Disney Is in our DNA About This Page:

[Jillybean]

Maybe we shouldn't let Isaiah and Maddie meet for a while . . . both of us would be broke since they've both got a case of the "gimmes" and they look so darn pitiful when they poke out their bottom lips!

Okay, suddenly I'm just not feeling the need to go to US. Although, I am interested in that roller coaster. I've seen pictures but I can't figure out if you go round and round going up on the side or if you go upside down over and over?

Jill

[Cheriemek]

I have been lucky enough to go to a conference in WDW for 2 years. It is such a large conference that they can afford to close a park and only allow the conferencEARS attend. 2 years ago, the special night even was at Future Land at EPCOT. Last year it was at Harry Potter land in Universal. The difference was amazing.

WDW: enter through front entrance
cast members are holding trays with beer, wine, pop and water for you to grab as you enter
food stations all over the park. I got off of the Nemo ride, and there was a whole buffet.
all great rides were open.
several drink stations.
bands playing music throughout the park
UNIVERSAL:
let us out at the back of the park - it was a 15 minute walk to the area where rides were open.
drinks were a few tables throughout the park with 2 people pouring wine. I don't know where you went if you wanted beer or water.
food was a few of their counter service places opened with a limited list of what they would give you
lots of attractions not opened - when we left we had to walk through the park past all of the closed attractions, pass through their downtown area, and find buses - at least 20 min.

[Ciavobella]

If we stay at Universal during a trip we have learned to go before going to WDW. You still notice things that are annoying but they are not as jarring. I do love those Loews hotels though.

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by KMB733

I've been waiting for you to get to this day. Oh the locker dance. I know it well. It's so annoying!!! One time my friend and I ended in line longer than the free time and of course we had no money to get our stuff out, so we had to ask for help, and the CM was so rude. Hey it's not my fault the ride went down! I could write a novel about the problems with those stupid lockers.

Too bad Isaiah wasn't tall enough to ride The Mummy. It's one of my favorite rides at US!

That's another thing about the lockers - it's very hard to get to ride something 2 (or more) times in a row, because while you're riding, your locker is expiring!

Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata

I guess you're right - it would be pretty rude to post a pic of the CM that skimps on the syrup... *sigh* I forgot my manners. LOL!

I haven't been to Universal in a long time, and don't remember the lockers - I must have blocked them out because MAN that's annoying just to read about. I'm sure it's even worse to experience! Glad you guys had a LITTLE fun though!

My manners are only a little better than yours. I'm happy to point her out in person! And the rides at US are fun, which is a good thing. If they weren't, I wouldn't ever go back!

Originally Posted by Coop

Sad to hear about all your troubles at Universal. But I must say - I had a bad time there myself and will not be returning there at all. I found the employees were very rude and I much prefer the theming of Disney! I know - you should never compare. But DH now calls me a Disney snob.

I may be a Disney snob myself!

Originally Posted by pamcarey

Ugh!!! I am soooooooooo with you on those stupid lockers at Universal. They are so annoying and they do NOT work well at all. Why, oh why, can't they just have the net bags??

I haven't been on Forbidden Journey yet, but I've heard it's a bit of a free-for-all in the locker area there. Ugh...

Luckily, we were at Forbidden Journey very early, so it wasn't too crazy by the lockers, but I can imagine it gets when there are long waits. And I hope they give riders enough locker time.

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

Poor Isaiah! I would have had a MAJOR meltdown if I couldn't have ridden the Mummy, which happens to be my very favorite ride at US! Yeah, I agree about the "locker dance". It is definitely a different vibe at US, but I am going to have to suck it up and do it, because I am dying to check out WWOHP!

Luckily, Isaiah takes the news pretty well when he's too little to ride something. Especially when he gets to visit a gift shop instead. And when you go to IOA, don't bring anything with you so you won't have to do the locker dance.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Oh, dear.... Isaiah's sad little face. Not surprising at all that he usually cons your mom into another toy. I've never been to Universal, and the story about the survey/sales force convinces me I don't need to try it. Oooooh, that would have made me mad!

