9/13-9/18: Our annual trek to WDW! PHOTOS ADDED!

[Dodie]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to post a quick report from our trip! It’s just DH and I, two 45-year-old yearly WDW visitors who know what we want to see and when we want to see it. Although we’re not commando-style visitors (no need to be), we do pack a lot into our vacation.

First, some quick, general observations:

Food:
We weren’t on the dining plan (free or otherwise), as we had rented DVC points and weren’t on a package. We did have some ADRs, so I knew we’d be able to eat where/when we really wanted, but we were also able to add a couple of lunch reservations “same day.”

With free dining, we did witness several frustrated (clueless) people being turned away from some of the more popular places at dinnertime. We overheard a hostess tell an irate person at LeCellier that there were no open dinner reservations available until late October. (These same hostesses were helping people find ADRs at other World Showcase restaurants though, so there were some openings.)

Crowds:
Non-existent. This is the second time we’ve gone in September and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. If you’re willing to play Russian Roulette with hurricane season, you just can’t beat walking straight onto any attraction you want. It allows for so much downtime. You can actually stroll through the parks at a leisurely pace. The only actual wait we saw for anything during the entire trip was on Saturday night at Soarin’.

So many people on this board worry about what free dining does to crowds. Although it may impact the ADR situation for the most popular restaurants, September is still VERY QUIET crowd wise.

Weather:
Hot, but manageable. “Chance of scattered showers” means that you may get a 30-60 minute thunderstorm, probably predictably between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. We learned that carrying your Mickey rain ponchos practically guarantees that it won’t rain that day.

Day One: Wednesday 9/13

We arrived at the airport to find a 40 minute delay for our outgoing Northwest flight due to “mandatory crew rest.” As I want my crew as rested as possible, this wasn’t a big deal to me. Particularly with a possible flight attendant strike looming to ruin my vacation, a little delay was okay. The delay actually turned into an hour due to an additional little maintenance issue (something about an “anti-skid” thing that I also did not mind them taking additional time to fix).

We arrived to MCO (an hour later than expected) to find Bob from Sunray standing at the bottom of the escalator waiting for us as promised. He assisted us with claiming our luggage and walked us right outside to a waiting luxury SUV for the trip to the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. We had a grocery stop planned, but decided to skip it. This is the first time we’ve used Sunray. We booked them based upon everything I’ve read on the DIS. We’ll be using him from now on.

Check in at VWL was flawless. Although I asked, there was already a flag family assigned for each morning of our stay. (We've always wanted to do this.) They put us on a wait list, but we never got the call, unfortunately.

This was the third time that we had rented DVC points from a DISer and there were no disappointments. We had a studio room - just perfect for the two of us! (We love the WL and VWL!)

By now it was almost 1:30, so we grabbed a quick lunch (shared burger and fries from the Roaring Fork counter service spot in the WL), unpacked, and rested for an hour or so before heading out to Epcot.

Epcot was very quiet. Almost eerily empty. We walked right onto the new “less intense” Green Team side of Mission Space first. I was excited about this as I wouldn’t ride the other version, although DH had. I *loved* it. It may be my new favorite ride at WDW. It gives you just enough of that feeling to be realistic without being “too much.” After walking right on Soarin’ and Test Track, we headed back to the World Showcase. It was EMH at Epcot, so we claimed our wristbands by the International Gateway and then checked in at LeCellier for our 6:20 ADR.

LeCellier has always been one of our favorites, even before it became the “darling of the DIS.” DH and I both had the cheese soup. He had the filet and I had the salmon. No room for dessert after the second helping of pretzel bread!

A rain shower during our dinner apparently scared several people away from the park, so we had the World Showcase practically to ourselves before and after Illuminations. Great viewing spots were available all around the lagoon.

We made it back to the hotel at about 11:00 and crashed. We’d started at 5:30 a.m. – it had been a long day indeed!

 

[Dodie]

Day Two: Thursday, 9/14

We slept in a little bit today and grabbed a basic breakfast (cereal, bananas, etc.) from the Roaring Fork.

