Me-40: lover of theme parks and roller coasters
Dh-44: very understanding guy, would rather be sitting under a palm tree somewhere
ds-12- doesnt like anything with big hills but loves simulator rides
dd-7- will probably be riding hulk as soon as shes tall enough!
Portofino Bay Hotel
Southwest Airlines out of Manchester, NH
4th trip to Universal- 1st w/family, 2nd solo, 3rd w/ dh, 4th w/family
In general the wait times were very light. Of course, we went on the slowest days during one of the slowest times of year. Posted wait times of 10 min , 20 or less for spiderman, were common
Monday, Oct 29:
Were up at 4:30 am, yawn. Were flying out of Manchester, NH, 8:40 am flight. Our home is only about 35 min from the airport but we wanted to allow 2 hours to get through security. Once we got to the airport there was a long line, but it only took about 15 min. They asked for your ticket or copy of ticketless itinerary before you went through the metal detectors. Its only about 6:15 so we have plenty of time for a yummy McDs breakfast. Unfortunately, there are no eggs on this side of security so your choices are limited to Mcmuffins with only sausage and cheese, pancakes or muffins. If you are traveling through MHT DO NOT get your coffee at McDs. Its horrible! That seems to be pretty standard, though, lol.
Standard cattle call at SW gate. We had to show picture ID when checking in and when we gave the gate agent our boarding pass. Plane departs on time. The flight is about ½ full, very unusual for this flight. Its usually pretty packed. Not surprisingly the crew was subdued, no jokes or songs. I thought I would be nervous about flying but I wasnt. Sept 11 was in my thoughts though.
We landed in Orlando ½ hour early and head right for Avis. I have a preferred card so we go to the kiosk in the parking garage. They asked for my Avis card but not my Sams club, which was the discount I booked under. I booked an e-category car, $157 incl txs for 6 days. Once you get your car, you just drive out of the garage. It always seems weird not to have to show paperwork to anyone so theyll let you out! Be sure and bring your reservation conformation if you're renting a car. Both times we've used avis they've also tried to overcharge us. I also think they gave us a lower class car than we reserved and paid for. I'm looking into it.
In less than an hour after landing were pulling up to the Portofino Bay Hotel! We park in self parking. Check in was quick and easy. Our reservation was for a kidsuite, west wing. We were given a 2br suite, 4th floor, ww. Wahoo! The desk person said the brs wouldnt be ready until 4pm but we could have a key to the parlor so we could put our bags in there. She also said business was picking up, they had been sold out over the weekend. Once were in the parlor its obvious its located between the bedrooms. It can be locked out so it could be used with either br or even by itself. Theres a very nice bay view.
After changing into our shorts and sandals we head for the dock so we can take the boat to citiwalk. I was surprised to see there was a lot of algae surrounding the dock. Its pretty gross, especially since there was some trash mixed in. A few minutes later the water taxi shows up. We never had to wait more than a few minutes for one. Our first stop is Margaritaville. Were seated right away. Theyre doing some construction on one side of the building, maybe expanding the deck. The mango margaritas are really delicious. Ahhh, what a way to start vacation.
The kids and I need tickets. Dhs ap is good until 11/5. I purchase a seasonal pass for $143 incl tx. For the kids we get 2 3-day passes, 1 A + 1 ch for $187, including a 10% ap discount. Its after 4pm so we head back to the hotel. We stop in at the front desk to get keys for the bedrooms. I also ask for our Loews 1st gift to be delivered, Id forgotten to put it on the reservation. We chose the vintage red wine.
The suite is huge! The parlor is located between the 2 bedrooms. It contains furniture similar to the brs. Theres an armoire w/tv, drawers + mini bar, small table with/2 chairs, lounge chair with ottoman. There was a pull out couch and coffee table instead of a bed. The bathroom had shower stall only. The bedrooms are beautiful. They were exactly the same except one had a king bed and the other had 2 queens. The kids were really excited they each had a queen bed. When the saw the room they yelled Wow! This is our room?! Each br has a bathroom with beautiful tile, piles of large fluffy white towels and a marble vanity with double sinks. I thought wed never use all that room, but it was nice the kids could take showers at the same time. In the morning I would get up before dh so Id would lounge around in the parlor checking out the weather channel for their daily guess. Our wine was brought up an hour later. Service was terrific and the wine was very good.
We all got the muchies around 7 so we ordered a pizza from room service. It was brought by the same man who brought the wine. He was a pro, making sure everything was just right before he left. Normally, we would have gotten a pizza from Sals deli but it was only open on weekend while we were there. Because of cutbacks all the restaurants are on reduced hours right now. I knew about this before we left but it was more of an irritation that I thought it would be. The only place to get take out coffee in the morning is at the Trattatoria. Usually the Gelato is open in the morning with continental breakfast type items, muffins, fruit, little boxes of cereal, milk, etc. Its really expensive but at least it was an option. It would definitely be worthwhile to pick a box of muffins at the store if you like something first thing in the morning.
Tomorrow morning we going to IOA!!
