The DarkSide's not so Dark after all....

[clsteve]

Great report! Can't wait for our split stay in September. We've never been to Universal and really excited now. Thanks so much!!

You'll have a blast- esp. with DA open! We hope to get back in Nov, if things work out...

 

[plannermom]

Thank you so much for the detailed trip report. I am planning two days on the dark side, (RPH w/DS13 & DS11)pre cruise in October. We love WDW, and I will miss AKL terribly, but we also love HP and DA was just too much to pass by. Your report has made me excited for the rest of the parks too. Thanks again!

 

[ehides]

What a wonderful way to spend a snowy end of March afternoon in Calgary (yes end of March and it is STILL snowing!). Thanks for all of the effort in your posting. From one very serious "planner" to another, I'm REALLY looking forward to the luxury of not planning for a change since we too will be staying at an on-site hotel for our upcoming trip.

I was half way through reading your report when I came across your review on BMG. Wow. I stopped right there and booked our tickets for during our trip at the end of April. We've seen the ads and have been to UO one other time 3 yrs ago, but didn't think to go as we were staying at a house rental close to WDW and did the park open-to-close thing since we were only there one day for each park, which was more than enough for the day. This time we are staying at the HRH for 8 nights!! When we went 3 yrs ago and had driven there with our rental car early in the morning, walked across the parking bridge and I saw the HRH ... well ... I said if we ever came back THAT is where we are staying.

One thing I didn't come across in your TR (or maybe I just missed it) was what was the price of the PhotoConnect? I'm thinking that would be a great thing to do for our trip.

 

[clsteve]

Thank you so much for the detailed trip report. I am planning two days on the dark side, (RPH w/DS13 & DS11)pre cruise in October. We love WDW, and I will miss AKL terribly, but we also love HP and DA was just too much to pass by. Your report has made me excited for the rest of the parks too. Thanks again!

My pleasure! HP, DA and a cruise will more than make up for missing AKL! Although, Sanaa might be my fave at WDW...

 

[clsteve]

What a wonderful way to spend a snowy end of March afternoon in Calgary (yes end of March and it is STILL snowing!). Thanks for all of the effort in your posting. From one very serious "planner" to another, I'm REALLY looking forward to the luxury of not planning for a change since we too will be staying at an on-site hotel for our upcoming trip.

I was half way through reading your report when I came across your review on BMG. Wow. I stopped right there and booked our tickets for during our trip at the end of April. We've seen the ads and have been to UO one other time 3 yrs ago, but didn't think to go as we were staying at a house rental close to WDW and did the park open-to-close thing since we were only there one day for each park, which was more than enough for the day. This time we are staying at the HRH for 8 nights!! When we went 3 yrs ago and had driven there with our rental car early in the morning, walked across the parking bridge and I saw the HRH ... well ... I said if we ever came back THAT is where we are staying.

One thing I didn't come across in your TR (or maybe I just missed it) was what was the price of the PhotoConnect? I'm thinking that would be a great thing to do for our trip.

I understand snowy days in Calgary very well- I lived/worked there in '96-'98! What a great place - and I can't wait till the boys are old enough for a hike up Galatea to the lakes...


PhotoConnect was $49.95 for us when we pre-ordered from the website and was good for 3 consecutive days once activated. We found it a great deal. And BMG was probably my biggest surprise the whole trip. In no way did I expect to have that much fun. Gotta love surprises

 

[RMulieri]

Fantastic trip report ! Really made me feel like I was there. I am glad you gave Universal a chance and enjoyed it as much as we did on our 1st trip in Jan 2012..We went in on whim since the husband decided he wanted something different than Disney ( we had done Disney yearly or more for many years).We went in with no expectations .We had such a fantastic trip that we have since gone on another trip and have our 3rd onsite trip planned for later this year in Decmber ( if I can get off from work) or Jan 2015.All of our stays are at PBH ( love the resort too much to try the other 2 , though they are beautiful too).Unviersal was the first vacation I actually came home feeling like I HAD a vacation..No insane planning , no rushing around.I cant wait to go back and experience it all again.

 

[clsteve]

Fantastic trip report ! Really made me feel like I was there. I am glad you gave Universal a chance and enjoyed it as much as we did on our 1st trip in Jan 2012..We went in on whim since the husband decided he wanted something different than Disney ( we had done Disney yearly or more for many years).We went in with no expectations .We had such a fantastic trip that we have since gone on another trip and have our 3rd onsite trip planned for later this year in Decmber ( if I can get off from work) or Jan 2015.All of our stays are at PBH ( love the resort too much to try the other 2 , though they are beautiful too).Unviersal was the first vacation I actually came home feeling like I HAD a vacation..No insane planning , no rushing around.I cant wait to go back and experience it all again.

