Team Renfroe's 2nd Trip Report - 1,500 pictures, dining reviews, and DISmeets!

[kmartin555]

YUMMO! That Crystal Palace looks great! Putting a rumbly in my tumbly for sure...

 

[Janet B]

Alan, You make me wish I was eating at CP for my Sept trip. I'v been trying to get CP but nothin' is available (B, L or D). But I have a friend (you know her, fellow DISer KatMark) -- helping me to get a ressie for lunch or dinner - she does have the magic touch! If anyone can get one, Kathy can! (Thanks for trying Kathy)

Okay, so I keep thinking about the lobster and I might have to change a ressie again!! Pay OOP for another meal so I can squeeze Narcoossee's in.

Glad your experience at CP turned a bad start of a day to a great one!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Narcoossee's looks too good to pass up. We had decided on Cali Grill over it for our Dec trip, but I may have to fit both in! Crystal Palace is another that we are doing for breakfast and after those pix, can't wait! Have you ever done their lunch or dinner? They are both equally as fabulous!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Alan !! Last 3 days have been super busy !! Worked 41 hours in 72 so Dissing had been very limited !!Being the Obsessive Disney palnner that I am I have been planning my next Disney meals for 2010 !!! Guess what 2 are on the list Narcosses and CP Breakfast!! Now I have always done CP for supper !!! I love their dinner rolls !!

I have planned about 3 oop! As a solo the Dlx ddpis just toomuch money and food for me.

I am also applying for an escort position with Peoples& Places !! I would get to escort people with developmental disabilities on vacations andmy costs would be paid . No salary but a free vacation. Guess what they go to DISNEY!!!!! Can you imagine I would get to goto Disney for FREEEEE!!!

 

[dvc4life]

Thanks so much for the Narcoossee's review. We are dining there in September and can't wait. It looks really yummy.

Sorry about your bus problems. But we encountered the same thing in June. Trying to get to MK for rope drop and thanks to the busses, we missed it. We got to the bus stop over any hour before the park was to open. The rude driver we asked said you can't count how many buses come by going to the parks, it just doesn't work that way. And took off. We waited like you, for 35 minutes before one came! How aggravating. Sorry, babbling.

But I'm glad your day got better with your CP breakfast. Everything looks delicious! And I love all your photos.

 

[alan_renfroe]

And this is exactly WHY we drive to all the parks--including the Magic Kingdom. I was able to snag an 8:05 at CP on our Saturday in September and we will definitely be driving to the MK. Can't wait to see your review of CP.

We started driving to Epcot, DHS, and Animal Kingdom...but we are still on the bus for the Magic Kingdom simply because I hate that MK parking lot - and it seems like it takes forever to actually get to the Magic Kingdom. Also, I love riding that bus to the MK and hearing the music as you pull up!

Overall, however, I would have to say that other than this one isolated incident the bus service was pretty good. I still think it is ridiculous that it was literally an hour and a half to get from CSR to Crystal Palace. Geessh.

I like other types of seafood. It's just most shellfish I don't like (love scallops though!)

Ohhh nasty bus driver. Happy that your experience at CP made up for a rough start to the day!

I love scallops too! Wil loves, loves, LOVES scallops!

Yeah, what's up with the snooty bus driver early in the morning? Dude, don't be pissed at us because we are on vacation and you are having to work! Anyway, once we got to Crystal Palace everything was great and wonderful again.

that does make me wonder how often a bus goes by with the wrong info on it. It seemed to happen to us at POP a lot.

Hmmmmm Lobster.

That brings up a question - we saw several buses go by with destinations listed that we did not understand. Things like: CR-7, CB11, etc. I have no idea what those mean. Anyone know?

I am so torn between Breakfast / lunch at Crystal Palace.

Last time we were here--2001 we did a late lunch (2:30) and had the place to ourselves almost.

If I take a late breakfast-- 10:10 I cut prime touring time down.

If I take an early lunch 11:30/noon We can tour fantasy land in a calm manner then take our 2 hour break at Crystal Palace.

Your photos are awesome.

Did youhave to wait long for the characters to wind their way back to you?

I can tell from your dilema you must think a lot like I do! 10:10 definitely hurts your touring time...but we really enjoyed breakfast at CP. However, since you enjoyed your lunch last time, and you can get lunch at 2:30, that's a great time for a mid-day break. In your situation, I'd probably go with that option.

Alan, how old is your son? He is gonna be a hotty.. I'm seeing him and Kayla at a dis-meet already. Just sayin. Jack is a bit too young for your duaghter though I ask how old, because he doesn't look old enough to be in the hateful mode yet LOl.. but YES, hearing that from him must have been extra awesome! I think it is always awesome to hear it though! I never get sick of it!

