Here We Go Again - Universal and Disney Dream October 2015 - COMPLETE 17 days

[dixonsontour]

Fantastic updates!!! Enjoyed reading them.......must add the Bread Box to try, never been there before......looks quite good though......

Gotta love the UK section in Wal-Mart......something quite funny seeing digestive biscuits in the aisles......never buy anything though......so many other nice options to have!!!

Bread box was good for a quick lunch. I'm always fascinated by the British section in Walmart/publix and the prices.

Great pics! I have always wanted to do a hair wrap, but wondered how much it would cost. Now I know .

The hair wraps are pricey but DD likes them. They do last, DH unwrapped it (more patience than me!) just before her Ballet exam a month later. I think you can start from behind the ear so less expensive.

 

[albertamom]

I'm eagerly following along! We're heading to WDW & Universal in February, for the first time. Your detailed report and fabulous pictures are SO exciting!

 

[samheatherwhite]

Great report! My DD9 loves the hair wraps too. She gets hers behind her ear and it does help cut the cost and it makes it easier to pull her hair up into a ponytail.

 

[dixonsontour]

I'm eagerly following along! We're heading to WDW & Universal in February, for the first time. Your detailed report and fabulous pictures are SO exciting!

Thank you

Great report! My DD9 loves the hair wraps too. She gets hers behind her ear and it does help cut the cost and it makes it easier to pull her hair up into a ponytail.

Yes that sounds like a good idea. You'll see lateri n the trip she got some braids at Cataway Cay too

 

[dixonsontour]

Trip report day 4



Saturday 17th October 2015



Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Blue Man Group



We were up at 5.45am and on the bus to the parks at 6.25am. Never had to wait for a bus all trip and only took 5 minutes.

The park with early entry every day of our stay in October was Universal Studios. They let us in just before 7am, we were actually entering Diagon Alley at 7am.

Gringotts said 10 minutes wait but was a walk on. We all enjoyed the ride and I found it much easier walking up the steps this year with my new improved breathing.

We had ice cream for breakfast from Florean Fortescue J

DD did some spells. Her interactive wand was not working for them all so DH went with her to Ollivanders and they kindly swapped it (they take them in the back to ‘fix them’ out of sigh. If the interactive tip gets scratched they don’t work as easily as they should.

DD met the knight bus conductor who was funny.

We then got the first train to Hogsmeade at 9am, park opening time at Islands of Adventure.

Me and DD went on Forbidden journey. DH doesn’t fit due to being very tall and chest size. Sometimes he walks through with us but this time opted to sit on a bench. The wait said 10 minutes but was longer, not sure if it had some technical issues.

I used our photo connect card to get the ride photo.

DD went on the hippogriff with DH, my turn to sit in the sun on the bench and then on her own.

We had a look in honeydukes and DD chose a chocolate cauldron cake. We were ready for a break and stopped in the 3 broomsticks for a coffee for me and a hot butterbeer for DH. He liked this.

DD did some more spells with her wand.

We also went to hear moaning myrtle in the public conveniences.

We headed out of Hogsmeade and were ready for some lunch. It was just before 11am and we went into Mythos as it opened and were seated with no wait. It was our first time here and we had a nice lunch. The restaurant is beautiful inside.

After lunch we headed out of the park through Citywalk. We tried collecting our blue man group tickets from the will call machines but needed to go to the box office as we had booked through American airlines.

It was hot, beautiful blue skies again and no clouds.

We got the bus back to Cabana bay. Our safe wasn’t working, battery needing changing but a maintenance man quickly changed it. All the staff we met were polite and helpful.

 

[dixonsontour]

I did some laundry. There was one on floor 3 and 6 in Continental. It was $3 to wash and $3 to dry. Wash only took 30 minutes.

We all headed down for a swim for a couple of hours at 2.15pm. There was a DJ on the lazy river side doing pool games for kids etc. Was a nice fun atmosphere.

