Dennis visits for weekend Birthday Celebration

This past week, our son Dennis was attending national security classes at the Shades of Green military hotel in Buena Vista, Florida. Training ended on Friday, so we headed out about 10 am that morning to pick him up.  You can't enter the gated entrance to the hotel with telling the guard who and why you are visiting, and providing ID and letting them know if you will be parking or just picking the guest up.  Absolutely beautiful landscaping!!!

Anyway - after getting lost twice near Magic Kingdom because of the extensive construction, and even On-Star not getting us to our location - we picked him up and headed for lunch, We were a little early to check in to our Hotel, so we drove to Old Town, grabbed some lunch at Checkers and checked out a few of the shops.  Good picture of Rich and Dennis with the Walking Dead - which is one of Dennis' favorite programs!

Our hotel was the Comfort Suites Maingate East which is located adjacent to Old Town, which was very convenient.  With the exception that one elevator was not working, the hotel was exceptionally nice.  Huge rooms, great morning hot breakfast, beautiful pool and fitness center, and small shop for snacks or beverages and concierge for  tickets and shuttle to local theme parks.

That evening we took Dennis to Capone's Dinner and Show, just a few miles down the road. A few minutes in the lobby checking out the "attire" and then upstairs for drinks an horederves before the show.  We elected the VIP tickets again this time which includes your snacks and drinks.  The Margarita was excellent!

VIP gets you seated early, and first to enjoy the buffet.  Tonight the food was exceptionally good!  We all enjoyed seconds!!!   Upon arrival, like everyone who comes to the show, we had our picture taken - which Dennis really liked, and decided to purchase.  We took home the key ring with our pictures.

The show was OK.......We have been here many times and have always enjoyed the atmosphere and the show.  Sometimes a bit corny - but always a good laugh and good entertainment.

Almost the entire staff was new and the show was totally different. We were so used to the regular guys who severed the drinks all night.  Unlike previously these guys did not even participate in the show!  The new cast AND the new show was disappointing, now where near as funny...........  We are not so likely to return again any time soon.  We did however enjoy the non-stop beer and wine!

Saturday was Rich's Birthday.  We enjoyed the complimentary breakfast before heading for home.

It was a beautiful day, with minimal wind so we took a ride in the boat.  Got an absolutely great picture of Rich and his son in the boat...............while I can't say the same for the one Dennis took of ME!!  On the way back we noticed that the turtles were all out sunning themselves again!

That evening we all went to Dock 633 for dinner.  Beautiful evening, so we sat outside.  Unfortunately they were out of the Dock Onion which we were all hoping to share...........but the food  and service was excellent.  Rich had one of their big burgers ( not the one pounder - which is huge - check out the description  below) and Dennis and I had the Reuben and Slaw. Very enjoyable time.

Back home finished the birthday celebration with cake and ice cream!

Dennis' step dad drove down from Tampa to pick him up Sunday morning, shared some coffee and donuts with us.  Dennis will be spending time with him and his step-sister today and Monday before he heads back to Iowa.

All in all - it was a very enjoyable weekend and we hated having to see it end and to say good-bye.