Stuck on Splash, Swimming in Sewage, & Still Laughing! A "Classy" 6/11 TR- 5/6 DONE!

[saintstickets]

Getting to Florida is always deceiving because I feel like we should almost be there, but I always forget that we still have like three hours of our drive left.

Only three hours once you hit the Florida line? I wish! Coming from Mississippi, once we hit the AL/FL border, it is 7 1/2 hours to Lake Buena Vista and that's only if we don't stop so it is more like 8.5-9.0 hours with the food and restroom breaks! Feel sorry for me yet? Can I throw a pity-party?

Enjoying your TR with the "redneck flavor", especially for those of us that visit the Redneck Riviera quite often! For those that don't know, the RR is that area in NW FL between Panama City and Pensacola. Woohoo!

 

[shelbys mommy]

Only three hours once you hit the Florida line? I wish! Coming from Mississippi, once we hit the AL/FL border, it is 7 1/2 hours to Lake Buena Vista and that's only if we don't stop so it is more like 8.5-9.0 hours with the food and restroom breaks! Feel sorry for me yet? Can I throw a pity-party?

I have the same drive once we get to the FL state line. Joni is such a tease!

 

[PrincessCharlie]

Yay, fun tr! Subbing

 

[goofy's_gurl]

I'm in. Who can sleep on the night before a disney vacation?

 

[MarieTheCat24]

Hi! I'm in. I love your style of writing. It's cracking me up.

Nothing goes better with sausage than more sausage!
That is so true.

I agree that arriving in Florida is incredibly deceptive. I always get excited that I'm finally there, except I'm not really there yet at all. It's so disappointing.

Can't wait for the next update!

 

[Nermel9]

Great first update!!!

LOL, I love John's answer to that question...I would have never guessed guns, but I suppose it makes sense...I'm pretty sure we have one of my dad's old hunting guns in my house somewhere!

I love palm trees too...a little too much, actually! I always get so excited when the plane lands at MCO and I see my first palm trees of the trip!

I remember all the drives down to FL with my family, being so excited to be in Florida, but still having so far to go!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[disneypartyof4]

LOL Great so far....can't wait to hear more!!

 

[DisDreamz]

Late to the party as usual!

Anyway definitely looking forward to reading more, we were there almost the exact same time

Loving the trip so far, wish we could drive it sounds like so much more fun that sitting on a plane all day (and we'd be able to go to the World a lot more if I didn't have to break the bank on airfare).

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Joining in! I'm from North Carolina too... you pretty muched summed us all up hahaha, very country here. I agree with you, Charlotte is just too big and too crowded for me. Hehe, I'll be referring to Carowinds as the Anti-Disney from now on

Can't wait for more!

 

[MelMel11]

Im from Rockingham, NC. Where about are you from?

 

[stephielela]

Am I really your longest reader? I'm not sure who mine would be... Maybe PrincessInOz, but I'm really not sure.

ETA: Nope, it's stephielala I went back and looked

Woot!!! I am extremely honored!!!!

Subbing in!!!

I usually can't sleep either... this trip it won't be a problem because our flight isn't till 6 pm, and since I work that day I can promise I will sleep the night before, even if it involves medication...

 

[Parla]

Wow, I have a friend take my computer to fix the dvd drive and 24 hours later you have a new TR with 4 pages! When I did a TR the whole thing was only 6 pages and I was really happy with the number of people that joined in.

Biscuits and Gravy has always been one of my favorite breakfasts although if the pancakes are good I'm probably ordering that. But I grew up with my mom making biscuits and gravy all the time.

Who can sleep the night before Disney?!?

I wouldn't think 93% of households have guns but I also don't think that thinking everyone should have a gun is a redneck thing. It's more a diehard American gun rights kind of thing. We have a gun because my brother collects them and gave us one the Christmas before y2k because people were freaking out about it. Now my son is a boy scout and my husband takes the gun once a year to be cleaned and then they shoot it at some camping/shooting even they do. I should probably go, I have no idea how to work the thing.

P.S. I have three junk drawers.

 

[declansdad]

We have been laughing out loud; great report so far.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Joining in!

