Something Wicked this MAY Comes! 18 nights @ RPR & SFR. An April/May 2025 TR

[schumigirl]

 

[macraven]

You always find the best pictures!

 

[schumigirl]

You always find the best pictures!

along mac, glad to see you!!

I do like a good gif or meme!!!! Sometimes they can be very appropriate to a moment and that one seemed fitting.

Hope you enjoy coming along with this one too mac

 

[SCDizFan]

Wasn`t there a restaurant somewhere you could eat while watching women dressed as mermaids swimming in Florida? Or have I just made that up

Yes, we have a mermaid bar at the B Ocean in Fort Lauderdale!

https://www.boceanresort.com/mermaids-at-the-wreck-bar/

 

[schumigirl]

Yes, we have a mermaid bar at the B Ocean in Fort Lauderdale!

https://www.boceanresort.com/mermaids-at-the-wreck-bar/

That looks so much fun!!!

I thought it was something from a bygone age, but good to see you can still enjoy a show like that!

 

[schumigirl]

Finally!!!!
The new Bar Helios Menu has been revealed for everyone to see, this was a long anticipated menu and it did not disappoint as far as we can see.
I think we could happily eat every single dish off the menu and delighted to see oysters and a seafood tower in the mix this time!!

I have been waiting for someone to post pictures of it before mentioning how much we are looking forward to having a couple of dinners here and as I don`t have Facebook (I know) my lovely friend Felicity sent this to me this morning.




Pictures credited to EYNTK Travel











The full menu is now on the Universal Orlando page and I posted the links on the Helios hotel thread, the Flora Taverna, Poolside Bar and Grab and Go are all on the links too.

They all look so good!

I think my first cocktail is going to be Nectar of the Gods, sounds right up my street, not sure what Tom will go for, he does like a good Old Fashioned so he might opt for their version to compare it to others.

Food wise!!!!!

Heck on a deck, I have no idea and I`m glad we`re going more than once this upcoming trip as everything looks so tempting.

Charcuterie, Crab Cake, Beef Skewers, Calamari, Scallops and that`s before I even think of Oysters, Crab Claws and, well, everything sounds amazing!

I haven`t looked a lot at Flora Taverna or the pool bar, but from the quick glance I had, neither of those will disappoint either, they have certainly put a lot of thought into all the menu`s to fit with the theme of the hotel.

So, yes, we cannot wait to see Fernando`s new place, Bar Helios looks to be outstanding!!

​

 

[schumigirl]

TEAK NEIGHBORHOOD
GRILL



A place we have missed visiting last few years is Teak Neighborhood Grill, it`s a bar and restaurant and is primarily known for doing the most amazing and quite unique burgers in the area.

​

This place is so good, very local feel to it, there are some tourists go to it, but not too many and it is mainly locals that frequent it, well that`s been our experience and we`ve been visiting here since before it was Teak, that was way back when!!

They did have another location, but the one in Maitland is now called Jaspers, not quite sure why, but this one in the lovely Metro West area is still flourishing and we have missed visiting it.

I admit we do tend to go for lunch as it does get incredibly busy in the evenings and they can do live music too which was seriously loud the time we went when they had someone playing.

Now I feel old!!!

They do have an incredible selection of beers on offer, many are local and some very nice cocktails and the staff have always been so nice whenever we have gone in. ​

I guess I am a little boring in places and always order the same thing, but sometimes for very good reason and here I usually order the Donut Burger, minus cheese and add jalapenos, it is absolutely gorgeous....a mix of sweet and heat, you can`t go wrong there and this is about perfect for me here, so much so, in all our visits I`ve only ever ordered this burger.

I will say the actual burgers themselves are very good, meat is tasty and always well cooked as asked.

So I have a dozen pictures of this burger from various angles!!!​

But, I have promised this time to get something different and there are plenty to choose from including The Spicy Veronica, The Daredevil or the newest addition to the menu, well to us anyway is the K-Pop Burger which involves a double smash burger, bacon, kimchi, Kung Pao Mayo then sweet chilli and siracha sauces on top which sounds amazing to me. I`ll leave off the cheese as usual and add more spice for sure, but that sounds like a favourite at the moment.

They also do Pierogi`s which are new to me, I don`t think I`ve ever tried them before, but they look and sound divine!!

I think Tom has had more than a few of their offerings over the years and has enjoyed everyone of them, except the Cronie burger which was just too hard to enjoy but all the others he would get again.

This is the Engine Oil Burger which had a fried egg on top and several other ingredients I forget right now, but he liked it!! ​

This was another he enjoyed, The Brazilian, I`m not even sure it`s still on the menu, but it was one of his favourites over the years, again with the fried egg he loves so much!! ​

So, we are determined to go back this trip for one of their burgers, it must be four years since we last visited, definitely time for a return to see if it`s as good as it always was.






