Hijinks & Shenanigans but not much Mayhem@The Dark Side+Disney, Despicable 10/7

[natebenma]

My name is Dee and I will be your tour guide through my familys adventures at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and of course, Disney.

Our family has visited Disney World 4 times before this trip and we had one previous stay at The Theme Park Which Must Not Be Named. Before the boys were born, Mark and I made several magical visits to Disney as a couple, starting when we were seniors in high school on a class trip, a belated honeymoon trip and several others.

In 2011, we had a 5 day, 4 night trip to Universal/Islands of Adventure/Sea World and 1 day at the Magic Kingdom.
Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW July 2011 details that trip.






I manage (not moderate) the Beach & Yacht Club FAQ thread on the resorts board. This was my first trip back to the Beach Club since I volunteered to keep that forum organized. As I told Mark when we arrived, Although I 'visit' this resort every day, I can't believe that I am actually here! It was surreal!




My husband Mark is the manager of a software development team. Our 27th wedding anniversary was on the last night of the trip and we celebrated by watching Wishes for first time ever at the Tomorrowland Dessert Party. I love this picture that Ben took.









Nate (15) will be a high school sophomore in the fall. A typical teen, he is a thrill junkie and absolutely loved our trip to Universal a couple of years ago. Nate was very appreciative throughout this trip and agreeable to doing what we wanted to do- a very refreshing change from our past couple of trips. When he declared This is the best vacation ever, it melted my heart!




This trip was a triumph for my 12 year old son, Ben, who feels he has been Disney-deprived. Our last real trip to the World was in 2010. We did visit the Magic Kingdom for one day in 2011, but he was envious of the trip Nate and I made last June with his 8th grade classmates.

Here is a little power point presentation Ben made to plead his case for a trip to Disney.

Ben's Powerpoint "Top Ten Reasons We Should Go to Disney! This Summer!!!

Although his presentation did not result in a trip last year, it did spark a trip report The Amazing Adventures of Flat Ben and Friends featuring other families who took pictures of different versions of Flat Ben at Disney, Universal, cruises and Mexico.

Surprisingly, this did not satisfy Bens desire for a trip to Disney.







Hears No Evil. Speaks No Evil. Sees No Evil. Refuses to Participate



We planned our first split-stay ever: 3 nights at the Hard Rock at Universal and 4 nights at my beloved Beach Club home.













We typically tour the parks pretty aggressively and dont spend much time taking breaks or relaxing at the resorts.

Our Commando Creed:

No sleeping in Orlando! That one is unfortunately kind of true as one of my 3 am postings demonstrated
No pool time! I happily broke this rule a couple of times
No shopping! I did make one special purchase from the BC Marketplace during the trip

And absolutely NO DANCING!!!




I met up with 3 DIS friends during this trip- Nannette and I enjoyed Grey Goose Slushies together during Illuminations on our first and her last evening at Disney. I ran into Catho72 and her lovely family several times during our stay, at the pool and in the lobby. And my family had a spectacularly fun dinner at Captain's Grille with our dear friend TeenaS. Actually, Buzzy the fly made an appearance on our very last day in an unexpected place. So 4 meets!


The title of this TR is based on a phrase we uttered to each other often during the trip. We had a few moments of silliness during the trip and we would say Knock off those hijinks and shenanigans! A couple of times, we left the boys alone in the room for a little bit after warning them There better not be any hijinks. Or shenanigans! Or if we saw misbehavior in the park... you get the idea.


Sit back, relax and keep your arms and legs inside the trip report at all times as I proudly present...


Hijinks and Shenanigans at The Dark Side and Disney






Next up: Its a Hard Rock Life!

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[natebenma]

A Preview of some of the upcoming chapters...

