Stacktester Trip Report MLK Weekend

[stacktester]

This trip report may be a little off topic as we split our trip between Universal and Disney. First of all let me say NOTE TO SELF: Do not go anywhere near Orlando, Florida ever again on a 3 day weekend. We got to US about 2:00 on Friday and rode a few rides. I'm glad they have the single rider lines. DD and I used them twice on Mummy and once on MIB and we still rode in the same vehicles lol. Went back to the camper and had chili that I had put in the crock pot after seting up the camper. It also doubled as dinner tonight .

Saturday we went over to Islands of Adventure. Dueling Dragons wasn't too busy and we rode it 3 times in a row. Universal has a stricter height requirement than Disney and that keeps a lot of smaller kids out of the picture. Most every thing else we waited on. Ripsaw Falls was flat out rediculous. It took us about an hour to get on and the whole time we were in line these kids from Brazil (No they weren't there for the soccer tourney) chanted some loud thing clapping hands. It was ok the 1st time but they did it about every 30 seconds and I felt like walking out. I backspaced what I really wanted to do lol. It was just nonsense is all I can say.

We decided to go back to US to do the Mummy once more but it was down so we did E.T. and watched the Blues Brothers sing a few songs. Great job by them I must say.

Afterwards it was back to the camper to make tacos. Luckily I planned on some indoor foods because it rained so hard Saturday night and turned cold as......... well you know. I should've made the chili Saturday as it was cold and woulda fit better

I forgot to mention we stayed at Turkey Lake which is near Universal. Great place, only $15 a night. Not FW but it get's the job done. They only have 36 sites and we were told we would have to move all 3 days. Ended up somebody cancelled Sat. night and a poor fella spilled hot water on himself and couldn't move Sunday to the site we had because he was in the hospital. We didn't move at all and I'm glad we didn't but I felt bad because this poor man was hurt. I took a few pics of our site and the inside of the comfort stations. If anybody wants me to email them info on TL I will. I just don't want to go into detail on here as this is called camping at Disney and no, I'm not kissing Rhonda's booty lol. I was told however that Turkey Lake (which borders the north part of the cg is the #5 lake in Florida for Bass. Catch and release only. The only incident I didn't like was a guy with a hard shell type pop up came in late Friday night (2'ish) and I mean he made so much noise I wanted to go burn his place to the ground. I know he had to crank that thing up but he was very rude slamming doors and loud talking amongst his group.

Yesterday we rode to FW and attempted to eat at TE. It was closed between meals so we ended up taking a bus to Disney Studios. After riding a few rides and seeing I-Jones Stunt show we took a bus to the MK. We did Haunted Mansion 1st. The line had every available chain in use. It only took 20 minutes to get in though. You know how that ride goes fast if all runs well. Afterwards we did BTMR. The fastpass line took us longer to get in than the stand by One of those wierd things you know. It was freeeeezing and all the riders looked ill upon returning to the que area. I had a fastpass for Space Mountain as well and glad I did. The line was out to Astro Orbiter. Like I said the lines were too long. I will not go again during these 3 day weekends. I knew they would be bad and I blame myself for trying such a stunt. That week at Disney before Christmas was too good. No waiting for anything. Shhhh I didn't tell you that secret.

Today we went to TE and got to eat this time lol. We had Ken as our server and Josephine seated us. I found out she's from a small town about an hour from Jax. She told us she's been at TE for 29 years. She said a man told her about Disney hiring when she was picking grapefruit for a living. They hired her on the spot and the rest is history. She had a lot of story's about the old fort days.

Afterwards we headed back to the Studios for Tof T and RnR Coaster. We also watched a couple acts by the street performers. They get better each trip. I enjoy watching them crack people up. When we left, we drove straight into a traffic jam on I-4. A semi had caught fire near the Channel 2 doppler tower and it took us 2.5 hours to drive thru it. I think I'm going to start taking the toll road from Disney and get on 4 in Sanford.

It was an enjoyable trip except for the lines. I'm sure if anybody goes Prez Day Weekend it'll be more of the same. I'll be at the 50th Daytona 500. Go figure. Am I just dumb or what. I hate crowds yet I plan things when 200,000 other people are showing up as well. I'm going only because it's the 50th Anniversary and I want DD and I to be apart of that. After that, the clowns who ruined the sport can have fun as I won't be to another race.

Hope everybody had a nice weekend. LarryJ we stopped again this morning but the van was gone. Your awning made it thru the storm lol.

 

[29bhs]

Glad ya'll had a good time...We were at the fort, and kept an eye out for you..,to come cruising through.The saturday nite rain was something.,lots of wind. Every one came out and put their awnings up before the storm.Didnt see any damage,but did see a fire engine come through when things let up,dont know what happened with that.The Fort was purty full. DOOM BUGGY

 

[BigDaddyRog]

SOunds like a good time even with the lines Stack...I'll pm you with my email....I would LOVE pics of TL.....Hey...I recall you mentioned you'd love to have yor cart "pimped up"...I found this very inexpensive weekend project you may be interested in
Golf Cart Skins Ive seen these on a few sites...but this is the lowest price Ive found.

