disneyfan1313

I noticed in an email from Universal Orlando that they are trying out a VIP lounge this year. The cost is 9.99 (which isn't horrible) but doesn't buy you much on most nights except a chance to look at concept art and not have to wait in lines for drinks. However on a few nights they are having some special presentations which seem pretty interesting! I have always been fascinated by the extreme houses and would love to see that presentation!

I love the "here to stay" sign. It's so....British! Thanks for the great TR as always.

^ Wow! That does look awesome! I have to admit I am a bit nervous about the finished product but it really does look like it could be an amazing ride.

I went there for free years ago...and felt ripped off. The only thing that I remember being 1/2 way OK was the laser tag..but even that was somewhat crappy. Thanks for making sure I don't accidentally go again!

Love the mini games! Really well produced..but I can't seem to get past the "singing" one. Any ideas?

This makes me love Ikea and the UK just a bit more. I wish they had more footage though!

It really is a pretty awesome looking place. I love it when water parks have lots of space to work with - it seems like so many are intense, small, concrete jungles with a few palm trees.

I joined twitter just to follow TPR! I'm 1,999....w00t! Pissed cause disneyfan1313 was already taken...argh!

Interesting article that I thought I would share about some of the top new technology for RCCL. To me it will be interesting to see what they could do with this technology in the future. Things like the shape recognition cameras could be used not only for restaurants but also to see what the waits were for tenders to go to shore, etc. Cool stuff!

^ I actually would disagree. It doesn't matter how rabid the fans are...if they are not spending money - it doesn't matter! The cost of producing a custom soda will eventually get to them. Right now their is the novelty of it and people are buying a ton of merch. After the last movies finish, they have been on cable tv for a few years..do you think they will still sell as many wands, chocolate frogs or butterbeer? I bet not.

The show times work perfectly with dinner! You will have either an early or a late dinner seating which will pair with an early or late show time. My wife and I like to eat by ourselves as well and it is almost never an issue. You will get a guide when you check in that will list the place to go on the ship to make dining changes (usually you meet with the head waiter at one of the restaurants). GET THERE EARLY (you can usually get on this ship as early as noon) and it shouldn't be an issue... just explain you want a table for two. The head waiters do work off of tips as well so if they start to say that "The ship is full and they don't know if it is possible", I promise that if you slip them $10 or $15 they will make it happen. A simple request has always done the trick for me however. If you are not a fan of the main dining room food (or if you want 2nd dinner one night) you can hit up the buffet, room service or the upcharge restaurant (Sorrento's - good Italian). Yes! It is limited food service (burgers, chicken, hot dogs, salads, etc) but usually pretty yummy. There will also be at least one place on the ship open as well if it isn't what you are in the mood for.

Thought I would bump this topic since this was released today! Woot! Looks like a great game on both the Wii and the DS - the trailer is below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFoUcJWkHic Also - for those of you who never got Robb's last game - A Boy and His Blob - Amazon currently has it for $13.71 new. Really an awesome game and worth it at full price...much less $13 bucks! Congrats Robb on another successful release!

^^ Agreed. I would almost bet that 5 years down the road when Harry Potter starts to lose its luster and the cost to manufacture this special soda (butterbeer) gets too prohibitive it will end up on hiatus as well.

Here is a little article about Green Eggs and Ham being open this summer. Looks like it really is a limited time thing! Not a huge fan of eggs but I think I would have to try it if it is open when I am there. www.examiner.com/orlando-resort-in-orlando/green-eggs-and-ham-now-open-at-islands-of-adventure

