IOA/USF/Night of Joy - 09/10/04 & 09/11/04 Offsite

[robvia]

TR IOA/USF/NIGHT OF JOY
09/10/04 & 09/11/04

Cast: Me DH (40), DW (34)

Cliff Notes:
IOA Light crowds Friday 09/10/04
IOA Packed Saturday 09/11/04

Most TRs on this board concentrate on staying onsite and the restaurants. Well, we're from South Florida, so we drive up and stay offsite. We still visited Mythos, but this TR will be different from the ones you are used to reading.

Drove up from Plantation FL leaving Friday morning at 04:30am. Arrived the parking garage at about 08:45am. By the time we made it to the USF gate, the park was already open and there was no line to get in. Wait for Shrek was 10 minutes with no one in the big portion of the queue. Can you believe it? Shrek with a short line? We didn’t go on it, we’ve seen it enough.
Walked to the Mummy, rode it twice, walkon.
Shared a croissant ($6.89) at Boulangerie near the front of the park, it was good and came with a potato side, a cantelope wedge, and a strawberry.

Walked to IOA, Hulk was a walkon, the front row had a 10 minute wait. Dr Doom was also a walkon, looks like the hotel guests had not arrived yet. Continued the opposite direction to ride One Fish Two Fish. I thought I could get some pictures of the corn field, but you can’t see it because the field is behind a tall hill of trees. A worker was painting a wall yellow where people will pass. Continue to Deuling Dragons, which was also a walkon, front row wait was 10 minutes.

See the pattern here? Everything is a walkon when you arrive early in the morning on a Friday.

It’s noon, we go to Mythos for Lunch, seated immediately. Laurie has the Wrap of the Day ($12.95), roast beef, spinach, and potato, she woofed it down. I had the pizza of the day, white cheese, bacon, spinach, baby onions ($7.25), it was amazing. No room for desert, we’re stuffed. While we ate, my favorite Mythos CD was playing, Reality of a Dreamer. The music volume is lower than the past, but I could hear it.

I took tons of pics and I've resized a few for this TR. Click on each link and it will probably open in another window. After you're done, close the window and you should be back here.

A view out the main window looking at Hulk and Dr. Doom
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02851.jpg
A view looking up at the ceiling
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02852.jpg
A view of the fish water fountain
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02853.jpg
A view of the entire room
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02855.jpg
The kitchen and wood oven
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02856.jpg
A view of some of the menu choices
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02854.jpg
A view of the pizza
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02859.jpg
A view of the wrap
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02860.jpg

We were going to do the water rides, but we’re so full, we can’t do the park any more, and head out to the offsite hotel. Drive to the Hilton Garden Inn located at 6623 Hospitality Way near the north end of I-drive. The hotel is located 5 minutes south of USF. I’ve wanted to stay here, because they just opened the hotel in early 2004. As expected, this place is amazing. Everything is new, clean, no hotel smell. The carpets are bright, walls clean, the air conditioners in the hallways work, the ice machines are new and work. They have a free work out room for guests that has a TV, and a business room with a computer which is also free. We asked for a room up high facing the parks, and got it. 6th floor facing IOA overlooking the RPH. From my window, I can see Hulk, and Dr. Doom running. The room even has a fridge and microwave. I filled the fridge with the sodas, waters, and beers from the cooler we brought.

Many talk about that welcome gift of cookies and milk. Well, I brought my own, and here you go, I give you cookies and milk.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02877.jpg
Another person talked about wanting a free beer as a welcome gift. Well, here's your welcome beer.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02880.jpg
And the fully stocked fridge. See, doing this stuff before you drive up, or stopping at Publix makes all the differance in the world. Now, I don't mind paying for a drink at the parks, or eating a fancy meal, but it sure is nice to have a stocked fridge on these trips.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02882.jpg
This is what the coolers look like before the drive up. A lot of work to carry them into the hotel, but worth it.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02744.JPG
A better view out the window
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02872.jpg
A closer view of Hulk and Dr. Doom behind the RPR
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC02881.jpg

We took a nap, I woke up and decided to go take pictures of I-drive and the Publix north of Universal. Many ask where the grocery store is located, and what is there to eat north of the park. Well, I have the answer. I’m going to make a web site with pictures, but I have to resize them, so it will be a while before I have it up. The Publix grocery store is located at
4606 S Kirkman Road
Orlando FL 32811
How do I get to this Publix? It’s easy, for my example, I’m leaving from the HRH just past the guard shack. Make a left going out onto to Universal Blvd. The next street is Vineland Road, make a right, you are now heading east. The next major intersection is Kirkman road, get in the left lane.
Looking around this intersection, you will see the following.
Carrabas, Walgreens, McDonalds, Ponderosa, Double Tree Hotel, Best Western Hotel, Sleep Inn, gas station. Can you walk to these from the HRH or PBH? Yes, but it’s about a mile.
Make the left turn at Kirkman, you are now heading north and you’ll see Hooters on your left. You will pass over a bridge, Outback is on the right side, get in the left lane. The next intersection is Conroy road. While waiting at this light you will see a Bank of America, 7-11, Chick Filet, and a Mexican Restaurant in the shopping center. Make the left turn at Conroy road, you are heading west. Go 100 yards and turn right into the shopping center. You’ll see a Pizza Hut on your right. In the shopping center, you’ll find the Publix grocery store, Walgreens (with liquor store), Subway, Blockbuster, Burger King, and a Suntrust Bank. On the other side of the street, you will see a Boston Market, and Einstein Bagels. Inside of Publix, you can buy a styrophome cooler in the beer isle, milk, juice, doughnuts, and subs in their deli.

