Well we should be on the road right now headed to Stella Nova for opening day check in…what started out as a family trip is quickly becoming a mostly solo adventure.
I am frantically repacking and preparing for my first trip solo trip since my surgery & without a CAR!
Awkward and nervous but as of 10 pm last night I am now flying solo- fiancé has chosen to stay home to keep an eye on things. While Nashville isn’t expecting snow it’s going to be well below freezing a whopping 9 whole degrees when I woke up this morning.
So new plan - lol if you wanna call it that…as of this morning I was able to arrange flights into Orlando and home VIA West Palm,TSA cares, and the Universal Super Star Shuttle. Why West Palm? Well to meet Buddy - recently adopted by my son and his fiancée-
Tomorrow morning- flying on Spirit Airlines -
Opted for the “go big” bundle, flew with them last year for DLR/UH trip. It was around 5 hours nonstop and I was miserable after could barely stand-up. It was actually so bad we readjusted our flights home for a long layover in Vegas. So those big comfy chairs are hopefully better on my “hips”…
anyone tried these big comfy chairs yet
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I did - last May. We won a bid. Have you sat in them before?
DD is 5’11”
The negative is there is nowhere to put a bag except overhead in the front row.
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No - this will be the first time- from Nashville it’s a short flight & $45 to Orlando but because I booked less than 48 hours in advance the price difference was nominal.
I purposely picked second row- hopefully this means I can keep “personal item” iPad bag under the row in-front of me.
I had the regular seats and was miserable- but that was also before they added 2 plates and 15 screws to my “sit bones.”
The running joke in my family-
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I have sciatica issues. I have sat in those seats. As you can see there is also no tray table. So, if like me, you want to watch a movie on your devices or something you have to hold it. (as pictured)
This made my neck and etc… really uncomfortable. I’ll never sit in those again unless my intention is to try to sleep the entire flight.
Edit - OPPS, I just noticed you’ve already boarded and such!! 
When we first moved to Nashville the airport was one tiny outstanding terminal. This morning not so much. The city is really is getting to be to big for its own good. I say this as a former NY-er the infrastructure is keeping pace for approx 25k per year.
I currently live under 5 miles from the airport - imagine my surprise to find traffic signals out on the main road to the airport- not sure if it’s the weather, a whopping 25 degrees but my 15 minute commute took 45 minutes extra. So while I had timed it for being 2 1/2 hours early by the time I entered the airport I am down to 1 hour till boarding… 
They now have several parking areas, cell phone lot, employee lot, economy, standard and valet along with two 6 floor parking garages…No spots in economy, first garage zip and eventually parked 6 floor garage 2. Note if you have to park at BNA on a random Tuesday in January make sure you have a plug in vehicle those spots are readily available!
Finally check bag - head over to TSA - gotta say the they are outstanding here…Especially if you pre- arrange for TSA cares they could not have been more understanding and were not at all pushy. I am slow I get it but they do not make me feel like a hazard to navigation.
I am reminded again why driving is so much less stressful…the new-ish terminal C requires a shuttle bus. I had no idea-
10 minutes till boarding and I gotta figure out how to navigate this shuttle bus…Fingers crossed
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Thank you!
Made it! Last one on but hey.
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The tray table is in the arm rest.
Gotta say way better than my last few flights. The flight crew was very helpful.
Now off to find Super Star Shuttle.
Rollater is a little overloaded 
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Ok so requested on reservation ADA compliant but no luck
lol
the driver “which hotel”
Me- Stella Nova
the driver- oh hope we don’t get lost never been there before
Me- same
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Pretty sure I am just the only standard UOAP guest here…lol it’s definitely a party in the lobby.
But honestly guys it’s beautiful 
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Waiting on kids so grabbed a snack and resort mug- interesting enough passholder discount applies.
Ooof - they are starting out pretty strict
If I gotta wait up for the kids - the black hole (expresso martini)
Passholder discount does not apply…
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When I first got in I was really impressed with the accessible features. It was pretty well set up not perfect but definitely more workable than most.
Nice right?
So interestingly enough when I got back to the room the transfer bench was disassembled and on the floor. Not quite sure what if I am supposed to reinstall it?
