The "Double Double-Dip" 17 Day Florida Vacation - 1,233 Pictures Report

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Lovin' your TR. Your family seems like a fun bunch! Can't wait for more.

 

[scotlass]

Hey Youse.....

Barb your TR is great.Your photos are so good.do youse use a point and shoot or a funny fandangled thingy with too many buttons ?

We have only ever eaten at CS or NBA cafe when at US/IOA....we are soooooo doing Margaritaville in 09.

It look great fun....the boy will love it !!!!

 

[Andrea from PA]

Having the WORST day! Up from 1 am on with sick child, may be going to hospital soon, in the midst of that I had a conference call with a work client & their attorney (lovely to do with child hurling in the background) & another bad work situation. I officially checked out of work mode & decided to lift my spirits perusing the DIS...

Well now I feel as good as if I took a trip myself (not really, but pretty good!)

Thanks for the great TR!

 

[bubba's mom]

Hey Youse.....

Barb your TR is great.Your photos are so good.do youse use a point and shoot or a funny fandangled thingy with too many buttons ?

Margaritaville is a MUST for our family...always fun....sometimes we are the ONLY table singing and clapping...but that's what they want you to do... the stiltwalkers try to get you to sing and get 'into' it Try it....

The camera I was using for the wet rides was my son's (since his was the one that fit into the aquapac)...just a cheapy Polaroid that Santa brought... http://mobileshark.com/Polaroid-5-M...froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

Having the WORST day!
Well now I feel as good as if I took a trip myself (not really, but pretty good!)

Thanks for the great TR!

You are welcome...hope tomorrow is a better day for you....glad I could help

 

[DonnaLeah]

I'm enjoying your trip report!! Keep it coming!!

I'm sooo looking forward to our trip!!

 

[Metro West]

Entertaining as usual.

 

[bubba's mom]

Day 3 - Saturday, June 28, 2008

Last night, we discussed getting up early and getting to IOA to ride the Hulk first thing in the morning so we could have a minimal wait for the front row. Everyone under the age of 44 decided to go...My Mom wanted to sleep in and 'catch up' on her sleep. (I even asked her if she thought vacation was for sleeping? You pay a ton of money to go away...get out there and do/see stuff!) We left her and my SILs parents & grandmother sleep.....

The 3 of us, BIL, SIL & kids all decided to walk over to ride front row of Hulk before breakfast and then come back and eat breakfast and check out.

As we were walking thru CityWalk, we saw them taking applications and setting up for "My Family's Got Guts" show (on Nick I think). I already knew they were going to be there, but the only requirement my son didn't qualify for was his age, he had to be 10 or 12 (i forget?) Took a few pictures of the crew setting up... I must admit, it looked fun! Pic 1. and Pic 2.

We arrived at the gate to IOA just before 9am and headed to Hulk. We JUST beat the crowd because altho we had a 20 minute wait in line, by 9am, I could see the standby line was already to the door/entrance. Yikes! BUT, front seat on the Hulk is SO worth it! I got yelled at because I took a picture of BIL & family waiting to ride after us!

After only 1 ride on the Hulk (because the line was THAT long already), we headed back to the hotel for breakfast and to check out.

On the way out of IOA, we headed through the giftshop, a trick I learned last year. EVERYONE is on their way IN to the park...going out thru the giftshop helps you to avoid the masses coming at you We decided to stop at Guest Services on the way out to have our APs reprinted...because we had had enough of them NOT scanning!

When I purchased Mom's AP online, I filled out a survey for Universal that they asked me to. For my time, I was given a voucher to print to take to GS to exchange for a coupon book. While we were having our APs reprinted and getting our coupon book, I happened to mention I know a TM that works in GS in the parks. When I mentioned who, turns out, she was working Lost & Found at IOA that morning! What luck! As...she usually works the Studios! (Hi again Bev!! ) We stayed and chatted a couple minutes with her and she told me our Bubba was growin' like a weed! (The last time she saw him was Feb. 2007). We let her go, after all, they pay her to work, not chat with fellow DISers, and headed back to the hotel.

On the way back, we saw this line! Here is a tip: Buy your BMG tickets in advance!! I would NOT want to stand in this line!

We also saw Homer & Marge having a meet/greet in front of the Studios. This is a great place to have this in my opinion. The line doesn't 'clog' up where anyone is walking or anything...there is plenty of room.

