7 NIGHTS RPR.....TINSEL AND SUNSCREEN TRIP REPORT 2017

schumigirl · Dec 14, 2017

Cara said:
Oh, yay! I am so happy to see another trip report from you all! My daughter is 22, married and living away from home now, so I truly understand the pleasure of having your son with you on this trip.

Cara.........

Lovely to see you post......and so glad to know you’ll be reading along!

Oh I can’t imagine the day he moves away.......I’m fortunate and happy he still lives with us.....although he’s so comfortable in his own little “wing” as we call it........lol.......doubt he’s in a rush to go anywhere. It really was fabulous having him with us again........

But, how lovely your daughter is married and settled down! Is she close by or a distance away........ :wave2:

Chuckers said:
Your pictures are great! I love how you are all always smiling!

Chuckers.........

Thanks, we do take a lot of pictures........and yep, always smiling......except on the way home.......lol.......

Hope you enjoy it.........

tink1957 · Dec 14, 2017

Yay

I have the day off today and just found out that you started your latest trip report.

It's nice to see Kyle back with you again...he seems to look more like Tom with each passing year. I wonder how many chocolate cakes he will have this trip.

Great pics and I love all of the the different Christmas trees.

I'm looking forward to reading your next installment :thumbsup2

Cara · Dec 14, 2017

schumigirl said:
Cara.........

Lovely to see you post......and so glad to know you’ll be reading along!

Oh I can’t imagine the day he moves away.......I’m fortunate and happy he still lives with us.....although he’s so comfortable in his own little “wing” as we call it........lol.......doubt he’s in a rush to go anywhere. It really was fabulous having him with us again........

But, how lovely your daughter is married and settled down! Is she close by or a distance away........

I am so thankful that she only lives an hour away -- and she lives in the same city where I work, so I see her about once a week at least. And we talk multiple times a day by phone and text. She may be grown up, but she still needs her momma. And I still need her! :love:

J'aime Paris · Dec 14, 2017

Another wonderful TR!!!!

Your family reminds me of our family, except we have an only daughter (19). We enjoy having her with us whenever possible, and we always have a blast together!

Can't wait for the next installment....always a fun read!

nicco5family · Dec 14, 2017

It must be the kindness and friendliness that you all exude that brings good things back to you in spades. It is definitely a theme in your trip reports, in the best possible way. I always feel like I am there with you because you write in such lovely detail.

BTW, going back on the left-handedness thing briefly.. you said your Mom writes right handed but does everything else left handed, I believe. I wonder if she would have written left handed naturally, but it was 'scolded' out of her, so to speak. My MIL is left handed and she said the Nuns would smack her hand and try to force her to write with her right hand. Let me tell you, she is a strong willed woman and she writes left handed!

Looking forward to the next installment!

HM · Dec 15, 2017

nicco5family said:
It must be the kindness and friendliness that you all exude that brings good things back to you in spades. It is definitely a theme in your trip reports, in the best possible way. I always feel like I am there with you because you write in such lovely detail.

BTW, going back on the left-handedness thing briefly.. you said your Mom writes right handed but does everything else left handed, I believe. I wonder if she would have written left handed naturally, but it was 'scolded' out of her, so to speak. My MIL is left handed and she said the Nuns would smack her hand and try to force her to write with her right hand. Let me tell you, she is a strong willed woman and she writes left handed!

Looking forward to the next installment!

My mother is left handed. They used to tie her hand behind her back to get her to use her right. Didn't stick in the long run. Left-handedness tends to skip a generation too, so it's not surprising that you don't have it and your son does, Shumi.

schumigirl · Dec 15, 2017

tink1957 said:
Yay I have the day off today and just found out that you started your latest trip report.

It's nice to see Kyle back with you again...he seems to look more like Tom with each passing year. I wonder how many chocolate cakes he will have this trip.

Great pics and I love all of the the different Christmas trees.

I'm looking forward to reading your next installment

Yay Vicki......... :welcome:

to the latest trip report.......

