Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW July 2011* Top Ten "Things" *

[natebenma]

Who? Dee, Mark, Nate (13), Ben (10)

If you want to know more about us, I have a detailed introduction in the TR I wrote last year. Here’s the link.

3rd Annual We are "NEVER" going to Disney in the summer again TR, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2524240
July 10-17, 2010 Beach Club; July 11-18, 2009 Beach Club;August 2008 All Star Music Fayecation

Otherwise, we will just get acquainted as we travel together.


What? Summer Vacation to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Magic Kingdom and Sea World

Where: Portofino Bay Resort at Universal

When: Monday July 11- Friday July 15, 2011

Here’s the July page from our home calendar page

Why???

For the past 3 years, we have taken a vacation to Disney World during the summer. We didn’t mean to go every year. Really! But our trip in 2008 was impacted by Tropical Storm Faye and also by a stomach issue (maybe dehydration) for Nate. In 2009, we had a “do over”, staying at the Beach Club courtesy of Disney’s 4/3 deal. When we received a PIN discount in January 2010, we booked another trip back to the Beach Club for last July.

But after 3 trips 3 years in a row to Disney, Mark and I decided we would take a break. We were also afraid to push our luck. We had such amazing trips in 2009 and 2010, great weather, manageable crowds so we feared it could be difficult to live up to these great memories. Plus Nate goes to Disney in May 2012 with his 8th grade class. We are in negotiations about whether I will accompany him as chaperone. He mostly doesn't want me there, but then he remembers that Mom “pones” (kicks butt) and thinks it might not be a bad idea to bring me along. I am thinking of being a quasi-chaperone- I will stay at the Beach Club, instead of the AllStars with the students and meet the kids at the parks when they go.

We decided after last year’s trip that we were going to skip Disney this year. We were ok with this decision. I swear! We planned a 5 day/4 night trip to “The Other Orlando”- Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Sea World.

I am a huge Harry Potter fan! Nate was really into HP. We had two fabulous HP themed BD parties for him. I wanted to get him to the Wizarding World of HP before we totally lose him to teenhood. It is happening much faster than I ever believed possible! My younger son is just starting to get into the books and is really enjoying them.

But once this trip was booked (my family called it "Mom's trip") all everyone talked about is how much they want to go to Disney. And I tell them "We weren't going to go to Disney" and they answer "But we're going to ORLANDO now", so that means Disney.

And my husband was the worst one of the bunch!!!

So Mark and I decided to surprise the boys with a day at the Magic Kingdom.

Go back up and check the sticker on Wednesday. Is that Hogwarts or Cinderella’s Castle?

Did we pull off the surprise? You’ll have to stay tuned to see!

Pretrip Prelims:
We purchased all of our theme park tickets in advance.
We were going to purchase 4 day park-to-park tickets ("hoppers") from Undercover Tourist: $146.95 per adult. The 4 day ticket is just $4 more than the 2 day, so it is worth it to us to get the flexibility. I checked with our local AAA, and the same ticket was $145 pp, so I purchased these. I used my Disney Visa to purchase Universal tickets. Is that wrong???

SeaWorld is currently running a promotion on their website- Adults pay kids prices ($71.99), for a single day, but the tickets are valid for the buy one day, get the next day free offer, so it is really a two day ticket. So we ordered these through the website the Saturday night before our trip. I made the mistake that night of Googling “Sea World Discounts”, and someone mentioned that AAA had 2 day tickets, $70 per person and it included a lunch voucher!!! But since AAA was closed the next day and we had a 6 am flight on Monday, I didn’t have a chance to see if my local AAA office has these tickets. I will check this week and edit in the answer.

Once Mark and I decided we were going to the Magic Kingdom, I started charging up my Disney Visa like crazy! We pay off our balance each month, so we don’t incur interest penalties. In the spring, we received a 5x points bonus offer for purchases at grocery stores and gas stations. SWEET!!! By the time we left for the trip, we had $165 to apply to the purchase of admission tickets. Every little bit helps!

