Here now :)

[Kath2003]

Sorta live TR but don't hold me to anything!

We arrived yesterday - flight from the UK was delayed for several hours so obviously we missed or connection but actually only arrived 2.5 hours late at around 8:30pm FL time which wasn't too bad but made for a long day - 20 hours from door to door.

Not been very interesting so far! Took a cab to I Drive hotel, checked in, showered, grabbed a pizza and crashed or around midnight. Up at 6am (stupid jet lag) so faffed for a bit before Universal.

Weather is COLD - hoodie and jeans - but hoping it will warm up as it's only 8:30am now. Forecast is better tomorrow, thankfully.

 

[amacspad]

Hope you have a fab time, weathers gonna get better every day, 33* by Saturday! xx

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Well I'm subbing in the hope that you update once in a while. Have a great trip

 

[catherine]

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[2Tiggies]

Have a great trip, Kath!

It will probably warm up. Last week it was quite hot - shorts and strappy top weather. The cold spell is not supposed to last too long. Have fun

 

[scoobydooby]

Have a super trip

 

[Kath2003]

It got warmer - been in a vest top and jeans since noon.

Tried out a few new rides - Hogwarts Express and Transformers. Transformers is superb! Couldn't be bothered to wait for Gringotts, line was 60 mins at 9am. Tried a huge pink Lardlad donut from Springfid for breakfast, delicious!

Left around noon, went to the outlets to get some new shoes as both of our were playing up (his worn out, mine not worn in!). Very very busy and I was tired so we resolved to return at a better time. Got the bus back to our hotel but were starving and tired so grabbed a Subway which filled a hole - not our normal, but feeling all over the place today!

Going to try to have a quick nap as only got about 5 hours last night (didn't get to bed until midnight, kept waking up, then awake at 6!) plus only 4 hours the night before. Don't know whether I'm coming or going to be honest...!

 

[DLPDreams]

Nice to hear you arrived - although late .

I can imagine with such a journey it will take you a little while to adjust - you'll be sorted in no time I'm sure!

Enjoy the rest of your trip - hope you get your shoes sorted out .

 

[Kath2003]

Yesterday (Day 1) ended with a lovely meal. We made a quick reservation at Tony Roma's - regular chain favourite of ours, we normally visit a couple of times each trip - but after being seated then waiting at our table for 15 minutes without an acknowledgement, we were too hungry to wait around so told the hosts at the front we were leaving and headed to Outback where we were served immediately. After the mandatory bloomin' onion, DH had a steak sandwich whereas I had chicken - all excellent. We headed back to the hotel straight afterward. The tiredness finally caught up with DH and we must have fallen asleep around 10:30pm with the TV on...!

Day 2 has been good, not least because our shoes are now comfortable! Did IOA first thing, was very busy especially the Potter stuff. Rode over to US and found similar. Tried out Menchies for frozen yogurt - very good! Went to the Vineland Rd Outlets for a quick browse but generally disappointing. Nipped to the supermarket before having the bus back to the hotel. Time for showers and a bit of down time before dinner - not sure where yet...

Oh and weather - warmer but still not the usual! Cool breeze doesn't help. Wore shorts but had my hoodie on until almost lunchtime (good job I brought it in the end - hasn't planned to buy grabbed it on the way out of the house as we left for the airport!!).

 

[Shazzie B]

Well if it makes you feel any better it's very wet & windy here . Sounds like you're catching up with your sleep, glad the feet are sorted. We're visiting IOA & Universal later this year, hoping it will be a bit quieter!

 

[wilma-bride]

Shame the weather is not the best, however as Shazzie says, it could be worse - you could be here! We do like Outback - in fact, it is on our list for august as it's one we haven't visited for a while. Have a great day today.

 

[Kath2003]

Weather SO much better today - gorgeous sunshine all day! Much more the normal for this time of year.

We wound up at Yard House for dinner last night - if you like craft beers, this pace is amazing! Food not the cheapest but very good; we may return!

Woke at 6am - work time, can't get our of that habit - but had slept all the way through since 11pm so finally catching up with sleep. Universal this morning but no chance of Gringotts as the wait was 2 hours at 8am! The whole place was very very crowded. We walked onto Rip Ride n Rocket, MIB, Transformers, met Bumblebee and the little Simpsons ride and by that time it was 10am and the lines were bonkers - Gringotts well over 2 hours! We had a late breakfast of coffee and cake and then went to the Rocky Horror Makeup Show which was actually very very good!

Left around noon, grabbed some food from Panda Express and an ice cream from Coldstone Creamery for the walk back to I Drive. Browsed shops, went for some drinks, lounged outside, and then showers and naps before dinner - seem to be getting into a routine here...!

Outback - has been a regular staple for us over the years, never had a bad meal. Yes, it's a chain so it's never going to be gourmet cuisine but for the money it's pretty darn good!

 

[KathyM2]

Following along!!! I love reading about people's experiences at Disney who are from across the pond!! Have you been to DLP? Just curious...I always want to hear Europeans' opinions of it compared to WDW. Enjoying your report so far. We LOVE Yardhouse - go there a lot while in FL, expecially the garlic noodles!!

 

[Kath2003]

Been to DLP on 3 occasions. It is very good but had already been to WDW; DLP is a very different place to WDW and not really comparable - though the rides are better at DLP. I have really enjoyed every trip to DLP, particularly the most recent and would gladly return but as it costs so much, we will stick with Florida. Likewise, the Disney prices are now so high, and the parks so oriented to families with kids, that we don't visit whilst in Orlando - it's not for us.

 

[KathyM2]

Been to DLP on 3 occasions. It is very good but had already been to WDW; DLP is a very different place to WDW and not really comparable - though the rides are better at DLP. I have really enjoyed every trip to DLP, particularly the most recent and would gladly return but as it costs so much, we will stick with Florida. Likewise, the Disney prices are now so high, and the parks so oriented to families with kids, that we don't visit whilst in Orlando - it's not for us.

Thanks for the insight!! When we went to DLP a few years ago we liked the rides too, but found the crowds just insane...but it was summer so everything in Europe was insane. You seem to be having a really great time at Universal though so that's good. Have you been to the Harry Potter tour in England?

 

[wilma-bride]

We wound up at Yard House for dinner last night - if you like craft beers, this pace is amazing! Food not the cheapest but very good; we may return!

Have you tried teh Brickhouse Tavern and Tap across the street? We went there on our last trip and the food was amazing. Again, not the cheapest but really great service and excellent food. My DS had the meatballs and it came with the largest mozzarella stick I have ever seen!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi kath, enjoying your updates. Not liking the queues you encountered for Gringotts. We go in July and I was hoping a rope drop day might serve us well, but it doesn't sound like it

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Eek have fun!!

 

[Kath2003]

We did Gringotts this afternoon. Line 60 minutes so did single rider - 10 minutes and we wound up sat together. Disappointed with the ride anyway - really glad we did not wait an hour!!!

 

[tinkerpea]

We did Gringotts this afternoon. Line 60 minutes so did single rider - 10 minutes and we wound up sat together. Disappointed with the ride anyway - really glad we did not wait an hour!!!

What disappointed you about the new gringotts ride? We literally missed opening day as it was the day we went home.
Everything I've heard about diagon has been excellent, and the boys and us can't wait to visit next yr, after hubby and I do disney next month.
I wouldn't wait an hour for any ride, however was really looking Forward to this, and the hogwarts express,and loving the other hp ride.