10 NIGHTS RPR...MARDI GRAS & COCKTAILS....MARCH 2018 TRIP

I cannot wait to have the Margaritaville Nachos- definitely going to plan to have them for dinner one night- and now maybe a margarita flight- that looks good too.

I love your pictures of the parade- so gorgeous! And its very kind of you to share your beads!

Aw thanks......not sure her mother was as pleased though.......lol......

Oh I can recommend any of the margaritas in there........full of flavor and quite strong too!!! We haven't had the nachos for a long time, but any we saw passing by always got a second look from everyone.......impressive!!!
 
I know what you mean about the beads! I had so many last year and I threw them away when we arrived home after I realized- what am I going to do with this pile of beads??? But fast forward to February this year. We went to the parade and had no intention of competing for more beads, but as soon as the bead throwing started, we HAD to join in and get a bunch!!

Carole, it's a good thing I have a few trips planned this year, because my list of to do's grows every time I read an entry in your TR.

Now I'm adding- Celebration Town Tavern (maybe skip the Cookie dough place) and the Margarita flight at Margaritaville. We usually go to City Walk at lunch when it's less crowded, but as Jimmy Buffet says It's 5 o'clock somewhere- so why not a margarita flight at lunch???
 
That sushi at Orchids looks wonderful! We went to Cowfish for sushi 2-3 times last trip, and it was really good, but this looks like something we need to check out. Especially since we will be staying at RPR again. We are planning on staying Club next time thanks to you! I had tossed the idea around last time, but waited too long and there wasn't anything available for out dates. You snooze you lose on that one! Definitely next time, though.
 
I know what you mean about the beads! I had so many last year and I threw them away when we arrived home after I realized- what am I going to do with this pile of beads??? But fast forward to February this year. We went to the parade and had no intention of competing for more beads, but as soon as the bead throwing started, we HAD to join in and get a bunch!!

Carole, it's a good thing I have a few trips planned this year, because my list of to do's grows every time I read an entry in your TR.

Now I'm adding- Celebration Town Tavern (maybe skip the Cookie dough place) and the Margarita flight at Margaritaville. We usually go to City Walk at lunch when it's less crowded, but as Jimmy Buffet says It's 5 o'clock somewhere- so why not a margarita flight at lunch???

Oh I was laughing at how competitive I seem to be.........lol......I never think of myself as someone who is like that.......but, I was ready to elbow anyone out of the way.....including Tom!!! And he was on my side.........:eek:

We would go back to Celebration Town Tavern tomorrow! Seafood was a real treat......but yes the cookie dough was not nice! Very cheap tasting if you know what I mean........

I almost live my life by that 5’ O Clock somewhere motto.........:rotfl:
 


That sushi at Orchids looks wonderful! We went to Cowfish for sushi 2-3 times last trip, and it was really good, but this looks like something we need to check out. Especially since we will be staying at RPR again. We are planning on staying Club next time thanks to you! I had tossed the idea around last time, but waited too long and there wasn't anything available for out dates. You snooze you lose on that one! Definitely next time, though.

The sushi is amazing in Orchids. We have gone to other Sushi places around and we haven’t found anywhere better.......some are fancier and have more ornate menus...... but for us, the basics have to be good, and they really are in Orchids. I was kind of disappointed in Cowfish sushi, it wasn’t bad, just not as good as Orchids. Will stick to burgers there now.

I’m so happy to read you are going to go Club Level at RPR........they really do look after you in there, well they do all over the hotel.........:thumbsup2
 
What the heck is the big thing with this???? This is disgustingly sweet and has the grossest texture ever, it was like thick paste.........I have eaten raw cookie dough when I make stuff myself......but, this was not to our taste at all..........nope, not eating any more of this.......Tom, who eats most things almost spat out his spoonful........or should I say the tiniest taste ever of anything, he didn't even taste a whole teaspoon full size..............

That's how I felt when I tried a cookie dough place that they put in the mall recently. The flavored ones were the worst. I had a regular chocolate chip dough one and that was better, but I probably wouldn't get it again unless someone I was with wanted one too. There's no way to eat even a small on your own it's just too sweet and too much!
 


