My Celebration Vacation- USO + IOA portion

[havinfun]

My Celebration Vacation

August 6th-15th 2008

Pre-Trip

Players- Doug, (DH) age 58

and me Peggy, age 52.

I am a breast cancer survivor of one year now. So that’s what this celebration is all about. I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Stage IIIB on April 9th, 2007. This is the worst breast cancer you can get. I had four rounds of dose dense AC, 12 rounds of Taxol and Herceptin, a MRM, 13 rounds of Herceptin alone and twice daily radiation for one month. It was during the radiation treatment DH said, “When this is over let’s go to Disney World.” When the 40% off Disney rooms mailer arrived, The plans began.

First where to stay? … Coronado Springs was chosen after reading the UOG and Buzz’s website.

Now why not splurge and get the Dining plan. It was fun reading all the food reviews and the Disney menu’s, trying to decide where to eat. Ok that was decided about 170 days prior to vacation. Should have called at 180 days. Le Cellier only had a 8:50 pm dinner reservation left.

Oh… as long as we are in Florida, why not go to Universal Studios, we have never been to Islands of Adventure, better add on a few more days. More research and room and tickets are booked for the Universal part of the trip.
Now just a couple of more places to visit… The Kennedy Space Center and Doug’s Aunt and cousin. I think all the plans have been made.

Just a little shopping to do prior to the trip. Shirts, shorts. sandals, bag to carry, sunblock all purchased, packed and we are ready to go.

Florida Trip Itinerary

Wednesday- Leave house at 7:45. Arrive MCO @ 1:50. Pick up rental car. Stop at store and buy beverages and snack. Check in at Fairfield 7495 Canada Ave. Orlando, Fla. Arrange for shuttle for tomorrow. Rest 30 mins. Go to Universal. Go to Electronic Ticketing booth and pick up tickets. Eat at either Mel’s diner or Finnegan’s during happy hour. Call Linda. Go and see or ride stuff that doesn’t have long lines.
Thursday- Eat continental breakfast at hotel. Catch shuttle. Arrive at Universal Studios. Snacks for lunch. Enjoy USO and the use of Express pass. Go to Linda and Bob’s. Drive to City walk and go to Jazz club for comedy.

Friday- Eat continental breakfast at hotel. Catch shuttle. Arrive at IOA. Go to City Walk for dinner.


Saturday- Up early. Eat continental breakfast at hotel. Spend day at Kennedy Space Center. Do laundry when back at hotel.


Sunday-
Leave Fairfield. Stop at outlet mall and visit Disney and Universal stores. Eat a big Breakfast. Check in at Coronado Springs Resort. Go to grocery store. Finally get to see the Mouse!!!


Bus to MK, transfer to monorail and go to Grand Floridian. Eat dinner at Narcoosee’s@7p. Return back to MK. Get in front of castle by 9:30. 10:00pm Wishes. Stay for extended magic hours and try to ride the mountains, POC, and Haunted Mansion. 2-TS meals gone, 3 TS left. 5- CS meals left.




Monday- Up early day @ AK. Lunch @ CS-Flame Tree BBQ. Return to room for rest and shower. Late dinner @ 8:50 pm at LeCellier. At Epcot. 2 TS left, 4 CS meals left.







Tuesday
DHS day. CS Lunch @ ABC Com. or Black Lot Express. Dinner at 4:20 @ Coral Reef –Epcot. Evening- Return to DHS and see the rest. 1TS left and 3CS meals left.


Wednesday
MK. Grab a morning bite at the Main St. Bakery. .CS Lunch at Pecos’s Bills. Return to room. Rest and shower. Dinner @ CS-Pepper Market. Then to DHS for Fantastic. EMH 1TS meal left and 1 CS meal left.



Thursday
EP day. CS lunch, probably the Sunshine Café. Dinner @ 7p at Tutto Italiano. Stay for Illuminations and EMHs. 0 dining plan meals left.




Friday
DTD Sandwich of Earl for lunch. Visit what we missed. Leave for airport at 6:30- 7:00. Return car. Fly home. Food for the day = out of pocket.