The kid has so many toys that he has practically everything in the store! Really! DM took him to Toys R Us last weekend to buy a new toy. Why? Because it was Saturday? Who knows! Anyway, it took him 20 minutes of scouring the aisles to find something that he didn't already have, and what he ended up with, he didn't even really want, but he couldn't walk out without getting something. I made DM promise to not get him anything else until Christmas (and she finally agreed, because she sees there's nothing to get him). I'm not sure she can hold out, though!

Originally Posted by mom2twingirlies

All I can think of is that "locker dance". It sounds like so much lost time to me. How annoying and who wants to go on vacation and be constantly annoyed?

What a sad little face. I can see how he gets his way .

That's the thing about US. A bunch of little annoyances that add up to not a good time.

Originally Posted by shnewell

Thanks for the heads up about the locker dance. UGH!!! We are heading to IOA/WWOHP for the first time on our December trip and I'm already trying to prepare myself for an outrageously large crowd. But the locker thing makes it doubly annoying. However, the children will not be dissuaded from visiting Harry Potter, so I'll have to grin and bear it.

Poor Isaiah! But I'm giggling at your suggested thought bubble. It fits perfectly I'm glad he eventually cheered up and got to enjoy some of the rides at Universal.

Don't bring anything with you! Avoid the locker dance! At least IOA doesn't have the salespeople (at least I don't think so - we left fairly early in the morning).

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

The lockers sound completely annoying! And what were the annoying people trying to sell? Were they timeshare people? That would have put me over the top!
Poor Isaiah! Love the thought bubble!

There were two different groups of salespeople. One group was trying to get you to watch some new talkshow. I don't know about the other group.

Originally Posted by DisneyLuv

Oh that little 5yo sad face would get me every time (my own youngest DS6 is the only one who always gets mom to buy things she shouldn't, but don't tell DH!). Did you end up getting the last spider man toy on earth for him?!?

No, he got a Mummy toy instead, and probably completely forgot about the other toy!

Originally Posted by honeybee723

It's been almost 15 years since I've been to US and I don't think I will returning there anytime soon. It sounds like it's more of a hassle than what it's worth, and for the price to get in...forget it. I hope it's not like that at IoA, since we're doing that when we go in November. I know it wasn't like that when we went there in 2004, but that's definitely enough time for them to change everything around.

As for those pushy sales people...I HATE THAT! I would write the letter even if it doesn't do anything, at least they'll have someone's opinion, and that's better than nothing. I would have told them where they could go the first time they wouldn't take no for an answer.

I figure there are enough people like you writing letters that I don't need to, but honestly, do you think they care? Do you think they don't know pushy salespeople are annoying? That's why I prefer to just spend my money where they do care about my experience.

Originally Posted by BJ Wanlund

Whoa... I haven't been to the Universal Studios part in over 20 years, and I'm surprised that a) they have pushy salespeople (oh my, pushy salespeople are the worst by far), and b) the "locker dance" (which, if it's anything like the Safety Dance, is a dance I don't want to do in public lest I get embarrassed. ).

I cannot wait for the rest of your day at USR (hope it got better... guess it didn't...), and can't wait to see what all you did at IoA (which is actually my favorite of the two)!!

BJ

US was a bust. IOA was better. I also would say IOA is my favorite of the two.

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

Your description of the locker dance is hysterical. (Most likely becaue I wasn't dancing it)

But, the pushy salespeople!! Shocking to me. For what you pay to get in there, you shouldn't be harassed like that. I can't stand when I go to the mall and every kiosk you pass has some guy trying to get you to stop and try something. I actually had one of those lotion guys grab my hand and not let go until I had to get all Jersey on him!!

I may have had to get all Noo Yawk on those mall salespeople myself. I have to say, it's kind of embarrassing how rude I can be to salespeople. I never scream or curse at them or anything, but I will just walk away in the middle of a sentence if I have to. Luckily, I've never had one try to touch me, or else, ... who knows how I'd react.

Originally Posted by goofyboysmama

The salespeople were selling... time shares? (Oh boy, I can't wait to hear about US's version of Animal Kingdom, heh heh.)

