IMGONNABE40!
<font color=green>Okay, I already am 40, but if I
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 9,167
Day 1 December 20
Arrived in Orlando after a rough drive down from Cincinnati (roads turned to ice in parts of Tennessee--scary
) around 4PM. Since the original plan was to arrive around midnight or so, we did not have an on site reservation and could not get one at this late date. Had a room at Sleep Inn on Major Blvd which I got through Hotelkingdom for about $38. Nice hotel.
Headed over to US and arrived at 5:15 to catch part of the Macy's parade. It was nice, complete with marching bands and balloon vendors at the end! Following the parade we headed towards Finnigins as I had been ready for a beer since the night before after making it safely off the ice in Knoxsville. Had a black and tan (pint) for $2.60 happy hour prices and listened to a guy try really hard to sing. Service was really slow so we decided to head off to PBH for the story telling. The guy reading the books had never read either of them before and it showed. The lady with the guy kept looking for someone (the Grinch?) who never did show that evening. My plan from here was to go to Mama Della's since Spidey and JessicaR have so many great things to say about it, but DH had started Adkins (the day before!) and did not want Italian, though it did smell wonderful in there and we could have gotten a table with no trouble. We took the water taxi back to City Walk and had a nice meal at Margaritaville. Wings, Cheeseburgers, Salmon and of course, a margarita for me. Back to the hotel to get ready for the next day. Early to bed.
Day 2 December 21
I awoke about 6:30 but DH and DS did not, despite the early bedtime the night before. I showered and discovered that a hair dryer is not standard equipment at the Sleep Inn, nor was one available at the front desk, though I was put on a list to get one. I was too anxious to head over to HRH to bother with hair or even waiting for DH and DS to get up. Off I went to HRH to check in. It was only about 7:20 AM. Showed platinum card (still not sure how I got that!) but the only upgrade available was to club level for $65. Decided to stick with my $135 poolview. The room was not ready so I returned to the Sleep Inn to wake up my guys and check out. Though the dining area at Sleep Inn was nicely decorated with murals of IOA and US rides and characters and the continental breakfast looked good (including make your own waffles!), we skipped it in favor of going to the character breakfast at Confisco.
We parked the car at HRH and walked over to IOA. We arrived at Confisco about 9:00 AM. We did not have a reservation and there was a bit of a wait, until DH showed the HRH room key and we were shown to a table. The character interaction was a lot of fun. Sam I Am, Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two. Very playful and despite a full dining room I felt they paid us a lot of attention and we got photos and autographs. The food was nothing to write home about. Total about $50 for two adults and one child including tax and tip (which they add onto your bill).
After breakfast I asked DH to bring a few items back to the car as DS and I had a Christmas mission to take care of and hoped to do so without DH finding out. We were able to accomplish this (getting DS's picture taken and put into an acrylic cube at the Cat in the Hat Store--DH has wanted this for about 2 years) and explore Suess Landing for a while before DH got back.
It was too early for Whobilation and we were still too full from breakfast to ride the Hulk (our typical first stop!) so off to Spiderman. It was better than I remembered it and I wonder if that is because I was wearing glasses instead of contacts. After Spiderman it was time to head back to Suess Landing for Whobilation. We all enjoyed the show. 60 minute wait for Grinch's Lair at this point, so we skipped it and headed to the Hulk. We shared our row with a teen from England who had never been on before. After the ride DS asked him what he thought and he replied that he was "rather glad I brought another pair of pants!"
By this time it was about 1PM. We called to check on the room, still not ready but we decided to go back to HRH anyway so DS could go in the pool. Stopped at NBA City along the way to play a few games. Got DS's swim things from car (despite the 60 degree temps he still wanted to go in). DH and I settled in at the Beach Club to watch football and for my favorite Sweet Home Alabama. DH wanted to head over to US and DS wanted to stay in the pool. So DH and I went over to US. DH had never seen the Curious George area or Fievel's Playland so we checked those out--he even dragged me into Barney's Backyard where I had never been--not what I thought we would do after leaving the kid behind!! Rode ET then headed over to MIB where we waited about 30 mins even with FOTL! By this time I was anxious to check on DS so we went back to HRH--DS had not been out of the pool since we left him 2 hours earlier! Our room was ready so we got the luggage and headed up. Room 6090. GREAT ROOM! It was the first time we were anywhere near the elevator, and since we were on the 6th floor not only could we see the pool but we could also see the Hulk, Dr Doom and Dueling Dragons in the distance. After admiring the view for a bit we could see that DS was still in the pool playing basketball so we decided it was time to drag him out to spend some quality time with his folks. After a shower and some of the fruit we got with the room, we were off for an evening of coasters at IOA.
