Oh, The Places We’ll Go! From the “stars” to the “sea”: Universal, SeaWorld & beyond - Spring 2016

[Callie]

I feel you on the heat....its super hot down here now...no tshirts allowed!

 

[ElenaJane]

I am only up to the Superstar breakfast, but I had to comment! I found myself smiling the whole time I read it! I loved you story about Floppy and the time the characters were able to take with the guests. I bet the characters like a slower pace as much as the guests! The food looks great, and $25 is such a value. I heard Disney buffets may go up to $60 a person in October. Like $250 for a family of 4. Just a rumor though, but not a good one!

Ok, now back to the next update!

 

[ElenaJane]

Ok, all caught up! Looks like there was already a discussion about the $60 buffet cost. Opps!

Jake has grown to be such a handsome, young man. And what an amazing award to get! I hope the "real world" is treating him ok!

It really did look like you had the whole NY section to yourself. I love early mornings at Theme Parks!

One other thing, if they had that angry looking baby chick (from Hop, I have never seen the movie so I am not sure what its name is!) at the Superstar breakfast, I would pay $60 for that. He cracks me up!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Lots done that morning. Marching bands sound better than transformers to me too, I've been on transformers twice and don't get the appeal. Still never been in that christmas shop and we did spend time walking in New York. We caught an acapella group there this time i'd not seen before.

We did accomplish a ton that morning . We were really happy about that too, since it was noticeably busier than on our previous two days at the Universal parks.

Have you seen the Straight Outta Food Truck streetmosphere show? They're pretty awesome, too.....if you like rap and some groan-worthy humour .

I just had a flashback while you were talking about the heat and that section of USF. For some reason it feels SO hot over there. It was the only time I was ever brought practically to tears by the Orlando heat, like I didn't know how I was going to walk out of the park lol. A QS pizza place right there saved the day

Besides the heat, I agree the New York area is so neat.

Love that you met more Minions on your free time!

I definitely had good Minion luck .

And as for the heat, I think maybe we seem to encourage higher-than-normal temperatures . It was the same way when we were there over Christmas....much, much hotter than usual for that time of year.

More minions!! How fun that you keep seeing these guys!

I lost count of number of times my son and I did Transformer, Spider-man and Men in Black-He could have very happily just done those 3 attractions all day, although he did enjoy spell casting in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

You sure did get your money's worth out of your Photoconnect card and really love your photos!! I know you also got a terrific deal when you got yours. We got it last trip thinking it would be like Memory maker. Except for the HP rides and the discount with Shutterbuttons (now that was a cool experience!!)we didn't feel like it was worth the money and we won't likely get it again-unless price drops substantially. This is one area that I think Disney really did do a much better job-the auto load of photos to the magic bands, plus they give you stock photos of some rides, and the video of Tower of Terror is really neat. Fighting a crowd to get pic added was not fun. And we often rode separately due to son not wanting to do some scarier rides and we would forget to hand off the card. I also didn't like that (non season pass) you had to use the card on consecutive days vs the full 14 days of Disney.

And congrats to Jake on the award. From the descriptions you have given of him he sounds very deserving!

Thank you ... it was definitely nice to see him so richly rewarded for all his hard work!

The price we paid for the Photoconnect AP ($49.99) definitely made it a good-value purchase......the current price would make it much harder to get a person's money's worth. And speaking of current prices, just for fun yesterday I ran a quote for what a night at HHN would cost us with an RIP tour and the Scareactor Dining Experience on one of our October dates. The verdict: $820 with tax . It's making MNSSHP look like a bargain in comparison!!

Oy, Gina, you have so many followers and commenters here! I don't really have the chance to check this regularly, but every time I do, I'm like 5 pages behind!

I have always felt the same about Disney character dining experiences. Me and my ex have done a couple, and it often felt like they'd just skip over us or didn't know what to do since we were two "adults". But I don't know if I could foot the bill for the Universal one; as I think the Gru and the Minions would be the only ones that would interest me (I have NO CLUE who those bunnies are; even though that bunny does sound sweet for trying to comfort that mom!).

Aw man, I wish you were closer and we could pop some popcorn and watch HOP together! I am looking forward to watching the movie so I can get a better appreciation of EB and Fluffy.

I definitely do have a lot of fun folks who are kind enough to stick with me on this report . This is definitely where all the most awesome of Disers hang out . In case I haven't said so lately, a huge thanks to all of you who continue to read along and join in the chat. You make these reports so enjoyable for me to write!

