Monsters, Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and more. HHN 30 fun trip.

Friday, September 17th continued

After entering the Lost Continent I walked over to Mythos and put my name in for a table for lunch it was about 1 pm. I did not have a reservation. They took my number and said they would text me when my table was ready.

I walked over to the Halloween Boutique. This is the first time since I have been going to HHN that Universal was including a HHN Halloween Store in IOA. I had heard a lot about this boutique.

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There was a ScareCrow Stalk vignette inside the door.
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This was a small store, but it was packed with incredible Halloween Decorations. Everywhere you turned there were awesome displays.


The stained glass windows were beautiful.
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There were pumpkins and leaves descending from the ceiling and cascading over a replica of a horse drawn hearse in the center of the room that was decorated with carved pumpkins. It took some time and thought as to the carved design on the pumpkins. I don’t recall seeing any two that were the same. 39E31FCA-1B61-4A27-BF22-71B28E194D08.jpeg

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Who ever designed this thought of everything. The display for the jewelry was an old casket design with pumpkins and vines on the sides.
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They had jewelry, T-shirts, posters, fudge and candles and a few more items for sale.
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I’am not sure photos can do justice to show how beautiful it was in there. You need to see it.

Whoever designed this room did a fantastic job. If there is an award for Halloween design they should hands down win it for this room.
 
There were some t-shirts for sale in the store.

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These I had not seen anywhere else.
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My favorite the Artists Signature Series Frankenstein Shirt.
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You can purchase this online at Universal Orlando website.

And the poster which would be purchased with a story behind it later.
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I watched her plane take off in the rain and prayed for her safe passage home. Her mom my little sister would be waiting for her at the airport.
Awww,,,,it's always sad when family goes back

That halloween boutique looked amazing!!!! I am always amazed at businesses being able to design just amazing spaces.

It looks like you had an awesome time with your niece. As a mom, we always appreciate the break away, but always enjoy returning to our kiddos.

Great selfie!!! Your report is making me excited for our trip in February. Crossing our fingers that it happens. Can't wait to hear more!!!!
 
Those pumpkins are so cool!!!

I loved that the pumpkin theme was used one of the Haunted Houses too.


I was lucky enough to buy a tshirt from last years HHN Lite.

Which one did you get?

They really had a large selection of T-shirts, long sleeve shirts and a Blue jean jacket that I saw in the Tribute Store.


That halloween boutique looked amazing!!!! I am always amazed at businesses being able to design just amazing spaces.

They really have some talented designers at Universal.


It looks like you had an awesome time with your niece. As a mom, we always appreciate the break away, but always enjoy returning to our kiddos.

She had a good time and she was ready to get home to her sweet little one. I forget sometime how hard it is to be away from the little ones as my baby is 44. It’s been awhile.


Great selfie!!! Your report is making me excited for our trip in February. Crossing our fingers that it happens. Can't wait to hear more!!!!


Pumpkin I hope you are able to make your trip. Everyone needs a little happy time on vacation. So glad you are enjoying the trip report.
 
This is the one I bought. I love it!! It's a 3/4 sleeve, which is good for our fall weather. Now that I brought it out, I'm gonna wear it tomorrow!!


That’s a very nice HHN shirt. It’s an artist signature series too. The colors are so vibrant and who doesn’t love Jack. Great choice.
 
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Friday, September 17th continued

I was seated towards the back of the upper level at a two seater table. I could see the Marvel Super Hero Island and enjoyed the view.

I did not want a big meal so I ordered to two appetizers and I wanted to just snack on those.

I wanted to touch on the subject of solo trips overall. I read some posters talk about that in the past.

I still takes trips to universal with family. I’am a AP holder and I feel the AP is a wonderful value. Universal really does love their AP holders and they show their appreciation to their AP holders.

I’am older and a proud Nana of 5 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Feeling safe is important to me. Universal has implemented over the years safety practices that make it a wonderful safe place to vacation alone or with family.

My hubby is not interested in visiting the parks anymore, but he understands my need to go to my Happy Place Universal and enjoy myself.

I absolutely love the onsite Resorts and no matter which one you pick you will find one that fits your style and wallet. Everyone who typically posts on the boards has a favorite Resort they like to stay at.

My favorite home away from home is Portofino. I also like Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls.

The Resorts are close to the parks and it’s easily walkable. The water taxis are a fun added perk of staying at Portofino, Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls and Hard Rock.

Unlimited Express is also offered with your stay at Portofino, Royal Pacific and Hard Rock.

All of the staff I have encountered at the Resorts have been kind and very helpful.

