FMD Day 11 Move to Portofino Bay Hotel

[Alyson]

Portofino Hotel - Universal Studios

Monday 10th September

Weather hot! with a sudden shower

We were up at 6am and feeling energetic so we decided to go visit the gym, I was expecting a state of the art affair with it been The Contemporary Resort, which it’s not, our local council gym is more up to date, but still it was functional and I got to do everything I wanted to do including a little 3 mile run.




We showered dressed and packed, we ordered a room service breakfast and it was a bit odd!, I ordered poached egg sausage and toast, Michael ordered scrambled egg sausage and toast, we ended up with all poached and no scrambled and bread not toast with the guy who delivered it offered to 'get started' in our toaster ... erm, no your ok mate, we can do that! Slightly strange we thought, but it did make us giggle!




A quick call to bell services a check of the room, which wasn’t good because somehow my Oakley glasses are still there Check out took a few seconds and we were on our way

We arrived at Loews Portofino hotel and were thrilled to be told our room was ready we were in room 2677 which is near the Villa pool and gym so perfect for us, our request for a balcony room was honoured and we had a good size space overlooking the main pool we can also see the parks Hogwarts, MiB Tower and Rip Ride Rocket are all visible. We had booked this on the BA Glitch rate we had a deluxe King Bed Club room for less than £700 for 4 nights




There is major refurb work going on at the moment in the main bay area, cranes and tarpaulin everywhere, but it wasn’t too distracting, it explained why we didn’t have a bay view room.

We have ended quite a few holidays at this hotel, and we always have a wonderful time here.

We were both quite giddy we unpacked, sorted out our photo ID for the express pass and headed off to the park area, it’s a lovely walk from the Portofino to the parks along a tree shaded path way full of little lizards running around.

First stop was Nascar for some of their boneless wings, I don’t do 'orange' food and avoid anything fast food looking, it’s just not a preferred option, but the exception is the boneless wings they are yummy, and you get a large portion, large enough to share and the ranch dip that accompanies them is just wonderful

Suitably full we head to Universal to ride the Rip Ride Rocket, this is the first time we have rode it due to either technical difficulties or long lines, we are pleased to see its a walk on. Boy this coaster does not disappoint, its full on for every second you are riding and we both enjoyed it but neither one of us wanted to get straight back on again.




Next we did Twister, we hadn't been to this attraction for quite a few years and it was fun to watch it. The Mummy was a walk on with our EP and we were on the front row, really enjoyed it, as always

[Alyson]

Next into Finnigans for a beer, I wanted a small one, but they only had pints, or at least that’s what Michael told me! we sat outside on the steps and watched the Blues Brothers in the sun whilst enjoying our drinks and the atmosphere




Its very sad that Jaws is no longer there now but they are well on the way to replacing it, hoardings and cranes galore lead the way to MiB we ride this twice, once again its a walk on. Michael beats me both times but the second time I nearly had him, he knows something I don’t know that’s for sure! and it’s not the red button at the end!

We decide to head out to the Hard Rock for a drink, I have a Mojito and Michael gets a cuba libre, although in Orlando it’s a rum. coke and lime must still be politically incorrect to say Cuba Libre! Mine is very strong indeed, we walk outside to find all the really cool seating that used to be there is gone, it’s no fun to sit there now, so we walk towards Margaritaville to the outside bar with the sand, I have thrown away the Mojito and replace it with a frozen Bahama Mama delicious!

We notice some very big dark clouds heading our way and we can see the rain coming we duck inside a shop and within seconds its bouncing down.




We have another cocktail in Margartiaville watching the volcano erupt then into Islands of Adventure to the Backwater Bar I have a couple of frozen Pina Coladas whilst we people watch and generally have a good giggle.




We leave the park and go to Emerils to make a dinner reservation for tomorrow night and whilst there we order some small plates from the bar they only cost $7 each and 3 of them to share are very filling.

I’m done by this time, so we head back for an early night, whilst lying in bed we hear the fireworks from Universal so stand on the balcony and watch them, obviously nowhere near the calibre of Disney but still fun to watch.




Back to bed on HBO I start watching a film called Dream House with Daniel Craig, despite my tiredness I can’t switch it off and because there are no ads on HBO I watch it all, it's about 11pm before it ends, so no an early night at all lol

[Helen0705]

Another great day and evening ... love Margaritaville for a cocktail or too. I had a frozen raspberry something or other and it was delish !

[orlandosgr8]

Sounds like another really fun day

[Col&Ali]

Ooh Er ... Back to bed with Daniel Craig! I wouldn't be able to turn him off either

Nascar is on my list for next year - think it might be a nice option for the family

[Irishrover]

Very sensible to have the pint AFTER the mummy not before.

Great day , and nice hotel (again!)

[mick]

another fun day

[Ariel's Mum]

Aaaahhhh we love Portofino Bay Hotel too. It's just so relaxing there. Sadly not going next year

[Alyson]

Originally Posted by Ariel's Mum

Aaaahhhh we love Portofino Bay Hotel too. It's just so relaxing there. Sadly not going next year

See more...

Its my favourite Loews hotel, because although it's only 10 minutes from the park it could be miles away, it's a lovely oasis

[Guest]

Another great day. We're going to do one of the Universal hotels for at least 3 or 4 nights next time we go - We done HRH last year for only 1 night and loved staying onsite. Portofino Bay looks lovely and what a brilliant rate you got it for!