boomhauer
When the world gets in my face, I say - Have A Nic
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2005
Just got back late last night from 12 nights at All Star Movies. As usual, it was a great trip. I won't say fantastic, but I'll get into that later. I've never had so much I wanted to share with you guys after a trip as I do after this one.
I'll break things down a bit:
Getting there - Things got off to a shaky start as our 6:00PM flight got delayed 3 hours. We finally get to Orlando around midnight. Luckily, Tiffany Town Cars was right on the ball, knew of the delay, was waiting for us at baggage claim, and got us right to the hotel. Good job on their part.
Theme Parks - Spent about 4 days at Magic Kingdom. Most morning, it was crowded, but we got to do all the biggies. By noontime, it was very crowded. In fact, we had 3 days of EMH evenings planned, and never stayed for one as it got so crowded. On Friday night, the park was so packed we literally couldn't move away from the front of Main Street trying to exit the park. My 5 year old was so scared he started crying. Disney NEEDS to do something more efficient about the mobs down there. We spent about 3 days at Epcot, including 2 shows of Illuminations, which was awesome. Epcot, is by far, the most efficient run Disney park. Only spent about 1 day at MGM. Not much to say. Did ToT and RnRCoaster, as well as the shows. Fell asleep during Indiana Jones as usual. Biggest surprise was Animal Kingdom. I've really grown to like this park. Everest and Dinosaur are 2 of the greatest attractions at Disney World. I finally saw Festival Of The Lion King. It was ok. Won't bother with it again. If you take the time to see the out of the way little things at this park, you appreciate it much more.
Food - We tried a bunch of new things this time. Here's the report card:
Teppanyaki: B+
Marrakesh: B+
Nine Dragins: B
Polynesian Luau: D (We were very unimpressed with the show. The first half was just awful. Food was ok, but nothing special.)
Hoop Dee Doo: C (I think after 5 times, the novelty has worn off a bit.)
Chef Mickey's: B- (Food was crap, but characters were fun.)
Restaurantorous: B- (same as above.)
Liberty Tree: B
Crystal Palace: B (Slow service, sub par food, but good character interaction.)
Planet Hollywood: B-
Rainforest Cafe: B
Chef De Frances: D (Won't go back.)
Alfredo's: C- (I've had better chicken parmesan at Burger King.)
'Ohana: B+
I'm gonna put this in a seperate section - Mission:Space. I decided to try out the "tame" version, since I'd never been on it before. Yuck. If that had lasted 30 more seconds, I would have lost my lunch. I can't imagine going on the intense version. Probably the most unenjoyable ride experience of my life.
OK, now, this is we're I'm zipping up my flame retardant suit and getting ready for the onslaught. I'll be called predjudice, and if that's the case, then fine by me. The Braizlian tour groups. I've read about the antics of these guys several times, but having never been in July, haven't experienced it. After 12 days, I was ready to leave and will NEVER return in July. They are obnoxious. They were everywhere - Chanting, screaming, singing, cutting people in line, keeping people up at the hotel until 3:00AM. One night at the Magic Kingdom, they were doing it during Spectromagic. People all over were telling them to please keep it down. They just stuck out their tongues and kept on doing it. I heard numerous people complain to Disney Cast Members who all said the same thing - If you don't like it, don't come in July. All I can say is, shame on Disney. They have no problem in asking a guest to shut off their camera, get off of a handrail, yell at them for their fastpass, make them throw away their bottle of water before getting on a ride, yet they can't ask a tour group guide to keep their group a bit quieter and respect other people's vacation. I met one family at the bar who after 6 night, decided they'd had enough and were switching resorts the next morning. I'm not sure if it's part of their culture or they're simply taking advantage of being guests in our country, but in any event, I was glad to leave and not have to deal with them anymore.
Well, I've got lost more to say, but not the time to say it right now. Feel free to ask any questions.
