Trip Report The Griswolds go to Orlando!! Live trip report...or something like it. Pictures on page 11 !!

Alright, I'm to give it a go at doing a live trip report. This way it will be easier for me to remember what we do. Hold fast folks, I might not be able to add photos until we get back but I'll try.

As some of you know, we had a 7 hour flight delay yesterday which nixed any chance of park time but we muddled through it. We ended up getting our APs via guest services at CityWalk which was convenient.

Day One: Universal.

Diagon Alley.......Holy crap. This place is amazing. The details are to top notch and there's no denying what they've done here. The ladies did Gringott's and they loved it. The train crossing into the other park was awesome. The only let down was Cat in the Hat. I must have missed the memo but it has almost no spinning now.

So, right now we're waiting on the girls to finish the Hulk and then it's chow time at Mel's. More to come!

 

[draybook]

The interplanetary boarding pass for E.T. is still down. Not sure what the deal is. We managed to both break 600k on MiB and now we're in line for Shrek. After the gals ride Mummy and Transformers we are going to try Monsters Cafe for the first time. After paying $47 for an interactive wand I could use a nice shot of whiskey though....

 

[Disneygrl]

I love live TR's!!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[JoMarch]

I love your on site Trip Report!!!

How's the weather in Florida?? September is usually a toss up.....

Also - How are the crowds at Universal at this time?

 

[draybook]

I love your on site Trip Report!!!

How's the weather in Florida?? September is usually a toss up.....

Also - How are the crowds at Universal at this time?

Well, we're 2 for 2 on rain so far but nothing today. Knock on wood and cross the fingers...waiting on another go around at the horror make up show. Yesterday's show was the first time we've seen both actors be women and they were hilarious.

Had lunch at the Springfield food court again, I just can't get enough of the Krusty Burger. I think after this show we're going to head to the Hogwart's Express and spend some time at IoA before it closes.

 

[draybook]

We've managed to avoid rain but man is it hot......

A few rounds of One Fish Two Fish followed by Cat in the Hat is a good way to cool off. After the ladies finish their Jurassic Park adventure we're going to make the loop around Toon Lagoon and then back to Seussland. Anyone know where the best pizza is in IoA?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

We've managed to avoid rain but man is it hot......

A few rounds of One Fish Two Fish followed by Cat in the Hat is a good way to cool off. After the ladies finish their Jurassic Park adventure we're going to make the loop around Toon Lagoon and then back to Seussland. Anyone know where the best pizza is in IoA?

Confisco's has good brick oven pizza. And Red Oven Pizza Bakery in CityWalk are your best bets.

 

[draybook]

If Confiscos is the place up at the front then they closed at 3:30. We might just have to go back to Springfield.

 

[ShookieJones]

Following along.

We normally do the 8 WDW day vacations so we usually just go to Uni for the day ---- switching hotels never seems to make sense.
Last year we did a 10 day vacation so we decided to stay onsite at the Hard Rock the first time last year for a couple of days, the walk to the parks was nice, the Express pass was AMAZING - I'm so glad we did that.

This year we're back to an 8 day vacation so no walking to the parks no express pass.

Glad you're getting a chance to experience that and having fun.

Only 17 more days for us. I don't want to wish the days away but I really can't wait.

 

[draybook]

Following along.

We normally do the 8 WDW day vacations so we usually just go to Uni for the day ---- switching hotels never seems to make sense.
Last year we did a 10 day vacation so we decided to stay onsite at the Hard Rock the first time last year for a couple of days, the walk to the parks was nice, the Express pass was AMAZING - I'm so glad we did that.

This year we're back to an 8 day vacation so no walking to the parks no express pass.

Glad you're getting a chance to experience that and having fun.

Only 17 more days for us. I don't want to wish the days away but I really can't wait.

I have been converted by the Express Pass. If Disney ever came up with a pay to skip option we would be all over it like a fly on dung! I have been totally spoiled by it.

 

[coachwnh]

Day 3: Our last(kind of) Universal day.

Again, we slept in a little. Again, we swam and went to Walmart...yuck. Unfortunately, we have to go back there tonight because the universal adapter battery charger we bought for our Nikon didn't have the one adapter that fits our battery.

