Disney Vacations

SPEEDY MCCREADY

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Get_Right said:

I have done Caribbean Beach and the Swan and Dolphin. The Swan is a nicer resort than Carribean Beach IMHO. But Caribbean would be great for a young child that cannot yet appreciate a nicer resort.  Edit: It has been 10 years since I have been there. The last two times I was in Orlando I stayed at the JW Marriott/Ritz which requires a shuttle bus to the parks.

The Swan and Dolphin is CRAZY expensive. 
But its gorgeous. Love the pool area, the restaurants are awesome, everything about the resort is perfect. Well, except the fact that it's $800 a night. 

Nevermind!!
I was thinking Yacht and Beach!!
Sorry about that

SPEEDY MCCREADY

I've done the Swan and Dolphin twice in the last 5 years. Loved it. Very affordable, by Disney standards. Loved the location to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Get_Right

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Get_Right said:

I have done Caribbean Beach and the Swan and Dolphin. The Swan is a nicer resort than Carribean Beach IMHO. But Caribbean would be great for a young child that cannot yet appreciate a nicer resort.  Edit: It has been 10 years since I have been there. The last two times I was in Orlando I stayed at the JW Marriott/Ritz which requires a shuttle bus to the parks.

The Swan and Dolphin is CRAZY expensive. 
But its gorgeous. Love the pool area, the restaurants are awesome, everything about the resort is perfect. Well, except the fact that it's $800 a night. 

Expensive during peak times, but you can get a lower rate during the off season. I was lucky to be there during a conference. But you are right it ain't cheap. Believe it or not we did Tokyo Disneyland for half the price of Orlando. And the food was better. Excluding the huge expense of the flight of course.

tempo_n_groove

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

I've done the Swan and Dolphin twice in the last 5 years. Loved it. Very affordable, by Disney standards. Loved the location to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Did you do Epcot?  I was there last on 09 I guess?  That Buzz Lightyear game was the best.  Not sure what its like in there now?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

tempo_n_groove said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

I've done the Swan and Dolphin twice in the last 5 years. Loved it. Very affordable, by Disney standards. Loved the location to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Did you do Epcot?  I was there last on 09 I guess?  That Buzz Lightyear game was the best.  Not sure what its like in there now?

Epcot has turned in to "boozefest". Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for. Half the park is kid friendly with plenty of rides, attractions, etc. The other half is basically an overpriced giant beer garden-boozefest, where the parents are able to forget about Mickey and Minnie for a few hours, and get hammered. 

Get_Right

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

tempo_n_groove said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

I've done the Swan and Dolphin twice in the last 5 years. Loved it. Very affordable, by Disney standards. Loved the location to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Did you do Epcot?  I was there last on 09 I guess?  That Buzz Lightyear game was the best.  Not sure what its like in there now?

Epcot has turned in to "boozefest". Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for. Half the park is kid friendly with plenty of rides, attractions, etc. The other half is basically an overpriced giant beer garden-boozefest, where the parents are able to forget about Mickey and Minnie for a few hours, and get hammered. 

This basically describes any resort vacation.

markymark550

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

tempo_n_groove said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

I've done the Swan and Dolphin twice in the last 5 years. Loved it. Very affordable, by Disney standards. Loved the location to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Did you do Epcot?  I was there last on 09 I guess?  That Buzz Lightyear game was the best.  Not sure what its like in there now?

Epcot has turned in to "boozefest". Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for. Half the park is kid friendly with plenty of rides, attractions, etc. The other half is basically an overpriced giant beer garden-boozefest, where the parents are able to forget about Mickey and Minnie for a few hours, and get hammered. 

Sounds like I'm sending my son with the wife while I hang out at Epcot all day!!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

markymark550 said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

tempo_n_groove said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

I've done the Swan and Dolphin twice in the last 5 years. Loved it. Very affordable, by Disney standards. Loved the location to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Did you do Epcot?  I was there last on 09 I guess?  That Buzz Lightyear game was the best.  Not sure what its like in there now?

Epcot has turned in to "boozefest". Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for. Half the park is kid friendly with plenty of rides, attractions, etc. The other half is basically an overpriced giant beer garden-boozefest, where the parents are able to forget about Mickey and Minnie for a few hours, and get hammered. 

