Universal MAY have finally won me over this trip

[sjs314]

I'm Here.

 

[Metro West]

Great start so far...looking forward to reading more.

 

[WildGinger]

Glad you had such a great trip! Can't wait to read more!

 

[schumigirl]

Glad to hear you all loved Universal so much.........

Looking forward to reading more.....sounds like fun so far.........

 

[pas130]

Yes! Mine too! Definitely sounds more relaxing than Disney... :-/

It really is...it just never feels as crowded there. Even at closing time, there's no fear of being trampled. We have really had great customer service experiences there and I am sure it has a lot to do with it

I'm Here.

YAY Sheila!!!

Great start so far...looking forward to reading more.

Nice to have you here!! I am a follower of your posts!!!

Glad you had such a great trip! Can't wait to read more!

Thank you! I just have to get this TR done before I forget the details

Glad to hear you all loved Universal so much.........

Looking forward to reading more.....sounds like fun so far.........

It was a great time!!

 

[pas130]

We were truly blessed with some AWESOME weather on our trip. I took my girls last year in November it was in the 60s. It was in the 80s and sunny After breakfast, my wheelchair was delivered to Hard Rock and we headed to Universal. Initially we were going to do the boat, but I mentioned HRH was a short walk and we decided to try it. It was really a quick walk, and quite a beautiful walk as well. We cut through the butterfly garden which my girls love. My DD9 loves bugs, flowers, lizards, butterflies..she was in Heaven! My DS12 was getting tired pushing his Mommy (yep already ), so DH took over. Before you know it we were at the entrance. There was a huge Christmas balloon (they were all over the park) I was sad we were too early for Grinchmas and the Macy's parade. BUT the parks were decorated and Christmas music was playing IT"S ALL GOOD

On Wednesday, there were NO WAITS! Despicable Me was our first stop (it was only a 15 min. wait) This is my favorite ride, maybe since I love the movie so much! My girls have personalities very much like those girls. My Bree (DD6) even talks like Agnes, for instance she yelled "I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH!" when we got to the park We HAD to ride twice...then DD9 wanted to do Shrek. We were the last ones on Shrek and we did get separated as people kept pushing us out of the way. But as always we enjoyed it, and we met up after...from Shrek we headed to Transformers. I got a little dizzy I must say..but we hit it a second time nonetheless. DS12, DD7, and I headed to the Mummy. DD7 opted out at the last minute (she did the ride 3x in July) so DS12 rode solo. I am really proud, this is the first visit he braved the coasters solo (what a relief...DH doesn't do them at all which leaves me...I am getting wimpy as I get older). After Mummy...he did Rip Ride Rock-It. We did the arcade (DH won Bree a minion in the claw machine) then we did Twister The area looked great all decorated. DH has pics on his phone...hopefully he will eventually send them my way. After some decorations we headed down to DS5's favorite Men In Black. We were told to use a walkway coming off which let us right back to the line (by the child swap) so I can't tell ya how many times we did the ride. Then DS5 realized you hit the red button at the right time and get a 100000 pt. bonus...and there you go So much fun!! Then the Simpsons...the new Alien ride (Twirl and Hurl I think) it was very tame, but no wait and it was cute. Plus we got to see the HP expansion!

What's next....4x on Woody Woodpecker coaster, ET x 2 and then swimming. We opted not to do T2 again. And it was lunchtime...yep only lunchtime..the crowds were picking up and the kiddos were getting hot. So we WENT SWIMMING

I LOVE Hard Rock's pool! And it was empty! Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the US Christmas decorations, I guess I was very busy just loving life and taking it all in! I also have to add, the wheelchair was not inconvenient at all..especially with the Express Passes. I was able to get right into the rides, and the wheelchair was waiting at the end. I didn't take notice of ECVs so I can't be much help there.

 

[macraven]

sounds like the darkside has finally grown on youse.........
think we have another homie.

you can like both parks for different reasons.



the hotel perks are the best things for the park guests!
express line usage is fantastic.

i'm looking forward to more of your trippie.
i just love reading how others have fun at the darkside.

 

[pas130]

sounds like the darkside has finally grown on youse.........
think we have another homie.

you can like both parks for different reasons.



the hotel perks are the best things for the park guests!
express line usage is fantastic.

i'm looking forward to more of your trippie.
i just love reading how others have fun at the darkside.

to another one of the Universal post superstars I keep booking for my DH and kids, but YES it has totally grown on me. It has everything we need in a resort, rides, kids stuff... awesome pools. Convenience and affordability!! I know most don't view Orlando as affordable, but I've researched cruises (although I am not a fan of big cruiseships) and all-inclusives and it's WAY more for the seven of us. It's getting tough to pick my favorite resort there though

 

[Janet B]

Hey bff I'm here!!

Love all the pix! so happy you guys had a great time, and had short waits with the express pass.. definitely a huge plus for an onsite stay. And HRH seems fun too!!

You know I love Forbidden Journey Happy that Kate and Maddie loved it too!

