I Won a Trip to Sea World !?! Well then, we're going to Universal too! 12/19 - 12/24/15 - All Done!

[Cali Cat]

I really enjoyed reading your trip report. Universal sounds fun and I really liked reading about your Sea World experience. I'm planning a trip there next December, so your information is very useful. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[HM]

Excellent!
I loved that you included the Sea World portion as I had no idea that they had so much Christmas there. We've only been there once (for a day and a half like you), and aren't likely to go again as our kids are both college age now, but it was sure nice to see all your pictures.

I won a trip to WDW one time, and we also added days onto our trip. Having the flights and a good portion of our trip paid for was great. I look back on that trip fondly, as I'm sure you will with this one.

Thanks again for sharing.

 

[IckyMickey]

I really enjoyed reading your trip report. Universal sounds fun and I really liked reading about your Sea World experience. I'm planning a trip there next December, so your information is very useful. Thank you so much for sharing!

Thanks! It was a great family vacation. The crowds weren't as bad as I had imagined in December, but having the express passes was still great. If I didn't have them I'd have to plan our US days a little better so we weren't standing in lines all the time.

Sea World was awesome. DS13 said it was his favorite part of the trip. He's such an animal lover. We all enjoyed our time at Sea World!

 

[IckyMickey]

Excellent!
I loved that you included the Sea World portion as I had no idea that they had so much Christmas there. We've only been there once (for a day and a half like you), and aren't likely to go again as our kids are both college age now, but it was sure nice to see all your pictures.

I won a trip to WDW one time, and we also added days onto our trip. Having the flights and a good portion of our trip paid for was great. I look back on that trip fondly, as I'm sure you will with this one.

Thanks again for sharing.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! The Christmas side of Sea World was beautiful and surprising for a world trying to be politically correct. Piping music, the shows, and the decorations were wonderful and I'm sure I was singing walking around too.

Wow you won a trip to WDW! Lucky! I only dream of that. Just someone else paying for the flights is awesome, much less tickets and the hotel. I will make some photo books for the boys so when they are gone from our house, they will remember these special times. (I'm starting to get sappy - I better end this.)

 

[IckyMickey]

What would I do if I was at Universal for only 1 day?

A very good friend of mine who I grew up next door to turned 50 on the 12th. She was NOT looking forward to it so her family surprised her with a trip to Disney, one of her favorite places. They told her on Christmas Day and she was so excited. So she, her 2 daughters and sister flew down Monday where her sister surprised her by not staying at the Port Orleans, but the Grand Floridian. Wow!

They moved over to a house Wednesday, where the rest of her family and sister’s family will all meet and stay through Sunday. The “kids” decided they want to do Universal on Friday (today), so I thought I’d sit down and give them some pointers on what I would do if I was them.

I thought I would share. They aren’t huge Harry Potter fans and don’t have express passes so I don’t know if rushing to Diagon Alley 1st thing is really the best time management. With the waits short on all the other rides at opening, I thought it would be better to hit them and then head over to Diagon Alley. One 60 minute wait is better than 4 later in the day, especially since DA only has one ride.

Of course, this is just my opinion but might be helpful to someone.

* Open 9 am - 8 pm
* No express passes
* No park to park
* Not giant Harry Potter fans

#1 Rule - get to the parks early! Get there by opening, if not 15 minutes early. Wait times are always shortest in the morning.

To see how accurate I was, here are the waits times on the Universal Studios App (get that - it's great!)
Wait times for Friday, January 15th - Friday before MLK Holiday-

1. Despicable me 3D ride (long wait later in the day) (wait time at 11:00 am 50 min, 20 min at 9:30)
2. Rip Ride Rocket - roller coaster like Demon. Lockers Required. Single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am - delayed)
   
3. Transformers - can take items on the ride with you, single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am 5 min)
4. Simpsons Ride 3D show - can take items on the ride with you, leave in your room against wall (wait time at 11:00 am 15 min)
   * Can ride King & Kodos ride in this area if you want

5. Men In Black – Lockers required, single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am 10 min)

6. Harry Potter Area (or do this later in the evening, do #7 or fit in some shows)

• Share a butter beer $6 regular, $7 frozen
  
  
• Look in shops
  
  
• Ride Gringotts – 3D ride, Lockers required, I think single ride line (wait time at 11:00 am 20 min, had been 45 at 10:00 am)
  
  
• Florean Fortescue’s ice cream – salted caramel is yummy! Cup $5.50, waffle cone $6.50
  
  
• Ollivanders Wand Show – lines up along outside wall - cute show with 28 people and the wizard picks one person and they get measured for a wand (you don’t need to buy if you get picked). It’s cute and part of the HP world.
  
