Trip Report englanddg's Real Life or is this just Fantasy?

Voxel · Aug 9, 2015

englanddg said:
Hah, well, I thought those star wars thinggs were some of the best things Ive ever seen...

They were really cool in person!

They seem awesome I'll agree. I need to get a few for my office.

acrab3t · Aug 9, 2015

I saw the webcam last night. Very neat to see the Washington monument at night. I loved you last TR and am excited for this one. Thanks for sharing!

catmom46 · Aug 9, 2015

englanddg said:
Sunrise happening right now in DC, btw. Webcame here.

https://video.nest.com/live/Q2Br7U

Pretty cool! Missed seeing your kiddo say good-bye, but maybe another time. Looking forward to live views of some nicer scenery soon! :happy:

englanddg · Aug 9, 2015

I will not set it up here at Portofino Bay. Out view is of a rather lackluster Garden, first floor..

The most you may see is off to the corner on a distant path, you may catch someone grabbing a smoke!

I will play with the portable setuo tomorrow I think.

So, Weds and AKL it is!

FlaggNL · Aug 10, 2015

Have a more than great and magical trip! As usual can't wait for more and following along until the end!!

englanddg · Aug 11, 2015

Day 3 - It's Time to Start

This will be replaced later with a custom video once I get my editing software up and going

Good morning! Early morning. We had a flight out at 9:25 this morning on JetBlue. I think this is the first time I've flown them (or at least it's been a while, but as usual, I am getting ahead of myself.

----------------
Magic - The Flight, The Taxi, The Weather, The Blue Man Group Redo
Memories - The Blue Man Group Redo
Meh - Universal and Portofino Bay Check In Process (Oh yes, I have a LOT to say...about that...not much of it good)
Step Team - 17,707 SW, 8.64 MW, 103 AM, 3510 CB
----------------

Lets wake up the kiddo!

Or...not. Several nudges, I finally got her awake and working on her morning routine (shower, brush teeth, dress, etc...). The night before we had picked out her outfit for today, so dressing was easy. As she dressed, I realized I hadn't really walked the entire hotel, so I went and snagged some details for anyone who may be interested.

Yes, there is an exercise center and a pool. Indoor, I may add! Both looked rather nice (for the price), and were obviously well kept.

There was a room with basic equipment (medicine balls, yoga balls and mats, and a scale).

And then the main exercise room. A bit cramped, but it works! I've seen far worse. The equipment was all relatively new and well kept. Now, I am not much of a "tech" exercise enthusiast. Give me running shoes and some music, and I'll just jog, thank you very much, but some of you may be interested.

And, yes, there is also a pool. Though, not large enough for laps, it's enough to relax in and for the kids to enjoy. There is also a nice little (and I do mean little, 2 or 3 person?) jacuzzi.

The hotel has meeting areas that are nothing to mention (normal convention style spaces), but the public "gardens" and seating area is nice.

As is the more "formal" dining area. Well, about now I went to check on the kiddo, and she was ready for breakfast!

She got her "friends" ready for breakfast as she went and made her selections. Pretty simple this morning. Some orange juice, some bacon (obligatory), some fruit and a pancake.

This time I took a bit to get some better pictures of the offerings.

A pretty standard pastry setup...

A nice fruit and cereal bar.

And fresh made omelets! Now, this is becoming rather standard in mid-level hotels anymore, but I still enjoy the service. I got an omelet. It was rather...um...flat. And could have used a bit more whipping. But, for a flat egg omelet, still was tasty. (actually, I preferred their scrambled eggs to be honest, I would rather have just mixed the sautéed toppings with them and called it a day!) But, the chef was extremely nice, and it was really tasty once some salt and tobasco was added (out of the pan it was rather bland). And, I will note, ALL the ingredients were very fresh! They obviously cold pak them or cut them fresh every morning in prep (I suspect the latter).

Otherwise, my breakfast was...not very healthy....

But, tasty! The biscuits and gravy early in the morning was obviously fresher, and tasted significantly better than yesterday. But, that is to be expected with any sort of buffet setup, I suppose. And, once again I note, this was all free. So, I really can't complain at all. For free, this was a meal fit for a king!

On the way back we picked up a luggage cart.

Loaded everything up, and we were off.

It's time to start!!!

A short ride to the airport using the shuttle, and we were dropped off. Gate check had a really nice man working it. Of course, even after careful separation of the FE gifts over FOUR bags, one bag was still overweight by four pounds, HOWEVER, the other large bag was underweight by 15. So, some careful movement of items, and we came in underweight. He also waived one of our second bag check fees, so I only had to pay for two instead of three! To quote a very young Mary Kate and Ashley "Cool dude!" <imagine me giving a thumbs up...yeah, I'm not as cute as they were...but I try).

TSA check in was again painless. Though, here they still make you remove your laptop and other items from your bags and also didn't make you remove your shoes. I made mention of that to a TSA agent (after we passed through, there was a backup due to a family that absolutely MOBBED the post bag scanning line, and we were just patiently waiting off to the side). I mentioned that I had flown through the busiest airport in the world, and they didn't make us remove the items. not because I was upset for it, but because I was curious.

Then it occurred to me (as he pointed out). I was pre-checked through the TSA program. My kiddo, even though we were ushered through the line for it, was not, which is why we got put into that line. He also said that the programs come and go regularly as they test out new ideas. And, frankly, I tend to believe him.

DARNIT, I'm supposed to complain about TSA, because that is funny and everyone laughs, but really I just can't. They have been really great so far all trip.

We headed off to our gate, and I was in dismay. Everything there was new. Now, I haven't been in this part of the Terminal for about 4 years...but all the restaurants had been replaced. First, it was nearly impossible to find a coffee (both restaurants that had it were "out"), but second, at 8a, the bar was selling booze. So...no coffee, but I could have gone to the new bar and gotten a Bloody Mary?

Well...whatever happens in DCA, stays in DCA. <grin>

Anyhow, I didn't partake, but I did pick up an orange juice for the kid, and a soda for myself, and went back to our gate. We played Kingdom Rush together for a bit as we waited on the plane.

If you are not familiar with this game, it's for the iPad, and it is awesome! It is a Tower Defense game, but it's one of the best ones I've ever seen. The kiddo and I are equally hooked (though, I've already beaten most of the levels, watching and helping her through it is just as fun, as those early levels, I've completely forgotten the tactics required).

So...all settled...now...where is that plane?

(Continued Part 2)

englanddg · Aug 11, 2015

Day 3 - It's Time to Start (Part 2)

Ok, so first time on JetBlue (or if I've flown them it's been a VERY long time). First, lets talk about the aircraft. We flew on an (watch me massacre the spelling) Embraer 90. To me, this is one SEXY plane. The design is sleek and almost like a sports car. The interior, however, is roomy and even less cramped than a 767 imho, or the MD-88 style models like what Delta uses.

Here, see for yourself.

JetBlue E-90 Exterior

Delta MD-88/90 Exterior
http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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

JetBlue E-90 Interior
http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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

Delta MD-88 Interior

All points to JetBlue.

Now, our model did have some wear and tear, but it was LOADS better than the Delta Interiors that I can still imagine have arm rests with those fold up ash trays in the arms. Yeah, for those younger readers, planes used to ALLOW smoking, that's why there is a "non-smoking" light in the first place. And the "chrome" parts of the arm rests were little tilt top ash trays that were always filled with ashes, cig butts and wadded up gum or gum wrappers (yeah, I poked in them as a kid, even though I wasn't told to...they are the mini sandboxes of death on a plane...what kid wouldn't want to explore them?).

