"Guess who`s back"...3 Return for 3 Weeks @ RPR. Parks, KSC with lots of good food and fun...A May 2023 TR

[schumigirl]

I agree that the whole needing a park to park ticket to ride the HE is such a cash grab...but makes sense...that said...really feel for people who legit don't know when they arrive...the birthday thing not so much lol...These days though...I feel like you need to really spend time educating yourself about everything you are about to do and there is just too much info out there on everything!! It's too bad that a theme park visit now requires so much advance knowledge and planning!! You guys are lucky that now it's all old hat lol...and you get to do longer trips so as to not have to rush to get everything done lol...I learn a lot from your TR's though ))

This looks pretty good...I like that there are some non-deep fried lunch options...they seem few and far between ...I wish they would put something like Panera bread in the parks lol

I think we`re extremely lucky we have been visiting for so long and know the place so well, but for folks who maybe only have a shorter trip I would totally be reading up on everything. I was reading an open FB page (I don`t have FB) on UOR and I was completely gobsmacked at some of the basic things folks didn`t know ahead of their trips, some of which were days away! One person didn`t know which park "Harry Potter World" was located or that there were boats from the hotels!!!

Panera bread would be nice, I think Bread Box is quite nice, but I did get a pm from someone saying I shouldn`t recommend it as it`s too expensive for what it is?? There are some lovely food items in many of the restaurants and counter service that are not the usual theme park style foods which is wonderful as not everyone wants to eat chicken tenders or burgers.

I`m glad the TR`s have been of some use though

 

[schumigirl]

Hi-been a little while again but due to *gestures wildly at everything*

Love all the pictures! Also happy to see a bonefish still exists as all the ones up by us closed (I loved their basic grilled tilapia with lemon-so simple and cooked perfectly every time).

That was lovely of the TMs at the lounge to set aside cookies for Kyle!

I think the last time I was at that outback on kirkman was in 2012 lol! Since then we haven’t left the respective theme park bubbles of Disney and universal!


Also considering the *gesturing at everything*, I do want to say I’ve always enjoyed your trip reports. And for everyone else I’ve always appreciated your comments and reactions. Carole and Tom and Kyle clearly bring out the best in all of us! As I said on the main big thread in regards to it all, I’m always available for a listen, and if anyone wants to DM and share social medias incase something does happen to these boards, my messages are always open.




(Also always Myers over Bacardi for dark rum! Even my dog knows that and she’s a Yorkie and can’t reach the dry sink!)

They are so very kind in the lounges for sure and Kyle`s love of chocolate is legendary apparently!!

I think Bonefish are a good option for anyone, we will try it again as it was very nice, not somewhere that would be a must do as there are so many options of course, but their steaks were amazing! I do love a good fish that`s been well cooked, it`s not hard to do and to add in served cold too, there`s no excuse and I was glad the manager didn`t try to do that.

Yes, again, it`s not hard to understand dark rum when it`s asked for! I genuinely think she just wasn`t listening but she could have rectified it and not try to pass it off.

Hope you`re doing ok!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I`m September too!! 13th for me.

not far behind you on the 17th

we had decided to go back and try Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse always reminds me of the journey home. We usually pass an hour or so in there. Mind you the one in MCO is always full so there’s usually a wait to get in but the food is decent compared to everything else on offer.

I`ll be really honest, I wasn`t feeling 100% at this point,

Oh no! You guys are having a run of it this trip. Hoping some sleep helps.

 

[schumigirl]

not far behind you on the 17th

Outback Steakhouse always reminds me of the journey home. We usually pass an hour or so in there. Mind you the one in MCO is always full so there’s usually a wait to get in but the food is decent compared to everything else on offer.

Oh no! You guys are having a run of it this trip. Hoping some sleep helps.

We`re birthday buddies....well, almost

We`ve never been in the one in MCO, we tend to eat up in McCoys restaurant now in the Hyatt before we go through security, it`s lovely and the food is very good, sets us up for the flight ahead as food is never the best going back. Thank goodness for the wine....

 

[schumigirl]

THURSDAY MAY 18TH

​

I had the worst night on record!!! Which meant my two didn`t sleep well either. Aside from the cough, I developed chills and shivers and it was miserable as I just couldn`t fall over. According to Tom I coughed non stop for almost 3 hours again, I must have driven them crazy at that point as it was proper coughing not just a tickle and so loud. I had water, but it didn`t make a darn bit of difference. I felt so bad knowing I was disturbing them, but I just felt horrible and medicine wasn`t doing anything either.

I finally propped up almost every pillow I could and finally dropped off at some point, this was the second time I had done this and it kinda works. I think I slept about 2 hours, maybe 3 then saw it was a reasonable time to get up although Tom might disagree!!

