Happy Anni-birth-aversary...A 33 night Celebration & HHN too.....SF & RPR September 2022 TR

[schumigirl]

Carole, I agree with you on the Atlantic Ocean. I like the wildness of it much better than the calm gulf side. I guess that's probably because we aren't beach people and don't swim in it. We love to walk the beaches too, and I like the evening walks more than daytime.

LOL, I had to laugh about your comment about the horrible drivers in Orlando! My husband refuses to drive in Orlando, and we always hire a car service or take the resort bus or a taxi. I haven't tried Uber yet, but it sounds like the best way to go.

Good News! I just booked 4 days at the Royal Pacific Resort in mid February! I can't wait to get back to that beautiful resort and to Universal. This is from a one-time disney fanatic. I wouldn't go back to disney now with all the changes and their attitude towards their guests. I guess we won't go back at all anyway. Universal just is a better deal and a wonderful park to visit. Love the atmosphere and unique offerings. I guess I'm just babbling on, but I Can't Wait!!!! At that time of year we will have had a lot of snow for months and really cold weather. It's a good time to get out of Minnesota.

Awaiting the rest of your fun report

Congratulations on booking your stay!!!!

Yes, you’ll be more than ready by then to get out of Minnesota winters, don’t blame you! I hope it’s a fabulous trip for you…I hear so many folks say the same thing about Disney, I’m glad some still enjoy it though. I doubt we’ll ever visit WDW again.

Maybe that’s what it is about the beaches, because we don’t go in and swim. I did plan to go to NSB in the evening, but then a friend told me the sharks feed at that time……..lol…….changed my mind! I do like to paddle, but not any more.

We both love driving over there, but there is something about that one area…..yes, Uber or Lyft is the way forward.

Hope you’re doing good…….

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

lol……mint and cucumber are a huge no in drinks! I can just about tolerate cucumber in a salad, but mint in any form is almost as bad as cilantro! I do like strawberry though.

It’ll be fine over here and has been since she passed. Charles, Camilla, William, Catherine, Anne, Edward, Sophie and some others are doing a fabulous job.

The man was indeed very kind and thoughtful.

I’m usually a no to cucumber in drinks as well (I’ve gotten better at eating it more as I’ve gotten older), but this is probably the most refreshing of the refreshers. I also admittedly love the glass it comes in lmao.

Admittedly, I didn’t really know much about Anne until the funeral and now think very highly of her. The way she was with her mothers body every step of the journey. Her whole demeanor the entire time. She gained my respect and attention the entire time. Same for Edward and Sophie. I guess they just were never on my radar as much for a variety of reasons.

My cousin and her husband actually arrived the day after she passed-it was their 20th anniversary trip. They have some beautiful and somber photos from that trip. A coworker also had been visiting her parents in the UK and left the day before she passed. Had she been there she would’ve extended her trip and queued up to pay her respects. Goes to show how important the Queen was and always will be.

 

[schumigirl]

I’m usually a no to cucumber in drinks as well (I’ve gotten better at eating it more as I’ve gotten older), but this is probably the most refreshing of the refreshers. I also admittedly love the glass it comes in lmao.

Admittedly, I didn’t really know much about Anne until the funeral and now think very highly of her. The way she was with her mothers body every step of the journey. Her whole demeanor the entire time. She gained my respect and attention the entire time. Same for Edward and Sophie. I guess they just were never on my radar as much for a variety of reasons.

My cousin and her husband actually arrived the day after she passed-it was their 20th anniversary trip. They have some beautiful and somber photos from that trip. A coworker also had been visiting her parents in the UK and left the day before she passed. Had she been there she would’ve extended her trip and queued up to pay her respects. Goes to show how important the Queen was and always will be.

Anne is one of the hardest working of all the royals. Incredible woman who is so down to earth. I think outside of the UK it’s not generally known how many engagements they actually do in a year. Princess Anne covered 387 engagements in 2021, not bad for a woman of her age. The queen and other main royals do similar, or the Queen did similar.

She was so important.

