bcbmommy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2009
- Messages
- 856
First of all, Tony Hinds was wonderful! He was waiting at the airport for us, and was such a neat guy! Thanks for recommending him, Macraven!
When I told him that we were staying at Portofino the first 2 nights, and Cabana Bay the next 4 nights, he laughed and told me that I did that backward. lol. I would soon find out what he meant!
Portofino was beautiful and luxurious....basically everything that we love in a hotel. We had 2 adjoining rooms for my 4 children, my dh, and myself.
I had purchased tickets online at Universal, the 2+1 park-to-park tickets. I guess we're just spoiled by Disney, because I thought the ticket, room key, express pass mess was, well...just that. A mess. Who can keep track of all those different tickets, especially when you have a larger size family. I had to laugh, because when the lady at the Portofino check-in desk was trying to explain everything to me, she said, "Sorry, but we aren't as advanced as Disney yet". lol. Boy, was she right!
I love the close proximity of the 2 parks. We don't usually do park hoppers at Disney because it's too exhausting, but I really like the idea of park-to-park at Universal.
We did half of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at Universal. I took a couple hours out of my day on Friday to get us moved to Cabana Bay, and that was a pain. My 18-year-old dd ended up helping me move things over there, and she actually cried when we got there! lol. It was a shock to her. It really is a motel (rooms that open to outside). I wish I would've gotten us 2 suites there instead of one, because it was REALLY tight. The night before we left, I did sort-of start liking it there. They have a lot to do: bowling, swimming pool, lazy river, movies at night, campfires with s'mores, etc. But I really hated the room.
What really surprised us was the cost of food at CB. We actually ate for less at Portofino. And the check-out people at CB's Bayliner Diner could use some lessons in being friendly and hospitable.
We took a taxi to Discovery Cove Saturday, which cost us about $40 round-trip. Unfortunately, my dd lost her cell phone there, so that was another $40 round-trip as soon as we discovered it missing when we got back to the hotel. Ugh.
Wish we would've skipped Seaworld entirely on Sunday, and had a day of rest instead. Wasn't even a little bit impressed with it.
Really liked Aquatica on Monday, but then, we only stayed about 3 1/2 hours.
Tuesday was a free day, until we left for the airport at 3:30. Thankfully, we were able to upgrade our tickets the Friday before for free! Except my 3-year-old's, which cost us $10. That was a nice surprise and blessing! So, we spent some time at Universal that day, as well.
Oh, I have to mention this. I really do not like City Walk. Yuck. And I hate the bus system. Give me Portofino and the boats!
When I told him that we were staying at Portofino the first 2 nights, and Cabana Bay the next 4 nights, he laughed and told me that I did that backward. lol. I would soon find out what he meant!
Portofino was beautiful and luxurious....basically everything that we love in a hotel. We had 2 adjoining rooms for my 4 children, my dh, and myself.
I had purchased tickets online at Universal, the 2+1 park-to-park tickets. I guess we're just spoiled by Disney, because I thought the ticket, room key, express pass mess was, well...just that. A mess. Who can keep track of all those different tickets, especially when you have a larger size family. I had to laugh, because when the lady at the Portofino check-in desk was trying to explain everything to me, she said, "Sorry, but we aren't as advanced as Disney yet". lol. Boy, was she right!
I love the close proximity of the 2 parks. We don't usually do park hoppers at Disney because it's too exhausting, but I really like the idea of park-to-park at Universal.
We did half of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at Universal. I took a couple hours out of my day on Friday to get us moved to Cabana Bay, and that was a pain. My 18-year-old dd ended up helping me move things over there, and she actually cried when we got there! lol. It was a shock to her. It really is a motel (rooms that open to outside). I wish I would've gotten us 2 suites there instead of one, because it was REALLY tight. The night before we left, I did sort-of start liking it there. They have a lot to do: bowling, swimming pool, lazy river, movies at night, campfires with s'mores, etc. But I really hated the room.
What really surprised us was the cost of food at CB. We actually ate for less at Portofino. And the check-out people at CB's Bayliner Diner could use some lessons in being friendly and hospitable.
We took a taxi to Discovery Cove Saturday, which cost us about $40 round-trip. Unfortunately, my dd lost her cell phone there, so that was another $40 round-trip as soon as we discovered it missing when we got back to the hotel. Ugh.
Wish we would've skipped Seaworld entirely on Sunday, and had a day of rest instead. Wasn't even a little bit impressed with it.
Really liked Aquatica on Monday, but then, we only stayed about 3 1/2 hours.
Tuesday was a free day, until we left for the airport at 3:30. Thankfully, we were able to upgrade our tickets the Friday before for free! Except my 3-year-old's, which cost us $10. That was a nice surprise and blessing! So, we spent some time at Universal that day, as well.
Oh, I have to mention this. I really do not like City Walk. Yuck. And I hate the bus system. Give me Portofino and the boats!
