Mega-Con? Mega People! Mom and Daughter travel again! 1/30-2/5, PTR info 4/26*

[vamassey1]

The ride is really a thrill and I enjoyed it! I’m always a little nervous before riding. Kudos to Universal for making this awesome ride!

I really enjoyed my ride and I was caught off guard by going backwards and the drop. I rode in the side car too and was perfectly fine with that.

She lucked out and did get one ride on it and by the time she got back to me, the ride was down again!

Yeah she made it on!

Fried Green Tomato Po'Boy
12.49
Flash fried green tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles and Cajun remoulade served with Cajun kettle chips.

This does sound good. I have to admit that even though I'm a Southerner I have never had Fried Green Tomatoes.

Arepa de Choclo
Traditional sweet corn cake filled with cheese and griddled with honey butter

This sounds good too.

We also checked out the AP lounge area and received our magnets and PH lanyards. It is always nice to get a free gift.

Free is always good.

Cookie Butter Liege Waffle
7.99
Warm crystalized waffle topped with cookie butter, whipped topping, Biscoff® cookies

I think I would really love this.

I wish Disney would bring back the 1 hour early opening again. I don't know what Disney is going to do next year after Universal opens it's new park and resorts.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Starting your morning with Hagrid’s was the way to go. I’m glad Andi got a ride on Velosicoaster!

So many of your snacks look delicious. I’d love to try the Po Boy!

 

[suse66]

I slept well and was up bright and early. Our plan was to go into IOA for early morning entry. If you stay at a Universal resort or have the AP I have, you can enter at 8am. One hour before regular park time.

One hour early entry is a great perk!

The ride is really a thrill and I enjoyed it! I’m always a little nervous before riding. Kudos to Universal for making this awesome ride! It has many cool elements including, a drop, going backwards, going fast, and really amazing animatronics! I always ride in the side car! A little less intense!

Sounds like so much fun!

We headed over and it was up and running, however in a matter of minutes it was down again. We decided to walk around Seuss landing and Andi kept checking her phone and the ride was back up again.

Glad Andi got a ride in!

We took the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios. I love the train and Hermoine’s voice was way better. Yay! True Potter fans know what I mean. The actress, who played Hermoine, didn’t provide the voice over on the train and it was really bad! It didn’t sound anything like Hermoine. I am glad they fixed it. More realistic now.

I need to see all the HP stuff one day.

Traditional sweet corn cake filled with cheese and griddled with honey butter

Yum!

Fried Green Tomato Po'Boy
12.49
Flash fried green tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles and Cajun remoulade served with Cajun kettle chips.

And yummer! This would be right up my alley!

Boo indeed. There should be a magic reset button you could press at that time that zips you back to the first day of the trip.

Right???

 

[pkondz]

Right???

Let's start a movement to make this happen!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Fried spiralized potato topped with choice of seasoning: seasoned salt (vegan) ghost pepper (spicy, vegan) garlic parmesan (vegetarian) sour cream and chives (vegetarian)

This looks good, except without ghost pepper.

We took the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios. I love the train and Hermoine’s voice was way better. Yay! True Potter fans know what I mean. The actress, who played Hermoine, didn’t provide the voice over on the train and it was really bad! It didn’t sound anything like Hermoine. I am glad they fixed it. More realistic now.

Hogwarts Express sounds like fun. It needed the real Hermione's voice.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

That discount card and the refillable cup sound like great purchases. It would be LOVELY if Disney did this for the festivals. I always think the hotels at Universal look so great. But I never go to Universal. Maybe someday.

 

[disneyAndi14]

All the food you picked looks so good! I think it’s great that Universal gives a full hour of early entry for resort guests.

It really was delicious and there was plenty vegetarian and chicken dishes to try!

Hagrid’s is one of the best coasters I’ve been on. It really does have a lot going on!

I agree even if I’m still a little nervous riding it!

Boo indeed. There should be a magic reset button you could press at that time that zips you back to the first day of the trip.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful! I would be hitting reset so many times, I would never make it back home

Sure wish Disney would bring back the whole hour...

I agree the 30 minutes is at times pointless especially when it is every park everyday. Crowds were more manageable when it was an hour at a different park each day! Boo Disney!

