Cast - Me (Disney fan even before the kids
Children - All boys - 5, 5 and 2 years old
I wasn't sure if I should go on this trip with the world in a mess but then that old Disney magic took over and I thought forget that were out of here!
This is my first trip report so bare with me. This was a quick trip with just the boys and I. We usually do a 10-14 day trip in the fall with Grandma too. Since we go frequently I rarely do command touring anymore. Besides its just not possible and keep your sanity with three small kids!! The weather was ok - rain 3 afternoons and then cleared up. More humid than usual, but hey its warmer than at home and it doesn't involve snow pants, coats and gloves. So in the big picture it was just fine!
Some observations - the people we in countered this trip were fantastic. The lines at the airport were long - but surprisingly other travelers, security and ticket personal were friendly and helpful. Maybe they just wanted the crazy person with a stroller, car seat and varies backpacks and all those loud ( you know the saying boys will be boys) kids to get through the line and onto the plane. Actually the boys were well behaved and the trip down was smooth. Emerald Isle at National was a breeze and so quick I loved it. the toll collector on the way to Disney was pleasant - welcomed us to florida, gave me a weather up date and thanked me for coming and told me to have a great vacation. I think he would have bought me coffee if possible!!!
We were staying at the beach club villas - a studio. This was our first stay here. We arrived at 12:30 pm. The front desk was helpful, quick, smiling and friendly. Bell man had us in our room by 12:45 pm. I requested a room by the elevator to eliminate some walking (is that possible at Disney World?) and got my request. We had room 316. Unfortunatey last fall at Animal Kingdom Lodge we were almost at the end of a hall - not pleasant with the kids at the end of the day. Our room overlooked the small pool and had a large balcony. A drawback was the balcony is separated by a little fence and right next the the room next door. Not private at all if you wanted to relax on the balcony. It didn't matter much to me since I have no privacy with the boys anyway!! What I did not like is the glare of the pool lights into the room. My kids sleep better when its dark and the room never was dark with the lights, o'well the close location to the elevator was worth the trade off. Everything was going great.
We went off to pick up groceries and had a snack back in the room before heading into epcot about 5-6pm. Side note: I got a cheap clear back pack at walmart for this trip after a tip on these boards. One of the best things, it really zipped us right through security - no opening everything up - just flip it a around and off we went. The walk to Epcot is a breeze. Even pushing the stroller and three kids wasnt to bad!! (Well I had to justify the trips to the bakery somehow!) We went to Journey into imagination - the place was deserted. I had the boys picture taken with a disney background and a CM took the boys around and had the picture superimposed on animal faces. It was terrific. Cost me an extra 40.00 in picture but they were great and I would not have known about it with out her.
During our trip I noticed the staff and CM's appeared to be extra helpful and friendly. I encountered only one CM at playhouse disney that was grumpy. You know if you dont want to be around a bunch of little rugrats this is not the attraction for you. You can not possibly expect all kids to sit quietly and wait for the show to begin. It just is not going to happen - therefore the older woman CM should lighten up, smile a little and back off of these kids getting excited. Ironically mine were doing good - but the nasty looks she has giving others just were not called for.
All other staff really seems to go out of their way. To the CM in liberty square who was just learning to sew names on hats left handed on a right hand machine. Thanks for trying - the cowboys hats were a big hit. the valet parker at beach club who gave my kids disney magazines saved my sanity. The kids read their books all the way to the grocery store and back without any disagreements. It was great to drive in peace and quiet for 15 minutes!!
Room service was a plus at the beach club. we had one dinner - I just did not feel like going out with 3 kids and making something was too much work after one day! the service was prompt, the food was good and the set up was nice. I know it appears high priced - it was about 85.00 with everything, but the convenience and easy ordering were great. The boys shared a steak and I had shrimp and we had a salad and dessert. The food was good and the experience was positive. On our last morning I ordered breakfast. Wouldn't you know the kids get up an hour early and want to eat NOW. Well I call room service and they said they would see what they could do to deliver it early. 10 minutes later our meal was on the table and the boys were happy!!
What I did notice that was a bit disturbing was the grounds and maintence upkeep was slipping. Examples - a water bottle floating in its a small world, pealing pictures in winnie the pooh, a truck going by the fooliage on the jungle cruise, a door partially open in the haunted mansion. These slip ups distracted but didn't dim the magic, they were noticable since everything is usually so pristine appearing. We caught the trolley show twice while having bakery on Main Street. I must say it was as much fun as the parade and we didn't even have to wait for it. The afternoon parade in Magic Kingdom appeared short compared to other times. Seemed to be alot of attractions down for refurb at the studios. O'well something to see next time.
The CM's really made the difference this trip. Crowds were not there except for Sunday at Magic Kingdom. We went at the boys pace and had a great time. I did consider the sand castle club especially after a long day for the older boys but it just didn't work out. They have done the Neverland club and really enjoyed it. Next trip in October 2003 we'll try out the club!
Overall it was a good trip. As usual there is work involved when I travel with the three boys but with some planning and a little (well maybe alot of) luck it works out. All the boys stayed healthly this trip and overall it worked out pretty good - although mine can be a bit rowdy by the end of the day they usually were to pooped out at night to make me too crazy! so overall the time was a success.
