Laughing Lindsay

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Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort Review

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Back in December, my mom and I spent a night at Universal’s Loews Royal Pacific Resort while visiting Universal Orlando Resort. It was our first time staying in a Signature Collection Hotel at UO and it did not disappoint.

Royal Pacific Resort

Royal Pacific Resort

The last night of our stay at Universal Orlando Resort in December, we switched from Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites to Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This was our first time staying at a “Signature Collection Hotel“. It was also our first time getting the Universal Express Unlimited pass since it’s included with a stay here! The price difference this trip was worth it for both of us to skip the lines!

One of the other perks of staying at Royal Pacific Resort is supposed to be the ability to ride the boat over to the theme parks. Unfortunately, the boat dock was being refurbished during our stay and we weren’t notified until we checked in. So, we were disappointed to discover that we couldn’t enjoy this amenity on our trip. We were pleased to discover that there was a walkway to the parks, which is a huge advantage over the values. It is a bit of a hike, but we were told it was quicker than waiting for a bus. So, we walked each time.

Upon entering this hotel, I realized that we were staying somewhere really nice. We loved the island theming as it’s very relaxing. I enjoyed the laid back vibes that counterbalanced the rush of visiting theme parks. We also appreciated that this hotel houses everything indoors, so we didn’t have to worry about walking with luggage in the weather!

Standard Room

Perhaps it’s because we had just spent 3 nights in the value hotels or perhaps this resort is just really nice! Either way, we had a very comfortable stay at the Royal Pacific Resort. The room was much quieter than at Surfside or Dockside. In fact, we both slept great! The beds were comfortable. The shower tile and bathroom vanity took the room up a notch. Even though it’s a standard room, there was more than enough room for the two of us.

Royal Pacific Food

One of my favorite things about traveling is trying new foods. So, I was happy to discover how good the food at Royal Pacific is! I enjoyed the Tuk Tarts from Tuk Tuk Market. I’ve also heard great things about the luau they host on Saturday nights. Unfortunately, we were staying here on a Monday night and didn’t get to experience it.

The standout dining experience of this trip was the Islands Dining Room. We had breakfast here both mornings and enjoyed it each time. The first morning, we got the buffet. The second day I got Hawaiian Pancakes while my mom got Tahitian French Toast. We were very pleased with our meals here! Everything tasted fresh and delicious! You can see the food in my Instagram post below.

Overall Review

I think you can probably tell that I enjoyed my stay at Royal Pacific Resort. In fact, it’s currently my favorite Universal Orlando Resort. I should be staying at two other UO hotels soon, so stay tuned to see if it remains that way. Have you ever stayed here? What did you think?

Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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Earlier this month, I visited Tampa, Florida for the first time with my mom. While there, we were lucky enough to experience Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Today, I’m going to give you my review of this fun event!

Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa

Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa

Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a seasonal event held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from mid-January to early March. It includes special food items and entertainment! We visited the park on Sunday and Monday. I can honestly say that the park felt like it was missing something on Monday without the event going on. So, I definitely think it’s worth it to visit when a seasonal event is going on.

Event Special Food

One of the biggest pros of attending during a special event at the park is the additional food options. Personally, I found the park to be lacking in the food department. The park mainly offers chicken tenders, hamburgers, and pizza at its restaurants. So, the addition of the event food booths really gave the park some much needed food diversity.

We purchased an event food and beverage sampler for our visit. It was worth it as the food was a little pricey at the booths when purchased individually. Plus, the sample sizes were pretty small. So, it was easy to eat a whole card’s worth between the two of us. I also appreciated that the booths opened around noon, instead of later in the evening unlike SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas event did last year.

The food options were mostly good. I liked the sausage Po’ Boy, even though it had a bit of a kick. It was too spicy for my mom. She preferred the jambalaya. We both liked the muffuletta, but thought the sandwich was really small. We tried most of the desserts with varying degrees of success. The beignets were undercooked and doughy. The cupcakes sounded exciting, but the flavors didn’t exactly match the given descriptions. They tasted good, but didn’t match expectations.

