JanetMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2006
So, here goes
my trip report.
Some background We are a Canadian family of 3, my husband, 13-year old son, and myself. We seem to find ourselves at WDW every three years. We usually go in February to take advantage of the low crowds and discounts during the slower season, but now that my son is in middle school it makes more sense for us to go during the March break where Canadian schools shut down for 1-2 weeks.
We have always avoided any trip during March break as that is the busiest time of year at the airports and we dont like crowds. We actually dont even like amusement parks that much, so naturally we chose to travel to Disney.
When we realized we were ready to face the airport crowds, we developed a short list of WDW, Vegas or Turks & Caicos. Vegas was crossed off because we thought we would not let our son out of our sight and that didnt seem fun for a 13-year old. Turks & Caicos was crossed off because the cost of the flight alone made it far more expensive than the other options. That left WDW, and we quickly realized we wanted all the ease of vacation travel that Disney provides.
So, way back in May 2009 I made a reservation for a CL room at our beloved WL. We stayed at WL in 2004, woods view, and in 2007 CL courtyard view. What they say about club level is true once you stay CL you cant go back. So there was no question we were going back to CL. Then, I waited, read the DISboards and waited, and waited. Finally in September the 4/3 discounts were released, and I called immediately, only to learn that the WL CL was not available but the CR was, and with the discount it was ~$1500 less to stay at the CR than to keep the WL reservation, so it was a no brainer and we switched our reservation and I started to read all about the CR on the DISboards.
Now on to the trip report
Day 1
We were up and off to the airport by 7:30 a.m. and were to land in Orlando at 1:00 p.m. It was a perfect flight and I was so excited when we landed at 12:45 p.m. we were getting to start our vacation 15 minutes early! Well, not so. There was a plane at our gate so we had to sit on the runway for an agonizing 30 minutes. Eventually we made it off the plane, stopped for a quick lunch and then down to the Magic Express. (For the record, US airports are way better than Canadian ones. There are so many shops and restaurants at your airports, making lunch an easy stop.)
Magic Express was perfect. No lines, we practically walked straight onto our bus. The drive to WDW was smooth but sadly CR is the last stop, so we had to sit back and watch our fellow ME travellers as they were delivered to Poly, GF and WL.
Stop at Poly
Stop at GF
Stop at WL
Finally the CR comes into view
Then came the moment that all CL addicts dream of. Our bus pulled up to the CR and Janet from the concierge team was waiting for us. She came us asked for our names and escorted us straight to the club level. It is just a great feeling to get that personal greeting. We had reserved a 12th floor CL, lake view room, so it was a great surprise when she told us we were staying on the 14th floor, and an even better surprise when we walked into our room and saw the amazing view.
Our first views from our room
Well, Im still tired from travelling, so that is all for now, but Ill continue the Day 1 report soon.
Some background We are a Canadian family of 3, my husband, 13-year old son, and myself. We seem to find ourselves at WDW every three years. We usually go in February to take advantage of the low crowds and discounts during the slower season, but now that my son is in middle school it makes more sense for us to go during the March break where Canadian schools shut down for 1-2 weeks.
We have always avoided any trip during March break as that is the busiest time of year at the airports and we dont like crowds. We actually dont even like amusement parks that much, so naturally we chose to travel to Disney.
When we realized we were ready to face the airport crowds, we developed a short list of WDW, Vegas or Turks & Caicos. Vegas was crossed off because we thought we would not let our son out of our sight and that didnt seem fun for a 13-year old. Turks & Caicos was crossed off because the cost of the flight alone made it far more expensive than the other options. That left WDW, and we quickly realized we wanted all the ease of vacation travel that Disney provides.So, way back in May 2009 I made a reservation for a CL room at our beloved WL. We stayed at WL in 2004, woods view, and in 2007 CL courtyard view. What they say about club level is true once you stay CL you cant go back. So there was no question we were going back to CL. Then, I waited, read the DISboards and waited, and waited. Finally in September the 4/3 discounts were released, and I called immediately, only to learn that the WL CL was not available but the CR was, and with the discount it was ~$1500 less to stay at the CR than to keep the WL reservation, so it was a no brainer and we switched our reservation and I started to read all about the CR on the DISboards.
Now on to the trip report
Day 1
We were up and off to the airport by 7:30 a.m. and were to land in Orlando at 1:00 p.m. It was a perfect flight and I was so excited when we landed at 12:45 p.m. we were getting to start our vacation 15 minutes early! Well, not so. There was a plane at our gate so we had to sit on the runway for an agonizing 30 minutes. Eventually we made it off the plane, stopped for a quick lunch and then down to the Magic Express. (For the record, US airports are way better than Canadian ones. There are so many shops and restaurants at your airports, making lunch an easy stop.)
Magic Express was perfect. No lines, we practically walked straight onto our bus. The drive to WDW was smooth but sadly CR is the last stop, so we had to sit back and watch our fellow ME travellers as they were delivered to Poly, GF and WL.
Stop at Poly
Stop at GF
Stop at WL
Finally the CR comes into view
Then came the moment that all CL addicts dream of. Our bus pulled up to the CR and Janet from the concierge team was waiting for us. She came us asked for our names and escorted us straight to the club level. It is just a great feeling to get that personal greeting. We had reserved a 12th floor CL, lake view room, so it was a great surprise when she told us we were staying on the 14th floor, and an even better surprise when we walked into our room and saw the amazing view.
Our first views from our room
Well, Im still tired from travelling, so that is all for now, but Ill continue the Day 1 report soon.
After all, there weren't too many other people there then.
)