We headed back on the bus to Citywalk for the 6pm Blue Man group show. Got there early to pick up our tickets from the box office. It cost £73 ($108) for 2 adults and 1 child through American airlines who were the cheapest deal I could find at the time I booked in May. I did see tickets at $49 each through travelzoo nearer the time. We had great seats in row B just behind the poncho rows (poncho rows didn’t appeal to me)

It was our first time watching this and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. DD had seen them on a Disney channel show (Shake it up Chicago Made in Japan special) and was keen to go.

We all enjoyed the show. It was definitely different! Even had a dance at the end.

I’d made a priority seating reservation for Hard rock café at 8pm and headed there after the show. It was really convenient, literally next to the blue man group.

It was very busy and loud but we were seated in a side room, the Elvis room which was good. We all enjoyed the food. We hadn’t been since before we had DD but will definitely eat there again. I did join in with the YMCA!

We headed back on the bus and were all in bed for 9.30pm! We tend to stay on UK time the first few days which works well for the parks but not for late evenings.

 

[dixonsontour]

Dining day 4 Universal

Saturday October 17th 2015



Breakfast

Florean Fortescue, Diagon alley Universal Studios

We did 7am early park entry for resort guests and had ice cream for breakfast!

DD had mint soft serve with 1 topping

DH chocolate chilli which he enjoyed

Me apple crumble

Paid with 2 snack credits from our quick service dining deal (see day 2) and cash for 1

They were $4.99 plus tax and .79 for DD’s topping

$5.78 + 2 snacks (less 10% annual pass discount)



Snack

Honeydukes, Islands of Adventure

DD chose a cauldron cake $3.95 plus tax (less 10% annual pass discount)



3 broomsticks, Hogsmeade, Islands of Adventure

I had coffee $2.39 and DH had a hot butterbeer he liked $4.99 plus tax (again saved 10% with ap) DD had some water (free) and ate her cauldron cake which she enjoyed.



Lunch

Mythos, Islands of Adventure

This was our first time here. It is a lovely restaurant inside. I enjoyed it, DH less so.

We were there just before opening at 11am so were seated without a wait. (We had been in the parks from 6.50am for early entry so were ready for lunch despite the time)

The bread took time to come to us as it was being baked but was good. The butter says universal studios.

I had fish tacos, DD child’s pizza and DH burger plus parmesan fries. We just had water to drink

$33.04 (inc 10% AP discount) plus tip

Snack

DD had an oreo churro at the blue man group – approx. $6

 

[dixonsontour]

Dinner

Hard Rock café, Citywalk

We hadn’t eaten here since pre DD days but enjoyed it and will be back. We sat in the Elvis side room so not too noisy. I did make a reservation online as we ate at 8pm on a Saturday night and it was busy.

I’d got 2 of the prepaid hip hop menu deals from American airlines. We paid £14 each. They aren’t selling them anymore but floridatix and some other UK ticket sellers do same deal for £18.

I had a chicken burger, DH a bacon cheeseburger with herb fries and DD a kids meal. We had soda to drink and our meals included ben and jerrys ice cream for dessert, DD had mine.

Our prepaid deal included tax and tip

All we had to pay was $8.59 (inc 15% AP discount) for DD’s kids meal and the upgrade for DH’s specialty fries plus tip

2 prepaid deals and $8.59 plus tip

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Great updates!!

Blue Man Group has always been on our radar to try, but so far....we've never taken the leap and purchased tickets. I will have to keep that on my wish list for a future trip .

Ice cream for breakfast....super fun!

Very cool pics of Diagon Alley at 7:00 am. I don't think I'd ever be able to get myself up and to a part THAT early on my vacations (let alone the guys...lol, they'd be even tougher than me). Your photo of the dragon breathing fire is spectacular!

 

[Ruth B]

Great report as always! Universal looks great- can't wait

 

[dixonsontour]

Great updates!!

Blue Man Group has always been on our radar to try, but so far....we've never taken the leap and purchased tickets. I will have to keep that on my wish list for a future trip .

Ice cream for breakfast....super fun!

Very cool pics of Diagon Alley at 7:00 am. I don't think I'd ever be able to get myself up and to a part THAT early on my vacations (let alone the guys...lol, they'd be even tougher than me). Your photo of the dragon breathing fire is spectacular!

