Coming to Orlando on vacation? Ask me anything...

[nvanprooyen]

@nvanprooyen I will be in Orlando the weekend of 7/26-7/28, hitting Universal Studios and then heading off on a cruise out of Port Canaveral Monday afternoon.

Any advice on bars/dinner spots near Universal or within an Uber ride?

I'm also wondering what we might do to fill the time Monday if we have to wait to board, but there may not be many good answers for that since we'll be saddled with luggage.

Rereading this thread, now I'm wondering if I might have literally walked past @Ares yesterday without noticing

 

[MDB111™]

Re Universal, if you stay on property there are some nice advantages. Most have early park admission, water taxi to Citywalk from some, higher end include express passes (I think), etc. I usually stay at Sapphire Falls, which has the water taxi, but no Express (I already have this so I don't care). Cabana Bay and Aventura are cheaper options. Also, you can use the water taxi from both Cabana Bay and Aventura, they never check where you are staying. Super short walk from Aventura, a little longer from Cabana Bay, especially if you want to safely cross the street to get over to the Sapphire Falls side. Cabana Bay is super convenient to Volcano Bay though.

We are staying at Loews Royal Pacific for the Universal part and I think we are leaning towards Lake Buena Vista for the Disney portion

 

[nvanprooyen]

We are staying at Loews Royal Pacific for the Universal part and I think we are leaning towards Lake Buena Vista for the Disney portion

Royal Pacific is really nice. Water taxi + early park admission + I believe Express passes included with your stay. As mentioned earlier Hilton Bonnet Creek is a good choice close to Disney. What are the kids tolerance for thrill rides on a scale of 1-10?

 

[nvanprooyen]

Indeed they do:

Universal Studios Express Pass | Loews Universal Orlando Resorts

Be treated like royalty at Universal Studios. Express pass, early admission and transportation are just a few of the exclusive benefits.

www.loewshotels.com

Totally worth it IMO. I refuse to go without Express. Room rates are expensive, but when you look at what it would cost to buy Express for everyone, they look very, very reasonable.

 

[MDB111™]

Royal Pacific is really nice. Water taxi + early park admission + I believe Express passes included with your stay. As mentioned earlier Hilton Bonnet Creek is a good choice close to Disney. What are the kids tolerance for thrill rides on a scale of 1-10?

I forgot you recommended the other place. Ill consider that again. Kids are both under 9 yrs old

 

[nvanprooyen]

I forgot you recommended the other place. Ill consider that again. Kids are both under 9 yrs old

If they have a tolerance for scarier stuff...the Hulk is a must do at IOA and the Mummy is one of my personal favorites at Studios. Rip Ride Rocket is fun, but not nearly as smooth as the Hulk, but I'm not crazy about the 90 degree vertical slow climb to the first drop. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is pretty fucking cool, and one of my favorites. Hagrids motorcycle ride is really good, but always fucking busy because it's new, but that should be better in December with Express. Transformers, Escape from Gringotts and Kong are all worth checking out. Couple good water rides with big drops at Jurassic and Dudley Do Rights. I'm probably forgetting a few.

 

[nvanprooyen]

One more thing - download the Universal Studios app on your phone. It's pretty nice. You can check out detailed park maps, see wait times, and a bunch of other stuff. Great tool to plan your visit, or monitor / find stuff while you're there.

 

[MDB111™]

One more thing - download the Universal Studios app on your phone. It's pretty nice. You can check out detailed park maps, see wait times, and a bunch of other stuff. Great tool to plan your visit, or monitor / find stuff while you're there.

If you could stay anywhere in Disney money no issue, where would you stay for the best 2 day experience?
I ask because I am thinking one of the monorail resorts.

 

[nvanprooyen]

If you could stay anywhere in Disney money no issue, where would you stay for the best 2 day experience?
I ask because I am thinking one of the monorail resorts.

Hmm. Good question. None of the Disney resorts are bad. But if I were to go "full baller" probably one of the overwater bungalows at the Polynesian, if money were no object. Never stayed there personally, but they look amazing.

 

[MDB111™]

Hmm. Good question. None of the Disney resorts are bad. But if I were to go "full baller" probably one of the overwater bungalows at the Polynesian, if money were no object. Never stayed there personally, but they look amazing.

Those are a few thousand per night?

 

[nvanprooyen]

Those are a few thousand per night?

Probably. I've never actually looked because I'm not ever dropping that kind of coin locally. But you asked if money were no object...

 

[number51]

Rereading this thread, now I'm wondering if I might have literally walked past @Ares yesterday without noticing

Oh, you'd know if you saw @Ares , everywhere he goes theses psychos stalk his ass.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Probably. I've never actually looked because I'm not ever dropping that kind of coin locally. But you asked if money were no object...

Guessing @Ares is staying there.

 

[number51]

Guessing @Ares is staying there.

I think he said he is boarding a cruise ship tomorrow, Monday.

I sure hope it's not one of those cruises where there is shit all over the floor, literally a poop deck.

 

[DC]

Always been scared to cruise. Afraid of being eaten by a lardass.

Cheers, Nvan. This thread is awesome. I can't wait to hit up with Fort Lauderdale information next spring for next fall. Why? Because you are the man. Fucking a.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Universal is making a big announcement tomorrow. Most likely a 4th park, but rumors are swirling that it might be even bigger than that. If they do, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Disney announced a 5th park within the next 6 months. The theme park wars continue!

 

[nvanprooyen]

So it's a new park. Gonna be called Epic Universe. Not a lot of details yet, but they did release some concept art:

 

[MDB111™]

@nvanprooyen
Took your advice and booked the Hilton Bonnet Creek for the 2nd half of the week.
Now I have to figure out which Disney Parks to hit in 3 days.

 

[nvanprooyen]

@nvanprooyen
Took your advice and booked the Hilton Bonnet Creek for the 2nd half of the week.
Now I have to figure out which Disney Parks to hit in 3 days.

Animal Kingdom is my personal favorite.

 

[MDB111™]

Animal Kingdom is my personal favorite.

I am gonna let the kids watch some videos of each park and let em pick 2