I don't really do "out in the hot sun " lol. I can walk in it like at Disney... but I can't bake in it, like poolside. I must have given the impression we were there during daylight hours.. we weren't. It was always night time. We were busy with Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach in the daytime (I looked and looked but couldn't find that darn bottle!). I was lucky to drag my DD away from the pool by 11pm... once it was almost midnight!
The Radisson (Celebration) pool is really very nice. It has a waterfall, and a bigger slide than AKL. 1-large free form pool, not heated. 1-large oval pool, heated, one kiddie pool, didn't go in. 2-hot tubs, very nicely hot! I found the pools very clean, but they needed to pick up all the towels that inconsiderate people seemed to leave EVERYWHERE! The grounds around the pool are also very nice!
My first experience there was last year, and it was ok. We only paid $58 & $65 a night then. Nice enough for the price. This time we paid a total of only $349 for the 4 nights. That included the resort fee, and tax.. I think the room rate before was $75 or $79 poolview. Gorgeous poolview too!
The rooms are all nice and new. I wouldn't stay there for the atmosphere.. but it's a good, clean basic hotel. They call it a resort.. very debatable.
I think the hotel is fine if you get a good price for it. But I think the rack rate for the room I had is supposed to be $129 a night. I wouldn't stay there for that price... I'd rather pay a bit more and do a moderate on property.
The worst part about it is the parking. If you get back late, after 9ish, which we often did, it was hard to find parking close to your door.
We were in an ideal location for everything.. we were high up .. but an elevator down and we were near the lobby, restaurants (tried Mandolin last year.. didn't like it, didn't try it again), pool and parking.
I was happier with it this year than last year... and the Rad.CMs seemed nicer this year! Not only the nice lady with all the coupons either.. everyone seemed nicer.
As for tipping... I don't think 18% on a drink would bother me much. On a $3. drink that's only $0.54. For some reason I don't really think in terms of percentages with a bar tab. If it's a cheap drink, like $3.. I would probably leave $1.. that's my usual up to maybe $5. Then $1 and whatever change comes with it. If I buy a couple of drinks I'll leave a couple of dollars. If it's a tab and comes to $15-$20 or more.. I'd treat it like a regular bill and 20% would be the least I would tip, unless the service was bad. If it was so bad that I didn't feel a tip of at least 15% was warranted, I would have asked for a different server/bartender, or at least asked to speak to a manager.
Maybe I'm like that cause I don't really drink much, so it's only a few dollars.
I tipped about 10% on the dining plan for excellent service, which we had at more than half the restaurants. So that would give them about a 28% tip.
Some got less.. and only one, Crystal Palace, didn't get any extra at all.
I'm funny with tipping. I really like to tip well because I know how hard servers work (no, I've never been one.. I don't have the patience some of these servers do to put up with ignorant people)... and I also know there are many people that don't tip enough.
We went to Red Robin and used my birthday burger coupon. And, the server had them bring out the mile high mud cake thingie ($5.99) and sing happy birthday and embarrass me (they've never done that before and we've used them for a couple of years now)
But she did it to be kind... it was very nice. When the bill came it was only $13.+. My dd's burger and our drinks plus tax. To me the bill was that total.. plus $8.79 for my burger and $5.99 for the cake, and that was the price I tipped on, generously. It almost seemed like a 50% tip, but it wasn't. She did the same work getting the order, bringing the order, and taking it away... it just wasn't charged to me. I saw it as about a 25% tip.
Course if I have a bad server.. I stop that nonsense right away
I have a big mouth.. could you have guessed that!
I just find it disturbing when you use the DP & the waitstaff gets an 18% automatic tip (regardless of service rendered) you get hit up w/an additional tip. DH always tips on top of the automatic tip, especially for great service. I just do not like being brought a slip to sign for the drink that already has the 18% tip added on (ala a cruise), presumptious IMO.
How'd you like the Radisson?
Just one of the lovely reasons to have that huge kitchen at OKW! BLENDER!!! ICE!!! Real glasses!! 
-- DUH!?!?!?!
He is a keeper!!!!
to them!!!
