UKDEB
05-14-2009, 07:59 AM
Sunday, 9th November
I wake in the night. I’m guessing it’s around 3am as six hours is the longest I ever sleep in one stint and, sure enough, I’m right. I manage to dose off after an hour or so, eventually waking at 6.40am. That’s okay, though, because I’m keen to get to Saratoga Springs before 10am to check in. The only keenness Matt manages to muster revolves entirely around staying in bed.
We find ourselves having to physically check out this morning. Our early night last night meant we missed turndown and, more importantly, the two complimentary mini bottles of Fiji, forcing me to crack open one of the $7 bottles in the room. Linda (the same woman who checked us in two days ago) struggles to persuade the computer to add it to the bill. Just as I’m about to suggest that it’s a sign ($7 for a bottle of water?!) she cracks it and we’re walking to the car by 9.10am.
We drive straight to our home DVC resort of Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. We’re anxious to get check in out of the way, besides which we believe we’re more likely to have our requests met by doing so early. We’ve booked a one-bed villa and have requested Grandstand (the newest section and the one at which we’ve stayed previously), and a non-ground floor location at the extreme of a unit (the buildings are all laid out in a squared-off “u” format and those at the "ends", or "tops" if you like, of the "u", don’t overlook other buildings). There’s no line as we enter the Carriage House (Matt mumbles something about everyone else being in bed), but checking in is the most peculiar affair. I’m not sure whether the CM in question is thrown by our accents or is just plain weird, but she has no interest in any kind of interaction, barely speaking two words to us during the entire process, and failing to welcome us home. I ask two questions and receive a nod and a shake of the head respectively. At one point she seems on the verge of cracking a smile, but it's such a fleeting expression, I figure it must be wind. In her favour, she deals with everything at lightening speed and that’s not to be underestimated as it can often be a bit of a drawn out process. She confirms that we’ve been allocated a unit in Grandstand and we’re to call back later for our room number.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/WDW%20Resorts/SSRLobby.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/WDW%20Resorts/SSRCarrHouse.jpg
We hadn’t planned on visiting Premium Outlets this trip, but since our arrival in Orlando, the local news channel has reported the opening of a new annexe and 50 new stores, so we take the short drive there arriving at 9.50am. The parking lot is relatively empty, but there’s a steady stream of cars arriving and a fair few people milling around awaiting the 10am opening time. We’re keen to see the new stores at the back of the complex and head off in that direction. As we pass by, Lucky Brand Stores is just opening its doors (it’s one of the new stores, but located in an existing unit), so we take the opportunity to check it out as I want to look at the baby stuff for our Grandson. The staff congratulates us on being their first customers. I enquire about prizes, but it seems they haven’t thought that far. To my disappointment, I learn that they won’t be getting the kids’ range until next week, but I take a look around anyway and end up buying two vest tops. I like this store – it’s a true bargain outlet, unlike some others which are barely discounted. Lucky is expensive at full retail prices and my purchases are down to $14.99 each from $44.95 and $29.95 respectively, plus they have a permanent “buy one, get second 50% off” promotion on almost all merchandise. Lucky! (See what I did there?)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/Prem-Outlets-6.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/Prem-Outlets-5.jpg
We carry on, stopping to browse in various stores. We both want some comfortable shoes and I take a look in Skechers, but this is one of those which doesn’t seem that cheap. We buy both Kenny Chesney’s and Brad Paisley’s new albums in Music For A Song. They’re marked at $14.99 each, but we haven’t a clue about the regular price of CDs these days, so don’t know whether or not we’ve scored a bargain. Matt manages to find a pair of trainer-style shoes in the Timberland store for $59.99. They’re not as nice as the Merrills he saw at Mall at Millenia, but, then again, those were well over $100, so he bites the bullet with the Timberlands.
The plan for today was always to make our way to Edwin Watts (albeit for browsing, rather than keeping them in business as we have done on previous trips) then to head to Corona Cigars and Seasons 52 at west Sand Lake Road. We leave Premium Outlets at 11.30am.
Whilst driving around a few days back, we spotted a new store – Golf Galaxy – next to the new Whole Food Markets at the junction of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake Roads, so we decide to check that out before going on to Edwin Watts. As we drive up, though, there’s an “opening soon” sign outside, so it’s clearly not meant to be. Edwin Watts has seen a refit since our last visit in January this year and is sporting a new driving simulator. We spend some time browsing, but leave with just a new Trion-Z bracelet for Matt.
