Secret Trip to Orlando

[Dislifer]

We got to RPR last Friday 8/4. First impression: very busy place!!! We decided to rest, take it easy and get acclamated on Saturday so we rented a cabana and stayed by the pool all day. Absolutely lovely! I didn't know that there was a "play sunken ship" near the pool with water guns, etc.---my 10 year old son loved this!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That night we went to the RPR luau...I didn't really like it. We went to the luau at the Polynesian a few years ago and liked that better. I'm done with luaus for awhile! The entertainment was ok, but the food wasn't very good.

Sunday, we took the boat to Universal. We went on JAWS, Twister, Shrek, MIB, ET, Beetlejuice and Fear Factor (I really liked that!) That night we went to Bubba Gumps. Maybe it was because we weren't very hungry but we would NOT return to this restaurant. Did not like it!!! Then we stayed for the fireworks and light show.

Monday-Universal again went to Jimmy Neutron, ET, Terminator, Earthquake, Jaws, MIB, Horro Picture Show....all rides/attractions super super super!!!
Lunch-Hard Rock Cafe---very good upon the waiters recommendation, I had the Tuscany Chicken Salad-excellent!
Now.................for dinner............Tchoup Chop LOVED IT!!!! The food, service, atmosphere=EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!1 A must do...although expensive, but hey it's Emeril and it's vacation!!!

Tuesday-IOA-Cat in the Hat (fun), One Fish, Red Fish, (fun!), Suess Train, Poseidon's Fury, Jurassic Park River Adventure (AHHHHHHHH-had to buy that picture!!!), Spiderman(very good)
Lunch - Mythos - very good I had the Risotto of the day...nice place

Wednesday-DISCOVERY COVE absolutely the BEST!!!!! Wonderful time!!! Don't let the price deter you. When you stop and analyze it, it really isn't that bad (includes SeaWorld ticket, breakfast, lunch, all snacks throughout the day, beer, wine coolers, wine, etc.) Plus....the experience is awesome! I not only liked the Dolphin Swim but I loved snorkleing with the tropical fish...how awesome!!! I was so happy to find out that they had perscription googles too!!!!

For supper we went to Margareteville...that was also good!

Thursday was our SeaWorld day. Very nice BUT.....it was hot and very crowded and I was sick and tired of my kids arguing so it wasn't that fun of a day.....no fault of SeaWorld though. We dined at Shark's Underwater Grill-excellent!

Friday-home

Advice:
Stay Club Level - it was worth it for our family
Use your AAA card for your dining and purchases
Do the Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove
STAY ON PROPERTY-can't beat the FOTL !!!!
Read these boards-so much info!!!

Any questions?????

 

[Motherfletcher]

Sounds like a fun vacation! What about Bubba Gump's would make you not return?
My daughter and friend swam with the dolphins last week. They'll remember that forever.

 

[highlander447]

sounds like a fun time, some great dining choices as well

 

[Dislifer]

Sounds like a fun vacation! What about Bubba Gump's would make you not return?
My daughter and friend swam with the dolphins last week. They'll remember that forever.

It really was fun! The reason I wouldn't return to Bubba Gumps is that the menu was just not appealing to any of us that night. I'm sure the restaurant is fine, but you know how sometimes maybe it's you or maybe the restaurant is having an off night???? It just didn't impress us. Lots of fried, fried, fried! I did want a plain old shrimp cocktail for an appetizer and they didn't have that. They had something similar but it didn't appeal to me.
There are so many great restaurants to try; this one just doesn't warrant a revisit!...IMHO

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[fionagee]

Advice:
Stay Club Level - it was worth it for our family
Use your AAA card for your dining and purchases
Do the Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove
STAY ON PROPERTY-can't beat the FOTL !!!!
Read these boards-so much info!!!

Any questions?????

Hi there,

Hope you don't mind me asking......why was club level worth if for your family? How many of you? We are a family of five - children aged 11, 8 & 7 and wondered if this would be good value for us? We are going to be staying on 10th October just for the one night for front of line benefits. We are paying $263.20 compared with £183.20 for the regular room. In you opinion do you think we will get $80 worth of value from our breakfast and happy hours? We won't use the gym.

Thanks a lot for any input.

Fiona,
Scotland.

 

[LukenDC]

Advice:

Use your AAA card for your dining and purchases

Do the dining establishments and stores that offer a AAA discount display the AAA insignia in the window or at the counter? How did you know what establishments offered the discount?

 

[Dislifer]

I did not notice anywhere that had the AAA insignia. I just tried to remember everytime I took my wallet out!

 

[Dislifer]

Hi there,

Hope you don't mind me asking......why was club level worth if for your family? How many of you? We are a family of five - children aged 11, 8 & 7 and wondered if this would be good value for us? We are going to be staying on 10th October just for the one night for front of line benefits. We are paying $263.20 compared with £183.20 for the regular room. In you opinion do you think we will get $80 worth of value from our breakfast and happy hours? We won't use the gym.

Thanks a lot for any input.

Fiona,
Scotland.

With five people eating breakfast, snacks, water bottles, etc. Yes, I do think it is worth it. It's not like you are going to come out sooooo much ahead, but if five of you eat breakfast out...what would that cost you? If five of you were to buy a snack and a drink what would that cost you? If five of you were to eat dinner (because yes, you can make their evening offerings your dinner and then the deserts and beer and wine...I think it's worth it...if you use it!!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Great report! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Spongemage]

Glad you had a good time!

 

[Cinderella822]

Dislifer, I just now got around to reading your trip report. We were there the same time you were - stayed at PBH. We actually ate dinner at Bubba Gump's the same night you did also. And my reaction was the same as yours - will NOT be returning. I think the atmosphere was just too busy for me or something. Hard to hear what anyone at the table was saying over the noise. The table we had was extremely small and had trouble fitting our dishes. I also agree that there was too much fried, heavy food. I had an upset stomach all night after that. Overall, though, we had a great time and already booked our next trip to Universal for August 2007. Thanks for sharing your report with us.