Travel: USA - Florida/Orlando

[Dnls_mum]

Miracle Child:

Hi Dnls_mum, which package did you purchase for your stay at Hardrock Universal? Did you buy the park tickets together with the accomodation or separately online? For the breakfast at Three Broomsticks, do you reserve through Hardrock? Done during the booking of accomodation? Thanks.

I bought a Harry Potter Package which included Hotel, Park tickets and Breakfast with reserved sitting, and rooms were at 30% discount for 5 nights stay too. I just checked and they don't seem to have the package now. Probably promo is over. The package was not cheaper, if buy hotel and park tickets separately price also the same, but cannot get the 3 broomstick breakfast. Three Broomstick is a counter service restaurant and normally does not take reservation and I understand that queue can be quite long. Only with the Harry Potter Package allow reservation.

I am thinking of switching resort to Portofino Bay to try something different since we stayed at HRH previously too, but now the package no more, so I don't dare to switch in case i lose the breakfast booking

[Dnls_mum]

Dnls_mum:

Miracle Child:

Hi Dnls_mum, which package did you purchase for your stay at Hardrock Universal? Did you buy the park tickets together with the accomodation or separately online? For the breakfast at Three Broomsticks, do you reserve through Hardrock? Done during the booking of accomodation? Thanks.

I bought a Harry Potter Package which included Hotel, Park tickets and Breakfast with reserved sitting, and rooms were at 30% discount for 5 nights stay too. I just checked and they don't seem to have the package now. Probably promo is over. The package was not cheaper, if buy hotel and park tickets separately price also the same, but cannot get the 3 broomstick breakfast. Three Broomstick is a counter service restaurant and normally does not take reservation and I understand that queue can be quite long. Only with the Harry Potter Package allow reservation.

I am thinking of switching resort to Portofino Bay to try something different since we stayed at HRH previously too, but now the package no more, so I don't dare to switch in case i lose the breakfast booking

I found the package again!! :imcool: :rahrah:
Here's the link:
http://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/bf/Featured-Vacation-Packages.aspx

Check it out. You reserve your breakfast time the same time you book your hotel and park tickets! :boogie:

[Miracle Child]

Thanks!

[Miracle Child]

Hi,


Where would you go to shop for
(a) Disney souvenirs? in the theme park itself or is there shop outside that we can get similar souvenirs? (Thought of not \"wasting\" time in the theme park shopping)
(b) branded (but cheaper than Singapore :rotflmao: ) clothings, bags, shoes, etc for both adults and kids?

Thanks.

[Dnls_mum]

Miracle Child:

Hi,


Where would you go to shop for
(a) Disney souvenirs? in the theme park itself or is there shop outside that we can get similar souvenirs? (Thought of not \"wasting\" time in the theme park shopping)
(b) branded (but cheaper than Singapore :rotflmao: ) clothings, bags, shoes, etc for both adults and kids?

Thanks.

The souvenirs in Disney can generally be found in most of the shops in the parks but each park has their own unique items and each shop in the park also carry some unique items. We stay at a Disney resort so whatever we buy we just get them to send it back to the resort for us. No need to carry around.

I think there is a Disney store at the premium outlet as well but this normally carry diff stuff as the theme park generally. Some stuff are exclusive to theme park and not available at the outlet Disney store. Even the different resorts may carry diff stuff.

For discounted branded bags and clothes, I go to the premium outlet at Vineland ave or international drive. Lots of choices and huge place. Love the shopping there. DH told the boys that premium outlet is mummy's theme park

[Miracle Child]

Haha...that's a good one...premium outlet is mummy's theme park :rotflmao:

[Dnls_mum]

Miracle child, have you decided where to stay for your Orlando trip?

I have failed to persuade DH to go Kennedy and Seaworld
So our side trips will most likely only be airboat tour and Legoland and 2 non Disney dinner shows.

[Miracle Child]

Hi Dnls_mum,


Yes. Will be staying at All-Star Movies (save some money :roll: ) for 6 nights, followed by Hard Rock (DS loves the sand pools and we want the express pass :evil: ) for 3 nights, lastly, at an off-site hotel (haven't decided which one yet - may be Holiday Inn or Marriott :scratchhead: ).

DH doesn't want to go Legoland...he says DS doesn't really enjoy the rides very much and DS will only end up buying lots of lego which he already has tonnes. Sigh. Will be going to Kennedy Space Center as DS loves space stuff and the Science Center...again cos' DS likes science. About 2 days that we haven't really got concrete plans...maybe Wonderworks, Airboat if not then Legoland.