That's how I felt when I tried a cookie dough place that they put in the mall recently. The flavored ones were the worst. I had a regular chocolate chip dough one and that was better, but I probably wouldn't get it again unless someone I was with wanted one too. There's no way to eat even a small on your own it's just too sweet and too much!

I didn't try any others I have to say.......but yes, how anyone can eat even the smallest of tubs is beyond me!! It was genuinely horrible........I honestly never knew it was even a thing till the young girl in Club Lounge mentioned it when she heard us say we were going back to Celebration.........

I certainly won`t be back to try again.......so many gorgeous desserts out there as it is.......::yes::
 
Oh, I'm sad to hear your report about Wonderland Cookie Dough. It's tops on my daughter's list for places to try this summer! She has been dreaming about cookie dough ever since I told her about it! I'm sure we'll still go, but we'll steer clear of the crazy flavors and stick with the basics (and a very small cup!). My girl loves her sweets:lovestruc
 
Oh, I'm sad to hear your report about Wonderland Cookie Dough. It's tops on my daughter's list for places to try this summer! She has been dreaming about cookie dough ever since I told her about it! I'm sure we'll still go, but we'll steer clear of the crazy flavors and stick with the basics (and a very small cup!). My girl loves her sweets:lovestruc

So they are a well known company?? I had no idea......

lol.......I think some kids may like it as it`s just sweet!! Nothing else........

We got the smallest cup and to be honest even if we had liked it, we wouldn't have been able to eat it between us as it was just so pasty.......and claggy.

Of course each to their own........I`m sure some will like it.......::yes::
 
I don't know how well-known they are, but we saw a video online about a Cookie Dough Company in New York City and my daughter was smitten with the idea. When I found out there was a similar store in Orlando, she was ecstatic. If she doesn't like it, there are plenty of other delicious treats that she is looking forward to on our vacation!
 
We love Celebration, go every few trips and take a slow wander around the lake, usually followed by eating ice cream from Kilwin's while sitting in the rocking chairs. However, I have just added Celebration Town Tavern to the list of places to try next time we go - I am in love with Tom's shrimp, they look amazing!

I totally get your touring style, while (unlike you) we do love Disney as well, we often go for a couple of weeks and only go into the parks for an hour or two here and there. I like the feeling that we don't have to do everything because we know we will be back. Having said that, we are taking my daughter and her fiance this summer and they want to see and do so much, I feel like I am going to need a holiday to recover from it!
 
FRIDAY MARCH 23RD.................

Today was our last full day........all of a sudden it had crept up on us.......yep, 10 days just isn't enough.......

But, we had arranged to Skype Kyle early this morning before we went for breakfast and had a lovely chat with him, that always makes us smile......he was doing great and had taken a days holiday today, to just do nothing........and why not. He showed us the view outside and saw that the snow had gone for the most part, and we showed him our much sunnier view out of the window......he conceded we had the better view........bless him.....so we wrapped up our chat and headed upstairs for breakfast.........

We had a very relaxed breakfast this morning.......took our time and had no real plans for the day. Except we had to go in to The Studios to get some money from the Gringotts Exchange for two little girls who live close to us who were going to Disney and Universal for the first time over Easter.......they adored all things Potter so we thought it would be a nice gift for them to go. I`m sure they would be given lots of spending money from other folks to, but I knew they would love the Gringotts money too.

So, we went back down to get some sunscreen on as although it wasn't boiling hot, the sun was glorious and we do burn so easy. So I checked Skype just as we were there and saw a message from Kyle saying call him, but it was good.......so I pressed the call button and he had the biggest grin on his face when he appeared on the screen........he had already been given several awards and many emails from his boss and her boss about how well he was doing, so today he had received an email and a voucher for a cash amount as a thank you for something he had done with work, but had spoken to kids in school as part of a group presentation about finance and their future. He had enjoyed doing it and is going to be doing similar things in the future too. But he was really pleased they had separately acknowledged his skills this way. So he was a happy bunny......even without the cash gift, he would have been delighted........we were over the moon too....as we know how fabulous he is........awwww.......of course......but to see him recognized was excellent. He does have fabulous bosses and the higher bosses are so good too. I was glad we had stopped by the room now........we did finally let him go get on with doing not much today and we set off for the park.........

