Here We Go Again - Universal and Disney Dream October 2015 - COMPLETE 17 days

[dixonsontour]

NYPD pizza, metro west

Our first time here. I’d bought a groupon. It gets good reviews on trip adviser and wasn’t far from Universal by car.

We shared some garlic knots and an 18 inch meat lover. DD had a kids make your own pizza she liked making and eating.

All good will eat here again.

Should have been $32.50, paid $13.32 plus tip and the $20 groupon (Think groupon cost me $8)

Tuesday they do buy one get one cheese pie free and Wednesday kids eat free but not combinable with a groupon. The server did check if we wanted to save the groupon for another time but no good for us as it would expire before we were back.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Great updates and photos .

The dessert party at MNSSHP looked awesome....but that's coming from a girl with a HUGE sweet tooth . Your parade pics were excellent!

Pat O'Briens sounded like a real bust . I am glad the manager comped your meal.....that was certainly warranted.

NYPD Pizza looked good. We have seen the Groupon before, and considered giving them a try. Might have to keep that one on my radar for a future trip.

That ice cream place also looked very neat!! I might have to slide that onto the itinerary for our April trip .

Did I read somewhere in your report that you are returing again in May? If that's the case, then the countdown is on for your next trip. That won't be long sliding in at all!!

 

[dixonsontour]

Great updates and photos .

The dessert party at MNSSHP looked awesome....but that's coming from a girl with a HUGE sweet tooth . Your parade pics were excellent!

Pat O'Briens sounded like a real bust . I am glad the manager comped your meal.....that was certainly warranted.

NYPD Pizza looked good. We have seen the Groupon before, and considered giving them a try. Might have to keep that one on my radar for a future trip.

That ice cream place also looked very neat!! I might have to slide that onto the itinerary for our April trip .

Did I read somewhere in your report that you are returing again in May? If that's the case, then the countdown is on for your next trip. That won't be long sliding in at all!!

Thanks for reading.Yes we would definitely head back to NYPD pizza and the ice cream place near gatorland.

Next visit is end of May memorial day week as that is when DD is off school. Hoping to stay at Cabana bay but nothing booked yet. Got universal APs and gatorland tickets again. We usually go October but I saw some flights and went for it.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for reading.Yes we would definitely head back to NYPD pizza and the ice cream place near gatorland.

Next visit is end of May memorial day week as that is when DD is off school. Hoping to stay at Cabana bay but nothing booked yet. Got universal APs and gatorland tickets again. We usually go October but I saw some flights and went for it.

How exciting!!

We loved the early May weather last year.....best temps of all the trips we've taken (which have been in the months of January, May, August, October and December). I hope you guys get the same awesomeness from Mother Nature!

 

[schumigirl]

Fantastic updates Stephanie.........your pictures are definitely some of the best I've seen!!

Love IHOP too........how cheap is it to eat in there!!! Fantastic value........definitely going to try Keke's again.......the pins colada toast has my name on it!!

Shame about the first Citywalk meal, glad they made it right though.........I'm not a fan of that place at all.....but love Margaritaville.....and the haunted golf side is the best!

 

[dixonsontour]

How exciting!!

We loved the early May weather last year.....best temps of all the trips we've taken (which have been in the months of January, May, August, October and December). I hope you guys get the same awesomeness from Mother Nature!

Thank you yes hoping it wont be too hot and crowds still ok. We are spoilt by our October trips.

 

[dixonsontour]

Fantastic updates Stephanie.........your pictures are definitely some of the best I've seen!!

Love IHOP too........how cheap is it to eat in there!!! Fantastic value........definitely going to try Keke's again.......the pins colada toast has my name on it!!

Shame about the first Citywalk meal, glad they made it right though.........I'm not a fan of that place at all.....but love Margaritaville.....and the haunted golf side is the best!

Thank you. kekes has lots of sweet options the turtle stuffed french toast (pecans, caramel and chocolate) is also on my radar) Yes will be sticking with Margaritaville in future.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Still enjoying your TR! The NYPD Pizza looks amazing!!!

