Orlando - Part Deux

Before you get to the second half of the Orlando pictures, I wanted to share a couple of travel tips if you should ever frequent our travel route.

- I wouldn't recommend the Hard Rock Hotel. It's run down, kinda dirty, and customer service is blah for the most part. If you want to stay at a Universal property, pick the Portofino Bay Hotel.

- If you do stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, don't rent the cabana's by the pool. They aren't worth the money.....again, dirty....it is still blistering hot in them and there are so many trees around the pool area that there is plenty of free shade to be had.

- If you are going to spend much time at Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, I would HIGHLY recommend getting an Express Pass. You get them for free if you stay at a Universal property or you can purchase one at the park if you stay at a different property. All of the rides have an Express pass line that is significantly shorter than the other line......this will spare you HOURS of standing in line.

- Islands of Adventure is opening a Harry Potter section of the park. Hogwarts was under construction while we were there...it looked AMAZING!! Don't miss that!

- The Hard Rock (and possibly the other Universal Hotels) have a "concierge floor". Ask for a room there if they are available. It will cost you about $15 bucks a night more than a room on any other floor, but they have a continental breakfast, snacks during the day, appetizers in the evening, and milk and cookies at bedtime. All free. This includes sodas, milk and alcohol....this saved us gobs of money!

- Don't go in late July/August. TOO HOT!




Monkey business.



Thing 1 and Thing 2 at the entrance to Seussland.



McElligot's Pool was sooo cool (Seussland makes you want to rhyme!)



Lovin' on the Thing dolls.



Annalise loved to ride on Trev's shoulders. EVERYTIME she got up she had to put her hands over his eyes. He was such a good sport!



Riding the Cat in the Hat....ahhh...air conditioning!



Providing cover for Bart....



Busted!!!



You really didn't expect me to pass up the gratuitous cheesy tourist photo did you?



The cutest Thing 2 I've ever seen.



Chillin' like a rockstar.



Finally!! It only took 6 days of pleading before we broke down and got Trev a turkey leg.



Ian's first swim!



Ian's first ride on "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish". See him in between Nana and Papa sucking away on his fingers?



Sea World, definitely the highlight of the trip for Annalise. She is still fascinated with fish.



But, lunch with the sharks was not a hit. About 15 minutes in, she was scared of the "big teef" and sat on Daddy's lap for the rest of lunch.



Shamu!!



Feeding the stingrays....see him in the water taking the food out of her hand...eeeww!



Riding the kiddie version of the "Tower of Doom". She looks scared but ended up loving it and wanting to ride again.



The night before we headed home. We are in front of the replica of Portofino Bay at the Portofino Bay hotel....it was very cool!

Happy future travels,
Kristen