Kyle had captured the sunrise this morning, this really was the best side of the hotel for sunrises.

​

We all made breakfast this morning and all I felt like eating was some fruit and a glazed doughnut, the guys had their usual and it was good to see Kyle back to normal.

Our plan this morning was to go to the park and do Hagrids and Velocicoaster, but I felt like death warmed up, so I decided to go back to bed for a couple of hours and see if I could sleep, but I told them to go ahead without me, I was more than happy for them to go off on their own, I prefer to be miserable on my own being honest.

They had a blast at the park, they did Hagrids and although the line showed 55 minutes they were on and off in about 40 minutes.

There are some fabulous picture spots along the way and like everything else the line is extremely well done and apart from a few nods to Duelling Dragons along the way you`d never know it had been anything else.

Although this is an amazing ride, there was nothing quite like DD.....well, maybe until the Velocicoaster came along, it has blown everything else out of the park for us.

I know they only did Hagrid`s once, of course......when they came out the ride was showing 100 minutes, they were glad they hadn`t hung around for much longer this morning and got there at a reasonable time.

Velocicoaster they went on 5 times and loved every time. This is one of the rides we are so happy it has EP.

​

I had slept for maybe an hour or so while they were gone, I woke up and felt like a cup of tea so headed down to the lounge and got some. The Concierge Manager Jen asked when we were all going to be in the lounge, I said as soon as they were back we could pop down....and then asked why......

We knew it was Mr Beiderman`s birthday tomorrow, and they were making a video from staff to wish him a happy birthday, so Jen had been asked to see if we would be available to do one too....of course!!! I said I`d bring them down when they got back from the parks.

I think I dropped off again, but woke as they were coming in the room, they had a very quick shower and we went down to the lounge where we made a short Happy Birthday wish to someone who is always so kind to us and we are always so happy to see and we were equally thrilled to be asked, there were a lot of folks making a contribution for it, it certainly wasn`t just us.

There was a family in the lounge as we were doing it and watched us the whole time we were speaking to the camera.....lol.....certainly makes you a little self conscious...but we did it one!!

Tom asked if I felt like going out and actually I did, Kyle wanted to go to Mall at Millenia again for his chocolate cake, so we drove out there and he got it as takeout and we went up to the food court to eat it.

It is huge!!

I wasn`t overly hungry, which is unusual, but Tom insisted I have something, so I said I could eat something from Firehouse Sub, these are very good!!! And it had been a while since we`d had one. I chose one and Tom went up to order as I was just feeling like sitting down at the moment.

Kyle did wait till we got ours which is not easy to resist for him!!!

I will say we made a mistake here, we both ordered a large sub and the large sub is huge!!

Tom had ordered the Hook and Ladder which was filled with turkey, ham and some kind of cheese with salad, I had chosen the Cajun Chicken with extra jalapenos, although the man told Tom we didn`t need extra, there were plenty on it.....hmmm. There really weren`t enough, but as I wasn`t going to eat it all, it was fine.

He also ordered some fries as Kyle did like some, but overall it was too much food. Two large subs would feed four people easily.

We both only ate half of our subs, I think I picked out most of the meat and barely ate any of the bread, I had a couple of fries but think Kyle ate most of them, they were very nice. We didn`t want to eat too much either as we were going to the Ale House tonight.

Once we had finished, such a shame to throw away so much food, but we headed straight to the car but Kyle said we should get some pictures....that`s my boy!!!

The Mall is very pretty and is always immaculately clean and almost shiny at times, we do enjoy a wander here.

Thank goodness for make up!!!

We did make one stop before going home, we popped into the Pharmacy in Walmart to try and see if I could get something else for this cough and now I was feeling achy a little, so we bought another product and I asked for something to make me sleep. This lady paharmacist had been the best one we`d spoken to yet, she was very helpful and advised a couple of things. I`d try anything at this point. It`s amazing what you can buy over the counter here, things we need a doctors prescription for, so we bought everything we could think of, daytime/nightime versions of everything and headed home.

It was also very, very hot!!

There did seem to be a storm brewing tonight, at least the Ale House wasn`t far to go.

We did start to pack a little, it was a half hearted attempt for sure, but we did make a start, although none of us felt like it. I gave up and said we`d go down to the lounge for a glass of wine or two and we did. One of the ladies told me I looked dreadful when I went in.....lol....thanks for that, I think as soon as she said it she regretted it, but I did laugh as I really didn`t feel my normal self.

I sat with my wine and didn`t feel like it.....again, always a bad sign and after maybe 10 or 15 minutes I started to shiver and shake and I was freezing cold. I had taken some tylenol earlier and in about an hour I could take some more, but right now I felt as though I was going to pass out.

