Out from the West Coast

[Elk Grove Chris]

This was our first trip to Universal Orlando, part of a longer trip involving WDW.

WDW Trip Report (in progress):
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-whole-new-world-litterally-first-trip-awesome.3474813/

Oh, the red eye flight was brutal, details in the WDW report. We left Disney Springs on December 16th around 4 to head to Loews Royal Pacific. It took us about 30 minutes to get there, a few accidents along the way.

Our kids are way into Harry Potter, so they were I think a little more excited for this part of the trip than the WDW part (my DD’s University is 20 miles from Disneyland-so we go there quite a bit-and she is real excited for Universal to complete the Wizarding World in California).

Very easy check in, nice lobby, cool train and gingerbread town, and nice open atrium.

Local dudes in town for bowl game, San Jose State Spartans. Rooms were very nice, we had a garden view, which really kind of overlooked the front check in area, but we were ok with that.

We had adjoing rooms with my Mom and kids. Door was stuck between rooms, fresh paint. Maintenenance took care of it pretty quickly.

Ok, we packed kind of light, so it was laundry time. Well, we could do that after we checked out the City Walk. Mom stayed behind in the room to rest. She was doing real well despite her bad knee.

We decided to skip the boat the first time through and stroll to City Walk for some looks and ice cream. No one really wanted any dinner. It was about a 10 minute stroll from the hotel. Security check, ok, should be used to this by now.

Some cool shops and interesting restaurants. We would have to check out CowFish, burgers and sushi, yes. The California version of City Walk seems to be quite a bit bigger than the Orlando version, but it seems a bit cleaner and a little more upscale here. Big plus for the Harry Potter stuff in stores.

We should have done the laundry first, we were all dragging tail at this point. Fortunately the laundry was on our same floor. And, there was a tech working on the machines, we would have to come back tomorrow, bummer.

Ok, that is about it for now, kind of a transition day, good stuff coming tomorrow.

(aww-Alan Rickman just passed away)

 

[squirrel]

I'm going to go search for your Disney portion. I want to hear about your red-eye experience. I love red-eyes and have one booked for my trip to Orlando in September.

Will you be adding a link to the Disney portion?

 

[squirrel]

Now I know why your first day was ruff. I never plan on hitting a park after the red eye from the West Coast. We might do it this year if I'm able to upgrade my Universal ticket to an AP as my niece will have a 14-day Orlando Flex Ticket. I'm the one that only has 7 days in Universal. We have 9 nights at Cabana Bay and then we switch over to our SeaWorld Hotel.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I'm going to go search for your Disney portion. I want to hear about your red-eye experience. I love red-eyes and have one booked for my trip to Orlando in September.

Will you be adding a link to the Disney portion?

Just added the link the WDW trip report above. Yes, it was pretty bad, I think my Son actually dozed off for a few hours, the rest of us got maybe 5-10 minutes at a time before a loud fasten your seat belt buzzer went off, over and over. I have never had any luck sleeping on a plane before though, and I have been on a number of 12 and 16 hour flights.

Now I know why your first day was ruff. I never plan on hitting a park after the red eye from the West Coast. We might do it this year if I'm able to upgrade my Universal ticket to an AP as my niece will have a 14-day Orlando Flex Ticket. I'm the one that only has 7 days in Universal. We have 9 nights at Cabana Bay and then we switch over to our SeaWorld Hotel.

Yes, I hear you. Our first day was supposed to be a rest day, but it got lost in the total planning of things. After the dining reservations at 180 days and FP at 60 days, and the park touring planning, I totally punted on a throw away room for the landing morning and groceries to be delivered to our first hotel. AND I forgot my favorite camera lens for dark rides (not that it mattered at Universal-since you have to stash everything before you get on a ride).

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

December 17-Thursday-Islands of Adventure

Great, potentially another record high for Orlando today of 84.

Since we were staying onsite, we could go in at 8, normal park opening was 9. We decided to use the boats to get to the parks this morning, very nice perk. We walked past the pool and the boat dock was just a few more steps. Security check again and then we walked right onto a waiting boat, 5 minutes later and we were back at City Walk.

Looks like they are building at least one if not two more resorts behind this one on the other side of the lagoon.

For those who have not been, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios are at opposite sides of City Walk, the boat lets you off close to the middle, directly across from the Hard Rock Hotel.

Not a whole lot of people in front of us as we make our way to the entry gates at 7:50.

We hot footed it to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with everyone else. Wow-nicely done Universal!