Sounds like I'm sending my son with the wife while I hang out at Epcot all day!!

THERE YOU GO!!!!!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

Gern Blansten

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

We love Islands of Adventure...the Hulk is a great coaster. I won't do the Doom Fearfall anymore but all the other rides are awesome. Spiderman was a favorite.

Poncier

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

I haven't been to Universal Orlando in over 20 years, so it has changed massively since, but have been to Universal Hollywood the last few years and there are of course some crossovers. I am guessing you'll quite enjoy Springfield/Simpsons Land.

We are probably going to foray back to Universal Orlando sometime in the near future as they are opening a new area "Epic Universe" in May which will have Super Nintendo Worls (which they have in California and my son is a Mario kart junkie) and Dark Universe which is based on the old Universal Horror movie monsters which should be pretty cool.

Enjoy. Although they don't have Dole Whips. You'll have to find a different treat. Maybe the Lard Lad big pink doughnut.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Gern Blansten said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

We love Islands of Adventure...the Hulk is a great coaster. I won't do the Doom Fearfall anymore but all the other rides are awesome. Spiderman was a favorite.

Velocicoaster looks absolutely insane. I'm not sure how many of the big coasters I'll be able to do. Hopefully 1 or 2. 

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poncier said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

I haven't been to Universal Orlando in over 20 years, so it has changed massively since, but have been to Universal Hollywood the last few years and there are of course some crossovers. I am guessing you'll quite enjoy Springfield/Simpsons Land.

We are probably going to foray back to Universal Orlando sometime in the near future as they are opening a new area "Epic Universe" in May which will have Super Nintendo Worls (which they have in California and my son is a Mario kart junkie) and Dark Universe which is based on the old Universal Horror movie monsters which should be pretty cool.

Enjoy. Although they don't have Dole Whips. You'll have to find a different treat. Maybe the Lard Lad big pink doughnut.

I am being told that they do indeed have a place in Universal to get a Dole whip. 

Poncier

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

I haven't been to Universal Orlando in over 20 years, so it has changed massively since, but have been to Universal Hollywood the last few years and there are of course some crossovers. I am guessing you'll quite enjoy Springfield/Simpsons Land.

We are probably going to foray back to Universal Orlando sometime in the near future as they are opening a new area "Epic Universe" in May which will have Super Nintendo Worls (which they have in California and my son is a Mario kart junkie) and Dark Universe which is based on the old Universal Horror movie monsters which should be pretty cool.

Enjoy. Although they don't have Dole Whips. You'll have to find a different treat. Maybe the Lard Lad big pink doughnut.

I am being told that they do indeed have a place in Universal to get a Dole whip. 

Score

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poncier said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Should definitely be no hurricane issues in February.

Kathy and I are doing Universal Studios for the 1st time, next month. We want to go to the Orlando area to look at housing, condos, rentals, etc. So we decided to spend 2-3 days in Universal. We spent today doing a bunch of youtube videos. Like I said, 1st time doing Universal.  

I haven't been to Universal Orlando in over 20 years, so it has changed massively since, but have been to Universal Hollywood the last few years and there are of course some crossovers. I am guessing you'll quite enjoy Springfield/Simpsons Land.

We are probably going to foray back to Universal Orlando sometime in the near future as they are opening a new area "Epic Universe" in May which will have Super Nintendo Worls (which they have in California and my son is a Mario kart junkie) and Dark Universe which is based on the old Universal Horror movie monsters which should be pretty cool.

Enjoy. Although they don't have Dole Whips. You'll have to find a different treat. Maybe the Lard Lad big pink doughnut.

I am being told that they do indeed have a place in Universal to get a Dole whip. 

Score

My wife was SO EXCITED to hear the Dole Whip news. Haha

I have 3 weeks the educate myself on Universal. I have never watched any of the Harry Potter movies. Guess I will have to watch a couple. 
We are staying at the Double Tree at the Universal entrance. The price, with airfare, was so ridiculously cheap. 4 nights, with air, was $400 a person. Unreal.

