We returned last night from our first trip to US/IOA. What a great time we had!
TRAVELERS:
Me (DW), 38, the obsessive planner
DH, 41, glad to have it all planned for him
THE TRIP:
An impulsive 3 day trip WITHOUT the kids, our first solo trip in more than 8 years
ACCOMODATIONS:
HRH
Monday, May 3
We had a 7:10 AM flight out Islip, LI. We were scheduled to arrive at MCO at 9:45, but our flight was delayed about an hour due to foggy conditions that had grounded several planes the day before. Finally took off around 8:00 and arrived in Orlando around 10:45. Headed to National's Emerald Aisle, where we were able to pick up a royal blue metallic PT cruiser! Yeah!
We got slightly lost on our way to HRH as I had the directions I had printed off these boards in my suitcase in the trunk, and we were too lazy to get them so we figured we would just follow the signs
Anyway, we found the hotel and yes, just as I read, it was way cool! We checked in, got our room keys, left our luggage in the car and walked over to US. Got there about 4 minutes after we left the hotel (around 12:00 noon)!
Our first impression of US: Wow! What a sight standing there looking up at the big Universal Studios arch with that music playing; it was larger than life. We walked in expecting to find crowds at that time of day but the park was pretty empty. Went directly to Shrek but it was a 15 minute wait for the next show and we were bursting at the seams to do SOMETHING so we went to Twister. We thought this was pretty cool, although I could see that after a few times you wouldn't want to go through the whole preshow again. Next over to Shrek which was a lot of fun but I started thinking " Our girls would LOVE this" and so I felt a little sad/ guilty... for a minute, then it passed! I can't remember the order that we did everything, but sometime shortly thereafter we went to BTTF. Now, my DH cannot do spinning rides and I knew he wasn't crazy about simulators, but I didn't think it would be too bad. Wrong!!! I absolutely LOVED this ride. But about 1 minute in I looked over at him and he had his eyes closed "Oh, honey, you don't like this? Aww...Woah, this is COOL!" A minute later I looked back at him and he was covered with sweat. This was not good. The rest of the ride I was alternately concerned about him and wishing the ride would end so he could get out, and loving it so much I wished it would never end. After we finally finished and got out he was green. We had to sit down for a few minutes but then he said he was "better" but still looked (slightly less) green. We eventually did a few more rides /shows and it took him about 2 hours to fully recover. He didn't want to do any more simulators (can't imagine why), so we did Jaws, earthquake, MIB, T23D. After that we decided to head to IOA and do the rollercoasters. My DH is a glutton for punishment, wouldn't you say?
Walked through Citywalk and were very impressed. This place has so much more appeal than Downtown Disney, which is kind of what I was expecting. On to IOA. We didn't find the entrance as impressive as US, but OMG what wonderful theming in this park! Awesome! Went right to the Hulk and walked on with FOTL. This is a great rollercoaster, the lauch is incredible, but halfway through my head started hurting. I did manage to enjoy it but it wasn't my favorite ride. My DH also felt a little woozy when we got off, but then he was still feeling woozy from BTTF! Next we did Spiderman which was also awesome, but halfway through I noticed my husband's eyes were closed again, so that kind of ruined the ride for me as I was concerned about him getting sick. He was alright and we finished up the park with Dueling Dragons. We rode Fire, and we both LOVED this ride. Much preferred it to Hulk, because it didn't give me a headache.
Exited the park and checked in to Margaritaville for dinner. It was a 45 min wait with room cards, but that was okay with us. We sat at the bar where my DH had a couple beers and I had a couple Bahama Mamas. I was slightly disappointed in this restaurant because the music wasn't loud enough (or the place was too loud) to really hear the music well, and I am a huge Buffet fan. Oh, well. A fun place (the stiltwalkers/dancers were incredible) and pretty good food, and great Bahama Mamas. Can't complain.
Day 2 to follow...