I just started reading this and I love your writing voice, probably attributes to the fact you are an English teacher. Also, English is my favorite class in school, so that always draws me in when there's an English teacher on the DIS, I don't know why, but I just have this feeling the TR is going to be VERY good! And I love your whole Redneck Moment thing you've got going. The first one with the "Impossible Question" was very funny. Seriously, guns? LOL I can only imagine how the rest of the trip is. Haha Can't wait to read more about your trip!

 

[therussells08]

I never sleep either! And I remember your post on "I'm too excited to sleep". I was so happy for you!!!


So totally something I would have said!!! And you did something I would have totally done!


No guns here!


Not a problem at all! I wanted to know what was going on, because I am just that nosy!


I didn't get that pic either!

Love the pics of the gas stations! You crack me up!

Florida is such a tease! We get there in 4 hours. With another 8 hrs left to drive!

I am soooooooooo ready for more!!!

I'm glad you didn't mind my early morning texts! Wow! I can't believe you still have 8 hours after you hit Florida!!

I'm glad you enjoyed that TR I had such a blast on that trip. I can't wait to go again I really hope this December trip works out I really think that we all need to get a big group of us from the Dis together and do a big Dis trip

I would LOVE to do a big DIS trip! That would be the best thing ever! I was so jealous when you met up with Heather and Brad in October! I would love to meet all my DIS friends!

Yeah, we don't have guns in this house My mom won't let my dad keep one, and I'd never live in a house with one. I don't like guns, except in law enforcement or military hands.

It looks like you guys had a good drive down, though And oh my GOD that's a lot of food John got at the Cracker Barrel

Pretty much everyone I know around here has guns. John and my dad both collect them. But then again they're big hunters, and John is a weapons specialist in the military, so guns are a big part of their lives I guess. I don't have any interest in them, but I'm used to having them around.

Right?! I couldn't believe he got all that food. Even more surprising was that he ate almost all of it!

I'm in -- not too late

You're definitely not too late! !

You are too funny! "You might be a redneck" cracks me up. Embrace it. Like you say if the boot fits......trust me I live close to Wisconsin. Mention that and you get hammered with "Wis-cahn-sin" and "eh".

I love Cracjer Barrel! What a bonus that you had a gift card.

Thank you! I guess every region has it's own stereotypes and cultural norms!

Cracker Barrel is soo good, and the gift card was definitely a nice bonus!

Great start! I've stayed at RPR twice and it's a beautiful hotel, I hope you enjoyed your stay there.

Thank you!

Joining in to your TR Just wanted to also drop by and say you make a lovely couple. Congrats on the Wedding also and finding your true love.

Thank you so much for saying that! You are very sweet!

 

[therussells08]

I'm in! I love your style of writing. You had me LOL'ing a bunch.

Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

Can another Southern redneck join in? I take pictures of the gas stations, palm trees, and road signs too so I'm really enjoying your report.

There's always room for one more redneck! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

HAHAHA this TR is CRACKING me up.

I totally can't sleep before Disney either, so no worries. The night before our trip in January, Jess was sleepin' like a baby and I was on disboards all night. I think I got a total of an hour and a half of sleep or something. But hey, there is NO sleeping in Disney, so that was just gonna have to be enough!

My mom would probably say the EXACT same thing.

LOVE the redneck moments! That's so funny! I am in NO way a southern girl by any stretch of the means, but give me biscuits and gravy over some fancy bite sized food that'll break the bank ANY DAY. And I never want to live in a big city either. No way. I like big backyards and a front porch to match.

AND I have a junk drawer too! I think almost every house I've been to has one! So I'd totally believe that!

Love the gas station with all the waves. So cute. Why are gas stations only cute in Florida? I swear I'm moving there one day.

Can't wait to hear about your arrival!!!

Yay! I'm so glad you're here!

I can't believe Jess can sleep before Disney! I don't think I've ever slept more than an hour or two the night before a trip!

I feel the same way about Florida! Everything is cheerful there, even the gas stations!

Joining in! I wish my drive was that quick. We drive down from Jersey and I hate drving through Virginia, North & South Carolina. Those states are like 4 hours each!! I wish they were all as short as Deleware!

Wow! That is quite a drive!

Just joining in! I am loving your report so far!

Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

I'm in!! Another southerner here. I don't understand the not being able to fall asleep the night before the Disney drive, I mean seriously-who has time to sleep when you are trying to pack everyone else in the house's stuff then cram it into the back of the suv so you can leave long before the sun comes up In all seriousness though, did you have sweet tea with your biscuits and gravy, 'cause that would just top it right off!!

I'm ashamed to say I did not have sweet tea! I think I had orange juice. But I did enjoy many sweet teas as the trip progressed!

Only three hours once you hit the Florida line? I wish! Coming from Mississippi, once we hit the AL/FL border, it is 7 1/2 hours to Lake Buena Vista and that's only if we don't stop so it is more like 8.5-9.0 hours with the food and restroom breaks! Feel sorry for me yet? Can I throw a pity-party?

Enjoying your TR with the "redneck flavor", especially for those of us that visit the Redneck Riviera quite often! For those that don't know, the RR is that area in NW FL between Panama City and Pensacola. Woohoo!

Wow! I can't imagine having that far once I get to Florida! Go ahead with the pity party, I understand!

I'm glad you're enjoying the redneck touch!

I have the same drive once we get to the FL state line. Joni is such a tease!

I'm sorry!

Yay, fun tr! Subbing

Thanks for joining in!

 

[therussells08]

I'm in. Who can sleep on the night before a disney vacation?

I don't think I know many people that could, except for my husband!

Hi! I'm in. I love your style of writing. It's cracking me up.

Nothing goes better with sausage than more sausage!
That is so true.

I agree that arriving in Florida is incredibly deceptive. I always get excited that I'm finally there, except I'm not really there yet at all. It's so disappointing.

Can't wait for the next update!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Getting to Florida is such a tease!

Great first update!!!

LOL, I love John's answer to that question...I would have never guessed guns, but I suppose it makes sense...I'm pretty sure we have one of my dad's old hunting guns in my house somewhere!

I love palm trees too...a little too much, actually! I always get so excited when the plane lands at MCO and I see my first palm trees of the trip!

I remember all the drives down to FL with my family, being so excited to be in Florida, but still having so far to go!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks!

John and his guns! That's all he thinks about!

I'm so glad I'm not the only palm tree fanatic!

LOL Great so far....can't wait to hear more!!

Thanks! I'm glad you are enjoying it!

Late to the party as usual!

Anyway definitely looking forward to reading more, we were there almost the exact same time

Loving the trip so far, wish we could drive it sounds like so much more fun that sitting on a plane all day (and we'd be able to go to the World a lot more if I didn't have to break the bank on airfare).

You're not late, you're right on time!

That's so cool that we were there almost the same time!

I definitely prefer driving to flying. We have flown a few times but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Joining in! I'm from North Carolina too... you pretty muched summed us all up hahaha, very country here. I agree with you, Charlotte is just too big and too crowded for me. Hehe, I'll be referring to Carowinds as the Anti-Disney from now on

Can't wait for more!

That's so cool you are from NC too! Whereabouts are you from?

Im from Rockingham, NC. Where about are you from?

That's awesome! I live very close to Winston Salem. I'm from a small town called East Bend.

Woot!!! I am extremely honored!!!!

Subbing in!!!

I usually can't sleep either... this trip it won't be a problem because our flight isn't till 6 pm, and since I work that day I can promise I will sleep the night before, even if it involves medication...

I'm glad you're here!

Wow, I have a friend take my computer to fix the dvd drive and 24 hours later you have a new TR with 4 pages! When I did a TR the whole thing was only 6 pages and I was really happy with the number of people that joined in.

Biscuits and Gravy has always been one of my favorite breakfasts although if the pancakes are good I'm probably ordering that. But I grew up with my mom making biscuits and gravy all the time.

Who can sleep the night before Disney?!?

I wouldn't think 93% of households have guns but I also don't think that thinking everyone should have a gun is a redneck thing. It's more a diehard American gun rights kind of thing. We have a gun because my brother collects them and gave us one the Christmas before y2k because people were freaking out about it. Now my son is a boy scout and my husband takes the gun once a year to be cleaned and then they shoot it at some camping/shooting even they do. I should probably go, I have no idea how to work the thing.

P.S. I have three junk drawers.

I'm glad you're here! I couldn't believe how many readers I had already. You guys are awesome!

I love pancakes too. I have to be in a "sweet" mood, but I can tear up some pancakes if I am!