  
• You CANNOT ride King’s Cross Train at HP – you need a park hopper ticket for that.

7. Head over to the Mummy area and either

• Have lunch - Finnigan’s across from Mummy is good! It is sit down but great prices
• Or have lunch at Louie’s (Italian between HP and Mummy)
  
• Monster’s Café (past Mummy and down the street on the left)

• or Go on the Mummy – locker required, single rider line (wait time at 11:00 am 15 min)
  

8. Shrek 4D – show, fit this in at some time (get your picture with Shrek & Donkey outside after show) (wait time at 11:00 am 10 min)


You can also fit in shows and head back over towards Simpsons and eat at Fast Food Blvd (ok food, ok prices)

Shows You can See:
* Animal Actors Live – pet trick show, about 25 minute show
* Shows on 1/15 - 12:15, 1:30, 3:30, 4:45, 6:00

• Barney (about 20 minute show – then get your picture with Barney)
  * Shows on 1/15 - 11:30, 12:45, 2:00, 3:00, 4:15
  • Can also ride ET in this kid’s area
• Horror Make-Up Show - 20-25 minute show, we thought this was funny
  * Shows on 1/15 - 12:45, 1:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30, 5:45, 6:30, 7:15
  
• Fear Factor Live – tryout for the show 70 minutes before – lots of fun, bring your ID to try out; the show is about 35-40 minutes
  * Shows on 1/15 - 1:00, 2:30, 5:00, 6:30
  
• Terminator 2 – 3D show. (it was ok and do only if you had time)
  * Shows on 1/15 - 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 1:15, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:45, 4:30, 5:00, 5:45, 6:30, 7:00

Parade - 5:00 pm

Cinematic Spectacular - 8:00 pm

Get your Picture with Characters: Check back of map for times or ask cast members, may start later in am

• Minions – when you exit the ride before the gift shop (return later if they aren’t out early) Also should be out at Party Zone (check map times)
  
  
• Scooby Doo – found on Rodeo Drive, ask what times will be out if they aren’t there
  
  
• Shrek – across from the Shrek 4D show exit 1/15 - 10:45 - 1:15, 2:15 - 4:45
  
  
• Simpsons – by Simpsons ride exit (at 10 after hour, and Crusty/Side Show at 40 after hour or ask)
  
  
• Barney – (after the show, or go through the gift shop after show ends (20 min show)
• 
  
• Other Characters - Check the back of the park map

Dinner – if you did everything, head out to the CityWalk for dinner – Margaritavilla, CowFish (burgers and sushi)

Lockers Required rides – They are only free for usually the posted ride time plus a little more time. Keep a few singles in your pocket in case your time runs out on your free lockers. Have 1 person be the locker person, it’s easier!


I really like this plan the more I look at it. I think you can fit in all the personal preferences and still get a lot done in one day. There are always variables, but I'm giving my own plan a thumbs up. lol I hope it worked well for them today!

 

[IckyMickey]

How Much Did this Trip Cost?

Yikes – I might just be the first person to actually share how much we paid and how cheap we were – I mean frugal! Lol

Hopefully this is just helpful if you are trying to figure out how much your trip would cost:

First our Winnings Amount:




Now, How Much did we Pay?

Some on the DISboards had said to plan for about $200/day for a family of 4 adult meals for food each day. I think that’s a pretty fair amount. We did share the refillable mug, and didn’t snack much but it appears we did have about 4 snacks a day if you include butter beers.

When I first won, I was hoping to do Universal for 3 days for a total of $1500. After checking the ticket and hotel prices, that price was realistically moved to $2500. Did we try and stay in $2500? No, I don’t think so. We try and make smart money decisions but hey, this was a vacation!



And a day by day breakdown:




Now I've got no secrets left! lol We just weren't overly hungry or thirsty on our vacation. An extra drink or 2 would have been nice, but it just didn't work in. oh well, I can have an extra drink at home.


I didn't really think we would hit the hopeful budget as close as we did!



Lastly... What was our favorite part of the vacation?

Hmmm, that was a really hard thing to answer. DS13 liked Sea World, DH liked Harry Potter (so did I), Ds19 in Fear Factor, the great character interaction, the smiling sea lion, or Dine with Shamu? I think the most common answer was being on vacation together. We're not usually a sappy bunch, but what's to hate about being in Florida on vacation with no homework, no work, no cooking and no cleaning, and of course, being with family?


