Fly on Friday the 13th?? Yep, we`ll turn superstition into 23 nights of fun!! A Sept/Oct 2024 TR

[schumigirl]

Neither of us wants to do The Simpson`s ride, me because it is the worst ride in the park for motion sickness issues, for me anyway, and I`ll never ride it again, Tom doesn`t bother on his own, but always went on it when Kyle was with us and they did enjoy it, but not on his own, he just doesn`t bother.

Wandering round this little area between worlds is very pretty. You can go up and around and go on MiB, again I`m not a fan of shooting games and never really enjoy them, we do plan to go on one day, but not today. Tom and Kyle are huge fans of this ride and we are all fans of the movies which are great fun.

​

The views from both sides of the bridge are very pretty, it`s a beautiful spot and surprisingly although you can hear park noise it`s quite a peaceful spot. And especially on such a sunny day like today, the parks look absolutely stunning! ​

Heading into Diagon Alley is always special, it is so beautiful and again, weirdly quiet today in certain parts, other areas were busy but it`s always nice to get some pictures where no one else is in them.

​

I do enjoy seeing Kreacher peering out the window, but I have a low tolerance for folks who insist you have to knock the door for him to appear!! Honestly, after all these years folks still don`t know he`s on a timer!

Yes, I have had folks try to argue that is the knocking on the door that makes him appear, I say try to argue because I don`t bother arguing back, no point really if they`re convinced they`re right.

​

Today was hot again, but at times there was a lovely little breeze that just took that temperature down enough to make it quite comfortable and not that blazing heat that admittedly I do love, but I won`t turn that breeze down.



​

The Knight Bus area is normally very busy and the bus did have a line to get a picture with the conductor Stan, we don`t bother but we do love getting pictures of everything including the Wyndham Hotel facade which looks so good. ​

When you wander through those magical bricks or even the smaller entrance to the side, you can feel the temperature drop slightly abyway, so it is much nicer to wander around in if you do feel a little too hot. Knockturn Alley is the place to be to cool down properly, it is lovely in there to chill a little.

Everything is so colourful and visually impressive as everything Potter is to be fair.
​

We did notice they had added the old sign for the House-Elf Placement Agency as part of their decor, this used to hang where the Travel Agency Globus Mundi is situated now. The signs they have all around both areas are so imaginitive and creative and you could spend hours just looking out for them and reading them, we do enjoy doing that on both Potter sides. ​

It is such an impressive area and The Hopping Pot is a lovely place to have a little cooling drink or snack, I admit the tables are usually very busy and it is hard to get a seat there, although not today! ​

There were other people around, honest!!

And this is the Globus Mundi Travel Agency that replaced the House Elf place, and it is worth a wander round about.

The Money Exchange is a wonderful little place to visit, it has some little displays and they include options to purchase some lovely items, but the main reason for going in to buy Gringotts Bank Notes that can be used in several locations around the parks, I`m not sure where you can`t use them but maybe carts and smaller venues.

You can purchase money with either $10 or $20 notes, and if you don`t spend them or take them home as gifts you can exchange them back for US Dollars at Guest Services.

However, the highlight of this place is the Goblin himself who sneeringly reigns down his contempt to you in abundance, he is very sharp with some of the responses to any questions you may ask. And you can ask him anything you like, within reason of course!

He is completely interactive and his movements are quite creepy on occasions as he does seem to stare at you as if he sees you, you know he isn`t real but it is a little disconcerting all the same.

Tom and I came second at a quiz night once over the name of this place below!

Annoyingly, the person reading the questions started off saying well, Carole and Tom have an advantage on this one given how often they`ve been to Orlando, they`ll get this question correct with no problem....

I`m looking at Tom hoping he knows the name as I had a complete brain fade moment and could not remember it and he`s looking at me like this...

We had no clue between us and our team mates had never been and two of them had never seen or read any Potter stuff, but our consolation was that no other team got the name either and I discovered I hadn`t even been reading the name properly!

Weeoanwhisker's Barber Shop is the correct name, I always read it as Weevanwhisker`s and I was convinced that`s what it was, I knew better after that.

The dragon is very impressive from any angle, capturing the fire is always a splendid picture but on it`s own it`s equally remarkable and quite an imposing feature to image in Diagon Alley.

More of today`s very picture centric post coming right up!! ​

 

[keishashadow]

when reading your TRs, i alway expect to learn something new got my money's worth already!

Weeoanwhisker's Barber Shop

tongue twister

we do love getting pictures of everything including the Wyndham Hotel facade which looks so good

no idea it was based on a RL place

 

[schumigirl]

when reading your TRs, i alway expect to learn something new got my money's worth already!


tongue twister

no idea it was based on a RL place

lol....it`s not an easy one to say for sure, I was amazed I got it wrong all these years!

Well, there are Wyndham hotels, sadly none look as good as that one does, I`d stay there if it were real, looks lovely.

 

[schumigirl]

We were loving today, wandering around the park when it was so quiet and almost deserted in certain places, it really is so much nicer than when you can barely move with people around you at different times of the year.

The heat was lovely and again, it peaked at around 96F today so this was happy lizard weather for us.

As we were about to wander off we could hear that low rumble and we managed to catch the dragon again blow fire over us again and it`s always lovely to see how much guests enjoy seeing it happen.

​

Being British, we love our tea, and I do like seeing this kettle steaming away, very British indeed, although most folks have an electric kettle of course, but a traditional kettle is very nice too if you have an Aga in your kitchen. ​

Attention to detail is everywhere and the Potter areas take it to another level, colour and design are very vivid and intricately detailed, you can`t help but be impressed by it all and very few do come away saying they don`t like these areas I`m sure. ​

A little new addition since our last visit was this little wine display and they are very good at evolving varying areas and it`s always a surprise when something new pops up in varying locations. ​

I`m always amazed at the amount of people who visit UOR and miss Knockturn Alley, not because they don`t have time, but because so many don`t know it`s there.