I think that covers the pre-trip details. Bags are packed and the alarm is going off at 4 am for a 4:45 car service pickup to the airport. Get some sleep!
Oh, yeah, one more thing- you will discover that we tour the parks pretty aggressively, so lace up your sneakers and Let’s Go!

Next up: Arrival Day- Ciao Baby!

 

[natebenma]

This is going to be a LOOONNNNGGGGG, detailed TR with lots of pictures.

Moderators- I am also posting this on the Disney TR forum. Is it ok to have the report in both places? I don't want to violate any board rules. Thanks!

Here's a preview of chapters.

It is going to take us a little while to get to Hogwarts...


Introduction


Day 1:

Arrival

Ciao, Baby! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42176547&postcount=104

All about the Portofino http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41890438&postcount=7

The Adventure Begins (at Universal Studios, not WWoHP) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41898559&postcount=12

We Dine with the Fishes and 3-D 4-D OD D'OH! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41912086&postcount=17
Headed for Disaster- I want my Mummy!

Sal's Deli and Marketplace http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41925749&postcount=28


* Contest * Entrance Exam for Hogwarts. Can you pass this O.W.L. ??? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41925759&postcount=30

Answer Key to O.W.L. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41925763&postcount=31

Day 2:

Finally, Hogwarts!
The Early Bird Catches the Snitch
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41940048&postcount=34
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41940057&postcount=35


When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth
You're Gonna Get Wet, eh? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41963539&postcount=51

You're Gonna Get Wetter, "A-gah-gah-gah-gah-gah-gah!" (Popeye's laugh)
Olive, My Love (apologies to Led Zeppelin) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41963564&postcount=52

Stuck at Platform 9 3/4 (and victim of a time-turner) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41992366&postcount=57

I give that meal 3 Broomsticks http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41992467&postcount=58

Rude Rude Fountain http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41992503&postcount=59

Oh, the Places we Didn't Go! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42014246&postcount=67

Spidey, Shopping and Afternoon Break http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42041824&postcount=73

***********************************************************************

A Whale of a Tale http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42063756&postcount=79

Boom!

Dinner Panda-monium http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42093993&postcount=87


Day 3: What can my family do in 12 1/2 hours at the Magic Kingdom

SURPRISE!!! Hey, Who put a giant honkin' castle in the middle of Sea World? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42124542&postcount=88

Morning at MK http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42149912&postcount=95

Columbia Harbor House http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42176547&postcount=104
I got a pocket, got a pocket full of FP

Awesome Afternoon at MK http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42204538&postcount=110

The Monorail is TOO a ride! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42230611&postcount=120
Disney Domination DNA

Dinner at Kona Cafe http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42263843&postcount=133

Disney after Dark: Psst! Anyone wanna buy a locker??? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42334927&postcount=142

Day 4: Sea World, II- the Sea-quel/Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios and Chasing Harry-back to IoA

Praying Manta doesn't Bring up Breakfast and We Found Atlantis! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42406788&postcount=422
The rest of our day at Sea World http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42428778&postcount=151
The rest of our day at Sea World, continued: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42428781&postcount=152

*****************************************************************

Chillin' at the Portofino pool: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42468149&postcount=160

*****************************************************************
Back to Islands of Adventure:

Hulk, Picture Spot and Ripsaw Falls: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42514524&postcount=165

When Dinosaurs FINALLY Ruled the Earth! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42555762&postcount=176

Is there a Gringotts branch around here? The boys want MORE butterbeer! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42622146&postcount=186

A meal of Mythocal (pro) portions/ Tempura Shrimp Sushi Throwdown! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42675286&postcount=193

Back to the Studios: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42724606&postcount=202

Back to IoA: Chasing Harry and Major Muggle Mistake! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42724606&postcount=202


Day 5: Last Day

IoA:

Olivander's Waiting Experience http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42778694&postcount=216
Wizarding World of Harry Potter, continued: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42778757&postcount=217

A few last things at Islands of Adventure: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42819795&postcount=224
Portofino for breakfast and checkout

Horror at the Studios (or not) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42853539&postcount=229

A Not-So-Magical-Express to the Airport http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42873672&postcount=232
Lunch at Sal's Deli

I wish we could use Floo Powder to Get Home http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42942022&postcount=242

Top 10 Universal Tips http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42974449&postcount=256

 

[Fantasmic23]

This foolish muggle is in!