Back at the Portofino, I finished packing up our stuff while we ate breakfast. I noticed two charges on my bill that weren't supposed to be there, so when we took the luggage to Luggage Services to be held for the day, I stopped by the desk and had them removed...not a problem.

We grabbed our claim ticket for our luggage and headed for the Studios to ride The Simpsons...BIL & family had not ridden it yet. All 12 of us posed for an entrance picture....(which, we normally don't do )

Just scroll over someone to see who it is:

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After Simpsons, we rode MIB...of course! Seems Simpsons & MIB go hand in hand anymore.....they are right there...you just HAVE to ride 'em both!

After a few go rounds on MIB, we soon found ourselves in front of Fear Factor show, and it is one of the last things we have never seen. It was about a 10-15 minute wait for the next show, so we decided to hang out and wait. We sat on the left side pretty close to the front...everywhere is a good seat in this theater.

First the contestants started by hanging. But, that would be too easy, so they had huge fans blowing on them. One of the first ones out was a 40 yr. old lady (the ONLY gal in the competition ... she's on the left) who wanted to prove she could roll with the big boys. Yeah...good attempt...AND, she did get a HUGE applaud on her 'walk of shame'.

Then, the remaining 4 paired up into 2 teams and had a game of octupus catch ...which, given they are slimey and probably pretty stinky, you can have it! This while cannons of water were being shot at you.

After 1 team was eliminated, it was back to an individual contest.

At the beginning of the show, they asked for volunteers to "help out"....my BIL and nephew were picked to "help out". They were to shoot balls at the competitors as they climbed the wall retrieving flags.

That narrowed it down to two left, and the suspended , wet car was the final challenge to determine the winner.

In between setting up these challenges, they would talk with the audience and do other stuff.

For instance, they had a volunteer to sit strapped to a chair and enclose her head in a clear box. Then, they would spin the wheel (of bugs) to see which one would be put on her head. They had scorpions, snakes, beetles (or were they roaches?) and something else I can't remember...

So, they strapped her in (for her own safety they said), and gave her ear plugs and put 6 scorpions on her head.... EWWW! But, she did great and didn't move an inch! Of course, some of them didn't want to let go...but, all went well!

Another for instance was the "I ate a bug" challenge. They picked a dude and a chick for this one. They emptied a bunch of disgusting ingredients into a blender... spoiled milk, worm?? -can't remember all the ingredients- and the first to drink it all down was the winner. We all cheered them on...and the chick won! That poor guy will have to live that one down from his friends for a very long time....

We took a quick spin on JAWS...this was my niece's first time on it (she had been afraid before, but we finally wore her down and she rode it...sitting next to her Mom.)

After she rode it, liked it and realized it was nothing, we headed to Disaster! because BIL's family had not seen this yet either. Well, this was one funny show...both DH AND my BIL were chosen for volunteers. My DH was the "hunky man" (who the shows calls "Fabio") and BIL was evil oil worker. We again went through the beginning of the show with Christopher Walkin (which, is very good) and then onto the scene shooting room.

They set my DH up for his shot...and my BIL with the other 2 evil oil workers. Now...here is where a DIS tip comes in handy.

When you are in the first room, you want to be in the middle or toward the back. (Unless you really want a good look at the beginning of the show...but, do NOT be up toward the front and way off to either side...be in the center!) If you stay toward the back, you'll be toward the back for the next room...which is where they shoot the scenes for the Disaster! movie.

After you are finished shooting the scenes in the next room, you will exit through the BACK of the room to the ride. We were always toward the front and the last to get a seat on the subway car at the end. There were times I thought we may not sit together....but, at the most, we were split into 2 rows with some just in front of the others. You don't have to take my advice, but we were a party of 12 traveling and it gets a little difficult to sit together sometimes. Also, you can pick a prime spot for viewing the tv above you if you are one of the first in.

When you are on the subway car and they are telling you how to act (calm, scared, sreaming, etc) I highly recommend you do what they tell you. They are recording what you are doing and will edit it into the final shots (along with the scenes they shot back in the building). Believe me, if you are talking and you should be screaming, and you are in the final shot, it will look stupid. I know, because we did it. (but...you don't get to see that until the end of the report when we went back and actually had our videocamera to record the final product.)

