Thing 1 and Thing 2 Take on Orlando Oct 2010: 3/13 HHN Video, final thoughts

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I excited to hear about the owl post. So they just stamp your cards, or do they mail them from there and it says Hogmeads on the card?

 

[sand2270]

What exactly does the wand ceremony involve? I didn't know you had to get picked. Is it still fun even if you are just watching?

It is a short show. Small groups are let in for each show. At each one the wand shop keeper picks one person to try out wands. That person is given spells to say and things happen when they say the spells. You are let out into the wand store where you can purchase wands. The person picked for the wand show does not get a free wand, they can purchase the one that chose them or choose another one.

It was fun to watch, we didn't wait long either time since we went during the extra early hour. I wouldn't have waited too long for this, the lines can get long. My DD really wanted to get picked so I set expectations with her beforehand that she may not.

I excited to hear about the owl post. So they just stamp your cards, or do they mail them from there and it says Hogmeads on the card?

They stamp them and there is a box there you can drop them in. The official postal stamp does say Orlando, FL. I will take a picture (I sent us one since I wanted the post) and post it later.

 

[sand2270]

this is the postcard...



...and the stamp...

 

[sand2270]

I forgot to post this video in an earlier post. When we headed down to Citywalk the night after Discovery Cove we walked by the Universal Gate. Universal was holding Halloween Horror Nights and this video was playing at the gate. I thought it was cool and recorded it.

[URL=http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk26/sand2270/Orlando%20Trip%20Oct%202010/?action=view&current=HHNVideoOct3.mp4][/URL]

Now that I am done with the Universal & SeaWorld portion of the trip I am going to move this to the WDW trip board, but I will include the links on this report in case you are following along. I am going to give some final thoughts and opinions.

We really enjoyed Universal, Discovery Cove and Sea World. I liked how everything was easily accessible at the Universal resort. It is one of the reasons I prefer the Disneyland resort over WDW...the compactness and that you can walk everywhere. The boats were nice, the rickshaws were fun and the walking paths were pleasant. So not only was getting around easy but also pleasant. We nevered encountered a rush or standing room only for the boats. I also liked how the water taxi launch was a very short walk from where you got off the elevators. The rickshaw drivers were always polite, they would ask if you wanted a ride, but if you said no they did not pressure you.

Parking at HRH was easy even though there was an additional $15 a night charge for that. However I just planned that as part of my budget. The deal I got on the car rental was so good that it was still cheaper than paying for shuttles or taking taxis. The parking lot is right below a set of stairs, so you park and then take the stairs to the lobby...easy.

For the price of the room I wish there was a fridge you could use without worrying about getting charged for the mini bar. That was really my only complaint about the room. It was a nice size, the beds were comfortable, flat screen tv, nice vanity area and separate bath with it's own sink. There was cd stereo that we never used, the ipod dock on the alarm clock was nice. The first few days the windows would fog up and it would be hard to see out...but this eventually cleared up.

SeaWorld and Discovery Cove were easy to get to from Universal. Even driving around Universal is a piece of cake, I believe everything is accessed from one main street. For as much as people say using the WDW transportion is easier...even though we got lost multiple times on WDW property (my fault for not following the signs and using my phone) I disagree. I thought it was much faster driving ourselves, even at MK. It was also less stressful (besides the getting lost part) walking or taking the tram to our car and getting back to the hotel instead of dealing with the crazy rush in the mornings or at the end of the night. I did miss Magical Express...just because I like that they take care of your bags and it gets you in the vacation mood.

i loved the pool at Hard Rock with the sand beach, zero entry and speakers under the water. They also offer wait service which I don't use all the time but sometimes it's nice to order a drink and not have to go stand at the bar in a wet suit. Though I often find the pool service at hotels incredibly slow. I wish I could have checked out the Velvet Lounge, I am not sure if I could have brought my DD in there or not but we never seemed to be around the hotel when it was open or it was too late and we went back to our room. There was also a game room I found near the pool bar and restrooms that we did not use but I think I remember seeing a pool table, fooz ball, etc.

The hotel itself was beautiful, the food from room service and The Kitchen were both very good. There was some kind of coffee and ice cream place that we looked at but never used. I appreciated that if I wanted decent coffee it was easy to get...whether it was in the room (Keurig), in the hotel or at Citywalk or the theme parks. I really don't know what Disney is thinking.

