mla973
01-02-2008, 08:14 PM
Cast:
Me: 28. Former WDW college program participant (twice!), so I've done and seen most things on property. Likes almost all attractions. Will ride anything once. Brings miniature spreadsheet schedule in wallet.
DH: 28. Likes most attractions, but won't ride ToT. Often seen ducking head in ride photos. Happily sticks to miniature schedule to please me.
In a Nutshell:
DH and I were new DVC members, staying at a DVC resort for the first time. This was my 14th trip (DH’s 8th). We have not been in several years at Christmas, so we wanted to go down to see the decorations and enjoy the Florida sun.
Now, we left 9 inches of snow in Detroit (we actually “de-iced” before take-off). It was not much warmer when we got to Orlando. We used Magical Express, and there was no wait to check in at the ME desk and only about a 3 minute wait to get on the bus. It was so full that DH and I could not sit together. BWV was the third stop. We have been very pleased with the ME service and will use it again. :thumbsup2
The next few days were very cold in Orlando (wind chill of 31)!!! We wore jeans and sweatshirts and were still cold in the shade. It warmed up toward the end of the week, but the lack of warm weather and sun left a dent in our vacation. Proof of sweatshirts:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0178.jpg
Boardwalk Villas:
Once we arrived at the Boardwalk, there was no line for check in. We were about two hours late because of the de-icing delays in Detroit. However, it worked out well b/c our room was ready. Check in went smoothly, but I was extremely disappointed that the person checking us in never said “Welcome Home,” especially since both parties on either side of us were told that by the CM who was checking them in. Although, on the bright side, I did get the exact room area that I requested.
Our room was 5063, on the top floor above the Wyland Gallery. :goodvibes It was a preferred garden/pool view (in terms of the booking category), but we could see across to Y&BC plus the Epcot fireworks from our balcony. It was the perfect, perfect location, and I think we are forever spoiled. We could easily get everywhere, and we were about 4 or 5 rooms from the elevators. View from balcony: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0027.jpg
Pros:
- Location, location, location! :cloud9:
- Never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus or boat and they were never full.
- Great room location.
- Lobby entertainment and holiday décor.
Cons:
- On the way to the bus stop, one can’t see the display on the bus (i.e. the park where the bus is headed). We ended up running every time there was a bus, and only once or twice was it the right one.
- No food court or place to get a “hot” breakfast.
I was a bit disappointed that Jellyrolls was closed for rehab. I don’t recall seeing that on the boards anywhere, and I had really been looking forward to going and then being able to walk “home” from there.
Due to the weather, we did not get a chance to use the pool. There were days were no one was in it all day b/c there was no sun or warm weather. I really wished we had gotten a chance to try the scary clown slide!
DVC Merry Mixer:
This was okay. We didn’t really know what to expect, but we went about 4:00 on Dec 20. We received an ornament on the way in, but that was about it. We walked around and went to enter the drawing. Apparently, we were supposed to have been given entry forms on the way in. Hmmm… had to go back and get those. Got in line to purchase a few DVC pins. There were a bunch of really great looking cookies, but they tasted pretty bland. I’m not really a fan of cold apple cider either. We pin traded a bit and got photos with Mickey/Minnie and Donald/Daisy.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0365.jpg
Theme Parks:
- Given that we went to see holiday decorations, we made time for the new castle lighting ceremony (with the icicles), as well as the Osborne lights and the Candlelight Processional. We did the CP dinner package, and I’m glad we did b/c the crowd for non-reserved seating was very long. I loved the castle lights and the Osborne lights. They were my favorite holiday parts of the trip.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0053.jpg
- We went in Sept 2006 and saw characters everywhere. Perhaps it was so busy that we weren’t willing to wait 20 minutes for a character, but I felt like we saw less this time than in past years.
- We received two dream fastpasses (PHOTO). Once at MGM and once at Epcot. At MGM, it didn’t help much. I don’t know what a fastpass for a show does. At MGM, we used FP for all three shows on the dream FP, and we entered at the same time (or in one case, later) than the non-FP line. I don’t really get it. For Epcot, we saved the pass for the evening EMH when they don’t give out FP, so that helped a lot. :woohoo:
Mousecellaneous:
- We used the DDP. It was a lot of food, but I don’t think we’ll use it in the future. We did a “he said, she said” dining review. Overall, we had a great service and never waited long for any of our ADR’s. Link to it here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1668013
- It was much more crowded than in year’s past at this time. The more crowded it got, the ruder and pushier guests were. I found myself becoming annoyed frequently with other guests for pushing ahead in line, for their naughty kids, etc. The waits were pretty long on some days, and we missed out on rides b/c we weren’t willing to wait the 30+ minutes. (At one point, Soarin’ was 80 minutes and all FP were gone for the day.) :confused:
- DH is really into pin trading. We traded out (at least once) every pin that we brought. We traded with a few local Floridians at DTD as well as CM’s across property.
- We recent a Sea Raycer boat at DTD. With the DVC discount, I think it was about $45 for an hour. We squished into one boat. Next time, we’ll rent one near MK so we can go faster on the open water. There were a lot of “no wake” zones on the DTD-OKW canals.
- I’m really disappointed that we missed the Harlem Gospel Choir at MGM. I heard they were excellent, but with the FDP and the Osborne lights, it didn’t work out for us to see them.
Overall, it was a good trip. :wizard: Next time, we’ll pick a slightly warmer time of year, and ideally one that is less crowded. The cold weather dampened our trip a bit, and I ended up getting a cold about halfway through the week.