I don`t have Facebook, but some of my friends do and always comment how little some folks know about the parks, some apparently don`t know there are two parks or that Potter isn`t a park on it`s own! Even TM friends comment at how amazed they are when asked some very odd and simplistic questions.

I`m always reminded once we were stood outside the entrance to Diagon Alley and two folks with a map came and asked us the area behind us was worth going into see!!!!! Er, no, just the whole of Diagon Alley!!! We wouldn`t do that of course but we did tell them that`s exactly where they wanted to be!!

But, you can`t really miss the entrance to Knockturn Alley on this end, the entrance next to The Leaky Cauldron could maybe be missed, but a quick glance at some basic info would show you where everything is.

​

Inside is a very well designed area where the nastier folks in the Potter world tend to gravitate to and there is deemed to be an underworld of people that you wouldn`t normally want to mix with and the stores and design of the area show this rather well.


​

It is incredibly dark in here and does take most folks a few minutes to adjust your eyes and it`s not uncommon for folks to slightly bump into you, or vice versa!! I do try to take a few seconds to adjust before I charge onwards, just in case! ​

Borgin and Burkes is a classic store where all the items for sale are more for the darker side of Potter but they have some very exciting and interesting pieces of merchandise as well as some interesting pieces of furniture worth exploring including the Vanishing Cabinet and the Hand of Glory which will give you a surprise when you watch it for a few moments. ​

It is an incredible area to explore, I do love the darker side of things with stories and tales so this area appeals to that side of me that does appreciate all things creepy. ​

Stepping back into the sunshine is wonderful as I was starting to feel a little chilly in there, yes, I am a lizard!!

We did enjoy the heat and headed outside of Diagon Alley to really soak up those rays.


​

Aside from all the touches inside Potter area that are a nod to Jaws, they have kept a whole part of a building that reminds you this whole area was Amity Island and the wonderful and very much missed Jaws ride.

Fast and Furious or as we and many others call it, the worst ride in the park was closed right now as there was a horror nights house right behind it, I don`t think it was ever missed except as someone wise reminded me, it does eat up some people and gets them out of the way of other areas in the park. I hadn`t thought about that, generally though it has never been well received.

I`m sure it won`t last much longer though and will be replaced with something more fitting to Universal and more popular!

The back of Louie`s pizza is lovely, it does remind one somewhat of an Italian Street where you would sit outside a little family run pizzeria, just a little though as the shutters are more reminiscent of France somehow!

And at one end you have the scaffolding where you can watch the Beat Builders perform, not my favourite show, wouldn`t mind if I missed it but if you`re passing it is a fun little show.

Louie`s is one of those places that is very good or not so good, it varies so much and generally we have been lucky and had some nice pizza from there but now we do use mobile order if we get it as sometimes by the time you wait in line to pay, your pizza or hot dish can get cold, but generally it`s a decent place for quick service pizza.

We had a bathroom stop about now and although bathrooms are not really something to celebrate, I don`t think I`ve ever felt the need to extol the virtues of any bathroom.

Well, except for the one at Bryant Park in NY, that little bathroom was immaculate, fresh flowers and it did not look like a public bathroom at all.

However, the entrance to this bathroom is quite impressive, probably the one that intrigues me the most as to design.

I do like it though and I was snapping a picture when a man who had just come out of the bathroom laughed and said in the most Texan of Texas accents (which I love) honey, I never saw anyone take a picture of a bathroom entrance before, are they paying you for this??

He said it as a joke, but, it`s not the first time as I have been called a Universal/Loews shill before!!!

There are so many little signs that are very much part of the continuing theme around here and every trip I still maintain I find several new things to see every trip and usually more than I`d imagine.

We were going to be too early for The Blues Bros today but we`d catch them another day, we say that a lot apparently!! Then we`re home and think, yep, we missed them every time!!

But for now we were heading on The Mummy, one of the best rides at UOR, it is a classic ride and the theming is very well done, but the core fact is, it`s an amazing coaster!

It can be a little bit of a headbanger at times, not the coaster part, but there is a part where the ride vehicle stops abruptly and if you don`t kinda brace for it, you will get a head bash!!

The EP line for Mummy was a walk on, more or less, we did get held up slightly where they scan the EP by five people who didn`t have EP but insisted that they did, however they eventually agreed they didn`t have it and returned to the regular line, so we wandered up and asked if we could get the front which we did and I think the front row on this ride is the best for us.

The back row also gives you a little more airtime, well it does for me, so either row is ok for us, but prefer the front especially on the coaster part.

This is just an incredible high when you`re on this coaster, it has theming and a very fast coaster part with a decent drop, so it has it all for us and we do this three times today which is enough for me as I don`t want a wonky head, but it is a fabulous ride.

We did think of going into Finnegans for a cocktail, but we did plan to go offsite later, so decided against it.

It was hot now, really hot and we were loving this and heck on a deck where is everyone today!!!

Tribute store, Minion area, lunch and pool time
coming up.​

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Looking at your pictures and dreaming of warmer temperatures - especially since we are currently one of the coldest parts of the world today . I was upstairs eating my lunch trying to soak up whatever sunlight I could, and you could definitely feel how cold it was outside. The window was definitely making my little seating area colder.

Such amazingly crisp and bright pictures!

 

[schumigirl]

Looking at your pictures and dreaming of warmer temperatures - especially since we are currently one of the coldest parts of the world today . I was upstairs eating my lunch trying to soak up whatever sunlight I could, and you could definitely feel how cold it was outside. The window was definitely making my little seating area colder.

Such amazingly crisp and bright pictures!

I know what you mean, we`re not as cold as you but it is very, very chilly!! But Orlando wasn`t much warmer last few days, so that makes me feel better somehow!!! One of my godsons and his wife are there now till Dec 20th and they planned to go to VB a couple of days ago, closed because of the cold!!