We went back down to the room where I just collapsed on the bed and pulled every blanket around me, absolutely no use, so Tom turned the heat on as high as it would go and closed the door hoping I`d sleep. I didn`t, but did manage to take some more Tylenol.

So, freezing, shivery, achy, dizzy, headachy and sweating......I must have looked a picture!!

Around 7.30 Tom came through and woke me, I had fallen asleep, although to be fair I had taken a good old mix of stuff, so I would be surprised if I hadn`t. He said they had assumed I wouldn`t be going out for dinner. I said no but they should head off somewhere together for dinner but Kyle had suggested we get some room service and watch a movie together, actually that sounded a good idea.

I told him to order me whatever, as long as chicken noodle soup was on the list I`d be happy and to order some tea too.

I fell back asleep again and food arrived around 8.30 and I got up, but dragged a blanket with me as I was still so cold, chose a seat on the sofa and wrapped it around me as the room service guy set up the table.

Chicken noodle soup is not chicken noodle soup when it`s just pasta!!! But, I left the pasta on the side of the dish and enjoyed the broth and some chicken, this really is a miracle worker soup, I swear I started to feel a little better, but not great.

He had also ordered their shrimp cocktail, for Kyle a grilled cheese sandwich with fries and himself a turkey club sandwich which he chose to have fruit instead of fries.

Kyle`s flourless chocolate cake finished off the food order. They had given us a huge pot of boiling water with loads of tea, so we enjoyed that, I did add the honey and lemon they sent instead of milk for a change.

I had the broth, some chicken, half of the shrimps and some of the fruit along with copious amounts of tea, with that I was shattered.

I think Tom had ordered two of those flourless cakes for Kyle now I think back and he devoured both with such delight!!! Boy does love his chocolate!

We do like an evening with room service during our trip together, but usually it was a choice, tonight I couldn`t have gone out anywhere.

Room service is very good and sometimes they can be very busy, like tonight, we did wait a little longer but usually they are very fast and food is always boiling hot when it arrives.

You give them a call when you`re done and they`ll come back for the trolley. They tell you to leave it outside if you don`t want to be disturbed or they`ll knock and take it apart and remove it from your room.

I went back through to the bedroom when I was done and left them to whatever movie it was, I forget. This wasn`t the way tonight was supposed to be.

But, later I could take some of the night time medication and I was so looking forward to that......I`m not the only one there for sure!!! So, around 10ish I popped some of what the pharmacist said would make me sleep and hoped for the best.

Tomorrow was our last full day and evening before flying home on Saturday, we did want it to be a good one.

​

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Ugh I wrote a whole post and then poof it’s gone
So sorry you are feeling miserable. Hoping the medication helps. Aren’t American pharmacies places of wonder! So many over the counter medications that we need prescriptions for. Can’t help but think our GPs might be better able to handle their workload if we could just get what we need from the chemist half the time and free up some appointments but that’s a whole other discussion.
We used to eat at McCoys in the airport and I much prefer it but some of the family get anxious about the queue at security and they can’t relax until they are airside so Outback it is for now. It’s grand. Somewhere to sit and have a glass of wine and the food is ok. Not as nice as McCoys imo but does the job
I have been known to turn down the meal on the flight home and just take the wine and crackers. It really is a bit grim half the time that dinner. Wine on the other hand is…wine

 

[schumigirl]

Ugh I wrote a whole post and then poof it’s gone
So sorry you are feeling miserable. Hoping the medication helps. Aren’t American pharmacies places of wonder! So many over the counter medications that we need prescriptions for. Can’t help but think our GPs might be better able to handle their workload if we could just get what we need from the chemist half the time and free up some appointments but that’s a whole other discussion.
We used to eat at McCoys in the airport and I much prefer it but some of the family get anxious about the queue at security and they can’t relax until they are airside so Outback it is for now. It’s grand. Somewhere to sit and have a glass of wine and the food is ok. Not as nice as McCoys imo but does the job
I have been known to turn down the meal on the flight home and just take the wine and crackers. It really is a bit grim half the time that dinner. Wine on the other hand is…wine

Oh I hate when that happens!!

Yes, American pharmacies are like an Aladdin`s Cave to us Brits.....

So many of our cases must rattle with everything we bring home, and of course Neosporin, wouldn`t be without that too.

I understand the worry about getting through security, it is a concern. We have TSA precheck so the line is never long for that. And that later flight going home this trip....the place was deserted, the officer chatted with us as there was no one else around!

Oh yeah......cheese, crackers and wine.....can`t go wrong there!!!

