14 NIGHTS SAPPHIRE FALLS...MARDI GRAS-MINIONS-HARRY & MORE...MARCH 2019 TR

[I-4Bound]

We went up to the Coca-Cola roof and got one of the float sampler trays once - yuck! We were not impressed. Everything we liked about Downtown Disney has pretty much disappeared, so we aren't in a rush to go back to DS. I like the cupcakes at Sprinkles and the poutine at the little poutine stand, but that's hardly a reason to go back.

 

[Owlpost23]

Carole-admit it-you and Tom are UIO /US people through and through-and it's wonderful! Thanks for the honest critique on DS!

 

[schumigirl]

We went up to the Coca-Cola roof and got one of the float sampler trays once - yuck! We were not impressed. Everything we liked about Downtown Disney has pretty much disappeared, so we aren't in a rush to go back to DS. I like the cupcakes at Sprinkles and the poutine at the little poutine stand, but that's hardly a reason to go back.

Yes, we saw a family with the sampler of maybe 12 drinks, and they put most of them in the trash after a few sips...they weren't impressed for sure....so no, no future DTD visits for us.

We did plan to buy something from the bakery we had been told about, but it was closed......of course!!!

Never tried poutine......I have heard of it, but not something I`m familiar with...….

 

[schumigirl]

Carole-admit it-you and Tom are UIO /US people through and through-and it's wonderful! Thanks for the honest critique on DS!

lol......I guess we are

When I was writing it I realised it was rather negative sounding......but we just didn't enjoy it much.....although there were some lovely places to eat and snack.....but not enough of a reason to go back as we can get everything they offer elsewhere...…

I did like their parking garages...….

 

[AussieBritTraveller]

Yay another Trip Report, hope you are both well

Cannot believe that woman behind you! The Cheek! In fact Rob and I have found we always have one of these rude people in front or behind us in Premium, which has turned us off wanting to travel in Premium for a while plus our last experience with the CC telling us we had had enough to drink! We're happy in economy for a while, so glad you told her what for!

Look forward to reading more xx

 

[schumigirl]

Yay another Trip Report, hope you are both well

Cannot believe that woman behind you! The Cheek! In fact Rob and I have found we always have one of these rude people in front or behind us in Premium, which has turned us off wanting to travel in Premium for a while plus our last experience with the CC telling us we had had enough to drink! We're happy in economy for a while, so glad you told her what for!

Look forward to reading more xx

Hey Matt....great to see you back here again.....we`re doing great.....hope you, Rob and of course not forgetting cute little Jackson too are great also...…

Oh I am now never surprised by how rude people can be....and yes, sadly there are a lot of entitled people around who have no regard for others......it was ok for her to recline on the woman behind her, but I wasn't supposed to recline slightly on her....yep, not on your life darling!!! Oh yes, Rob was very considerate with his reply to her on that occasion....she was out of order.

Yep, more coming up....trying to finish it before we set off again......I`m determined to manage it.....lol.....

 

[schumigirl]

We drove back to the hotel and it was still fairly early.....we were going to Mardi Gras later but didn't want to go in the park too early......so we did what all folks on vacation should do...….we snoozed!!!

Tom dropped off on the very comfortable sofa in the sitting area.....but I went through and fell asleep on the bed......the room was freezing though as our housekeeping lady always turned it down low....I did mention to her once I liked the room cool.....so that's what I get....a cool room!! I turned the heat up and fell asleep for maybe 90 minutes. We were both feeling the time difference this trip.....we don't usually now, but I guess we hadn't slept well leading up to the trip with one thing and another...….but a snooze did us the world of good.....

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I woke up a bit vague as to where I was at first......but soon came too and went through to wake Tom who was half asleep really....he hadn't really slept.....or so he said!!! I was just glad it wasn't 8pm and we`d missed everything!!!

Once we were showered and changed, we headed down to get the boat.....but the line was huge....I heard a few folks comment there are a lot use the boats that stay at Aventura and Cbay….and the boats are there for everyone to use.....anyone can pop on a boat and use them to visit other hotels. However, it is a perk of the certain hotels that offer them, so I have to wonder if it becomes an issue, will they check room keys before entering the boat line and only allow folks who are staying at a boat resort to use them. I hope not really....sometimes it is just busy. But, tonight, we would be quicker walking I think.......we set off and it isn't a long walk from any of the hotels really, but we tucked into RP and thought we`d get the boat there.....

