So here we are again, ready to walk around in temperatures hotter than the sun with sweat pouring from places I didn’t even know sweated, to spend another of Polly’s birthdays in our happy place, and we are so excited! As we’re here for longer this time, my intention is to group my blogs into sections rather than writing them daily. I’m not sure how it will work, but we shall see.
I know lots of people blog/ vlog their travel day, but I am always way too anxious before we’re checked in, and then so full of exhausted relief afterwards, that it’s always a bit of a blur. I will say that the Virgin staff both at Manchester airport and on the plane were absolutely lovely. They even asked the girls if they’d like too see the cockpit whilst we were waiting for some delayed passengers which they…and Steve…loved! The flight passed quickly (especially for Steve who slept 5 hours) and with Global Entry, immigration was really fast. The person in front of us wasn’t in the best mood and the immigration officer pointed out very clearly that he should lose his attitude as being allowed into the country was a privilege, so we were on our best behaviour when it was our turn, but he was lovely with us.
We’re travelling back from Tampa so had booked a transfer for that, and decided to use the same company for a transfer upon arrival. However, although they were great, for me, I found it quite stressful knowing that we needed to be through by a set time (especially as the flight was delayed slightly) and then contact them to meet up etc. I know that’s because of issues I have, and no reflection on the transfer company who were absolutely great, but next time I would just stick with an Uber for arrival.
We arrived at Portofino Bay around 7.30pm and checked in, had a wander around, checked out the club lounge (we’d originally booked a regular room using our annual pass discount but after checking regularly prices came down a lot, and we changed to club level for less than the original room price. I think it was only around $40 a night more than the new, further-discounted price of a regular room, so we decided to give it a go) listened to the singers in the square for a while, and then settled down for the night.
The next morning the girls woke around 6 so we got up and got ready for the parks. We had an annual pass preview for the new Minions ride so decided to do Universal Studios first. We had breakfast in the club lounge (really good as lots of pastie and, fruit as well as hot options of bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs) and have a slow walk across.
Portofino is probably the furthest deluxe hotel from the parks, but it’s still an easy walk, and quite pleasant in the early morning even in August humidity.
We were a bit early so got Polly a birthday badge and waited for the park to open. We had no set plan other than the Villain-Con ride but had the loveliest morning meeting characters, riding the rides (Gringotts is still amazing and the new Minions ride is a lot of fun) and taking in the details of the studios (I miss Jaws!!)
By lunch we were flagging so headed back to the pool for a few hours before heading back to watch the Bourne and Horror Make Up shows and ride ET. We then had some food in the club lounge on our way back (meatballs and pasta, soup and salad) and a few drinks (alcohol is available at tea time) before an early night.
The following day we decided on the water rides at Island of Adventure, so spent the morning in a state of continued sogginess! We also did Hagrid’s for the first time as the girls have always been to nervous because the backwards bit on Everest makes them queasy, but we all loved it, and Steve did Velocicoaster, which I was a bit jealous of! Once we’d done everything we wanted we headed back for a last dip in the pool before the storm clouds appeared.
We went back to the room to shower and pack before heading over to Hard Rock for a drink, at which point Polly decided she really wanted the cuddly Ravenclaw mascot she’d seen earlier (Winnie had bought the Hufflepuff one) so we got the boat to Citywalk and bought that. It was so busy being a Saturday night that we literally got straight back in another boat and headed back to the hotel. We were all shattered (the heat takes some getting used to for sure. Steve is grabbing sleep anywhere he can!) so headed up to the room and finished packing while the girls did sticker books and watched ‘The Office’!!
We’ve had a great few days at Universal. The hotel is lovely and club level worked for us (I think the mug of wine the lady poured Steve to-go covered the cost on its own!!) but I’d never pay a lot extra for it as with it being set hours it is quite restrictive. I also think all 3 deluxe hotels have their pros and cons, and as the main reason for booking us the express passes, would still always go with my ‘whichever is cheapest’ approach. And whilst we stayed 3 nights because the whole holiday ended up changing for too many reasons to write about, I definitely think one night with 2 days of express is enough to do everything, and 2 nights us enough for a more relaxed approach.
Tomorrow is Polly’s Birthday Eve and we move to Disney early morning, so we’re all very excited for that.
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 