Going on Friday - PBH - any advice?

[happymommy]

I am really looking forward to our first trip to US! We are in a club deluxe room at PBH. I requested a sofa sleeper, so if we get that (I know it's just a chair) the kids don't have to sleep together (one is a kicker).

Any other advice? I don't want to make any further requests, since they tentatively have us blocked in a room with a balcony (DS has asthma and it helps to have fresh air).

I want to do laundry (well, don't want to, but we'll go through maybe 2 outfits a day) as I don't like to pack much. I know I'll have to go to another resort to do this - sounds like a pain. Has anyone done this? I may just send the stuff I want washed out, and I know it's expensive, but don't know right now. I could do it while the others hang out at the pool or whatever, it's not like it takes all day!

I think we'll try lunch at Mythos one day, other than that I want to just play it by ear. We don't like to stuff ourselves in huge meals, preferring nice smaller portions and trying new things.

Has anyone visited the sushi bar open in the evenings at the RPH? DS loves sushi, and we all like it. What about the seafood buffet? I don't know, if we're in the club lounge and snack in the evening, we may not want dinner at all!

Thanks!

 

[antmaril]

Happymommy:

No advice - just wanted to mention that we are checking into PBH on Thursday. I, too, have a deluxe queen reserved and have requested a sofa bed. I am going to try to upgrade to Club level when we get there.

Have fun. I hope we don't get too much rain.

 

[happymommy]

I was thinking in August in Orlando, you usually get some rain daily, but it's not bad. We've been 3 times in August.

The difference between booking a deluxe queen room and a deluxe queen club room wasn't much, maybe you could check it out online. We are on the super saver rate. I think it may be more if you wait until check in, as I've heard it is about $75 now.

I figured even if it rains, we'll still have fun! Maybe I'll see you there!

 

[antmaril]

I was thinking in August in Orlando, you usually get some rain daily, but it's not bad. We've been 3 times in August.

The difference between booking a deluxe queen room and a deluxe queen club room wasn't much, maybe you could check it out online. We are on the super saver rate. I think it may be more if you wait until check in, as I've heard it is about $75 now.

I figured even if it rains, we'll still have fun! Maybe I'll see you there!

Yes, we are expecting some rain every afternoon. We've been in August before too. I'm more concerned about the after affects of Tropical Storm Fay.

You're right - even if it rains, it will still be fun. Yes, we may see you there. I will be there with my 21 year old son and his girlfriend. My husband passed away six weeks ago from pancreatic cancer and we are going to Universal to try to recuperate a little from the ordeal. It has been a very difficult nine months.

Have fun!

 

[happymommy]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband.

I think the storm should be gone by this weekend - I checked the extended forecast and other than chance of storms daily, the temperature looks cooler than here! We have had that happen before - it was the same temp as here in Maryland.

You may want to check and see if it's not too much to change to a club room ahead of time. I don't know if it's worth it to you, but I was thinking with heat and rain, we may be going back and forth to the hotel more, so having the lounge to hang out in occasionally would be nice (all 4 of us in one room doesn't thrill me, but I couldn't justify another $300 per night for only sleeping and it's only 4 nights).

Yes, I may see you there! My DH is Korean and I'm white - Not too many couples like us except in Hawaii (where DS was born).

I hope this trip gets your mind off the past months and lets you just get away! It's a good idea. I would do the same.

 

[macraven]

Yes, we are expecting some rain every afternoon. We've been in August before too. I'm more concerned about the after affects of Tropical Storm Fay.

You're right - even if it rains, it will still be fun. Yes, we may see you there. I will be there with my 21 year old son and his girlfriend. My husband passed away six weeks ago from pancreatic cancer and we are going to Universal to try to recuperate a little from the ordeal. It has been a very difficult nine months.