He had a few chocolate cakes......... :rolleyes1

He does favour Tom........but, as said when he’s asleep, he looks just like me......lol......more Xmas trees to come......glad to have you along again........

schumigirl · Dec 15, 2017

Cara said:
I am so thankful that she only lives an hour away -- and she lives in the same city where I work, so I see her about once a week at least. And we talk multiple times a day by phone and text. She may be grown up, but she still needs her momma. And I still need her!

Yep, we do still need each other! I find myself to be in the enviable position of being able to spend time with Kyle every day......you never stop being a mum.

An hour isn’t too far away, so glad you see your dd often.........I live 5 hours from my mum.......it’s not always easy......

J'aime Paris said:
Another wonderful TR!!!!

Your family reminds me of our family, except we have an only daughter (19). We enjoy having her with us whenever possible, and we always have a blast together!

Can't wait for the next installment....always a fun read!

Thank you so much!

Hope it doesn’t disappoint..........yep, our son is busy with work and social life, but we cherish the time we spend with him and we’re fortunate we are so close, we get on well and have fun........he sat tonight when he came in from work and chatted about his day........time to be treasured.......glad you have the same with your daughter :thumbsup2

schumigirl · Dec 15, 2017

nicco5family said:
It must be the kindness and friendliness that you all exude that brings good things back to you in spades. It is definitely a theme in your trip reports, in the best possible way. I always feel like I am there with you because you write in such lovely detail.

BTW, going back on the left-handedness thing briefly.. you said your Mom writes right handed but does everything else left handed, I believe. I wonder if she would have written left handed naturally, but it was 'scolded' out of her, so to speak. My MIL is left handed and she said the Nuns would smack her hand and try to force her to write with her right hand. Let me tell you, she is a strong willed woman and she writes left handed!

Looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you...yes, we are always blessed with kindness many times.........we are very grateful for the many acts from others.......always try to pay it forward when we can........I’m glad you enjoy them so much.........

Yep, my mum was forced to write with her right hand........seemed to be a sign of the times back then.........

HM said:
My mother is left handed. They used to tie her hand behind her back to get her to use her right. Didn't stick in the long run. Left-handedness tends to skip a generation too, so it's not surprising that you don't have it and your son does, Shumi.

You’re spot on! Everyone says it skips a generation........my husband’s father was the same, made to write with his right hand, so it makes sense..........can’t imagine those days where lefties were forced to do the opposite of their natural affiliations........thank goodness things have changed......... :thumbsup2

schumigirl · Dec 16, 2017

SUNDAY DECEMBER 3RD..........

Considering it had been 3 years since we`d all slept in the one room again, we all did ok. We all said how well we`d slept, and actually felt quite refreshed this morning. And we all slept till around 7 which is good for us as our body clocks are still 5 hours ahead.......I had got up early around 6 for the bathroom and looked out the window and saw the huge moon......Kyle was awake at that point and as he is an astronomy buff I called him over to see it......it was impressive.

But, at 7 we were all awake and ready to start the day......I got in the shower first and they took their time getting awake......and Kyle as always switched on The Weather Channel.......and awaited the adverts that always amuse us so much in the States........tv ads for medications that have huge side effects.....one that always got us laughing was this particular medicine could cause "Fatal Death" we were howling with laughter at that one........when you hear some of the side effects you would happy sticking with the disease in the first place!!!!

Although Duelling Dragons was now fully gone (yep, still annoyed) we love the view from our room........especially on such a gorgeous day........

Kyle had never seen Sapphire Falls properly.......and now he could see why we liked it so much......it really is such a pretty hotel, inside and out. We would be taking him there another night.

But, we all got ready and headed upstairs to the lounge.........Kyle was looking forward to having breakfast here again.........it had been a while.

