Universal part 1

Universal

While I am obsessed with planning, some of our most memorable trips were done with little or no planning!

During the brief period of time between older kids and younger kids we would often take off with just a few hours’ notice.  Just get in the truck and go!

Now, that type of trip gives me anxiety!

So, with that in mind, let me tell you how I mentioned to my husband on Friday that we should take a trip the next week  (since the kids were out of school); and it turned into us leaving Monday morning for Universal!

On Saturday morning, husband asked how much it would cost to go to Universal for a few days.  I crunched some numbers and he decided we should just stay home.  Then, that pesky weatherman kept mentioning snow in our future.  See, the past three years we have done Disney in February while here at home they have dealt with snow and ice.  By Sunday morning, husband was liking the idea of going to Universal more and more. I reminded him on the way to church that if I booked it this late, it would be non-refundable.  By lunch time he had decided to go for it.

Sunday afternoon, at about 2:30 I booked the trip.  By 2:45, the first load of laundry was started and the luggage was brought up from the storage closet in the basement.  By the time we left for evening services 99% of the packing was complete and our GPS was given our destination information.  By the time I went to bed Sunday night at 9, all research was done, an itinerary (such as it was) was printed and ready to go, van was packed and snacks were bought.   We were ready to head south bright and early at 6 am Monday morning!

We left that morning with temperatures in the low 30’s.  An hour later we were in Macon with temps in the mid 40’s.  Didn’t take long to be in Florida with mid 60’s!  The best part about winter trips to Florida has to be the warm temps!

A stop at our favorite Cracker Barrel in Ocala for brunch and we were almost there!  Arriving in Universal by 2:00 I was very glad I had reloaded our SunPass on Saturday—just in case.

My first impression – So MUCH construction!  This is to be a recurring theme on our vacation.  Finding Cabana Bay was fairly easy, and the people stationed at the entrance to the parking lot were very helpful in finding us a place to park.

Lobby

Construction view from our room

Check in was a breeze.  Quick and efficient.  The only hiccup was with the parking.  Due to all the construction, the parking lot we were supposed to use was being used for overflow Valet Parking. While the check in itself was well done, the person who was helping us did a poor job of explaining to us the process for parking.  No worries.  People at Valet Services did an outstanding  job of explaining that Valet Services was free for us (due to the construction).  They promised less than 15 minute wait for our car when we needed it and gave us a number to text before we left the room and it would be ready.  Easy Peasy! It was really hard for my husband to relinquish control of the car, but he did … and was GLAD he did!

One thing to remember about Universal.  There is a parking fee.  Currently it is $12 at Cabana Bay and includes Valet Parking (due to the construction).  Other hotels have a different fee, and charge for Valet Parking. (another difference…Disney calls the hotels resorts, and the parks…parks!  Universal calls the parks resorts and the hotels….hotels!  Confused?)

Of course, husband’s first stop was Starbucks! (while I was still checking in!)  Then we made the trek to the room. We were in the Americana wing.  The hotel is laid out with the lobby and food court in the middle with four wings and two pools… sounds easy, but it was a bit confusing.  I did manage to figure it all out by our last day!

Our room was nice.  The first thing we noticed was the height of the ceilings.  They made the room seem even more spacious.  The next thing we noticed was our view…of a construction site!  Seriously!

Comfy beds!

Bathroom

Entry door

Large closet

Cute Shower curtain

Alarm clock! (didn't keep correct time!)

On the TV, they had a welcome screen...thought it was kind of cute!

After unpacking, we walked around the hotel for a while.  There was a lot to see.  One pool had a lazy river, and the other had a sandy beach area to play in.  While both pools were between two wings of the hotel, you got the feeling that you were in a much larger area.  The use of landscaping made it seem to be a tropical beach.  Loved it!  There were lots and lots of outdoor seating, a lot of it in the shade. 

The hotel is themed to make you think you are back in the 50’s and 60’s staying at a road side motel at the beach.  For MY generation, this means something.  For my kids’ generation this means NOTHING!  My 15 year old called the décor modern.  It was complete…down to the old cars parked in front of the lobby and the look of our shuttle bus! 