Dh-44: very understanding guy, would rather be sitting under a palm tree somewhere
ds-12- doesnt like anything with big hills but loves simulator rides
dd-7- will probably be riding hulk as soon as shes tall enough!
Portofino Bay Hotel
Southwest Airlines out of Manchester, NH
4th trip to Universal- 1st w/family, 2nd solo, 3rd w/ dh, 4th w/family
In general the wait times were very light. Of course, we went on the slowest days during one of the slowest times of year. Posted wait times of 10 min , 20 or less for spiderman, were common
Monday, Oct 29:
Were up at 4:30 am, yawn. Were flying out of Manchester, NH, 8:40 am flight. Our home is only about 35 min from the airport but we wanted to allow 2 hours to get through security. Once we got to the airport there was a long line, but it only took about 15 min. They asked for your ticket or copy of ticketless itinerary before you went through the metal detectors. Its only about 6:15 so we have plenty of time for a yummy McDs breakfast. Unfortunately, there are no eggs on this side of security so your choices are limited to Mcmuffins with only sausage and cheese, pancakes or muffins. If you are traveling through MHT DO NOT get your coffee at McDs. Its horrible! That seems to be pretty standard, though, lol.
Standard cattle call at SW gate. We had to show picture ID when checking in and when we gave the gate agent our boarding pass. Plane departs on time. The flight is about ½ full, very unusual for this flight. Its usually pretty packed. Not surprisingly the crew was subdued, no jokes or songs. I thought I would be nervous about flying but I wasnt. Sept 11 was in my thoughts though.
We landed in Orlando ½ hour early and head right for Avis. I have a preferred card so we go to the kiosk in the parking garage. They asked for my Avis card but not my Sams club, which was the discount I booked under. I booked an e-category car, $157 incl txs for 6 days. Once you get your car, you just drive out of the garage. It always seems weird not to have to show paperwork to anyone so theyll let you out! Be sure and bring your reservation conformation if you're renting a car. Both times we've used avis they've also tried to overcharge us. I also think they gave us a lower class car than we reserved and paid for. I'm looking into it.
In less than an hour after landing were pulling up to the Portofino Bay Hotel! We park in self parking. Check in was quick and easy. Our reservation was for a kidsuite, west wing. We were given a 2br suite, 4th floor, ww. Wahoo! The desk person said the brs wouldnt be ready until 4pm but we could have a key to the parlor so we could put our bags in there. She also said business was picking up, they had been sold out over the weekend. Once were in the parlor its obvious its located between the bedrooms. It can be locked out so it could be used with either br or even by itself. Theres a very nice bay view.
After changing into our shorts and sandals we head for the dock so we can take the boat to citiwalk. I was surprised to see there was a lot of algae surrounding the dock. Its pretty gross, especially since there was some trash mixed in. A few minutes later the water taxi shows up. We never had to wait more than a few minutes for one. Our first stop is Margaritaville. Were seated right away. Theyre doing some construction on one side of the building, maybe expanding the deck. The mango margaritas are really delicious. Ahhh, what a way to start vacation.
The kids and I need tickets. Dhs ap is good until 11/5. I purchase a seasonal pass for $143 incl tx. For the kids we get 2 3-day passes, 1 A + 1 ch for $187, including a 10% ap discount. Its after 4pm so we head back to the hotel. We stop in at the front desk to get keys for the bedrooms. I also ask for our Loews 1st gift to be delivered, Id forgotten to put it on the reservation. We chose the vintage red wine.
The suite is huge! The parlor is located between the 2 bedrooms. It contains furniture similar to the brs. Theres an armoire w/tv, drawers + mini bar, small table with/2 chairs, lounge chair with ottoman. There was a pull out couch and coffee table instead of a bed. The bathroom had shower stall only. The bedrooms are beautiful. They were exactly the same except one had a king bed and the other had 2 queens. The kids were really excited they each had a queen bed. When the saw the room they yelled Wow! This is our room?! Each br has a bathroom with beautiful tile, piles of large fluffy white towels and a marble vanity with double sinks. I thought wed never use all that room, but it was nice the kids could take showers at the same time. In the morning I would get up before dh so Id would lounge around in the parlor checking out the weather channel for their daily guess. Our wine was brought up an hour later. Service was terrific and the wine was very good.
We all got the muchies around 7 so we ordered a pizza from room service. It was brought by the same man who brought the wine. He was a pro, making sure everything was just right before he left. Normally, we would have gotten a pizza from Sals deli but it was only open on weekend while we were there. Because of cutbacks all the restaurants are on reduced hours right now. I knew about this before we left but it was more of an irritation that I thought it would be. The only place to get take out coffee in the morning is at the Trattatoria. Usually the Gelato is open in the morning with continental breakfast type items, muffins, fruit, little boxes of cereal, milk, etc. Its really expensive but at least it was an option. It would definitely be worthwhile to pick a box of muffins at the store if you like something first thing in the morning.
Tomorrow morning we going to IOA!!
Their suites are beautiful and so spacious! Youre first day sounds like ours! We get there and head to Margarittaville too! Its tradition
