Highlights and 'Low-Lights'

[richard3330]

We got back yesterday morning from Florida and I am hoping I will get round to writing a full trip report this time!

For now I will just share some holiday points!

Highlights

- Disney Cruise, me and DW could both not believe we hadn't been on a cruise before because it was so up our street ! The Disney Cruise Line (Magic) trip that we were on was the 15th April. DD (8 months) was fine on the cruise and DS (5) loved it!
- Southern Elegance Limousines. Our outbound flight was just over an hour late (the 11.15 flight - so we arrived with the 12.30 flight virtually right behind us ) But George, the driver, was there waiting for us and provided an outstanding service. The limo was beautiful and we appreciated the free-of-charge grocery stop before heading to the Beach Club.
- Beach Club - what a beautiful resort. The rooms here were really modern and clean and we had all four rooms next to each other with wonderful views over the lake.
- WISHES was spectacular. Also, on our last night, the 23rd April when we were staying at the Grand Floridian we had a letter posted through our room telling us that the park would be closing early (6.30) because of Grad-Night (a private overnight party for graduating American students) but we should look out for a spectacular display which would be seen from around Bay Lake. The display was absolutely incredible. It started pretty late around 10.30/11.00pm. I didn't think it was possible but it was even more spectacular than Wishes - they had fireworks going off even outside of MK all around the whole of the top side of Bay Lake and even near the Contemporary. The graduates must have had a fantastic time! I took some photo's so I'll be sure to add them to the trip report!
- Universal Express. This was a godsend at Universal. The crowds were pretty big especially for attractions like Shrek 4D (once it hit a ridiculous 160 minutes). If you go during the really busy times like Easter, staying in a Universal Resort is incredibly good value. Apart from being considerably cheaper than WDW resorts the room key express access makes it worth every penny.
- DS sitting up front in the monorail (3 times). This was his dream come true LOL - he even got to drive 'THE' gold one . 3 co-pilot licenses and he even saved up to buy the electric toy monorail from the parks. Now we just need another adapter

'Lowlights'

- Portofino Bay messing up our reservations! We arrived to find we didn't have a room at POBay but at Hard Rock. This wasn't a problem (we had originally booked HRH anyway) but I wasn't going to pay POBay rates - which they wanted me to! After many calls from the check-in desk we were finally told that we would have rooms at POBay after all. All the fuss they made when all along everything was fine. We were hanging around wondering if we had any rooms at all (because HRH was full) for almost 2 hours. The guy on the desk simply 'got confused' we were told lol! Portofino Bay is still my favorite hotel I've stayed in but maybe not so much anymore
- Bad Planning! Although we spent months making plans and an itinerary we did it all wrong really. We thought we would be able to do more than we could with an 8 month old baby and 2 seniors (You should have seen my Dad's face on R 'n' R) We planned many EMH days but never even made one (!) We were never out of bed much before 9am but still stuck to the plan and
went to the parks which had EMH that same day, meaning the crowds were pretty big.
- No Car Hire. We decided to rely on Disney transport and only hired a car for 2 days (booked 1 but added an extra) for shopping
but in the end we really wished we had got car hire for the whole time to give us more flexibility without having to spend out on taxis all the time.
- Polynesian's Spirit of Aloha dinner show. I much prefer the old show and we all agreed that it was a waste of $50 each. The food was mediocre and the show wasn't particularly good IMO.

Oh dear I seem to have written an essay Anyway we all had an amazing time and I'll try and get some photo's and a trip report up soon If you have any questions I'd be happy to help out.

Richard

 

[Scotfan]

Sounds like you had a busy time.
Tell me more about the cruise, we have booked the 4 night for next Feb, specifically what did you do Nassau day?
Also we are planning doing RPR for 1 night post cruise ( did HRH this year), Is it worth the splurge to go to PBH and why?
Thanks.

 

[BONZO]

(sorry to go a bit off-topic)

Mo,

We've recently managed to do all 3 Universal resorts.


Check out the It's me, me, me - I've done all three thread.

 

[kazzie]

Hi Richard,

Interesting to hear the highs (and 'lows'!)
It's a learning curve too!

