AMAZING TIME! Just back! (July 2-11)

[afcgirl]

We just got back from an amazing 9-day trip to WDW. It was almost perfect, the crowds were pretty good and it was not as hot as usual, especially at night. We stayed at Coronado Springs Resort (great hotel).

Highs and Lows:

- 4th of July: We went to MK on July 3 and Epcot on July 4. It was super crowded at MK, probably would not do it again but the fireworks were amazing. The Epcot fireworks were good, but not as good as MK's. Also, the debris from the fireworks were actually falling down on us, and it got in the person's eye next to me. Also the smoke was pretty bad.

- Toy Story Mania was very fun, my kids loved it!

- So disappointed in Animal Kingdom! Now that Tusker House changed to table service, there is no where to get counter service where there is air conditioning. Eating outside at Yak & Yeti was horrible, with the heat and flies. It is so hot at AK, and now with no place to cool off we were miserable. Even "It's Tough to be a Bug" was hot and stuffy. I hate to say it, but not sure we will go back anytime soon. They need to create an indoor, air-conditioned restaurant so that people can take a heat break.

- MK: I rode BTMRR for the first time. It was scarier than I thought and I have to admit I didn't like it (I am a big ride chicken). I did love Splash Mountain though. Our favorite rides were Splash Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan and Philharmagic. Wait times were better than last summer.

- Epcot: Had a BLAST on Test Track and Soarin! Lines were pretty small for the other rides. World Showcase was so fun to walk around and explore. Universe of Energy broke down at end and had to be escorted off, but had been on before.

-Hollywood Studios: Had great time at American Idol Experience (first time). Saw the car stunt show and loved it, also did Backlot Tour and of course Toy Story Mania (got FPs right when we got there at 9:30, FP times were already after noon). Had a great, relaxing time at this park.

That's it in a nutshell. Very sad about monorail driver, it put a damper on riding the monorail. I would be happy to anwer any questions!

[Peapicker]

How did you like your stay at the Coronado Springs Resort. We are headed down to the World at the end of August and staying at CSR for 9 nights. What building where you in, how did you like the pool, did you use the food court (Pepper Market) and did you like the food.

Glad you had fun,

[lala3291]

Glad to hear that you had a good time! I have to agree about Animal Kingdom...it is our least favorite park. How was Coronado Springs as a resort? Any highs/lows about that?

[kissthemouse]

I'm so glad you had a great time! I was a HUGE AK fan...but when we went last year, other than FOTLK, it was HOT (in DECEMBER!) and since the paths are so narrow, it felt SOOO overcrowded...the only place that seemed tolerable crowdwise was Dinoland...and you can only stay there so long. I do love the AK parade though...

I'm glad to hear you loved DHS...we skipped it last year and did AK, but when we go this year we're totally doing DHS and skipping AK.

[DebbieB]

AK: Pizzafari is counter service and air conditioned.

[afcgirl]

We LOVED Coronado Springs! We were in Cabanas 9A in a renovated room. The new rooms are beatiful, and 9A is very close to the main building and the main pool. We had a view of the lake and sandy beach area. Definitely request a renovated room, we prefer the Cabanas or the Casitas since they are close to the main building. Ranchos in my opinion is too far away from everything.

We only ate at Pepper Market once, the food was pretty good. Nothing to rave about, but it was fine. I had the cheese quesadillas. It is a bit overpriced for what you get, especially since you have to tip the people who serve you drinks. We mostly ate at Rix Cafe for breakfast (good and fast) and the pool food area (very good nachos and buffalo wings).

The pool was amazing. My kids loved the slide and there is a nice bar and hot tub. Plenty of chairs.

We also loved the health club. They give you your own lockers and fresh towels. It is fully equipped and the locker rooms were beautiful and well kept.

I highly recommend CSR, especially for the money. Many deluxe amenities at a fraction of the price. We greatly prefer it over POR.

[bytheblood]

So glad to hear you had a great vacation!

[afcgirl]

Originally Posted by DebbieB

AK: Pizzafari is counter service and air conditioned.

That is good to know, the CM at Yak & Yeti told us there was no air conditioned CS restaurants. Obviously she was misinformed.

I still think they should have more than one though, or maybe some more inside rides. At the other parks there are a lot of inside areas to cool off. We just could not find any at AK.

[momsavealot]

Is the monorail working again? and did you see Fantasmic? I'm wondering if it is worth it to fit it into our schedule this time (which is hard to do since they really cut down on the number of shows available)?

[afcgirl]

Originally Posted by momsavealot

Is the monorail working again? and did you see Fantasmic? I'm wondering if it is worth it to fit it into our schedule this time (which is hard to do since they really cut down on the number of shows available)?

Yes, the monorail is working again. We did not see Fantasmic since it was not playing on the day we went and we had already seen it 3 times.

[nyfinfan]

Thanks for the mini-Trip Report. We check in to CSR in 26 day's. Will be our first time there. Glad you had a great trip.

[rbenn81]

Restaurantosaurus also has air conditioning. We ate there on our last trip in October. Do you have any crowd pics from the MK on the 3rd? We want to do the world once at July 4th but are afraid the crowds might just be too huge to bare. Glad to see that overall you had a great time.

Rbenn81

[tinkerbell3747]

Wow so glad you had a great time.....We are thinking about CSR so your review has us excited....

FYI Resterantosouras (my have mispselled it) in Dino land is an indoor CS as well. There are some additional dinning rooms of to the left of the main area its a little dark so nice and cool. Maybe now you can give AK another chance. But I do agree we don't really enjoy the food at AK much. I think I will give picnic in the park a try if we don't get ADR's for Yak and Yeti...