The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances!

Erin · 05-17-2008

It's been a while since I've done a TR, but I look forward to sharing our little Orlando trip with you guys.

We took Mikie and his best friend to Universal and IOA for his 13th birthday in January and ended up having a problem at the end of the day with an employee, as a result we ended up with free tickets (the customer service there was really outstanding - we weren't seeking any reimbursement. We simply wanted the situation fixed and the person reprimanded for the trouble that was caused and the result was above and beyond in my opinion!)

Anyway, we were originally going to go down and buy our passes at WDW and due to some different circumstances, ended up using our tickets to Universal/IOA instead.

We were only down for 2 nights/2 days and the overview is as follows:

Day 1: Monorail Madness
Loitering at TTC/MK
Random Orlando stuff

Day 2: Universal/IOA - including the premiere of the new Simpson's ride!!!!

Day 3: More randomness a la Orlando and going home.

I have some interesting observations about Universal and some pros/cons to both parks.

dznylvr · 05-17-2008

Yay!! Erin's back with a TR!! I can't wait to read more!!

tinkerbelle24 · 05-17-2008

Looking foward to reading the report and some pictures

jk8 · 05-17-2008

OK, where did you go? I can't wait for more!

**cinderbella** · 05-17-2008

Hold the phone...Mickie is 13?!?! When did that happen?!? How old is Miss Caisley now..37?

Erin · 05-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Hold the phone...Mickie is 13?!?! When did that happen?!? How old is Miss Caisley now..37?

I don't know when it happened, but *I* feel 37!!!

(Miss Caisley is 4!)

and you bought a house!!!

I think time should stop for whoever I am not in constant contact with.

Erin · 05-18-2008

I'm having a retarded time with photobucket.

Erin · 05-18-2008

We booked a budget-friendly hotel that would accommodate a family of 5 at the TraveLodge Orange Maingate or something like that.

The hotel is as simple as I expected, but despite mixed reviews on tripadvisor, I found it to be clean, the staff friendly, helpful (and prompt with extra towels, etc) and very calm and quiet.

We stayed here for one night before our vacation started last year and we were happy with it.

The room is a 'suite' (which means it has a fold-out couch making it sleep 6), a mini fridge and micro. We had a pool-side room by request.

There are no thrills, but if you're looking for something inexpensive, clean, near Disney and can sleep a large family, this hotel IS a good choice.

Here are some pictures of our room, etc. for those interested.

The small alcove behind Sissy holds the fold out couch that Mikie inhabited during our stay.

This is the Kiddie Pool. The grounds are extremely well kept. Very clean.

This is the Laundry Facility, which closes promptly at 10 with no exceptions.

A playground that we never played on. It looked like it might give splinters.

The pool.

Erin · 05-18-2008

There was a hottub, too, but I guess I didn't feel a picture was necessary.

The Giant Orange. I like to call it the Ghetto Orange. Don't go in it unless you really enjoy being pressured to do a time-share.

I saw a hotel/resort called Seralago. I looked it up and also is inexpensive, has kid suites, etc and is nicer for around the same price. I think next time we are forced to stay offsite we'll try that one, even though this one was just fine.

Erin · 05-18-2008

On Wednesday, the day we arrived, Miss Caisley was demanding some sort of ride. (She doesn't get the concept of waiting or not getting her way...) So, we did what any good parents would do.

We went out to eat and then hijacked a monorail. (They are her favorite!)

We ate at Bruno's, which is a small Italian restaurant right on 192 (Irlo Bronson). It's small and you might miss it, but the food is really good.

It's such a cute little Italian restaurant!! There really is a guy named Bruno, who is obviously in the mob.

I will post pictures tomorrow! I'm so off to bed!

Thanks for reading so far.

mairinmaureen · 05-18-2008

Love your TR so far.

PhilliesFan · 05-18-2008

Congratulations on your new home!
Enjoy it.
Nice intro to the TR and photo of the giant orange.

**Dana** · 05-18-2008

Love your report so far.