Have fun!

i'm so sorry to hear you lost your husband recently.
it is never easy to let a loved one go.

i do hope and pray that you have a very relaxing vacation and able to have peace on this trip.

you will have a very nice time at the hotel and lots of new things to keep you busy. so nice your son and gf will be with you to enjoy this new adventure.

you are in my thoughts and prayers.

let us know about your trip when you get back.
i hope you do a trip report

hope you do get the club upgrade.
pbh is so nice no matter which room you get.

 

[dsmom]

happymommy- we too have a son with bad allergies - we have always gotten a balcony. Be sure to try Gelateria for their ice cream - Its great! Sals deli has great pizza. Trattoria has a great dinner and breakfast buffet. Be sure to listen to the opera singers at sunset by the harbor.

The rain should be gone by the time you get there. We live on the beach in Northeast Florida and we are getting it now.

Antmaril- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We took my mom to Universal after my dad passed away (He was terminal for several years) I pray you have a safe and peaceful trip. I would call ahead of time and request an upgrade and club added on if available and explain your situation. I am sure they will take good care of you.

 

[antmaril]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband.

I think the storm should be gone by this weekend - I checked the extended forecast and other than chance of storms daily, the temperature looks cooler than here! We have had that happen before - it was the same temp as here in Maryland.

You may want to check and see if it's not too much to change to a club room ahead of time. I don't know if it's worth it to you, but I was thinking with heat and rain, we may be going back and forth to the hotel more, so having the lounge to hang out in occasionally would be nice (all 4 of us in one room doesn't thrill me, but I couldn't justify another $300 per night for only sleeping and it's only 4 nights).

Yes, I may see you there! My DH is Korean and I'm white - Not too many couples like us except in Hawaii (where DS was born).

I hope this trip gets your mind off the past months and lets you just get away! It's a good idea. I would do the same.

Happymommy:

Thank you for your kind words. My son is Korean and I am white. We adopted him when he was three months old. What a coincidence! Look for us.

You are right about more time at the hotel. This is one reason why I decided on Portofino. I figure if my son and his gf want to go to the parks or Citywalk without me, I'm can hang out at Portofino Bay, which is one of my favorite hotels.

I'm sure we will see you!

 

[antmaril]

i'm so sorry to hear you lost your husband recently.
it is never easy to let a loved one go.

i do hope and pray that you have a very relaxing vacation and able to have peace on this trip.

you will have a very nice time at the hotel and lots of new things to keep you busy. so nice your son and gf will be with you to enjoy this new adventure.

you are in my thoughts and prayers.

let us know about your trip when you get back.
i hope you do a trip report

hope you do get the club upgrade.
pbh is so nice no matter which room you get.

Thank you for those kinds words. I'm hoping for a very relaxing vacation. Portofino Bay is one of my favorite hotels and I'm looking forward to our five days there - even if it is raining!

My husband's passing was a horrible ordeal - he was only 55 years old. He had never been sick a day in his life and then -- pancreatic cancer. He put up a good fight, but it was not to be and we lost him in early July. He was only diagnosed in November.

Anyway, we need to do something fun before my son goes back to school. We've been to Universal before (we've stayed at all three of the hotels, but PBH is our favorite) and decided this would be perfect for a few days.

Thanks for the good wishes.

 

[damo]

I hope you have a wonderful trip. Portofino Bay really does make you feel like you are worlds apart from anything.

 

[happymommy]

Wow - I am once again so sorry! I will look for you! How wonderful to take your son and his girlfriend there.

I chose this hotel mainly for the atmosphere - DH works way too hard, and if I didn't plan time away for us, he'd just work himself silly. Even though we'll only be there 4 nights, it sounds like a great spot to really get away from the "real world". Also, for us, we have to have a balcony. My DS got sick twice at the Dolphin (once we didn't have a balcony) and on the Disney Cruise (inside cabin, he was REALLY SICK but such a trooper never really complained). He gets bad asthma problems, and it turned into bronchitis almost pneumonia on the cruise. Lucky they have docs on the cruise, and in Orlando there is a great clinic that sends a doc to your room! But I am way off topic. The assistant to the GM at PBH has booked us in a balcony room, getting us a fridge (food allergy problems) and is so wonderful sounding. I think maybe you could let them know why you are there, not being assumptive that you are expecting any freebies, but they may try to make this trip extra special for the 3 of you.