I think you're right about the gun thing. My dad has a lot of guns, and so does John and his dad. I have grown up with everyone I know owning guns!

We have been laughing out loud; great report so far.

I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

Joining in!

I just started reading this and I love your writing voice, probably attributes to the fact you are an English teacher. Also, English is my favorite class in school, so that always draws me in when there's an English teacher on the DIS, I don't know why, but I just have this feeling the TR is going to be VERY good! And I love your whole Redneck Moment thing you've got going. The first one with the "Impossible Question" was very funny. Seriously, guns? LOL I can only imagine how the rest of the trip is. Haha Can't wait to read more about your trip!

Thank you so much for saying that; you are very kind! That is great that English is your favorite class! Are you still in high school? If so, what has been your favorite thing you've read so far? Sorry, I love hearing from students about their English classes!

I'm really glad you are enjoying the report so far! Thank you for reading along!

 

[Princesca]

LOVING your TR! Can't wait to read more... this is the next best thing to going, and I have a loooong wait.

 

[therussells08]

I still can't believe how many readers I have! Thank you all for reading my crazy ramblings!

Before I get started with this post I just wanted to warn everyone that the next few updates are not going to be about Disney. I struggled with whether or not to post my Universal day here on the DIS; however, I think it's important to post this stuff because it kind of effects the Disney portion of my trip. Also, Disney comes into play a little earlier in this TR than originally anticipated. (Foreshadowing!)

When I left off we were just arriving at Loews Royal Pacific Resort!

I was thrilled to get out of the car and I think John felt the same way, since I tend to be extremely obnoxious when I have been riding for too long. I think he had heard just about enough of me doing my impersonation of the guy from Dumb and Dumber making "the most annoying sound in the world!"

John had refused to park in front of the hotel so we could check in because he was paranoid that the valets would try to park the car for us. Just a little factoid about John, anytime there is a service being provided that requires tipping other than being waited on in a restaurant he gets really uncomfortable. It's not that he doesn't think other services warrant a tip. Rather, he just doesn't know when to hand over the tip. He always feels really awkward when trying to tip someone in one of these situations. I know that sounds weird and trivial, but stuff like that really bothers him. Therefore, we parked waaay out in the parking lot and went on a hike to get to the hotel lobby. I think I was grumbling something about how I should have brought trail mix for this walk when I decided to get a straw, suck it up, and start doing what I'm good at, which is taking a million pictures of random stuff.

If you've never been to Loews Royal Pacific, it is very lovely indeed. I felt like I had stepped into an Indiana Jones movie. Here is a picture of the beautiful fountain that sits in the middle of the main lobby.

After I checked us in we got our room number and headed that way. I was anxious to get the luggage out of the car ASAP because I could just imagine all of my toiletries melting and spilling and creating a disgusting mess in this Florida heat, but John wanted to stake out where in the building the room was first.

Here's our first view of the room.

We were in the military discount standard king room, but this was a pretty snazzy hotel so we were instantly impressed with our accommodations. John headed straight for the mini bar to see what was inside. Above the mini bar there was a little drawer with a random assortment of overpriced items you could buy from the hotel.

They even had the necklaces that the hotel staff wore. I was impressed, but not impressed enough to spend $15 on one.

Here are the contents of the mini bar.

I'm not very knowledgeable about alcoholic beverages, so all I saw here was a really random assortment of drinks, some with "spirits" and some without. John proceeded to pat me on the head and explain patiently that everything in the fridge was some ingredient for a various mixed drink. I think the conversation then continued like this:

John: "Wow, they have everything I need to make a Jack and Coke."
Me: "You mean they have Jack Daniels and Coke? It's not like that's a very complicated recipe."
John: "Still, it's nice to know I can have one anytime I want."
Me: "Um, if you want to take out a loan to pay for a sip of Jack Daniels and a can of Coke, be my guest."

I managed to talk him off that ledge and steer him away from the overpriced beverages. We did, however, stop to take a quick picture together where we had been crouching to inspect the mini bar.

I can just see us sharing that photo with family members. "...And here's when we stopped to look inside the mini bar!"

Oh, and let me just add that a bottle of Fiji water was SEVEN DOLLARS. Y'all, I can get two cases of Wal Mart brand water for less than that. I'm just saying.

