US & Canada PTR - 2 sleeps to go, wow

[alicia1506]

we were at IOA/WWOHP/Universal for 5 days on our trip. they do not take reservations for 3 broomsticks unless it is part of a package, so it is just walk up counter service, but then you are seated inside the restaurant, kind of cafeteria style, but themed to look like a rustic pub environment.

the food is pretty average, but it's the entertainment of sitting inside the 3 broomsticks for hp fans that is the selling point i guess. one day we all had fish & chips plus the chocolate parfait dessert. the dessert is chocolate ganache and chocolate mousse layered with strawberries and cream. very rich and very filling even though small portions. i couldn't finish mine. the fish and chips were pretty park food standard.

we ate a second time and i had the ribs meal & my sis had the chicken meal. nice, decent size portions, filling and kind of 'homestyle' meals. we didn't try the shepherds pie or the cornish pastry as we thought they looked kind of bland. we thought the ribs/chicken meals were decent value for the price.

strongly recommend the frozen butterbeer.

other food options inside IOA seem to be standard park food cs, but if you want TS meals, there is the onsite restaurant mythos. they apparently get rave reviews, but i have not eaten there. reservations are necessary, but not far in advance like WDW.

otherwise you could always get on a boat and head to the royal pacific resort for a meal in their islands dining room (lunch is asian inspired, very nice good quality food, large portions, good prices) or at jake's american bar/cafe (a TS restaurant serving mostly american style food) or at their onsite asian restaurant (can't remember the name right now, sorry) or at any of the other onsite hotels.

citywalk has a margaritaville that we ate at.. food was good and filling, but not outstanding. there is also a bubba gumps at citywalk, plus a Hungry Jacks and a Panda Express etc. the website has a pretty comprehensive listing of all dining options and locations...

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thanks everyone. You had me at "Margaritaville" hahaha although I do love love love Bubba Gumps. Wow, how to choose.

 

[Melbourne5]

Thanks everyone. You had me at "Margaritaville" hahaha although I do love love love Bubba Gumps. Wow, how to choose.

Those cheeseburgers in paradise are great at Jimmy's place. I heard him say in a recent interview he is opening up a margaritaville in sydney at darling harbor soon.

 

[Melbourne5]

I hope there are some of our Anzac dis'ers who got to see this live...at DLR. what a once in a lifetime experience!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Cot6XCvDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[alicia1506]

I hope there are some of our Anzac dis'ers who got to see this live...at DLR. what a once in a lifetime experience!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Cot6XCvDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

unfortunately i had to watch it on youtube as i'm stuck here in boring old brisvegas, but even the you tube vid was pretty inspirational & awesome

 

[Mum from oz]

I hope there are some of our Anzac dis'ers who got to see this live...at DLR. what a once in a lifetime experience!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Cot6XCvDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That was awesome!

 

[Mum from oz]

Book. Tell them when you get there. It's another expensive trip to get out there again and it is one of those things that is almost a must-do when in Florida.

I agree, almost a must do and anyway when we went we only saw baby gators, really cute, sweet little baby gators.

That's what I hope to do, walk up for an early lunch. We ate at some Cat in the Hat Big Top place last time, ordinary burgers but nice and quiet. This time I want the experience of something Harry Pottery.

The Family Feast Platter, which you can see here that costs $49.95:-

It's got chicken on one side, ribs on the other and yummo veggies in the middle. The other 3 will devour the meat and perhaps a vegie or 2, I'll be nibbling along like a typewriter on the corn and those vegies like a crazy person. For $50 bucks, in a theme park, I think this is a good value. And did I mention butter beer hahaha. I love that stuff.

I thought the food in the Three Broomsticks was mediocre too. Although that platter looks half decent, I'd be with you nibbling that corn typewrite style, yum! As for butterbeer please drink some for me. Oh the goodness of that stuff.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Melburne5 thanks for the youtube link- was good to watch in absentia. Can't believe in WDW few took much notice according to comments.

