AustinTink
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2009
- Messages
- 12,935
WOW! We had a great time at Universal. That is saying a lot since DH, DS and I were all sick the majority of the trip. DS brought a bad summer cold with him from Austin and DH and I caught it while there. That said, we didn't let it keep us down. Here are a few highlights...
The Hotel:
We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort. Loved the hotel!!! Can't say enough good things about it. We love the Loews brand. And, while this was not the best Loews we've stayed at, it stills kept up with the brand's standards of cleanliness, friendly staff and activities for the kiddo. We stayed in Tower two. I should have known better after reading the threads on here, but I let them place us without requesting a room or at least a tower. We had room 2640. It had a minor view of the park and some greenery. But it was nothing to write home about. Also, tower 2 seemed furthest from everything. Next time we will request Tower 3 closest to the boat dock and the pool.... the two features we used most
The parks:
Islands of Adventure was our favorite of the two. Not just for Harry Potter... we loved the theming of Seuss Landing, Marvel Island, the Comic Strip area, Jurassic Park and the Lost Continent. This park has it all!!! The early entry came in handy, if not entirely crucial, for visiting the WWoHP. We were done with FJ before the general admission crowds even arrived. Be there by 7:30 and touring the WWoHP will be a breeze.
Universal Studios was great, too. Love the Simpsons ride, MIB, Rip Ride Rockit (DS did this one mutliple times via single rider) and the Horror Movie make-up show. This park seemed HOTTER than IOA with it's attractions more spread out and less shade throughout. More on the weather later.
The food:
We ate ALL OVER I'll break them up by location...
At the hotel... Jake's was delish. Bula Bar and Grill by the pool was surprising yummy with huge portions for sharing. Orchid Court was sufficient for a quick bite on the way to the boat dock in the morning.
At Citywalk.... Margaritaville was just so-so for us. I got a Gluten Free burger and fries which I loved. But the boys were not impressed with their entrees, the crabcake salad and sirloin steak(which had to be sent back once).
Pastamore was also just so-so. I ordered a gluten free pasta with chicken and the pasta wasn't fully cooked! Not talking al dente, I'm talking raw!! DS was not impressed with his pizza, either. Mushy crust, nuff said.
Hard Rock... DH and I both were disappointed with our salads, bland and boring. However DS, who orders steak whenever it's on the menu, LOVED his sirloin steak there. His favorite meal of the trip.
NBA CITY... the surprise meal of the trip... was FANTASTIC. Great service, fun atmosphere and the food was YUM. I had the grilled chicken ceasar, DH had the Blue Cheese and wine reduction fillet Mignon.... amazing!!! and DS had a pizza... also very good. The dessert is not to be missed.... battered and fried cinnamon sugar strawberries with ice cream and two sauces. HOLY MOLY was that delicious!!
In the parks:
Mythos..... is not to be missed. I loved my risotto of the day topped with a juicy pork chop. DS loved his fillet and DH was just so-so about his pad thai, he thought ti was bland.
Finnegan's in US.... great surprise with this one. DH loved the scotch eggs. the onion and potato straw appetizer was so good!! And our entrees were good too.
Three Broomsticks... what hasn't been said about this place?? We ate there three times for the amazing ambiance and pretty good park food. It can't be missed for the shear coolness factor.
THE WEATHER:
No words can describe the heat in Orlando during the summer. But I'll try... melting, burning, stifling, thick, muggy, spontaneous combustion, miserable, unreal...... I could go on and on. I come from a city where 100 degrees temps are not uncommon, but this was altogether different. Humid without a hint of a breeze will kill ya! We always visit Orlando in the springtime. This was our first summer visit..... and our last! We will definitely return to Universal (and, of course Disney) but from now on it's Springtime or bust! Head out early in the morning and come back to the parks at night. That's all you can do to stay alive!
All in all a wonderful trip. WE are Universal converts!!! Look out Disney.... you've got some competition!
