AWITW - Day Six - Roo’s Birthday Smiles and Miles and Miles

[roonlou]

Back To Day Five - Buffet Buffet Buffet

Thursday 20th January 2011, Day Six
Roo’s Birthday Smiles and Miles and Miles

Okay, today we woke at 4:30, I admit we’d been going to bed around 9:30, but we still haven’t managed to swing this jet lag round yet - not that that really matters in a 24hr city. So, as we only had two days left - we admitted defeat and would just get on with it.



Today we were heading back to Los Angeles, but weren’t planning to leave to much later in the day, and we still had time on our 24hr buffet to get a nice big breakfast in! So as it was early, we packed up our stuff (a bit), Roo opened his cards and presents - which included Dollars for a breakfast from Mickeyetta. Then we played a round of Game of Life (Roo’s choice as his birthday) on the iPad before finally enjoying a dance and sing together in the giant shower and dressing for the day.

After last night disaster at Flamingos, we decided to play it safe and head off to Caesars Palace, rumoured to be one of the best buffets in Vegas. Now this hotel is further down the strip from our casino, so we headed out early to get there before our 24hr food access expired. It was still really chilly but very sunny, and really quiet - I really enjoy being out and about on our own in normally busy places - makes it a very special experience. As we had plenty of time, we stopped for a wee spot of Geo-caching before heading off to the Lago Buffet in the hotel.

The restaurant was fairly quiet, and as still early mainly filled with conference folk, we were seated in a big high backed booth looking out towards the Roman themed pool area. The buffet area was smaller than others we’d seen, but all really good, and finally I achieved my ambition and enjoyed steak for breakfast. We also had a selection of traditional breakfast fare along with biscuits and gravy, hand carved smoked pork belly, fruit, yogurts, and the most amazing warm sticky pecan rolls. And of course washed down with plenty of black coffee and juice, certainly a good meal to celebrate your Birthday with - yum!







We then headed off for one last visit to our favourite multi strike poker machines at MGM, and of course a look at the lion cubs that live there. We enjoyed a couple of complementary cokes and a small and unsuccessful flutter. Out of the corner of our eyes we spotted an organic roulette wheel, real wheel but with computer tables to play on. With some of Mickeyetta’s “birthday” gift in hand we did a spread bet around the number 20, as this is the date of Roo’s birthday. And guess what, it came up first spin, and for a $5 bet we came away $44 up, what a brilliant ending to our mid-week adventures in gambling.

We then headed off to the Miracle Mile shopping mall in Planet Hollywood for a spot of retail therapy. I picked up a couple of bargain T-shirts ready for our warm days in Disneyland before heading back to the Aria hotel to check out by text message before leaving the room (oh, very modern). And then off to the multi story car park to find our vehicle first time, Roo programmed up Tom Tom, whom advised us the journey would take around 4 and half hours - so off we set.



We bid goodbye to Las Vegas and out of the busy roads onto the quieter freeway leading out of the desert. After around 60 miles we found a rest station, and stopped for a potty break and to pillage the vending machine for Spicy Cheetos and Sour Patch Kids candy.



We enjoyed the journey listening to Radio One via the car’s Sirius system and car danced and sung for the rest of the trip. The views changed very quickly, and the scenery got less rural and more built up as we entered the outskirts of Los Angeles.







The 8 lane freeways were very busy, and we took full advantage of the quieter Car Pool lane, saving literally minutes off our journey until we missed our turn (doh). But we eventually arrived at the Hilton Hotel right beside the Disney complex at just after 3:30pm, near enough 4 and a half hours later as promised by our electronic direction chum. We parked up in the multi storied car park and headed into the main and rather glamorous looking reception area.

I guarded the luggage whilst Roo checked in to our Lanai room with park views for the last two nights of this trip, the room also included champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and room service breakfast for a touch of romance. Turned out our room was on the fifth floor and had a huge outdoor seating area (slightly bigger than the room’s floor plan) with views of the back of Californian Adventures. It wasn’t the best view, but you could clearly see where the new Cars bit was being built.


The backside of the new cars ‘land’.







After unpacking, a knock at the door welcomed the arrival of the champagne and giant chocolate strawberries - what a lovely treat on Roo’s special day. The room service guy looked and sounded just like Mr Deeds, and seemed to appear then disappear in our room with the flamboyant snacks. We enjoyed a couple of glasses to help our unpacking, before deciding to head out for something to eat - and one of the joys of visiting the West coast, is you can find Red Robin burger restaurants here. So after a brisk 20 minute walk out and downtown we arrived at the rather empty restaurant where we were warmly greeted by the young serving staff.

