Universally Addicted to Frights - CANCELLED

Universal Orlando Resort Touring Plans
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Hey Friends!!

This Universal Addict is about six weeks out from my third Halloween Horror Nights!

I’m too excited to keep my thoughts to myself. I’ve been clogging up other threads with my own trip ideas… I figured I’d better go ahead and start my TR…

This trip doesn’t have many EPA or RD days. I’m REALLY trying to get DD22 to stay out past 10pm. My thought is to make every morning start as close to 10am as possible. (Which means getting up around 8:30am - 9am)

I’d love to go hard staying out all night and doing RD, but my daughter has too much of her mom’s DNA in her! They both like being home after dark! :rofl: :shark: :shark: :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

Here are my plans! If you have any thoughts or advice feel free to chime in!

Fri. 9/6/24 - Custom Touring Plan: Arrival - Stay & Scream

Sat. 9/7/24 - Custom Touring Plan: VB / HHN / Rising Star

Sun. 9/8/24 - Custom Touring Plan: Sleep-in DreamWorks / Bourne / Crepe

Mon. 9/9/24 - Custom Touring Plan: Sleep-in Seuss / Tots + Circus /// Custom Touring Plan: 2pm Parade / CityWalk Dinner / Mini Golf

Tues. 9/10/24 - Custom Touring Plan: EPA - WWHOP - Mama Della /// Custom Touring Plan: Diagon Alley - EMILY

Wed. 9/11/24 - Custom Touring Plan: VB / Hagrid / HHN

Thurs. 9/12/24 - Custom Touring Plan: No EPA / Mythos / Castle Show

Fri. 9/13/24 - Custom Touring Plan: Toon / Late HHN

Sat. 9/14/24 - Custom Touring Plan: The Kitchen - Depart 12pm

To summarize what I’ve mentioned in other threads about this trip…

I always try to work out a bit extra to get into “theme park shape” to walk 10 - 15+ miles a day! However, I really over did it about a week or so ago. I’ve hurt one of my legs so bad that I finally saw a doctor. The X-rays showed no damage or tears - just swelling. I have to take it easy for 3 weeks and I should be OK. I’m seeing improvement, but I still have to do a little more walking at work than I’d prefer. I’m hoping that since we still have 4 - 6 weeks before the trip that I’ll be OK. I may not be as fit as I’d like, but that’s better than sore or hurt!

Also, DD22 did graduate college this year. She got a job right out of school! However, they aren’t giving her barely even “part-time” hours and she is struggling. She’s looking for a new job right now. My concern (and hers) is a new job may not be thrilled that she has a week long vacation planned right as she comes onboard.

As long as she can make it for at least 3 nights that “pays” for her pass. The third night is where you get the value. She, typically, goes for 3 - 4 nights as she’s been in college the last two years & couldn’t get away for a full trip.

I’m stoked that we may get a week together to do not just HHN, but a few other Universal / CityWalk things we have to skip on her short stays. However, I’ve already created a “back-up” plan in case she can’t make it until the latter part of the trip.

I’ve booked a separate hotel stay two days before my scheduled arrival. If DD can’t travel with me at the start, then I’m strongly considering going early. This would be to give me more time at IOA / HHN on arrival night. THEN the next day go to EPCOT to ride GotG…

Everyone says I “have” to try it and that it’s comparable to Hagrid’s for best coaster in Orlando!

As of today, SouthWest dropped the price on the flight that would let me get there early. I’m so tempted to do EPCOT even if DD can arrive when we planned. However, she usually has some “drama” at the airport - like parking in the expensive lot or flight delays that get her distressed.

I’d prefer to be with DD all the way, but I can’t lie & say I’ll be too sad if it doesn’t work out that way!

Finally…

My AP expires on the last day of this trip! I’m really trying soooo hard to not renew it! However, this year is my 50th birthday and it would mean A LOT to me to go to a theme park in December!