 

[Metro West]

Sounds like a good schedule Peggy...and congrats on beating your cancer! Keep up the great report!

 

[havinfun]

Day-1
Doug and got up and were dressed and ready when Nancy and John arrived at 7:30 am to take us to Midway. Security lines weren’t too bad. We got there early enough that we didn’t have to rush. We flew Southwest and or plane left on time. When we were all most there the pilot informed us that the Orlando Airport had no electricity and that we would be stopping in Jacksonville until they got further information. …So we sat at the gate in Jacksonville. I was so glad that we had thought ahead and brought submarine sandwiches with us on the plane. I really would have been hungry. Peanuts and crackers aren’t enough to fill us up.

About 20 minutes later we were on our way. We landed about 35 minutes late. Next it’s off to Dollar to pick up the rental car. I reserved a compact, but I have coupon for an upgrade to a midsize. There is a midsize available. Great. We are now driving a PT Cruiser.

I really searched for a good rate. The best I could do was $347.00 for 10 days.

Now to get to the hotel. We didn’t get lost but paid three tolls. We are staying at the Fairfield Inn, International Drive. It really isn’t located on International Drive, but is on Canada. I had printed directions but we missed the turn after getting off I-4. We turned around and backtracked. Found Canada Ave, it’s a really small sign. We check in, it is very clean, the staff is friendly and helpful. I recommend this Fairfield, it’s also very close to Universal Studios.

I wanted to add that I booked this portion of the trip through the Universal site. I really save a lot of money. Hotel 4 nights, 7 day pass to USO, IOA, and City Walk, 2 days of Express Pass for 2 adults. All this came out to $547.00. If I had booked through the hotel or bought the tickets at the park, I would have spent much more.

 

[havinfun]

Sounds like a good schedule Peggy...and congrats on beating your cancer! Keep up the great report!

I am going to work on this report during commercials. I missed the Olympic opening ceremonies, but I am going to watch the closing ones.

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

Hi Peggy,

I'm enjoying your report! Congratulation's on your good health!

 

[havinfun]

Day 1- part 2

After checking in we went ABC to buy some beer. Wow that place is expensive. We bought some but later found a 7-11 with cheaper prices. After resting for a while in our room we were on our way to Universal Studios for dinner and fun. Tomorrow we have the Express Passes, so tonights plan is to go on rides without long lines.

Universal here we are

Doug wants to eat at Mel’s Diner.

We each had a bacon cheeseburger, fries and a shake.

In the window was a poster about the meal deal.

Remember American Graffiti?

 

[havinfun]

Part 2 cont’d
I saw a sign that said 20 minute wait for ET.

ET was fun. I hadn’t been on that ride in 12 years. I enjoyed it.

The line for the Simpson’s ride was 70 minutes long. I’ll wait until tomorrow. Here are some of the photos I took.

MIB, line too long. We’ll revisit Jaws. Oh my gosh, it was so hard waiting in that line, I was getting dizzy. I really couldn’t get a good picture of the shark on my way out, there were too many people. So this is the pic I got.

Speaking of photo’s. When I got home from this trip and looked at the 700 pictures I took, I realized that I am not a very good photographer. So many were blurry, I had to delete them. I am just glad that I took so many because some of them turned out.

With Jaws done we headed to Disaster.

This ride has changed since the last time we saw it. The pre-pre show was long. Participants were picked. Next you go to a room to learn how disasters are filmed. That was interesting and the air conditioning felt wonderful. Finally into the ride… It was pretty good. We both enjoyed it.

After that we went into Twister.

I really like this show. It’s interesting how all the effects come together. I’m glad we were able to see it.

The park was all most closing so I decided to ride the Mummy. The line was short. I LOVED this ride. I forgot to take pictures. It was so good. DH doesn’t like roller coasters, but I love them. This is a don’t miss ride.

Now it is time to leave, the park is closing.

Our first day it was great, but we are tired. The crowds were really heavy when we were leaving, so I suggest that we stop and have a beer. We stop in Nascar and order a beer.

