Hijinks & Shenanigans but not much Mayhem@The Dark Side+Disney:Link to DL/Hawaii TR

[natebenma]

Not to hijack your thread, but I've heard that the new Universal resort will not be included in the express pass deal. It will only remain with the original three on site hotels.

Thanks for that info! Obviously, I haven't been paying much attention, just skimming the headlines. I'll edit my response above. Thanks, again!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Dee, we ate at Lombards 2 years ago per your recommendation. It was good.

This year we tried the Irish restaurant - the name will come to me eventually. It was fantastic!! The prices were awesome for what you got. I got a shepards pie with veggies on the side. It was really good. DH got bangers and mash which he loved at Rose & Crown but they took it off the dinner menu. It was called Finnegan's - highly recommended!!
Just thought I'd give you that short review.

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[lsenquiz]

Just finished reading "Jerome, Phone Home"

Awesome pictures. We have not been to Universal since 2004 so alot has changed.

We actually enjoy the Terminator show and will frequently be heard saying "Super" for the rest of the day

The Hollywood Horror Make-up show sounds awesome. Something else my DS25 would really enjoy.

I also think E.T. reminds me of Peter Pan and we usually give fake names too

Boy that Florida weather can change on a dime. Great that you were able to dodge the downpours.

 

[natebenma]

Dee, we ate at Lombards 2 years ago per your recommendation. It was good.

This year we tried the Irish restaurant - the name will come to me eventually. It was fantastic!! The prices were awesome for what you got. I got a shepards pie with veggies on the side. It was really good. DH got bangers and mash which he loved at Rose & Crown but they took it off the dinner menu. It was called Finnegan's - highly recommended!!
Just thought I'd give you that short review.

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PHEW!!! I'm glad you enjoyed Lombard's. We enjoyed our meal so much that we ate there on our arrival day this year too. Where were you seated? We learned that the atmosphere really impacted our experience there.

Review of Lombard's coming up tomorrow.

I have heard really great things about Finnegan's! The Irish Pub thing really doesn't do it for my family, but we all love Fish-n-Chips and I know we would be able to find some things that interest us there.

Just finished reading "Jerome, Phone Home"

Awesome pictures. We have not been to Universal since 2004 so alot has changed.

We actually enjoy the Terminator show and will frequently be heard saying "Super" for the rest of the day

The Hollywood Horror Make-up show sounds awesome. Something else my DS25 would really enjoy.

I also think E.T. reminds me of Peter Pan and we usually give fake names too

Boy that Florida weather can change on a dime. Great that you were able to dodge the downpours.

Terminator was the first thing we did on our first trip two years ago. It was the first of an afternoon of overstimulation. There was too much going on. The indoor motorcycle chase was cool, but by the time they got to the movie, we were done.

However, a few minutes later, when Ben rode E.T., he dubbed himself "Arnold"

The Makeup Show is a little informative, a bit irreverent and really funny. Even my teen admits he enjoyed the show.

:

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Just had to say we LOVED Finnegans The food was good and the craic was mighty!! Much more like a family friendly Irish pub than some others in the region Plus they had a really good Van Morrison type singer on the night we were there though I have to say this was about 10 years ago!!

 

[emmysmommy]

The Simpson area sounds like a lot of fun especially with bringing things like Moe's and Kwik E Mart to the park! I would probably obsess over riding the Simpsons ride over and over to "get" all the details.

Aha... I see you will be explaining the construction going on in the background. I'm curious as to what that is as well. I could google it but I would much rather have you do the reveal!!

Again, Universal is so different than I pictured that it makes me want to venture out of my Disney bubble a little.

Loved the zany family photos with the juggling and spread 'em!

 

[elphie101]

Hello! I've found your TR! Us MA trippers have to stick together, am I right?

DBF has always flown out of Manchester with his family (since they love Southwest and they don't go direct to Orlando out of Logan), while I've historically flown out of Logan, and I agree with you that the smaller airport size throws me off.

I 10000% know what you mean about the vitally important Final Dunkin Donuts before leaving New England - they just don't get it right outside of our states!

Hard Rock looks beautiful! You really lucked out on the room location. It's hard for me to think about staying on The Dark Side, but it might be worth it in a few years once WWOHP Part 2 opens up (which is probably the next time we'll be back at Universal). And Holy Adult Drink Menu at the Pool Bar Batman!

I haven't been on ET in ages (I've always hated the smell in there as a kid.....yeah) but I never thought of using fake names! That alone makes me want to go back.

Can't wait for the next update and the FOOD PORN!! (Always the best part of any TR!)

 

[Ninja Mom]

I really enjoyed the latest installment of your trip report!

I will not allow my brain to even consider going to Universal simply because I want to go to WDW so much that we get sick of it and need to look for something else.... THEN I will unleash Universal on my unsuspecting husband. Mwa Ha Ha!!!

We are HUGE Simpsons fans so, one day, when Harry Potter land has completed phase 2 and the rush of the huge crowds visiting will diminish Then I think we will head over that way.

