On-going trip report

[Badge]

Special afternoon update!

First I want to talk about dining from day 2! Sorry I forgot to include that last night. Yesterday we did the Meal Deal. We ate three times on it to get our moneys worth. Something I never knew about it, is that at places that offer sides or extras (like egg roll or side salad) you can get those instead of the dessert. The food was nothing special, so I wont go into much detail on it now.

Today was going to be a lazy day after the busy day of yesterday, but I was up around 8am, so I decided to head to IOA. The park was not busy this morning. I went on Dr. Doom twice, spiderman, and Hulk. Then I went over to the bakery near the front of the park and enjoyed my favorite ham, egg, and cheese croissant.

After that I decided to check on HP. Around 11am and it was really empty. Little to no line for Butterbeer and I was the only one in the single rider line for FJ, whiched seemed odd since normally the place is packed this time of day.

Left the park around noon with a Butterbeer in hand and headed to Citywalk for lunch. Ate at panda express and headed break to the room for a short rest, but the room is getting cleaned, so I am just sitting near the lobby. Tonight I plan on riding water rides until I am at least 10 pounds heavier due to the water.

As far as what is getting painted, is appears to be everything. Today they were working on the roof next to the trolley ride. They have a few machines that are blocked off around the trolley area and they seem to work during the day. Had four painters working today.

I will post again tonight to update everybody on the evening events.

 

[damo]

Sounds like you might have hit the calm before the storm!

 

[Badge]

Well, tonight was crazy!

Based on your comments, I realize I never said anything about us. My name is derek and 21 years old. Also on this trip is my younger (jessica, 14) and my mom. This morning during my first update of the day was just me at the parks. We all left the room at 3:15 and headed to IOA.

Once there, we maybe a res. At Confiso (spelling?) Grill for dining and we went to ride some rides. My sister and I rode Spiderman and I rode Dr. Doom. Once I got off, I got to see the new outfits for the Heros. The pictures do not do them justice! They look so good in person. Also, those new three wheel bikes are amazing as well. In fact, they are now like a hero with people lining up to get a picture standing next to them!

We went and ate dining. It was our first time here and everything sounded so good. I got the slider burgers which were just ok. I would not get them again. My mom got the club sandwhich and liked it. My sister got the chicken sliders and felt the same way as I did. However, the spinach and artichoke dip was the best we have ever had, which is saying something since we normally always order this when it is on a menu. We all agree that we would all go back just to order that. I might sneak in tomorrow and just eat that for a light lunch.

As we were leaving, it started to rain a little. By the time we got to Popeye (remeber from the first report today, tonight was going to be my water night) it was pouring. We made it inside a shop before the wind really started to pick up. The rain kept the ride closed until about 7. Finally made it on and was able to ride it three times without getting off.

Headed to Dudley after that, and I hate to say this, but I will not ride it again. I used to love this ride, but that lapbar system they added makes it so hard to get into the cars! Its even worse to get out. The family that was going to ride with me could not manage to get in so they left the car. Universal really needs to change these cars. I do not consider myself overweight (do not need modified seats) but it was a tight squeeze on Dudley. They need to remove one of the five seats to make more room before I will attempt this ride again. You can tell the empolyees understand how hard it is and try their best to get you in and out, but it is not easy!

After Dudley we headed to jurrasic park, and the ride was closed due to weather, but it was not raining...yet.

Headed to HP to grab another Butterbeer. We also refilled our big soda mug with pumpkin juice. They charge full price to refill this mug, but it is still cheaper than the bottled version. I LOVED it. Mom and sister hated it. It tasted like a pumpkin pie in a cup. Can't wait to get more tomorrow!

As we were leaving HP, it started to thunder and lightly rain. We figured the boats were not going to be running, becuase the light rain and lighting yesterday stopped the boats, so we did not even look to see if they were running. By the time we made it out of the park, it was pouring! So, we just kept walking following the walking path to the hotel, and to our shock, the boat was going. Universal needs to pick a policy and stick to it. Heavy rain and more lighting, yet the boat was running. By the time we all made it back, mom and sister were also soaked.