**WishUponAStar** · 05-18-2008

YAY! A Swiger trip report! I really missed these!

palmickey · 05-18-2008

Looking forward to more of this TR.

05-17-2008	#1 (permalink)
Erin Holiday Investigator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Florida! Posts: 9,729	The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! It's been a while since I've done a TR, but I look forward to sharing our little Orlando trip with you guys. We took Mikie and his best friend to Universal and IOA for his 13th birthday in January and ended up having a problem at the end of the day with an employee, as a result we ended up with free tickets (the customer service there was really outstanding - we weren't seeking any reimbursement. We simply wanted the situation fixed and the person reprimanded for the trouble that was caused and the result was above and beyond in my opinion!) Anyway, we were originally going to go down and buy our passes at WDW and due to some different circumstances, ended up using our tickets to Universal/IOA instead. We were only down for 2 nights/2 days and the overview is as follows: Day 1: Monorail Madness Loitering at TTC/MK Random Orlando stuff Day 2: Universal/IOA - including the premiere of the new Simpson's ride!!!! Day 3: More randomness a la Orlando and going home. I have some interesting observations about Universal and some pros/cons to both parks. __________________ Team Jake! Avatar: Wishy and me! www.myspace.com/daisygirl77

05-17-2008	#2 (permalink)
dznylvr Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Where I'm at. Posts: 1,204	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearan Yay!! Erin's back with a TR!! I can't wait to read more!! __________________ "I am the powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible MuShu!" My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Our next Disney trip It's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day!

05-17-2008	#3 (permalink)
tinkerbelle24 IM A NEW AKV OWNER!!!!!!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Deptford NJ~ AKV Posts: 4,018	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! Looking foward to reading the report and some pictures __________________ 1992~CBR2001~CBR 2004~ASMovies 2006~ASMovies 2007 ~Sports 2008~BW Lakeside 2008~POR DVC TRIPS 2008 Dec~ Saratoga Springs Proud Owner of AKV My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Sipping on a Pina Coloda at Ohanna's enjoying my new DVC 33 days 13 hours 16 minutes

05-17-2008	#4 (permalink)
jk8 Disney Cruise Alumni Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: IN - the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room Posts: 2,469	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! OK, where did you go? I can't wait for more! __________________ Julie 2008 OKW - first DVC stay! 2008 WL and Disney Magic! 2007 POFQ 2006 Pop Century 2006 CR & 7 day Disney Magic Cruise!!! 2004 POP Century 2004 offsite My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 2010 Disney Magic Cruise 496 days 23 hours 12 minutes

05-17-2008	#5 (permalink)
cinderbella Crackhead Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south carolina Posts: 6,352	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! Hold the phone...Mickie is 13?!?! When did that happen?!? How old is Miss Caisley now..37? __________________ WDW Restaurants and Resorts Moderator Bella I Deltaco. My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Bella goes to Washington... 55 days 21 hours 16 minutes

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The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances!

05-18-2008	#7 (permalink)
Erin Holiday Investigator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Florida! Posts: 9,729	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! I'm having a retarded time with photobucket. __________________ Team Jake! Avatar: Wishy and me! www.myspace.com/daisygirl77

05-18-2008	#8 (permalink)
Erin Holiday Investigator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Florida! Posts: 9,729	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearan We booked a budget-friendly hotel that would accommodate a family of 5 at the TraveLodge Orange Maingate or something like that. The hotel is as simple as I expected, but despite mixed reviews on tripadvisor, I found it to be clean, the staff friendly, helpful (and prompt with extra towels, etc) and very calm and quiet. We stayed here for one night before our vacation started last year and we were happy with it. The room is a 'suite' (which means it has a fold-out couch making it sleep 6), a mini fridge and micro. We had a pool-side room by request. There are no thrills, but if you're looking for something inexpensive, clean, near Disney and can sleep a large family, this hotel IS a good choice. Here are some pictures of our room, etc. for those interested. The small alcove behind Sissy holds the fold out couch that Mikie inhabited during our stay. This is the Kiddie Pool. The grounds are extremely well kept. Very clean. This is the Laundry Facility, which closes promptly at 10 with no exceptions. A playground that we never played on. It looked like it might give splinters. The pool. __________________ Team Jake! Avatar: Wishy and me! www.myspace.com/daisygirl77