Your Steve is a determined man, and very lucky to win the coveted prize!

He is a keeper, that's for sure . I think he's a little sad that there won't be any stuffie winning in October, though. It will be weird not to have any packing crisises on departure day!!

We are Ft Wilderness fans as well, but we do Trail's End buffet. I've heard it's the same kitchen as hoop-de-doo, but there's no show, so it's around $27 for dinner per adult. They have a breakfast buffet every day and a brunch on the weekends that goes until 2pm.

For those who care, their iced tea is actually brewed (yum!) and they have soft serve, cobbler, corn bread with amazing honey butter, a carving station, soups, inventive salad options, peel-n-eat shrimp...oh my.

I've heard great things about Trails End as well. At this rate, it's going to take me another dozen trips before I'll ever be able to work my way through our must-do dining list!

You had amazing luck with the meet and greets this trip!

Also we went to NYC recently, and I think Orlando is way better so you're not missing much.

The characters this trip were simply awesome. I can't help but smile every time I look back through our pictures.

Orlando is certainly more "fun" than I expect NYC to be.....but then again, some of the NYC attractions that I'd like to see most are more "serious" in nature. The Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Empire State Building, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, Central Park....yep, I could spend a week, I'm sure. A December visit actually appeals quite a bit too....I'd love to see the tree in Rockefeller Square, the Rockette's Christmas show, and go Christmas shopping at Macy's!

Congrats to Jake on his graduation!

I think you would love HDDR. It's my favorite dinner show (I went 9 times last year)

9 times!! Wow!! It must REALLY be a favourite .

In a lifetime, the average human produces enough quarts of spit to fill two swimming pools.

For those who are "drooling" over that fun fact, here are a few more along the same vein:

http://listverse.com/2014/02/25/10-bizarre-things-you-didnt-know-about-saliva/

I live in the Tim Horton's capital of Canada. There is one ever 11.5 ft. So I have no doubt that your son is correct.

I do recall reading something to that effect a few years ago. Fried dough is a very Canadian thing.

You're lucky.....a Timmie's every 11.5 feet is my kind of coffee heaven . We have a lot of them for a small city, but still not nearly enough. If they ever open one in the downtown core (and therefore within easy access of the office building that I live in), THEN I will be a happy girl .

I feel you on the heat....its super hot down here now...no tshirts allowed!

I have been loving your posts on Facebook! So happy you got to meet Olaf!

I am only up to the Superstar breakfast, but I had to comment! I found myself smiling the whole time I read it! I loved you story about Floppy and the time the characters were able to take with the guests. I bet the characters like a slower pace as much as the guests! The food looks great, and $25 is such a value. I heard Disney buffets may go up to $60 a person in October. Like $250 for a family of 4. Just a rumor though, but not a good one!

Ok, now back to the next update!

You and Steve have the same mindset.....he commented to me during our breakfast, "I bet these characters are having as much fun as we are". You could just tell how much they were enjoying the interaction.

Ok, all caught up! Looks like there was already a discussion about the $60 buffet cost. Opps!

Jake has grown to be such a handsome, young man. And what an amazing award to get! I hope the "real world" is treating him ok!

It really did look like you had the whole NY section to yourself. I love early mornings at Theme Parks!

One other thing, if they had that angry looking baby chick (from Hop, I have never seen the movie so I am not sure what its name is!) at the Superstar breakfast, I would pay $60 for that. He cracks me up!

Thank you ElenaJane . Jake is doing very well as a new graduate. He just landed a new job in his "dream role": later this month, he begins working as an Outcome Support Facilator at Community Living, an organization that supports people with intellectual disabilities to fully participate in community life. Jake's heart has long since held a passionate desire to work with special needs adults, and I am so happy that he has achieved that opportunity so early in his career. He can't wait for his orientation on June 21st!

The yellow chick is Carlos, and he's a real hoot. Have you ever seen him dance? We are amazed how that chick can boogie in the parade!

 

[pattyw]

How far in advance did you make dining reservations for the character breakfast? We'd love to do that one ! Especially since you said how "adult" friendly it was- all my guys would enjoy it! They were Sponge Bob lovers as kids!