I guess that's a wrap. Thanks for sticking around and putting up with crazy stories, too much info at times, and about 400 pictures of my family

Hope you enjoyed it!

Hugs to you all!

 

[schumigirl]

Wow that is a detailed cost chart!!! You're brave.........I never do that.......would hate to add all of our trip costs.........flights alone are scary enough........

Thank you for your trip report........did enjoy reading it, and glad you enjoyed Universal Orlando so much.......

 

[J'aime Paris]

Thank you for sharing your family vacation! I enjoyed reading it!
Cannot wait for our journey to begin on March 3rd!!

 

[samheatherwhite]

Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed your report. We went to Seaworld San Antonio last year and enjoyed it as well. Congrats on winning a trip that is awesome!!!

 

[klo1335]

Great report. We did 1 day in Universal last August and we hardly scratched the surface. DH is traveling for work next Thanksgiving so I am taking my 2 girls back with my dad and sister. DD8 just discovered the Simpson's from playing the Lego Dimension's game. She can't wait to get a pink doughnut. My DD8 also has the same wand as your DS. We can't wait to do more spells this time.

 

[dixonsontour]

Really enjoyed your trip report. You got so much done and resort lookedovely. Love seeing the parks at xmas. What a great prize to win.

 

[chs27]

I loved this trip report! I'm a little sad it's over. Fear factor, WOW! I will tell you one thing, I signed up for Coke rewards and now I'm keying in all the codes I can get my hands on. LOL You didn't drone on and on at all! Very entertaining.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Thanks for the trip report! Your oldest getting picked for Fear Factor is exciting and meeting all the characters is fun. Your boys sound very sweet.
We are looking into our first US-Orlando trip for March 2017 for a few days before visiting WDW. ODS will be 8 and is very tall and he loves HP, superheros, Jurassic Park, and Minions. DH and I love Simpsons, HP, and most of this stuff is at least a little interesting to us. We are a little concerned about our younger 2, but they will have WDW after US. Your SW report makes me want to include that in our Memorial day trip this year, it won't be Orlando but it will be one closer to home.

Glad you had a great trip and thanks so much for the insight!

 

[mrsabbott]

Loved your trip report! Also loved your budgeting and price breakdown!

 

[IckyMickey]

What a crazy week last week! My house looked like a tornado went through even though we were all hunkered down thanks to the arctic chill! I finally was able to de-Christmas on Sunday!

My friends did head to Universal and didn't follow my sheet at all! lol Unfortunately it rained quite a bit and although most rides were inside they did get soaked, but the crowds were very low. I can't believe they didn't even have a butter beer and not one character picture.

I appreciate all the kind comments! It certainly is fun going back and reading it myself and reliving the vacation! How quickly you start to forget some of the fun details.

Wow that is a detailed cost chart!!! You're brave.........I never do that.......would hate to add all of our trip costs.........flights alone are scary enough........

Thank you for your trip report........did enjoy reading it, and glad you enjoyed Universal Orlando so much.......

schumigirl - I was pretty skeptical at first, but if it helps someone then it's good. Of course, tipping is always a testy subject but it was what it was at the time. I love me a spreadsheet!

Now, I wouldn't want to know what your vacations cost! lol You are like the deluxe vacationer, with all your wonderful restaurants, drinks and shopping. Things I only can dream about for now and live vicariously through you!

Thank you for sharing your family vacation! I enjoyed reading it!
Cannot wait for our journey to begin on March 3rd!!

Thanks! Your vacation is only 6 weeks away - how exciting! That time will fly by I bet! Have a great time!

 

[IckyMickey]

Great report. We did 1 day in Universal last August and we hardly scratched the surface. DH is traveling for work next Thanksgiving so I am taking my 2 girls back with my dad and sister. DD8 just discovered the Simpson's from playing the Lego Dimension's game. She can't wait to get a pink doughnut. My DD8 also has the same wand as your DS. We can't wait to do more spells this time.

I bet August is busy and hot! You should have a great time at Thanksgiving. Just being there already will help you not have to figure out where everything is - I was looking at the map a lot. Our friends loved the Simpson's area, but I'm not sure what they did there that long? The character interaction with the Simpson's and everyone else was great. I wish they had the big pink donuts by the exit, it would have been great to grab one on the way out for breakfast the next day. I'd love to see the spells on the IA side and do some of my own. It is a little addicting!

Really enjoyed your trip report. You got so much done and resort lookedovely. Love seeing the parks at xmas. What a great prize to win.