In the lobby we ran into our friends assistant, she is a lovely girl and asked where we were headed......we told her and she thought the store in the hotel sold the Gringotts cash.......but, they didn't but it was nice of her to find out. We were happy going to the Studios today anyway.......

We went down for the boat and again, no wait for this so we were on our way in a few seconds of getting on the boat......it was busy again.

As we got closer to Citywalk Tom said we must go and have a look at Voodoo Doughnut........they had really made some improvements on it even since we arrived, and we had indeed been told it may open tomorrow.......our last day........but we thought we would take some pictures anyway and maybe get a glance inside........

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As we went up to near the door, there was a couple of men stood outside and there were people working inside........as I approached the two men I exclaimed to Tom oh I think it`s open.........one of the men said oh I`m sorry not today it`s staff training........I was like......awwwww darn it, I was desperate to have this maple bacon bar I`d been hearing about for years.............he said oh definitely come back tomorrow......told him we were leaving tomorrow.......but told him we`d be back in May......said we would get one then.......we started chatting and I was telling this man how much we loved Universal and how long we stayed and all that kinda stuff.......also said we hadn't gone "down the road to that place" for many years......he roared with laughter at that comment......he asked if they took good care of us at RP and I said oh absolutely, always feel like royalty there.........

We had a whole conversation that went on about one thing and another.......he then said to the other guy, oh, we have to get this girl a maple bacon bar.........I was like oh wow......really.........

Meanwhile Tom had been talking to another guy who was training manager and had told Tom when he came back in May to ask for him and he`d get a free doughnut as they weren't open today.........he yelled over to me he was getting a doughnut in May......I laughed and said hey, I`m getting one today.......lol.......always got to go one better.........so, the other guy said to me I had said the right thing when I said how much we loved Universal.......so I asked why and he told me the other guy was the CEO and President of UOR!!!!! Now I was wowed........

He was very oh it`s nothing, but I was quite impressed with how laid back this guy was......you would never have known........and the other guy who was right now inside getting me a maple bacon doughnut was the President of Citywalk!!!! Oh my........

Tom had come over by now and we were all introduced........as my doughnut appeared.........then Bill said oh we have to get your husband a doughnut too........the other guy who`s name I have forgotten asked him what kind......Tom had no clue so said any type..........he went back in and came out with their signature one The Voodoo Doll.........we were over the moon!!!!

The Citywalk guy said we should take a picture of them before we ate them........always an idea..........so this is us with the Citywalk guy and our doughnuts.......

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We did get another with the CEO but we said we wouldn't post it........I`m sure he wouldn't mind, but I did say I wouldn't. He was so nice, actually they both were and it was a real pleasure talking to them both about different things........and they both recognized our older HHN lanyards......Tom`s is from Reflections of Fear from 2008 and mine was from the more recent 25th Anniversary..................so we spoke briefly about HHN.......:cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

Told them we loved it would be back again this year for it...........but honestly, talking to them was a real highlight of our day. Very unassuming men who genuinely want the best for their guests and the parks. We had loved talking to them........and I was later a bit embarrassed I had almost complained about not getting a doughnut to the CEO of Universal :blush:

At that we thanked again for the hundredth time and we set off carrying our precious doughnuts carefully in the bags, and we had the biggest grins on our faces all the way in...........you just never know who you`re talking to at times!!

Of course it was so busy this morning and anyone who came close to us got the glare and a "Back off" look.........we got through the gates and thought we would go get a coffee and enjoy our gorgeous gifts.......so the Boulangerie was the closest, so we sat down but we never got our coffee as the queue was so long inside........so we would manage without coffee..........

We sat and carefully opened the bags hoping they hadn't been too damaged, although we had handled them with extreme care........


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Oh My Goodness!!!!!!