Yes, if it has mint…….nah…..I always get Mojitos minus the mint, much to the surprise of most bartenders.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Anne is one of the hardest working of all the royals. Incredible woman who is so down to earth. I think outside of the UK it’s not generally known how many engagements they actually do in a year. Princess Anne covered 387 engagements in 2021, not bad for a woman of her age. The queen and other main royals do similar, or the Queen did similar.

She was so important.

Yes, if it has mint…….nah…..I always get Mojitos minus the mint, much to the surprise of most bartenders.

Ding dang Anne! Yeah I happened to say that to my parents that I really didn’t know a lot about Anne and they were all “BUT SHE WAS IN THE OLYMPICS AND THE ARMED FORCES!” And I was all “well you learn something new every day”. Truly she has earned very high respect from me.

A local pub I go to makes the perfect mojito. Perfect mix of mint and lime and every other ingredient. It clearly has its hold on me lol

 

[margareton27]

Friday night catch-up! Wow - I would have been a bit teary too if I had a drink named after me! And this just sounds like it came straight from the heart so makes it much more special

I’m feeling much better after Covid. Just still really tired from it. Or else that’s my excuse when I flake out in the living room chair after work every day

 

[schumigirl]

Ding dang Anne! Yeah I happened to say that to my parents that I really didn’t know a lot about Anne and they were all “BUT SHE WAS IN THE OLYMPICS AND THE ARMED FORCES!” And I was all “well you learn something new every day”. Truly she has earned very high respect from me.

A local pub I go to makes the perfect mojito. Perfect mix of mint and lime and every other ingredient. It clearly has its hold on me lol

She did compete at the 1976 Olympics in the equestrian three-day event, but she has never served in the armed forces.

However, she has had several military honours and titles bestowed to her, quite a lot actually. She was also incredible when there was a kidnap attempt on her in 1974. It`s quite a story, genuinely amazing woman, very much her parents daughter.

Glad you enjoy your cocktails.

 

[schumigirl]

Friday night catch-up! Wow - I would have been a bit teary too if I had a drink named after me! And this just sounds like it came straight from the heart so makes it much more special

I’m feeling much better after Covid. Just still really tired from it. Or else that’s my excuse when I flake out in the living room chair after work every day

Yes, I was quite emotional and they knew I would love it...... They really are the nicest and kindest of people.

I`m so glad you`re doing much better now.......yes, tiredness does take it`s toll, and I heard flaking out on a chair or a very comfy sofa after a busy day is the best remedy for that.....

 

[schumigirl]

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH

Another good night`s sleep and we were up with the larks today.....we moved over to RP today and we were looking forward to it. But, we would miss this wonderful Sapphire Suite as it is just gorgeous and so spacious. I think I preferrred this suite over any room we had been in and although we do love RP, this Suite wins overall I think.

We first headed over to the lounge for breakfast, with it being a Sunday they don`t serve sparkly till 9am, so we just had tea this morning as we weren`t waiting around as we needed to get packed up for the move.

We got back over and put the tv on as the Italian GP was coming on from Monza, so we had a little background as we packed up. It really didn`t take long to do as we hadn`t made a lot of extra purchases yet, we decided to wait till we moved over and then we could buy what we wanted.

Once packed, we sat on the sofa and watched the rest of the race before going to check out and we did remember to empty the safety deposit box....we once left RP to head for the airport and realised we hadn`t emptied that one, and our Passports are in there!!! Ooops.....we were a little red faced coming back 10 minutes later to reclaim our items!!!

We don`t feel like we`re saying goodbye to Sapphire as we`re back over a lot for Strong Water Bar! It is such a short and easy walk between the two hotels and you don`t even need to go outside at any point.

We bimbled out with our luggage and drove the very short distance to check in at RP. We always just drive into the parking lot and lug our cases up to the lobby, I know some folks drop off at the door, but it`s no hassle to do it this way.

There was no line for check in at RP and we were checked in by someone who maybe needs a little more training. But, although it was early, we got our keys for the room and headed up, we would set up the safety deposit box later we just wanted to drop the luggage off and start unpacking.