They were removable units that were supposed to be swapped out during flights...but in my memory, rarely were.

Anyhow, enough history, lets get into what JetBlue does RIGHT. And goodness, that's a lot.

First, they have a deal with DirectTV. You get REAL TV stations, even in coach, something my kiddo adored.

You can control your TV thorough your own "armrest controls".

They also have a channel that gives you a flight map, and I've seen that before, but theirs is actually the only bad thing I can say. On other airlines, when you pull up the "map", it is the "map". On JetBlue they litter it with advertisements, and only every few minutes does the map cycle through. But, that's not a big deal.

You plug in your headset (on this plane) through the middle armrest. And, like most planes now, it takes a standard mini-headphone jack.

Ok, for younger readers, this wasn't always the case. Decades ago airlines used to sell you useless tube "headphones" that were pretty much nothing more than stereoscopes without the end...they also had the MOST uncomfortable foam earplugs.

Ugly, right?

Anyhow, moving on. My kiddo LOVED this. She watched cartoon network, and I watched Arsenal lose to West Ham. Lose...badly. Embarrassingly. But, no need to get into Soccer Talk.

Today was a beautiful day to fly, and soon we could see Florida below us. Not sure where EXACTLY this on along the coast, but I suspect it's south of Jax and north of Port Canaveral. Maybe someone who knows Florida geography better than I can chime in?

We never figured out how the "snacks" work on JetBlue, though we both got drinks. My kiddo wanted some Doritos, but there is some "grab box" or something with free stuff, and a bunch of pay stuff (all of which looked reasonably priced and tasty)...but...the other thing they still do, that meant more to me than my kiddo...they still give out "wings" to the kids.

Excellent flight JetBlue. Between my experiences with them and AirTran, I may just leave Delta, even though they are so convenient and cheap to fly out of ATL...sometimes a better experience is worth not being treated like cattle.

Off the plane and wait...what's that?

She could nearly touch the ceiling...what a low ceiling. I wonder if MCO is going to renovate this part soon? It seems extremely low.

But, my kiddo is enjoying her "growing up" as she hit way to many growth spurts the past few years.

Now the memories start to come back. Well, it started when we got off the plane. See...MCO has a rather distinctive smell. I'm not sure if it's the weather, or the carpets, or what. But, if you asked me to identify an airport based off a blind nose test, I could identify MCO any day of the week. It isn't a bad smell at all...it's just...the smell...of home. Well, not "home"...but theme park home.

It is good to be back.

And, as we got off...wait...what is that (the Kiddo said!) Wow, can we go there!

[

I played dumb, but we went into the shop. Normally we come into another terminal, but this one dumped us out next to the Universal Shop...fortuitous unintentionally?

We saw all the Oscars, and my kiddo said..."why would somebody want to get a trophy for her boyfriend?" <shrug> I dunno, I've never had one...

She did start into her pin trading though, finding a Woody Woodpecker Universal Pin to start the trip! LET THE PIN trading commence!

We headed downstairs to pick up our luggage, and on the way...well, she saw Sea World. I saw a Windows FAIL!

So, we went outside and called her Mom to let her know we were in safe and update her. After that off to the baggage terminal to collect our stuff. 4 bags...4 friggin bags plus 2 carry ons plus 2 purses.

And only one adult. And one 10 year old who couldn't pull two bags of those sizes even if she wanted two.

But, this is a magic moment. A guy swooped in with a baggage cart!

"Do you all need help with your bags?"

"Yes"

"I got this."

He proceeded to load our bags onto the luggage cart (not a rental) and then asked if we needed transportation. It was then that I got what this was, and I must say, this guy did his job EXTREMELY well. He must have scoped us out, and I love people who are professional and observant about their work. He must have noticed this to notice us.

He works for the Taxi Groups.

Doesn't bother me. I didn't arrange any transport, so my plan was to take a Taxi or an Uber Black Car anyhow! He escorted us down the elevator to the bottom level where the taxi and third party transport is, and from there we were quickly ushered to a multi-person van.

Now, here I have another compliment. In many of these experiences I've run across smelly drivers or nasty vans, or most often bad service and unforeseen up-charges.

I can say in cases here I didn't.

I was told repeatedly what my charges would be (which, for the record, were $15 less than what Uni charges for their arranged transit to the hotel), and ALL of the staff (there were four interactions) were extremely professional and nice. We even got free bottles of ice cold water (which neither of us wanted, but it was a nice touch!).

That's partially why I'm putting such high praise here...if you hustle, there's nothing wrong with going with the "little guy"...it's when the "little guy" get's complacent or greedy that the larger corps can come in and snag their work.

I WILL post the details of this when I get them handy. I'm in a place where I don't have them handy right now. But, my suggestion is, if you are at MCO, and someone approaches you like that, don't write it off as a scam. It was well worth it.

So, we were off!

The driver was simply fantastic. He showed us the Orlando Eye in the Distance. A Northern (ex-New Jersey...is that a surprise? No...it isn't) transplant, he loves living down here and taking his kids around to all there is to see. He had a lot to say about the other stuff Orlando has to offer, like the new Crayola Factory (my Kiddo perked up at this experience, you get to make your own crayons? Say wah? The "boatless" water skiing that has been added, that I found very neat, etc.)

In and out after tip it cost me less than if I had arranged transit through Universal, and that included a $20 tip. I was happy...until we got to Portofino...

But, we were there, and for now, I'll stop here...I'll save the rant for Part 3...and man, do I have a rant to let loose!

(Continued in Part 3)

englanddg · Aug 11, 2015

Day 3 - It's Time to Start (Part 3)

Well, we are finally here!

And, it starts.

Ok, if you like "happy trip reports", just skip down, because I am about to rant. This was so bad that I not only nearly complained, I am seriously considering a written complaint after I check out.

I don't want "free comps" or anything during my stay. I want an experience, and I paid for it. And, I got it last trip at Royal Pacific. But, Portofino?

No.

It was complete chaos and disgustingly disorganized check in with disinterested staffers.

But, I should explain before I get too "nasty"...

So, we get out of the Taxi. Our driver had made a great effort to "welcome" us to the hotel, talking about the resort (he was well read on it!) and recommending we check out the gelatto (which we did, more later) and saying that his grandkids love the pools there.

We pull up, and he gets out to unload our luggage. Then I go to pay. Well, as I'm leaned into his van to run my card (his CC system had a few issues, so we had to try three times), my kiddo stood outside waiting. A bell hop pulled up a luggage truck and started to load it, and tapped me on the shoulder (mind you I'm still leaning into the van at this point trying to get my card to go through...or rather, for his system to work) and wanted to know our details, I asked him to wait, because it was hot, and I can only do one thing at a time...

So, he asked my kiddo about our details, which she, not knowing any better, and also not knowing what I said, told him. And she told him all the wrong details. While I was head deep in the taxi (the CC terminal was in between the driver and passenger seat) working with our Cabbie to get this all settled, he took all my bags, including my carry on electronics bag that has EVERYTHING important for the trip and is worth several grand (between the electronics in it and the other items like my passport and cash reserve, I don't let it leave my sight for long...yeah...he took it!)

Then he rolled it into some staging area...but I didn't find that out for a few mins.

Now, to be fair to the bell hop, he was probably just trying to do his job well. But, any bell hop worth their salt could see we were a party of two, so it's easy to assume it's one adult and one kid, and frankly, DO NOT TOUCH THE STUFF UNTIL THE ADULT SAYS OK.

