Our Universal Thanksgiving Vacation

[pas130]

So for our last evening at RPR, we had reservations at Tchoup Chop. We all got dressed after our afternoon rest and headed down to the restaurant about 6:30. We were seated pretty quickly, but the menu had changed from what we had looked at before online. My DS had something in mind and it was no longer on the menu. Both DD and DS ended up ordering chicken fried rice. Neither liked the fried rice. DH & I ordered dumplings, spring rolls, sashimi, California roll, and a specialty roll with tempura shrimp. The sashimi was very large. The California roll had a sauce on it that I didn't care for. I honestly don't think I would go back to Tchoup Chop, as the stir fry was better and sushi was as good as what we had at the Island Dining room. At the end of dinner DS said "I really wish we could have one more butterbeer." DD agreed! Well it's a bit of a walk, but why not. So I ran back up to our room and grabbed all of our passes. Then we headed out for one more butterbeer! This turn of events was pretty shocking to DH & I as both DS & DD had been pretty worn out and it was quite a hike. It just goes to show you how good frozen butterbeer really is! So we all enjoyed one last stroll through Harry Potter world before we left.

I've never found the butterbeer tempting (or the lines for it) I really need to try it

 

[SAHMKC]

I've never found the butterbeer tempting (or the lines for it) I really need to try it

We just really loved the Frozen Butter Beer! DS is notorious in his dislike for walking/running anywhere - but he is the one who wanted to hike to the park and back just for a butterbeer. Seriously, DS figured that he had to either improve upon his time running a mile or run the mile in a certain time in PE. So his first time running the mile he basically walked it, so that he would set the bar so low! He was making fun of DD for full out running it! He was like now you have to improve upon that! Lucky for him his metabolism is super high!

 

[SAHMKC]

Well, It's finally here our last day at Universal. We followed our usual morning routine and then packed or bags. We had the bellman store our luggage as we had a late flight out that evening. We decided to go to CityWalk and plat put-put golf. We played the SciFi side and it was definitely the best put-put course we have ever played. After playing it was time for lunch.

We convinced the kids to go to Hard Rock Café. Now some of you might remember that DD is a rocker who plays guitar, bass and sings and think well isn't that a no-brainer! Unfortunately we had eaten at the Hard Rock Café in Cancun, Mexico a few years ago and the food was horrible. But I had remembered reading on the Dis boards that the Hard Rock here was good. I'm so glad they gave it a try, because the food was really good there. Everyone was happy with their choices. DH and I had split Nachos and Fajitas. DS had a barbecue beef sandwich and DD had Mac & Cheese.

After lunch the guys decide to go play another round of put-put golf and the girls decide to just shop. The guys loved the haunted House Side of the put-put course. DD and I had a nice time shopping. I picked up a shirt for my Dad who watched our dogs for us while we on our trip. Then we had dipping dots. DH & DS met us and had some too. Then it was time to head back to RPR and catch our ride to the airport.

This time it was one of Tony's associates who picked us up. He was just as nice as Tony. We were pretty early getting to the airport, but you never know how long the security lines are going to be. So we hung around and grabbed some sandwiches for dinner before our flight. Our flight went pretty smoothly and I told DH to just go get the car from the Parking Spot. The kids and I would get the luggage. Unfortunately the airport was woefully under prepared from the number of flights that had arrived at the same time. We waited a long time for our luggage to come out and the area was packed with several different flights. This is where my blood really starts boiling because some parent decided it would be a really great idea to send their 60 pound little 10 year old girls to pull luggage off the belt. Yeah - not a good idea. They had no clue what they were doing and would not step out of the way to let other people get their luggage. I tried 3 times to get my luggage off, but I couldn't because they wouldn't step back as I was pulling the luggage off. So it was either knock them to the ground with my 48 lb bag or drop it back on the carousel. After the 3rd time a nice gentleman on the other side of them pulled the luggage off for me. The whole time I can hear their Dad saying look at that bag, get that bag - I so wanted to turn around and say why don't you do everyone a favor and get the bag yourself! He was an able bodied man and it would have made things easier for everyone else had an adult gotten the luggage. Wow- off my soap box now!

Anyway despite that little annoyance, the trip was one of the best trips we have had as a family. We really got to spend some quality fun time together. We would love to go back again - probably not next year as I want to wait for the new HP expansion crowds to drop down some.

 

[momofboyz3]

Fantastic Report! Thanks for sharing

 

[BurleyGirl]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip report with us! We have a Universal trip planned over Thanksgiving for this year, staying onsite at either RPR or PBR and we plan on eating at three of your same restaurants (Bubba Gumps, Mythos, and TChoup), but may change our mind on the TChoup...

So, your report was very insightful and helpful...thanks!! Glad your family had such a great trip!

 

[SAHMKC]

Glad my review helped you! I've read about some other negative experiences at Tchop Chop too. It's too bad because usually Emeril's restaurants are so good. I love his steak house in Las Vegas.

 

[schumigirl]

The haunted side was our favourite side of the golf too.......it's a lot of fun. And yeah little kids hanging around the luggage carousel drives us nuts too.......everyone is like....get them out of the way...........I won't get on my soap box about that now

Glad you had such a good trip.......thanks for sharing it with us

 

[elaine amj]

Thanks for sharing your trip. My DH and DS don't do thrill rides and we are contemplating a 3 day trip to Universal and a bit worried about being bored. Good to hear about your DS' experiences.