lisatx04
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2004
- Messages
- 324
Thursday, June 2nd, the day we were to leave for our trip had finally arrived. DH had to work, so we were supposed to be on our way between 12 and 2 pm. I did not have high hopes that this would actually happen, but what could I do? Unfortunately, work comes first. Besides, I had things to do, like bring the dog to the kennel, pack, pack some food for the trip, pack...yes, you read it right!! The day had come and I was not packed! Don't ask what I was thinking, because I probably wasn't. So after getting some last minute things done, I finished packing. It was noon by then and no word from DH. I spoke to him and he had hoped to be home by 1. Remember, I had no hopes for leaving on time, but hold on!! He got home shortly after 1pm and we are off at 1:30! WOOHOO-vacation is starting!! Destination: Old Key West!!
Last year, when we drove from our home in Houston to WDW, we attempted to stop for the night around Pensacola but there were no rooms available anywhere. We ended up driving further than we wanted, to a town called Chipley. So this time, knowing what we learned from our last drive, we decided to head right to Chipley, Florida and spend the night. So we did. Stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, where we had a rather nice continental breakfast before hitting the road on Friday.
We are on our way again, by 7:30 or so. As we got closer to Orlando, it got darker and darker. I knew the weather forecast was calling for rain, but it's Florida-it can't rain all day. Our first stop was at Universal's City Walk, for a late lunch in Margaritaville. Between parking the car and getting into City Walk, the heavens opened up and it rained!! And rained some more. It reminded me of the rain we get here in Texas. I thought to myself that I was so glad I packed the Disney ponchos, but they were in the car. The umbrella was in the car as well. At least the car was nice and dry!! What could you do-it wasn't raining when we parked the car. The rain wasn't letting up, so we decided to make a run for it. We left the nice dry overhang we were under and got to Margaritaville like drowned rats. Oh well. After a very nice lunch, consisting of Cheeseburgers in Paradise, and a shopping spree in the store, we headed out, in the rain, to the Belz outlets for a stop at the Rockport outlets.
Now, let me just say that when we were there in December, the Rockport outlet was located in the Belz outlets. This time, the signs did not say Belz, but Prime Outlets. No, I was not in a different outlet mall, I was where I was supposed to be. Maybe the name had changed, but the prices didn't and that was just fine with me! After this stop, we headed over to Old Key West. Yes, it was still raining.
We arrived at OKW around 5 pm, after being greeted by Brenda at the gate with a big Welcome Home. I just love hearing that at the DVC properties. Check in went smooth, although I did not particularly care for the CM who checked us in-not very friendly. No matter. We had a non smoking, 1 bedroom on the first floor in building 33. Rm 3311, to be exact. It overlooked part of the golf course and some water. Very nice to look out and see all kinds of ducks. The room was in terrific shape, except fot the burn marks on the counter near the stove. The pull-out bed was quite comfy as well, as neither one of the kids had a complaint about it. It had stopped raining by this time so that made me feel a bit better.
Dinner was at Olivia's and as usual, very good. We used our DDE letter and saved about $16. It was more crowded that I had ever seen it, but service and food quality did not suffer. After dinner, we headed to Winn Dixie to pick up some breakfast things and then headed back to the room. Sleep came early as we were all tired.
The next day we were heading to MGM for a taste of Star Wars Weekend.
Last year, when we drove from our home in Houston to WDW, we attempted to stop for the night around Pensacola but there were no rooms available anywhere. We ended up driving further than we wanted, to a town called Chipley. So this time, knowing what we learned from our last drive, we decided to head right to Chipley, Florida and spend the night. So we did. Stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, where we had a rather nice continental breakfast before hitting the road on Friday.
We are on our way again, by 7:30 or so. As we got closer to Orlando, it got darker and darker. I knew the weather forecast was calling for rain, but it's Florida-it can't rain all day. Our first stop was at Universal's City Walk, for a late lunch in Margaritaville. Between parking the car and getting into City Walk, the heavens opened up and it rained!! And rained some more. It reminded me of the rain we get here in Texas. I thought to myself that I was so glad I packed the Disney ponchos, but they were in the car. The umbrella was in the car as well. At least the car was nice and dry!! What could you do-it wasn't raining when we parked the car. The rain wasn't letting up, so we decided to make a run for it. We left the nice dry overhang we were under and got to Margaritaville like drowned rats. Oh well. After a very nice lunch, consisting of Cheeseburgers in Paradise, and a shopping spree in the store, we headed out, in the rain, to the Belz outlets for a stop at the Rockport outlets.
Now, let me just say that when we were there in December, the Rockport outlet was located in the Belz outlets. This time, the signs did not say Belz, but Prime Outlets. No, I was not in a different outlet mall, I was where I was supposed to be. Maybe the name had changed, but the prices didn't and that was just fine with me! After this stop, we headed over to Old Key West. Yes, it was still raining.
We arrived at OKW around 5 pm, after being greeted by Brenda at the gate with a big Welcome Home. I just love hearing that at the DVC properties. Check in went smooth, although I did not particularly care for the CM who checked us in-not very friendly. No matter. We had a non smoking, 1 bedroom on the first floor in building 33. Rm 3311, to be exact. It overlooked part of the golf course and some water. Very nice to look out and see all kinds of ducks. The room was in terrific shape, except fot the burn marks on the counter near the stove. The pull-out bed was quite comfy as well, as neither one of the kids had a complaint about it. It had stopped raining by this time so that made me feel a bit better.
Dinner was at Olivia's and as usual, very good. We used our DDE letter and saved about $16. It was more crowded that I had ever seen it, but service and food quality did not suffer. After dinner, we headed to Winn Dixie to pick up some breakfast things and then headed back to the room. Sleep came early as we were all tired.
The next day we were heading to MGM for a taste of Star Wars Weekend.
