Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
Cast:
Me - Single.. addicted Solo traveler (but have companions for my first day at Universal)
The Boss - Sally.. my boss.. (yeah.. I am the only person who goes on vacation and spends time with my boss!!)
The Boss's Husband - Howard... he is an all around Good Guy! I get him in the will!!
The Agenda:
Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August, 8
Visit with the Boss & Boss' Husband at their home in Lake Mary for Friday and Sat.. move to Universal on Sunday.. check into RPR for 2 nights.. then move over to POFQ for 2 nights.. then finally to the Dolphin for 3 nights
Sorry for the Delay!! I have been a bit crazed . The journey continues! I tend to go on a bit.. so I broke this up into a few sections!
Days One/Two/Three Part One -
OMG... 4:30 am comes REAL early sometimes! What was I thinking??? I am flying out of JFK on Jet Blue.. got my bags packed..... set the kitties up with some food and water... assured them that their Aunt Crissy was going to be visiting with them.. and dragged my bags off to my car in the dark!! Dropped off the car.... (for those of you who live in Alternate Side of the Street Parking areas, you know why I did that) Grabbed a cab and headed on over to JFK. Fast forward... Flight was great.. landed in Orlando on time... The Boss was picking me up at the airport and we were heading over to her house where I was spending the next two nights... we spent the first day at the pool... headed out to dinner... early to bed as I couldn't keep my eyes open. Next day headed to the Millenium Mall where I discovered Brighton. What a GREAT Store! Check it out on the web! Headed to dinner again...and once again bed early... as tomorrow my REAL vacation starts!! Yipppeee... off to the dark side... SSSSHHHHHHHH!!! Don't Tell Mickey!!! (I didn't even take him out of my suitcase... better he just sleeps through this part!) We are up at 6 am to head over to RPH to check in and get those magic FOTL Keys I've been reading so much about.... We pull up to the hotel... and I was bubbling over with anticipation and excitement... We pulled up front and I immediately noticed the resemblence to the Polynesian (as many people have said) The lobby was quite impressive.. and there was No One on line to check in. I went to the front desk and check in went quite easily. They verified my AP rate..(never asked to see it btw)... noted my Loews membership did not offer me any upgrades or discuss any requests. Although I did get a raised eyebrow when she repeated my room request.. King Bed.. 3 Adults.. Um.. do you want a rollaway? No, I tell her.. LOL!! I think she turned 3 shades of red!! LOL!! (The real reason was that I was actually staying alone in the room.. my Boss & The Bosss Husband were just spending the day in the park with me and would stay only if they were totally wiped out at the end of the day!) Otherwise, it was a basic check in ..Welcome.. give me your money.. your room is NOT ready.. here are your keys see ya later So.. off to the parks we go.. Magic keys in hand. My Boss decides that she wants to take the boat over to the Park.... Actually was insisting on it... so we decide to go in search of the boat dock.... Hmmm..okay... the signs said this way.. but no boat dock... so we go back the other way... still no boat dock.. Now you think we might have asked someone but.. NOOOOOOO..... we pass Tchoup Tchoup again.. and contemplate having dinner there tonight (so our boat search was not completely in vain!) Still no boat... next thing we know we are out on the main road.. HUH!!??? How did that happen.. we continue to walk and end up near the gatehouse where we finally ask directions.. the gatekeeper points back to the direction we just came from... and says it's ALLL the way over there... we were actually now on a bridge that the boat passed under as we were standing there.. and blew it's horn as if to taunt us..... My boss actually wanted to walk ALLLL the way back to the dock when it was apparent that the Citywalk path was the much quicker way to go.... she was overruled!! Unhappy.. but overruled.. but then decided as we walked that the path was quite pretty... LOL!!! I had booked the 5 days for 2 online and had my printed out receipt. So.. I went to the Kiosk and got my ticket very easily. (However, I never got the coupon book that was supposed to go with this offer anyone have any ideas if I can still get that?) We were some of the first people in line for the park opening (IOA) and we anxiously awaited the opening of the turnstiles. The time had arrived I was about to cross over the line I was waiting for lightning to strike and as I passed through the gates.. I heard it Uh OH Thunder..thats followed by lightening.. isnt it Run.. Hide Mickey is angry Oh..no.. wait.. its not thunder its something else . Its.. its The Hulk!!! WOW Lets go!! And off we run leaving behind me any Disney guilt thats right it all got left in the dust somewhere under the arches We got onto the Hulk regular line as there was really no wait yet.. and we were worried about the 1x before 3 pm rule .I climb aboard and WOW.. what can I say about the Hulk that hasnt been said already Just an awesome