We explained we had waited a few years to re-experience a Red Robin burger, and had come all the way from the UK for Roo’s birthday to enjoy this special treat. Unfortunately all was not good, as they now print calories on the menu’s here, just like we discovered at Ihop - boo! But rising above such details and ordered a couple of 22oz Sam Adams seasonal’s to wet our palates before our delicious burgers arrived with unlimited steak fries. I can’t remember the names, but Roo had a hot and spicy burger with battered jalapeños and pepper jack cheese, whilst I enjoyed a mushroom and heavy on the garlic one both cooked to medium as requested. Beer and burger may have not been a fancy meal for Roo’s birthday, but very tasty and enjoyable, and as only available in America a special treat nevertheless.





Shortly after finishing our meal, the waiting staff came over with birthday song and an ice-cream and caramel sauce for Roo to enjoy - it was really lovely to see him get embarrassed but I was also pleased.



With our hunger satisfied we headed off on the 40 minute walk to Californian Adventures for our evenings entertainment. The sun was low, and a beautiful sunset was staining the skies a lovely red - and was still lovely and warm. We took the short cut into the park via the Hotel guest only entrance at the Grand California Hotel.



First up, a 10 minute queue to get onto Soaring (yes only 10 minutes on a Thursday evening)- love this ride, swinging your feet whilst smelling the pine trees and oranges as you fly over California. We wandered about the park absorbing the atmosphere before heading over to Toy Story Mania for a 30 minute wait to witness Roo getting the highest score in our cart. It’s weird queuing up outside for this ride attraction, especially as Mr Potato Head is just there chatting to anyone passing by, not just a privilege of those queuing up for the ride.


Ooh Err Missus!

We then thought it would be lovely to ride on a nice old fashioned carousel wheel, so headed over to Mickey’s Fun Wheel. When we boarded the ride and gently lifted up into the darkened park, we heard some blood curdling screams from a couple of cages above - this seemed very strange on such a gentile ride. But soon we too were issuing similar screams as we found the cage we were in was attached to an elliptical track, and when the main wheel slowly swung round, our little cage hurtled at high speed to the outer edges of the wheel and spun over at almost 360 degrees - with no seat belts!. If this makes no sense check it out on Youtube - but basically we thought we were going to die, and were not very thrilled when the operator let us stay on for one more revolution as it was so quiet!





But we did survive Mickey’s Death Wheel and managed to stagger off feeling a little queasy and into a nearby shop to buy the latest collection of Star Wars Potato Heads for Mickeyetta to give to her hubby for his Birthday when we returned from our trip!

By now we were feeling pretty tired after the long day, and headed back to our hotel to listen to the World of Colour from the large and strangely carpeted balcony and enjoying the rest of the champagne. This was followed by TV in bed then an early night.

On To Day Seven - Real Robot - Human Robot

[Mickeyetta]

Whoo Hoo! I knew that was lucky birthday money in your card Should have saved it for myself

Loving the look of those burgers shame that we cant get them in orlando.

Oh and thanks for the 'tato heads they went down well for Si's birthday and now the kitchen cupboards are filled with all the little star wars fellows. Heres hoping they dont release any more, cause they just wont fit

Mickeyetta

[christybell]

10 minute queue for Soarin- think I want to go West although might miss out the carousel

Another really enjoyable read- thanks for sharing- Glad Roo had a great birthday

[sue.o]

Happy Belated Birthday to Roo! Another really lovely day!

[orlandosgr8]

to Mickey's fun wheel

I now have a craving for Cheetos after seeing that photo lol

[Alyson]

It's Monday night and I fancy a beer and a burger now, shame I can't have either seen as I've just started a 100 day holiday epic diet today lol!

Your day looked fun packed again despite a 4.5 hour drive, and you won some moey too result!

[Astrid]

Steak for breakfast! I've yet to try that one!

That's for the great report and fab photos - glad Roo had such a fun birthday

[hross42877]

Fab day!

[Glee Fan]

Steak for breakfast - how decadent! Think i would give the wheel ride a wide berth though - not my cup of tea at all!

[chelseyleigh]

Glad you managed to enjoy your buffet after last nights dissapointment!
The hotel looks lovely, and the strawberries and champagne must have been a lovely touch!
Such a pain that they are putting calories on everything! Gahhh not looking forward to seeing that!
Glad you warned us about the wheel! I would not have been prepared for that!