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Posted: 06.24.2002 Permanent vacation
"So why don't you tell us -- what did you do this summer, Robyn?"
Well we got to the Disney World Hilton about 2 p.m., even though check-in wasn't until 3 p.m. We were hoping to get a king-size bed if we got there early enough, since you can't specify room or bed type with Priceline.com. We didn't have any problem checking in at all, but after exiting the elevators and walking down literally the longest hallway I've ever been down in my life (while Todd fought the urge to skip and sing "I Want to Be an Airborne Ranger"), we got to the very last room at the end -- you guessed it -- two double beds. So we had to go back down the hall and try again. I told Todd this was probably their scare-tactic. By the time most people found the room they'd be too tired to argue. But a couple of apologies and few clicks of a keyboard later, we were off to our next room. And they must have upgraded us because it was literally twice the size of the other one! It had a long entry hallway, a separate little office area with desk and computer chair (better than our own!), walk-in closet, a really nice entertainment center, fully stocked fridge, two chairs, terry robes, bath sheets instead of towels, and a king bed with a feather duvet and feather pillows. *cue Robyn singing "I think I'm gonna like it here"* We got settled in and then decided to head out for a late lunch. After about 5 minutes of "I don't know...what do YOU want to eat..." I had an epiphany. We'd yet to make it to CityWalk at Universal Studios so we headed over in that direction. We literally arrived just minutes before the rain. We had settled on Pat O'Brien's (a New Orleans institution) for lunch, and barely got our drink orders before the floodgates opened. The food was so-so. It was just enough like New Orleans fare to make us want an authentic muffuletta. But the drinks were perfection and we were both just a little lit when we made our exit. We decided to head over to the Cineplex and try to catch a show and wait the rain out. We bought tickets for "Minority Report", and then killed the hour before showtime "wastin' away again in Margaritaville". No spoilers here, but I thought the movie was just "ok". I was very glad this theater sold alcohol to keep me distracted. I've seen a lot of very positive reviews floating around, but quite frankly, I don't like Tom Cruise. I'm sure that had a bit to do with my "eh, take it or leave it" opinion. Some of the technology was fascinating -- and some (like the advertising) was downright frightening to stop and think about. The thing that REALLY drove me bonkers in the plot line concerned Cruise's eye scans while he was a fugitive though. Hello?! Anyone ever thought of deleting him from the computer system and denying him access? Anyone? Most companies have your login and password out of the company's computer system before the security guard can even escort you and your belongings out the front door. But oh no. Not in this plot line. He had access to just about any room he (or his wife...ahem...) wanted to enter. Pretty weak if you ask me. But enough of that... It was still raining when we left. Being good little Floridians we had rain gear, but the crowds were thin and there just wasn't all that much going on. We shopped for a bit and then decided to head back to the hotel about 10 p.m. We dried out for a bit, and then drove over to the Downtown Disney area. To be honest, I don't know how the folks at Disney are going to compete with Universal in this regard. The only thing Disney has going for them is better bus service to and from their resort (and nearby) hotels. Everything at Universal was just done better. We say this after having three years of Disney annual passes to back us up. For instance, admission to Disney's Pleasure Island is now $19.81/person. This only includes your admission to the clubs inside. It does not cover food, drinks, or the AMC Movie Theater in the West Side. By contrast, for $8.95/person you can get an all-club access pass at Universal's CityWalk. Or for $12.00/person you can get all-club access plus a movie ticket. And $18.00/person will get you dinner (at either Margaritaville, the Hard Rock Cafe, Pat O'Brien's, Motown Cafe, NASCAR Cafe, NBA City, Pastamoré, or Latin Quarter) and a movie. Universal's Cineplex was much nicer inside than Downtown Disney's AMC as well. We weren't in the mood to fight the rain all night, so we didn't bother with Pleasure Island admission. We just did a bit of shopping and then went on a hunt for food. Disney has started closing up the West Side earlier than they used to. Up until recently, you could shop and eat until 2 a.m. Lights started going off at 11 p.m. last night. So we gave up and drove off-property to search for food. It seemed everything was closed. Chili's here in town is open until midnight -- but not the one by Disney World. We threw our hands up in defeat and had a lousy late-nite meal at Steak 'n Shake that made us leave regretting the choice. We went back to our hotel room and curled up to watch "Shallow Hal" before going to sleep (and requesting a late 1 p.m. checkout). We woke up today to sunny skies, but when the noon news came on it was already raining at the beach. There went our plans... So we scrapped them and went to the Orlando Premium Outlet Mall instead, after a yummy lunch at Chevy's. We didn't buy all that much (just a few shirts at Banana Republic, some Bobbi Brown cosmetics, socks, etc.) but it was a nice end to a fabulous quick get-away. Claire was very happy to see us again! If I owe you e-mail, I do apologize. It's going to take a couple of days to catch up and I have a mountain of work waiting for me... At least we have more rain to look forward to tomorrow. Our new front lawn is loving it!  Man you two really did have some fun! I'm glad your weekend was mostly fun-filled.  -this ¤ ¤ Too bad about the rain, but it still sounds like you had fun. I agree about the plot holes in Minority Report, but I still liked it alot. ¤ ¤ credit: wKen | 06.24.02 at 11:59 PM | link--this ¤ ¤Todd just put up his review of "Minority Report", with spoilers, here. ¤ ¤ credit: robyn | 06.25.02 at 12:11 AM | link--this ¤ ¤rain or no rain, vacations are good for the soul. and about the two double beds - that's so you can bop in one, then go sleep in the other, and nobody's in the wet spot. at least that's what i tell everybody... ¤ ¤ credit: mikey | 06.25.02 at 01:40 AM | link--this ¤ ¤I was just going to say I'm glad that you had fun, but Mikey had to go and mention the wet spot, so now I'm giggling... Glad to have you back! :) ¤ ¤ credit: Susan | 06.25.02 at 01:46 AM | link--this ¤ ¤LMAO on 'the wet spot'! We're very spoiled though -- we have a king-size bed here at home. So it's almost torture to try and sleep in a double bed now... ¤ ¤ credit: robyn | 06.25.02 at 02:00 AM | link--this ¤ ¤Rain or two double beds........sounds like fun to me! ¤ ¤ credit: Julie | 06.25.02 at 02:18 AM | link--this ¤ ¤isn't it great to request a room change - and they end up upgrading your room? When Kris and I were at Banff Springs Hotel for my bday last year, they put us in the 2nd best (1st being the honeymoon suite) room in the whole damn hotel, *just* b/c they were about to put us in a smoking room when we had reserved N/S. I'm glad you had an awesome time. Don't *have to have* good food or good weather - just awesome company : D ¤ ¤ credit: ladybug | 06.25.02 at 02:36 AM | link--this ¤ ¤Sounds like fun! -this ¤ ¤roflmao!! Mikey!! Don't you know the man should always sleep in the wet spot? It's like a guy putting his coat down for over a puddle!! You crack me up! I agree though Robyn, I can't sleep in a double bed anymore, or even a queen. I have a CA king all to myself. ok, well Gromit shares the bed. He sleeps at the foot. Thank god, cause he snores!! ¤ ¤ credit: statia | 06.25.02 at 09:23 AM | link--this ¤ ¤maybe Gromit sleeps down there because you snore? those doggie ears are much more sensitive than ours... oh, and :P to all you folks w/ king size beds... ¤ ¤ credit: mikey | 06.25.02 at 02:50 PM | link--this ¤ ¤I don't snore!! I sleep on my face!!! Man, is it Mikey pick on Statia day today??? ¤ ¤ credit: statia | 06.25.02 at 04:41 PM | link--this ¤ ¤
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