Well, my fingers are starting to hurt typing this up on a cell phone, so I will stop here. No idea what we are doing tomorrow except for Nelly (if the nightly rain will stop!), but you guys will hear all about it tomorrow!

 

[Metro West]

Glad you're having a good time Derek!

The storms you're talking about came around my house too...I live about 20 minutes North of Universal so I'm pretty close. Orange and surrounding counties had severe thunderstorm and flooding warnings most of the evening.

That's just the start of the summer weather for us.

 

[damo]

Sorry, Badge, I always thought you were a female! And not a young female either, lol.

I like the pumpkin juice too.

 

[dd50]

Sounds like today went better for you and glad you are having a good time.

 

[macraven]

nay, i knew the homie was a dude........
i could tell by his handwritting on the posts........



the boats do run in the rain.
they don't run when there is lightening within a 3 or 5 mile range of uo though.

the brazilian style steak joint at latin quarters is supposed to be great.


hey, take a picture of the menu of that place in city walk for us please.
homies wanna see what is on the menu there.

damo wants to see it also.
well, she posted that anyone at UO this week to please snap a pic of it for us back here..

i forgot if you told us.
where is your room location this time?

 

[macraven]

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ADDS NEW CHURRASCARIA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE EXPERIENCE TO LATIN QUARTER AT CITYWALK



that's the place we need the menu.......
if you can either tear it down off the front of the building or just take a pic of it, we all would be forever grateful...

 

[damo]

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ADDS NEW CHURRASCARIA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE EXPERIENCE TO LATIN QUARTER AT CITYWALK



that's the place we need the menu.......
if you can either tear it down off the front of the building or just take a pic of it, we all would be forever grateful...

Lol, I forgot we should just put in photo requests with Badge.

Also, I didn't go to the Burger King/Moe's/Panda Express area in Citywalk and take menu photos there. We would all be forever grateful if you could get some pictures of those menus too.

Thanks Badge!!!

 

[macraven]

sometime back donald duck 52 took some pics of those places in city walk.


and bubba's mom showed some in her trippie a year ago.



i suggest 'hiring' him/Badge to take pic requests while he is there.........

 

[Planogirl]

I have yet to try the pumpkin juice but Badge if anyone in your group likes tea they might want to try the raspberry tea in bottles sold in WWoHP. I was completely in love with it.

 

[Badge]

Well, today was a great day and an amazing night!

First off, sorry this update is late, and most likely shorter than normal.

Had a late start to the day having lunch at Islands around 11:00. Made it to the Studios around 12:30 and rode everything except Jaws. Around 7 we headed to the monster cafe and got an amazing spot for the Nelly concert! We were sitting near an open door and were almost center stage. We just stood up and had a great view of the whole thing. The area around the stage started to get filled around 7:30 and was full by around 8:15. The concert started late by about 20 minutes and was over around 10:20. Had a great time!!

Going to leave the dining out of this update so I can get to bed..sorry!

Also, I have been reading your comments, and will try and get pictures of those menus. Not a picture type of guy, but I brought my camera this trip. I guess I was reading your minds and knew pictures would be wanted. I will try and have them posted the night I get back.

Tomorrow will be another slow day with the breakfast buffet at Islands planned. Will try and get you guys a longer update tomorrow and will try and be on time!

 

[Planogirl]

The Monster Cafe was open?

 

[Metro West]

The Monster Cafe was open?

It usually is when concerts are at the Universal Music Plaza.

 

[macraven]

i like nelly.

 

[Badge]

Today was a great day.

Had breakfast around 10:30 this morning at Islands for the breakfast buffet. It was good, but expensive at 19.50 a person! Only eat here if you can eat a big breakfast!

