We're back - highs and lows

[katiec]

Hi all

We got back on Saturday, but this is the first time I have felt like spending time on the computer

So here is a brief overview of our trip

Hilton at Gatwick - got given a FABULOUS room - just as well as I didnt rate the Ramada International Drive hotel much - my own fault - I researchd it - I booked it - but never will I go cheapy again! It was actually OK - room clean etc, but I think my tastes have changed somewhat since the last time I went and we wont be going back to that area of I-Drive again!

Best days out
Discovery Cove - what else can I say apart from "WOWWOWWOW" -
one of the only days I felt we really got value for money and would go back to do this park alone.
Clearwater beach - with dinner at Crabby Bills at Indian Rocks Beach (the original one) - not a cloud in the sky - lying on white sand - fabulous - couldn't ask for any more
Busch Gardens - a last minute addition to the plans - didnt do may rides but really enjoyed all the animal stuff

Worst days out
Universal - what a load of c**P - I can see why their attendances are down 25% - I really cant beileve we wasted a day here!!

The Thomas Cook flights were awful - I will never recommend them - the service was ok - but we got no amenity pack, the food was rubbish, and they serve "grape juice" a you get on - who drinks grape juice anyway.
First choice standard cabin is far far better than TC premium.

We enjoyed the parks, but i must be getting cynical in my old age (well 42 ish..) as I found them more of a money grabbing opportunity than a magical experience. I would imagine it must be an absolute nightmare for families with young children.

We spent a couple of days shopping - enjoyed wandering round, but didnt buy anything apart from a "posh" dress for a day out next month and a couple of bits from AandF for my son. We found the prices no cheaper than at home - and no real sales on anywhere. There were virtually no shops open at Festival Bay Mall - it was like a deserted building site!

We had some lovely meals out - We ate at Fultons Crab House - food was good but I think we made the wrong choices - wouldnt necessarily go back.
We managed to change our 930pm booking at California Grill to 8pm
so had a fabuous meal before watching the fireworks on the balcony before coming back in for desert (found the $6 charge for a cup of tea a bit stong though!).
I would definately recommed this restaurant - we spent under $200 and really had one of the best nights we've ever had on holiday.... well worth it... the food is superb!
We ate at Bahama Breeze 3 nights - lovely food and at the Ale house (thank you Wanyneg!) on Kirkman Road serveral nights while watching the basketball... a great place with real atmosphere.
Breakfast - Golden Corral - great
We tried breakfast on 1st morning at Ponderosa - decided that even if it was the last place on earth we would not go there again!

We had an afternoon at Beaches and Cream - again worth going back just for this!!!

Total spend - $2200 - most of it on food (only about $700 on goodies) and only $40 on fuel - and we did over 800 miles!

All in all a great holiday - will we be going back? We have discussed maybe using our Virgin points for a week at AKL or Y&BC sometime next year, but I dont think we'd rush back to do the parks again (whats wrong with you I hear you all shout!!!) There is so much more of the world to see that I cant see us rushing back.

I will try to get some trip reports done soon.

 

[Gaynor]

Welcome home glad you had a good time. We love Bahama Breeze too

 

[irongirlof12]

welcome home! sounds like you had a good trip, nice to hear you loved CG we are planning on an evening there.

 

[wayneg]

Welcome home.
Glad you like Ale house
Budget hotels can be done and enjoyed but there are a lot of very poor ones, going back to Country Inn & suites this month, £28/night its great value. I could never stay on Idrive again though.
DC, we have done twice, amazing place. Only problem is we have had great rates with Annual passes (upto $100pp off) so will not pay full price.
Universal we love it, had AP's for 5 or 6 years, we spend 2-3 days each trip there. Can easily spend half a day in Curious George water area.
We will be calling at Beaches and cream this month, Best burgers in Disney.
Sounds like a bit of a mixed trip, at least you had some great highlights.

