Pre-Trip Welcome to my life, theres no turning back...

Even while I sleep...
They will find me...
Acting on my best behavior!!!



Now, let's get to the good part! We are going on a trip! But not WDW...*gasp!!!

We are going to the land that the hard core pixie dusters won't mention or speak of. Kinda like saying Valdermorts name in a Harry Potter movie.

Ok, was that enough of a hint? If not, we are going to Universal Studios (Orlando)!

Who is going?

First up we have your favorite trip reporters favorite trip reporter, the prognosticator of prognosticators, the peoples champ, the white tee v neck president, your boy, 9000!

Joining me will be my perfectly well mannered wife, C!

Where: Loews Portifino Bay

When: that's proprietary, but I've stored the info on a document and placed it next to a sports car in a garage which is more secure than Fort Knox (I couldn't help myself).

More details to come.

 

[wdisney9000]

After lunch we rode Men In Black. It's a shooter game like Space Ranger Spin, you just can't control the ride vehicle. We really enjoyed it.

Next was the Simpsons Spinner ride. Now, you may think it's just a boring old spinner ride like Dumbo, but the alien Kang from the show is spouting off HILARIOUS things as you spin around. We were cracking up.

While in line, we noticed this lady taking a call while riding. Who does she thinks she is, me?? Lol

We love the names of the ufos.

I chose the Barf Simpson!

 

[wdisney9000]

Next was E.T. there are walls up all around the ride so there wasn't a good picture opportunity. But here's one from inside the queue

It really is a campy but fun ride. Amd E.T. says your name in the last scene.

We hit up the Hello Kitty shop on the way to our next ride. I found this Lil beauty. I'm gonna go back and put some money on the Cubbies!

We went to Minions next. It was OK. Definitely for kids but it's fun.

C deducted she was tipsy enough to ride Velocicoaster so we headed to the Hogwarts Express to ride back over to IOA. First, we stopped at Finnigans amd got a drink to go!

The bartender that waoted on us saw us made our drinks. She poured a heavy bourbon for C. Sje would definitely be ready for the coaster!

We stopped in the sweets shop to check it out

 

[wdisney9000]

We hopped on Hogwarts which was an hour wait but only waited about ten minutes with Express Pass. We both agreed that Express Pass is far superior to Genie +. We hadn't waited more than 10 minutes for anything all day. And its even better that it's a free perk when staying at a Loews Resort. 10 points for Universal!

We also like not having to use your phone. You just tap your cars when you enter the attraction. Amd you see a lot less people on their phones in the park. Another 5 points for Universal!

We got to Velicoaster and C was ready to ride!

Amd right as we entered the main queue, the announcement was made that due to weather the ride was on hold. No!!!

I checked the weather app and there was a wall of green that wasn't going anywhere. We decided to exit.

First stop, since we can ride with the raptors, I'll just drink one!

 

[wdisney9000]

The rain really started coming down as we were attempting to exit the park! We ducked in and rode Spiderman. It's a 3 D ride and it squirts water on you several times. Just whay we needed lol!

We grabbed some umbrellas and took shelter at Antijitos on City Walk since the boats weren't running either!

I'm #1 !!!

The food was excellent

 

[Katiekitten]

The food from Antojitos looks good!

 

[Laurenciaa]

It was approaching 11 am and a restaurant we wanted to try was about to open. Finnigans! An Irish pub style restaurant. We decided to sit at the bar.

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We ordered drinks. C had an old fashion and I got a beer. Stella Artois.

It was approaching 11 am and a restaurant we wanted to try was about to open. Finnigans! An Irish pub style restaurant. We decided to sit at the bar.

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We ordered drinks. C had an old fashion and I got a beer. Stella Artois.

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We were really enjoying the atmosphere and the service was great.

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We ordered the Ruben and also the chicken sandwich with fries. Both were very good. The fries were good too. Not too oily and heavy. We really enjoyed our meals. The Ruben was our favorite of the two.