I'd definitely recommend blue man group and there are usually discounts around.

The UK time difference works well for us at the start of the trip, I'm definitely not a morning person but 7am US is 12 noon UK time.

DH took the Dragon photo.

Great report as always! Universal looks great- can't wait

Thank you

 

[dixonsontour]

Trip report2015 Day 5

Sunday 18th October 2015

Shopping and MNSSHP



I was awake at 6am so went on facebook/forums and the others woke at 7am.

We headed out to Keke’s near Mall of Millenia for breakfast at 8am.

We all enjoyed this again, would definitely recommend the pina colada French toast.

We then went to Target, Marshalls and Ross dress for Less near Millenia Mall.

Then to the premium outlets at the top of International Drive to look for trainers for DH. Then a quick stop at casual male xl on International drive on the way back to the hotel.

We had a rest in the room and changed and headed over to Steak and Share on SR 535 near Disney Springs at 2.30pm.

Not our best visit to steak and shake but ok and cheap.

We arrived at MNSSHP just after 4pm and paid $20 parking. It was a sell out like the same Sunday party we did last year.

I’d booked online for the Hallowishes dessert party and needed to get our lanyards. After one attempt lining up in the wrong place we saw the podium with no line and got our lanyards.

I’d made 3 fast pass selections online using the MNSSHP tickets. What they didn’t tell us to do on entering was swap the paper MNSSHP e tickets I had for card ones at guest services. So the two rides we used the fp at was a hassle. I showed them the reservation on my phone and at space mountain they gave me a paper fp for the cm in the line.

We road BTMRR and space mountain with the fp. DD was reluctant to go on space (she was 6 last time she rode and couldn’t remember) but did enjoy it.

We headed to 7 dwarves which we haven’t ridden, line was too long last MNSSHP. No fp were available at 30 days out. It said 50 mins but we got in line and it was actually 30. A long time for us to queue but it was a cute ride.



We went for our traditional ride on it’s a small world.

The dessert party included vip parade viewing at the bottom of main street in town square. It was a roped off area but no signs saying what is was so people kept standing there then being thrown out. We sat and waited with a drink. Just before the parade they started to move the rope which would have meant we no longer had a view. It was all a bit disorganised but they moved our viewing section up with the rope so all was fine in the end.

We had a fantastic view of the parade.

We then walked over to Tomorrowland terrace with a quick restroom stop en route.

We were shown to our seat on the terrace, then helped ourselves to the buffet. Cheese and crackers and desserts plus hot and cold drinks. DD ate her moneys worth in chocolate strawberries. We also got a plastic skull mug with Halloween candy each.

When the fireworks started people did stand at the rail so DD and I stood there. It was a good view.

 

[dixonsontour]

Afterwards we watched and enjoyed hocus pocus show at 10.40pm from in front of the castle.

We then went trick or treating in Fantasyland and down the trail between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Same as previous years cast members are much more generous at the end of the party, giving out handfuls and we ended up with a full bag each.

We left magic kingdom at 11.30pm and were back in bed at Cabana bay 12.30am.

The Hallowishes dessert party was expensive but for us it was worth it. It was the best experience we have had at MNSSHP. The parade viewing was well worth it. It helped us last the duration of the party and it definitely helped DH’s mood (busy Disney is not his thing!)

 

[dixonsontour]

Dining report day 5 MNSSHP

Sunday 18th October



Breakfast

Keke’s near mall of Millenia

This was our second time here and we enjoyed it again. It was actually a year to the day since our first visit.



DH had a florida waffle (he had the cream and strawberries served on the side)

I had the pina colada French toast which was gorgeous again

DD had kids choc chip pancakes

We had coffee and DD choc milk.

Total $32.21 plus tip

Some random Target food pictures

Steak and Shake, SR 535

We have been here several times and always been good for a cheap and cheerful meal. This time was just ok. Think we saw the aftermath of lunchtime rush, tables not cleared and they served our shakes in paper cups not glasses (no clean glasses?)