On the days of shifting hotels, will probably do stuff like Disney Quest (how long does this take actually?) and Fantasia Gardens mini golf (again, how long does it take to do 1 round?)...and shopping...

DS not really into \"shows\" so we typically do not go for the shows...but pondering over Cirque du Soleil as DS has not been to one although DH and I have been to two. But tickets quite ex plus not sure if DS will enjoy...

Getting excited about the trip as I planned the itinerary...but looks very exhausting as well...haha

[Dnls_mum]

Miracle Child:

Hi Dnls_mum,


Yes. Will be staying at All-Star Movies (save some money :roll: ) for 6 nights, followed by Hard Rock (DS loves the sand pools and we want the express pass :evil: ) for 3 nights, lastly, at an off-site hotel (haven't decided which one yet - may be Holiday Inn or Marriott :scratchhead: ).

DH doesn't want to go Legoland...he says DS doesn't really enjoy the rides very much and DS will only end up buying lots of lego which he already has tonnes. Sigh. Will be going to Kennedy Space Center as DS loves space stuff and the Science Center...again cos' DS likes science. About 2 days that we haven't really got concrete plans...maybe Wonderworks, Airboat if not then Legoland.

On the days of shifting hotels, will probably do stuff like Disney Quest (how long does this take actually?) and Fantasia Gardens mini golf (again, how long does it take to do 1 round?)...and shopping...

DS not really into \"shows\" so we typically do not go for the shows...but pondering over Cirque du Soleil as DS has not been to one although DH and I have been to two. But tickets quite ex plus not sure if DS will enjoy...

Getting excited about the trip as I planned the itinerary...but looks very exhausting as well...haha

I hope you get your free dining with your ASM booking Are you planning any sitdown meals? If you do, remember to make reservations online.

And yes, planning this trip is so exciting. I am counting down Hopefully :xedfingers: we meet you at WDW since our stay at WDW will overlap :please:

Regarding DisneyQuest, it really depends. DS1 says half a day is enough but DS2 wants one full day because DS2 is an arcade game fanatic! I'll stay as long as DD remains interested. Once she gets restless, we'll either go back to the hotel to rest or go shopping around Downtown disney

Minigolf just takes an hour or 2 or maybe 3. Depends on how good you are :rotflmao: or how crowded it is.

i have not tried Cirque. Bugged DH for both trips and he is not keen. He is concern that DD may not like the makeup that the performers put on and may be scared :yikes: So it'll just be the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament for the horses and jousting and the Sleuth Mystery dinner for some sleuthing for us. Typical loud American fun :rahrah:
DS2 and I want to do the dinner with Shamu at Seaworld but DH and DS1 not interested in Seaworld. Too many of us and so many preferences to take into account

Don't worry about you 2 spare days. You need it to recuperate :rotflmao: take an easy day at the pool, go shopping or visit a favourite park again.

1 have 2.5 days in MK, 2 days in Epcot, 1 DHS, 1 AK, 1 DQ, 1 BB, 1.5 IOA, 1.5 US, 1 legoland, 1.5 shopping, 0.5 airboat, 0.5 minigolf. I need more time in MK for DD to do Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique :rahrah:

I have learned my lesson from last time, too much activities and really shack! This year, I have 3 days of theme park, then 2 lul days of waterpark or disney quest, then another 3 days and 2 lul for shopping and airboat, then 4 days of parks. Some of my park days will also be only 1/2 to 3/4 so as to take things easy, and rest so that we can enjoy our sit down dinners and the night time fireworks etc. The last time, DS2 fell asleep at some dinners :rotflmao:

let's keep our fingers crossed for good weather! :xedfingers: :please:

[Miracle Child]

Yes, keep fingers crossed for good weather and safety :xedfingers:


Yah, got the free dining plan at ASM. Better value. Not going for sit-down meals as DH and DS are not the type who enjoys sitting down too long for meals...DS wants to get out of restaurant asap :roll:

Listing out the various possibilities for the 2 days and like you mention, may go back to any park that DS likes...will play by ear then.

I think I am packing a bit too tight in terms of programme...I am very sure I will be exhausted. Already tried to \"interject\" some not so \"xiong\" activities in between...such that it is 2 days theme park, 1 day water fun, 2 days theme park, 1 day relax at sand pool, 2 days theme park again...and so on.