I adore sitting by our windows with the sun streaming in when it`s cold outside, with a pot of tea and a cake, can`t ask for more.

Thank you, Tom does take some lovely pictures for me

 

[Worfiedoodles]

You just look pleased as punch to be in all that sunshine with hardly a soul in sight!

It’s not even that cold yet, and I’ve already had enough of it

I’m sure there are folks who try to use EP when they don’t have it. It’s pretty easy to tell if you do or not

I am always happy when I do catch the Blues Brothers, but it really is lucky timing when we do. I could look at the entertainment schedule, but I don’t ever seem to

I love the Mummy! It really is a fun coaster

Count me as one who will be thrilled if Fast and Furious is replaced.
That is one useless ride…

 

[keishashadow]

It was hot now, really hot and we were loving this and heck on a deck where is everyone today!!!

driving by, have to comment, what a cute outfit!

PS the lizard meme is priceless

 

[schumigirl]

You just look pleased as punch to be in all that sunshine with hardly a soul in sight!

It’s not even that cold yet, and I’ve already had enough of it

I’m sure there are folks who try to use EP when they don’t have it. It’s pretty easy to tell if you do or not

I am always happy when I do catch the Blues Brothers, but it really is lucky timing when we do. I could look at the entertainment schedule, but I don’t ever seem to

I love the Mummy! It really is a fun coaster

Count me as one who will be thrilled if Fast and Furious is replaced.
That is one useless ride…

I do love a bit of atmosphere in the parks, but we still enjoy those times when you do see a distinct lack of people!!!

Yes, I do think some folks think oh they`ll just let us through if they feign ignorance, those TM`s are smart cookies and have seen and heard it all!

lol.....we never look at the schedule either, but never found the need, if we miss something one day, we`ll catch it another time.

Mummy is amazing, I sometimes think it`s a little underrated as a coaster, but we never miss it. Oh lordy yep, time to get rid of F&F permanently, hopefully once Epic is up and running it shouldn`t be long or maybe even when RRR is gone and replaced. I wish I knew the exact schedule of those lol

I also owe you an email!

 

[schumigirl]

driving by, have to comment, what a cute outfit!

PS the lizard meme is priceless

Thank you

lol.....one of my friend`s made that one up and sent it to me, very appropriate, I was convinced she had made it into a birthday card, but no, I did get a nicer one than that.

 

[SCDizFan]

Being British, we love our tea, and I do like seeing this kettle steaming away, very British indeed, although most folks have an electric kettle of course, but a traditional kettle is very nice too if you have an Aga in your kitchen.

I've always wanted an AGA but unfortunately, I live in Florida and it would heat up my house too much! I do have a traditional kettle that I love!

 

[schumigirl]

I've always wanted an AGA but unfortunately, I live in Florida and it would heat up my house too much! I do have a traditional kettle that I love!

Oh lordy yes, it does keep one`s home cosy and hot. We never have the radiators on in the kitchen and the rooms that back on to it during the winter as the heat is incredible. We switch it off in good weather, which is not often lol.....but I love my Aga, we still have a built in electric double oven with a grill (broiler) and a ceramic hob too. Our kitchen is a little different as one part is very old and farmhouse style, but we built a whole new extension which is large, bright and modern, but the two styles blend well together, I love my kitchen lol.

I think we use the electric kettle more than our whistling kettle but I like both styles.

If you ever move somewhere cooler definitely get one, you`d love them I think!!

 

[schumigirl]

When the Tribute Store first became a thing several years ago they were quite spectacular and somewhere where you could spend some time wandering and admiring the theme and decor, but the last couple of years they haven`t been as well designed as they once were, however this HHN one is probably the worst one we have ever seen.

I hate to dismiss it, but it just feels lazy and a bit of a cop out really for this year again. But as there is no real theme to HHN with an Icon this year they could get away with not doing much and it shows. And it annoys me that it was so poor as we know a couple of folks from the scenic decor team and know how talented they are and it should have been better.

So, not too many pictures from us from inside or out on this Tribute Store!!

The themed baked goods also used to be good, they do look nice but very disappointing, we tried most of them at some point but none stood out as good. They are very highly processed, mostly just taste of sugar and very manufactured whereas when you buy one of the regular cupcakes from the main Universal stores they are very nice indeed. ​

The Marshmallow Mini-Puft Smore looked very appealing to us, but this was one of two I was most disappointed in throughout this trip that we tried.

There were a couple of highlights in this store, and they were both almost like something you would find within one of the houses as they were so intricately detailed.

This is how it should be from start to finish in a tribute store.
​

We spoke to one of the managers on the way out and he made the mistake of asking what we thought of this years store, I did start by telling him we have been visiting for many, many years and had seen the Tribute Stores from the beginning and over many themes, I could see that worried expression pass over his face very briefly before I breathed in and told him, very nicely of course what we and many others were thinking of this years efforts.

We did have a nice chat with him and I did mention someone we have known for years who had left a few years ago and he actually trained him up! Small world.

He said he was disappointed to be hearing a lot of dissatisfaction on this years event in general including the Tribute Store, so maybe if they get a better budget, next years will be better. Very nice man and team of people, we were glad we had spoken to them.

Back outside again, the heat and sunshine were just beautiful and again we admire most areas of this park for the detail they have added everywhere. They do such a good job keeping everything fresh and clean and it`s rare to see anything that lets the parks down in any way.


​

I always remember standing taking a picture of the window above and a woman came over and started to tell us how they had used this area when making the original Ghostbusters movie, a tour guide here had told her and her husband as a secret as not many folks knew that!!

I did tell her it wasn`t true, she insisted it was until I told her this park wasn`t even built back then!

Maybe I should have kept my yap shut there, but I think the tour guide, if they had told her that, were having some fun.

It is so beautiful here with "Gramercy Park" in the centre and we were over the moon to be told it was no longer a smoking area, so we could wander in and have a seat without the dreaded cigarette smoke plume surrounding us and it was very quiet today, but much nicer altogether.