 

[maleficent_man]

Glad you had a great time - I was so pleased to hear you enjoyed DC - we have it booked for our Honeymoon and I'm not really sure what to expect....can you tell me a bit more about how a day is spent there??

 

[katiec]

Glad you had a great time - I was so pleased to hear you enjoyed DC - we have it booked for our Honeymoon and I'm not really sure what to expect....can you tell me a bit more about how a day is spent there??

It truly was a fabulous day - we arrived about half 7 and there were only a couple of other cars in the car park. We were shown where to go by the staff - it seems there are almost 1:1 of staff to guests.
The only thing I would say is when you "check in" add your CC to your pass - makes life easier in the day if you want to buy things.
We were the first swim of the day - we had 35-40 mins in the water with our dolphin Cindy - it did not feel hurried or rushed in any way. (I wont give too much away but you'll have trouble having a better 1/2 hr on your honeymoon... well with things we can discuss here anyway!!!) They then usher your carefully to see you photos - no doubts that they are expensive although well worth it - we LOVE ours - and there is no other way of getting them as you are not allowed deep enough into the water to get the shots. (DH not to keen on these type of extra spends but I had to persuade him that we did not need the dvd, video, 100 photos etc.. you get the picture!)
We had a lazy brekkie afterwards, then snorkelling etc - we found it hard work round the "lazy river" thing with just masks and snorkels - grab one of the long green float things and just go with the flow (no need for masks). The aviary is fab too.
The food is superb - great salmon and FRESH VEG!!! and proper portion sizes too (although we did go back for seconds!)
The park closed at 6 - we were still there at 630 - having found a spot to watch the trainers play with the dolphins at the end of the day - at no stage did anyone say "its time you left" or did we feel that we had to rush off....
We were one of the last to leave (although we did see people arriving around midday and others leaving mid-afternoon - very strange!)

Be very prepared...... we came very close to re-booking again for another day before we came home!!!

[[We will be calling at Beaches and cream this month, Best burgers in Disney.
Sounds like a bit of a mixed trip, at least you had some great highlights]]

We were very surprised at how small BnC is... but what a little gem! We even got to see a kitchen sink being made and delivered.. what a treat!
Yes - a bit of a mixed trip - still just being able to get up and put shorts on in the morning does it for me everytime (unless we're skiing).
We're not ruling out going back - but thinking more along the lines of a week at a Disney hotel on our Tesco points rather than a big 2 week all in do.

But it will have to wait as with our other trips booked I now have no leave left until the new leave year starts next April

Katie x x

 

[Cyrano]

Sounds like you had more highs than lows

Thanks for sharing

 

[Pegasus928]

Please to hear the good points out weighed the bad.
I think we must be on totally opposite sides of the spectrum
We enjoyed DC - but wouldn't necessarily go back as we thought that this was geared towards getting as much money out of us as possible - especially with the price of the photos, dvd etc. (how much does it cost to put digital photos onto a disk at home - about 50p??)
And I thought the phrase 'Dolphin Swim' was a bit of an exaggeration. Bit of a 'blink and you'll miss it' type of experience.
Yet we love US. We bought AP for it this year as we know that we will go back time and again. The kids love it for the rides, as do me and DW, but the whole atmosphere around City Walk and both parks is so different to the Disney parks.
Would definately agree on Bahama Breeze and Beaches n Cream though. We also love both these places.

 

[DISWolves]

Welcome back
I agree wth a lot of your comments on the lows......
I-Drive is in need of some refurb in many areas. My first two visits, we stayed at Quality Inn Plaza, near to Convention Centre, but I was put off by the hotels nearer Wet N Wild. There are much better hotels off site in Buena Vista area.
D.C. - We have done this 4 times now - and would have been 5 this year if we hadn't booked our first 4 night cruise (no contest ). This is nice to get away from the hustle & bustle of the parks.
I also felt that Universal was quiter than normal, althought the Simpsons ride was worth the visit. Harry Potter and the new coaster will surely bring the crowds back in.
Another eatery recommended by Wayne was Texas Roadhouse, we visited this along with Alehouse, many times on S. John Young Parkway.