After we finished inspecting the room I was a nervous wreck about my luggage so we went back to fetch it. We stopped in the lobby because John wanted to ask for a luggage rack. The hotel employee told us you're only allowed use a luggage rack if you have an employee help you. As soon as he said that John and I had one of the silent conversations that married couples can have just by looking at each other and moving our eyebrows up and down. I was all for the luggage rack and the helpful assistant. John, on the other hand, wasn't handing over the cash for a tip unless they pried it from his cold, dead hands.

So, he kindly thanked the employee and we headed off to the parking lot to retrieve our bags. Let me just clarify that our luggage consisted of: two large rolling suitcases, two carry on size suitcases, one large duffel bag, one small but heavy toiletry bag, two backpacks, and an extra over-the-shoulder bag. Let me also remind you that we were parked halfway to Timbuktu in Loews' huge parking lot.

You know how when you go to the grocery store and come home with fifty bags you would rather break your back carrying all fifty bags in at once than make two trips? Well, that's pretty much the same feelings we had with our luggage. As everyone else is smiling and laughing, trailing along behind a nice shiny luggage rack pushed by a helpful bellhop, there's John and me, grunting and sweating, so weighted down with bags that we looked like a couple of pack mules. It probably took us about twenty minutes to get back to the room, but it felt like an eternity. By the time we did reach the room we both collapsed on the bed, panting and moaning about various body parts that felt like they were on fire. But hey, we saved $5. Worth it, right? Right?!

After our adventure to the parking lot and back we both needed to shower and change before we headed to dinner. We decided to walk to Universal CityWalk and see what they had to offer. On our way I snapped some pictures.

As we were walking along the path to CityWalk there was a family of fast-walkers that were on our tail. They were walking really close and breathing down our necks, so I moved aside so they could pass us. A few minutes later as we were entering CityWalk I saw that same family standing around a table to the right. I got really excited to be passing them again so I started power walking right by them. I was all proud of myself because I felt like I had won some kind of race with this family, completely unbeknownst to them. It took me a few seconds to register that the person yelling "M'AM! EXCUSE ME, M'AM!" behind me in a very angry voice was talking to me. Apparently the reason that family had stopped was to have their bags checked at a security checkpoint, which to all bystanders I seemed to be desperately trying to avoid. Oops. I apologized to the security guard, but she didn't seem to buy it. She took an extra long time looking through my bag, which I guess I can understand after my suspicious behavior!

After my bag passed the search I was released and we continued to our destination!

We have eaten at the Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach several times, so we were excited to try this one. We checked in and they told us the wait would be 45 minutes, but we sat down and our buzzer went off after literally 45 seconds! Woo hoo!

Once we were seated I snapped a few pictures of the decorations.

Here's my handsome hubby checking out the menu.

For an appetizer we got a mushroom, crab ,and shrimp dip! I took a picture of it but it was really dark and John had already devoured about half of it so I won't share that. I will tell you that it was delicious!

For our entrees I decided to go with the Cheeseburger in Paradise and John got the Cuban sandwich.

Check out that pickle! It makes it look like the burger is really small, but it wasn't. That was just the biggest stinkin' pickle I've ever seen!

Overall this meal was very tasty. With drinks, appetizer and entree I think the entire meal plus tip was $60. I was really tempted to get a piece of key lime pie since I had just watched the episode of Dexter when Dexter helps Camilla find the "perfect key lime pie" and I was really craving it, but I was just too full from the burger and pickle-zilla.

After we left Margaritaville we were both stuffed and getting really sleepy. We walked around some of the shops for awhile but neither of us were really in the mood to do anything but sleep so we went back to the hotel. We ended up getting into bed at about 8:30, and since it was Wednesday we watched The Middle and Modern Family. Wow, we really like to live on the edge, can't you tell?

The king bed was gloriously comfortable and I fell asleep before 9:30. I was so excited for our first full day of vacation, but I had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Why in the world, when I had so much to be happy about, did I feel sad?

Up Next: I spot a couple celebrities at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and I figure out why I feel depressed! Stay tuned!

 

[therussells08]

LOVING your TR! Can't wait to read more... this is the next best thing to going, and I have a loooong wait.

Thank you so much for joining in! I'm glad you are enjoying it so far. I hope it can help make your wait seem shorter!