Some bad news on upcoming trip

[bridget8822]

Hi all. I came for some words of encouragement and maybe some ideas. My husband and I are scheduled to arrive next Monday at Royal Pacific. Unfortunately he was just this morning diagnosed with a heart condition after an ultrasound on his heart. They will be sending him for an MRI/MRA. The doctor said he cannot go on rides (scary/roller coasters) while on vacation.

As of now we will still be going but he's a little bummed. No big rides. No HHN. Does anyone have any relaxing ideas of what we can do instead? I suggested a massage at Portofino and pool time and people watching but if anyone has any other ideas.......even in the Orlando are or Int'l Drive? Please keep him in your prayers (or just give good thoughts if prayers aren't you're thing).

Thank you in advance!!

 

[CPanther95]

I'm a ride junkie and have always enjoyed ALL the rides at Universal with the kids as they have grown up. My last trip in April was 5 days with the in-laws (wife is not a thrill rider) and I skipped all the big roller coasters (rather than have them all wait) with the plan to take a half day and hit them all myself. Never really felt the need to go back, so I didn't. Because I enjoy them so much, I would've never guessed how small a part of our Universal vacations depend on those thrill rides. We had a blast because there's so much to do in and out of the parks.

My perspective may be a little different because we go just about every year. I can walk by a ride and fully remember the sensation of riding it - and I know there's always next time if I miss out on a ride one year. So if it's your first trip, it'll be tough having to pass them up - but you'll still have a great time. If it isn't, I think you'll find it's not as major an issue as you're thinking now and it probably won't even significantly reduce the amount of park time you had planned. That's why I'd think real hard before starting to radically change your plans and spending a significant amount of time off-site (unless that's what you'd usually do). You could go from missing out on a handful of roller coasters to missing out on what's best about a Universal vacation. A relaxing self-contained resort with dozens of great restaurants and plenty of things to do and see without ever having to get behind the wheel of a car until you check out.

 

[snoopboop]

First, sorry to hear about your hubby's health troubles!

I've been wanting to try the Orlando Eye myself.... https://www.officialorlandoeye.com/

A massage at Portofino is a great idea! The spa there has a very long menu of available services... maybe a couples spa day is in order.

Also, there are so many great restaurants (both onsite and offsite) to check out...

I definitely understand being bummed by necessary changes to your vacation plans. I started a thread a few weeks ago because I was feeling really disappointed about all of the rides that will be closed this winter when I'm there. I'm sure we'll both find things to occupy our time and we'll have fabulous vacations, even if they don't quite look the way we'd originally planned for them to!!!

Best wishes!!!

 

[CPanther95]

I definitely understand being bummed by necessary changes to your vacation plans. I started a thread a few weeks ago because I was feeling really disappointed about all of the rides that will be closed this winter when I'm there.

I will admit that if I knew Hulk would be closed next week, I would have made it a point to ride it back in April.

 

[bridget8822]

Thanks so much. I'm not really a "thrill" ride person but I admit I was looking forward to rides like The Mummy and HHN. He was too so I am trying to make him smile. It's our first time there and first trip alone since we've been married! I'm sure we will enjoy and find stuff to keep us busy. Just kind of a big old bummer a week before we leave to hear this news. Thank you tho.

 

[tinydancer09]

Thanks so much. I'm not really a "thrill" ride person but I admit I was looking forward to rides like The Mummy and HHN. He was too so I am trying to make him smile. It's our first time there and first trip alone since we've been married! I'm sure we will enjoy and find stuff to keep us busy. Just kind of a big old bummer a week before we leave to hear this news. Thank you tho.

Are you interested in visiting another park? If so I recommend Epcot. There's only 2 thrill rides there... I'm sitting here thinking and I think Test Track and mission space would be the only two not recommended. Other wise it's walking around the world eating delicious food from around the world and.. if alcohol isn't a problem drinking around the world...


If that's not an option there's now the putt-putt golf, spending a day at each of the hotel pools, CB has a lazy river- if you're a pass holder you get a discount on tubes this month, they have that HUGE movie theater at city walk. Downtown Disney is also fun in my opinion. Blue Man Group is a great show! It's also on sale this month for pass holders. If you are a pass holder and want the link to the discounts this month let me know.... I'll keep thinking. But like others have said there are lots of non-thrill options available.

 

[bridget8822]

I was actually thinking the same thing about Epcot. We were married right behind World Showcase at the Boardwalk resort. It may be nice to go there for the day, watch Illuminations and stroll over to the gazebo where we said "through sickness and health" and remind ourselves that we can get through anything.

Thanks for the idea!

 

[Robo56]

You could rent a scooter if needed and have it delivered to RPR if the Doc feels it's to stressful for him to walk the parks.

Rides like ET, Shrek 4-D and the Terminater show should not be stressful. These are all at Universal Studios. Riding Hogswarts Express between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley would be very easy for him. Ride it both ways as the experience is different. You have to have park to park tickets to do this. Checkout the shops in the 2 Potter parks and then have a nice lunch at three broomsticks in Hogsmeade or Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley..

