Just got back...10 days...did and saw it ALL!

[JessicaR]

We just got back last evening late.......lots and lots of unpacking and laundry to do Anyone wanna help?

We had reservations at Hard Rock for 6 nights and well...plans changed after that. We had dinner at Portofino the evening before heading home and just asked at the desk if any availability for the next 3 nights YES they did and it just so happened we could have a suite!! Could I turn that down? NOPE

Our trip lasted 10 wonderful days and all were spent at USO/IOA and SeaWorld, also a few days relaxing by the pools. We really covered it all and then some! I have some great info to share on getting passes and saving lots of money eating and shopping. We ate someplace different every day and evening.

I am amazed at the rates some people were charged when they are unaware of the various cards and programs that save you money. We encountered so many families staying onsite that just didnt bother to ask or read any literature the hotel provides you with at check in. The hotels were at 20% capacity and I am sure anyone that asks would happily get an upgrade.

We experienced excellent service and housekeeping at both hotels was outstanding. We were given a deluxe poolview at Hard Rock paying $129 night entertainment rate. We recieved our Loews ammenities only after calling star services after checking in. (At check in we were told we wernt entitled since we booked a discounted rate) I will write more on just hotels later.

EATING>>>>>>> My favorite past time Okay 2nd favorite


We ate at:
Hard Rock Cafe
NBA City
NASCAR
Margarittaville
Latin Quarter
Mythos
Confiscos
Sunset Grill
Beach Club
Sals
Gelateria
Mama Della's
Trattoria del porto

We were going to have a meal at The Palm...We walked out! (Really poor meet and greet at front of restaurant)After talking to a few people that did eat there , I am happy we didnt waste the evening or the $.

I lost my camera twice..hee hee always got it back...figures too cause I want a new camera! Almost got creamed getting off MIB...thats another story. Had a character meal that was great
Met all the characters we wanted to. Saw shrek and had some fun with him but the character highlight was with Scooby and Shaggy. Also some wonderful fun with Angelica and Chuckie at Nickelodeon.

We used the camp at Hard Rock for the kids twice...it was great!
Kids loved it and didnt want to leave when it was time to be picked up...I did ask about monthly rates...

It was VERY hot but we managed to stay cool using the misters and jumping on a water ride every now and then. Front of the line worked perfectly the entire time we were there and in the beginning of our trip (labor day weekend) had some crowds and still didnt wait. Spiderman had 90 min waits and so did Popeyes Bilge Rat Barges.

Going to write some trip reports in a few days...I will also break it all down as best I can. Any questions just ask

 

[Claudine]

Sounds like you had a great trip! We are goin in November do you more info on the Hard Rpkc Camp for the kids? Was it very crowded? Age limits and cost? Anything else you can think of would be greate.
Thanks

 

[BarryHom]

Welcome back!

 

[MIB999999]

glad you had a good time, we all knew you would.

 

[lovelyk68]

Welcome back JessicaR! I am looking forward to your trip report.

 

[Mickeygirl]

Which hotel did you like the best?? Also how did the prices compare between the 2 I'm glad that you had such a wonderful time

 

[nhrenee]

WELCOME BACK!! I would love to hear about your dining experiences at the HRC, Mythos and anywhere else you remember! Was the music really that loud at the HRC??

Did you see the "giant" chess board? If so, did it look busy?

What airline did you fly? Did they charge you to change flights?

I can't wait for your trip reports!! I'll help you with your laundry, just UPS it out here.

 

[Molokai Gram]

Aloha and welcome back

I am looking forward to your trip reports, know you will have lots of details. Sorry I can't help you with the laundry

How was your back?

Too bad we couldn't have a web cam meet. Did you learn anything about them?

Aloha,
Donna

 

[Robinrs]

Welcome back, Maria!!

How COOOL you were able to prolong your trip!! I would've just passed out if I was offered a suite at the Portofino! I want DESCRIPTIONS AND PICS!!

I'm assuming your back handled all of this well because you sound like you had a ball.

Again, welcome back!!

Nearly got CREAMED after MIB? Que pasa, Maria???

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Welcome Back!

Now get to writing!

 

[PrincessTori]

I know it has to be hard being back after 10 days. Glad you had a great time and I am really looking forward to your trip report! I'm going in Nov and looking for information on best values at counter services and dinners in US and IOA. Any info and suggestions you have would be great!

Thanks so much!
Princess Tori

 

[JessicaR]

Sorry it took me a while to get back and reply! Ya know the whole laundry thing...

Claudine,
The Camp at Hard Rock was terrific. We used it 2 evenings. One evening there were 4 kids and the next time we used them there were 16 kids Both times no problems there was always plenty of supervision and things ran smoothly. They give you a pager when you drop off the kids so they can contact you need be. The price was $7 an hour for first child and $5 an hour for each additional child. Ages 4-and up. They offer dinner that they pick (kids) includes a drink and a snack for an additional $10 per child. They also made popcorn and had other snacks. There is a large screen TV and many video games, crafts and books toys to keep them busy. When you check in request the Camp schedule as they offer many different hourly activities through the day and eve. I took a few photos and when they are developed I will post them.