~NM

 

[natebenma]

Just had to say we LOVED Finnegans The food was good and the craic was mighty!! Much more like a family friendly Irish pub than some others in the region Plus they had a really good Van Morrison type singer on the night we were there though I have to say this was about 10 years ago!!

Coming from you, that is quite an endorsement!!!

I may try to convince the family to check it out on our next stay.

The Simpson area sounds like a lot of fun especially with bringing things like Moe's and Kwik E Mart to the park! I would probably obsess over riding the Simpsons ride over and over to "get" all the details.

Aha... I see you will be explaining the construction going on in the background. I'm curious as to what that is as well. I could google it but I would much rather have you do the reveal!!

Again, Universal is so different than I pictured that it makes me want to venture out of my Disney bubble a little.

Loved the zany family photos with the juggling and spread 'em!

I wouldn't recommend riding the Simpsons ride TOO many times. Although if I recall correctly, you are a Mission:Space Orange vet who isn't scared of any hardcore simulators.

Yep, I'll be revealing what I "know" or at least am guessing, about the big building project behind the wall.

Hello! I've found your TR! Us MA trippers have to stick together, am I right?

DBF has always flown out of Manchester with his family (since they love Southwest and they don't go direct to Orlando out of Logan), while I've historically flown out of Logan, and I agree with you that the smaller airport size throws me off.

I 10000% know what you mean about the vitally important Final Dunkin Donuts before leaving New England - they just don't get it right outside of our states!

Hard Rock looks beautiful! You really lucked out on the room location. It's hard for me to think about staying on The Dark Side, but it might be worth it in a few years once WWOHP Part 2 opens up (which is probably the next time we'll be back at Universal). And Holy Adult Drink Menu at the Pool Bar Batman!

I haven't been on ET in ages (I've always hated the smell in there as a kid.....yeah) but I never thought of using fake names! That alone makes me want to go back.

Can't wait for the next update and the FOOD PORN!! (Always the best part of any TR!)

Hope all is going well with you! How was your school year? Are you still part time over at Disney?

We are happy that we have added a little bit of a change to our Orlando trips.

I really enjoyed the latest installment of your trip report!

I will not allow my brain to even consider going to Universal simply because I want to go to WDW so much that we get sick of it and need to look for something else.... THEN I will unleash Universal on my unsuspecting husband. Mwa Ha Ha!!!

We are HUGE Simpsons fans so, one day, when Harry Potter land has completed phase 2 and the rush of the huge crowds visiting will diminish Then I think we will head over that way.

~NM

Thanks!!!

The Simpsons area is a lot of fun. Universal really got the details right on this one.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Dee - can't wait for your Universal food porn!

We LOVE Finnegan's. I always have the shepherd's pie and it is much better than Rose and Crown's cottage pie. Funniest thing - ds had a burger at Finnegan's and to this day still says it was the best burger he ever had! Who would have thought?

We bit the bullet and booked HRH - Deluxe queen room for 10 days next summer. Took advantage of the stay more/save more rates. Kept debating about gv vs. deluxe room but for a long stay I decided to go with more space.

We are going to do US/IOA, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Aquatica and Wet n Wild and then one night in Savannah to do the ghost tour and onto 4 nights in Hilton Head.

2015 will definitely be all Disney though. Just need a little break to let the kids do their "wild rides". Debating about doing one day at Disney during the ten days - we'll see. I don't know if I can be that close without going over to MK!

We've stayed at HRH twice and loved it - first time in deluxe room, second time in a cl room. In 2012 we stayed in a gv room at RPR. Loved the theming but room was too small. Luckily we brought an air mattress that we could deflate each day but definitely needed more room.

Can't wait for the next segment.

 

[Minnie824]

Enjoying your trip report! We were at beach club villas this year Jul 12-21 so looking forward to that part of your trip too! And, we're going to Universal next year so its great to see all those photos.

 

[natebenma]

Dee - can't wait for your Universal food porn!

We LOVE Finnegan's. I always have the shepherd's pie and it is much better than Rose and Crown's cottage pie. Funniest thing - ds had a burger at Finnegan's and to this day still says it was the best burger he ever had! Who would have thought?

We bit the bullet and booked HRH - Deluxe queen room for 10 days next summer. Took advantage of the stay more/save more rates. Kept debating about gv vs. deluxe room but for a long stay I decided to go with more space.

We are going to do US/IOA, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Aquatica and Wet n Wild and then one night in Savannah to do the ghost tour and onto 4 nights in Hilton Head.

2015 will definitely be all Disney though. Just need a little break to let the kids do their "wild rides". Debating about doing one day at Disney during the ten days - we'll see. I don't know if I can be that close without going over to MK!

We've stayed at HRH twice and loved it - first time in deluxe room, second time in a cl room. In 2012 we stayed in a gv room at RPR. Loved the theming but room was too small. Luckily we brought an air mattress that we could deflate each day but definitely needed more room.