 

[dixonsontour]

Still enjoying your TR! The NYPD Pizza looks amazing!!!

Thank you

 

[disneynan]

Looking forward to reading. I read your Oct 2014 trip report, and it was terrific!
You and your DD are so sweet in your pictures together!

I also enjoyed last year's report. Just found this one and looking forward to reading it - we are going to USR for the first time in April!

 

[dixonsontour]

I also enjoyed last year's report. Just found this one and looking forward to reading it - we are going to USR for the first time in April!

Thanks for reading hope you fing it useful. 3 more Universal days to post.

 

[disneynan]

You daughter has a cute style - love the striped dress and hat combo! And congrats on your successful surgery - sounds like it was quite an ordeal, but worth it in the end.
We were going to have lunch at Mythos, but then read some bad reviews and so now are unsure. Can you give me details of how your food and service was? And why DH was unhappy?
Thanks, loving the report. Great details and beautiful pics!

 

[dixonsontour]

You daughter has a cute style - love the striped dress and hat combo! And congrats on your successful surgery - sounds like it was quite an ordeal, but worth it in the end.[/U]
We were going to have lunch at Mythos, but then read some bad reviews and so now are unsure. Can you give me details of how your food and service was? And why DH was unhappy?
Thanks, loving the report. Great details and beautiful pics!

Thank you. Yes my surgery was a difficult time but well worth it for the outcome.

DH had a burger at Mythos and thought it was nothing special. I tried to steer him to the pizza which I'd heard was good. My fish tacos were nice and I liked the atmosphere. I also thought it was reasonably priced. I would go again, nice to sit in a/c at lunchtime. Service was attentive, probably too attentive for DH as it was only just opening and quiet.[/URL]

 

[disneynan]

Thanks. We probably won't make a decision until much closer to April, but it is nice to get other's opinions.

 

[dixonsontour]

Trip report Day 8

Wednesday 21st October

Universal Studios

We were awake at 6.30am and caught the bus to Citywalk. We had a quick breakfast at Cinnabon as they opened at 7.30am then headed to Universal Studios arriving just before regular park opening at 8am.

We rode despicable me, transformers and the mummy as walk ons. It was our first time on the mummy and we all enjoyed it (used the free lockers for our bag).

We then rode Simpsons and ET again no lines.

As we had photoconnect we had some photos done at the end of the ET ride in ET’s closet and on the bike which were fun and also went to meet spongebob in the spongebob store, no wait for photos either.

Today was the day Marty went back to the future. Nothing special on but we did see lots of people on back to the future t shirts and a couple apparently gotmarried by the Delorean. There was also someone dressed as Doc I saw.

We watched the terminator show which we hadn’t seen for years.

We headed out to Citywalk and to Margaritaville for lunch again. We sat on the patio like yesterday and used two more of the golf and dine meal tickets and paid for a kids meal for DD. Great food and service again.

DH headed back to the resort for a rest and DD and I went back to Universal.

We watched the 1pm animal actors show. DD enjoyed this again, it is a nice show.

We stopped at the Simpsons kwik e mart shop and bought DH a duff beer tervis glass he had spotted earlier in the week. Been much admired at work.

DD and I had some simpsons photos taken in the booth opposite the ride as we had the photoconnect.

The minions were also out for a meet and greet - we say this several times one of the parade floats and chance to meet the characters on the road near the make up show.

We stopped at Breadbox on our way out through Citywalk so DD could get another Nutella shake and were back at the resort for 2.30pm.

We went swimming again on the lazy river side and I did some laundry.

After a couple of hours in the pool we headed back out in the car. We had something to return to casual male and also had other stop at best buy (no idea what for!).

We then headed up to I4 to 4 rivers smokehouse at winterpark. It was about 15 mins drive north of Cabana bay. This had been recommended but was our first time here. We all really enjoyed it and also visited their onside cake shop for dessert. Will definitely go again.