As we headed up to the path we saw from a distance what looked like a cement mixer......we wondered what kind of work they were getting done...….then we got closer...…

It was a drinks dispenser……..a huge drinks dispenser, but that was the purpose all the same...…..it was fabulous!!!!

Whoever was having this event tonight was in for a whale of a time...…..

Looked to be quite the party...……

So, we got the boat and there was hardly any line here tonight, and we were in the thronging Citywalk in no time...….walking in wasn't so easy tonight as there seemed to be hordes of folks milling out of the park.....obviously not staying for MG!!

Once in the park we headed straight for the MG area...….we planned to buy the 15 item tasting lanyard, it was $60 plus tax and we thought it might be a nice idea and have a few samples of food rather than the full size portions...….it did include certain drinks too. One was a choice of two beers.

There was already a party atmosphere with dancers and performers amusing and delighting the people already there...….and of course the proverbial jazz band playing, which sounds like cats screeching to me......not fond of jazz music at all!!! But, it was fun to watch folks dancing around to the music and the performers encouraging them all the way...……

So, our first sample was the Crab Etouffee…...well, I had to search for the crab!!!! But, we also tried the gumbo and they tasted identical...…..not something I`d ever purchase...….and the portion size was decent enough to share....not large as they were samplers, but enough for a few bites of each. And they were gone before we could take a picture......we forgot.

Our next stop was the shrimp and sausage po boy......this was actually nice.....and the best thing we ate at the whole event...….shrimp was tasty and sausage was nice and it sat on a little kind of coleslaw on the bread.....Tom tried a bit of the bun and said it was actually quite nice too.

We tried the King Cake, but to be honest....it was just sweet....no real flavour and yes, we forgot to take a picture of that too.....

We didn't try anything else tonight, we just wanted to sample a few things and then watch the parade.....

This is such a fun event!!!! The street performers and dancers involve everyone as they go around the folks there.....I won`t use the word crowds, as there really isn't a crowded place right now, with this parade and others at Universal, you don't need to line up hours ahead or long at all before any parades......we always walked to where we wanted to stand around 5 minutes before it started, if it was too busy, we`d wander a little one way or the other......but usually it`s fine.

We were early getting a spot tonight and stood at the point at around 7.15pm...….we were standing in front of the concession stand where you can get frozen drinks outside Monsters Café tonight...….and we were standing beside four ladies who were a hoot!!! Two were sisters, and the others were cousins, three from Chicago and one from Indiana....and they were a joy to be standing beside.

We got chatting immediately and as always it passes time...…..and two disappeared and then came back and handed us a beer.....I wasn't sure why, but she said they had bought one too many between them......Cheers!!!!! It was a little strong for me to be honest, at 8% not what I`m used to, but Tom enjoyed it and we thanked them for passing it on...…

We chatted while we waited for the parade to start and then finally we saw the OPD bikes appear......they are so cool on these...…..and they seem to enjoy it a lot...…..it is hard to get decent pictures of them as they are constantly moving around, so the camera struggles to pick them up when they move so fast...…

The first of the floats arrive to much excitement from the folks waiting to catch the many ribbons of beads being thrown out from the many float riders...….who knew plastic beads could cause such excitement...…

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And of course we have the performers between the floats too who engage the folks along the way...…it really does have a carnival atmosphere about it...….although it was cold tonight. I was glad we had brought our hoodies with us and the ladies beside who are certainly used to cold weather, thought it was cold too.....it wasn't just me being a wimp!!!

It is so much better when it is fully dark.....you can see the works on the floats to the full effect.....although we did have a discussion as to whether we saw the flames operate on this float on any other night.....we just can`t remember...….not sure we noticed on the pictures either.

The people who throw the beads were excellent for the most part, but the lady beside me got whacked in the eye as one little boy was rolling them up in his hands and hurling them like a baseball...…..one got me too, but not as bad as it hit her.......he looked to be around 8, and I guess he thought it was funny.