​

The lines they have made up where you wait for HHN houses are terrifyingly vast, honestly, we have been lucky to have always had EP every year we went and never had to stand in them, but it shows when they say you could wait 2-3 hours for one house, they aren`t kidding!!

RRR does look very good in the sunlight, but you can really see where it would need a paint job if it weren`t disappearing next year, I know I won`t miss it, but many still enjoy it, it`s just too rough for me now, so I pass it by every trip now. Tom and Kyle do still enjoy it, but think it`s definitely much rougher than it used to be.

​

The Minion area is very well done and highly coloured for sure!!! And they have added some lovely new experiences to the area even if I don`t like popcorn or banana flavoured things I love the look of their new popcorn stand right on the corner.​

We are two folks who miss the Monsters Cafe, not for the food which was just ok but the memorabilia all around the cafe from different horror classics were just amazing to see, hopefully some will pop up in the Monsters area in Epic when it opens. ​

The Minion Cafe looks lovely and I`m sorry we never got the chance to try the food which is either a hit or a miss with most people, it has a nice enough menu, but we hope to try it sometime. ​

I forget to be honest, but I think RRR was still down when we passed and I admit I did always enjoy the first half of the ride, love the climb at the start and until you go around the back of the ride, it is fun, but that last few headbanging minutes were awful for me. However, it is going to be exciting to see what will go in it`s place for the future.

The EP line for Minions regular ride was quite short, the regular line however was huge!!!! It was so hot by now we were glad to practically walk straight on with EP and that aircon was very welcome indeed.

The preshow is always fun, both of them and it does make the time pass fairly quickly. We go on our row and there`s always someone who wants to sit somewhere else, not our row this time but a family from the row in front of us wanted to switch so someone could sit with grandma who being honest, looked perfectly happy not to be sitting with this kid and the TM`s did a very good job of sorting it out, but one woman was still grumbling when we came out grandma missed out sitting beside little grandkid, meanwhile we laughed as grandma was dancing with the minion at this point!!

It`s a good little ride, we much preferred it with the 3D glasses on as it loses something but we always ride it at least once if the EP is short enough and of course you come out to a dancing Minion which is always nice to see.

Time for us to head out of the park now but of course a picture op was needed at the Universal store`s HHN display which again, was not their usual standard.

What is it with graffiti I hate graffiti so this was never going to be a success in my eyes!!

It was blazing hot right now so the cool of the store was lovely, we had a wander round and saw the Lil` Boo shoulder plush one of the Club Staff had been looking for, every time they had gone in there were none left. I wasn`t sure whether to pick one up for her but in the end I told her there were plenty of them around and she could get one easily, they are quite cute.

We head out the park and straight for the boats, I believe there was always one waiting this trip, we were very lucky with them this time and again, this one was practically empty, not many folks heading back to their resort at this time of day.

Passing RP the line for boats to the park was non existant, Sapphire is usually much busier due to Cabana Bay and Aventura guests using them too as they are so close but today I think there were around five people waiting to get on today.

Sapphire is such a beautiful resort to come home to.

This trip there were always characters roaming in the lobby at some point of the day, I`ll be honest, one set of characters I have no clue which movie they are from, but of course we knew Scooby!!!

However, we didn`t stop for a picture today as my now very red face looked like a melted beetroot and the hair was a little dishevilled looking to say the least!!

We both wanted to get showered and changed before heading out for lunch, but we still hadn`t decided where to go at this point!!!

We do like to surprise ourselves now and again!!



Lunch/Club Lounge/Pool Time
coming up ​

 

[disneyseniors]

My son and I ate at the Minions Cafe in November, Carole. It was a hot and humid day. It was very busy inside the restaurant but we were seated immediately in an area with an outside view. We didn't wait long to be seated, but that was the only time we didn't wait a long time! We ordered at the table, which is a new experience for me. I ordered a hot sandwich, can't remember which one, and so did Randy.
Well, we waited and waited and waited all the while looking at over half of the tablets laden with dirty plates and old food. These were never cleaned up while we were there. Our food came in about 30 to 45 minutes, and by that time we were starving and freezing. HOnestly, the air conditioning was working over time. Our food was cold and seemed to have been sitting out for a while (dry bread, etc). It didn't matter because we were starving and we scarfed it down in record time. We were still hungry, but would never consider waiting for more food at Minions.

It was the last Saturday of HHN and was starting to get crowded. We were tired from flying and getting to the resort too. We were looking forward to a good meal, but that was not to be had.
I would Not recommend Minions Cafe at all due to the long wait time, subpar cold food, and dirty tables. Maybe we were there at an "off" time, I don't know. We will never know because we will never go back. Just wanted to let you know about our bad experience at Minions.

 

[schumigirl]

My son and I ate at the Minions Cafe in November, Carole. It was a hot and humid day. It was very busy inside the restaurant but we were seated immediately in an area with an outside view. We didn't wait long to be seated, but that was the only time we didn't wait a long time! We ordered at the table, which is a new experience for me. I ordered a hot sandwich, can't remember which one, and so did Randy.
Well, we waited and waited and waited all the while looking at over half of the tablets laden with dirty plates and old food. These were never cleaned up while we were there. Our food came in about 30 to 45 minutes, and by that time we were starving and freezing. HOnestly, the air conditioning was working over time. Our food was cold and seemed to have been sitting out for a while (dry bread, etc). It didn't matter because we were starving and we scarfed it down in record time. We were still hungry, but would never consider waiting for more food at Minions.

It was the last Saturday of HHN and was starting to get crowded. We were tired from flying and getting to the resort too. We were looking forward to a good meal, but that was not to be had.
I would Not recommend Minions Cafe at all due to the long wait time, subpar cold food, and dirty tables. Maybe we were there at an "off" time, I don't know. We will never know because we will never go back. Just wanted to let you know about our bad experience at Minions.

