Trip Report #7 - 2018 Spring Break in Orlando, FL

We booked a quick 4 night, five day trip (Wednesday to Sunday).  You can find all the details about the cost in this post here.  

Thursday we did Hollywood studios. Our main focus (or I guess I could say my main focus because Lincoln claimed he wasn’t doing it!) was to do the Jedi training. I was nervous to get a spot for this because it’s done in small groups throughout the day, so a limited number of kids get to do it.

We chose to go Thursday because this was not a day that Disney hotels got early hours admission. We stayed at the Marriott Harbour Lake again so it is not a Disney resort. This post provides a full review of the resort. Two days before we left Keith informed me that there was a character breakfast with open spots at 8:20am. This was perfect because the restaurant was right next to the Jedi sign up which we got to do before eating! We got first pick over any time slot they offered. The breakfast was called Hollywood and vine. It was a buffet style with anything you can imagine including ice cream with Mickey sprinkles which we took to go. The food and service were great. The characters were from Disney junior which the kids love. A few mom/Dad fails this day were we forgot Emmys sippy cup and pants for Lincoln. It was a chilly day so he was very upset not to have pants. Thankfully by lunch it had warmed up. We were also able to buy a sippy cup at one of the gift shops toward the front entrance. They had other items like bottles and pacifiers too. 

We also brought a collapsible wagon for the big kids in Disney. We fit in our big blue Southwest bags and used it to help pull bags to and from the airports. We thought we were geniuses! Not only were we gonna have it for Disney but we brought our own bag caddy. Until the night before the park we were checking what we can and can’t bring in to the park and wagons were a big NO! Opps! 

We packed food to save money on lunch since the buffet breakfast for 2 kids and 2 adults was $115! Emmy was free. Disney Hollywood Studios park is mostly show based with a few rides. We did toy story first since this ride couldn’t be fast passed. Both kids were tall enough for tower of terror and both rode it believe it or not! The guy at the Jedi sign up was great and gave us two fast passes for anything so Keith and I rider swapped Aerosmith's rockin roller coaster and the tower of terror. 

On Friday we did a Birthday breakfast Trattoria al Forno on the boardwalk. This was a character breakfast that included a few princesess which I thought was fun! It was a pre-selected menu but very yummy. Keith and I both had the steak and eggs which was delicious and the kids had waffles with Ariel imprinted on top. This was also $115 before tip. 

Friday night we did dinner at TRex in Disney springs. I don’t know why we went here again. We’ve been before and once should be enough. It took forever!! We got there and got a table no problems but it was 45 minutes before our appetizer even came. With three little kids this was not ideal. At this point in our lives we need quicker options.

Friday and Saturday we enjoyed fun in the sun at the Marriott pools. The kids love all the water features, slides and splash park. We love the happy hour, drinks and pool food. It was definitely more crowded than last January since it was spring break. One big fail here was since we came from Ohio and were pasty white the kids got burnt! Their faces were so red and dry. We couldn’t keep up even with the face sticks and the organic stuff. I am definitely investing in some of that embarrassing heavy duty zinc!

Before we left on Sunday we hit the outlets and then a place called the Sugar Factory.  At 1pm on a Sunday the wait was an hour long! The patio was first come first serve, so we decided to gamble. We got so lucky to snag a table right away. I had a peanut butter martini with a peanut butter rim, wow! We all shared a cookie jar sundae after lunch. Check out the online menu I have never seen such amazing milk shakes, sundaes and drinks!

All in all it was a great trip! I even got to test out some of my new travel gear.