 

[ddstratton]

Another foolish Muggle joining in. We're hoping to visit Universal for the first time on our next trip.

 

[natebenma]

This foolish muggle is in!

Thanks for joining in!

Another foolish Muggle joining in. We're hoping to visit Universal for the first time on our next trip.

Glad to have you here!

 

[natebenma]

When I left off, we were all getting a good night’s rest for the long day ahead. The morning was uneventful, car service arrived at 4:45 and we were off to the airport. We had checked in on-line, so went right to the place where you hand over the luggage.

Next we headed to security. We hand over our boarding passes and drivers’ licenses. The TSA guy is kidding around with us and then he says to my husband “Your license is expired”. I say “You’re joking!” (forgetting that TSA guys probably don’t make a whole lot of jokes with travelers). The license Mark handed over had indeed expired. He keeps the old one in his wallet- some places ask you to leave a license as a “return guarantee” when you borrow something. He found his actual license and handed that over.

PHEW!!!

Through the gate, and into line for breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. Last DD iced coffee before the trip. Why are there no Dunkin’s in Orlando???

Flight took off- this was probably one of the best flights we have been on. Nobody’s ears popped. Smooth flight. Mark and I got to sit together, in the seats in front of the boys. The boys were super on the flight. Ben was drawing pictures of the 50 states in a notebook. He is currently on a geography kick. Loves to watch “How the States Got their Shapes” and he is collecting quarters from the 50 states. Nate was reading a little bit. He hates to read. I can’t get him to read what he needs to for school, never mind for pleasure. But the night before our trip, he asked if he could read Stephen King’s Cell. I am a major SK fan, but Cell was one of my least favorite of his books and it was fairly gory (A “Pulse” causes cellphone users to become flesh-eating zombies). But Nate was asking to read!!! Go for it!

My reading material was the book Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips. It is about the Greek Gods living in modern day London. Hilarious, but a bit raunchy. Reminded me a lot of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.


We arrived at MCO at 10 am, and got on the little monorail thingy. Yay, first ride of the day!

When we arrived in baggage claim, our driver was there with my name on a sign. Our two checked suitcases were already on the carousel. Off we went and we arrived at Portofino Bay Resort by 10:45!!!

We were third in line at the check-in desk. I had requested a balcony room, but there are only two in the Villa (Concierge) Wing, and they were both occupied when we arrived. There was a room ready when we checked in at 10:45 am.

Not-so-great view of scrubby bushes:

Next up: All about the Portofino

 

[natebenma]

Why stay on site?

If you are visiting Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, especially in the summer- early entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Front of the Line access are invaluable!

The three Universal Hotels also offer convenient travel options to get to the two theme parks.

The Portofino Bay Hotel is a beautiful, quiet, romantic hotel based on a luxurious resort in Italy.

Confession time: I have never longed to visit Italy. You may think that is weird, but my husband and I are beach folk at heart and we will take the tropics over Europe any day of the week.


One of the decorative features of the Portofino are a number of Trompe l’oeil (trick of the eye) paintings throughout the resort. Here are a few:

Pools:

I tried two of the three pools. The main pool was fun. Temperature was refreshing, cool but not cold. There is a sandy beach, lots of afternoon activity, a fun pool slide in the fort, music in the evening. I never had trouble finding seats.

Pool Activities and Information:

The villa pool is quieter and I found the water to be a little warmer than I care for.

Kids areas:

Other activities-Bocce and pool:

I loved that they had water coolers and cups at the pools and all over the resort. They also had a basket of sunscreen where you pick up your towels. I think it is complimentary, but we didn’t need to check.


Transportation:

We alternated between walking and taking the boat shuttles between the resort and the theme parks. There are excellent instructions for a shortcut from PBH to City walk on the Universal Hotel forum by “Bubba’s Mom”. The walk is about 10 minutes.