This lovely dancer did stop so Tom could get a picture of her and blew him a kiss when he yelled thank you to her......said it was the first time someone had blown him a kiss in years!!!!

Just for you Tom...……….....

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The crocodile one was so huge......and so well done like all of them. The floats were all impressive, but the parade seemed so short this year. Or we could be being confused with how long the Macy`s parade was at Christmas......but it didn't seem as long as last year.

We said our goodnights to the ladies we had chatted with and headed off out of the park with our haul of beads......of course we wouldn't be taking any home with us....so we shared most of them out with littler kids around before we left.....I`m sure the parents were thrilled at more plastic beads to drag home!!!!

The line for the boat wasn't too bad, and we thought we might like something to eat, but not too much as we had only a few snacks in MG.....but we had enjoyed a decent lunch...….so we thought we`d go to Jake`s and have some Crawfish Chowder......so , into the RP line and the boat was already there, so we hopped on and the boat Capt we know really well asked us in a rather confused voice which hotel we were staying at as we had got on at both so far....we have known him a long time...…lol......told him we were going to Jake`s!!! He gave us the thumbs up...….

The boat at night shows Citywalk off to it`s full advantage and it is so pretty......Margaritaville is always so bright and just reeks of fun!!!

We thanked our Capt and set off down into the area where Jake`s and Islands are......we cut through Islands and saw our favourite waiter in there.....Casey....he is fabulous and just the nicest young man (I sound about 85 when I say that) but he stops to chat and tells us to pop in see him one night.....we tell him we have the Wok experience in our plans and will see him then...….

Jake`s isn't too busy tonight.....we are seated immediately and we don't need a menu...….two strawberry lemonades and two Crawfish Chowder...…..

The chowder is amazing in here....truly beautiful. It is rich and has just the right seasoning for us....not salty but nice and peppery...we are big fans of it!!!

We finish our drink and head off back over to Sapphire......we have to walk through the private event that is going on with the cement mixer as a centre piece, and then into the surprisingly busy walkway tonight between the hotels.....seems more folks are using the walk.

We go straight back to our room tonight, we don't feel like going anywhere for a quick drink so we switch the tv on, I open some of the drapes that turndown has nicely closed, grab the water from the bedside and put them in the fridge and we settle down to watch something or other on TV.

We chat about our day and fully decide we won`t be visiting DTD again......but we will be going to do Mardi Gras at least a few other times...….

Around 11pm we decide it`s time to sleep...….so lights out for another day, and we`ll enjoy some more park time tomorrow with IOA.....

 

[TommyJK]

Never tried poutine......I have heard of it, but not something I`m familiar with...….

Poutine is a glorious Canadian invention. Definitely NOT for anyone who is overly health conscious.

At it's base it's Fries, Cheese Curds and "Gravy". The gravy can tend to vary from place to place as for authentic poutine sauce is not just a standard beef or chicken stock gravy.

Over the years "poutineries" have gotten more adventurous with adding additional ingredients beyond the base. My personal favourite is poutine with Pulled Pork added.

Also, some places "cheap out" and just throw some shredded regular cheese on there. IMO that disqualifies it as actually being poutine. MUST be proper cheese curds.

 

[schumigirl]

Poutine is a glorious Canadian invention. Definitely NOT for anyone who is overly health conscious.

At it's base it's Fries, Cheese Curds and "Gravy". The gravy can tend to vary from place to place as for authentic poutine sauce is not just a standard beef or chicken stock gravy.

Over the years "poutineries" have gotten more adventurous with adding additional ingredients beyond the base. My personal favourite is poutine with Pulled Pork added.

Also, some places "cheap out" and just throw some shredded regular cheese on there. IMO that disqualifies it as actually being poutine. MUST be proper cheese curds.

WELCOME to the thread TommyJK…...nice to have you along...…

Hope you enjoy the report......


Oh there`s fries in it???

I think I`m thinking of something else then...….what could that be???

I`m going to google cheese curds...…..lol.....sounds very.....different!!! Although anything that has pulled pork will tempt me...…..

Er yes, not sure about this dish now...….cheese with gravy just sounds strange...….

 

[TommyJK]

Er yes, not sure about this dish now...….cheese with gravy just sounds strange...….

