netnurse31
Some people care too much, I think it's called lov
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2002
- Messages
- 286
Day 1
Before I get into the nitty gritty of our trip let me give you some backround. I planned this trip back in March thinking it would be a wonderful way to end the summer. Airfare was dirt cheap at the time, we were at war for Gods sake! Got RT tickets from NYC for $550 for a family of 4! Booked the HRH at $135 a night entertainent rate. Managed to reserve a car for $111 for 7 days and secured a parking space at Avistar Laguardia Airport for $75. Purchased my Universal passes online, 3 Power Passes at $89 each and one preferred annual pass for $149. Okay, I hit the jackpot, an 8 day, 7 night trip for 4 for a little over $2000. I was doing great!
Going on this adventure was my DH, 40, who hates the heat and more importantly despises getting wet. DS, 14, a normal teenager who plans on being miserable but always manages to have a good time on family trips. DD, 8, who is the fun-lover of the group. Last but not least me, 38, the planning fanatic. I have an itinerary for everything from brushing teeth to park touring.
3 months before our trip my grandfather became ill. Realizing it would be difficult for him to live alone at close to 90, we decided that it was time he move in with us. We began looking for a house big enough to accommodate all of us and what do you know, we found one ..2 months before the trip. Now for anyone who has closed on a house you know how stressful this process is. Of course our closing was scheduled one week after we returned home from UO. <sigh> During all of the financing details my brother became ill with liver disease and was given a very bad prognosis. Needless to say we reluctantly agreed we would still take this trip knowing that when we returned home life would be very hectic.
Now for our departure. We had a 12 noon flight out of LGA on Delta which was delayed due to only one runway being open. Scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 2:30 we had a connecting flight booked to leave at 4PM plenty of time <we thought>. When we didnt take off until 12:45 I knew we would be cutting it close. We managed to make it to our connecting flight with minutes to spare. Took off on time but hung in the air for over an hour waiting for a storm to pass in Orlando. I think I lost feeling in my arm as my brave teenage son held on tight the entire time. We landed at 6:40, an hour later than expected, grabbed our bags, got our rental car and head off to the HRH. Arrived there at around 7PM and the check in was very easy. Asked for an upgrade but none were available. They did offer to upgrade us to a deluxe the next day for a measly $50 a night <no thanks!>. Presented my Loews membership card and received a choice of welcome gifts. Kids chose the popcorn and a movie. Asked about the Grade A Kids program and they said sure!. Gave them DDs report card and she received a bracelet that entitled her to free drinks at all the restaurants at the hotel and a free dessert with dinner. She also obtained a bookmark and a pen. No teen amenities were available but DD also received a small bag with sunglasses, a blow up guitar and a hackey sack. She was thrilled! We were given room 1118 as I had requested a room near the elevators. Needless to say it wasnt THAT close to the elevator but we didnt need to use it anyway because we were on the first floor. We were a short walk to the exit to the pool which was very convenient. 5 minutes after we arrived in the room a knock at the door was heard. A pleasant man holding a package of popcorn and a movie voucher in hand was found behind the door, "Welcome to the HRH" he said. Kids changed immediately and went swimming. We ordered Flippers Pizza and they delivered it within 45 minutes. Pizza was certainly not NY pizza but it was edible and we were hungry. It was already 9:30PM! I unpacked and we retired around 11PM with dreams of Islands of Adventure dancing in our heads.
Before I get into the nitty gritty of our trip let me give you some backround. I planned this trip back in March thinking it would be a wonderful way to end the summer. Airfare was dirt cheap at the time, we were at war for Gods sake! Got RT tickets from NYC for $550 for a family of 4! Booked the HRH at $135 a night entertainent rate. Managed to reserve a car for $111 for 7 days and secured a parking space at Avistar Laguardia Airport for $75. Purchased my Universal passes online, 3 Power Passes at $89 each and one preferred annual pass for $149. Okay, I hit the jackpot, an 8 day, 7 night trip for 4 for a little over $2000. I was doing great!
Going on this adventure was my DH, 40, who hates the heat and more importantly despises getting wet. DS, 14, a normal teenager who plans on being miserable but always manages to have a good time on family trips. DD, 8, who is the fun-lover of the group. Last but not least me, 38, the planning fanatic. I have an itinerary for everything from brushing teeth to park touring.
3 months before our trip my grandfather became ill. Realizing it would be difficult for him to live alone at close to 90, we decided that it was time he move in with us. We began looking for a house big enough to accommodate all of us and what do you know, we found one ..2 months before the trip. Now for anyone who has closed on a house you know how stressful this process is. Of course our closing was scheduled one week after we returned home from UO. <sigh> During all of the financing details my brother became ill with liver disease and was given a very bad prognosis. Needless to say we reluctantly agreed we would still take this trip knowing that when we returned home life would be very hectic.
Now for our departure. We had a 12 noon flight out of LGA on Delta which was delayed due to only one runway being open. Scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 2:30 we had a connecting flight booked to leave at 4PM plenty of time <we thought>. When we didnt take off until 12:45 I knew we would be cutting it close. We managed to make it to our connecting flight with minutes to spare. Took off on time but hung in the air for over an hour waiting for a storm to pass in Orlando. I think I lost feeling in my arm as my brave teenage son held on tight the entire time. We landed at 6:40, an hour later than expected, grabbed our bags, got our rental car and head off to the HRH. Arrived there at around 7PM and the check in was very easy. Asked for an upgrade but none were available. They did offer to upgrade us to a deluxe the next day for a measly $50 a night <no thanks!>. Presented my Loews membership card and received a choice of welcome gifts. Kids chose the popcorn and a movie. Asked about the Grade A Kids program and they said sure!. Gave them DDs report card and she received a bracelet that entitled her to free drinks at all the restaurants at the hotel and a free dessert with dinner. She also obtained a bookmark and a pen. No teen amenities were available but DD also received a small bag with sunglasses, a blow up guitar and a hackey sack. She was thrilled! We were given room 1118 as I had requested a room near the elevators. Needless to say it wasnt THAT close to the elevator but we didnt need to use it anyway because we were on the first floor. We were a short walk to the exit to the pool which was very convenient. 5 minutes after we arrived in the room a knock at the door was heard. A pleasant man holding a package of popcorn and a movie voucher in hand was found behind the door, "Welcome to the HRH" he said. Kids changed immediately and went swimming. We ordered Flippers Pizza and they delivered it within 45 minutes. Pizza was certainly not NY pizza but it was edible and we were hungry. It was already 9:30PM! I unpacked and we retired around 11PM with dreams of Islands of Adventure dancing in our heads.