How good were these doughnuts..........they were delicious!!!! Tom loved his Voodoo Doll......it has jelly in the middle to of course represent blood.......and it was so tasty.......even the chocolate frosting tasted so good even to me who isn't really a chocolate fan........however.......mine was perfect......oh it was better than gorgeous........the maple frosting with the bacon was so good.....and so different for a doughnut......some folks wonder if they`ll like it having bacon on it, but try it!!!! And the doughnuts themselves were very light and not stodgy the way some can be.......we absolutely loved every mouthful of our little treat of the day!!!

However, we did have a couple of people spot them and excitedly ask if the store was open.......they looked a little mystified and I assume thought we were lying to them when we said no, it wasn't open yet........oh dear.......they wandered off and as we had a mouthful of doughnut we couldn't really elaborate much........we did have a few folks glance and point as we ate them.......so I assume they got a few folks checking out the store to see if it was indeed open.........

So, after we finished licking our lips, we put the bags in the trash and headed into the park towards Potter.

It was so busy today.......this was the busiest day we had seen in a long time and.......it was getting hotter!!!! Yay............


We went round past where Terminator used to be and caught the tale end of one of the smaller parades.........these are still so cute and always a lot of fun to watch......


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It was so nice today to just wander......genuinely just wander and look around us.......and we were glad we weren't doing the rides as queues didn't look nice at all.......we spoke to someone who said they had waited 25 minutes in the EP line for Mummy.......we could believe that as we had waited about 15 minutes a few days before. And the crowds certainly went along with that........

We went into Potter and the Celestina Warbeck show was on........this is quite a fun thing to sit and watch.


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I could take photographs of this area all day every day.......so much detail in every single corner of the place.......I always bang on about how we discover new things every trip we have missed, but it`s true......there`s always something to see we haven't seen before......and I always wonder how folks who say they only spend a tiny amount of time here manage to enjoy it. Even folks who are not Potter fans enthuse about how amazing it is and the theming is out of this world.

I don't believe you need to have read the books or even seen the films to enjoy this area.......it`s about more than the theme itself...you can just enjoy it for what it is....and it is magical. From the rides to simple things like watching the delight in a child`s face when they manage to make the spells work on their own, seeing everyone`s face when they walk in to Diagon Alley in particular for the first time.......and a million other things that make this part of the parks so unbelievably special.


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We go into the Gringotts Money Exchange........this is an excellent place to spend some time......even if you`re not buying anything from it, you can just go in and have a fabulous interaction with the head goblin......he likes you to ask him questions......and gives you an extra glare if you take pictures........so we do take pictures.......lol.........everyone does!!

We first buy the notes we want for gifts for our friends kids.........although we do go realize they've put both notes in the one envelope and we want two, one for each girl.......not a problem of course we get the extra envelope..........

Then we have an exchange with the goblin......I cant remember what I asked him but he was offended......lol.....and very brash......but it`s very clever how they work it.........


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I pop the envelopes in my bag as we bid farewell to the head goblin who has now started on someone else........


We want to go do Gringotts since we are here. We do like this ride and haven't done it a whole lot this trip......so we decide to check the line and its not too bad......the regular line is quite long apparently.......


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At least there isn't an organized queue for the lockers today!! We put our bag in one at the rear where again, everyone is at the front despite the best efforts of TM telling folks there are plenty beyond the front row........I feel for them.

But, we do go on the ride and while it`s not a walk on we don't wait long at all with EP......maybe 10 minutes tops from when we go in the door......not bad at all as the regular line is long. We don't have a camera as it`s in the locker.......but I do need to go back through again with the camera..........

This is such a good ride.......not as good as FJ in our humble opinion, but.....we like it.......just wish the drop was larger though. It would be really thrilling then......but it`s fun and you get swooshed around rather than flung around......although I don't like the snake bit.......but, it`s a not to be missed ride in The Studios.

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And again, so many things to see around......


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We head out of this area after having a quick wander through Knockturn Alley which is just stunning in so many ways........but for today we have done our Potter visit........it is incredibly busy and a little too busy for us......so we head back out and into the other areas of the park as this is our last park visit this trip......we always say we`ll go on our last day, but we never seem to get around to it anymore........

It`s always tinged with a little sadness when we do leave the park for the last time each visit, but we know we`ll be back.......


