Potter just as wonderful the second time around

[patsal]

Just returned from a wonderful 4 day mini vacay. As usual I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the entire experience was and so happy to be able to take my DH along this time. I think we rode everything except Jurassic Park and the two toon water rides...just not warm enough to want to get that wet this trip.
The early entry to the Potter area as well as the FOTL with staying onsite made for a great and relaxing trip.
I have become a proud member of the dark side and I'm not looking back!

I have a question about Tchoup chop though--while we enjoyed our meal we found it odd that everyone kept saying sorry so much. It was slow, they took the order for drinks then realized they were out of it, food arrived in an odd order. Our table was not the only one the manger was wandering around saying sorry to everyone three or four times. I'm hoping it was an off night, but I just was thinking maybe speding time figuring out why stuff was not right rather than running around saying sorry so many times might be a better way to fix it. The only reason I ask is because if that is the norm I wouldn't return if not then I would try it again.

 

[damo]

We've eaten at Tchoup Chop twice. The service was always good. I just was never a huge fan of the flavours of the food.

 

[Andrea]

How crowded was harry potter now?

 

[JessicaR]

Glad you had a great return trip! Where did you stay? We used to really enjoy Tchoup Chop but after a couple of not so great experiences we haven't been back. That decision led us to Emeril's at CityWalk so I'm not sorry.

 

[Momw/aplan]

We're headed back for our second trip this coming May. So glad to hear it's just as good the second time around!

 

[patsal]

Stayed at the Royal Pacific. Potter area was elbow to elbow by 10 am each of the days. We arrived at the resort by 10 am on Monday after a 6 am flight. Checked in, checked our bags and headed to US for the day, not planning on getting much done but with FOTL we finished everything at US except Rip Ride Rock It. Next morning we used the early entry for the Potter area and rode FJ followed by Olivanders where we had about an hour wait. Went into The Hog's Head for butter beer and pumpkin juice (I prefer it from the dispenser over the bottle)--no lines like outside! Proceeded to the other areas of the park and rode until lunch at Mythos. Finished IOA and went back to US for RRRI. Then back to the room to change for dinner at Tchoup Chop. Up early Wednesday for extra hour at IOA, rode FJ twice and had more pumpkin juice, butter beer and cauldren cakes by 10 am, rerode what we wanted at IOA, back to room for a nap and pool time. Back to parks for more fun in the pm and trying to catch the final Sinbad show of the evening--rained out, ate dinner at 3 broomsticks and headed back to resort for pack up. Early entry and FJ twice before 930 on Thursday, a quick run to US for a final ride on Mummy and MIB, back to room by 11, change clothes and check out, ride back to airport and home by 6pm on Thursday.

The park traffic is very unbalanced. Overall we found US to be pretty much empty until after 11 when people would move from IOA to US. Never waited more than 10 minutes to ride anything other than RRRI. Hopefully they put something in where Jaws was to help balance the park traffic. It felt very odd to leave the elbow to elbow IOA area and move to US where we practically had the park to ourselves until lunch time.

We did get some bad news while there that my uncle had passed unexpectedly, so that made the vacation less than ideal. It has been very hectic since returning home, so I have not had an opportunity to unpack and look things over yet. I am hoping to get to that after the funeral tomorrow, so maybe on Sunday I will be able to answer more specific questions on costs and things like that.

 

[pigletto]

patsal, thank you for taking the time to give us your impressions. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your Uncle.

 

[Metro West]

OP...glad to hear you had a great trip and I too am sorry about your Uncle.

 

[Momw/aplan]

So sorry to hear about your uncle as well.

 

[patsal]

Thank you for your condolences, it really was a shock, my dad's youngest brother and completely unexpected. He will be greatly missed by many people.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm sorry about your uncle. Thanks for the park report.