- May 13, 2011
- 102 Comments
- Sponsored
Universal Orlando Resort: We are going to there and you can too!
*Winner update! Lovely the lovely Michlelle of Falafel and the Bee (commenter#16) and the fabulous Carina of The Jet Set (commenter #39) are my lucky winners!
Thank you EVERYONE for your participation… and patience with my delayed announcement. Of course I wanted everyone to win, but had I sent 100 “you win” emails, that would have caused some problems. Ya’ll are great and winners to me… But for now, let’s cheer for Michelle and Carina as they celebrate their GREAT news!!!
************
I AM SO EXCITED.
Sorry for the all caps.
No I’m not.
I AM SO EXCITED!!!
So, my family and I will soon be off to…
I am excited for a couple reasons:
- I have not been to a Universal park since I was able to count my age on one hand… or maybe 3 hands. Um, yeah… a looooong time.
- We (le family) haven’t been away together for a good escape (besides a long weekend camping, etc..) since… before Lucy was born. In fact, I was pregnant with Lucy. So… over 6 years.
- Life has been desperately busy. We need to get away from the laundry and chores and errands and make some fun memories, yo.
- You chose for us to eat at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendus for lunch and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville for dinner! I LOVE food!
*insert happy mama here*
- AND… If you read this post here, you may have seen I was asking for your vote on helping us choose some of our adventure. Well, it looks like, per your input… we will definitely be riding The Incredible Hulk coaster and The Revenge of the Mummy! But to be completely honest here… I fully intend to ride them all. Unless my tummy overrides my intent.
Did I ever tell you my husband’s and my first date was bungee jumping?
Do you remember when Laurie (Tip Junkie) and I rode a zip line last summer?
She hit a guy and I got it on video.
In short, I am pretty adventurous. Big, bad g-force? BRING IT. Plus, the thought of Universal and escaping to warm weather makes me feel all brave and silly and stuff.
P.S. That Laurie is going to be there too. I feel some good video footage coming on!!!
Aaaaaaanywho.
Enough about me. WHAT ABOUT YOU?!
What is in this for YOU?
I wouldn’t go on and on and on and on about something like this unless there was a way I could share the Awesome… I am giving away two (2) four packs of two-day, two-park tickets to Universal Orlando Resort! Ride The Incredible Hulk Coaster yourself!
I repeat: I am giving away two (2) four packs of two-day, two-park tickets to Universal Orlando Resort! I know everybody is jonesin’ for some Wizarding World of Harry Potter… or us old school peeps – JAWS! Each four-pack is valued at $539.96.
How do you enter to win? In the comments answer this question:
How long has it been since you have been able to escape… to take a vacation?
Rules and such:
- One entry per person (one comment please!).
- Entrants must U.S. resident, and 18 years old or older.
- Tickets will be mailed on or after June 11, 2011, and will be valid until June 11, 2012.
- Contest ends Monday, June 6, 2011.
- I will choose the 2 winners via random.org on June 7, 2011.
- Please read the official terms and conditions… for more detailed information.
This giveaway is in partnership with Universal Orlando Resort. This upcoming trip to Universal is part of a compensated Universal Orlando Resort press trip… meaning flight, lodging and entertainment expenses are covered by them. The FUN??? … me and my Family On the Spot will cover that, ya’ll!
P.S. Tip Junkie has the cutest Universal Studios countdown calendar EVER! Check it out here!
********
Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!
Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!
102 Responses to “Universal Orlando Resort: We are going to there and you can too!”
Use the Form Below to Leave a Reply
A real vacation? my honeymoon in 2001 (i’m now divorcing, lol…). I’ve never been to Universal Studios, and i would love to take MY almost-9 year old.
Thanks for the laughs, and the chance to win such a great prize!!
Oh my Nelly….it has been 10 years this June. Our last vacation was June of 2002 when we left Cali for the big ol state of Texas and stopped at Dineyland for a couple of days before the big drive. My soon to be 13 year old boys (June 25 is their celebration into teenhood) would love a trip to universal and all it’s greatness!
