Pinch me, did it REALLY happen????? - All wrapped up, and yes, it DID happen!

[franandaj]

Now every time we have been to Universal our GPS has taken us on Sand Lake Road and not the main Highway. I actually prefer that route because you pass all sorts of businesses on the way. In particular, we were looking for a K-Mart that we visited our trip four and a half years ago to pick up some supplies. Specifically we wanted soda, distilled water, and a screwtop bottle of wine. DVC has really spoiled me. I used to carry a corkscrew in my bathroom bag, but I haven’t needed it in so long! At home if we are traveling on the road, I just purchase the Vendange wine in the eco friendly bottles with a screw top, so I haven’t needed a corkscrew in years!

The only wine that they had was a 3 liter jug of Chablis! Oh well, we are here for a while! Well in addition to what we came for we ended up with instant pancake mix, 2 cases of soda, distilled and drinking water, plus more snacks and cookies! (see we won’t meet our box of goodies until we arrive at Kidani, it was delivered at 8:25AM this morning.)

So back on the road to the Royal Pacific and we were there in no time. By the time we were checked in it was 7PM. We went to the room and waited for the bellman to bring up our bags and our Owner’s Locker. Our room was on the Club Level, but I wouldn’t really say there was anything “special” about the room. It was nice and comfortable and certainly fit the bill for two nights.

And for those of your curious, here is the roast safely thawing (hopefully!) in our mini bar, awaiting it's cooking tomorrow night!

 

[Linda67]

Great shots of the room

We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort a couple of years ago and loved it

The pool area is particularly nice and the staff were just the best

 

[franandaj]

Now it was time to figure out what to have for dinner. By this time it was about 8PM. I didn’t fancy leaving the hotel. I barely had 5 hours sleep, if even that. Every muscle in my body ached. Most of the places in the hotel had closed already, so I made it easy. We decided to go to Jake’s American Bar.

None of my pictures of the interior came out decent, but I just took these on my photo shoot around the resort

Here is the Menu.

As we were waiting for our food, we had a couple unexpected guests come to pay us a visit!

I look like I have been awake for over 15 hours with less than five hours sleep!

We started off with a house salad

And a bowl of Crawfish Bisque

I got the Lamb Burger and used my “fries” to get the salad. This was OK, I am spoiled with the Lamb Burger from the Uva Bar in DTD West. There they ask you how you would like it cooked, and I get mine a nice juicy Medium to Medium Rare. This was definitely well done. But I ate most of it and was still fine.

Fran got the Fish and Chips and shared this with me. It was very tasty and I was happy to have some of each.

 

[rentayenta]

Fresh baked cookies while flying first class? Sounds fabulous! The food doesn't look half bad either.

I know exactly where Bixby Park is. Very cool to be able to see your neighborhood.

Do you miss the DVC jetted tub? My first thought was: Alison isn't going to like that tub.

I'm glad Fran took the car and lack of luggage help hiccups in stride.

How was the bisque? The lamb burger looks really good even for overdone. The bun looks buttery.

Scooby and Homer? Celebrity status right there . I didn't realize your hotel had characters.

I'd put that infamous roast on the counter if it's frozen and you want to cook it tomorrow; at least for overnight.

 

[franandaj]

Great shots of the room

We stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort a couple of years ago and loved it

The pool area is particularly nice and the staff were just the best

Yes, it has been nice. With such a short stay we haven't seen a lot of staff. The CL folks have been nice.

Fresh baked cookies while flying first class? Sounds fabulous! The food doesn't look half bad either.

I know exactly where Bixby Park is. Very cool to be able to see your neighborhood.

Do you miss the DVC jetted tub? My first thought was: Alison isn't going to like that tub.

I'm glad Fran took the car and lack of luggage help hiccups in stride.

How was the bisque? The lamb burger looks really good even for overdone. The bun looks buttery.

Scooby and Homer? Celebrity status right there . I didn't realize your hotel had characters.

I'd put that infamous roast on the counter if it's frozen and you want to cook it tomorrow; at least for overnight.

I was really happy with the food too. The only thing I missed was when 1st class did not have the whole airplane walk through, they gave us champagne and fresh roasted nuts while waiting for take off.

Everything at dinner was good. I just really love the burger at the Uva bar, nothing beats it, not even my own

The characters were totally random and unexpected. There is a convention of some sort going on (hence why all the non club level rooms were sold out). I think they were going to the welcome party but felt compelled to stop in the dining room. Tomorrow it will be in an insulated bag and not a fridge. I guess I should double check it before bed tonight.

