Molokai Gram
<font color=green>DIS Veteran<br><font color=magen
- Joined
- Oct 12, 1999
Aloha,
First solo trip report - about time IâÂÂd say! DH and I were having an early celebration of our 34th anniversary. (It is actually this coming Sunday). I wonâÂÂt say exactly how old we are, but would you believe I was 5 when I got married?
First stop was Las Vegas. We came out about $100 ahead and I got my first royal flush-on a nickel
machine (so $.15 grew to $240.00!) Next stop was Melbourne Florida where we visited my parents, next WDW (2 days with parents and 3 days without). Finally, HRH and USO!
March 8 started out terrific. Watching the early morning news, I was reminded that there would be a shuttle liftoff that morning. We hurried and got dressed and ran outside. We made it just in time and could see the shuttle lifting up. Thrilling.
We checked out of the Swan at WDW and took Tiffany towncar to HRH. We got there about 10:30 AM.
Just as we walked into the HRH I noticed a clock image on the floor. It was like a shadow, but was actually keeping time. It was there at night too, but not on a rainy, cloudy day??? I do not know how it worked. I meant to ask, but forgot. The lobby was huge and there was only one person checking in ahead of us. Another desk clerk called us over. As she checked us in, she was also training a young man, so she was not very attentive to us. I would have to repeat every
question I asked. We did not get our king bed we had requested when we made our reservations,
nor did we get any upgrade as a Loews First member - she told us they were fully booked? I told her we were willing to wait if it would make a difference. She didnâÂÂt even look up, and just said no and went on explaining the computer system to her trainee. Never mind, we were at Universal!
We walked and walked and walked to our room. It was near the end of the wing closest to the
walkway to the parks. I pity the room service staff, the hotel is very spread out. The room was lovely, so many special details - hand blown heavy blue/green mottled water glasses; jadelike
balls hanging from the points of the drapery valance; over-stuffed chair and ottoman by the
window; vanity/sink outside the bathroom in addition to sink in bathroom; arty looking
faucets and metal containers for qtips etc.; CD player and free CD....lots of details to make it
nice. Our room looked over the path and I preferred it to a pool view. The beds were very
comfortable, but had white duvet covers! Who chose that??? They will have to wash them
weekly at least. The room seemed a little crowded, but it may be because the furniture was
a little oversized. Now this is just my very unqualified opinion, but the black plastic TV
looked cheap and misplaced in the room. Maybe because I am used to the TVâÂÂs being in
armoires in hotel rooms and not just sitting on a low bureau??? The towels were something
else I didnâÂÂt like. I like thick fluffy towels. These were heavy and textured and didnâÂÂt seem to
absorb as well.
I unpacked (notice I did not say we unpacked) and then we went to the parks. We doubled
back to the lobby and went out by the pool area. (In a couple of days that got tiresome so we chanced using the stairs at the end of the wing - we were nervous we would set off an alarm,
but didnâÂÂt. Saved lots of time and energy. ) It was just a short and pretty walk to the parks and City Walk. We got our seasonal annual tickets, plastic with our picture on it. ICK.
I almost made back the price of a pass in discounts...20% discount at stores and carts; 10% savings before 3 PM and 15% after at all restaurants in the parks and 10% at CityWalk restaurants. I just had to remember to use it.
We decided to go to Universal first. Loved FOTL access, and more important, so did DH.
We were always directed to the express lines with our keys and usually we walked right on. We went on T23D, sat in the last row of the front section. Was great as usual, but our seat did not move at all, meant to go again and sit somewhere else, but never got back. Saw the GGGH Makeup show, thought it was funny and informative. HadnâÂÂt seen it before. Did MIB for the first time and my 127050 beat DH's 71950 and I bought the picture as proof.
We rode many times during the next 5 days and I always won!
(You would not believe how intense I look in the pictures, I guess I am very competitive. LOL) My highest score was 323,000. It was so much fun. We rode BTTF, Kong, Jaws, and Twister. DH hadnâÂÂt been on Twister before. Neither of us really cared for it much. We had lunch at MelâÂÂs Drive In., I like the atmosphere - reminds me of high school days, and I like the shakes and onion rings. Only bothersome thing was the cashier, she was pregnant and looked awfully ill, huge circles under her eyes, too pale, just
horrible. I hope she was okay.