He did.

But, I could forgive that. It's what came afterwards that made that simple slight (very minor on his part, I don't want to make it seem I'm picking on him)...into a MUCH bigger deal...to the point where I got salty with the staff. And, frankly, it takes a lot to get me to be salty. I've done Customer Service facing work for the majority of my professional life, and I get what they go through. But, that said, there is such a thing as doing it right, and such a thing as doing it completely wrong.

And, before I get into this rant, I want to be VERY clear whom I place the blame on. The middle and upper management. THEY are the ones who set up this stupid behaviour/practice/system to begin with. And, if any of them read this (which they won't), I hope they take it to heart and fix it. Soon.

But, lets move on.

So, finally having worked out the cab, and tipping him well (he was fantastic, I'll probably call him to take us to AKL as well)...I turned around...

ALL of our stuff was gone. I asked the kiddo, and she said "that guy took it!" (pointing to a bell hop). I understood, and tried to approach him to ask what to do next, but he was too busy unloading another vehicle. So, I identified our stuff, and then walked inside. Expecting someone to greet me and tell me what to do next.

That...did not happen.

I walked into a "lobby" that resembles a hallway in a 30 year old Sheraton.

Don't believe me? This is my "grand vista" entrance.

And I didn't even show you what it looks like to the left...because it's just a hallway that looks like, to a new guest, it may lead to some bathrooms?

Now all this is forgivable, but it does mean that some explaining is due to the Guest. Someone needs to tell the guest what they are seeing and why. I'll get into this later.

So, lets continue MY experience. I walked into the actual Lobby, which was equally unimpressive, and was just confused. Off to the left is a sitting area. Off to the right is what I would assume is the "front desk", but nothing indicates that it really is. So, at this point, I don't know what is going on, and no one has approached me, even though I obviously look confused. So, I decide, I'm not going to leave my luggage out there, and I want to check in.

So...I went back outside and grabbed our luggage cart.

I was just past the main "lobby" (if you want to call that little room that) when the fact I was toting my own luggage finally "caught" someone's eye.

And that guy (again, I don't fault him, but the results I do) approached me. He was NOT polite. He said "Sir, didn't you know those are only for the use of the porters?")

This...set me off, and it was everything I could do to stay polite and not go off on this poor guy. Because, my immediate response would have been..."No, no one has told me anything, so how would you expect me to know that?".

Instead, I played it cool and responded "No, sir."...at this point I thought, well, here I'll figure out what the heck I'm supposed to do next...but no, he just took me over to Luggage Services (the picture I just posted) and told me that it needs to be checked here, where a rather concerned (and inept, I will say inept) "luggage services supervisor"? I guess? I dunno who he was, he took the luggage cart like it was stolen gold.

Ok, dumbknocks. You have several thousand dollars of MY belongings that you are keeping from me, and not ONE of you have asked WHO I am and WHAT I am trying to do. But, I don't need to cops called or something, so I play along...but, I hope you can understand, my tension is mounting. ALL I WANT TO DO IS CHECK IN!

He rolls my cart into the back, and I'm left wandering the lobby again, aimlessly.

So, I wander into the line that I assume is the "front desk" (it isn't labeled)...

Oh, it is the front desk. Fine. I check in. With issues.

The lady couldn't confirm my "room", and had to call her boss...who...oh wait, NOW the system confirmed my room...she went about her stuff.

Around now the kiddo decided she needed to use the restroom.

Now, the Front Desk clerk could have noted this (my kid wasn't silent about it, though she wasn't as vocal as she would have been a few years ago) and said something like "Thanks Mr. England, tell you what, the restrooms are over there, across the room to the right. I'll get you all checked in and when you get back we'll get you to your room."

Nope. She ignored it. Barely seeming to understand her own check in computer system, much less her own job.

Can you tell my frustration was rising? (and remember, this was 2 days ago as I write this now)....

You have my bags, my kid needs to pee, and I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT!

Well, what she did next didn't help. She proceeded to go through her trained "script"...none of which really tells you anything (and in my own conversations with other guests, and observations, I am NOT the only one who feels this way).

She handed me a packet with our room key and told us about the Express Pass Kiosks. As I've stayed on site at Universal before, I was familiar that there would be a kiosk setup for the Express Passes. But, she did NOT issue me any theme park tickets. I asked her pointedly THREE TIMES where to get my Theme Park Tickets. Her response..."across the lobby to the right you can get your Express Passes".

You numb mind...that is NOT what I asked! Where can I get our THEME PARK TICKETS?

I was near exploding now, so I just backed off...and decided to get our stuff and go to the room.

We went right next door to "Bell Services" or "Luggage Maximus" or whatever they wish to call themselves and the same "supervisor" was working. Oh, hi guy, yeah, I'm a guest...so, where's my luggage, I want to go to my room, my kid needs to pee. (yeah, I left off the last part, but...I promise, I was being very direct by this point...)

I should explain direct. What I mean by that is, when they get into the "well, you need to do this next" lingo that they seem so fond to use here, I ask them detailed questions until they um and ah, all the while staring at them. It's a tactic I used as a manager, and it makes people VERY uncomfortable, as I don't blink while doing it. And, I mean to make you uncomfortable. Don't pass me off. Don't tell me I need to "go across the lobby", tell me where.

But, it will all make sense in a minute when you see how vague those instructions really were...

Anyhow, he tried to pass me off, and say "well, we can deliver your luggage later for..."

No, I want my luggage now, I have a room key, and I want to go to my room. Now.

Mind you, I already have trust issues with these guys, and they TOOK MY BAG THAT DOES NOT LEAVE MY SIGHT.

THEN, they couldn't find it. It took them nearly 5 minutes (ok, maybe I exaggerate, but I know they were babbling in the back because i heard them through the open door, and were arguing about where they put it)

Eventually they did, and they gave it to a guy, the only guy I'll name of that group because HE deserves high praise.

Mark.

An elderly guy, but man was this guy on point. Made my kid laugh, and kept her distracted from her potty needs. Asked us about our trip plans, and made great small talk. He took us straight to our room, he showed off the resort. He was direct and professional and frankly, friendly and fun. And HE got a tip from me (a generous one). Mark is the ONLY person from "bell services" that I ran into that is worth more than a piece of Wrigley's gum for a tip, much less a salary.

So...that over, note...I STILL don't have express passes or my theme park tickets or other stuff yet...we just had to go through all this mess JUST to get to our ROOM!

But, lets talk about the room.

It is...decent. Very high ceilings, but otherwise a layout no different than most hotels. That said, I don't mind that. I appreciate the high ceilings on a first floor a lot. The only gripe I have is that they don't have a switch in the hall that turns on the actual "bedroom" lights. Otherwise, it's quite nice.

The foyer boasts the coffee stand with the K-cup machine. Nothing amazing, but well placed (though I did prefer where Royal Pacific placed theirs deeper inside the room...)

And of course, no microwave, and no fridge...well, there is a fridge...but it is fully stocked with overpriced beverages...

The bathroom is nice. No complaints at all.

And it is close to an exterior door.

But, the view could be better...

Anyhow. The room is nice. I wouldn't call it "luxury", but it certainly isn't the "Best Western". The one gripe my kid has is that the TV doesn't carry any children's TV channels.

I didn't believe her. I understand Disney, but no Cartoon Network or even Nick?

Nope.

