4 hours a day in the park. We took pictures and paid attention to details. The temp was not too hot outside. I think that would come into play as well when you go. The water day we had doing the water rides was lots of fun but I do not think if it were cold it would not be fun to walk around wet. We saved all the water ride for that one day.

For places to eat. I did not eat anything that I did not enjoy. (Other than the Island place in our hotel for Breakfast)

Thank you everyone for reading and enjoying my trip report.