I used the chat feature and they sent up housekeeping rather quickly but they brought up a new shower curtain. Then they offered more soap… 
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It’s why I generally don’t use the “shuttle” services. Had a very bad experience with a Magic Express driver years ago - that is still very much seared into my brain.
The driver was kind & patient, but it was still a steep set of stairs that required being able to pivot. I cheated and went slow up sideways.
Not sure what would have happened if someone more medically complicated needed a kneeling bus with a ramp. Which is kinda of what i expected.
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Recap of day 2-
Not much to tell the weather is really yucky…seriously it’s to cold to take out my phone!
My youngest son left Palm Beach around 8pm- around 1am he started calling-
If for whatever reason anyone heading to the new hotels soon by car- the roads are technically CLOSED Both google maps and Apple 
Maps are leading to construction.
The TM at the desk was incredibly helpful, took my phone and gave my son turn by turn directions. You can’t ask for better customer service. According to security the only map to use is Waze at this point.
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Breakfast- the French toast is definitely the better option this morning.
TM’s came and re-installed the transfer bench. The a nice hot shower with excellent pressure definitely welcome.
Things to note- the wall mounted unit contains shampoo & conditioner only. There is bar soap on the sink.
All of the lights in the room are motion activated- if you’re enjoying a long hot shower the lights are going out and you’re showering in the DARK!
I feel like this doesn’t need to be said but my son (27) proved me wrong- we have a tendency towards contact dermatitis thanks to allergies. As with most wall mounted units reading the ingredients is nearly impossible, because of this I travel with our own supplies. Knucklehead used the stuff on the wall anyway.
Went into the IO for just about an hour. By the time we arrived at city walk his eyes were nearly swollen shut. By the time we hit first aide he back is covered in hives.
BENADRYL is available at most of the larger gift shops behind the counter.
Of course this means back to the room for antihistamine nap.
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Is the shampoo and conditioner within reach of the bench?
Yes they are within reach it’s actually really well laid out plenty of space for turning radius - including lowered tower hooks. One of my pet peeves with hotels is that they often use grab bars as towel racks…my only gripe and it’s not a big deal I had hoped for more electronic push button hands free style doors. They are only available at the main entrance. Not sure if it’s been the ridiculous weather or that it’s new and kinks need to be worked out but one set does not seem to be fully functional.
I am not comfortable using the revolving door- already watched others slipping.
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???
No idea why they were here but the
revolving doors are now appearing slower.
Although it was really cold and wet we spent a significant portion of the day eating our way through UO- all the snacks we have wanted to try but haven’t because normally it’s just to hot.
Absolutely the best was the savory crepe - bbq brisket corn & apple hash with pepper jack cheese wrapped up like a triangular burrito.
Second runner up was the Shepard’s pie baked potato over at the London Taxi Hut.
Unfortunately no more food pictures, my fingers were just to cold.
We had missed the opening of Dreamworks. Although we don’t have any littles my son is a tremendous fan of Puss Shrek and Panda we had to get a look.
We split all the swamp snacks only leaving off the ice cream with a real feel of 36 degrees anything cold was out. The swamp dog was our favorite.
Garbage bellies that we are we headed over to the Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard area for just a little grease & Flaming Moe’s and a Buzz cola. Anticipating the forecasted removal of the IP we wanted a proper farewell.
I think every family has a particular ride/attraction that is a sentimental must do each and every time. For us it’s E.T.- the only ride we accomplished today. While that may sound crazy to just do one ride and it’s not even a super headliner- today was more about hanging out. To me that’s the difference with being an AP holder there is no longer a rush to cram it all into 1 day.
We grabbed some sandwiches to go at Today Cafe for the fridge. I am not all that thrilled with the dining choices at Stella Nova.
Tomorrow is wand day-
I finally gave myself permission to purchase the interactive wand. Mostly because they are now free with the merchandise gift card.
Depending on the weather I may even get a Hufflepuff robe. It’s gonna be close, over at city walk, there is a One Piece Straw Hat bathrobe that I would absolutely love and use regularly.
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