 

[kbelle8995]

Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well on your trip. I'm glad the pharmacist was so helpful. We have good staff in our Drugstores. And stock too. I have to admit that I do love to wander through a good drugstore and check the makeup section too. Plus it's a good place to get a cheap beverage or snack.

I'm missing Universal right now so this is so lovely to see your trip report

 

[schumigirl]

FRIDAY MAY 19TH

I must admit, I got into bed thinking I was going to be miserable, shivering and coughing all night through, but by some miracle, or some good meds....I slept right through the night, I didn`t wake once, Tom said he got up for the bathroom once and I didn`t move a muscle. You know what it`s like when your husband or wife move, you usually wake up, nope.....never heard a thing. So, it also meant they slept well too thankfully!! And I was definitely taking some of this medication home with me!!!

We all felt so much better today and we were ready to start the day ahead, it was going to be another gorgeous one.

Once we were showered we went down to breakfast in the lounge and enjoyed a nice chat with a couple of folks we wouldn`t see again.

Also the lovely Alex was missing, she had a few days off and said she`d try her best to get in to see us one last time before we left. We had missed seeing her these last few days, but everyone deserves some time off!! We emailed each other so it`s not that we weren`t in touch. In the lounge she is our absolute favourite lady, although we`d only known her for about 18 months, we knew her well and she really is one of the best, she`s a wonderful mum too!!!

A family sat beside us and chatted this morning, we had seen them a few times and only nodded to each other, but today we got to speak to them which was nice......Phil from Philly.....yep, they were from Philadelphia and were a lovely family who loved cruises and had taken about a billion of them!! We chatted about several things including their weather, they told us even in summer they much prefer the heat of Florida as it never gets as warm up there in PA as it does down South. I said Philadelphia always looks cold to me, even in the sunshine!!! He agreed and said yep, they just don`t get that same heat.....

We chatted briefly after that, turns out they were leaving that day but gave us the link to their Youtube Channel for their cruises, nice family.

But, for us, we headed off and as we were planning to do IOA today we walked and cut through the pool which is beautiful. Everyone has their favourite pool for various reasons, and this one is ours dues to it never being overly busy, it has a good depth but not too deep for the non swimmer I am and I like how it`s laid out. Folks say there`s no slide.....but we don`t care about slides, so we don`t miss one. We did pool hop years ago, but never felt the need after that.

And I think Bula Bar is the best pool bar by far of all four hotels including Sapphire. If you haven`t tried their chicken nachos....you really should, they are amazing!!

It was already blazing hot this morning and it felt like a furnace when we stepped outside, but....this was one of the things we love about Florida!!! That walk to the parks is beautiful, you`re partly shaded which is nice and it`s only a few minutes walk to the security check to the side of Margaritaville.

We again used the AP entrance which took seconds, the line to get into Islands was fairly long this morning, so we were glad of this little entrance to the side where there was no one in front of us at all.

Wandering through the store we had a quick look but shopping was not our priority this morning, but I was in the mood to wander, so they headed off to The Hulk which I was passing on today I said I`d meet them at Doom in 15 minutes or so, that would give them a chance to ride Hulk twice, I could snap some of the amazing decor in IOA away from the main path everyone walks to get in.

After the Universal store as you enter the parks is an open market looking place that sells clothes you never see anyone wear, although I have bought a hat from there many years ago, but they have some gorgeous decor, and it may only be a door, but they have made it so exotic looking, very fitting for POE.

I met my two and we did Doom once and then onto Spider-Man which again had a long regular line already, so we only did this once then headed round to do what we had come to do today, the water rides.

We walked round to JPRA only to find it was down for some reason or other and they couldn`t tell us how long, so we ambled back to Dudley Do Right`s and I said I`d hold the bags with their shoes and so on as they had brought fake crocs with them to wear on the rides. Pack horse was my job for this morning, fine by me.....

I like this ride, but hate the getting in and out of the ride vehicle....it is so awkward!! Sounds like I`m moaning, and I am I suppose, but there is no delicate or ladylike way to get in and out of it and a lot of folks always need help and I`m one of them!! Weak wrists for pulling myself out!

It felt like forever till they came around and I spotted them right at the top of the drop and hoped I`d capture them for some good pictures.

This must be the fastest drop in the parks! You go down like a bullet and yes, you do get completely drenched....you are soaked to the skin every time but on a day like today it is wonderful!

I did notice something about this picture but didn`t pay too much attention.....

When they came out of the ride, they were having a laugh and chatting to the couple who were on the boat with them....and Kyle said they had to go look at the ride picture as there was a story.....lol....

Coming down the drop, Kyle felt something hit his arm and grabbed it, turns out it was the lanyard of the girl in front of him that had billowed off her neck and as it was about to fly off in abandonment into the water around them, he had managed to grab it and cling on to it for her......lol....what were the chances at that speed!

