Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, a Candy Factory, Monsters, Goblins, Candy Apples and more. Is there a Quiet Place? My HHN 33 trip.

[disneyseniors]

Ruth I’am so glad to have you along for the report.

You will really enjoy the daytime tour of the houses. Are you taking the 3 house or the 6 house tour?


Thank you Janet.

Yes, was a bummer that the display at CB was nixed this year.


The dresses fill like they are made of a thin wool material. Not something that would be comfortable in the heat and humidity of Orlando.

I did see a lady wearing one while in the park one day.


Thank you Mac.

Hi Robo:

My son and I are taking the 3 house tour. I think up to 2 1/2 hours is long enough for me at this time. That's how long they say it could take. Looking forward to it

 

[Robo56]

When I was done looking around the Tribute Store I was ready to start making my way back to Portofino. It was hot and I was ready for a break from the heat.

On the outside of the Universal Store the Triptych Art displays of the Monsters Eternal Bloodline and Insidious House were very well done.




The displays inside the store were also nice.




This was a cool photo op inside the store. There was a couple taking photos and I asked them if they wanted me to take a photo of them together and they were happy to take me up on the offer. They were very sweet and I made sure they were happy with the pictures I had taken of them and they were.






To be continued

 

[Robo56]

Hi Robo:

My son and I are taking the 3 house tour. I think up to 2 1/2 hours is long enough for me at this time. That's how long they say it could take. Looking forward to it

The reason I asked is that there is a lot of standing around in one place as you move through the various rooms of the houses. The guides really do a nice job of explaining the various scenes in the houses to you.

If you think that this would bother your back they had wheel chairs inside the entrance of what used to be the Blue Man Theatre where the tours start. I would ask them about using one so you can sit and stand as needed for your comfort during the tour. You come back to to the Theatre where you start the Tour so returning the chair is not a problem.

The houses on the 3 house Tour are Slaughter Sinema 2, The Museum: Deadly Exhibits and Triplets of Terror.

There is still a bit of walk on this tour.


You start the tour behind C in the back lot. Then your houses Slaughter Sinema and Museum: Deadly Exhibits are in the back lots I and J on the map. Your other house is E which is Triplets of Terror on the map which is close to where you started. My guess is your guide will take you to I and J first and end at E then back to Backlot building were you started at old Blue Man Theatre. So you will do a bit of walking to the furthest houses and back.

 

[disneyseniors]

The reason I asked is that there is a lot of standing around in one place as you move through the various rooms of the houses. The guides really do a nice job of explaining the various scenes in the houses to you.

If you think that this would bother your back they had wheel chairs inside the entrance of what used to be the Blue Man Theatre where the tours start. I would ask them about using one so you can sit and stand as needed for your comfort during the tour. You come back to to the Theatre where you start the Tour so returning the chair is not a problem.

The houses on the 3 house Tour are Slaughter Sinema 2, The Museum: Deadly Exhibits and Triplets of Terror.

There is still a bit of walk on this tour.
View attachment 897152

You start the tour behind C in the back lot. Then your houses Slaughter Sinema and Museum: Deadly Exhibits are in the back lots I and J on the map. Your other house is E which is Triplets of Terror on the map which is close to where you started. My guess is your guide will take you to I and J first and end at E then back to Backlot building were you started at old Blue Man Theatre. So you will do a bit of walking to the furthest houses and bacYes

Yes, I've thought about that. I think it will be okay. If not, my son can go on with the tour. I am now 2 days without any back pain, Yea!, so I hope it's over with for good. Thanks for the info - it is quite a walk.

 

[Robo56]

Yes, I've thought about that. I think it will be okay. If not, my son can go on with the tour. I am now 2 days without any back pain, Yea!, so I hope it's over with for good. Thanks for the info - it is quite a walk.

So glad to hear your back is better.