They were trying to get people to go watch some new talk show. But I suspect it was actually an infomercial. I have no evidence, but they annoyed me, so that's what I want to believe!

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Bwwwaaaahhhhhaaaahhhhhaaa! Love that!

And I'm really bummed about Universal. I think I'd enjoy the Harry Potter stuff, but I just can't get past my personal distaste for Universal when compared to Disney.

IOA isn't quite as bad. And you definitely have to psych yourself up for it. If you spend half a day there, you'll survive. And I know you'd love WWOHP.

Originally Posted by angiek1024

All caught back up! Sorry you had so many issues at Universal. I haven't ever been there....I get in the Disney bubble and can't break myself out of it!

I am honestly afraid of the next update with the word "rodents and lunch" in the title!

Well, it wasn't a mouse (or a rat ), but it wasn't fun.

Originally Posted by DisneyDana

When I went the salespeople were having you do taste tests to market new yogurt and granola bars. We went ahead and did it and got like 3 bucks a piece. It was kind of strange to be in some office room eating yogurt and taking a test while on vacation.

If I'd done that, I would've been even madder. $3 for taking time out of your vacation! Now you've got me angry on your behalf!

Originally Posted by Cam22

I do remember that annoying locker dance at US/IoA. I was so happy when I was told I could keep my back since we were doing the parent swap on Forbidden Journey. Unfortunately, so much of these two parks is not about the comfort or happiness of the guests.

That's exactly the problem - they don't care about the comfort or happiness of their guests at all.

Originally Posted by Jillybean

Maybe we shouldn't let Isaiah and Maddie meet for a while . . . both of us would be broke since they've both got a case of the "gimmes" and they look so darn pitiful when they poke out their bottom lips!

Okay, suddenly I'm just not feeling the need to go to US. Although, I am interested in that roller coaster. I've seen pictures but I can't figure out if you go round and round going up on the side or if you go upside down over and over?

Jill

I have to admit, a little part of me does want to turn 'em loose in, say, Mouse Gear and see what happens. That coaster is intense. You go down that big drop face first!

Originally Posted by Cheriemek

I have been lucky enough to go to a conference in WDW for 2 years. It is such a large conference that they can afford to close a park and only allow the conferencEARS attend. 2 years ago, the special night even was at Future Land at EPCOT. Last year it was at Harry Potter land in Universal. The difference was amazing.

WDW: enter through front entrance
cast members are holding trays with beer, wine, pop and water for you to grab as you enter
food stations all over the park. I got off of the Nemo ride, and there was a whole buffet.
all great rides were open.
several drink stations.
bands playing music throughout the park
UNIVERSAL:
let us out at the back of the park - it was a 15 minute walk to the area where rides were open.
drinks were a few tables throughout the park with 2 people pouring wine. I don't know where you went if you wanted beer or water.
food was a few of their counter service places opened with a limited list of what they would give you
lots of attractions not opened - when we left we had to walk through the park past all of the closed attractions, pass through their downtown area, and find buses - at least 20 min.

More proof US doesn't care a whit about guest experience.

Originally Posted by Ciavobella

If we stay at Universal during a trip we have learned to go before going to WDW. You still notice things that are annoying but they are not as jarring. I do love those Loews hotels though.

I usually do go to US/IOA first, just to get it over with. Of course, I don't find it less annoying, but at least I get it out of the way right away! And the Loews hotels are great, if I do say so myself! (I work at the Loews corporate office.)

[PrincessSharon]

Day Six, Part Two
How do you have lunch with rodents at a Universal park?

It was lunch time and we were hungry, so we needed to run the salesman gauntlet. The same guy who’d talked to us before talked to us again. I said, “You already talked to us!” The boys wanted pizza and I didn’t. The restaurant had a pasta dish that looked okay, but I was in the mood for a hamburger, so I ran across the street and got a burger and came back to find my family sitting down eating.

But they weren’t alone. There was a squirrel in the restaurant. This was a counter service place, but in all my visits to Disney (more than 40), I’ve never, ever seen a squirrel be inside a restaurant. This squirrel must’ve decided that he was tired of pizza, because he camped out about 3 feet from me and stared me down.