And you can see from the ride picture it was round her neck and not on his arm, but in the picture above I took which was just after the ride picture, he had caught it!!

They were very grateful to him for catching it!!!

Next up was Bluto`s Bilge Barges.......

This really annoyed me.

You used to be able to put quarters in and either drench folks with the fake shower attachment or shoot them with the water guns. We always preferred the drencher and used to drop $30 at least a visit and we laughed like hyenas, well Kyle and I did, Tom used to shake his head at how amused we would get doing it, but it was hilarious seeing the reactions at times!!

Then it changed to tokens you could buy with dollars......now......credit card only!!! I hate this change and needless to say we don`t do it anymore.

As we approached the ride, we all thought it was kinda quieter than usual......something was amiss and it didn`t take us long to see what it was......

Yep, the ride had been drained of water!!

What were the chances of two of the three water rides being down on the same morning!!

The TM`s couldn`t tell us how long it would be down for or even if it would be back on today, so Kyle suggested they go back on Dudley which was a good idea as they were already soaked, I would wander again, and I was glad I did as I saw the water being filled up after about 20 minutes, it`s quite impressive to see.

The lockers for the water rides are always something folks ask about and they are located near the entrance to the ride and come in various sizes depending on what you need and are either $4 or $5 depending on the size you need for 90 minutes or extend it and use the larger lockers for the whole day.

It is a nice little area up here, very colourful and I did get a look at some of the food from Wimpy`s and it did look and smell good!!! I said to Tom maybe on a day that`s not too hot on our next trip we`ll have lunch here, we really prefer to eat inside, but maybe we`ll give it a go.

They appeared back and had gone of Dudley twice, they really hadn`t been gone long at all but they were drenched and glad they had a change of shoes at this point!! I think standing in the sunshine was in order here.

Although the water had been filled back up and looked back to normal, they still weren`t allowing anyone to go on, we again asked and they said they couldn`t tell us how long it would be before it was going to be running, so we sadly headed away for lunch, we could hang around for hours and it might not come back on, so we didn`t bother.

So these were the two rides that Kyle didn`t manage this time, of course he has done them both many, many times, but not this trip.

Lunch was up next, but we did wonder where on earth the statue of Popeye had gone??? He seemed to have been replaced by a plant or three!!

No more Hulk today, we were heading out of the park for what would usually be our last time, but we did plan to do something unusual for us tomorrow and that was to go in for Early Entry......for the first time ever!!!

​

We all wanted to go to Margaritaville for lunch today, it`s somewhere we all enjoy and I could get my last jalapeno mango margaritas!!! As most of you know we very rarely make a reservation for anything except the higher end restaurants we know we absolutely want to go to, but for lunches in the park or Citywalk, never.

When we went in there were plenty of tables, but we wanted to sit at the bar, something we really enjoy and Kyle was happy to do that for a change, there were plenty of seats available here too.

Kyle got some kind of strawberry slushy, I got my jalapeno margarita which was now my favourite drink from here taking over from the lovely blackberry margarita I had favoured for so long! I do make my own version at home, only with pineapple and more jalapenos!!! And probably more Tequila

We moved on to bigger glasses for the second pitcher!!! But it is gorgeous!!

​

Kyle was loving his slushy!! I have no clue where Tom`s drink is, but he got a mango daiquiri and loved it! These barmen give a very good pour!!

This is one of our favourite things to do, sit down together and enjoy our lunch without rushing off to do something else, we just chat and laugh and pass the time so easily and having nice barmen too is always an added bonus.

We were all on our second drink when the food arrived, I ordered their Chicken Quesadilla and asked for light on the cheese which they did perfectly, these were very good and were on a par with the ones from Bula Bar at RP. I also asked for the pot of jalapenos too as you can never have enough spice in your life!!

Tom and Kyle both ordered Cheeseburger in Paradise with fries and they both arrived perfectly cooked too and I was a little envious, I have to admit, they looked so good! I`m almost sure this is Tom`s burger as Kyle tucked into his as soon as it arrived despite knowing the rule.....lol....I`d let him off.

Lunch had been so good and we were reluctant to head home as we had some packing to do!! Never fun when we`re going home, but it has to be done. Also we were meeting Marian and Andrea in the lounge later this afternoon, so time to get a wiggle on and head back.

Tom went down to the lounge and got us some tea as I made a start on my packing, Kyle was doing his and commented we didn`t buy as much as we had planned, might be a good thing!!! But we got most of it done and Tom left out the other bottle of rum we were taking to Fernando tonight as a parting gift, he is so very kind to us and we know he likes unusual rum or from different places, so Scottish rum was something that amused him and the team!