We stayed at IOA until close. DS wanted a smoked turkey leg for dinner and to watch TV in the room (we do not have cable at home, so hotel TV is a big deal for him). This was not my idea of a good time. DH and I decided to go to the Kitchen and let DS do what he wanted. We bought the turkey leg and headed for the HRH. Checked in at the Kitchen where there was a 35-45 minute wait. Got device which would alert us of our table anywhere at the hotel and headed back to our room to freshen up. Meanwhile, DS learned that the pool was open until 10 PM, not 8 PM as we had thought, and wanted to go back to play basketball instead of watching TV. He did not even finish his turkey leg before putting on his (still wet) swim suit and going back in the pool. DH and I changed clothes and headed back to the Beach Club to wait for our table at the Kitchen to be ready. Sure enough, it started flashing as were just starting our drinks, so off to the Kitchen we went, drinks in hand. We had an awesome meal! Service and food were both excellent. We started with the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, then shared a Ceasar Salad. DH had the Filet Mignon and I had the Steak and Cake (a 4 oz filet and a crab cake.) Mine came with broccoli and mashed potatoes and DH requested double veggies instead of potatoes. Everything was delicious! The kitchen theme carried through to the table where the sugar bowl was a measuring cup and the bread basket was a colander. The chef brought over a bacon wrapped scallop on top of a bed of nicely spiced grits which was also delicious. We decided to skip dessert. DS strolled in as we were finishing up (the pool had closed!). Our bill was $85 (food and 2 drinks). Overall we loved this place and will definatley return. My only complaint was that the lighting was too bright, though after making a requested table switch that improved.
After getting dried off and chewing on the rest of his turkey leg, my son and I went to Emack and Bolios for some ice cream to end our day.
Arrived in Orlando after a rough drive down from Cincinnati (roads turned to ice in parts of Tennessee--scary
) around 4PM. Since the original plan was to arrive around midnight or so, we did not have an on site reservation and could not get one at this late date. Had a room at Sleep Inn on Major Blvd which I got through Hotelkingdom for about $38. Nice hotel. Headed over to US and arrived at 5:15 to catch part of the Macy's parade. It was nice, complete with marching bands and balloon vendors at the end! Following the parade we headed towards Finnigins as I had been ready for a beer since the night before after making it safely off the ice in Knoxsville. Had a black and tan (pint) for $2.60 happy hour prices and listened to a guy try really hard to sing. Service was really slow so we decided to head off to PBH for the story telling. The guy reading the books had never read either of them before and it showed. The lady with the guy kept looking for someone (the Grinch?) who never did show that evening. My plan from here was to go to Mama Della's since Spidey and JessicaR have so many great things to say about it, but DH had started Adkins (the day before!) and did not want Italian, though it did smell wonderful in there and we could have gotten a table with no trouble. We took the water taxi back to City Walk and had a nice meal at Margaritaville. Wings, Cheeseburgers, Salmon and of course, a margarita for me. Back to the hotel to get ready for the next day. Early to bed.
Day 2 December 21
I awoke about 6:30 but DH and DS did not, despite the early bedtime the night before. I showered and discovered that a hair dryer is not standard equipment at the Sleep Inn, nor was one available at the front desk, though I was put on a list to get one. I was too anxious to head over to HRH to bother with hair or even waiting for DH and DS to get up. Off I went to HRH to check in. It was only about 7:20 AM. Showed platinum card (still not sure how I got that!) but the only upgrade available was to club level for $65. Decided to stick with my $135 poolview. The room was not ready so I returned to the Sleep Inn to wake up my guys and check out. Though the dining area at Sleep Inn was nicely decorated with murals of IOA and US rides and characters and the continental breakfast looked good (including make your own waffles!), we skipped it in favor of going to the character breakfast at Confisco.