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had a vacation. Would love some Universal passes.
OMG. No way!
I was just in NOLA for Mom2.0 – I guess that was a “vacation” – it was nice to get away from everyday life with three kids.
My family & I used to go to the Gulf every year. But we haven’t been all together (huge extended family & all) since I was a teenager — and I’m almost 30! We are going in June with cousins & everybody’s kids… Universal would make an excellent extension to our trip!! Have fun!
I went on a super fun vacation last summer and this summer we’ve got a family trip planned to…ORLANDO. You have no idea how awesome it would be if we won these!
Its been 4yrs since we had a vacation, Whats funny is our last vacation was at Universal/Islands of adventure Thanks 4 the chance 2 win
ummm….my daughter is 14 months so i say it’s been about 14 months?
Humm… the last time I was on vacation of any kind was in 2005. After a very long summer of planning not one but 2! weddings with my children. After all was said and done our entire family went to Hawaii for 10 day. An let me tell you it was just fab-bulous!!!
Wow, good question. My daughter is 3 years old, so it’s been a very long time. The last “real” trip my husband and I took was in May 2007 when we went to Berlin and Prague. It was so nice – I miss being able to take those kinds of trips! We’ve taken trips with our daughter since then, but the nature of the trips has definitely changed!
Don’t know. Hafta put too much thought into it and can’t because I’m really getting distracted and can’t get past the daydreaming that goes along with that thought…
but oh golly, big YAY! ENJOY Orlando Ingram family!
Great giveaway! We will actually be in Orlando to do the Disney thang mid June! Would love to add this to the fun!!
The last time we had a vacation…. um…. uh…. er…. *scratches head*… geez, I can’t even remember!
The Lazy Mom wuz here.
http://www.imalazymom.com
I haven’t been to Universal Orlando since 2001! Which, if I win this, would make a great “decade” trip! Hope I win.
Would love to win! Fun place to visit.
Lovely question to ask! The last time my family had an honest-to-goodness vacation when we got to go out of state (not a trip an hour away for a week’s stay!) was in 2002, when we drove from FL to TX , and had a 2.5 weeks vacation —hubby, son, and I! We’d love to go to Universal, we’ve never been there!!!
Vacation? WHAT’S THAT???
My family and I usually take a trip to see my folks in NJ (the anti-vacation) once a year, but we haven’t even had the money to do it in two years:(
We would so appreciate a trip together.
Fantastic giveaway!
~Michelle
Hmm . . . it’s been about 12 years since we’ve had a real vacation. Would love to be able to take a trip like this with the chickadees! What fun!
We went on our first vacation in 13 years last year. It was short but really fun. Would love to win these so we can go to Universal!
We haven’t been on an official vacation in a few years. ( I don’t count visiting our in-laws and relatives a couple states away!) I’d LOVE to take the kids to Universal Orlando since I was too ill to go on our planned vacation last year. This would make our decade! Thanks!
Get. Out. Of. Town.
My hubs and I were just drooling *last night* over Orlando and Universal. I am not even lying to you! We have not taken a just-us-extended-vacay since our Honeymoon two years ago. We’re just a-itchin’ to get outta town!
Thanks, Jenny-on-the-Spot!
Well we just got back from a trip last night, but I would LOVE to go on another…especially one that is partically free. So pick me pick me!
We go to Orlando in the summers so my husband can work “over” full time at Disney to get his “Disney” fix. Soooo…my 4 kids and I never have anything to do but hang out because everything is so expensive. We would love to have tickets to universal! We could actually afford to by one extra ticket at that point. I have four diehard Harry Potter fans! As for my last vacation?….I would say at Christmas when we stayed in Orlando for my husband to get his “working at Disney during Christmas” fix!
We just got away during Spring Break- but I do not know how relaxing it was with 3 kids. I got one hour to read a book that week- that was relaxing. My boys are huge Harry Potter fans and have been watching the commercials.