Nice shot.... but fake! Previous trip shot!

Haha I didn’t take any other pictures at IOA . I only took pictures at Universal Studios. I knew some of you with keen eyes would see the bright blue skies and wonder why I was talking about rain ️

She's lucky she managed to ride!

She did, it was down so much during our trip. These new technical rides probably break down so much with all the intricate parts. I wouldn’t want to be on that massive roller coaster with a screw loose

It's been too long. I don't remember what it sounded like.

The voice was really bad and didn’t sound like Hermoine at all!

Ooohh... that sounds delish.

The Po Boy was delicious! I loved it and it was really fresh and made in front of us!

Gonna stop guessing. It looked good, but if I said so, you would've been "It was terrible!"

Haha I’m sorry my pictures don’t make the food look very good but trust me everything was delicious!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I spy a hidden Mickey
You got some really tasty sounding food. I like the sound of the Po Boy and the liege waffle really appeals to my sweet tooth. Glad you found shelter from the rain. Isn’t it handy when you bring an offspring along on a trip so they can go scavenge for food while you stay dry

I didn’t even think of that, good eye, a cheese puff shaped like Mickey, a win win!
Everything was delicious and yes send the young ones out in the rain to bring back delicious food

 

[disneyAndi14]

I really enjoyed my ride and I was caught off guard by going backwards and the drop. I rode in the side car too and was perfectly fine with that.

Same I was surprised but glad going backwards wasn’t as much G force as Expedition Everest. This trip I enjoyed the ride more than any other time! I’m getting use to it

Yeah she made it on!

I’m glad she got one ride on it! That coaster looks terrifying to me!

This does sound good. I have to admit that even though I'm a Southerner I have never had Fried Green Tomatoes.

I’m surprised you haven’t had fried green tomatoes. I have had before, this sandwich was really tasty!

Free is always good.

It is nice to get a few free items as an AP. I’m excited for the Disney AP days. I will be there for a few and will check out the lounge in Morocco and get my magnet.

I think I would really love this.

I wish Disney would bring back the 1 hour early opening again. I don't know what Disney is going to do next year after Universal opens it's new park and resorts.

I had never tried cookie butter, oh my gosh what is this deliciousness, so yummy. We both loved it!
I really miss the extra hour in the morning at Disney. We loved it and could get so many things done and be ready to head to another park by 10:30-11:00am.
I’m excited to visit the new Universal park. It looks amazing! Yes, Disney needs to change a few things!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Starting your morning with Hagrid’s was the way to go. I’m glad Andi got a ride on Velosicoaster!

So many of your snacks look delicious. I’d love to try the Po Boy!

I was happy we got on Hagrid’s ride with a minimal wait and seeing Hogsmeade without a ton of people is such a plus!
Andi was happy to ride and we timed it just right before it went down again!
Universal had so many vegetarian and chicken dishes compared to FArts at Disney!

 

[disneyAndi14]

One hour early entry is a great perk!

It really is. I wish Disney would bring this back

I need to see all the HP stuff one day.

You really do. It is amazing and very immersive!

Let's start a movement to make this happen!

Yes I’m in!!!

This looks good, except without ghost pepper.

The seasoned salt one was delicious. I’m with you on no ghost pepper seasoning ugh

Hogwarts Express sounds like fun. It needed the real Hermione's voice.

It is a wonderful ride and thank goodness Hermoine’s voice is changed!

That discount card and the refillable cup sound like great purchases. It would be LOVELY if Disney did this for the festivals. I always think the hotels at Universal look so great. But I never go to Universal. Maybe someday.

I wish Disney would give a discount and why can’t we use our cups again and just pay a refillable price?
The hotels are amazing at Universal with awesome service. You will have to go one day!

 

[pkondz]

Wouldn’t that be wonderful! I would be hitting reset so many times, I would never make it back home

That’s the intent, isn’t it??

knew some of you with keen eyes would see the bright blue skies and wonder why I was talking about rain

I probably would’ve missed it.