Miss Shuttergirl cf air-boat trips-I take it you'll never get the family on the Adelaide River boats in Darwin with the jumping crocs then??

 

[hjd0411]

Thanks for the Youtube clip!! How awesome would that have been to see that! Last time I was in Orlando I was fortunate enough to be there for the 2nd last launch of the space shuttle programme. I was able to see it (well, the enormous con trail, anyway! ) from the back of the town house I was in. That was spectacular for me! It was fun to watch the launch on TV and then just walk out the back door and see it going up!
But to see that so close fly over - wow!!!

 

[hjd0411]

Wendy... That croc looks
Shuttergirl - the gators that I saw didn't do that!!!

 

[cola]

It looks like they've introduced the ribs and chicken to the Three Broomsticks so Americans can have something familiar rather than that strange Shepherds Pie etc. When I was there, not long after it opened, the menu was very 'English', no ribs - I would've had ribs if they were on there! The family platter looks ok. Even if they are not great ribs, bad ribs in America are still a lot better than most ribs in Australia!

I usually go out of the park for a meal, Hard Rock Cafe is practically at the entrance and Margaritaville is only a bit further in the other direction. Bubba Gumps is as far away from the Universal parks as you can get, right at the entrance of City Walk, which isn't really that far, but further than you want to be bothered walking just for lunch. Maybe Bubba Gumps could be a dinner option on the way out? (If you go to Universal Studios in the morning, there is a little side exit that takes you directly to side entrance of the Hard Rock Cafe, makes it very easy to then continue on to IoA, but I think you're just doing one park so that exit wouldn't help.)

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Melburne5 thanks for the youtube link- was good to watch in absentia. Can't believe in WDW few took much notice according to comments.

Miss Shuttergirl cf air-boat trips-I take it you'll never get the family on the Adelaide River boats in Darwin with the jumping crocs then??

Wendy - you're not helping

Wendy... That croc looks
Shuttergirl - the gators that I saw didn't do that!!!

I sure hope not

It looks like they've introduced the ribs and chicken to the Three Broomsticks so Americans can have something familiar rather than that strange Shepherds Pie etc. When I was there, not long after it opened, the menu was very 'English', no ribs - I would've had ribs if they were on there! The family platter looks ok. Even if they are not great ribs, bad ribs in America are still a lot better than most ribs in Australia!

I usually go out of the park for a meal, Hard Rock Cafe is practically at the entrance and Margaritaville is only a bit further in the other direction. Bubba Gumps is as far away from the Universal parks as you can get, right at the entrance of City Walk, which isn't really that far, but further than you want to be bothered walking just for lunch. Maybe Bubba Gumps could be a dinner option on the way out? (If you go to Universal Studios in the morning, there is a little side exit that takes you directly to side entrance of the Hard Rock Cafe, makes it very easy to then continue on to IoA, but I think you're just doing one park so that exit wouldn't help.)

I'll keep reading some reviews of the Three Broomsticks however I do think it would be a fun place to eat for the details and atmosphere. We shall see. Otherwise I'm leaning towards Margaritaville because I want to eat at Bubba Gumps in NYC, it's almost a tradition now and Hard Rock we will do in NYC likely too. Margaritaville is unique to us, we haven't been before so perhaps there if not Three Broomsticks.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Kennedy Space Centre - Sooooo I've convinced everyone that the airboat ride on the way to KSC will be fun and the tickets are now booked and paid for so no backing out.

Universal/WWoHP - tickets purchased, just for the one day via Undercover Tourist, thanks to some help on here.

Quebec - Horse and carriage ride/tour confirmed for our first full day there, should be cold but magical.

Countryside day trip - have booked and paid for a 4 hour tour into the countryside outside of Quebec City for New Years Day afternoon. We will visit Montmorency Falls which are apparently higher than Niagara so they should be cool as well as a little village and a few other stops.

