Deja Vu all over again!
Trip Start
Aug 07, 2009
1
8
Trip End
Aug 21, 2009
New York, United States
Saturday, August 8, 2009
After our trip to Hawaii last year, I vowed not to fly with American Airlines anymore. Here's the link as to why: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bakasyonista/6/1218951780/tpod.html
As a CitiMiles member I accumulated enough points towards free airfares for 3 people from NY to Orlando with a stopover in Miami and it is with American Airlines. I would love to travel straight flight and in any airline but AA. But for free airfare for three I can’t let it pass. There are six of us traveling. Grandma has a ticket voucher from AA so it works even better. Sonny tried to buy an airline ticket for himself and Aly from AA but they were really expensive. He was able to get a decent price from Air Tran.
I usually booked our tickets directly on the internet. Since I got my 3 tickets for free I have to go through a travel agent. In the travel confirmation that was emailed to me there were already seats assigned to us so I didn’t bother getting us seats assignment on AA website. I should have double check it when I received our confirmation because when I checked it the night before our departure we didn’t actually have a seating arrangement. Grandma is sick so she can’t travel with us.
We left the house around 0545 and we arrived in La Guardia Airport around 0730. Sonny dropped us (me, AC and Abi) off at AA while he parked the car with Aly.
At checked- in they couldn’t seat all three of us together. I have to talk to the agent at the gate. Sonny and Aly came over. They already checked-in. AirTran couldn’t seat them together either and there’s no way Aly, who is 8yo with Down Syndrome can be seated with strangers. The only two seats next to each other were on first class so that’s what they got. At AA gate counter we got 3 seats next to each other.
Our flight left LGA at 0910 and arrived in Miami at around 1220. We have to go to the ticket counter at the gate to get us our seats assignment from Miami to Orlando. By the time we got there it was already 1230 and our connecting flight will start boarding at 1315. While I was in line I asked the kids to buy us lunch. The closes and quickest lunch was pizza. Just as we were finished with our lunch we started boarding at 1315. At around 1345 the airplane hasn’t left yet. Then they made an announcement that there is an electrical failure that needed to be fixed. At around 1430 they let us all out of the airplane because the problem was bigger than they thought. I was so pissed! There was not even information given to us as to what we need to do. American Airlines is really unreliable and undependable. Outside the gate agent was helping someone that turned out to be forever. When it was finally my turn I was told that the crew was trying to repair the plane and our estimated departure time will be around 4pm. We’re supposed to be in Orlando at 1448. So I called Sonny to tell him the news but he already knew. He and Aly are already in Orlando.
At 1515 AA made an announcement that the plane was fixed and started boarding. We took off around 1545 and arrived in Orlando around 1645. I called Sonny and told him that we had landed. He already picked up our car rental and checked us in our resort. I told him not to rush because we still have to pick up our luggage. When we got our third luggage, it was ripped and our snorkel masks containers were broken. I have to stop at the customer service at the airport next to the baggage claim and filed a report. They authorized me to buy another luggage and they will reimburse it with the same price as the damaged one.
As I came out of the airport the Orlando heat greeted me. On the way to our resort it started pouring but the sun was still shining. Amazing!
We’re staying at the Marriott Cypress Harbour. The location is beautiful. It is quiet and relaxing. I can’t believe Disney World is just nearby. We have a two bedrooms/ 2 baths villa with screened porch overlooking the lake. As we get in, there is a laundry room to the left with full size washer and dryer. There is a full kitchen with cookware and tableware. To the right, is the guest bedroom with queen bed and full sized pull-out sofa and TV. The second bathroom is just outside. There’s a dining area that accommodate six people and a breakfast bar with three stools. The living room has a queen size sofa bed and TV with DVD player. The MBR has a king size bed, two-person Jacuzzi and separate shower. It also has its own TV. It is just lovely. It is truly a home away from home. Our room is within easy walking distance to the pool and the resort’s activity center with a nine-hole mini golf, 2 basketball courts, tennis court, etc. You can also go fishing in the lake. Just watch out for the alligators :-).
In the evening we went to Downtown Disney. We had dinner at Wolfgang Puck Grand Café. We were told that the wait is between 30 to 45 minutes. It was fine with us. The last time we were in Orlando we wanted to eat here on our last day but it was raining hard so we end up eating in our resort in Port Orleans. While waiting for our table at Wolfgang Puck we went shopping at the nearby shops. We waited for 45 minutes but it’s all worth it. The food was really good.
Comments
Point Break - A Perfect Bar Experience in NYC
A local friend recommended and took my Cali group to this amazing bar. He said that mostly locals came here so I didn't really know what to expect ambiance wise... but screw it, the view at this bar was absolutely breathtaking! No joke. I felt like a celebrity w/ superstar treatment as the staff are friendly and amazing to say the very least.
I don't know who the house DJ was but he definitely was playing music right up my alley. It would've been my dream for people to start dancing, but it's all good.
It's a bit sceney for my taste, but it really didn't bother me much. the bartenders knew their stuff, although their 1st cocktail was a little weak, when he saw i understood cocktails the next 2 were stronger. I also liked that even though the place was really hopping the bartender remembered what i was drinking when i came to order another. (he also understood how good a gin hendricks is, and not to overpower it with the mixer). It was amazing to see their "das boot" which is shaped like a boot filled with beer. Don't get me wrong, I am not drunk...it's an actual boot shaped beer container ready to be emptied..try it ..you will love it!! Oh..how can I forget, they even have a wheel o' shots where you just have to spin it and have to drink whatever shot it lands on!! Now call that bar creativity at its best!!!
We ordered the Veal and Fish Tacos. They were delicious. Mm! We ended up asking for spoons to polish off whatever remained in the platter. (Faux pas? Who cares as long as it gets in my tummy.) The fries were crispy, but not overcooked, just the way that I like them.
So take in this scene: You walk in to what seems like an overly crowded place, but soon fine an empty table. Time seems to stop and the only indicator of the night moving on is the moon and your brain cells slowly going to bed forever. The music is not to loud and the people around look good, the only thing left for you to do is to enjoy that drink you paid ridiculously low for and laugh at the joke your co-worker just told.
The vibe of the place just never seems to die out and if you happen to spot some NYC socialite, sports player, or star, don't let it get to you... because for that moment, this night they are no long more important than then you. In fact go up to them and introduce yourself!
All in all just a great place to meet new people, or just have drinks with people you already know. I've been to numerous bars in the city but i would say this place is just great. Very welcoming staff, very laid back ambiance. I've been here twice after my first visit with my Cali group . I would say its worth the every penny you spend!!