The King Suite, while not as large as the Sapphire Suite over at SF, it`s still roomy and very light. We had asked our friend if we could have a non pool view this time around, something we had never had before, as the pool can be fairly noisy during the day, even on the higher floors....or maybe Tom is right and I do have ears like a bat......

The King Suite is immaculately clean, like everything around the hotel is we have found......and we do feel very much at home here. We are also on the 7th floor for the first time, we usually prefer the 6th floor, but this would do just nicely.

A lady commented as she passed us going into the room one day she would hate to be so near the elevator and have all the traffic passing by.....well, like every room you did hear folks passing, but once you were in the bedroom with the door closed, it was like a hermetically sealed unit and we never heard a thing which we love.

The Sapphire Suite was exactly the same, once the bedroom door was closed, the way it was positioned, we never heard any corridor noise and we did think there was never anyone in the rooms beside us or above us, except once we heard chatting from the adjoining locked door to the room next door, but it was very short and after that never heard a peep.

Having the two areas is very nice, not that we are ever far from each other, but we just like the space this gives us. The sofa, while comfy for sitting on, is not somewhere I`d ever like to sleep on. If Kyle was with us, he always got a rollaway and he found that very comfortable as opposed to the bumpy and lumpy sofa.

And another very comfortable bed for the next part of our stay, it was supposed to be 17 nights, but no secret that Hurricane Ian changed that.

The King Suite gives you two sets of closets as the one in the other room is a decent size too as well as holding the ironing board, iron and of course the room safe which is quite small and will hold the basics for you.

We like a shower only and the power behind these ones we like a lot, you do feel it has excellent water pressure. Many don`t like the barn door between the two areas as there is no lock and it`s glass, although you can`t see through it, but we don`t mind it at all. But, we`ve been together over 30 years so, no surprises to experience there.

We made a start on the unpacking, but it was getting on to lunchtime and we wanted to pop to Publix first, I forget what for, so we left the bulk of it till we came back. We had no real plans today so we weren`t rushing to do something.

After Publix Tom wanted to go to Rocco`s Tacos on Sand Lake.

It`s right next to Eddie V`s and as the name suggests, it`s Mexican food and I`m not a fan at all of that type of food. I do make Fajitas, and I do like salsa, chips and guacamole, but that`s about it as I can`t eat many onions, don`t eat a lot of cheese, we both loathe cilantro and things like refried beans make me quite ill just looking at them......but hey....let`s give it a try!!!!

He did have to persuade me more than a little I hasten to add, this was not somewhere I would choose to eat in, but I did look and find something on the menu I could get...a plain chicken breast.....dullest option ever......

We walked into what must have been the noisiest place on planet earth!!! Holy moly.....every instinct in me was to turn and leave....but Tom wanted to try it, so I smiled and approached the desk to face four young ladies all on their phones and one touching up her lipstick, totally oblivious to their surroundings. I said excuse me just as one young lady turned and asked without a smile if she could help. We said we didn`t have a reservation was there anything available, she said wait over there there would be a 5 minute wait, well that was ok.

She beckoned us to come over and showed us to a high top, we said could we have a regular table please.....I think she wasn`t overly pleased with this request and silently led us to a table beside the check in desk which was fine. I was decidely uncomfortable at this point....and what the heck is that noise!!!! The music was so loud, everyone was shouting at each other....some may say it was very atmospheric of course.

​

Yes, I needed a drink........I was earning big brownie points for staying in the restaurant.

Our waitress was lovely, she was so nice and we told her we needed some time with the menu but meantime I ordered their Black Diamond Margarita......I did ask for it with no black sea salt as I don`t like anything on the glass rim.....but......it was a nice drink made with Maestro Diamante Tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and black cherry puree.

This was a busy restaurant and our waitress apologised for the time it took for us to order, but like a lot of places, they were struggling for staff, we told her it was fine, we were in no rush....although I couldn`t wait to get out as it was deafening in the restaurant. So, I had another cocktail .....this time the Jalapeno Margarita which was also very nice.