The Guides are wonderful so if you felt at anytime you needed a chair they would get you one. No need to miss out on your tour. I’am sure you will enjoy the Tour.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

The best way I can describe the inside design of the Tribute Store is Graffiti/Underground Subway/Carnival/Survivalist/1980’s.

It does kind of look like that from the pictures.

I was hoping it would have been as good as previous years. I know ds's will want to go into there to check it out. I was hoping for them to be blown away - hopefully they will be.

Great pictures!

 

[Robo56]

I was hoping it would have been as good as previous years. I know ds's will want to go into there to check it out. I was hoping for them to be blown away - hopefully they will be.

Great pictures!

Thank you Pumpkin, so glad to hear you are enjoying the pictures.

I think they will enjoy having a look around the Tribute Store.

 

[Robo56]

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH CONTINUED

I continued through the store into the sweets area. My sister K loves Carmel Apples so I knew we would be back to look at this display.

There are plenty of varied types of apples to choose from.










I thought of getting an Apple to surprise my sister K with, but it was so hot out I don’t think it would have survived the trip back to the Resort without melting.

After I left the Store I headed out of the park and took a photo of the HHN medallion and some of the house posters.

 

[Robo56]

Then it was time to catch the Water Taxi back to Portofino.

The room was still not ready so I stopped back into the Club Lounge to get something to drink and enjoy the airconditioning.

There were snacks out to enjoy, but I was more thirsty than hungry. So I iced up a glass of Coke Zero.











I texted my sister K and let her know I would text her once the room was ready so my sister D could drop her off. D lives about 30 to 40 minutes away depending on the traffic.

I went out to the Lobby and sat down in one of the comfy chairs and met the nicest couple from England. They were on their first vacation to Universal and had a few questions about the parks. We had a nice conversation. Then I received my text that my room was ready and we said our goodbyes.

I texted my sister that the room was ready and off I went to retrieve my luggage.

After getting my luggage I went to the room and started putting my clothes away. I had bought extra hangers so my sister K and myself would have enough hangers to hang up our clothes. I like getting settled first thing when I arrive to the room.

After getting my things put away. I took a much needed shower after trekking in the park in the heat all morning and a good part of the afternoon. I put on some comfy clothes and settled in the chair by the window and did some reading.

My sister K texted me she had arrived and I gave her directions to the room.

She arrived to the room and as did a nice young man with a welcoming gift from the resort. A bottle of wine and fruit and cheese plate. It was so kind of them to send a nice treat.



My sister K and I had a nice chat about her visit with our Sister D while she put her clothes away. My sister D would be coming by in a few days for our sisters day.

Soon my eyes started drooping and I felt a nap was needed. We had a 2 queen room and we decided what beds we would choose. My sister K likes the airconditioning air flow that comes across the room to the bed closest to the window. I’am a little more cold natured so I chose the bed closes to the wall.

With beds decided I plopped down on my bed and covered up with my Harry Potter blanket and was out like a light.

When I woke up a couple hours later my sister K said she had been talking to me and looked over from her bed and I was sound asleep.

It was about 6 pm and we went to the Club Lounge to see what was on offer for the evening meal.




To be continued

 

[macraven]

I absolutely enjoy your trip reports!

You put a tremendous amount of time into your reports and always share a lot of details that will help all the readers.

Makes us feel like we are looking over your shoulder following you on your trips.

I can’t wait to read more !

 

[Robo56]

I absolutely enjoy your trip reports!

You put a tremendous amount of time into your reports and always share a lot of details that will help all the readers.

Makes us feel like we are looking over your shoulder following you on your trips.

I can’t wait to read more !

Thank you so much Mac for your kind comments. I’am so glad you are enjoying the trip report.

 

[Robo56]

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH CONTINUED


We were kindly greeted by The Club Staff on our arrival. The Lounge was not very busy this evening. I wondered over to the drinks and ordered a Strongbow. I really enjoy this hard cider. It is really good.



I went over to have a look at the food.

They had Rotini with a choice of bolognese sauce or marinara.


