TRAVELERS:
Me (DW), 38, the obsessive planner
DH, 41, glad to have it all planned for him
THE TRIP:
An impulsive 3 day trip WITHOUT the kids, our first solo trip in more than 8 years
ACCOMODATIONS:
HRH
Tues. May 4
Woke up, showered and dressed and made a pot of the complimentary coffee in the room. Ye gads, it was awful! Even with all of the sugar and nondairy creamer packets split between the two cups, it was barely drinkable. We gulped it down quick ( so as not to taste it), and headed downstairs to Starbucks. We are not Starbucks fans at all, but we are major coffee addicts, and we needed some NOW! Well, after several minutes of trying to make THIS coffee drinkable (it was still lousy, IMHO, can't understand how anyone likes it), we went to pay. My DH grabbed a small (50 cent?) bag of choc. chip cookies and the cashier rang us up. $9.63! For two coffees and a single serving of CC cookies! I guess I said out loud, "WHAT?", and the cashier sympathetically said, "I know." We were laughing so hard we could barely walk straight, and we must have been intoxicated from lack of decent coffee, because we couldn't find the right path to the parks. We walked around in circles for about 5 minutes, but eventually found it and headed to IOA.
Our plan was to do all of IOA today, and then we were meeting a friend, who was driving up from Tampa, for dinner. Even though I had sworn the day before I would NOT ride the Hulk again, that ride is just so darn cool looking, we couldn't resist. I figured if my DH could get through motion sickness, I could deal with a little head banging. I wanted to try front row, but we were informed we needed to take the regular line for that and we were already spoiled by FOTL, so we opted for the second row. DH advised me to keep my head firmly pressed against the head rest. Sure, no problem. "Woah, this launch is awesome, yeah!! Oh, cool! Ouch, my head!" Headache #2. What is it about that ride? Continued on to Fearfall, where I tried to entice my DH to come on with me, to no avail. In addition to motion sickness, he is also afraid of heights. I walked on the ride solo, and tried really hard to hear what Dr. Doom was saying, but I guess I need to schedule a hearing test when we get home. Anyway, we shot up like a rocket, this was very cool!...But way too short. All I could think was, "Boy I would be really upset if I waited 45 mins for this ride. Thank God for FOTL!
As we were making our way out of Marvel, we heard some loud sirens coming. I told my DH I thought the Superheroes were on the way, and indeed they were. He was very excited. He really would have liked to have his picture taken with Spiderman, but alas, we had no camera. Seeing Spidey in person was such a thrill for him that he decided to give the Spiderman ride another "spin". Since I loved it the first time, I was happy to get back on and advised DH just to close his eyes for the simulator-type parts. Turned out this time when I looked over at him his eyes were open. I warned him to close them but he said no way! He actually loved the ride this time and only felt slightly woozy when we got off. I also enjoyed it more because I wasn't worried about him getting sick. Decided to do all the wet rides next, so we headed to Toon Lagoon where we got wet on Ripsaw Falls and drenched on Popeye's! We both agreed that Universal's water rides are much better than Disney's. Next on to JPRA, which we absolutely loved. What incredible theming here, and a great drop, too. This was another ride we knew our daughters would love, so I had my 5 minutes of missing them for the day.
Headed to Lost Continent and Dueling Dragons, where I insisted on front row. The wait was only about 5 minutes. We did Ice this time, and holy cow, front row is a whole different world. Awesome! I had told DH that Dueling Dragons could double as a blow dryer, but unfortunately for us we were still pretty wet when we got off. Checked in at Mythos and were seated after about 10 minutes. I had heard so much about this restaurant I just had to try it. We thought the inside of the restaurant was really cool and we had a great waiter, but our food was just good. Not bad by any means, but not spectacular. Still, the atmosphere made up for it and we did enjoy our lunch. Found out Sinbad was closed for refurb, and decided to try Poseiden's Fury. I had read mixed opinions on this one, but we LOVED it! We had a really great actor, and I'm sure that can make all the difference.
Headed over to US again, where we saw Ghost busters (Yes, Flyfly, the Cowboy is very cute) and Beetlejuice and then rode Jimmy Neutron. I thought this was great, though I was nice enough to sit with DH in stationary seating. Finally we headed to Citywalk and tried out the Margaritas at Jimmy Buffet's airplane bar. Here the music and video were loud and clear so I was finally able to get my Buffet fix. Met our friend, had another round of drinks then went to Motown for dinner. We thought this place was pretty cool and enjoyed watching the videos (Rick James Superfreak- I felt like I was back in college). I had a steak which was good but my DH and friend had the babyback ribs which DH didn't like. The friend did, though. Also the buffalo wings were great. Friend and I had the remains of our meal boxed up and I joked about how I usually end up leaving it on the table. Stopped into Pat O'Brien's for 2fer Tues., and then we walked our friend out. My DH asked, "Didn't you guys have food?" Ha! We both left it on the table! One more round at Pats and we started walking back to HRH. A valet in one of those souped up Golf Carts asked, " You going to Hard Rock?" We said yes and he said, "I take you there". Well, we had barely sat down when he sped off with nary a "buckle up" or "hold on for your life". Very dangerous with two slightly inebriated passengers, but we were back at HRH safe and sound in about 30 seconds, so who can complain?
(Day 3 to come)...