This is usually the response from everyone the first time they see a poutine (myself included). But you'd be surprised at how well they go together with the fries. You need to let the gravy start melting the cheese and the taste (at least to me) is a savoury feast!

 

[schumigirl]

This is usually the response from everyone the first time they see a poutine (myself included). But you'd be surprised at how well they go together with the fries. You need to let the gravy start melting the cheese and the taste (at least to me) is a savoury feast!

Yes, sometimes the oddest things go together.........

I doubt I’ll ever be anywhere I could try it......but certainly a new dish to look out for.

 

[Vicki Rickerd]

OMG! That is marvelous!

 

[schumigirl]

OMG! That is marvelous!

It looked amazing!!!!

Never seen anything like that before...….

 

[schumigirl]

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13TH​

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And it did feel good to be back here again. There is something so familiar and warm about being here again, this and RPR really do feel like home to us and we do treasure every second.

I had woke up around 4am and couldn't get back to sleep, so wandered through to the sitting area as Tom was sound asleep and I knew it would take me a while to get back to sleep. The drapes were open and you could still see everything lit up from Citywalk and the Four Points hotel from here...….there were also plenty of folks heading into work and a seemingly endless stream of cars despite the early hour.

It was eventually the cold that made me go back to bed, the temp in the room was set low, so I was a block of ice by the time I got back into bed.....I was almost shivering by now...…

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Tom was still sound asleep but, could somehow sense the change in temperature that I brought back in with me ......and he just said.....don't even think about it as I tried to creep over to his side of the bed that was like a furnace......the heat just radiated from him...….well, I tried. He gave in eventually though......lol...…and I did finally get back to some kind of slumber.

I can`t remember when we got up but as soon as I was awake I heard my email ping.....it was an email from our friend just checking everything was good...….and it was of course. But we always love to hear from him.

We again, took our time and got showered and dressed......the shower is such a good one...plenty of power and I have my own shower gel and the aussie shampoo and conditioner products......it`s tempting to stay in here too long on a morning!!! But once dressed we decide to go have the buffet breakfast in Amatista this morning.

Amatista is nice. They are open all day from breakfast through lunch and into dinner. Menu is nice and again plenty of choice and we`ve always enjoyed our food in here. For breakfast you can order off the menu which is nice, or partake in the buffet option. And that`s what we are going to do today...…

You can have almost anything for breakfast here.....and there is an omelette station where you can enjoy a freshly cooked omelette or fried eggs cooked......I don't eat eggs but they do always look delicious.....

We are seated immediately, as we are quite early it is so quiet......and our favourite waitress here Tia isn't working today and we get someone we don't know this time. We tell him when he asks if we`ve been before and we say yes, know how it works.....it`s funny as he asks if we want any fresh juice and we decline he immediately tells us it`s included in the cost......lol....we must look like cheapskates......we tell him yes, we know we just don't want any this morning, just coffee and water thank you.

The breakfast options are plentiful.....I have posted pictures of them all in another trip report, but you can have yoghurts, fruit of all kinds, smoked salmon with all sorts of accompaniments, charcuterie, oatmeal, cereals, bacon, pancakes, sausages, biscuits and sausage gravy, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs and the omelette station, fresh pastries, muffins and donuts, toast, bagels and I`m sure a dozen other items...…

My first stop is the smoked salmon and some grapes and pick up one little pastry...…..Tom goes for some yoghurt with nuts, honey and fruit.

We then moved on to the cooked options......Tom had the basic, bacon scrambled eggs and those gorgeous little sausage links we love so much over here...…

With mine there is a story.....yes, I know there usually is...…..

When I first came over to America.....I wondered why something that was called a biscuit, looked like what we call a scone......and it was served with a savoury meal or breakfast.....we have scones with butter and jam and or cream with a cup of tea......so I found it odd. Then I saw someone once pour what looked like soup over this "biscuit" and I was even more confused......then I discovered it was this biscuit with sausage gravy......and I was never sure whether I liked the look of it or not...…..

So, from 2007 I had wondered whether or not to try it...…... and this morning I thought, ok, give it a go....I probably should have tried it on a plate on it`s own first.....but I didn't think that till after.....lol...….