Can't wait for the next segment.

All I hear is raves about Finnegan's. We are definitely going to try it if we make it back.

Sounds like a fantastic trip line up. Yes, the ole one-day-in-MK dilemma! We couldn't resist a couple of years ago but man, that one day can really cost 'ya. You have time to decide.

Enjoying your trip report! We were at beach club villas this year Jul 12-21 so looking forward to that part of your trip too! And, we're going to Universal next year so its great to see all those photos.

and thanks!

That's cool that we were at the resort at the same time.

I'm actually anxious to get to that part of the trip, too. Some of my best stories come on that first day. I'm so excited that I think I am actually going to start the Disney/Beach Club part after my next post. I'll alternate US/IoA/Disney chapters.

Hopefully I won't give anyone whiplash.

 

[natebenma]

When we visited Universal two years ago, the first meal of our trip was at Lombard’s Landing. It was a great experience. The food was fantastic and our table was amazing- we were seated right next to the fish tank in the middle of the room:

We were hoping to get an equally interesting table this time around.









Where were we seated?

Upstairs-

Here:









BLECH!!!

There were incredible sights from the windows in the room, really nice views of the theme park, but we were in the middle of the room, so we couldn’t see anything unless we stood up and walked over. The dining room was pretty empty when we arrived, so I took pictures from all of the windows:

















So, how was the food???

Continued in next post

 

[natebenma]

Continued from Previous Post


Cookies & Cream Shake




Rolls and pretty butter:






Side Salad (added on to Bens meal)




Mark and Ben both ordered the Fishermans Basket with Waffle Fries: $14.99
Fresh cod, shrimp and oysters lightly fried in a tempura batter, served with French fries and vegetable slaw and creamy tartar sauce. The samples I had from these meals were good.




Nate ordered the Lobster Mac & Cheese: $17.99
Chunks of Lobster meat, pasta shells, Boursin and Grana Padano Parmesean. Served with Sweet Potato Fries.

We didn't get to taste any of this, but Nate said it was really good.




My meal was the Lobster Roll: $15.99
Bite-sized chunks of lobster with Dijon Mayonnaise, served on a buttered split bun with shredded lettuce. Served with homemade seasoned potato chips.
This New England girl was a little leery of the Dijon. It was strange, but not bad. I liked it.




The meals were filling, but the boys can always manage to fit in some dessert. They ordered the Chocolate Sabayon, Creamsicle and Peanut Butter & Jelly Dessert Shots. I dont think Nate let me try the Chocolate one. The Creamsicle was ok, but not as good as I expected it to be. The PB&J? Nasty!







How would I rate the meal? Food: A- Atmosphere: C Overall: B
Cost: $79.05 plus tip, after $8.25 AAA member discount.

Based on the raves about Finnegans, I think I would switch out our first day lunch on a future visit.


Next up:
Universal:Men, Women and Children (in Black)
Disney: Back Home (at the Beach Club)

Hopefully it wont get too confusing if I am running out-of-order updates. If anyone just wants to follow along on the US/IoA trip for now, I am also posting the updates on the Universal Trip Report board.

 

[MEK]

Don't you hate when a restaurant is fairly empty and you get a crappy seat. *sigh*

At least you got great pictures from the window. Nice perspective of the park.

You food looks yummy. Glad the food was an A. I'm not sure I would care for that peanut butter dessert shooter either.

 

[Missyrose]

Phew, all caught up. Great start to US. We like the Universal parks, but don't feel as immersed while in them while we're there. But don't get me wrong, I love the rides. I loooove The Simpsons ride (but I still kinda miss Back to the Future), despicable Me is a lame "ride" but I'm a sucker for that movie. And I'll save everything I love about WWoHP for when that chapter comes around the bend.

Onto the food, I've never eaten at a TS restaurant in the parks. I was struck by how reasonable the prices were for your lunches! Even though the atmosphere sucked, the food looked good!

Can't wait to hear more!

P.S. I kinda liked NM's shadow trip report, can we hear more?

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We ate at Lombards on ourvtrip. We actually got the tank table but the food was just ok. Inthink we will try Finnegans next time as well.

 

[teekathepony]

Ehhh. Too bad about the less than exciting seating. I hate getting a boring seat when there are so many others to choose from! Nice views from the windows though!

Glad the meals were all pretty good, those desserts look pretty tasty!

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[ddluvsdisney]

From what I remember, Lombards was good. We didn't get the tank table but sat a couple of tables away.

When I read the lobster had Dijon I thought...what??! As well, but remembered you weren't in New England.
I had a fantastic lobster roll at a place called Flo's clam shack last week. It's in R.I. And we go there often mostly for the fried clams and clam cakes- soooo good!!! Yum.

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[tiggerfan77]

That sucks that you got a crappy view but the food looked delicious!! I haven't eaten at Lombard's before. I have tried Finnegan's but it has been a looong time. Looks like a great place to try next time