I am a much happier / better person when I have these trips to look forward to! Plus, there are a few of you Liners that I’d love to meet that I know are going to UOR later in the year / 2025!

I have promised DW that we would 100% be getting new flooring for our home of 18 years in 2024. I really want them too. She insisted on light colored / white carpet when we built the house and now it’s beige! :face_vomiting:

I didn’t want to say this in other threads as I know not everyone has good fortune. I don’t want to boast in daily threads or other TRs when others might not be doing as well. I got a $5,000 bonus last week. My DW also got a $2,500 bonus recently as well. I’ve been told to expect another bonus (amount undisclosed) before the end of the year. I’m not sure of the flooring costs yet, but this will really help cover most of that expense. Leaving funds we set aside for the floors for “other” things! :wink: :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :shark: :shark:

Anyway… Let’s talk about Universal, Halloween Horror Nights and enabling me to do dumb things until it’s time for me to actually go!

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I’ve never been to UOR, so have no “notes” on your plans, but your joy for parks time is so pure that it makes ME (a random, internet third party) excited that you have a trip coming up! Hopefully, your daughter finds something new and they’re understanding about whatever amount of time she wants to take. At least in white collar stuff, I’ve found people generally understanding about pre-scheduled vacation when it’s presented up front when talking about start date etc, but I know that’s not always the case!

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Same here, and having been in the hiring seat before, it would be a rare situation where it factors into the choice among qualified candidates. It’s just not important in the grand scheme of things, when you’re talking about a long-term hire. Of course, she might need to take the time off unpaid. I wouldn’t mention the vacation until an offer is made or very close, unless the hirer brings it up.

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When @darkmite2 starts his official TR we know the trip is just around the corner (and the way that time moves now, 45 days will literally be here tomorrow lol).

So pumped to follow along! Universal is the best. I really hope you daughter can join the whole time (but I do also really want you to ride GoTG :wink:)

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I tried to wait until the 30 day mark, but I couldn’t! :rofl: :rofl:

I’m working on multiple ideas!

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Thanks! I started doing these TR in 2022 because I got so sick & tired of every vlogger praising EVERYTHING the parks offered. I started eating at every venue, trying a bunch of seasonal snacks & stuff and figuring out how to tour UOR efficiently. So many vloggers want to stay on the media list & get invited to free events that they lie about how “great” most things are!!

I’ve been to UOR enough that I know my way way around pretty well! I just want to share my plans in case anyone else is around the parks & wants to meet-up!

:crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers:

This is what I told her to do as well. No reason to put up any obstacles until after they truly decide to hire you!

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For anyone interested or wanting to make menu recommendations here are the places I’ve made reservations for this week

Fri - Finnegan’s before HHN - Potato Web & drinks…

Sat. - Kohala Reef at VB + HHN food

Sun. - Crepes

Mon. - Greens Eggs & Ham + Circus McGurkus and Pat O’ Brien’s or any place in CityWalk she wants.

Tues. - WWOHP foods and Mama Della’s (My “must do dinner”)

Wed. - Kohala Reef at VB + HHN food

Thurs. - Mythos (Emily’s “must try”)

Fri. - Wimpy’s & HHN

Sat. - The Kitchen Breakfast buffet (Another “must do” for me)

I really wanted to make sure I tried Circus McGurkus’ new menu this trip. I tried to spread out the “big/hearty” meals so we don’t get stuffed one day & skip the next.

DD will eat as many Auntie Anne’s pretzels that I buy her!! I’ve asked her, for this trip, if she gets a urge for pretzels that we go get the BIG one at NBC Sports Grill.

We’ll have to stop at Auntie Annie’s on the way to buy icing. The icing is what she REALLY eats. The bread is just a medium to put the sugar in her mouth! :rofl: :rofl: :shark: :shark: :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Found it! 45 days will fly by.

Sending luck to DD for her job search and continued wishes for healing to you!!

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Thanks!! DD was so sweet! She came by last week and did all my yard week. This week she’s made multiple dinners and did a load of my laundry!

