alabamabluezebra
USO Fanatic
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2003
- Messages
- 44
RPR and USF Day 1 (12/30)
Our Cast
Me DH (41), DW(40), DD(15), DD(7), DD(5), DMIL(61) and DFIL(63).
We woke up at the Marriott Courtyard well rested and ready to go. We arrived at RPR around 8:15am and saw people riding Hulk and Dr. Doom even though the advertised opening was 9:00am. After talking to the parking valets, I dropped off the crew and self parked. I was blessed with a parking space two down from handicapped spaces on the front row. We decided to leave our luggage in the van and unload later. Check-in was very smooth. Both my DFIL and myself are Loews Blue members (I registered him, of course). I asked about the welcome gifts (choosing milk & cookies and water & fruit). I asked the clerk if the resort was full and she said it was nearly full. I asked if an upgrade to waterview was available non-smoking and connecting. She checked her screen and said there was a pair available. I was totally amazed. I pressed my luck and asked if they were available now but she said they would be available by 4pm. We got our room keys and headed to the park.
One key tip I picked up on this site concerned annual passes from AAA for $119. My DFIL is an AAA member and we stopped at the Pensacola AAA office on our way to St. Augustine. After buying a couple of fanny packs from the gift shop, we hurried to IOA to start our day. After redeeming our passes for our annual pass IDs, we headed to the Croissant Moon Bakery for a quick bite. Our 7 year old DD was a little nervous about all the rides and the crowds. She needed a little food to calm her stomach. We had a variety of bake goods, a fruit cup, and drinks to share. The food was very good and the AP discount helped, too.
We headed to Seussland and the decor was beautiful and festive. We rode The CITH first but an emergency vomit cleanup delayed our ride. Someone got sick on the ride just before we made it to the car. They were letting people off but did not allow anyone on the ride until the mess was cleaned. That was the biggest delay for any ride the whole day. We also rode Caro-Suess-El and 1F2FRFBF but decided to bypass the Mt. Crumpit ride (30 min wait time). We headed counter clockwise around IOA riding all the rides including the water rides. My oldest DD and I were the only ones that rode Fire, Ice and Hulk. The others were too chicken or too small. We all got soaked on the water rides and the water was a little chilly that day. Spiderman was an awesome ride but the two little DDs didn't like it.
It was around 2 PM when we completed the loop. We decided to head back to the resort and see if our room was available. On the way back to the lobby, we walked through the pool area. It was very nice and extremely crowded. Our rooms were available and we headed to 3532 and 3534 to check the view. It was an unobstructed view of the pool and the park. About 30 minutes later, a staff member brought our welcome gifts. The milk and cookies were to die for.
We changed into some dry clothes and headed back to scout out USF, see Grinchmas, and eat at Margaritaville. Grinchmas was very cool and meeting the Grinch in his lair was hilarious. When we entered the lair through the curtain, the Grinch was standing still on the photo platform. We were initially disappointed until he jumped at us with a "Boo". He was very entertaining and kept us all laughing during our time together.
We headed over to Margaritaville for dinner. The posted wait was 45 minutes but our room key cut it to 20 minutes. The food was very good but the waitress was not very attentive. My DFIL and I had cheeseburgers, the two youngest had pasta, and the others shared some seafood dishes. After dinner, we explored Citywalk and headed back to IOA for the 9:50pm fireworks show. My DFIL, 15 year old DD, and I decided to head back to the resort around 8:00pm while the others stayed at IOA for the fireworks. My DW found a reserved area around the lake for AP holders. She said an IOA employee was very diligent about maintaining the AP area and kept it smoke free. While they enjoyed the fireworks in the viewing area, we watched them from our resort window. The show was spectacular from both viewpoints. After the others made it back from the park, we all settled for a long winter's nap and well deserved slumber.
Our Cast
Me DH (41), DW(40), DD(15), DD(7), DD(5), DMIL(61) and DFIL(63).
We woke up at the Marriott Courtyard well rested and ready to go. We arrived at RPR around 8:15am and saw people riding Hulk and Dr. Doom even though the advertised opening was 9:00am. After talking to the parking valets, I dropped off the crew and self parked. I was blessed with a parking space two down from handicapped spaces on the front row. We decided to leave our luggage in the van and unload later. Check-in was very smooth. Both my DFIL and myself are Loews Blue members (I registered him, of course). I asked about the welcome gifts (choosing milk & cookies and water & fruit). I asked the clerk if the resort was full and she said it was nearly full. I asked if an upgrade to waterview was available non-smoking and connecting. She checked her screen and said there was a pair available. I was totally amazed. I pressed my luck and asked if they were available now but she said they would be available by 4pm. We got our room keys and headed to the park.
One key tip I picked up on this site concerned annual passes from AAA for $119. My DFIL is an AAA member and we stopped at the Pensacola AAA office on our way to St. Augustine. After buying a couple of fanny packs from the gift shop, we hurried to IOA to start our day. After redeeming our passes for our annual pass IDs, we headed to the Croissant Moon Bakery for a quick bite. Our 7 year old DD was a little nervous about all the rides and the crowds. She needed a little food to calm her stomach. We had a variety of bake goods, a fruit cup, and drinks to share. The food was very good and the AP discount helped, too.
We headed to Seussland and the decor was beautiful and festive. We rode The CITH first but an emergency vomit cleanup delayed our ride. Someone got sick on the ride just before we made it to the car. They were letting people off but did not allow anyone on the ride until the mess was cleaned. That was the biggest delay for any ride the whole day. We also rode Caro-Suess-El and 1F2FRFBF but decided to bypass the Mt. Crumpit ride (30 min wait time). We headed counter clockwise around IOA riding all the rides including the water rides. My oldest DD and I were the only ones that rode Fire, Ice and Hulk. The others were too chicken or too small. We all got soaked on the water rides and the water was a little chilly that day. Spiderman was an awesome ride but the two little DDs didn't like it.
It was around 2 PM when we completed the loop. We decided to head back to the resort and see if our room was available. On the way back to the lobby, we walked through the pool area. It was very nice and extremely crowded. Our rooms were available and we headed to 3532 and 3534 to check the view. It was an unobstructed view of the pool and the park. About 30 minutes later, a staff member brought our welcome gifts. The milk and cookies were to die for.
We changed into some dry clothes and headed back to scout out USF, see Grinchmas, and eat at Margaritaville. Grinchmas was very cool and meeting the Grinch in his lair was hilarious. When we entered the lair through the curtain, the Grinch was standing still on the photo platform. We were initially disappointed until he jumped at us with a "Boo". He was very entertaining and kept us all laughing during our time together.
We headed over to Margaritaville for dinner. The posted wait was 45 minutes but our room key cut it to 20 minutes. The food was very good but the waitress was not very attentive. My DFIL and I had cheeseburgers, the two youngest had pasta, and the others shared some seafood dishes. After dinner, we explored Citywalk and headed back to IOA for the 9:50pm fireworks show. My DFIL, 15 year old DD, and I decided to head back to the resort around 8:00pm while the others stayed at IOA for the fireworks. My DW found a reserved area around the lake for AP holders. She said an IOA employee was very diligent about maintaining the AP area and kept it smoke free. While they enjoyed the fireworks in the viewing area, we watched them from our resort window. The show was spectacular from both viewpoints. After the others made it back from the park, we all settled for a long winter's nap and well deserved slumber.
