Royal Pacific May 13 - May16

[ABFine]

The Cast:
Me - aka ABFine
Marie - Wife & Mother
Sarah - Daughter & College Student

Drove from NJ to Williamsburg,VA and spent a day there. Drove from Williamsburg to St. Augustine. LONG day. Next day arrived at the Royal Pacific around noon. Very impressed the moment we walked in. When we got to our room, things only got better. We were in Tower 3, 6th floor, Room 3618. What a great view!! Looked out over the pool with Hulk & Dr. Doom in the background.

Went for lunch in the Island Dining Room:
Sarah - Crab & Shrimp Egg Drop Soup
Marie - Mahi-Mahi Sandwich
Me - Beef & Veggie Stir Fry
Good except for Marie's sandwich, no flavor. $49.00 with tip

Walked around some to get oriented. Sarah located the health club and signed up. Then went to change and jog for awhile. Marie and I went to the pool. Sarah joined us later and we hung out there till it was time for dinner.

Went to CityWalk and checked things out there. Walked over to Hard Rock Hotel to have a look see. Cool place, might have to stay there some time. Back to CityWalk, dinner at Pastamore.

Sarah - Fettucini Carbonera ?
Marie - Pasta Premavera
Me - Cheese Ravioli
Shared pastery for dessert. Very good. $84.00 with tip

Back to room, some people just had to watch Gilmore Girls. Marie crashed, Sarah and I went back to the pool then to the lounge for coffee. Called it a night about 11:30

Day 2

Up around 7:00, Sarah and I went to health club. She jogged,I pedaled. Sarah just had cereal from the lounge, Marie and I went to the Island for the buffet. Usual fare, omelets,fruit, etc.
$34.00 with tip.
Went to Studio. Jimmy Neutron, MIB 3 or 4 times, Jaws, Earthquake. Didn't see T2, just bad timing. Got on MIB one time with a guy who worked there, he scored like 900,000. He told us his secret but the next time we got on I had a different type gun and it didn't seem to work for me or Sarah. Oh well, maybe next time.
It was pretty hot by this time and Marie had had enough. So we went to lunch at Hard Rock.

Shared a spinach dip appetizer
Sarah & Marie - Cheeseburgers
Me - Salad with turkey Pretty good, $41.00 with tip

Marie headed back to the hotel to relax and read. Sarah & I headed for IOA. It was great, no lines, didn't even need front of line. Rode Hulk like 6 times, once up front, the rest in the last seats. We really feel the last row is much better. Went to Spiderman, Jurassic Park ( lame ), then rode Fire & Ice 3 or 4 times. Here the front row is so much better with the near collisions. Can't see anything if you sit elsewhere.
Very hot now, headed back to the room. Swam then showered and got ready for dinner.

Went to dinner at Tchoup Chop. This was one of the best meals we had the entire trip.

Sarah - Pork Dumplings w/ ginger sauce
Seafood Clay Pot ( Mussels, shrimp, fish in lobster sauce.
Pineapple upside down cake w/ Macadamia nut ice cream.

Marie - Crab cake appetizer
Macadamia nut crusted salmon
Coconut creme brulee

Me - Tilefish ( forget what sauce )
Miso soup w/ lobster and shiitake mushrooms
Swordfish cooked in wok w/ veggies
Banana cream pie
2 Mai Tai 's

All was delicious except for the tilefish,just very blah. Also the banana cream pie was a little too heavy on top of a large meal.
$200.00 with tip

Hung out at pool for awhile, back to room around 11:00

Day 3:

Up around 7:30. Sarah not feeling well, sore throat. Went to lounge for breakfast, cereal,bagel,juice, coffee, $18.00.
Went to jog and pedal, showered. Marie decided she needed to do some laundry, Sarah & I went to IOA. Where did all these people come from?? Really crowded today and hot. Rode Hulk twice and Spidey once. Sarah not feeling well at all now, can't take the crowds and heat. Decide to see a movie, the new Matrix starts today. Called Marie to meet us at the theater. I didn't like the movie but at least it was cool.
Back to room, Sarah crashed. Marie & I went to the pool for a bite to eat. Sandwiches and a beer, $25.00 with tip.
Back up, I think we all napped a bit. Time to eat again. Everyone showered and it's off to Emeril's.