05-18-2008	#9 (permalink)
Erin Holiday Investigator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Florida! Posts: 9,729	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! There was a hottub, too, but I guess I didn't feel a picture was necessary. The Giant Orange. I like to call it the Ghetto Orange. Don't go in it unless you really enjoy being pressured to do a time-share. I saw a hotel/resort called Seralago. I looked it up and also is inexpensive, has kid suites, etc and is nicer for around the same price. I think next time we are forced to stay offsite we'll try that one, even though this one was just fine. __________________ Team Jake! Avatar: Wishy and me! www.myspace.com/daisygirl77

05-18-2008	#10 (permalink)
Erin Holiday Investigator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Central Florida! Posts: 9,729	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! On Wednesday, the day we arrived, Miss Caisley was demanding some sort of ride. (She doesn't get the concept of waiting or not getting her way...) So, we did what any good parents would do. We went out to eat and then hijacked a monorail. (They are her favorite!) We ate at Bruno's, which is a small Italian restaurant right on 192 (Irlo Bronson). It's small and you might miss it, but the food is really good. It's such a cute little Italian restaurant!! There really is a guy named Bruno, who is obviously in the mob. I will post pictures tomorrow! I'm so off to bed! Thanks for reading so far. __________________ Team Jake! Avatar: Wishy and me! www.myspace.com/daisygirl77

05-18-2008	#11 (permalink)
mairinmaureen Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: America's Roller Coast Posts: 688	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! Love your TR so far. __________________ Avatar: Waiting for the Great Pumpkin! Aug. '93 – 1 Day – Magic Kingdom – Marriott's Cypress Harbour Resort (Offsite 7 Days) April-May '99 – 8 Days – WDW – Dixie Landings Sept. '08 – 10 Days – WDW – Port Orleans – Riverside (Free Dining) *Next Trip:* Stay Tuned! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: BBQ, boots, and bats in the Lone Star State! Keeping it weird in Austin, TX!

05-18-2008	#12 (permalink)
PhilliesFan Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,188	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! Congratulations on your new home! Enjoy it. Nice intro to the TR and photo of the giant orange. __________________ Polynesian - July 2006, Hard Rock - November 2004, Polynesian - June 2002, Off Site - April 1997, Caribbean Beach - May 1992, Polynesian - October 1988, Polynesian - June 1987 Honeymoon, Off Site - May 1981 Senior Class Trip Life Is Good! Hello, my name is Lisa

05-18-2008	#13 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 22,664	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! Love your report so far. __________________ 82 off-site ~ 91 off-site ~ 97 ASMusic ~ 00 ASMovies 02 Wilderness Lodge ~ 04 Animal Kingdom Lodge 05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian 05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West 07 Port Orleans French Quarter ~ 08 Old Key West~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day WDW blowout bonanza! 636 days 12 hours 16 minutes

05-18-2008	#14 (permalink)
WishUponAStar Happy Thanksgiving! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I'm right here! HI! Posts: 10,176	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! YAY! A Swiger trip report! I really missed these! __________________ Disneyland & College Program Moderator My Disney Countdown Counting down to: WHAT? Going to DL THIS January? NO WAY! 62 days 13 hours 16 minutes

05-18-2008	#15 (permalink)
palmickey MB's Pal Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: My heart is at WDW! Posts: 2,772	Re: The Swigers at Universal, IOA, Loitering at WDW and other random Orlando Appearances! Looking forward to more of this TR. __________________ x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxxpalmickey ´¨) Saratoga Springs October 2008* Beach Club Villas May 2008 Old Key West December 2007 Old Key West February 2007 Saratoga Springs October 2006 Saratoga Springs May 2006 All Star Movies February 2006 All Star Movies October 2005 All Star Movies October 2004 My Disney Countdown Counting down to: My Birthday Trip! 164 days 21 hours 46 minutes

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