We went back to our room to get warm clothes for the night, and although it was 7PM we still
didnâÂÂt have cookies and milk. I asked at the front and was told they would be delivered while we were out. Called home and kids told us they had called and were told our room was unoccupied. Had them call again and try...same thing. Checked with the front desk and they said they didnâÂÂt know what was the problem, but they would be sure all future calls went through. (I suspect that the trainer/desk clerk this morning didnâÂÂt have us in the computer correctly ).
Went to Mardi Gras...excellent. Quiet DH, Ohai, got totally into it. He danced with anything
that went by. The man would do anything for plastic beads! In all our years together I have
never seen him act the fool like he did at MG. It was so wonderful. He danced with men in
tutus, with people on stilts, everyone! Really, he is usually quiet and conservative in public.
We had so much fun and I donâÂÂt think I have laughed so much in years. We were having fun
together alone!!!! No kids and this was turning into our happiest and probably best vacation ever. Forgot all about the guilt and surprised myself.
After the parade, we went to City Walk and decided on Bob Marleys for a late dinner. There was a band playing loudly in an open courtyard. The restaurant was on one side. We stood there
for awhile and then were told to find our own table! We ordered Jamaican food. It is very spicy and a little hot. Not a favorite, but something new! We usually enjoy Reggae, but it was very loud. Noticed there were lots of young single women hanging out. (Suggested to Barry the next day that it would be a great place for him to visit ) Women donâÂÂt dance together on
Molokai, but they did at BM, probably because there werenâÂÂt very many men.
When we got back to HRH, we still did not have any cookies and milk. Checked with the front
desk and at first they told me that it had been delivered. Told them to check again and they agreed it hadn't. Was told they would have it delivered immediately. While we waited, we listened to our own CDâÂÂs - Motown and 60âÂÂs music. No one came and we went to bed. About MIDNIGHT there was a knock on the door - our milk and cookies! Ohai was asleep and I had been. But what the heck, it had been a great day.
Aloha,
Donna
First solo trip report - about time IâÂÂd say! DH and I were having an early celebration of our 34th anniversary. (It is actually this coming Sunday). I wonâÂÂt say exactly how old we are, but would you believe I was 5 when I got married?
First stop was Las Vegas. We came out about $100 ahead and I got my first royal flush-on a nickelmachine (so $.15 grew to $240.00!) Next stop was Melbourne Florida where we visited my parents, next WDW (2 days with parents and 3 days without). Finally, HRH and USO!
March 8 started out terrific. Watching the early morning news, I was reminded that there would be a shuttle liftoff that morning. We hurried and got dressed and ran outside. We made it just in time and could see the shuttle lifting up. Thrilling.
We checked out of the Swan at WDW and took Tiffany towncar to HRH. We got there about 10:30 AM.Just as we walked into the HRH I noticed a clock image on the floor. It was like a shadow, but was actually keeping time. It was there at night too, but not on a rainy, cloudy day??? I do not know how it worked. I meant to ask, but forgot. The lobby was huge and there was only one person checking in ahead of us. Another desk clerk called us over. As she checked us in, she was also training a young man, so she was not very attentive to us. I would have to repeat every
question I asked. We did not get our king bed we had requested when we made our reservations,
nor did we get any upgrade as a Loews First member - she told us they were fully booked? I told her we were willing to wait if it would make a difference. She didnâÂÂt even look up, and just said no and went on explaining the computer system to her trainee. Never mind, we were at Universal!