One of the girls almost dropped the coffee pot when she saw me.......she was so excited......lovely girl. Got a big hug when she put it down and again said how happy she was to see us again........we got chatting between her jobs and caught up with what had changed since October. It was so nice to see everyone again that hadn`t been working last night. Breakfast was nice........Kyle really only has cereal when he`s here........so he found one he liked and had two small bowls and really enjoyed them......I went straight for the donuts........lol.......it was nice. And they had a Christmas tree but I cant find a picture of it........will search as I`m sure I took a few pictures.

We took our time this morning as we had a lazy day planned.........Wal-Mart as we needed sunscreen after all.......today was to be 83f!!! I`d take that happily.......and even the winter sun we were sure would cause sunburn given the chance.......plus we love a mooch round the store and marvel at the low prices and flavours of things we can`t get........it passes an hour or so.........

We went downstairs and popped in to the desk to say hello to another staff member we had gotten to know last year, always nice to see them all.

I loved this!!!! Of course we had seen it on the way in last night, but with full luggage and just wanting to get checked in and fed, we had waited till today to really look at it.

It was so lovely.......and the aroma of the gingerbread was gorgeous..........the houses and all the little bits and pieces were constantly being worked on every day........for a few select hours you could watch them adding details......including minions!!! So cute. One of the hotel chefs was standing and handing out leis......he enjoyed spending time greeting guests and talking about the gingerbread houses and who was working on them......really nice man who I`d never met before, he was mainly in Islands for breakfasts.........but, super nice guy who was very enthusiastic about the work going on there.

Walking out the main door was lovely.........we adored the feeling of the heat hitting us as we swept through the doors to the bridge.........and today, although it wasn't just as hot as September.....it was pretty darn close for 9am. We walked down to where the car was parked and it was strange not getting into a car that is like a blast furnace when you open the door.......very strange........but, we set off the few minute drive to Wal-Mart..........Kyle loved seeing everything that had been so familiar to him for so many years........except of course the Water Park........we never go to water parks, have no interest in them, but this one does look like a lot of fun, and so much expansion still to occur there.

Wal-Mart is fun!!! We pick up sunscreen and lots of other bits and bobs.......we don't buy anything that could go off as we still have a few places to go before we head back to the hotel........but, my cart is fairly full!!! Tom wonders what I meant when I said I didn't need much.........just incidentals really....but one is the large carton of strawberry and kiwi Snapple........I love that!!!! Few bags of potato chips and Pepperidge Farm cookies and other cookies........but my best buy was a huge carton of purple baubles to take back home for one of our trees........we were struggling to find a lot of purple over here this year......so that along with 5 giant purple bows and a lovely cover for the base of the tree..........it was purple too........and cheap as chips!!!! Only $20 for the base cover.......couldn't believe how much of a bargain everything was.......but, just hoped we could get all the baubles and trinkets back home safely...........

We paid for our stuff and after a good wander around headed for Total Wine. One of our favourite stores.........lol.........

We were buying a gift for someone who is just the nicest person ever and is always so kind to us. I knew exactly what we were getting so picked them up fairly quickly........then admired all the flavours of liquor we cannot get in the UK.......maybe a good thing So many options of rums, vodkas and bourbons.......never mind the massive wine selection..........

Funny thing is we don't drink a lot of vodka......except in cocktails.....but we could make some fabulous cocktails with these!!! We prefer Rum and Bourbon based drinks, especially pineapple and coconut rum..........but, everything again is so much less expensive than what we pay in the UK........

We picked up a bottle of Sonoma Cutrer for us, we would pop it in the fridge later, and then with our other purchases for our friend we set off for where Kyle was eagerly awaiting to go.......Mall at Millenia and The Cheesecake Factory.

Our son is a genuine chocaholic......and adores rich chocolate cake.......in 2007 we discovered the Cheesecake Factory and Linda`s chocolate fudge cake......this was his 10/10 cake......and he measures every other cake to that one........the Linda`s Scale it`s known as...........so he had of course been very patiently waiting for this day for a long time.........