MIB9's,

We did have a blast! Thanks again for the maNY mytho's mentions We ate there 2 times! What a menu


Mickeygirl,
"Which hotel did you like the best?? "

Thats a tough question...can I say both for different reasons?
This was our first stay at Hard Rock and second stay at Portofino...so yes we loved Hard Rock it was always jumping and lively but to end the vacation at the elegant Portofino was perfect! I think in the future as long as we have at least a week I would do the same thing again...If a shorter trip (few days) with the kids we would stay at Hard Rock and w/o kids at Portofino.
The prices are a bit less at Hard Rock but you really arent comparing apples with apples...The rooms at Hard Rock like a gardenview compaRED to a gardenview at Portofino is smaller (not by much) the beds are different as well. So yes Portofino is more expensive (room service included) compared to Hard Rock its still a more elegant resort. Also just wanted to mention...asking my kids their opinions on their favorite hotel...My 4 year old liked both the same although he loved the kids area at portofino pool. My 8 year old says he loves the beds at Portofino loves both slides at both pools because hard rocks is longer but portofino's has a waterfall and its faster! Of course kids of 4 and 8...its ALL about the pools!

renee,

We ate at Hard Rock cafe 2 times once for dinner once for lunch.The music was great for us...however while we were there we watched 2 couples (older) walk out after being seated due to the music. My kids loved the atmosphere and our servers were great fun! The food was pretty darn good too. I would certainly give it a try Great prices as well compared to some other places. Take a walk upstairs to check out all the cool stuff! The will even walk you around if you ask Mythos was wonderful! Food was great, company was greater We ate there twice should have made it a few more times but we wanted to try new places this trip. I had a scallop entree that was incredible. The desserts are ALL to die for. I am going to write a detailed post on all the places we ate at soon.

The giant chess board at Hard Rock hotel was cool! The pieces are enormous. It was never too busy that we couldnt get a turn!

We flew Delta and when we called to change our flights we were told it would be a $50 per ticket reissue charge when we get to the airport. It didnt hurt too bad since we had gotten $87 roundtrip fares originally.

Thanks for the laundry offer I also have more info we talked about...I will PM you with it.

Donna,

Thanks! Yes my back held out thankfully! I was careful however and didnt get to ride Hulk Or BTTF...oh well had to make some sacrifices. I did ask about the webcams to more than a few different employees and got the response that they will be back up soon. I hope they are! Now we have to work on getting you back there!

Hi Robin,

The suite at Portofino....Lets just say after checking in my husband was seriously calculating how much it would be to stay a month! He's nuts....maybe? lol I have pics and promise to post them as soon as I get them back. A funny story...when we walked over to the reception area at Portofino and inquired about availability for the next 3 nights my husband asked the woman if we could have a suite...she seemed very unsure and offered us any room...bayview, gardenview, poolview for a flat rate of $160 a night. WE asked again could we get a suite? she said well, yes for additional cost. So we asked could we speak with a manager? He came out and was so very pleasant! He looked at something on the screen and asked if we were loews members...it turned out was were now qualified for the next level of the loews program at a gold level. So he said...pick a suite! So he hands us a book with layouts and my husband flips to back page where they list the governatore and presidente suite and tells him one of these would be nice! I was embarrased...give an inch take a yard...I mean come on we were 4 people and he needed over 3000 square feet?? So the man smiled and said Mr.******* exactly how much room do you require? I'm thinking kids suite and here my husband is asking for the whole ball of wax! We ended up leaving the decision to the manager knowing whatever he picked would be wonderful. We came back the next morning to check in and I almost lost it when they showed us to our room(s). We were on the 5th floor had 3 entrances to our suite one with double doors...(yes this type of room was a first for us) It ended up being one of 6 Villa Suites. We had a large bedroom with 2 queen beds a kitchen a dining room a living room an office and 2 bathrooms. I couldnt wait for the bellhop to leave so I could lose my composure! lol The service was wonderful. They catered to our every need even when we didnt have any needs... The best part? 2 Bathrooms! LOL No waiting. WE had a view of the bay from all three rooms. Talk about being spoiled it was certainly a treat that we fully appreciated and enjoyed. My kids decided after a week at the parks they would be quite happy to never leave the room for the next 3 days! They had playstation after all...lol and why couldnt we just get room service the whole time...yeah right!
Okay onto the MIB drama...after who knows how many times in a week of doing this ride we board yet again. This time as we come back to the podium to unload the ride attendant is patiently (maybe not so) trying to resolve issues a guest has over what I am unsure still.During his distraction our car pulls in and the lap bar lifts, I unbuckle and procede to get out. Now there are 2 rows of 3 seats to our car my 2 kids and husband are in front I am the outside seat in back. I have all but one leg off ride and wham the ride starts moving toward the wall that I know will not move if I hit it! I kid you not that I barely made it out before slamming into that wall. There I am standing on the platform absolutely dumbfounded. Sick with fear that my husband may have been taking my 4 year old off at that moment as well. That my camera was still on the ride wasnt even a thought at that moment. So I in addition to now irrate lady approach the ride attendant to tell him ummmm you just sent through a car without unloading its passengers first. He stops ride...I wait to make sure my family okay before speaking with him again. They are all fine thankfully,and my minds images werent reality! My husband says we should go to guest services and I say no...I will speak to him directly I am not looking for anything my family is safe. The irrate woman gone now...I look and the attendant is now also gone! So I talk to the person replacing him and he tells me OH I have done that before also! Well great that makes ME feel better....NOT! He hands me some tickets to come back and ride again whenever we want and go to front of line...Ummm I dont think so. I tell him that my camera was left on ride I dont want the tickets just my camera. He says OH thats already on its way to lost and found! OK so to lost and found we head and decide at this point to call it a day and head back to hotel. Now my husband again...we need to go to guest services, I say why?? I am not looking for compensation I just want my camera back everyone is okay lets drop it! If my camera isnt there then I will go. We get to lost and found and a security guy is there and asks if I am the women from MIB that lost her camera I say yes and a camera is produced...isnt mine! nIcer than mine but not mine! He says didnt you just have a problem and I then realize this was the other woman. I do get my camera back eventually after the woman so nicely informs me that I should have checked for belongings before exiting the ride! OK time to retell why I didnt have time to do that! She says...OH. I thank her for camera and we leave for the day. I know accidents can happen but I freak everytime I think about what would have been had I not gotten off in time or worse yet if it were one of my children. So there ya have my MIB tale. Sorry that was soooooo long. Yes I did ride again,this time making sure it was okay to exit! Detailed trip reports will follow....I know I am a bit wordy...sorry

