The Trip Where Nothing Went Wrong...Well, Almost! A September TR--Final update, 11/20

[klacey1]

If Zach doesn't want to stay at the Poly, I'll go with you lol. That's my dream resort!

Haha, YES let's make that happen!! I found out recently that my mom (who is not really a Disney fan) stayed at the Poly in the late 70's when she drove down to FL with friends. She didn't even appreciate it!! Psh.

I liked visiting the Poly too. CC's was really loud inside, so we went and ate outside and it was much more relaxing.

You guys are so dressy for BOG, very snazzy! Too bad the lines were so long after dinner, but glad you made it on Pirates... one of my faves for sure.

I loved the area right outside CC! The covered tables looked really nice.
Pirates is always reliable-- rarely a line, inside, AC'd, all that good stuff!

 

[princess_momma]

Ugh...rope drops can be great but are SUCH a bottleneck. Even if it doesn't take TOO long, when you are just ready to get into a park, it can feel like an eternity! Arriving even 10 minutes late sounds like a great idea.

That makes me so sad about the other rhinos being reluctant to let the new rhino in. I'll be sure to check on him NEXT WEEK to make sure that he's fitting in. Being the new kid is never easy.

Sounds like you got a lot down...glad you were able to meet up with friends in AK!!

Zach shaking his fist at 'Ohana!

Goodness...sounds like you had a day of witnessing from first class parenting/grandparenting. I'm so thankful that those kids climbing on Pirates didn't get hurt. At least the CM's were watching them!

YAY UNIVERSAL TIME!! Can't wait!

If Zach doesn't want to stay at the Poly, I'll go with you lol. That's my dream resort!

I second this!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

The Poly is DEFINITELY the highest on my list of dream resorts! Ugh bratty kids-- I love kids, especially in Disney but when they're misbehaving and not being reprimanded is seriously a pet peeve of mine! I just don't get it because my parents would have been SO embarrassed for us to behave like that and we never would've gotten away with it!

Zach's idea for a list to pass the time is so funny! I would love to stay at BLT for the location and view of MK but I'm not really in love with the resort itself.

You guys look so great for dinner!

Thanks for the honest opinions about leaving Disney and going to a Universal hotel! I really want to try staying in a Universal hotel one day but I think I'd want to do it at the beginning of our trip and then head over to Disney because I'm afraid I'd feel the same way about not wanting to leave the Disney bubble!

 

[Joyciemc]

Great update! You really have me NEEDING to stay at WL. I was already pretty sure I loved it, and you are doing a great job selling it

Can't wait to read about Universal!

 

[Queenofallthings]

I think your post about BOG food being ok has solidified my decision to just go for lunch! Then I can still get the ambience but not be up at the crack of dawn trying to snag an ADR

Your pictures are amazing and you guys look like you're having such a great time!

 

[klacey1]

Ahhh, what a crazy weekend! As I was driving home from work on Friday, there was an accident two cars ahead of me (actually right in front of my coworker). It was only a minor fender bender, but still, the guy who rear ended a woman’s car sped off! My coworker saw him being arrested on the side of the road later. Good!!

THEN, I get a call from Zach saying he had been at the emergency room. WHAT?! How can I put this delicately? He was stuck in a vending machine for an hour and fifteen minutes. So he works with special needs kids and adults and as part of vocational training, his office self-operates/maintains their own vending machine. A bottle of water got stuck in the machine, which happens pretty regularly. He opened the back of the machine to pop it out, which he has done many times, and the coil turned around his hand, trapping his hand. The police, firefighters, and EMTs had to come and eventually freed him. He’s okay-- very sore. His thumb and forefinger (he was able to pull out his middle, ring, and pinky fingers) are swollen to twice the normal size. Poor guy!

I went to a wedding Saturday night with a friend, which had high (good food) and low (no parking at the hotel, had to walk through a very sketchy area in a short dress and heels) points, but overall was fun.

