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

Excited for your trip Gina!
Hopefully the Days isn't too bad! Once my sister and I went to Chicago overnight alone for a NASCAR race. I was probably 14 at the time, and my sister was 18 (NO idea what my mom was thinking, but we are good girls). Only place that we could find cheap, that allowed our age to check in was an extended stay hotel. It reeked like smoke, there was a hooker in the lobby, and as we were going up the stairs some old dude invited us down to his room to have fun. We locked our door, stood on a towel in the bathroom, and got out of there so quick the next morning!
And yes, we behaved ourselves. Never did anything bad on the road trips my mom let us take.

Oh my.....makes the pot smokers and rowdy partiers at the Days seem mild in comparison!!! :eek:

I'm sorry to hear that Sunshine won't be joining you for the trip. I know how awful it can be with mental health issues and the effect it can have on the individual and those that love them. I hope she can continue to get the help she needs.

But how fabulous is it to say that you're in the single digit countdown dance??? Woo-hoo! Fingers crossed for a smooth flight, a quiet and calm stay at the Days and warm weather for your entire stay.

Thanks Ruthie :goodvibes. I just had lunch with Sunshine yesterday, and she's doing pretty well. Jake has been in regular contact with her, too.....we are there to love and support her.

Can't believe we are on our way out the door one week from today!! :cool1:
Gina, hope you don't mind if I join you in the single digit dance!! :dogdance:

This next work week is going to crawl by! But at the same time, this is the time to savor the excitement!

@Callie You have taught me not to read updates in reverse order. "No more hookers in the lobby".... :ssst: I of course then had to backtrack some!

Woohoo for the single digits!! That absolutely deserves a dance!!! :banana: :dancer:party:

(and after the ice cream I ate last night, heaven knows I need a little extra calorie burning today :rotfl:)
 
7 days to go!!

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Yay for single digits, and yay for your trip being a week away! :banana:

That was so nice of you guys to gift your extra ticket! :wizard:

Love your phone case! So glad it came in time for your trip. :thumbsup2
 

Gina, I've just read this from beginning to end over the last couple of days having very much enjoyed your October TR. I'm sorry that your travel party has gone from four to three but I'm sure that you, Steve and Jake will have an amazing time (and I hope that you come home with a new minion!).
 
image.jpeg image.jpeg I've been binge-reading all evening. I'm so sorry about Sunshine- she sounds lovely. I hope your time in Orlando is therapeutic, and that she finds health and wholeness soon.

A few thoughts:
1- we love the Marriott app, and I noticed some great rates for early May recently. If you have refundable rates, the Residence Inn is showing $76/ studio or $89 for 1 bed suite for AAA/CAA or Marriott Rewards members.
2- We did the $15 ($13.50 for pass holders) dolphin interaction for our girls' 7th and 9th birthdays. It lasted about 5-10 minutes. The trainer has you give behavior signals and everyone pets the dolphin. (I'm trying to upload a few pics from our photo key. You can see our little girl under the jumping Dolphins :) You are tempting me to do the BOGO tour now!
3- Do you know about the passholder lounge? We love it!
 
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It looked completely worth it though!!!

Ohhhhhhhhhh...........it was!!! Every calorie-laced, scrumptious, sweet and delectable bite! :teeth:

This is why I will never be 'skinny'. I like food too much :o .
Yay for single digits, and yay for your trip being a week away! :banana:

That was so nice of you guys to gift your extra ticket! :wizard:

Love your phone case! So glad it came in time for your trip. :thumbsup2

Me too!!! I was so excited when the mail carrier dropped it off. I think she thought I had lost my marbles :p.

Gina, I've just read this from beginning to end over the last couple of days having very much enjoyed your October TR. I'm sorry that your travel party has gone from four to three but I'm sure that you, Steve and Jake will have an amazing time (and I hope that you come home with a new minion!).

Thank you iona :goodvibes . I told Steve I was going to make him eat a lot of spinach this week in preparation for the sledgehammer game ;) . He tells me all he needs is a cold Butterbeer and he will be good to go :laughing:.

You are basically on vacation now! All the last minute things to do make it seem right there!

I have an incredibly busy week on deck, so yep.....I think that Saturday will be here before we know it! I can't wait! :hyper:

View attachment 162707 View attachment 162673 I've been binge-reading all evening. I'm so sorry about Sunshine- she sounds lovely. I hope your time in Orlando is therapeutic, and that she finds health and wholeness soon.

