Trip Report Shortest Retirement in History?

Justin Bieber lasted 2 weeks.

Tom Brady lasted 40 days.

I, Tuvalu, outlasted them both. Not by much, mind you. Yet if not for the encouragement of some forum friends - along with some unusual circumstances - you wouldn’t be reading this.

Unusual circumstances, you say?

Around Thanksgiving my beloved Woody learned his presence was required at a work conference. In Orlando. At Universal.
Just down the road from Walt Disney World.

Woody said I could accompany him if he drove (rather than flew) to Florida. And that we could leave a couple days early and have some Disney time together.

Well you don’t have to ask me twice!

I’d be on my own during the conference. Since the majority of Universal’s attractions don’t appeal to me, it didn’t make sense for me to buy Uni tickets when I could visit WDW for free with my AP. Being solo, I thought it might be fun to do a live trip report so y’all could be my virtual companions!

Turns out I won’t be alone while Woody is occupied after all. Some friends that you have seen in my previous TRs (and one you haven’t) have offered to play with me. I can’t wait!

 

[Tuvalu]

While patterns and styles update, there still should be something for everyone. For example, I like Woody's white collared polo shirt, with the (small) Mickey on the front. That's a classic style and looks good (although, I don't know if he bought that recently, or has owned it for some time.)

So as long as there is some variety in the "merch" for sale, that's o.k. If not, then that's disappointing.

The polo that Woody is wearing is from an era when Disney made quality clothing. He has several in that style that wash well and last a long time. It’s been years since we’ve been able to find similar ones.

Today’s tees, of which some fit in the “something for everyone” category, are mostly made from cheaper fabric and wear out more quickly. They also shrink or are slim fit from purchase, therefore less comfortable.

 

[93boomer]

The polo that Woody is wearing is from an era when Disney made quality clothing. He has several in that style that wash well and last a long time. It’s been years since we’ve been able to find similar ones.

Today’s tees, of which some fit in the “something for everyone” category, are mostly made from cheaper fabric and wear out more quickly. They also shrink or are slim fit from purchase, therefore less comfortable.

I’ve had to get rid of a whole lot of Disney shirts from the last several years that shrank in the dryer.

 

[Minnie1986]

I see we have the same opinion on the Mickey pretzel, although I do like the "cheese"! It's ridiculously overpriced and it's always been stale when I've gotten one. The pretzels at Sam's Club are DELICIOUS and like $1 so I just can't stomach those Disney prices for a lesser product.

I've never understood the hype over the Mickey pretzel

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

After our snack fail, we had to say goodbye to the MK.

Time to be movin’ along.

Where to?

Resort #2 - Universal’s Sapphire Falls

 

[Tuvalu]

We had parked our car in the parking garage on level 2. We had to ride the garage elevator up to lobby level.

Then we had to walk a short distance outside to the main hotel entrance to enter the lobby. (Pictures above in my previous post.)

The lobby is on the fourth floor. Our room was on the third floor - in Guest House 3.

We had to go to Guest House 3 (off the lobby) to use the proper elevator. Since we were on the 4th floor, we had to ride the elevator down to the 3rd floor.

Confused yet? We were. All the ups and downs - just like an amusement park ride!

The room was about the size of a Disney moderate resort room. The theme of Sapphire Falls is Caribbean, although I never got much of a “tropical vibe” during our stay - except for the loud “Island music” background playing in the resort.

Music that woke me up at 3:30 am.

Room view

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody had to leave for the welcome reception for the conference which meant I was on my own for dinner.

Had the weather been better, I would have taken the water taxi to City Walk. It’s been years since I’ve been there and I was curious - Toothsome’s, Voodoo Donuts, Cowfish - all new to me. (Spoiler alert - I never made it to City Walk.)

Sapphire Falls has a lounge that serves tapas plates, but it was full of guests.

I wasn’t feeling the sit-down casual restaurant.

That meant the grab and go shop was my only option. I picked up a ham sandwich and bag of chips. The store had a Coke Freestyle machine, so I asked for a drink cup when I got to the register.

“We don’t have drink cups,” the disinterested cashier told me. “You need to buy the Universal mug.”

