Here now :)

[Kath2003]

Diagon itself is nice enough (though hard to tell as it's always super crowded this week) but the Gringotts ride just didn't seem know what it wanted to be. It has the track of the Mummy, the scenes of Spiderman but it doesn't really every go anywhere. I get that it's for families but it is bland. I wouldn't wait for it again...

Hogwarts Express is very sweet but again, wouldn't wait for it (we have walked on it three times - doesn't seem to get busy much).

 

[disney2014plan]

Don't forget that if your flight departure was delayed for more than 3 hours, that you should be able to get compensation. Just google flight delay compensation for details - a little something towards the next holiday

 

[wilma-bride]

Don't forget that if your flight departure was delayed for more than 3 hours, that you should be able to get compensation. Just google flight delay compensation for details - a little something towards the next holiday

This isn't necessaarily the case - it has to arrive more than 3 hours late for you to be entitled to compensation - and it has to be the airline's fault. So there are no guarantees.

 

[Kath2003]

We arrived at our final destination 2.5 hours late, so won't be claiming for anything.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Well we would wait in line if it was 60 minutes, first time our nephew has been this upcoming trip so will try to see most things

 

[Kath2003]

Losing track of the days so here's yesterday and today...!

Needed a slow start yesterday so headed to IHOP for breakfast - really excellent for the money, surprisingly so! Had an omelette and pancakes, DH had some kind of bacon, eggs, hash browns etc and of course pancakes - needless to say, we were full!! With coffee and tip it was $30.

Afterward we headed to the outlet to pick up a few bits we had been looking for. Grabbed the bus back to the I Drive/Universal Blvd intersection early afternoon and had a nice walk to Universal. As mentioned we did do Gringotts and a few others, had a few drinks and a snack. We were tired by the time we left so grabbed the bus back to I Drive (we usually walk) and then caught the bus back to our hotel. The buses have been excellent this trip. Took Wilma's advice and headed for Brick House last night, food was very good, drinks even better!

Woke up at 6 again this morning so headed to Islands for a few hours. Walked onto everything in the Marvel area before grabbing some breakfast and touring the rest of the park. By the time we left at about 11 it was very busy. Picked up a car for the rest of the trip and then headed to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

 

[DLPDreams]

How was the cheesecake factory? - I hear so much about it, can't decide whether to try for a table when we visit MaM on our visit or not. Some people say it's very expensive and there's always a long wait?

Sounds like you are packing a lot in while also getting some down time too . Your comments about Gringotts & HE are interesting. We can't wait until we visit! Myself and DD1 are Harry Potter fans .

 

[KathyM2]

Brick House sounds great!! I will have to check that out next time!! Fellow IHOP lover here...so good!

 

[Portugal1000]

Enjoying your report. Have a great time. Will look up the restaurants you mentioned. Hadn't heard of Yard House.

 

[dixonsontour]

Sounds like you are fitting lots in

 

[alibeau]

Love reading your updates

 

[Kath2003]

The Cheesecake Factory was very good. There was a 10 minute wait for lunch but that was at 2pm so I'd hate to see it at actual "lunch"! We got a few appetisers and a piece of cheesecake to share. With a coke and a water, and tip, it was $50 so not cheap. We are still hoping to go again though! We wound up at TGIs later that evening, got some appetisers and several rounds of drinks (beers and cocktails) and it was significantly cheaper..!

We did a final run at Universal on Friday - Rip Ride n Rock It, Mummy, MIB etc. Was a nice way to finish off; we were only there for a couple of hours Despite having picked up the car, we still took the bus as we had tickets and couldn't stomach the $17 parking fee. We grabbed a pizza (Pizza Hut this time)/which we ate by the hotel pool (very crowded!!) but didn't swim. Went to the mall in the afternoon briefly but mainly a lazy day. We tried out the new Longhorn on I Drive for dinner which was really good, especially the ribs!

Yesterday we had breakfast at Boma (nice but outrageously priced) before driving to the beach. We are here for the rest of the trip now. Weather is absolutely beautiful and life runs at a whole different pace down here - heavenly

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for the comments about Cheesecake Factory - I think we'll just see what the queue is like at the time! It does sound expensive!

The beach sounds lovely - just what you need after a few manic days - enjoy! x

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Enjoying your report, which beach are you at?

 

[misspickle]

Enjoying reading your trip report!

 

[wayneg]

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!

We had lunch there last year, as you say not the cheapest place but very good food.

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for the comments about Cheesecake Factory - I think we'll just see what the queue is like at the time! It does sound expensive!

We don't find it that expensive, as a family of 3 adults we get 1 app, 2 entrees & 1 dessert. Its not the cheapest place but good quality & very large portions (the only place we share 2 between 3)

 

[dixonsontour]

They also do smaller portions of some mains and pastas before 5 which are cheaper. We have never managed to fit any cheesecake in!

 

[Kath2003]

We had 2 apps ($21), a "snack" ($5), a slice of cheesecake ($8) and a coke ($3) - so around $50 with tax and tip. We were full but not stuffed. That was at lunchtime. The portions remind us of "old" American portions from around 10 years ago. Portion sizes everywhere else seem to have decreased, which isn't a bad thing.

Life at the beach is good. Been swimming, shelling, walking, went to a Mexican place last night which was pretty decent. Went to Outback again - consistently good.

 

[DLPDreams]

We don't find it that expensive, as a family of 3 adults we get 1 app, 2 entrees & 1 dessert. Its not the cheapest place but good quality & very large portions (the only place we share 2 between 3)

They also do smaller portions of some mains and pastas before 5 which are cheaper. We have never managed to fit any cheesecake in!

Thanks - I'll put it on our list

We had 2 apps ($21), a "snack" ($5), a slice of cheesecake ($8) and a coke ($3) - so around $50 with tax and tip. We were full but not stuffed. That was at lunchtime. The portions remind us of "old" American portions from around 10 years ago. Portion sizes everywhere else seem to have decreased, which isn't a bad thing.

Life at the beach is good. Been swimming, shelling, walking, went to a Mexican place last night which was pretty decent. Went to Outback again - consistently good.

I think we'd share some meals too - would probably not manage cheesecake lol!

Your beach trip sounds lovely - bliss!