Hello from the Ritz Carlton

[UKDEB]

Arrived here from NYC on New Year's Day. New York was wonderful. Highlights were the weather (not too cold and gloriously sunny); Michael Feinstein on New Year's Eve (we decided months ago that we weren't going to brave Times Square); the Metropolitan Museum of Art; strolling around Central Park; and viewing Ground Zero from American Express' building's "A Place to Reflect" (it's in the public area and I recommend it to anyone who visits Ground Zero. I was especially moved by the memorial to the eleven Amex employees who lost their lives on September 11. They also have displays of the 8 finalis designs for the memorial garden).

Now to the Ritz Carlton! Wow! I like it here. We ate at Norman's last night which was great, but we were also incredibly impressed with the Vineyard Grill the evening before. Today it's golf and spa treatments, together with lunch at Fairways on the golf course. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it!

It's VERY busy here. We'd intended to do MK yesterday, but the crowds at the TTC convinced us to hop on the monorail to Epcot. That was also busier than I've seen it for a long time - lines for Spaceship Earth and very busy around Mission: Space and Test Track. WS was not too bad and we enjoyed a stroll around in the 80 degree sunshine (sorry guys! ). We also paid a visit to Mall at Millenia and the parking lot was full! I've only ever seen it virtually empty before - a bit of a shock! We're hoping that everyone will be back to work on Monday and it will ease up.

See you later

 

[kazzie]

Sounds lovely Deb.We saw Ground Zero in October,very haunting.

I can't imagine how busy the Mall must be with a full car park

Hope your spa treatmnets were good

 

[KayleeUK]

Deb

Sounds like you are having a fabulous time. New York sounds great Have heaps more fun......

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Glad to hear you are having a great time Deb.

Keeping Matt off the beer?

We must get together when you get back.

Kev

 

[BONZO]

Hiya Deb!


Happy New Year to you all and great to hear that you're having a good time.

Catch up with you later.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Thank you for stopping by Debbie ! Brought back memories of our NY trip- sounds like yours was as memorable as ours.

The Ritz Carlton sounds wonderful! Look forward to hearing more on your return

 

[UKANGEL]

Sounds like you're having a great time Deb

I'd love to visit NYC one day......

Can't believe how busy WDW sounds!

Happy New Year to you and Matt

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Happy new Year Deb and Matt - sounds as if you're having a great time. The weather is so great for you.

We noticed the crowds seemed busier on the 30th December than they did on Xmas Day!!

 

[UKDEB]

Originally posted by Kevin Stringer
Keeping Matt off the beer?

What do you think, Kev? Put it this way, I think he's on a mission to single-handedly support the Central
Florida economy.

We must get together when you get back

Yes absolutely. Hope you, Tam and the girls had a great Christmas.

We're checking out today Still, the villa looks fab - brand new one on Formosa Gardens. Like Southfork, only bigger!

 

[chunkster20uk]

How does the villa compare with the last one?

Glad you are having fun.

 

[UKDEB]

This one's totally different, Mark - better in some ways, not so good in others. No movie memorabilia! But it does have flat screen tvs everywhere which the boys like, plus internet access and a games room. What we need to be able to do is pick all the best bits from every villa we've ever stayed at and put them all together. Never satisfied, that's my trouble.

Emerald Villa