A family vacation without all the inlaws and extended family. That would be 2005 ! We have never been to Universal and we only live 2 hours away! That’s some sort of crime isn’t it. Yep! My kids would love to go and it would be a much needed escape!
How awesome is this? Honestly we were at Disney in March but we are going back to Orlando this fall. This would be perfect!
Ahhhh… awesome giveaway! We used to have annual passes, but had to give them up due to the “economess”! Our last escape was camping back in March, while I adore camping with my family, I know they’d LOVE to hit Universal again!
Wowie, wow, WOW! What a great giveaway. The last time I was at Universal Studio’s I was 7 months pregnant with my daughter. She’s now 8 years old! My son is almost 13 and they both ask constantly when we can go to Disney & Universal. I’d be MOTY if I won.
PICK ME!
We went to Florida last year and had a BLAST but now the kids are older and are ADDICTED to roller coasters AND Harry Potter so Universal is our next stop!
I have somehow managed to allow our annual family vacation to be hijacked by a conference for work. The kid and husband go play in the sun while I sit through hours and hours of meetings. It’s cruel and unusual, but it does make the trip affordable.
Admittedly we go to the beach every year….with my mom and my brother’s family and my cousin’s family and…you get the idea.
Now I also have to admit I DID get down to Disney the last 2 years with the immediate fam for about 3 days of fun. AND, full disclosure, I have to admit I spent a 1/2 day on that last Disney trip at Islands of Adventure because my girls are TOTAL FREAKS about Harry Potter. So basically we saw Harry Potter and Seuss Landing and that’s about it.
Greedy? Maybe, but I gotta try and get back down there so that I can check out the rest of Islands of Adventure AND the whole other Universal Park!! Also, I need to stock up on Bertie Botts beans because one bag simply didn’t have enough booger, dirt, and puke beans in them to satisfy my dysfunctional children.
So I hope all that doesn’t ruin my random chance at winning!!
Wow! Thanks for a great contest!
We’ve only taken small day-trips with the kids. We would LOVE to be able to take the kids to Orlando (Disney, Universal, etc.)!
It’s been 12 years since we’ve had a vacation longer than a three day weekend! We would love the opportunity to travel as a family.
Our last true family vacation was in 2000 I think. We’ve taken several trips but they weren’t family vacations or for fun.
A 3 day trip (total time from beginning to end including travel) to England with my dad and my 3 year old to look at family tree stuff isn’t quite the same!
Vacations? Can’t afford them! (And despite my prayers, free ones don’t fall from the sky.) Last one was 6 years ago, pre-baby and pre-mortgage, but warm sun and sand feature prominently in my dreams.
We went to Gatlinburg last fall, but this is local and almost doesn’t count!! No sand in my toes since 2004!!
pick me!!
A real vacation??? Not like a mental vacation to Starbucks (alone) or wandering through Target (alone and completely zoning out)… a VERY long time. Our last vacation… that involved an airplane was in 2007. Alas, a vacation, a real vacation seems to be only in my daydreams at this point. Enjoy your trip, and please try some butter beer!!
Omg Jenny?!! Are you for real? Seriously? I would love love to win! Last year we went to Disney however it was ruined by whining 3yo that wanted to do all the rides and he couldn’t because he was not big enough! We would to do a re-do! Get him on the hulk ride would be so awesome! Have fun u guys! Mwah
Let’s see… Our last vaca all together would have been in 2009. We have gone camping around here (Seattle) with our friends but really that’s not a vaca! I need warmth on my face and someone to make my bed… that’s a vacation!
You guys have fun!!!
A vacation with my family? Our whole family? Uhm. Never. I’ve been places with the kids, but never all of us together. DH and I were able to get away for a night six months ago, does that count?
Great giveaway!
A VACATION?! To just have fun and relax? With my family, February 2008; with friends, never. And if I win this, that is who I will have to take. Some of my closest girlfriends for some major bonding time.