Anyway, onto the TR!
We woke up bright and early for our day at Universal! Resort guests are let into Islands of Adventure an hour earlier than the general public, so we wanted to be at the gates by 7:45. We dropped our small overnight bag off with guest services and made the short walk to the park. I really loved being able to walk to the park and not have to rely on any kind of transportation. That has to be one of the greatest things about staying in the Epcot area-- being able to walk to DHS and Epcot! Amazing!
We were at the gates at 7:37. A “cast member” (I’m not sure what they call their employees?!) checked to make sure we had room keys. They were being serious & directing the few people without early entry privileges out of the line. At 7:55, we were let into the park!
My terrible sense of geography lead us through the long way in Seuss Land. Whoops! Eventually, we made it through that area and the Lost Continent to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! This was my fourth visit to IOA since this area opened, but it never ceases to amaze me. The attention to detail is second to none.

The park was virtually empty at this time-- so empty that we were able to go on the Forbidden Journey twice without any sort of wait! Woo hoo! I must say, we shaved off time because we didn’t carry any bags. I used the Vera Bradley Smartphone Wristlet to carry my phone, ID, and money.
I used my iPhone 5 to take photos, and I think most came out pretty good! There is a clear pocket on the back where I stored my express pass. Since I looped the lanyard part through my belt loop, I could quickly show my express pass, shove the wristlet back in my pocket, and immediately board rides without needing to make a stop at a locker. So many of the rides at Universal require loose articles to be stored in lockers, which would have been a time waster when we had so much to do in one day!!

Anyway, after FJ, we went on Flight of the Hippogriff, a sort of kiddie coaster that gives a great view of the park. Again, no wait.


We grabbed a breakfast butterbeer when we were done with the rides. Zach asked for a straw for some reason and the cast member (just going to go with that!) told him that if you use a straw, only the foam will go up the straw and the taste will be negatively affected. Good to know!


We headed into the stores next to look around:


After browsing all of the WWoHP shops (and deciding not to buy anything, for some reason), we decided we were hungry. By now, the rest of the park was open, so we headed toward the entrance and split some Cinnabon. Our friends texted saying they’d be at IOA probably by noon. Since they only were going to buy IOA tickets, we decided now was the perfect time to head over to US and ride everything we wanted there. I wanted to rush right over, but Zach kept saying that we should take our time and that even if they got to IOA before we were done with US, that was okay! More on that later!

We walked over to US (SO convenient!) and headed straight for a new attraction-- Transformers! This was AMAZING!

If you’ve ridden Spiderman at IOA, it’s pretty similar, but with amazing 3D graphics. For those who haven’t ridden, it’s a 4D adventure where you move in car from room to room and see/experience both 3D and “real” scenery/effects. As someone who has never seen anything Transformers-related, I thought it was awesome.

I also thought the Transformers characters outside the ride were amazing. Check out this costume!


Our next stop was my favorite US attraction, the Mummy, which I inaccurately described to Zach in 2011 as “Big Thunder Mountain RR in the dark.” Um, it’s a touch more intense than that! It’s a coaster with a few small dips, a quick ascent up a hill, sudden stops, and some backwards motion. It’s great! Zach does not really like coasters, but he was a trooper and rode this twice with me!

As we walked around the lake that US surrounds, we could see the construction of the new Harry Potter land. I CANNOT wait to return and experience this. It’s going to be huge!


I think now is a good time to stop-- be back soon with more details of our day on the Dark Side!

 

[klacey1]

Ugh...rope drops can be great but are SUCH a bottleneck. Even if it doesn't take TOO long, when you are just ready to get into a park, it can feel like an eternity! Arriving even 10 minutes late sounds like a great idea.

That makes me so sad about the other rhinos being reluctant to let the new rhino in. I'll be sure to check on him NEXT WEEK to make sure that he's fitting in. Being the new kid is never easy.

Sounds like you got a lot down...glad you were able to meet up with friends in AK!!

Zach shaking his fist at 'Ohana!

Goodness...sounds like you had a day of witnessing from first class parenting/grandparenting. I'm so thankful that those kids climbing on Pirates didn't get hurt. At least the CM's were watching them!

YAY UNIVERSAL TIME!! Can't wait!

I second this!