The photo thing our last day was annoying and I wish they had a better way for getting these online and had the same offers online (meaning that I could not order the CD online).

WWOHP almost brought me to tears upon first sight. I do think it is lacking in rides and experiences just a little, but am assuming they will add to it. There is no lack of shopping but some of the stores are so small that we just gave up. Otherwise, I was so glad we saw it, it really was the reason I planned this trip in the first place. I wish we would have done the castle only tour, walked the Dueling Dragons queue (I didn't know we could do this) and at least peaked into Hogshead and Three Broomsticks...oh well, next time.

I will also be honest...some of the rides felt a little incomplete to me. Specifically River Adventure and Ripshaw Falls. I didn't feel completely integrated into those stories...but the rides themselves are fun. I also wasn't crazy about the Citywalk layout...it just felt messy to me. The food court area where we got Panda Express felt like a mall to me.

I loved FOTL, the only time we really had any type of a wait was the second time we rode Jaws. I would definitely stay on property again.

The quality of counter service food both at Universal and Sea World was cheaper and better than WDW...in my opinion. The sandwiches we had at Antartic Market at SeaWorld tasted fresh and cold and the coldcuts were generous slices that seemed freshly sliced. The pizza at Pizza Predator was a nice thin crust pizza and the pizza at Sal's was a nice slice of New York style pizza.

The little gift my DD got at check in was a nice treat, just a little blow up guitar, but kids love treats. One morning the security man at the bag check by the Universal Gate gave my DD a little beaded animal and some coupons for a Citywalk restaurant. Our server at The Kitchen was very nice. We didn't have any problems with any of the Universal personnel, they were all nice and professional.

I can't think of anything else right now. We had a great stay and I would definitely return.

 

[Tink2Day]

I LOVE that picture of your daughter with Spiderman! Terrific.
The one of both hers and your feet on the chaise (don't have a foot fetish, it just struck me as cute and funny oh and only a mom of a tween would really GET that photo...LOL)

It's funny, even though WWOHP seems like it doesn't have enough rides etc, it sounds like you did the same as I did and didn't get to see every detail.
I didn't see the Gringott's ATM and didn't spend much time in D&B.

Some of the stores weren't really that crowded when we were there, no one was in line at the Owl Post and Honeyduke's was quite managable. No one was in the Hogs Head and just a few in Three Broomsticks. We were quite fortunate that it really wasn't that crowded. Still I as a Potter Nerd would have looked at every item, didn't get that chance though, traveling with a non nerd (well a nerd but not a Potter one).

That butterfly garden is gorgeous and it sounds like you both had a great time! Thanks for the report!!!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

this is the postcard...



...and the stamp...

HOW COOL IS THAT! Thanks I am definitely sending those to peeps back home

 

[klacey1]

Thanks for this TR! I love all of the detail you put into the report.
Seaworld is really fun-- I love the Clyde and Seamore show! HRH looks truly gorgeous from your pictures. I'd love to stay onsite there someday.

 

[sand2270]

sorry...I could have sworn I responded to these already...

I LOVE that picture of your daughter with Spiderman! Terrific.
The one of both hers and your feet on the chaise (don't have a foot fetish, it just struck me as cute and funny oh and only a mom of a tween would really GET that photo...LOL)

It's funny, even though WWOHP seems like it doesn't have enough rides etc, it sounds like you did the same as I did and didn't get to see every detail.
I didn't see the Gringott's ATM and didn't spend much time in D&B.

Some of the stores weren't really that crowded when we were there, no one was in line at the Owl Post and Honeyduke's was quite managable. No one was in the Hogs Head and just a few in Three Broomsticks. We were quite fortunate that it really wasn't that crowded. Still I as a Potter Nerd would have looked at every item, didn't get that chance though, traveling with a non nerd (well a nerd but not a Potter one).

That butterfly garden is gorgeous and it sounds like you both had a great time! Thanks for the report!!!

I think if we return we need to focus on just checking out the little details, that is the first I heard of Gringott's ATM.

Thanks for this TR! I love all of the detail you put into the report.
Seaworld is really fun-- I love the Clyde and Seamore show! HRH looks truly gorgeous from your pictures. I'd love to stay onsite there someday.

Thanks...I loved the Hard Rock, I really wanted to stay there and was glad we were able to.

 

[undertheseas]

Great report, thanks for sharing!