The Hotel:
We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort. Loved the hotel!!! Can't say enough good things about it. We love the Loews brand. And, while this was not the best Loews we've stayed at, it stills kept up with the brand's standards of cleanliness, friendly staff and activities for the kiddo. We stayed in Tower two. I should have known better after reading the threads on here, but I let them place us without requesting a room or at least a tower. We had room 2640. It had a minor view of the park and some greenery. But it was nothing to write home about. Also, tower 2 seemed furthest from everything. Next time we will request Tower 3 closest to the boat dock and the pool.... the two features we used most
The parks:
Islands of Adventure was our favorite of the two. Not just for Harry Potter... we loved the theming of Seuss Landing, Marvel Island, the Comic Strip area, Jurassic Park and the Lost Continent. This park has it all!!! The early entry came in handy, if not entirely crucial, for visiting the WWoHP. We were done with FJ before the general admission crowds even arrived. Be there by 7:30 and touring the WWoHP will be a breeze.
Universal Studios was great, too. Love the Simpsons ride, MIB, Rip Ride Rockit (DS did this one mutliple times via single rider) and the Horror Movie make-up show. This park seemed HOTTER than IOA with it's attractions more spread out and less shade throughout. More on the weather later.
The food:
We ate ALL OVER I'll break them up by location...
At the hotel... Jake's was delish. Bula Bar and Grill by the pool was surprising yummy with huge portions for sharing. Orchid Court was sufficient for a quick bite on the way to the boat dock in the morning.
At Citywalk.... Margaritaville was just so-so for us. I got a Gluten Free burger and fries which I loved. But the boys were not impressed with their entrees, the crabcake salad and sirloin steak(which had to be sent back once).
Pastamore was also just so-so. I ordered a gluten free pasta with chicken and the pasta wasn't fully cooked! Not talking al dente, I'm talking raw!! DS was not impressed with his pizza, either. Mushy crust, nuff said.
Hard Rock... DH and I both were disappointed with our salads, bland and boring. However DS, who orders steak whenever it's on the menu, LOVED his sirloin steak there. His favorite meal of the trip.
NBA CITY... the surprise meal of the trip... was FANTASTIC. Great service, fun atmosphere and the food was YUM. I had the grilled chicken ceasar, DH had the Blue Cheese and wine reduction fillet Mignon.... amazing!!! and DS had a pizza... also very good. The dessert is not to be missed.... battered and fried cinnamon sugar strawberries with ice cream and two sauces. HOLY MOLY was that delicious!!
In the parks:
Mythos..... is not to be missed. I loved my risotto of the day topped with a juicy pork chop. DS loved his fillet and DH was just so-so about his pad thai, he thought ti was bland.
Finnegan's in US.... great surprise with this one. DH loved the scotch eggs. the onion and potato straw appetizer was so good!! And our entrees were good too.
Three Broomsticks... what hasn't been said about this place?? We ate there three times for the amazing ambiance and pretty good park food. It can't be missed for the shear coolness factor.
THE WEATHER:
No words can describe the heat in Orlando during the summer. But I'll try... melting, burning, stifling, thick, muggy, spontaneous combustion, miserable, unreal...... I could go on and on. I come from a city where 100 degrees temps are not uncommon, but this was altogether different. Humid without a hint of a breeze will kill ya! We always visit Orlando in the springtime. This was our first summer visit..... and our last! We will definitely return to Universal (and, of course Disney) but from now on it's Springtime or bust! Head out early in the morning and come back to the parks at night. That's all you can do to stay alive!
All in all a wonderful trip. WE are Universal converts!!! Look out Disney.... you've got some competition!
LOVE the words you picked for the weather. The best was "Spontaneous combustion". I am from Houston and leaving on Wed. but I know even with our extremely hot weather (and lack of rain this year) that it will be even worse in FL. I always hate how humid it is, and it gets even worse after it rains! We normally visit in the fall or spring like you, so I am prepared for the worst. The fall is our favorite time to visit.
Hopefully on your next trip, you will all be in full health to enjoy it even more!