We had a quick stop at Walgreens on the way back to the hotel and were back at Cabana for 9pm.

 

[dixonsontour]

Day 8 Dining report

Wednesday 21st October Universal



Breakfast

Cinnabon, Citywalk

We did early entry again today which was 7am at Universal in October. Cinnabon opened at 7am so we had a very quick breakfast then into the park and rode Despicable me.

DH had a breakfast sandwich and me and DD shared a cinnabon. Coffee to drink

No receipt think it was $15 ish (10% off with AP)



Lunch

Margaritaville, again! Citywalk

We are definitely best with a few park hours and then a break. So late morning we are back in Citywalk and headed again to Margaritaville.

Again we had a great meal sitting on the patio.

We had some more golf and dine tickets so DH and I had the chicken with rice which was lovely and DD a kids meal cheeseburger. Soda to drink.

The 2 dine tickets covered our meals, soda tax and tip just paid cash for DD.

$8.99 plus tip (less 10% ap)

Snacks

DD and I headed back to Universal, DH back to resort for a nap.

We shared a strawberry lemonade slushy which was very refreshing from the cart near gardens of Allah. Paid cash, this would have been a drink on quick service dining deal so should have used one of those (had drinks left on the cards we used day 2). $3.99 no ap discount at the cart.

On the way back out we stopped at bread box and DD got another Nutella shake $5.99 plus tax.

Dinner

4 Rivers smokehouse, Winter park

We had heard good things on the dibb and wanted to try. It wasn’t too far north of Universal maybe 20 mins drive. It was busy at 8pm on a Wednesday evening.

We all loved the food and will definitely be back.

Cafeteria style, we lined up they put the food on our tray, paid and you get a seat and your own drinks, napkins etc.

I had the brisket dinner with cornbread, fried pickles, fries and smoked jalepenos. DH had a texas destroyer and DD kids brisker sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. We all loved it even fussy DD.

$37 inc soda to drink



Afterwards we visited the sweet shop there, soo much choice. DD had a chocolate volcano and we had a slice coconut cake to share. Think they were $5 each. We took most of them home for later. They do have some cakes as you pay at the cash register but the lady told us to wait and order from the sweet shop which had lots more choice.

$10

 

[dixonsontour]

Trip Report Day 9

Thursday 22nd October 2015

Universal studios and Hogsmeade at night

I was tired today, DH got up first and went for coffee in the refill mugs to help get me moving.

We headed to first watch for breakfast at 8.30 ish, it’s 5 mins drive from Cabana bay on Sandlake road. I enjoyed my carrot cake pancake again. Well worth a visit for breakfast, email club does a buy one get one free breakfast offer for joining.

We had a look at Michaels (cake decorating things are a lot cheaper in US) and then stopped at Woof gang bakery for a treat for our friends’ dog.

We headed back to Cabana and got the bus to the parks.

We went to Universal Studios and saw the horror make up show at 11.30am. This was our first time seeing the show and we all enjoyed it.

DH got a flaming moe drink as we headed through the Simpsons area and we stopped in a busy diagon alley for DD to finally get an elxir drink in a very busy diagon alley (had been closed during early entry and late evening)

We headed out through the san Francisco area and were glad we stopped to watch a street dance show called streetheatz.

We had some pictures with Jaws and stopped for a mini Vermonster icecream at ben and jerrys in New York area. This is huge not mini!

We watched the Beetlejuice show, will miss this.

We headed back to Cabana bay as I’d reserved bowling for 3.45pm. It was quiet we would have been ok no reservation. They had a deal on for $9 each to bowl including shoes midweek 12-4pm. I hadn’t brought socks so ended up wearing DH’s. We had fun will definitely bowl here again.

Ater a rest DD and I headed back to hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure at 6.30pm, it was open until 8pm.