Arrival: It's a Hard Rock Life!
Room 5112

On Tour at the Hard Rock Hotel
Be Our Guest (Lobby and Public Areas)
A Few of My Favorite Things (Memorabilia)
I Melt With You (Emack & Bolios)
Twistin' by the Pool
(Rockaway) Beach Club (Poolside Bar and Restaurant)
Get Busy (Resort Activities)
Walk This Way


Intro: Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure July 13-16

Universal Studios

"Jerome, Phone Home"
Hollywood Boulevard (Horror Makeup Show)
Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone (ET)

"Don't Have a Cow, Man!"
Simpsons, The Ride
Springfield

"Men (Women & Children) in Black"

It's A Wrap!

A City That Doesn't Sleep

A San Francisco Treat (Lunch was not as bad as I expected)

More Than Meets the Eye!

Rip Ride Rainbow!

Despicable Line!


****************************************

What is Going On Between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?

****************************************

Food Porn:





We DON'T dine with fishes
Lombard's Landing, lunch Sat July 13, Part 1
Lombard's Landing, lunch Sat July 13, Part 2

We give this meal 3 Broomsticks up!
I retain my Parotthead Status
Richter Burgers- Not as Bad as I expected
Eat, Forrest, Eat!

Butt dialing Star-Service at 2 am
Shortcut to Station 9 3/4

 

[-Hope-]

Subbing! Loved your intro and can't wait to read all about your trip! We don't live the breaks either- just seems like a waste since we can rest and swim at home.

 

[Lynne G]

Hi Dee!
Subbing. My kids want to know what song you chose for the RRR. They still talk about which one they want to listen to, even though we are not doing USO this year. I am renewing my AP this August though. We most likely will be back next year.

Oh, and I see WDW did extend the military discount, thus, the BC may be in our plans next year too.

So, I'd like to read your TR since DS will be 16 soon, and DD will be 12 even sooner. They are ride junkies, so this year, since we are DLR headed, we have to do USH too. Ah, the travel with a tween and teen.

 

[natebenma]

Subbing! Loved your intro and can't wait to read all about your trip! We don't live the breaks either- just seems like a waste since we can rest and swim at home.

Hope!!!

Thanks for joining in!

If you are a fellow commando, you will appreciate the pacing of our schedule! That's the way we feel too, we can swim at home but how many opportunities do you have to ride "The Mummy"?

Hi Dee!
Subbing. My kids want to know what song you chose for the RRR. They still talk about which one they want to listen to, even though we are not doing USO this year. I am renewing my AP this August though. We most likely will be back next year.

Oh, and I see WDW did extend the military discount, thus, the BC may be in our plans next year too.

So, I'd like to read your TR since DS will be 16 soon, and DD will be 12 even sooner. They are ride junkies, so this year, since we are DLR headed, we have to do USH too. Ah, the travel with a tween and teen.

Thanks again for the list, Lynne!

I rode RRR 3 times.

The first time, I went to the classic rock selections, but had trouble figuring out how to make my choice- the songs listed were not what I expected at all- and I ended up with something by ZZ Top by default.

The second time, I was all set to make one of the selections from the Secret Tracks, but the seat they tried to load me into was disabled, so I had to switch to another seat, and I didn't have time to make a choice. I ended up listening to some rap thing.

Third time was the charm! Nate and I rode at night. GORGEOUS!!! Loved looking out at the park with everything lit up in neon. Programmed in #902, Rainbow Connection, and I was a happy camper!!!

Some of the songs I would also like to try are "Moving Right Along", "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" and "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Oh, I hope you are able to make it to the Beach Club next year!!!

Your trip to California sounds fun. Mark and I went to Universal Hollywood a gajillion years ago, like 1987 I think. I don't know anything about what is there now.

 

[wanttobeinvienna]

I rode RRR 3 times.

The first time, I went to the classic rock selections, but had trouble figuring out how to make my choice- the songs listed were not what I expected at all- and I ended up with something by ZZ Top by default.

The second time, I was all set to make one of the selections from the Secret Tracks, but the seat they tried to load me into was disabled, so I had to switch to another seat, and I didn't have time to make a choice. I ended up listening to some rap thing.

Third time was the charm! Nate and I rode at night. GORGEOUS!!! Loved looking out at the park with everything lit up in neon. Programmed in #902, Rainbow Connection, and I was a happy camper!!!