ride. We got off and went onto the express line we breeze right through and on again we go Fantastic!! My Boss is already impressed with the FOTL and we havent really used it LOL!!! Onward and upward.. literally Dr. Doom Express.. in and up in mere moments!! Cool Ride!! Whats next you ask? Well.. Spiderman of course!.. Now I had heard so many great things about Spiderman and well.. to be frank I thought it was Okay Not to say I didnt ride it 3 more times during my trip but it was just okay to me . I did think that the skyscraper part was done exceptionally well however! We walk through the park and I admire some of the theming in the park . I cant help but compare Disney and IOA That is definitely where Disney wins out.. I can walk through a Disney park all day and Never hit an attraction and feel that I did something. Where as in IOA and Universal.. its all about the rides. Anyway.. onto the next adventure We stopped to see the stunt show the one with the bikes and skateboards.. The Bosss husband likes these kind of shows . So.. we did one . After the show we head over to Fire & Ice Express it Is it just me or is this express line very confusing the first time??? LOL!! We figure it out and get to the front.. and they announce that they are adding trains to the ride.. so it will be delayed not too bad.. about 15 minutes.. maybe less I chose Ice to ride and thus began my love affair with this ride. This has got to be the smoothest coaster I have ever ridden . Such a great ride!! We now head over to get wet! Onto Jurrassic Park then Dudley and Popeye OMG! I was never so wet in my life!! This part of the park is my favorite so far... The whole Toon theme just makes you smile! Lunch was next on the agenda.. so.. we decided to try the Enchanted Oak (my mistake I thought Mythos was in the other park!!! DUH!.. So I didnt get to try that this trip!) The food at Enchanted Oak was very good we got chicken and ribs Excellent! Now that we are done with IOA.. we head over to the Studios (as I will be spending 2 more days alone.. we are hitting the highlights today.. I will come back and REALLY do the parks!)
We head out of the park through Seuss's Landing... and I can't wait to come back on my own to spend some time here... I spy a "Thing One Thing Two" t-shirt as we pass a gift shop.. and decide I need to buy it... What??? Purchasing Universal souveniers??? Uh Oh... I am being taken over... What would I do with it?? I can't put it in the same suitcase with Mickey... and I can't take him out ... he will see where we are... I decide to pass up on the T-shirt until I can figure this one out!!
Part 3 coming up
Kathy
Me - Single.. addicted Solo traveler (but have companions for my first day at Universal)
The Boss - Sally.. my boss.. (yeah.. I am the only person who goes on vacation and spends time with my boss!!)
The Boss's Husband - Howard... he is an all around Good Guy! I get him in the will!!
The Agenda:
Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August, 8
Visit with the Boss & Boss' Husband at their home in Lake Mary for Friday and Sat.. move to Universal on Sunday.. check into RPR for 2 nights.. then move over to POFQ for 2 nights.. then finally to the Dolphin for 3 nights
Sorry for the Delay!! I have been a bit crazed . The journey continues! I tend to go on a bit.. so I broke this up into a few sections!
Days One/Two/Three Part One -
OMG... 4:30 am comes REAL early sometimes! What was I thinking??? I am flying out of JFK on Jet Blue.. got my bags packed..... set the kitties up with some food and water... assured them that their Aunt Crissy was going to be visiting with them.. and dragged my bags off to my car in the dark!! Dropped off the car.... (for those of you who live in Alternate Side of the Street Parking areas, you know why I did that) Grabbed a cab and headed on over to JFK. Fast forward... Flight was great.. landed in Orlando on time... The Boss was picking me up at the airport and we were heading over to her house where I was spending the next two nights... we spent the first day at the pool... headed out to dinner... early to bed as I couldn't keep my eyes open. Next day headed to the Millenium Mall where I discovered Brighton. What a GREAT Store! Check it out on the web! Headed to dinner again...and once again bed early... as tomorrow my REAL vacation starts!! Yipppeee... off to the dark side... SSSSHHHHHHHH!!! Don't Tell Mickey!!! (I didn't even take him out of my suitcase... better he just sleeps through this part!) We are up at 6 am to head over to RPH to check in and get those magic FOTL Keys I've been reading so much about.... We pull up to the hotel... and I was bubbling over with anticipation and excitement... We pulled up front and I immediately noticed the resemblence to the Polynesian (as many people have said) The lobby was quite impressive.. and there was No One on line to check in. I went to the front desk and check in went quite easily. They verified my AP rate..