Lucky us, we can get a bucket of 4 Miller Lites for $10.

On our way out we encounter these nice carvings at on of the stores.

.

Now back to find our way back to the hotel. We got lost. Lesson #1 of the trip. Always carry a good map. We came out of the garage onto a different street and got all turned around. DH was not happy. Of course it is all my fault. Eventually we did find our way back, 45 minutes later. Our. hotel is only 5 minutes at the most away from USO. At least we didn’t get lost in a ghetto like we usually do.

 

[havinfun]

Hi Peggy,

I'm enjoying your report! Congratulation's on your good health!

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow I am back to work so I hope I can find time tomorrow night to continue this report. It is fun writing it and reliving our trip.

 

[LeslieR]

havinfun--Your screen names says it all! We were there from the 3rd-7th. It was hot wasn't it!

Keep it coming!

 

[havinfun]

havinfun--Your screen names says it all! We were there from the 3rd-7th. It was hot wasn't it!

Keep it coming!

Hi Leslie,

Yes it sure was hot!! But, at least we didn't have all the rain that Florida got from Fay. I would have been really upset if my vacation had that much rain. While we were there we had 2 days where it rained on and off. Not too bad. I hope you had a great time while you were there.

 

[havinfun]

Day 2-Part 1 Universal Studios Orlando
Aug. 7, 2008 - Still hot out.

We woke up at 9:00 am. Fairfield Inn has a continental breakfast. They serve the usual cereal, oatmeal, juices, coffee, muffins, hard-boiled eggs and Jimmy Deans egg and bacon biscuits.

After breakfast we headed to Universal. We decided to drive. They do offer free shuttles, but we had to leave the park by four that day. We were going to DH’s cousin’s house for dinner. I had purchased the Express Pass to use at Universal before we left home. This would allow us to get on the rides without waiting in the long rides.

At Citiwalk DH had to buy a hat. We wound up at the NASCAR store. He wasn’t sure which driver to buy, so he bought a hat with his favorite beer. #21 Miller Lite.

Our first stop was right after entering the park the “Lucy Tribute”. This is a small museum devoted to Lucille Ball. Here are a few of the exhibits in this museum.

This one is Lucy and Ricky with pictures of their children.

Here are Lucy’s Emmy’s. It’s hard to take a picture through glass.

Look who were in the “Lucy gift shop”.

I bought a Christmas ornament in the store of Lucy and her vegitvitamin show.

Okay we were done with Lucy. Off to Hollywood. Here is Bette Midler’s Star.

Here are a couple of pictures I took along the way.

 

[havinfun]

Here we are in Hollywood.

Which way did we go?

Here is a clue.

The wait time for the The Simpsons was 50 minutes, but with our Express Passes we got right in. Here is a picture of a sign you would see while waiting in line.

The line goes up ramps, here is what you see from the top.

…and here is another view

After standing in line, you are put into a little room, before the ride. Here you will watch a video explaining the safety precautions. Here is what was on the wall in our room.

When you enter the ride you are instructed to put any bags you have on the floor next to the ride. When the ride starts you are taken on a roller coaster ride through the Krustyland and beyond.

Our next ride was Men in Black. It’s a good thing that I took Bonmine, sp? How ever it is spelled it worked. It didn’t make me tired either like Dramamine does. Men in Black was fun. My score wasn’t great but I sure had fun killing the aliens.

I wanted to ride the Mummy again. Here are some pictures I took along the way.

 

[lazydoxy66]

Hello, Hello!!!
I love this report and I just finished your PTR also. I'm glad you are doing so well!!
Now I'm beginning to think that I have made a mistake in my trip plans. I should have allowed an extra day for Universal. Well, it gives us something else to go back for, right?
I am patiently awaiting more updates.

 

[havinfun]

Hello, Hello!!!
I love this report and I just finished your PTR also. I'm glad you are doing so well!!
Well, it gives us something else to go back for, right?
I am patiently awaiting more updates.