Boston - have made reservations for my husbands birthday dinner at Davios Restaurant in Boston. Good northern italian food with something our whole family will enjoy with the added bonus of linen tableclothes and an upmarket feel.

We also looked into booking a day trip along the coastline from Boston or perhaps Salem to learn about the witches etc but none of these run in January due to the weather. A real shame but we know there is plenty to see and do in Boston so will save it for another trip.

Washington - I'm no further along with firming up the itinerary for here. I want to book this particular walking tour for the first day but the man hasn't released the schedule yet and if the tour isn't offered that first day it will change how everything else falls into place. Grrrrr.

Dining - I have done personalised Google maps for each city we are visiting with all of the dining options I have researched "pinned" onto the maps with a brief description of why I've listed it. Be it good for a cheap breakky, nice lunches or rave dining reviews but mostly the places I have selected have menus that will appeal to the whole family. That is the most important thing because as you all know, these holidays are tiring and when it comes time to eat and recharge I want food to please everyone and an interesting environment to eat it in. I'm a simple girl .

It took me hours to do all the Google maps but I'm sure they will be a godsend when we are away and a special thanks to Shushh for putting me onto personalising these maps. I'm going to use them for everything for future trips.

 

[hjd0411]

You have done well! Glad you are doing the airboat on the way to KSC. As you said - booked and paid - no backing out!!!
Hey I like the idea of Google maps - I've not looked at that before, but I must keep that in the memory banks for next time!

 

[shushh]

Kennedy Space Centre - Sooooo I've convinced everyone that the airboat ride on the way to KSC will be fun and the tickets are now booked and paid for so no backing out.

Universal/WWoHP - tickets purchased, just for the one day via Undercover Tourist, thanks to some help on here.

Quebec - Horse and carriage ride/tour confirmed for our first full day there, should be cold but magical.

Countryside day trip - have booked and paid for a 4 hour tour into the countryside outside of Quebec City for New Years Day afternoon. We will visit Montmorency Falls which are apparently higher than Niagara so they should be cool as well as a little village and a few other stops.

Boston - have made reservations for my husbands birthday dinner at Davios Restaurant in Boston. Good northern italian food with something our whole family will enjoy with the added bonus of linen tableclothes and an upmarket feel.

We also looked into booking a day trip along the coastline from Boston or perhaps Salem to learn about the witches etc but none of these run in January due to the weather. A real shame but we know there is plenty to see and do in Boston so will save it for another trip.

Washington - I'm no further along with firming up the itinerary for here. I want to book this particular walking tour for the first day but the man hasn't released the schedule yet and if the tour isn't offered that first day it will change how everything else falls into place. Grrrrr.

Dining - I have done personalised Google maps for each city we are visiting with all of the dining options I have researched "pinned" onto the maps with a brief description of why I've listed it. Be it good for a cheap breakky, nice lunches or rave dining reviews but mostly the places I have selected have menus that will appeal to the whole family. That is the most important thing because as you all know, these holidays are tiring and when it comes time to eat and recharge I want food to please everyone and an interesting environment to eat it in. I'm a simple girl .

It took me hours to do all the Google maps but I'm sure they will be a godsend when we are away and a special thanks to Shushh for putting me onto personalising these maps. I'm going to use them for everything for future trips.

I see you've been busy! Had to giggle when I read about the airboat ride. Good on you! After all, being the mum does have some perks right!

 

[Mum from oz]

Kennedy Space Centre - Sooooo I've convinced everyone that the airboat ride on the way to KSC will be fun and the tickets are now booked and paid for so no backing out.
Woohoo! You will all love it!

Universal/WWoHP - tickets purchased, just for the one day via Undercover Tourist, thanks to some help on here.
UCT is awesome, great service.

Quebec - Horse and carriage ride/tour confirmed for our first full day there, should be cold but magical.
Sounds amazing.