Spaceman Spiff...thanks and I am I am

 

[lovelyk68]

Jessica R--

What a scary story! I am soooo glad that you and your family are ok and that you did get your camera back. Thanks for the heads-up about this ride. I will make sure we exit quickly during our November trip.

 

[JessicaR]

Hi Princess Tori

Personally we dont eat at Universal, we go back to CW or eat at IOA or hotel. I just havent found the food there to be all that good. At IOA we enjoy Croissant Moon bakery, Confiscos (sit down) Mythos (sit down but not to be missed) The Arctic Express for a funnel cake and fruit and ice cream lunch The Burger Digs (hit or miss for us) ThunderFalls Terrace (always consistant) Use your AAA card if you have one at any eating place in parks and get 10% off. Fire Eaters Grill has some yummy gyros.If you have kids we have found the kids meals are very reasonably priced. Sometimes we even had them ourselves. Food is in abundance when eating at CW we always over ordered especially the size of desserts! I kid you not at NBA City I was able to cut one slice of their chocolate cake into 4! Have fun

 

[JessicaR]

OOPS! I am sorry if I gave the impression that you need to be careful exiting this ride. It was a mishap the ride attendant made...every other time exiting was never a problem! Just make sure the person is paying attention and he tells you its okay to exit.

 

[Molokai Gram]

Aloha,
Just a quick note before I head off for work.
I think that you maybe should have gone to guest services, not so much for compensation, but rather to help ensure that it does not happen again. You may be able to save some child getting hurt. It seems that everyone you spoke with was pretty unconcerned afterwards. That is very scarey. They will probably not be more careful in the future if they think it was no big thing, just something that could happen to anyone.
Once you get unpacked and settled, maybe you should consider sending a letter to inform management about the incident and the attitude you encountered following. You could request that they have a talk with staff and maybe some retraining to help prevent what could be a tragedy.
Just a thought. Glad you weren't hurt.
Donna

 

[Robinrs]

I agree with Donna... but don't I ALWAYS???

I would make sure someone in charge is aware of this. You were a grown woman with quick reflexes. I HATE to think what would've happened to an older person or a small child. NOT a good thought.

Wow! I'm with your hubby! Go for the GOLD! I had a three room suite at the Dolphin (LOVE having more than one bathroom!) and it's hard to go back to just a room! I found out later that they had a two floor Presidential Suite and I had a fit! I guess I'm spoiled now.

Sounds like a dream come true for you guys. Thanks for all your valuable information, as usual!

 

[JessicaR]

Okay ladies...Yes you are so right. I was so worried about my complaining looking like I wanted something that I missed the importance of going to guest services to inform them of what had happened. A letter will be written...thanks

Robin...a 3 room suite at Dolphin! NICE NICE NICE You have some pics? I hate the thought too of having to stay in a regular room now...okay call me spoiled cause I am

 

[MIB999999]

do you happen to remember any names at mib run away car adventure. Glad you all got off without injury, would hate to see the aliens improve on thier score

 

[nhrenee]

YIKES! On both the suite and the MIB incident . I'm so glad you weren't hurt.