Live from PBH

[goofy!]

Got here late afternoon.

We were upgraded to the Villa Suite (love that Platinum!! and Thanks Brian!)

Haven't been to the parks yet, but if City Walk was any indication tonight, this place is PACKED!!

Went over to City Walk about 8 pm (an hour after the parks closed) for dinner. Boat from the PBH was full, with another boat load of people behind us that had to wait for another boat.

Margaritaville had a 1.5 hour wait. Teaches me not to make advance reservations. And they wouldn't do the FOTL because we were a party of more than 7. Wait ended up about an hour and 15 minutes. But the calamari, cheeseburger in paradise and the strawberry swirl margarita were well worth the wait.

Any questions - please feel free to ask.

 

[damo]

Goofy, can you take some pictures to show us of the suite? We've gotten upgraded to a suite as well for February for 7 nights and I really want to show some real pictures to the kids. We haven't ever stayed at the PBH and are really looking forward to it.

Hope you are having a blast!

 

[goofy!]

Sure! I already took a bunch,so I will get them posted when we get back next week.

You are going to love it. It is absolutely luxurious.

 

[macraven]

goofy !



come back and let us know how today was for you.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Last week we walked into Bubba Gump's just after closing and was seated right away. I had the infamous "Bucket of Boat Trash" and it was excellent.

Brian is great. I hope he replaces Dale McDaniel, G.M. at RPR. Dale is headed to Las Vegas. Where is your villa suite?

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Sounds like you are having a great time Goofy! Portofino is always grand!!!

 

[goofy!]

goofy !



come back and let us know how today was for you.

Macraven

The parks seem pretty busy people wise, (crowds milling around on the pathways) but the ride waits are still minimal.

Jaws had a 30 minute and Dr. Doom had a 20 minute wait yesterday, but the coasters, spiderman, MIB had about 10 minute waits.

 

[goofy!]

Last week we walked into Bubba Gump's just after closing and was seated right away. I had the infamous "Bucket of Boat Trash" and it was excellent.

Brian is great. I hope he replaces Dale McDaniel, G.M. at RPR. Dale is headed to Las Vegas. Where is your villa suite?

We are in the villa wing overlooking the Trattoria patio. THe kids are having fun watching them put the monstrous Christmas tree up!

Couple of differences I noticed from the Villa wing suite from the West Wing one we were in last year is that the 2 queen bedroom does not have the separate shower and the fridge is a lot smaller. The suite is absolutely gorgeous! Love the refurb!

Brian is wonderful! Thanks Motherfletcher (and RyGuy) for putting us in touch with him.

 

[goofy!]

Sounds like you are having a great time Goofy! Portofino is always grand!!!

Yup - we will be here for the rest of the week. It is a bit on the chilly side, but we are having a wonderful time. We are laughing that it is warmer in Colorado right now than it is in Florida. (Colorado is having record highs) But we knew the cold front was coming through, so we are dressed warmly. Although, 50's is can't actually be considered cold where we come from

It is fun watching people in the parks. You can basically tell what part of the country they come from by their clothing. Those of us who are used to colder winters think 50's is nice and are running around in light sweatshirts. Then there are those that live in the warmer climates, where 50 must be extremely cold and we see them in gloves, hats and heavy coats.

Off to Epcot today to meet up with the rest of the family reunion.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Have a great day today goofy! I'm enjoying your daily updates and wishing it was me!

 

[robvia]

Glad you are having fun. 8pm seems to be rush hour at City Walk. On our visit a few months ago, we also went at 8pm and waited 30 minutes for Margaritaville with our room key. We walked around City Walk and took pictures. It wasn't that bad, but people have to realize that even with a room key, you'll wait at 8pm.

So the tip would be to go at 6pm or 9:30pm if you don't want to wait.

 

[Motherfletcher]

So what does the rest of the family (reunion folks) think of Portofino and your room? Wasn't there an aunt that thought ya'll should be staying at Disney?

 

[macraven]

yea, what robiva says.........


what about that aunt?

is she green yet.........

 

[AlexandNessa]

Hi goofy! Glad you're having a great trip and enjoying your suite. Thanks for the report on the timeshare folks too. Glad to hear they didn't bother you!

We have always had luck at HRC during busy times. It's not everyone's favorite, but they tend to move the line quickly, and with our All Access Card, we tend to get to cut the line anyway.

Tell us, where are you eating Turkey Day dinner?

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I'm glad you are having such a good time but still extremely jealous that I'm not there. What is wrong with my kids that they would turn down a trip to US and IOA

You are right about the Colorado weather. It is absolutely beautiful although it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving given it is so warm out.

Enjoy your trip and ride Spiderman at least once for me.

 

[riu girl]

How do you make a reservation at Margaritaville when staying off-site?

Thank you

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Sounds like you are having a great time Goofy! Portofino is always grand!!!

Are you back? You know we have all been living through you, so tell us all about your trip.

 

[goofy!]

Are you back? You know we have all been living through you, so tell us all about your trip.

I'm still here. Crowds were minimal until today. It is pretty crowded. But it still doesn't seem as crowded as during the summer or Christmas.

Spidey was a walk-on all week. This morning, the express line was backed up into the last "room" before you exit to claim your glasses. Regular line @ 10:30 was 60 minutes.

Hulk's express was stretched outside. DD was still pretty minimal @ 11:30. Everybody was still massed in the front of the parks.

Must be a cheerleading competition in town as there are large groups of kids wearing cheerleading t-shirts.

Last weekend, there must have been a beauty pagent, as we saw all sorts of little girls (and teens too, but not as many) with their sashes on.

Will report later when we go back for the afternoon to the Universal side.

 

[macraven]

goofy, i have heard from other uo fans that the holiday weekend on a saturday is crowded.

way you described it, it is really crowded.

and fotl crowded also.....wowser.....

do let us know how the studios side was today.


and, remember to sunscreen.
take care and have fun for all of us left behind.........

 

[goofy!]

Mid afternoon, the studio side was really crowded. For instance, we entered Mummy at 4:10 in the express line. They were loading both tracks (earlier this week they were only using the one track). We didn't board the car until 4:35 - a 25 minute express wait. I think that was the longest wait we have ever had. Yesterday (Friday), it was still a walk-on.

MIB was loading through the side, but the line stretched outside - backed up through the weapons room and the long room with the multi-armed thing at the console.

Aroiund 6:30 it started dying down again. So, as usual, mid afternoon was the worst. Morning and evening were just fine.