How's May?

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Hi Everyone! I'm so excited! I THINK we will be down May 7 and 8 and moving to Disney to use some plusses on the 9th and 10th. How are crowds the beginning of May? I'm thinking they must be pretty slow because I got some great airfare.

Between the two free nights at the Hard Rock, 1 free plane ticket from Southwest and using the plus options on our Disney tickets this will be a relatively cheap trip! (at least this is what I am going to tell hubby to convice him )

We will be there a few days away from our son's 9th birthday, so I was wondering if there were some special things we could do? Any ideas? Are they still doing the character breakfast at Confisco's? How is it? I thought I remember hearing something about a birthday celebration, but maybe I made it up?

Anyway, just going to Universal/IOA is a big enough treat for him. He loves IOA, it is his favorite park, even over Disney. He is a Hulk fanatic! By the way, will the Mummy be up and running by then? (please say yes!!, this will be another selling point to hubby) Sorry if I asked so many questions, but if you can't tell, I am excited!!!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

During the early part of May crowds are not too heavy. A 20 minute wait will be average for most attractions, and the parks are open till 7p. IOA is open till 8p on Fridays and Saturdays.

For the birthday bit, just go to any restaurant and let them know about your son's (upcoming) b-day and see what they offer. It varies per location, but I know the HRC always makes a big deal about birthdays.

The character breakfast is still going on-Fri/Sat/Sun only. IMGonnabe40 asked me to inquire and I had it confirmed that it is still going on. There used to be a daily birthday celebration in Seuss Landing, but it was cancelled after Sept 11.

And yes, the Mummy will be running. It's rumored to open in early April.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Hooray about the Mummy!! I can't wait to try it! Thanks for the info DM. We will be there on a Fri. and Sat. night so it will be nice to stay in the parks a bit later.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I just found out that my son has State wide testing at that time! Darn! I think I will have to move the dates to two weekends later, the 21st and 22nd. Also, we may be doing all four nights at the Hard Rock!! DH does not want to a Disney Water Park, so we may just be staying put. Does it get busier at the end of May? I am really bummed about having to wait two more weeks!!

Oh no! I just rembered my daughter has both of her dance recitals on that weekend. This is horrible! My husband only gets every other weekend off so our choices our limited. I don't want to go in June and I can't get good airfare in April - UHHHHH!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Come with us in March!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

The airfare in March is horrible! Did you find a good deal? I wonder when everyone's spring breaks are? How busy do you think March will be? I'm glad you are going though, I remember when you had your injury and had to cancel. What a bummer!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Hi Tonia! You know, Mike and I would have preferred to go in May instead but it didn't work out for us (is May the new popular month to get married or something? We can't get a break!). So, I got a great rate on hotelkingdom for March, and jumped on it.

Why, I don't know. I'm kicking myself for picking March now because I'm wicked scared it's going to be swamped with high school and college kids. I got airfare a while back, and it wasn't awful, but not good. I think it was $259 R/T from Allentown to Orlando. But, we still had credit from the non-refundable airfare we had when we had to cancel our trip in September, so it didn't seem as bad.

I'm sorry you're having trouble picking a date too. Maybe your son should be "sick" so he can take make-up tests later. (Who said that?)

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Don't I wish! His school is having a problem academically in third grade and have done poorly on the statewide testing in the past, so I'm sure they would frown upon me taking my straight A student out the week of testing. But, it was so perfect! The two free nights at the HRH and then $146 roundtrip airfare with one free ticket! UHHHH, I am mad. I am awaiting a call from the pricipal now...

Are you staying onsite? If you are, you won't have trouble with lines a Universal. We went the first week in August and never waited more than a few minutes in line.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Yes, we decided on the Portofino. I figure that might be a blessing since it's probably a bit more crowded at the other resorts (I guess I mean the PBH is more spread out).

I am so sorry your trip isn't working out. I HATE it when I can't use a good deal. Anyway, I know there's no pixie dust over here, but I'm sending good wishes your way that everything works out!

Jodie

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Park hours for March are 9-7 for both parks. It wont be slow, and it won't be busy either. It'll be 20-30 minute wait averages.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Hope things work out in the end TigerLilly's Mom!!! If you do make it down, let me know inca se we can meet up!! (Same goes for you Jodie!!)

What kind of testing is this BTW? Is this something required of all students?

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Tigerlilly, Where you been? Sorry to hear you may have to cancel. Hope it all works out. Keep us posted.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Hi Guys - I don't know where I have been. Everyone got sick for a while after Christmas, then we had two birthday parties, basketball season - you know how it goes!

Claire - the statewide testing is a standardized test that all 3rd, 6th, and 10th graders must take to see where the state falls in the National average. Do you remember taking then in 10th grade? Or are you in 10th grade now? If you are, be prepared to do nothing but testing for the first two weeks of May this year. I am so bummed.

Right now we are looking at the weekend of April 23rd for four nights or the first weekend of June for four nights. What do you all think would be better? I don't think I can wait until June!! But, the April airfare is not very good. Also could go the end of Feb., but I wanted to be sure to catch the Mummy.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Where are you from TigerLilly's Mom? I certainly hope I don't have to worry about any more tests...I already have plenty in Febrary: FCAT Math, FCAT Reading, FCAT Writing, FCAT Science, Sunshine State Standard Math and Read....yuck!!!!! These are things you have to take every year in FL starting with 3rd grade? Except for the Writing, which is only 4, 8, and 10 grades.

And yes, I'm still in 10th...everything I take counts for graduation...ughhhh

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Hi Flyfly -
I am from New Hampshire. I hope won't have to take those horrible tests. I thought all 10th graders in the country took them, but I could be mistaken. Keep working hard!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I don't believe we do. If that's the case...I'm glad! I'll have 1 1/2 weeks of testing just for the FL state