I have no problem and do not feel in anyway uncomfortable going into restaurants solo. It’s no different to me then if I’am going in a restaurant with my husband or other family members.

I like occasionally traveling solo because I can come and go on my time clock. I eat were I want when I want. I ride the rides I want when I want. I can wonder and take pictures, have my coffee in the morning in the piazza.

I shop for fun gifts for my family. It is my time to let the outside world stay outside and let the little kid in me enjoy riding the High in the Sky Trolley at Seuss Landing.

I love Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley so bringing my wand and casting a few spells is always fun.

HHN is my biggest solo trip of the year and I really enjoy it. I’am a big fan of Halloween and Haunted Houses and Universal is the best Halloween event in the nation.

So don’t be concerned with solo travel to Universal. Go and give it a try.

Ok back to the food.

I ordered a coke zero and a water then chose the Spanakopita dip and The Calamari.

I had ordered the Spanakopita dip when I was with grandson on vacation in July and it was served lukewarm. This time it was hot and flavorful. The pita chips were crispy on the outside and mildly chewy on the inside.

The Calamari was cooked perfectly and the side of spicy marinara was good.

My waiter was so friendly and attentive. I have always had good service here.

I also wanted to mention that Mythos theming is awesome and it is a wonderful reprieve from the heat and humidity. It’s always nice and cool in the restaurant and that makes for an enjoyable meal.

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to be continued
 
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Yum, my older one and I order that dip appetizer every time we go to Mythos. Enjoy all the pictures and reporting you are doing, Robo.
 
Friday, September 17th continued

I was seated towards the back of the upper level at a two seater table. I could see the Marvel Super Hero Island and enjoyed the view.

I did not want a big meal so I ordered to two appetizers and I wanted to just snack on those.

I wanted to touch on the subject of solo trips overall. I read some posters talk about that in the past.

I still takes trips to universal with family. I’am a AP holder and I feel the AP is a wonderful value. Universal really does love their AP holders and they show their appreciation to their AP holders.

I’am older and a proud Nana of 5 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Feeling safe is important to me. Universal has implemented over the years safety practices that make it a wonderful safe place to vacation alone or with family.

My hubby is not interested in visiting the parks anymore, but he understands my need to go to my Happy Place Universal and enjoy myself.

I absolutely love the onsite Resorts and no matter which one you pick you will find one that fits your style and wallet. Everyone who typically posts on the boards has a favorite Resort they like to stay at.

My favorite home away from home is Portofino. I also like Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls.

The Resorts are close to the parks and it’s easily walkable. The water taxis are a fun added perk of staying at Portofino, Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls and Hard Rock.

Unlimited Express is also offered with your stay at Portofino, Royal Pacific and Hard Rock.

All of the staff I have encountered at the Resorts have been kind and very helpful.

I have no problem and do not feel in anyway uncomfortable going into restaurants solo. It’s no different to me then if I’am going in a restaurant with my husband or other family members.

I like occasionally traveling solo because I can come and go on my time clock. I eat were I want when I want. I ride the rides I want when I want. I can wonder and take pictures, have my coffee in the morning in the piazza.

I shop for fun gifts for my family. It is my time to let the outside world stay outside and let the little kid in me enjoy riding the High in the Sky Trolley at Seuss Landing.

I love Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley so bringing my wand and casting a few spells is always fun.

HHN is my biggest solo trip of the year and I really enjoy it. I’am a big fan of Halloween and Haunted Houses and Universal is the best Halloween event in the nation.

So don’t be concerned with solo travel to Universal. Go and give it a try.

Ok back to the food.

I ordered a coke zero and a water then chose the Spanakopita dip and The Calamari.

I had ordered the Spanakopita dip when I was with grandson on vacation in July and it was served lukewarm. This time it was hot and flavorful. The pita chips were crispy on the outside and mildly chewy on the inside.

The Calamari was cooked perfectly and the side of spicy marinara was good.

My waiter was so friendly and attentive. I have always had good service here.

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to be continued

You finally chose something I wouldn`t eat......lol.....that dip is not for me! But the calamari I would enjoy a lot.

So enjoying your TR and reading along with you......and I`m glad to read you are so comfortable going solo now and again as well as trips with your family too.

And yes, there are so many items to purchase for gifts there.
 
Thread of the day

Awesome :worship:


Yum, my older one and I order that dip appetizer every time we go to Mythos. Enjoy all the pictures and reporting you are doing, Robo.

Thank you Lynne. So glad you are enjoying the trip report and pictures.


