TigerLilly's Mom
<font color=FF99FF>Victim of a drive-by tagging!
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,471
We had a fabulous time!! I'm not going to get too detailed here, but feel free to ask any questions.
Hard Rock Hotel - We checked in about 1:00 and our room was not available. Also, no upgrades at all for Loews Gold, as they were booked. We enjoyed the parks until 4:30 and our room was ready when we returned. We were in room 4112, at the end of two long hallways! Our view was of a courtyard and the moving sidewalk. We were surprized to find a table set up with champagne, strawberries and cream, a fruit platter, cheese and crackers, water, and a movie tin with a coupon for a free in room movie, milk duds, twizzlers, skittles, and popcorn. There was a nice note from Lou Carrier welcoming us and congratulating us on our 10th anniversary.
The room was clean and housekeeping was great our entire stay. We also got turndown service every night without requesting it. The only complaints I have are the carpets in every room I have stayed in are stained and should be replaced. Also, there was some nasty mildew in the hallway by the vents.
Pool - We spent at least 2 -4 hours a day at the pool. The kids loved it. They participated in relay races and hula hoops contests and won prices. The lifeguards are really great with the kids. It takes forever to get a drink there though and I hate how they automatically add a 15% gratuity each time. I think it really unmotivates the servers. Only one day we had a terrific server who checked on us often. We tipped her extra because we really appreciated the great service.
Universal - First of all, The Mummy was a blast. We went on twice using child swap, which meant Chandler got to go on four times. We were worried it would be too scary, but he loved it. I may have seen the DM, but I don't know. Both times we rode this ride it was a walk on.
The kids had a great time in Fivels Playland, Curious Geoge and Barney's Backyard. We went to these areas first thing in the morning and they would be the only kids there.
MIB was a blast. We won everytime. One time, Tatum's score beat the average of the other car (with 6 people) by 20,000 points. She was one proud 6 year old
We rode BTTF once and I just don't like the roughness of this ride, but the kids enjoy it.
We rode Jaws for the first time at night and it was much scarier! Jimmy Neutron and Shrek were fun as usual.
The Fireworks were AWESOME. Even though Sat. night was supposed to be the last night, they went off on
Sun. and Mon. night too. Monday night we watched them by the pool.
IOA - We rode and loved The Hulk and Spiderman numerous times. Seuss Landing was a blast, the kids really have fun in If I Ran The Zoo. Again, go first thing in the am and your kids will have it all to themselves.
We rode Dueling Dragons twice riding Fire. I think I like it more than Ice. We rode The Flying Unicorn more times than I can count - it is Tate's favorite ride and I really like it too!
We rode The River Adventure once, Tatum is scared of this ride. Not because of the dinosaurs, but she really hates the flume part.
Steve and Chandler rode Ripsaw Falls and enjoyed it. I stayed with Tatum because of her flume fear. We finally got to go to Me Ship The Olive!! What a blast!! The kids loved this and Steve and I had a blast shooting the people on Popeyes with the water guns - fun and free!! Also, I got some great photos on top of the ship of the park.
Food -
Finnegans - this is the first time we tried this and it was very good.
Mythos - Delicious as usual. Everyone was too full and wouldn't share a gooey banana cake with me
Circus McGurkis - this is fine for fast food, and the kids really enjoyed the atmosphere.
Margaritaville - we ate here three times. Obviously we love the place. YUMMY and a really fun atmosphere.
The Kitchen - we had the character meal here and loved it. I had the chicken pot pie and it was delicious. Steve had a salmon dish that was cooked on a wood slab. I tried it and it was to die for. Chandler had the seafood chowder and enjoyed it very much. Tatum didn't really want the kids buffet, so our waiter let her get a pizza even though it wasn't on the menu. Woody and Scooby were there too.
We also had the breakfast buffet here and it was great. I highly recommend it. If you have any specific questions just ask.
This trip I discovered the Funnel Cake. OMG!! Funnel cake, powdered sugar, vanilla soft serve, strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate. The kids and I shared one twice, I wish I had discovered this earlier in the trip. Try it! Also, I love the lemonade slushies.
Weather - HOT, hot, hot! We were at the parks early, went to the pool in the afternoon, and back to the parks at night. It is just too hot to be there in the afternoon. Saturday night there was record rainfall. We ate at The Kitchen that night and then watched Shrek 2 in the room.
Crowds - there were tons of people walking around, but we never waited for anything. You really need to get to the parks early in the summer. On most of the rides in the am, the rides were walkons even without express. Tons of people stroll in the park at 11:00am and then complain they have to wait two hours for Spiderman. At 9:00am the wait for Spiderman is five minutes. Same thing at night.
We had a really great time. It was nice to take things slow and have lots of pool time, which the kids love. Here are our pictures. http://www.amazon.ofoto.com/ShareLa...t_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp?showSlide=true&Ux=1
I hope you enjoy looking at them and can tell how much fun we were having. Take it Easy! Tonia
Hard Rock Hotel - We checked in about 1:00 and our room was not available. Also, no upgrades at all for Loews Gold, as they were booked. We enjoyed the parks until 4:30 and our room was ready when we returned. We were in room 4112, at the end of two long hallways! Our view was of a courtyard and the moving sidewalk. We were surprized to find a table set up with champagne, strawberries and cream, a fruit platter, cheese and crackers, water, and a movie tin with a coupon for a free in room movie, milk duds, twizzlers, skittles, and popcorn. There was a nice note from Lou Carrier welcoming us and congratulating us on our 10th anniversary.
The room was clean and housekeeping was great our entire stay. We also got turndown service every night without requesting it. The only complaints I have are the carpets in every room I have stayed in are stained and should be replaced. Also, there was some nasty mildew in the hallway by the vents.
Pool - We spent at least 2 -4 hours a day at the pool. The kids loved it. They participated in relay races and hula hoops contests and won prices. The lifeguards are really great with the kids. It takes forever to get a drink there though and I hate how they automatically add a 15% gratuity each time. I think it really unmotivates the servers. Only one day we had a terrific server who checked on us often. We tipped her extra because we really appreciated the great service.
Universal - First of all, The Mummy was a blast. We went on twice using child swap, which meant Chandler got to go on four times. We were worried it would be too scary, but he loved it. I may have seen the DM, but I don't know. Both times we rode this ride it was a walk on.
The kids had a great time in Fivels Playland, Curious Geoge and Barney's Backyard. We went to these areas first thing in the morning and they would be the only kids there.
MIB was a blast. We won everytime. One time, Tatum's score beat the average of the other car (with 6 people) by 20,000 points. She was one proud 6 year old

