pre trip report july 2010

[roxy5400]

Okay I have been reading all the threads on this site for a couple of months now getting ideas for my own universal vacation and have finally gotten the nerve to post. I would apreciate any advice or ideas, this is my first big vacation I have planned, first of many to come , I hope. I went to universal about 8 years ago with my parents and children and loved it and have been waiting for Harry Potter to come so we could go back. My husband is not into the vacation thing so I have made a new years resolution to go with the kids by myself from now on, well I am taking my best friend who is more less like a mom to me. So it is myself, my ds 14 and dd 10, and my friend . So far my plans are as follows , We fly in on July 5 and head to PBH, I have a cabana for the day at the pool. Then Tuesday and Wednessday will head to the parks, have the HP package so we will have breakfast at three broomsticks on Wed. I also have a cabana booked for Friday , my idea being the first and last days to be pretty laid back. I want to enjoy and not be rushed or feel like we have to go , go , go the whole time. I am toying with the idea of doing discovery cove on Thursday , not sure, it is alot of money but I just know the kids would love it. Anyone have any thoughts on this idea? Like I have already said, or typed. I DON'T want to feel rushed and looking back now I wish I would have allowed 2 more days to the trip but everything is booked now. The kids also want to go see a movie at the IMAX theater at citywalk, and with it being the week after the 4th I am sure there will some great movies released that weekend. I plan on eating at Bubba Gumps and Margaritaville , I have seen alot of things posted about Mythos, not sure about that though. Again any insight would be great on any other cool places to eat at universal, we will not have a car but from what I have researched so far there will be plenty to choose from there. Getting really excited , I admit I have ocd and this vacation is all I have been thinking about since it was booked, before that actually. I realize it will be pretty packed with it being the holiday week but I am going in prepared for that . I just hope for the kids sake that it is all that I have imagined.

 

[roxy5400]

o

 

[mjohnson96]

Sounds like you got a good start to your vacation plans. Discovery Cove is something we plan on doing once DD gets a little older and can enjoy it more. It might also be something to hold off doing until your next trip when you can have more time since it includes admission to SeaWorld and unless you want to skip it or do it on Friday that might rush you some more.

Another idea is that Blue Man Group, the kids might really like that. Also, they have the kids Activity area where it is $15 an hour per kid and then they can also feed them for $15 if you and your friend want to go out to City Walk for some Adult time

Otherwise I hope you have lots of fun!

 

[rpbert1]

sounds good, and staying onsite you definetly will not feel rushed. we usually spend time at the pool especially mornings, and just take it easy in the parks.
NBA is good for food one of our fav, and Margaritaville we usually eat there around 9pm, as they have a group playing about 9:30 and children are allowed to stay, never been really disappointed with any food places at Citywalk.
we arrive at RPR on the 7th, and DD14 loves an eveing at Citywalk listening to the group playing onstage there, has us down most nights , and its great relaxing with a Margarita
Hope you have a great time

 

[roxy5400]

Thanks for the ideas, yes I have decided that Discovery cove will be something for our next trip to orlando with the sea world and I think I also saw aquatica admission included I will plan that into our next vacation. I am pretty happy with just planning on enjoying the parks and what PBH has to offer. And that is a great idea about the kids club, some adult time would be great. I am sooo excited it is just a few weeks away. I need to start planning a list of things to pack , anything anyone can think of that might not be so obvious til I get there and think oh yeah should of thought of that?lol. The only thing that I think will cause me worry is hoping we won't have to wait in a 6 hour line to ride FJ . That and worrying that my dd will be upset because of the 4 of us she is the only one who rides roller coasters and I am not so sure about letting her ride by herself, I may get the courage up to try the hulk but that is not something I will know until I get there. I hope you all have great times on your trips , it looks like you both will be vacationing before too long also. Thanks again.

 

[mjohnson96]

The only thing that I think will cause me worry is hoping we won't have to wait in a 6 hour line to ride FJ . .

Onsite guests will be able to enjoy WWOHP an hour before Park Opening so make sure to get up one morning early and head over to the park and get on FJ. That is our plan, well we have to do it two days due to when family will be there....darn our luck

For packing, well leave some room in the suitcase for all the extra WWOHP stuff you will be bringing home with you

 

[roxy5400]

Okay 7 days to go and we are off to Universal , started packing today , I have a large duffle bag that zips into a flat square for all of our goodies, I am sad to see that the chocolate melts so quickly and they do not deliver this to your room. Glad to know this ahead of time though. Day one as I posted before will be at the pool , have lunch there and some drinks any suggestions for a good drink do they serve miami vices? They are half strawberry daqu. half pinacolada. I know hurricanes are pretty popular but I do not know if those come frozen. Anyway probably check out the other hotels and citywalk that evening . Early rising for day 2 to get to flying journey although dd and friend might not be in for that, we have to get up about 4 am to make our flight day one. Anyway once fj is done we will just play it by ear other than breakfast at Three Broomsticks day 3. A movie or two and Blue Man Group are probably on the itinerary at some point and are planned especially for any rainy days. I am sooo happy I found DIS , these forums have kept me so informed and helped me plan and know what to expect. Thank you all!!

 

[Ozymoe]

Don't you get a head of the line pass if you're staying onsite? That would be priceless if so!