Once we were more or less organised, it was around 2.45 and we went down to the lounge to see our two favourite ladies, Marian and Andrea and we had a lovely couple of hours with them chatting and catching up again and we thanked them profusely for everything they had done for us before and during this trip, such lovely ladies who we had really gotten to know so well after this trip.

We had just had our hugs and said goodbye to both ladies when one of our favourite guys came up to see us too.....our Samuel!! We have known Samuel since 2018 and we took to him straight away, he is someone we hope never leaves RP!!! I know if he does we`d keep in touch as we do now through email mainly, and we were just so thrilled for him when he told us he was getting married while we were here. The wedding was small and intimate and we loved seeing those pictures and he also taught me my phone had tricks I never knew it had!!! I`m not the most technical of people, but all in all, we just adored him.

It was so lovely of him to come up in case we missed him tomorrow and we sat and chatted for a while, we were in no rush to move anywhere, it was still early and we weren`t expected over at Strongwater till 7.30.

Jen who is the Concierge Manager also came to say goodbye as she was off the weekend, she is also someone we have gotten to know really well, she always takes the time to come and chat and spend time with us as well as everyone else in the lounge, they do look after guests so well here and treat everyone as a special guest.

It was our day for visitors as the lovely Raphael appeared soon after to wish us safe travels, he was staying at PB for a few days so we were so happy he had taken the time to come say goodbye to us, not many folks would take that time out of their day to do that. He is one of the nicest men too and has a genuine kindness about him. He`s down at the front desk now but we still miss him in the lounge.

Raphael was part of the "Dream Team" who worked in the lounge in our May 2022 visit and made our trip so extra special getting to know them.

Alex, Raphael, Lindsey and Daniel who we just got so attached to and we told everyone, that team at that point, were part of the best Club Team we had ever seen in all our years of being up here, they just clicked together and worked so well as a team and were super nice, we missed that team a lot.

It was also Raphael`s birthday and he had no idea we had remembered that detail, so he was very surprised when we handed him a card and a gift bag with some goodies in it we knew he`d love.

He had also written us a lovely little card that made me sniffle a little as his words were so heartfelt and meant a lot to read.

Soon, it was time to say goodbye, and it`s never easy saying goodbye to people we absolutely adore, but we have to. Samuel we would see tomorrow before we left, we still hugged him though just in case something came up and he couldn`t make it out front, but Raphael, well, after many hugs and a few tears he headed back to PB and we thanked him again for coming over. Samuel headed down too as he was going home for the night.

It is so lovely to have the privilege to get to know such lovely people as we have been able to do over the years, but it`s always so hard to say goodbye. Thank goodness for email!!!




Next up.....Strong Water Bar......and more goodbyes.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Ach Carol it is so lovely that all your favourite people pop up to say goodbye to you and Tom. It’s also lovely that you take such time and care to get something for them you think they’ll enjoy as a thank you for all their care. I’m sure you are missed when you’re not in the lounge.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

We have TSA precheck

Do you get this through the GE?

 

[schumigirl]

Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well on your trip. I'm glad the pharmacist was so helpful. We have good staff in our Drugstores. And stock too. I have to admit that I do love to wander through a good drugstore and check the makeup section too. Plus it's a good place to get a cheap beverage or snack.

I'm missing Universal right now so this is so lovely to see your trip report

This last pharmacist was the best one, people sometimes don`t rate Wal-Mart, but she was brilliant and helped so much. I do love a good wander round the pharmacy dept in American stores, it really is a lot of fun.....weirdly!!

Thank you I`m glad you`re enjoying it!

 

[schumigirl]

Ach Carol it is so lovely that all your favourite people pop up to say goodbye to you and Tom. It’s also lovely that you take such time and care to get something for them you think they’ll enjoy as a thank you for all their care. I’m sure you are missed when you’re not in the lounge.

We really have been so lucky to get to know so many wonderful people in the hotel and parks too, and being able to keep in touch is a blessing.

The lounge changes all the time which is a good thing, but it`s sad to see folks go, at the same time we`re happy they are progressing in their career.

Do you get this through the GE?

Yes, it comes automatically with GE.

Although we did get it a couple of times before 2018, not quite sure why we got it, but we didn`t argue......

 

[schumigirl]

We left the Club Lounge and popped into the room to pick up a gift we had for Fernando and we were delighted to see Andrea had sent us a lovely tray of treats, what a lovely surprise.....we love those strawberries and Kyle, well Kyle loves cookies!!! It was so thoughtful of her to organise, very much appreciated indeed.

We had a few of the strawberries and decided we`d keep the rest for later and headed over to Strong Water for our final meal of this trip in there, we do like to spend our last night there with everyone when we can.