Sarah - Crab & Cheese Ravioli
Sun Dried Tomato Halibut
Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Marie - Crab Cheese Cake
Fruit DeMar ( Seafood Combo )
White Chocolate Creme Brulee

Me - Fried Green Tomatos
Shrimp Bisque
Grouper ( Forget the details )
Chocolate Ice Cream & a glass of port wine

$246.00 with tip. The most expensive and most disappointing meal of the trip. We all felt there was nothing special about anything we ate. I think my green tomatos were the highlight of my meal. Go to Tchoup Chop, much better.

Back to hotel, hung out at the pool, then upstairs to pack, moving on to Disney in the morning.

Will post the rest of the trip on the Disney board. See you there.

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks for the great report! Glad to know about Emerils vs. Tchoup Chop since I made my ressies for Tchoup Chop but was wondering about the decision. Also good to know that you liked RPR. I can't wait until my trip!

Thanks again,

 

[cpl100]

Hi,

I am enjoying reading your trip reports. I saw the Disney ones first and headed over here to read these. I noticed you drove from Williamsburg to St. Augustine and commented it was a long day! Then you mentioned the drive from St. Augustine got you to Orlando at about noon. I am driving from MA to D.C., staying a day and then heading further south. I had hoped to go from D. C. to Florence S. C., overnight there, and then drive from Florence to at least St. Augustine but hopefully Orlando. Do you think that's realistic? How many hours was the drive from St. Augustine to the hotel? I am not sure from your report if it's a much longer drive than I'd thought from the map or perhaps you left later in the morning. Also, how long did it take you from Williamsburg to St. Augustine? I am hoping to drive about 9 hours (including several bathroom/food breaks) per day only as I am the only driver. Thanks!

 

[ABFine]

cpl100
I am enjoying reading your trip reports. I saw the Disney ones first and headed over here to read these. I noticed you drove from Williamsburg to St. Augustine and commented it was a long day! Then you mentioned the drive from St. Augustine got you to Orlando at about noon. I am driving from MA to D.C., staying a day and then heading further south. I had hoped to go from D. C. to Florence S. C., overnight there, and then drive from Florence to at least St. Augustine but hopefully Orlando. Do you think that's realistic? How many hours was the drive from St. Augustine to the hotel? I am not sure from your report if it's a much longer drive than I'd thought from the map or perhaps you left later in the morning. Also, how long did it take you from Williamsburg to St. Augustine? I am hoping to drive about 9 hours (including several bathroom/food breaks) per day only as I am the only driver. Thanks!

We left Williamsburg at 10:40am and arrived in St. Augustine about 10:45pm. That's with two meal stops and probably two gas stops. My daughter drove the entire state of S. Carolina so that gave me a nice break. After some dinner and a few coffees, it wasn't bad. Watch the construction south of Jax. Also I-4 is torn up as usual.
The drive from St. Augustine was about 4 hours. But that's with a breakfast stop and I drove along the coast rode for a bit with the lower speed limits.
It's 17 hours Driving time from Central NJ to Disney.
Hope that helps, enjoy....

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by ABFine
cpl100
I am enjoying reading your trip reports. I saw the Disney ones first and headed over here to read these. I noticed you drove from Williamsburg to St. Augustine and commented it was a long day! Then you mentioned the drive from St. Augustine got you to Orlando at about noon. I am driving from MA to D.C., staying a day and then heading further south. I had hoped to go from D. C. to Florence S. C., overnight there, and then drive from Florence to at least St. Augustine but hopefully Orlando. Do you think that's realistic? How many hours was the drive from St. Augustine to the hotel? I am not sure from your report if it's a much longer drive than I'd thought from the map or perhaps you left later in the morning. Also, how long did it take you from Williamsburg to St. Augustine? I am hoping to drive about 9 hours (including several bathroom/food breaks) per day only as I am the only driver. Thanks!

We left Williamsburg at 10:40am and arrived in St. Augustine about 10:45pm. That's with two meal stops and probably two gas stops. My daughter drove the entire state of S. Carolina so that gave me a nice break. After some dinner and a few coffees, it wasn't bad. Watch the construction south of Jax. Also I-4 is torn up as usual.
The drive from St. Augustine was about 4 hours. But that's with a breakfast stop and I drove along the coast rode for a bit with the lower speed limits.
It's 17 hours Driving time from Central NJ to Disney.
Hope that helps, enjoy....

Yes, that helps very much. Thanks.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for sharing - Wonderful reviews!!!