AlexandNessa
<font color=red>Proud Redhead<br><font color=green
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2003
- Messages
- 5,407
The cast:
me (Jodie) - 31, the quasi-planner
Mike - 35 "Mr. Just Tell me Where and When to Show Up and What to Bring."
Yes, this usually works well for me; however, my engagement ring is quickly becoming a plain, sterling silver band with the words "You are wearing Disney, Universal, Kennebunkport, and Holland America" inscribed on the inside.
We were up at 3am to catch our 5:55 am flight. Mike was cursing me for this. All I could say was, "It seemed like a good idea at the time!" We had a connection in Cincinnati, and arrived at MCO at 11:30 am to find FL Tours waiting for us. We got our one bag, and headed off for a grocery stop and then check-in at the PBH.
I was so excited pulling into Universal property. We saw the RPR first, and I swear that my pulse quickened. We saw the park entrances, and then the HRH. Maybe I was tired, but all I could say was, "I thought the HRH was white. It looks white in all of the pictures." What am I, some kind of cornball? The HRH is, of course, a beigy-cream or whatever you want to call it. But it is most definitely not white. Everytime we passed the HRH from here forward, Mike took pleasure in saying, "Hey, I thought the Hard Rock was white."
We pulled up to the PBH lobby with our 2 carry-ons, 1 checked bag, and 4 bags of groceries (nothing in moderation), and literally waited and waited for a porter, when our FL Tours driver went and got one for us. I guess they were busy, but no one said, "Hi or Welcome!" All we got was "Checking in?" I wish I could have come up with some cool quip, but all that came out was "yup!" We stood in line to check-in, and once again, I was a bit disappointed in the unfriendliness of the staff. No welcome, no hello. Just, "Last name, please." I handed her my credit card, Loew's First Card, and drivers license.
We booked a Deluxe Room with a King Bed via Hotel Kingdom, and I knew the PBH was sold out for the weekend, so I didn't ask for an upgrade. She said, "Oh, you've been upgraded to Club Level. You don't have Club privileges, but you're on Club Level." Huh? I didn't push it. Of course our room wasn't ready, so we asked to be called on our cell when it was. We still had our carry-ons with our change of clothes, and we found the restrooms to get changed up and head to the parks.
We wanted to drop off our carry-ons and leave them with the rest of our luggage, and the porter had us go into the back room to find our own luggage so we could keep the carry-ons together. I thought that was odd at a hotel of this caliber.
Who cares? We're on vacation! We headed to USF and got our APs processed. This took some time because, unfortunately, we were stuck behind about 20 teenage girls who primped and primped before they got their picture taken for their passes.
I was hungry and in the mood for sea food, so we headed over to Capt. Quint's where we shared a shrimp and scallop basket. The shrimp was good; the scallops weren't, but we got a discount with the AP, so who cares!
We hit Jaws next, and we got a huge kick out of the little boy in the row behind us. When Jaws first appeared, he screamed, and jumped about three people to the right. Poor thing!
We headed to Earthquake next, and there was another little boy in front of us who asked if we'd ridden before. We told him we were newbies, and he gracefully volunteered to be our guide. OK, "Look to the right! The right! It's coming, it's coming!" as the other subway came speeding through and then crashed. "Now the left! The left!" as all the water came pouring out. We got a kick out of him.
We did Twister and T2. If we could've walked out on T2, we would have. We just hated it. The girl who played Cyberdyne's public relations person was great, but we hated the show after that. We can't even tell you why.
It was off to Shrek and Jimmy Neutron, which were cool. By this time, it was about 5, so we decided to head back to the PBH to see if our room was ready. Lo and behold, "Yes, it's ready and waiting for us!" We never did get a call to tell us it was ready. The girl at the front desk said, "Wow, nice upgrade! You're on a Club Floor! You don't have club privileges, but at least you get to see what goes on up there." Anyone remember the old Eddie Murphy bit, "I've got some ice cream, and you don't got none?" Why in the world are these people acting like they're doing me some great favor by this upgrade? To my mind, I booked and paid for a Deluxe, and I got a Deluxe. How is this an upgrade? I asked if we would receive our Loew's welcome gift, and she said since we booked a discounted rate we weren't entitled to it. She said that came directly from Loew's. That's OK. Then she said, "isn't it your birthday, your anniversary?" Huh? I'd forgotten about it at this point. Then Mike and the front desk lady began singing Happy Birthday to me. My birthday is in May! I still didn't get it. Oh, I get it now. My Loew's First gift just became a birthday gift from the hotel. We ordered the beer.
We were in Rm 2548, which overlooked the Villa Pool. It was nice, but bland. To be honest, I've stayed in nicer rooms at the Hyatt and Hilton. Who cares! We're on vacation!
We decided to go out for a quick bite to eat at City Walk, and call it an early night. We figured our best bet would be the Hard Rock Cafe. A line was wrapped around the building for regular seating. The priority seating also had a line. I flashed my All Access Card, and we were ushered in immediately. Mike had the marinated chicken breast. I had the blackened chicken pasta, except with shrimp instead. We each had 2 beers, and shared a brownie sundae. It was good, quick, and $48. Since you get a $20 credit with the All Access Card, it was actually $28 for us.
We decided to walk back to the PBH (we really didn't need that dessert), and was surprised at how short a walk it really was. From all the talk, I was expecting a hike, but it's a pretty and romantic walk (w/ the exception of the view of the parking garage). We arrived back to the room to find the beer and nuts -- we didn't drink it because it was the yucky Italian beer. We were in bed by 11:30, and ready for Day 2!
me (Jodie) - 31, the quasi-planner
Mike - 35 "Mr. Just Tell me Where and When to Show Up and What to Bring."
