Just thought I'd post a few notes/observations from our quick trip.
We arrived late Friday afternoon (1/23). The omens for this trip were good. We took off early, landed about 15 early, and were at the hotel about an hour before I thought we would. Stayed at the Hard Rock. Check in was quick and easy.
On the hotel, very nicely done, big enough rooms, clean, in-room coffee was fine, and the pricing down in the snack bar was atrocious. $3.20 for a 20oz coke. The walk to US was nice and we took the boat to City Walk or IOA. Overall I would highly recommend the hotel, especially with the free Express Passes. Paid $211 per room plus taxes/fees. The $211 was a discount offered this fall and I was able to re-book down from $254.
We started at US on Saturday at opening. The park was, obviously, pretty empty. And much the same throughout the day. The biggest waits were mainly waiting for shows to start (Disaster, Terminator) rather than any lines. The lonbgest wait in line for a ride was Simpsons, about 10 minutes. That was due to them only running about 6 cars or so total. Same for MIB. Only one track running. We were able to walk on every other ride. My guess is that by later in the day the EPs saved us a couple hours in lines.
The new pre-show for Disaster is a big improvement as well as incorporating it into the ride itself. We rode Mummy 3 times that day. Jaws was closed.
The new coaster in US is going up in pieces all across the park in different spots. Looks pretty intense.
The next day, Saturday was over to IOA. We arrived around 9:45 and the kids walked onto the Hulk with the Express Passes. Walked on to Spiderman 2 times in a row. Dudley Do Right was closed so we did Popeye-Blutto. But in ponchos this time. Still got a little wet but it's a neat ride since you sometimes can't see what's coming.
Nothing new in Harry Potter construction that I could see different from the photos I've seen. Did both Sinbad and Poseidon . The water tunnel in Poseidon is still not working. Finished off with kids doing Hulk again and then us doing Spiderman and Popeye one more time. IMHO, Spiderman is the best attraction in Orlando at any park.
Finished the trip, on Monday back at US. Did some of the same rides again. Simpsons is a great ride and I never got tired of it. For the first time we did the Horror Makeup show. We all liked it and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Very entertaining. We also did Fear Factor for the first time and enjoyed that as well. Although they had a couple people drink some disgusting concoction I'm skeptical that what they showed on the cameras was what was really in the containers. This is because the 2 volunteers did not even flinch when they drank them. I could be wrong though.
Dinners were twice at Margaritaville (always good) and Planet Hollywood at DTD. PH is OK if you know don't order anything too complicated. My daughter wanted to go so we did. I liked the Club Sandwich.
A very good trip overall. No problems at all. All flights on time and great hotel. We've been going to Orlando 3 years running now and will probably skip a year until all the new rides are done.
Bob
We arrived late Friday afternoon (1/23). The omens for this trip were good. We took off early, landed about 15 early, and were at the hotel about an hour before I thought we would. Stayed at the Hard Rock. Check in was quick and easy.
On the hotel, very nicely done, big enough rooms, clean, in-room coffee was fine, and the pricing down in the snack bar was atrocious. $3.20 for a 20oz coke. The walk to US was nice and we took the boat to City Walk or IOA. Overall I would highly recommend the hotel, especially with the free Express Passes. Paid $211 per room plus taxes/fees. The $211 was a discount offered this fall and I was able to re-book down from $254.
We started at US on Saturday at opening. The park was, obviously, pretty empty. And much the same throughout the day. The biggest waits were mainly waiting for shows to start (Disaster, Terminator) rather than any lines. The lonbgest wait in line for a ride was Simpsons, about 10 minutes. That was due to them only running about 6 cars or so total. Same for MIB. Only one track running. We were able to walk on every other ride. My guess is that by later in the day the EPs saved us a couple hours in lines.
The new pre-show for Disaster is a big improvement as well as incorporating it into the ride itself. We rode Mummy 3 times that day. Jaws was closed.
The new coaster in US is going up in pieces all across the park in different spots. Looks pretty intense.
The next day, Saturday was over to IOA. We arrived around 9:45 and the kids walked onto the Hulk with the Express Passes. Walked on to Spiderman 2 times in a row. Dudley Do Right was closed so we did Popeye-Blutto. But in ponchos this time. Still got a little wet but it's a neat ride since you sometimes can't see what's coming.
Nothing new in Harry Potter construction that I could see different from the photos I've seen. Did both Sinbad and Poseidon . The water tunnel in Poseidon is still not working. Finished off with kids doing Hulk again and then us doing Spiderman and Popeye one more time. IMHO, Spiderman is the best attraction in Orlando at any park.
Finished the trip, on Monday back at US. Did some of the same rides again. Simpsons is a great ride and I never got tired of it. For the first time we did the Horror Makeup show. We all liked it and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Very entertaining. We also did Fear Factor for the first time and enjoyed that as well. Although they had a couple people drink some disgusting concoction I'm skeptical that what they showed on the cameras was what was really in the containers. This is because the 2 volunteers did not even flinch when they drank them. I could be wrong though.
Dinners were twice at Margaritaville (always good) and Planet Hollywood at DTD. PH is OK if you know don't order anything too complicated. My daughter wanted to go so we did. I liked the Club Sandwich.
A very good trip overall. No problems at all. All flights on time and great hotel. We've been going to Orlando 3 years running now and will probably skip a year until all the new rides are done.
Bob