I wouldn’t want to be on that massive roller coaster with a screw loose

I dunno. I ride coasters all the time and I have a screw loose

 

[vamassey1]

It is nice to get a few free items as an AP. I’m excited for the Disney AP days. I will be there for a few and will check out the lounge in Morocco and get my magnet.

I'm jealous! I'm going to miss it.

Enjoy!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I dunno. I ride coasters all the time and I have a screw loose

I see where you are going with this! I didn’t even think about that! We all have a few loose ones, don’t we?

I'm jealous! I'm going to miss it.

You will just miss it! Usually I miss out on the AP appreciation days! I’m excited to actually be able to check it out! Did you see the magnet is Stitch? Yay

 

[pkondz]

I see where you are going with this! I didn’t even think about that! We all have a few loose ones, don’t we?

 

[disneyAndi14]

This is Rum?

Our plans for the evening included a quick visit to IOA one last time. We wanted to hit up a few favorites

Our dinner plans were at Strong Water Tavern in Sapphire Falls Hotel at 7pm

We took the boat transportation over to IOA. The park didn’t seem quite as crazy busy as the last 2 days. Our plan was to ride Spider-Man, King Kong, and The Hulk for Andi.



We spent time looking in a few shops for a sweat shirt. I wanted a new Universal Studios one. I saw a few I liked but nothing I had to have.

We had some time and took another ride on Cat in the Hat and the High In the Sky Trolley before heading out.

We stopped at the large Universal store before you leave the park and I found a sweatshirt I liked. It is very soft. I bought this and we headed out and walked back to the resort.

I learned from my friend Carole here on the Dis, how you can walk to Sapphire from inside Royal Pacific. Check out some of her trip reports on the Universal TR board! The reports are awesome. She is @schumigirl on the Dis. I remember her writing about the ability to walk between Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls. There is a big convention area between the two hotels and you can walk all inside from Royal Pacific to Sapphire.

We decided to give it a try. We had no idea where we were going. We just kept walking through these massive halls and convention rooms, Carole said it reminds her of the halls from the creepy hotel in The Shining! I totally could see that as we tried to find our way.

We did make it over to Sapphire with some time to spare. We looked in the gift shop before checking in for our dining reservation.

Andi and I tried Strong Water in September after the recommendation from Carole! The food, service, and drinks are amazing here! We loved it and knew it was a must each trip now!

It was busy at the restaurant. I was really glad we had reservations.

Our waiter was very nice and had an excellent understanding of the menu! The chef also talked to Andi about her peanut and nut allergy. We were off to a great start.

The place is a vast rum bar with so many different rum drinks. I’m not a rum connoisseur by any means but the staff are wonderful explaining the drinks.

Here is a description from Universal

Step into a nautical retreat that marries old-world elegance and contemporary fare. A wall of rums (including rare and vintage), your own rum specialist, and tapas-style dining options make this an exceptionally cool and stylish watering hole in the heart of an island jewel.

I started with a cocktail called

TAVERN BREW
$16.00
Bacardi Light Rum, Pomegranate Liqueur, IPA Beer, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice.

This really was good and very unexpected, it was light and refreshing.

Andi had

THE REVEREND
$17.00
Plantation Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple Rum, Banana du Brésil, pineapple, lime and lemon juice, habanero bitters.

She really enjoyed this.

We picked out some tapas next.

My choices

CAMARONES AL AJILLO
$14.00
Shrimp, garlic, white wine, cilantro, tomatoes, lime juice.
GLUTEN-FREE



TEQUEÑOS
$12.00
Queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, roasted pepper sauce.



Andi picked out

VEGAN BREADFRUIT TOSTONES
$14.00
Sautéed mushrooms, avocado purée, red pepper sofrito, vegan “chicharron.”
VEGAN



BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS
$12.00
Cajun seasoning, cabbage slaw, steak fries, hot sauce.
SPICY

This food was amazing. I loved the ham in the puff pastry the best. This was delicious. It is really hard to explain but wow Chef’s kiss. The shrimp was also very good and the b garlic butter sauce was perfect for dipping the bread.

Andi loved both her dishes. I tried the tostadas and fries, very good!

You guys, this place is the bomb, try it if you are at
Universal and I suggest making a reservation ahead of time. There is bar seating but this night the bar was also full.