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We ordered another round of drinks. C we t with a sidecar this time

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We will definitely come here again. The bartenders were very fun and the food and drinks were great! 2 points for Universal.

The foam head on the Stella Artois (is that correct English?) is, IMO, an absoluutttteeeeeeeeeee horror/disgrace. Don't know If Uni has other more fitting glasses but the one you received isn't one....

I feel like I'm only ranting in this TR.. sorrry .. anyway, you two have fun!!

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Quick question, can you look around gringotts bank without doing the ride? Loving the report so far.

 

[wdisney9000]

The foam head on the Stella Artois (is that correct English?) is, IMO, an absoluutttteeeeeeeeeee horror/disgrace. Don't know If Uni has other more fitting glasses but the one you received isn't one....
View attachment 712472

I feel like I'm only ranting in this TR.. sorrry .. anyway, you two have fun!!

Rant away my good lady! Rant away!!!! You are definitely my people!

 

[wdisney9000]

Continued from day 2

After Antijitos it we caught a break in the rain and the boats were running. We got back to the room and it started pouring again. Pretty much rained all night

If you're wondering why I haven't posted about the club lounge, it's mostly because it's been extremely disappointing. The lounge itself is beautiful, but the offerings aren't much to be excited about, IMO. That evening we went down for evening service

An on going joke we've had with my sister is this bread picutred below. It's sliced bread out of a bag. Just plain old (cheap) sliced bread.

The joke is that my sister raved about the lounge and the food from experience here. So we've been ribbing her about how fancy it is

 

[amjt660]

And your trip report so far??

Max

 

[wdisney9000]

The club level experience here is basically nothing more than the lounge. There is no club level desk concierge. There is no specific desk for service. There is a host stand when you enter the lounge, but it's to verify that you're club level. You have to tap your room key to enter but they still verify your name and room number at the stand (sometimes).

There's no separate check in for club level (like Disney has) And if you don't book directly through Loews (which I didn't because we got the AP rate thru Universal) you can't pre check in prior to arrival.

There was no information given to us on the amenities and there's nobody in the club lou.ge that knows anything besides what time they change services.

I did have a question and was directed to the main concierge desk and upon arriving there, this is what I was greeted with.

I'm sure the young kid had to step away and make a tik tok video.

Compared to Disney club level, Poritfino has A LOT to learn.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a$$ kissing service, but don't claim 5 star status and have your concierge level be the same service as if you booked a regular room. Aside from the lounge, there's not much benefit in staying club level here.

When "I don't know" or "I haven't been trained for that" is a common answer, it's not good service.

 

[wdisney9000]

Day 3

The club lounge had a decent breakfast spread.

Amd we messaged my sister to show her they put the sun beam sliced bread into a fancy box with bagels for breakfast!

We hopped on the boat and hit the Studios after breakfast

Grabbed some coffee at Starbucks in the park

And this is a RARE sight...an empty Stabucls inside the park??

I think everybody rushed to Harry Potter and we went for coffee.

Rode MIB

Then I met Doc Emmet Brown. Great Scott!

He was hilarious! They have several characters out just walking around. Very much the old Citizens of Hollywood amd Main Street

It was time for a drink before we rode Jimmy Fallon ride

 

[Loco_driver]

Are the DeLorean and the time traveling train gone, or was Doc Brown just wandering around? Sorry the service hasn’t been very good!

 

[wdisney9000]

Are the DeLorean and the time traveling train gone, or was Doc Brown just wandering around? Sorry the service hasn’t been very good!

Both were still there. We met him nit far from there but he was wandering a bit. Great experience to meet him. He had us cracking up.

The parks have been great and we really do like Portifino. It's an absolutely beautiful resort and the service hasn't been bad. Just the club level is a let down. But they did redeem themselves a but today.

Details to come

 

[wdisney9000]

Day 3 continued

Marilyn noticed me and started showing off. I am aware of the affect i have on women ()

It was time for a beer.

