Laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll). Short trip to Universal for Mardi Gras 2021......Feet don’t fail me now.

[Robo56]

Tuesday February the 9th continued

After sampling the food I decided to go over to look at the Tribute Store.

This float was right across from the Tribute Store








The female stilt walker in front of this float had people dancing for the beads she was giving them. Everyone seemed to be having fun.

Don’t believe I have touched on this, but I was so glad I was here during the week. I could see things significantly busier on the weekends.






How fitting that they had a picture of Louis Armstrong as you entered the store. He was one of the greatest trumpet players of all time. He set the bar extremely high and was the hero of every young boy and girl that picked up a horn. He had a true gift. He was one of the most influential figures in jazz. May He Rest In Peace.


There was a nice collection of masks and musical equipment on display.

 

[Robo56]

This area of the Tribute Store was dark and was like a flower draped cemetery.

 

[Robo56]

Then it moved to a swampy Bayou scene.











There were some nice products for sale.

 

[Robo56]

There was food to purchase in there. Very tempting looking desserts.










They had pulsating skulls also. They look like thin jello gummies. They had something similar at the HHN Tribute Store in the fall last year.


to be continued

 

[J'aime Paris]

It's really amazing how Universal transforms this store for different seasons.
I saw the Tribute Store for 'HHN light'. It was incredible!!

 

[macraven]

That Tribute store is so fascinating!

 

[schumigirl]

Yes, they have done an amazing job on the Tribute Store, love the dark Bayou and graveyard scenes they`ve added to the theme. Looks very atmospheric.

Loving the pictures and reading about your time there.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I really want to try some Tribute Store desserts! It seems like an event in itself to walk through, check out the decorations and merch, and find a little snack!

 

[Robo56]

It's really amazing how Universal transforms this store for different seasons.
I saw the Tribute Store for 'HHN light'. It was incredible!!

They have done a wonderful job with the Tribute Store.

That Tribute store is so fascinating!

It was really nice. This was bigger then the HHN Store

Yes, they have done an amazing job on the Tribute Store, love the dark Bayou and graveyard scenes they`ve added to the theme. Looks very atmospheric.

Loving the pictures and reading about your time there.

Thank you. I ‘am so glad you are enjoying the photos and the report.

I really want to try some Tribute Store desserts! It seems like an event in itself to walk through, check out the decorations and merch, and find a little snack!

I wish I had sampled some of the desserts. There are some hot items too. They are located under the Bayou Bites sign. They had so many food options to choose from it was hard to figure out what to try in just 3 days.

I could definitely see Universal doing a Food and Wine Celebration event. It would be marvelous to see what the Chefs’s would come up with for food. They have done a fantastic job with food choices and flavors for Mardi Gras.

 

[keishashadow]

Looks like they knocked it out of the park on the Tribute store! Interesting to see many ‘repurposed‘ sets & props from past events!

Germany.........Pork Schnitzel Slider

Family is there now, they appreciate your recommendations.

Said the slider was amazing, pretzel too. DS ordered the Bloody Mary, sent a pic, no review yet. He rarely drinks alcohol, they did say they couldn’t make it ‘virgin’. Rather surprised at that.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Wow...the tribute store!!!! Is this the first year of them doing one like this year round?

Loving the pictures!!!!!

Unfortunately no bacon flavored vodka...but that would be sweet. But the one place we frequent has a great bacon ceasar. They garnish it with a great piece of bacon, and they rim the glass with a bacon dust and salt mixture and also use the dust as well in the actual liquid part of the drink. It is devine!!!! So tasty. I'm not a huge bacon lover, but that drink it a favorite of mine.

 

[Robo56]

Family is there now, they appreciate your recommendations.

Said the slider was amazing, pretzel too. DS ordered the Bloody Mary, sent a pic, no review yet. He rarely drinks alcohol, they did say they couldn’t make it ‘virgin’. Rather surprised at that.

So happy to hear they are having a great time.

The Bloody Mary’s were in a large premixed machine.

The slider looked delicious.

Loving the pictures!!!!!

Thank you.