I was really not having that craziness at AK! I like things to be organized, so when they're not, it really annoys me.
Yes, please report back about those rhinos!! I hope they're friends by the time you see them!
K, group trip to Poly, needs to happen!

The Poly is DEFINITELY the highest on my list of dream resorts! Ugh bratty kids-- I love kids, especially in Disney but when they're misbehaving and not being reprimanded is seriously a pet peeve of mine! I just don't get it because my parents would have been SO embarrassed for us to behave like that and we never would've gotten away with it!

Zach's idea for a list to pass the time is so funny! I would love to stay at BLT for the location and view of MK but I'm not really in love with the resort itself.

You guys look so great for dinner!

Thanks for the honest opinions about leaving Disney and going to a Universal hotel! I really want to try staying in a Universal hotel one day but I think I'd want to do it at the beginning of our trip and then head over to Disney because I'm afraid I'd feel the same way about not wanting to leave the Disney bubble!

Oh my gosh, my parents would have KILLED me if I broke a chain at Disney or tried to climb on anything!
It's so funny, this is the first time I ever felt weird about leaving Disney! I really consider Universal a magical place to me, too, so it was odd! I think next trip I'd like to do it at the end. I can't imagine not starting the trip on ME!!

Great update! You really have me NEEDING to stay at WL. I was already pretty sure I loved it, and you are doing a great job selling it

Can't wait to read about Universal!

Honestly, it's perfect. SO beautiful and with a relaxing vibe!

I think your post about BOG food being ok has solidified my decision to just go for lunch! Then I can still get the ambience but not be up at the crack of dawn trying to snag an ADR

Your pictures are amazing and you guys look like you're having such a great time!

I've heard a lot of great things about lunch, but I do know others have loved dinner too! For us though...just okay.
Thanks--we did have so much fun

 

[jenny105]

I'm sorry. I laughed when I read stuck in a vending machine. So random! I hope Zach's ok!

Your pictures are making me super excited for the HP expansion. I'm so excited it will be done the summer of next year so we can visit if we head down in November. And I can't wait to see the Transformers ride! The way Universal promoted that ride was freakin awesome.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[klacey1]

I'm sorry. I laughed when I read stuck in a vending machine. So random! I hope Zach's ok!

Your pictures are making me super excited for the HP expansion. I'm so excited it will be done the summer of next year so we can visit if we head down in November. And I can't wait to see the Transformers ride! The way Universal promoted that ride was freakin awesome.

Haha, things like that ALWAYS happen to Zach. At this point, all we can do is laugh.
I cannot WAIT for the expansion. As much as I was eh on staying at Royal Pacific this trip, I know it will be ESSENTIAL for our next trip I'm assuming resort guests will get early entry to this area, and the main ride will probably not have an express pass. Still, that early entry will be essential!

Great update!

Thank you!

 

[blabbermouth]

Wow, glad that everyone is mostly okay, after that week!

Looks like you had a good morning at IOA. You were definitely smart with only bringing a wristlet, I wish I would have done the same!

We really liked the Mummy too!

 

[disneybarbie]

Enjoyed your update!

We went to Universal last summer while in Orlando with DH's family.. the Transformers ride was under construction then so I'd like to go back and try that one time .. I would definitely stay onsite at UO next time I go.. we got to the Forbidden Journey ride minutes after normal rope drop, and we had to wait an hour!

Glad to hear Zach is ok after his trip to the hospital! Must have been scary x



Emma x

 

[klacey1]

Wow, glad that everyone is mostly okay, after that week!

Looks like you had a good morning at IOA. You were definitely smart with only bringing a wristlet, I wish I would have done the same!

We really liked the Mummy too!

Zach's a trooper-- he'll be fine! Years of visiting IOA has taught me the necessity of traveling light!

Enjoyed your update!

We went to Universal last summer while in Orlando with DH's family.. the Transformers ride was under construction then so I'd like to go back and try that one time .. I would definitely stay onsite at UO next time I go.. we got to the Forbidden Journey ride minutes after normal rope drop, and we had to wait an hour!