 

[dixonsontour]

DD’s kids meal was free as it was a weekend, she had 2 cheeseburger and fries. She had a kids Nutella milkshake

I had a club sandwich and a s’mores shake

DH had the siracha burger special and soda

Sorry no receipt but would have been $20 ish plus tip

MNSSHP

Snacks

Dole whip float from Aloha aisle to share, DH loves these

DD had a hotdog and blue slushie fron the lunching pad in Tomorrowland

Regular readers will note exact same as last year!



Hallowishes dessert party

We did enjoy this although it was a pricey addition to the evening. It was $69 adults plus tax and $39 for 9 year old DD. It Included reserved parade viewing looking up main street which was fantastic and then the dessert party/fireworks viewing on Tomorrowland terrace.

On the table was a souvenir skull mug of candy plus sparkling wine or apple juice I think, DD knocked mine over.

We helped ourselves from a buffet, lots of desserts plus cheese and biscuits. Drinks were lemonade or tea/coffee/hot choc.

You were able to make repeat visits, didn’t feel rushed. DD ate soo many chocolate strawberries.

Candy

We didn’t trick or treat until the last hour of the party but still got a bag full each. Same as previous years cast members at the end are much more generous handing out lots of candy. Outside they were handing our dove chocolates at the end of the night.

 

[dixonsontour]

Trip Report Day 6

Monday 19th October 2015

Gatorland and Citywalk Mini Golf

After our late night at MNSSHP we slept until 9am.

We headed to hash house a go go on International drive about 5 mons drive from Cabana bay for brunch. We enjoyed it again but the portions, even the kids meals are stupidly huge.

Another stop at a Best Buy for DH, I stayed in the car.

We arrived at Gatorland at Midday.

We have never been before but I’d seen a deal on Floridatix for some tickets for £10/$15 each and thought we’d give it a try. Parking was free.

We enjoyed it, watched the shows and spent a few hours there. DD’s favourite thing was feeding the gators turkey hot dogs (spent $10 on 4 bags for them!)

I’ve bought tickets again for our May trip.

After leaving Gatorland, we headed across the road to private island icecream. I’d seen this on trip advisor. It was closed with a ‘back in 30 mins sign’ so we stopped at a new shopping area called Crosslands and visited Ross Dress for Less and Marshalls. DD got some nice converse for $29.99, would be at least double that in UK.

The ice cream place was now open and we all chose a flavour. I had key lime cheesecake. The owner mixed the ingredients then adds liquid nitrogen to turn it into ice cream. DD was fascinated. The Ice cream was very good and it was a nice little place. DD wants to go back in May.

Back at Cabana bay DD and DH had a swim. It was cooler today with some wind, only Brits in the pool!

We headed on the bus to Citywalk.

I’d prepaid the golf and dine deal on the Universal website. I swapped my email confirmation for paper tickets day 1. The deal is $23.95 each and includes 18 holes of mini golf, a main meal, soft drink, tax and tip at a few Citywalk restaurants including Pat O Brien and Margaritaville. Golf is $14.99 so a good deal if you are intending to play golf.

We decided to try Pat O’ Briens for the first time but had a horrible meal and service. We were intending to use the meal tickets from the golf and dine deal and pay for a child’s meal for DD but the manager didn’t charge us anything in the end.

We played golf on the haunted mansion course at 8.45pm. It was a lot of fun in the dark, we did it in the daytime last year. We all got a hole in one at some point, DD is very competitive! Need to try the Sci fi course next time.

Then back to the resort on the bus and bed.

 

[dixonsontour]

Dining report day 6 Gatorland

Monday 19th October



Brunch

Hash house a go go International drive

After a late night at the Halloween party we slept in and did brunch at Hash house a go go. This was our second time here.

Portions are just stupidly huge.

DD had the kids choc chip pancake and sausage with a side of bacon

DH had a chorizo skillet

I had a scramble with eggs, avocado and bacon with the griddled mash potato

Food was good but portions are way too big. DD’s pancake was uncooked in middle so was remade for her. They didn’t charge for it.

Also saved 20% with an eat and play card (they also take the kids eat free card but not both together)

Sometimes hash house is on travelzoo or groupon, sadly not for our dates this time.