We parked the car at HRH and walked over to IOA. We arrived at Confisco about 9:00 AM. We did not have a reservation and there was a bit of a wait, until DH showed the HRH room key and we were shown to a table. The character interaction was a lot of fun. Sam I Am, Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two. Very playful and despite a full dining room I felt they paid us a lot of attention and we got photos and autographs. The food was nothing to write home about. Total about $50 for two adults and one child including tax and tip (which they add onto your bill).
After breakfast I asked DH to bring a few items back to the car as DS and I had a Christmas mission to take care of and hoped to do so without DH finding out. We were able to accomplish this (getting DS's picture taken and put into an acrylic cube at the Cat in the Hat Store--DH has wanted this for about 2 years) and explore Suess Landing for a while before DH got back.
It was too early for Whobilation and we were still too full from breakfast to ride the Hulk (our typical first stop!) so off to Spiderman. It was better than I remembered it and I wonder if that is because I was wearing glasses instead of contacts. After Spiderman it was time to head back to Suess Landing for Whobilation. We all enjoyed the show. 60 minute wait for Grinch's Lair at this point, so we skipped it and headed to the Hulk. We shared our row with a teen from England who had never been on before. After the ride DS asked him what he thought and he replied that he was "rather glad I brought another pair of pants!"
By this time it was about 1PM. We called to check on the room, still not ready but we decided to go back to HRH anyway so DS could go in the pool. Stopped at NBA City along the way to play a few games. Got DS's swim things from car (despite the 60 degree temps he still wanted to go in). DH and I settled in at the Beach Club to watch football and for my favorite Sweet Home Alabama. DH wanted to head over to US and DS wanted to stay in the pool. So DH and I went over to US. DH had never seen the Curious George area or Fievel's Playland so we checked those out--he even dragged me into Barney's Backyard where I had never been--not what I thought we would do after leaving the kid behind!! Rode ET then headed over to MIB where we waited about 30 mins even with FOTL! By this time I was anxious to check on DS so we went back to HRH--DS had not been out of the pool since we left him 2 hours earlier! Our room was ready so we got the luggage and headed up. Room 6090. GREAT ROOM! It was the first time we were anywhere near the elevator, and since we were on the 6th floor not only could we see the pool but we could also see the Hulk, Dr Doom and Dueling Dragons in the distance. After admiring the view for a bit we could see that DS was still in the pool playing basketball so we decided it was time to drag him out to spend some quality time with his folks. After a shower and some of the fruit we got with the room, we were off for an evening of coasters at IOA.
We stayed at IOA until close. DS wanted a smoked turkey leg for dinner and to watch TV in the room (we do not have cable at home, so hotel TV is a big deal for him). This was not my idea of a good time. DH and I decided to go to the Kitchen and let DS do what he wanted. We bought the turkey leg and headed for the HRH. Checked in at the Kitchen where there was a 35-45 minute wait. Got device which would alert us of our table anywhere at the hotel and headed back to our room to freshen up. Meanwhile, DS learned that the pool was open until 10 PM, not 8 PM as we had thought, and wanted to go back to play basketball instead of watching TV. He did not even finish his turkey leg before putting on his (still wet) swim suit and going back in the pool. DH and I changed clothes and headed back to the Beach Club to wait for our table at the Kitchen to be ready. Sure enough, it started flashing as were just starting our drinks, so off to the Kitchen we went, drinks in hand. We had an awesome meal! Service and food were both excellent. We started with the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, then shared a Ceasar Salad. DH had the Filet Mignon and I had the Steak and Cake (a 4 oz filet and a crab cake.) Mine came with broccoli and mashed potatoes and DH requested double veggies instead of potatoes. Everything was delicious! The kitchen theme carried through to the table where the sugar bowl was a measuring cup and the bread basket was a colander. The chef brought over a bacon wrapped scallop on top of a bed of nicely spiced grits which was also delicious. We decided to skip dessert. DS strolled in as we were finishing up (the pool had closed!). Our bill was $85 (food and 2 drinks). Overall we loved this place and will definatley return. My only complaint was that the lighting was too bright, though after making a requested table switch that improved.
After getting dried off and chewing on the rest of his turkey leg, my son and I went to Emack and Bolios for some ice cream to end our day.
Too bad no Mama Della's this trip...maybe next time. Sounds like you had a great room at HRH and a terrific $ too. I have the same robe and it gets even softer as you wash it a few times. So nice to wear it and have the memories come flooding back. During a trip last year we had a family picture made at the same shop you did with the acrylic cubes. They do a nice job!
