TWO IF BY LAND ONE IF BY SEA- CRUISE AND UNIVERSAL JULY 15-20
Just finished a six day trip on Royal Caribbean Cruise lines and Universal. Trip dates were from July 15 thru July 20. We spent July 18 thru 20 at Universal. Two excellent excursions from the real world. This was our first cruise and it was fantastic. Pairing that with a short three day junket to our favorite vacation destination ( Portofino and Universal Orlando) made for a great vacation. Here are the highlights from Universal.
TRAVEL - JetBlue from JFK to Orlando is the only way to go. Both Flights were late, however the airline kept you informed as to what was going on. Since we needed transfers from Orlando International to Port Canaveral, Port Canaveral to Universal, and Universal to Orlando International for five was priced at about $ 300.00. Figuring another $ 60.00 for tips, I opted for a Budget Rental at $ 220.00 for a Full Size. Even with Parking it was $ 100.00 less. Since I had two teenagers to do the driving, it was like having a limo with no tipping necessary. We took a late flight back to NY and had another full day in the park on the final travel day.
PORTOFINO - This hotel is like a fine wine that gets better with age. We arrived at the Hotel at 12:00 PM. Check-in was smooth and our room was ready. We were staying two nghts with an AP rate of $ 229 per night. We did not get the Loews first Benefits as we were using the AP Discount. They never asked for my AP which I didnt have yet since I had to pick them up at the Kiosk at the park. We had reserved a Bay view room. We got a pool view room in the West Wing with a balcony. We are smokers. I am assuming that is why we got the balcony. Freaking Elevators were always there, never had to wait. Room Service was excellent. Room was very clean. View of the Universal Fireworks was excellent. The best part of the Hotel is the Villa Pool. Both nights I spent at least an hour by myself in the Hot Tub. No one used it. Of course I got out of there before the 10:00 PM fireworks and the masses coming from the closed beach pool. Never really had to wait for the boats. Seemed to be lucky always just arriving when we went to the docks. I think the Bathroom at the Portofino was larger than our Stateroom on the Cruise Ship.
PARKS - Parks seemed to be crowded the three days we were there. A lot of tour groups. One time when going on Spiderman Express got behind a big group of at least 100. This was our longest wait on Spiderman as line was backed up to Daily Bugle Lobby. A lot more Europeans ( German, French, and Brits) than I remember before. I guess the dollar is very low this year. Room Key Access was great. No need for planning, Just go. As a matter of fact prior to the trip I only looked at two posts MIB999999 and FOTL Access. All the information you need. Parks were very clean and minor work was being done. It was very Hot with only maybe one day with ½ hour of rain. Biggest wait for us was getting in, as the entrance lines seemed long with the exception of the Hard Rock gate which is not known by many. This entrance exit makes the trip between IOA and the Studios so much quicker.
With the Kids much older now (19,18,13) they were not as enthusiastic about going on rides as they were six years ago when IOA opened. For the first time My Wife and I went to the parks ourselves as the kids opted to sleep in. We did not do Dudley Do Right or Popeyes and Blutos for the first time ever. In fact for two days we never made it out of Marvel Super Hero Island. (Several Rides on Spiderman though) I think that this may have been our last family trip to the parks for awhile. As above referenced I was able to achieve my goal of hitting 999,999 on MIB quite a few times. Thank you MIB999999. Universal seemed to be our more favorite park. We must have ridden MIB at least 30 times, rode the mummy several times, along with Jimmy Neutron and Shrek. With the second theater I never saw Shrek get over 60 minute wait. Never really ate in the parks but they were selling large bottles of water; 2 for $ 4.00. My oldest was very thrilled when he found out that TNA Wrestling ( Retirement Home for WWE) was being filmed and went to a four hour taping one night. Fireworks were great as viewed from the Portofino. We never stayed in the parks past 8:00 PM so getting a boat back to the Hotel was never a problem.
EATS - We ate at Buffets one night and the Hard Rock Café the two other nights. I must put the Hard Rock up on the Nacho rating as they beat out Buffets hands down. Hard Rock Nachos with Steak added was excellent. Buffets seemed to be more chips and less gooey stuff. Service was Excellent at the Hard Rock. Both Restaurants gave the AP Discount Buffets was 15% and Hard Rock was 10%. Knocked off about $10.00 off the bill. Food was good at both places but again I would give the edge to the Hard Rock. French Dip Was excellent. Did not eat at the Portofino, Pasta Buffet is now only on Friday and Saturday Nights, and after paying $ 3.24 for a large coffee, I did not want to experience any other pricey item ($ 12.00 for Tuna Sandwrich, Sorry Charlie).
AP DISCOUNT Even with only staying two nights the AP pass was worth it. I was able to get the discount on the room, all purchases, MIB pictures and restaurants. The other passes purchased were the two day/ five day for $ 99.00. Maybe a short trip for me and my wife in the Fall.
SUMMARY - Great trip, I would recommend the Land and Sea Route as you go from being pampered at Sea to being treated like a VIP at the Portofino and the Parks. A good way to end it as most likely the next family Vacation to the parks maybe as Grandparents.