I'd be happy to answer any questions!!!
p.s. A view of the CR construction from WLV.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0280.jpg
Me: 28. Former WDW college program participant (twice!), so I've done and seen most things on property. Likes almost all attractions. Will ride anything once. Brings miniature spreadsheet schedule in wallet.
DH: 28. Likes most attractions, but won't ride ToT. Often seen ducking head in ride photos. Happily sticks to miniature schedule to please me.
In a Nutshell:
DH and I were new DVC members, staying at a DVC resort for the first time. This was my 14th trip (DH’s 8th). We have not been in several years at Christmas, so we wanted to go down to see the decorations and enjoy the Florida sun.
Now, we left 9 inches of snow in Detroit (we actually “de-iced” before take-off). It was not much warmer when we got to Orlando. We used Magical Express, and there was no wait to check in at the ME desk and only about a 3 minute wait to get on the bus. It was so full that DH and I could not sit together. BWV was the third stop. We have been very pleased with the ME service and will use it again. :thumbsup2
The next few days were very cold in Orlando (wind chill of 31)!!! We wore jeans and sweatshirts and were still cold in the shade. It warmed up toward the end of the week, but the lack of warm weather and sun left a dent in our vacation. Proof of sweatshirts:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0178.jpg
Boardwalk Villas:
Once we arrived at the Boardwalk, there was no line for check in. We were about two hours late because of the de-icing delays in Detroit. However, it worked out well b/c our room was ready. Check in went smoothly, but I was extremely disappointed that the person checking us in never said “Welcome Home,” especially since both parties on either side of us were told that by the CM who was checking them in. Although, on the bright side, I did get the exact room area that I requested.
Our room was 5063, on the top floor above the Wyland Gallery. :goodvibes It was a preferred garden/pool view (in terms of the booking category), but we could see across to Y&BC plus the Epcot fireworks from our balcony. It was the perfect, perfect location, and I think we are forever spoiled. We could easily get everywhere, and we were about 4 or 5 rooms from the elevators. View from balcony: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0027.jpg
Pros:
- Location, location, location! :cloud9:
- Never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus or boat and they were never full.
- Great room location.
- Lobby entertainment and holiday décor.
Cons:
- On the way to the bus stop, one can’t see the display on the bus (i.e. the park where the bus is headed). We ended up running every time there was a bus, and only once or twice was it the right one.
- No food court or place to get a “hot” breakfast.
I was a bit disappointed that Jellyrolls was closed for rehab. I don’t recall seeing that on the boards anywhere, and I had really been looking forward to going and then being able to walk “home” from there.
Due to the weather, we did not get a chance to use the pool. There were days were no one was in it all day b/c there was no sun or warm weather. I really wished we had gotten a chance to try the scary clown slide!
DVC Merry Mixer:
This was okay. We didn’t really know what to expect, but we went about 4:00 on Dec 20. We received an ornament on the way in, but that was about it. We walked around and went to enter the drawing. Apparently, we were supposed to have been given entry forms on the way in. Hmmm… had to go back and get those. Got in line to purchase a few DVC pins. There were a bunch of really great looking cookies, but they tasted pretty bland. I’m not really a fan of cold apple cider either. We pin traded a bit and got photos with Mickey/Minnie and Donald/Daisy.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0365.jpg
Theme Parks:
- Given that we went to see holiday decorations, we made time for the new castle lighting ceremony (with the icicles), as well as the Osborne lights and the Candlelight Processional. We did the CP dinner package, and I’m glad we did b/c the crowd for non-reserved seating was very long. I loved the castle lights and the Osborne lights. They were my favorite holiday parts of the trip.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0053.jpg
- We went in Sept 2006 and saw characters everywhere. Perhaps it was so busy that we weren’t willing to wait 20 minutes for a character, but I felt like we saw less this time than in past years.
- We received two dream fastpasses (PHOTO). Once at MGM and once at Epcot. At MGM, it didn’t help much. I don’t know what a fastpass for a show does. At MGM, we used FP for all three shows on the dream FP, and we entered at the same time (or in one case, later) than the non-FP line. I don’t really get it. For Epcot, we saved the pass for the evening EMH when they don’t give out FP, so that helped a lot. :woohoo:
Mousecellaneous:
- We used the DDP. It was a lot of food, but I don’t think we’ll use it in the future. We did a “he said, she said” dining review. Overall, we had a great service and never waited long for any of our ADR’s. Link to it here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1668013
- It was much more crowded than in year’s past at this time. The more crowded it got, the ruder and pushier guests were. I found myself becoming annoyed frequently with other guests for pushing ahead in line, for their naughty kids, etc. The waits were pretty long on some days, and we missed out on rides b/c we weren’t willing to wait the 30+ minutes. (At one point, Soarin’ was 80 minutes and all FP were gone for the day.) :confused:
- DH is really into pin trading. We traded out (at least once) every pin that we brought. We traded with a few local Floridians at DTD as well as CM’s across property.
- We recent a Sea Raycer boat at DTD. With the DVC discount, I think it was about $45 for an hour. We squished into one boat. Next time, we’ll rent one near MK so we can go faster on the open water. There were a lot of “no wake” zones on the DTD-OKW canals.
- I’m really disappointed that we missed the Harlem Gospel Choir at MGM. I heard they were excellent, but with the FDP and the Osborne lights, it didn’t work out for us to see them.
Overall, it was a good trip. :wizard: Next time, we’ll pick a slightly warmer time of year, and ideally one that is less crowded. The cold weather dampened our trip a bit, and I ended up getting a cold about halfway through the week.
I'd be happy to answer any questions!!!
p.s. A view of the CR construction from WLV.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/megan973/100_0280.jpg