Thanks for the encouragement on writing this report. I have a bad case of Disney withdrawals now. So I just have to make myself be happy with the memories.

I really planned too much for the ten days we were there. I forget that we aren't in our 20's anymore. We had a great time anyway.

Now I'm beginning to think that I have made a mistake in my trip plans. I should have allowed an extra day for Universal.

Universal and Islands are fun too. Next time maybe you can go there. Along with Disney, of course. How is your husband doing?

 

[havinfun]

Here is one of the giant balls that are in the middle of Universal Studios. I know that they use them for their show at night. I never did get to see the show.

While on the Mummy ride the passenger next to asked me where I was from. She lives near UOS, the others in our car were from Italy. It is fun to meet people from around the world. After riding the Mummy for the third time. (Can you tell I like this ride?) We went to see the Beetle Juice show. It was good. We were way up at the top, so I didn’t get the best pictures.

All the monsters would sing rock and roll songs.

I don’t know why all these pictures have a blur spot on the top of them .

That’s all I can post for today. I should be able to get more done tomorrow. Thanks for reading this trip report.

 

[lookingforward]

Congratulations on your one year! I am planning my one year celebration for December! Great report!

 

[havinfun]

I forgot when but we did see T2. It’s been there 12 years now, but is still a good 3D show. We had missed the Horror Make up show. Every time I wanted to see it, it was the wrong time or we got to the park too late. I was happy not to see Fear Factor. I can’t even watch it on TV, too many bugs for me. Now it was time to see Shrek 4D. We waited about 20 mins. Even with the Express Pass. We both really liked it. The 3d/4d presentations just keep getting better. When we came out through the gift shop, Shrek was outside posing for pictures.

Next was Jimmy Neutron. We went in the first room and the ride broke. The TM played Jimmy Neutron trivia until they got the ride going. Finally we were seated. I really didn’t like this ride. I think it more for younger kids that watch Nicktoons. By now it was all most 4pm. We were going to visit DH Aunt and cousin so we had to get going. On our way out we stopped and ate an éclair. : We weren’t sure what time we would be eating dinner. The éclair was wonderful. I was really glad that I had bought the Express Pass, we weren’t able to see everything, but we saw most of the park and didn’t have to wait in long lines. Out of the park…

… and to the parking garage. I am still enjoying palm trees.

Last night we had parked in the garage on the left. Today we parked in the garage on the right. When we exited we knew where we were and didn’t get lost. After a brief rest at our hotel we left to go visit Aunt Grace, Linda and Bob. We found their house in Apopka without too much trouble. We hadn’t been there before. Cell phones are so helpful.

While visiting we were talking about family history. Linda brought out a picture of DH’s great-grandfather. This picture is in wonderful shape. I wonder how old it is.

Our hosts cooked us a wonderful meal. We were talking after dinner and catching up, I looked at my watch and it was 12:15 am. I had no idea that is was that late. We got back to our hotel at a little after one. We had a long and wonderful day. The next day we visited Islands of Adventure. So stay tuned for Day 3.

 

[havinfun]

Congratulations on your one year! I am planning my one year celebration for December! Great report!

Hi Lookingforward,

May your celebration a great one!! and have lots and lots of celebrations. Any plans on what type of celebration you will have. I know I can't celebrate with Disney World every year. We should come up with ideas on how to celebrate because it is a huge milestone.

I saw my oncologist Monday and she said she is very hopeful for me. Even though I had the most aggressive form of breast cancer, my chances are still good. My pathology was clean and the cancer was fought very aggresively.

It's bedtime for me. I have to work in the morning. Thanks for reading my trip report.

 

[pixeegrl]

Loving your TR especially all the pics. Anxiously awaiting thenext installment!

 

[havinfun]

Loving your TR especially all the pics. Anxiously awaiting thenext installment!

Hi pixeegrl,


Thanks for reading. Everyday I add a little more. It's been fun writing it.

I see that you are going there in three months. I bet you can't wait.

My son is stationed in Eastern Virginia. I was there once and it was really pretty.