Hello 40! Butterbeer, Beads and Birthdays! 3/11-3/14 - Completed!

[1tripandIfell]

Around 11:00 we decided to make our way over towards the Monster Cafe for lunch. I had heard really good things about it and it looked to be right up DH’s alley! For the 40.00 spent we both thought we had really great portions and it was really good food! We’d def eat here again! I ordered the vampire platter with a side of roasted cauliflower and DH got the Perilous Pair platter. He chose the chicken and pulled pork with Mac and Fries

After lunch we had walked up to check the RRR. It was still not running so went and jumped on Jimmy Fallon. I would have done the minions again but it was like an hour wait so we decided to walk over to IOA. I checked times on my app but sometimes found by the time you got there it changed! Plus it doesn’t tell you if they are running single rider lines or not.


I checked the hulk and it was packed with no single rider line and since I had ridden it we decided to keep moving. I wanted to go walk down and see if blue would be out soon and I also wanted to get my nieces some little bracelets made. And with a little b day magic we caught the line just right and Blue was coming out next!

We also grabbed me one of their tasty frozen drinks while waiting. So now is the worse decision of my trip. The one I will live to regret forever!! (Or at least until my next trip back)

we again walk through HP over to go check out Hagrid’s. 60 min wait. Line is over in the lost continent and it was the line to get into line. DH was like just wait. I’ll sit here and hang while you ride it. He knew I had been wanting to ride it. So I get in line, not long after I see they move the beginning even further away! So I wait and wait. One plus is that I can leave my stuff with DH and don’t have to worry about lockers and such. I wish they would do like Hulk and have you do the whole locker thing before everyone gets in line. I think that it creates a whole mess. So I get up to the entrance and of course…no single rider line. Okay that’s alright. Go, turn the corner and I am looking up the little path up to the ride. And here it is, I couldn’t remember what the queue was once we got inside and again guilt over DH just sitting there waiting for me…after a min I GOT OUT OF LINE! again this is a decision I would come to regret. Anywho. I go find DH and even he was like why didn’t you just wait I told you I was fine. Now I will say sometimes waiting in line can seem to take for.ev.er! Especially when you are by yourself and no phone or anything to occupy you. But my thought process, we leave tomorrow but plan on getting there first thing for Early entry and I can ride it then.
Of course you know what they say about best made plans….

 

[1tripandIfell]

Okay…edit that. We checked out Hagrid’s before I got to meet Blue. When going back checking time stamps I had it mixed up. Like I said. Tons of pictures but the details can be hazy.
Now today the park was INSANE! The weather had warmed up nicely and it was sunny and just an all around gorgeous day and because of that there were people everywhere. Especially in HP areas. Like you couldn’t move. I snapped a pic when I felt like I could find have enough room to even reach my phone


So at this point Hagrid’s was out we had seen and done a lot for the day. I’m sure I’ve left out a few things we hit up over the course of the few days and with the crowds and the 2 hours lost DH just wanted to sit somewhere and chill so we made our way up to the front thinking we’d go head back to the hotel, get changed for dinner (Bice was on the schedule for tonight) and come back and catch the Mardi Gras parade.

On the way out I did want to stop and see the pictures we had taken and see if I wanted any. Ending up getting three. And she threw in an extra print of one for my birthday!!

We ended up outside by the little Margaritaville and decided to rest and have a drink. They really are the best margs!! DH of course went with his Bluemoon. After about an hour or so we headed back to get changed.
Here is the little bracelets I got my my nieces. I thought they were a great deal only 10.00 a piece and personalized.

 

[1tripandIfell]

So about 6:00 we decided to head back to the parks to try and get a spot to watch the parade and then planned to take a boat over to Bice. First DH wanted to stop and grab another drink by the pool at Surfside

we sat and enjoyed the weather and just hung out for a bit then went and staked our claim for the parade!
We ended up getting a nice little spot to watch the parade. Now about this time it was getting dark and colder and again windy. I had made all the plans on how to get to Bice and all but never thought to look and see how late it would take to get us back and at this point the exhaustion from losing 2 hours of sleep and just being on the go was setting in. DH let me make the finally call but we decided to cancel our reservations. (I felt so bad about this both because I wanted to eat there and I hate being a flake) We decided to just get in where we could in city walk after the parade.


