Just Back--Initial Thoughts

[DisCapeCoddr]

Thank you to everyone on this board for helping me plan my first trip to Disney World in 4 years. We previously stayed at CBR, POR, POFQ, and AKL, but took a few years off. My party included myself (48) who loves Disney, DH (44) who can take or leave Disney, DD (14) and DS (11) Here are some initial thoughts:

1. We loved CSR! The resort, CM's, Pepper Market with free dining and pool were fabulous! The renovated rooms with queen size beds are fabulous. We had a very quiet, convenient room in Casitas 4 which was 1 minute from the first bus stop. We hardly ever waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. Almost every day we did rope drop or an early breakfast at a park, went back for a swim mid-day and then went back to a park. This worked really well.

2. As most of you know, I recommend that you get to every park at rope drop. Crowds were low at all parks, except DHS. Most days, we did most major rides and shows we wanted to do before we went back for our afternoon break. I do not recommend DHS on a Fantasmic Day; this was the only day we faced major crowds and lines from rope drop on... However, at night during the first Fantasmic, we walked on a lot of rides. We were also happy to be at the opening of BB which allowed us to get a fabulous spot in the shade and do many major slides without waits.

3. Consider trying a first reservation character breakfast in a park. The highlight of our trip was having a 8:00AM reservation for the Tusker House Donald's breakfast buffet. We were lucky because we were the first family in the park. Walking into AKL before anyone else and being greeted by numerous CM's, getting pictures without anyone else in the park, being the first to walk in Tusker was priceless. Also, we finished breakfast at 8:50AM and were lucky enough to walk right over to the first safari of the day when the animals were very active. BTW, the buffet was outstanding.

4. Free dining worked really well. The service, portions and food quality of the meal and snacks were outstanding! We ate at Sci-Fi, Teppan Edu, Biergarten, Tusker House breakfast, Crystal Palace and Yak & Yeti (our favorite meal). All the meals were fabulous and we received top notch service. Some of the CM's (especially one at MK) were very helpful about explaining how we could get the most bang for our buck for our snack credits. For instance, at the Confectionary in MK we used a snack credit for a long stack of 5 small goofy gummy bear packages. This would have been over $5 if we paid cash.

5. I noticed no decrease in cleanliness, service or friendliness of CM's on this visit. In fact, we found fabulous service and very helpful and friendly CM's.

6. The weather (7 days, 6 nights) was as good as it gets in August! Some days we had a few showers, but the weather never interfered with our touring plans.

Overall, a fabulous trip! I'll be happy to answer any questions.

[bek1758]

Sounds like ya'll had a fabulous trip. Thanks for the report. Hope to have the same magical experience on our trip

[kappyfamily]

Great trip Report! thank you!

[LMO429]

glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!

[floridascgirl]

I love reading reports like yours! Thanks so much for posting.

[Dizneydaz]

Glad you had such a great trip!

I have a couple breakfasts scheduled for early entry. Tuskers and CP. I hope we make them. I want to be there before the hordes arrive! We did Tusker last year 10 min. before the park closed on an EMH p.m. It was great leaving the park when no one but CMs were there. We took our time exiting too. We have yet to make a park opening since DD9 started coming. It's hard for her to adjust to the 3 hour time difference.

What were your favorite snacks?

[Cutekatcar1]

DH's co-worker just returned. He said MK last Friday was not crowded. He took pictures of the empty streets. We've heard so much lately about how crowded it's been. I think this is a perfect example of how the crowds start thinning out as it gets closer to the new school year.

Thanks for your great report.

Anna

[matt&jakesmom]

So glad to hear a positive review on an entire trip. We leave next week and are looking forward to a fabulous trip just like you just had.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad your family had a great time. Tusker House Breakfast is one of our favorite character meal...great food and great character interaction. My son favorite place and its a must on ever trip for him. Did you get Yak and Yeti counter or the sit down? If you went to the sit down meal, what did your family order? Thanks.

[DisCapeCoddr]

Regarding the snack question, we were surprised that almost any item we asked about was included as a snack credit. The key is whether the item is considered a single serving. Our favorites included various pastries in France at Epcot which would have been quite expensive, the chocolate covered large rice krispy squares at the Confectionery in MK (most items at the Confectionery were included), the large pack of 5 separate packs of Goofy gummy bears also in the Confectionery (I don't understand how this was considered a single credit, but DS was happy that it was), dole whips, huge blueberry muffins from Pepper Market which we bought the night before using snack credits and then ate for breakfast, the very large Mickey two colored lollipops (DD's favorite) and tubs of cotton candy which DS managed to see at every park. We had more than enough snack credits and really enjoyed this perk.

[DisCapeCoddr]

Regarding the Yak & Yeti question, we ate at the sit down restaurant. It was our favorite meal of the trip. We requested to be on the second floor and had a window seat where we watched some of the afternoon parade. The servers were fabulous. The food was to die for. I had the crispy mahi with jasmine rice which I highly recommend. DD and DH had the ribs which were falling off the bone tender and delicious with fried rice. They had ribs at other restaurants and said these were the best on the trip. DS had the honey chicken and could not get enough of it. All 4 of us had the fried won tons which came with strawberries, ice cream and a delicious sauce. They were little pillows of Heaven that melted in your mouth. We were surprised that during free dining this restaurant was not packed. Next time, I will book it twice.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Originally Posted by DisCapeCoddr

Regarding the Yak & Yeti question, we ate at the sit down restaurant. It was our favorite meal of the trip. We requested to be on the second floor and had a window seat where we watched some of the afternoon parade. The servers were fabulous. The food was to die for. I had the crispy mahi with jasmine rice which I highly recommend. DD and DH had the ribs which were falling off the bone tender and delicious with fried rice. They had ribs at other restaurants and said these were the best on the trip. DS had the honey chicken and could not get enough of it. All 4 of us had the fried won tons which came with strawberries, ice cream and a delicious sauce. They were little pillows of Heaven that melted in your mouth. We were surprised that during free dining this restaurant was not packed. Next time, I will book it twice.

Thank you so much...we are going to try it for our December trip. I been reading great reviews on this place and I want to actually get the trips and fried rice. My son loves fried rice. Thank you again for posting

[KSDisneyDad]

Great report with helpful hints!

We wish we could have taken advantage of free dining, but the kid's school and football schedules just wouldn't let us do it. Maybe we can leave the kids at home next year!!

Did you visit DTD using Disney transportation? Our biggest negative on our trip was the consistent 20 to 30 minute waits for buses, especially going to/from DTD.

If you did visit DTD, did you happen to stop at Goofy's Candy Co? Were the hand-dipped RK treats available as a snack credit on the DDP?

I love your recommendation of doing an early character BF in the parks. We've never done that, but I think we'll try it next trip as my parents will be with us.

[DisCapeCoddr]

Regarding the DTD questions, we did not go to DTD because on past trips, we have been too frustrated with the DTD bus. Also, although we hardly ever waited more than 5 minutes for a bus to or from any park, others at CSR were complaining about the DTD bus times. Regarding the hand dipped rice krispies, they were included as snack credits at the Confectionery at MK. Also, the dipped taffy apples were included. We even used snack credits for Goofy Candy Co. snacks. Accordingly, I would guess the items you are referring to at DTD would be included as snack credits. However, you can't be sure until the CM scans the item. The snack credits were awesome and worked for everything we wanted!

[MarkinNM]

Glad to hear you have a great time!

Can you tell me if the Casitas are done with the remodel?

I am leaning in a Casitias room request, any pics to share?