Also a very nice place to have lunch is Mythos in IOA. You can get reservations if needed for Mythos on line at Universal site under dining.

You can take in some shows. At Universal they have the Bettle Juice show and the Universal Horror Make up show.
At IOA is the Eighth Voyage of Sindbad stunt show.


Another idea is to take the boat over to Portofino Bay Hotel for the sunset "Musica della Note". They have opera singers come out on the balcony and sing in the piazza. There are tables there and you can get a pizza and some drinks at Sal's market deli pizzeria and enjoy the show. You can call the Portofino for exact times. Then after the show get a gelato.

Hope this helps and I will remember you both in prayer and send good healing thoughts your way for a wonderful trip.

 

[tinydancer09]

You're very welcome! Epcot is my parents favorite for the low thrill reason. They love different foods and cultures so they love to go over there and try something new. The food and wine festival is going to be going on from the Sept 25th-Nov 16. Not sure when you're leaving or if you might be there during that. If you've never been they have extra carts set up around the world for smaller sampler foods and drinks. Plus, obviously WINE!

Also, not sure if you're into it but Not-So-Scary halloween party is going on at MK. I mean obviously we're on the dark side boards so I shouldn't be tooting disney's horn, but just throwing everything I can think of out there!

I hope you all have a great and relaxing trip! You guys can get through this. There will be plenty of stuff for you guys to do to keep your mind off of it I'm sure. Hope the best for you guys!

 

[codygirl5150]

Discovery Cove is amazing and relaxing, if you can swing the $ and it's not sold out!

 

[Mfarquar1]

First time poster, but long time reader! I had an idea when I read the OP and saw Halloween Horror Nights was off the table. If you and your husband are disappointed in missing the event, there is a FANTASTIC behind the scenes tour (offered on select days - both an AM and a PM) that provides a lights on, no scareactor look at the making of the houses. It's called the Unmaking the Horror Tour and there are AP discounts and even a discount if you decide to do both the AM and the PM tour - each tour will cover 3 of the houses - AM covers different houses than PM. We've done this tour 3 times and it has always been an awesome experience. Feels like a bit of movie magic, gives you that HHN fix and definitely has NO scares involved.

 

[bridget8822]

First time poster, but long time reader! I had an idea when I read the OP and saw Halloween Horror Nights was off the table. If you and your husband are disappointed in missing the event, there is a FANTASTIC behind the scenes tour (offered on select days - both an AM and a PM) that provides a lights on, no scareactor look at the making of the houses. It's called the Unmaking the Horror Tour and there are AP discounts and even a discount if you decide to do both the AM and the PM tour - each tour will cover 3 of the houses - AM covers different houses than PM. We've done this tour 3 times and it has always been an awesome experience. Feels like a bit of movie magic, gives you that HHN fix and definitely has NO scares involved.

WOW! Thank you SOOOOO much for this! That is EXACTLY what we were looking for. I can't wait to tell my husband. I'm so happy you posted this.

 

[Mfarquar1]

Oh! Other ideas:

- For Hogwarts - ask for the "walk-through" tour of the Forbidden Journey. You get to check out the awesome queue even without riding. Great for fantastic pics.

- I've been told that you can ask at the entrance of Twister for a behind-the-scenes look (no cost) - they'll supposedly let guests see the show from the back of the house and learn more about the special effects. They are more likely to grant your request during non-peak times.

- I have also heard that if you ask at the front of the attraction at MIB that you might be able to see the "control room" which is very detailed up close (so much so it's sometimes used for special events) in the MIB line. Again, this is based on how crowded it is at the time.

 

[Mfarquar1]

WOW! Thank you SOOOOO much for this! That is EXACTLY what we were looking for. I can't wait to tell my husband. I'm so happy you posted this.

Oh so very glad this is helpful!

Try to book soon - these sometimes sell out on certain dates/times! Enjoy!!

 

[tinydancer09]

OH! That reminds me! This is not on the scale of the unmasking tour... but the link below has some "secrets." Just little extras. I personally am very excited about the Hard Rock Tour!
http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/09/20/ss_secrets_uor/

 

[Mfarquar1]

Looks like there's a 2pm tour still open on Sept. 24th, a 10:30AM tour on Saturday the 26th and both 10:30am and a 2:00pm tours available on Sunday the 27th. Hopefully this will work with your plans!

 

[bridget8822]

Looks like there's a 2pm tour still open on Sept. 24th, a 10:30AM tour on Saturday the 26th and both 10:30am and a 2:00pm tours available on Sunday the 27th. Hopefully this will work with your plans!

Yes it does! I'm going to ask him about it when I get home tonight. Thank you!

 

[bridget8822]

Do you think he'd be able to do the Harry Potter rides?

 

[captainmoch]

Both of the main Potter rides, Forbidden Journey and Gringotts, are thrill rides. However, the Hogwarts Express between parks he can definately do, but it requires a park to park ticket.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Before you schedule a massage, read some reviews. Last I checked they were not good at all

Have fun and in sickness and in health is a good reminder