When Harry Met Mickey - A Uni/WDW PTR Feb 2016

[Happyjen27]

Hi all,

I'm new at this, but, I think it's time to do a PTR, and TR!! Here is our crew:

Noodles are 8 year old twins who would prefer a beach vacation to Disney, but, are eager to visit Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Boy Noodle loves making and eating good food. Girl Noodle enjoys dancing and will happily eat anything. From an early age we've been cultivating sophisticated palates with these kids, because we truly love going out to eat. Then there's DH and I, he is a willing participant in any shenanigans I think up. He loves all food, all vacations, and all things golf. And me, I fell in love with Disney late in life, I love good food of any echelon from burgers to Duck Confit, all things travel from a B&B an hour away to safari in Africa and mustering cattle in Australia. And the Mouse, oh how I love walking down main street.

Our plan started with a simple sentence:

"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."

I am Potterhead #1. Reading the entire series aloud to Noodles is my 3rd time reading these books. Potterhead #2 is BIL. #3 and #4 are Noodles, last up is #5, Grandpa. The rest of these people are allowed to come on this trip because they are married to Potterheads, but, they aren't the superfans.

I wasn't into the first book more than 3 pages when we started looking at good weeks to visit Universal Studios, Orlando.

Also riding along on this adventure are Grandma and Grandpa, and BIL and SIL.

G&G and BIL and SIL joined us on my very first ever trip to The World. Noodles are the only children in the family, and I wanted everyone to enjoy their first trip to Disney. So, DH and I started the trip off for 4 days just us, taking it all in and getting our bearings. Then G&G and BIL and SIL joined for the next 4 days. It was wonderful, blissful family vacation filled with magic and joy. We all travel so well together, of course they had to come to see When Harry met Mickey.

The trip blossomed from a visit to Universal Studios to including a visit to some relatives before hand, and then SIL said "We're going to be so close to Disney, we really should go there, too"

First up on the planning, resorts.

We had a family meeting, during which I presented a power point presentation of the resorts of Uni as well as WDW. Featured for Uni were: Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, and Royal Pacifica. Featured for WDW were: Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge. After watching the power points we all voted, and the results were:

Hard Rock Hotel for our Uni portion of the trip
Contemporary for our WDW portion o the trip.

Next up: Where to eat

 

[Happyjen27]

Food glorious food!!!

There are still so many decisions to make!!

Each family was sent to come up with a list of places they would like to dine.

Noodles chose Whispering Canyon Cafe, we've been twice and had 2 very fun meals!!
BIL and SIL chose Ruth's Chris Steakhouse which is about 15 minute drive from Hard Rock Hotel.
BIL wants to eat at The Leaky Cauldron.
I wanted to have the new breakfast at BoG. Both for the yum factor and the potential tactical advantage for 7DMT.
DH doesn't care. Truly, he doesn't care.
Grandma and Grandpa wanted Biergarten.

So, that's easy enough, right???

Currently we are looking at options for our time at Universal. Would love some recommendations if anyone has any!!