We rode Jaws for the first time at night and it was much scarier! Jimmy Neutron and Shrek were fun as usual.
The Fireworks were AWESOME. Even though Sat. night was supposed to be the last night, they went off on
Sun. and Mon. night too. Monday night we watched them by the pool.
IOA - We rode and loved The Hulk and Spiderman numerous times. Seuss Landing was a blast, the kids really have fun in If I Ran The Zoo. Again, go first thing in the am and your kids will have it all to themselves.
We rode Dueling Dragons twice riding Fire. I think I like it more than Ice. We rode The Flying Unicorn more times than I can count - it is Tate's favorite ride and I really like it too!
We rode The River Adventure once, Tatum is scared of this ride. Not because of the dinosaurs, but she really hates the flume part.
Steve and Chandler rode Ripsaw Falls and enjoyed it. I stayed with Tatum because of her flume fear. We finally got to go to Me Ship The Olive!! What a blast!! The kids loved this and Steve and I had a blast shooting the people on Popeyes with the water guns - fun and free!! Also, I got some great photos on top of the ship of the park.
Food -
Finnegans - this is the first time we tried this and it was very good.
Mythos - Delicious as usual. Everyone was too full and wouldn't share a gooey banana cake with me

Circus McGurkis - this is fine for fast food, and the kids really enjoyed the atmosphere.
Margaritaville - we ate here three times. Obviously we love the place. YUMMY and a really fun atmosphere.
The Kitchen - we had the character meal here and loved it. I had the chicken pot pie and it was delicious. Steve had a salmon dish that was cooked on a wood slab. I tried it and it was to die for. Chandler had the seafood chowder and enjoyed it very much. Tatum didn't really want the kids buffet, so our waiter let her get a pizza even though it wasn't on the menu. Woody and Scooby were there too.
We also had the breakfast buffet here and it was great. I highly recommend it. If you have any specific questions just ask.
This trip I discovered the Funnel Cake. OMG!! Funnel cake, powdered sugar, vanilla soft serve, strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate. The kids and I shared one twice, I wish I had discovered this earlier in the trip. Try it! Also, I love the lemonade slushies.

Weather - HOT, hot, hot! We were at the parks early, went to the pool in the afternoon, and back to the parks at night. It is just too hot to be there in the afternoon. Saturday night there was record rainfall. We ate at The Kitchen that night and then watched Shrek 2 in the room.
Crowds - there were tons of people walking around, but we never waited for anything. You really need to get to the parks early in the summer. On most of the rides in the am, the rides were walkons even without express. Tons of people stroll in the park at 11:00am and then complain they have to wait two hours for Spiderman. At 9:00am the wait for Spiderman is five minutes. Same thing at night.
We had a really great time. It was nice to take things slow and have lots of pool time, which the kids love. Here are our pictures. http://www.amazon.ofoto.com/ShareLa...t_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp?showSlide=true&Ux=1
I hope you enjoy looking at them and can tell how much fun we were having. Take it Easy! Tonia