Forbidden Journey had a 10 minute wait posted, actually took us about 20 minutes to get on. What, you have to stow your gear, even my camera, yes, especially your camera. Dude.

Ok, the inside of this place is amazing, just like the movies, moving portraits and all that. My DD was almost speechless, which is not abnormal for her, she was thoroughly impressed, we all were. We did a Potter movie marathon the week before we left, my DW had not seen all the movies with us and she wanted to catch up, so everything was still fresh in our minds.

I almost did not care at this point about the ride at all, they had me at the queue. But, the ride is quite good as well. The robotic arm technology opens up so many possibilities for immersive rides and they did it so well here. We encountered this on the Transformers ride in California a few years back, but it seemed so much better here. DW skipped out, she was afraid it would be too much for her, luckily we convinced her to go on the ride with us later.

We did the Flight of the Hippogriff next, basically a walk on. Quick little coaster ride, nice.

Dragon Challenge was next, must be intense, you can’t even take phones with you. Ok, really liking the front of the line pass with staying onsite. That could be real handy when it was busy. It was about a 10 minute wait to get on the Chinese fireball at 9. Ok, that was a pretty intense ride, me likes. We all liked. Yes, DW sat this one out.

We did Forbidden Journey again, DW joined us and glad she did. About a 20 minute wait. So good.

Dragon Challenge one more time-10 minutes and on the Hungarian Hornettail this time, same ride either side it seemed.

Ok, let check out these sweet shops, around 10 now and the crowds were picking up.

There was at least a 60 minute wait to get in the wand shop, 149 aspiring wizards deep, no thanks. The shops were amazing, inside and out.

Ok, the kids were all about the butter beer, we have to try it.

I read the various descriptions of taste online and was less than thrilled to try it, not a huge fan of crème soda. It was much better than crème soda, more like a mix of crème soda and a light root beer, with an egg nog topper. Ok, we all liked this very much. The regular version was much better than the frozen version for us.

We got on the Hogwarts Express at 10:45, about a 10 minute wait. Ok, this was done very well also, loved it all. It was amazing how it looked liked students were walking by on the train.

Diagon Alley-WOW. I cannot remember if the California version is going to have this or nor, but please make it happen. Probably not enough space, but, oh make it happen. The detail is truly amazing. We made our way through a few shops, great detail on the insides as well.

Way more people over here, quite packed. We got in line for Gringotts at 11:30, it took about 30 minutes to get on the ride. The inside is just like the bank in the movies, goblins and all. Fortunately, they let my Mom use the elevator instead of all those stairs. Pretty amazing ride.

If this ride was maybe one more scene or just a tad longer, I think it would have been my favorite ride. Forbidden Journey was just a little better, better queue for sure.

More shops, more butter beer.

Leaky Cauldron for lunch at 12:45, it took about 15 minutes to get to the cashier. Cool looks on the inside, food, meh. Pretty average park food, nothing special at all. But more of a destination spot and there were a lot destined to be in here.

Ok, time to check out the rest of this park. Transformers was basically a walk on with the front of the line thingy at 1:45. Almost exactly like the California version, we like this ride. Queue a little different here.

Minion Mayhem was next, maybe 10 minute FTL wait, 35 standby. Cute ride, DW loves the Minions. We are noticing a trend, it seemed like the California Universal got you wet some way on almost every ride or show, not so much here, good.

Shrek was next, interesting ride/show.

We did the Mummy next, about a 5 minute FTL wait at 3, standby 15. Better than the California version we thought. Did it again, walk on basically.

Men in Black, walk on. Shoot em up, could use with some updated weapons, hard to hit anything, nothing to do with my aim I kept telling myself. We liked the ride though. We walked around a bit and checked out some shops.

We staked out a spot for Macy's parade at 4:40, benches were pretty much all taken at that point for the 5:00 show. Plenty of seating on the sidewalk though, not too crowded at all. It was a nice parade, something a little different.

We made our way back across the park to the Hogwarts Express at 5:45, a bit of a wait now, 25 minutes.

We walked over to the Spider-Man ride, 10 FTL wait, standby 20 at 6:15. We sat down for a bit-called it a night at 6:45, park was closing in 15 minutes.