 

[clkelley]

Sounds like a fun although crowded weekend. I've been down at Disney for MLK weekend before, and I don't remember it being so crowded, although I was spending most of the weekend around Millionaire cause I was trying to get on the show when Meredith was taping a "Walk-In and Win" event, and also got tickets to a few tapings.

I actually thought about going down to the Fort this past weekend cause when I checked earlier in the week Sat and Sun were available in a partial, but I just couldn't justify the gas. Instead, I went to a local campground where it was Cooooold, but at least it didn't rain, sleet, or snow. (New pictures on my blog).

Boy, October is going to be a loooooong time coming

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Sounds like a good time. Sorry it was cold and crowded, though! At least you'll be back soon

 

[Shannone1]

I want pics Donnie

 

[LONE-STAR]

How is Universal? We have though about going but just cant seem to leave WDW. Is it worth going?

 

[stacktester]

How is Universal? We have though about going but just cant seem to leave WDW. Is it worth going?

Universal is different in a lot of ways. The parks are more open and spread out than Disney Studios. Roller coasters are geared more toward adults but they have a lot for kids too. You can compare them all day and everybody would have a different opinion.

I'll list a few pros and cons:

Pros:

meal plan is $10 for kids and $20 for adults. You have 4 places from each park to pick from. If you want more food you go back in line and order it. No buffet and drinks not included. Oh and it's $2 more to have both parks. I like it for DD and for me if we plan on dinner as well. You can't feed a kid anywhere all day for 10 bucks lol.

Parking is in garages and they have moving walkways to travel on to save a few steps. Kinda far away but shady.

Areas and rides for all ages. Roller coasters are geared for older people though. There's kids rides and attractions in both parks.

You can buy beer and mixed drinks just about anywhere if you want. Never seen anyone being out of line.

If you want to park hop you walk next door.

Cons:

No Fastpass. They have Universal Pass and it's $40. The lines get long and unless you want to wait forever you may not get to go. At least Disney gives you an opportunity to ride.

Service is not like Disney. You're a dollar sign period. Not that you're much more at DW but at least they try.

If you have camper it's a long long walk thru garage to walkways. If you park in garage it's not too bad. No shuttle for the weary. Not that I can't use the walk but if it's hot, it's not a good way to start the day already tired of walking.

Even though there are some fun things to do it seems like it's always the same. They're changing Back to the Future to a Simpsons ride.

All in all it's a good park and some may say they like it better than Disney but I guess I'm partial to the mouse. If anybody has a specific question feel free to ask.

 

[clkelley]

I'm surprised you find the lines long at Universal. I go once about every couple of years. (Usually on a weekday though). We manage to see everything we want to see in BOTH parks in a single day. This last October we looped around Islands of Adventure and rode what we wanted, then walked all the way around again just taking pictures, then we went over to Universal and rode everything we wanted over there, then wandered again just taking pictures. Virtually no lines for anything.

 

[stacktester]

I'm surprised you find the lines long at Universal. I go once about every couple of years. (Usually on a weekday though). We manage to see everything we want to see in BOTH parks in a single day. This last October we looped around Islands of Adventure and rode what we wanted, then walked all the way around again just taking pictures, then we went over to Universal and rode everything we wanted over there, then wandered again just taking pictures. Virtually no lines for anything.

It was the 3 day weekend I think Carol. It was very unusual at Universal and Disney. When we went in August it didn't seem to be as bad.

 

[LONE-STAR]

Stacktester thanks for the info we might have to go over there for a day. I am not one for change grew up going to WDW so I just keep going.

 

[Swimnoid]

A crowded day anywhere in the vicinity of the Fort is better than being home at work! wanna trade?

 

[LONE-STAR]

A crowded day anywhere in the vicinity of the Fort is better than being home at work! wanna trade?

I second that

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Universal's version of fastpass, as Stack mentioned is called the express pass. During the busiest parts of the year it IS $40, but it costs as little as $19.99 during the slower seasons, BUT its only good for ONE ride per attraction, and not ALL attractions allow it. So fastpass blows express pass away.

 

[Shannone1]

Universal's version of fastpass, as Stack mentioned is called the express pass. During the busiest parts of the year it IS $40, but it costs as little as $19.99 during the slower seasons, BUT its only good for ONE ride per attraction, and not ALL attractions allow it. So fastpass blows express pass away.

I do NOT like the Universal express pass. It's just another way to suck money out of people. I don't think it's fair that just because some people have more money they should be able to move to the front of the line. I think WDW has the right idea...everyone buying a park ticket should be treated equally.

We do like the rides at Universal...and I really liked the Dr. Suess area. Haven't been there in about 4 years though.