So around 8:30 we head out of the park to go find some food. Like I said we really loved our meal the night before and I’m a sucker for good steak so we ended up right back at BigFire and just sat at the bar. It was about 9:00 at this point. We ordered the bread this time and it was so good!! We ended up ordering our same steaks but this time DH got the corn grits to go with his and he ordered a dessert for my birthday and surprised me with the baked Alaska. They sing happy birthday and it was a great way to end the day!! Tomorrow it was time to go home.

 

[1tripandIfell]

3/14…The day of doom. Well not really just the day we had to head home. As much as we had enjoyed our time together just us doing what we wanted. (Almost) we were excited to get home to our pups. Our plan was to get up get everything packed and get to the parks for early entry. But agains plans…why make them! We were struggling but we were up! Got everything together and packed up and set off! Now I really can’t remember what time this all went down but I’d like to say it was around 6:30-6:45 when we headed down stairs. First up coffee! Now the day prior we ended up grabbing it in city park because the line was long and I wanted to get to the parks. This morning DH was just like it was busy at the other one too let’s just wait. So we wait. And wait and wait. Finally! Got our coffee walk outside to get in line for the bus and holy hell that’s a long line! Now it’s my fault I know better than to listen to DH and his strategies because they never really work out I should have insisted taking the bus to city park where at least if we had to wait in line for coffee we could then walk straight into the park! But it’s fine, we are fine, everything is fine. We were literally 4 people away from getting on that first bus that didn’t take long to get there. Now I will say this…This is the longest we had to wait for a bus. At this point we didn’t get to the park until just mins before 8:00. But so what, we are there we made it. Now at this point in the trip I’m tired boss. Just tired…DH has a soreness in one of his feet and is struggling also. But just a few more hours so we are going to push through and finish this race!! You ever notice when you are in a hurry and nervous you always pick the wrong line?? Just me Even though there wasn’t a huge line it took us a few mins to get into the park then another few to show our room keys to get through Dr Seuss. I didn’t realize you couldn’t go through hulk area. First things first. Hagrid’s. I was doing it now matter what!
That is until we get there and the line is literally 170 mins or something crazy like that. At that point I don’t even know if we’d make it in time to grab our luggage for check out!

So I start to come to the realization that I won’t be riding it this trip. I was trying to really keep a positive attitude at this point but I started to tell DH what else can literally go wrong today?! I honestly couldn’t tell you what we did after that. I think we finally did King Kong again then maybe FJ. About 8:45 I said screw it. I can at least ride RRR right!! So off we go. Here is a pic of us just struggling to chug along

But we are still all smiles. I really try to keep a good attitude when visiting places like this although I have my moments I know not everyone gets to experience these places so I just try to really be thankful that I’m there no matter what is happening.

I have to repeat this to myself a few times this morning. Like when we get over to US and RRR also has a line of like 85 mins. Now at this point it’s 9:00. We have to be back to check out at 11:00. It wasn’t going to happen so we hit up transformers. And the walked back over and took some time to visit HP and I never realized there are rooms to walk through when you go into the alleys! Weride Gringotts again using single rider Line due to time. Then decided to hit MIB again. DH had yet to beat me!! (I always get the bonus) it was like a 10 min wait and so was simpsons so I said hey we can probably catch both of these one more time then head back. Get up to the gates to load MIB. Technical difficulties. So we again wait! at this point we just laughed about it.
After that it was time to say adios. So about 10:30 we start heading back. The lines had already been crazy that morning and when we got to city walk. Wow!! The amounts of people still pouring in were just insane!!

 

[1tripandIfell]

We had never flown into or out of MCO and my SIL suggested to arrive 4 hours early to give ourselves time to check in, Drop our luggage off and get through security.

Neither one of us had eaten anything yet so at this point we were hungry. Our flight was for 5:00 pm and figured we need to get to the airport around 1:00. After checking out which was a breeze and actually automatically done. (You keep your cards and don’t have to even go to the desk) we decided to check out the little cafe at Surfside and get something to eat.