Together as a family a little over three years.
My daughter although not little anymore wants to see the Harry Potter thing more than anything.
I of course will sacrifice my eekieness for rides to make this dream of hers happen.
I win!
Luckily we get to go travel and visit family in cool locations, but always with family. It would be awesome for us to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We are huge fans!
Does vacationing with my in-laws count? We went on a cruise with them last year, but we haven’t had a vacation for just the two of us since our honeymoon. Would love to go to Universal!
Most of our vacations end up being to see family – this would be a vacation for a TRUE HARRY POTTER FANATIC FAMILY! Don’t let those other muggles win – the “cup” should pick us!
It’s been years since my family and I had a “real” vacation. With lay-offs and living paycheck to paycheck, we would really love to win these tickets and take our kids on a true vacation with lots of fun. Thanks for the opportunity.
Oh, what fun! You are going to have a blast!
I’d love to win!!! The last time we took a vacation was two years ago! We are definitely overdue for a getaway!
The last time we had a real time to relax a.k.a. a real vacation was our honeymoon in Vegas 5 years ago. It would be fantastic to win this and take a real trip!
Well, I actually just escaped by myself last week to Palm Springs with some girlfriends…but we haven’t been on any vacation together, except for a roadtrip(which is hard to count), in about 5 years! With a family of 7, vacations aren’t the priority, but I wish it was! Ha!
I haven’t had a real vacation since before I started blogging 3 1/2 years ago! Since then, according to my husband, I’m always working even when I should be relaxing! If I win I’ll have a great time but will probably still blog about my trip because how could I not???
And just a tip- get the frozen Butter Beer at HP Wizarding World! Totally divine on a hot day!
A vacation, what’s that?? Love taking the kids on vacation, we went about a year ago to Myrtle Beach, but parents of little ones know that it’s not really a vacation, nonetheless we love our little ones and the memories we make when we go away from home. Hubby is a HUGE coaster fan so these tickets would be awesome for our family!!!
We went Disney last year, but were unable to afford the whole Universal trip too. I have 2 huge superhero and Harry Potter obsessed boys and including me, 2 rollercoaster obsessed parents who would love a shot at a vacation in the sun.
Hey… I came over from SMM on Face Book.
Oh, Jenny…. this looks FANTASTIC! I would love to win.
Hope you had an awesome time!!!
It has been a while since we had a real vacation. At least two years.
We did take our kids to Orlando last year so they had a real vacation!
Um…. Never? We have never taken a family vacation
we desperately need one.
We took our first ever family vacation last year to Disney World, but I still worked in the afternoons and evenings. My oldest will be 14 in a few months and I want to get as much travel in as I can before he gets too old and “cool” to enjoy hanging with the fam!
I love your blog and no I didn’t know your first date wasbungee jumping. So funny! anyways I am supersad this isn’t open to Canada too. Oh well. Cheers and have fun gforce huh? Eek!
Paula
@inkscrblr
We went away for spring break but my husband had to stay home to work. I can’t remember the last time he had a day off!
I was in New Orleans for Mom 2.0, as well as brand trips, but we haven’t been to Universal since August ’07, when my four-year-old was merely seven-months-old. My kids have been DYING to go back to ride the Hulk ride now that they’re big enough!!! My hubs is a huge comic book fan
My daughter wants to go to Orlando so much! It has been almost 4 years since we have gone on a family trip.
Our last real vacation was nearly 6 years ago, before our son was born. We’ve had mini-trips and visits to family in other states, but something like Disney for us has been 7 1/2 years ago. And what’s best? Our son ADORES everything HULK. We would be in Disney/Hulk heaven. Thanks for the chance!
I am dying to take my nephew to Harry Potter world for his 10th birthday.
Whoa how awesome is this!!?! We took a family vacation with our 15 month old last year to Orlando. We stayed with friends and only did one day at a park but it was such a BLAST. I would love to go again next year with our son and his new baby brother! Great contest.
oh my goodness, what fun! My husband and I try to make time to get away when we can, so last year we went for a week long stay at a hotel on the beach. It was relaxing and I, being 8 months pregnant with our daughter, needed the time spent with my husband enjoying a few days together.