$31.52 plus tip

Gatorland

Food for alligators not us – turkey hotdogs were 2 bags for $5,we ended up with 4 bags for DD to feed them as she really enjoyed this.

Private Island Ice cream

This is across the street from Gatorland

It is a small ice cream shop where they make any flavour in front of you using liquid nitrogen. DD loved this.

Ice cream was good. I had key lime pie, DH a pina colada with chocolate and DD some concoction of her own.

$20 with tip



Pat O’briens, Universal Citywalk



The worst meal we have ever had in Orlando (been 20 plus times since 1997 so saying something!).

We had bought the golf and dine deal again. $23.99 off universal website. I swapped the print out at guest services for the paper tickets, the golf and meal don’t have to be the same day.

The golf alone is $14.99, so $9 gets you an entrée, soda, tax and tip.

Only a few restaurants at citywalk now participate, we usually choose Margaritaville.

We were hungry and plan was quick meal then golf. We weren’t expecting anything amazing just a quick meal. I’d even made a reservation so we didn’t have to wait to be seated.

We check in and I had a wallet with me with golf and dine tickets. Ask for golf and dine menus and kids menu for DD. Manager Megan is friendly and says words to the effect of woman after my own heart nice and organised. Golf and dine menus are smaller than normal menu usually about 5 choices.

We sit on the patio, nice atmosphere but very dark. We have visited the real pat o briens in new Orleans before we had DD so thought it would be fun to see.

DH had a coupon for a free hurricane for joining the email club for his birthday (valid all October his birthday month). Checked and ok to use that. We order – DH burger from golf menu, me jambalaya from golf menu and DD mac and cheese from kids menu – she points to what she wants on kids menu to server aswell as saying it. DD is 9 so kids menu age. Plus soda to drink.

We wait and wait and wait. DD is so hungry. Server was awol and when I eventually see him says won’t be long. We wait some more.

Food eventually arrives, DD is given an adult mac and cheese. I point this out. Server shrugs and says just the same except it isn’t and has shrimp and red peppers. DD wont eat those (and is fussy so picking them out is a no no they have touched the mac and cheese ) and is crying because she is so hungry. She reorders chicken tenders. We eat. Mine is awful, small portion just plopped on a plate. Dh’s is tiny just a burger no salad. It is only later we realise he has given DH a kids burger.

DD’s food comes she eats and we just want to get out of here. I ask for check and show annual pass for discount. After more waiting server brings check and there is no AP discount. Totally summed up servers couldn’t be bothered attitude.

I was totally fed up and go to podium and ask for manager.

Nice manager Megan from earlier sees me and remembers me..look on her face is what the heck are you still doing here. She immediately agrees to comp DD’s meal but then asks about the rest so I tell her. She gives us our 2 dine tickets back.

So it actually cost us nothing (no I didn’t tip him!)

On the bright side …could be worse we could be eating at pat o briens is a new family saying.

We did make it to golf and had fun playing haunted course, it is great in the dark. We all got a hole in one at some point too.

We did use the dine tickets at Margaritaville later in the trip and had great experience so don’t be put off the golf and dine deal. They also do a similar movie and dine deal for $21.99.

 

[dixonsontour]

Trip report Day 7

Tuesday 20th October 2015

Islands of Adventure and evening at Diagon Alley



I was awake at 6.30 am but DD was tired and slept until 8am. She woke with a cough but was fortunately ok once she got up and about.

We drove to ihop 5 minutes away on International Drive. Everyone in our section was British.

DH parked in the garage at Universal. Was free with his preferred annual pass not $20. My DH is very much a car not bus person but even he realised how much easier the bus from Cabana was and this was the only time we parked at Universal.

We were in Islands of Adventure for 9.30am.

Spiderman was 5 minutes wait, DH and DD did storm force acceleration twice as a walk on (too spinney for me). DD wouldn’t try Dr Doom (I think she would like it, even I’ve been on in the past!) It was hot today, we filled the minion cup with soda.