We always enjoy the walk over to Sapphire and we did get a few more pictures as we had been told this whole area was being refurbed from as early as June, I think the design of the convention/ballroom area is very pretty as it is, but I look forward to seeing it when it`s done again.

This walk used to be almost deserted when we started walking back and forward between the two hotels, it was mainly staff we bumped into but over the last few years it has got very popular with guests wandering through. Although late at night it is rare and it`s usually just us and the odd security guard.

The Ballrooms are huge, and the walls are all interchangeable so you can create a smaller more intimate space or a massive space for a larger group, the walls you see in the distance can be removed too and it is massive when you see the whole thing opened up.

​

Walking into Strong Water is always lovely, it is the friendliest and most welcoming place on property, it is quite busy tonight but we had a table and again not in Maggie`s section of which she jokingly teased us we didn`t want her looking after us!! Maggie is our absolute favourite lady to take care of us and we did manage to chat to her during the evening.

Kyle ordered a strawberry daiquiri, minus the alcohol of course and Anthony who was working tonight made him up a lovely one, Tom and I both ordered Carole`s Punch....

Fernando had come over to welcome us and then said he`d be back in a bit, I think this was going to be a busy night for them.

Although we never sit outside, we always have a wander and it was beautiful tonight, the light was quite stunning and looking around we already couldn`t wait to come back!

And of course the lovely Anthony came over to join us for a chat and have a look at the rum we had brought tonight, Fernando had already given us into trouble for getting him another, but we know what a rum fan he is and he is so wonderful.

Anthony appeared with what looked like Carole`s Punch but handed it to Kyle, bless him, he had made Kyle a non alcoholic version of it.....what a sweetheart!! And Kyle loved it.....Anthony said he wanted to give him something other than a smoothy and it was perfect.

Sadly, Anthony had told us at the beginning of our trip when we saw him he was leaving Strong Water for good, he was going to work for a rum company and we knew he`d do amazingly well. They were lucky to have him and he would be missed for sure here. We have each others email and he plans to visit when we`re next there, so we`d still see him and keep in touch, but it was nice spending some time with him tonight....mainly talking rum of course!!

Tom bravely ordered a different cocktail for his second drink, I was faithful to mine and ordered another Punch which was delicious as always. Tom did admit although the cocktail he ordered was nice, the one Anthony created for me was better!!! Especially when Anthony made it.

I had seen Fernando talking to people at the bar and he pointed over to us, a few minutes later he brought a lady over who wanted to meet "Carole" for whom the punch was created.......

Anyway she was lovely and said it was her and her husband`s favourite drink in here and she said thank you.....I did tell her it was all down to Anthony as he created it, but she again said she loved it was was glad to meet the inspiration......awww shucks!!! Nice lady though.

Fernando brought over a rum flight for Tom, and we all had a taste, even Kyle my non drinking son......I know there was one we all didn`t like, it was either Navy Yard or Queen`s Share, but we all liked their own Strong Water rum, it was very easy to drink. We`d open the Scottish bottle later.

Chef Carlos had come out to say hello, he is a real character and one of the most interesting of men, his tales are very impressive and when he talks of food, his passion and love for creating dishes people will love is palpable. And his food is amazing. Him and Fernando have a very good relationship and it really shows, they are a formidable pair.

But our food was on the way now and I had opted for the jerk chicken again which was so nice the last time I had it, Kyle went for the sliders and fries and Tom ordered Arroz con Collo which is an old favourite of his and is pulled chicken, sausage, onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes,
peas and yellow rice.

Everything as always, was beautiful, my chicken was cooked to perfection and although I do wish it were spicier, it is delicious. Kyle loved his sliders and Tom enjoyed his dish too.

Chef Carlos appeared with a dish for us just as we had finished, it was a ceviche similar to their Caribbean style one, but they had made it with plantains as a base and my goodness it was wonderful. He made sure to tell us there was no cilantro in this one.......lol.....he always remembers!

Our mate Lenny came over to sit for a while when he got the chance, Lenny we have known for about 6 years now and he is also one of the nicest folks and we always have a good chat and good giggle with him he has a very good and sharp sense of humour.

Fernando came over and sat down to taste the rum with us, always a pleasure and we shouted Lenny and Maggie over too to have a taste as they have a very good palate for them....and even Kyle had another taste of a shot tonight. He also had a very good palate for rum it seems!!

We sat and chatted the evening away, everyone stopped by to say hello which is always lovely, and the lady who said they enjoyed the cocktail also stopped by before they left, I think her husband thought she was bothering us, but she really wasn`t, she was so nice.