Universal update- we were there yesterday and the sledgehammer game was open- witnessed no winners! We got to ride King Kong! We were lucky enough to be there during a soft opening. It's great! Have to try it Gina! It's a little scary - especially the queue line(don't want to give any more away) but after that it's a 3d adventure in a truck. It's awesome!

Here's a tidbit that I can share- It's speak like a whale day ! We got official buttons at the Magic Kingdom today!

 

[Penguinempress]

You guys are so cute in your minion shirts! Looks like a fun breakfast. And you got to meet Squidward! Now if only Patrick was there, he's the best!

Congrats to Jake on his graduation!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I think I missed yesterday so you get two today!!!!!!


The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

The dot of the letter 'i' is called a tittle.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Visiting NYC is a lot like the Orlando parks...lots of planning ahead, if you want to see specific shows anyway. Definitely come in the fall or early winter though, it's gross in the summer when it is hot. This sounds weird, but it feels like a theme park of a city sometimes, especially in the areas where tourists would go.

 

[c3h3a3r]

Still loving your report

 

[dixonsontour]

We have never caught the food truck show have heard it is fun. We liked the dance group street beatz I think they are called.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

How far in advance did you make dining reservations for the character breakfast? We'd love to do that one ! Especially since you said how "adult" friendly it was- all my guys would enjoy it! They were Sponge Bob lovers as kids!

Universal update- we were there yesterday and the sledgehammer game was open- witnessed no winners! We got to ride King Kong! We were lucky enough to be there during a soft opening. It's great! Have to try it Gina! It's a little scary - especially the queue line(don't want to give any more away) but after that it's a 3d adventure in a truck. It's awesome!

Here's a tidbit that I can share- It's speak like a whale day ! We got official buttons at the Magic Kingdom today!

I want to say we made our reservations around the middle of March for our end-of-April date. It was definitely not full when we were there, though, so I'm sure you could have probably booked the day before and still been accommodated.

I am so glad to hear that the Kong ride was worth all the hype! Something for us to look forward to whenever we finally get back...maybe 2017? (fingers crossed!)

You guys are so cute in your minion shirts! Looks like a fun breakfast. And you got to meet Squidward! Now if only Patrick was there, he's the best!

Congrats to Jake on his graduation!

Thank you! I'm getting a lot of use out of my minion shirt since we've been home, too . The guys....not so much .

I think I missed yesterday so you get two today!!!!!!

The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

The dot of the letter 'i' is called a tittle.

Now I know why I'm always a little scared to go for my 9-month check-up .

Visiting NYC is a lot like the Orlando parks...lots of planning ahead, if you want to see specific shows anyway. Definitely come in the fall or early winter though, it's gross in the summer when it is hot. This sounds weird, but it feels like a theme park of a city sometimes, especially in the areas where tourists would go.

Yeah, I have heard that the summer heat is pretty yucky in NYC.

I enjoy the planning process so that part of the trip process would be right up my alley!

Still loving your report

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We have never caught the food truck show have heard it is fun. We liked the dance group street beatz I think they are called.

And that's one we never got to see. I am pretty sure there's a new one with Marilyn Monroe that just started recently, too. I think I heard that its being done somewhere around the Mummy attraction.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Friday, April 29th: part 3


After we finished up in Springfield we were hot and ridiculously thirsty. Since Steve and I were hankering for a final Butterbeer (oh, the knowledge that this was the last one for an unknown duration was kind of sad! ), we headed to Diagon Alley in search for cold beverages to help combat the effects of the scorching sun. Jake wasn’t interested in anything sweet, so at the Hopping Pot we ordered a Butterbeer and a Gillywater which totalled $8.59 with tax and our AP discount applied.





I know people complain about the cost of the Gillywater, but while it’s definitely more expensive than the regular bottles of water at the carts and quick service restaurants, it’s still not crazy pricey. It’s way cheaper than what we’d pay for water at a Blue Jays or Raptors game . As for that Butterbeer, well.....we savoured every mouthful . This has easily been our favourite treat in Universal and we would miss it until we return again.


About this point in the day, everyone was starting to noticeably droop.....both from tiredness and from the heat . We found a shady spot to sit and enjoy our drinks, and debated what our plan for the balance of our Friday should be. The next three days....which were the final three full days of our trip....would be VERY busy with pre-planned, day-long activities. This meant that the only opportunity we would have to just relax and enjoy the pools at the resort would have to be fit in at some point today or we’d miss the chance entirely. We had loosely planned to have lunch at Finnegan’s on our final Universal park day, but I also knew that Jake was rather bummed that his beloved Friendly’s had not been accommodated on the vacation itinerary. As the boys drained the balance of their drinks, I tossed out a suggestion: assuming they had fulfilled all remaining must-do’s on their Universal parks wish-list, would they be interested in leaving the park, grabbing lunch at Friendly’s, and then heading back for an afternoon in the pool?