To avoid any crowds the next morning, we went ahead and had our tickets printed.  There is a desk in the lobby that prints them out.  All you need is your eticket certificate (email confirmation) and some form of ID.  Technically you are supposed to have the credit card you charged them on, but I just showed my drivers license, and we were all set!

After getting familiar with our hotel, we decided to head to City Walk.  Only having dealt with Disney’s transportation system (which I am NOT a fan of) made me nervous to try Universal’s.  We headed through the lobby and out to the bus stop.  Not one, not two, but THREE buses were waiting.  All going to City Walk.  With only about 15 people in front of us, our wait time to get on the bus was zero minutes.  The ride to City Walk was… less than five minutes long.  Next thing we knew we were under the parking garage.  Which isn’t exactly accurate, because the parking garage for City Walk was beside us, but we were under a structure.  The bus driver, who was most polite and pleasant, told us to go straight up the escalator. 

So, up the escalator we went and at the top we had the option of going to the parking area or into City Walk.  There was also a small snack area.  This is where my husband got worried.  He always carries a pocket knife, and it was in his pocket.  Since we weren’t going to the parks this evening, he didn’t think about leaving it in the room.  In order to get into City Walk, you have to go through baggage check and a metal detector.  Oops!  A quick stop at the snack bar’s trash can took care of that issue.  Of course, it became a family joke for the remainder of the trip!

After going through the quick check, we saw the moving sidewalk (covered) to get you to City Walk.

So many choices! We were actually a little overwhelmed.  Multi stories of dining and shopping pleasures!

We wandered around for quite some time before deciding on Panda Express for dinner! Some place we could have eaten at home, but it was the main thing Mr D wanted, and no one had a better idea!

Several shops caught our attention.  I can’t wait to go back in June and do some power shopping!  We walked down to the entrance of Islands of Adventures and then over to the entrance to Universal.  I noticed there were no further security to get into the parks.  But then again, no one can be in City Walk without going through security, so it makes sense.

By now it was after 7pm, dark and the parks were closing.  Lots of people were streaming from the parks towards the walkway, making me wonder how hard it would be to get a bus.  By this time we decided to head back to the hotel.  How long would we wait for a bus?  

Zero!

There were two buses waiting and one parked on the side.  While the bus was a bit more crowded than the one we took over to City Walk, and a few people were standing, we had no problems getting seats. Another less than 5 minute ride and we were back at the hotel and realized we were exhausted!

Next morning we were excited to head out for an extra hour of Harry Potter!  I’m not sure how it is decided or even where you can find it online, but there is a sign in the lobby letting you know which park has the early admission.  Most times it is Universal, but it could be Islands of Adventure.  Just check the night before and plan accordingly.  Remember, no matter which park it is, only the attractions in its corresponding Harry Potter themed area will be open.

Husband grabbed breakfast treats at Starbucks and along with coffee we headed to Universal.  But wait!  The bus was already there!  Along with another behind….and one was pulling away! 

NICE!

After our short ride to Universal, up the escalator, and through security, ride along the moving sidewalk – we followed the rest of the hotel stayers over to the entrance to Universal.  We left Cabana Bay at 7:30 so we could have time to stop by Guest Services before the 8am opening.  After a very short stop to get the AAP (Attraction Assistance Pass), we were in line for the opening.  With 15 minutes to spare!  At this time I was thinking, Disney could learn a thing or two here.

Doesn’t appear there was any type of ceremony, like at rope drop for Disney, but right at 8:00 the crowd… stood still.  Yes, zero movement. The process for early admission is painfully slow. First, you stop at the turnstile with ticket in hand, which is scanned.  Then your thumb is scanned (and for those of us with limited hand movement it was difficult to turn my hand in the direction to put my thumb in…) then you listen to the man tell you to have your room key ready for the next station… you stand in another line to show your room key, where they physically read it!  Double checking names, dates, etc…and you have to show your ticket to them so they can make sure the ticket matches the name.  THEN, you can walk into the park!

Of course, since only Harry Potter stuff is open, there is nothing to do except follow the crowd back to the very back of the park.  Don’t worry about getting lost at this point.  There are rope, barricades, and employees making sure you don’t stray off the only path open.  It was a slow and painful process to walk to the back (having a child that wanted to stop at every attraction to see if it was ipen), but arriving at Diagon Alley made it all worth while.