Hi. I will probably post this in multiple posts. We just arrived home; we had an amazing time.
My family is DH (dear husband, 37), myself at 36, DS at 12 (Dear Son); he will be 13 next month so help me. And leading up the rear is DD (Dear Daughter) at 8 as of June. Our trip was from July 30th through August 3rd at the Portofino Bay Resort Club Level. We asked for a Bay view room; however, we got a Pool Room view. It was a very nice view though; although a bit of a hike from the club at the 5th fool and towards the end of the wing.
We arrived at the Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel around 1 pm on Friday the 30th of July. Sadly, our room wasn't ready yet, so we went to the Club lounge and got some drinks and snacks. Over 1.5 hours later, still no update from our room, so we put on our swimsuits and hung out at the pool for a bit. We finally got our text message that our room was ready at 4:30; 30 minutes past check in time. I think part of this reason was because even with Verizon, the cell reception was pretty cagey in the resort, especially by the pool. So part of the problem is that we were not able to receive text messages properly by the pool. As soon as I gave up and walked to the reception area, I got the text massage that said our room was ready.
We had 5:30 dinner reservations at Toothsome, so at that point it was a race to the room, change, and off to the reservation for dinner. We made it in the nick of time. Dinner was very nice, and it was nice to share the cool experience with my youngest who was too young to remember. I got the beer infused with chocolate. My husband got the brownie milkshake, and my children shared the sprinkle shake. Due to covid, we couldn't ask them to clean the glasses, so we cleaned them in the bathroom per the server, and made sure to leave the sink clean.
This first day we planned on going to the parks after dinner for the Harry Potter wand experiences. I generally perfer to go bagless when I can, so I thought one day to get the wand experiences out of the way would be best, then I wouldn't have to worry about them on rides again. We did the Olivander's experience for my daughter. While she didn't get selected, she was still very excited to pick out her first wand. It was cute. She is 8 as of June. She picked Minerva's wand.
We spent most of the evening going between the two parks doing all of the spells; however, we finished the night with a ride on the Escape from Gringots ride. She wouldn't let us leave without at least one ride. LOL. All in all, it was a pretty awesome start to the day.
Day 2 was the "Big Day." LOL. That was the day we were going to Islands of Adventure. We woke up at 0630 to make sure we could get to the park at Early Entry, or whatever Universal calls it. We wanted to make sure we got on Velocicoaster. Actually, the entire prior day, it was all the 8 year old would talk about. We had to tell her multiple times we would get to it eventually. We didn't want to wait in the 60 minute line then. So up we got, got a quick breakfast at the club, then marched onto the park. We decided to hoof it that morning rather than wait for the boat. There was a bit of a line and we didn't want to be too late. We walked back the night before due to lines, so we already knew the way. It wasn't to bad. Honestly, we only saw the one boat that we wouldn't have gotten on due to the crowd pass us the entire time. So I think we beat the time anyway. The plan ended up working. We got the the park a little before 8 and were still able to get fairly close to the front of the line. We marched straight to Velocicoaster and got a bit confused by the lockers, so that cost us 5 minutes. For those that don't know, the free ones are in the line lol. The line wasn't too long. It moved quickly the entire time; the children never had a chance to get bored. Oh boy, it was so much better than we though, and way more intense. My DD said as she came off, "Mom, I'm dead. That ride killed me. " But she had a big smile on her face. She really did love it. Made poor DH a bit pukey on the last spin though. It was longer than I was expecting. There was a time or two when I thought we were about to come to the end, just for it to be another speed up point! It was the ride of a lifetime; however, with lower back problems, I wasn't willing to do it more than once.
