Niki
05-31-2006, 02:25 AM
Got back from a long weekend in Orlando, and you'd think I was gone from my office a week! Anyways, here is my first try at a trip report.
Plane got in late. Rented a car from Hertz for the first time. I was very disappointed, as we had to take a shuttle to get our car. I guess I'm just spoiled by walking to the parking deck across the street. By the time we got to the World, it was too late to go to Raglan Road. Really Bummed, cause I love Irish food and nothing is better than a good pub and a pint. Alas, we were stuck with McDonalds across from the HGVC. I don't recommend it. Food was terrible and dry. Though I'm not a big Micky D fan, the one at Crossroads is much better. So much for a good anniversary dinner.
Checked into HGVC at Tuscany Bay on I-Drive. What a Beautiful Place. The waterfall at the pool is stunning. Bad thing is parking. We almost walked as far as we would at Boardwalk, but had no bell-hop to help with the baggage. Once we got to the room, though, we were impressed. Loving DVC as I do, I was skeptical about Hilton. The room was gorgeous! We had a 1 BR. The floor plan seemed so big. The room was full of dark woods, which is very comforting to me. The bed was soft, but not too soft. The whirlpool was HUGE. Much bigger than DVC. I was sooo ready for a hot tub and nighty- night.
Next day, went to the HGVC production. As some of you may recall, we had a DVC contract on points where the owner was in foreclosure. DVC excercised its right of first refusal. Been disappointed ever since. Seemed like we could at least listen to Hilton. My buddy Julie loves it. DH got totally sucked in! I didn't like the semi-high pressure sales thing. "It goes up $1,000 tomorrow." I told them that, if I liked it, I might come back 9 months later when I could write a check, just like I did for DVC. DH wasn't buying my skepticism. We purchased on the spot 3,400 points for $13,900. Since we had a tee-time at Osprey Ridge at WDW, I said OK, just sign and get me out of there. I know Florida law requires a 10 day right to rescind. I figured we could sign up and, if we found a better deal on-line, we could rescind and be none the worse.
Boy was I right!!!!:thumbsup: We were able to get 5,000 points for $6,900 through time-share resales. I know it is not DVC, but the accommodations are nice, it is close to the World, and it gives us a week in a 2BR during mid-season. I know I'm cheap, but I cancelled that original contract ASAP. Just hope y'all aren't going to throw me off the board cause I was a traitor and added HGVC points. Being a DVC owner for 8 years, it feels kinda dirty, but I'm sure I will eventually get over it.
But back to the trip. We played Osprey Ridge, one of my favorite golf courses. I played the best golf of my life this weekend!! 92 at Osprey and 94 at Lake Buena Vista. I know, for many this is still horribly high. For me, a high 90's golfer, it was pure heaven. I can't say how much I love golf at WDW. The courses are always in great shape (except for some drainage issues at Magnolia.)
Had dinner that night at Artist Pointe. Been there before and loved it. Not so impressed this time. Our waiter was most excellent, but the food was not good compared to prior trips. It seems like I'm just complaining alot this trip, but I promise it was not just PMS. We did the chef's selections. The big suprise for me was the mushroom soup. That was excellent. The scallops were overdone, and one tasted funky. Just pushed it to the side and continued with the meal. The berry cobbler was extremely tart, not sweet and succulent like I remembered. Even though I mentioned we were celebrating our anniversary, as someone here suggested, we didn't even get a happy anniversary from the person who checked us in, let alone anyone else. Just a little disappointed. After dinner, decided to walk around, as we love Wilderness Lodge. About 20 minutes after finishing dinner, I was SICK.:sick: Don't know what it was, but my stomach was sending me some really bad messages. This was definately some food poisoning. I was in the bathroom before we even got to the shop at the Lodge. Woozy doesn't even describe it. This went on until the wee hours. Suspect it was the funky tasting scallop. Called AP and suggested they check out the scallops. Was met with rudeness.
As quickly as it came, so too did it leave. After a few hours sleep, I was just fine. Go figure. I was up to play most excellent golf (for me) the next morning at 10 a.m. DH overshot the green and almost had us a wild turkey for dinner. Also saw turtle and a family of five deer this trip. I love the wildlife Disney lets live on its courses. I hear people say that WDW tries to control everything and leaves no spontenaity (ie. prefers animatronics to real animals.) If these encounters were set up, WDW has some might good deer and turkey trainers. Maybe they can take a look at my dog LOL.
Jiko, my favorite, was up next. The food was much better, and didn't make me at all sick. I had the curry shrimp. Wow, was it spicy. Before I ordered, I asked our waitress if the dish was a hot, spicy curry. She said yes, if you like hot food. I told her I love spicy food. (I know, I'm an idiot after last night, but I was feeling fine.) I was greatly impressed!! It burned all the way to my ears. I mean that in a good way. Of course, I had one complaint (what else is new this trip.) They changed the tea selection since last October trip. Where the prior tea selection had many African teas, most now are Indian. Each time, I ordered a black tea that had a berry flavor/aroma. Don't know what it was called (my memory for names is bad) but each time I described it the waitstaff knew what it was. It is gone forever!! Also, the press pot used to be big enough to get more than one cup. No more. Really disappointing.
Anyway, next day just went shopping at the Marketplace. Disappointed the old lego grandpa was gone. Otherwise, no complaints. Loved the new family of Lego's with several doggies. I'm a sucker for a cute pooch.
Just three days. Back home. Too short. Complaints not-withstanding, we had a great trip. Can't wait to check into Boardwalk, my real home, in December. Hope this trip report was OK. I tend to ramble.