You finally chose something I wouldn`t eat......lol.....that dip is not for me! But the calamari I would enjoy a

The calamari was good. The dip tasted better then it did in July.


So enjoying your TR and reading along with you......and I`m glad to read you are so comfortable going solo now and again as well as trips with your family too.

Thank you Carole so glad your enjoying the trip report.

I’am so thankful that we all have a place like Universal to go to. It is
a wonderful place with special people who work at the Resorts and Parks. I know it’s your happy place too as well as many of our Sans family members.

And yes, there are so many items to purchase for gifts there.

Yes, they do have a unique blend of merchandise and I do like shopping for my family.
 
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Friday, September 17th continued

After lunch I walked over to Seuss Landing.
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I had heard that Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous was open again. It had been closed for some time now.
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I was on a mission to ride The High in The Sky Trolley Train Ride through the restaurant. It had been many moons since I had done that.

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The left side of the track goes through the restaurant and outside and the right side of the track goes outside only.

So on the left track I went.
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It had been so long since I had been inside Circus McGurkus, it is really decorated so well and it is just fun to look at. Even if you don’t eat there step in and have a look around.
 
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I had a walk around and found The Grinch and The Lorax.
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My next ride was Cat in the Hat
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I do enjoy this ride. My youngest grandchildren and I always rode this ride together. Now our granddaughter married in June and the youngest grandson is 17. I brought him on vacation in July.

I asked him to go on The Cat in the Hat in July and he looked at me and said “no it’s kinda for kids” I told him I like to ride it and I’am not a kid and he told me “your different though Nana aaaaaaaa in a good way…..LOL….

Then my 6 foot 3 grandson put his arm around me and said “come on Nana let’s go”and we rode The Cat in the Hat.

He has requested to come back to Universal in May for his high school graduation trip. I think we will be seeing The Cat in the Hat again.

You are never to old to ride The Cat in the Hat.

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The Caro-Seuss-el is closed for a refurbishment.

I walked around a little more and it was time leave.
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To be continued
 
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Friday, September 17th continued

On my way out of IOA I stopped at the Port of Entry to have a look around The Islands of Adventure Trading Company. It’s is the big store as you enter IOA on the left.

I wanted to look at the HHN merchandise they had.

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Universal really had a nice selection of T-shirts, posters, socks and other merchandise this year.

There were more T-shirts options for women this year too.

I always enjoy walking through the store on my way out. I look for any new merchandise I haven’t seen before and it is a great way to cool off before heading to the water taxi.

It was pretty warm and humid out so it was nice to cool off a little.

After my look around I was off to the water taxi.

I think it was about 4 pm when I made back to my nice air conditioned room.

After a nice bubble bath I took a much needed nap.

After I woke up I went to the table and setup up my IPad and phone and caught with some texts and called my sweet husband to l tell him what I had done in the park.

He asked what was having for dinner and I hadn’t thought about it yet.

So about 6:30 I went to Sal’s and ordered a chicken Parmesan sandwich and fries. It was not busy. The sandwich was really good. The chicken was tender and lightly breaded and there was just the right amount of marinara and cheese. The fries were very good to.

Sal’s also has delicious pizzas.

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After dinner I sat out in the piazza for awhile. Then returned to my room for a little reading and a look at the TV and it was time for bed. Tomorrow was going to be as busy day. So I wanted to be well rested.
 
Saturday, September 18th

After a restful good nights sleep I woke up and opened the drapes and it was a beautiful sunny morning. I walked out on the patio and the boat was loading for the parks.

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I needed to not dawdle this morning as I needed to be at Blue man Theatre by 9:15 am. I had the Unmasking the Horror Tour this morning. I also wanted to stop at the desk and say hi to a lovely young lady who works at Portofino.

I went in and had a nice bath. Straightened my hair. Not sure why I bothered with the hair straightening as it would be in a ponytail as the heat and humidity increased.

I went to the lobby and had a nice visit with Kayla. She is the sweetest young lady. Loews is so fortunate to have someone so special working for them. I have had the pleasure of meeting some very lovely folks who work at Portofino over the years.

I ‘am thankful for the welcoming kindness I have received and continue to receive at Portofino. The people who work there are very special to me. It is my vacation home away from home.

After my visit I went to Starbucks and ordered pumpkin cream cold brew coffee and a small package of Madeline cakes. This would hit the spot until lunch. The cakes are good and not overly sweet.

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After my coffee it was time to get moving. I headed to the water taxi and off we went up CityWalk.

To be continued
 
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Loving your TR. I never miss a chance to cool off in the Universal stores. I love those tarot card tees in the Halloween boutique too!
 












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