 

[kevin harrison]

Worst days out
Universal - what a load of c**P - I can see why their attendances are down 25% - I really cant beileve we wasted a day here!!

Wow - what didn't you enjoy?. I have never heard Universal described as crap??

Did you do IOA and Universal?

Disney wise - I love the place for my kids and wife, but it certainly all about the Benjamins. MK is beautiful - but one big shopping area, I feel like driving up and throwing my wallet over the gate - would be cheaper in the long run.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are Universal fans and only returned last month from our latest holiday.
Islands Of Adventure we enjoyed, getting Josh on the likes of Jurassic Park, Spiderman for the first time was great.
Universal, with Woody and ET both ridden twice was fun too but unfortunatley the same problem we always have here is the rides don't all open at 9.

I wouldn't say it was 'crap' but I do in a way see where Katie is coming from.
Bearing in mind this is Easter, Barney was due to open at 10:30 (though generally we have seen it open whenever they feel like it), Woody obviously doesn't open till 10:00, I think Jaws was 11:00 also - and the stores around there had signs saying 11:00 too...naturally many head straight for the likes of Shrek, Jimmy Neutron but there are other areas of the park too. It just isn't good enough. ALL the attractions should open at the same time.
I do like Universal and Citywalk, most things about it - but the opening times of some of the attractions are a joke.

I know you could say the same about many other parks, but I still don't get it.

 

[maleficent_man]

It truly was a fabulous day - we arrived about half 7 and there were only a couple of other cars in the car park. We were shown where to go by the staff - it seems there are almost 1:1 of staff to guests.
The only thing I would say is when you "check in" add your CC to your pass - makes life easier in the day if you want to buy things.
We were the first swim of the day - we had 35-40 mins in the water with our dolphin Cindy - it did not feel hurried or rushed in any way. (I wont give too much away but you'll have trouble having a better 1/2 hr on your honeymoon... well with things we can discuss here anyway!!!) They then usher your carefully to see you photos - no doubts that they are expensive although well worth it - we LOVE ours - and there is no other way of getting them as you are not allowed deep enough into the water to get the shots. (DH not to keen on these type of extra spends but I had to persuade him that we did not need the dvd, video, 100 photos etc.. you get the picture!)
We had a lazy brekkie afterwards, then snorkelling etc - we found it hard work round the "lazy river" thing with just masks and snorkels - grab one of the long green float things and just go with the flow (no need for masks). The aviary is fab too.
The food is superb - great salmon and FRESH VEG!!! and proper portion sizes too (although we did go back for seconds!)
The park closed at 6 - we were still there at 630 - having found a spot to watch the trainers play with the dolphins at the end of the day - at no stage did anyone say "its time you left" or did we feel that we had to rush off....
We were one of the last to leave (although we did see people arriving around midday and others leaving mid-afternoon - very strange!)

Be very prepared...... we came very close to re-booking again for another day before we came home!!!

[[We will be calling at Beaches and cream this month, Best burgers in Disney.
Sounds like a bit of a mixed trip, at least you had some great highlights]]

We were very surprised at how small BnC is... but what a little gem! We even got to see a kitchen sink being made and delivered.. what a treat!
Yes - a bit of a mixed trip - still just being able to get up and put shorts on in the morning does it for me everytime (unless we're skiing).
We're not ruling out going back - but thinking more along the lines of a week at a Disney hotel on our Tesco points rather than a big 2 week all in do.

But it will have to wait as with our other trips booked I now have no leave left until the new leave year starts next April

Katie x x

Thanks so much for the info Katie - got me proper excited about it all!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Glad you had a wonderful time.