We eventually decided to go for a shared dish of Surf and Turf Molcajetes which was steak, chorizo, chicken, shrimp and sweet potatoes in a verde garlic sauce and it was served in what looked like a large mortar for grinding spices.

This was accompanied by tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and a weird cheese I had never heard of, cotija cheese which I tried a little and I didn`t like nor dislike.....even Tom said it was like eating a texture, nothing else.

​

I really wasn`t sure what I`d make of this, we had impressed upon our waitress that we hated cilantro and couldn`t eat and she assured us they had made it without any touching it. We had got a side of Mexican potatoes and some fresh fruit......the fruit was nice, but the potatoes were cold, undercooked and flavourless. There was also cilantro in the pico de gallo, but we didn`t expect anything else, I just didn`t touch it.

I was distinctly underwhelmed by the food. The surf and turf had very little surf in it, the three shrimp on top were the only ones. It was ok tasted, but nothing special and not at all spicy despite asking if it could me made spicier. The meat was well cooked though, but the dish could have been warmer, and I couldn`t even be bothered to complain.

This had not been a great success and I felt like a petulant child having been made to do something I didn`t want to do......lol....but Tom was glad we had been as we would never go back. He did laugh and smirk a little through the meal as he knew I was not enjoying it and we`d never be back.

Being honest, apart from the cocktails and our waitress I absolutely hated this place and I don`t say that often. Most places I can find something redeeming and would give most places a second try, but the unfriendly staff on the door and incredibly loud atmosphere does not make me want to rush back.

They have an outdoor bar which we have seen gets so busy, so I guess it`s just us that this place doesn`t suit as it does fill up every night.

It in prime position beside the lake, and the fire pit would be fun I`m sure, but I was happy to leave this place today......lol....

Oh dear, what a thing to post. I`m so sorry the secnd half of this post is kind of gloomy goose time, I did think of just passing this one by and not posting about how much we didn`t like it, but warts and all......

Tom was still laughing as he found it hilarious watching my face show displeasure through the whole meal......lol. I have been told I wear every emotion I feel on my face and can`t hide how I feel about anything.

Then we headed the short drive back home for peace and tranquility and to finish unpacking!!!

 

[Raeven]

es, you can just see in the background.....Raeven and Josh again.....we were sitting next to each other at the same tables as we were in May....what a coincidence!!!

Such a fun coincidence!

chatting to Josh and Raeven they were going to go after they ate so I was glad the rain had ceased for everyone.

Yes I was so happy it stopped that night!

And the lovely Maggie in the background....she is the best!!

I think in that picture she was giving us some of the chocolate you brought We've had her each time, and she is the best.

I don`t think I told Raeven how much I liked her teeshirt......it is cool.....they have the best tees for HHN!!

Haha thank you! I thought that one was hilarious when I saw it.

Maggie insisted we get a picture together as Tom had taken one with the three of us, so here it is, she took loads of them at different angles due to the light......

I like this one a lot!

Freaky was not that great but The Black Phone was very, very good.

I felt the same way.

Tonight this house was again marvellous. It had the better Loomis at the beginning and the SA just worked perfectly for us as I got so many scares and one that did render me unable to move for that split second or two......that`s a good scare.

The Halloween one was great too!

 

[disneyAndi14]

How cool to have a drink named after you. It sounds like a drink I would like.
Hopefully I will try it someday!

 

[schumigirl]

Such a fun coincidence!

Yes I was so happy it stopped that night!

I think in that picture she was giving us some of the chocolate you brought We've had her each time, and she is the best.

Haha thank you! I thought that one was hilarious when I saw it.

I like this one a lot!

I felt the same way.

The Halloween one was great too!

I hope you enjoyed the chocolate, I forgot she gave you some of it...... Yes, she is one of the best!! One of the nicest, kindest ladies ever.

Glad you`re still reading long......

