Orlando Theme Parks Trip Report

Nerak936 · 08-22-2004

Since I've had inquiries, here's the report:

David and I took his 11-year-old son, Zachary, to Orlando to do Universal and Islands of Adventure theme parks. My first time ever in Florida, other than flying into Miami to catch a cruise ship.

Flew down on Sun., 8/15, out of Green Airport in Providence, RI, the day after Hurricane Charley swept through. Airport was organized chaos - lots of people there who had flights cancelled the day before. Flight took off 1/2 hour late (around 9:30 AM), made a stop in Nashville (non-direct flights suck), and we landed at Orlando around 2:30. Approach was way more turbulent than I've ever experienced

and it shook me up, physically and emotionally, in essence it scared the crap outta me. David looked worried too, but Zachary was too psyched about getting there to even notice.

During transfer to airport saw soooo many large uprooted trees, bent over highway signs, half blown-away rooftops, etc. But hotel, on-site Royal Pacific Resort, was intact with little visible damage evident to us. There was a Toys-R-Us convention there which took up 80% of the hotel according to a hotel employee (80% of 1000 rooms). The conventioneers were in meetings during the day and made up for it by drinking up a storm every night

Our first night we just collapsed in the room early after having $10 hamburgers in the pub

.

Monday morning, after our $50 hotel breakfast (first and last), we hit Universal Studios. Temps all week were low 90's with hi hi hi high humidity

. Walked and walked and walked. Rode rides and more rides. Lines weren't bad for us since our hotel package included Express Lane passes

which meant we had either no line at all or a very short one. Made a BIG difference in our enjoyment level. Left park around 2ish and had lunch at Nascar Cafe at Citywalk. Returned to hotel whereupon Zachary proceeded to spend the next 4 hours in the pool. David and I dunked and drank and repeated same. Took water taxi (neat and cool) around 8 PM to Citywalk for people-watching and a bit to eat. Went to bed exhausted every night around 11:30-12:30.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were a repeat of the above except that we did Islands of Adventure on Tuesday and then repeated the parks on Wed/Thurs. I rode all the scary rides except for the Tower of Terror thing that shoots you way up and drops you. No thanks. We finished off our last 1/2 hour at the park by doing the Hulk coaster twice in a row (we bought the keychain photos of us - HAD to!!) We skipped the $50 hotel breakfast and ate other breakfasts at a reasonable price in Citywalk in the AM. Cocktails at the resort were $10 each, and about $8 each at Citywalk. Made us think fondly of the Iberostar's A.I. and Playa's drink cheap prices.

As I said, the weather was very hot and humid... felt like Playa in June 2003. The big difference is that in Playa we didn't spend 4-6 hours/day for 4 days straight walking around in it!!!

Flight home on Friday was uneventful (smooth)

and DIRECT (thank God). Limo was waiting at the airport for us (thank you, David!), and that helped me be nice and chilled out when I found my car with a flat back at David's place. Not that I changed it. I just stood there, looking blond and calling all the changing-a-tire instruments "thingies", while David and his pal Jim changed it for me (whadya think I am? Stupid??

)

All in all a good trip. But it does me make look forward to Playa in March '05 even more!!! (no kids)

Critter · 08-22-2004

LOL, flights can sometimes call for changes in underwear. If you didn't have to change you weren't on a real bad flight.

Sounds like you had a good time despite the cost. welcome back to the nuthouse.

aakmaak · 08-22-2004

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Karen you're back! We missed you!!!! Wasn't the same while you were gone, now you'll have to make up for lost time.

TAPPY · 08-22-2004

Karen

Brave Woman !!!!

Glad you made it back...theme park vacations are not for the weak/faint of heart, in mind and spirit and body (and ya better have some good walking shoes) ......been there, done that - aint going back again in this lifetime

I salute you for coming back in one piece...and still sane....
Glad you got to spend some quality time with David and Zach

We missed you around here !!!!

Sue and I were having to take up your slack in the off color posting !!!!

Nerak936 · 08-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

LOL, flights can sometimes call for changes in underwear. If you didn't have to change you weren't on a real bad flight.

Sounds like you had a good time despite the cost. welcome back to the nuthouse.

Thanks, Crit... nice to be back with all you kooks.

As for flights, the worst landing I ever had was at Boston in '93 coming back from my honeymoon. If we hadn't had our seatbelts on, we would've been thrown from our seats. Guess a little wind had put the plane a little off center as it touched down. You could hear breaking glass in the overhead carry-on bins as the pilot braked and steered that tube of death back in line.

