Participants! Me, Wendy, 32/33 High School teacher from Aberdeen, Scotland
Mum, Doreen, 68 going through her second childhood!
This is the last part of a vacation whcih includd 2 weeks at WDW and a 7 day DCl cruise.
Sun 21st July
We checked out of the Vistana and were at the Royal Pacific (RP) by 10.10am. We are so glad we decided to valet park we hadnt read any of the horror stories before leaving but have since we came back. The hotel is gorgeous and all the employees very pleasant. The lobby is stunning and you can really see the Island influence. The room wasnt ready which we expected but we would find plenty to do. I had out my Loews first card but didnt expect to get anything because we had the Ent rate of $99 before I could say anything she asked what I wanted! I saw the room number she wrote down for it to be delivered so had an idea where we would be. We went to the Orchid Court lobby for coffee and a lovely pineapple Danish. I can see why people complain about the prices but it was lovely and relaxing. We went out to take photos of the orchid court and the pool. Then I suddenly noticed the marks on my mums T-shirt of course that was my fault for not seeing it when see put it on so of course she had to go and buy a new one! We were going for lunch at the Trattoria at the Portofino so headed to the water taxi. There was an annual pass tour going on and we passed somebody pouring drinks. He asked if we were on the tour and we were honest and said no but he still gave us some of the rum punch it was lovely if rather alcoholic!
Lunch at the Trattoria was lovely we used the Ent card again which made it even cheaper. This hotel always seems so quiet but the staff couldnt be nicer we spent ages reading the Sunday papers and enjoying a lovely meal. We had never checked out the lobby area here so did that the restrooms have the most luxurious handcream. We headed towards the boat but a thunderstorm started so the boats were stopped. We werent sure how to get back but recognised one of the employees from the RPH so we followed him! Buses run from the front of the hotel and we just hoped they would reach our hotel. We eventually got back they only had 1 bus running and they were packed. By now our room was ready we were in Tower 1 on the 2nd floor. Now this is the bit I didnt like I thought I just had to go to the bell desk to get the luggage but because the valets had left the luggage in the car I had to go down there over the soaking wet bridge! hand over the ticket, wait for the car, have somebody take the luggage from the car, to the front of the hotel and then somebody else take it to the room. This cost a fortune in tips because I am terrified of being thought mean.
The room was lovely but I think it was a handicap room as the bathroom as huge with no vanity outside. I had only paid for a standard view but we got a great view of Hulk and Dr Doom. We could spend hours watching those and the boats going by. The coffee maker was very handy and we found room for our stuff in the mini bar. Within 10 mins our wine was delivered far quicker than at the Hard Rock. What we did miss was that at HR we could use the stairs to exit to the park here the bottom door did not open. Also like others I never could get hot water in the shower
It was still raining so we couldnt go to the pool we checked out Jakes bar but it seemed smoky so we had a glass of wine in the Orchid Lounge. After changing we headed to City Walk. I had signed up for the All Access card so had $20 on it and because my birthday had just passed they added an extra $10. So for 3 drinks, 1 burger, fajitas and a dessert we paid $6!! We managed to catch the fireworks at both parks and then took the water taxi back. I had phoned for turn down service but they never turned up.
Mon 22nd July
Last year I got 3 day tickets for Universal and we still had 2 days left I knew we could do everything we wanted to with FOTL access in 1 day. We took the water taxi again and were at Universal Studios by 10am. We did ET, Back to the Future and MIB and then had coffee we even remembered to use our AAA for the 10% discount. We then did the new Beetlejuice show and headed to Islands of Adventure. We rode Cat in the Hat, 1 fish, 2 fish, Posiedens Fury and then I did Duelling dragons both fire and ice. I still havent plucked up courage to do Hulk! Then it was time for our usual ritual at Mythos. It is just such a relaxing break and very reasonable. We had a salad and pizza and usually would have the praline cheesecake roll ups but the server was so slow that he forgot to ask if we wanted a dessert.
We then headed to Spiderman it is wonderful walking past a 70 min queue. This time the guy did something with our key cards and I wondered if that meant we wouldnt be able to go on it again however we went on it at night with no apparent problems. Then I persuaded Mum to try Dr Doom she loves Tower of Terror. Well she was really nervous and I wasnt sure things like where to leave our stuff and her glasses. We got a great view of our hotel and I 4 she came off and her comment was is that it! She expected to go back up a few times!