We got there just after 11:00 and noticed there wasn’t much out at all but realized it was because breakfast was about done and lunch didn’t start until 11:30. Like I said we were starving at this point so grabbed a snack until they started with lunch I grabbed a donut and DH some chips.

(I’ll post pics of everything after this final post) so we sat outside in a little area next to the pool with picnic tables and enjoyed the weather and just relaxed.

At 11:30 we went back inside and looked over the menu and DH decided to get a patty melt and I went with a spicy chicken sandwich. Both were really good. I snap some pictures of the little store they had in there and also of the food that they had out for breakfast and for lunch. Looks like they have plenty of variety between the grab and go and the actual menus you can order from.

Just after 1230 we decided to go ahead and call our Uber so that we can make it to the airport around 1 o’clock.

When pulling up the airport terminal that we needed to check in at it was showing that we needed to go to side B so that’s where we had our Uber drop us. Of course I didn’t realize that we needed to go to side A to find their check in counter. The airport was insane! Especially the Frontier line! we had to walk back outside just to go down to the southwest counter. We finally found Southwest and got checked in and headed to get in the line for security.

Now. I’m not sure if we lucked up but we had to go through security for terminal B and it only took us about 30 mins to get through. So once we were done we had PLENTY of time but hey if we had gotten there later no telling what the lines would have looked like and I’m a planner and get a LOT of anxiety when I’m in a time crunch. It’s about 2:20 pm so we have about 3 hours. We aren’t really hungry so we were just going to sit and maybe find something to watch. Then…the dreaded text.


delayed an hour and a half. At this point we were like screw it! Walked down to outback ordered a drink and a blooming onion (no pics)

Not much later another one.

Damn it!! Welp, time for another margs I guess. Looks like we were going to have a bit of a wait. And of course all I keep thinking about was I could have stayed and rode Hagrid’s.

So at this point my wheels start turning. The last time this happened coming home from key west we were stranded in TX for the night and if we were staying the night here I was unerring back to the parks! I think at this point DH started praying.

We grabbed our bill and jumped back on the shuttle since we were now on the A side of the airport and I went look for the counter to see what the deal was and if we could move our tickets to the next day no charge. The guy was super friendly and offered us 100.00 flight credit each for the delay without me asking. And said that yes we could move our flight and that it’s possible the flight will be bumped a tad later but should fly out tonight.

so we go find a spot at a little bar close to the counter and literally drink on it. I’m searching for rooms but apparently a lot was going on and there were hardly any rooms around the airport. I was able to find something a little further off so then I went to work on DH.

We both reached out to work and we were fine in that area but as we were weighing our options a text comes through that it should be about a 7:40 flight time. In the end we decided to stick it out since we had already got through security and all. Plus since our bag was checked we’d have to leave it. We sat and chatted with everyone at the bar that was also delayed ordered more food! I was def eating my feelings from this long day. Finally about 7:40 Orlando time we were taking off! We were safely back in NOLA by 8:30 our time. Another 1 1/2 hour drive and we’d be home!

As much as I’d have loved to stay another day I’m glad we decided to head home. Our girls were happy to see us and we were happy to see them!

Thanks for reading along my first trip report! Hope it wasn’t too hard to follow. My brown has a tendency to bounce around sometimes so it can get a little crazy!

I’ll post all of the pictures of the Cafe and the they offered there.

 

[1tripandIfell]

My donut and beer. It was okay. Typical donut





They had tons of choices. Other than the menu to order omelets and such from they had a grab and go area with chips, cereals and things of that nature. They had salads, açaí Bowls, fruits/cheese, juices, yogurts, muffins and other breads.

For lunch they had pizzas, sandwiches and things like that. All of it looked amazing and a really great option for a quick meal

 

[1tripandIfell]

And as they say....That's all folks!

 

[wdwrule]

I really enjoyed reading along! Sounds like an adventurous but super fun trip!!!! Gotta love those margs!! Happy birthday!!

 

[schumigirl]

Lovely trip report, and glad to read you had such a lovely time.....you`ll ride Hagrid`s next time for sure.

Your pictures were fun to see and showed you having a wonderful time......