Dessert time came around and one of their newest desserts is a Churro Bowl which is basically as described, with dulce de leche ice cream on top, chocolate decoration and sauce. I don`t like churro which everyone was crazily amazed by for some reason.....Chef Carlos again shook his head and teased me about my tastes.....lol.....

Tom loved it though, however it is a very dense and rich dessert, probably best shared....I did take some of the ice cream as it`s lovely, but this was one dessert that`s not for me.

Kyle got his usual chocolate cake which he loves, and the lovely Fernando brought me out my own little ice cream portion which was delightful and very much appreciated.

We sat a little while longer and chatted with everyone, this is such a wonderful place with the nicest of folks who run it and we love our time with them......but looking at the time, it was getting onto almost midnight......time to go, and it passes so quickly here.

​

We always dread this time, saying goodbye to folks we consider friends is never easy and although we have email, it`s not the same as sitting chatting the evening away, but it was time to head back home, so one by one we say our temporary goodbyes to everyone, keeping Fernando and Maggie till last. Such special people who mean so much to us, but finally we head off to walk back home. This is where we wish we were staying at Sapphire!!!

It is only a 10 minute walk but after a few cocktails, it does feel longer.....

We get outside and see it is absolutely pouring down with rain, and rain can be incredibly impressive in Florida, we are such tourists at times when we watch the weather, whatever it is.

Back up in our room, Tom and I finish off the strawberries and Kyle had a couple of cookies, it was a nice way to finish off our evening, althought it was now tomorrow. This had been such a lovely day.

Kyle got his bed out and we all got ready for bed and marvelled at how much better we all felt now, it was wonderful knowing we would go to bed and sleep.

Tomorrow our plan was to get up for EE....but looking at the time now, I wasn`t sure we would.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a great evening. Your reviews really make me want to visit Strong Water and try Carol’s punch. Your definitely famous now that people are stopping by your table to meet the inspiration being the cocktail

 

[schumigirl]

What a great evening. Your reviews really make me want to visit Strong Water and try Carol’s punch. Your definitely famous now that people are stopping by your table to meet the inspiration being the cocktail

Thanks lvp.....it was an amazing evening with the three of us and just enjoying the company of everyone there.

I think you`d like the punch, for me it`s the absolute perfect drink!! I did like meeting the lady too, even though I didn`t create it......lol.......

 

[keishashadow]

Caught up

Yes, American pharmacies are like an Aladdin`s Cave to us Brits.....

meanwhile, heading to one is at the bottom of my wish list lol

If you haven`t tried their chicken nachos....you really should, they are amazing!!

I rarely get them as it’s so huge, far too much for one person. Wish they’d offer a half order

an open market looking place that sells clothes you never see anyone wear,

I’ve mused that it’s not a ‘real store’, more of a set piece

but there is no delicate or ladylike way to get in and out of it and a lot of folks always need help and I`m one of them!! Weak wrists for pulling myself out!

My method of getting into it is a clumsy plop, hoping I don’t break my tail bone lol

he had caught it!!

quite the feat, has catlike reflexes! It’s the Mom in me talking but, he could’ve put his eye out or at least gotten a good bruise if it hit him in the face at that speed.

Glad to see he let his hair down and had a few adult drinks this trip!

 

[schumigirl]

Caught up


meanwhile, heading to one is at the bottom of my wish list lol

I rarely get them as it’s so huge, far too much for one person. Wish they’d offer a half order

I’ve mused that it’s not a ‘real store’, more of a set piece

My method of getting into it is a clumsy plop, hoping I don’t break my tail bone lol

quite the feat, has catlike reflexes! It’s the Mom in me talking but, he could’ve put his eye out or at least gotten a good bruise if it hit him in the face at that speed.

Glad to see he let his hair down and had a few adult drinks this trip!

We said the same thing, it could have injured anyone flying off at that speed. She had tucked it in apparently, but, yes, fast reflexes. Clumsy plop is about right for getting into that ride!!

lol.....I think it amuses Americans what we find to be exciting in the States.....fully loaded pharmacy is an odd one I know......

We`ve always shared the nachos and even then, it`s still really too much, but so good!

I did buy a hat from there and once, only once saw someone buy one of those odd skirts, I imagine the TM isn`t overly busy during a shift!

Glad you`re all caught up, nearly done now, I did think this one would be long finished by now!!

 

[keishashadow]

no pressure …

however, when one door closes; we expect the next one to not be far behind!

 

[schumigirl]

no pressure …

however, when one door closes; we expect the next one to not be far behind!

lol......no pressure at all Janet.....

Although now I think on it, it is only 13 weeks till we come back.....eeekkkk!!! I did think it was longer, but that seems a decent time for a Pre Trip report when I finally finish this one!!