The roads are so busy today, we are unlucky to be stopped at every red light there is today. Have never really seen it as busy before, even on a weekend. We love the mall here, regular readers will know we always spend a lot of time here every trip.......we did "plan" to only visit the once........not sure that would happen though.......it`s a beautiful mall and I knew it was going to be decorated for Christmas, so I was excited to see that.....we had seen the tree only once before.....in 2010 we hadn't left Florida till Nov 6th, that was the really cold winter and we didn't usually have our trips end so late........but we did see the tree on our last day that year.......I remembered it being huge...........

And it was. Of course we had to get some pictures posing beside the ginormous structure.........along with everyone else of course........

It was slightly too early for lunch so we wandered into the Mall......we had noticed the car park was really busy for so early on a Sunday, Mall opened at 11am but it was already busy.......of course we knew it was Christmas......but I forgot of course about Father Christmas visiting the mall.

His grotto was lovely, and the queue was unbelievably long to see him.......I think they had a return time of around 4 hours.......there were some very impatient children in that line!!!! But beautifully done.......

The Mall is very delicately decorated.......some classic displays and nothing too gaudy.........we liked it.

We decided to wander down to Macy`s.....they like to look at watches........I had no real plans to look for anything for me this trip......I may pick up some make up at some point but that was about it for me this time.........

We wander around Macy and they don't really see anything they like.........I have a quick look at bags and scarves, but again, don't really see anything. Macy doesn`t seem as pleasant as it once was.......I know it`s not a high end store, but it`s beginning to feel like a bargain basement in some areas. The make up areas are still ok though. At this point Kyle was starting to mention he was hungry........lol........he was planning on having the fudge cake for lunch.........so we thought we might as well go now as it was near enough lunchtime anyway.........

It`s always busy in here.......always........but the girl said we would have a table in less than 5 minutes.......ideal. Kyle eyed up his lunch as we waited for our table.......I have to say the cheesecakes always look fabulous, and so may tempting choices there...........

We were taken to a booth which was fairly quiet up the back of the restaurant, it really is a naturally noisy restaurant........Kyle ordered a strawberry smoothy which was huge.....and Tom and I got the gorgeous strawberry lemonades they have there.......I`d go to the CF for that alone!!! It`s so nice..........she also brought some bread which is always nice to start with.........I don't really eat it as its usually full of seeds, but they do have a white French bread style I may have a little of........

The young lady looking after us came back to take our order..........I had decided to have the spicy chicken sandwich and asked for jalapenos on the side......Tom ordered the Philly cheesesteak with fries.......and Kyle ordered this............

Yep, he had ordered 2 Linda`s fudge cakes.........even I was surprised.......the girl laughed and said no one had ever ordered 2 in the one sitting before. I think it might have been our fault, as we thought the portion and height of the cake had got smaller over the years.........but, this didn't look like a small couple of wedges at all!!!! Our lunch looked positively dull in comparison.........but talk about glowing.......Kyle`s face had lit up like a Christmas tree at the prospect of having his favourite cake again.......

I have to say mine was pure disappointment.........absolutely no spice whatsoever........and she forgot the jalapenos.......she did eventually bring them, but I had tasted it and asked her if I had got a plain chicken breast by mistake as it wasn't spicy at all.......she said no way, but maybe the buffalo dip had cooled it down........I hadn't even tried that at this point!!! I was wasting my time......she said it was spicy......it wasn't........so the jalapenos were a good choice.

Tom loved his as it was full of onions and mushrooms.....things I can`t eat so we don't have them.......poor guy.......he misses onions almost as much as I do..........

And Kyle............well, he had a huge smile on his face all the way through his first cake........he was loving this and I had never seen someone savour every mouthful quite like he did..........but, he was defeated.......he could only manage to eat one full one.........and didn't share one bite........lol.......

She was quite disappointed to see he hadn't managed to eat both generous portions, but did go get a box for him to take it away..........he would have it later..........