We bought some cheesecake to go from the Crescent View Café and headed back to the hotel. We had a swim and got ready for the night. Again I phoned for turn down and I mentioned that we didnt get it last night I was assured that we would get it that night. We went back to Islands for a walk round, did Cat again, saw the drained Popeye ride lightning had hit it so it had had to be drained. We had dipping dots icecream less messy and then we went back to do Spiderman. We were going to wait for the fireworks but were hungry so headed out. We wandered around trying to decide where to eat and finally settled on the Latin Quarter. What an excellent meal. Mum had the salmon and I had the chicken as well as drinks. We finished off with coffee. We had a very slow stroll back to the hotel sad that the vacation was just about finished.
Surprise, surprise no turn down service again. I was annoyed more because we needed towels. We went to ask about a late check out we got till 12.30and I mentioned about the turn down service. She offered to send somebody but I just asked for more towels and she promised to send somebody. Well they never turned up! I know we should have phoned to complain but I am not like that we just phoned for more in the morning.
Tues 23rd
Due to the late check out we could take our time and have a relaxing swim. I loved the kids area and the hot tubs were great. We had lunch in Islands which was nice if pricey and then got the car loaded up the valet guys were a hoot. Would we go back here? At that price yes but I do prefer the HR the pool and slide is better and it is slightly nearer the parks. The staff at both are so friendly.
We got the car returned and luggage checked in. No problems until we reached Dulles the London flight was delayed by 5 hours. Great, airport was closing even the bar closed! So it was a very boring 5 hours although they did eventually get us sodas and pretzels they even had to get blankets as the area was freezing. I kept trying to remember that theses were free flights using my airmiles. I got them to rebook our connecting flight to Edinburgh.
We eventually reached London we had great Economy Plus seats and the stewardess gave us a bottle of champagne! However when we reached check in I discovered they hadnt rebooked our seats and the flight was full. However they managed to get us 2 seats although they couldnt promise our luggage would get there. We sat next to some of the Cook Islands athletes in the lounge waiting to go to the Commonwealth Games they were massive. We eventually reached Edinburgh, luggage was first off, picked up our own car, remembered to drive on the right side and were home by 9.30pm!
What a great vacation and I am still recovering!
Mum, Doreen, 68 going through her second childhood!
This is the last part of a vacation whcih includd 2 weeks at WDW and a 7 day DCl cruise.
Sun 21st July
We checked out of the Vistana and were at the Royal Pacific (RP) by 10.10am. We are so glad we decided to valet park we hadnt read any of the horror stories before leaving but have since we came back. The hotel is gorgeous and all the employees very pleasant. The lobby is stunning and you can really see the Island influence. The room wasnt ready which we expected but we would find plenty to do. I had out my Loews first card but didnt expect to get anything because we had the Ent rate of $99 before I could say anything she asked what I wanted! I saw the room number she wrote down for it to be delivered so had an idea where we would be. We went to the Orchid Court lobby for coffee and a lovely pineapple Danish. I can see why people complain about the prices but it was lovely and relaxing. We went out to take photos of the orchid court and the pool. Then I suddenly noticed the marks on my mums T-shirt of course that was my fault for not seeing it when see put it on so of course she had to go and buy a new one! We were going for lunch at the Trattoria at the Portofino so headed to the water taxi. There was an annual pass tour going on and we passed somebody pouring drinks. He asked if we were on the tour and we were honest and said no but he still gave us some of the rum punch it was lovely if rather alcoholic!
Lunch at the Trattoria was lovely we used the Ent card again which made it even cheaper. This hotel always seems so quiet but the staff couldnt be nicer we spent ages reading the Sunday papers and enjoying a lovely meal. We had never checked out the lobby area here so did that the restrooms have the most luxurious handcream. We headed towards the boat but a thunderstorm started so the boats were stopped. We werent sure how to get back but recognised one of the employees from the RPH so we followed him! Buses run from the front of the hotel and we just hoped they would reach our hotel. We eventually got back they only had 1 bus running and they were packed. By now our room was ready we were in Tower 1 on the 2nd floor. Now this is the bit I didnt like I thought I just had to go to the bell desk to get the luggage but because the valets had left the luggage in the car I had to go down there over the soaking wet bridge! hand over the ticket, wait for the car, have somebody take the luggage from the car, to the front of the hotel and then somebody else take it to the room. This cost a fortune in tips because I am terrified of being thought mean.
