"We Have To Go Back!" May 2021 Universal/WDW TR Completed 7/21

[schumigirl]

Tampa Travel Vlog

I’ll try to get the posts up for these days over the weekend! ​

Yes, not impressed with what they served you food wise, they did look small.

We`ve often thought of doing the HRH in Tampa for one night, but no idea about the smoking inside......that`s a no go for us then.

Room did look nice though, very clean!

I need to watch your next video......I`ve been lax!

 

[Raeven]

We`ve often thought of doing the HRH in Tampa for one night, but no idea about the smoking inside......that`s a no go for us then.

Room did look nice though, very clean!

I need to watch your next video......I`ve been lax!

I wish I’d known about it too! We booked it through Orbitz & I guess I either didn’t notice it or it wasn’t mentioned but it was gross the room itself was gorgeous though!


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[Raeven]

*video is unavailable*

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[Raeven]

2 Days In Tampa

After we stopped at Vitality Bowls for some breakfast, we went to the Mall at Millenia. It was not a successful shopping trip for me because I didn't find anything, but it was for Josh because he didn't have to spend too long in the mall. We were going to stop at the Florida Mall too, but it seemed really crowded so we decided to start our drive to Tampa in case we hit traffic.

Well we did

It took us about an hour and 40 mins to arrive at our hotel, the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa. The room was really nice, but I overall didn't like the hotel much. It looked like it had a lot of good dining options, and it would definitely be fun if you really enjoyed casinos, but what I didn't realize when booking this (maybe because we booked it on Orbitz) but there was both a smoking and nonsmoking casino. So the entire main area of the hotel smelled like cigarettes, and as a non-smoker that was pretty gross to me. I was also surprised people could smoke inside. I don't think there's been smoking sections in NY since like 1999, and I thought other states were similar. (Josh did tell me some places in NY have special licenses and some casinos here have smoking floors too, but I've never been to anywhere that had one). When we were checking in the guy at check in also said some of the floors in the hotel were smoking floors , but luckily ours wasn't. I did note there was an alcoholic ice cream place in the main area that looked good though.

Here's the room we had:





After we got checked in we headed out for dinner at Bartaco which you can read about in my DTR:

Vitality Bowls/Bartaco

That night we went to see a show at Sidesplitters, before heading back to the hotel and watching a bunch of Criminal Minds.



The next day we checked out, and had pretty much the whole day open so we decided to head to the Florida Aquarium.



It was cute, and I always like aquariums, but it was a bit on the smaller side for the price.



There was a lemur though and free flying birds which was a little terrifying.



After the aquarium we had a delicious lunch at The Oxford Exchange:

Milkin' It/The Oxford Exchange



We had another comedy show to go to that night so we went shopping again to kill some time. (We ended up going to shows on back to back nights because when I was checking on the time for the first one, I saw a second show Josh would like, and decided we'd stay in Tampa another day to see it).



I still didn't find anything. Good for my wallet, but I wanted to shop.
Originally, we thought we'd drive to the beach this day, but the beaches I was looking at were about 45 minutes away, and I knew we wouldn't spend too much time there so I didn't think it was worth the drive. Tampa appeared to have it's own beach so I thought we'd check that out.

Here it is from the car ...



The beach was so tiny we gave up.

I actually really missed palm trees.

After the show we headed back to Orlando!

Since it was nighttime there wasn't really any traffic, and I think it took us only an hour to get back.

We were checking into the Gran Destino! I last stayed there with Samantha in 2019, and I was excited to show Josh the hotel since we had loved it and on numerous trips prior to this when Josh and I had stayed at Coronado Springs we watched Gran Destino being built.



Also there's a channel that plays Happily Ever After in the hotels, so I (kind of) got to see fireworks.

Next Up

We head to Epcot for Flower & Garden Festival!

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[Tracy161]

Your room at Gran Destino is gorgeous! I love the tile in the bathroom. I haven't ventured over that way yet, but I gotta check it out on my next trip! Did you have any problems with hotel availability for Disney? I've finally started playing around with possible trips in the fall, but I've found limited availability at the places I want (and can afford )

 

[Raeven]

Your room at Gran Destino is gorgeous! I love the tile in the bathroom. I haven't ventured over that way yet, but I gotta check it out on my next trip! Did you have any problems with hotel availability for Disney? I've finally started playing around with possible trips in the fall, but I've found limited availability at the places I want (and can afford )

I love the Gran Destino it really is gorgeous! For this trip in May? Yeah, it’s part of why we stayed so many different places. We did book kind of close to the trip, but a lot of places on property weren’t available still. For our Sep trip I didn’t really check. My friend Michelle had leftover DVC points that were about to expire and booked a stay for us at Saratoga Springs so I didn’t have to look for Disney hotels.
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[KathyM2]

Tampa seems like it was a fun excursion...too bad the shopping wasn't very successful! It's a bit of a drive but at least you got to see some shows...it would be a nice change to see ANY show right now!!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

 

[schumigirl]

Gran Destino Tower Tour + Three Bridges Bar & Grill Review

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That is a beautiful hotel Raeven! I`ve never seen any images of it before, and it is lovely. Nice rooms too.

And hadn`t heard of Three Bridges.....food did look good.

Love Josh`s smoulder Tee shirt.......

 

[Raeven]

Tampa seems like it was a fun excursion...too bad the shopping wasn't very successful! It's a bit of a drive but at least you got to see some shows...it would be a nice change to see ANY show right now!!

Yeah it was interesting to see. Haha I was so surprised usually I want everything It's not a drive I'm eager to make again, but Josh really loves comedy shows and that seemed to be the closest area that had any. It was nice to be out at the show too!