Mardi Gras Entertainment

We were able to experience all three entertainment add-ons for Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. First, we listened to the Sweet Beignet Brass Band while enjoying our food. It was nice to listen to as we relaxed in the middle of a busy theme park day. Then, later in the day we caught the parade. Having experienced Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando though, this parade was just ok. It began with a guy on a decorated bike and two ladies carrying a sign. Then, some people on stilts came through as well as the band. So, it was fun, but we were used to floats.

Immediately following the parade, three ladies got up on the “Bead Balcony” and tossed beads out to the crowd. This seemed slightly dangerous as everyone is going for a few beads. My mom and I managed to grab a few beads and then quit.

Overall Impressions

I think that Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay really adds something to the park. It gives much needed additional food options as well as entertainment. However, you may be a touch disappointed if you go in expecting the caliber of another theme park’s event. Keep your expectations in check and be careful catching beads and you’ll have a great time.

Sharks Underwater Grill at SeaWorld Orlando Review

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Last month, while visiting SeaWorld Orlando for the Christmas season, my mom and I ate lunch at Sharks Underwater Grill. Today I am going to give you a review of this experience.

Sharks Underwater Grill

Sharks Underwater Grill

Sharks Underwater Grill is the only full-service restaurant at SeaWorld Orlando. The park is filled with several quick food options, but this is your only option for a sit-down meal in the park. It’s odd to me though that you can’t make dining reservations in advance. In fact, I consider this the biggest downside of eating here. The only way you can get a table here is by joining the walk-up wait list in person. That means your wait can be short, but often it’s a long one. So, if you know you want to eat here, I recommend joining the list as soon as it opens at 11 AM.

My mom and I attempted to eat here back on September trip. However, the waitlist was too long. On our December trip, we headed over right at lunchtime and were surprisingly seated within 10 minutes! So, it pays to be there right when they open.

Eat with Sharks

When you enter the restaurant, you are immediately greeted by a huge aquarium filled with various fish and sharks! I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the restaurant as there are several windows and lots to see. It’s definitely a unique experience to be able to eat a meal while a hammerhead sharks swims by! I took lots of photos of the fish and sharks, which you can see in my Instagram post below.

The Food

My mom and I chose to order off of the special holiday menu while dining here. The last three pictures of my Instagram post above are of our food. I enjoyed the three cheese lobster mac and cheese, which was $19. Granted, it’s a little pricey here, but you are getting a unique meal experience, that’s more than just good food. I really liked my dish, although it was a small portion.

My mom got the bourbon vanilla glazed smoked ham with candied yams, green beans, and candied relish for $32. She enjoyed her ham and yams! She was happy to have ham as we had just had a bunch of turkey at Thanksgiving.

Then, we split the doughnut cinnamon sugar bread pudding for dessert at $13! I loved the presentation of this dessert with the sugar work on top! I know that it is difficult to make and would never attempt it. Ha! It also was a nice sweet flavor to contradict the cherry compote. We also enjoyed the combination of cinnamon sugar and caramel! It was a tasty treat for sure!

Conclusion

Sharks Underwater Grill makes for a fun and memorable dining experience. However, you do have to get on the waitlist in person. It can also be a little pricey. I’d say it’s a must do for any shark fan or if you want a more relaxing meal without leaving the park. If you are in a rush to get to the next show or ride, then I’d say just grab some food elsewhere. It may also be best to eat elsewhere if you are on a tight budget.

Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge TN Lodge Review

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Last year, I stayed at The Lodge at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge in Tennessee with my mom for two nights. Having stayed at and written about the resort in Gatlinburg as well as the Inn in Pigeon Forge previously, I thought we might enjoy this one as well. Plus, with it being newer, it had some great rates!

Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge

Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge

Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is technically an RV Resort with a Lodge! I don’t own an RV, so I can’t speak to those aspects of the place. However, it did look like a nice and calm place while I was there. It also appeared that there was lots to do, particularly during warmer months! From outdoor games to a lazy river, there’s lots to keep you entertained here.