I kept pushing the chair next to me, and of course, he’d only run away about 6 inches. I like wildlife as much as the next person, but from a distance. To me, a squirrel is just a rat with a fuzzy tail. I didn’t want to eat lunch with a squirrel sitting at my feet (he probably would’ve come to within a foot of me if I hadn’t been constantly chasing him off). I wolfed down my food and threw my tray away (giving the boys the rest of my fries). There was a team member at the garbage can and I mentioned the squirrel. He said, “I know.” I suppose if it’d been me, I wouldn’t do anything about it either, but at least I’d pretend – I’d say I would tell my manager or something a manager who clearly doesn’t care, but I’d tell him anyway!.

Doing the squirrel escape boogie led me right back into the salesman gauntlet. This time, at least, a different woman accosted me. By this point, I’d gotten clever, so when she asked me where I was from, I said “St. Cloud.” Which, if you don’t know, is probably 25 or 30 miles from where we were. Clearly, a local wouldn’t need a stupid timeshare or whatever. Actually, this was a different saleswoman, though. She wasn’t pushing timeshares. Luckily, she told me I was ineligible for what she wanted people for because of where I lived (). Then she proceeded to tell me what she would’ve been trying to get me for. Went through the whole spiel and finished with, “but you aren’t eligible.” So then why’d you waste both our time explaining the whole dang thing! There’s no escaping the salesman gauntlet!

My family finally finished their lunch (okay, I may have been standing at the window next to their table, making annoyed faces and constantly checking the invisible watch on my wrist) and we were ready for some fun. Disaster wasn’t far from where we were, so we did that next. We had a bit of a wait for the next show, so Isaiah asked to play “angry buhds.” Disaster is mostly a bit dull, but the Christopher Walken part is very cool (and something I cannot explain – you would have to see it for yourself). Sadly, my hammy overacting did nothing in helping me get into the movie at the end. I won’t go so far as to volunteer for one of the parts – that’s too easy!

Isaiah wanted to ride Jaws again, so we started that way. Through the salesman gauntlet. Where am I from, you ask? Why, St. Cloud! I was hoping I wouldn’t get anyone who actually lived in St. Cloud. But I figured if I did get someone from St. Cloud and they asked me which neighborhood I lived in or something, I’d pretend I was weirded out by their stalkery questions and be all “Why do you ask? I’d rather not give out that info!”

On the way to Jaws, the skies opened up! The type of torrential downpour typical of a summer afternoon in Florida. We ran for cover under an awning nearby. After about 5 minutes of that, I decided that I’d come prepared with my poncho, so I would put it on and do stuff while the rest of the group waited out the rain. I would ride MIB, since I didn’t get to do that earlier. The good news: you don’t have to run the salesman gauntlet in the pouring rain! The bad news: you still have to do the locker dance. And it’s especially difficult to do with wet fingers.

After storing my stuff in the locker (and I was wearing my poncho, so I didn’t have to put that in there), I walked over and did MIB. I scored highest of everyone in my vehicle and we also beat the other side, so Will Smith was totally cheering for me. So, technically, all of us, but mostly me.

After the locker dance again (you see how annoying that is), the rain had pretty much stopped. I figured the family was heading to Jaws, so I walked over to the exit to wait for them. They were getting off just as I arrived, so I acted like I’d ridden it with them but had been seated behind them.

The good news: the rain had stopped for good! The bad news: time to run the salesman gauntlet again. While I’d been away riding MIB, Noah had played one of the carnival games and won himself a basketball. But you know what? Hmm… on second thought, I won’t tell you yet.

We’d done most of the major stuff (we skipped E.T., but that’s because we didn’t want to walk to that section of the park). Now it was time to repeat some of our favorites. We did the Mummy ride again, and because DSIL and Isaiah didn’t ride, we didn’t have to do the locker dance. Then we did Twister. I feel like once you’ve seen it once, there’s no need to ever do it again. Also, I have to be subjected to Bill Paxton’s totally wooden and monotone performance. I can’t stand that guy!