I haven't been on Monarch itself, but I have been on some of its sister ships and to Nassau about 100 times so please ask any extra questions you have as well. Sorry to break it to you, but.... No. The only option (and with a family it isn't going to be very likely) is to try and sneak past the security guards guarding every entrance. Unless you *really* are impressed with waterparks I don't think Atlantis is worth it at all. No and No. There are actually a decent amount of free areas to walk around in Atlantis. Restaurants, shops, main lobby, etc. The casino is not vegas size but pretty decent although the slots were pretty crappy the last time I tried them. Drinks are not going to be free unless you are dropping some decent cash on table games. Food and drinks in Atlantis are RIDICULOUSLY expensive compared to ..well .. really anywhere else on the planet. A simple, crappy turkey sandwich and soda will be in the $17-$18 dollar range. Plan to eat anywhere else but there. There are organized beach activities, DJ, Food,etc...but that is pretty much it. It's one of the smaller private islands but it is pretty well maintained and has a decent beach area. Get off, go explore and if you get bored come back and enjoy your deserted ship. Yup! Windjammer buffet is right near the pool and will have various food options throughout the day. You can eat it there or bring it back to your pool lounge chair. There is also 24 hour a day room service which is free (there is a small late night service fee if you want a 3am burger). A bit more reasonable.. Drink of the day will run you between $5 and $6 as will basic well drinks. Call drinks will be in the $7-8 range and cheap beers and wines in the $5-6. Super premiums of all sorts are also available along with drink specials (buckets of beers, discount martini nights, etc). If you are a soda drinker you should get a soda card which will include unlimited soda at all bars and restaurants for the duration of your cruise. You break even at about 2.5 sodas a day. This will be a great intro cruise for you to get hooked on. Then you can try some of the bigger and better ships out there in the future. I'm sure you will have fun!

Awesome TR as always Chuck! Was the Raging Bull keychain a mistake or were there a whole rack of "miss-matched" coaster keychains?

Was the green egg and ham stand open when you were there? I haven't seen it actually open for years!

Awesome PTR! I don't think I would be able to Bungee off of something that high unless it was for something like "The Amazing Race". Just out of curiosity - how much does it cost to do one of these super high bungees?

^ I actually am! I think its nice to have something different (like a magician) to offer attendees. Plus, I really enjoy Brians act - if you haven't seen him before I would recommend searching for "Scam School" on youtube to get a good feel for his style.

^ they seem to be putting more and more stuff up every day but it is all passive. I'm surprised there hasn't been more "solve the puzzle" type things with interactions with the web site, etc. I am curious to see if they link it back to the actual event... it would be awesome if there were things in the houses and scarezones that tied into the storyline.

I'm pretty excited that the Legendary Truth stuff is starting up again. I love ARGs and this could prove interesting - especially with how early it is starting up. I say we start up a Team TPR to figure all the stuff out!

Interesting you guys think its a good deal - its actually a bit higher of a price than I thought it would be. I was hoping for around $120 for the normal FF pass with express and $180 for the one that includes Fridays. If either included parking - it would be a slam dunk for me...but as it is - its a little high.

I really am shocked that the citrus tower is still there! I last went up it 10 years ago or so and back then it *was* still surrounded by citrus groves! Clermont really only "expanded" within the past 6 years or so. I won't ruin the surprise by saying what it is, but please tell me you visited the uuber creepy thing next door!

^^ Only some of the smaller pools are fully heated. I've been on many cruises in January and it really is a 50/50 chance if the ocean is warm enough to swim in. Worse case scenario if no one wants to spend any cash - its fun taking one of the boats over to Atlantis (usually $5pp or so) and then walking around the casino and shops a little. You can then take a taxi back to the main shopping strip area which is within walking distance of the pier. As Elissa said you can hire an independent tour operator to take your group around the island a do a little island tour. Cable Beach is pretty nice and you can swing around the back of the island and do a factory tour at the Bacardi Rum factory which includes lots of free samples . Really - moral of the story is don't do a ship excursion - if you need help planning let us know!

It is an older Carnival ship so you actually have quite a few things going against you. There are no balcony cabins on this ship except for suites - so I would just do an interior and save the cash. As long as you know what you are getting into (a short cruise in a second tier "party" market on one of their older ships) you will be OK. Just please, please, PLEASE don't assume that all cruising is like what you are going to experience. Like all travel, cruising is what you make of it - if you go in with lower expectations and a chill and relaxed attitude, I am sure you will have a good time. Like Elissa said, Cruising is *always* better than work..