This...is terrible. As, to be frank, being able to wake the kid up and plop her in front of a cartoon while I get ready for the day is a nice touch. And, come on...why is this not a thing? To make matters worse, they plug their "pay per view" every single page on the guide. Not a big deal, except...it doesn't load real time. It loads after the fact. So, it makes the guide hard to read. Sortof like an ad loading halfway through a web page you are reading and throwing off the entire page making you have to go back and find where you started.

Well, it was nearly 12:30 by now and we still didn't have our theme park tickets nor our express passes. So, on the way back to the front desk to ask them how to get them (well, I knew how and where the express passes were, but I still had no clue about the theme park and other tickets...you'll see...)

We stopped by the Gelato Shop.

Now, I must say, this place is fantastic. A MUST see if you stay here. Great choices and the staff was extremely friendly!

The kiddo decided on a Cookies and Red Velvet Gelato. Sounds interesting? Well, it is. And man, is it good. Think of Red Velvet Cake meets Cookies and Cream. We are both addicted!

A quick elevator ride upstairs (yeah, the lobby is on the "3rd" floor). We liked the elevator mosaics.

Time to get our Express Pass!

So, for this you go to a kiosk, and you answer their questions, it takes your picture. You will need your room key. It then prints out your cardboard Express Pass (keep in mind this is cardboard...it will come up a few days from now, but stick it in the back of your head...the ONLY plastic cards are the room keys and the photocard...and I haven't gotten to the photocard)...the rest are pretty crummy cardstock.)

So, we have our Express Passes, but we want to visit a park. Where are our Park Tickets? I go and wait for the Front Desk again and this time they are a bit clearer. Yeah, you see that restaurant across the way and down the hall, there is a hall next to that, go down that hall and turn left.

WHAT?

When we got there...FINALLY...the lady working the desk was too busy to notice anyone as she was on the phone with what I assume to be a supervisor arguing about her hours. And, just because she slips in and out of Spanish doesn't make it "right" or "professional" to do so. I'm as white as snow, and I speak spanish enough to understand her spanglish.

Ok, I get that employees can have issues with their bosses, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, and perhaps with her issue she was completely in the right! But doing it ON the clock FRONT OF HOUSE when GUESTS are standing there is just unprofessional. But, this lady (whom I got her name but won't mention it) seems like the unprofessional sort...as I will elaborate...but, then again, most of the people I've run across so far are the same, so...

Our "instruction" from her was to "use the kiosk" as she went back to complaining about her hours to whomever was on the phone.

Even after I FINALLY got the kiosk to work (and yes, I was so frustrated I whipped out the phone and started filming)...it went back to a screen that indicated it didn't work...only to work...and she took a break from her ever important labor dispute to inform me "it takes time"...

Thanks for making me your priority...I'm only the one paying your paycheck (along with the other guest who she brushed off even more so who DOESN'T know ANYTHING about Uni like I do and was COMPLETELY lost, and was at his breaking point I could tell as he had the same "polite" response while having a face that looked more like he wanted to rip her face off...)....I really wish I'd gotten that "brush off" he'd gotten on tape, because it was flat out rude. To us, she was just disinterested.

Universal...Loews...I don't care who...you guys need to address this...

So, tickets in hand...here is what you get for a Universal Vacation.

Magicbands are looking pretty nice now, eh?

Two cards are my room tickets, two cards are my park tickets, two cards are my express passes, two cards are my City Walk passes, two cards are my Harry Potter Breakfast passes, two cards are my PhotoPass redemption passes (more on that later), etc...

Can you imagine traveling with a group larger than two? Jeezus...

Anyhow, after this, we walked the resort a bit.

And with that, we'll pick up in Part 4!

(Continued Part 4)

englanddg · Aug 11, 2015

Day 3 - It's Time to Start (Part 4)

The pool looked really great, and of course, it was where my kid wanted to go, but we only have a limited time in Universal, and so I insisted we needed to get back to the room and get settled, and head to the parks!

We made our way back to our room and I started the unpacking ritual. See, every time we are someplace for more than a day or two, I feel compelled to unpack and repack everything. I know, odd...but, it is the way I am. Call it a mental issue, and tell me I should seek help, and I wouldn't disagree with you!

I refolded all my laundry and the kiddos laundry and put us into drawers. A pretty standard setup for both of us. 1 drawer for the kiddos clothes, 1 for dirty. 2 drawers for my clothes, 1 for dirty. 1 drawer for souvenirs. This is the same setup we have used with the Disney World dressers for years, and most 6 drawer units work well with it...and most hotels have six drawer units (or at least six drawers available...like AKL, 5 drawers, a 3 drawer unit and then 2 in the TV cabinet, and 1 in the nightstand...but more on that later...for now, we are still in Universal, so lets talk Uni, eh?)

I set up my laptop and electronics to charge, packed my day pack, and went on.

Day pack?

Well, previous years this was a crossbody bag that I carried, but this year I bought a new one that is slightly larger. Big enough to carry an iPad Air. See, while I am on Vacation, I sometimes will get called by work, and if I can't solve something over the phone only, it is nice to be able to remote in with a slightly larger screen. Plus, the iPad is a nice distraction when in line. Before leaving I downloaded a few board and card games for the kiddo to play with me, and this came in really nice in some of the (very few) lines we had to deal with. But, now I'm delving into Express Pass territory, and I'll save that for a few paragraphs down.

Back to the day pack. I have a cheap little bag I got at Target made by Swiss Gear. It has lots of pockets, and several "easy access" pockets. It is really designed for someone going on international travel, but I suspect it will work well as my new day pack!

Other items in the pack include a small first aid kit with spray disinfectant, a few band aids, pepto pills, some alka seltzer, some advil, some chidren's Tylenol pills, and an anti itch spray. Yeah, I know it's probably overkill, but frankly, it did come in handy. I actually ran into someone in line whose kid had scuffed her knee (at Disney)...not bad, but the kid (4 or 5 year old girl) wouldn't stop moping. Here I come with a Disney Princess Band Aid to the rescue. I don't know what it is about band aids, but they seem to fix any "boo boo" in a child's mind, and are not as fleeting as the best cure, Mommy's Boo Boo Kisses...

Anyhow...

The bag has a portable charging unit in it, my Sony camera, a ziplock with pennies and quarters for the penny machines, a small bag of pins for trading (only at Disney), my iPad air, 2 adult ponchos in a ziplock, a permanent marker, a pen, a mechanical pencil, a scratch notepad, a USB charger with a lightning and micro USB cable, a pair of bud earphones and a metal tag on the inside that has my name, address and phone number in case I'm a dummy and lose it.

I also have a new addition for this trip. I am trying it without a wallet. I have this rubber "card wallet" that attaches to the back of my iPhone. It comfortably handles 4 cards and a folded up $100 bill, so this should be perfect! One less item to pat my pockets for after every ride!

During unpacking I decided to check on the bags with the FE gifts. No, you still don't get to find out what those are! Later...later, patience!

However, TSA had done a number on my bags. Well, I really shouldn't blame TSA...they rifled the bags, but I had a very specific order of packing, using certain items to shield and shock absorb for others. And when they went through my bag, they did not replace the items in that order. As a result, I did have a few broken items (coke glasses...ok, that's the only hint you get for now). They also took the liberty of unwrapping and rewrapping a bunch of my gifts using TSA certified tape. How neat?

I think I'll leave the tape. It makes the gift unique. It shows it has been through quite a voyage of its own just to make it to the final destination!