So being the smart family we are, we went to Hargrids next LOL. My daughter was a bit worried that this ride would be like the last one. While she enjoyed it, she wasn't really willing for a second go. I had never ridden Hagrids, just the Dueling Draggons, and the last time I rode that was my honeymoon back in 2006. Slight offshoot, I really really enjoyed the nod to the original ride when you first enter the ruins in Hagrids. That was a bit special for me. So anyway, poor DD was a bit nervous, and I didn't know anything about the ride in relation to the Dueling Dragons. Luckily, a nice couple behind us was able to belay her fears by telling her there were no upside parts, and that if she could do Velocicoaster, then Hagrids should be a piece of cake. When we entered the ride at 0830, the line was an hour. It would have been sorter than that, but it had a glitch pretty early on, and it did take the full hour. It was worth it though. It was amazing, and very fun. That drop was unexpected. My poor back certainly felt that later that day lol. (I herniated my L4-L5 the year prior, and the one above that is/was bulging. So while I am "recovered" I am still very sensitive to what is going on with my back these days. I wasn't willing to sit it out though, because priorities LOL.). So after that, I did what any sane person with lower back issues would do, I got a virtual pass for later that day too :rotfl:. My DS loved this ride, but he is almost a teen and can never show positive emotion. I called it a win when I got a hug. After completing Hagrids, we finished all of the other rides in Hogsmead as well. DD was to short to ride the Hogwarts ride last time; she loved that thing. The feeling of flying was one of her favorite things. By the end of the trip, this ride was the only one we rode 3 times. We caught lunch around 11 at The Three Broomsticks. It was relaxing all things considered. We sat inside toward the back. I got a drink from the Hogs Head, but as the only person in my family who consumes alcohol, I got the rest Butterbears. My son drank them all; which was his plan all along me thinks. He had been looking forward to that more than anything else. DH said it was diabetes in a cup, and DD didn't like it really. I can't even stomach root beer or Cream soda, so it was out for me.
After that, it was onto the Jurassic Park Adventure Ride. I thought this would be the one to freak DD out the most, but weirdly, it was her favorite! I don't know what it was about that ride, but she loved the "Dinos that tried to eat her....:confused3. She even conned me into buying her a "Delta" toy.
You will probably see most of my report will be through DD's eyes. She gave me most of the reactions. DS is 1 month shy of 13, and while he is a good child, emotions are too uncool at this point. So, he enjoyed himself very much, but it was hard to gauge levels of happiness you know?
After Jurassic, we did the two water rides; the log flume and the raft ride. Good lordy, no one warned me that you would be soaked on those. There wasn't an inch on the 4 of us that wasn't drenched. I mean drenched. DH loved those the most. The were very fun, but very wet. I mean it, every inch was wet. Not a dry spot left. We went back to the hotel after that to get changed, play in the pool, and relax a bit.
I was worried on our way back to Islands after our break. Daughter fell asleep in the boat ride. We had a dinner reservation at Mythos that we were very excited for, but with daughter half dead (she wouldn't nap because there was a pool outside of our hotel window....), we were worried about how much fun we would have. Luckily she woke up. Unluckily, we were sat next to a large party celebrating a birthday with a rather loud and drunk guest. Sound in Mythos seems to travel very well, so it was a bit of a nightmare. I spent most of the dinner covering my ears rather than enjoying my food. Might finally try something else next time we are in the park. After that, we rode Jurassic Park Adventure again, because DD loved it so much. Then we caught Kong for the first time. That was fun, but not notable enough to do again. Finally, by this point it was dusk and time to ride Hagrids again. This was special this time. The line was shorter than the morning, and cooler. DD and DS wanted to try the bike side this time because they rode the side car the previous ride. I was more than happy since I am only 5'3" and couldn't reach the handle bars without stressing my back anyway. DD and DH were in front of DS and I; however, there was an issue with the harness in the car behind them, so the last three cars in their train were unused. Actually, an employee was trying to do something to the car behind them while it was on the track. He couldn't get it don in time and got his foot stuck. They almost had to stop the ride to get him off, but he got off at the last moment. DS and I ended up lucking out to the first car in the next train. It was an amazing view and we loved the ride at night. When we came back into the station, they finally stopped the track to let the gentleman deal with the issue in the train before us. So that meant that DD and DH were waiting for us at the exit while DS and I sat on the track for a while. This time was smoother and the issue was dealt with quickly. I guess that DD had such an amazing time on the ride that she thanked the workers, "For the amazing ride," upon her return. It was 9:15 by this point. I guess at this point, the abused and exhausted workers were moved by my DD's heartfelt thanks and enjoyment of the ride, combined with the issue, that they offered to let us ride it again. I didn't understand at first, because I was only with my son, DD and DH were waiting at the exit. I thought they were offering due to DS and I being stuck on the track while they dealt with the issue, and I politely declined pointing to my family waiting for me at the exit. That was when she corrected me stating that she knew, but explained to me what my daughter did, and how sweet she was. Stupidly, I still refused because the park would be closing soon and we still hadn't ridden Spider Man. We hoofed it to Spider-man after, and called it a day. It was a very nice thing though. Just goes to show that a little kindness can go a long way.
This day was purely an IOA day. It was beautiful weather. Saturday the 31st. No rainstorms all day! By the time we got back to the resort at 9:50, we had enough time to steal a quick drink from the club and crash in our beds.