Countryside day trip - have booked and paid for a 4 hour tour into the countryside outside of Quebec City for New Years Day afternoon. We will visit Montmorency Falls which are apparently higher than Niagara so they should be cool as well as a little village and a few other stops.

Boston - have made reservations for my husbands birthday dinner at Davios Restaurant in Boston. Good northern italian food with something our whole family will enjoy with the added bonus of linen tableclothes and an upmarket feel.
Where is the like button?

We also looked into booking a day trip along the coastline from Boston or perhaps Salem to learn about the witches etc but none of these run in January due to the weather. A real shame but we know there is plenty to see and do in Boston so will save it for another trip.
I love how you put that you will save it for another trip, because here on the DIS another trip is inevitable!

Washington - I'm no further along with firming up the itinerary for here. I want to book this particular walking tour for the first day but the man hasn't released the schedule yet and if the tour isn't offered that first day it will change how everything else falls into place. Grrrrr.

Dining - I have done personalised Google maps for each city we are visiting with all of the dining options I have researched "pinned" onto the maps with a brief description of why I've listed it. Be it good for a cheap breakky, nice lunches or rave dining reviews but mostly the places I have selected have menus that will appeal to the whole family. That is the most important thing because as you all know, these holidays are tiring and when it comes time to eat and recharge I want food to please everyone and an interesting environment to eat it in. I'm a simple girl .
This is a fantastic idea. I never even thought to do this. I have been in a new city numerous times, starving with no idea where to eat. I always end up sitting in the hotel room on trip advisor for at least an hour reading reviews, then googling menus trying to find some place appealing only to end up with something mediocre.

It took me hours to do all the Google maps but I'm sure they will be a godsend when we are away and a special thanks to Shushh for putting me onto personalising these maps. I'm going to use them for everything for future trips.
Sounds totally worth the time spent

Bolded above

 

[Caroline NZ]

Dining - I have done personalised Google maps for each city we are visiting with all of the dining options I have researched "pinned" onto the maps with a brief description of why I've listed it. Be it good for a cheap breakky, nice lunches or rave dining reviews but mostly the places I have selected have menus that will appeal to the whole family. That is the most important thing because as you all know, these holidays are tiring and when it comes time to eat and recharge I want food to please everyone and an interesting environment to eat it in. I'm a simple girl .

It took me hours to do all the Google maps but I'm sure they will be a godsend when we are away and a special thanks to Shushh for putting me onto personalising these maps. I'm going to use them for everything for future trips.

Okaaay - so who is really the planning queen around here?



( great idea though - just might have to pinch that one)

 

[PrincessInOz]

Kennedy Space Centre - Sooooo I've convinced everyone that the airboat ride on the way to KSC will be fun and the tickets are now booked and paid for so no backing out.

Universal/WWoHP - tickets purchased, just for the one day via Undercover Tourist, thanks to some help on here.

Quebec - Horse and carriage ride/tour confirmed for our first full day there, should be cold but magical.

Countryside day trip - have booked and paid for a 4 hour tour into the countryside outside of Quebec City for New Years Day afternoon. We will visit Montmorency Falls which are apparently higher than Niagara so they should be cool as well as a little village and a few other stops.

Boston - have made reservations for my husbands birthday dinner at Davios Restaurant in Boston. Good northern italian food with something our whole family will enjoy with the added bonus of linen tableclothes and an upmarket feel.

We also looked into booking a day trip along the coastline from Boston or perhaps Salem to learn about the witches etc but none of these run in January due to the weather. A real shame but we know there is plenty to see and do in Boston so will save it for another trip.

Washington - I'm no further along with firming up the itinerary for here. I want to book this particular walking tour for the first day but the man hasn't released the schedule yet and if the tour isn't offered that first day it will change how everything else falls into place. Grrrrr.

Dining - I have done personalised Google maps for each city we are visiting with all of the dining options I have researched "pinned" onto the maps with a brief description of why I've listed it. Be it good for a cheap breakky, nice lunches or rave dining reviews but mostly the places I have selected have menus that will appeal to the whole family. That is the most important thing because as you all know, these holidays are tiring and when it comes time to eat and recharge I want food to please everyone and an interesting environment to eat it in. I'm a simple girl .