NYPD PIZZA




There are some decent pizza options in UOR for sure, Jake`s is decent, Louie`s can be good or dreadful and although we haven`t tried the one in Citywalk, folks say it is very good, maybe one evening we`ll give it a bash. We used to rave about Sal`s at PB but sadly, it has disappointed us last few visits, so giving it a hard pass from now on.

Off site there are a million options and some are excellent, some just ok, but we do like NYPD Pizza, the one down at Lake Cay on Universal Blvd though, the other one on Hiawassee rd was a big disappointment.

Again, it is usually filled with locals including many emergency service operatives, certainly loads of police officers and firemen too whenever we visit, so you know if they go, it must be special!!!


​

They have a full menu and it is very good and I`m sure I`ve rambled about this before, but my Italian cousins in Long Island groan in horror at Kyle and I loving pizza with a BBQ sauce base and me putting pineapple on it too!!!

But, again, I love that sweet and spicy combo especially with chicken on a pizza, nothing nicer to me, but their faces the first time they took me to a pizza place in NY and I asked them if the restaurant did bbq sauce bases......lol.....I only wanted to see their faces, and by the lord they didn`t let me down!!! I was joking and got a regular tomato base, it was nice but lacked something for me.

I know. Weird.

But, this is what I`ll be getting here. To be honest, even the smallest size is too big for one, but Tom isn`t fond of what I order here so there`s no point in sharing, so we end up throwing away a lot and they always ask if we want a box.....the answer is always no!!! I am that person that cannot and will not eat cold pizza

Chicken, pineapple and jalapeno.

Perfect.


​

Tom is a verified Meat Feast Pizza type of guy....the meatier the better and like me he usually adds on jalapenos, but he prefers the traditional Tomato sauce base and even when we make them at home from scratch, I make 2 sauces, one for me and Kyle if he is visiting for dinner and the basic sauce for Tom, keeps us all happy.
​

They also do some very nice meaty sandwiches which Tom has enjoyed too and although we didn`t partake, Kyle can recommend the chocolate dessert they offer!!!

I`m never sure where he finds room for dessert, but he usually manages it!!! ​

More food options coming up!!!

​

 

[disneyseniors]

TEAK NEIGHBORHOOD
GRILL



A place we have missed visiting last few years is Teak Neighborhood Grill, it`s a bar and restaurant and is primarily known for doing the most amazing and quite unique burgers in the area.

​

View attachment 958132

This place is so good, very local feel to it, there are some tourists go to it, but not too many and it is mainly locals that frequent it, well that`s been our experience and we`ve been visiting here since before it was Teak, that was way back when!!

They did have another location, but the one in Maitland is now called Jaspers, not quite sure why, but this one in the lovely Metro West area is still flourishing and we have missed visiting it.

I admit we do tend to go for lunch as it does get incredibly busy in the evenings and they can do live music too which was seriously loud the time we went when they had someone playing.

Now I feel old!!!

They do have an incredible selection of beers on offer, many are local and some very nice cocktails and the staff have always been so nice whenever we have gone in. ​

View attachment 958127

I guess I am a little boring in places and always order the same thing, but sometimes for very good reason and here I usually order the Donut Burger, minus cheese and add jalapenos, it is absolutely gorgeous....a mix of sweet and heat, you can`t go wrong there and this is about perfect for me here, so much so, in all our visits I`ve only ever ordered this burger.

I will say the actual burgers themselves are very good, meat is tasty and always well cooked as asked.

So I have a dozen pictures of this burger from various angles!!!​

View attachment 958129

But, I have promised this time to get something different and there are plenty to choose from including The Spicy Veronica, The Daredevil or the newest addition to the menu, well to us anyway is the K-Pop Burger which involves a double smash burger, bacon, kimchi, Kung Pao Mayo then sweet chilli and siracha sauces on top which sounds amazing to me. I`ll leave off the cheese as usual and add more spice for sure, but that sounds like a favourite at the moment.

They also do Pierogi`s which are new to me, I don`t think I`ve ever tried them before, but they look and sound divine!!

I think Tom has had more than a few of their offerings over the years and has enjoyed everyone of them, except the Cronie burger which was just too hard to enjoy but all the others he would get again.

This is the Engine Oil Burger which had a fried egg on top and several other ingredients I forget right now, but he liked it!! ​

View attachment 958131

This was another he enjoyed, The Brazilian, I`m not even sure it`s still on the menu, but it was one of his favourites over the years, again with the fried egg he loves so much!! ​

View attachment 958173

So, we are determined to go back this trip for one of their burgers, it must be four years since we last visited, definitely time for a return to see if it`s as good as it always was.






