2 weeks of fun and sun at Royal Pacific Resort..2009 TR

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Great report! Thanks for sharing

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Great trip report, we are going to the dark side next yr for the 1st time, my wife has had enough of disney? i dont know how? but how come you could not get on RRR do they not accept fotl passes?

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Your report is terrific!!!! Love all the pictures too. Looking forward to the rest!
-Melissa

 

[mrsnj91]

I am going to hop on! Like the report! And my DD loves the pics!

 

[macraven]

Carole, you have a beautiful family!

It sounds like you had a fabulous trip!

 

[Metro West]

Carole, you have a beautiful family!

And they are lots of fun to hang out with.

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks guys for the lovely comments, will try and work on finishing the last few days sometime this week

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I am really enjoying your report! I love that your son chose Outback for his birthday. Too cute!

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

Hi Carole,

I'm loving your report! Your family is beautiful and the smiles are the best!

Sounds like you all had such fun!

Best, E

 

[Coach81]

More, more, more! Please.

 

[ready4mouse]

What a great report! I'm so glad to hear you had such a fun, relaxing vacation... We're heading to IOA/US this spring and I was a little worried that 5 or 6 days there was going to be too much or start to get "boring", but it sounds just wonderful from following your report!

Can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[ckmiles]

Can't wait to read more! Really enjoying your trip!

 

[macraven]

i stayed 6 days this month and felt i didn't have enough time.

next year it will 7 days for me at the hotel.

and i go solo.....

 

[patster734]

i stayed 6 days this month and felt i didn't have enough time.

next year it will 7 days for me at the hotel.

and i go solo.....

Between 2 nights for HHN and one night for the Luau, my past 4-night trip went by way too fast and definitely felt short. I didn't even get to enjoy one meal at Citywalk!

Although I did have a couple of drink stops at Margaritaville, one on the Porch of Indecision and one in the bar area!

 

[Coach81]

i stayed 6 days this month and felt i didn't have enough time.

next year it will 7 days for me at the hotel.

and i go solo.....

My wife is concerned that we will get "bored" if we spend more than 3 days at US/IOA. I just told her.. watch and see.. we will not get bored, we will have a GREAT TIME!

 

[schumigirl]

Well as we had a pretty late night last night, we decided to have a bit of a lay in this morning. Well, they did. I could feel the sadness of only having 2 full park days creeping up on us and I wanted to make the most of every minute. So with alarming enthusiasm for 7.30 am I jumped out of bed and got showered and dressed before they had even blinked. I was sat on the end of the bed willing them to waken up. I gave up after 5 minutes (no patience) and bellowed i was going downstairs and I was bringing breakfast up to the room and I expected them to both be showered by the time I got back up. I would have been wonderful as a drill sergeant!! So I head down in the lift and head to Orchid lounge and I see someone giving an autograph to a few people. I`m really annoyed as I don`t know who it was, I certainly didn`t recognise him. Anyway, pick up our usual offerings and the lady who works on the till asks where the family is. She was lovely and had served us nearly every morning. That was one of the things I liked so much about this hotel, everyone was genuinely nice and took 2 minutes to pass the time of day.
Got back up to room expecting to have to rumble them out of bed.....but they are both sat on the edge of the bed, big smiles on their shiny clean faces and honestly look as if they are expecting a treat for being ready without being hassled!!! Men!!!!
So we head off and go straight to the Studios, where once again no RRR. No matter, we head off and do the usual rides again. The Mummy we went on 4 times before my head gave in. So I stood in the shop area while they went back on. I bought myself a little bracelet from the stall that sells cheap jewellry at $2 an inch. That really made me smile. So when they came off they duly admired my bracelet and Tom commented it was the cheapest thing I had ever bought!! Think he may be right, but I love it and still wear it today.
Wandered round to MIB where I got the not so spectacular score of 174. I know that is awful but it just bores me silly but Kyle wanted me to go on with them and he loves to make fun of how low my scores are!! They went on the Simpsons while I sat outside again. Never ever will I go on that again.
This seems to have taken up most of the morning so I wanted to eat at the hard Rock so we headed over there. Took the short cut under Rocket and passed a bit of the Berlin Wall that I never knew was there. This is of real interest to us especially as I visited Berlin the week they knocked the wall down, and you could almost taste the anticipation of what was to come in the air, the atmosphere in that city was electric.

We go straight in and are told to stand over by the wall. We thought we were going to be taken to our table but no.......this photographer appears and demands to take our picture! Now I had forgotten to mention we were really feeling the heat today one of the reasons we were having lunch at 11.30. So the last thing I wanted was my picture taking as we all looked like we were melting like a snow cone. We said no thank you and he persisted so we all stood like we were going to be shot. While he snapped a picture, what a sullen bunch we were. Anyway that kind of put us in a mood so we sat down and looked at the menu. Tom and I ordered a burger and Kyle, yep Macaroni and we all ordered a milk shake.