Glad to hear Zach is ok after his trip to the hospital! Must have been scary x

Emma x

Transformers ride is definitely worth a visit-- as is staying onsite! They really make the perks well worth the money for one night's stay. Next time, though-- END OF TRIP! No more leaving the Disney bubble right in the middle!
Zach is really so good in emergencies, so he said he was mostly very calm. It wasn't until after the fact when they told him that if the coil had hit in a different spot, that he may have lost his fingers that he freaked out!

 

[klacey1]

Men in Black, a shooting ride similar to Buzz, was next.


I may have kept it secret that if you are the first person to push a certain button when a certain MIB agent instructs you to, you get a bonus 100,000 points. Therefore, this is the ONLY shooting game I ever regularly beat Zach at. I even know beating him at Buzz earlier in the week was a complete fluke!

We rode the Simpsons next, which delightfully pokes fun at some beloved Disney attractions. It’s a simulator ride that pitches in accord with the motions of the giant screen in front of you.


After quickly checking out some of the Walking Dead stuff that was being set up for Halloween Horror nights, we looped around to the front of the park to see Shrek, a 4D movie. This is pretty similar to Philharmagic, although not nearly as magical!


When we were in the preshow room, some guy commented how cool it was that Zach was dressed as Peter Parker. Um, he wasn’t, so I was more than a touch confused. After asking for clarification, I realized Zach was wearing his English national football Scott Parker jersey. Not the same thing, dude!

It took forever for the show to start as most people were completely ignoring the “move all the way down to the left” requests of the cast member. A mom and her young child had to climb over a ton of people who refused to move over two seats. WTH?? It was ridiculous.

We followed the movie up with another new 3D simulator, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.


This was ADORABLE! I have thought this ride was cute (albeit, a touch painful) in its previous versions, Hanna Barbeara & Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, but this was by far my favorite. It has a heart warming story and the preshow is really funny.

We repeated some favorites--the Mummy and Transformers--before discussing our next move. Zach was actually feeling a touch queasy, probably due to the combo of the heat and all of the 3D. We ended up getting a drink from an outside kiosk. YUCK! The first bottle of Powerade I grabbed was straight up HOT. No thank you! It was understandable, though. The heat was just unbearable this day.

Zach did want to explore the Simpsons area a bit more, but did not feel up to any more rides in the immediate future. Fine with me. Zach is a huge fan of the early seasons of the Simpsons and thought they did a great job with this area. Next time, I’d love to eat over here!





Speaking of eating, at 1:40 we were ready for some lunch. We still hadn’t hear from our friends, but wanted to try Three Broomsticks, so we headed back to IOA. Fortunately there were only a few people waiting on line to order, and the CMs are strict about preventing people without food from sitting. When you have a full tray, they find a table for you. It makes the whole process stress-free.

This meal was a bit pricey for a quick service (around $30), but we did get a lot-- I had a Hog’s Head Brew beer and cornish pasties with potato wedges and Zach had a pear cider and a full platter with potatoes, corn on the cob, ribs, and chicken. Everything, especially that beer, was delicious. We were finished around 2:45, when we got a text that our friends were finally in the park and heading toward WWoHP. Now this is just me, but when IOA one day tickets are so expensive, I think I’d want to spend more than four hours there! (The park closed at 7 this day.)

Anyway, we re-rode FJ with our friends. The guy in particular is a big HP fan and was very excited! The wait was 30 minutes, which is really nothing for this ride. We passed the time very quickly chatting away. The ride was a hit with everyone, as expected!

We went through the stores again when it started to drizzle. Apparently, our friends are not big fans of rain! We headed into the Hog’s Head bar to grab some drinks. I was worried about getting a table, especially because two young children who did not seem to belong to anyone in particular (and were not eating/drinking anything) were seated facing each other on benches from two different tables. Not cool! One kid got up from one table, however, and our friend’s GF nabbed the table.

I loved the atmosphere in here:


We ended up sitting and talking in Hog’s Head for about 45 minutes. I really enjoyed this time, just talking and drinking my fabulous Hog’s Head Brew. However, it was then that I realized just how right Zach was about not changing ANY of our plans to suit our friends. They were much more laid back than we were, and if I had done my first impulse of cancelling Royal Pacific and taking a cab with them over to US, we would have missed so much! I’m SO glad Zach stood his ground and made us keep our original plans.