She pointed to a stack of plastic refillable mugs, similar to Disney’s.

There was no way I was paying $25 for a refillable mug I would use once.

“Do you have cups for water?” I asked. She handed me a clear plastic cup.

“Where do I get the water?”

She pointed to the Freestyle machine. Seriously?

Here’s my dinner. Want to guess the cost?

$10? $12? $15?

$17.64. For a single sandwich and small bag of chips ($4!) To be fair, it was a tasty sandwich and generous with the ham, so I could only eat half. I put the rest in the fridge - then threw it away on check out day.

So really, I spent $13 for half a ham sandwich.

Thankfully I had my free cup of water and could refrain from drinking Earth’s Finest Water.

 

[erstwo]

Royal Pacific was just as confusing with the elevators (minus the parking deck). It was so bad - I had to exit and enter at exactly the same spot every time or I would get lost. It also lacked any tropical vibes - but it’s the Universal equivalent of the Polynesian?
I did enjoy the Margaritaville outside bar at City Walk. All my other meals were okay - not inedible but definitely forgettable.

 

[LeighM]

I’ve had to get rid of a whole lot of Disney shirts from the last several years that shrank in the dryer.

I had to start buying a size larger than I needed. That case, if it shrank in the wash, then it would still fit. If it didn't shrink, I just put it away until I could grow into it

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, January 17

Woody was out the door early for a breakfast meeting. I followed shortly, doing the up and down elevator thing until I got to our car.

It was COLD. But I was prepared because I had checked the weather forecast before leaving for this trip. I’ve been to Florida in January many times and despite what most tourists believe, it is not always sunny and warm in the Sunshine State!

I was very excited. I was going to my favorite Disney park to spend the day with a long-time forum friend. We’ve been buds for almost seven years.

Tuvalu and @riverside were taking on the Kingdom today!

 

[Laurenciaa]

I was beginning to worry that @riverside left the WDW TR forum but there she is! Hope you two have/had a good day together

 

[Tuvalu]

I was beginning to worry that @riverside left the WDW TR forum but there she is! Hope you two have/had a good day together

We made some great memories!

I failed at live reporting this trip. But now I’ll be able to add more details when I work on this TR at home…which is still several hours away.

 

[littleroo]

We made some great memories!

I failed at live reporting this trip. But now I’ll be able to add more details when I work on this TR at home…which is still several hours away.

Safe travels!!!

 

[93boomer]

Have a safe trip going back.

 

[lindawdw]

I don't have any desire to stay at Universal Studios or visit it anymore but since Woody was there on business, if it's free it's for me works!!! I'm so happy you and Patti were able to enjoy the day at MK together. I can't wait for your TR!!!!

Looking forward to seeing you soon dear friend!!!

 

[JamieLee18]

You did not fail!!!

Thanks for writing this report, I’m so bummed to hear Universal was so disappointing.

 

[RememberWhen]

Safe travels! I’m at my gate at MCO! Looking forward to hearing all about the rest of your trip!

 

[Tuvalu]

Looking forward to seeing you soon dear friend!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thanks for writing this report, I’m so bummed to hear Universal was so disappointing.

It’s just not Disney. I felt so out of my element!

Safe travels! I’m at my gate at MCO! Looking forward to hearing all about the rest of your trip!

Smooth flying, my friend!

 

[sheriffwoody]

It sure was cold that day! I thought we were prepared, but I needed another layer If we'd driven down, I'd have brought our coats for sure!

 

[Skibum1970]

It’s just not Disney. I felt so out of my element!


Smooth flying, my friend!

Not trying to turn this into a resort review but, when we stayed at Royal Pacific for one, it was nice but it felt like just a hotel. The main reason for us to stay there was the free Universal Express pass and that was totally worth it. However, after spending the day at Islands of Adventure, we went to our multi-night home at Port Orleans Riverside. It honestly felt like coming home and, with no hard evidence to explain why, it was just more enjoyable.

As you said as well, Florida is not always sunny and warm. That day at Islands of Adventure, the morning temperature was 48 and it felt much, much colder (and we had left 15 degree weather in Ohio behind). The high was 61 and that was very brisk.