Next up is Corona Cigars at Sand Lake Road. Matt’s jotted down the names of some high-scoring, yet cheap, award winners from Cigar Aficionado magazine and manages to track down a few of them (although not the $5, 94 pointer, which he’s told has been discontinued). He settles for a box of 24 La Gloria Cubana Serie R No 4 which scored a very respectable 90 points. Although this is a huge place, stuffed to the rafters with some pretty impressive cigars, he knows he’ll also want to buy some from Sosa at Downtown Disney, so he leaves it at that.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/sandlakebar.jpg
I’m particularly excited to be visiting Seasons 52 for lunch. [Despite its rave reviews, it had never really appealed, but we found ourselves in the vicinity and at a loose end during our last trip in January and immediately fathomed its popularity. It’s a gorgeous space with just the right combination of glamour and laid-back ease. Notwithstanding its “healthy” tag, the food is tasty and creative.] We elect to sit at the bar which clearly isn’t a popular choice for Sunday lunch as, whilst the restaurant is fairly busy, we’re the only patrons at the bar. The restaurant boasts an award-winning wine list and I waste no time in ordering the ZD chardonnay. Matt has a Sierra Nevada.
(We didn't have the DSLR with us, so the shots aren't great. I'm not quite sure, either, what caused the maniacal look on my face...)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/Seasons-52.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01103.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01102.jpg
We take our time perusing the menu and I eventually settle for two appetisers - Small Plate Baby Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese, Pear and Pine Nuts followed by the Goat Cheese Ravioli in a Tomato Broth with Rosemary and Parmesan Flat Bread. Matt opts for Barbecue Chicken Skewers and Grilled Flank Steak Sandwich. The bartender is working the entire bar area and, on his return from attending to a couple of diners in booths, expresses surprise that our appetisers aren’t out. We’ve been happily chatting away and haven’t noticed an overly long wait. He disappears off to the kitchen and is soon back with them, telling us that they’re on the house. We insist that it isn’t a problem, and that we’re just happy to be sitting there chilling out, but he’s equally insistent that it isn’t up to their usual high standards, so we don’t press the point. I have another glass of the ZD and Matt fancies a shiraz. The bartender recommends a couple – the Woop Woop (Australian) which we’re familiar with and know is at the lower end of the price range, and the Sequillo (South African) which he says is expensive, but worth it. After taking a moment to check the list, Matt decides on something else altogether as the Sequillo isn’t listed as being available by the glass. We’re surprised to learn that, actually, all their wines are available by the glass and even more surprised that there’s no premium (a 175ml glass costs a quarter of the bottle price). I make a mental note to pay attention at other restaurants in a bid to discover if this is usual policy in the US. At home, it’s considerably cheaper to buy by the bottle.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01111.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01110.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01116.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01115.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01114.jpg
I wake in the night. I’m guessing it’s around 3am as six hours is the longest I ever sleep in one stint and, sure enough, I’m right. I manage to dose off after an hour or so, eventually waking at 6.40am. That’s okay, though, because I’m keen to get to Saratoga Springs before 10am to check in. The only keenness Matt manages to muster revolves entirely around staying in bed.
We find ourselves having to physically check out this morning. Our early night last night meant we missed turndown and, more importantly, the two complimentary mini bottles of Fiji, forcing me to crack open one of the $7 bottles in the room. Linda (the same woman who checked us in two days ago) struggles to persuade the computer to add it to the bill. Just as I’m about to suggest that it’s a sign ($7 for a bottle of water?!) she cracks it and we’re walking to the car by 9.10am.
We drive straight to our home DVC resort of Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. We’re anxious to get check in out of the way, besides which we believe we’re more likely to have our requests met by doing so early. We’ve booked a one-bed villa and have requested Grandstand (the newest section and the one at which we’ve stayed previously), and a non-ground floor location at the extreme of a unit (the buildings are all laid out in a squared-off “u” format and those at the "ends", or "tops" if you like, of the "u", don’t overlook other buildings). There’s no line as we enter the Carriage House (Matt mumbles something about everyone else being in bed), but checking in is the most peculiar affair. I’m not sure whether the CM in question is thrown by our accents or is just plain weird, but she has no interest in any kind of interaction, barely speaking two words to us during the entire process, and failing to welcome us home. I ask two questions and receive a nod and a shake of the head respectively. At one point she seems on the verge of cracking a smile, but it's such a fleeting expression, I figure it must be wind. In her favour, she deals with everything at lightening speed and that’s not to be underestimated as it can often be a bit of a drawn out process. She confirms that we’ve been allocated a unit in Grandstand and we’re to call back later for our room number.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/WDW%20Resorts/SSRLobby.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/WDW%20Resorts/SSRCarrHouse.jpg
We hadn’t planned on visiting Premium Outlets this trip, but since our arrival in Orlando, the local news channel has reported the opening of a new annexe and 50 new stores, so we take the short drive there arriving at 9.50am. The parking lot is relatively empty, but there’s a steady stream of cars arriving and a fair few people milling around awaiting the 10am opening time. We’re keen to see the new stores at the back of the complex and head off in that direction. As we pass by, Lucky Brand Stores is just opening its doors (it’s one of the new stores, but located in an existing unit), so we take the opportunity to check it out as I want to look at the baby stuff for our Grandson. The staff congratulates us on being their first customers. I enquire about prizes, but it seems they haven’t thought that far. To my disappointment, I learn that they won’t be getting the kids’ range until next week, but I take a look around anyway and end up buying two vest tops. I like this store – it’s a true bargain outlet, unlike some others which are barely discounted. Lucky is expensive at full retail prices and my purchases are down to $14.99 each from $44.95 and $29.95 respectively, plus they have a permanent “buy one, get second 50% off” promotion on almost all merchandise. Lucky! (See what I did there?)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/Prem-Outlets-6.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/Prem-Outlets-5.jpg
We carry on, stopping to browse in various stores. We both want some comfortable shoes and I take a look in Skechers, but this is one of those which doesn’t seem that cheap. We buy both Kenny Chesney’s and Brad Paisley’s new albums in Music For A Song. They’re marked at $14.99 each, but we haven’t a clue about the regular price of CDs these days, so don’t know whether or not we’ve scored a bargain. Matt manages to find a pair of trainer-style shoes in the Timberland store for $59.99. They’re not as nice as the Merrills he saw at Mall at Millenia, but, then again, those were well over $100, so he bites the bullet with the Timberlands.