Maybe 2014 will have to be the year we go back to the darkside...

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Hey bff I'm here!!

Love all the pix! so happy you guys had a great time, and had short waits with the express pass.. definitely a huge plus for an onsite stay. And HRH seems fun too!!

You know I love Forbidden Journey Happy that Kate and Maddie loved it too!

Maybe 2014 will have to be the year we go back to the darkside...

Hmmmmmmmm interesting idea!

 

[pas130]

Hey bff I'm here!!

Love all the pix! so happy you guys had a great time, and had short waits with the express pass.. definitely a huge plus for an onsite stay. And HRH seems fun too!!

You know I love Forbidden Journey Happy that Kate and Maddie loved it too!

Maybe 2014 will have to be the year we go back to the darkside...

You KNOW I really hope you and Miss Sam can hit US/IoA with us in August

And my dear sweet BFF

Hmmmmmmmm interesting idea!

Now let the ch-ch-changing begin

 

[pas130]

Our intentions were to head back to the park...BUT we swam until dinner So we decided on Chik-Fil-A and afterward hit Publix for some snacks and beer

When we got back my card wouldn't open the door (although it worked at the parking lot) OF COURSE the other cards were in the room ...my fault...so down to the front desk for a new card...which also didn't work...they sent security to let us in. Luckily it was only MY card the other 6 worked. Who knows....

Just as an aside...HRH sent a survey and I mentioned this was our only inconvenience but security and the front desk were really awesome so it was no biggie. An hour later after I submitted the survey, I received an email from an assistant manager apologizing and offering to help us plan our next trip. Nice touch!

Okay...so we get back in have a little party with the kids...and were asleep by 10

Next morning...we promised our DD7 to hit Early entry. We never made it on our July trip

What time did I wake up...uhhhh 7:30am (normally we are all up by 7)

We made it to IoA by 815 I think and I forgot how nice it is to get there early (we only did it once on our first visit) now 3 kiddos can clear the height requirement instead of just the one. My DH took DS5 and DD6 into the stores and we rode FJ twice. Both my girls proclaimed it was the best ride ever and then we did Hippogriff (except DS12 who did Dragons Challenge-both sides) We rode so much I lost count. It was obvious it was after 9am as HP area started getting crowded...so we headed back to Seuss Landing. I just love all the rides there. I did feel bad for DH pushing the wheelchair up the High in the Sky queue, poor fellow. We got a few munchies and sat admiring the decorations and enjoying the Christmas music. We then headed to our other favorite Spiderman and then Storm Force (which I sat out the second round ) DS12 hit the Hulk while we did Storm Force. NONE of us will do Dr. Doom. DH and I did Dr. Doom in April on our couple trip OMG...he hates heights but he said I screamed louder than he's ever heard me in 20 years of marriage so he was laughing his bootie off too much to be scared

We then did JP area, we always skip Toon Lagoon except for DS12. 3 of my babes are not water ride fans, so I avoid it

We had MVMCP that night so I figured we should get a little rest

NOPE we hit Denny's for a brunch then it was more pool time. I should mention that I arrived in Orlando wearing a cast on my injured ankle...and the day before I removed it to go swimming....not my smartest move, but I am glad I did...family time is so precious and we had a blast!

MVMCP was less than magical and since this is a US/IoA TR I'll skip my thoughts.....BUT in August we are doing a US/WDW split so it's all good....

Up next.....Friday...checkout day

 

[pas130]

Friday was our final day And it was another beautiful day. Why such a short trip...well, I was supposed to just take my sons to WDW to meet up with some friends...then the rest of the crew invited themselves. Last minute I made the change to Hard Rock (10ish days before the trip I changed to RPH than HRH than RPH...well you get the idea). I wish we had 2 more days...but we will be back....

In the morning my DH decided we should eat at the Kitchen again. REALLY, my DH who usually runs out to McD or BK to save $$$???? Ok, I'll go with it. The second breakfast was better than the first. The kids were more relaxed and comfortable maybe. Our flight was at 755pm, so we had plenty of time to hit the park. After breakfast I packed up and loaded the car...we took the boat to the park this time...just to take the boat!

Today was the busiest there, because it was a Friday I guess. But it really wasn't bad at all. We did Universal. All rides twice...Despicable Me, Transformers, Men In Black, Simpsons, ET, Woody and we did the Animal Show I bought a duff beer for DH...just to say he had a duff beer. They sat at the tables and I went and grabbed some Lard Lad donuts. The bartender (this was cute) grabs both boxes and served the kids. He was very funny joking that he must have one too (truth be told I would have no problem sharing and did offer him one). It was just a nice interaction.

For this short trip, it was a total blast. I couldn't have asked for better weather or a better experience. I was unsure of navigating Universal with a wheelchair, but the lines are straightforward and everyone is helpful and friendly. My hubby was happy, my kids were happy...therefore I am happy. Did Universal win me over this time?? ABSOLUTELY!

Thank you for reading along!