I am so glad you liked CP.. it was one of our least favorites last year. But that may be because we felt rushed through and were seated well past our ADR time. They started switching into lunch pretty soon after we arrived. Meaning the breakfast that was there was kinda oldish. The fruit was incredible though! We are giving it a 2nd shot this year though and have an 8:05 ressie, so hopefully i will be as pleased as you! Breakfast pizza is the bomb!! Thanks again for sharing with us

Wil is 12...and girls are already chasing him! It is so funny...when we were at Disney, there would be teen-age girls trying to talk to him. He's so shy around girls....it's kinda cute! And your Kayla is adorable!

It has just been within the past 6 months that we've really seen Wil evolve into this pre-teen anxt. So, it was extremely wonderful to hear him say that this was his best day ever!

Sorry about your experience at CP. I think all the food was really good because we were there early. The place was packed....and yes, that breakfast pizza is da bomb.

Long time reader/lurker jumping in to say... you missed the best part of the CP breakfast... puffed french toast on the kids' buffet.

You MUST get it next time. I dream about that french toast. I would string it on thread and wrap my Christmas tree in it. I would send it to people as wedding presents. Best buffet item there. CP breakfast is our first day must-do every trip. We're hitting it twice next month in five days.

Hello and welcome! Oh my gosh...I am SOOO upset that I didn't know about this puffed french toast! Well, you can count on us looking for that the next time we eat at CP for breakfast!

Twice in 5 days! Yeah! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! It was the best breakfast of our entire trip for sure.

ABSOLUTELY! I could not agree with you more. That is the first thing I head for when we go to CP ever year--the PUFFED FRENCH TOAST.

Thanks....thanks so much for rubbing my face into it! Thanks for letting me know what an idiot I am for not trying this wonderful breakfast treat! Now, i HAVE to try it, right?

Really is a great t/r. Your family is just so photogenic. Love the pics. Yeah, all of a sudden, firewall is allowing pictures. Makes the in-between-customer time go by much faster.

Keep up the good work. Love MK. Since it was the only park in 1971, I still think of it as Disney World - truly my favorite park.

Aww...thanks. Our kids are definitely photogenic. Elizabeth and I: not so much. Glad you are able to see the pics at work now!

YUMMO! That Crystal Palace looks great! Putting a rumbly in my tumbly for sure...

My tumbly is getting rumbly thinking about that puffed french toast that apparently I totally missed out on!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Alan, You make me wish I was eating at CP for my Sept trip. I'v been trying to get CP but nothin' is available (B, L or D). But I have a friend (you know her, fellow DISer KatMark) -- helping me to get a ressie for lunch or dinner - she does have the magic touch! If anyone can get one, Kathy can! (Thanks for trying Kathy)

Okay, so I keep thinking about the lobster and I might have to change a ressie again!! Pay OOP for another meal so I can squeeze Narcoossee's in.

Glad your experience at CP turned a bad start of a day to a great one!

You're right - if anyone can make it happen, Kathy can!!

Yeah, I'm glad we didn't stay in a bad mood after that rough start with the bussing system. It just goes to show you: if you keep a positive attitude, you can turn a bad day around.

Narcoossee's looks too good to pass up. We had decided on Cali Grill over it for our Dec trip, but I may have to fit both in! Crystal Palace is another that we are doing for breakfast and after those pix, can't wait! Have you ever done their lunch or dinner? They are both equally as fabulous!

I definitely like California Grill better, but Narcoossee's is nice also.

This was our first time to visit Crystal Palace. I have not tried the lunch or dinner buffets.

Hi Alan !! Last 3 days have been super busy !! Worked 41 hours in 72 so Dissing had been very limited !!Being the Obsessive Disney palnner that I am I have been planning my next Disney meals for 2010 !!! Guess what 2 are on the list Narcosses and CP Breakfast!! Now I have always done CP for supper !!! I love their dinner rolls !!

I have planned about 3 oop! As a solo the Dlx ddpis just toomuch money and food for me.

I am also applying for an escort position with Peoples& Places !! I would get to escort people with developmental disabilities on vacations andmy costs would be paid . No salary but a free vacation. Guess what they go to DISNEY!!!!! Can you imagine I would get to goto Disney for FREEEEE!!!

Rosie, that's awesome!!! What a perfect job for you! Definitely let us know if you get the position.

Thanks so much for the Narcoossee's review. We are dining there in September and can't wait. It looks really yummy.