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!!!

What does this mean?!?!?!? I am planning my own US/IOA trip right now, and it seems like there is something I haven't learned about yet!!!!

Thanks...
and subbing

 

[natebenma]

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!!!

What does this mean?!?!?!? I am planning my own US/IOA trip right now, and it seems like there is something I haven't learned about yet!!!!

Thanks...
and subbing

Melissa!



Rip Ride Rocket Secret Tracks:
Did you know that there are hidden songs on Rip Ride Rockit? Once on the ride press down on the logo for the ride at the top of the screen for 10 seconds. A keypad will appear and you enter the numbers below for the song you want to play while you ride:

101 - The Temples of Syrinx by Rush
102 - Blues Before & After by The Smithereens
103 - Break on Through by The Doors
104 - Crocodile Rock by Elton John
105 - Do it Again by Steely Dan
106 - Don't You by Candlebox
107 - Drivin' Rain by Gov't Mule
108 - Eight Miles High by The Byrds
109 - Fantasy by Aldo Nova
110 - Fool by Rollins Band
111 - For The Love Of God by Steve Vai
112 - Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
113 - Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
114 - Just Because by Jane's Addiction
115 - Live by Lenny Kravitz
116 - Mexicola by Queens of the Stone Age
117 - ? (rock instrumental)
118 - ? (latin/jazz/funk instrumental)
119 - ? (rock instrumental)
120 - ? (rock instrumental)
121 - Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty
122 - Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones
123 - Stockholm Syndrome by Muse
124 - Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin
125 - ? (R&B/soul)
126 - ? (rock instrumental)
127 - Urgent by Foreigner
128 - Vertigo by U2
129 - Wheel in the Sky by Journey
130 - Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who
131 - Klein Mandelbrot by Blue Man Group
132 - Drumbone by Blue Man Group
301 - Float On by Modest Mouse
302 - I Want You Back by The Jackson Five
303 - In My Pocket by The Cat Empire
304 - It's Still Rock And Roll To Me by Billy Joel
305 - Brothers Gonna Work It Out by Public Enemy
306 - Lose Yourself by Eminem
307 - Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross
308 - Run to You by Bryan Adams
309 - Save Room by John Legend
310 - Vogue by Madonna
311 - You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
312 - My Everything by Barry White
501 - ? (latin/jazz/rock instrumental)
502 - ? (country/bluegrass instrumental)
503 - ? (funk instrumental)
504 - Smokin Gun by Robert Cray
505 - ? (jazz instrumental)
506 - The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King
507 - Who Did You Think I Was by John Mayer
508 - Pivot by Dry

701 - Cyanide by Metallica
702 - Endangered Species by Flaw
703 - For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica
704 - Forever Down by Black Label Society
705 - How Heavy This Axe by The Sword
706 - Just One Fix by Ministry
707 - Know your Enemy by Rage Against the Machine
708 - Let's Go by Ministry
709 - Mouth for War by Pantera
710 - Painkiller by Judas Priest
711 - Paranoid by Black Sabbath
712 - Temptation's Wings by Down
713 - The Wicker Man by Iron Maiden
714 - Unreal by Ill Nino
715 - Wake Up Dead by Megadeth
716 - We Call This Mutha Revenge by Suicidal Tendencies
718 - You've Got Another Thing Comin by Judas Priest

901 - Moving Right Along by The Muppets
902 - The Rainbow Connection by The Muppets
903 - Your Attitude Towards Cuttlefish by Paper Moon
904 - Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky

 

[wanttobeinvienna]

THAT IS SOOOOOOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!

(and THIS is why I am a disboard fanatic )

Thanks!

 

[natebenma]

THAT IS SOOOOOOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!

(and THIS is why I am a disboard fanatic )

Thanks!

Isn't that awesome??? Lynne G provided me with the codes when I told her I wanted to listen to Rainbow Connection.

I wrote a very lengthy trip report, Welcome Foolish Muggles after my first trip to US/IoA in 2011 with lots of info, but I summarized my hints in this file:

Top 10 Universal Tips


I'll be revising these tips after this report and will add the info about the secret codes for RRR. And Photoconnect. And Zax's Bypass Shortcut to WWoHP

.