Anyhow, we put all of our lugg age in the car before hiking here so all we have to do is leave after the parks close. We're over here at Diagon Alley and man I can't get enough of this place. As a matter of fact, we just found Knocturnal Alley and the details of this land are plain bonkers. Seriously, the detail in this land should be the industry standard.

We're a few minutes from regular opening so I'll post later. Oh, and did I mention that today is our wedding anniversary? Yep, that makes 13 years down, and way too many to go. So please feel free to wish a happy anniversary to @Runmyhorse !!

Happy Anniversary to both of you!!! Enjoy the rest of your long trip.

 

[BigTxEars]

Is this your 14 day trip?

Cause if it is I hate you......

 

[draybook]

Left Universal and hit up Walmart for essentials. We head to POFQ for check in. Everything goes smoothly with the exception that my magic band won't access the door but the others will, so we decide to fix that later when we get back from getting our APs at DtD. That goes smoothly....did I mention that we're the Griswolds? We haul all of our lugg age to the room, 2214, only to arrive to a room that reeks of cigarette smoke. My son has mild asthma so that's a no go. So, after I went and got the last two bags I called the front desk to ask for another room. Sure, no problem, only it won't be in the same building. So.....we get moved from building 2 to 6. Did I mention that I'm sweating like a woman of the night at Sunday service?

So, we trudge all the way over there only to discover that the door won't open. Now I get to find one of those phones by the ice machine and call the front desk. They sen someone to open the door while they fix the system gglitch for us. I just dropped $1300 on APs and a Tables in Wonderland card and this is how we start our resort stay. Did I also mention that I've been up since 6:30 am and it's now midnight and I'm finally about to lay down and get back up at 6 for ADRs? Yeah, goodnight folks, I'm going to bed before I say how I really feel at this moment...lol.

 

[coachwnh]

Have a great first morning in Disney! Looking forward to your updates.

 

[draybook]

Have a great first morning in Disney! Looking forward to your updates.

Well, here we are almost 7 hours later and they still haven't fixed the bands. As a matter of fact, we have to bring them to the front desk when we get back from the party tonight......close to 1am........

All I'm saying is that we didn't have any issues at RPR...

 

[MMDVC]

Hi ... enjoying your trip. I just checked the hourly forecast and 70%- 80% chance of rain between 3 and 8 p.m. but you probably know that already. I agree about Universal's front of line pass is much preferred over WDW's expensive Magic Band technology...

 

[draybook]

I really hope it doesn't rain, because if we miss the Headless Horseman my wife will really be ticked. I hope we don't come off as selfish but after all that we've been through here in less than 24 hours....well, it's just rubbing us the wrong way so far.

 

[Disneygrl]

Sorry it's been a rough start for you guys. Hope you get some magic sprinkled on your day!

 

[draybook]

We had breakfast at the Crystal Palace and it was good. The first ride of the day was the Jungle Cruise and our skipper, Jason, was quite funny. We enjoyed the Trader Sam bit because instead of the usual spiel about slicing and dicing Jason nonchalantly glanced over at him and said, "hey dad". Wonderful ad lib.

Next up was the Speedway, which was fun. After that we sent the ladies off to Big Thunder with our bands to use the fps while we did the Tomorrow land rides. As we exit the Peoplemover, I get a text from my wife saying she lost my band. Hi, my name is Clark Griswold, remember me? So we went to Guest Services and got a new one.

They went and hit Space while we did Buzz and People mover again. Justin is 2 for 2 on getting the high score.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Enjoying the TR - hope you manage to get over your issues and get some pics on too!

 

[draybook]

Let me get this rant out of the way first. Heat, Brazilians and the Haunted Mansion queue and merge room. Those are what got under my skin today. Seriously, the doombuggy room is terribly planned out. They should have taken the money from the crappy interactive queue, which you're forced to undertake, and used it to make a better merge point in there.

Anyhow, we managed a few rides and then we had lunch at BoG via FP. My wife, daughter and I had the kids grilled cheese while my son had the roast beef. Not too shabby but I'm interested in knowing how they find you given that we were only handed a receipt and not any kind of tracking device.

Justin and I just finished getting more high score buttons from Buzz and when the ladies get back from Splash we are headed to get our MNSSHP wristbands. If any of you are going to be here for the party please post what you're going to be and I'll try to keep an eye out. I didn't have time to make a quick jersey so I'm not dressing up as Polamalu this year, sorry guys.