 

[wayneg]

They then usher your carefully to see you photos - no doubts that they are expensive although well worth it - we LOVE ours - and there is no other way of getting them as you are not allowed deep enough into the water to get the shots. (DH not to keen on these type of extra spends but I had to persuade him that we did not need the dvd, video, 100 photos etc.. you get the picture!)

1st time we all did the dolphin swim, pics they took were not great so 2nd time as I prefer rest of park and not bothered about the dolphin interaction I decided to take pics. Not sure if its easy in every pool but I could go on the rocks between the pools and get great shots with a 200mm lens, better than anything they took on our 1st visit.

 

[raph_b]

Sounds like you had a great trip

Shame you didn't like Universal - I personally love it there

Glad you like Cali Grill, it really is such an amazing restaurant!

And Discovery Cove is just amazing, one of the best days of my life too. I agree with you completely, it is such a great experience

 

[kevin harrison]

I wouldn't say it was 'crap' but I do in a way see where Katie is coming from.
Bearing in mind this is Easter, Barney was due to open at 10:30 (though generally we have seen it open whenever they feel like it), Woody obviously doesn't open till 10:00, I think Jaws was 11:00 also - and the stores around there had signs saying 11:00 too...naturally many head straight for the likes of Shrek, Jimmy Neutron but there are other areas of the park too. It just isn't good enough. ALL the attractions should open at the same time.
I do like Universal and Citywalk, most things about it - but the opening times of some of the attractions are a joke.

I know you could say the same about many other parks, but I still don't get it.

That happenned the first time we went 10 years ago, nothing was open, and it was an hour until food and drink was sold. I agree it's strange.

 

[jackieleanne]

We are Universal fans and only returned last month from our latest holiday.
Islands Of Adventure we enjoyed, getting Josh on the likes of Jurassic Park, Spiderman for the first time was great.
Universal, with Woody and ET both ridden twice was fun too but unfortunatley the same problem we always have here is the rides don't all open at 9.

I wouldn't say it was 'crap' but I do in a way see where Katie is coming from.
Bearing in mind this is Easter, Barney was due to open at 10:30 (though generally we have seen it open whenever they feel like it), Woody obviously doesn't open till 10:00, I think Jaws was 11:00 also - and the stores around there had signs saying 11:00 too...naturally many head straight for the likes of Shrek, Jimmy Neutron but there are other areas of the park too. It just isn't good enough. ALL the attractions should open at the same time.
I do like Universal and Citywalk, most things about it - but the opening times of some of the attractions are a joke.

I know you could say the same about many other parks, but I still don't get it.

This was our problem with Universal this year as well, we went to Universal first and then found out that only three rides were due to open at 9 and one of them mib is down so after doing mummy/simpsons in about 15 minutes as we got there opening time, we then had over an hour to sit around waiting for twister to open and it was after 11 by time JAWS/Earthquake(disaster)/ET opened. Also the park was dirty and lots of people around that were pestering us to sign up for credit cards and a vacation club linked to Universal. Love Islands of Adventure though think next year we are only doing one day there and going to do most the day at IOF and then do Mummy/Simpsons at Universal.

 

[katiec]

Wow - what didn't you enjoy?. I have never heard Universal described as crap??

Did you do IOA and Universal?

Disney wise - I love the place for my kids and wife, but it certainly all about the Benjamins. MK is beautiful - but one big shopping area, I feel like driving up and throwing my wallet over the gate - would be cheaper in the long run.

We found US very (out)dated - the Twister ride was just truly awful (probably the worst 10 mins of the whole trip!!) - just as well it was a walk on ride! JAws - the same - ET was lovely (but dated). We dont do the motion rides so cant say anything about the Simpsons ride. We did do MiB /Terminator which were OK - but again glad they werewalk ons. The best thing was Shrek 4D and a wonderful lunch at Beveley Hill Boulangerie - fab sandwich!!
I must admit that City Walk didnt really do it for us either - we left around 6ish so it was quite busy - we have done Bubba Gumps / Hard Rock Cafe in New York so weren't to worried about eating there. I'm ashamed to say that this put us off soo much that we didnt do IoA!!! and went to Busch Gardens instead - sorry!