 

[schumigirl]

How cool to have a drink named after you. It sounds like a drink I would like.
Hopefully I will try it someday!

It is cool isn`t it!!! I love it.....

Yes, I think you`ll like it and yes, you have to try it next time you go over there.....

 

[schumigirl]

We got back and chatted to two of the bell guys, Rob who has worked at RP since the dawn of time although he looks about 25!!! And Milton who joined last year and both are the nicest guys. Milton had been promoted since we were last here and we were thrilled for him, he deserves it. One of life`s genuine people who is so soothing when you speak to him and just an all round lovely man.

Back up to our room, we were happy to see our lovely friend who is always so thoughtful and kind had sent a cheese and fruit plate to our room.....and it was extra appreciated as I had barely eaten anything at lunchtime.......and believe me that huge slice of coconut encrusted pineapple was devoured in minutes! We did clear almost the whole plate between us and it was lovely.

We managed to get everything unpacked and sorted out, and kind of mooched around for a little bit in the suite, Tom popped the tv on of course, he is a tv fiend and will have it on in the house regardless of being in the room. I don`t watch it much during the day at all and would happily never turn it on, but I`m used to it now and when I see this I always give Tom a knowing look of recognition......

​

It was lounge time before we knew it and we walked along to see Raphael setting up, so of course as I always take pictures of the food......someone wanted in there too.......

Tonight was chicken tenders and mac n cheese, and our least favourite salad due to the blue cheese......but we wanted to have a little salad with our fizzy tonight, and did manage some without getting any cheese on our plates. After our cheese and fruit plate, salad would be plenty for us right now.

We had such a giggle in the lounge tonight and some lovely chats too, and then we headed for the boat to head to HHN.

Stopping off in the room to pick up our lanyards the ladies who do turndown service had been and it`s always lovely to come into a room that feels cosy with the lights dimmed in both rooms.

I do like the two little bottles of water and a cute little postcard that they leave you by the bed each night.

There was a boat waiting tonight and we got straight on it and into the Studios we went going through the hotel guest entrance as there were lines at the main gates.

It looked a little busy already and we were worried it was going to be too crowded, but the house lines were looking not too bad.

We went straight into Hellblock and it was a complete and utter walk on tonight, still not really a fan of this house. Next up was Coven which again with EP we were in within 5 minutes including the walk and we did enjoy this house tonight. I think the storyline is still weak and the witches were not the best characters we had ever seen, but tonight is was decent.

The lines above were awful.....there are a few lines mingled here, so it`s not all for one house, but still.....without EP, this is what you`ll wait in.

We did Halloween next which was exceptional and we were thrilled to see we would only wait about 6 minutes to get in tonight. We were lucky with scares and I got one big scare I had missed all the previous visits.......one the patients in the Sanitarium just appeared and freaked me out massively with what he did....Tom thought it was hilarious and the guy behind him gave me a high five, said it was the best scare he had seen this whole event.....lol.....we really enjoyed this one tonight.

Chupacabra was 15 minutes and I was annoyed as this wasn`t worth the wait tonight. Another poorly executed house tonight with lots of gaps and spaces which was disappointing. The SA that were there though gave it their all as they always do.

DMP was also a 15 minute wait but it was completely worth it as it always was. I don`t think we had one bad experience in this house. Once there was a SA missing and it was the man swinging on the hook and rope which is quite an important part to miss, but that was it..... the way this house had been laid out, most folks should catch some scares every time.

We were pleased with how tonight was turning out so far, we had managed the houses at the front of the park and the scare zones were fine tonight.

There was no line for the Tribute Store so we walked straight in and had a wander, but it was a little too busy to take many decent pictures of it, but we did manage one or two and said we`d come back during the day when it would be quiet.

These signs below you could assign your own picture too were fabulous.....I loved this one as there is a standing joke in our family that I am always cold. I told them at my cremation they should all think.....well, she`s finally warm.......

Maybe a little morbid, but.....well, it`s kinda true!!

I would have this one........

We didn`t buy any of these treats as they were seemingly all peanut butter or chocolate flavoured......not a fan of either but they did look good.