After a hilarious ride at the end, and while we were in the area, we decided to stop at Finnegan's for eats. Luckily, we didn't have to wait long and we were seated shortly. Grumpy had fish 'n chips. Someone had the chicken sandwich and my Mom had the steak sandwich.

After lunch, my nephew wanted to do the wall climb, and Bubba decided to give it a whirl.

He's never done it before and for his first time, I think he did great! He says it's harder than it looks...but, I still told him I was proud of how well he did. And, when he builds those muscles up in his arms, he'll make it all the way to the top. He didn't give up right away, but gave it his best shot.

For some reason, we headed back to Simpsons. I think this is one ride that everyone in their family can enjoy which is why the kids kept wanting to go back. There were some dark clouds making their way over us, so we knew the daily rain was on it's way (remember, this is June)......and again, ponchos were with our luggage!

It would seem the Express line was backed up, so DH & BIL decided to indulge in a beer...which, refreshements were sold in the standby line. I think the EP line moved faster than they thought it would, because when we got to the TM who told you which lane to go to, they couldn't take their beer past that point and chugged it. I think we only waited about 10-15 minutes, which, was okay with us because the standby was 80 minutes!

Random Simpsons pix:
1 , 2 , 3 and 4.

After Simpsons, we were heading to ET and happened to catch the Animal Actors show about to start. The line wasn't too long to get in, so we decided to see it from the beginning this time. We were in the center and more than half way back. Good seats and not crowded. Apparently, we didn't miss much from the first time we saw this show...I remembered seeing a lot of it.

With the threat of rain still hanging over my head, we headed toward ET. There wasn't a very long line and we made the next show. (Here's another DIS tip)... Bubba likes to sit on the left of the ride so he can see the city below him....that's his favorite part of the ride. (which, yeah, I will admit, it's cool.... I especially like the baseball field shooting up fireworks...that was a clever idea!)

We stayed in the park until about 7:30 when it started to rain. The plan was to head to the Beach Club at HRH for dinner and to let the kids swim. We had my SIL's sister & husband join us for dinner, so we needed a table for 14.

Hahaha ...yeah, right! There was a band that was getting ready to play, so ALL the tables and chairs were taken. When we got there, one of the servers asked if he could help us and we told him we are looking to scrounge some tables and chairs for 14. After his eyes went back into his head, he headed off in search of some help. I saw him with (what I thought was) a supervisor and him explain we had 14 people. I saw the supervisor more or less blow the poor guy off telling him tough luck...it was crowded.

I did see the server scrounging chairs and such, and as people were leaving their table, we were taking their table and chairs too and putting them together...that server was a great help to our server (since we ended up on the opposite side of the Beach club that we came in on!) and us. Somehow we managed to get everyone a seat and ordered dinner.

The kids enjoyed swimming and going down the slide while we waited for dinner. When it arrived (which, didn't take long considering it was for 14 people), I rounded up the kids to come eat...and they were hungry!

Meantime, that band I mentioned earlier had started playing, and playing LOUDLY!

It was the type of loud where you have to either go 'cheek to cheek' with the person next to you to have a conversation or yell across the table. Not our idea of a 'relaxing' dinner. So, when everyone was finished, we headed up to my BILs room (they weren't checking out until the next morning). We used the bathrooms and hung out and chatted for a while.

At about 10:30, we left to walk back to the PBH. This was plenty of time, since we just had to walk down the entrance to the HRH and across the street to PBH. It took us maybe 5-6 minutes (Mom HAD to walk this time!)

Our car was scheduled to pick us up at 11pm to take us to the Country Inn & Suites at Port Canaveral. Our car service wasn't there when we arrived, but we were early. While waiting for someone to retrieve our luggage, I did notice Bob pull up out front and I noted the time...he was 8 minutes early....AND, he had our warm beer!! Score! He tried to give DH the $8 change, but we told him to keep it for his trouble. (Don't worry, he still got a regular tip on top of that!)

Traffic was very light (after all, it WAS 11pm!) and he had us to the hotel just before midnight....perfect! I woke my

Bubba, and, again, DH grabbed a luggage cart, and he and Bob loaded all our bags onto it.

There wasn't anyone checking in at midnight but us crazies, so we were taken care of promptly and scheduled ourselves for the 11am shuttle to the port...oh, and paid the $3/pp shuttle fee (but, that was okay, because we were only utilizing it one way).

We headed up to our room and, again, decided to keep the luggage cart in our room WITH the luggage on it this time. It's now after midnight, and we'd be checking out in the morning.

