bsusanmb
Childhood sweethearts married on the Magic 6/2/13
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2004
- Messages
- 2,078
This was a wonderful trip. By getting last year's points, I was able to get two 2 bedroom villas and a studio for the first week for 13 of us. DH and me, DD and DSIL and 2 year old DGS (adopted from Russia a year ago!), DD and DSIL and 20 mo old DGD, DS and DDIL and 12 mo old DGS, and DD and SIL on honeymoon. First Disney trip for almost everyone except DH and me. This trip made believers of everyone - all of our kids would make fun of our Disney addiction - "I can't believe you are going there again" and now they are all planning their return to enjoy the MAGIC!!
It was a delight to see Disney through the eyes of those two older toddlers. Everything had the WOW factor, and they couldn't contain themselves. They loved the characters and everything Disney had to offer. I know most people say not to take children so young, but we made sure they came back for their afternoon naps and to bed early every night. There was no crying or fussing, and we had memories to last a lifetime.
SSR CM's were all very friendly and helpful. I think the dining leaves a lot to be desired. It is way too small and has very little to offer. The lines were long at peak times. We used our rental cars to travel to Riverside for breakfast if we didn't have a character breakfast scheduled. That was our favorite resort prior to joining the DVC.
DH reluctanly bought the golf membership for $50 so that the men could all play golf. They played a round at Magnolia which was beautiful but too challenging, and LBV which they really enjoyed. When they were golfing, the ladies and babies had breakfast at Chef Mickey's and Ohana. It was delightful. The two older toddlers were jumping up and down in their highchairs with enthusiam, and they had lots of kisses for the characters. The food was very good, and we had a great time.
The first week were in the Paddock, 3rd floor, 5323, 5321 and 5311. The rooms were facing the lake, and if it hadn't been for those nasty love bugs would have been great to sit on the patio. Everything was clean. We did have difficulty getting the two cribs we requested. The cribs are little metal white things similar to the old portacrib from when my children were babies. They were ok, but didn't look to me like they would pass the safety standards. They looked rather archaic, but were more comfy than a portacrib at that age. The infant slept well in his portacrib. Our two bedrooms were dedicated and very nice. I was overall very pleased.
The quiet pool was very nice, and the main pool was awesome. I liked that we could get noodles to use for free and didn't have to purchase them or rent anything for the pool. The areas were very quiet. Over at the Congree or Commerce section (can't recall correct name) the pool was noisy and there were people consuming large quantities of alcohol. Didn't care for that.
At check in, I had purchased a $700 Disney gift card for the honeymooning couple to pay for their dining plan and they couldn't use it for payment. I had to put their DDp on my credit card. Not happy about that.
We took the boat to DTD and it was enjoyable. Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe was to die for. We got the filet mignon which was $37 and we didn't have to pay any extra like I had previously been told. Crabcakes for appetizer were delicious, and desert also good - key lime pie.
Crystal Palace for dinner, celebrated the baby's first birthday with a cake I purchased through the number for MK. It was $30 for the cake and $15 to add a Mickey picture on the cake. A little pricy for an 8 inch cake, but it was cute. Love this place, food is good, and the character interaction is always great. Lots of photos of the toddlers to remind us of our trip.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella, and DGD Makayla fell in love with "Rella". Food very good, very enjoyable time.
Dinner at CG was excellent as usual. All of us had seating together and the service and food was superb.
Dinner at Narcoose's and again we all sat together. Those whole lobsters are so good! We had a great time here and we all enjoyed our meals.
Dinner at Boma was excellent. We introduced everyone to the cuisine, and everyone had a different favorite. Left there like stuffed pigs!!!
Tusker House at AK is a great place for CS. Salmon is mild and tasty, rotisserie chicken is always cooked through and very moist. The chocolate cake is our favorite dessert in all Disney.
We worried that the fireworks would be too intense for the toddlers. But Wishes was great with the music. Nicholas, DGS, kept saying, WOW, COOL, and Makayla just laughed and said MORE MORE!!
When they all left after the first week, DH and I moved to a studio in the Paddock - 5636 - no view but it was available early and we took it. It was tough getting used to the studio and the SMALL bed. We have a king size at home and then in the 2 bedroom SSR - it was difficult to sleep. The pillows are really big and gave me a stiff neck. But it was really a beautiful resort. In a few years as things mature, it will be really something.
Went to the Wed member update and it was a real snooze. Wouldn't go again.
Got to preview ride the Nemo ride and it was so adorable. Little ones will love it.
The big disappointment was the grand gathering breakfast at Tony's. For $39 a person, it was terrible. Breakfast served to you, lukewarm, very small portion, very very overcrowded, unable to visit with the characters - not one picture because we were packed in so tightly the characters couldn't get close enough to the toddlers who were even sitting at the end of the table. It was not fun at all. Would not recommend it to anyone. Chef Mickey's much better.
Took the Innovations tour offered to DVC members for $89. It was very informative. We love the behind the scenes things - even the laundry was something to see.