Yes, this usually works well for me; however, my engagement ring is quickly becoming a plain, sterling silver band with the words "You are wearing Disney, Universal, Kennebunkport, and Holland America" inscribed on the inside.
We were up at 3am to catch our 5:55 am flight. Mike was cursing me for this. All I could say was, "It seemed like a good idea at the time!" We had a connection in Cincinnati, and arrived at MCO at 11:30 am to find FL Tours waiting for us. We got our one bag, and headed off for a grocery stop and then check-in at the PBH.
I was so excited pulling into Universal property. We saw the RPR first, and I swear that my pulse quickened. We saw the park entrances, and then the HRH. Maybe I was tired, but all I could say was, "I thought the HRH was white. It looks white in all of the pictures." What am I, some kind of cornball? The HRH is, of course, a beigy-cream or whatever you want to call it. But it is most definitely not white. Everytime we passed the HRH from here forward, Mike took pleasure in saying, "Hey, I thought the Hard Rock was white."
We pulled up to the PBH lobby with our 2 carry-ons, 1 checked bag, and 4 bags of groceries (nothing in moderation), and literally waited and waited for a porter, when our FL Tours driver went and got one for us. I guess they were busy, but no one said, "Hi or Welcome!" All we got was "Checking in?" I wish I could have come up with some cool quip, but all that came out was "yup!" We stood in line to check-in, and once again, I was a bit disappointed in the unfriendliness of the staff. No welcome, no hello. Just, "Last name, please." I handed her my credit card, Loew's First Card, and drivers license.
We booked a Deluxe Room with a King Bed via Hotel Kingdom, and I knew the PBH was sold out for the weekend, so I didn't ask for an upgrade. She said, "Oh, you've been upgraded to Club Level. You don't have Club privileges, but you're on Club Level." Huh? I didn't push it. Of course our room wasn't ready, so we asked to be called on our cell when it was. We still had our carry-ons with our change of clothes, and we found the restrooms to get changed up and head to the parks.
We wanted to drop off our carry-ons and leave them with the rest of our luggage, and the porter had us go into the back room to find our own luggage so we could keep the carry-ons together. I thought that was odd at a hotel of this caliber.
Who cares? We're on vacation! We headed to USF and got our APs processed. This took some time because, unfortunately, we were stuck behind about 20 teenage girls who primped and primped before they got their picture taken for their passes.
I was hungry and in the mood for sea food, so we headed over to Capt. Quint's where we shared a shrimp and scallop basket. The shrimp was good; the scallops weren't, but we got a discount with the AP, so who cares!
We hit Jaws next, and we got a huge kick out of the little boy in the row behind us. When Jaws first appeared, he screamed, and jumped about three people to the right. Poor thing!
We headed to Earthquake next, and there was another little boy in front of us who asked if we'd ridden before. We told him we were newbies, and he gracefully volunteered to be our guide. OK, "Look to the right! The right! It's coming, it's coming!" as the other subway came speeding through and then crashed. "Now the left! The left!" as all the water came pouring out. We got a kick out of him.
We did Twister and T2. If we could've walked out on T2, we would have. We just hated it. The girl who played Cyberdyne's public relations person was great, but we hated the show after that. We can't even tell you why.
It was off to Shrek and Jimmy Neutron, which were cool. By this time, it was about 5, so we decided to head back to the PBH to see if our room was ready. Lo and behold, "Yes, it's ready and waiting for us!" We never did get a call to tell us it was ready. The girl at the front desk said, "Wow, nice upgrade! You're on a Club Floor! You don't have club privileges, but at least you get to see what goes on up there." Anyone remember the old Eddie Murphy bit, "I've got some ice cream, and you don't got none?" Why in the world are these people acting like they're doing me some great favor by this upgrade? To my mind, I booked and paid for a Deluxe, and I got a Deluxe. How is this an upgrade? I asked if we would receive our Loew's welcome gift, and she said since we booked a discounted rate we weren't entitled to it. She said that came directly from Loew's. That's OK. Then she said, "isn't it your birthday, your anniversary?" Huh? I'd forgotten about it at this point. Then Mike and the front desk lady began singing Happy Birthday to me. My birthday is in May! I still didn't get it. Oh, I get it now. My Loew's First gift just became a birthday gift from the hotel. We ordered the beer.
We were in Rm 2548, which overlooked the Villa Pool. It was nice, but bland. To be honest, I've stayed in nicer rooms at the Hyatt and Hilton. Who cares! We're on vacation!
We decided to go out for a quick bite to eat at City Walk, and call it an early night. We figured our best bet would be the Hard Rock Cafe. A line was wrapped around the building for regular seating. The priority seating also had a line. I flashed my All Access Card, and we were ushered in immediately. Mike had the marinated chicken breast. I had the blackened chicken pasta, except with shrimp instead. We each had 2 beers, and shared a brownie sundae. It was good, quick, and $48. Since you get a $20 credit with the All Access Card, it was actually $28 for us.
We decided to walk back to the PBH (we really didn't need that dessert), and was surprised at how short a walk it really was. From all the talk, I was expecting a hike, but it's a pretty and romantic walk (w/ the exception of the view of the parking garage). We arrived back to the room to find the beer and nuts -- we didn't drink it because it was the yucky Italian beer. We were in bed by 11:30, and ready for Day 2!