We walked outside and it wasn't terribly hot. I mean, it is Florida in August, so it was still hot and humid, but I've experienced much worse. Very promising. We walked along the resort and I took a closer look at the buildings. While pictures online are very nice, they do too much justice to this hotel. It has some unique architecture, but a lot of it is done with painting effects that are easy to spot when up close in person. I suppose this is 'authentic', I'm not sure. I've never been to Portofino, Italy. But, I do know that the architecture of that area tends to be rather bland...so, perhaps that was the intent.

But, my point is that it wasn't nearly as ornate as I thought. I had expected something more akin to an Epcot style pavilion experience, and instead it was a nice hotel with an interesting paint job.

They do have some other touches. The boats in the harbor, during the day, look faded and worn, and obviously disused and there as props. There are a few other items, like the Vespa scooters, which, while they are nice touches, apparently are also seen as playground objects to some Guests, and looked beaten up.

Mind you, I am being hyper critical here intentionally. Too many reports say "everything is wonderful", but I try to report what I really think. Sometimes that is good, sometimes it's bad, but you should keep in mind that when it is really bad (and not just me nitpicking) that I will make that VERY clear and why.

The hotel is pretty. It is relaxing. It just doesn't live up to the pictures online. I, actually, preferred the environment and theme at Royal Pacific, and would rather have been there in retrospect. But, the only way to discover these things is to try out new ones. So, here I am!

We hiked over to the boat launch just as a boat was getting ready to depart. The kiddo, excited, looked over her shoulder and said "Daddy, we need to hurry" and took off like a rocket. How can she run that fast in flip flops? I am sure she is breaking one or two laws of physics there...but children are good at that.

I shuffle ran behind her as fast as I could in the heat (I was also low on sleep, hungry, tired, and still a bit irritated from the check in debacle...)

But, even with sluggish and slow Daddy, we made it just fine. A quick check of my bag (they check your bags before your board the ships at the hotels, be aware of that), and we were off!

The kiddo wanted to sit up in the front area, as the boat only had two or three families on it and we basically had our choice of seating, but I said, no....not a good idea, and we picked a seat facing forward on the starboard (right) side of the ship.

As the boat left the dock, the kiddo asked me why, and I explained. See, the upper seating has a windshield for the pilot. It blocks the entire front part of the skiff. So, if you sit up there, while the view is elevated and you get a neat experience (I guess), you also get less breeze.

And on a day like today, breeze...natures "air conditioning" was quite needed!

The kiddo got my reasoning, and from then on this became a recurring thing with her, with her lamenting on behalf of those poor poor people who had to sit in the bow seating. <grin>

Ok, so boats, what am I talking about? Well, all of the "deluxe" Universal resorts are connected to Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure / Citywalk by a few different modes of transit. Just like Disney! You can take a shuttle bus, you can take a walking path (which I find quite nice, but the kiddo doesn't like the walk, and more on this path later, there is another mode of transit which involves the path), or you can take a boat!

The boat is my second favorite way to go...more of the first favorite way on day 2!

We passed under a bridge and by the docks at the Hard Rock, and before you knew it we were there!

The boat docks are just off Citywalk, and a short trek across the bridge and we were passing under the Universal arch. The kiddo saw the gate, closed...and commented...

"On the commercials, that gate is always open...that's false advertising!"

Yeah...well...Disney also likes to use clips from Disneyland for Disneyworld...welcome to theme park advertising kiddo! <grin>

The randomness of the observation made me chuckle, though.

By now, the heat was getting to the kid as the reality of it sunk in and the anticipation faded. She was excited, but needed a respite. She wanted...her crutch at all theme parks...a sprayer fan.

Now, if you are not familiar with these little goodies, they are basically a cheap electric fan mounted to a spray bottle. Universal does this MUCH better than Disney, so even though a tad overpriced (you can get them at the Dollar Store or Walmart for 1/4 the price of the parks), I didn't mind it. In fact, it was in my notes to buy one from Universal and keep this for future visits.

See, the ones at Disney look like this.

And Universal's look like this.

At Disney, they have foam blades that don't really accomplish much in the way of moving air (though I'm sure they accomplish a lot in terms of preventing lawsuits). At Universal they are firmer plastic, and do a much better job.

Universal's bottles have a few other advantages. They are not as large and bulky, the base is the diameter of most water bottles and therefore fits easily in an elastic "water bottle" pocket on a backpack, and...at least for now, Universal will refill your Universal bottles for free with ice water at any venue. It's really nice to stop for a quick drink and also have fresh ice water in the sprayer.

I know, it's a minor thing, but it's a touch that I think Uni does right, especially for a nearly $20 single use souvenir.

I also checked in to find out how the heck my pre-paid "photopass" works. Universal calls it "Photo Connect". No information about it at the hotel, and none given anywhere, I just happened to notice a sign saying "get photo connect" as I walked in...

And, I had these cards (yeah, two of the gazillion that machine issued me) were for this card. Apparently I prepaid for it (I'd forgotten I had, frankly)...

Anyhow, turns out I got a pre-paid 3 day pass for $89.99. Perfect! The pass includes:

Up to 3 consecutive days of photos in the parks
Unlimited digital downloads of your theme park photos including character meet & greets and pictures at many of our most popular rides and attractions. Available at participating locations in both parks.
Photo Connect Themed Lanyard and Star Card
Smartphone connectivity with the Amazing Pictures Mobile App so you can view and share your photos throughout the day
Discounts on Photo Connect® photos and photo gifts
1 free 5x7 or 8x10 print in a folder
1 free 4x6 print

Well, I didn't get the prints (I don't care for prints, give me Digital), and I never tried the app...so...

You can also pay for...at a discount...

$5.00 5x7 or $10.00 8x10 prints at participating Photo Connect locations
$2.00 4x6 prints at participating Photo Connect locations

I will post more on this later after I have had a chance to actually take a look at our photos on the website.

So, they took my cheap cardboard card, and a very nice lady explained how it works. They issued me a nice durable plastic card (this theme will carry throughout my trip at Uni, the only reason I'm mentioning it now)...and we were off!

First stop...well, the kiddo wanted to do "Gru" (Despicable Me), but decided the line was too long. We wandered back into the park, and the kid saw Shrek and Donkey out for a meet and greet (I believe Fiona was there as well), and wanted to watch. I asked if she wanted to go meet them, but she declined. She did find the jokes Donkey told amusing (ok, we both did, whomever they get to do that character voice there is really good at capturing the character and making sly jokes without being offensive...which, sounds easy, but if you've ever tried it yourself, really isn't.)

Spirits high we kept walking and...there he was. My childhood hero...(well, one of them). Optimus Prime!

Now, I despise the new movies, but one of the things I enjoy is the fact they kept the same voice actor for the films as the animated series. It's hard to believe that for a TV show that was basically a 20 minute toy commercial (and after rewatching as an adult, wasn't that good most of the time), the MOVIE they did was excellent and fun. The animated Transformers movie (1986, I think?) was great. It also was the last film credit for Orson Welles, and the late, great Leonard Nimoy did the voice of Galvetron in it (ok, I'm not going to double check the Nimoy thing with IMDB, but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly...if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me).

But, the latest movies? Meh... The first was ok. The second was a repeat of the first with bigger explosions and dumber humor. The third...I still haven't finished watching it. Sad.

