12/3-12/9 Plus MVMCP (POR Review)

[100AcreWood]

We just returned from WDW. Here is a short report of the crowds and the party.

Summary: It was more crowded than I expected (30-60 minute waits almost everywhere). I'll never visit POR again. And MVMCP was a great experience!

Day 1: EPCOT
Normally I don't enjoy EPCOT but it was so amazing we spent two days there this trip! The decorations were incredible and the food was the best! We had our first ADR at Nine Dragons. We liked it so much we made a 2nd ADR for later that week.

Checked into POR (Port Orleans Riverside) that night. Yes, one of the resorts where the Pop Warner kids were staying. Our TA promised we would be far away from the cheerleaders but no luck. They were actually fine except early am when they starting cheering . Overall, those kids were very nice as well as the parents who were very proud to be there. We saw them (with parents) here and there around the parks but they were never seen in large groups. I would be happy to visit again during their week.

Day 2: MGM in the am and MK after 1pm
The MVMCP was AWESOME! We didn't get everything in so I can see why people go back night after night. Definitely worth the extra money.

Day 3: MK again
We did the castle breakfast for the first time and my dd loved it!

Day 4: Animal Kingdom
Day 5: EPCOT again
Illuminations was incredible! The special fireworks at the end was worth the whole trip! I couldn't believe they lit so many fireworks at one time.

Day 6: MGM
Big disappointment. It rained all day and a transformer went out so no Osbourne Lights! Something was also wrong with Fantasmic. We know the show and it was missing small details here and there. And something happened where the smoke was so thick you couldn't see parts of the show!

Day 7: MK
Somehow the crowds lightened in the morning and we were able to ride a lot of rides.

POR Review:
I stayed at the Doubletree Guest Suites in September and it is now my favorite hotel. I know many people love POR. I talked to several people who only visit POR but I didn't like it. The outside is beautiful, the lobby is beautiful, the place overall is lovely. But the rooms stink. They are small, the beds are so small my dh's feet hung off the end. The biggest problem was it's so noisy!!! My dh travels a lot on business and he said its the noisiest hotel he has ever stayed in. Everytime the folks next to us and above flushed their toilets we heard it. One night it took us over an hour to fall asleep because someone above was pottying constantly. Also, we heard every family that walked by outside our room. So offsite for us next time.

Overall, a great time!

 

[exwdwcm]

we were there 12/3-12/11. much more crowded than we expected, but by using fastpass, extra magic hours and doing MVMCP, we never waited more than 20 minutes for anything.

POP only affected us at the resort, we also stayed at POR. We love it there, but we, like others have said, found the room unclean, toenail clippings on the floor etc. Had great mousekeeping though- did something cool in our room each day. We could also hear each flush and I felt bad for our neighbors when our little two year old would cry, i am certain they could hear it, just like we could hear their toliets. But i still love the atmosphere of the resort. hopefully next time we can try a deluxe though.

oh and i did hear that Osbourne lights was out two nights in a row- thursday and friday? we saw them on sunday 12/4 and there were little crowds, it was great. we went back our last night again- saturday, 12/10 and it was packed like sardines, it was scary and dangerous how crowded it was. i guess it was closed the two nights before due to weather and problems, so eveyrone came on saturday, plus locals. we got out of there as quickly as possible. it was ridiculous and unsafe. but the lights are just gorgeous and our 2 year old loved the 'snow'

 

[kimwim8]

We were there 12/4 - 12/11 & I agree with the crowds. It wasn't summer-type crowds, but it was more than I expected. But with Fastpass & EMH's we were good. Good planning helped too!

Pop Warner week was fine for us. We stayed DVC at SSR for the first 5 days, and then ASM0 for the last 2. It was our first time staying at a value resort, but we wanted to for DS, who is a Toy Story addict. We were able to get a room in the Buzz building, as we requested & he FREAKED out! He was so in awe!! The room size was much bigger than I expected & it was immaculate. We never once heard anyone's toilet flushing (which I had read about on these boards) and no one walking by our room loudly.

We also had a GREAT time at our first MVMCP!

I'm glad you mentioned that Osborne Lights were out on Thursday & Friday. We were going to try to squeeze them in on Friday between our 4:10 H&V ADR and Fantasmic at 6:30, but we didn't have time. And we were disappointed we missed them, but if they weren't on anyway......

Thanks for sharing your trip report! Glad you had a good time!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks for your reviews. We were at WDW the same time as you Dec. 1 - 10. We stayed at POFQ and loved it. It was very quite and really nice. We stayed at POR in Dec. 2003 and did not like it because of all of the kids and noise. We always stay at POFQ when we stay at a moderate resort.I love the boats to DD. We also did MVMCP again and loved it just like always. I agree with you about Illuminations, the extra ending is so great. Did you get to see the Candlelight Processional ?

 

[100AcreWood]

We didn't see the Candlelight Show at EPCOT but hung outside the area to listen to the great music. We have a 3 year old so I was worried she may not last sitting there for so long. I enjoyed EPCOT this trip more than any trip in the past. I can't imagine how long it takes them to prep for the holidays!