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We slowly meander around towards the exit, and as we turn down past Louie`s we see RRR is down........ride vehicles are stopped in a set position on the track, it`s good to see no one is on them........they have stopped the ride a few times this visit....never for very long. And today by the time we pass the entrance to the ride it is indeed back on again.


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And Marilyn of course.........


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And always nice to see a sneak peak of The Hogwarts Express........


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We wander through the Mardi Gras area and I do finally get a seat on the bench in front of the two statues.........the Mardi Gras area is quite small here, but so well done and the food we sampled we certainly enjoyed........the parade was indeed so much fun and we were glad we had finally experienced it.


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We pass the Minion ride and see even the EP line is quite long, we glance at the regular line and boy is it long!!

We go through the gates just as several large, and I mean large groups are getting photographed before heading in to the parks......we usher past them as they are rather sprawled out and go take a picture of the Universal Globe.......we very rarely take a picture of it usually as there are far too many people around it........but today, it`s not busy......and it is so pretty looking over the lagoon........


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Citywalk is such a lovely place to be whether it be during the day when the sun is shining, or at night when it`s like another little city with lights twinkling everywhere and a more lively atmosphere.......still suitable for families though all evening.......



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For now we were heading back home and planned to see if Kyle was still home and we could tell him about our surprise meeting and getting the doughnuts, that would tickle him........then we were planning to go eat lunch at Red Lobster today. We hadn't managed at night, so thought although it usually is a night time place for us, we would try lunch.
 
I don't know how well-known they are, but we saw a video online about a Cookie Dough Company in New York City and my daughter was smitten with the idea. When I found out there was a similar store in Orlando, she was ecstatic. If she doesn't like it, there are plenty of other delicious treats that she is looking forward to on our vacation!

Oh that's one thing for sure there plenty of other delicious treats around........

Even in Celebration, if she doesn't like that, there`s Kilwins Ice Cream........delicious :thumbsup2
 
We love Celebration, go every few trips and take a slow wander around the lake, usually followed by eating ice cream from Kilwin's while sitting in the rocking chairs. However, I have just added Celebration Town Tavern to the list of places to try next time we go - I am in love with Tom's shrimp, they look amazing!

I totally get your touring style, while (unlike you) we do love Disney as well, we often go for a couple of weeks and only go into the parks for an hour or two here and there. I like the feeling that we don't have to do everything because we know we will be back. Having said that, we are taking my daughter and her fiance this summer and they want to see and do so much, I feel like I am going to need a holiday to recover from it!

The shrimps were amazing......I secretly wished I had ordered them actually........and yes, Kilwins has lovely ice cream........I wish we`d just got some of that instead of that awful cookie dough........

It`s a good way to tour the parks, all of them......and yes, when you know you are coming back it does make it easier not to rush through everything......oh your trip in August sounds lovely.......and yes exhausting......lol......but so much fun.......::yes::
 
Oh wow Carole, just caught up and saw your encounter at Voodoo Donuts. How fabulous. And how lovely of them to give you the donuts. We went to Voodoo in Portland a couple of years ago and loved them - so am very excited to get donuts from there in August. Although I have to say Tom is a heathen for not starting at the hole on his donut haha

As an aside, it sounds like Kyle is doing so well at his job, I can understand why you are so proud and so happy for him, it is lovely when they are settled and their hard work is paying off. My daughter just graduated as a midwife a couple of months ago and I couldn't be more proud (our trip in August is her graduation gift).

I can't believe your trip is almost at an end... but you will be back before you know it
 
Congrats to Kyle!! and to a very proud Mom & Dad!!

Great news on the Voodoo donuts! The Voodoo doll is cute!

Sad indeed to leave the parks for the last time but we're with you- we are happy that we will be back soon!
 
I didn't try any others I have to say.......but yes, how anyone can eat even the smallest of tubs is beyond me!! It was genuinely horrible........I honestly never knew it was even a thing till the young girl in Club Lounge mentioned it when she heard us say we were going back to Celebration.........

I certainly won`t be back to try again.......so many gorgeous desserts out there as it is.......::yes::

They also need to learn how to keep the handles of the scoops out of the cookie dough - gross.
 

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