We`re big fans of creepy old black and white scary movies, so this window appealed to us a lot.

Back outside we wandered a little through Sweet Revenge, but we just weren`t feeling this zone tonight......we did buy a snack from one of the food places, but as we didn`t take a picture neither of us can remember what it was. I do know one was a pizza skull which was nice. But, we had to stand to eat which wasn`t fun, so taking pictures was nigh on impossible. We got some drinks too but it was just water as it was fairly hot tonight so we didn`t want any alcohol at all.

Blumhouse was up next for us and this was about a 10 minute wait too and we felt the same with this house as before, Freaky was not good but The Black Phone part was excellent. I don`t think they really need to do these double features in a house, they could easily make a full house out of one film.

There are some very good scares in this house, and we did enjoy it a lot.

Conjure the Dark zone wasn`t so good tonight. There didn`t seem to be many SA around and the little stage show was ok, but not as good as it had been previously.

The park is lit up beautifully during HHN, they always do this so well and looks fantastic.

We walk past DA and we do have a wander round, stop for a fizzy orange and we do sit for 20 minutes or so enjoying slightly cooler temps in here as is usual. It was a little busier tonight than it usually is and folks were enjoying this area too.

Gringotts was open and we did consider doing it, but we`re not there for the rides so we head back out and had round to the back of the park for those houses.

We missed out Bugs as there really was nothing to entice us to visit this house again. No scares and nothing scary doesn`t make a good house for us. And the theme is not something that appeals either, so we`re happy to miss this one out again.

We do Descendents tonight and I think it was another just ok house tonight....nothing stood out as exceptional and I was so glad we hadn`t waited any time for this one.

One we did plan to do again tonight was Legends and from when we entered the line where it tells you the wait times to coming out if the house was 10 minutes flat. We walked fairly quickly past some rather annoyed looking folks as the regular line was surprisingly long tonight, so again, surprised when we got the entrance and there was no one in the EP line at all....well, maybe one or two but it was negligable.

It wasn`t bad tonight.....again, too much emphasis on the Mummy elements and they are just missing something this year with this theme. I`m surprised as this is the genre that Universal spectacularly excels in and what is known for. It was still decent, but we weren`t sure if there was a line, we`d wait. We got talking to a couple from Montana on the way out and they thought exactly the same as us for almost every house, they also said they were disappointed in many of the same things we felt. They had been visiting since 2006, just the year before us so their opinions had some weight for us.

To be honest we can`t remember when we saw the Ghoulish show tonight, some nights if I don`t write it down, I forget and some nights just merge into one big memory.....but it was something you should see once, but it`s not something we`d really go out of our way to watch as they had done so much better on previous years.

The cursed soil zone was strangely lacking tonight, again we might have been unlucky with timings but it felt like we were just walking through fog with no SA around.

Graveyard was very good tonight again......SA were on point and we saw the statue lady scare the bejeesus out of several folks, including one man who looked like he was either a wrestler or a bodybuilder.....but he still squealed like a little girl when the statue scared him.....very funny!!!!

It was time for us to head home, it was midnight again and we were both starting to yawn a lot which was quite embarrassing at time when we were chatting to them......oh dear.

And we decided to walk home tonight since we were at RP, the lines for the boats were really long and although my feet ached a little tonight it`s easier to keep walking that stop and stand for ages.

Tonight was an odd mix.....it was a busy park with some areas more crowded than others, but the EP lines tonight were a joy and the longest we waited was 15 minutes which didn`t add up with the crowds. I think we were just lucky with timings.

We were also surprised how late we were tonight again, usually we spend a couple of hours max in one night, but this was our second night of leaving around midnight which is unheard of for us, but tonight again had been a lot of fun. Certainly there were elements that didn`t work for us, and you can see where things could be better, but it had been a decent night.

Once we were in the room, I had a very quick shower and was in bed while Tom tried to find something to watch......I don`t mind the tv being on in the bedroom as I knew I`d be asleep in seconds no matter what he ended up watching.

