We just got back yesterday. 10 days was so nice - I thought it would be more relaxing to go longer to spread things out but I think we just crammed in more
. We actually cancelled our Universal day (so glad I didn't buy tickets ahead of time). The boys were totally fine and just wanted to rest.
I mentioned previously about the chain saw sounds coming from the south wing construction during midday and also the hour long faint (from 5th floor) drilling sounds coming from the north side roofing work. Scaffolding was still up on the woods view north tower towards the very front of the hotel and some at the very top roof area where the south tower connects to the bear face. I just had to get in the right position for photos!
We arrived at 11am and didn't get our text until 2:50! We spent time eating lunch and walking around the resort. It dumped rain so no swimming so we just hung out in the lobby and wandered. But you could tell there was a group of people hovering near the desk just waiting to pounce because they hadn't gotten room assignments (I was one of them). Hey it says 3pm right.
We had no issues with buses in fact most times walked up to one just arriving. never waited more than 10 min I'd say even for the dreaded EPCOT I've heard so many people have trouble with timing. Forgot how long it takes to get to Downtown Disney and also that they only have 1 bus stop there with all the construction so plan accordingly if you need to get to Cirque or something on the West Side vs Marketplace. We've always taken the boat to MK but man the bus is faster I think. We did the boat to CR and the walk to MK too which was nice and vice versa on the way home when my DH thought the bus would be crowded. We split up (to test it) and I beat him by 5 min or more taking the bus - and we waited a while for the bus.
The pool bartender (heavy set blonde girl) had a lot of trouble hiding her displeasure of another CM working in HER space. The other one was trying hard to help but obviously wasn't doing things the way the blonde girl wanted. Not sure what the seniority was there. We saw her another time walking through RF and she does not know how to put on her show face - she just seemed very gruff.
Later we saw that helpful CM in Roaring Forks on the floor and moving tables trying so hard to find something someone in a group had dropped (maybe a pin or something). She was crawling around on her hands and knees determined to find whatever the young boy lost and being so chipper the whole time. Another guest found the item (it had rolled quite a distance) and brought it over. She still spent time with the boy as he excitedly showed her all about this item. I then saw the CM grab her lunch box and said her goodbyes and happily walk into the back.
My husband went to ask someone her name because he was so impressed by her helping and felt bad because the bar CM seemed so rough her the other day. I think her name was Gretchen and they went to the back and then said she had left on her break. SO she had taken some of her break time to help that family. He did go tell a hotel manager about her!
My son pulled a very very very wavy long hair (12inches +) off of his cherry or wrapped around the toothpick from a kids drink at the Territory Lounge. DH gently waved the waitress over and showed her the hair. Her face was disgusted and she didn't say much. She literally looked like she didn;t want to lay a hand on it. IMAGINE HOW WE FEEL SISTER. She reached out her arm and kind of leaned her shoulders back still disgusted and took it. She brought back another drink and set it down. I don't even remember her really saying much and just can picture her puckered up face - btw - she had very very very long curly hair pulled up on top of her head. My husband worked several years as a bartender an was quite surprised esp for Disney that they did not comp the drink. That's not at all what we were after and we never questioned it when presented with the bill its just sort of the right thing to do in the food industry. But we coined a new term - hairichino cherries!
Saw a few extremely dirty hall vents by the elevators. Are there no long handle dusters available? But our Mousekeeping was nice and stuffed animals neatly arranged. No folded towels or anything magical. Extra blankets delivered quickly. None of the direct buttons to Bell Service etc worked on the phone, I think we just dialed the house operator. One day we got a wake up call when we didn't ask for one. We hope that other family made it where they needed to be on time. I always set my own alarm on the phone.
I loved the dimmer button on the clock and loved the ceiling fan on high as I need "fan noise" to sleep. I hate quiet hotel rooms. The thermostat gets nice and cold.
Laundry was good. 1 broken washer and the little automated helper thing said no problems found so we went to call from the laundry phone and the speaker was missing from the phone receiver! So we walked to the front desk to report the issues. We had to stop several people from using the broken machine but maybe within 20 min a maintenance man was placing a sign and fixing the phone so they were very responsive with those issues. Bringing a pop up mesh hamper was a great way to keep the floor clean of laundry and transport to the wash. Great tip from here.
I don't care for all noise and loud music at the pool during the pool party stuff and so glad we didnt have a room at the lower portion of the courtyard or else I'm guessing you hear dance music booming out your window. We heard it faintly from the upper end of the courtyard but it wasnt bad. But the kids have fun with some of the activities.
Artist Point delicious as always. We all 3 had the buffalo. My DS9 wanted to try it and we're all about him trying new things. He liked it but obviously too much after appetizers so I had buffalo for breakfast!! Yum!! DS13 had the Artisan Cheese plate and Mushroom soup. Those cheeses were sooo yummy!
Roaring Forks is way too tiny in my opinion. We usually get out early so it wasn't usually much of an issue but 2 days we went "late" at 8-8:30 and it's packed. Food is good. The flatbreads are really big in my opinion. We ended up DS13 getting the Roast beef sandwich (also huge) and DS9 getting the flatbread and I would just eat nearly half of theirs. We got tired of so much uneaten food the portions are so big.
Overall it was a great trip but OMG it's humid!!! I'm so thrilled to be home in my 105 degree dry heat.
Hope everyone's upcoming trips come as quickly as possible for you!!!!
. Will be back later to multi-quote…
. I'm going to be doing some snooping, err, visiting WL though so stay tuned for photos...