I'll break things down a bit:
Getting there - Things got off to a shaky start as our 6:00PM flight got delayed 3 hours. We finally get to Orlando around midnight. Luckily, Tiffany Town Cars was right on the ball, knew of the delay, was waiting for us at baggage claim, and got us right to the hotel. Good job on their part.
Theme Parks - Spent about 4 days at Magic Kingdom. Most morning, it was crowded, but we got to do all the biggies. By noontime, it was very crowded. In fact, we had 3 days of EMH evenings planned, and never stayed for one as it got so crowded. On Friday night, the park was so packed we literally couldn't move away from the front of Main Street trying to exit the park. My 5 year old was so scared he started crying. Disney NEEDS to do something more efficient about the mobs down there. We spent about 3 days at Epcot, including 2 shows of Illuminations, which was awesome. Epcot, is by far, the most efficient run Disney park. Only spent about 1 day at MGM. Not much to say. Did ToT and RnRCoaster, as well as the shows. Fell asleep during Indiana Jones as usual. Biggest surprise was Animal Kingdom. I've really grown to like this park. Everest and Dinosaur are 2 of the greatest attractions at Disney World. I finally saw Festival Of The Lion King. It was ok. Won't bother with it again. If you take the time to see the out of the way little things at this park, you appreciate it much more.
Food - We tried a bunch of new things this time. Here's the report card:
Teppanyaki: B+
Marrakesh: B+
Nine Dragins: B
Polynesian Luau: D (We were very unimpressed with the show. The first half was just awful. Food was ok, but nothing special.)
Hoop Dee Doo: C (I think after 5 times, the novelty has worn off a bit.)
Chef Mickey's: B- (Food was crap, but characters were fun.)
Restaurantorous: B- (same as above.)
Liberty Tree: B
Crystal Palace: B (Slow service, sub par food, but good character interaction.)
Planet Hollywood: B-
Rainforest Cafe: B
Chef De Frances: D (Won't go back.)
Alfredo's: C- (I've had better chicken parmesan at Burger King.)
'Ohana: B+
I'm gonna put this in a seperate section - Mission:Space. I decided to try out the "tame" version, since I'd never been on it before. Yuck. If that had lasted 30 more seconds, I would have lost my lunch. I can't imagine going on the intense version. Probably the most unenjoyable ride experience of my life.
OK, now, this is we're I'm zipping up my flame retardant suit and getting ready for the onslaught. I'll be called predjudice, and if that's the case, then fine by me. The Braizlian tour groups. I've read about the antics of these guys several times, but having never been in July, haven't experienced it. After 12 days, I was ready to leave and will NEVER return in July. They are obnoxious. They were everywhere - Chanting, screaming, singing, cutting people in line, keeping people up at the hotel until 3:00AM. One night at the Magic Kingdom, they were doing it during Spectromagic. People all over were telling them to please keep it down. They just stuck out their tongues and kept on doing it. I heard numerous people complain to Disney Cast Members who all said the same thing - If you don't like it, don't come in July. All I can say is, shame on Disney. They have no problem in asking a guest to shut off their camera, get off of a handrail, yell at them for their fastpass, make them throw away their bottle of water before getting on a ride, yet they can't ask a tour group guide to keep their group a bit quieter and respect other people's vacation. I met one family at the bar who after 6 night, decided they'd had enough and were switching resorts the next morning. I'm not sure if it's part of their culture or they're simply taking advantage of being guests in our country, but in any event, I was glad to leave and not have to deal with them anymore.
Well, I've got lost more to say, but not the time to say it right now. Feel free to ask any questions.
I've been there before in July, and I had conveniently blocked out those memories... I'll just have to warn DH so that he doesn't go bonkers when he sees the tour groups' antics! 
I'm also suprised at the CMs attitude towards it - in 2003 they were trying to crack down as much as possible. Perhaps they've just given up now? 
Have fun at Bon Jovi, wish we were going.
We leave in 16 days. Maybe the Brazilians will have gone home by then? I'm sure it will be plenty crowded with everyone else jammed in nose to tail. 
Rude people really get under my skin!
