So late putting this together. We brought covid home with us, and then had the flu, so this is super late.
Our first trip out of state since September 2019. Surfers Paradise has really gone downhill post covid. The service is less, portion cost more (understand) for less food/worse quality. It was good to get a break, but it didn't really float any of our boats. I don't know if or when we will be back. It's usually where we go on the year we don't take the kids overseas.
Stayed at Chevron Renaissance, we love it there.
Vapiano
We used to love it here, but there is really no service left with the new way they are doing things. New QR code card only ordering, really hard to ask questions and order specific things, when we finally got a staff members attention she couldn't do it either, so we left a note under the ordering and the wrong thing came anyway. The complimentary bread I ordered didn't come, and Marks vegan pizza came about 30 minutes after we all finished our meal, I asked to speak with the manager and they didn't give a crap. There was no gf pasta available, except gnocchi. We usually visit a couple times a stay, but we won't be back.
Misono (Teppanyaki)
This was our first meal, and I wanted it to be special, to celebrate leaving Victoria. It was very special. Our chef was funny and talented, he made the kids feel really special too. The food was beautiful, there was so much to eat! We all had the best time, face was hurting for smiling so much.
SeaWorld
There have been some changes that we enjoyed (the jellyfish area!), we usually spend a half day here but we stayed all day. Lots to see and do, thrill rides and baby rides, neither appealed, but we still had the best time. This time it was our favourite park of the three. We spent ages patting the sting rays. The food was terrible, heaven forbid you are gluten free, I ate chips. We stayed at the splash area for ages, Mace loved it, the three of us just watched on the side.
We loved it so much we went back a second day, more splash pad, more sting rays, more chips.
Wet n wild
I read reviews on here post covid before I came, I’m glad
as it lowered my expectations. Wet N Wild is usually my favourite day out in GC, it was awful. Calypso Beach (my main event) was closed, lots of things were closed, it is being run by kids who don't know what they are doing. The toilets were feral, the bin area stank. It was a disaster.
We zipped over to movie world to confirm that we wouldn't need to travel back the next day, it also sucked.
The thing is, these parks are charging full price for 50% of fun. To be honest (if you are Victorian), Gumbuya World is way better than this. If
wet N wild is your driving force to get to the Gold Coast, don’t go.
Sushi train
We love it here, still as good as ever. Lots of variety, the train is fun. Always a good evening out on every front.
Vegan and gf menu is what sold me on this, the yummiest dinner I had on the trip. Service was a bit slow, but friendly
and helpful, good food, big portions.
This place had amazing reviews. Big portions, good food, great service. Definitely worth walking to the island for a yummy breakfast.
Standard burger fare, the burgers were really good, yummy sides and friendly service. We come here every time and it is still good.
There was one other place we went, but it was so bad and over priced, I don't feel comfortable giving such a scathing review.