Heck Ruth that`s awful, no excuses there, just bad service!

That`s similar to what we`ve been hearing from others but hearing tables haven`t been cleaned is enough to put me off going at all, nothing worse than seeing tables not cleared after folks have left.

I`m not sure it was just an off time for you, as I said we`ve had several folks say similar.

And when you`re starving, well it`s even worse, I hate cold food when it`s supposed to be hot. Well, I think you have convinced me not to bother, too many have said not to bother, I can take advice like that!!!

 

[schumigirl]

The suite was beautifully cool, we took our time and showered and got changed, I`m sure Tom managed a snooze while I was in the shower, well, he would call it a "power nap" yeah right! But less than an hour after we got into the room we were heading out to get the car still not really knowing where we woud be eating.

We thought as we drove we might go to Keke`s, we quite like it there, then thought about Cheesecake Factory, but we spotted BJ`s on the other side of the road, so cut across and pulled in to their parking lot and it was surprisingly empty, but I guess lunch wasn`t their busiest time.


​

Today we planned to sit at the bar although it wasn`t overly busy, they had put most people in one area so it did look a little cramped whereas there was no-one at the bar at all and we always enjoy a natter with the bar staff in most places.

I went for a spicy mango margarita with extra spice which she absolutely did as asked and then some!!! wow....but it was lovely, Tom went for a strawberry lemonade as he was driving and it was nice too. Mine was just nicer ​

It`s a decent sized place and we prefer to sit right through the back as it is much lighter, but even now it was quietening down and a few more folks had come into the bar area.
​

Although I`m not a beer drinker, many of my friends are as well as Tom who does enjoy a decent beer, so I knew they`d be interested in this board. We have two friends there just now enjoying a month long stay between RP/SF and Gaylord Palms and they do like BJ`s and although she is generally more a gin and wine drinker, they`ll drink a beer together too. ​

The menu here is vast and if you can`t get something off this menu, I have no idea where you would get food!! It has almost everything you could think of but I had heard they did very good burgers which is something I had looked for this trip so I went for the Jalapeno Burger minus the cheese and it came with chipotle mayo and fried jalapenos with extra jalapenos for me and regular fries.

That fried jalapeno was amazing!!

​

Tom opted for the meat feast pizza which was larger than he expected, and again he added jalapeno`s.​

For a run of the mill chain restaurant both these meals were lovely, couldn`t fault either of them. Burger was well cooked and tasty, fries were just fries, nothing good or bad about them, except they were sizzling hot which we love, I hate getting cold fries, well cold anything when it`s supposed to be hot.

Tom`s pizza was tasty and had some nice flavours there too, he said he`d get it again in a heartbeat. For a chain, this one isn`t too bad.

We enjoyed lunch here and said we`d come back another trip as it was lovely, but for now we paid the check and headed back outside which after the darkness inside it was dazzlingly bright outside and took a few seconds to adjust.

It was around 95F today and that nice little breeze was still around and was again, very much appreciated.

For us we planned a moochy afternoon, there were a couple of places we wanted to pop into and the first stop was ABC Wines and Spirits, we had a few things to get for people as gifts and some nice bottles we wanted to take home for us and maybe one or two as presents for friends, well maybe

Spoilt for choice is an understatement in this store, they have everything in sections and my goodness they have hundreds in each section!!

Milagro is a good choice for cocktails for us, and the huge bottles are a show stopper as they don`t have those on the shelves of stores in the UK generally, always a talking point when we put them out when we have friends over. ​

Casamigos Reposado is one of our favourites and another we can`t just pick off the shelves in grocery stores or even anywhere that sells hard liquor, we could get it online, but it`s much nicer picking it up here and enjoying the selection available, we could easily spend an hour wandering the liquor and wine rows. ​

Although we didn`t buy anything we would be taking home today, we roughly worked out what we would be taking back and we both had a slightly worried look on our face as we thought of weight and size.

Only one answer here.....

Well, I guess we were now going suitcase hunting!!!

We picked up some Honey JD that was a gift for someone here and thought of few places we could look for a suitcase. The Outlet malls are places we avoid like the plague usually as I`m not really fan of the outlets, especially around 3pm on a Sunday, so as it didn`t need to be a fancy one, we stopped into Walmart and picked one up for around $100, it would do fine to get some stuff home and if it lasted another trip, all good. It was actually quite a nice one and we remembered to buy some bubble wrap too which wouldn`t go wrong.

Back home after that, and I laugh at Tom for dropping off to sleep at the drop of a hat, but once we had set our purchases to the side, I thought I`d have five minutes on the sofa. Best laid plans.

I woke up an hour later.......









I know I`m not alone in experiencing a completely confused few seconds of where in the world am I and that was how I felt today, I think Tom said he spoke to me a few seconds after I sat down and I was out, guess I was tired after all.

Quick splash on the face and we headed over to the Club Lounge, Daniel had sent me an email asking if we would be over tonight, well, it`s kinda guaranteed, but I replied we would and wondered why he had asked.

Club Lounge was fairly quiet which was nice and we were a little later than usual and not hungry but the pork char sui is one of the nicest additions to the Club Menu, we may have some later as we had no plans to go offsite tonight, pool night for us, but we had plenty of time, so some fizzy straight away and Daniel appeared looking a little concerned.

We had been delighted to see Daniel back and as a supervisor too, he was one of the May/September 2022 team that we thought were just amazing and when we say they are like our American kids, we weren`t kidding which is why Daniel had been putting off telling us he was leaving again


Bless him, he had been so worried to tell us as we had been so excited to see him back, but again, he was leaving to do something better and still within Loews so we were thrilled for him and he was so happy to be moving to his new position, we couldn`t be more pleased for him and laughed but understood why he was so worried to tell us lol and now he was relieved we knew, he had sworn everyone to secrecy till he told us. I did wonder why there were a few changes of subject at times when his name came up!!

