IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG ONE! - Aug 2017 - Day 4 - Universal & IOA - ''We Redeem Ourselves''

[miss_mouse]

Trip Report Index

4 Nights Royal Pacific Resort – 6 Nights Beach Club – 16 nights Bahama Bay

Day 4 – Sunday 13th August 2017

Universal, Islands of Adventure & The Worst IHOP EVER!

‘‘We Redeem Ourselves! ’’

Just to start, I'm Lisa - the planner and reporter. Ade is my hubby and he's our driver and there's Hollie who is 18 and Louis is 15.

So after all that crappy stuff the day before, we had a plan today. We were to get back to our usual style of parking. Taking it slow and mooching. It’s the only way for us.



We left the teens snoozing, we got showered and headed down to the lobby just after 7am.





We grabbed a coffee each.







And sat out in the courtyard again.
We enjoyed our coffees and watched 2 geckos at it!
If only every morning started like this. (the coffee and setting not watching gecko porn)



We decided to go for a wander and went out the back of the hotel to take some photos whilst it was still lovely and quiet.
Our rooms are the top 2 right windows.







There’s the quick serve on the other side of the pool.
It’s so lovely and quiet.



We then went up to a bridge looking over the water and walk ways.









We went and woke the kids and waited for them to get ready and we headed in to Universal this morning.
We’d decided that we really weren’t fussed with early park entry. We didn’t really need it with front of line passes and we’d much prefer letting the teens sleep longer and starting the day off with a little ‘us’ time.







Straight in to mooch mode and we stopped for a nose in this store here.



This was a first for us and it was filled with treasure.
Lots of props from various places.



Remember this cow from the old Twister ride?





And lots of fun artwork.

We really enjoyed it in here.
They had some really cool stuff!





Ade got a pressed penny.



And we started off the rides with ET.
We all love this ride. It’s a classic!



Ade was making sure we were all being kept hydrated this trip.
It was his mission.
The last trip I had severe migraines and I’m happy to say I didn’t get one once this time.





Then a short walk in to Springfield.





And in to the Simpsons Ride.



Love this ride, but it never beats that first time you ride it.

And then there was only one thing for it….



We’ve all been dreaming of these.



We sat outside the store and all shared one.
I think these are the best donuts ever and just $6 each!



We made our way to Men In Black next to shoot some aliens.



Ade always take a photo of our locker so we don’t forget the number!



I think he won.



We did the Horror Make Up show next. This was first for us and we enjoyed it so much more than we expected. It was actually really funny. And we all needed a sit down and an aircon break.





For old times sake!



10YRS ago

We went on the new Jimmy Fallon ride which was fun, but to us just another Universal style ride.

We decided to take the Hogwarts Express over to IOA now. It was just after lunch time.





And we wandered through and stopped in the Christmas Store on the way out.





And we bought a Grinch Christmas deccie.


Cont...

[miss_mouse]

Cont...



We all fancied taking a break from Universal and decided to visit IHOP for some food.
I also thinking Ade was probably itching to get back in the car!

We should have walked out as soon as we went in.
The server was eating when we opened the door and greeted us with a mouth full of food.

The restaurant was super empty, but a really rough and large family came in and were sat right behind us. Proper hill billy looking and sounding. Men in vest tops! They were just gross. I’m glad I had my back to them. The kids said they were picking their noses
I saw the manager cough up in paper towels and not wash his hands.



Ade went with steak tips.



Hollie and I usually share a breakfast sampler.
Louis always has a stack of pancakes.

They forgot our pancakes and finally bought them out after we’d eaten.

Service was dreadful and so were the other customers.
Never again will we stop there.
We left a 10% tip, purely as we were too scared to leave just a cent!



When we got back Ade and I enjoyed the pool.



And some adult cocktails!




And watched this sweet family of ducks swimming around people in the pool.



On One Fish Two Fish

The kids didn’t fancy the pool again so they went off on their own again.
It’s so nice that they can do this now.



We got a message asking what we thought of them getting these t shirts.
They decided not to.
But they did get drenched on the water rides and Hollie did buy herself a Grinch T Shirt to change in to.





I love that they still took the same photos as we usually take when we weren’t with them and they were sending them to us.

When they came back Ade and I were showered and ready and we all wandered back into IOA for a few hours as it was early evening now.





Hollie's New Tshirt



Choosing treats.





We love this park!







Louis was pestering to go back on this ride again…



But no one else wanted to.
If I’m totally honest, unless I’m prepared these rides aren’t my favourites. I really hate getting soaked.
I don’t mind normal water rides, but these are proper showers.

Ade and Hollie did Hulk and Louis went it alone whilst I stood and waited for him.
I felt really bad but I really hate this ride and I hate the big drop too.











We called it a night.
And wandered back.



This is how the new security now looks on the walkways to the hotels.

We ended up then wandering to Sapphire Falls again for milkshakes as they were so good.

This was another really good day.
Glad we sorted ourselves out. Everyone has different ways of tackling parks and this is how we like to do it.

Thanks for reading.
Tomorrow we move to Disney's Beachclub

[florida girl]

Geeko porn 😂😂😂😂. It's nice not to rush around the parks you see more interesting things.

Lovely photos can't wait to get back to Universal we are staying at the PB.

[miss_mouse]

It's definitely the way to go, especially when it's so hot.

Lucky you! We haven't ventured over to PB yet but we are wanting to go for a nose over there this year.

Thanks for reading xx

[jemima2]

That was brilliant really enjoyed it 😀 the IHOP though...! Which one was that? Are they all like that ? We are going shortly and stay onsite we only venture offsite a few times and IHOP was planned... 😕😕

[mouselover22]

Glad you all had a better day and did it your way

Shame about Ihop We've only ever eaten in there early mornings for breakfast but its always been really tasty and quick service

Thanks for sharing, excited for the next Disney instalment

[anniebee65]

Great day! I think we went to that same IHOP last September. It was gross. We were sitting next to a wall and my son spotted an army of bugs marching up the wall. The clientele were very rough and the service was awful. Never again!

[miss_mouse]

Originally Posted by jemima2

That was brilliant really enjoyed it 😀 the IHOP though...! Which one was that? Are they all like that ? We are going shortly and stay onsite we only venture offsite a few times and IHOP was planned... 😕😕

See more...

Please don't let that put you off.
We've been eating at IHOP for the past 20 odd years, all over the States and this was our first bad experience.
It's the one closest to Universal.
It felt more of a locals place.

They are usually great!

[miss_mouse]

Originally Posted by mouselover22

Glad you all had a better day and did it your way

Shame about Ihop We've only ever eaten in there early mornings for breakfast but its always been really tasty and quick service

Thanks for sharing, excited for the next Disney instalment

See more...

It's our first bad one in over 20years, so I can't really complain

[jemima2]

Thanks , it’s the one nearest to Orlando eye etc across the road from the massive McDonald’s we are heading to! Having no car limiting us a fair bit...thanks for reply can’t wait for the next day 😀