I figure that landing was an omen of what my short-lived marriage was about to be like.

Nerak936 · 08-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by aakmaak

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Karen you're back! We missed you!!!! Wasn't the same while you were gone, now you'll have to make up for lost time.

Thanks, hon! (Love your avatar, but the way!!!) I've been reading up on the posts..... sounds like random pictures and boobs on the beach are still the hits!

Sue · 08-22-2004

Karen, if you notice how certain threads transformed while you were gone, you'll notice that you're not the only one who talks dirty. We got off topic and into perversion many times, all on our own....

Nerak936 · 08-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Karen

Brave Woman !!!!

Glad you made it back...theme park vacations are not for the weak/faint of heart, in mind and spirit and body (and ya better have some good walking shoes) ......been there, done that - aint going back again in this lifetime

I salute you for coming back in one piece...and still sane....
Glad you got to spend some quality time with David and Zach

We missed you around here !!!!

Sue and I were having to take up your slack in the off color posting !!!!

Missed you too, Tappy! This vacation was a definite "been there, done that" and never to be repeated, for sure!!

My Nike flip-flops were like comfy slippers for those four days... gotta buy more of those!!

As for being "sane"..... not sure if I'm psychologically qualified at this point to answer that one. Ask me in a week or two after I catch up on my sleep.

Nice to hear you and Sue took up my space..... did anyone use the word "spew"?????

Nerak936 · 08-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue

Karen, if you notice how certain threads transformed while you were gone, you'll notice that you're not the only one who talks dirty. We got off topic and into perversion many times, all on our own....

Way to go, girl!! Way to go!!!

(so what you're saying is "situation normal"???!!!)

Sue · 08-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

Way to go, girl!! Way to go!!!

(so what you're saying is "situation normal"???!!!)

Yup.

TAPPY · 08-22-2004

I am sure some one spewed something, somewhere on this board

Some one used the word "longfellow" !!!!!

I think Critter posted a few goodies here at there...

Sue and I posted some pics of good looking men cause we got tired of Scott,Tommy, McK posting Halle Berry photos....

Be sure to read Tstar ongoing trip report - ...good stuff....drunken Italians.....cant beat that !!!!!

Sue · 08-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Some one used the word "longfellow" !!!!!

I think "longfellow" ("Longfellow! Snerk! You said 'longfellow!'") has replaced "member."

Ginger · 08-22-2004

Sounds like it was a great trip! But you should have done the Tower of Terror.

I don't usually like those rides either, but JOhn and the kids usually manage to somehow comandier my body and drag me on, and that one turned out to be quite a riot, even though I wouldn't do it a second time.

We didn't do Universal last time, but we'll be doing it this time. I'm wondering, how many days do you think you need to really see it all at Univeral/Islands of Adventure?

mckinzie · 08-22-2004

Welcome back "K"

jmac · 08-22-2004

Since this is about Orlando, can anybody direct me to any websites about the usual places (Disney, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens). We are taking our kids in March, none of us really ride a lot of coasters & such. I'd like some insider views on them & what is the highlights to see as we only have a week & want some down time too. I have a Fodor's book (they emphasize run as fast as you can between places, not for us) on them but some other feedback would be great. Thanks