I'd love to hear more about the cruise as well

 

[KayleeUK]

Thanks for this....looking forward to your trip report with pictures

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Richard,

Bet you're glad to be back in "sunny" East Devon after Florida!! Though to be fair I think you've brought the sunshine back with you!!

Anyway, I would love to hear all about the Cruise (we're hoping to do the 3 day next August).

Glad you had a great time.

Karen

 

[richard3330]

Mo -
The cruise was wonderful, you will have an amazing time. Our only regret is choosing the 3 day . Nassau day was our first 'real' day on the cruise and after considering each of the offered excursions we decided on doing different things. DW and MIL decided to just stay and explore the shops and relax on the beach with DD (8 mths) whilst me, DH and some others in our group went and did the Stingray City and Blue Lagoon Combination Tour which was really good although IMO a little pricey. DS found it a bit scary at first (the excursion does involve snorkelling) because the water was pretty deep - unlike the snorkelling at Discovery Cove if you know it. You get to feed the stingrays and swim with them in a huge pool. If you were planning on doing the dolphin excursion as well then it may be possible to combine the two as the dolphin area is on the same island - I remember it being close to the boat. We chose not to do the Dolphin encounter as we went to DC but we spoke to a family on board who said they had truly enjoyed it. We then met up with DW, DD and MIL at Atlantis in the evening (they got from the centre of Nassau to there in a taxi) and just explored the resort and aquarium. HTH.

I just love the peace and quiet at Portofino Bay. It seems so relaxed compared to the Disney resorts and yet is still only a short water taxi journey from Citywalk and, in turn, the parks. The entrance is right over the street from HRH. The beds are simply divine and the rooms have huge bathrooms. The pools are great, DS loves the slide and the restaurants, in particular Delfino Riviera offers some of the finest dinign in Orlando. Also, I didn't know this until just before we went but you can use any of the pools at the hotels when staying at a Universal resort. We used the HRH pool one afternoon as it's slightly closer to the parks.

Karen -
Tell me about it! When we usually leave the airport after our Florida holidays at Easter time it is puring with rain and we are all in trousers and jumpers. This time we wished we had kept our shorts on! Let's hope it stays with us. Whereabouts are you in East Devon?

Richard.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Welcome home Richard.

So glad to hear that you loved the cruise - I don't suppose you booked another whilst you were on board did you ?

I really really want to stay at the Portofino one day, it sounds delish.

 

[Scotfan]

Thanks for the info, we are wondering about the dolphin swim for DH and DS's as a day at discovery cove doesnt interest me ( I'm scared of fish) It looks like you can only book the dolphin swin directly, not as a ship excursion, is this correct?
I'm not that interested in Atlantis other that to say I've seen it, may wander over in the evening.
I guess we will decide about the PB or RPR when the prices are announced for our dates lol.

 

[sharon78]

Welcome back

Looking forward to the trip report and photo's

 

[richard3330]

Hi Mo

No, I believe that the dolphin swim can be booked as a ship excursion through DCL but you may want to verify this. I remember reading about it onboard the ship and I am pretty sure that the family we spoke to on board had booked it as a ship excursion. If I remeber rightly the price was something like $120 for adults and just under $100 for children. HTH

Richard.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Richard

I take it all back about the sun, it has now disappeared! I believe the weather forecast is predicting thundery showers...! We live in Broadclyst, just down the road (or should that be up the road?!) from West Hill.

Did your son go to the Oceaneer Club and if so what did he think? My 4 year old is desperate to go and I would value your opinion. The website makes it sound great.

Thanks

Karen

 

[richard3330]

Sorry Karen, I totally forgot about this thread!

DS really enjoyed the Oceaneer Club, although it took us a while to persuade him to give it a go. There seemed to be an abundance of characters in and around the OC and participating in the activities, which DS enjoyed. We asked for him to join the 4 year old group, even though he had just turned 5 (our friends that were traveling with us DS was 4). They did some acting and drama activities and played some games searching for clues and items. He had a great time and was glad he went after all. The staff are outstanding and accommodated all of the children wonderfully. Isn't it wonderful weather here today? How depressing. Dark, cold and wet give me Florida any day!

Richard

 

[Miffy2003]

Thanks Richard - that confirms what I thought. My DD will love it! I totally agree about the weather !!

Karen

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

:thewave: Hi - welcome back. LOL at Grandpa, Richard