 

[Choozee]

I have a feeling this is gonna be the best TR ever! Subscribed!

 

[natebenma]

I have a feeling this is gonna be the best TR ever! Subscribed!

Choozee!

Wow! Thanks!

I can promise that the report will be long and detailed and will have LOTS of pictures!

 

[natebenma]

Saturday, July 13- Countdown to the Trip reaches 0!!!


I woke up shortly before the alarm went off at 4 am. It had been a short night. I always seem to have a lot of last minute things I want to get done before leaving for a trip and even when I think I am ahead of schedule, Im not. I was up until about 11:30 putting together a gift for a special friend I would see during our trip.







At any rate, we were all ready when our car service pulled into the driveway at 4:45. We had booked a flight on Southwest and were flying to Orlando from Manchester, NH. We arrived at the airport around 5:30 for a 7 am flight.

After checking in our bags and walking to the security area, we endured the first cutting incident of the trip. A family of 6 or 8 people pushed through the line exclaiming Our flight is boarding, we have to get through I think we saw them later in the gate area, but, whatever.

As we passed through security, I was called aside because my bag apparently had some suspect contents. I wracked my brain to try to figure out what it could be. I have been known to accidentally forget that a chapstick or two was in my carryon, but this time I was clean. Turns out that the roll of quarters I had packed in an empty Airborne container for laundry and squished penny souvenirs (neither of which I ended up doing) triggered the extra scrutiny. Dangerous pocket change identified and cleared, we were on our way.

To a line.

Manchester is pretty small compared to Logan, our usual departure airport. There were just a couple of places open to grab breakfast goodies before the flight, and those in the know were getting the last of their Dunkin Donuts fix before entering the land of Starbucks and Nescrape. The slogan on commercials for DD is America runs on Dunkin but really they just mean New England.





Not too long after our breakfast was procured, it was time for the cattle call- I mean boarding process- on our Southwest Flight.





It has been a while since our family has used Southwest- the last time was in 2004, when the boys were young enough that we had priority boarding.

This time, I called 23 hours, 55 minutes before our flight, and received boarding numbers: B50, B51, B52, and B53

I wonder where we will be at 7:20 pm Friday night, when we can check in for our return flight. Guesses???
Hint: we have the Wishes dessert party booked for 9 pm that night.


When our boarding position was called, we made our way up the aisle, I believe I spied 4 seats fairly close togther, 2 in front and 2 a row behind about mid-plane. Mark said I see seats in the back When we got there, we discovered those seats were occupied by little ones- we couldnt see their heads over the seats.

There was one empty seat in the very back row. I took that. The 3 boys doubled back. Nate and Ben found seats together, 8-10 rows in front of me. No idea where Mark was (turns out he was pretty close to the front). Seating fail!!! Mark HATED this.

My seat mates were a family of 5. On my side of the aisle were a girl, maybe age 7-8 and her dad. Across the aisle, next to me was the mom, then a child in a car seat and another young child. They were QUIET!!! The baby cried just a little bit as we were going through the pressure change, but other than that I didnt hear much from them. At one point, I politely asked where they were staying- some offsite place and I asked the little girl if she was excited to be going to Disney. She didnt answer and stared at me in terror, so I spent the rest of my flight reading- the manual for my new Fuji underwater camera and Joyland by Stephen King- a hard case crime novel about a haunted amusement park. I thought that would be a relevant story for the trip.

Even though I was on the center aisle, I managed a couple of pictures from the plane as we were approaching Orlando. I used the zoom, I didnt poke the camera in the faces of my seatmates.







Uneventful flight. My family reunited in Orlando. We proceeded via the faux-no-rail to baggage claim and met Rick, our driver, who would be taking us to the Hard Rock hotel today and from the Hard Rock to the Beach Club on Tuesday. We arranged for the car service through Ed Korgan Transportation. I found information about the company in the Transportation forum on the DIS and we had used them on our previous trip in 2011.