I seriously thought they would cry with relief. The pace has been pretty busy thus far, it was so steamy hot, we truly needed a recuperation afternoon to save our bodies and our sanity. We decided, then, to take one last ride on the Hogwarts Express, enjoy one last walk-through of IOA, and bid Universal adieu.








Strangely enough, we walked right through the queue and up to the platform for boarding. Considering it was mid-day on a Friday with many a school group enjoying the parks, that was totally unexpected.





Hogsmeade was busy (as we had anticipated), but we enjoyed the slow walk-through since it would be the final time for probably quite a while. We also meandered leisurely through Jurassic Park, soaking up the atmosphere as we passed through to Toon Lagoon and then onward through Marvel. Jake stopped at the basketball game for one last play, winning himself a unicorn to add to the ever-growing collection:





Back in Port of Entry, we rolled through the gift shops one last time to. My favourite is still the Christmas store!








Steve encouraged me to buy some of the festive Minion items to take home to enjoy at the holiday season, and I probably could have been convinced if the exchange rate was a little more favourable. This time, though, I was fiscally responsible and opted to take a pass. I’m not gonna lie, though....it was painfully tempting .





Thanks for the memories, Universal. What a great 2.5 days it had been .


Despite having a huge meal that morning at the Superstar Character Breakfast, we had all found our hunger again by the time we rolled into the Friendly’s parking lot on International Drive.





We were actually kind of surprised it was as quiet in there as it was. It wasn’t dead, per se, but neither was it what anyone would consider busy. We were seated immediately in a comfy, spacious booth and began the fun task of deciding what we each wanted to have for lunch.





Crystal was our server and this lady was just INCREDIBLE . We overheard one of the managers chatting with another table, and she was telling them that many people visit yearly on their vacations and specifically request Crystal as their server each time they come .... she is apparently beloved by many and it was easy to see why. She was so fun and friendly that her enthusiasm was catchy.....if you weren’t happy when you arrived, you were smiling by the time you left. I know that we will definitely be asking for her on our next visit, too .


After a thorough review of the menu (Steve and I needed it.....Jake had known what he wanted long before we ever made it in the door ), we placed our orders with Crystal and she had beverages in front of us in a snap. Jake and I both opted for water while Steve had a bottomless soda. Our entrees materialized shortly thereafter, delivered with a flourish to our table by the amazing and loveable Crystal.


Steve had gone with the “Big Beef Half Pound + Honey Barbecue Burger”, a behemoth of a hamburger that featured two burger patties topped with honey BBQ sauce, melted cheddar cheese, crispy fried onion strings, applewood-smoked bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing on a Brioche roll. It was nothing short of enormous , and he swooned a bit at the sheer sight of it. He picked fries for his side.





Jake had his Friendly’s favourite: a Honey BBQ Chicken SuperMelt with a side of fries. He has long decided that this particular menu item is nothing short of mealtime perfection, and to consider having anything else would be nothing short of a dining atrocity in his book.





I, too, had a Honey BBQ SuperMelt (minus the cheese and ranch dressing), and I upgraded my regular fries to waffle fries.....they are AMAZING and one of my favourite Friendly’s foods. For the 99 cent upcharge, I received a massive portion of them too....enough to share with both my guys.





Everything was hot, fresh, and mouth-wateringly good. We are reminded on every visit why it’s such an easy decision to keep coming back again and again. Awesome food, excellent service, and a price point that is so budget-friendly.


Much as we desperately wanted to have enough room left for dessert (Friendly’s is famous for their ice cream, after all), the entrees were so large and so filling there was simply no way we could manage to eat sundaes. We briefly considered ordering one to share but even that suggestion was met with groans of objection all around. The spirits may have been willing but the stomachs most definitely were not. So, we covered the bill ($37.98 including tax, excluding tip....the value here is incredible!) and headed back to the car. The guys were super thankful that they would have lots of time that afternoon to work off some of their indulgences with a refreshing swim in the resort pool.




Our afternoon pool-side is next .