But, that said, these meet and greet characters intrigued me. They are extremely impressive. In person it's much easier to figure out how it's accomplished, but even so the performers (at least the ones I've seen) do such a good job that it is easy to ignore that and enjoy the presentation. It's a nice low tech solution with impressive results.

I wanted to meet him, but the kiddo said no...she wanted to do a ride.

Ok...ok...fine...ride it is...which ride? The one that is more than meets the eye!

So, we hopped into the line. Standby was 45 minutes. We had express passes. This is the first time the kiddo had used her express passes (she doesn't remember using them in our 2011 trip, and I'm not surprised about that).

We...quite literally...waited about 5 minutes. A short line. Short enough that I actually stopped in the queue and waved a few people past so we could watch the queue videos (I like those type of things, they help set up story...after the first ride I can skip them, but I like to see them the first time I do a new ride).

The ride itself is obviously a similar (same?) ride system to Spider Man. Lots of use of 3D effects and screens blended with practical transitions and props to give it a "real" feeling. It is a fun ride. Very intense.

So intense the kiddo didn't want to do it again, and had her eyes closed through most of it! Granted, she enjoyed it, but as I would find out later in the day, her urge for "thrills" is something that she seems to have grown out of (at least at this phase in her life). Gone is the kiddo who at 7 was disappointed she was too short for Hulk and Rip Rockit...now I'm with a kiddo who wants to do less intense experiences.

That's ok though. This trip is for her and for me, and I have a strong feeling this is a phase. But, I'll have to wait for a future trip to try out Hulk and Rip Rockit!

After this we headed back to Despicable Me. This was the ride she really wanted to do. She adores this movie. The last time we did it, I had no idea about the franchise. I'd not seen the movie, and knew nothing. This time, however, I'd seen all three (including Minions), and caught a lot more of the nuances of the story and queue.

And, it is an impressive queue. If you know the movies, keep your eyes peeled!

The ride was fun as always, though we were seated up front...I prefer middle to back for this one. Again our Express Pass saved us a ton of time, and we were in line for less than 10 minutes...when the standby was over an hour!

Next time I do a Universal "summer" trip with Express Pass, I'm going to bring a stopwatch and actually log and track our wait times vs posted. It is insane, and a HUGE motivator for staying at a Universal "Deluxe" resort. What you spend in extra room cost you save in the fact that you get so much more done with the limited time you have. Had we NOT had express passes, I could easily see needing an extra day or two to do all that we actually did.

But, moving on.

After the show is a Dance Party (post-spoiler alert!) and the kiddo had fun with this for a while. The CMs here really get down, and the Minions even come out to join in the fun!

We stepped across the way to Shrek. This line was a bit longer, even with Express Passes. By now the kid had caught on to what they are, and she griped about this queue. "They put them together too early!" was her gripe. And, she's not wrong! The merge for Express and Standby is right at the edge of the building, where the switchbacks and queue area stops for standby and there is a single line that goes the length of the building to the main doors and the secondary queue.

But, it was still better than a 50+ minute standby! Oh well!

The show, well, I can't really say much about it. I was near passing out at this point (not kidding). And that is exactly what I did. I napped during the show. I'm not sure if my kid noticed or not, but I sure needed it. I caught a few parts of it, and remember really enjoying it last trip (it continues the story of the movies, I think between Shrek 2 and 3, but don't quote me on that)...

But, no, my eyes needed a rest, and I obliged. Guess I'm getting old...anyone have an application for dentures and a walker?

After this the kiddo really wanted to do Simpsons. She had seen the commercials for it, and it really grasped her for some reason. So, a quick hike in that direction...but first a stop for a show!

These guys were great. Obviously drum corps graduates. The kiddo enjoyed it and got herself a soda to drink, but I got something a bit more...adult. A Pina Colada! It was weak, but that's fine. I love Pina Coladas, virgin or not. Call me a froo froo guy, but there is nothing wrong with a drink with an umbrella! Especially when it is full of Colada goodness!

Standing there watching the show (which takes place right at the end of Hollywood Blvd), I looked down and found a star that is quite special to me.

Roy Rogers.

Ok, some story. See, we all have those little odd things that you want "in the will". Yeah, it's one of those stories. My grandfather (whom I hope continues to live a very long and happy life) has these two lamps. One is the Lone Ranger, and the other is Roy Rogers... They are tacky plastic lamps that no one else in the family likes...but I adore them. My grandfather and I would listen to Roy Rogers in his study in the log cabin (a house they haven't had for a VERY long time) and I'd play with his lamps (the horse figures came off and had removable guns, saddles and hats! High tech for that time, I suppose?). I dunno, I must have been about 4 or so, because we moved to Germany when I was 6...and my grandparents had moved to Johnson City, TN and within a year Ocala, FL by the time we came back, but it's a very vivid childhood memory of mine.

I wanted those lamps.

I will never get those lamps.

My grandfather brought them with him to their new retirement home...and, well, some are aware of this, but their house burned to the ground a few months back. They lost everything.

He lost his Roy Rogers records as well...another item I had asked him if I could have. But, before you get all worried, they both made it out safe and sound, and have moved on with their life, rebuilding and enjoying themselves.

And that is all that matters.

But, it still doesn't mean that Roy Rogers doesn't hold a special place in my heart.

After this show we started to head back to Simpsons and only made it as far as the gardens...when we heard some music, and what do you know, another show started right up!

This was a lot of fun.

And with this update I'm going to take a break. I think I'm getting close to my media limit anyhow, and should move to another installment...which I will link here.

To come! (I told you Day 1 was busy!)

Men In Black

Blue Man Group

Trip Back

Room Service

Thanks for following along...

More to come for this day...it was BUSY...

englanddg · Aug 11, 2015

akayw0718 said:
You're here! Welcome to FL, we're glad to have you back!

Looks like you and the kiddo are having a good time, despite Universal's ineptitudes. (And to that I say...that would not have happened at Disney )

Universal does a lot right, but ticketing isnt among them.

Cesar R M · Aug 11, 2015

englanddg said:
Day 3 - It's Time to Start (Part 3)

Well, we are finally here!

And, it starts.

Ok, if you like "happy trip reports", just skip down, because I am about to rant. This was so bad that I not only nearly complained, I am seriously considering a written complaint after I check out.

I don't want "free comps" or anything during my stay. I want an experience, and I paid for it. And, I got it last trip at Royal Pacific. But, Portofino?

No.

It was complete chaos and disgustingly disorganized check in with disinterested staffers.

But, I should explain before I get too "nasty"...

So, we get out of the Taxi. Our driver had made a great effort to "welcome" us to the hotel, talking about the resort (he was well read on it!) and recommending we check out the gelatto (which we did, more later) and saying that his grandkids love the pools there.

We pull up, and he gets out to unload our luggage. Then I go to pay. Well, as I'm leaned into his van to run my card (his CC system had a few issues, so we had to try three times), my kiddo stood outside waiting. A bell hop pulled up a luggage truck and started to load it, and tapped me on the shoulder (mind you I'm still leaning into the van at this point trying to get my card to go through...or rather, for his system to work) and wanted to know our details, I asked him to wait, because it was hot, and I can only do one thing at a time...

So, he asked my kiddo about our details, which she, not knowing any better, and also not knowing what I said, told him. And she told him all the wrong details. While I was head deep in the taxi (the CC terminal was in between the driver and passenger seat) working with our Cabbie to get this all settled, he took all my bags, including my carry on electronics bag that has EVERYTHING important for the trip and is worth several grand (between the electronics in it and the other items like my passport and cash reserve, I don't let it leave my sight for long...yeah...he took it!)