NYPD PIZZA




There are some decent pizza options in UOR for sure, Jake`s is decent, Louie`s can be good or dreadful and although we haven`t tried the one in Citywalk, folks say it is very good, maybe one evening we`ll give it a bash. We used to rave about Sal`s at PB but sadly, it has disappointed us last few visits, so giving it a hard pass from now on.

Off site there are a million options and some are excellent, some just ok, but we do like NYPD Pizza, the one down at Lake Cay on Universal Blvd though, the other one on Hiawassee rd was a big disappointment.

Again, it is usually filled with locals including many emergency service operatives, certainly loads of police officers and firemen too whenever we visit, so you know if they go, it must be special!!!


​

View attachment 958138

They have a full menu and it is very good and I`m sure I`ve rambled about this before, but my Italian cousins in Long Island groan in horror at Kyle and I loving pizza with a BBQ sauce base and me putting pineapple on it too!!!

But, again, I love that sweet and spicy combo especially with chicken on a pizza, nothing nicer to me, but their faces the first time they took me to a pizza place in NY and I asked them if the restaurant did bbq sauce bases......lol.....I only wanted to see their faces, and by the lord they didn`t let me down!!! I was joking and got a regular tomato base, it was nice but lacked something for me.

I know. Weird.

But, this is what I`ll be getting here. To be honest, even the smallest size is too big for one, but Tom isn`t fond of what I order here so there`s no point in sharing, so we end up throwing away a lot and they always ask if we want a box.....the answer is always no!!! I am that person that cannot and will not eat cold pizza

Chicken, pineapple and jalapeno.

Perfect.


​

View attachment 958134







View attachment 958136

Tom is a verified Meat Feast Pizza type of guy....the meatier the better and like me he usually adds on jalapenos, but he prefers the traditional Tomato sauce base and even when we make them at home from scratch, I make 2 sauces, one for me and Kyle if he is visiting for dinner and the basic sauce for Tom, keeps us all happy.
​

View attachment 958135

They also do some very nice meaty sandwiches which Tom has enjoyed too and although we didn`t partake, Kyle can recommend the chocolate dessert they offer!!!

I`m never sure where he finds room for dessert, but he usually manages it!!! ​

View attachment 958137

More food options coming up!!!

​

I think BBQ sauce on pizza sounds delicious. I also love pineapple on pizza, but I draw the line at the jalapeno's, lol. My poor old stomach just doesn't handle spicy foods very well anymore. My husband would love the meat eaters pizza, but that's too much meat for me.
All of your food photos are great, thanks for sharing

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I can’t read your food posts when I’m hungry Everything looks amazing! I love that you are highlighting some of the local neighborhood places. It’s so easy to leave the resort and venture out to find some delicious options.

 

[schumigirl]

I think BBQ sauce on pizza sounds delicious. I also love pineapple on pizza, but I draw the line at the jalapeno's, lol. My poor old stomach just doesn't handle spicy foods very well anymore. My husband would love the meat eaters pizza, but that's too much meat for me.
All of your food photos are great, thanks for sharing

I forgot you are a fellow pineapple on pizza friend!!!! It`s the others that are wrong...gotta be

Yes, jalapenos are not for everyone, I think there may come a time when I do have to cut them out too, but until then.......spice all the way!!!

Glad you like the pics!!!!

 

[schumigirl]

I can’t read your food posts when I’m hungry Everything looks amazing! I love that you are highlighting some of the local neighborhood places. It’s so easy to leave the resort and venture out to find some delicious options.

lol....I know, they make me hungry too!!

There are so many places to try that are not chains and beyond good!! Always glad to mention them as some end up visiting them and enjoying what they have. And yes, so easy as so many places are so close to the hotels.

 

[keishashadow]

They also do Pierogi`s which are new to me, I don`t think I`ve ever tried them before, but they look and sound divine!!

A true delicacy if home made…potato & cheese is the way to go .

NYPD Pizza, the one down at Lake Cay on Universal Blvd though

Even when @ WDW only trips, make a point to visit as one of the few places in town with decent ‘za and hoagie for the mr

I also love pineapple on pizza, but I draw the line at the jalapeno's, lol

Same, i do like capicola with the pineapple. Other times will do ham & yellow banana pepper rings on one.

Just ate, mouth is still watering reading about the food here lol

 

[schumigirl]

A true delicacy if home made…potato & cheese is the way to go .

Even when @ WDW only trips, make a point to visit as one of the few places in town with decent ‘za and hoagie for the mr

Same, i do like capicola with the pineapple. Other times will do ham & yellow banana pepper rings on one.