The location of this resort is ideal for going to either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. In fact, it would be perfect to head one direction one day and the other direction another day. It’s actually at the very end of Pigeon Forge, before you head into the woods towards Gatlinburg. It can be a little difficult to find in the dark the first time though as it’s off the main road.

The Lodge

As I said in my previous Margaritaville property reviews, my mom grew up at the beach and loves that vibe. So, we enjoy visiting these places when we can. Personally, I really like that each one features a soothing turquoise in their color palettes. I think that this new Camp Margaritaville theme makes it an even better fit for this area as it makes it more outdoorsy. I think it would be great to return for a summer stay here.

The Standard Room

We found our room to be more than adequate in terms of size. In fact, it felt huge with lots of extra room! The beds were comfortable enough and I loved the decor. I liked the shower, but was disappointed to discover that there wasn’t a shower shelf! I also would have like more towel hooks to hang our towels on. In that sense, it seemed like it had just opened and was missing a few touches.

Another thing that I was disappointed with was the loud music. I know they are trying to set a relaxing/party mood here. However, I don’t need to hear the hallway or outdoor music from my bed. When the air wasn’t on, I could hear the music being played while trying to sleep. It wasn’t obnoxiously loud, but it could be heard. Perhaps, it was the location of our room that allowed me to hear the music as we were at the end of the hallway near the elevator.

Overall

In conclusion, we had a nice stay at The Lodge at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge. I loved the theme and decor. It’s also in a great location for exploring the area. So, have you stayed here before? What did you think?

What to Pack for a Theme Park

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I know there are probably loads of other posts out there on what to pack for a theme park visit. However, like most things, I believe these lists to be subjective. I also believe we can all learn something from each other. So, I’m sharing the things I take when I visit one!

What to Pack for a Theme Park

What to Pack for a Theme Park

When thinking about what to pack for a theme park, you have to start with the bag itself. I know lots of people like to take a backpack. However, I prefer a crossbody bag because I can see my bag at all times. That way, I don’t have to worry about someone stealing from my bag. Perhaps I’m too careful, but I know thefts still happen on vacation.

The bag in the picture above is a Disney Vera Bradley Crossbody Bag. I purchased it at a VB Outlet store in Pigeon Forge, TN last year. I love that it’s a soft fabric, washable, and that particular pattern features the Walt Disney World castle. I take this bag when I’m visiting Disney parks. This is the second Disney Vera Bradley crossbody bag I’ve owned. The first one was starting to get worn in the crossbody strap, so I replaced it with this one. However, I had carried it for years. In fact, I think I got it about the time I went to Disney Social Media Moms.

Back in 2019, I purchased a black Michael Kors crossbody bag at that same outlet mall in Pigeon Forge, TN. I have been carrying it when I’m not going to Disney. The fabric is not as soft as VB, but it’s holding up well. It’s also stylish no matter what I pair it with.

List of What to Bring

Without further ado, here’s my list of things to pack for a theme park:

  • Sunglasses and/or Hat – I wear glasses, but have several pairs of sunglasses that go over my glasses. In fact, I never leave the house without a pair to protect my eyes. In recent years, I’ve gotten better about protecting my skin by wearing hats too.
  • Poncho – If you are traveling to Florida, you need a poncho. They frequently have short rain showers while remaining hot. So, a light poncho is perfect. Also, you can save several dollars by bringing your own! I also sometimes carry a mini-umbrella if it’s calling for rain.
  • Charger – You will be using your phone to take pictures as well as using the park’s app. It drains your battery quickly. Bring a charger and cord.
  • Wallet – You have to have your tickets/id anyways. I know some parks have gone cashless, but I’m already carrying my bag, so might as well bring my wallet too.
  • Sunblock and bug spray – You need to reapply through the day. I got a brush with powder sunscreen inside the handle last year and like carrying it around.
  • Hand sanitizer – Ideally, you wash your hands before eating. However, at least you can sanitize after riding a ride.
  • Gum – Disney doesn’t sell gum in their parks. So, if you are a gum chewer, bring your own gum.

So, did I forget anything? What do you pack for a theme park?