It took me hours to do all the Google maps but I'm sure they will be a godsend when we are away and a special thanks to Shushh for putting me onto personalising these maps. I'm going to use them for everything for future trips.

Great sounding plans.

Montmorency might be higher than Niagara but it doesn't have the volume. So, don't be too disappointed when you see it. Plus, it will probably be frozen over at the time of year that you're going.


I googled to see where Davios was in Boston. Enjoy your dinner.

Sadly, it isn't in the North End of Boston; otherwise I would have recommended that you pick up dessert at Mike's Pastry store. However....if you are in the neighbourhood, I highly recommend that you visit Mike's and get some canoli.....get the choc dipped ones and/or the ones with vanilla/chocolate filling

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

You have done well! Glad you are doing the airboat on the way to KSC. As you said - booked and paid - no backing out!!!
Hey I like the idea of Google maps - I've not looked at that before, but I must keep that in the memory banks for next time!

When Shushh mentioned it I had a total "light bulb moment".

I see you've been busy! Had to giggle when I read about the airboat ride. Good on you! After all, being the mum does have some perks right!

Yes not too many perks about being a mum some days but this was a good time to throw my weight around so to speak.

Okaaay - so who is really the planning queen around here?



( great idea though - just might have to pinch that one)

Oh yes I like a plan or 2. I like it almost as much as the trip sometimes.

Great sounding plans.

Montmorency might be higher than Niagara but it doesn't have the volume. So, don't be too disappointed when you see it. Plus, it will probably be frozen over at the time of year that you're going.


I googled to see where Davios was in Boston. Enjoy your dinner.

Sadly, it isn't in the North End of Boston; otherwise I would have recommended that you pick up dessert at Mike's Pastry store. However....if you are in the neighbourhood, I highly recommend that you visit Mike's and get some canoli.....get the choc dipped ones and/or the ones with vanilla/chocolate filling

Yes from what I've read Montmorency falls don't quite compare to Niagara. That's okay, getting out into the Canadian countryside will be lovely regardless.

We are definitely going to be eating in the North End for a few of the evenings we are in town and I already have Mike's noted as somewhere not to miss. I love canoli so it's a must do for sure. We'll buy a selection and I'll give a detailed review .


MUM FROM OZ - It's so funny you mention being in a strange city and not knowing where to eat so spending time on google finding somewhere. This drives me insane and also my husband. I hate wandering around aimlessly looking for somewhere to eat. And I also hate spending good money on crappy food. If I have to pay to eat, it may as well be something that I know will be nice, with good service and a great atmosphere.

A little bit of research beforehand makes me feel more relaxed about meals when we go away.

 

[Andona]

Dining - I have done personalised Google maps for each city we are visiting with all of the dining options I have researched "pinned" onto the maps with a brief description of why I've listed it. Be it good for a cheap breakky, nice lunches or rave dining reviews but mostly the places I have selected have menus that will appeal to the whole family. That is the most important thing because as you all know, these holidays are tiring and when it comes time to eat and recharge I want food to please everyone and an interesting environment to eat it in. I'm a simple girl .

It took me hours to do all the Google maps but I'm sure they will be a godsend when we are away and a special thanks to Shushh for putting me onto personalising these maps. I'm going to use them for everything for future trips.

I totally approve of your dining maps!! Have done the same myself on previous trips :thumbsup: I did some similar maps for this trip but for possible hotels to stay in along our route for the nights that I haven't prebooked. It was so nice to get towards the end of the day and know that there were a couple of reasonable hotels coming up that I had already researched. Even booked them with my iPad a few minutes before we pulled into the parking lot

your trip is really starting to come together now, I was buying some Christmas decorations as souvenirs today, Christmas and your trip will be here before you know it!

Andona

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