That is a beautiful hotel Raeven! I`ve never seen any images of it before, and it is lovely. Nice rooms too.

It really is! I love staying there.

And hadn`t heard of Three Bridges.....food did look good.

It's right on the lake at the hotel, it's a really pleasant place to eat and I feel like the menu is unique for Disney places.

Love Josh`s smoulder Tee shirt.......

Haha that shirt is so cute. ​

 

[Raeven]

*video is unavailable*​

 

[Raeven]

Flower & Garden Festival

This morning we sadly had to say goodbye to our rental car. We wouldn't really need it at Disney and Universal, but it had been nice to have. We had to bring it back to the Car Care Center where we'd never been before (we used to do our on property rentals at the Dolphin and their car rental desk hasn't re-opened yet). The Car Care Center is near Magic Kingdom, but due to road construction while we were there, there was a detour...and we were running very low on gas when we went to drop the car off.



Annnd we missed the turn the first time around, but managed to make it to the Car Care Center with 2 miles left in our tank.


At the Car Care Center they took us in a shuttle to Epcot.



Since it was Flower & Garden most of our day was spent sampling different foods which you can read about in my DTR:

Flower & Garden Festival



The famous Froot Loops Shake



We were also reunited with the delicious Violet Lemonade.



Although at the time we went, you couldn't walk around with food and drinks and couldn't take your mask off unless you were seated so we had to drink them quickly.

There was a moment when Josh went to get some more food, and I was standing at a little table, looking out at the water and I just felt so happy that we were there. There were so many time in the last year and half (esp when Disney was closed or when we couldn't travel there) that I missed the parks so much. And it felt so magical to be there in Epcot.

Here's some random pictures I took as we walked around the World Showcase:




We did some shopping, and in Japan I bought my brother a small Godzilla tapestry similar to one we bought on a previous trip.

Not in any order but here's some of the topiaries we came across:





Still very excited for the Guardians coaster!



After we ate our way around the World Showcase, we would've done Future World, but it looked like it was about to storm and Josh was starting to feel a little headache-y so we decided we'd come back later and headed to the buses. Josh took a nap for awhile, but when he woke up he didn't really feel well enough to go back into the parks and it was getting late anyway so we decided to just go to dinner. I was a little disappointed we missed out on rides, but the food was my main plan for Epcot; and I knew we'd be back for Food & Wine in Sep so I'd ride anything I missed then.

We ate at Three Bridges in our hotel, and the sunset was gorgeous on the walk there.



You can read about our dinner in my DTR too:

Three Bridges Bar & Grill


We walked back through the main building so we could look around the store a little.
I love this Loungefly (mostly because of Todd), but Josh reminded me that I have 3 other Loungeflys that I never use. This is why I hate to buy them especially because they can be pricey. (I'm not really a backpack carrier, I prefer crossbody bags). But they're so cute!





Next Up

We have a very full day!
We spent time in Disney Springs, toured some resorts, and had a great night in Magic Kingdom!

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[schumigirl]

Disney Springs Snacks, Magic Kingdom, & Bread Pudding at CBR

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That was one heck of a storm, and yes, you do suit the hat!

Coconut ice cream sounds good, not sure about bread pudding, but it didn`t look like regular bread pudding.

Nice pictures above too, love the view.

 

[Raeven]

That was one heck of a storm, and yes, you do suit the hat!

It was! Because we were seated near the edge of the covered area we still got pretty wet because it started blowing inwards.

Coconut ice cream sounds good, not sure about bread pudding, but it didn`t look like regular bread pudding.

This one was sooo good! But it was a little different than regular bread pudding. Almost like a pineapple-y cake? It was a lot thicker, and it wasn't really custard filled.

Nice pictures above too, love the view.

It was such a nice view of the Skyliner.​

 

[Tracy161]

For our Sep trip I didn’t really check. My friend Michelle had leftover DVC points that were about to expire and booked a stay for us at Saratoga Springs so I didn’t have to look for Disney hotels.

Nice!

We were also reunited with the delicious Violet Lemonade.

Yum! You are the reason I tried one of these years ago and I have been hooked ever since

There were so many time in the last year and half (esp when Disney was closed or when we couldn't travel there) that I missed the parks so much. And it felt so magical to be there in Epcot.

Yes! I have been aching for Disney for so long now. I expect I'll have those same feelings once I finally go again too

 

[Raeven]

Yum! You are the reason I tried one of these years ago and I have been hooked ever since

Happy to spread the word on them lol I don't even like lemonade but I love violet lemonade.

Yes! I have been aching for Disney for so long now. I expect I'll have those same feelings once I finally go again too

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[Raeven]

*video is unavailable*​

 

[schumigirl]

The first Universal vlog is up!

Becoming Universal Annual Passholders! + Disney Shopping Haul & Shula’s Steakhouse

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LOVED that one Raeven......you two have the coolest tee shirts! And loved you scared a few kids with the Killer Klowns shirt......the Bloody Mary shirts in 2008 did that too......lol.....

Shula`s looks good. We `ve never been there before but steaks looked impressive....well, Josh`s looked impressive! Glad you enjoyed it.....and look forward to Friday`s

 

[Raeven]

LOVED that one Raeven......you two have the coolest tee shirts! And loved you scared a few kids with the Killer Klowns shirt......the Bloody Mary shirts in 2008 did that too......lol.....

Thank you! lol a few kids averted their eyes and told their parents they were scared

Shula`s looks good. We `ve never been there before but steaks looked impressive....well, Josh`s looked impressive! Glad you enjoyed it.....and look forward to Friday`s

It's so good! It's our favorite steakhouse. Josh likes to get the biggest steaks he can haha ​

 

[Raeven]

*video is unavailable*​