Our first trip home - Day 7 (alot of pictures!)

[Claire L]

Tuesday October 16th 2007

This morning we packed our overnight bag and headed off to the Portofino Bay Resort at Universal. But before leaving SSR we stopped off to book our massages for later in the week and also got to view the model rooms for AKV Kidani Lodge, which looked so much bigger than we had imagined.

Nathan was most impressed with the master bathroom and separate shower

Plus the extra bathroom off the living area is going to be a huge bonus

The studio model looked very nice as well

 

[Claire L]

We arrived at PBH by about 11am and checked in and were given room keys but no room number. I must say the whole design of PBH is done so well you could think you were in Italy!

Off we went on the water taxi to City Walk. Then it was on to IOA and as we walked in Nathan decided it was time for lunch so we stopped at Croissant Moon and I had the turkey hoagie while Nathan had the ham and cheese roll, and we shared a muffin.

Once feeling refreshed first stop was Hulk for two rides then Spiderman. We were surprised how short the queues were as Hulk was a walk on. It was then time to get wet at Bluto and Popeye but alas that was not to be as it was closed for an unknown reason, later we found out it was a planned refurbishment So not put off we went on Jurassic Park for a bit of water.

As it was a very warm day the water was a nice relief.

It was then onto Duelling Dragons and a couple of rides on each

It was a lovely warm day with light clouds and was not very busy at all. We stopped to get a few piccies across the park.

By now it was just after lunch and we walked over to USF. Feeling like ice cream we stopped and got some Dippin Dots

Then we went on the Mummy several times before heading over to Shrek 4D which once again is a must see attraction.

 

[Claire L]

It was now coming up for 3.30pm so we went back to the PBH by water taxi and found that our room was ready The view across the harbour was wonderful and it is certainly a hotel we will go back to.

After getting our overnight bag we went to the villa pool and got a drink before having a dip in the pool and then the Jacuzzi.

Although the weather was overcast it was pleasantly warm and we then had a Bud Light each before finally deciding it was getting late and we needed to get showered for dinner. On the way back to the room we got water, drinks and crisps in the shop. By 7pm we were ready and headed over to City Walk with the Hard Rock Café the choice for dinner. The restaurant was busy but we were soon seated and ordered the appetizer sampler along with a bottle of wine The sampler is huge and contained onion rings, hickory smoked chicken wings, Santa Fe spring rolls, potato skins and Tupelo chicken tenders.

I then had the Herb Grilled Chicken Breast with smashed potatoes and oven roasted mushrooms with a light herb sauce.

Nathan had the sirloin steak with fries.

We both finished dinner with ice cream

A few piccies from inside the HRC.

It was then time to head back to PBH, but we did stop briefly for a few photographs of City Walk at night.

Claire

 

[raph_b]

I love the pics of the JP ride I was too scared to take any!

PBH looks lovely, I wouls love to stay there one day

 

[mandymouse]

A brilliant day. We love the HRC too those platters look delish

 

[natalielongstaff]

Omg ! what a great day, Kidani villas look amazing

 

[wickesy]

Sounds like a great day. I couldn't believe how big the 1 bedroom AKV models were but we still only bought enough points for a studio.

 

[wideeyes]

great pictures. I love AKV can't wait to stay there next october.

 

[irongirlof12]

Thanks for taking the effort to load so many piccies. Really love seeing it all. all the rooms look amazing!

 

[KayleeUK]

Love the AK pics

 

[UKDEB]

Trip reports can't have too many photos in my view and all of yours have been great, Claire. We checked out the AKV mock-ups In August last year and I love the new layout - especially the bathrooms.

 

[SusanEllen]

Yours are the best photos I've seen of the AKV rooms. Thanks for those.

In case you're tallying votes for the wet shirt contest--I vote for you.

 

[mark&sue]

Portofino Bay Hotel looks so lovely.


susan

 

[Goofysmate]

Thanks for sharing your pictures Claire
The food looks good also

 

[Pinky166]

Great photos Claire.

I agree PBH is lovely and makes you feel like your in Italy. The AKV rooms look lovely, great pics.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Great photos Claire, the pictures of the rooms are helpful to many I am sure and the food at the Hard Rock Cafe plus the theming look great too.

 

[wicket2005]

Lovely report and photos. The AKL villas look really nice.