The boat rides were really nice, and arrive often, but they are not big. We often had to wait for a second boat.
As Chief Brody says in Jaws “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”

There are also pedicab (bike) drivers who work for tips to transport you to/from City Walk.

We used a car service to/from MCO and PBH, $90 roundtrip plus tip, 30 minutes

We used a car service from PBH to the Contemporary Resort at Disney, $80 rountrip plus tip, 30 minutes

We used a taxi to/from Sea World, $19 plus tip each way (15 minutes)
There is a complimentary shuttle between the resort and Sea World but the times are limited and inconvenient. Leaves at 9:45 am, a couple of evening return times.

 

[natebenma]

Here is a link to my post I on the Universal Resorts sub-forum with lots of pictures from the Concierge Lounge.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2760502

Our stays at the Beach Club have hooked us on Concierge. Especially in the mornings. Unfortunately, the Portofino Club Lounge does not start serving breakfast until 7 am, which was when you can (and should) enter the Wizarding World. We were able to ask for a couple of boxes of cereal and bananas the afternoon before we had early park days. We also purchased pastry from Sal’s Deli and Marketplace. We were able to enjoy the CL breakfast offerings on our Magic Kingdom and Sea World mornings.

The food selections were great, and everything seemed to be plentiful and replenished when it got low, but the service in the lounge does not compare to the service we have experienced at Disney’s BC Club Level. The couple of times we had an issue, the Concierge Staff was not able to resolve the problem so we had to go to the front desk.

The first issue we had was trying to convert our Universal admission vouchers, which were printed on regular 8 1/2 by 11 paper , to a durable ticket that would not be destroyed if it got wet. Which is a very real possibility with some of the rides at Islands of Adventure. They couldn’t do that at CL, but to be fair, the ticketing desk couldn’t do it either. We needed to go to Guest Services at the park to get this done.

The other thing that happened was strange. On our first afternoon at Universal Studios, our room key, which I thought was linked to our credit card to make purchases in the park, was rejected. We had already used it a couple of times for lunch and some souvenirs but the third time we presented it, it was denied. The CL staff was not able to help with this. When we checked with the front desk, they told us we had a $100/day limit on our room charges. Wait, What??? Do these people (who work at a resort) not realize that $100 does not go very far in a theme park? The woman at the desk told us they would increase our daily limit, but she wouldn’t tell us by how much. She said “It will be enough”

Next up: The Adventure Begins! (at Universal Studios, not WWoHP)
2-D 3-D OD D'OH!
.

 

[Metro West]

Moderators- I am also posting this on the Disney TR forum. Is it ok to have the report in both places? I don't want to violate any board rules. Thanks!

That's fine.

 

[reelmom]

Joining in the fun . Can't wait to see how you like Harry Potter.

 

[natebenma]

Joining in the fun . Can't wait to see how you like Harry Potter.

There will be lots of Harry Potter. Eventually!

 

[natebenma]

* note: this is a sign at the entry of IoA. Sorry for any confusion.

After checking out our room and dropping our luggage, it was time to head over to Universal Studios. We figured that Harry Potter land at Islands of Adventure would be mobbed by the time we arrived, so our plan was to visit first thing tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. As resort guests, we are able to enter WWoHP at 7 am, an hour before the park opens to the general public.

On the way out, we stopped by the club lounge for some bottles of water and granola bars and bags of Terra chips to go.

There is a path that runs along the canal that takes you from the Portofino to City Walk, the entry way to the two parks. I had been checking out the Universal boards for a few months and a veteran poster over there, Bubba’s Mom, put together great instructions (including photos) of a shortcut through the Hard Rock Hotel parking lot that shaves about 5 minutes off of the walk. I copied the instructions into an easy-to-follow map. Miraculously, we did not get lost. I am severely directionally challenged, so I was a little afraid of where I might lead my family!

In about 10 minutes, we saw this:

I guess we are going the right way!