The rain had mostly let up when we finally left Hog’s Head. Our friends were interested in the rest of the park, so we headed over to Marvel Superhero Island. The awesome Hulk coaster was unfortunately down (there had been lightning during the rainstorm), and the times board underneath it was reporting a 45 minute wait for Spiderman. Oh man! (Our friends did not have express passes) We decided to walk that way anyway.

When we got to Spiderman, the wait time was listed at 25 minutes. Well, that’s totally doable! When we entered the building, we kept walking...and walking...and walking. It ended up being a walkon, with no wait at all! We speculated that they inflated the wait times to get people out of the park, haha.

Unfortunately, as we continued around the park, all outside rides were closed. Darn! We spent about 10 minutes in the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, which is an excellent reproduction of the center in the movie. It’s no substitute for the amazing Jurassic Park River Adventure flume, though, which was unfortunately closed.

We entered WWoHP again, for another ride on FJ. It started raining a bit at this time, but Dragon Challenge, a great 2-track intersecting coaster, was still open. Yay! Zach held all of our stuff and used the time to call his parents. (A super high upside coaster is definitely WAY outside his comfort zone!) I love this ride, but the raindrops did feel like they were stabbing my face, arms, and legs lol.

It was 6:45 when we got off, and time for some dinner. The group consensus was to grab something at City Walk, head back to Royal Pacific to pick up our overnight bag, and share a cab back to WDW. Margaritaville was the first restaurant we happened upon, and since we were resort guests, we were immediately seated. (This was a great perk-- I heard them tell other families that the wait was 30 minutes.)

This meal was ehhh. My classic margarita was decent, but the quesadilla was only okay. Zach got jambalaya and agreed with my “okay” rating. I have not have a great TS meal at City Walk and would really like to. Any recommendations for what we should try next time? I hated the Hard Rock Cafe. I know nothing about the restaurants at the hotels (and have no idea where Hard Rock and Portofino Bay are even located), are there any gems at any of them??

After dinner, we walked back to Royal Pacific to pick up our overnight bag and hop in a cab:

Between waiting for a cab and dropping our friends off at Caribbean Beach, it seemed like forever until we were back at the WL! The ride from CBR to WL in particular took like 25 minutes--is that normal/expected, or did our cabbie get lost? He quoted us a flat fee, so I know he wasn’t trying to ring up the meter!

I was so very happy to be back at our beautiful Lodge, but also sad. Our vacation was more than half over! Neither Zach nor I ate much at dinner, so after showering/changing, we decided it would be nice to head down to Territory Lounge for a drink and those fabulous donuts I read about in the Disney Food Blog.

Sadness. They must have changed the menu literally a few days before we arrived. NO MORE DONUTS. There was nothing else on the menu that appealed, so we stuck with drinks. When our waitress found out we weren’t getting food, that definitely changed her attitude toward us. With one other table in the bar, it took 15 minutes to get my beer. (I unfortunately don’t remember what it was-- something dark.) We just weren’t really feeling the lounge anymore. After paying/leaving the tip, we headed up to our room. I think the pool bar is definitely more our speed!

So I hope everyone enjoyed this visit to the “Dark Side.” Disney will always have a sentimental place in my heart, but both of the Universal parks are beautiful, clean, and constantly changing and adding new, fantastic rides.
Next up, an a.m. EMH I will regret.

 

[disneybarbie]

Wow that was a big update!

Hmmm.. I didn't know Peter Parker supported the English soccer team how funny!

I agree with you about UO - I don't have the same feelings for the Universal parks that I do for Walt Disney World - but it's nice to go there sometimes, I love some of the rides (Spiderman and The Simpsons!)

Last summer we didn't go in the Three Broomsticks restaurant.. but I notice from your photos that they have one of DH's favourite beers, London Pride, he would definitely have wanted to have one of those!