TRAVELERS:
Me (DW), 38, the obsessive planner
DH, 41, glad to have it all planned for him
THE TRIP:
An impulsive 3 day trip WITHOUT the kids, our first solo trip in more than 8 years
ACCOMODATIONS:
HRH
Monday, May 3
We had a 7:10 AM flight out Islip, LI. We were scheduled to arrive at MCO at 9:45, but our flight was delayed about an hour due to foggy conditions that had grounded several planes the day before. Finally took off around 8:00 and arrived in Orlando around 10:45. Headed to National's Emerald Aisle, where we were able to pick up a royal blue metallic PT cruiser! Yeah!
We got slightly lost on our way to HRH as I had the directions I had printed off these boards in my suitcase in the trunk, and we were too lazy to get them so we figured we would just follow the signs
Anyway, we found the hotel and yes, just as I read, it was way cool! We checked in, got our room keys, left our luggage in the car and walked over to US. Got there about 4 minutes after we left the hotel (around 12:00 noon)!Our first impression of US: Wow! What a sight standing there looking up at the big Universal Studios arch with that music playing; it was larger than life. We walked in expecting to find crowds at that time of day but the park was pretty empty. Went directly to Shrek but it was a 15 minute wait for the next show and we were bursting at the seams to do SOMETHING so we went to Twister. We thought this was pretty cool, although I could see that after a few times you wouldn't want to go through the whole preshow again. Next over to Shrek which was a lot of fun but I started thinking " Our girls would LOVE this" and so I felt a little sad/ guilty... for a minute, then it passed! I can't remember the order that we did everything, but sometime shortly thereafter we went to BTTF. Now, my DH cannot do spinning rides and I knew he wasn't crazy about simulators, but I didn't think it would be too bad. Wrong!!! I absolutely LOVED this ride. But about 1 minute in I looked over at him and he had his eyes closed "Oh, honey, you don't like this? Aww...Woah, this is COOL!" A minute later I looked back at him and he was covered with sweat. This was not good. The rest of the ride I was alternately concerned about him and wishing the ride would end so he could get out, and loving it so much I wished it would never end. After we finally finished and got out he was green. We had to sit down for a few minutes but then he said he was "better" but still looked (slightly less) green. We eventually did a few more rides /shows and it took him about 2 hours to fully recover. He didn't want to do any more simulators (can't imagine why), so we did Jaws, earthquake, MIB, T23D. After that we decided to head to IOA and do the rollercoasters. My DH is a glutton for punishment, wouldn't you say?
Walked through Citywalk and were very impressed. This place has so much more appeal than Downtown Disney, which is kind of what I was expecting. On to IOA. We didn't find the entrance as impressive as US, but OMG what wonderful theming in this park! Awesome! Went right to the Hulk and walked on with FOTL. This is a great rollercoaster, the lauch is incredible, but halfway through my head started hurting. I did manage to enjoy it but it wasn't my favorite ride. My DH also felt a little woozy when we got off, but then he was still feeling woozy from BTTF! Next we did Spiderman which was also awesome, but halfway through I noticed my husband's eyes were closed again, so that kind of ruined the ride for me as I was concerned about him getting sick. He was alright and we finished up the park with Dueling Dragons. We rode Fire, and we both LOVED this ride. Much preferred it to Hulk, because it didn't give me a headache.
Exited the park and checked in to Margaritaville for dinner. It was a 45 min wait with room cards, but that was okay with us. We sat at the bar where my DH had a couple beers and I had a couple Bahama Mamas. I was slightly disappointed in this restaurant because the music wasn't loud enough (or the place was too loud) to really hear the music well, and I am a huge Buffet fan. Oh, well. A fun place (the stiltwalkers/dancers were incredible) and pretty good food, and great Bahama Mamas. Can't complain.
Day 2 to follow...
dh....well maybe just you so far, are really enjoying the rides! I get queasy on some of the simulator rides (heck, I get seasick on the dock!) so I can sympathize but I REALLY love them so I suffer through it. Hope DH gets his sea legs soon!
in need of professional help!
i am a big chicken!!
It just made me even more excited about my upcoming trip! & I didn't think that was possible! 