We would love to be able to take our next two-some vacation to Orlando if we win! My mother is looking for a way for us to leave the baby with her for a week anyway!
Is it wrong to admit that the last getaway I had was in February to Disney World? We had to drive (ugh) but besides that, it was an incredible trip. So don’t hate me. Just give me another reason to drive back to Florida.
It has been a while for an actual vacation for the family. I was out of work the last 2 years so vacations were out of the question. Hopefully we can go soon. How exciting it would be to go to Universal Studios!!
How wonderful it would be to get away as a family….it has been a long time since we have been able to do a fun holiday together!!
The last vacation I took was my honeymoon two years ago, I’m afraid I’m going to be saying that for a long time only it’ll change to “three years ago, four years ago, ten years ago”! Would love to go to Universal!
My wife and I try to get away at least once a year for a weekend. But, the family? We have never really been on a family vacation. EVER. Our dream is to take our little ones on a vacation like this!
My last “real” vacation sadly was sans family. My high school girlfriends graciously helped me come with them to Disneyland in 2009. But I would totally love to actually take my family with me! And not have it be a family visiting related trip…
Uhhhhh…..I can’t recall when the last time I was able to just escape…take a vacation. Meetin’ up w/ parents so they can see their grandkids doesn’t count right? PICK ME, (my hand raised as high as it can go) my daughter and have never been to Florida let alone the Universal Orlando resort. We would have loads of FUN!!!!!
My last vacation was my honeymoon in June of 2009. Since then I have no cash!
I feel guilty saying this, but my husband and I actually got to escape in March…to Puerto Rico! For a whole week, even! BUT…it’s been ages since we’ve been able to take all five of our kids somewhere, especially because of the cost. I would love to win this prize and offset the cost of taking our whole family somewhere. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Vacation? What’s a vacation? We haven’t been on a vacation since 2007 (Williamsburg, VA) and that was cut short by a death in the family.
Universal would be amazing!
Heather
The last real family vacation we had, was…. wait, I don’t think we have ever had one yet! However, we are leaving for Disney World on June the 10th for our very first. My son is 9 and can’t wait… to visit Harry Potter land at Universal. After we have reserved 6 days at Disney, the only thing my child wants to do is go to Universal…. guess I should have included him more in the planning. I would love to win these tickets to truly fulfill my son’s vacation dream.
About five years. Since I got pregnant with our precious daughter. It’s been too way too long and my hubby and I love Universal and my girl has yet to go … *crossing fingers*
Not since Austin was 4. We went in November and he was in the hospital that February. We have not been able to go back since and we promised him when he was tall enough to ride all the rides……
My husband and I went to Hawaii to get married last October, but before that it’s been years since we’ve been able to go away together. Since then, we have become grandparents (at 32 and 37 years old) and our whole family could really use it!
Vacation? hmm?
I am lucky enough to hit the beach for a week with my family every summer, but the last vacation with something more than a beach chair & old movies was my honeymoon five years ago.
egads!
Thanks for the giveaway! I would LOOOOOVE to take my boys to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! You are so lucky!
With 4 kids and a recent move, our vacations have been limited to day trips lately. Our last vacation was a trip to DisneyWorld 2 years ago – Would love to go to Universal and visit Harry Potter! Saving up for that trip.
Kids never been
Oh my goodness…this is such an awesome giveaway!! Umm…it’s been about two years since we’ve taken a real vacation. We’ve done a few weekend trips here and there but we are actually going on at least a week-long trip to Colorado this summer. I’m super excited about it, too! July can’t get here fast enough!!!!
Oh My Gosh! We are going to Disney over the Christmas holiday and would love to extend our trip with two days at Universal!!!