The plan for today was always to make our way to Edwin Watts (albeit for browsing, rather than keeping them in business as we have done on previous trips) then to head to Corona Cigars and Seasons 52 at west Sand Lake Road. We leave Premium Outlets at 11.30am.
Whilst driving around a few days back, we spotted a new store – Golf Galaxy – next to the new Whole Food Markets at the junction of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake Roads, so we decide to check that out before going on to Edwin Watts. As we drive up, though, there’s an “opening soon” sign outside, so it’s clearly not meant to be. Edwin Watts has seen a refit since our last visit in January this year and is sporting a new driving simulator. We spend some time browsing, but leave with just a new Trion-Z bracelet for Matt.
Next up is Corona Cigars at Sand Lake Road. Matt’s jotted down the names of some high-scoring, yet cheap, award winners from Cigar Aficionado magazine and manages to track down a few of them (although not the $5, 94 pointer, which he’s told has been discontinued). He settles for a box of 24 La Gloria Cubana Serie R No 4 which scored a very respectable 90 points. Although this is a huge place, stuffed to the rafters with some pretty impressive cigars, he knows he’ll also want to buy some from Sosa at Downtown Disney, so he leaves it at that.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/sandlakebar.jpg
I’m particularly excited to be visiting Seasons 52 for lunch. [Despite its rave reviews, it had never really appealed, but we found ourselves in the vicinity and at a loose end during our last trip in January and immediately fathomed its popularity. It’s a gorgeous space with just the right combination of glamour and laid-back ease. Notwithstanding its “healthy” tag, the food is tasty and creative.] We elect to sit at the bar which clearly isn’t a popular choice for Sunday lunch as, whilst the restaurant is fairly busy, we’re the only patrons at the bar. The restaurant boasts an award-winning wine list and I waste no time in ordering the ZD chardonnay. Matt has a Sierra Nevada.
(We didn't have the DSLR with us, so the shots aren't great. I'm not quite sure, either, what caused the maniacal look on my face...)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/Seasons-52.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01103.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01102.jpg
We take our time perusing the menu and I eventually settle for two appetisers - Small Plate Baby Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese, Pear and Pine Nuts followed by the Goat Cheese Ravioli in a Tomato Broth with Rosemary and Parmesan Flat Bread. Matt opts for Barbecue Chicken Skewers and Grilled Flank Steak Sandwich. The bartender is working the entire bar area and, on his return from attending to a couple of diners in booths, expresses surprise that our appetisers aren’t out. We’ve been happily chatting away and haven’t noticed an overly long wait. He disappears off to the kitchen and is soon back with them, telling us that they’re on the house. We insist that it isn’t a problem, and that we’re just happy to be sitting there chilling out, but he’s equally insistent that it isn’t up to their usual high standards, so we don’t press the point. I have another glass of the ZD and Matt fancies a shiraz. The bartender recommends a couple – the Woop Woop (Australian) which we’re familiar with and know is at the lower end of the price range, and the Sequillo (South African) which he says is expensive, but worth it. After taking a moment to check the list, Matt decides on something else altogether as the Sequillo isn’t listed as being available by the glass. We’re surprised to learn that, actually, all their wines are available by the glass and even more surprised that there’s no premium (a 175ml glass costs a quarter of the bottle price). I make a mental note to pay attention at other restaurants in a bid to discover if this is usual policy in the US. At home, it’s considerably cheaper to buy by the bottle.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01111.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01110.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01116.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01115.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/UKDeb/Orlando/DSC01114.jpg