Universal Orlando 2017 - Halloween Horror Nights, Day 1

Hello again!  Hope you're doing well.

We had decided after our last trip to Universal Orlando in 2016 that we would go back in 2017 to experience Halloween Horror Nights, and we're really glad we did.

Hurricane Irma was a concern heading into this trip since it stormed through the area just days before our scheduled arrival, but it ended up not impacting our travel.  Hurricane Hermine blew through while we were at Universal the year before, so I guess this was just par for the course.

We landed in Orlando at 4:30, checked in at the Universal desk at the airport, then 5 minutes later we were on the shuttle van to our on-site hotel.  Our shuttle driver was great (didn't get his name), and the check in clerk Nadine-Marie at the hotel was terrific; a great experience overall.

Always have to take a cloud pic

Arriving at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort - one of the on-site hotels available at Universal

Vegetation damage from Hurricane Irma

Most of the damage we saw consisted of a few downed trees, some broken branches, stripped palms and broken bamboo

The bamboo took a beating

Room photos

The room was nice and the bed comfortable

Bathroom

Shower

The view from the room.  The trees clearly had a rough time.

We walked from the hotel to CityWalk after getting checked in at the hotel.

Ah, the "dessert foundry"

Surprisingly, we didn't get anything at the Chocolate Emporium this time

Hmm...

...?

Antojitos = delicious and fun

Blackberry margaritas in red light.  They were good.

Straw!
Put on your 3D glasses now.

Queso fundido.
Wow, I hope they got a deal on the san jamar® handle holder.  

My dinner of Enchiladas Mole was tasty, and the Mariachi band was really good. 

After dinner we walked around CityWalk some more before heading back to the hotel for the night.  The trip was off to a good start!