We paid the check and headed out to the car.......it was hot now......really hot......this was bliss. And so unexpected.......we had been told it might be really cold some days.......I know this was only day 2 but so far this was about perfect and one of the reasons we return year after year to Florida.........with having the cake we decided to go back to the hotel first and put it in the fridge and we dropped off the other stuff too. Only took a few minutes as hotel isn't far away from the Mall.........we also discovered a Christmas channel on the radio........now this was even weirder........this heat, with Christmas songs playing and an assortment of decorations along the way for good measure.......

After we dropped the cake and stuff off we set back out again and were going to do the Orlando Eye.......another new thing for Kyle.

Tink2Day · Dec 16, 2017

I started LOL when I saw Kyle's lunch, my family thought I'd lost my mind sitting there giggling like a schoolgirl...my 90 year old mother makes a hot fudge cake that is so delicious even I love it (blasphemy but I'm not much of a cake eater..it's a texture thing, although Kyle makes me want to eat cake with the way he seems to love it so much).
You sure love hot food. I just cannot eat it, it's everywhere here where I live and people look at me like I'm nuts when I always say no Chile when they ask Red, Green or Christmas when I order. We're famous for our cuisine here and it's all spicy.

I was in Orlando in 2010 and I seem to recall going to Universal on 11/6 (may have been 11/7), we may have crossed paths. It was so cold and miserable then, I wore a coat the entire time. It can snow where I live in the high desert SW but usually only once a year, I thought Florida would be warm :confused:

macraven · Dec 16, 2017

Kyle + cake= :cool1:

jcc0621 · Dec 16, 2017

schumigirl said:

tv ads for medications that have huge side effects

Click to expand...

My husband and I always say we would rather have the disease!

[QUOTE="schumigirl, post: 58575553, member: 149559"] Macy doesn`t seem as pleasant as it once was [/QUOTE]

They are closing a bunch of stores and "reorganizing" the company

schumigirl said:

Tom ordered the Philly cheesesteak with fries

Click to expand...

NO! NO! NO! NEVER EVER ORDER A CHEESESTEAK OUTSIDE OF PHILLY.

schumigirl · Dec 17, 2017

Tink2Day said:
I started LOL when I saw Kyle's lunch, my family thought I'd lost my mind sitting there giggling like a schoolgirl...my 90 year old mother makes a hot fudge cake that is so delicious even I love it (blasphemy but I'm not much of a cake eater..it's a texture thing, although Kyle makes me want to eat cake with the way he seems to love it so much).
You sure love hot food. I just cannot eat it, it's everywhere here where I live and people look at me like I'm nuts when I always say no Chile when they ask Red, Green or Christmas when I order. We're famous for our cuisine here and it's all spicy.

I was in Orlando in 2010 and I seem to recall going to Universal on 11/6 (may have been 11/7), we may have crossed paths. It was so cold and miserable then, I wore a coat the entire time. It can snow where I live in the high desert SW but usually only once a year, I thought Florida would be warm

lol......that is so funny!!! No, I`m not a big cake eater either, but the purple frosted birthday cake from RPR that I got in September was delicious!!! We did demolish it...... :blush:

We adore hot and spicy food.......and I do feel cheated if someone tells me something is going to be spicy and it isn't........I`ve never heard of being asked for red green or Christmas when it comes to chillies.......I like that!

Our last day in 2010 was Nov 6th, but we didn't go to the parks that day, we had a mall day as it was so cold........that was the only other time we have ever felt cold in Orlando......yep, we shivered!!!

schumigirl · Dec 17, 2017

macraven said:
Kyle + cake=

lol.......that's my boy!!!!!

jcc0621 said:
My husband and I always say we would rather have the disease!

[QUOTE="schumigirl, post: 58575553, member: 149559"] Macy doesn`t seem as pleasant as it once was

They are closing a bunch of stores and "reorganizing" the company

NO! NO! NO! NEVER EVER ORDER A CHEESESTEAK OUTSIDE OF PHILLY.
[/QUOTE]

lol....we say the same thing!! The disease is easier to deal with!!!

