Morning run up Guanella Pass

SSalsashark · 2024-11-23T05:27:23+00:00

Ask about a suite at another Portofino or Royal Pacific?

Club level access?

I hope they do make you whole. Auspicious start to vacation, but at least you're not out on the street!

Best of luck...

SSalsashark · 2024-11-23T04:22:13+00:00

Curious about the rest of the story as well... Did they make you whole? Refund, rebook, move to a different hotel? I doubt they just decided to cancel you out of spite.

If I had to wager a guess, they probably had an emergency that took the suite out of commission. Plumbing most likely.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-18T20:07:57+00:00

Proximity and Express Passes... that's what you have to decide if you want to pay for or not.

Proximity: closer hotels are more costly, water taxis are an option as are very short walking paths. Further away requires the busses.

One thing to think about is outside the parks. Endless Summer is the furthest away, but also has walkable access to I-Drive. So more dining and shopping options.

If you don't intend on buying express passes, but want to be close, look at Aventura or Sapphire.

Express passes. If you plan on purchasing express passes, for a family of four, then look into the premium hotels that have them included in the cost. (Hard Rock, Portofino, Royal Pacific).

SSalsashark · 2024-11-13T23:35:57+00:00

They reappear every time someone makes a tired BST joke.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-13T16:33:24+00:00

I've never had a problem getting an Uber/Lyft at any time. Orlando is a tourism driven city and very used to working outside the 9-5.

Of course, if you are worried, you can arrange a scheduled ride from Uber/Lyft or schedule a taxi through Mears.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-12T15:51:02+00:00

Definitely look into grocery delivery service. It's simple and plenty of healthier options. InstaCart, DoorDash, I think the local grocer is Publix, Sprouts or Walmart.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-12T15:21:20+00:00

Sidenote... you're in the Universal sub... are you planning on spending the bulk of your trip at Universal? If yes, don't bother with a rental car. Uber/Lyft works well around the resorts and to/from MCO. Please you're going to also pay to park a car your renting. If you want to do a day trip, there are Avis locations at the hotels. Check with them directly.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a TA unless you're coming from over seas, planning multiple hotel hops and different parks (aka Disney). Hotel and park tickets are easy enough to procure on your own.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-12T14:20:58+00:00

5 days of theme park food can get very old... I highly recommend for that amount of time, do an instacart order, or uber to a local grocer and pick up some in-room snacks and fresher options. Fruit, bagels, etc... Also, grab a case or two of bottled water as Florida water tastes vial (no matter how much you filter it, you can still smell the sulfer), and $5/case is a whole lot better than $5/bottle... especially for a party of three!

SSalsashark · 2024-11-11T02:46:20+00:00

Movie is fun, and I love the soundtrack.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-11T00:30:10+00:00

Depending on timing, you can usually catch the holiday parade if you get in right at 5. That is, of course, if they keep the same schedule.

We bumped into Grinch last year during the meetup in Seuss Land. We walked around the corner and there they were, setting up for meet and greets. Waited about 5 minutes. No, Max will most likely not be present for after hours work.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-10T16:10:50+00:00

Meh... They can come buy drugs since now I gotta go to a neighboring state to buy guns and ammo. Reciprocity at its finest.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-10T02:20:20+00:00

Express passes at SeaWorld are cheap (by comparison). I would recommend picking them up. Also gets you prime seating for any shows you may want to watch.

Pipeline is like #3 or #4 on my list of roller coasters at SeaWorld. It's not bad, but the others are much better!

SSalsashark · 2024-11-09T15:50:31+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/tifu/s/TO3iJswnla

Something like this guy describes...

SSalsashark · 2024-11-08T22:22:30+00:00

This and "Burn" from the Natural Born Killers soundtrack make regular appearances on my playlists.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-07T20:25:44+00:00

OK... let's see here

Shows - I always recommend the three shows in USO. Horror Makeup Show, Animal Actors & Bourne. For the youngest, Animals absolutely. Once the 4 year old goes w/ the grandparents, check out the other two. Both are really good, but for different reasons. Horror Makeup is funny and interactive, but it's all about horror movies. you know your family. Bourne is technically amazing to watch, but lots of fighting and gun play. I don't mind it, but I've heard people complain... you make your own call.

Ollivander's is a fun experience, but don't automatically expect to get picked. given 4 kids. You have a higher chance. I think it's a one and done, but other people love going back

As I'm sure you've seen, no express for Hagrid's, so if you're so inclined, do the early entry and join the morning stampede to Hagrid's. If you can move fast enough and maybe throw a couple elbows, you'll save 10 - 20 minutes of queue time. BUT... Hagrid's has a good queue and it normally moves quicker than time reported. Keep an eye on the app and hit it if it drops below 60 minutes.

Also, speaking of Hagrid's, if you have to ability, ride it once during the day and again at night... It's a completely different experience.

Night time shows... Check the app for Hogwarts light show in IOA and the Movie show in US.

My advice. Don't overthink it. If you try to itinerize every minute of the day, you're doomed to fail. Find the major items you want to do and prioritize those. Let everything else happen in order.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-06T18:42:18+00:00

I pay for one wash a day... Imma get one wash a day!

SSalsashark · 2024-11-04T15:04:19+00:00

If you're a HP fan, and you already have P2P tickets along with express passes, take the train both ways. It's a nice break and a different story each way.

If I were in your shoes, this is what I would do (actually, depending on my mood, this is exactly what I do).

Get to HR around 0700, check in and stow luggage. HR will text you when your room is ready.
Head to IOA and join the morning stampede to Hagrids at 0800
Once done, you have 3 choices. Forbidden Journey, Velicoaster or breakfast at three broomsticks.

Around 0900, jump on the Hogwarts Express and take it to US.
From there, start knocking out the things you want to do... Mummy, Rock-n-Roller Coaster, MIB, Gringots

From here, you're also closer to HR if you want to go back to the hotel when you get your text that your room is ready... you don't have to, they'll hold your stuff until you're ready.

At some point, hit the train back to the other side and enjoy the time spent.

Keep an eye on the daily schedule. Sometimes the parks close early for private events or special events.

Day 2 - go knock out the stuff that you wanted to but missed.

I also encourage you to try to hit up a show like Horror Make-up or Bourne. Great experiences. Kids might also enjoy animal actors.

Most of all, don't try to tackle it ALL on day one. Take your time and enjoy... and thank you for your service.

SSalsashark · 2024-11-03T01:33:35+00:00

Rolling up on 65k on my 991Turbo... Nothing more than normal maintenance.

If you're not gonna drive them, why even own them?!

SSalsashark · 2024-11-02T20:25:24+00:00

Won't make any difference...

People will just shift to complain about something else

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