Universal Studios Orlando - Mardi Gras 2017

We had a wonderful girls trip to Universal Studios Orlando.  The four of us (grown daughter, 2 granddaughters & myself), were also celebrating my Older granddaughter Brooke's 18th Birthday and senior year of high school, my younger granddaughter's last year of elementary school before she graduates to Middle School and my only daughter's 38th birthday.  Since my older granddaughter leaves for college in the fall, it will become increasingly more difficult to plan these trips together.

We have been to Disney & Universal numerous times during the last 10 years but the last time the four of us visited the parks at the same times was Mardi Gras 2008.  WOW! They have grown into beautiful women!

We chose to stay at an on-site hotel this time, Cabana Bay Beach Resort.  The complimentary shuttle service from hotel to the park made our stay convenient.  Once we parked our car, it didn't move until we were ready to leave.  It also gave us the additional benefit of early entrance to park, giving us  an opportunity to ride the popular Harry Potter ride a few times each day before the wait times became too long. If Harry Potter is not high on your list of priorities, I would stay off site.

The Cabana Bay Beach Resort was very nice.  We had a poolside room with a wonderful view of the enormous water/pool areas.  The pool included sandy beach areas and a lazy river.  I was a little disappointed there wasn't a hot tub :(  The restaurant setup was very similar to the Disney resorts, including the food choices and the optional refillable mugs for purchase.  The refillable mug could only be used at the resort.  A separate mug had to be purchased at the amusement park if you wanted soda.  Our favorite food choices at the resort was the pizza, salad bar and Starbucks.

Things I would do differently:

• I don't know if I would stay on the grounds again, the benefits are not as great as Disney.  
• I would pack sandwiches for lunch.  My girls are picky eaters and weren't thrilled with the quick service choices
• 2 days were enough, we should have used the 3rd day at Disney.

Romantic weekend Orange Beach

Hubby and I spent two nights at Orange Beach, Alabama over Valentines weekend 2017.  We checked in and were treated to absolutely beautiful weather both days.  We quickly settled into our room while drooling at the beautiful beach below.

We had drinks & s light lunch at LuLu's while watching the Sunday afternoon boaters pass by.

It was nice to see the beach without the beach chair rentals normally lined up and down the area.  As we took several long walks, we found the sand sprinkled with colorful seashells and sand dollars.

At the end of the evening we were treated with amazing sunsets.

At night we turned off the a/c and opened the balcony door, it was breezy and the sounds of the waves lulled us to sleep.

We began each morning with a sunrise walk along the beach while searching for new treasures.  

We found more sand dollars than I have ever seen.

For lunch on our last day, we ate at Duck's Diner.  We both ordered Salisbury steak, with mashed potatoes, purple hull peas, greens, cornbread and sweet tea. It was delicious! We will return.

Romance in Orange Beach

We have a wonderful two night trip planned in Orange Beach, Alabama.  We will be staying at the Hampton Inn directly on the Gulf of Mexico.  Stay tuned for upcoming reviews!