Well, don't think we`ll get ever get to Philly........but I`ll take your advice........lol.....DH loves them! We did get a really good one years back at Nathans in the airport.......but we don't have much to compare them to over here........

schumigirl · Dec 17, 2017

SUNDAY CONTINUED..................

After we dropped the stuff in the room we ran into the lady who takes of our room......it was the same lady we had in September take car of it too......she saw Tom and immediately looked surprised and said to him....you've just left.....you were in the same room recently.....he laughed and said yes, it was us again.....she has a good memory.......nice lady who is always so pleasant. She said it was nice to see us again.......we have always been lucky with housekeeping and had some lovely ladies and our room is always done first thing in the morning, usually while we are up having breakfast......how she knows I don't know........

But, we headed down and got back in the car and went down I Drive towards the 360 complex........it really is a nice area and we enjoy it there. We had already been on the Eye 3 times, but Kyle had wanted to have a go on it, him and I had done the London Eye on a quick trip previously so it would be nice for hi to see this one too. The pods are much smaller in this one, but the wheel itself is bigger.

We parked and walked the few minutes to the Eye. We hadn't put sunscreen on, but shouldn't really need it as we didn't plan to be outside much. We had already purchased tickets for the Eye, but there was absolutely no queue........on every previous visit, we had enjoyed a pod completely to ourself but didn't think we would be as lucky today.........but it didn't look busy.

We walked through and had to avoid the selling of the picture opportunity.......that kind of picture we aren't interested in really........so walked through and rather surprisingly there is no one here..........we will get a pod to ourself. I am feeling quite brave at this point.......everyone knows I hate heights, including Kyle, but I`m determined to be brave today and not cling on the metal poles for grim death while he`s here.......although he has seen the pictures of me looking terrified........but we get on are really pleased we don't have to share for his visit.........I think there may have been another family on one other pod......that was it. I was surprised as I thought this time on a Sunday might have been busier..........but, we were off.

We were getting quite high now and I was doing ok.........I cant just walk around the pod the way they can, I have to go from railing to railing hanging on to something all the time.........but you do get a nice view.......and we can see where the new ride is going beside the Eye, they had recently put in the foundations and first sections........it`s going to be a 450-ft tall tower that will be the world's tallest Star Flyer ride. I think it`s 2019 it will be open, but the amount of investment in IDrive complex is fabulous........now if they would focus on clearing the tat shops at the top end, it would be so much nicer.......

Even though it was a little misty today, you can see the Contemporary and Space Mountain......Epcot Ball and few other Disney landmarks......you really can see for miles even today when it`s not as clear........it was probably clearer in real life.......

He really did enjoy it........we didn't take our usual hundreds of pictures so we could just enjoy the view......you are only in the pod around 30 minutes or so and it moves incredibly slowly around.......but, we were glad we had done it again, Kyle preferred the small pod better but I think overall he preferred the London Eye view.

We walked back to the car and looked at the time. It was too early to go back to the hotel, so we went to Bed Bath and Beyond.......love this store!!! It was a brief visit as we really were quite hot by now......it had reached 84f according to the car, we were loving this heat........so I quickly picked up some kitchen gadgets, towels, small spoons and sheets........1000 thread ones that are like butter.....love them. We were only in there around 15 minutes, they had the heating on!!! The lady on the till looked like she was melting......we couldn't hang around for any longer than we were in there........cant be pleasant to work in.

But, back to the hotel with our purchases.

We got into the room and saw we had a couple of hours before we had to be at The Palm. This was our one and only dining reservation, we never make reservations for any meals, but The Palm can get busy and we didn't want to chance not getting a table. So, I poured us some Snapple and sat down for 10 minutes to look at what we had bought while Kyle laughed his way through the ad breaks on the weather channel.

There was a knock at the door and it was the security officer.....we had tried to open the safe in the room and previous guest had locked it, so they had sent someone up to open it for us........this was another man just checking everything was working ok and we were happy. Told him yep, it was fine. Closed the door and a few minutes later the door went again.........this time it was one of the Star Service staff with an amenity in her hand........she said it was for us.....we said no we hadn't ordered anything yet........but she smiled and said no its a gift for you........ Well, we were surprised to say the least........there was a card attached to what was the movie night package with a voucher for a free movie and assorted snacks.........