And it was nice to be back in RP.

 

[shh]

Oh dear, what a thing to post. I`m so sorry the secnd half of this post is kind of gloomy goose time, I did think of just passing this one by and not posting about how much we didn`t like it, but warts and all......

I especially like when you post the bad as well as the good...it makes the TR more interesting.

I do not understand Rocco's popularity - and boy, are they popular. They have several locations throughout Florida, including one by us. Always said I should try it, but every time I poked my head in, wait times were 60-90 min+ and it was deafening and seemed too chaotic.

I really dislike loud restaurants - everyone seems to think they are "lively" with "atmosphere" lol. For me, I dine out to relax and talk with the people I'm with- not to constantly yell over music I don't like or other people's conversations.

I guess I. Am. Old.

 

[Cara]

I'm excited that you're at the point in your report where you've moved to RPR, since that's where we'll be next month. We just have a standard room, but it will be fine for just four nights!

 

[schumigirl]

I especially like when you post the bad as well as the good...it makes the TR more interesting.

I do not understand Rocco's popularity - and boy, are they popular. They have several locations throughout Florida, including one by us. Always said I should try it, but every time I poked my head in, wait times were 60-90 min+ and it was deafening and seemed too chaotic.

I really dislike loud restaurants - everyone seems to think they are "lively" with "atmosphere" lol. For me, I dine out to relax and talk with the people I'm with- not to constantly yell over music I don't like or other people's conversations.

I guess I. Am. Old.

lol....I must be old too then!!!

Nothing needs to be that loud.....I`ve been in quieter nightclubs! We did struggle to hear each other talk over this meal, and this was lunchtime, we both said it must be worse at night.

To be honest, I don`t get the attraction either. Food was nothing special and I`m sure I could get better anywhere else, but the whole feeling of the place just didn`t work for us. It seemed to be maybe a little bit of a "trendy" place to be seen. Not for us, and yes, someone at the hotel told us wait can be 2 hours for a table! Not a chance....

Yes, warts and all, I don`t like being negative but I will write about our experiences as honestly as I can.....and I do have a couple more meals that just didn`t come up to scratch.......and I can honestly say we`ll never go back to Rocco`s

 

[schumigirl]

I'm excited that you're at the point in your report where you've moved to RPR, since that's where we'll be next month. We just have a standard room, but it will be fine for just four nights!

Oh I`m so excited for you!!!

I can`t wait to hear all about and how much fun you`re going to have. It is such a wonderful hotel and we feel so much at home there, Sapphire too to be fair.

What date do you arrive, I forget now???

 

[Cara]

We arrive 11/11 and will check out 11/15.

 

[schumigirl]

We arrive 11/11 and will check out 11/15.

Oh, less than two weeks till you go now!!!

You`ll get to see the Christmas decorations and that`s always gorgeous to see!!! So excited for you to go on this trip!!

 

[schumigirl]

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH​

Waking up this morning was a little disorienting as I was aware of not being in Sapphire and it did take me a few moments to remember where I was.

It was early-ish when we got up and I must admit, it was a nice short walk to the lounge for a change, but we honestly always enjoyed the walk from Sapphire to RP every morning. Once we were showered and dressed we had a very quick breakfast, by our standards and headed for the boat as we were going to the Studios today.

We had just missed a boat, but you can see the next one was already coming round the corner, we never waited long for boats here, actually never waited long at any of the hotels for boats.

The boat is always a lovely little way to get to the parks and takes only a few moments...our Captain this morning was Rob, who has been with Universal for the longest time....you`ll know him probably.....tell loads of truly dreadful jokes but in such a style he has you laughing all the way to and from the parks. He is one the gems of the Captains.

There`s a lady on the turnstiles who we always go to if we see her.....her name is America and of course everyone says Good Morning America to her......well, we do......lol....she has also been with Universal for many years.

We were heading into the store first as always, we were looking for a black cap that had Universal in black lettering in the stores and so far it had eluded us. We had been assured it would be available but we hadn`t seen it anywhere. We had brought one back for Kyle in May and he runs it and had asked us to get him another one, well, we`d try!