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Such a great trip report!!! Your food porn photos were awesome as well

HP over to go check out Hagrid’s. 60 min wait. Line is over in the lost continent and it was the line to get into line. DH was like just wait. I’ll sit here and hang while you ride it. He knew I had been wanting to ride it. So I get in line, not long after I see they move the beginning even further away! So I wait and wait. One plus is that I can leave my stuff with DH and don’t have to worry about lockers and such. I wish they would do like Hulk and have you do the whole locker thing before everyone gets in line. I think that it creates a whole mess. So I get up to the entrance and of course…no single rider line. Okay that’s alright. Go, turn the corner and I am looking up the little path up to the ride. And here it is, I couldn’t remember what the queue was once we got inside and again guilt over DH just sitting there waiting for me…after a min I GOT OUT OF LINE! ☹ again this is a decision I would come to regret.

Hagrid's is awesome! It is probably my favorite ride in the park! You will get to ride it on the next trip.
When we went in Feb...we only had 1 day in the parks. So we waited 2 hrs to ride it. It was totally worth the wait! We were there president's day weekend (not ideal) but that was one on my to-do list! I can't wait to return to do it again.

ou ever notice when you are in a hurry and nervous you always pick the wrong line?? Just me

Yes...that is me...every single time lol!

I hope your able to return soon!

I know I am pushing for a return hopefully after your US thanksgiving. Dh had never been to Florida or any parks like this (hence why we/he only wanted to do one day) and we rode Transformers for his first ride. He thought the cue line was really cool and was excited to ride. All I could hear beside me was him hooting and laughing during the ride. As we were exiting the ride, he immediately said that it was the coolest thing he had done and how we need to bring our ds's so experience this!!! He called them that night after we got back to the hotel room and told them to start saving some money, cause he wants to bring them here!

My little plan worked I knew that once he rode one ride, he would want to do a family vacation there It was never on his radar before. insert evil laugh and a little hand rubbing in excitement for planning

 

[1tripandIfell]

I really enjoyed reading along! Sounds like an adventurous but super fun trip!!!! Gotta love those margs!! Happy birthday!!

Thank you!! It was a much needed trip for us. And yes I do love a good marg!

 

[1tripandIfell]

Lovely trip report, and glad to read you had such a lovely time.....you`ll ride Hagrid`s next time for sure.

Your pictures were fun to see and showed you having a wonderful time......

Thanks!! I love pic heavy trip reports and all the pics helped me keep up with time stamps!
I’m def using Hagrid’s as an excuse to get back sooner rather than later!

 

[1tripandIfell]

Such a great trip report!!! Your food porn photos were awesome as well

Hagrid's is awesome! It is probably my favorite ride in the park! You will get to ride it on the next trip.
When we went in Feb...we only had 1 day in the parks. So we waited 2 hrs to ride it. It was totally worth the wait! We were there president's day weekend (not ideal) but that was one on my to-do list! I can't wait to return to do it again.

Yes...that is me...every single time lol!

I hope your able to return soon!

I know I am pushing for a return hopefully after your US thanksgiving. Dh had never been to Florida or any parks like this (hence why we/he only wanted to do one day) and we rode Transformers for his first ride. He thought the cue line was really cool and was excited to ride. All I could hear beside me was him hooting and laughing during the ride. As we were exiting the ride, he immediately said that it was the coolest thing he had done and how we need to bring our ds's so experience this!!! He called them that night after we got back to the hotel room and told them to start saving some money, cause he wants to bring them here!

My little plan worked I knew that once he rode one ride, he would want to do a family vacation there It was never on his radar before. insert evil laugh and a little hand rubbing in excitement for planning

glad you enjoyed the food porn! While we aren’t always adventurous we do love good food!
One thing I have going for me is DS was so salty he was left home. He told me he was packing his stuff and running away. He is 23 in college, and been in his apartment for at least 3 years now.

 

[disneyseniors]

Loved your trip report and love Universal
I wonder if all the ride delays was because Universal now has a lot of disgruntled disney visitors. All I hear is that you should go to Universal for fun, not disney. I think there is a big exodus to Universal now. When we went it was not very crowded, except for HP lands.
So glad you had a great, but quick and busy, time