The card said Welcome back, so nice to see you again.....thank you for staying with us again.......and our lovely housekeepers name on it.........

We were well and truly astounded!!! What an amazingly thoughtful thing to do.......we were so surprised and very touched she had arranged for this to be sent to us..........we just kind of looked at one another for a bit.......funnily enough Kyle had mentioned wanting to see one of the movies advertised only that morning........so, we would make sure we did use the voucher one night before we left!! And Tom kept the movie tin too as a memento.......

So, after that little surprise, we began to get ready for tonight. We planned to go sit in the Club Lounge for a while before we went, always a pleasure to be there. And I had someone to look out for.........squirlz and his wife I believed were arriving at some point today, wasn't sure when but I would be sure to say hello if I did see them, they were Club Level too, so at some point I hoped to say hello.

So we went up and had some wine and watched the darkness descend over Sapphire Falls......it really was beautiful to see the sky change so randomly......but we enjoyed the chatter in here, there were some lovely folks around to talk to and pass the time with. Then I recognized squirlz.........I didn't realize they had literally just arrived.......so I went over to say hi and met Molly........it was so nice to meet them finally. We chatted and soon we were ready to head off.....but we always have so much fun in here we stayed a little longer than we should have.........

So we wanted a couple of pictures by the tree, now we were running a little later than we liked to be, as we also wanted some at the HRH.......my least favourite of the 3 deluxe hotels, but my favorite restaurant of all 3. I was sure they`d have a pretty tree too........

The aroma of gingerbread was making us all hungry now!!!

A little blurry, but the entrance was so pretty at night with the lights..........

So, we got an ODC with only a few minutes wait tonight.....they were incredibly busy. But, doesn't take long to get to HRH from here so we would still have plenty of time before our reservation.........

It had been a lot of years since Kyle had last been here, as we had given it a miss for so long, but he remembered it and yes, they did have a tree in the lobby......but, that area was sectioned off for a private party........darn it!! We would try again after dinner........this one didn't show the tree at all.......

We did however find a tree further along, I hadn't noticed it, but Kyle knows how I love trees and pointed it out.....ok, another picture with my boy....... We were just loving him being here........

We then headed in for dinner.........it wasn't Lauren who was working tonight, but another manager I hadn't met yet.......he was nice, but we really liked Lauren and sorry we missed her. We get taken to our booth and it`s the same one we`ve had a few times.........this was becoming our regular table......

Our waiter comes over and we really like him. We order our usual bottle of Hands of Time Chardonnay and we also get water........the water waiters here are top notch and believe me if you take a sip, it`s refilled before you can blink........nice service.

It`s so lovely in here, always has a bit of atmosphere without being too loud.......we are enjoying just sitting chatting and nibbling on the bread.....

Our wine arrives and he lets me taste it, although I`m sure it`s going to be perfect as always.....but I do appreciate a place that offers the lady to try the wine.......he goes to pour Kyle a glass and we tell him it`s only the two of us drinking.........there`s times I really appreciate he doesn't drink.........

We order as we all know what we`re having.....Kyle very rarely has an appetizer, so I order the jumbo shrimp and Tom goes for his favourite Lobster Bisque........

Kyle goes for the smaller 9oz filet, I have the larger 11oz filet and Tom orders the 14oz NY strip and we are going to share the 3 cheese potato gratin......we are so looking forward to this.........

And our food arrives............

The apps are truly glorious.........the bisque in particular is divine. They told us the cooking process of the bisque and it really does take time to get it to taste so heavenly........I`m not a big fan of "soup" but this is beautiful. And my shrimp are gorgeous........so fresh and massive!!! I do share with Tom a bit of one as he doesn't want a full one........thank goodness.......I only get one taste of his bisque tonight.........lovely. Kyle is not really a seafood fan so he asks for a taste of neither.........