Poncier

That is quite a bargain.
No real need to watch the Harry Potter movies. Basic story...boy goes to wizard school. Now you can go on all the rides.

What I always find funny at the Harry Potter section of Universal Hollywood is the longest line is usually for Olivander's. Which is a store to buy magic wands that the kids can use to make stuff happen in storefront windows.
My employer a few years ago told me about his daughter buying all her 5 kids wands for like 50 bucks each or so. He asked what was so special about them and I told him about the window stuff. He then said, what about when they go home? I said, "they have a $50 stick".

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Cool.
Because I don't want to watch the Harry Potter movies. Hahaha

Fuck Harry Potter 

SPEEDY MCCREADY

After 36 hours of research. And again, let me say, 36 hours ago I KNEW NOTHING about Universal Studios. NOTHING!

After research.
Universal looks like a a version of Six Flags?
5 or 6 Giant roller coasters surrounded by a lot of nonsense rides and shows. Or maybe I am wrong. 

Poncier

More to it than that. Some other good rides besides the roller coasters. And you can eat at Krusty Burger.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poncier said:

More to it than that. Some other good rides besides the roller coasters. And you can eat at Krusty Burger.

Since you are the 2nd person here to reference the Simpsons, I will address my Simpsons knowledge. 

I have MAYBE watched 3 or 4 episodes of The Simpsons. Total. Period. 
And that show has been around for 30+ years? 

Poncier

Ha. Maybe you won't get a kick out of Springfield like I thought.

Spunkie

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

After 36 hours of research. And again, let me say, 36 hours ago I KNEW NOTHING about Universal Studios. NOTHING!

After research.
Universal looks like a a version of Six Flags?
5 or 6 Giant roller coasters surrounded by a lot of nonsense rides and shows. Or maybe I am wrong. 

We did it instead of Disney World to try new/different/non Disney rides before a Disney cruise. Got on one coaster, it started climbing 90 degrees straight up in the air. Well, that got my amygdala sparking!

The Harry Potter backwards motorcycle then freefall was great as was the beautiful Jurassic coaster!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Spunkie said:

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

After 36 hours of research. And again, let me say, 36 hours ago I KNEW NOTHING about Universal Studios. NOTHING!

After research.
Universal looks like a a version of Six Flags?
5 or 6 Giant roller coasters surrounded by a lot of nonsense rides and shows. Or maybe I am wrong. 

We did it instead of Disney World to try new/different/non Disney rides before a Disney cruise. Got on one coaster, it started climbing 90 degrees straight up in the air. Well, that got my amygdala sparking!

The Harry Potter backwards motorcycle then freefall was great as was the beautiful Jurassic coaster!

It's a shame I just can't do the big coasters anymore. Pre-heart surgery, I never thought twice about it. I did em all. 

How ya been?

Spunkie

I can guess and conjecture 
my altered perceptions unclear
please interfere

Not so very good.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Well, I will be back in the Orlando area in less than a week. I have trusted Kathy with the entire itinerary as far as our Universal trip.
Always good to get away.

Poncier

Good time of year to go. Weather should be great, lower humidity than other times of year, and kids will be in school so crowds should be reasonable.
Enjoy.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poncier said:

Good time of year to go. Weather should be great, lower humidity than other times of year, and kids will be in school so crowds should be reasonable.
Enjoy.

Yeah, the lower humidity is sure to be a bonus. I thought I was going to melt when we were there 6 weeks ago. Fuck it was hot. 

Gern Blansten

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Poncier said:

Good time of year to go. Weather should be great, lower humidity than other times of year, and kids will be in school so crowds should be reasonable.
Enjoy.

Yeah, the lower humidity is sure to be a bonus. I thought I was going to melt when we were there 6 weeks ago. Fuck it was hot. 

That's the other thing I hated about Disney vacations...as if the crowds don't make you miserable enough the sweat pouring off of you just makes it unbearable. And we pay for that?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Well, we have set aside 1 day next week to go visit some apartments, and condos. Everything looks to be North and West of Orlando. 

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Raptor Coaster 
Mummy Coaster 
Hulk Coaster
Spiderman
Kong
Jimmy Fallon
Minions gun game