DW was incredible last night! I have to load the Coke machine in my office. It takes 20 - 30 cases of soda to do it. She went to the store with me last night, after hours, to buy it all. Then insisted that we take it all to the office last night & load up the machine. (Instead of me unloading all the cases alone today and then filling the machine.) She did 90%+ of the work. They really don’t want me to miss HHN and I’m often “bad” about overdoing things when I should be resting!

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I’m glad they are taking care of you. I’m sure you would do the same if the situation was reversed! Enjoy it.

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That lets the cans cool down before today’s work hours start.Maybe she’s also just being practical! :grin:

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Of course! I already have one disabled leg. DW doesn’t want me to have them both messed up! She had to wait on me for almost a year the first time one of my legs got destroyed!

DD is being sweet, but at the same time she dropped so many “hints” that she wasn’t going to be able to pay her all her bills this month! She left with a check in hand the other night! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :rofl:

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Tough luck with her job not giving her enough hours. I hope she finds something soon! Nice that you are in a position to help her too!!

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I’d rather pay her rent than have her move back!! We’re friends now that she’s lived on her own for a couple years!! :rofl: :rofl: :shark: :shark: :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

I don’t think I could handle her coming back unless it was a dire emergency with a announced move back out date! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :shark: :shark:

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I agree 100%!!! She’s an adult now, and both of you need your space!!

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DD got “a job” this weekend. It’s not a career, but $12 / hour is better than $0!!

It’s at a place that is an “adventure museum”. It looks like escape rooms combined with American Ninja Warrior and a children’s museum.

It seems, whether it’s subconscious or not, my kid has a similar college degree and working in my previous career… :crazy_face: I wish her more luck than I had!
I was successful, but when the economy slumps Entertainment is, typically, one of the first things society cuts back on.

However, since it’s just “a job” in retail / customer service to pay the bills I’m hopeful she’ll be able to take off for the entire trip.

We’ve gotten almost all the quotes for our new floors in our home. They’re about what I expected $10K - $15K.

I’ve been trying to see if I could, maybe, come to Orlando for my 50th birthday in early December. I had such a great birthday last year at UOR/MVMCP/Jollywood.

I’ve found great hotel rates & flights are reasonable. However, that $10K - $15K for floors eats up most of our disposable income that’s actually in our bank. (We don’t use credit. I pay off the credit card every month just to get the points)

I may just put a refundable deposit down on the hotel & buy the flight with the intention of changing the date to go on our Disneyland 2025 trip with it instead if I don’t go to Orlando.

I know what the “responsible” thing to do is just wait for DLR. However, I was so bored the last 6 months it took a big toll on my mental health. I really miserable in April / May. My therapist says that having something to look forward to do is critical for me. When I’m just going through the motions I spiral.

Oh! My leg is getting better, but still not 100%. I’d say about 60%. I can definitely tell a difference between when I hurt it and now. I use crutches at home and stay off my feet 90% of the time then too. My family has really been pitching in to make sure I don’t do much. I do have to get my steps in at the office, but trying to limit it. I was told, at the initial doctor visit, if it’s not drastically better after Aug. 5th to go back for a check-up. :crossed_fingers: :crossed_fingers:

38 more days to go!!

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Take care of your mental health?

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I like the way you think!! :rofl:

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Not even kidding! :blush:

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I agree! It’s just gonna take some convincing for DW…

I could just go only to WDW for MVMCP and Epcot to finally do GotG. I do have to stay at UOR as there are no rooms at WDW for under $400+

I can use Disney Visa points for those parks. Plus, I have $250 in Universal Visa points now for the hotel…

However, it’s so hard to be there and not want to stay longer and renew my AP too UOR. Then I’ll want to go again for sure like for Mardi Gras at UOR because my tickets are “paid for” :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

I’m trying to build up the courage to talk to DW about it before prices start to go up as the dates get closer! Wish me luck!! :rofl: :rofl:

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