 

[Leshaface]

Wow already on a roll with your TR!

That picture definitely makes me miss Long Beach. I had to show Dan and it was fun pointing a few things out in that picture and reminiscing.

I really hope that Van continues to work for you during the rest of your stay. Yikes!

Did your roast stay frozen in your suitcase?

 

[ACDSNY]

Yup! No commado here, we are relaxing, taking it as we wish and not stressing!

I'm so glad you've had a good start to your trip. We'll live vicariously through your TR.

 

[PrincessInOz]

This is great, Alison. So pleased to see you on a plane and Fran with a smile on her face for a holiday!

Looking forward to the rest.

 

[franandaj]

Wow already on a roll with your TR!

That picture definitely makes me miss Long Beach. I had to show Dan and it was fun pointing a few things out in that picture and reminiscing.

I really hope that Van continues to work for you during the rest of your stay. Yikes!

Did your roast stay frozen in your suitcase?

I can't say for how long I'll be on a roll. While Universal is fun, it doesn't have the draw at the attractions that Disney does. However we need to make sure Fran gets her rest. That's when I get the updates in.

I spent a long time looking at that pic too! I couldn't actually see OUR house, but I could identify a church and a few other buildings just blocks from the house.

Tomorrow I turn in the mini van. I have my ME pass to come back from the airport.

The roast was frozen when I put it in the fridge here, you got me worried so I just checked it and the sides have thawed. It should thaw completely today. In fact we might pick up a styro cooler, today is supposed to be the warmest January day EVER! Big change from our last January trip, huh?

I'm so glad you've had a good start to your trip. We'll live vicariously through your TR.

I hope to keep the updates coming regularly. Those who hang with me on the CB will be surprised to see the hours I'm keeping! Night shift beware! I'm having trouble sleeping normally but I won't let that ruin anything. I just hope it changes when we get to Disney and back to a normal size bed!

 

[franandaj]

This is great, Alison. So pleased to see you on a plane and Fran with a smile on her face for a holiday!

Looking forward to the rest.

She has been smiling more than I have seen her do so in a long time. Hopefully today she will be beaming!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'll be glad for the company!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Well was that roast still frozen? I wonder how many roasts get x-rayed?

I have to remember all these TR's. Looks like a really nice room. Hope you have a good time! And um did you make rope drop? Or did you go back to sleep?

 

[franandaj]

I'll be glad for the company!

Well was that roast still frozen? I wonder how many roasts get x-rayed?

I have to remember all these TR's. Looks like a really nice room. Hope you have a good time! And um did you make rope drop? Or did you go back to sleep?

The roast is thawed, at least somewhat.

Rope drop hasn't even happened here yet, it's still 6AM!

 

[PrincessInOz]

You're UP at 6 am?????

Really?? Pinch ME!

 

[franandaj]

At 8PM they started serving dessert up in the Club level, so we decided to visit there before it closed down.

This is where they put many of the offerings during other times.

This is looking out over the coffee station and to the right in the lounge.

And where they would serve many of the hot items (sorry it’s blurry)

The left side of the lounge

And looking at the center from the left.

A proper shot of the coffee station

This is where they serve the juice and ice

And Sodas

I thought this play area for little kiddos was kind of cute.

For dessert they had bread pudding (which was very good!)

An assortment of cookies

And some Pecan tarts.

We took our goodies back to the room and snacked for a while. I unpacked a little bit and got us prepared for our first full day at Universal!

 

[franandaj]

You're UP at 6 am?????

Really?? Pinch ME!

I've actually been awake since a little bit before 4AM, it just took me a while to break down a move to the computer and start posting!

 

[PrincessInOz]

The Club Lounge looks great. Is the rest of the food good (aside from the bread pudding)?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Nice area. I can smell the coffee.

 

[franandaj]

The Club Lounge looks great. Is the rest of the food good (aside from the bread pudding)?

Fran really enjoyed the cookies (she took about 1/2 a dozen and has been eating them since), and the pecan tarts. I was just too full to try the cookies and wasn't in the mood for the tarts.

Nice area. I can smell the coffee.

I wish I could....only 20 minutes now until they start serving it....I better get dressed to go get some. Don't think the complimentary robe is appropriate attire to walk across the hall!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Enjoy your day.