I agree 110%. I can't wait to go back, as well. Now, if I can just play my cards right with the family, I can get us back to PBH, for our next trip. Unfortunately, they also know me too well. As soon as I say "can't wait to get back to PBH!", they're going to throw the "Dad, aren't you always telling us to try something new at least once...?" right back at me until I cave on RPH. But, heck, if that's all I have to do to get back- not a prob, at all.....

 

[erinsmom03]

Thank you for such a comprehensive and entertaining TR! I totally enjoyed every bit of it!

I also am a planner...I wish I could be a travel agent when I grow up! We are heading to UO in a few weeks for the first time ever. We are also huge WDW fans, and are struggling with this decision to go to the Dark Side periodically. Especially DH...but I know that if he reads your report, he will feel so much more at ease! DD10 is a huge Harry Potter fan, as am I, so it just makes sense to take her to UO at this age. Plus, we will still get our Disney fix, as we are going to have a split UO/Disney Magic cruise trip.

I do have a question regarding Cabana Bay. You wrote early in the TR that you thought that there wouldn't be pool hopping privileges at CB for the other Loews hotels onsite. It made me nervous, so I as wondering where you heard that? We will be staying at CB (I love the family suite for the simple fact that my mom will be with us; privacy and 3 compartment bath ). Adding the Express Pass wasn't that expensive in the big scheme of things, so I did that for sure. But I was under the impression that pool hopping was allowed, and DD will be disappointed not to try the HRH pool. Any more info on that?

 

[clsteve]

Thank you for such a comprehensive and entertaining TR! I totally enjoyed every bit of it!

I also am a planner...I wish I could be a travel agent when I grow up! We are heading to UO in a few weeks for the first time ever. We are also huge WDW fans, and are struggling with this decision to go to the Dark Side periodically. Especially DH...but I know that if he reads your report, he will feel so much more at ease! DD10 is a huge Harry Potter fan, as am I, so it just makes sense to take her to UO at this age. Plus, we will still get our Disney fix, as we are going to have a split UO/Disney Magic cruise trip.

I do have a question regarding Cabana Bay. You wrote early in the TR that you thought that there wouldn't be pool hopping privileges at CB for the other Loews hotels onsite. It made me nervous, so I as wondering where you heard that? We will be staying at CB (I love the family suite for the simple fact that my mom will be with us; privacy and 3 compartment bath ). Adding the Express Pass wasn't that expensive in the big scheme of things, so I did that for sure. But I was under the impression that pool hopping was allowed, and DD will be disappointed not to try the HRH pool. Any more info on that?

Your DD will be in heaven at WWoHP since she's a big fan. My kids sure were. And, I'll be surprised if DH isn't impressed with the whole thing - especially since you have it planned out so well with the Disney fix coming at Cruise time. Getting EP will definitely free you up from much of the stress we're all used to!

The pool hop thing? The website says you absolutely can. It looks like (and I should know better ) I took for granted a conversation I had with "someone in the know". They said they might not allow it at first because they were more worried that everybody would be hopping to the CB pool because it's going to be that good. I will learn, at some point, I promise...

 

[gunit12210]

Amazing TR Steve-O. For whatever reason I've taken my 3 (12,10 & 8) to WDW exclusively. Don't know why, wait yes I do @ the time it was because of the payment plan.

Knew UO was good, just not as good as you showed/explained it. Thanks for solidifying my decision to do just UO (& some SW) this trip. Will miss out on the Unlim Exp Passes but have the 1 timers. Staying @ Reunion (booked lodging 1st)

The sibling rivalry if u will comparison was spot on also, your TR should be read by UO's peeps & u should get something for your troubles ... the TR was that good ... thanks again.

T-minus 15.5 days !!!

 

[clsteve]

Amazing TR Steve-O. For whatever reason I've taken my 3 (12,10 & 8) to WDW exclusively. Don't know why, wait yes I do @ the time it was because of the payment plan.

Knew UO was good, just not as good as you showed/explained it. Thanks for solidifying my decision to do just UO (& some SW) this trip. Will miss out on the Unlim Exp Passes but have the 1 timers. Staying @ Reunion (booked lodging 1st)

The sibling rivalry if u will comparison was spot on also, your TR should be read by UO's peeps & u should get something for your troubles ... the TR was that good ... thanks again.

T-minus 15.5 days !!!

15 days! Jealous... very jealous....