08-22-2004	#1 (permalink)
Nerak936 añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Shore of Baahhstun, Massachusetts Posts: 23,229	Orlando Theme Parks Trip Report Since I've had inquiries, here's the report: David and I took his 11-year-old son, Zachary, to Orlando to do Universal and Islands of Adventure theme parks. My first time ever in Florida, other than flying into Miami to catch a cruise ship. Flew down on Sun., 8/15, out of Green Airport in Providence, RI, the day after Hurricane Charley swept through. Airport was organized chaos - lots of people there who had flights cancelled the day before. Flight took off 1/2 hour late (around 9:30 AM), made a stop in Nashville (non-direct flights suck), and we landed at Orlando around 2:30. Approach was way more turbulent than I've ever experienced and it shook me up, physically and emotionally, in essence it scared the crap outta me. David looked worried too, but Zachary was too psyched about getting there to even notice. During transfer to airport saw soooo many large uprooted trees, bent over highway signs, half blown-away rooftops, etc. But hotel, on-site Royal Pacific Resort, was intact with little visible damage evident to us. There was a Toys-R-Us convention there which took up 80% of the hotel according to a hotel employee (80% of 1000 rooms). The conventioneers were in meetings during the day and made up for it by drinking up a storm every night Our first night we just collapsed in the room early after having $10 hamburgers in the pub . Monday morning, after our $50 hotel breakfast (first and last), we hit Universal Studios. Temps all week were low 90's with hi hi hi high humidity . Walked and walked and walked. Rode rides and more rides. Lines weren't bad for us since our hotel package included Express Lane passes which meant we had either no line at all or a very short one. Made a BIG difference in our enjoyment level. Left park around 2ish and had lunch at Nascar Cafe at Citywalk. Returned to hotel whereupon Zachary proceeded to spend the next 4 hours in the pool. David and I dunked and drank and repeated same. Took water taxi (neat and cool) around 8 PM to Citywalk for people-watching and a bit to eat. Went to bed exhausted every night around 11:30-12:30. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were a repeat of the above except that we did Islands of Adventure on Tuesday and then repeated the parks on Wed/Thurs. I rode all the scary rides except for the Tower of Terror thing that shoots you way up and drops you. No thanks. We finished off our last 1/2 hour at the park by doing the Hulk coaster twice in a row (we bought the keychain photos of us - HAD to!!) We skipped the $50 hotel breakfast and ate other breakfasts at a reasonable price in Citywalk in the AM. Cocktails at the resort were $10 each, and about $8 each at Citywalk. Made us think fondly of the Iberostar's A.I. and Playa's drink cheap prices. As I said, the weather was very hot and humid... felt like Playa in June 2003. The big difference is that in Playa we didn't spend 4-6 hours/day for 4 days straight walking around in it!!! Flight home on Friday was uneventful (smooth) and DIRECT (thank God). Limo was waiting at the airport for us (thank you, David!), and that helped me be nice and chilled out when I found my car with a flat back at David's place. Not that I changed it. I just stood there, looking blond and calling all the changing-a-tire instruments "thingies", while David and his pal Jim changed it for me (whadya think I am? Stupid?? ) All in all a good trip. But it does me make look forward to Playa in March '05 even more!!! (no kids) __________________ >^.,.^< >^.,.^< One week in Akumal; one week in Playa!!!

08-22-2004	#2 (permalink)
Critter añejo Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cerca de Washington DC Posts: 3,343	LOL, flights can sometimes call for changes in underwear. If you didn't have to change you weren't on a real bad flight. Sounds like you had a good time despite the cost. welcome back to the nuthouse.

08-22-2004	#3 (permalink)
aakmaak into ruins Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lethbridge Alberta Canada Posts: 78	Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Karen you're back! We missed you!!!! Wasn't the same while you were gone, now you'll have to make up for lost time.

08-22-2004	#4 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 21,148	Karen Brave Woman !!!! Glad you made it back...theme park vacations are not for the weak/faint of heart, in mind and spirit and body (and ya better have some good walking shoes) ......been there, done that - aint going back again in this lifetime I salute you for coming back in one piece...and still sane.... Glad you got to spend some quality time with David and Zach We missed you around here !!!! Sue and I were having to take up your slack in the off color posting !!!!

08-22-2004	#7 (permalink)
Sue añejo Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 16,247	Karen, if you notice how certain threads transformed while you were gone, you'll notice that you're not the only one who talks dirty. We got off topic and into perversion many times, all on our own....

08-22-2004	#11 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 21,148	I am sure some one spewed something, somewhere on this board Some one used the word "longfellow" !!!!! I think Critter posted a few goodies here at there... Sue and I posted some pics of good looking men cause we got tired of Scott,Tommy, McK posting Halle Berry photos.... Be sure to read Tstar ongoing trip report - ...good stuff....drunken Italians.....cant beat that !!!!!

08-22-2004	#13 (permalink)
Ginger añejo Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 11,229	Sounds like it was a great trip! But you should have done the Tower of Terror. I don't usually like those rides either, but JOhn and the kids usually manage to somehow comandier my body and drag me on, and that one turned out to be quite a riot, even though I wouldn't do it a second time. We didn't do Universal last time, but we'll be doing it this time. I'm wondering, how many days do you think you need to really see it all at Univeral/Islands of Adventure?

08-22-2004	#14 (permalink)
mckinzie lightweight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Concrete, Texas Posts: 13,576	Welcome back "K"

08-22-2004	#15 (permalink)
jmac reposado Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manitoba Posts: 1,040	Since this is about Orlando, can anybody direct me to any websites about the usual places (Disney, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens). We are taking our kids in March, none of us really ride a lot of coasters & such. I'd like some insider views on them & what is the highlights to see as we only have a week & want some down time too. I have a Fodor's book (they emphasize run as fast as you can between places, not for us) on them but some other feedback would be great. Thanks

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