As we waited for our drinks they came round with the pictures they had taken at the door, can`t remember how much they wanted but no way on earth was I purchasing it, it was an awful picture of us. The girl was all smiles until we said no thank you, then the smile dropped and she wandered off. She was exactly the same with people at other tables.

Kyle`s macaroni was not the biggest portion and I must admit the burgers were not the best we have had so we were annoyed it was $72 fo a lunch that we hadn`t really enjoyed and the girl who served us was certainly not the best we had come across.
We were suitably replenished and had cooled down a bit so went to IOA for a bit. Did the Hulk 3 times, Dr Doom twice and Spiderman but it was really really hot so decided to give the parks a miss for the rest of the afternoon. Got boat back to hotel and showered before heading to Mall at Millenia...again.

Kyle outside his "Happy Place"

They decide they wanted some of Linda`s chocolate fudge cake, don`t know where they had the room but in we went. I just had a coffee but they each had a piece of what Kyle thinks is the nicest cake in the world

They demolish every last piece and for one moment I actually think Kyle is going to do the unthinkable and lick the plate!! He doesn`t.....but it was a close one!
Head round the shops and straight Bath and Body, as my boss has asked me to bring her back some body butter from there that she loves, and we can`t get this shipped to us anymore. So pick up 4 for her and a few for myself and some other bits with Tom mumbling in the background about luggage space. I pretend not to hear and head to the till where I see some stuff on offer that I just have to get. Now I have a dilemma as there are a few shops to go to yet and a few purchases to be made, so I am very good and don`t buy them and also avoid the vein in Tom`s head bursting!!! He`s wonderful really
Went to Williams and Sonoma and got a big potato ricer as the only ones I`ve seen in the UK are very small and would take far too long to rice a whole pan of potatoes. It`s only $32 as well. Now I could really spend some serious money in this shop. Beautiful things but I have to remember we need to get them back home. Pick up some stuff in Yankee Candle, Lindt again and a pair of earrings in Macy`s.
Decide to head to Premium Outlets as Kyle wants to look for another watch so head to LBV.
I had never been to this outlet place and it was quite good. They had a Coach outlet but thought better of asking to go in. Wandered around there for a bit and Kyle never got his watch.
We decided to head to Chili`s in LBV as we were almost there and we love it in there. Choose a booth and there are 2 policemen in the next booth and they turn around as we start to speak. Now I was facing them and one of them stared at me and I froze and must have looked really guilty or terrified but he had the biggest smile on his face and said he like my accent and were we having a nice vacation. They were both lovely and we chatted for a few moments before they headed off. One of them looked a bit like Tom Selleck
But food time........ I ordered a strawberry and a mango margarita, Kyle had a lovely thick chocolate milk shake and Tom was on Pepsi


Tom ordered Garlic and Lime Shrimp with his Steak, I had the Cajun Ribeye, probably the best cooked steak ever it was beautifully rare, I chose cinamon apples to go with it as I had never tried them......beautiful, and Kyle had Mac n cheese......again

Didn`t take another pic of the same macaroni again. But we all enjoyed this meal immensely. Headed bak to hotel and Kyle went up for the laptop and we sat in the lounge to have a drink although it was really busy as a load of people had arrived for conferences, we had wondered why the car park had been so busy. I had 2 glasses of wine and Tom had 2 beers, Kyle had another milkshake. We were really tired all of a sudden and just headed up to bed by around 10pm.

 

[schumigirl]

Thursday 27th

We all slept really well last night and awoke with a sense of gloom that remains unspoken as no-one really wants to admit that tomorrow we go home. So with eager anticipation of making the most of our last full day we head off for breakfast and have our usual, and sit at our "usual" table. We head back upstairs to put our suncream on and are stopped by a gentleman in a suit. He asks if we had enjoyed our trip, and said he was one of the managers and had noticed we had been here a long time. It was strange to think you just mill about your day but there are people who notice you. He said he hoped we would stay again and if he could be of any help not to hesitate to contact him especially as we were travelling from the UK. We thanked him and went on our way. What a nice man.
Got down to the boat and the queue was miniscule so it was only a few moments and we were on.

Did the usual rounds as there was next to no queue at any of the rides. Our second week was a lot quieter than the first, but still loved having the fotl pass. Now as we wander around I have to stop myself from filling up with tears as I can feel them welling up. I just don`t want to leave, thank goodness for big sunglasses. But try to put it to the back of my mind so as we all enjoy the day. Decide not to go on Popeyes barges as we don`t want to soak another pair of trainers so we head to Jurassic Park where at least your feet stay dry.