Just finished a six day trip on Royal Caribbean Cruise lines and Universal. Trip dates were from July 15 thru July 20. We spent July 18 thru 20 at Universal. Two excellent excursions from the real world. This was our first cruise and it was fantastic. Pairing that with a short three day junket to our favorite vacation destination ( Portofino and Universal Orlando) made for a great vacation. Here are the highlights from Universal.
TRAVEL - JetBlue from JFK to Orlando is the only way to go. Both Flights were late, however the airline kept you informed as to what was going on. Since we needed transfers from Orlando International to Port Canaveral, Port Canaveral to Universal, and Universal to Orlando International for five was priced at about $ 300.00. Figuring another $ 60.00 for tips, I opted for a Budget Rental at $ 220.00 for a Full Size. Even with Parking it was $ 100.00 less. Since I had two teenagers to do the driving, it was like having a limo with no tipping necessary. We took a late flight back to NY and had another full day in the park on the final travel day.
PORTOFINO - This hotel is like a fine wine that gets better with age. We arrived at the Hotel at 12:00 PM. Check-in was smooth and our room was ready. We were staying two nghts with an AP rate of $ 229 per night. We did not get the Loews first Benefits as we were using the AP Discount. They never asked for my AP which I didnt have yet since I had to pick them up at the Kiosk at the park. We had reserved a Bay view room. We got a pool view room in the West Wing with a balcony. We are smokers. I am assuming that is why we got the balcony. Freaking Elevators were always there, never had to wait. Room Service was excellent. Room was very clean. View of the Universal Fireworks was excellent. The best part of the Hotel is the Villa Pool. Both nights I spent at least an hour by myself in the Hot Tub. No one used it. Of course I got out of there before the 10:00 PM fireworks and the masses coming from the closed beach pool. Never really had to wait for the boats. Seemed to be lucky always just arriving when we went to the docks. I think the Bathroom at the Portofino was larger than our Stateroom on the Cruise Ship.
PARKS - Parks seemed to be crowded the three days we were there. A lot of tour groups. One time when going on Spiderman Express got behind a big group of at least 100. This was our longest wait on Spiderman as line was backed up to Daily Bugle Lobby. A lot more Europeans ( German, French, and Brits) than I remember before. I guess the dollar is very low this year. Room Key Access was great. No need for planning, Just go. As a matter of fact prior to the trip I only looked at two posts MIB999999 and FOTL Access. All the information you need. Parks were very clean and minor work was being done. It was very Hot with only maybe one day with ½ hour of rain. Biggest wait for us was getting in, as the entrance lines seemed long with the exception of the Hard Rock gate which is not known by many. This entrance exit makes the trip between IOA and the Studios so much quicker.
With the Kids much older now (19,18,13) they were not as enthusiastic about going on rides as they were six years ago when IOA opened. For the first time My Wife and I went to the parks ourselves as the kids opted to sleep in. We did not do Dudley Do Right or Popeyes and Blutos for the first time ever. In fact for two days we never made it out of Marvel Super Hero Island. (Several Rides on Spiderman though) I think that this may have been our last family trip to the parks for awhile. As above referenced I was able to achieve my goal of hitting 999,999 on MIB quite a few times. Thank you MIB999999. Universal seemed to be our more favorite park. We must have ridden MIB at least 30 times, rode the mummy several times, along with Jimmy Neutron and Shrek. With the second theater I never saw Shrek get over 60 minute wait. Never really ate in the parks but they were selling large bottles of water; 2 for $ 4.00. My oldest was very thrilled when he found out that TNA Wrestling ( Retirement Home for WWE) was being filmed and went to a four hour taping one night. Fireworks were great as viewed from the Portofino. We never stayed in the parks past 8:00 PM so getting a boat back to the Hotel was never a problem.
EATS - We ate at Buffets one night and the Hard Rock Café the two other nights. I must put the Hard Rock up on the Nacho rating as they beat out Buffets hands down. Hard Rock Nachos with Steak added was excellent. Buffets seemed to be more chips and less gooey stuff. Service was Excellent at the Hard Rock. Both Restaurants gave the AP Discount Buffets was 15% and Hard Rock was 10%. Knocked off about $10.00 off the bill. Food was good at both places but again I would give the edge to the Hard Rock. French Dip Was excellent. Did not eat at the Portofino, Pasta Buffet is now only on Friday and Saturday Nights, and after paying $ 3.24 for a large coffee, I did not want to experience any other pricey item ($ 12.00 for Tuna Sandwrich, Sorry Charlie).
AP DISCOUNT Even with only staying two nights the AP pass was worth it. I was able to get the discount on the room, all purchases, MIB pictures and restaurants. The other passes purchased were the two day/ five day for $ 99.00. Maybe a short trip for me and my wife in the Fall.
SUMMARY - Great trip, I would recommend the Land and Sea Route as you go from being pampered at Sea to being treated like a VIP at the Portofino and the Parks. A good way to end it as most likely the next family Vacation to the parks maybe as Grandparents.
It has to be my favorite hotel!
How true!! 