Thank you! We still didn't do everything, but almost everything we wanted. The resort was beautiful, but we didn't see a lot of it. I think I saw more of it through schumigirl's trip reports. lol Sea World had the best Christmas decorations followed by Seussland. We were a very lucky family!

 

[IckyMickey]

I loved this trip report! I'm a little sad it's over. Fear factor, WOW! I will tell you one thing, I signed up for Coke rewards and now I'm keying in all the codes I can get my hands on. LOL You didn't drone on and on at all! Very entertaining.

Thank you so much! I'm a little sad too but love I can relive it by reading the TR. I still enter my Coke codes and will grab other's too! Our BloodCenter will have a drawing for a Universal trip for those who donate blood through 1/31. I'm trying to get DH to go back and donate - he's 0 neg and we always get calls.

Thanks for the trip report! Your oldest getting picked for Fear Factor is exciting and meeting all the characters is fun. Your boys sound very sweet.
We are looking into our first US-Orlando trip for March 2017 for a few days before visiting WDW. ODS will be 8 and is very tall and he loves HP, superheros, Jurassic Park, and Minions. DH and I love Simpsons, HP, and most of this stuff is at least a little interesting to us. We are a little concerned about our younger 2, but they will have WDW after US. Your SW report makes me want to include that in our Memorial day trip this year, it won't be Orlando but it will be one closer to home.

Glad you had a great trip and thanks so much for the insight!

We loved it all! So glad our kid's still do the characters, shows, and go along with whatever makes mom happy! Everything is just so detailed, that we appreciated things we didn't really care that much about - if you know what I mean. The only area we walked by was the Fisherman's Wharf area - and we still don't feel bad. I think SW with 3 smaller kids would be great - a very unique experience from a regular zoo. Just bring money to feed all the animals - they trays weren't cheap!

Loved your trip report! Also loved your budgeting and price breakdown!

Thank you! Looking back, we didn't eat or drink that much. The only "no" was to Starbuck's on our final night, but I promised DS13 he'd get it at the airport the next day. I even told the kid's on our last park day that we were under budget and let us know if they were hungry or thirsty for anything. We didn't even get a popcorn refill the last 2 days. I wouldn't have minded an extra alcoholic beverage or 2, but it just didn't work into our plans and I was ok with that.

 

[klo1335]

he's 0 neg

Me too! Unfortunately in PA you have to not have gotten a tattoo within the past year to donate and the past 3 years I have one done each year. Hopefully you can win

 

[Kivara]

You posted a great trip report...I read the whole thing in the last couple of days. You didn't prattle on, I thought it was fun & well written. I also love that you did the cost breakdown...I'm nosy and I always want to see how others vacation (and get tips to keep costs down.) We told the kids from the first time we did Universal that we would get the soda refill cup to share, but we would all order waters in the restaurants. That way we make sure to get some water into them & it saves us about $50/day. (5 people, 3 meals = 15 restaurant drinks...about $3/soda = $45 + tax...I estimate $50/day) We then give the kids extra spending money that they don't have to earn from that money.

My favorite part was the "flashback" photos, it was a lot of fun to see how your family and the parks have changed over time.

 

[IckyMickey]

Me too! Unfortunately in PA you have to not have gotten a tattoo within the past year to donate and the past 3 years I have one done each year. Hopefully you can win

I feel just a little bad saying it'd trade DH's blood for a chance to return to Universal! lol

You posted a great trip report...I read the whole thing in the last couple of days. You didn't prattle on, I thought it was fun & well written. I also love that you did the cost breakdown...I'm nosy and I always want to see how others vacation (and get tips to keep costs down.) We told the kids from the first time we did Universal that we would get the soda refill cup to share, but we would all order waters in the restaurants. That way we make sure to get some water into them & it saves us about $50/day. (5 people, 3 meals = 15 restaurant drinks...about $3/soda = $45 + tax...I estimate $50/day) We then give the kids extra spending money that they don't have to earn from that money.

My favorite part was the "flashback" photos, it was a lot of fun to see how your family and the parks have changed over time.

Thank you very much! I read about somebody else who orders water (maybe it was you) and told my family that we would be doing that. Then all 3 pair of brown eyes look at me when it's time to order and I cave! I'm so weak sometimes! Of course at Finnegans, I put my foot down and then ordered a soda for myself. lol That is really a savings for your family!

The flashbacks were fun and my boys love looking at them too. I do remember I was trying to get pregnant with DS13 at the time and it was a long long hard process with another month of negative results on that vacation - but in the end we've got him and he was worth the wait! I did notice that in the Minion picture from last year, the purple minion and I seem to have the same hairdo! haha