It was another success, will definitely do evenings in the harry potter areas again. DD could do spells with her wand without lines and we both went on hippogriff together then DD rode it herself several times. We went on forbidden journey just before closing with no wait. Everything looks lovely in the dark.

 

[dixonsontour]

DD wanted to go in Ollivanders. She was chosen on our 2014 trip so I warned her not to get her hopes up. Well she was chosen again along with another girl. She didn’t buy the wand that chose her but chose to buy another wand (she had her own money to spend)

We met back up with DH and ate at the Cabana bay food court. DH and DD shared a pizza and I had a veggie burger which I enjoyed. The food was better than I was expecting for a food court. We bought a s’mores kit from the food court $7.99 and made s’mores round the fire pit on the lazy river pool side. This was a nice relaxing end to the day.

We headed up to bed at 10pm.

 

[dixonsontour]

Dining review day 9

Thursday 22nd October



Breakfast

First Watch, W Sandlake road

This is about 5 mins drive from Universal. We’ve eaten her a few times and always liked it. It had been altered inside this year to have a more loft/urban style. Tends to be locals not tourists.

I had the carrot cake pancake with eggs and bacon. I’d had the carrot cake pancake last year and enjoyed it. It wasn’t on the menu but the server said they could still make it.

Dh had breakfast tacos

DD had a chocolate chip pancake with a sausage.

I had coffee to drink, they have lots of flavoured creamers. DD had water. Dh had orange juice.

It was $32 but I had a coupon for one free entrée for joining the email club so saved $9.

$23 plus tip



Dog snacks, woofgang bakery, Dr Phillips

We don’t have a dog but our friend’s dog enjoyed the treat we got from the bakery at Celebration last year so we popped into the one on Dr Phillips.



Universal snacks

Moe’s Tavern

DH had a flaming moe non alcoholic orange drink from Moe’s tavern, included the souvenir plastic glass $8 (less AP 10%)



Eternelle’s Elixr of Refreshment, Diagon alley

DD wanted to buy some of the flavoured drinks with her own spending money. This was our 3rd attempt, it had been closed early morning and late evening earlier in the holiday.

She bought a gillywater and a green flavouring. She went back later and bought a blue one.

Green was Exlir to induce euphoria and blue Draught of peace. $4.25 each plus $4 for the water!

Basically cordial to pour in the water but DD has kept the bottles as souvenirs. Expensive but what she wanted to spend her money on.





Weazeley Wizard Wheezes, Diagon alley

Didn’t buy anything just a look as they didn’t have the skiving snack box in stock DD wanted

 

[dixonsontour]

Ben and jerry, New York area, Universal Studios

We shared a mini vermonster (nothing mini about it!)

Mini Vermonster

Served in a huge tub, the Mini Vermonster contains four scoops of your choice of ice creams and is topped with a fresh baked brownie, chocolate chip cookie, banana, hot fudge, whipped cream and two scoops of your four favorite toppings. $15.69 (less 10% AP)

A small cup or cone is $4.49 and toppings extra so if there are a few of you a mini vermonster is a good deal and fun. DD was very impressed.

Galaxy bowl, Cabana bay resort

We bowled at the resort later that afternoon. They had a deal on to bowl for $9 each 12-4pm on weekdays inc shoe hire. There was a coke freestyle machine in the bowling alley so we used our refill mugs. They also gave us a menu for food and bar snacks.



DD had a hot dog and fries delivered whilst we bowled. Fries were good, some seasoning on them.

$5.99 plus tip



Dinner

Bayliner diner, cabana bay resort



After an evening in Hogsmeade we decided to eat at the resort..DH and DD shared a margarita pizza $9.50 and I had a veggie burger (asked for a normal burger roll not wholemeal) $8.99 which was made to order. We used our refill mugs. Saved 10% with ap. Food was good and convenient.

We also got a s’mores kit for $7.99 and had s’mores by the firepit which was fun, will definitely do again. Made 4 s’mores. Kit had chocolate, crackers, marshmallow and 4 sticks.

$27.50 plus tax