Just ate, mouth is still watering reading about the food here lol

Oh, good tip, I`ve been looking at lots of recipes thinking I`d give them a try in the winter and wondered why most were just potato and cheese. Some had meat, but they sound so nice and very moreish!! I`m wondering how `ve missed them for so many years!

I think Tom got a sandwich twice at NYPD and thought they were lovely. You get a lot of food there and we`ve never been disappointed. It even passed the "Kyle" test, if he likes it, it`s good!!

Oh I know....looking at food pics always get that appetite grumbling into overdrive

 

[schumigirl]

How`d that happen!!!

All of a sudden we`re down to such a short time till we leave, but I think, everything is in place that can be in place. I hope!

Simple things sometimes....today we got the email from VA with the option to choose our main meal on the flight out next week, so we have both chosen a different meal from each other, just in case we need to swap. Not bad choices with Honey Mustard Chicken, Cumberland Sauasage and a vegetarian option neither of us glanced at, so we`ll be fine with those.

To be honest, we`re never overly hungry on the flights, but it does pass some time and they do feed you a couple of times during the flight as well as drinks of course too which is very nice. About 90 minutes before landing they serve a rather nice afternoon tea which includes some tasty finger sandwiches and a selection of sweet treats along with a cup of tea which admittedly is not the best cup of tea around, but it will do us till we come home for some real tea.

We also purchased Fast Track for Manchester Airport, now we know we won`t "need" it, it`s not been too busy last few visits and the Easter vacation is over next week, but we also know if we don`t buy the Fast Track for Security, the line WILL look like this...







So, yes, it`s a just in case, but, it`s not expensive at around $25 for both of us so we just got it today.

I know many of my friends, both on here and in real life all pack very early, and nothing wrong with that, but I will get packed up on Sunday night, it doesn`t take us very long as we always know what we want to take with us.

I have decided to take less clothes this year, promise!!! Well, I`ll try my best and I`ve already had a look to see what can be omitted, ideally we want to bring only three suitcases with us this trip and hand luggage too, it would be easier with Tom taking two and me with one, but by the time we add in stuff we take over for folks, it all adds up, so there might be four!!

We did get a super duper new set of travel luggage scales, they are incredibly accurate, or so they seem to be, so they should keep us right travelling both ways, but we don`t plan to do much shopping this trip at all, I bravely told all of my friends I`m not bringing anything back for anyone this trip so don`t give me a list!








Yes, I have a list

Trying to keep busy this week, but so far this afternoon all I have managed is to listen to the forgotten hits of the 70`s which was fantastic, some songs I definitely forgot and not much else. I do need to fill the next few days in the hope it passes quickly.

Ready for some heat!!!!





More chatter to come!
​

 

[angryduck71]

Can't wait for from smiling Tom pics! I'm reading your last report to get my fill. I'm so sad to realize I was likely in Orlando near the end of your last trip (on the "other side" as I did a last-minute tagalong trip with a friend for foor & wine festival. I thought at the time to check if you were around but probably would not have been able to sneak in a meet. ONE OF THESE DAYS though!!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Six more days!

Doesn’t matter if her friends have been naughty or nice…

Carole will make that list & check it twice.

 

[schumigirl]

Can't wait for from smiling Tom pics! I'm reading your last report to get my fill. I'm so sad to realize I was likely in Orlando near the end of your last trip (on the "other side" as I did a last-minute tagalong trip with a friend for foor & wine festival. I thought at the time to check if you were around but probably would not have been able to sneak in a meet. ONE OF THESE DAYS though!!!!

Awww, he enjoyed hearing that Alice

We missed each other again, yes, one of these days we`ll manage a meet up finally! Hope you enjoyed Food & Wine Festival, we only did it once way back in 2007!

Can it really be five years ago we were planning to meet up at AK for dinner together, then the world went to hell in a hand cart and it was all cancelled, seems a lifetime ago now.

Glad you`re enjoying the last one too and happy you`re back for this one

 

[schumigirl]

Six more days!

Doesn’t matter if her friends have been naughty or nice…

Carole will make that list & check it twice.

lol.....I sang along with those words

I`m a soft touch and they know it and yes, Tide Pens are on all of their lists!! Who`d a guessed they`d be so popular.

Yep, counting the sleeps now......

 

[keishashadow]

and yes, Tide Pens are on all of their lists!!

Nwahahaha they are absolutely a need, not a want!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Ooh, forgotten hits of the 70s!

I used to love this British band, Supertramp. They had a hit called “The Logical Song,” I think.

I can’t believe it’s almost time for you to go.

When the sleeps are in single digits, it’s so exciting!