And one quick question--- when does the payment plan end....? We'd love to know, because I've never been good at that "fine print" thing

But, seriously, your words are too kind, and your kids are at a great age for UO- right in the same sweet spot as mine. Have a great time. And, UO can be very doable for when you're going without Unlim EP. Just use the same strategies I'm sure you're used to at WDW.

These boards are full of good advice on that: just remember that early is always good- especially for Despicable Me and WWoHP. If you can't make early, late works well for the headliners, when you want to re-ride.

Have a blast

 

[gunit12210]

Also Steve heading to Cape Hatt KoA in the OBX last week of July ( meeting my M-I-L )... any must do's or cant misses ? Jockey Ridge looks cool ... any activities or food recoms ? Thanks in advance sir ...

 

[clsteve]

Also Steve heading to Cape Hatt KoA in the OBX last week of July ( meeting my M-I-L )... any must do's or cant misses ? Jockey Ridge looks cool ... any activities or food recoms ? Thanks in advance sir ...

Jockey's Ridge is fun. If you're up at that part of the beach, the kids would also enjoy the Lost Colony in Manteo. It's spectacular- an outdoor play about the first colony in the Americas. It's really worth it. Also, the Elizabethan Gardens there is one of the best horticultural parks in the States.

You'll love the beaches all up and down Hatteras Island and really should take the ferry over to Ocracoke Island. It was number one beach in America in 2007 (the first beach ever outside of Hawaii or Fla) and it's one of the nicest seaside villages in the US.

For food, there's a great little dive called Captain Rollo's not far from your campground- very fresh local (and not expensive) seafood. Up the beach in Nags Head/KDH I love Mamma Kwan's- a surfer place with the best fish taco's, and the Outer Banks Brewing Station- a micro-brewery with a great food by a great chef (and reasonable). On Ocracoke, I love the Flying Melon - the chef/owner's from New Orleans and the food's awesome and they do brunch every day. Hope this helps and have a great time!

 

[kittengal13]

subscribing to read

 

[erinsmom03]

Been so busy getting ready, haven't been online much! Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear about pool hopping! We leave in 4 days, so excited!!!!!!

 

[knewton64]

Going to Universal Studios (Hollywood) as part of my Disneyland adventures -



got a 1 day to spend out at Universal -
Never been -



LOOKIN FORWARD 2 IT



Your tr has really put me n the mood.
THANKS!!






T.T.F.N.
&
Cheers

 

[Planogirl]

I finally took the time to read this report and I'm so glad that I did. I love it all even if I feel a little homesick now. Thanks.

 

[clsteve]

I finally took the time to read this report and I'm so glad that I did. I love it all even if I feel a little homesick now. Thanks.

I'm so glad you liked it!!

I understand the homesick part - I made the BIG mistake of showing the kids all of the pictures of the Dragon being installed on Gringotts and the virtual tour of DA on the Uni website this weekend. Now, I have both boys continually asking when we're going...!

I guess we'll have to put up with it all the way to November at the earliest, but more likely the middle of next January. Oh well, that's what I get, I guess....

 

[ReneeA]

Fantastic report! We've decided to completely skip WDW this year (gulp! ) and buy Flex tickets instead. We're planning 7n/8d at Cabana Bay with trips to US/IoA, SeaWorld, and Aquatica. Very, very excited at the thought of a different vacation(we normally go for 10 days onsite at WDW annually). A previous poster echoed my thoughts earlier - it's become a bit stagnant & overpriced the past few years. I think a break will do us wonders. Your tr gave some great ideas for how to tackle our trip, thanks!

 

[lbatesetc]

Thank you for such a comprehensive and entertaining TR! I totally enjoyed every bit of it!

I also am a planner...I wish I could be a travel agent when I grow up! We are heading to UO in a few weeks for the first time ever. We are also huge WDW fans, and are struggling with this decision to go to the Dark Side periodically. Especially DH...but I know that if he reads your report, he will feel so much more at ease! DD10 is a huge Harry Potter fan, as am I, so it just makes sense to take her to UO at this age. Plus, we will still get our Disney fix, as we are going to have a split UO/Disney Magic cruise trip.

I do have a question regarding Cabana Bay. You wrote early in the TR that you thought that there wouldn't be pool hopping privileges at CB for the other Loews hotels onsite. It made me nervous, so I as wondering where you heard that? We will be staying at CB (I love the family suite for the simple fact that my mom will be with us; privacy and 3 compartment bath ). Adding the Express Pass wasn't that expensive in the big scheme of things, so I did that for sure. But I was under the impression that pool hopping was allowed, and DD will be disappointed not to try the HRH pool. Any more info on that?

Wondering, how much did your express passes cost in addition to ticket prices? Had decided to stay PR to get the express passes but Really wanted to stay at Cabanas.