A few thoughts:
1- we love the Marriott app, and I noticed some great rates for early May recently. If you have refundable rates, the Residence Inn is showing $76/ studio or $89 for 1 bed suite for AAA/CAA or Marriott Rewards members.
2- We did the $15 ($13.50 for pass holders) dolphin interaction for our girls' 7th and 9th birthdays. It lasted about 5-10 minutes. The trainer has you give behavior signals and everyone pets the dolphin. (I'm trying to upload a few pics from our photo key. You can see our little girl under the jumping Dolphins :) You are tempting me to do the BOGO tour now!
3- Do you know about the passholder lounge? We love it!

Okay, now that's not fair young lady ;). Tempting me with those awesome dolphin photos!! I swore I was not going to add another single thing to this vacation and then you dangle that carrot in front of me. I am weak when it comes to SeaWorld.....I would love to do Every.Single.Thing there.

And now I want to do the dolphin interaction :rolleyes1. It's all your fault, LOL! Those pictures should be used in billboards around Orlando, and they would sell out!

We knew about the passholder lounge but didn't get to see it on our December visit....too much to do to take the time to stop! With two full park days at our disposal this time, though, we are making a point to check it out on this trip :thumbsup2. I have heard nothing but great things about it.

As for the Marriott rates.....I owe you a huge thanks. While our reservation was prepaid and nonrefundable (with the CAA discounted rate), I wanted to see how close the rate we paid was to the current prices you were seeing. Well, in doing so, I noticed that the rep who placed our reservation by phone erred and put us in a studio suite versus the one bedroom that I requested :headache:. It took me three phone calls and one email but I finally got it resolved this afternoon....and our reservation has been changed to the one bedroom suite with no additional charges (two thumbs up for the Marriott Customer Care Center). Our rate was $97 a night, which is a tiny bit higher than current pricing but definitely still an excellent deal considering it will secure us free Quick Queue at SeaWorld for all three of us, a buffet breakfast, and some fairly spacious accommodations. Without you posting about that, though, we would have been in for a rather nasty surprise when we checked in on May 1st and found were were all in a small room. A huge thanks from not only me, but also my two fellows!!!

I don't know how I missed the mistake on the initial confirmation (obviously I didn't review it very well when it was received.....bad, bad Gina!!).....but the moral of the story is, don't make vacation plans on New Years Eve :o. Too. Much. Wine :blush:.
 
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I officially hauled out the luggage last night, and between Saturday evening and pockets of time today, I've made some great packing progress. Probably 60% done, if not more. There's always a portion that can't be done until the last few days, so mostly that's what is left. My office has been officially taken over by suitcases but at least the chaos is mostly contained to one spot.

I also got some great news from SeaWorld today :). Steve and I will celebrate our wedding anniversary is May 1st (23 years with my big teddy bear), and he has always wanted me to pick-a-pearl on one of our trips. He knew it was always something that I wanted to do but never felt worthy of splurging on.....it just seemed like a big purchase on an already expensive trip. After he brought it up again a few weeks ago, I knew it was something he really, really wanted to do for me......so I told him I would love to have the pearl divers at SeaWorld pick a pearl to be placed in a simple (and hopefully not to ridiculously priced) ring setting. He was thrilled that I finally agreed to do it. Well, not long after that I read on the website that SeaWorld is offering a shoppers discount card to passmembers for $9.95. The card gives the bearer 25% off souvenir purchases for the next three months, which is way better than our 10% discount as passmembers. So I wonder....would that apply to the pearl divers and jewellry settings? I emailed SW to inquire, and they answered today with a YES! So now I feel a little less guilty and more like it was meant to be. And I am super excited about crossing another item off my Orlando bucket list!

Also today, I received an email from the VIP Concierge at the Vistana, and apparently we have been selected for some sort of "VIP Check In". I am not sure what exactly this involves or why we don't check in the "normal" way a the Welcome Center, but we have received instructions to proceed directly to the VIP Check In area at the Lakes Recreation Center when we arrive at the resort. As part of our communication over the last couple of days, they have asked me to provide a bunch of information such as whether we have special requests in regards to villa location, how many people will be staying in the villa, how many keys and parking passes we will need, what time we plan to arrive at the resort, etc. I will be interested to see if this just makes for a much more efficient and personalized check-in experience, or if it some sneaky way to try and talk us into attending an "owners update" (aka timeshare sales pitch). The latter is not happening, and I will have no problem saying HAVE YOU SEEN OUR ITINERARY? WE DON'T HAVE 90 MINUTES TO SPARE ON THIS TRIP! :rotfl2:

One week from right now, we hope to be enjoying a fruity beverage or two from the comfort of the Fountains hot tubs! :banana:
 
Oh I love it! I can taste the excitement of getting things ready to go, packing accoutrements taking over the house, making final plans and getting a case of the "last-minutes" :lovestruc

That's such a neat perk about the pearl diver! Make sure to take lots of pictures (oh who am I kidding, just make sure to post them!). This seems like such a unique souvenir that it would be worth the price, instead of loading up on smaller trinkets.