Since most of you here are familiar with Disney rides and attractions, I will try to describe the things at Universal by relating them to their Disney counterparts.


After entering US, we took a right into the Hollywood section of the park. The first attraction we did was Terminator 2: 3-D, A live show where the future of humanity is in your hands.

Terminator is like Muppets 3-D with cyborgs and the Governator instead of Kermit and Fozzy Bear, more guns, more explosions and more attitude. I was not aware that anyone “Booed” Arnold, but after seeing this once, I won’t be back.


We continued to the right and entered Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone. There was not much that interested the boys here, but Mark and I wanted to
check out E.T. Adventure- ride your bike across the stars. Totally Peter Pan!

We entered the next “land”- World Expo: Our next stop was the Simpson’s Ride- Crash through Krustyland. I would call this one “Soarin’ over Springfield”
You don’t wear glasses, but it is a lot like a 3-D experience.

This was our longest wait of the day so far, about 10 minutes. But man, did we feel sorry for the people in the standby line waiting over an hour for this.
It was HOT!

Next door to the Simpsons is Men in Black Alien Attack- Zap Aliens and save the galaxy.
Obviously, Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger Spin with grotesque aliens in the dark instead of a fluorescent background.

At this point we were starting to get hungry for lunch. The International Food & Film Festival was close by, but we peeked in and it was pretty crowded so we continued on to San Francisco/Amity. Is anyone else geographically bothered that US has combined an East Coast town and a West Coast City in the same land?

Please join me in a chorus of “I left my shaaaark… in San Fran-cisco”

As long as we are passing by, we might as well ride Jaws. Go on a “leisurely” boat tour off the coast of Amity.
Jungle Cruise with a little Catastrophe Canyon thrown in.
BTW- best seats on the boat are on the left- you get a lot more action!

Once this ride is over we are REALLY hungry! (Sushi???)

We are close to Lombard’s, a sit down restaurant on the San Francisco Wharf.


Next up: We Dine with the Fishes and 3-D 4-D OD D’OH!

.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm lovin it- can't wait to read more!

 

[natebenma]

I'm lovin it- can't wait to read more!

:welcome

and thank you!

I plan to go at a pace of about a post per day if I can.

 

[Fantasmic23]

Why are there no Dunkin’s in Orlando???

Seriously. Can we all ban together and start a petition or something? I have to go to Kissimmee to get my fix. My Universal trip report, "Cheating on Mickey with Harry", contained tons of whining about coffee!

I am loving your TR! Very detailed! And the pictures are incredible!

 

[natebenma]

Seriously. Can we all ban together and start a petition or something? I have to go to Kissimmee to get my fix. My Universal trip report, "Cheating on Mickey with Harry", contained tons of whining about coffee!

I am loving your TR! Very detailed! And the pictures are incredible!

Thanks so much for joining in and for your very kind comments! Glad you are enjoying the report and the pictures. My cameria is a Canon D10 Powershot (point and shoot). The bestest thing about the camera is that it is waterproof. I can take it in the pool, or to the beach, snorkeling or onto Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges.

I am posting this over on the DIS TR forum so all my Beach Club friends will read it, and one of them tipped me off that there is a DD on the main road near DTD.

Sorry I haven't made it over to your TR. I just read the first posting and it was awesome! I have a couple of posts to my report to upload, and then I will be over there to check out the rest of the story.

 

[natebenma]

It was around 2:00. Or maybe 1:00. More about that later. No matter what the time, we were a pretty hungry quartet.

We walked into Lombard’s and were seated immediately.

Right here:

Score!

I have been an avid snorkeler for over 20 years. I love tropical fish! This tank kept me mesmerized while waiting for our meal.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

That’s me taking pictures of the fish in the tank. I don’t know how many pictures I took, but I have 24 “keepers”. Don’t worry, I won’t post ALL of them!


The first one below is named Mark.

Food Porn!


Chinese Chicken Salad (Mark and I split this)

Fisherman’s Basket (Mark and I split this too, and Ben got his own)

Lomburger (Nate)

Raspberry Key Lime Shot (Nate) and Chocolate Sabyon (Ben)

Everything was excellent. At least I assume the desserts were excellent. There was nothing left in the glass for me to taste!