Children - All boys - 5, 5 and 2 years old
I wasn't sure if I should go on this trip with the world in a mess but then that old Disney magic took over and I thought forget that were out of here!
This is my first trip report so bare with me. This was a quick trip with just the boys and I. We usually do a 10-14 day trip in the fall with Grandma too. Since we go frequently I rarely do command touring anymore. Besides its just not possible and keep your sanity with three small kids!! The weather was ok - rain 3 afternoons and then cleared up. More humid than usual, but hey its warmer than at home and it doesn't involve snow pants, coats and gloves. So in the big picture it was just fine!
Some observations - the people we in countered this trip were fantastic. The lines at the airport were long - but surprisingly other travelers, security and ticket personal were friendly and helpful. Maybe they just wanted the crazy person with a stroller, car seat and varies backpacks and all those loud ( you know the saying boys will be boys) kids to get through the line and onto the plane. Actually the boys were well behaved and the trip down was smooth. Emerald Isle at National was a breeze and so quick I loved it. the toll collector on the way to Disney was pleasant - welcomed us to florida, gave me a weather up date and thanked me for coming and told me to have a great vacation. I think he would have bought me coffee if possible!!!
We were staying at the beach club villas - a studio. This was our first stay here. We arrived at 12:30 pm. The front desk was helpful, quick, smiling and friendly. Bell man had us in our room by 12:45 pm. I requested a room by the elevator to eliminate some walking (is that possible at Disney World?) and got my request. We had room 316. Unfortunatey last fall at Animal Kingdom Lodge we were almost at the end of a hall - not pleasant with the kids at the end of the day. Our room overlooked the small pool and had a large balcony. A drawback was the balcony is separated by a little fence and right next the the room next door. Not private at all if you wanted to relax on the balcony. It didn't matter much to me since I have no privacy with the boys anyway!! What I did not like is the glare of the pool lights into the room. My kids sleep better when its dark and the room never was dark with the lights, o'well the close location to the elevator was worth the trade off. Everything was going great.
We went off to pick up groceries and had a snack back in the room before heading into epcot about 5-6pm. Side note: I got a cheap clear back pack at walmart for this trip after a tip on these boards. One of the best things, it really zipped us right through security - no opening everything up - just flip it a around and off we went. The walk to Epcot is a breeze. Even pushing the stroller and three kids wasnt to bad!! (Well I had to justify the trips to the bakery somehow!) We went to Journey into imagination - the place was deserted. I had the boys picture taken with a disney background and a CM took the boys around and had the picture superimposed on animal faces. It was terrific. Cost me an extra 40.00 in picture but they were great and I would not have known about it with out her.
During our trip I noticed the staff and CM's appeared to be extra helpful and friendly. I encountered only one CM at playhouse disney that was grumpy. You know if you dont want to be around a bunch of little rugrats this is not the attraction for you. You can not possibly expect all kids to sit quietly and wait for the show to begin. It just is not going to happen - therefore the older woman CM should lighten up, smile a little and back off of these kids getting excited. Ironically mine were doing good - but the nasty looks she has giving others just were not called for.
All other staff really seems to go out of their way. To the CM in liberty square who was just learning to sew names on hats left handed on a right hand machine. Thanks for trying - the cowboys hats were a big hit. the valet parker at beach club who gave my kids disney magazines saved my sanity. The kids read their books all the way to the grocery store and back without any disagreements. It was great to drive in peace and quiet for 15 minutes!!
Room service was a plus at the beach club. we had one dinner - I just did not feel like going out with 3 kids and making something was too much work after one day! the service was prompt, the food was good and the set up was nice. I know it appears high priced - it was about 85.00 with everything, but the convenience and easy ordering were great. The boys shared a steak and I had shrimp and we had a salad and dessert. The food was good and the experience was positive. On our last morning I ordered breakfast. Wouldn't you know the kids get up an hour early and want to eat NOW. Well I call room service and they said they would see what they could do to deliver it early. 10 minutes later our meal was on the table and the boys were happy!!
What I did notice that was a bit disturbing was the grounds and maintence upkeep was slipping. Examples - a water bottle floating in its a small world, pealing pictures in winnie the pooh, a truck going by the fooliage on the jungle cruise, a door partially open in the haunted mansion. These slip ups distracted but didn't dim the magic, they were noticable since everything is usually so pristine appearing. We caught the trolley show twice while having bakery on Main Street. I must say it was as much fun as the parade and we didn't even have to wait for it. The afternoon parade in Magic Kingdom appeared short compared to other times. Seemed to be alot of attractions down for refurb at the studios. O'well something to see next time.
The CM's really made the difference this trip. Crowds were not there except for Sunday at Magic Kingdom. We went at the boys pace and had a great time. I did consider the sand castle club especially after a long day for the older boys but it just didn't work out. They have done the Neverland club and really enjoyed it. Next trip in October 2003 we'll try out the club!
Overall it was a good trip. As usual there is work involved when I travel with the three boys but with some planning and a little (well maybe alot of) luck it works out. All the boys stayed healthly this trip and overall it worked out pretty good - although mine can be a bit rowdy by the end of the day they usually were to pooped out at night to make me too crazy! so overall the time was a success.
