k5xs
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
Just returned home to Northwest Arkansas from six days at WDW with our six kids, their six spouses, and our 21 grandchildren to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
In a word: Awesome!
Stayed for the first time ever at the Riviera. With the disappointing Incredibles IP "Chapekification" of our favorite deluxe resort (Contemporary), the Riviera is at the top of our list now. All the rooms were roomy and perfect in every way, the CMs were all so nice, and the counter service eatery was great.
The SkyLiner was super reliable and a great way to get to Epcot (no stops) and DHS (one stop). We used it for early openings, during the day, and after closings without a delay. It was never crowded. Bus transportation to DS, MK, and DAK was usually quick, but we did wait for as long as 20 mins for a bus.
We did a fancy-schmanzy six-course catered plated group dinner Monday evening for all 35 of us in a meeting room on the top of the Contemporary. Wow. The catered food (from California Grill's kitchen) was SUPERB as was the wait staff! There was more food than anyone could eat, and it was all delicious. We arranged to have Mickey and Minnie show up, and a Disney photographer did individual photo sessions with each family, and DW and I got a session with all the grandkids. It was great, though we had to remain masked for the photos as we were indoors. They dimmed the lights and piped in the fireworks audio, so that was fun.
We all attended the Very Merry After Hours event the next night and it was great. Wait times were zilch, the characters were out in force, the free (lol--at that ticket price they were hardly "free") snacks were great as well. The parade was awesome.
We also ate at Space 220 (way cool), the Italy pizza place (great food as usual, but the orange soda float dessert isn't on the menu right now), at various food kiosks in Epcot, and at numerous counter service places in the parks. The compulsory mobile order was a pain, but it worked.
Parks weren't too awfully crowded, but at times it was a melee.
Parks were immaculately clean (thank you custodial CMs), and our interactions with every CM was great.
Overall we are delighted we did it. We'll plan on doing it again after another 50 years!
In a word: Awesome!
Stayed for the first time ever at the Riviera. With the disappointing Incredibles IP "Chapekification" of our favorite deluxe resort (Contemporary), the Riviera is at the top of our list now. All the rooms were roomy and perfect in every way, the CMs were all so nice, and the counter service eatery was great.
The SkyLiner was super reliable and a great way to get to Epcot (no stops) and DHS (one stop). We used it for early openings, during the day, and after closings without a delay. It was never crowded. Bus transportation to DS, MK, and DAK was usually quick, but we did wait for as long as 20 mins for a bus.
We did a fancy-schmanzy six-course catered plated group dinner Monday evening for all 35 of us in a meeting room on the top of the Contemporary. Wow. The catered food (from California Grill's kitchen) was SUPERB as was the wait staff! There was more food than anyone could eat, and it was all delicious. We arranged to have Mickey and Minnie show up, and a Disney photographer did individual photo sessions with each family, and DW and I got a session with all the grandkids. It was great, though we had to remain masked for the photos as we were indoors. They dimmed the lights and piped in the fireworks audio, so that was fun.
We all attended the Very Merry After Hours event the next night and it was great. Wait times were zilch, the characters were out in force, the free (lol--at that ticket price they were hardly "free") snacks were great as well. The parade was awesome.
We also ate at Space 220 (way cool), the Italy pizza place (great food as usual, but the orange soda float dessert isn't on the menu right now), at various food kiosks in Epcot, and at numerous counter service places in the parks. The compulsory mobile order was a pain, but it worked.
Parks weren't too awfully crowded, but at times it was a melee.
Parks were immaculately clean (thank you custodial CMs), and our interactions with every CM was great.
Overall we are delighted we did it. We'll plan on doing it again after another 50 years!