Well, that's about it. DH and I had dinner at O'Hana's a favorite, and lunch at LTT, burgers at B&C with those great Milkey Way sundaes, dinner at Beach Club clamb bake, and some of the offerings at the food and wine festival. Somehow we ended up in a beer tasting seminar ....bad idea, neither of us drinks and we don't do well on alcohol...oh well,
It was a great vacation and can't wait to do it all again!
It was a delight to see Disney through the eyes of those two older toddlers. Everything had the WOW factor, and they couldn't contain themselves. They loved the characters and everything Disney had to offer. I know most people say not to take children so young, but we made sure they came back for their afternoon naps and to bed early every night. There was no crying or fussing, and we had memories to last a lifetime.
SSR CM's were all very friendly and helpful. I think the dining leaves a lot to be desired. It is way too small and has very little to offer. The lines were long at peak times. We used our rental cars to travel to Riverside for breakfast if we didn't have a character breakfast scheduled. That was our favorite resort prior to joining the DVC.
DH reluctanly bought the golf membership for $50 so that the men could all play golf. They played a round at Magnolia which was beautiful but too challenging, and LBV which they really enjoyed. When they were golfing, the ladies and babies had breakfast at Chef Mickey's and Ohana. It was delightful. The two older toddlers were jumping up and down in their highchairs with enthusiam, and they had lots of kisses for the characters. The food was very good, and we had a great time.
The first week were in the Paddock, 3rd floor, 5323, 5321 and 5311. The rooms were facing the lake, and if it hadn't been for those nasty love bugs would have been great to sit on the patio. Everything was clean. We did have difficulty getting the two cribs we requested. The cribs are little metal white things similar to the old portacrib from when my children were babies. They were ok, but didn't look to me like they would pass the safety standards. They looked rather archaic, but were more comfy than a portacrib at that age. The infant slept well in his portacrib. Our two bedrooms were dedicated and very nice. I was overall very pleased.
The quiet pool was very nice, and the main pool was awesome. I liked that we could get noodles to use for free and didn't have to purchase them or rent anything for the pool. The areas were very quiet. Over at the Congree or Commerce section (can't recall correct name) the pool was noisy and there were people consuming large quantities of alcohol. Didn't care for that.
At check in, I had purchased a $700 Disney gift card for the honeymooning couple to pay for their dining plan and they couldn't use it for payment. I had to put their DDp on my credit card. Not happy about that.
We took the boat to DTD and it was enjoyable. Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe was to die for. We got the filet mignon which was $37 and we didn't have to pay any extra like I had previously been told. Crabcakes for appetizer were delicious, and desert also good - key lime pie.
Crystal Palace for dinner, celebrated the baby's first birthday with a cake I purchased through the number for MK. It was $30 for the cake and $15 to add a Mickey picture on the cake. A little pricy for an 8 inch cake, but it was cute. Love this place, food is good, and the character interaction is always great. Lots of photos of the toddlers to remind us of our trip.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella, and DGD Makayla fell in love with "Rella". Food very good, very enjoyable time.
Dinner at CG was excellent as usual. All of us had seating together and the service and food was superb.
Dinner at Narcoose's and again we all sat together. Those whole lobsters are so good! We had a great time here and we all enjoyed our meals.
Dinner at Boma was excellent. We introduced everyone to the cuisine, and everyone had a different favorite. Left there like stuffed pigs!!!
Tusker House at AK is a great place for CS. Salmon is mild and tasty, rotisserie chicken is always cooked through and very moist. The chocolate cake is our favorite dessert in all Disney.
We worried that the fireworks would be too intense for the toddlers. But Wishes was great with the music. Nicholas, DGS, kept saying, WOW, COOL, and Makayla just laughed and said MORE MORE!!
When they all left after the first week, DH and I moved to a studio in the Paddock - 5636 - no view but it was available early and we took it. It was tough getting used to the studio and the SMALL bed. We have a king size at home and then in the 2 bedroom SSR - it was difficult to sleep. The pillows are really big and gave me a stiff neck. But it was really a beautiful resort. In a few years as things mature, it will be really something.
Went to the Wed member update and it was a real snooze. Wouldn't go again.
Got to preview ride the Nemo ride and it was so adorable. Little ones will love it.
The big disappointment was the grand gathering breakfast at Tony's. For $39 a person, it was terrible. Breakfast served to you, lukewarm, very small portion, very very overcrowded, unable to visit with the characters - not one picture because we were packed in so tightly the characters couldn't get close enough to the toddlers who were even sitting at the end of the table. It was not fun at all. Would not recommend it to anyone. Chef Mickey's much better.
Took the Innovations tour offered to DVC members for $89. It was very informative. We love the behind the scenes things - even the laundry was something to see.
Well, that's about it. DH and I had dinner at O'Hana's a favorite, and lunch at LTT, burgers at B&C with those great Milkey Way sundaes, dinner at Beach Club clamb bake, and some of the offerings at the food and wine festival. Somehow we ended up in a beer tasting seminar ....bad idea, neither of us drinks and we don't do well on alcohol...oh well,
It was a great vacation and can't wait to do it all again!