(never asked to see it btw)... noted my Loews membership did not offer me any upgrades or discuss any requests. Although I did get a raised eyebrow when she repeated my room request.. King Bed.. 3 Adults.. Um.. do you want a rollaway? No, I tell her.. LOL!! I think she turned 3 shades of red!! LOL!! (The real reason was that I was actually staying alone in the room.. my Boss & The Bosss Husband were just spending the day in the park with me and would stay only if they were totally wiped out at the end of the day!) Otherwise, it was a basic check in ..Welcome.. give me your money.. your room is NOT ready.. here are your keys see ya later So.. off to the parks we go.. Magic keys in hand. My Boss decides that she wants to take the boat over to the Park.... Actually was insisting on it... so we decide to go in search of the boat dock.... Hmmm..okay... the signs said this way.. but no boat dock... so we go back the other way... still no boat dock.. Now you think we might have asked someone but.. NOOOOOOO..... we pass Tchoup Tchoup again.. and contemplate having dinner there tonight (so our boat search was not completely in vain!) Still no boat... next thing we know we are out on the main road.. HUH!!??? How did that happen.. we continue to walk and end up near the gatehouse where we finally ask directions.. the gatekeeper points back to the direction we just came from... and says it's ALLL the way over there... we were actually now on a bridge that the boat passed under as we were standing there.. and blew it's horn as if to taunt us..... My boss actually wanted to walk ALLLL the way back to the dock when it was apparent that the Citywalk path was the much quicker way to go.... she was overruled!! Unhappy.. but overruled.. but then decided as we walked that the path was quite pretty... LOL!!! I had booked the 5 days for 2 online and had my printed out receipt. So.. I went to the Kiosk and got my ticket very easily. (However, I never got the coupon book that was supposed to go with this offer anyone have any ideas if I can still get that?) We were some of the first people in line for the park opening (IOA) and we anxiously awaited the opening of the turnstiles. The time had arrived I was about to cross over the line I was waiting for lightning to strike and as I passed through the gates.. I heard it Uh OH Thunder..thats followed by lightening.. isnt it Run.. Hide Mickey is angry Oh..no.. wait.. its not thunder its something else . Its.. its The Hulk!!! WOW Lets go!! And off we run leaving behind me any Disney guilt thats right it all got left in the dust somewhere under the arches We got onto the Hulk regular line as there was really no wait yet.. and we were worried about the 1x before 3 pm rule .I climb aboard and WOW.. what can I say about the Hulk that hasnt been said already Just an awesome ride. We got off and went onto the express line we breeze right through and on again we go Fantastic!! My Boss is already impressed with the FOTL and we havent really used it LOL!!! Onward and upward.. literally Dr. Doom Express.. in and up in mere moments!! Cool Ride!! Whats next you ask? Well.. Spiderman of course!.. Now I had heard so many great things about Spiderman and well.. to be frank I thought it was Okay Not to say I didnt ride it 3 more times during my trip but it was just okay to me . I did think that the skyscraper part was done exceptionally well however! We walk through the park and I admire some of the theming in the park . I cant help but compare Disney and IOA That is definitely where Disney wins out.. I can walk through a Disney park all day and Never hit an attraction and feel that I did something. Where as in IOA and Universal.. its all about the rides. Anyway.. onto the next adventure We stopped to see the stunt show the one with the bikes and skateboards.. The Bosss husband likes these kind of shows . So.. we did one . After the show we head over to Fire & Ice Express it Is it just me or is this express line very confusing the first time??? LOL!! We figure it out and get to the front.. and they announce that they are adding trains to the ride.. so it will be delayed not too bad.. about 15 minutes.. maybe less I chose Ice to ride and thus began my love affair with this ride. This has got to be the smoothest coaster I have ever ridden . Such a great ride!! We now head over to get wet! Onto Jurrassic Park then Dudley and Popeye OMG! I was never so wet in my life!! This part of the park is my favorite so far... The whole Toon theme just makes you smile! Lunch was next on the agenda.. so.. we decided to try the Enchanted Oak (my mistake I thought Mythos was in the other park!!! DUH!.. So I didnt get to try that this trip!) The food at Enchanted Oak was very good we got chicken and ribs Excellent! Now that we are done with IOA.. we head over to the Studios (as I will be spending 2 more days alone.. we are hitting the highlights today.. I will come back and REALLY do the parks!)
We head out of the park through Seuss's Landing... and I can't wait to come back on my own to spend some time here... I spy a "Thing One Thing Two" t-shirt as we pass a gift shop.. and decide I need to buy it... What??? Purchasing Universal souveniers??? Uh Oh... I am being taken over... What would I do with it?? I can't put it in the same suitcase with Mickey... and I can't take him out ... he will see where we are... I decide to pass up on the T-shirt until I can figure this one out!!
Part 3 coming up
Kathy