A long day. I'll post Sunday and Monday's reports tomorrow. I'm beat.
My family is DH (dear husband, 37), myself at 36, DS at 12 (Dear Son); he will be 13 next month so help me. And leading up the rear is DD (Dear Daughter) at 8 as of June. Our trip was from July 30th through August 3rd at the Portofino Bay Resort Club Level. We asked for a Bay view room; however, we got a Pool Room view. It was a very nice view though; although a bit of a hike from the club at the 5th fool and towards the end of the wing.
We arrived at the Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel around 1 pm on Friday the 30th of July. Sadly, our room wasn't ready yet, so we went to the Club lounge and got some drinks and snacks. Over 1.5 hours later, still no update from our room, so we put on our swimsuits and hung out at the pool for a bit. We finally got our text message that our room was ready at 4:30; 30 minutes past check in time. I think part of this reason was because even with Verizon, the cell reception was pretty cagey in the resort, especially by the pool. So part of the problem is that we were not able to receive text messages properly by the pool. As soon as I gave up and walked to the reception area, I got the text massage that said our room was ready.
We had 5:30 dinner reservations at Toothsome, so at that point it was a race to the room, change, and off to the reservation for dinner. We made it in the nick of time. Dinner was very nice, and it was nice to share the cool experience with my youngest who was too young to remember. I got the beer infused with chocolate. My husband got the brownie milkshake, and my children shared the sprinkle shake. Due to covid, we couldn't ask them to clean the glasses, so we cleaned them in the bathroom per the server, and made sure to leave the sink clean.
This first day we planned on going to the parks after dinner for the Harry Potter wand experiences. I generally perfer to go bagless when I can, so I thought one day to get the wand experiences out of the way would be best, then I wouldn't have to worry about them on rides again. We did the Olivander's experience for my daughter. While she didn't get selected, she was still very excited to pick out her first wand. It was cute. She is 8 as of June. She picked Minerva's wand.
We spent most of the evening going between the two parks doing all of the spells; however, we finished the night with a ride on the Escape from Gringots ride. She wouldn't let us leave without at least one ride. LOL. All in all, it was a pretty awesome start to the day.Day 2 was the "Big Day." LOL. That was the day we were going to Islands of Adventure. We woke up at 0630 to make sure we could get to the park at Early Entry, or whatever Universal calls it. We wanted to make sure we got on Velocicoaster. Actually, the entire prior day, it was all the 8 year old would talk about. We had to tell her multiple times we would get to it eventually
. We didn't want to wait in the 60 minute line then. So up we got, got a quick breakfast at the club, then marched onto the park. We decided to hoof it that morning rather than wait for the boat. There was a bit of a line and we didn't want to be too late. We walked back the night before due to lines, so we already knew the way. It wasn't to bad. Honestly, we only saw the one boat that we wouldn't have gotten on due to the crowd pass us the entire time. So I think we beat the time anyway. The plan ended up working. We got the the park a little before 8 and were still able to get fairly close to the front of the line. We marched straight to Velocicoaster and got a bit confused by the lockers, so that cost us 5 minutes. For those that don't know, the free ones are in the line lol. The line wasn't too long. It moved quickly the entire time; the children never had a chance to get bored. Oh boy, it was so much better than we though, and way more intense. My DD said as she came off, "Mom, I'm dead. That ride killed me. " But she had a big smile on her face. She really did love it. Made poor DH a bit pukey on the last spin though. It was longer than I was expecting. There was a time or two when I thought we were about to come to the end, just for it to be another speed up point! It was the ride of a lifetime; however, with lower back problems, I wasn't willing to do it more than once.So being the smart family we are, we went to Hargrids next LOL. My daughter was a bit worried that this ride would be like the last one. While she enjoyed it, she wasn't really willing for a second go. I had never ridden Hagrids, just the Dueling Draggons, and the last time I rode that was my honeymoon back in 2006. Slight offshoot, I really really enjoyed the nod to the original ride when you first enter the ruins in Hagrids. That was a bit special for me. So anyway, poor DD was a bit nervous, and I didn't know anything about the ride in relation to the Dueling Dragons. Luckily, a nice couple behind us was able to belay her fears by telling her there were no upside parts, and that if she could do Velocicoaster, then Hagrids should be a piece of cake. When we entered the ride at 0830, the line was an hour. It would have been sorter than that, but it had a glitch pretty early on, and it did take the full hour. It was worth it though. It was amazing, and very fun. That drop was unexpected. My poor back certainly felt that later that day lol. (I herniated my L4-L5 the year prior, and the one above that is/was bulging. So while I am "recovered" I am still very sensitive to what is going on with my back these days. I wasn't willing to sit it out though, because priorities LOL.). So after that, I did what any sane person with lower back issues would do, I got a virtual pass for later that day too :rotfl:. My DS loved this ride, but he is almost a teen and can never show positive emotion. I called it a win when I got a hug. After completing Hagrids, we finished all of the other rides in Hogsmead as well. DD was to short to ride the Hogwarts ride last time; she loved that thing. The feeling of flying was one of her favorite things. By the end of the trip, this ride was the only one we rode 3 times. We caught lunch around 11 at The Three Broomsticks. It was relaxing all things considered. We sat inside toward the back. I got a drink from the Hogs Head, but as the only person in my family who consumes alcohol, I got the rest Butterbears. My son drank them all; which was his plan all along me thinks. He had been looking forward to that more than anything else. DH said it was diabetes in a cup, and DD didn't like it really. I can't even stomach root beer or Cream soda, so it was out for me.
