Nov 3-5 Visit:
2 adult & 2 teens
Only had 1 nite reserved at PBH, but drove down late Fri. nite just to get as close as possible to avoid 3 hour drive Sat. a.m.
Got to Sleep Inn on Major Blvd. at 10:30 p.m., across from PBH walk-in rate was $59 + tax.
Up at 8a.m. Sat. to check-in at Portofino. As expected in a non-peak time, room was ready. Had bags sent to room, carried our own contraband ourselves. When reservation was made we got the upgrade to PBH suite (Loews Plat. perk). $230 something was base rate, Standard room was about the same. Pays to join that Loews First club!
Room was #3335 & 7, West wing facing the bay. Easy trip to elevator & stones throw to water taxi. Balcony wouldve been nice, but oh well. It was great having separate entry to bedroom as teen girls kept living room looking like a hippie crash-pad. Kept the door closed & only sent DW in on recons. They claimed that pull-out sofa was comfy, Good!
Took boat to Studios around 9:30 & rode Mummy together. Teens abandoned us afterward to shop. Wife & I went to MIB and got to compete against each other. Each had our own cars at first, but an off-duty employee jumped on her car at last second. Didnt help em tho I still won (scores not important). We did the romantic ride together next (gunplay really excites her!)
We got a last ride on BTTF before it goes away forever. Cant believe we used to wait up to 2 hours for this in its heyday.
Met up with DD & semi-DD by E.T. and decided on quick lunch. Mels was near-by and open, so did that. Give it a 6 on a 10 scale. Food did its job at least, enjoyed the atmosphere much especially since we beat a lunch rush.
Afterwards, DW & girls went to IOA. I headed back to room to relax & nap & watch a little football. Rode one of those rickshaw bikes over to PBH. Probably saved me 15-20 mins. over a water taxi wait. Told driver I only had 6 bucks on me, he said that was cool. I just had to listen to his this is only my temporary job routine.
When family came back for their R&R naps, I collected a quick store list and drove to the Walgreens across Kirkman Rd. (about a 500 yard walk IF it was a straight line maybe).
This store has liquor store next to it, so you can easily replace just about anything you may inadvertently consume from your mini-bars. About 1/3 the cost of what Loews would charge ya.
Once back, they were set to NOT go back to parks till about sundown, so off to IOA solo for me. They knew to find me later by Duel. Dragons.
Enchanted Oak Tavern now has 3 TVs for your game-viewing pleasure. Happy Hour 3-5 pm was $3.25 Buds.
Used to run into some Disers here now & then. Didnt today tho.
Rode Dragons a few times. Hate to say it but I couldnt figure out the new Express so I just played lost tourist and used the exit (like Express used to be). Would never attempt this on an ultra-busy day. Did meet a cool Canadian family that used me as guide for re-rides, so I made sure the kids got the good seats on both sides.
As penance for my actions I over-tipped the Alchemy bartenders.
DW & DDs met up just before dark. Rides at nite are always a treat, just the planning goes awry sometimes at this time.
I did Fire Dragon while they did Seuss Trolley. Were supposed to meet at Hulk later.
While we were all in Marvel at the same time riding stuff, paths never crossed. As park was closing, we all just gave up (I guess).
So not knowing each others ideas for mid-nite snacks I bring Croissant Moon chocolate cake slabs home and they bring back, apparently, one of everything that Cinnabon sells. Oh, they even got 2 turkey legs before leaving IOA.
When I got to our room, it looked a charity food drive drop-off point. And there was a note, Were at Trattoria, bring you something back.
I simply checked my bag to make sure I brought Rolaids, and went down to the Thirsty Fish.
Sun.am turned out to be a wonderful sleep-in. Around 8am DW & I drank coffee and ate cinnamon rolls for her, everything but kitchen sink for me. MY kind of breakfast.
Rubbed Sportcreme on each others sore calf muscles while waiting on teens to rise. Was kinda glad they slept very late.
While we had requested a late check-out of 1pm, we were actually out of there by 11am anyway. Teens wanted to hit Studios only and then spend afternoon by HRH pool.
Moved the car over to HRH parking and walked over to USF. I went on to IOA for Hulk & Doom rides and then we all met back up at HRH Beach Club in time for 1pm kick-offs & lunch.
Got us a prime table for TV viewing and ordered burgers and turkey wraps from their menu & 2 orders of calamari from The Kitchen menu. DW & I have done that before, we LOVE their calamari & dip, but Id have to fetch it myself. This time they had a Kitchen runner do the legwork. Excellent service!
Unfortunately, no Jaguar game on TV but we enjoyed watching the Dolphins upset the Bears (sorry Chicagoans, ya still got a great team & season).
Teens stayed in pool pretty much entire game, till ice cream time. They held down fort while DW & I hit HRH gift shop.
Note: HRH is pushing a new style logo with some curly-q design on it. We wanted stuff with the old logo like whats on the sign. Oh, bother.
Weather was perfect, crowds were low. Regular wait times were 10-25 mins. Express still good tho.
Another perk about Express that hardly gets mentioned not only do you have shorter wait times, you walk a much shorter path too!
Did notice quite a few Christmas decorations going up in both parks. Cant wait to get back in mid-Dec.
Had a great week-end getaway!
Be glad to answer ?s of stuff we can remember.