I loved this image on the wall of this store....Universal logo`s over the age. I think the fourth one is my favourite, lots of classic films begin with this one.

I spotted the hats as soon as we passed them!! Finally, we got them.....so we picked up two for him, he`d be pleased. Some of the other hats were too light for him and he doesn`t really like patterned ones, so this was ideal.

We picked up a couple of other little things that would do as gifts for a few folks and got them sent back to our room which is a nice perk of staying in one of the Universal hotels. Your packages are delivered the next day directly to your room.

Our plan today was to do Minions first as we usually do, we stepped forward and we were directed not forward where the EP line usually goes, but that line was being directed into the regular line area.....er, no. The line was huge and the TM informed us Express would be extra long today.....I have written down 40 minutes, but not sure if someone told me it was 40 minutes or the TM. But, whoever it was, we would not be standing in line for 40 minutes for Minions.

We would do it another day when the line wasn`t crazy.

As we didn`t plan to do RRR or Jimmy Fallon, there really wasn`t much in this area to do this morning.Mummy was still closed, so we thought we`d head into the Tribute Store and hope it was going to be a lot quieter than last night.

It was almost deserted today so we could get to see most of the displays we had kinda missed last night or had been hidden by the crowds.

They always do a good job with these tribute stores for whatever season they are celebrating.

And of course, being a store.....you have the option to purchase many, many pieces of merchandise and you do have a lot of choice in here. I did like the candles they were selling this year and we did buy more than one or two of them!!! Although some will end up as stocking fillers for friends at Christmas.

I think the one of the best Tribute stores they did was in 2016 when Halloween was heavily featured then too....they had a statue of Michael Myers, Chance and AHS was also featured.

I kept glancing behind me as I was convinced there was a real man under that mask at times and he was going to suddenly but oh so slowly lean forward and do the traditional and terrifying head tilt towards me.....he didn`t, it was always a dummy!

That was such a good year for houses, they also had The Exorcist which was a fabulous house, despite being based on the least scariest movie ever!!! I avoided watching that movie forever, till eventually I said I wanted to watch it.......what a load of junk!!! I was so disappointed after thinking it would be the most terrifying film ever made. Pah!! It was dreadful.

But, they did a fabulous house from the movie that year.

I was the party pooper here and wouldn`t do the traditional pose with the arms crossed in the coffin......er, no thanks.....

I loved these below.....there really were some very funny ones and I genuinely thought they were a good idea and a fabulous piece of memorabilia......

The Scenic Decor team had again created something rather wonderful with this building, they always have such amazing ideas and it always transfers to reality so well.

I was sure we`d be back in for another mooch round this lovely little store, if only to make a couple of purchases.

It was so bright outside, it took a few minutes for our eyes to adjust......but it was gorgeous and we were loving this wander around one of our favourite parks.

The mummy was still closed but they seemed to be setting up as if they were expecting lines......we were about to keep walking when we saw one woman run....she had spotted them opening the line to folks!!! Well, we didn`t know we could move so fast.....I had started walking away before I saw her so Tom grabbed me and we hot footed it into the locker area and deposited our bags and so on and wiggled our way into the line.

We knew there was no EP, but we were among the first so it shouldn`t be too long a wait hopefully.....and everyone was so excited to see it finally open up, even if it was still in Technical Rehearsal, so we all knew at any minute they could tell us the ride was down. It was worth a risk.

We were on and back out within 15 minutes!!

It was fun. Exact same ride, no change to the story or track, but they had enhanced some of the graphics and made sure all the props worked correctly. There are a couple of sharp jerky stops on the ride, we always know to brace for these, but we didn`t think they were as bad as they usually were.

We hit it lucky.......

When we came back out.....the jungle drums had been banging and everyone seemed to have come out of the corners and had joined the ever growing line for this much loved ride that had been down for far too long!!

We were not waiting to ride it again........

More of today to come......