Andi wanted to try some straight up rum. Of course she did when mom was footing the bill.

I have no idea what type of rum it was, because I didn’t write it down. It came with a beer chaser. I tried a few sips it was very smooth and it tasted good for straight up alcohol

We loved our dining experience and already have plans to dine here again in September.

We had a fun walk back to our room in the “Overlook Hotel” “Here’s Johnny”

We had a great last evening! Our plan was to spend a relaxing morning at Universal Studios and to try a new place for lunch.

Stay tuned for our last day and a wrap up of this TR!

Is this really our last ride?

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I love that you went back to IOA for more attractions. I really enjoy both The Cat in the Hat and the High in Sky Trolley Train Ride a lot even though they’re in the “kids” section of Seuss Landing.

Your dinner looks delicious!

I laughed at your Shining references. Unlike you and Andi, I am not a scary/horror film person so I’ve seen that movie exactly once. That was enough!

 

[pkondz]

We had some time and took another ride on Cat in the Hat and the High In the Sky Trolley before heading out.

A far cry from the Hulk!!

We stopped at the large Universal store before you leave the park and I found a sweatshirt I liked. It is very soft. I bought this

So you did find one! Good!

I learned from my friend Carole here on the Dis, how you can walk to Sapphire from inside Royal Pacific.

Inside???? I walked outside… in the heat!

She is @schumigirl on the Dis

Heard of her

There is a big convention area between the two hotels and you can walk all inside from Royal Pacific to Sapphire.

Huh. Had no idea.

Carole said it reminds her of the halls from the creepy hotel in The Shining! I totally could see that as we tried to find our way.

The food, service, and drinks are amazing here! We loved it and knew it was a must each trip now!

Must look into that.

The place is a vast rum bar with so many different rum drinks.

I’ll pass on the rum drinks though.

CAMARONES AL AJILLO
$14.00
Shrimp, garlic, white wine, cilantro, tomatoes, lime juice.

Tha sounds good.

TEQUEÑOS
$12.00
Queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, roasted pepper sauce.

Yum!

VEGAN BREADFRUIT TOSTONES
$14.00
Sautéed mushrooms, avocado purée, red pepper sofrito, vegan “chicharron.”

Not sure about that one. Not a huge avocado fan, although I will eat it.

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS
$12.00
Cajun seasoning, cabbage slaw, steak fries, hot sauce.

You had me at buttermilk fried chicken.

Andi wanted to try some straight up rum. Of course she did when mom was footing the bill.

We had a fun walk back to our room in the “Overlook Hotel” “Here’s Johnny”

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a great meal at Strong Water. I love Carol’s trip reports and I am shocked, shocked I say, that you did not have a Carol’s Punch in her honour ( or that Andi didn’t since your footing the Bill ).
So glad you got a sweatshirt you liked. Always nice to bring something home to remind you of your holidays. We need a picture of you wearing it now so we can all see how lovely it is

 

[schumigirl]

This is Rum?

Our plans for the evening included a quick visit to IOA one last time. We wanted to hit up a few favorites

Our dinner plans were at Strong Water Tavern in Sapphire Falls Hotel at 7pm

We took the boat transportation over to IOA. The park didn’t seem quite as crazy busy as the last 2 days. Our plan was to ride Spider-Man, King Kong, and The Hulk for Andi.
View attachment 852782
View attachment 852774
View attachment 852783
We spent time looking in a few shops for a sweat shirt. I wanted a new Universal Studios one. I saw a few I liked but nothing I had to have.

We had some time and took another ride on Cat in the Hat and the High In the Sky Trolley before heading out.

We stopped at the large Universal store before you leave the park and I found a sweatshirt I liked. It is very soft. I bought this and we headed out and walked back to the resort.

I learned from my friend Carole here on the Dis, how you can walk to Sapphire from inside Royal Pacific. Check out some of her trip reports on the Universal TR board! The reports are awesome. She is @schumigirl on the Dis. I remember her writing about the ability to walk between Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls. There is a big convention area between the two hotels and you can walk all inside from Royal Pacific to Sapphire.

