Walking on Sunshine : Celebrating Spring at Universal & SeaWorld - an April/May 2016 PTR

[vrajewski10513]

I can't wait for another Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina trip report!!

 

[ElenaJane]

I saw that as a small child. It's what started my fear of flying.

I saw that as a kid too! When it is dark outside or foggy when I am on a plane, I look out the window and get the creeps!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

It's a quiet morning at the office for me today. One of my bosses is still in Myrtle Beach, the other is at a training seminar for the day. Its been a good chance to put my nose to the grindstone and get some stuff done ahead so there's less of a backlog when I come back from vacation. My boy is joining me for lunch once he wraps up his work shift at noon......its a great day for a pizza date.

I did take the time this morning to make one small adjustment to our flights. Steve and I both reserved Even More Space seats on both legs of the journey (one of Steve's non-negotiable splurges), however Jake and Sunshine were booked in the general seating. We figured the kids could both board together after the Mosaic, Even More Space, and medical preboards were all seated. It dawned on me last night that Jake would have to sit alone to wait to board after Steve and I were already on the plane. He's more than capable of doing so, of course, but it just seemed like a stinky way to start and end a family vacation......this may make me sound like a sap, but it just makes this Momma feel better for all of us to board together. So, I called Jetblue and had them upgrade his seats to Even More Space, just across the aisle from us in row 12. So far, there's no one occupying the window seat beside him, so he will be particularly delighted if he has even more Even More Space to himself.

One question I also wanted to toss out to my readers here......if we decide to pay forward the three day park-to-park ticket for Universal that has to be used before the end of May, would there be anyone out there that could use it? We are still trying to decide what to do with that ticket, and part of us is really wanting to sprinkle a little pixie dust on another family when we have been so very blessed by the generosity of others in so many ways on this trip. I have a bit of a hard time remembering who is travelling when (and if the Universal parks are in your plans), so if its something that might interest you, don't be shy and let me know.

 

[Lynne G]

I won't be in the area until October, but a very generous offer Gina. That, and we have APs.

So, seems like you are all set and ready to vacation! Wahoo.
Love it when the office is quiet. Desk seems to be more tidy at the end of the day.
Lucky kid, mom always take care of him. Nice to have him near ya on the plane now. Even nicer to have lunch with him.

Sun is trying to come out after a gloomy and rain filled morning. I hope so, ready for more like spring temps. And, since my phone very kindly also shows me Orlando weather, 90's. Oh maybe not wishing that, but 70's would be nice.

Here to the countdown getting smaller and smaller.

 

[Callie]

Getting excited for your trip! I love your reports!
We are at under 60 days now for ours. I'm already getting the urge to start packing. I'm a chronic pre-packer its hilarious to my mom. I've started to shop for clothes too. That florida heat requires clothes I usually won't wear.

 

[vrajewski10513]

Oh I also wanted to tell you that you need to check out the Minion shirts hey have at Hot Topic! They're really cute! If you don't have HT in your area, they have one at the Walden Galleria

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I won't be in the area until October, but a very generous offer Gina. That, and we have APs.

So, seems like you are all set and ready to vacation! Wahoo.
Love it when the office is quiet. Desk seems to be more tidy at the end of the day.
Lucky kid, mom always take care of him. Nice to have him near ya on the plane now. Even nicer to have lunch with him.

Sun is trying to come out after a gloomy and rain filled morning. I hope so, ready for more like spring temps. And, since my phone very kindly also shows me Orlando weather, 90's. Oh maybe not wishing that, but 70's would be nice.

Here to the countdown getting smaller and smaller.

Yeah, the restriction of having to use the ticket during such a short time frame is going to make it tougher to pay forward. If we could have extended its valid date until fall, we would happily have used it ourselves in October (when our own AP's will be expired). I can always put it out on the main Universal board as well, I am sure we'll find a good home for it there if that's what we decide. I guess we will have to decide quite soon, though, so we have enough time to arrange to hand it off to someone (or mail it out to them) before their family's travel date rolls around.

90's, to me, sounds marvelous. Sure beats still wearing leather gloves and turning on my heated seats on my way to work in mid-April!! Bring on the heat, I'm totally ready .

Getting excited for your trip! I love your reports!
We are at under 60 days now for ours. I'm already getting the urge to start packing. I'm a chronic pre-packer its hilarious to my mom. I've started to shop for clothes too. That florida heat requires clothes I usually won't wear.

LOL....this is more like me....

I always think about starting a full week before we leave, but end up having a marathon pack session a few days before. For someone who generally likes to plan ahead, I am always a bit of a last-minute packer when it comes to our vacations .

Oh I also wanted to tell you that you need to check out the Minion shirts hey have at Hot Topic! They're really cute! If you don't have HT in your area, they have one at the Walden Galleria

Oh, awesome!! I have long since admired the Hot Topic stuff, and there are certainly none in my area (maybe Toronto? or maybe not in Canada at all? ).

Our dining plans have changed just a tad, and we'll be enjoying our first meal at Cheesecake Factory on our Buffalo park-and-fly night, so this works perfectly!! I can search out Hot Topic while the boys spend their usual hour in Dicks.