I headed to IOA while mom and sister went back to the room. Rode Dr. Doom three times in a row, spiderman twice, and jurrasic park once. Then headed to HP FJ which I rode twice, and both times something happened.

The first time the ride broke down for about 10 minutes. It was right at the end of a video screen, but instead of keeping the video playing (which could make you sick with the car not moving) they displayed a nice image of the castle. The transition from movie playing/ride moving to no movement/still image was instant, which was very surprising but fun. I always want to be stuck on a ride that they make us get off of, and FJ would have been a really fun time to do that. Oh well, two more days still for it to happen.

On the 2nd ride, I was with a group of three girls all wearing flip flops. Before I could warn them to take them off, they sat down and strapped in. I knew they might not make it during the ride, and sure enough I was right. All the girls were swinging their legs for some reason, and during the 2nd video screen, the girl in the middle had each flip flop kicked off by her friends on either side of her. What made it funny was the fact that it happened at the same time. They flew into the screen and slid down to the bottom. I had a hard time not laughing at them, but I did feel bad because she no longer had shoes to walk around on. A word of warning...do not wear flip flops on rides! They are more likely to fall off or slip off your foot and get lost. Wearing close toed shoes is the best thing (and better for your feet) when visiting a theme park!

After the flip flop issue, I went and did Dragon Challenge. No wait, and I forgot to mention that HP FJ had only a 20 minute wait around 1pm! There has yet to be a wait to get into the HP area this whole trip. After two rides on Dragon Challenge, I went to have a shepards pie at 3 Broomsticks to give it another try. I still do not like eating here no matter no much I want to enjoy it. Can't find anything I like!

Mom and sister meet me around 2 and I started all over again riding spiderman, jurrasic park, FJ, and others again.

We left around 5 and had dinner at Pastamore. It was just ok, and very hot inside the building. I doubt we will go back. Service was good however!

Been sitting around the hotel room since around 6:30. Wanted to have a early night, and it was a great night for it since all outdoor rides shut down around 7 due to weather and never reopened.

Tomorrow I am going to try and buy the college discount Blue Man Group tickets, so if we get tickets the report tomorrow might be late. I also have some information about D. ME, updates on spiderman, and some iinteresting I heard about a phase 2 of HP, but those will all have to wait until I get home so I can provide details that will be easier to do on a PC instead of my Blackberry

 

[dd50]

Sounds like you are having a good time and a little down time is always good on vacation.

Glad to here the crowds are low as I will be in the parks on Tuesday and hope it is like that then.

 

[Badge]

Super short report...sorry!!

Blue Man Group was AMAZING!!! If you have time, see them! It is well worth the money. If you are staying onsite, you can get cheaper tickets. Also, if you buy at home or have an AP, you get a discount. However, if you or a member of your party is in college, show the college I'd at the ticket window and you can get 2 tickets for $30 each!

I don't want to say much about the show, other than I was so amazed at what I saw. I have not laughed so hard in a long time.

Spent most of the day at the studios eating lunch at Monster Cafe again (it was only open for lunch today). Park was once again not that bust but it was really hot!

Ate dinner at Jakes again after the Blue Man Group. Jakes has to be the best place we have found to eat at at Universal, which is why we keep going back.

Tomorrow is the last full day at the parks, and I plan on spending a lot of time at them! Hopefully will have a longer report tomorrow.

 

[tinydancer09]

I'm a bit late but what did you eat at jakes? =)

Oh maybe I'm not late, just got to the last page and realized you're still eating there. Did you try the pizza? I'm thinking $11 to feed two people is a steal on arrival day.

 

[tinydancer09]

lol, there is a Keurig coffee maker in the room with hot chocolate pods. Just pop in the pod, add water and press the button and presto!!!!

Presto? I thought it was Universal Magic.... excuse me mummy dust!

Sorry, Badge, I always thought you were a female! And not a young female either, lol.

I like the pumpkin juice too.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that does this to people.