 

[jenny105]

I definitely have to visit US/IOA next trip. So much has been added since the last time I was there (2010). I completely forgot there is a Despicable Me ride. I love the Minions!! For a while 'ba-na-na' was my ringtone lol. The Simpsons expansion looks awesome too.

Sorry you didn't enjoy Margaritaville. That's one of my favorite places ever. I stick to appetizers though. They're nachos are massive and I love the peel & eat shrimp. Last year for my bday we ate at Bubba Gump and had drinks at Margaritaville. I think CityWalk > DTD.

 

[klacey1]

Wow that was a big update!

Hmmm.. I didn't know Peter Parker supported the English soccer team how funny!

I agree with you about UO - I don't have the same feelings for the Universal parks that I do for Walt Disney World - but it's nice to go there sometimes, I love some of the rides (Spiderman and The Simpsons!)

Last summer we didn't go in the Three Broomsticks restaurant.. but I notice from your photos that they have one of DH's favourite beers, London Pride, he would definitely have wanted to have one of those!

Haha, I don't know what that guy was thinking!
I love the UO just changes all the time-- and I agree, Spiderman & the Simpsons are definitely among my top favorites there!!
The beer selection at Hog's Head was fantastic! I stuck with their specialty beer, but there were many others I know I would have loved!

I definitely have to visit US/IOA next trip. So much has been added since the last time I was there (2010). I completely forgot there is a Despicable Me ride. I love the Minions!! For a while 'ba-na-na' was my ringtone lol. The Simpsons expansion looks awesome too.

Sorry you didn't enjoy Margaritaville. That's one of my favorite places ever. I stick to appetizers though. They're nachos are massive and I love the peel & eat shrimp. Last year for my bday we ate at Bubba Gump and had drinks at Margaritaville. I think CityWalk > DTD.

Yes, definitely a lot of changes since 2010! The Despicable Me ride really is fantastic. There's two different preshow areas, but both are terrific and really add to the ride. I was laughing pretty much the whole time.
I'm surprised I wasn't that crazy about Margaritaville-- I usually love those kinds of places. I should have went with the nachos (pretty much my fav bar food ever). I like CW and DTD for different reasons. I've definitely had better food experience at DTD, but I prefer walking around CW, definitely.

 

[Disneyluvr81]

Sorry you had quite the weekend but glad to hear Zach is okay - seriously scary stuff!! Loved your Universal/IOA updates - the Simpson's area looks awesome. I still kind of wish we had taken a day to go over there for our trip.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

I'm so behind on your TR from being on vacation lol

First of, glad Zach is okay after the whole stuck in a vending machine thing!!!!!

Cool you got to ride EE so much with barely a wait!!

Boo that the rain hindered riding many rides at MK.

After so many days immersed in Disney, I feel awkward leaving to go somewhere else. When we left Disneyland to go back to my aunt's for a few days, it was weird. I told Mike I'm so used to leaving disney and going home, not continuing vacation! Haha

Sounds like your time at universal was good! I still need to eventually try that place out!!

 

[klacey1]

Sorry you had quite the weekend but glad to hear Zach is okay - seriously scary stuff!! Loved your Universal/IOA updates - the Simpson's area looks awesome. I still kind of wish we had taken a day to go over there for our trip.

I definitely think Universal is worth the trip! I can't believe how quickly they made over the Simpsons area-- and the details are incredible!

I'm so behind on your TR from being on vacation lol

First of, glad Zach is okay after the whole stuck in a vending machine thing!!!!!

Cool you got to ride EE so much with barely a wait!!

Boo that the rain hindered riding many rides at MK.

After so many days immersed in Disney, I feel awkward leaving to go somewhere else. When we left Disneyland to go back to my aunt's for a few days, it was weird. I told Mike I'm so used to leaving disney and going home, not continuing vacation! Haha

Sounds like your time at universal was good! I still need to eventually try that place out!!

I hope you had a wonderful time in DL!! I still need to check out your pics on FB! Zach is still in a bit of pain but he's okay!
AK was EMPTY that day! Honestly, I've never been when it's super crowded.
Leaving the Disney bubble is just weird-- I am curious how it'd be ending the trip at Universal!!