We got chatting to a couple who took our picture and we duly took their picture. It was their first day and that just depressed me more!!! But you would never know from the picture.

We do JP a few times the DD before heading to Thunder Falls for lunch, probably our favourite snack place. Tom and I have cheeseburgers minus the cheese and kyle has his usual.

We go back round the park again doing all our favourite rides and trying to remember every second of the day. Eventually, as we want to go to walmart to get some jeans and trainers we decide it`s time to leave. Finally the moment I`ve been dreading heading out of the park for the last time.

I had tried not to cry but as we headed back on the boat I was in floods of tears. I am a real softie and cry at the opening of an envelope, but I tried not to blub in front of Kyle and total strangers, but it was no use the tears just flowed and I sat silently blubbing till we docked and got to the room. I think I needed it really because after that I felt and we all felt a bit better as Kyle had a bit of a sob too
So all changed and showered we head to the walmart on Turkey lake road. As we get out of the car a little boy in a trolley shouts there`s a plane. Well we all look up and there, by some bad irony is the Virgin Atlantic plane we will be on this time tomorrow night. It was 6.30 and that flight is due to take off at 6.15pm so we knew it was ours although it doesn`t normally take that route. Tom`s glad I had already had my "weepy" moment as he was sure if I hadn`t already cried,that seeing our plane leaving would have sent me wailing in despair on the ground!!! He is funny at times!!!
Got loads of stuff for Kyle and Tom and some very good value shower creams and similar stuff all of which we can pay 3 times the cost. Kyle picks up a cake for later.
We decide we were going to eat in the sushi restaurant tonight. Get back and it`s not too busy. The girl recognises us and welcomes us and asks Kyle if he wants his usual milk shake. How sweet. He does of course and asks for chicken tenders. We order a bottle of Chardonnay with a Shrimp starter. The Shrimps were huge and so fresh

We just took our time and let the evening flow as we tried to chill a little. The sushi was divine so we decided to share another plate and then Kyle who had finished his tenders was going to eat his cake.

It was a lovely cake and he made a good dent in it but even he was beaten by it.

Don`t know what they were engrossed with but wish they listened as intently to me sometimes

I asked Kyle what he thought of going home

The cocktail we were drinking in the picture above was complimentary as one of the senior staff heard us telling the girl it was our last night and he very kindly sent them over to us and Kyle got another milkshake. It was touches like this that really made our holiday here extra special. Doesn`t cost them much but it meant a lot to us.

With regret we had to go up and start packing, a job I`m sure everyone hates. But pack we did and somehow we managed to get everything into our cases and holdalls.
Made a coffee and sat with the lights out watching the lights of the park twinkling in the distance. Then bed.

 

[schumigirl]

Friday 28th

Well it had finally arrived. Our last day. For the last time I was awoken by the gentle whooshing of the Hulk and just lay really still listening to it for a time. But as we had to be at Downtown Disney for around 8am we had to get a wiggle on. Doing this means we are all checked in for our flight and can get rid of our luggage except hand luggage. We take the Turkey Lake Road route as to avoid the traffic at that time of day and we`re there in no time. So we arrive and there`s only a few people in front of us so not too bad. Before too long we`re at the front and the worrying moment when they weigh the cases and tell you if you`re over. Luckily we`re fine, so the girl at the desk tells us we can`t have the seats we requested and offers us not very good seats. We decide to pay for the extra legroom seats, still in economy but they are pretty good. If Kyle had been 16 we could have got the bulkhead seats but not to be. Anyway i think the seats will be fine.
We get back to the RPR in no time and head straight for breakfast as we`re hungry. Kyle has 2 tubs of cereal and Tom and I both have cinamon bun and two lovely coffees.
Back upstairs and get the last of our stuff and prepare to check out. I snap a last few pics of our view.

Get to the desk and the lady is so lovely I can feel myself welling up again. It was the lady who changed our room on our second day. She made sure we had enjoyed our stay and then very kindly removed the internet charges we had run up. As she wished us a safe journey I was off again but determined not to start wailing!!!!

Didn`t have much to put in car so it didn`t take us long and we were off. We always spend our last day at the Millenia Mall. It`s become a kind of tradition as we don`t fancy flying all covered in sucream. But We decided if we come back we would take a late check out and spend the morning in IOA. Then we would be able to get showered and changed before leaving for the airport. But back to this year and we arrived at the mall in no time at all.

