(only read further if you like ramblings on and mushy stuff) just a little story that semi relates to this trip.
Very nostalgic night. Being down this end of International Drive really brought back some great memories.
I’ve told the story before but growing up we didn’t have a lot of money but Mom and Dad would always find a way to take us on vacation. Many times to Orlando We’d always drive, we’d always stay in the same Days Inn (now the Rosen Inn)next to the 2 story McDonald’s,( I remember imthere was a big sign out front $25 a night) we’d always eat at the Morrison’s Cafeteria behind the hotel and we’d always do things along I-drive. They always had a carnival across from the hotel, we’d play mini golf, souvenir shops, Wet N Wild was our big splurge, and lots of swimming at the hotel pool. Out of all the times we went to Orlando I only recall 1 trip to Disney itself. I recall a SeaWorld visit or 2 as well.
Anyway, this resort I’m staying at (Endless Summer Dockside)was the dirt parking lot for the Wet N Wild water park back in the day. The waterpark itself was located across the street where Endless Summer Surfside stands now. Back in the late 70’s early 80’s this is pretty much where I drive ended. There was nothing else around but farmland as I recall. Now it’s so developed in every direction.
Our first real Disney/Universal trip was in 1996 for Disneys 25th anniversary. It was my wife and I with our 7 year old daughter (now 32 yikes) and Mom and Dad. We drove down in my parents RV and we stayed at Fort Wilderness. Mom was definitely, most certainly, and undoubtedly not a ride person at all. Dad on the other hand was a big kid like me haha. The whole trip, between Disney and Universal there was only 1 ride she went on. (E T.) It was her favorite. She talked about it for years and when we all finally made it back in 2008 it was the only ride she asked to do. So we did it as many times as we could.
Unfortunately it was the last time she’d have the chance. We were planning another big family trip in 2015 and yes Mom was looking forward to E.T. again but both her and Dad took Ill and both passed in 2016. After she passed she had left an envelope with a note with some money in it and it said, " take that trip". I honored her wish and we finally did take that trip in 2019 and it was spectacular. Some of you recall the trip report of my group of 12
So today after I landed and checked into my room (which sits on the old dirt parking lot of Wet N Wild) I headed over to USF before it closed at 7pm, I watched a fantastic Xmas parade, and proceeded to ride E.T. 2 times before it closed. Both times when they asked me for my name as you enter the ride, I gave them my mother’s name. It was kind of emotional to hear E.T. at the end say “Goodbye Sheila”.
Not sure I’m gonna get to the pool in tower 1. Only night here and then I move to Royal Pacific tomorrow. But I’ll see if I can take a stroll by and snap some pics.
All nostalgia aside (OK almost all nostalgia aside) I’m liking what I’ve seen so far here in Uni.
Last trip was in 2013 and it was our last trip. I elluded to the reasons why in the beginning of this post. but in a nutshell to rehash, it was dirty, staff not friendly, overly packed, insane lines, and our youngest had a meltdown. Now, if I did my homework I would of researched and found out the artist “Pitbull” was performing that night and that was the cause of the insane crowds.
So after a shortened visit tonight on day 1 I must say it’s much better. For starters the pricing. $350 for a seasonal pass (yes it has blackouts but the dates that are blacked out are dates I don’t normally visit; summer, Xmas week, spring break,) having the AP got me hotel discounts. Tonights Value resort (Dockside)@ $79 a night (and that’s not a Priceline or hotwire deal) the hotel is clean, it looks newish, rooms are spacious, grounds are clean, and pools look great. Tomorrow I check into the Premier or Preferred (not sure which category but it’s the Royal Pacific and it gets me the Express pass. (AP rate $204). As for the Dockside. It’s the only Uni resort hotel you can’t walk to the park from. However, buses were plentiful. Going to the park I walked up as the bus pulled away. 5 minutes later the next bus pulled up. Took 5-7 minutes to get to the park. Coming back after the park closed they had 4 Dockside/Surfside buses lines up. Nobody waited. Back to the resort in 10 minutes (a little traffic)
The park itself (USF) I was only there for about 90 minutes. (Kind of a bummer the park closed at 7pm and IOA closes at 8. (Probably the only negative) but in the 90 minutes I shopped, bumped into the Xmas parade. (Yes, a parade) and it was pretty long. Sort of like a Macy’s day parade with floats and giant balloons, I even saw Santa at the end float (laughed as everyone yelled “It’s Santa, I know him” (Elf reference) I rode E.T. twice, on the way out I caught a nightime show with water projections and low flying fireworks (some were actual fireworks, a little pyrotechnics mixed in but actual fireworks too) didn’t catch the whole show but more than HS and AK are offering for sure. Shopped some more, meandered around a bit and mobile ordered a pizza to take back to the room (Good Pizza BTW) took a while (about 35-40 minutes) but to be expected as the masses exiting the park all had the same idea. As I mentioned before, made it to the bus stop and 4 buses lines up waiting to go. No lines no waiting.
The park was clean, the cast members were plentiful, and they were interactive and friendly. Same goes for the hotel staff. Nothing negative to say really. Looking forward to day #2 tomorrow.
but you had buses right there and waiting . Just teasing… I like the break down you are sharing. It’s nice to hear they have cleaned up and other positives.
Sorry @darkmite2 pool was closed by the time I got there looks identical to tower 2 pool view. I took some pictures from the ground view. Looks like they have the Oasis pool bar at tower 1
The ET story about your mom made me cry a little bit. Enjoy your trip! Your hotel tomorrow should be a big upgrade. I didn’t think of Surfside as bad but I like all of the others better. (Except I really like the room layout when you have two teens If you get the suite. Having two queen beds for each teen and a door you can close for the parents was really nice. I wish more rooms were like that.)
I’ve been so wowed by this resort this morning. Just exploring and it’s so beautiful. Almost forgot I have an 11:45 reservation for Finnegan’s as per recommendation. So I’m off to the park
Took the boat launch over to USF from RP. Had some time to kill before Finnegan’s so I rode Jimmy Fallon and the Mummy as it was en route. (Sorry I don’t know the Universal abbreviations for things yet so I’ll just spell em out) Also caught the Blues Brothers Show (and it snowed, Yay!!) Still had time to catch a cute Xmas street performance. Now sitting by the window at Finnegan’s and waiting for some Fish n Chips.