The VIP Check In experience sounds cool - like maybe they're working on having owners or repeat visitors bypass the main check in. Let us know how it goes! Counting down the days with you... Almost time to leave!
 
So soon now! :flower:

Wish I was going. We haven't gone since August which is long for us, we usually go twice a year. We're still in the middle of househunting but that should all be done relatively soon and we are planning a ten-day trip for August to make up for lost time pixiedust:
 
Packing time!! You know you are close when the suitcases come out. I am determined to not check a bag on our trip. We have to change planes and it is only a 4 night trip. I am having to hunt down mini-bottles of everything for my liquids!

I love how you still can add little magic touches to your trip at this point. Go ahead and let your hubby spoil you some!
 
Wahoo, and the single digit count down continues!

I never bring the luggage out until the day, well, late afternoon, of the day before. The thrill of what to bring now is a good deterrent to over packing. My DSis is leaving on Wednesday for a long weekend, and you should see all she has already laid out to pack. I told her, all that? She laughed, and I told her what to bring/not to, I hope she follows what I said. I am not an overpacker.

It's almost Florida weather for us today. Close to 80. So happy for this burst of nice weather. I am thanking the jet stream. Not a cloud in the sky. Weather guy said a pretty blue sky for today. I agree. Pretty is a good word to describe the blue, so bright and so blue.

A second Wahoo for the passholder discount card. I wish it was good when we will be there. Hoping some good passholder treats during the holidays. I may also check if there's any in October too. Never did a pick a pearl from SW, but several from Disney. DD got a blue shaded one in Epcot the last time we were there. She was pleased. She said to find one that's all bumby and ugly looking. Not sure what that means, but that's how she picks one out. I hope she forgets about SW's one, when we go. LOL

th
Soo close.
 
The pearl should be fun. We did it at Disney almost 15 years ago (I cannot believe I am saying 15 years ago!) I'm pretty sure they weren't too expensive, no divers involved. My grams wanted to treat us. How sweet of Steve :)
 
Oh I love it! I can taste the excitement of getting things ready to go, packing accoutrements taking over the house, making final plans and getting a case of the "last-minutes" :lovestruc

That's such a neat perk about the pearl diver! Make sure to take lots of pictures (oh who am I kidding, just make sure to post them!). This seems like such a unique souvenir that it would be worth the price, instead of loading up on smaller trinkets.

The VIP Check In experience sounds cool - like maybe they're working on having owners or repeat visitors bypass the main check in. Let us know how it goes! Counting down the days with you... Almost time to leave!

Yep, that's my thinking too....with this being our 10th trip, I don't need any more t-shirts, magnets, snow globes, or other knick-knacks. Other than a new Minion....or two.....or three :rolleyes1....I can do without another single thing. We have admired the pearl divers on every single visit to SeaWorld, so its super exciting to finally be taking part! I will most certainly take lots of pictures.....probably too many!! :rotfl: ... and share them all after our trip. I will have five and a half months to whittle away until our October vacation, so I'll have to stretch this April trip report out nice and long.

So soon now! :flower:

Wish I was going. We haven't gone since August which is long for us, we usually go twice a year. We're still in the middle of househunting but that should all be done relatively soon and we are planning a ten-day trip for August to make up for lost time pixiedust:

I am so happy to hear you'll be making another pilgrimage to Orlando in August! Have you decided if it will be Universal + Disney, or will you stick with just one or the other?

Fingers crossed that you find the PERFECT house very soon! It's a stressful time for sure....such a big purchase and significant investment.

Packing time!! You know you are close when the suitcases come out. I am determined to not check a bag on our trip. We have to change planes and it is only a 4 night trip. I am having to hunt down mini-bottles of everything for my liquids!

I love how you still can add little magic touches to your trip at this point. Go ahead and let your hubby spoil you some!

I envy anyone who can travel with a carry-on only. It will be so freeing not to have to check a bag! Once you're off the plane, you can be immediately on your way :drive: (do you have a rental for this little getaway?).

A friend of mine has been working hard lately to try and teach me that by refusing to accept a gift, I am depriving the giver of the joy of the gift-giving act. She has been very patiently telling me that sometimes, I need to be a good receiver.....because in doing so, that's making the giver delightfully happy, too. And you know, I saw the delight in Steve when I finally (after he has mentioned it trip after trip) agreed to make this a priority on this vacation. I had always felt that the right thing to do was decline (I am not the kind of person who yearns to be "spoiled" with material things) but yet....I guess sometimes a little indulgence can be okay too. I want my guys to be part of the whole experience, as well.....I think it would be awesome if they picked the oyster from the diver for whatever setting I choose :). I think that would just have so much meaning!