Plane got in late. Rented a car from Hertz for the first time. I was very disappointed, as we had to take a shuttle to get our car. I guess I'm just spoiled by walking to the parking deck across the street. By the time we got to the World, it was too late to go to Raglan Road. Really Bummed, cause I love Irish food and nothing is better than a good pub and a pint. Alas, we were stuck with McDonalds across from the HGVC. I don't recommend it. Food was terrible and dry. Though I'm not a big Micky D fan, the one at Crossroads is much better. So much for a good anniversary dinner.
Checked into HGVC at Tuscany Bay on I-Drive. What a Beautiful Place. The waterfall at the pool is stunning. Bad thing is parking. We almost walked as far as we would at Boardwalk, but had no bell-hop to help with the baggage. Once we got to the room, though, we were impressed. Loving DVC as I do, I was skeptical about Hilton. The room was gorgeous! We had a 1 BR. The floor plan seemed so big. The room was full of dark woods, which is very comforting to me. The bed was soft, but not too soft. The whirlpool was HUGE. Much bigger than DVC. I was sooo ready for a hot tub and nighty- night.
Next day, went to the HGVC production. As some of you may recall, we had a DVC contract on points where the owner was in foreclosure. DVC excercised its right of first refusal. Been disappointed ever since. Seemed like we could at least listen to Hilton. My buddy Julie loves it. DH got totally sucked in! I didn't like the semi-high pressure sales thing. "It goes up $1,000 tomorrow." I told them that, if I liked it, I might come back 9 months later when I could write a check, just like I did for DVC. DH wasn't buying my skepticism. We purchased on the spot 3,400 points for $13,900. Since we had a tee-time at Osprey Ridge at WDW, I said OK, just sign and get me out of there. I know Florida law requires a 10 day right to rescind. I figured we could sign up and, if we found a better deal on-line, we could rescind and be none the worse.
Boy was I right!!!!:thumbsup: We were able to get 5,000 points for $6,900 through time-share resales. I know it is not DVC, but the accommodations are nice, it is close to the World, and it gives us a week in a 2BR during mid-season. I know I'm cheap, but I cancelled that original contract ASAP. Just hope y'all aren't going to throw me off the board cause I was a traitor and added HGVC points. Being a DVC owner for 8 years, it feels kinda dirty, but I'm sure I will eventually get over it.
But back to the trip. We played Osprey Ridge, one of my favorite golf courses. I played the best golf of my life this weekend!! 92 at Osprey and 94 at Lake Buena Vista. I know, for many this is still horribly high. For me, a high 90's golfer, it was pure heaven. I can't say how much I love golf at WDW. The courses are always in great shape (except for some drainage issues at Magnolia.)
Had dinner that night at Artist Pointe. Been there before and loved it. Not so impressed this time. Our waiter was most excellent, but the food was not good compared to prior trips. It seems like I'm just complaining alot this trip, but I promise it was not just PMS. We did the chef's selections. The big suprise for me was the mushroom soup. That was excellent. The scallops were overdone, and one tasted funky. Just pushed it to the side and continued with the meal. The berry cobbler was extremely tart, not sweet and succulent like I remembered. Even though I mentioned we were celebrating our anniversary, as someone here suggested, we didn't even get a happy anniversary from the person who checked us in, let alone anyone else. Just a little disappointed. After dinner, decided to walk around, as we love Wilderness Lodge. About 20 minutes after finishing dinner, I was SICK.:sick: Don't know what it was, but my stomach was sending me some really bad messages. This was definately some food poisoning. I was in the bathroom before we even got to the shop at the Lodge. Woozy doesn't even describe it. This went on until the wee hours. Suspect it was the funky tasting scallop. Called AP and suggested they check out the scallops. Was met with rudeness.
As quickly as it came, so too did it leave. After a few hours sleep, I was just fine. Go figure. I was up to play most excellent golf (for me) the next morning at 10 a.m. DH overshot the green and almost had us a wild turkey for dinner. Also saw turtle and a family of five deer this trip. I love the wildlife Disney lets live on its courses. I hear people say that WDW tries to control everything and leaves no spontenaity (ie. prefers animatronics to real animals.) If these encounters were set up, WDW has some might good deer and turkey trainers. Maybe they can take a look at my dog LOL.
Jiko, my favorite, was up next. The food was much better, and didn't make me at all sick. I had the curry shrimp. Wow, was it spicy. Before I ordered, I asked our waitress if the dish was a hot, spicy curry. She said yes, if you like hot food. I told her I love spicy food. (I know, I'm an idiot after last night, but I was feeling fine.) I was greatly impressed!! It burned all the way to my ears. I mean that in a good way. Of course, I had one complaint (what else is new this trip.) They changed the tea selection since last October trip. Where the prior tea selection had many African teas, most now are Indian. Each time, I ordered a black tea that had a berry flavor/aroma. Don't know what it was called (my memory for names is bad) but each time I described it the waitstaff knew what it was. It is gone forever!! Also, the press pot used to be big enough to get more than one cup. No more. Really disappointing.
Anyway, next day just went shopping at the Marketplace. Disappointed the old lego grandpa was gone. Otherwise, no complaints. Loved the new family of Lego's with several doggies. I'm a sucker for a cute pooch.
Just three days. Back home. Too short. Complaints not-withstanding, we had a great trip. Can't wait to check into Boardwalk, my real home, in December. Hope this trip report was OK. I tend to ramble.