So we have our last wander around and resist the temptation to buy anything as I just don`t have the room in my bag for anything. Kyle however goes into the Guess shop and he gets himself a beautiful watch. He has looked for another watch but thought he wouldn`t get one. Again we paid in $ what we would pay in £`s and then some, so it was a good price and he was happy. We were beginning to worry though if Customs would stop us on the way out at Manchester as we did have quite a few things, but not as much as some people.
Sadly we head to the airport and get to drop the car off first. This is always easy and no hassles. So head across the road to the main terminal and head for the departure area. We decide to go to Chili`s for something to eat. It was nice we both had burgers and Kyle had a chicken burger. Messed around in a few of the shops and picked up some snacks for the flight as we are quite confident that the food on the plane will not be good.
Going through security is normally a breeze but for some reason my bag which was full of bits and bobs of everything caught their eye and they pulled it to be opened. Very nice officer who made a joke about how much i could cram into the bag. A few minutes later we were through and heading nearer to our departure.
We sat and waited when they announced our plane wouldn`t even be boarding till 7, we were supposed to leave at 6.15 so a bit of a longer wait. But soon we were on and heading home. Seats were very good and we had a lovely little boy behind us who never made a peep all night but we had the yappy family in front of us who obviously had family sat elsewhere in the plane but visited them all night and yapped constantly......loudly. But eventually it quietened down and we got about an hours sleep. Arrived at Manchester around 6.45am exhausted. Got off plane and again had to go through security which did take some time this year. Waited for a while for our luggage, then got all of it except one piece which I`m sure was on the next plane we waited so long!! Finally we got it and as we wandered through customs two men appeared and escorted a lady 2 in front of us to the side. She did have a HUGE amount of luggage though. I don`t think we had anything to worry about but worry is one thing i do well. A 2 minute walk back to hotel where our car is waiting, and we had some tea and toast before setting off for the 2 hour drive home. At least its sunny but nowhere near the same temperature we had become so used too. We arrive home drop the bags and head for bed where we all sleep till 4pm.

Well that`s our vacation all over. I did enjoy writing this as it brings back so many emotions that you experience over there, even the sad ones of coming home. We all loved it so much, and probably out of the 3 trips we have had this one was by far the best and we loved the other two trips a LOT!! but, we were back 2 weeks when it was my birthday, and he said that morning lets just get it booked for next year. Well i was on the phone in a flash getting it all booked up. So we`ll be back, staying at the Royal Pacific again on the 22nd October 2010 for 2 weeks, and will be able to go to HHN`s which we love and was sad to miss this year. It seems a long way off but I know it will be here before we know it.
I have so many highs I can`t pick out a single moment that was the best as there was so many. The hotel was definately a high point. Beautiful suroundings, lovely comfy beds and very friendly staff that couldn`t do enough for you. US/IOA... We could have easily spent every minute here and not get bored. Wishes is another favorite that I would not miss. In saying that next year we are only going to get the 14 day unlimited US/IOA tickets which are a real bargain to us, and just go to Disney once or twice for MK and Wishes, and a morning for TOT and RnR.
It`s just so wonderful to spend our trip together as a family, and strangely being in such close proximity for 2 weeks we never have a cross word. And who knows in a few years when Kyle is a bit older he may not want to come with us He says he will....... he may just want to bring a girlfriend along I`ll worry about that when it happens.
We didn`t get to Clearwater after all, neither did we do Seaworld or get on RRR, but they will be things we will definately do next year, as is going back to Kobe, one of the nicest places to eat. But what we did do was just wonderful and I wouldn`t change a second of it.
My friends think its so funny that I feel so at home in the States, that when they talk about Orlando they don`t say Orlando they say "your spiritual home". Maybe one day we`ll be able to live in Florida full time. Well I can dream
Thank you so much for reading about our trip, I hope you enjoyed it

 

[maggieb9975]

Hi Carole, Thankyou so much for your wonderful review! I enjoyed it immensely. I have never stayed at RPR and am going there next year. My DD and I will actually be there when you are! We are booked for 5 nights from Oct 23 - 28,2010...maybe we can meet...it is just one of my triplets, Amanda, and me. She is a HUGE Harry Potter fan and can't wait to go

After reading how great your trip was I want to add on more Universal days but we have 2 days at WDW first and then a cruise after so we are on vacation for 18 days!!

We love Universal and have stayed at HRH and PBH...really looking forward to next year at RPR.....your pictures are great and I feel like I have gotten to know you and your family through your words and pics...you are a great story teller...

Take care and hope to meet you next year!

 

[macraven]

carole, i absolutely loved your trip report.

it was very touching!
i love how you write from your heart.

i'm so happy you get to return in '10.
just wish i would be there the same time you will be next october.


your pictures are great!