We walked and walked and walked to our room. It was near the end of the wing closest to the
walkway to the parks. I pity the room service staff, the hotel is very spread out. The room was lovely, so many special details - hand blown heavy blue/green mottled water glasses; jadelike
balls hanging from the points of the drapery valance; over-stuffed chair and ottoman by the
window; vanity/sink outside the bathroom in addition to sink in bathroom; arty looking
faucets and metal containers for qtips etc.; CD player and free CD....lots of details to make it
nice. Our room looked over the path and I preferred it to a pool view. The beds were very
comfortable, but had white duvet covers! Who chose that??? They will have to wash them
weekly at least. The room seemed a little crowded, but it may be because the furniture was
a little oversized. Now this is just my very unqualified opinion, but the black plastic TV
looked cheap and misplaced in the room. Maybe because I am used to the TVâÂÂs being in
armoires in hotel rooms and not just sitting on a low bureau??? The towels were something
else I didnâÂÂt like. I like thick fluffy towels. These were heavy and textured and didnâÂÂt seem to
absorb as well.
I unpacked (notice I did not say we unpacked) and then we went to the parks. We doubled
back to the lobby and went out by the pool area. (In a couple of days that got tiresome so we chanced using the stairs at the end of the wing - we were nervous we would set off an alarm,
but didnâÂÂt. Saved lots of time and energy.
) It was just a short and pretty walk to the parks and City Walk. We got our seasonal annual tickets, plastic with our picture on it. ICK. I almost made back the price of a pass in discounts...20% discount at stores and carts; 10% savings before 3 PM and 15% after at all restaurants in the parks and 10% at CityWalk restaurants. I just had to remember to use it.
We decided to go to Universal first. Loved FOTL access, and more important, so did DH.
We were always directed to the express lines with our keys and usually we walked right on. We went on T23D, sat in the last row of the front section. Was great as usual, but our seat did not move at all, meant to go again and sit somewhere else, but never got back. Saw the GGGH Makeup show, thought it was funny and informative. HadnâÂÂt seen it before. Did MIB for the first time and my 127050 beat DH's 71950 and I bought the picture as proof.
We rode many times during the next 5 days and I always won!(You would not believe how intense I look in the pictures, I guess I am very competitive. LOL) My highest score was 323,000. It was so much fun. We rode BTTF, Kong, Jaws, and Twister. DH hadnâÂÂt been on Twister before. Neither of us really cared for it much. We had lunch at MelâÂÂs Drive In., I like the atmosphere - reminds me of high school days, and I like the shakes and onion rings. Only bothersome thing was the cashier, she was pregnant and looked awfully ill, huge circles under her eyes, too pale, just
horrible.
I hope she was okay. We went back to our room to get warm clothes for the night, and although it was 7PM we still
didnâÂÂt have cookies and milk. I asked at the front and was told they would be delivered while we were out. Called home and kids told us they had called and were told our room was unoccupied. Had them call again and try...same thing. Checked with the front desk and they said they didnâÂÂt know what was the problem, but they would be sure all future calls went through. (I suspect that the trainer/desk clerk this morning didnâÂÂt have us in the computer correctly
).Went to Mardi Gras...excellent. Quiet DH, Ohai, got totally into it. He danced with anything
that went by. The man would do anything for plastic beads! In all our years together I have
never seen him act the fool like he did at MG. It was so wonderful.
He danced with men intutus, with people on stilts, everyone! Really, he is usually quiet and conservative in public.
We had so much fun and I donâÂÂt think I have laughed so much in years. We were having fun
together alone!!!! No kids and this was turning into our happiest and probably best vacation ever. Forgot all about the guilt and surprised myself.
After the parade, we went to City Walk and decided on Bob Marleys for a late dinner. There was a band playing loudly in an open courtyard. The restaurant was on one side. We stood there
for awhile and then were told to find our own table! We ordered Jamaican food. It is very spicy and a little hot. Not a favorite, but something new! We usually enjoy Reggae, but it was very loud. Noticed there were lots of young single women hanging out. (Suggested to Barry the next day that it would be a great place for him to visit
) Women donâÂÂt dance together onMolokai, but they did at BM, probably because there werenâÂÂt very many men.
When we got back to HRH, we still did not have any cookies and milk. Checked with the front
desk and at first they told me that it had been delivered. Told them to check again and they agreed it hadn't. Was told they would have it delivered immediately. While we waited, we listened to our own CDâÂÂs - Motown and 60âÂÂs music. No one came and we went to bed. About MIDNIGHT there was a knock on the door - our milk and cookies! Ohai was asleep and I had been. But what the heck, it had been a great day.
Aloha,
Donna
