dayvewc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2013
Some people have asked. And some have threatened to hold it against me until the 7th generation if I don't, so here is my trip report for my solo Spring Break getaway trip to (primarily) Universal Studios with some SeaWorld thrown in for good measure.
As always, the planning for this trip began last summer on my way home from my last trip. By this time, I kind of consider my self experienced in these things, so other than setting up my resort reservation, I did not do any other pre-planning (besides making a reservation at T-Rex when the window opened).
Fast forward to 17 March 2016, and I am up at 11 pm trying to get all my last minute packing completed. lol. I got it done, but that meant a slightly shorter night than I had originally hoped for. Especially since Thursdays are already short nights since I have early morning duties at work on Friday.
So, my alarm rings at 5 am Friday morning, and even though I've only been in slumber land for about 5 hours, I get up to start my last day of work/first day of vacation. I'd like to say I jumped out of bed, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but my movements probably more resembled that of a walrus high on dry land.
After a full 9 hour (10 hour if you count morning commute time) day at work, I bundled myself in my car, which I had loaded with all the luggage the night before, and began my drive to Orlando. 2 hours later, it started to rain. And continued to do so for the next 4 hours. By the time I finally checked in to my hotel for the night, a little after midnight Saturday morning, I had been steadily rained on for 6 hours.
Saturday was close to a repeat of Friday, only no work, no rain, and longer in the car. I woke up about 7, was on the road shortly after 8, and finally arrived in Orlando at my resort about 8 that night. I simply brought all my luggage inside, and went to sleep.
Sunday, I slept in til close to 11 am, then after a leisurely shower and breakfast, I headed to Universal for a few hours. This is the part I love about having an annual pass. I don't feel so pressured to spend from opening to closing at the parks.
I arrived at the parking garage, and I think I must have been in the lane for the numerically challenged. Or something. I counted, and for every car length I moved forward, all the other lanes moved 2-4 times as much. In most instances, I would have taken advantage of the faster lanes and moved over, but being somewhat mobility impaired, it is easiest to enter the disabled parking area from the far left booth lane. So, there I stayed. My drive from the resort to the park was less than 10 minutes; my wait to get into the actual garage was more than 45 minutes.
But I made it. And other than much larger crowds than I expected, I had a good time. I did not ride anything this day, as I was looking for specific souvenirs I had promised some people, and was acquainting myself with the layout of the parks.
A few hours later, I decided to head back to the room, and got all the way to my car when I realized that my single spare key, the one I bring only on vacation so I don't have to carry my full key-chain with me, was to the old car that was wrecked and totaled last fall. Large amounts of stress, as I tried to figure out how to get the car opened. My AAA card was in my wallet - in my room. My full key-chain was in the car - in the hidey-hole. I tried the key anyway on the driver door - nothing. Feeling desperate and grasping at straws, I tried the key on the hatchback - and it WORKED!!! So, I climbed through the car to unlock the front door and retrieve my regular keys, then packed my scooter back in the car and returned to the room for the remainder of the day and night.
And thus ends my first couple of days on this getaway. March 18 - 20, to be exact.
As always, the planning for this trip began last summer on my way home from my last trip. By this time, I kind of consider my self experienced in these things, so other than setting up my resort reservation, I did not do any other pre-planning (besides making a reservation at T-Rex when the window opened).
Fast forward to 17 March 2016, and I am up at 11 pm trying to get all my last minute packing completed. lol. I got it done, but that meant a slightly shorter night than I had originally hoped for. Especially since Thursdays are already short nights since I have early morning duties at work on Friday.
So, my alarm rings at 5 am Friday morning, and even though I've only been in slumber land for about 5 hours, I get up to start my last day of work/first day of vacation. I'd like to say I jumped out of bed, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but my movements probably more resembled that of a walrus high on dry land.
After a full 9 hour (10 hour if you count morning commute time) day at work, I bundled myself in my car, which I had loaded with all the luggage the night before, and began my drive to Orlando. 2 hours later, it started to rain. And continued to do so for the next 4 hours. By the time I finally checked in to my hotel for the night, a little after midnight Saturday morning, I had been steadily rained on for 6 hours.
Saturday was close to a repeat of Friday, only no work, no rain, and longer in the car. I woke up about 7, was on the road shortly after 8, and finally arrived in Orlando at my resort about 8 that night. I simply brought all my luggage inside, and went to sleep.
Sunday, I slept in til close to 11 am, then after a leisurely shower and breakfast, I headed to Universal for a few hours. This is the part I love about having an annual pass. I don't feel so pressured to spend from opening to closing at the parks.
I arrived at the parking garage, and I think I must have been in the lane for the numerically challenged. Or something. I counted, and for every car length I moved forward, all the other lanes moved 2-4 times as much. In most instances, I would have taken advantage of the faster lanes and moved over, but being somewhat mobility impaired, it is easiest to enter the disabled parking area from the far left booth lane. So, there I stayed. My drive from the resort to the park was less than 10 minutes; my wait to get into the actual garage was more than 45 minutes.
But I made it. And other than much larger crowds than I expected, I had a good time. I did not ride anything this day, as I was looking for specific souvenirs I had promised some people, and was acquainting myself with the layout of the parks.
A few hours later, I decided to head back to the room, and got all the way to my car when I realized that my single spare key, the one I bring only on vacation so I don't have to carry my full key-chain with me, was to the old car that was wrecked and totaled last fall. Large amounts of stress, as I tried to figure out how to get the car opened. My AAA card was in my wallet - in my room. My full key-chain was in the car - in the hidey-hole. I tried the key anyway on the driver door - nothing. Feeling desperate and grasping at straws, I tried the key on the hatchback - and it WORKED!!! So, I climbed through the car to unlock the front door and retrieve my regular keys, then packed my scooter back in the car and returned to the room for the remainder of the day and night.
And thus ends my first couple of days on this getaway. March 18 - 20, to be exact.
I never know how to feel about recognition like that. On the one hand, serving isn't exactly easy, but on the other hand, it was by my choice. 
Yes, I am a stinker. ****
After that I called and complained long and loud to Diamond Resorts International (the time share I got back in December) that I was really disgusted with how they have failed to follow through on what my understanding of the agreement was and that I was ready to simply cancel all payments and they could have it back. I finally agreed to continue with this months payment while waiting for the supervisor to review the issues I have had. Though the assurance that I would hear something back in 24 - 36 hours has been proven false. Still have not heard back from them. Most of the problems I have experienced from them I am willing to choke on and deal with as not having read the contract closely enough. There are 2 problems that I am not willing to overlook, though. 