Cost of Meal with AAA discount ($6.65): $63.79 plus tip

I forgot to mention this earlier-

At almost any restaurant or shop in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk, you will receive a 10% discount if you show your AAA card.

COOL!

Except when you forget to mention it!

(Put your AAA in FRONT of the credit card/room key you will be using to pay for things)

There are some exceptions- chain restaurants, NBA or other licensed merchandise, etc. And there are some oddball quirks. You can receive the discount on Butterbeer if you get it at The 3 Broomsticks or Hogshead Inn, but not at the carts in the streets of Hogsmeade. Get it?

After finishing our meal, we were headed for Disaster-A major motion picture ride… starring YOU!

This kind of was a Disaster- the attraction had just broken down and was not operating. We will have to check it out another time.

So we continued on to Revenge of the Mummy- a psychological thrill ride 3,000 years in the making.

I’m not exactly sure how to describe it, but I LOVED it!!! It is a rollercoaster ride that stops in various rooms of a cursed tomb. Lots of stops, starts, turns and reverses. The graphics and animatronics were seriously excellent! It reminded me most of Expedition Everest, but that’s not quite right. Or Dinosaur, but not so jerky.

Did I mention I it?

Ben did not. That was the first and last time for him on this trip.

At this point we split up for a bit. Nate and I rode Mummy again and Mark and Ben headed off to Jaws and Men in Black again.

We met up at 4:00 (or was it 5:00?) outside the entrance of Shrek 4-D- a totally in-your-face fairy tale adventure. I guess this was like It’s Tough to be a Bug, if the seats in the Tree of Life shook back and forth. Once was enough for us on this one.

And then, we made a mistake! We tried to do one last thing. Another go on the Simpsons ride. I wasn’t really feeling this, and I probably should have said something. We were already near the exit after Shrek, but instead we made the long, hot walk through the park to the Simpsons and then back again. I had taken Bonine earlier in the day to fight off motion sickness, but no one else had. I felt fine after the ride, but the other three were a little queasy when it was done.

In the span of a few hours, we have done all of the attractions we wanted to at least once, with the exception of Disaster. Plus had a very satisfying lunch. There were still two shows I wanted to see: Hollywood Horror Makeup Show and Beetlejuice Review. I'll post some pictures of Rip Ride Rocket later. This is a rollercoaster that does not have Front of the Line access. Which is fine, because nobody really wanted to ride it.

Have I mentioned that the Front of the Line for resort guests really ROCKS???

We walked onto rides while others were waiting an hour or more, out in the heat (Disney does a much better job airconditioning their queues) for a 3 minute ride or attraction.

But cramming in all of the “multi-dimensional” experiences: Terminator, Shrek and the Simpsons twice on our travel day took its toll. We were at 3-D 4-D OD. D’OH! as Homer would say.

After leaving Universal, we hopped on the shuttle boat back to Portofino. It was time to eat dinner, so we stopped in at Sal’s Deli and Marketplace. While we were there, we also picked up some pastry for the next morning, since we would be heading out before the concierge lounge opened.

After dinner, we went back to the room and I unpacked a little bit. Or I went to the pool for a quick swim and to take some photos. I can’t remember the exact order. We also stopped by the lounge for a sweet treat- coconut cake and cookies.

It was a long, busy, fun and exhausting day. Tomorrow we would be getting up early- The Wizarding World Was Waiting.
7 am opening!

(Almost) Next up: The Early Bird Catches the Snitch

 

[Seeker615]

Awesome report so far. We are heading to Iniversal in about a month. Can't wait to read more of your report!

 

[vanderpawv]

What an awesome trip report!!! Our family of foolish muggles plan to visit Universal Studios over the New Year and your details/pictures are such a great help!!! Thanks for sharing and look forward to the enjoying the rest of your trip.

 

[EvangelineG]

Great trip report! Love all the pics, and can't wait to read about your first day at WWoHP.