It was still beautiful outside and we hoped it would stay that way for our planned pool night. ​

Tonight was nice again in the lounge, there was a friendly bunch in, although we did see one man who we had met several times before and I did not like him at all, so one to be avoided and rather than mention him again I`ll forget he is there as he was very arrogant and looked down on people, not my kind of man and Tom felt the same. We can ignore nicely when we have to.

But, there were some lovely folks in tonight and we had some nice chats.

It was just before they put the food away we wandered over to get something, and honestly this pork dish is gorgeous, we weren`t overly hungry but it`s hard to resist so we each had a little bowl of the pork with some tabasco sauce for me and it was beautiful!

I do like the crudite, but raw brocolli is something I can`t wrap my head around, but it was very popular. I know when Kyle was young we couldn`t keep him going on brocolli, but always steamed, he still loves it, but absolutely not raw.


​

We enjoyed a few glasses of wine, Tom enjoyed them especially as we mostly go offsite for dinner, so he tends to drive, but on nights like this he can enjoy a wine or three without worrying about driving.

We thank the ladies for taking such good of everyone again tonight and we headed back over to Sapphire and got changed then headed down to the pool.

Sapphire`s pool is probably our second favourite as we really do enjoy the pool at RP more, but there`s not much in it. They both have plenty of space and excellent food options too, but tonight I think water would be ok for us.

There were no pool movies beside the pool right now, they were being held in another area and I forget why!! So it was quiet around the pool tonight. ​

It stayed quiet and it was lovely just chilling while it was still in the high 80`s, but that little breeze again was very welcome. We popped in and out of the pool a few times, but it was an evening where I cannot think of a single thing that happened. We like nights like that at times, nothing to think about and all night to do absolutely nothing at all. ​

The pool closed at ten tonight although by then, there was only us and a few adults around the fire pit, I think this was the quietest we had seen any pool at Universal. Even one night many years ago we went to the quiet pool at PB, before we decided we didn`t need to pool hop, but we turned up and there was a large family that had almost taken over the whole pool who were more than a little obnoxious! Just our luck.

They do have a little bar, it is quite small but nice all the same.

​

We had a little seat by the fire pit, but not for long as it was too darn hot!!! So, back upstairs, the suite was actually freezing, so we did the unthinkable in September and turned the heat on for a time in the sitting area. I jumped in the shower while Tom went back down for some boiling water to make us a cup of tea with the dreaded teabags, they were ok to be fair, when he came back I made the tea and we watched something on TV, I think it might have been The Da Vinci Code which took us till after midnight.

I thanked my snooze for keeping me up so late tonight!

But, we`d had another lovely day and although we never really do a lot, it is very relaxing for us and we enjoy those days as much as the ones we are busier.

Time for bed now though for us! ​

 

[schumigirl]

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23RD





We slept like logs again, we love the beds here and it takes a lot to disturb our sleep here, they are very comfy, pillows are maybe a little soft for us but they never stop us sleeping sweetly.

Once we were showered and dressed we as is usual for us walked over to the Club Lounge for breakfast and again we didn`t stop for very long this morning, we both had some croissants with those lovely turkey slices and our little cup of tea and coffee. That is a very nice coffee machine that the lounges have, Tom always enjoys his coffee and Kyle said the Hot Chocolate is very nice.

We stopped on the way back to chat a few TM`s we know, always nice to run into them for a chat, then we got our sunscreen on and headed for the car, we were going to New Smyrna Beach today to meet an old friend for lunch but not till 1pm so we had plenty of time and I think it was just after 10 we left home to get there, it takes about an hour from car park to car park.

It`s a nice drive over there and it was another gorgeous day and I think we peaked at 98F today.....absolute bliss for us!!

As we were early we drove to Bethune Beach and headed first to the restrooms adjacent to the beach which I have to say are immaculately clean, every time we go in them, they are well kept and not too shabby for outdoor bathrooms.

When you read the history of it, it`s hard to imagine living in a time of segregation.​

We had planned to walk on the beach for an hour or so, but we hadn`t checked our tides before we left and it was a little too far in for us to walk on the beach at this time. We always walk on the sand nearest the water as walking on the softer sand is bloomin hard!!

The fisherman in the water, we couldn`t swear to it but we think he has been there every time we visit this beach, coincidence or just the way he spends his days maybe. I`m not sure I`d want to be so deep in that water considering there are sharks, but we are always reminded, it`s not usual for an attack at this time of the day but don`t try that at sunset when the sharks come out to feed!!!

Warning heeded! ​

It is a beautiful beach and we have seen it wild and woolly which surfers love, and we have seen it flat calm and almost looking like a beach on the Gulf side of Florida, we managed to walk several miles along the beach when it was like that, but not today. ​

It was blazing hot and we loved every second of it, we parked our butts on a bench and just enjoyed the heat, sound of the sea and the slight breeze at the same time, this was about as perfect a view as you can get and folks that passed all, well mostly all said good morning and passed a few minutes chatting and of course the Scottish accent always gives folks pause and they usually go on and ask or chat about Scotland.

Many folks over the years have told us their children and grandchildren are there or in the UK somewhere. Many have visited Scotland and fell in love with it and the cooler weather was something most loved!!!! I`d take this anyday but maybe not all year round as I do love seasons. One family told us one of their favourite moments was standing to the side of Loch Ness in the pouring rain as where they lived they rarely got rain. Different strokes.

Two folks we chatted to today both said I didn`t sound very Scottish, but thought Tom did and I guess I do have a slight mixed accent. Folks in England tell me I`ve never lost my accent but family and friends in Scotland always say I sound so English! Who knows.

Although one person once asked if we were french!!!

​

Now it was time for us to get back into the cool of the car and head back along to where we were meeting our friend. Usually we`d go to JB`s Fish Camp but he had suggested Crabby`s right at the other end of this very straight and pretty road, there only is one road in and out, so you can`t really get lost here.

