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We tried twice to get him on. My son even asked if he could buckle I'm in, but they said no. They dd modify the seat for abd girth, but I bet they didn't think about men with wide shoulders!! I didn't go on the first time we tried to get him on, but the second time I dd go on ( With my sweet husbands urging). But I didn't enjoy it because I felt bad for my DH.
Great report, Gina! You're making me want to get back to Universal soon. (Unfortunately we've now reached the time of year when I become a hermit from the theme parks--once Star Wars Weekends is over, of course, lol.)
Just a word of warning for your October trip: I-4 has begun a massive construction project (Google I-4 Ultimate Project) and the area around the Kirkman and Universal exits have already gotten nasty. Come October, you might want to use an alternate route to the parks (via Universal Boulevard). If you do a PTR for that trip I'll definitely pop on over and keep you updated.
..... that's going to be a bit of a pain. Thank you for the heads-up, though! We will be sure to use the Universal Blvd. route instead 
..Excellent trip report, I love your writing style! I can't wait to read your fall trip report.
. Now, I love having "my" name.....especially knowing (and being old enough to appreciate) that it was picked to honour my maternal grandfather, who lost his battle with cancer when my mom was pregnant. I never got to meet him, but now I carry a little part of his memory on. I always appreciate having other people to share my memories with!!
Brats, both of 'em 
. .We were there two part days (the day we arrived and the day we departed, for a few hours on each) and four "full" days (two devoted to each park.....I use "full" in quotes, because we were there at opening daily but didn't have to/need to/want to stay until park close). We took two days off completely, one to go to Daytona Beach and the other to do the Eye, the skeleton museum, and to relax
Wow, lots of days. And people say the Universal parks are a one-day visit...Pfft!
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. As I get closer I am panicking about being in Universal in Julys crowds but its just one day. October was moderate crowd at US/IoA and heavier than expected at Wdw.
Thanks for sharing your book, how cool. I have not gotten one from them but I will consider it. I am terrible at getting them done(I lost 3 codes for free photo items just from not getting them done before it expired.)
Happy planning for your upcoming adventure. October was great weather for us but we loved May in the past as well. Darn kids and school is making my travel harder
Thanks Gina for a great trip report and for sharing the link to your picture book. I love making the picture books up from our vacations as they make some of the best 'keepers of memories'.
When we go in August it will be our 25th Wedding Anniversary but this isn't the main reason for our trip. We lived in England and moved to Canada 9 years ago (I was born in Canada but grew up in England) and this year we get to meet some friends and their family to share the experience of Florida with them. We both have kids 15 & 12 and have rented a villa for the majority of our stay but the highlight for all of us is the 1 night at RPR and our 2 days at US & IOA with express passes and early entry. We have been many times in the past but the last time was 2012, and they have never been.
I can't wait to try some of the places that you mentioned like Hash House and Bubbaloos, and to return to some of our favourites that you also enjoyed like Carrabbas.
I always do a spreadsheet on costs before we go and then try and tie it back to what we actually spent when we get back to see how close I was. This is for no other reason that I enjoy 'guessing' at what it's going to cost. I am of the firm belief that you can't put a cost on memories!
Anyway, thanks again and I look forward to reading the next one
I hope you'll join me for the next one, too.Great end to this vacation. Always great pictures and food porn.
Well, starting to line up things to do in October. Trying to get the rental car down more in price, but I am ok with the price I have, as everything seems more expensive this year. I was so glad I booked the airfare when I did. Both our trips have seen higher prices, and my December trip is now over 600 dollars more than what we paid last month, for the 4 of us.
Pre trip report for October coming soon?
. . When you take the fare price increase and times it by 4 people, it sure adds up!!
I'll definitely check out your other trip reports for info on Sea World and Aquatica. Thanks for sharing your trip with us! 
Loved your trip report and your photo book, Gina!
. . I am glad you enjoyed it!I so loved this report and am sad it is over. I do have a question- I know you were able to get a deal on Black Friday for I think it was Seaworld or Acquatica tickets. Is this something they do every year? Anywhere else I might get a good Orlando deal on Black Friday? I want to write it down and remember to check! Also, how did you get the really good pre-sale deal on the photopass thing for Universal? Is that a sale that happens often as well? Thank you so much for all your helpful tips and advice- I really think the Sheraton Vistana and places should give you some freebies for all the good press you give them here! Is anyone in power reading this?
. Another benefit of buying last autumn...our exchange rate was WAY better....so I paid less exchange, too.
. Maybe some good Karma will catch up with me someday and make my dream of living in central Florida a reality . A girl can certainly hope!
. Its so busy but super fun! Best of luck to your DD as she prepares for an exciting new chapter in her life! .
. . And I am glad someone else's family also has a Buttterbeer addiction ... as I was writing my report, I was a little embarrassed at how many cups we ended up drinking over the course of our week 
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Enjoy the rest of your vacation, and safe travels when you depart!