The room was lovely but I think it was a handicap room as the bathroom as huge with no vanity outside. I had only paid for a standard view but we got a great view of Hulk and Dr Doom. We could spend hours watching those and the boats going by. The coffee maker was very handy and we found room for our stuff in the mini bar. Within 10 mins our wine was delivered far quicker than at the Hard Rock. What we did miss was that at HR we could use the stairs to exit to the park here the bottom door did not open. Also like others I never could get hot water in the shower
It was still raining so we couldnt go to the pool we checked out Jakes bar but it seemed smoky so we had a glass of wine in the Orchid Lounge. After changing we headed to City Walk. I had signed up for the All Access card so had $20 on it and because my birthday had just passed they added an extra $10. So for 3 drinks, 1 burger, fajitas and a dessert we paid $6!! We managed to catch the fireworks at both parks and then took the water taxi back. I had phoned for turn down service but they never turned up.
Mon 22nd July
Last year I got 3 day tickets for Universal and we still had 2 days left I knew we could do everything we wanted to with FOTL access in 1 day. We took the water taxi again and were at Universal Studios by 10am. We did ET, Back to the Future and MIB and then had coffee we even remembered to use our AAA for the 10% discount. We then did the new Beetlejuice show and headed to Islands of Adventure. We rode Cat in the Hat, 1 fish, 2 fish, Posiedens Fury and then I did Duelling dragons both fire and ice. I still havent plucked up courage to do Hulk! Then it was time for our usual ritual at Mythos. It is just such a relaxing break and very reasonable. We had a salad and pizza and usually would have the praline cheesecake roll ups but the server was so slow that he forgot to ask if we wanted a dessert.
We then headed to Spiderman it is wonderful walking past a 70 min queue. This time the guy did something with our key cards and I wondered if that meant we wouldnt be able to go on it again however we went on it at night with no apparent problems. Then I persuaded Mum to try Dr Doom she loves Tower of Terror. Well she was really nervous and I wasnt sure things like where to leave our stuff and her glasses. We got a great view of our hotel and I 4 she came off and her comment was is that it! She expected to go back up a few times!
We bought some cheesecake to go from the Crescent View Café and headed back to the hotel. We had a swim and got ready for the night. Again I phoned for turn down and I mentioned that we didnt get it last night I was assured that we would get it that night. We went back to Islands for a walk round, did Cat again, saw the drained Popeye ride lightning had hit it so it had had to be drained. We had dipping dots icecream less messy and then we went back to do Spiderman. We were going to wait for the fireworks but were hungry so headed out. We wandered around trying to decide where to eat and finally settled on the Latin Quarter. What an excellent meal. Mum had the salmon and I had the chicken as well as drinks. We finished off with coffee. We had a very slow stroll back to the hotel sad that the vacation was just about finished.
Surprise, surprise no turn down service again. I was annoyed more because we needed towels. We went to ask about a late check out we got till 12.30and I mentioned about the turn down service. She offered to send somebody but I just asked for more towels and she promised to send somebody. Well they never turned up! I know we should have phoned to complain but I am not like that we just phoned for more in the morning.
Tues 23rd
Due to the late check out we could take our time and have a relaxing swim. I loved the kids area and the hot tubs were great. We had lunch in Islands which was nice if pricey and then got the car loaded up the valet guys were a hoot. Would we go back here? At that price yes but I do prefer the HR the pool and slide is better and it is slightly nearer the parks. The staff at both are so friendly.
We got the car returned and luggage checked in. No problems until we reached Dulles the London flight was delayed by 5 hours. Great, airport was closing even the bar closed! So it was a very boring 5 hours although they did eventually get us sodas and pretzels they even had to get blankets as the area was freezing. I kept trying to remember that theses were free flights using my airmiles. I got them to rebook our connecting flight to Edinburgh.
We eventually reached London we had great Economy Plus seats and the stewardess gave us a bottle of champagne! However when we reached check in I discovered they hadnt rebooked our seats and the flight was full. However they managed to get us 2 seats although they couldnt promise our luggage would get there. We sat next to some of the Cook Islands athletes in the lounge waiting to go to the Commonwealth Games they were massive. We eventually reached Edinburgh, luggage was first off, picked up our own car, remembered to drive on the right side and were home by 9.30pm!
What a great vacation and I am still recovering!