Wahoo, and the single digit count down continues!

I never bring the luggage out until the day, well, late afternoon, of the day before. The thrill of what to bring now is a good deterrent to over packing. My DSis is leaving on Wednesday for a long weekend, and you should see all she has already laid out to pack. I told her, all that? She laughed, and I told her what to bring/not to, I hope she follows what I said. I am not an overpacker.

It's almost Florida weather for us today. Close to 80. So happy for this burst of nice weather. I am thanking the jet stream. Not a cloud in the sky. Weather guy said a pretty blue sky for today. I agree. Pretty is a good word to describe the blue, so bright and so blue.

A second Wahoo for the passholder discount card. I wish it was good when we will be there. Hoping some good passholder treats during the holidays. I may also check if there's any in October too. Never did a pick a pearl from SW, but several from Disney. DD got a blue shaded one in Epcot the last time we were there. She was pleased. She said to find one that's all bumby and ugly looking. Not sure what that means, but that's how she picks one out. I hope she forgets about SW's one, when we go. LOL

th
Soo close.

I am so glad you guys are getting some great weather as well! We have had four simply spectacular days in a row....talk about getting us primed and ready for 10 days in the Sunshine State! Fingers crossed that we finally, FINALLY have winter behind us. Steve gets his winter tires off the Journey on Thursday, and Jake gets his swapped out on his Jetta on Friday. If it snows after we come home again in May.....I am applying to the Florida Governor for refugee status!

I have heard the same thing about the pick-a-pearl process....the uglier the oyster, the nicer the pearl they say. Of course, I think ALL pearls are so pretty.....so it will be a win no matter how big or small or what colour it turns out to be!

See my response on the Vistana thread, but IIRC the VIP checkin at SVR is on the up and up...

That is great news! I am very eager to see how this "VIP" experience differs from the regular check-in. It certainly has been a very nice touch for them to communicate so sincerely and effectively before we have even arrived at the resort. I'm just hoping that they don't blow the warm and fuzzy feeling with an aggressive effort to secure our attendance at an Owners Update (which will NOT be happening on this trip).

The pearl should be fun. We did it at Disney almost 15 years ago (I cannot believe I am saying 15 years ago!) I'm pretty sure they weren't too expensive, no divers involved. My grams wanted to treat us. How sweet of Steve :)

That was actually one of the things that we really liked about SeaWorld's pick-a-pearl over the ones at Universal and Disney Springs....the divers are such a unique feature!

Did you get your pearl placed in a necklace, earrings or ring? I would love to see pictures if you are willing to share!
 
We're going to stay at WDW I think but go to Universal a day or two. Got to ride the new Kong ride! And I'm sure we'll do the Disney waterparks too since that's our kids favorite thing (why do we buy them park tickets again?) :)
 
We're going to stay at WDW I think but go to Universal a day or two. Got to ride the new Kong ride! And I'm sure we'll do the Disney waterparks too since that's our kids favorite thing (why do we buy them park tickets again?) :)

Well, in the ridiculous heat and humidity of August, you will be mighty glad you have those waterpark passes I am sure! Those kids have the right idea in my book :thumbsup2. You should consider giving Aquatica a try this year.....your fam would LOVE Roa's Rapids!
 
A friend of mine has been working hard lately to try and teach me that by refusing to accept a gift, I am depriving the giver of the joy of the gift-giving act. She has been very patiently telling me that sometimes, I need to be a good receiver.....because in doing so, that's making the giver delightfully happy, too. And you know, I saw the delight in Steve when I finally (after he has mentioned it trip after trip) agreed to make this a priority on this vacation. I had always felt that the right thing to do was decline (I am not the kind of person who yearns to be "spoiled" with material things) but yet....I guess sometimes a little indulgence can be okay too. I want my guys to be part of the whole experience, as well.....I think it would be awesome if they picked the oyster from the diver for whatever setting I choose :). I think that would just have so much meaning!

This is so true but it is often hard to accept gifts for me too. I always want to be the giver but to be honest I do love getting gifts too :p I wanted to do the pick a pearl at Disney back in 2009 and never got around to it, so I am happy to see Universal has that option too! I must know where it is?? LOL Anyone?

I hemmed and hawed over doing SW but we are skipping Sea World this time :( I really wanted to go but we decided to splurge for a one night stay at RPR for express pass for 2 days at almost a $600 savings! So even though we have the time share, it'll be worth it since we are unsure how busy it'll be the week of Memorial Day. Maybe we'll do a trip down to see FIL sometime and just do SW and not Disney or Universal he lives down in Venice.

I can't wait to read your trip report!!
 
Yup can't wait to see how many minions make their way North:rolleyes1
 














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