1st time we all did the dolphin swim, pics they took were not great so 2nd time as I prefer rest of park and not bothered about the dolphin interaction I decided to take pics. Not sure if its easy in every pool but I could go on the rocks between the pools and get great shots with a 200mm lens, better than anything they took on our 1st visit.

DH did get some lovely pics of another group by sitting on the rocks.. but if we went back I think we'd pass on the photos. With only the 2 of us there wasnt really that option - although i know what you mean about taking your own.


I agree with all the comments about the rides/stands not being open at opening time. I think at most of the parks (BG esp) a lot of the ice cream stands etc were not open at all during the day - US seemed to be the worst at not having all the rides/attractions operating from opening time. I have a photo around lunchtime in US and there is hardly anyone about!

US certainly need to really think about what they are doing - my last visit was 10yrs ago and for DH around 15years - he said "its exactly the same as when I last came" - not exactly a reason to back in the next 15 years!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

This was our problem with Universal this year as well, we went to Universal first and then found out that only three rides were due to open at 9 and one of them mib is down so after doing mummy/simpsons in about 15 minutes as we got there opening time, we then had over an hour to sit around waiting for twister to open and it was after 11 by time JAWS/Earthquake(disaster)/ET opened. Also the park was dirty and lots of people around that were pestering us to sign up for credit cards and a vacation club linked to Universal. Love Islands of Adventure though think next year we are only doing one day there and going to do most the day at IOF and then do Mummy/Simpsons at Universal.

There are quite a few attractions at Universal Studios that Joshua likes, but most are in the same area of the park. ET, Barney, Woody and then moving on to Jaws.
It is generally fairly quiet around there just after 9, but of these attractions only ET opens then - which I have always disagreed with.
Trying to explain to him that nothing else is open after 2 or 3 goes on ET is a pain.

Also like you say Disaster often opens up late also, they may as well keep the whole park closed there are that many rides not open!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We found US very (out)dated - the Twister ride was just truly awful (probably the worst 10 mins of the whole trip!!) - just as well it was a walk on ride! JAws - the same - ET was lovely (but dated). We dont do the motion rides so cant say anything about the Simpsons ride. We did do MiB /Terminator which were OK - but again glad they werewalk ons. The best thing was Shrek 4D and a wonderful lunch at Beveley Hill Boulangerie - fab sandwich!!
I must admit that City Walk didnt really do it for us either - we left around 6ish so it was quite busy - we have done Bubba Gumps / Hard Rock Cafe in New York so weren't to worried about eating there. I'm ashamed to say that this put us off soo much that we didnt do IoA!!! and went to Busch Gardens instead - sorry!

I agree with all the comments about the rides/stands not being open at opening time. I think at most of the parks (BG esp) a lot of the ice cream stands etc were not open at all during the day - US seemed to be the worst at not having all the rides/attractions operating from opening time. I have a photo around lunchtime in US and there is hardly anyone about!

US certainly need to really think about what they are doing - my last visit was 10yrs ago and for DH around 15years - he said "its exactly the same as when I last came" - not exactly a reason to back in the next 15 years!!

Well you know what I think about the rides not opening on time .

To be honest you could argue that ALL the parks have outdated attractions, I personally think over the years Universal have done at least as much as Disney in creating new rides.
Some of the areas of Magic Kingdom , in my opinion Tomorrowland for example are in dire need of something new and fresh, but we all see things differently.

I also really like Citywalk too, though with 'kiddie in tow' we don't often get chance to see it that much!

I like Twister but have always fancied Helen Hunt so that probably explains it and Shrek is up there with Soarin' as one of the best attractions of all the parks.