Drove down I-drive to take some pictures. It took me half an hour just to drive to SWF, then come back, and this is only a few miles. Traffic is brutal at the north end of I-drive near Sand Lake Road. For everyone wanting to venture out for something to eat, just go north on Kirkman to the places I’ve told you about.

Many ask if they can walk to Wet and Wild from the RPR. The answer is yes, but it’s 1 mile. I saw many people walking over the bridge, so apparently, people do walk from the RPR to I-drive.

Drove back to the hotel, drank a couple beers while Laurie got ready. She drove the car to Disney’s All Star Movie Resort. Traffic was fine on I-4 and we arrived in about 20 minutes. Took the bus to the park, the gates were open and we went in. Everyone has a blue wrist band on to show they had a ticket into the event. At 07:30, Stephen Curtis Chapman plays in front of the castle. Laurie enjoys the music, I hang out and take a few pictures. What is it like? This is Disney, the sound system is perfect. The crowd goes out to the statue, that's where Laurie and I stood. You could walk up closer if you wanted, but it was loud enough where we were. Most people knew the words to the songs and clapped their hands. After this set, we walk to the speedway and raced the cars. The next performer is Rebecca St. James on the stage next to Buzz Light year. I leave Laurie and go on Space Mountain, then walk to the other side of the park to ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder. Wait time for each ride is about 15 minutes. This is where the 3rd stage is located, next to Splash Mountain. Laurie and I have our cell phones, I call her and she’s walking on the bridge leading out of Tomorrow Land. We find each other and leave, she’s happy after seeing the two groups. We exit the park and they give us each a CD with music by the performers, Laurie is really happy now. It’s about 10:30pm, we take the bus back to the Movie resort hoping to eat, and the food court places are shut down, whaaaa. That’s the entire reason we took the bus, so we could visit the food court on the way back.
One picture of Stephen Curtis Chapman
http://www.nogodforme.com/images/DSC03022.jpg

It’s 11pm, drive to the Mexican restaurant north of the hotel on Kirkman, they’re open, but the kitchen is closed. Whaaaaaa. Drive to the TGIF across from the Holiday Inn, and their kitchen is still open, yes. Laurie eats a salad, and I have Cajun Tacos, yum.

Saturday 09/11/04 IOA
So impressed with the Hilton Garden Inn, we decide to eat breakfast at their buffet downstairs. It’s $8.95 per person, and you are seated and served by a friendly hostess. They have an omelet station set up, where the cook will make it any way you want in front of you. There’s bacon, sausage, biscuits, croissants, fruit, everything you could think of. The omelet is great, the only thing that wasn’t too good was the orange juice because it’s the cheap kind hotels use. If you do the buffet, get apple juice instead, or just drink water. Total with tip was $24, yes, a little expensive for a breakfast, but like I said, the hotel is so clean, we decided to give them our patronage and try it.

Today we’re visiting IOA just to do the water rides, then leave to check out and drive home. We enter the park at 09:00am, do Hulk in the front row, Dr. Doom, and then head to JPRA. Head to Rip Saw falls, which is a walkon, then to Popeye where we get wet. It’s 10:30am, and now the crowds have really arrived. Hulk has a 60 minute wait. We leave, head out, and the crowds of people arriving are amazing, so many. The wait just to park backs up around the parking garage. You do not want to arrive at this time. It is much better to visit IOA during the week if you can. We shower, change cloths, pack, check out of the hotel at 11:30am, the bill is correct ($93.66 for one night), drive home (3.5 hours), end of trip.

Like I said, I took a ton of pictures of the places north on Kirkman, and plan on making a web site soon. If you need to stay off site, definitely check out the Hilton Garden Inn. If you need a big room, the Hilton Homewood Suites is next to it.

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.

Can't wait for the web site for all the lovely pix.

 

[Slacking]

Nice report!

It's surprising to hear that IOA was so crowded on Sat. All the Rock the Universe patrons must have been over there, because USF was empty. I arrived at 11am, and Shrek 4D never had more than a 15 minute wait. At Noon, the MIB loading station was empty, and at 2pm, RotM was a walk-on! It was insane how empty it was, but it was nice.