We were all kind of “over” Universal at this point. We had parkhoppers so we could’ve walked over and did some stuff at IOA, but I was kind of annoyed and DB Eric was supposed to arrive at 6:00, so Ed wanted to get back in time to greet him. Of course, Eric ended up getting stuck at work, so we could’ve stayed longer, but in hindsight, nobody’s really brokenhearted about leaving the park when we did.

DB, DSIL and Isaiah were going to go on Jaws again and then head back to the timeshare. The boys wanted to ride RRRI. We walked over and tried to do the locker dance. Fail! Noah’s basketball doesn’t fit in the stupid locker! So we run the salesman gauntlet again – “Hi, I’m a St. Cloud resident!” and catch up to them as they are getting off the ride. We get DSIL to hold Noah’s basketball and all the rest of our stuff, and we do RRRI again.

They don’t have big watermarks over your ride photos here. Unfortunately, the ride photos are timed incorrectly, so by the time you get to it, your picture is long gone. And then they direct you to the photo counter. Where you can purchase a video of yourself riding the ride. Do you know how unattractive you look while your face is being blown back by the wind on a super-fast rollercoaster? Very! No sale!

Nobody else had anything they wanted to do, so we headed out. I figured I’d fill the boys refillable cups (it was like 79 cents for a refill, a pretty good bargain). Everyone else leaving the park had the same idea, so the drink cart right by the exit had a huge line. I figured I’d outsmart everyone and get them filled inside the little bakery instead. There was only one guy ahead of me in line.

Unfortunately, this guy was having trouble communicating. I don’t know if it was a language barrier or what. I couldn’t really understand the situation myself because I don’t drink coffee, but this is what I gathered happened. He ordered an espresso. Now I know espresso usually comes in a little cup. But he wanted espresso in a big cup. This confused the team members (and me too). They kept asking him if he wanted espresso or a latte (which I guess is a big dose of espresso? ). Then he would repeat, “no, I want espresso in this cup.” ::man points at big cup:: I guess they figured it out, finally. I mean, the man got something but who knows if it’s what he actually wanted. But it took about 5 minutes. By this point, I was wishing I’d just waited outside at the cart!

I got two refills for the boys and then went to pay. There was a woman there paying for her pastries. Shouldn’t be much longer! She must’ve been the wife of the espresso guy! When it was time for her to pay, she couldn’t figure out American money. When the guy assisted her, and then gave her her change, she was confused about what bill she’d gotten back. This took another 3 or 4 minutes. At this point, I came this close to just walking out without paying! I was silently steaming. After so much nonsense I had to deal with during the day, this stupid little thing was just my breaking point. I counted to 10 and managed to calm down enough to not have a meltdown, then finally, finally, it was my turn to pay for the two stinkin’ soda refills. All in all, it took about 15 minutes.

Because DB, DSIL and Isaiah were headed back to the timeshare, they hadn’t waited for us (I suppose they had, but when it took so long, they abandoned us). We caught up to them, though, just as DSIL was taking a photo of Ed and Isaiah in front of the globe. I made Noah and Daniel run and jump in the photo (Jackie hadn’t seen us coming).







We took the water taxi back to the RPR and said goodnight to them.









I was planning on just dropping Noah’s too-big-for-the-locker basketball in the room and then heading back out to IOA to ride stuff over there (that park was open until 8), but the kind of day it’d been made me yearn for a quieter evening and a fresh start in the morning.

However, I did give the boys the option – pool time or park time. So maybe I wasn’t as honest as that. I told them we’d swim first, and then do some rides later. They were all over that idea. I figured I usually have to drag them out of the pool, so I’d let them swim as long as they wanted and if we were too late to hit IOA after that, oh well!

I got some photos of the room before the boys messed everything up!


I called the bed by the window!









And our view of the really nice, big pool area.



And the bathroom.


Pardon my really messy hair



We quickly changed into our swimsuits. Poor Daniel’s sneakers were soaked and he didn’t have another pair. I told him he didn’t have to put them on, but he should carry them with him down to the pool, and if anyone asked, he’d put them on then. Because our room was overlooking the pool, we didn’t see anyone else on the elevator ride down.