 

[bankr63]

I think I missed yesterday so you get two today!!!!!!


The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

On purpose, or by accident?

 

[Lynne G]

Hmm, haven't been back to a friendly's in quite a while. For us, we also like the supermelts. Sometimes they run a special, with a supermelt, you get a 2 scoop Sunday. Needless to say, we always ask for a box, and enjoy the ice cream.

Great pictures, and a fun day so far.

 

[dancin Disney style]

On purpose, or by accident?

My guess would be on purpose. Seeing as how most people would rather be put to death than go to the dentist. I however, am the freak of the lot, I love going to the dentist.

 

[ArwenMarie]

They closed all of the Friendlys around us. Which really stunk because they are great especially with kids. Now we go to IHop when we want dessert and cheap eats.

 

[pigletto]

We too had a few days on our trip that we just couldn't bare to keep trudging through the parks and headed back early. And we too appreciated the excuse to nap and swim and take it easy because vacation is usually so busy. The day you are on now is the day before we arrived and I know you've said it, and I've said it, but it was HOT. It was lovely pool weather, not as lovely for walking out in the sun on the pavement in a theme park. I swam a lot on our vacation this time and loved it!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hmm, haven't been back to a friendly's in quite a while. For us, we also like the supermelts. Sometimes they run a special, with a supermelt, you get a 2 scoop Sunday. Needless to say, we always ask for a box, and enjoy the ice cream.

Great pictures, and a fun day so far.

We should have totally done the same!

My guess would be on purpose. Seeing as how most people would rather be put to death than go to the dentist. I however, am the freak of the lot, I love going to the dentist.

Why does that not surprise me at all?

They closed all of the Friendlys around us. Which really stunk because they are great especially with kids. Now we go to IHop when we want dessert and cheap eats.

They closed your Friendly's?!? That royally stinks.

We've never been to IHOP for anything but breakfast. Are they lunch and dinner entrees just as awesome?

We too had a few days on our trip that we just couldn't bare to keep trudging through the parks and headed back early. And we too appreciated the excuse to nap and swim and take it easy because vacation is usually so busy. The day you are on now is the day before we arrived and I know you've said it, and I've said it, but it was HOT. It was lovely pool weather, not as lovely for walking out in the sun on the pavement in a theme park. I swam a lot on our vacation this time and loved it!

That is the PERFECT way to describe it .

We sure could use some of that hot weather here in the frosty north. It felt more like October today than June /.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Friday, April 29th: continued


Back at the resort, we wasted no time in changing into our swimwear and heading straight to the Fountains pool. It was steaming HOT and we were stuffed full from our Friendly’s lunch ... and a good swim would be the perfect antidote for both of those maladies .





It was busy at the pool, probably the busiest we personally had ever seen it on any of our Vistana vacations thus far. Obviously many families were choosing to spend a gorgeous Friday afternoon the same way we were, yet there were still lots of loungers and even a few tables and umbrellas that were unclaimed and waiting to be used by resort guests. We grabbed some towels, dropped our stuff (shoes, camera, cover-ups, t-shirts) on lounge chairs, and wasted no time in jumping in .





The view from in front of the waterfall....





....and the view from behind:





My guys were super grateful for the refreshing cool-down, and it was an instant mood-lifter (not to mention an energy rebuilder). Both of them were cannon-balling off the side, each trying to out-do the other to see who could make the biggest splash. Instant wave pool (oh, c'mon.....ya'll were thinking it....you've seen the size of my big guys!).





Despite the high temperatures and the refreshing effects of the pool, we still ended up in the hot tubs for short spurts.....after all, they are refreshing and rejuvenating as well, just in a totally different way. In the afternoon heat, we had one of the tubs all to ourselves.....for as long as we could stand it in there, of course!





Every vacation should be this comfy .





We really did have the best time that afternoon. It was just so relaxing and unscheduled and enjoyable.....and we vowed to build more of this type of time into our two-week October trip. We are definitely going to fight the urge to be constantly busy, busy, busy on future vacations: being "un-busy" can be just as rewarding, just as fun, and just as memorable .


Once we were completely water-logged, we headed back to the villa to dry off and ready ourselves for a fun evening out and about. We definitely weren’t ready for dinner just yet, and the heat of the day was mercifully starting to pass. Prior to seeking out the perfect place for our evening meal, we thought it was a great night for a round of golf at our favourite course in Orlando :





Congo River is next .