Naples and Orlando vacation
 

I've a few more questions to follow up on my previous posting. To briefly recap, we will be at La Playa 8th to 22nd Nov and Royal Pacific 22nd to 25th Nov.
This is the first time we have been to Orlando in Thanksgiving week. Are the schools on holiday that week? If so, I assume the parks will be more crowded.
We were in Naples (the beach and golf club) some years ago when Thanksgiving fell on our middle weekend. I only recall it getting busy over the weekend; it was pleasantly quiet the preceeding and subsequent weeks. The hotel buffet dinner was very mediocre, they even ran out of turkey which I seem to remember almost led to a walk-out by many of their American guests. Was the beach club restaurant ever any good?
On the question of buffets and notwithstanding the above experience, we always take the Sunday Brunch buffet at the Registry and intend to do so again this year. However, our vacation dates are such that we can comfortably manage a second visit this time. Can anyone recommend an alternative venue? I think I read some good things about the Ritz (golf) brunch buffet. However, we have found the Ritz (beach) a little "stuffy" for our liking. Is the golf Hotel a little more laid back?
Returning to the Thanksgiving question, as we will find ourselves in Orlando on the day itself, is there likely to be any special event at any local restaurants, or will that be saved for the following weekend?
Patrick, the Naples Daily News has given a rave review for the fondue restaurant that you said moved into Michaels Cafe old location (Hibiscus Centre). We are not fans of fondue (even in Chamonix!) so we probably
will not go. However I am interested your opinion, if you have been, as a point of reference for the NDN review.
Hoggy

I have not been to the Melting Pot, as I'm not a huge fan of fondue either, but friends go up to Ft. Myers to the one there (before the new one opened in Naples). I often take the NDN reviews with a big grain of salt, but essentially if you read between the lines, they are seldom totally wrong.

I wouldn't say that the Ritz Golf is any less "stuffy" than the Beach Resort -- well not much anyway.
No, I don't think the Beach Club has ever been very good for food.
The Registry really does do the best buffets in town. I haven't been to one in ages, but everyone still raves about their Friday night seafood buffet as well as the brunch.

Most schools here only close on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean a lot of kids take off the full week, especially northerners coming down for the holiday.

Are you from Chamonix? I got a kick out of that reference to not even eating fondue there -- where the smell of it wafts everywhere in the street. I did do raclette there, which I really prefer to fondue.

I would think every restaurant in Orlando will have a special menu for Thanksgiving, and again buffets are a likely event. They have really gained in popularity for holiday meals.

Wow! that was quick. Thanks Patrick. Sadly we are from East London rather than Chamonix.
Perhaps we'll just get a double dose of the Registry brunch. Sorry for the short reply but it is past midnight here and my lovely wife has reminded me it is my turn to make breakfast tomorrow ( it must be her birthday or something...oops it almost is!). Good night.
Hoggy

You will enjoy the Royal Pacific Resort. Even if school is out, it shouldn't matter much to you. By staying at the Royal Pacific Resort, all you have to do is show your room key at all the attractions at the Universal Parks and you just walk automatically into the express entrance. Little to no wait!
Emeril's Tchoup Chop is at the Royal Pacific and is WONDERFUL! You can make reservations there in advance at www.opentable.com

Schmerl. Thankyou for the reminder about booking Tchoup Chop. I had diaried this to do 60 days in advance. However following your post I thought I would check the web site out now. I was amazed it accepted a booking for the end of Nov. It is certainly the most "in advance" I have ever reserved a meal. No wonder the restaurant requires a confirmation on the day. They probably worry that their customer may forget!
Hoggy

WOW! I didn't realize they accepted reservations this far in advance! We really enjoyed our meals at Tchoup Chop, although dinner was MUCH better than lunch.