We decided to give it a try. We had no idea where we were going. We just kept walking through these massive halls and convention rooms, Carole said it reminds her of the halls from the creepy hotel in The Shining! I totally could see that as we tried to find our way.

We did make it over to Sapphire with some time to spare. We looked in the gift shop before checking in for our dining reservation.

Andi and I tried Strong Water in September after the recommendation from Carole! The food, service, and drinks are amazing here! We loved it and knew it was a must each trip now!

It was busy at the restaurant. I was really glad we had reservations.

Our waiter was very nice and had an excellent understanding of the menu! The chef also talked to Andi about her peanut and nut allergy. We were off to a great start.

The place is a vast rum bar with so many different rum drinks. I’m not a rum connoisseur by any means but the staff are wonderful explaining the drinks.

Here is a description from Universal

Step into a nautical retreat that marries old-world elegance and contemporary fare. A wall of rums (including rare and vintage), your own rum specialist, and tapas-style dining options make this an exceptionally cool and stylish watering hole in the heart of an island jewel.

I started with a cocktail called

TAVERN BREW
$16.00
Bacardi Light Rum, Pomegranate Liqueur, IPA Beer, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice.
View attachment 852781
This really was good and very unexpected, it was light and refreshing.

Andi had

THE REVEREND
$17.00
Plantation Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple Rum, Banana du Brésil, pineapple, lime and lemon juice, habanero bitters.
View attachment 852780
She really enjoyed this.

We picked out some tapas next.

My choices

CAMARONES AL AJILLO
$14.00
Shrimp, garlic, white wine, cilantro, tomatoes, lime juice.
GLUTEN-FREE
View attachment 852775


TEQUEÑOS
$12.00
Queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, roasted pepper sauce.

View attachment 852778

Andi picked out

VEGAN BREADFRUIT TOSTONES
$14.00
Sautéed mushrooms, avocado purée, red pepper sofrito, vegan “chicharron.”
VEGAN
View attachment 852779


BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS
$12.00
Cajun seasoning, cabbage slaw, steak fries, hot sauce.
SPICY
View attachment 852776
This food was amazing. I loved the ham in the puff pastry the best. This was delicious. It is really hard to explain but wow Chef’s kiss. The shrimp was also very good and the b garlic butter sauce was perfect for dipping the bread.

Andi loved both her dishes. I tried the tostadas and fries, very good!

You guys, this place is the bomb, try it if you are at
Universal and I suggest making a reservation ahead of time. There is bar seating but this night the bar was also full.

Andi wanted to try some straight up rum. Of course she did when mom was footing the bill.

I have no idea what type of rum it was, because I didn’t write it down. It came with a beer chaser. I tried a few sips it was very smooth and it tasted good for straight up alcohol
View attachment 852777
We loved our dining experience and already have plans to dine here again in September.

We had a fun walk back to our room in the “Overlook Hotel” “Here’s Johnny”

We had a great last evening! Our plan was to spend a relaxing morning at Universal Studios and to try a new place for lunch.

Stay tuned for our last day and a wrap up of this TR!

Is this really our last ride?

Oh Caroline, thank you for such lovely comments, and I am so happy you had such a wonderful evening there!!! It is our favourite place in all of Florida and yes, food, drinks and service are the best!!!

We first started walking the ballroom/convention area when Sapphire first opened and there weren`t really any other guests around in that back area especially late at night, so it was a little creepy, although I scared myself doing the "REDRUM" comment....then a door opened.....lol.......it is much nicer than walking outside in the heat at times. We were jokingly accused of wearing out a path on the old carpet as we wandered back and forward so often!

I haven`t tried The Reverend yet, but will next visit, it sounds so good. Haven`t had a bad cocktail or meal there yet, all your drinks looked lovely.

Looking forward to your last day, although it`s always a sad feeling too knowing your TR is coming to a close

What a great meal at Strong Water. I love Carol’s trip reports and I am shocked, shocked I say, that you did not have a Carol’s Punch in her honour ( or that Andi didn’t since your footing the Bill ).
So glad you got a sweatshirt you liked. Always nice to bring something home to remind you of your holidays. We need a picture of you wearing it now so we can all see how lovely it is

lol......

Thank you