A mini PTR for my birthday weekend getaway to Universal Orlando - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Wow, I'm sorry to hear you didn't have a spectacular view at HRH your last visit. We kind of lucked out when we stayed there as my mom took me for my 19th Birthday(a month late, but I was in college) and some very close family friends from childhood joined us (they're the same family who stayed at Portofino Bay that loved it) we managed to get 2 rooms right next to each other ground level, near the pool. The view was great (sadly we didn't use the pool especially with it being in the 90's in Dec.). If you ever do get to stay there, I highly recommend asking for that kind of view and we only had a standard room. Even in the 90 Degree weather, we didn't find the walkways
too crowded, and actually they were really convenient.
Your plans sound great. I know the Italian place inside USO used to have some really delicious Canolis. Since you're staying at Portofino Bay, when we took a look through there, there was a great pastry shop in there that had delicious Croissants. A great inexpensive place for breakfast.
I can't believe USO/IOA is fairly inexpensive 4th of July Weekend. Looking foward to reading all about your trip, especially as an inspiration for how we could spend my little guy's Birthday in Orlando in the future since his birthday is 2 days after your's.
Smart thinking on getting your tickets and everything situated the night before you start going to thr parks at your hotel. I know we couldn't do thst the last time as my mom bought us season tickets for a whopping $100 each (which cost lest to do than multi-day 2 park tickets). The deal for those bad boys even though they never got used again after that trip paid off in the trip itself. If you're AAA Members, show your card, they do give great discounts there too even for souvies.
It certainly soumds like you have a great trip planned for such a short period of time.
Okay, first of all, how many PTRs do you have going on here? I noticed them all at the bottom of your sig, so here I am trying to play catch up.
I can't wait to see the pictures from this trip, especially of the new Harry Potter section in the park.
Toooooooooo many! I do all my writing at work, and I usually type my posts up in emails first (to make it look like I'm working). I'm poor with naming them and often get them confused with each other!
Gary purchased a new Flip video camera last week. It says that it holds 2 hours of video so I'm hoping to possible do a nice little vacation documentary. If not that, we'll be sure to get lots of video of the HP section at the least!
I'm also hoping that my camera doesn't act up like it did at the end of my Disney trip...
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How awesome Gary got a new video camera. That's what my mom has is a Flip Video Recorder. They're pretty small and compact. Good luck with your camera and hopefully nothing goes wrong again with it. Pixies for you!
I know I've been MIA but all of my PTRs will be getting updated over the next week... I know I wish I could say today but there are more important things to talk about today!!
Well, it's my birthday. So what was the plan? To dance my pants off at Sickenburger tonight. Well, don't hold your breath for anything Melissa because the world keeps turning everyday and things CHANGE!
Last Wednesday we were made aware that Sickenburger wanted to book bands for the remainder of the summer for Saranac Thursdays. Last Thursday was Gary's last time playing there this year. We got lots of our friends to come out and everyone had a great time <3
So... that changes my plans for today. Luckily, Gary works at another bar on Friday nights, and took the opportunity to have him DJ on Thursdays AND Fridays there now
I'm very naughty and haven't packed at all yet. Although I must admit, I think I was waiting to go shopping at Express to actually do the packing. My little brother works there and bought me this wonderful dress for me to wear to my shindig tonight. I it!!!! Pictures will come with the TR.
So! Today what's on the agenda...
Have to pack for both Gary and I. We're planning on taking ONE carry-on, and our two personal items, his computer and my purse. Last year when we went to Universal we didn't carry a backpack around with us, so I'm going to just leave that at home
I have to do my workout today. Tonight is weigh in for Weight Watchers and I'm hoping to have lost the 2 pounds that I gained last week. I don't eat during the day on Thursdays to get a better number, and that will be my theme for today until after I get weighed in...
We're going to have cake and drinks at Cavallo's, Gary's new home for Thursday nights. I ordered myself a rum, cannoli cake with raspberry filling. Mmmmm I can't wait to eat it!! I'll probably also get a dinner while I'm there seeing that I won't have eaten all day
Then I'll still be dancing my pants off but it'll be at Cavallo's tonight. Luckily I can sleep in tomorrow and do any last minute packing in the morning while Gary is at work. We'll head out to Syracuse at around 2pm tomorrow. I called Bubba Gumps to make a reservation, but they said that it wasn't necessary... We'll see if it really was necessary when we show up there tomorrow night!
I best get moving. Workout first then shower and packing!! It's almost here!!!
I'm in the middle of packing at this very moment but thought I'd do a quick update.
Last night was a lot of fun. I had a bunch of great friends come out to celebrate me and it certainly made me feel very loved
Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures so the dress wasn't caught on camera.
I didn't get any packing done yesterday so I got up bright and early (in Melissa time) to do that. After the past two hours the only things that went into the suitcase are travel toiletries and hair accessories. I ran into a dryer full of wet clothes so I have to wait for those, and I spent a good hour searching for my camera battery charger. I finally found it in our bedroom on the loveseat (why it's there, I have no idea).
My brother is coming over to watch my kitties for the weekend. I already texted him and apologized for the DISASTER of a mess that he's going to live in this weekend.
In other words, I feel like this packing is never going to get done! I also can't find Gary's bathing suit. *sigh*
In addition to packing, a friends mother unexpectedly passed away earlier this week and the wake is this evening. We can't make it so I have to call and order flowers to be delivered to the wake.
The best news of all? I'll be eating Bubba Gumps for dinner tonight and have my tickets in hand to go to Islands of Adventure tomorrow and explore my beloved Harry Potter world <3
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Happy Birthday Melissa. Hope you had a wonderful night on your Birthday and a Fabulous trip to Universal & Islands of Adventure! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.
Well, after being MIA for a good week and a half, I'm back on the boards. Unfortunately, the camera and flip are in Gary's vehicle right now and I can't upload any pictures to my computer, therefore, I will not be starting my TR just yet.
I will have plenty of time to do so now that I do not have a job and spend the majority of my days working out, cleaning, and cooking things like cookies and pasta sauce.
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I noticed them all at the bottom of your sig, so here I am trying to play catch up. 
*Melissa
it!!!! Pictures will come with the TR.
Good luck packing!!
Michelle - with my step sisters!
! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.
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