OMG!!!!!!!! ​

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What a revelation!!!!! I had discovered this treat of a breakfast item...….and it had been here all this time.....

It was beautiful.....and with the biscuit.....oh my goodness......I actually wanted to ask people if they knew about this and why didn't I know it was so good!!!! I felt I had made this amazing discovery and wanted to share it...….

Of course Tom reminded me I hadn't actually discovered some new and wonderful thing......oh. Ok. I do like to share though...….. So maybe everyone did know about it then...….lol

We paid our check and took some pictures on the way out and shows how quiet it was this morning. It does get busy during lunch and certainly for dinner.....you don't always need a reservation, but if you really want to eat here it`s an idea, especially on the weekends.

We went back to the room to do our sunscreen and our room had already been cleaned.....wow.....that was quick.....

Sunscreen on, we headed out to the boat and didn't have too long to wait this morning but it was busy.....we did get on the first boat but another appeared just as we were heading off...…..so those left wouldn't have too long to wait...….

It was hot today again......would reach 80F by around 11am.....but that suited us down to the ground...….

It was beautiful walking in to IOA this morning......whenever we walk in to Port of Entry we are immediately transported into park mode......it is the most beautiful entrance to a park for us......the colours are beyond vibrant and the music suits the whole area to perfection.

Now this is a Christmas Store!!!

It is fully adorned with Christmas items and there is a real feel of Christmas in here....and the scent.....it is fairly powerful but so gorgeous......we wander in every time we pass.....one way or the other...…

And this building below is one I often tell folks to stand under and listen.....there are a few buildings in POE you can do that too....but this one is my favourite…..

We don't usually stop for pictures with characters much anymore, but we couldn't resist when Puss in Boots beckoned us over for a picture...who were we to say no.....even though I dislike cats.....lol....he was cool though...…

Our first stop after we waved goodbye to Puss, was head down to the lagoon and see what the landscape looked like over at the JPVC...….they were ripping out all the greenery and shrubs to make room for the landscaping for the newest rollercoaster...….it looked very extreme, but it is a huge undertaking when you see what the alleged plans are for this new coaster.....fantastic news for Universal Orlando Resort.

And we did notice they had deliberately left one tree out of all they had removed...….

They have now put up a green shield around the works, but you can still see what`s going on from certain places...….but not as pretty as it was before. I was glad we had managed to get down to the front area and got pictures with no one around before this change happened....….

The lagoon is pretty. The views around from all vantage points are lovely and we always enjoy some time around the water and just enjoy the tranquility, as most of the areas are usually lacking other people.

We love the Hulk as a coaster.....and catching pictures of it running we always enjoy...…it is a wonderful coaster and the take off is marvellous…...it is so fast, and it does catch your breath as it goes...but so much fun....

It`s not as bashy on your head since the refurb, especially if you sit at the front.

We turn in and after the lockers, we see there is a bit of a line......the regular line isn't thrilling enough to want to go through even when it`s quiet.....not for us anyway......so we join the EP line and it is a short line.....the people in front of us ask for the front and there are three of them, so we say we`ll wait for the next one and take the front too.....and we do. We love the front.

We were delayed a little after we got on as there was something going on behind us, never did find out but I think someone got on then changed their mind and got off.....shame.....I remember my first time on Hulk, I was petrified when I pulled the harness down.....and realised I had to go now......I was panic stricken......but soon fell in love with the whole ride.....especially the take off and drops......love em!!! But I do remember how scary it was too.....so I understand someone deciding not to ride as it is quite an imposing coaster...…

The ride today was as good as ever and we only do it once. And set off to the lockers to retrieve our belongings.

I always say every visit we see something that we haven't noticed before, and today we see something that is so obvious we can`t quite believe we`ve never picked up on before...….I`m sure we`ve seen it as we have walked past it thousands of times, but never paid any attention...……

It is interactive apparently, but we never tried it out...……I don't think I`ve ever seen a kid use the telephone before.....but of course we may have missed it...….

We do a quick turn on Dr Doom...…..this ride seems to annoy some people......we LOVE it......yes, it`s short but definitely sweet.....if folks don't enjoy that initial shot in the air......not sure why they don't, as it is fast and what a view you get up there...….and the drop is amazing as it does lift you right out of your seat.....messes up your hair though!!!!! Definitely not a waste of our time!!!!