We got parked easily and he was already there, it was so nice to see him again and in such a lovely spot, we had never been here before and seating was all upstairs so we had a nice view around us. ​

It was a lovely menu and plenty of choice for non seafood eaters, I couldn`t imagine not loving seafood!!! But it was an easy choice today, I went for the Blackened Mahi Sandwich, Tom opted for the Crab Roll and our friend had the Mahi sandwich too.

​

Food was gorgeous!! Tom said he`d come back for the crab roll tomorrow if I wanted, well maybe another day on another trip, but I`d agree, all three meals were beautiful and the crab was fresh, you could tell it hadn`t been frozen which is always appreciated.

Our friend was going to pay as he had invited us, nope ain`t never gonna happen!!! This was our treat as we don`t get to see him often and we had loved seeing him, we`d had a really nice time.

He headed off soon and we lingered a little to get a few pictures from the side, it really was a gorgeous area and I`d bet this place is lively on an evening. ​

The drive home was again, uneventful at first but the sky was looking very ominous in the direction we were heading, I assumed we were going to run into rain and a few minutes later the heavens opened and we were in a proper Florida downpour. I did capture it on video on my phone but it won`t let me post it, but heck, you all know what a downpour looks like.

Everyone slowed down to a respectable speed, well apart from that one guy.....there`s always one!!! It is quite daunting to drive when it is literally bouncing down on you, but soon we could see that glimmer of light in the distance and we managed to get back to normal driving conditions.

Back home we asked at the desk if Raphael was available, could they call and see if he was around. Raphael was now in HR, he was also part of the Dream Team of 2022, this was him photobombing in September 2022 before he moved from the Lounge. Love him!!!!!












He is now based at Sapphire and loves his new position, he shone when we first met him and knew he`d do really well and go far within the company.

He appeared in a few moments and it was so good to see him too, we keep in touch and always love to see him. We didn`t get a picture today but we would before we left. We had a catch up and we were thrilled to hear how much he loves his new job and was doing so well!!

Unfortunately as he had to go back to work, darn that working, we said we would catch up again during our stay, so he headed back to his office and went to the room to freshen up and we headed over to the lounge.

Tory came up to see us tonight, and again, always lovely to catch up with her, another who was in the lounge as a supervisor and has moved on to a much better position. Lovely girl.

We both had some wine tonight as we were going to get an Uber later to go get some dinner, so it was nice both us being able to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine. The lounge was busy tonight and had a lovely atmosphere for the most part. The miserable family we think had gone, even the staff weren`t too sure as they just didn`t chat to anyone.

We didn`t have any food tonight, but as always it looked lovely and very fresh. The chicken was hard to resist as it always so tender and I did like the little pieces of pineapple on top, I know some folks don`t like fruit and meat together but I love it!!!

​

The staff do an amazing job of keeping the food fresh and replenished, and if you need anything to go with the food they will happily help where they can.

Allergies are well catered for in all the Club Lounges, letting them know in advance is always a good idea so the chef knows what he is dealing with. We have seen people turn up without letting the team know about any allergy, but they always do their best.

Down in the lobby we ordered our Uber and it was only two minutes away, so headed out and it was there as we got to the other end of the bridge, we checked the plate and got in and this lady was very nice too.

We always have a car, wouldn`t be without one and we did at one point wonder if we could do without a car and use only Ubers, but nope, I don`t think we could, we like the car if we feel like going a distance and sometimes we get back home and decide to head somewhere else, the car is just too convenient for us. Maybe if we spent more time not leaving the campus it would work, but we do like to wander.

Tonight, we weren`t going far, only five minutes along the road to a place I had heard of and wanted to try, I did have to check they served more than Oysters though for Mr "I don`t eat oysters" and they did indeed, they had peel and eat shrimp which he loves and I was sure that`s what he would order.

We`d had mixed reviews of this place, most saying it was really good so I was looking forward to it, Tom not so much!!! ​

Nice background!!!! ​

It was a nice enough place, staff were ok and it was clean, but certainly lacked atmosphere, but I guess it was a Monday night, even so there was one other table in while we were there. ​

It was quite a limited menu and the oysters again, were just ok, the list of oysters didn`t thrill me and I don` t think the lady taking care of us was keen on trying to entice us to try anything.

Tom did indeed go for the peel and eat shrimp, they came loaded with garlic and old bay seasoning and they were lovely.​

I ordered a half dozen of one kind, I forget where they came from but they were a strong tasting one, however I would rate them only a five out of ten and didn`t bother ordering a dozen or even another half dozen.

I did "share" some of Tom`s shrimp!!!

However, he may have been trying to tell me something after my third shrimp








Success on the shrimp, oysters not so much.

I doubt we would ever come back here, but glad we did, however we had a much better place to try very soon!!!!

Tom was ecstatic at the thought!!!!

We finished our wine and called for our Uber, again only waited a few moments and we were back home in five minutes.

Strong Water was fairly quiet, so we headed in and sat at one of Demi`s tables, she is another one we will miss dreadfully when she and her boyfriend who we have known for years from when he worked at RP both leave for Helios!!!! They are such a lovely couple!

We both felt we could eat something but not a lot, however we didn`t even get to look at the menu when Chef sent out a plate of Grios which is one of our favourite dishes, it was perfect to share, just enough for us tonight. It has several things we love including fried and slightly crispy pork chunks, sweet plantains which could be one of my favourite foods ever, pikliz, and it is complimented with a nice and spicy chimichurri and we absolutely loved it.​

What a dish!!! And just perfect, so when Chef asked if we wanted something else, we thanked him but, declined, no room even for ice cream tonight.

We could sit here all night being honest, everyone chats and it is just so friendly and some were surprised I only had tonic water tonight, between wine in the lounge and in the restaurant, we had enjoyed more than enough tonight.