Sautéed veggies.


They had some nice fresh options for a salad.




Soup




Rolls, crackers, cheese, mortadella and salami.





There were plenty options to choose from to make a nice meal. The staff were busy making sure the tables were kept clean and the food refreshed.

I was so tired from my day of walking in the parks I had to concede to not going to HHN tonight as my feet were spent.

It had started raining pretty hard while we were having dinner.

We took our time and enjoyed sampling a few things and before we knew it, it was 7 pm. We went back to the room and I called my sweet hubby and told him about the days events. We watched a Little TV and before we knew it, it was 11 pm and I was tired again and ready to sleep.


To be continued

 

[keishashadow]

My sister K loves Carmel Apples so I knew we would be back to look at this display.

Me too! Sadly, the caps on my teeth do not.

I like getting settled first thing when I arrive to the room.

Same, the few minutes it takes makes the room more liveable IMO. Went with a friend once who announced she just “lives out of her suitcase”, plopped on the floor, in lieu of even using the luggage rack, no less. Never again lol

 

[Robo56]

Me too! Sadly, the caps on my teeth do not.

Yes, Carmel Apples do have to be dropped off the list of yummy things to eat after caps. I used to like them too.

Same, the few minutes it takes makes the room more liveable IMO. Went with a friend once who announced she just “lives out of her suitcase”, plopped on the floor, in lieu of even using the luggage rack, no less. Never again lol

Yes, I do like an organized space. My sister and I divide the drawers and put our clothes and things away. I always have extra hangers to hang our clothes. The suitcases go into the closet. It just makes a room easier to live in. I’am not a fan of clutter.

It makes sense to just get things organized on day one and then forget about it and have fun.

 

[Robo56]

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH

I woke up early and did a little reading on my IPAD. I took a shower and got ready and went down to guest services in the lobby and picked up a couple lanyards for my sister and myself for HHN. The Little Boo Lanyards were really cute so I picked up two of those. They also had Ghostbuster Frozen Empire Lanyards.

A little info on the Lanyards. It is cheaper to purchase those at Guest Services as the Lanyard and the plastic card holder are sold together for one price. If you purchase them in park the lanyard and card holder are sold separately.


Universal had started offering HHN lanyards for sale that had the charms on them last year. I bought the Stranger Things lanyard with the charm on it last year.

I then went back to the room and my sister was up and ready to go down to see what was on for breakfast at the Club Lounge.

It was very quiet in the Club Lounge this morning. There were a lot of options to choose from for breakfast.

I noticed some of the Staff from last year and many new faces. All the staff in the Club Lounge are so nice.

It started raining while we were enjoying breakfast then cleared up and the sun came out.

We decided on a day by the pool and went back to the room and got ready for the pool and headed out the door.

Getting to the pool took a little navigating, but after the first time it was easy to get there. There is construction going on at Portofino as everyone knows. It is one of those things that needs doing every once and awhile.

I don’t remember an exterior refurb in place in all the years I have been coming to Portofino so I guess it was time. According to the conversations I had with the staff it is planned to be done by the end of December.

Once you take the elevators down to the level of the Beach Pool you walk to the left and there is a mock corridor of plastic that leads to the entry of the Beach Pool.

As you can see everything is clean so no construction dust or dirt was a issue.


Some of the rooms facing the Beach Pool were covered with the window tarp for painting.


You can see the regular way to enter the Beach Pool is blocked off.


It was really quiet at the Pool. Usually people will do the parks in the morning and then return for relaxing afternoon pool time break.


You can see scaffolding set up on the areas of the building where work was going to start soon.


Here is a pic of the Splendido Pool Bar.


We decided to go to the Villa Pool and left the Beach Pool. We had to go back to the right and enter the construction corridor to get to the Villa Pool. Normally when there is no construction you would just walk out of the Beach Pool gate entrance and across the walk to the Villa Pool gate entrance.

You can see the entrance to the Mandara Spa.