Next up on our routine tour is Spider-Man...…..this is a phenomenal ride with good theming in the line......we noticed the regular line was around 30 minutes, but we walked straight on. Last time we were here with Kyle in December we had met Spider-Man himself in the line....that was a surprise and we got a couple of good pictures with him.....got to be the coolest of the superheroes surely!!!!

But today we saw no one in the line.....actually no one. the whole way through..….when we got to the front we walked straight on a vehicle and off we went..…...we had the front row to ourselves but folks were behind us in the vehicle.....

But, it is such fun...….it does bump you around a bit, but this one never makes me feel woozy or dizzy the way Transformers does......strange as it is a very similar ride...….but this one we love...…​

As we come out the increase in heat is very noticeable.....it is hot!!!! And so beautiful...…..we really love this weather...….but, we don't hang around for the superheroes today, but they are cool to see on their vehicles, but we have seen them loads of times...…..so we continue to wander round from the his area..…..enjoying this blistering sunshine too.

We do see a couple of folks try the games on the way round......it was a school trip and one guy kept missing hitting the ball in the net.….he was being teased that was why he didn't make the team...….he wasn't happy.....lol...….

Toon lagoon is another colourful place in the park...…alarmingly so at times...….bright light and again pretty......and plenty to wander around see....kids love this whole area too...….

Say Cheese...………………..…………

The shop in this area stocks a lot......and today we saw for the first time in here the Minion goggles......I would have to get these for my friends granddaughter...….she adores Minions.....she would happily come with us every time we go.....but a 4 year old sounds a little exhausting full time now...….she is adorable though. So, I bought a pair and had them sent back to our room which is a wonderful perk of staying onsite.....not having to go pick it up anywhere, and it is sent directly to your room, is ideal. Usually it arrives the next morning fairly early but if you are checking out the next day they won`t offer this service in case there is a delay or a hold up with the delivery.

I also consider buying this for me...I`ve heard, someone somewhere said it might just suit me a little.…now who would say something like that...……

Janet (Keishashadow) often comments there`s no one in our pictures......I usually think it`s a fluke as there are always folks around..….but today we had a definite lull in crowds......and there was a gap where there was no one around...….

We did look to go down to Me Ship The Olive area as we love taking pictures down there and hardly anyone goes down there......but as Bilge Barge was going through a refurb they had closed that area off. So no sneaky pics of the works at JPVC today...….

A few seconds later though it was like a mass event as almost everyone descended on this area behind us....it was nice while it lasted...……

Tom with his usual picture......I think he`s trying to tell me something...….

We wander into the Ripsaw Falls area to just watch folks on the ride.....we aren't doing water rides this trip as it`s just not warm enough.....even 80F can be cool if you are soaked...….but we do watch and see folks coming down...…

This is a good descent....you feel as if you are being properly dropped.....a bit like JP ride....although I do wish that was deeper too.....we like a good drop. Higher the better...…

Next up.....Kong and Potter!!!

 

[J'aime Paris]

Our family adores biscuits and gravy, and I make them homemade (extra sausage)!
I sometimes make them even for supper!

 

[schumigirl]

Our family adores biscuits and gravy, and I make them homemade (extra sausage)!
I sometimes make them even for supper!

You have a spare room don’t you..........

I’d visit just for them!!!

I’m so annoyed I could have been enjoying them all these years......although maybe that’s a good thing.......

 

[macraven]

Biscuits and gravy are a favorite at our house

Glad you tried them !

 

[I-4Bound]

Biscuits and gravy are a quintessential Southern breakfast! Oddly enough, though I've lived in the south my whole life, I have never really eaten it.

 

[Cara]

I'm all caught up!

First of all, EWWWW on that lady's feet. WHO would do that, and WHY?! So disgusting!!

Secondly, we can now consider you an unofficial Southerner, since you have discovered the delight that is biscuits and gravy!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

I wish the HRH Club Lounge could get the biscuit and gravy thing right......seriously the only place we have ever had issues getting good biscuits and gravy they are edible but not hitting it out of the park by no means.