Maybe I'll have a cup of tea or glass of wine with you in the lounge!

Amy

 

[antmaril]

Amy:

I think you will really like Portofino Bay. It is a lovely resort. Hopefully, the balcony in your room will help keep your son healthy during this trip. I hope so.

I may tell them when we check in why we are there.

If we decide to do Club level, I will certainly look for you in the lounge.

Have a good time!

Marilyn

 

[happymommy]

Thanks - I think it will be nice for all of us! It just seems too soon - it's Wednesday already.

I hope that they take good care of you all.

We have a cabana reserved for Monday at the beach pool - I hope the weather is nice for at least part of the day (you never know about August, usually you get some rain). I think that sounded nice - most Disney resorts don't even have that.

Have a great time.

Amy

 

[antmaril]

Amy:

I'm getting more and more worried about the weather. We are flying in tomorrow afternoon. I sure hope it all goes as planned.

It's 77 and sunny here today. Makes it kind of hard to get on a plane and fly into a tropical storm/hurricane.

I think the cabana will be nice. A nice way to enjoy the pool and stay out of the sun (or rain).

Enjoy!

Marilyn

 

[happymommy]

Marilyn -

I think you'll be fine! Okay, it will probably rain some, but you'll be ON VACATION! Just bring shoes that can get wet (I am wearing my Chaco sandals, like Teva's only have more arch support) and bring an umbrella.

I personally can't do the poncho's as they seem like a steam bath to me. I fly out bright and early at 6:50am Friday - ugh - but we got a good fare $78 each way on Southwest, and DH is actually happy as we'll have all day there (to get rained on).

I feel bad chatting back and forth on this one thread, but if no one else minds, we'll be off soon anyway! I guess it's nerves also, never been to US (and been to Disney about 20 times maybe).

I am going to check the forecast when we arrive - if it looks like Monday isn't super good, maybe we will forgo the cabana. I will also take a look at them. I think it's 48 hours cancel policy, so we would have until Saturday.

I have to tell you, the assistant to the GM called me AGAIN today to see if I needed anything else for our upcoming stay! I have not had such service, except maybe the Disney Cruise Line when we went in March (I had to contact them about DS food allergies). She told the concierge what we needed to avoid for him, so they will know to have ingredient lists. Also emailed me menus, and said she would contact their head chef if I wanted any help with anything - I said it was okay, but was so impressed with the level of service so far! Now I at least feel comfortable with taking him - some places even 4 star hotels aren't that helpful with allergies. Disney has always been so good - that is why we've gone there so many times.

Okay I'm rambling - have a safe flight down and enjoy yourself!

Amy

 

[antmaril]

Amy:

Thanks!

Sounds like you are receiving great service from PBH. It is a lovely hotel. I think you're going to like it.

Have a safe trip.

I'm sure we'll see you there!

Marilyn

 

[dsmom]

Amy, I think I know the asst. you are talking about and she is incredible! One of the nicest people I have ever met. If you have any issues while there, be sure to let her know. They did a deep cleaning of the room before we arrived and switched out the pillows for hypoallergenic ones. They will change and wash the linens daily if requested for your child. We got a medical needs fridge for no charge and parking is free with the handicapped placard.

The head chef did some meals for us and he is amazing! We did a birthday meal catered in our suite and he brought ScoobyDoo with him as a surprise for our son.

Hope you have an incredible time! The weather here in North Florida is horrible today but I think Orlando is calming down.

 

[happymommy]

Wow - that is so cool! Scooby Doo surprise in the room - how terrific!


Edited to add: Hope they did something nice for antmaril!