Me (DW), 38, the obsessive planner
DH, 41, glad to have it all planned for him
THE TRIP:
An impulsive 3 day trip WITHOUT the kids, our first solo trip in more than 8 years
ACCOMODATIONS:
HRH
Tues. May 4
Woke up, showered and dressed and made a pot of the complimentary coffee in the room. Ye gads, it was awful! Even with all of the sugar and nondairy creamer packets split between the two cups, it was barely drinkable. We gulped it down quick ( so as not to taste it), and headed downstairs to Starbucks. We are not Starbucks fans at all, but we are major coffee addicts, and we needed some NOW! Well, after several minutes of trying to make THIS coffee drinkable (it was still lousy, IMHO, can't understand how anyone likes it), we went to pay. My DH grabbed a small (50 cent?) bag of choc. chip cookies and the cashier rang us up. $9.63! For two coffees and a single serving of CC cookies! I guess I said out loud, "WHAT?", and the cashier sympathetically said, "I know." We were laughing so hard we could barely walk straight, and we must have been intoxicated from lack of decent coffee, because we couldn't find the right path to the parks. We walked around in circles for about 5 minutes, but eventually found it and headed to IOA.
Our plan was to do all of IOA today, and then we were meeting a friend, who was driving up from Tampa, for dinner. Even though I had sworn the day before I would NOT ride the Hulk again, that ride is just so darn cool looking, we couldn't resist. I figured if my DH could get through motion sickness, I could deal with a little head banging. I wanted to try front row, but we were informed we needed to take the regular line for that and we were already spoiled by FOTL, so we opted for the second row. DH advised me to keep my head firmly pressed against the head rest. Sure, no problem. "Woah, this launch is awesome, yeah!! Oh, cool! Ouch, my head!" Headache #2. What is it about that ride? Continued on to Fearfall, where I tried to entice my DH to come on with me, to no avail. In addition to motion sickness, he is also afraid of heights. I walked on the ride solo, and tried really hard to hear what Dr. Doom was saying, but I guess I need to schedule a hearing test when we get home. Anyway, we shot up like a rocket, this was very cool!...But way too short. All I could think was, "Boy I would be really upset if I waited 45 mins for this ride. Thank God for FOTL!
As we were making our way out of Marvel, we heard some loud sirens coming. I told my DH I thought the Superheroes were on the way, and indeed they were. He was very excited. He really would have liked to have his picture taken with Spiderman, but alas, we had no camera. Seeing Spidey in person was such a thrill for him that he decided to give the Spiderman ride another "spin". Since I loved it the first time, I was happy to get back on and advised DH just to close his eyes for the simulator-type parts. Turned out this time when I looked over at him his eyes were open. I warned him to close them but he said no way! He actually loved the ride this time and only felt slightly woozy when we got off. I also enjoyed it more because I wasn't worried about him getting sick. Decided to do all the wet rides next, so we headed to Toon Lagoon where we got wet on Ripsaw Falls and drenched on Popeye's! We both agreed that Universal's water rides are much better than Disney's. Next on to JPRA, which we absolutely loved. What incredible theming here, and a great drop, too. This was another ride we knew our daughters would love, so I had my 5 minutes of missing them for the day.
Headed to Lost Continent and Dueling Dragons, where I insisted on front row. The wait was only about 5 minutes. We did Ice this time, and holy cow, front row is a whole different world. Awesome! I had told DH that Dueling Dragons could double as a blow dryer, but unfortunately for us we were still pretty wet when we got off. Checked in at Mythos and were seated after about 10 minutes. I had heard so much about this restaurant I just had to try it. We thought the inside of the restaurant was really cool and we had a great waiter, but our food was just good. Not bad by any means, but not spectacular. Still, the atmosphere made up for it and we did enjoy our lunch. Found out Sinbad was closed for refurb, and decided to try Poseiden's Fury. I had read mixed opinions on this one, but we LOVED it! We had a really great actor, and I'm sure that can make all the difference.
Headed over to US again, where we saw Ghost busters (Yes, Flyfly, the Cowboy is very cute) and Beetlejuice and then rode Jimmy Neutron. I thought this was great, though I was nice enough to sit with DH in stationary seating. Finally we headed to Citywalk and tried out the Margaritas at Jimmy Buffet's airplane bar. Here the music and video were loud and clear so I was finally able to get my Buffet fix. Met our friend, had another round of drinks then went to Motown for dinner. We thought this place was pretty cool and enjoyed watching the videos (Rick James Superfreak- I felt like I was back in college). I had a steak which was good but my DH and friend had the babyback ribs which DH didn't like. The friend did, though. Also the buffalo wings were great. Friend and I had the remains of our meal boxed up and I joked about how I usually end up leaving it on the table. Stopped into Pat O'Brien's for 2fer Tues., and then we walked our friend out. My DH asked, "Didn't you guys have food?" Ha! We both left it on the table! One more round at Pats and we started walking back to HRH. A valet in one of those souped up Golf Carts asked, " You going to Hard Rock?" We said yes and he said, "I take you there". Well, we had barely sat down when he sped off with nary a "buckle up" or "hold on for your life". Very dangerous with two slightly inebriated passengers, but we were back at HRH safe and sound in about 30 seconds, so who can complain?
(Day 3 to come)...
in need of professional help!
thanks for sharing
Gotta agree though that "in room" coffee tastes like they grew the beans in Pittsburgh (which we all know is impossible!) Better warn DH that he may be making a trip to the Orchid Lounge as highlander reported if he wants to keep the peace.