2 adult & 2 teens
Only had 1 nite reserved at PBH, but drove down late Fri. nite just to get as close as possible to avoid 3 hour drive Sat. a.m.
Got to Sleep Inn on Major Blvd. at 10:30 p.m., across from PBH walk-in rate was $59 + tax.
Up at 8a.m. Sat. to check-in at Portofino. As expected in a non-peak time, room was ready. Had bags sent to room, carried our own contraband ourselves. When reservation was made we got the upgrade to PBH suite (Loews Plat. perk). $230 something was base rate, Standard room was about the same. Pays to join that Loews First club!
Room was #3335 & 7, West wing facing the bay. Easy trip to elevator & stones throw to water taxi. Balcony wouldve been nice, but oh well. It was great having separate entry to bedroom as teen girls kept living room looking like a hippie crash-pad. Kept the door closed & only sent DW in on recons. They claimed that pull-out sofa was comfy, Good!
Took boat to Studios around 9:30 & rode Mummy together. Teens abandoned us afterward to shop. Wife & I went to MIB and got to compete against each other. Each had our own cars at first, but an off-duty employee jumped on her car at last second. Didnt help em tho I still won (scores not important). We did the romantic ride together next (gunplay really excites her!)
We got a last ride on BTTF before it goes away forever. Cant believe we used to wait up to 2 hours for this in its heyday.
Met up with DD & semi-DD by E.T. and decided on quick lunch. Mels was near-by and open, so did that. Give it a 6 on a 10 scale. Food did its job at least, enjoyed the atmosphere much especially since we beat a lunch rush.
Afterwards, DW & girls went to IOA. I headed back to room to relax & nap & watch a little football. Rode one of those rickshaw bikes over to PBH. Probably saved me 15-20 mins. over a water taxi wait. Told driver I only had 6 bucks on me, he said that was cool. I just had to listen to his this is only my temporary job routine.
When family came back for their R&R naps, I collected a quick store list and drove to the Walgreens across Kirkman Rd. (about a 500 yard walk IF it was a straight line maybe).
This store has liquor store next to it, so you can easily replace just about anything you may inadvertently consume from your mini-bars. About 1/3 the cost of what Loews would charge ya.
Once back, they were set to NOT go back to parks till about sundown, so off to IOA solo for me. They knew to find me later by Duel. Dragons.
Enchanted Oak Tavern now has 3 TVs for your game-viewing pleasure. Happy Hour 3-5 pm was $3.25 Buds.
Used to run into some Disers here now & then. Didnt today tho.
Rode Dragons a few times. Hate to say it but I couldnt figure out the new Express so I just played lost tourist and used the exit (like Express used to be). Would never attempt this on an ultra-busy day. Did meet a cool Canadian family that used me as guide for re-rides, so I made sure the kids got the good seats on both sides.
As penance for my actions I over-tipped the Alchemy bartenders.
DW & DDs met up just before dark. Rides at nite are always a treat, just the planning goes awry sometimes at this time.
I did Fire Dragon while they did Seuss Trolley. Were supposed to meet at Hulk later.
While we were all in Marvel at the same time riding stuff, paths never crossed. As park was closing, we all just gave up (I guess).
So not knowing each others ideas for mid-nite snacks I bring Croissant Moon chocolate cake slabs home and they bring back, apparently, one of everything that Cinnabon sells. Oh, they even got 2 turkey legs before leaving IOA.
When I got to our room, it looked a charity food drive drop-off point. And there was a note, Were at Trattoria, bring you something back.
I simply checked my bag to make sure I brought Rolaids, and went down to the Thirsty Fish.
Sun.am turned out to be a wonderful sleep-in. Around 8am DW & I drank coffee and ate cinnamon rolls for her, everything but kitchen sink for me. MY kind of breakfast.
Rubbed Sportcreme on each others sore calf muscles while waiting on teens to rise. Was kinda glad they slept very late.
While we had requested a late check-out of 1pm, we were actually out of there by 11am anyway. Teens wanted to hit Studios only and then spend afternoon by HRH pool.
Moved the car over to HRH parking and walked over to USF. I went on to IOA for Hulk & Doom rides and then we all met back up at HRH Beach Club in time for 1pm kick-offs & lunch.
Got us a prime table for TV viewing and ordered burgers and turkey wraps from their menu & 2 orders of calamari from The Kitchen menu. DW & I have done that before, we LOVE their calamari & dip, but Id have to fetch it myself. This time they had a Kitchen runner do the legwork. Excellent service!
Unfortunately, no Jaguar game on TV but we enjoyed watching the Dolphins upset the Bears (sorry Chicagoans, ya still got a great team & season).
Teens stayed in pool pretty much entire game, till ice cream time. They held down fort while DW & I hit HRH gift shop.
Note: HRH is pushing a new style logo with some curly-q design on it. We wanted stuff with the old logo like whats on the sign. Oh, bother.
Weather was perfect, crowds were low. Regular wait times were 10-25 mins. Express still good tho.
Another perk about Express that hardly gets mentioned not only do you have shorter wait times, you walk a much shorter path too!
Did notice quite a few Christmas decorations going up in both parks. Cant wait to get back in mid-Dec.
Had a great week-end getaway!
Be glad to answer ?s of stuff we can remember.