Then he rolled it into some staging area...but I didn't find that out for a few mins.

Now, to be fair to the bell hop, he was probably just trying to do his job well. But, any bell hop worth their salt could see we were a party of two, so it's easy to assume it's one adult and one kid, and frankly, DO NOT TOUCH THE STUFF UNTIL THE ADULT SAYS OK.

He did.

But, I could forgive that. It's what came afterwards that made that simple slight (very minor on his part, I don't want to make it seem I'm picking on him)...into a MUCH bigger deal...to the point where I got salty with the staff. And, frankly, it takes a lot to get me to be salty. I've done Customer Service facing work for the majority of my professional life, and I get what they go through. But, that said, there is such a thing as doing it right, and such a thing as doing it completely wrong.

And, before I get into this rant, I want to be VERY clear whom I place the blame on. The middle and upper management. THEY are the ones who set up this stupid behaviour/practice/system to begin with. And, if any of them read this (which they won't), I hope they take it to heart and fix it. Soon.

But, lets move on.

So, finally having worked out the cab, and tipping him well (he was fantastic, I'll probably call him to take us to AKL as well)...I turned around...

ALL of our stuff was gone. I asked the kiddo, and she said "that guy took it!" (pointing to a bell hop). I understood, and tried to approach him to ask what to do next, but he was too busy unloading another vehicle. So, I identified our stuff, and then walked inside. Expecting someone to greet me and tell me what to do next.

That...did not happen.

I walked into a "lobby" that resembles a hallway in a 30 year old Sheraton.

Don't believe me? This is my "grand vista" entrance.

And I didn't even show you what it looks like to the left...because it's just a hallway that looks like, to a new guest, it may lead to some bathrooms?

Now all this is forgivable, but it does mean that some explaining is due to the Guest. Someone needs to tell the guest what they are seeing and why. I'll get into this later.

So, lets continue MY experience. I walked into the actual Lobby, which was equally unimpressive, and was just confused. Off to the left is a sitting area. Off to the right is what I would assume is the "front desk", but nothing indicates that it really is. So, at this point, I don't know what is going on, and no one has approached me, even though I obviously look confused. So, I decide, I'm not going to leave my luggage out there, and I want to check in.

So...I went back outside and grabbed our luggage cart.

I was just past the main "lobby" (if you want to call that little room that) when the fact I was toting my own luggage finally "caught" someone's eye.

And that guy (again, I don't fault him, but the results I do) approached me. He was NOT polite. He said "Sir, didn't you know those are only for the use of the porters?")

This...set me off, and it was everything I could do to stay polite and not go off on this poor guy. Because, my immediate response would have been..."No, no one has told me anything, so how would you expect me to know that?".

Instead, I played it cool and responded "No, sir."...at this point I thought, well, here I'll figure out what the heck I'm supposed to do next...but no, he just took me over to Luggage Services (the picture I just posted) and told me that it needs to be checked here, where a rather concerned (and inept, I will say inept) "luggage services supervisor"? I guess? I dunno who he was, he took the luggage cart like it was stolen gold.

Ok, dumbknocks. You have several thousand dollars of MY belongings that you are keeping from me, and not ONE of you have asked WHO I am and WHAT I am trying to do. But, I don't need to cops called or something, so I play along...but, I hope you can understand, my tension is mounting. ALL I WANT TO DO IS CHECK IN!

He rolls my cart into the back, and I'm left wandering the lobby again, aimlessly.

So, I wander into the line that I assume is the "front desk" (it isn't labeled)...

Oh, it is the front desk. Fine. I check in. With issues.

The lady couldn't confirm my "room", and had to call her boss...who...oh wait, NOW the system confirmed my room...she went about her stuff.

Around now the kiddo decided she needed to use the restroom.

Now, the Front Desk clerk could have noted this (my kid wasn't silent about it, though she wasn't as vocal as she would have been a few years ago) and said something like "Thanks Mr. England, tell you what, the restrooms are over there, across the room to the right. I'll get you all checked in and when you get back we'll get you to your room."

Nope. She ignored it. Barely seeming to understand her own check in computer system, much less her own job.

Can you tell my frustration was rising? (and remember, this was 2 days ago as I write this now)....

You have my bags, my kid needs to pee, and I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT!

Well, what she did next didn't help. She proceeded to go through her trained "script"...none of which really tells you anything (and in my own conversations with other guests, and observations, I am NOT the only one who feels this way).

She handed me a packet with our room key and told us about the Express Pass Kiosks. As I've stayed on site at Universal before, I was familiar that there would be a kiosk setup for the Express Passes. But, she did NOT issue me any theme park tickets. I asked her pointedly THREE TIMES where to get my Theme Park Tickets. Her response..."across the lobby to the right you can get your Express Passes".

You numb mind...that is NOT what I asked! Where can I get our THEME PARK TICKETS?

I was near exploding now, so I just backed off...and decided to get our stuff and go to the room.

We went right next door to "Bell Services" or "Luggage Maximus" or whatever they wish to call themselves and the same "supervisor" was working. Oh, hi guy, yeah, I'm a guest...so, where's my luggage, I want to go to my room, my kid needs to pee. (yeah, I left off the last part, but...I promise, I was being very direct by this point...)

I should explain direct. What I mean by that is, when they get into the "well, you need to do this next" lingo that they seem so fond to use here, I ask them detailed questions until they um and ah, all the while staring at them. It's a tactic I used as a manager, and it makes people VERY uncomfortable, as I don't blink while doing it. And, I mean to make you uncomfortable. Don't pass me off. Don't tell me I need to "go across the lobby", tell me where.

But, it will all make sense in a minute when you see how vague those instructions really were...

Anyhow, he tried to pass me off, and say "well, we can deliver your luggage later for..."

No, I want my luggage now, I have a room key, and I want to go to my room. Now.

Mind you, I already have trust issues with these guys, and they TOOK MY BAG THAT DOES NOT LEAVE MY SIGHT.

THEN, they couldn't find it. It took them nearly 5 minutes (ok, maybe I exaggerate, but I know they were babbling in the back because i heard them through the open door, and were arguing about where they put it)

Eventually they did, and they gave it to a guy, the only guy I'll name of that group because HE deserves high praise.

Mark.

An elderly guy, but man was this guy on point. Made my kid laugh, and kept her distracted from her potty needs. Asked us about our trip plans, and made great small talk. He took us straight to our room, he showed off the resort. He was direct and professional and frankly, friendly and fun. And HE got a tip from me (a generous one). Mark is the ONLY person from "bell services" that I ran into that is worth more than a piece of Wrigley's gum for a tip, much less a salary.

So...that over, note...I STILL don't have express passes or my theme park tickets or other stuff yet...we just had to go through all this mess JUST to get to our ROOM!

But, lets talk about the room.

It is...decent. Very high ceilings, but otherwise a layout no different than most hotels. That said, I don't mind that. I appreciate the high ceilings on a first floor a lot. The only gripe I have is that they don't have a switch in the hall that turns on the actual "bedroom" lights. Otherwise, it's quite nice.

The foyer boasts the coffee stand with the K-cup machine. Nothing amazing, but well placed (though I did prefer where Royal Pacific placed theirs deeper inside the room...)

And of course, no microwave, and no fridge...well, there is a fridge...but it is fully stocked with overpriced beverages...

The bathroom is nice. No complaints at all.

And it is close to an exterior door.

But, the view could be better...

