Well it's only taken 5 weeks but I've finally got the time to add to our trip report from last month!! Sorry 
Our plans had to change slightly - we were due to stay 6 nights at the Crowne Plaza and then head down to Naples where we were booked into the Escalante for 3 nights. However, Hurricaine Isabel was heading our way and after taking some advice from locals, hotel staff and from the folks we'd booked the hotels through - we had to make a quick desicion to cancel or not. The problem we had is that no-one would be able to tell until the Tuesday if she would hit - we were due to head to Naples on the Wednesday and didn't know if we would get a refund if the worst happened - so we cancelled and booked a further 3 nights at the Crowne Plaza - no problem - even kept the same room.
We had a car booked for 7 days, and collected it on the Sunday from the Sheraton Studio Hotel, Alamo office. We got landed with a white buick, a few scrapes etc but at least it was clean. Could we get the car to go?? I don't think so!!
We tried every lever, button and pedal before DH was despatched back into the office to get further instructions. Finally success! I was first to try my hand and headed nervously out onto I Drive - just keep right - DH kept repeating. It is amazing how quickly you become used to driving there - the most scary thing was remembering that cars overtake on both sides while travelling at high speed down the Highways! Also we faffed about at the petrol station - even remembering to pull the little lever down before discovering that you had to pay first 
Oh yes - we couldn't find the handbrake - what's this pedal down here? I asked pointing to one at the drivers door - that will be the handle to open the boot - said DH knowlegeably - it was the hand/foot brake as we discovered 24 hours later. Thankfully no damage to the car was sustained!!
The car was a godsend - we were able to take day trips down the coast - we visited St Petes, Clearwater, Venice and our favouite Sarasota. The beaches were absolutely beautiful and the water so clear. Next time we go, we'll definately spend a week further down the coast and go to the Everglades.
We went to all the malls - having the car and not relying on public transport was great - spent a day at US/ IOA - don't miss Shrek 4D, what a scream.
We ate at some nice restaurants - favourite being the Olive Garden - those hot bread sticks were yummy. Great value for money. We also tried Uno Chicago Pizza - again good value and their All American was so tasty. Sweet Tomatoes - the biggest
buffet I've seen, Dan Marinos ( so so ) and the most disappointing place we ate in was Tony Romas. We've been before, even ate in their restaurant in Singapore, but the recipies seem to have changed and we didn't like it so much.
Anyway, enough rambling for now - I'll get this trip report finished yet. Next installment will be about CSR and out thoughts on Celebration
Our plans had to change slightly - we were due to stay 6 nights at the Crowne Plaza and then head down to Naples where we were booked into the Escalante for 3 nights. However, Hurricaine Isabel was heading our way and after taking some advice from locals, hotel staff and from the folks we'd booked the hotels through - we had to make a quick desicion to cancel or not. The problem we had is that no-one would be able to tell until the Tuesday if she would hit - we were due to head to Naples on the Wednesday and didn't know if we would get a refund if the worst happened - so we cancelled and booked a further 3 nights at the Crowne Plaza - no problem - even kept the same room.
We had a car booked for 7 days, and collected it on the Sunday from the Sheraton Studio Hotel, Alamo office. We got landed with a white buick, a few scrapes etc but at least it was clean. Could we get the car to go?? I don't think so!!
We tried every lever, button and pedal before DH was despatched back into the office to get further instructions. Finally success! I was first to try my hand and headed nervously out onto I Drive - just keep right - DH kept repeating. It is amazing how quickly you become used to driving there - the most scary thing was remembering that cars overtake on both sides while travelling at high speed down the Highways! Also we faffed about at the petrol station - even remembering to pull the little lever down before discovering that you had to pay first Oh yes - we couldn't find the handbrake - what's this pedal down here? I asked pointing to one at the drivers door - that will be the handle to open the boot - said DH knowlegeably - it was the hand/foot brake as we discovered 24 hours later. Thankfully no damage to the car was sustained!!
The car was a godsend - we were able to take day trips down the coast - we visited St Petes, Clearwater, Venice and our favouite Sarasota. The beaches were absolutely beautiful and the water so clear. Next time we go, we'll definately spend a week further down the coast and go to the Everglades.
We went to all the malls - having the car and not relying on public transport was great - spent a day at US/ IOA - don't miss Shrek 4D, what a scream.
We ate at some nice restaurants - favourite being the Olive Garden - those hot bread sticks were yummy. Great value for money. We also tried Uno Chicago Pizza - again good value and their All American was so tasty. Sweet Tomatoes - the biggest
buffet I've seen, Dan Marinos ( so so ) and the most disappointing place we ate in was Tony Romas. We've been before, even ate in their restaurant in Singapore, but the recipies seem to have changed and we didn't like it so much.
Anyway, enough rambling for now - I'll get this trip report finished yet. Next installment will be about CSR and out thoughts on Celebration
Looking forward to the next.