I booked us a kids suite at the Country Inn & Suites and it was perfect! It was just what I was looking for. There were bunk beds, a twin bed and tv in a small, doorless room separated from our part of the room; which had a queen bed, tv, mini fridge, microwave and table/chairs. There was plenty of room for all of us...even if we had another person.

Although, with only 1 bathroom and sink, might have gotten a little crowded. I do believe our bathroom at the Portofino the past few days has spoiled us..... forever...

Our room overlooked the pool, but we didn't use it. Pool here and here. After getting a bit organized, we decided to hit the hay, as we were all tired...especially Bubba.

Up next.....our Disney cruise begins

 

[tlinus]

yet another wonderful installment - looking forward to the next one

 

[dsmom]

Your trip reports are the BEST!!

I love all the pictures- you get prettier every year. My husband said "That's a first, she's actually prettier than the Marilyn look-alike.

How did the Portofino compare to the RPR?

 

[bubba's mom]

Your trip reports are the BEST!!

I love all the pictures- you get prettier every year. My husband said "That's a first, she's actually prettier than the Marilyn look-alike.

How did the Portofino compare to the RPR?

I thank your DH for the compliment.

Let's see...how did PBH compare to RPR? Well, we liked it better!

Pros: bigger room/space, slide at the pool, double sink in bathroom, atmosphere....

Cons: further walk (but, if you take shortcut thru HRH, it's only like 2 or 3 minutes longer than RPR), boat runs every 15 min., if you don't get West Wing, it's a further walk after a long day.....

My DH always said he would never stay at PBH because of the distance from the parks (and he doesn't like waiting on the boat)....but, he has changed his mind now that we have stayed there and know the shortcut

All in all, we loved PBH better than RPR....and we like RPR!

I know....I'm no help!

 

[tlinus]

I thank your DH for the compliment.

Let's see...how did PBH compare to RPR? Well, we liked it better!

Pros: bigger room/space, slide at the pool, double sink in bathroom, atmosphere....

Cons: further walk (but, if you take shortcut thru HRH, it's only like 2 or 3 minutes longer than RPR), boat runs every 15 min., if you don't get West Wing, it's a further walk after a long day.....

My DH always said he would never stay at PBH because of the distance from the parks (and he doesn't like waiting on the boat)....but, he has changed his mind now that we have stayed there and know the shortcut

All in all, we loved PBH better than RPR....and we like RPR!

I know....I'm no help!

help would be another installment

just so ya know

 

[bubba's mom]

help would be another installment

just so ya know

Geez...you'd think you are waiting for something....

 

[RVGal]

Have I told you lately how adorable Bubba is? He is too old for adorable, isn't he. Don't tell him I said that. He's a super handsome dude. How about that.

And you just had to go get even skinnier and taner-er and prettier. I know. You sold your soul to the devil or something. It couldn't be that you actually worked at it or anything.

So, I'm waiting for the next installment. Where the cruise begins.

Waiting.

Patiently.

Waiting.

I'm not bugging you, am I?

 

[bubba's mom]

So, I'm waiting for the next installment. Where the cruise begins.

Waiting.

Patiently.

Waiting.

I'm not bugging you, am I?

Thank you for the compliments....will be sure to tell "handsome" you said so

Are you & Tracie conspiring here ....between the two of ya, you're gonna kill me

I'm working on it...I really am....

 

[tlinus]

Thank you for the compliments....will be sure to tell "handsome" you said so

Are you & Tracie conspiring here ....between the two of ya, you're gonna kill me
I'm working on it...I really am....

whatever works

you know me......I'm needy

 

[tlinus]

oh and I agree with the others......

you get prettier/hotter every year - and Bubba needs to stop growing - he makin me feel old

 

[RVGal]

No conspiracy here. Just gentle reminders. Slight nudges. That's all. Little hints, really.

That we are waiting.

Patiently.

 

[bubba's mom]

No conspiracy here. Just gentle reminders. Slight nudges. That's all. Little hints, really.

That we are waiting.

Patiently.

Don't MAKE me get the 'smackin' smiley' out

Tracie...Bubba makes YOU feel old.... I was feeling old when I realized he all but comes up to my chin when he stands in front of me! Yep...hides ALL of me....I'm just a head behind him!

 

[RVGal]

 

[tlinus]