My last vacation was, um, let’s see… If you don’t count the 5-day stretch last year when the hubs and I drove to Tennessee to retrieve our 14-year-old son from his grandparents, my last vacation was, um, let’s see… In 2006 I was between jobs and took a few days to visit some friends and family, then I moved to a new city and started a new job. I haven’t really taken a vacation while at this job. I’d love the opportunity to rectify that.
The last time I had time to vacation…um….um…still thinking…um…LOL! I have only really done mini-vacays for the last few years. I think the last real vacation I had was in Charleston, SC around 6 years ago!
It hasn’t been that long since I went on a trip, but I always go by myself. I still consider myself fortunate that I *do* get to take trips, but a four-pack is like a DREAM because I’d actually be able to take some of my family & friends for once (they are scattered all over the U.S.)! I’ve held off on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter because I want to experience it WITH people who will be as dorkyhappy when they see it as I will be! Awesome contest and GREAT question, btw.
My hubby and I got away earlier this year, but we haven’t done a REAL family vacation in years (unless you count visiting Grandparents…nah!!) Would LOVE to surprise my kids with this!!!
Early this year, but I’d love to bring my family and friends to Universal.
Luckily it hasn’t been that long since we went away. My in-laws took us to Puerto Vallarta in January. But we are both teachers, and broke. There will be no vaca this summer.
A family vacation? Way too long! Best part about this giveaway? We *might* be in the Orlando area soon!
The last time we vacationed was right before we made our move from Hawaii to the East Coast (boo!) and we took a hopper flight to Maui. It was nice, but the twins were super young – so it did limit things a bit. Jordan is dying to go to the Harry Potter part of Universal. And truth be told – Craig is too – he’s a huge Harry Potter nerd….I mean fan.
what an awesome giveaway you have here! i have terrible luck with contests, but i’ll give it a shot anyways.
how long has it been since i was able to escape on a vacation? well, back in 9th grade I went on a choir-related trip to europe. ten years ago.
other than that, short of day trips to the local beach, i haven’t had a vacation. uh, boring much?
Well, we did manage to escape over Spring Break for a 2 day jaunt at Disneyland. I suppose that counts. But other than that, our last REAL vaction was 8 years ago – Vegas/Disney combo. If you were selecting based on merit I could give some fabulous reasons why we should win. But seeins how it is random and all, I’ll just say… Puh-Leeese pick me Mr. Randomizer!
)
We just had a vacation if you want to call it that. It entailed taking the youngest to drop off at college and then hubby and I went to the beach for 4 days. Would LOVE to go back to Universal, it has been 6 or 7 years at least!
Pick me, pick me! Oh, and did I mention hubby and I will be celebrating 30 years of marriage later this month?
Bernice
I have been married 16 years, 3 kids and no honeymoon, this would be awesome to win.
Wow…a vacation with just my family…I think it was in 2007 that we snuck away just the 4 of us and went on a cruise. I adore moments with just my husband and 2 kids. They are my world. But, we rarely every get those moments. Plus…I’ve NEVER been to Universal Studios! Never ever! Ever!
We’ve not yet had a family vacation since our youngest child completed our family. Now that she’s 2 it’s time to enjoy a trip together.
Okay leaving my comment- because I saw what fun your family was having and would love to get in on some of that!
Pick me! Pick me! : )
xoxo
Denise
The last grab the kids get outa town whoa nelly good times was…… huh? lol long time…..
Pick me pick her!
I didn’t really get to go on an official honeymoon (we just went to the Oregon Coast for a few days, cuz we wuz po’ then). But if I could have gone ANYWHERE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD it would have been Disney World!!!!!!!!!!! NO JOKE!! And it’s also no joke that I’ve never EVER been there in my WHOLE life (all 43 years of it)! So I really REALLY hope I’ll win this thing! Thank you for your time and for your lovely blog. (Yes, I really do think it’s lovely!)
[...] are the two very happy winners from my Universal Orlando Resort giveaway! Congrats Carina and Michelle! SO [...]
[...] [...]