Anyhow. The room is nice. I wouldn't call it "luxury", but it certainly isn't the "Best Western". The one gripe my kid has is that the TV doesn't carry any children's TV channels.

I didn't believe her. I understand Disney, but no Cartoon Network or even Nick?

Nope.

This...is terrible. As, to be frank, being able to wake the kid up and plop her in front of a cartoon while I get ready for the day is a nice touch. And, come on...why is this not a thing? To make matters worse, they plug their "pay per view" every single page on the guide. Not a big deal, except...it doesn't load real time. It loads after the fact. So, it makes the guide hard to read. Sortof like an ad loading halfway through a web page you are reading and throwing off the entire page making you have to go back and find where you started.

Well, it was nearly 12:30 by now and we still didn't have our theme park tickets nor our express passes. So, on the way back to the front desk to ask them how to get them (well, I knew how and where the express passes were, but I still had no clue about the theme park and other tickets...you'll see...)

We stopped by the Gelato Shop.

Now, I must say, this place is fantastic. A MUST see if you stay here. Great choices and the staff was extremely friendly!

The kiddo decided on a Cookies and Red Velvet Gelato. Sounds interesting? Well, it is. And man, is it good. Think of Red Velvet Cake meets Cookies and Cream. We are both addicted!

A quick elevator ride upstairs (yeah, the lobby is on the "3rd" floor). We liked the elevator mosaics.

Time to get our Express Pass!

So, for this you go to a kiosk, and you answer their questions, it takes your picture. You will need your room key. It then prints out your cardboard Express Pass (keep in mind this is cardboard...it will come up a few days from now, but stick it in the back of your head...the ONLY plastic cards are the room keys and the photocard...and I haven't gotten to the photocard)...the rest are pretty crummy cardstock.)

So, we have our Express Passes, but we want to visit a park. Where are our Park Tickets? I go and wait for the Front Desk again and this time they are a bit clearer. Yeah, you see that restaurant across the way and down the hall, there is a hall next to that, go down that hall and turn left.

WHAT?

When we got there...FINALLY...the lady working the desk was too busy to notice anyone as she was on the phone with what I assume to be a supervisor arguing about her hours. And, just because she slips in and out of Spanish doesn't make it "right" or "professional" to do so. I'm as white as snow, and I speak spanish enough to understand her spanglish.

Ok, I get that employees can have issues with their bosses, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, and perhaps with her issue she was completely in the right! But doing it ON the clock FRONT OF HOUSE when GUESTS are standing there is just unprofessional. But, this lady (whom I got her name but won't mention it) seems like the unprofessional sort...as I will elaborate...but, then again, most of the people I've run across so far are the same, so...

Our "instruction" from her was to "use the kiosk" as she went back to complaining about her hours to whomever was on the phone.

Even after I FINALLY got the kiosk to work (and yes, I was so frustrated I whipped out the phone and started filming)...it went back to a screen that indicated it didn't work...only to work...and she took a break from her ever important labor dispute to inform me "it takes time"...

Thanks for making me your priority...I'm only the one paying your paycheck (along with the other guest who she brushed off even more so who DOESN'T know ANYTHING about Uni like I do and was COMPLETELY lost, and was at his breaking point I could tell as he had the same "polite" response while having a face that looked more like he wanted to rip her face off...)....I really wish I'd gotten that "brush off" he'd gotten on tape, because it was flat out rude. To us, she was just disinterested.

Universal...Loews...I don't care who...you guys need to address this...

So, tickets in hand...here is what you get for a Universal Vacation.

Magicbands are looking pretty nice now, eh?

Two cards are my room tickets, two cards are my park tickets, two cards are my express passes, two cards are my City Walk passes, two cards are my Harry Potter Breakfast passes, two cards are my PhotoPass redemption passes (more on that later), etc...

Can you imagine traveling with a group larger than two? Jeezus...

Anyhow, after this, we walked the resort a bit.

And with that, we'll pick up in Part 4!

(Continued Part 4)

wow, talk about nightmarish hotel experience D:

melmel89 · Aug 11, 2015

englanddg said:
I watched Arsenal lose to West Ham. Lose...badly. Embarrassingly. But, no need to get into Soccer Talk.

You would have been in your element here in the UK you couldn't move for hearing about it! all us football widows were so glad the season has started again

. Great TR so far!

MinnieM123 · Aug 11, 2015

As usual, you've provided a very detailed and interesting trip report! Two thoughts:

1. I love flying Jet Blue as well. My flight from the Northeast down to Orlando is over 3 hours, and those TV sets are the most wonderful way to pass the time. I also like listening to the tunes on satellite radio. (As for the snacks, the free ones are their blue chips, which I really like, and then they have other assorted chips and cookies. If you want to pay for something more, they have small, packaged snack assortments like crackers/cheese, etc. I've never bought any of those.)

2. Your arrival/check-in experience at the hotel met marginal expectations only. And good grief, that woman at the desk did not exhibit any class whatsoever, nor present herself as a representative of the hotel, when she was discussing her work schedule on the phone--in front of customers--while also ignoring them?! At one point in my life, I worked for 16 years for a hotel company. So, I kept wondering, as I read your experience, where was the front office manager or asst. manager, while this was going on. Who was watching front-of-the-house operations? (Although they may have some other good employees there, a bad one like her should have been noticed and gone long ago. Efficient front office management is on top of that type of situation.)

FlaggNL · Aug 12, 2015

Again a more than great start of the report! Thanks for all the details! And well what about to say about your univ experience..... off course we know that it is not Disney but like you said univ also have a lot of good things, but about hotels, personell and ticketing they have a lot to learn

Disney80 · Aug 12, 2015

Thank you so much for your detailed trip report! Looks like you and the kiddo are having a good time (despite some issues along the way). Cannot wait to read the rest.

englanddg · Aug 12, 2015

Animal Kingdom Webcam is LIVE!

https://video.nest.com/live/iwPzF4

catmom46 · Aug 12, 2015

englanddg said:
Animal Kingdom Webcam is LIVE!

https://video.nest.com/live/iwPzF4

Woohoo! Great view. Too bad we can't zoom in/out and move the camera remotely!

englanddg · Aug 12, 2015

catmom46 said:
Woohoo! Great view. Too bad we can't zoom in/out and move the camera remotely!

Hrm...ill look into that. I may need to use the embed code.

catmom46 · Aug 13, 2015

englanddg said:
Hrm...ill look into that. I may need to use the embed code.

Just took a look now, it's currently almost 1am eastern, and see at least 6 animals out there. So cool.

englanddg · Aug 13, 2015

catmom46 said:
Just took a look now, it's currently almost 1am eastern, and see at least 6 animals out there. So cool.

Giraffe came by earlier. Early morning is supposed to be pretty active as well. I shut off the night vision because eI thought this was easier to see...

Trip Report englanddg's Real Life or is this just Fantasy?

Voxel

President of Progress City

acrab3t

Active Member

catmom46

Well-Known Member

englanddg

One Little Spark...

FlaggNL

Well-Known Member

englanddg

One Little Spark...

englanddg

One Little Spark...

englanddg

One Little Spark...

englanddg

One Little Spark...

englanddg

One Little Spark...

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member

melmel89

Well-Known Member

MinnieM123

FlaggNL

Well-Known Member

Disney80

Active Member

englanddg

One Little Spark...

catmom46

Well-Known Member

englanddg

One Little Spark...

catmom46

Well-Known Member

englanddg

One Little Spark...