Day 1 Sunday
Good morning first day in Florida!!!
Our wake up call came at 7am. We packed up our stuff and headed down to breakfast in the lobby area. The Fairfield had a super breakfast buffet dealioeverything you could want: waffles, breakfast-sausage sandwiches, hot oatmeal, tons of pastries, fruits and more. I just had a yogurt in anticipation of lunch
Bob from ****** was in the lobby to pick us up right on time. Actually we had scheduled a 9am pick up, but he had called Saturday to ask if it was ok to move us up 30 minutes. No problem, so we loaded into his vehicle at 8:30. Off for a quick grocery stop. We ran through Publix and picked up water, sodas, snacks and beer. We grabbed a crumb cake from the bakery - it was really good. It felt like we were in that old game show Super Market Sweep. After one last check of the list we were on to the checkout lines---Screeeeech---our fast in-and-out grocery stop came to a screeching halt. Apparently in Florida there are no alcohol sales before 9am on Sunday! We still can't figure out why 9am on Sunday is the magic hour?
So.... we waited a few minutes for the clock to tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock (actually had a nice conversation with the store employees while we waited)---then finally the computer/cash register struck 9 and we were through checkout and back on the road.
So shortly after 9am we were pulling up to The Hard Rock!
It was nice to not feel rushed duing check in. In the past weve checked in later in the day and it makes us feel like our time is ticking away while we stand at the front desk. This day it was early enough and there were no lines so we were totally relaxed. We didnt expect our room to be ready this early and it wasnt but they issued our room keys so we could enjoy FOTL privileges. (Incidentally, I noticed a 1* on or keys---dont know how or why--were only blue level?? But Ill take it. It was great later in the week when I asked for late check out!)
So off to the park we went. We navigated our way around the pool and through the beautifully landscaped property and landed in front of The Studios.
To by-pass the crowds we walked around to the right, opposite of Shrek and Neutron. We had to stop at The Brown Derby so Connor could check out the hats.
Our first ride of our vacation was ET. Always a fun one. Glad we did it then because we wouldnt make it back for a second spin. After ET we had to check out the Simpsons ride. Let me just tell you I didnt really expect a lot from this ride (Back to the Future wasnt a favorite) but it turns out we really loved it! Dave got a little motion sick and had to close his eyes for most of it so he ended up missing a lot,
but Connor and I thought it was great. *We brought Bonnine but forgot to take our daily dose that first day. After the Simpsons we never forgot to take it again. It really does work!
After Simpsons of course, we were on to MIB. Dave consistently beat Connor and my scores every time we rode MIB, but by the end of our vacation that would change!
We were starting to think about lunch at this point so we decided to eat now, hoping our room would be ready soon after. Since I have been dying to try Sals ever since I read a review of it, thats where we went.
My plan was to try Sals early in the week so we could return if we wanted.
We werent disappointed! One Margarita and one Sausage pizzayum! (And an ice cold beer---delish!)
Our walk from Sals brought us right past The Hard Rock so we stopped in. A quick check at the front desk confirmed our room was not yet ready. Were not wasting time waiting around in the lobby, heck no! So back to the park we went.
This time as we entered the park we went straight and rode Shrek, then on to Twister, Disaster, Mummy (hands-down our families favorite ride), and Jaws.
While we were on Jaws, Dave got a call from the hotel. Our room was ready. Yeah! Because of the skipper talking on the loud speaker, he couldnt hear what our room number was. It was sort of funny. We jumped off the ride and practically ran to the hotel. We were hot and tired and wanted to unpack, maybe go for a swim.
After a quick stop at the front desk to get our room number we got on the elevators. (Side note: Loved the fast elevators. Nothing worse than slow moving elevators when you have places you want to be. By the second day Dave figured out if you held down the button of the floor you wanted to get to, it made it an express ride without stopping at other floors. Even the elevators have Express!
)
Ahhh, finally our room; we were on the sixth floor with a pool view.
I never did manage to take picture of our view. It was a decent, but fairly obscured by foliage. Thats ok, it was pretty. Actually, I think I booked an obstructed view room but at check in she called it pool view. No matter. Our room was great. The bathroom was set up with enough space so one could change in the sink area (with some privacy) while someone else showered and the other occupant lazed on the bed until it was his turn.
We cooled off and unpacked, then headed down for a late afternoon swim. The pool at The Hard Rock is great. Loved the slide and the sandy beach area. They had some games for the kids and adults too. We watched a while, then sat for awhile then swam some more. Connor got bored--ok, enough resting, lets get back to the park and ride Jaws in the dark!!! If youve never made a point to ride Jaws at night it is a must do. Its a whole different ride at night. Better. We also did MIB again and again, and the Mummy too (remember- its our fav).
Ok so we were getting hungry. We tossed around a few ideas and decided on NBA City. Our plan this trip was to try out some new places, so NBA it was. I did try to take pictures of our food, I really did. Most times I got a picture of the appetizer, then when our main courses came I somehow forgot. (Short term memory) So here is a picture of our Pecan Chicken Finger appetizer.
(One of those fingers in the picture isnt chicken). They were delicious. They were on a bed of slaw with a sweetish dressingthe whole thing was yummy.
While we were waiting for our food Connor wanted to take a picture of the mural on the wall. He said the basketball player was wearing a deodorant patch. I guess I can sort of see it
Here we are waiting for our food.
For our meals Dave got the Cajun Stuffed Chicken; Connor and I both got the Grilled Mahi-Mahi Sandwich. The fish was really good and a little spicy. It had a pesto mayo, I think. Dave liked his chicken but sort of expected boneless--he said it was good. Sorry I forgot pictures.
Ok, so we were full, it was late and we were totally tired so back to the room for quick showers then straight to bed.
we had our luggage and hopped the shuttle to our hotel. That first night we stayed at the Fairfield Inn at the airport. I chose it because we could walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner. (As we pulled in I noticed there are lots of hotel choices in that area within walking distance to the restaurants.) We dropped our luggage in our room (which was really pretty nice) then headed to Tony Romas for dinner. After a delicious meal of barbeque and steak it was back to the room. We took quick showers, watched a little TV, set up our wake up call for 7a.m. then easily dropped off to sleep.
I think we came back every day to ride. 
Dave thanked her and asked her to leave
we were stinking tired!!!! (and stinky--in Floridia during August the slightest physical movement causes river-like currents of sweat. Serioulsy.) 