Sorry about your bus problems. But we encountered the same thing in June. Trying to get to MK for rope drop and thanks to the busses, we missed it. We got to the bus stop over any hour before the park was to open. The rude driver we asked said you can't count how many buses come by going to the parks, it just doesn't work that way. And took off. We waited like you, for 35 minutes before one came! How aggravating. Sorry, babbling.

But I'm glad your day got better with your CP breakfast. Everything looks delicious! And I love all your photos.

Babble away....it IS frustrating! When you discipline yourself and your family to get up early to beat the rush, and then you are at the mercy of the buses, it can be very frustrating. I must say, however, that for the most part the buses were pretty good with this one horrible exception.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Yes, it was rainy. Yes, it was suppose to rain all day long. But we were at the Magic Kingdom!! The place was practically empty! Look at how few people are in Frontierland!

We first went to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The standby time was listed as 5 minutes, but we literally walked right on.

So we rode it again. And again. And again. Finally, Wil and I decided to ride Splash Mountain, since there was only a 5 minute standby posted for it also. Juliana and Elizabeth rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad two more times while Wil and I rode Splash Mountain.

We all met back up at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and rode it one more time! Finally, we decided to make our way towards Fantasyland. We had never done the Haunted Mansion, so we decided to do that.

We loved it! It was so ghoul...ur...I mean cool! (sorry. bad pun.)

Even on a day like this, there is ALWAYS a long line for Peter Pan's flight, so we picked up FastPasses for later.

We then walked right in for Mickey's Philharmagic. This is absolutely one of my favorite attractions in all of Disney World. It is DEFINITELY the best 3-D feature in all of the parks. I love the smells, the songs, the whole experience! What a wonderful attraction!

Coming up next - more fun at the Magic Kingdom, and lunch at The Wave.

 

[KatMark]

Thanks....thanks so much for rubbing my face into it! Thanks for letting me know what an idiot I am for not trying this wonderful breakfast treat! Now, i HAVE to try it, right?

Alan, I can't believe you didn't know about the french toast beforehand. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone has been skimming threads.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Believe it or not, the Renfroes had never done Dumbo. Since we still had about 30 minutes until our FastPass time fo Peter Pan's Flight, we decided to ride Dumbo. To our amazement, we were able to get on within 20 minutes!

Stroller City:

Finally, it was time to use our FastPasses for Peter Pan's Flight:

After Peter Pan, we started heading back towards Main Street USA. We had lunch reservations at The Wave at noon. Of course, we had to get some classic pictures along the way!

Coming up next - making our way to The Contemporary resort, and lunch at The Wave.

 

[trennr]

We then walked right in for Mickey's Philharmagic. This is absolutely one of my favorite attractions in all of Disney World. It is DEFINITELY the best 3-D feature in all of the parks. I love the smells, the songs, the whole experience! What a wonderful attraction!

Another vote for Philharmagic!!!

I just posted the same thing in my TR. (BTW anybody here is welcome to join...link in Signiture.)

 

[CRdisMom]

the stroller pic was crazy!

 

[MA pigletfan]

I cannot stand how much fun it looks like you are all having..even in the rain LOVE IT!
I have never been on Dumbo either!!! I think it will def. be a must do for our disneymoon!!
Philharmagic..I completely agree with you..I just love that attraction, it really brings the FEEL of disney right home..i admit i always get a little teary eyed during that one

Great updates !

 

[NWOhioAngela]

Believe it or not, the Renfroes had never done Dumbo.

NEVER EVER?!

 

[KatMark]

You'd never ridden Dumbo! Alan, you disappoint me. That is the first ride on Extra Magic Morning Hours that Mark and I hit every trip--it is his favorite all-time movie. But I'll cut you some slack now that you've done it.

 

[Mysteria]

Rainy days do make for amazing crowd levels. I love that you guys make the best of it! Looking forward to your reviews of The Wave.

 

[aprilisis]

I LOVE rainy days at the MK!!! I also love breakfast at the Crystal Palace. I'm envious! I'm loving your reports- it just sounds like you guys had a blast!

 

[MagicShell]

Great updates! Now I kind of hope it rains when we go back. It looks like a lot of fun. Will's statement about your day being the best reminds me of my son saying that it was the greatest day of his life when we were at the MK last year. How can you not want to go back after that? Philharmagic is one my favorite attractions as well, I could watch that show all day. I am glad you rode Dumbo, everyone should at least once.

 

[Leshaface]

Awesome update! In this case, don't you just LOVE the rain!!!??? You would think that ppl would catch on and learn to STAY at the parks, but disers, this will be our little secret!

Hopefully your meal at the Wave was fantastic! This is on our 'must eat' list!

 

[TigerKat]

I'm ashamed to say I've never done Dumbo either.

Looking forward to The Wave review, we've scheduled it for lunch in October!