I like the Villa Pool it is a lot more serene then the Beach Pool so if you want to chill and read a book and relax it it a nice pool to do that.


You need your room key to get access through the gate to the pool. As you enter there are lounge chair towels to place on your lounge chair and pool towels for your convenience. You do not need to bring the towels from your room.

There is also usually iced fruited water and cups for you to take a glass of refreshment to your seat.

There is free sunscreen provided at the Beach Pool so if you forgot your sunscreen you can stop by there.

Before I forget. There are actually 3 pools at Portofino. 1. The Beach Pool which has a large pool, slide, splash pad, hot tub, cabana rentals and activities for children and adults alike and a movie night.

2. The Villa Pool which has a nice sized pool, hot tub, outside shower, changing room, cabana rentals.

3. Hillside Pool. Has a much smaller pool.

There is usually not a lot of activity going on in the Villa pool so I usually get in and swim a few laps. Which is what I did. The water was cool and refreshing.

 

[Robo56]

As you can see the Villa Pool was quiet too.


I’am not as fond of the Cabanas at the Villa Pool as I’am of the Cabanas at the Beach Pool. Just preference.





There was scaffolding visible on the interior walls of pool area.


There is a nice option if you want to enjoy some pool time while you are waiting for your room to be ready on your day of check in. You can use the restroom area/changing room and lockers to change into your pool attire as needed.


There is an outdoor shower to rinse off after the pool if you want.


There is a hot tub.


All the pools are handicap accessible as are the hot tubs.

There are pool staff that do pass menus out while you are at the pool for you to purchase soft drinks, smoothies, cocktails and food while you are lounging at the pools if you want.

We enjoyed the pool and around 2 pm the dark clouds started rolling in. So we collected our things and the lounger towels and regular towels and headed out of the pool. We deposited the towels in the used towel bind on the way out.

By the time we entered the room it was pouring down rain outside.

The maid had been to our room and it was all refreshed. She had even made a nice blanket design with my Harry Potter blanket on my bed. Too cute.



I took a shower and got into some comfy clothes and it was time for a nap. My sister said after she completed her shower and came back into the room I was fast asleep.

After waking up I did some reading and then we popped down to the Club Lounge to see what was on for dinner. We had a little salad and a drink and decided we would have a light supper at CityWalk.

We headed out to catch the Water Taxi to CityWalk.

It was a still humid out after the rain and with the sun easing down the temp was tolerable.

I wanted to take a look in the Dead Coconut Club if it was open this evening.



Well the Club was closed and we were told that at this time it was only going to be open on HHN nights.

 

[Robo56]

There was a photo op area to take photos not far from the Club.


We decided to go into Cowfish for some appetizers.

We decided on the Crab Rangoon Dlp, Calamari and a Sushi Roll. Everything we ordered was tasty, but the Crab Rangoon Dip was the best.








To be continued

 

[macraven]

Robbie you keep wowing me on all the details that helps all reading your reports.

Many get overwhelmed to gather what info they need to use for understanding the who, whats and where’s in the parks.

 

[Robo56]

Robbie you keep wowing me on all the details that helps all reading your reports.

Many get overwhelmed to gather what info they need to use for understanding the who, whats and where’s in the parks.

Thank you, Mac for your kind comments. I always try and share things on my trip I hope will help others in planning and enjoying their stay at Universal.

 

[disneyseniors]

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH CONTINUED

I continued through the store into the sweets area. My sister K loves Carmel Apples so I knew we would be back to look at this display.

There are plenty of varied types of apples to choose from.
View attachment 897607

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I thought of getting an Apple to surprise my sister K with, but it was so hot out I don’t think it would have survived the trip back to the Resort without melting.

After I left the Store I headed out of the park and took a photo of the HHN medallion and some of the house posters.
View attachment 897612

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I'm with your sister on the candy apples. I love the ones with caramel and nuts. It must be healthy with the apples, right?