The Dolphin our Conference Hotel
Finally made it to Orlando after an all day flight from San Diego and an hour plus delay in Atlanta when we were told our flight crew now had to fly to Boston, but we’d be getting someone else. Then there was the thunder and lightening storm we flew through. But once we landed, all was well. Except for the fact that my one very small piece of luggage was the very last thing on the conveyor belt. I was the last one there. Very creepy and my good shoes were in that bag. I was so worried that I even went up to a couple of people who had the same kind of luggage and gave them the once over.
Yes, I'm wearing a Tinkerbell shirt that says Barbara from friend, Robyn
Very hot, humid and muggy here with nighttime temps in the 90s. Doesn’t matter. Yesterday I was off to the Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) with Joysann. We got to take the boat across from our hotel and I didn’t even get sick (major motion sickness here). Since it was Joysann’s first time, we hit everything. Tower of Terror, Little Mermaid, Backlot Tour, Great Movie Ride, Narnia, Walt Disney Story, Beauty and the Beast and even had lunch at the Prime Time Cafe (meatloaf, just like mom used to make). Sadly, the Toy Story 3 ride wasn’t working, so I’ll just have to come back another time.
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Joysann at the Tower of Terror
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Meanwhile, back at the hotel, authors began arriving by the busloads for the Romance Writers of America Conference. Our sweaty, stinky selves were greeted by the Romance Bandits, the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales, Linda Howard, Linda Winstead Jones, Beverly Barton, Sharon Sala, Lori Handleland and more before we made it to our rooms. After cleaning up, we had dinner at Shula’s. Now, I’m not normally this slow, but until they put the real football menu on the table, I didn’t realize that this was owned by Don Shula. Sure the football pictures all over the place should have given me a clue and I am in Florida, but still, I think too much sun during the day had something to do with it.
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Beauty and the Beast
Called it a very early night because today is a very big day here. First the library and booksellers event (that goes all day) and then the huge Literacy signing from 5:30-7:30 tonight with proceeds going to charity. Over 500 authors will be participating. It’s a free event, so come on down to support it.
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Bottom Line: No Mickey sighting yet, although I did see Donald, Daisy, Pooh, Piglet, Buzz and Woody.