Ok, Cowfish for dinner. We lucked out, only a 15 minute wait at 7. This place is huge, bathroom on third floor. Decent beer selection. DD and I had sushi, she had Dion’s OMG roll (coconut shrimp) and I had the Boss (spicy tuna), both were excellent. Mom had the Heavenly Veggie burger, DW and DW shared the Texas Longhorn burger, also both excellent, and HUGE. Great service and excellent eats. Too tired to remember to take pics of food.

Aww, laundry tonight. I was relieved of duty for some reason. Caught me some Thursday night football. Kiddos helped DW with laundry, felt bad, they were not done until 10.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Sorry for the delay in finishing the report, had to drop of DD at school. Twenty minutes from Disneyland and just could not squeeze in a visit, that was painful.

December 18-Friday-ooh Star Wars-the Force Awakens opens today

Our first morning with rain-at 6:45 anyways. We tried to pack as much up as possible last night as this was moving day once again. We would spend a good chunk of the day in the parks and then scoot over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to check in and have dinner at Jiko at 7:30.

I made several trips to the van while they were still putting their park faces on. We used the boats again, started with Islands of Adventure again. Rain stopped as we entered park at 8 and then quickly started again midway to Hogsmeade. A little dark and dreary.

Decision time, ponchos? No, let’s wait it out a bit. We got a little wet, quite a few people were donning ponchos but we marched on.

Made it to Forbidden Journey, about a 20 minute wait, at least we were out of the rain. Still loving this ride. Still sprinkling-duck into Owl Post shop.

We made our way back towards the entrance to the Croissant Moon for some pastries and coffee. Rain had stopped. Decent fare, better than average park grub. Mad rush of people at normal park opening at 9. Everyone is dragging a bit this morning, we probably could have used a full day of rest after the late night laundry.

My favorite Dr. Seuss book as a child:

Sprinkles again, we did the train in the sky ride in Dr. Seuss land. Pretty much no one in this part of the park.

Back on the Hogwarts Express at 10, about 10 minutes later and we were back in Diagon Alley.

Fewer people than yesterday, maybe the rain would calm the crowds a bit (just a bit). Locker room was a madhouse near Gringotts as people were ducking out of the rain. Wait was short to get on, maybe 10 minutes. DW went with us this time, she was glad she did.

Yeah, one more time-raining good now. Elevator for Mom again, that sure helped. Off second ride around 11:00. Locker rooms still congested.

Shopping and butter beer again. Bought DD two of the souvenir mugs, they washed them out for us after we finished, but no bags. Fortunately the shops will give you bags.

Train again back to Hogsmeade- more shopping and a snack at 12:05. Sprinkling again, not bad though, no need for ponchos.

Three Broomsticks at 12:15, short wait to get food. Slightly better food than yesterday, again a destination spot, but they have a bar in the back. Son and I shared the ribs and chicken platter. The ribs were ok, chicken was pretty dry. DW and DD shared fish and chips, it was ok. Mom had a salad and some of our fries.

They did some more shopping-me another black n tan. We headed out to the Jurassic Park area around 1:30 to check things out, no one wanted to get wet, so we skipped the rides.

At least the rain had stopped. There was some construction/refurb going on at the Jurassic interaction center, so we only got to glance in.

We made our way back to see the Sinbad show at 2, pretty cheesy, but a crowd eater.

We did the Poseidon Fury thing next. It was a walk through, kind of weird, not great for the fun sized in our group, they could not see much.

We did our last bit of shopping at the Islands of Adventure Trading Company and left the park 3:45.

We really loved the Wizarding World, I hope the California version is close to what they have in Orlando. Awesome part of the trip, now back to WDW and check in at AKL.

 

[schumigirl]

Lovely report!!

You captured some beautiful pictures on your visit......stunning!!

Glad you enjoyed your Universal part of your trip.......sounds like the family had a whole bunch of fun. And yep, Potter is stunning to see.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us........

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Lovely report!!

You captured some beautiful pictures on your visit......stunning!!

Glad you enjoyed your Universal part of your trip.......sounds like the family had a whole bunch of fun. And yep, Potter is stunning to see.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us........

Thanks Schumigirl-it was a great trip.

 

[Opie100]

Yeah, good stuff. Unsure at this point if/when Universal Studios Hollywood will get the Hogwarts Express -- but not this time around in April -- only Hogsmeade.

Oh, and I liked the frozen Butterbeer better myself.

Save travels.

 

[mrsabbott]

Lovely pictures! We haven't tried the regular butter beer, only the frozen.. May have to next time!

 

[pepperandchips]

Awesome pictures! What do you shoot with?

 

[macraven]

your pictures are so clear......!