The pool at RPR is really nice and there’s a big volleyball net in it with a bunch of beach balls. The boys had an absolute ball playing volleyball. They played for about 2 hours. I spent my time in the pool watching them, or over in the hot tub, soaking. Ahh. The tensions of the day just melted away. After a while, I made the boys get out because I was hungry!

My plan had been to have dinner at Mama Della’s at the Portofino Bay Hotel, but after a fairly long day and so much pool time, none of us felt like getting dressed for dinner, so after showers, we put on our pajamas for Sonic. Of course, I forgot about having to walk through the lobby to get to my car. Luckily, nobody noticed (or seemed to anyway). This was the boys’ first time at Sonic, so they were excited. We all got something yummy and it was actually a wonderful ending to a less than perfect day.

We returned to the hotel and watched some tv. I didn’t want to watch Nickelodeon, so we ended up watching Hillbilly Handfishing just for the bizarre train wrecky-ness of it. And if you think Hillbilly Handfishing is a strange concept for a show, I agree.

But! I actually saw a commercial that night for something even stranger. Whisker Wars. It isn’t a one-time show, it’s a series. About men with big, long beards and I guess they have contests for whose beard is the bushiest or whose beard has the most food stuck in it? I miss the days of good tv shows. Though, having never actually seen an episode of Whisker Wars, I shouldn’t judge! Also, Hillbilly Handfishing is bizarre! We three were all mesmerized by how dirty and gross the water appeared to be, and that, even though you are fully submerged in the lake or whatever, apparently you must do hillbilly handfishing while fully clothed, and in one guy’s case, even wearing a ballcap. Spongebob probably would’ve been a better choice, after all.

Up Next: Okay, this? Makes it worth it

[ilovedisney0_0]

Bahaha I am TOTALLY stealing your line about being from St. Cloud when I go in December. I can tell you did not have a good time there, and I'm sorry, Sharon!

[lauriep]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Disaster wasn’t far from where we were, so we did that next. [/FONT][/COLOR][/B]

This just struck me funny, especially in the context of this report! Between the salesmen and the lockers I'd never have lasted as long as you did. Your pain is our gain, though.... You're a great storyteller!

[chezp]

Wow, that was insane with all those people trying to sell you things and the squirrel - I loved the way he was staring you down!

[mom2twingirlies]

If I was the squirrel, I'd have tried for your burger over pizza TOO!
I'm not sure I could have gone through the salesmen line so many times (St. Cloud resident or not) and not snapped at someone. No thanks means no thanks people!

[mcneal]

What is it with the Hillybilly Handfishin!?!? What kinda crazy person wants to put their hand down in gross nasty water and stick it into something's (that you can not see!) mouth!?!? I'm starting to think there are just too many channels plus no one can come up with GOOD original ideas.

Not a very good experience with US....sorry. I really enjoyed several of the rides - Mummy, MIB but was not overly impressed when we visited back in 2007. Only 1 more day then back to Disney - right?

[MayraLR]

Well Universal had to have some kind of stalking animal, Disney has ducks. They had to catch up that's where the stalking squirrel comes into play.
Great end to your day, walking the lobby of RPR in your pajamas!

[cubfancolleen]

Can't believe the health dept would think a squirrel inside was OK....
I would have been totally annoyed with the salespeople, and may have decided that was a good time to say I don't speak English!

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

We all got something yummy and it was actually a wonderful ending to a less than perfect day.

It's a sad state of affairs, I tells ya, when a pajama run to Sonic is the highlight of one's day!

BTW, I think I'm going to refer to you as Shashi St. Cloud from here on out.

[goofysdtr]

Sorry about the less-than-stellar day. The locker dance sounds very frustrating! Were they hideously expensive? I might've just left my stuff parked there for awhile.

I am, however, looking forward to hearing about whatever it is that "makes it worth it"! I've got a guess.

[KandJluvdisney]

great update sharon.
I am in complete agreement about us and ioa - I HATE the locker dance also.
can't wait until you are back on disney property
hurry back with more please