Trip Report Our Journey to the Dark Side, plus a little bit of Disney...June 2018 **Completed**

We're back!!

Who: Me (Amy), the hubby (Brian), and our three kids, Logan (15), Lily (13), and Owen (10)
Where: Universal Orlando (Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Hard Rock Hotel) plus one day on Disney property
When: Sunday, June 10 - Saturday, June 16

I was bad and didn't take notes this trip, so my pics may need to speak for themselves at times!

Sunday, June 10
Brian and I got up at midnight to start getting ready. We had the kids up and ready and the car packed by a little after 1:00am. The drive was so much better this year than last! Some of it was that we chose to drive through the night, but we didn't hit any major construction either, which helped a lot. It was even smooth sailing through Atlanta!! We brought granola bars, Nutrigrain bars, OJ, and apple juice and ate breakfast while driving. We also packed lunch items and ate quickly at the Florida Welcome Center. We made it in plenty of time for OJ this year!
20180610_120855 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180610_121053 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

First sighting of Universal: Volcano Bay and Cabana Bay Beach Resort:
20180610_153119 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180610_153129 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We pulled in about 3:30pm, so we made it in a little over 14 hours (took us closer to 17 last year!!).
20180610_153332 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[Fankle]

What great photos. Sounds like you had a fab trip. It’s good to hear more about Universal. Not sure how I missed reading this earlier.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Your trip looks like a lot of fun. Your DAKL pics make me miss staying there. I love that resort. It’s such a unique experience.

Thanks! It was a lot of fun! I agree that it is a beautiful resort!

 

[TheMouseFan]

What great photos. Sounds like you had a fab trip. It’s good to hear more about Universal. Not sure how I missed reading this earlier.

Thanks! We did have a great trip!

 

[LeighM]

Love your pics of Winter Summerland. I'm thinking of going next year if the weather cooperates. I enjoy mini golf but never find the time to play those while at WDW.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Love your pics of Winter Summerland. I'm thinking of going next year if the weather cooperates. I enjoy mini golf but never find the time to play those while at WDW.

We really enjoyed it! Last year we played Fantasia Gardens and enjoyed it as well.

 

[DisSplash]

Love the photos! You did a great job of filling the frame with details, and overall subject.

Yes totally agree! I am still reading your report (halfway through) but LOVING your pictures!!! So colorful and perfectly set. We did Universal last year, and so you are walking me through my memories!!!!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Yes totally agree! I am still reading your report (halfway through) but LOVING your pictures!!! So colorful and perfectly set. We did Universal last year, and so you are walking me through my memories!!!!

Thanks! Glad I can help you remember your trip!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We hopped back in the car and made the quick drive to Disney Springs.
IMG_8521 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8522 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8523 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8525 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8526 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8527 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8528 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8529 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8530 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

You can't go to DS without a trip into the Coke store!!
IMG_8531 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8532 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Love the views from the rooftop!
20180614_125543 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180614_125547 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

More Disney Springs:
IMG_8535 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8536 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8537 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8538 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8539 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180614_131352 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8540 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8541 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8542 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8543 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8544 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8545 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8546 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8547 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8548 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

IMG_8549 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8551 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8552 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8554 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8556 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8557 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8558 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8559 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8560 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8561 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8563 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8564 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8565 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8566 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8567 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

IMG_8568 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8569 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8570 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
We were very disappointed in:
IMG_8571 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
They have closed the majority of it for BBB and I think the Star Wars virtual reality thing. They have opened up this to try to make up for it:
IMG_8572 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8573 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8574 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

This looks kinda creepy in the pic, but was really cool in person!
IMG_8575 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8576 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

I love this and really wanted the canvas, but didn't want to spend $300, so we got the print instead as an early 20th anniversary present to ourselves!
IMG_8578 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Love this Christmas tree!
IMG_8579 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8580 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We decided to just leave the car in the parking garage and catch a bus to our dinner reservation. We knew we would be a little early, so we decided to catch whichever MK area bus came first and explore before dinner. The Wilderness Lodge bus came first! Not sure what they were talking about, but I love this picture!
IMG_8581 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We explored a little before moving on.
IMG_8582 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8583 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8584 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8586 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8587 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8588 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8589 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8590 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8592 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8593 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8594 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8595 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8596 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8597 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8598 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8599 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

The skies were starting to look ominous, but the boats were still running, so we caught one to the Contemporary.
IMG_8600 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8601 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8602 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8603 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8605 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8606 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8607 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180614_165237 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8611 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We made it before the rain hit!
IMG_8613 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8614 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

I tried to make a quick stop for a picture, but it ended up being longer because everyone had to be in the middle!!
20180614_165955 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8615 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8616 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8619 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8620 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We went up to catch the monorail to dinner. We had to use every type of transportation possible!!
IMG_8621 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8622 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8623 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Dinner time!!
IMG_8626 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180614_172548 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8628 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We were seated in the very first section by the check in area. I really don't like that area!
IMG_8630 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8629 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8632 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180614_174920 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8634 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8635 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8636 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

The food was delicious! We were seated quickly, but that was the only quick thing about our meal! I have read several complaints in a different thread about how rushed meals at 'Ohana have been, but ours was the opposite. I'm glad we didn't have any plans for afterward or I would have been very upset! Certainly won't stop me from eating there again!!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We decided we needed to walk off our dinner and it had finally stopped raining, so we walked over to the Grand Floridian.
IMG_8637 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8638 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8639 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8640 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8641 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8642 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8643 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8644 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8645 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8646 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8648 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8649 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8650 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8651 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8653 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We made a quick trip through the resort in order to get to the bus stop.
IMG_8655 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8657 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8658 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We saw a rainbow on the way!
IMG_8659 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8661 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180614_200627 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we made a quick trip to Goofy's Candy Co for snacks before heading back to Hard Rock.
IMG_8662 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_8663 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

It certainly wasn't as much Disney as I would have liked, but it was better than nothing! I succeeded in spending more that day than I did the rest of the days combined! I was pleased to find all 4 of the new Coke bottles in Disney Springs!!

 

[Zipadeelady]

You're day on Disney property looks like a great day. I know it had to be hard for you being so close to the Disney parks and resorts and not staying there. Hopefully you'll get to go back soon. Looks like Universal was a good time too. We love Harry Potter and would love to go back for a couple of days to see it again, we when went they only had Hogsmeade completed.

 

[TheMouseFan]

You're day on Disney property looks like a great day. I know it had to be hard for you being so close to the Disney parks and resorts and not staying there. Hopefully you'll get to go back soon. Looks like Universal was a good time too. We love Harry Potter and would love to go back for a couple of days to see it again, we when went they only had Hogsmeade completed.

It was a great day, and like I said, it was better than nothing, but definitely difficult being so close yet so far away from the parks!! We really enjoyed Universal! It is a totally different vacation than Disney. So much more relaxed, but just not the same "happy" feeling I get at Disney.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

Looks like a good day in the Disney Bubble! I can't believe how much Disney Springs seems to have changed since I was there last, or maybe I just never saw all those fancy looking spots!