It`s the steaks that are the stars in here........and we don't have too long to wait for them to come out.......and the potatoes are sizzling like hell fire......

NY Strip........the other steak pictures are somewhat blurry.........

They really were sublime, tasty and perfectly cooked......I`m especially fussy with steak, I do expect it to be as I asked, usually medium rare, and it always has been here...............and Kyle loved his which was so nice to see, he got his medium like Tom but said he would go for medium rare next time like mine, good boy!!! ..........the potatoes were nuclear hot for ages, but so lovely.......and we did clear our plates.......

We asked for 15 minutes or so before we ordered dessert........but we eventually decided we wouldn't bother......well, except Kyle who had eyed the 7 layer chocolate cake........yep, 7 layers..........

He finished every drop. And loved it. We always love seeing him tuck into his desserts..........

Once he had finished we paid the check and headed back to the lobby. We had enjoyed another fabulous meal in The palm, it never disappoints. And service is top notch as always.

The private party in the lobby had gone, although only just as they were only beginning to clear up where it had been, it was still sectioned off but we asked someone if we could go in to take some pictures and she of course said absolutely and let us through....... we would get our pictures......

I realized that Kyle and I need to adopt a different stance in our pictures in future......we always seem to stand almost exactly the same way..........

We head out and again have a very short wait for the ODC.......they are usually lined up and awaiting fares, but its that time of year where they are incredibly busy.........so, we take some pictures........

We do get a car within 5 minutes and soon we are back at RP........I just love walking in through the entrance of this place........the familiarity is so welcoming too and it just feels warm.

We stop in at the gift shop as I had my eye on something as a gift for a friend.......I know she`ll love them.......she loves The Grinch......so a teeshirt and a mug with Grinch on is right up her street..........

We head up to our room where we get ready for bed and order our in room movie........we watch the Hitmans Bodyguard which was really funny......we did enjoy it. You order the movie and it`s added on to your bill, but you hand the voucher over at checkout and the charge is removed from your final bill.......

It was so late when the film finished, so it was lights out and sleepy time all around. We were incredibly happy and had such a wonderful day with a surprise along the way too. We would make sure we saw our lady to thank her properly.

Parks tomorrow.........

Disneymom2kiddos · Dec 17, 2017

So excited Kyle got to come with you this time! He looks so happy to be there, too. You can't go wrong with chocolate cake for lunch :cool1:

Can't wait to read more!!

schumigirl · Dec 17, 2017

Disneymom2kiddos said:
So excited Kyle got to come with you this time! He looks so happy to be there, too. You can't go wrong with chocolate cake for lunch Can't wait to read more!!

Lol......yep, not a bad thing to have for lunch......

He was so enjoying being back......and we loved the fact he still wanted to come with us........between work and his social life, we were just so happy he decided he still wanted to spend a week with us. Lots of friends are bemoaning the fact their kids the same age don’t spend time with them anymore, so we feel very lucky! He’s a fabulous kid.....well, not a kid!

Glad you’re still reading.......nice to see your post tonight........ :wave2:

Raeven · Dec 18, 2017

A little late but we just got back and now I'm following along! :wave:

Kyle's love of chocolate cake reminds me of my brother :rotfl:

we'd always order chocolate cake at restaurants when we were younger I'd have a few bites, and then he'd finish the rest :laughing:

I-4Bound · Dec 18, 2017

What a great start to another fabulous trip! So glad your boy got to join you on this one. I think chocolate cake for lunch on vacation is perfect. Glad you had hot weather. The day after you left, it got quite cold. We had to go to Walmart to buy gloves, and I had both my hoodie jackets on at the same time! We didn't mind, though, because it helped us feel Christmasy. Reading your trip report will help me relive our trip. I'm glad to be home, but we had such a fabulous time and I can't wait to go back!

7 NIGHTS RPR.....TINSEL AND SUNSCREEN TRIP REPORT 2017

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It's a bit of a roodie doodie word for lady parts

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