I think it was fairly early when we went back to our room, we watched some tv but both of us were yawning our heads off.

Once again, time for bed! ​

 

[schumigirl]

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH





The days were passing so quickly, but it didn`t feel like that at the time, it never once felt like the time was running away from us although on that last day we always wonder where the time had gone!!

Another morning we got up, showered and dressed before heading over to the Club Lounge for a well earned cup of tea and some breakfast and it was another gorgeous day that lay ahead of us.
We never, ever get tired of that sunshine and blazing heat during our trips.

Breakfast was supposed to be a quick blast this morning, but of course mr and mrs chatterboxes that we are ended up staying longer than planned, which is nice of course and in reality, we are never in a rush to do anything or go anywhere.

Walking back over to Sapphire we were discussing where to go today, we knew we were going offsite, but still hadn`t decided exactly where, so we got back to our rooom and it had already been cleaned which was always lovely, put our sunscreen on and headed for the car. We thought we would go to Dunedin which is just past Clearwater, we hadn`t been there for a couple of visits so it would be nice.

We were close enough to the famous Mickey pylon when I thought I couldn`t really be bothered driving all the way to Dunedin so indicated to Tom if he wanted we could just visit Celebration instead, quick as a flash he turned off at the exit that was right upon as and from here it was only a 10 minute drive.

Probably the only Disney reference you`ll see on these TR`s!
​

Celebration is a nice place to visit for an hour or so, it gets very busy during Halloween and Christmas as the homes are beautifully and elaborately decorated so there are literally hundreds of people visiting to come see them every year.

We visited at Christmas once to see the "snow" that fell in the town centre, it was nice, but a one and done for us. Parking can be a bit difficult at times but we managed just fine as we knew a couple of places to go look first.

It is beautiful and very clean looking but it is missing something for sure and I`m not sure what. I wouldn`t live here. ​

They have some gorgeous walks around the town, we didn`t wander to them today but they have a lovely cycle route and walking path which takes you through some wooded areas but again, someone put me off by telling me to look out for the snakes in the trees above you!!!

Why`d it have to be snakes!!!

Nope, can`t deal with that thought, but I can walk to the parks from the hotel without worrying about that, it`s only because a Celebration local told me they had seen it a few times in that area. I`ll stay nearer the town thank you very much. ​

It is a little like a Stepford/Truman Show town somehow, very manufactured but pretty at the same time and they do have some very nice little stores to visit and one in particular we always seem to see so many things we want to buy. Then I hear that little voice reminding me of the limited space we have going home, but we can always find a little space....can`t we??? ​

It was stiflingly hot today, no breeze here so it felt much warmer than the 98F it was claiming to be and it wasn`t even lunchtime yet! So, wandering around in and out of these unique little stores was lovely. I will admit there is one store we always wander in with the best of intentions, but the lady always jumps on you as soon as you pop your head in the door and never leaves you, constantly telling you about her items and all I really want to do is wander, look and if I see something I`ll ask for help. So, last chance today and she failed lol.....so we didn`t get to wander there.

But the next store is our favourite.

It is filled with Halloween products which I am not the biggest Halloween at my home fan, but I do have some friends who do love it and make an effort, so I always pick them up a couple of things, I usually give it to them as Christmas gifts for them as it does get harder every year to think of original gifts, what do you get girls who have everything!! ​

I`m also a casual coaster fan and love some of the unique ones this little store has, I could buy them all but limit myself to 6 with maybe one or two more as gifts. Everyone has little tables dotted around their home in most rooms, so if we`re sitting on sofa`s we always need a coaster for wine glasses or occasionally a tea cup, but they are essentials in every home.

​

I did pick up two of these witchy candle holders as gifts, I know two women who will love them and tea towels are another little secret obsession for me, I hate run of the mill tea towels but do like pretty and funny ones as do all of my friends.

They also have an assortment of Christmas products and they are gorgeous!! Another suitcase is now out of the question, even my ever reasonable husband might raise an eyebrow if I suggested it for Christmas stuff we really don`t need any more of.....but they are so pretty!!!

We spend a bit of time choosing our purchases carefully and I was aware of Tom watching me in case I managed to add something larger than we had agreed on, darn him, he knows me so well so the very pretty gingerbread house in the glass case would have to wait till next year!!!!

The lovely lady said she would hold our purchases till we wanted to leave, so we headed back out to the heat and sunshine again and wandered up to where they had a small fountain, but it has a lovely little seating area and best of all, some shade!!! Heck on a deck it was blazing hot!!

We sat under the trees for a little time and it was very peaceful and this is where I find it a little weird that it almost looks as if the lights are on but there`s no one home.

Lunch & dinner coming up! ​

 

[SCDizFan]

We thought as we drove we might go to Keke`s, we quite like it there, then thought about Cheesecake Factory, but we spotted BJ`s on the other side of the road, so cut across and pulled in to their parking lot and it was surprisingly empty, but I guess lunch wasn`t their busiest time.

Fun fact! The CEO of Cheesecake Factory for many years jumped ship to BJs and was the CEO at BJs for a long time.

So, if you found many similarities between CF and BJs, that is why!

I also think Celebration is very sterile.

Loving the report!

 

[schumigirl]

Fun fact! The CEO of Cheesecake Factory for many years jumped ship to BJs and was the CEO at BJs for a long time.

So, if you found many similarities between CF and BJs, that is why!

I also think Celebration is very sterile.

Loving the report!

I had no idea about the CEO!!!! Tom did say the menu was reminiscent of the CF as it had everything on it, that make sense!! You do learn something new every day

Celebration is a very odd place indeed, and yes The Truman Show reminds me of it every time we watch it. Yes, sterile is a good description, one family we have known for some years lived there for a time, but seems it`s not as pure as it seems and they moved first chance they got after a year or so living there. They don`t miss it.

Thank you, I`m so glad to read you`re enjoying it, always a pleasure to see you post