We caught this really fun street show. It was salsa dancing and they were teaching it. Very fun to watch while we enjoyed our drinks.

The streetmosphere at Universal is excellent. Makes me really miss it at WDW.

 

[LeighM]

The foam head on the Stella Artois (is that correct English?) is, IMO, an absoluutttteeeeeeeeeee horror/disgrace. Don't know If Uni has other more fitting glasses but the one you received isn't one....
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I feel like I'm only ranting in this TR.. sorrry .. anyway, you two have fun!!

I'm not even a beer drinker and was thinking that isn't the right kind of glass LOL. I actually have one of the Stella glasses - why, I don't know. I'm a bourbon/whiskey drinker so I focus on the glencairns

 

[wdisney9000]

Day 3 continued...

We hit a few rides and then had lunch at Today Cafe. C got the mozzarella and tomato sandwich and I got the croned beef. Both were great!

We found this shirt in gift shop

Another round. Is this a proper container for a Stella?

Next was Forbidden Journey

We always laugh because several minutes after the Dementors have been attacking you, Harry yells at them, "stop, leave them alone!" as if the Dementors will just suddenly cease their efforts and apologize, lol.

Then a few scenes later, he casts a spell that that instantly makes them go away. Why not do that right away? Harry put our lives in danger for no apparent reason.

Time for afternoon break at the room but we stopped for a drink to enjoy on the walk back.

C got Jim Beam and I got a Sam Adam's Summer ale in an importer glass

 

[Laurenciaa]

Day 3 continued...

We hit a few rides and then had lunch at Today Cafe. C got the mozzarella and tomato sandwich and I got the croned beef. Both were great!

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We found this shirt in gift shop

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Another round. Is this a proper container for a Stella?

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Next was Forbidden Journey

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We always laugh because several minutes after the Dementors have been attacking you, Harry yells at them, "stop, leave them alone!" as if the Dementors will just suddenly cease their efforts and apologize, lol.

Then a few scenes later, he casts a spell that that instantly makes them go away. Why not do that right away? Harry put our lives in danger for no apparent reason.

Time for afternoon break at the room but we stopped for a drink to enjoy on the walk back.

C got Jim Beam and I got a Sam Adam's Summer ale in an importer glass

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AHH Faith in Humanity has been restored! Cheers from the City where is was brewed, Im in Leuven, Belgium today not far from the brewery!

 

[wdisney9000]

AHH Faith in Humanity has been restored! Cheers from the City where is was brewed, Im in Leuven, Belgium today not far from the brewery!

We are practically related since I have 3 Dutch shepherd and 1 Belgian malinois.

jij bent mijn zus!

 

[wdisney9000]

Day 3 continued

We stopped back at the club lounge on the way to the room. Sent my sister a pic of the fancy breadsticks and marinara

We passed on that. Then we showered a the room and relaxed for a bit. Dinner service was beginning so we headed back to the lounge before we went back to the parks.

I will say this, they kinda redeemed themselves with the dinner selections. First up was a @Darstarr must do!

Amd the polenta looked great as well.

I sent my sister a fancy bread update. Theu had moved back to the basket and a different counter.

As good as the food looked, we only had a drink and headed out to the parks. Now..., you may be asking yourself, "9000, Why would you not eat the first decent food they put out"? Because we weren't heading to just any old park. We actually weren't heading to a park at all (to start). We had been longing for a certain type feeling you just can't get at Universal Studios (and no, @lostpro9het , I'm not referring to a seltzer ).

I chirped a lyft ride and soon after we were....

Home!!!! (Yacht Club)

I was definitely #1 in a good way at this moment!

3 days in at Universal and we broke down. We needed some Disney vibes and we needed it BIG TIME!! Yacht Club was a clear choice. It was pouring rain the whole ride over. It took about 40 minutes with traffic and rain but it was TOTALLY worth it!