We walked past the water rides today, saving them to do together when we were in clothes/shoes to get wet.

We did the meet a raptor encounter. This was great, the actor doing it was so into it. Told DH to be careful she would be threatened by an Alpha Male! I really was scared, it was very realistic! DH and DD laughed so much at me. Our photos are hilarious. Well worth doing.

We stopped for a rest in a/c, some fries for DD and a soda refill in the inside quick service place in Jurassic park.

We headed through Hogsmeade to the talking fountain. DD loved this. We filled the minion cup with water from a coke freestyle machine (water is free) and headed into the Sinbad show we had never seen.

This was better than I expected and DD and DH enjoyed it and the welcome sit down in the shade.

I then made DD come on the Suess carousel with me and we all went one one fish two fish (got a fish big enough for 3) This is a fun ride and DD enjoys getting us wet.

 

[dixonsontour]

Before leaving Islands of Adventure we stopped at the photo place to get borders added to our photo connect photos.

We had a lovely lunch sitting on the patio at Margaritaville. Used 2 of the golf and dine meal tickets and paid for a kids meal for DD. Food and service were great, never had a bad meal here. It really is nice sitting on the patio people watching.

We headed back on the bus to Cabana bay (car stayed in Universal garage – we didn’t forget it, planned on coming back later)

I did some more laundry and we all had a swim this time on the Castaway side with the slide. I also went in the hot tub.

We got the bus back to Citywalk at 5.30pm and spent the last hour before closing in Diagon Alley at Universal (opened until 7pm tonight and tomorrow all other days of our trip closed at 5pm due to HHN)

DD wanted a drink from Eternelle but it had just closed (wasn’t open during early entry either)

It was a great time to visit, not too busy and really atmospheric in the dark. Will definitely do again in the evening. We all rode Gringotts which was a 20 minute wait and DD did some spells with her interactive wand.

We then slowly walked out of the park through the New York area which again was great in the dark.

We got the car from the parking garage and headed to NYPD pizza at Metro West arriving at 8.15pm. I’d seen good reviews on trip advisor and got a groupon. We enjoyed the pizza, DD had the kids make your own which she liked. Hit the spot, what we needed after a busy day.

We were back at the resort and in bed for 9.45pm.

 

[dixonsontour]

Dining report Day 7

Tuesday 20th October Islands of Adventure



Breakfast

Ihop International drive

It was busy here, lots of Brits in

I tried and enjoyed the steak tips and eggs and hashbrowns (as recommended on the dibb!)

DH had a sampler breakfast

DD had a kids Nutella crepe

Hot chcolate for DD and coffee for us to drink

We also had a coupon for joining the email club for some free pancakes with cinnamon apple topping (you could choose the fruit topping)

$32.53 plus tip



Snack

DD had some fries from thunder falls terrace

We had the minion cup with us for each universal day. A soda refill is $1.06 inc tax. Or we filled him with free water from the coke freestyle machines. He cost $15.99 last year but they were still selling them so we had no problems using him again. They sell lots of themed cups like minion, spongebob and spiderman. Store on way into Islands of Adventure had lots of choice.

Some pictures of the sweets in that store, look at the adorable minion chocolate apples.

Lunch

Margaritaville, Citywalk

It was hot today and by late morning we were ready for a break. We headed over to Margaritaville at citywalk and were seated straightaway on the patio. We really like sitting out here people watching. Server Elyse was great, fast service and lots of drink refills.

We used 2 golf and dine tickets and paid for a kids meal for DD.

I had the fish sandwich I’d had last year and it was lovely again. DH had the cheeseburger in paradise and DD the kids cheeseburger. We all had soda to drink.

The 2 dine tickets covered our food, soda, tax and tip, we just paid for DD’s meal and tip (10% ap discount).

Never had a bad meal at Margaritaville. It was such a contrast to last night.

$8 plus tip

After a pool break we headed back to Diagon alley for the evening.

We shared Otters fizzy orange juice in Diagon alley – this wasn’t a drink on our all day dining cards I did ask so paid cash $4.79 (I know butterbeer is classed as a snack not a drink) and also got a cup of free water