 

[tortilla24]

So sweet of you Gina to sprinkle some pixie dust on another family. Good luck finding a way to use those tickets!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Our dining plans have changed just a tad, and we'll be enjoying our first meal at Cheesecake Factory on our Buffalo park-and-fly night, so this works perfectly!! I can search out Hot Topic while the boys spend their usual hour in Dicks.

Just remember you started it this time

 

[pattyw]

Just remember you started it this time

I had the same thought- @dancin, you can't be held accountable for what happens next!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just remember you started it this time

For the record, I meant the sporting goods store .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I had the same thought- @dancin, you can't be held accountable for what happens next!

Oh no....she's rubbing off on you!!!

I would be very afraid LOL!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So sweet of you Gina to sprinkle some pixie dust on another family. Good luck finding a way to use those tickets!

Thanks tortilla . I am sure that ticket will end up in the place it was meant to be....I will definitely keep everyone posted!

 

[pattyw]

Oh no....she's rubbing off on you!!!

I would be very afraid LOL!

 

[RocketCityMama]

Wow, it's coming up sooo fast! We have 46 days til we leave to go South and I can't wait! I hope you guys are all doing better these days. I am sure there will be some ups and downs but I can't wait to read your trip report! I know you'll find a good home for your ticket, we're going but most of trip is the first week of June and we have APs so it wouldn't work for us either, but I just know you'll find someone who could use a pick me up! <3

 

[dixonsontour]

Very generous offer hope someone who really needs it can contact you. Our dates are May but we are good as we have APs.

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

It's a quiet morning at the office for me today. One of my bosses is still in Myrtle Beach, the other is at a training seminar for the day. Its been a good chance to put my nose to the grindstone and get some stuff done ahead so there's less of a backlog when I come back from vacation. My boy is joining me for lunch once he wraps up his work shift at noon......its a great day for a pizza date.

I did take the time this morning to make one small adjustment to our flights. Steve and I both reserved Even More Space seats on both legs of the journey (one of Steve's non-negotiable splurges), however Jake and Sunshine were booked in the general seating. We figured the kids could both board together after the Mosaic, Even More Space, and medical preboards were all seated. It dawned on me last night that Jake would have to sit alone to wait to board after Steve and I were already on the plane. He's more than capable of doing so, of course, but it just seemed like a stinky way to start and end a family vacation......this may make me sound like a sap, but it just makes this Momma feel better for all of us to board together. So, I called Jetblue and had them upgrade his seats to Even More Space, just across the aisle from us in row 12. So far, there's no one occupying the window seat beside him, so he will be particularly delighted if he has even more Even More Space to himself.

One question I also wanted to toss out to my readers here......if we decide to pay forward the three day park-to-park ticket for Universal that has to be used before the end of May, would there be anyone out there that could use it? We are still trying to decide what to do with that ticket, and part of us is really wanting to sprinkle a little pixie dust on another family when we have been so very blessed by the generosity of others in so many ways on this trip. I have a bit of a hard time remembering who is travelling when (and if the Universal parks are in your plans), so if its something that might interest you, don't be shy and let me know.

Oh, wow! I was just looking the other day at maybe fitting in a little Universal into our May trip this year, but I couldn't justify spending the extra money for the tickets. It's only my daughter Jenna and me, and we sure would love to make use of two of your tickets. And I know it doesn't match up at all when it comes to the money, but I'd love to give you my $50 Steak & Shake gift card in return!

 

[ElenaJane]

So sweet of you to gift your extra ticket! I am sure it will go to good use! I love the idea of Jake boarding with you and being across the aisle. Having to board alone and sit alone, would be a harsh reminder!

Have you gotten your minion wallet yet? Or was a phone case/wallet combo? I remember the ship date was going to be close!

 

[pigletto]

Very generous offer of you indeed Gina! I hope someone is able to use it.
And I think you made a wise decision upgrading Jake's seat. It will set the tone for the three amigo's next adventure to sit all together!

We are so stinking excited for this trip around this house! 17 sleeps to go!! The nice thing is that we are really really busy for the next few weeks, so hopefully time passes quickly. As the mom of a basketball player, I'm sure you remember that the end of season is nuts. Travel team practices and games are at fever pitch to get ready for finals, and ds12 is also on his school tournament team and all of those practices and games are right now too. My son has played 6 games and had 2 practices in the last 4 days, and has another game tomorrow. Oh and did I mention my husband coaches?

DD needs to be moved out of her dorm the weekend before we leave and it's our final tournament weekend. Nevermind regular work, school, committees and meetings. I have a feeling it's going to fly by and trip time will be here before I know it. I am usually an early packer but with everything else going on I haven't started yet. Maybe tomorrow night.

And did someone say 90 degrees?!? BRING IT ON!!! We had snow up until yesterday. I am so ready for some heat.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Oh, wow! I was just looking the other day at maybe fitting in a little Universal into our May trip this year, but I couldn't justify spending the extra money for the tickets. It's only my daughter Jenna and me, and we sure would love to make use of two of your tickets. And I know it doesn't match up at all when it comes to the money, but I'd love to give you my $50 Steak & Shake gift card in return!

Absolutely no repayment necessary.....we would be happy to gift it to you and see the ticket put to good use. There is only one ticket though, not two (Jake still needs the second one for his admission) ... does that make a difference?

If you still want the one ticket, PM me and we shall work out how best to get it from our hands to yours .