 

[robvia]

Thanks for the kind words.

I've added more pictures.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Great report. I'm hungry! I have a picture of the Mythos ceiling as well but it was a mistake. My kids love that pizza but they have them hold everything but the pepperoni.
You didn't take the dog or the kids?
Early is the key! I'm kind of glad people do have the vacation mindset that makes them feel like they should sleep in though. It gives you and I the opportunity to experience walk-ons for most of the park before congestion then take that well deserved afternoon nap/swim/break.
Did you get any hints/tips for HHN?
I'm counting on you to get the info early this year for HHN touring.
Did you get any discount at HGI? How did you book? Walk in? It kind of nice to have ice machines that work.
My daughter was supposed to go up for a birthday party and would have stayed at the Ritz. It was canceled because of Ivan. I am so sick of plywood windows!

 

[robvia]

The dog stayed with a neighbor down the street. We watched their dog while they were away, and now they watched ours. Ashley didn't want to go, she spent the night at a friends.
This trip was for Laurie so she could see Night of Joy. She's always wanted to see it, so I said ok. As you can tell from my web site, I'm not into it (long story), but went along for the rides.

No tips for HHN yet, just took a pic of a worker painting a fence behind One Fish Two Fish.

For HGI, I used my AAA card and got like $5 off. I booked on their web site www.hiltongardeninn.com a month in advance. If you just walk in, the rate is higher. I'll probabliy book a night for October 2nd soon. For HHN, I'll be driving up by myself.

I took pictures entering and leaving the parks, and I'm going to make a web site that compares the two. So many pictures to resize, I took like 200 at 3.1 mega pixels. For the web, I need to resize them down to 1 mega pixel (1024x768) so they will fit on the screen and I have to do it one picture at a time. Eventually I'll get it done, and then I'll drive up and take more of HHN.

It's kinda fun because I have tons of bandwidth and disk space available on my web site. If anyone needs a place to upload their pictures, or even a video, let me know. Most sites only allow small pictures. I plan on taking some videos of the mazes at HHN and posting them for everyone to see. There probably won't be enough light for the camera, but I'll try.

 

[highlander447]

Like the report great pics

 

[robvia]

Thanks.
I've resized my pictures and finished my first page.
Directions from Disney to IOA can be found here. Most of you already know this info, but now when someone asks, I can just paste my link in. More pages will follow soon.

http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstoioa.htm

Here is the directions to Publix page.

http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm

Directions to Wet N' Wild

http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstownw.htm

Why you need to arrive early.

http://www.nogodforme.com/arriveearly.htm

This inside of Mythos on a web page

http://www.nogodforme.com/mythos.htm

A tour of International Drive

http://www.nogodforme.com/touridrive.htm

The Hilton Garden Inn

http://www.nogodforme.com/hiltongardeninn.htm

All sites on one page

http://www.nogodforme.com/orlando2004.htm

 

[robvia]

Just posting this so everyone can see there is a new message.

Look at the above post for all the links I've added.

Lots of work, but it should come in handy to answer people's questions when they ask the same thing over and over.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Great info! That was alot of work.

On Oct. 1st I have a seminar in West Palm Beach and that night we are going to the Opening Scareamony for HHN. Since you probably drive this route a lot, can you tell me how long it takes from WPB to USO? What exit in Orlando?

 

[robvia]

Thanks.
It takes me 3.5 hours to drive from Plantation, and WPB is an hour to the north. So I'd say it will take you 2.5 to 3 hours. The best way from WPB is to take the Turnpike to I-4, then go 1 exit West to Kirkman Road. I'm looking on a map and the turnpike mile marker is 259, not sure if the sign will say it. As you approach I-4 from the turnpike, you stay to the right and follow the signs that say I-4 West. The road curves as you merge into I-4, then it's only 1 mile and you get in the right lane for Kirkman road and you'll see the hotels across from the parking garage. You have to pay attention to the signs because you are slowing down and turning at the same time, it's tricky. The turnpike will cost you about $8 in tolls, but it's worth it because traffic is smooth and most do 80.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Thanks Rob,
Do they stop you and collect or wait until you exit and sock you for the whole $8? I have an FHP buddy that said they give you 85. I take what they give! I'll print this out and give it to my co-pilot son who will wait until the last minute to inform me of the 6 lane weave I need to do.
We might see you Saturday or Sunday. I'm totally pumped for HHN. Did you notice they changed the start to 6:30? Thanks again.

 

[robvia]

There's a couple toll booths along the way, so it's not $8 at once, but more like a $1.50 at each one. For part of the drive, you take a ticket, and at the end, you pay a few bucks.

I'll be in the stay and scream area Saturday night. Just look for someone wearing a black CP Raptor shirt, with a black waist pack. I'll be standing around looking for others. That makes it easy to find Disers.