I snapped a few pictures as we approached the Hard Rock Entrance.








The Hard Rock employees all have their favorite musical artist listed on their name tags (like the hometowns on Disney tags). The doorman had Bob Marley. Another woman I saw had Celine Dion. My Hard Rock name tag would profess my worship of Jimmy Buffett. There would be a tie for second place between Jersey rockers Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and local favorites The Fools.

Which performer would appear on YOUR nametag?




No line at the check-in desk. The person who helped us was super friendly and helpful, and even better- OUR ROOM WAS READY!!! We received our keys, went over to the nearby kiosk to print out our express passes for the parks.






More pictures of the lobby coming up in a future post- On Tour at the Hard Rock Hotel

Next up: Room 5112

 

[mom2ee]

subbing. write fast! we go next week!

 

[natebenma]

subbing. write fast! we go next week!

Yowza! I'm not even going to get out of the Hard Rock before next week!

Where are you staying? How long are you going for?

Do you have your Photo Connect preorder?

Do you know about the AAA discount?

Read my Top 10 Universal Tips in one of the posts above, and if you have any questions, ask here- If you need to do some additional reading, my Welcome Foolish Muggles report chronicles a trip by first-time Universal visitors and gives a comparison of US/IoA rides to Disney attractions.

Have a great time on your trip!!!

 

[mom2ee]

I am reading your previous trip report and loving all the pictures inside of Hogwarts Castle. How did you get such great pictures? I figure you must have travelled through the ride cue and then repeated just the Castle a second time?

 

[natebenma]

I am reading your previous trip report and loving all the pictures inside of Hogwarts Castle. How did you get such great pictures? I figure you must have travelled through the ride cue and then repeated just the Castle a second time?

Thanks!!!

No, those were all just from the regular ride queue. Never did just the castle line. I can't remember how many times we went through the castle, at least 5 times on that trip.

I used a point & shoot that fit inside my fanny pack, so I was able to take it into the line and not use the lockers at all.

This year I think we went through 7 times. Same deal, I have lots of point & shoot pictures to share.

 

[mom2ee]

might have to get a fanny pack for just that reason

 

[erinch]

in! will be at HRH 7/31 - 8/2 for 2 nights before Vistana for 2 weeks.

 

[natebenma]

in! will be at HRH 7/31 - 8/2 for 2 nights before Vistana for 2 weeks.

I don't have much time for updates before your trip, but I am just about to post the pictures of my room at the Hard Rock and then probably on Monday I will have a post about the resort: pool, Emack & Bolios Marketplace, the Beach Club pool restaurant, my favorite memorabilia and more!


Have a fantastic time!!!

 

[natebenma]

The bathroom was kind of small. But there was a sink inside the bathroom to wash your hands and one outside of the door for prepping so that definitely helped speed things up in the morning.










Safe Dimensions: 15x12x5 ½ 
Worked with a 4 digit keypad entry


We had originally booked a standard view room through Travelocity. About a month after booking I called Hard Rock directly to see what the AAA room rates were- turns out that was a much better deal. They were sold out of standard view rooms, but we booked a garden view for less money. No cancellation penalty with Travelocity, so this is what we ended up with:

















WE LOVED THESE VIEWS!!!



A couple of minutes after we entered the room, a guy came in to see if we needed anything in the mini bar or ask if we wanted him to take the key away. He took the key. I was told by a friend that if I asked, they would clear the fridge for you to use during your stay, but we didnt bother.







A few moments after that someone from housekeeping came by to see if we needed anything. We mentioned that we would like to have a rollaway bed delivered to the room ($25 per night). About 5 minutes after she left, our phone rang

This is Star Service, we received your request for a rollaway and we will be bringing one to your room

30 seconds after that

This is Star Service again. You dont need to wait in your room for the rollaway. We will deliver it while you are out

Sweet! If this is Star Service, sign me up!!!









We took their advice and cleared out of the room- Universal Studios was our destination and we will get to that, but my next update will be:


On Tour at the Hard Rock Hotel

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