Unfortunately no bacon flavored vodka...but that would be sweet. But the one place we frequent has a great bacon ceasar. They garnish it with a great piece of bacon, and they rim the glass with a bacon dust and salt mixture and also use the dust as well in the actual liquid part of the drink. It is devine!!!! So tasty. I'm not a huge bacon lover, but that drink it a favorite of mine.

Sounds both interesting and delicious.

Wow...the tribute store!!!! Is this the first year of them doing one like this year round?

They have had the Tribute Store as part of HHN, I don’t recall it last year for Mardi Gras.

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, February 9th continued

It was getting late so decided to take the Hogwarts Express over to Hogsmeade.

I never get tired of this awesome train ride.

After disembarking the Hogwarts Express It was time to leave, but I stopped to have a look in the Port of Entry Christmas Shop.





My younger sister is a Grinch fan so I had bought some Grinch things she had wanted on my September trip. I had a look to see if there was anything new.

I love the Potter Trees

 

[Robo56]

The Quidditch Tree was my favorite



It was time to leave the park. So headed to the water taxi for the trip back to RPR.

I was happy to be back in my room. I had a nice shower and a little nap.

When I woke up it was time for dinner so I went down to Jakes to look at the menu.

I ordered the Royal Pacific Sunset



I have had this tasty cocktail before and it is delicious.

I ordered the tomato soup and the Mongolian Beef Bao Bun.



The tomato soup had two small wedges of grilled cheese. The soup was rich and delicious. The bao buns were delicious and the best I have ever had.

I couldn’t finish the soup as it was a big portion, but I was glad I tried it.

After my meal I was ready for a quick look at the TV
and it was time for bed. I looked out my window and there were a few folks enjoying the pool.

I closed the curtains turned out the lights and I was ready for a good sleep.


to be continued

 

[EveDallas]

Robbie
That cornmeal cake is calling my name!

Same! I'm making notes of all the yummy things I want to get on my trip. 17 more days!!!

 

[Robo56]

Same! I'm making notes of all the yummy things I want to get on my trip. 17 more days!!!

Awesome your trip will be here soon.

 

[Robo56]

Wednesday, February 10th

Woke up early as I wanted to make the most of my last day.

Showered and dressed and out the door I went.

I stopped by the Islands for breakfast. This is one of my favorite places for breakfast along with the Amatista Cookhouse which is at Sapphire Falls.

I like to sit by the window and watch folks heading out for the day to the parks while enjoying my breakfast.

The Islands Dining room was only open for breakfast during my stay.

They are open from 7 am until 11 am throughout the week for breakfast. Thursday through Sunday they are open for dinner also.

I was seated at a table by the window. It was not busy. There were a few family’s enjoying breakfast.



The dining room is very spacious. No problem social distancing here.



I ordered coffee and mango juice decided to try the Big Kahuna Breakfast.



There are 2 pineapple pancakes. In the skillet there were breakfast potatoes, biscuit and gravy, bacon, sunny side up egg. There was a skewer of ham and a small cup with yogurt, granola and fruit. I sampled it all and it was good.

The pancakes were very good and you could taste the pineapple and coconut.

Although the skillet had a lot of different things in it, they were separated enough as not to mix flavors.

This breakfast could feed two or a man with a hardy appetite. I was glad I ordered it. It was very tasty.

My waiter was fantastic. I have always had very good service here and the food is always good.

If you have any special dietary needs just let them know. I have always found the Resort restaurants and park restaurants very receptive.

Breakfast done now it was time to head to the water taxi.

The water taxi was sitting there when I arrived. I went through security and on the boat I went. A big group of people showed up and the boat was loaded and it was time leave.

It’s so nice to have the plexiglass between the seats.
It is really a great way to add another layer of protection.

We were at CityWalk in no time and I headed to Universal Studios. I had some plans for Diagon Alley this morning.

Mardi Gras did not start until 11 am so I had plenty of time for other things.

I always like wondering around Diagon Alley.

 

[Robo56]

To be continued

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Love the photos of the detail in Diagonal Alley — it really is immersive and something special

That breakfast looks delicious! What a lovely way to start your day!

Maria

 

[Robo56]

Love the photos of the detail in Diagonal Alley — it really is immersive and something special

That breakfast looks delicious! What a lovely way to start your day!

Maria

Thank you Maria.