After that, it was onto the Jurassic Park Adventure Ride. I thought this would be the one to freak DD out the most, but weirdly, it was her favorite! I don't know what it was about that ride, but she loved the "Dinos that tried to eat her....:confused3. She even conned me into buying her a "Delta" toy.
You will probably see most of my report will be through DD's eyes. She gave me most of the reactions. DS is 1 month shy of 13, and while he is a good child, emotions are too uncool at this point. So, he enjoyed himself very much, but it was hard to gauge levels of happiness you know?
After Jurassic, we did the two water rides; the log flume and the raft ride. Good lordy, no one warned me that you would be soaked on those. There wasn't an inch on the 4 of us that wasn't drenched. I mean drenched. DH loved those the most. The were very fun, but very wet. I mean it, every inch was wet. Not a dry spot left. We went back to the hotel after that to get changed, play in the pool, and relax a bit.
I was worried on our way back to Islands after our break. Daughter fell asleep in the boat ride. We had a dinner reservation at Mythos that we were very excited for, but with daughter half dead (she wouldn't nap because there was a pool outside of our hotel window....), we were worried about how much fun we would have. Luckily she woke up. Unluckily, we were sat next to a large party celebrating a birthday with a rather loud and drunk guest. Sound in Mythos seems to travel very well, so it was a bit of a nightmare. I spent most of the dinner covering my ears rather than enjoying my food. Might finally try something else next time we are in the park. After that, we rode Jurassic Park Adventure again, because DD loved it so much. Then we caught Kong for the first time. That was fun, but not notable enough to do again. Finally, by this point it was dusk and time to ride Hagrids again. This was special this time. The line was shorter than the morning, and cooler. DD and DS wanted to try the bike side this time because they rode the side car the previous ride. I was more than happy since I am only 5'3" and couldn't reach the handle bars without stressing my back anyway. DD and DH were in front of DS and I; however, there was an issue with the harness in the car behind them, so the last three cars in their train were unused. Actually, an employee was trying to do something to the car behind them while it was on the track. He couldn't get it don in time and got his foot stuck. They almost had to stop the ride to get him off, but he got off at the last moment. DS and I ended up lucking out to the first car in the next train. It was an amazing view and we loved the ride at night. When we came back into the station, they finally stopped the track to let the gentleman deal with the issue in the train before us. So that meant that DD and DH were waiting for us at the exit while DS and I sat on the track for a while. This time was smoother and the issue was dealt with quickly. I guess that DD had such an amazing time on the ride that she thanked the workers, "For the amazing ride," upon her return. It was 9:15 by this point. I guess at this point, the abused and exhausted workers were moved by my DD's heartfelt thanks and enjoyment of the ride, combined with the issue, that they offered to let us ride it again. I didn't understand at first, because I was only with my son, DD and DH were waiting at the exit. I thought they were offering due to DS and I being stuck on the track while they dealt with the issue, and I politely declined pointing to my family waiting for me at the exit. That was when she corrected me stating that she knew, but explained to me what my daughter did, and how sweet she was. Stupidly, I still refused because the park would be closing soon and we still hadn't ridden Spider Man. We hoofed it to Spider-man after, and called it a day. It was a very nice thing though. Just goes to show that a little kindness can go a long way.
This day was purely an IOA day. It was beautiful weather. Saturday the 31st. No rainstorms all day! By the time we got back to the resort at 9:50, we had enough time to steal a quick drink from the club and crash in our beds.
A long day. I'll post Sunday and Monday's reports tomorrow. I'm beat.