We had planned to do Typhoon Lagoon today, but the weather looked "if-fy," so we made a last-minute change. I called Disney Dining and was able to easily change our Sci-Fi lunch ADR from Saturday to Thursday and we were off to MGM!

DH loves "the" MGM rides -- Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster. Me - not so much - but I'm a trooper! We had a great time, as usual.

Lunch was an ADR at Sci-Fi (as mentioned above). We love the atmosphere at the Sci-Fi. I know a lot of people are critical of their food, but we've always found it to be good if you stick to the basics. DH had a bacon cheeseburger and a big strawberry shake. I had the chicken caesar salad.

After lunch, a thunderstorm drove several people out of the park. (Do these people think they are going to melt or something?) We bought a couple of ponchos (I'd forgotten to pack ours) and kept at it for another hour or so.

We headed back to VWL for a little rest and then hit the Magic Kingdom for the rest of the evening.

MK was to close early on Friday (our designated MK day) due to the first MNSSHP, so we decided to do our favorite nighttime MK activities (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the parade, Wishes) this evening - just in case we didn't make it back over during the trip. (Yeah right. MK is our favorite park and it shows in our itinerary and this report.)

We grabbed dinner at the Columbia Harbor House - fish for DH and the tuna sandwich for me.

Parade and fireworks meant that we "closed the place down," so we headed "home" to the VWL for the night on the wonderfully relaxing boat ride across Bay Lake.

 

[Dodie]

Day Three: Friday 9/15

We decided to start a little later today, as it would be a late night and because we had a late lunch planned (the Grand Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian). We had a great breakfast at the Whispering Canyon. We ordered the skillet breakfast and there was so much food that we didn’t even ask for seconds. We had a great server. He was a lot of fun. They did the pony express ride with all of the little ones on the stick horses while we were there and several tables made the mistake of asking for ketchup. The food is great, the western theme is very cool, and the entertainment is fun.

We headed back over to the Magic Kingdom to check out the things we missed the night before, taking our time because there were NO CROWDS at all. A couple of times we even stayed on Big Thunder Mountain because there was no one in line waiting for our car.

I would say that, if you want to blend in with the rest of the crowd at MNSSHP, dress as a pirate. If you want to be noticed, make sure you pick a different costume! Pirate children and adults (men and women) were everywhere as folks began to arrive in the afternoon for that night's festivities.

We started for the Grand Floridian at about 1:15 – taking the monorail for the trip around the lagoon. We had one of the first reservations (2:00) for the Grand Tea. I was really excited about this as I’ve always wanted to do it. DH was “dragged along” as a less than willing participant.

I loved it. DH even enjoyed it. It was so relaxing. We both had the “Grand Tea,” although DH actually had Sprite instead of tea. It started with a glass of sparkling wine. Then came the tea sandwiches. Next was the scone and strawberry tart. Finally, you got your choice of dessert. I had strawberries and whipped cream. DH chose the pastries. Because of the pacing of the courses, the whole thing took about an hour. It could have taken longer if you lingered. The experience was so relaxing and different than anything we’ve done at WDW before.

A quick boat ride back to the MK to catch the boat over to VWL and we were “home” again for a little rest period. Along this way we saw even more small and large pirates arriving for MNSSHP. Pirates everywhere!

We took a much-deserved nap and then got ready to go to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island.

We shared a pizza and salad at Wolfgang Puck Express, shopped, and made our way over to the Adventurer’s Club. After a couple of shows in the Treasure Room and in the Meeting Hall, we departed for Disney Quest to burn up another one of our “plus” options! Being strictly “old school,” we enjoyed the pinball machines the best, UNTIL we did the 3D Pirates of the Caribbean virtual reality thing! What a blast (literally – blasting away at pirate ships with cannons).

It was pretty late by the time we made it back to the VWL, but we had certainly done a lot!

 

[Dodie]

Day Four: Saturday, 9/16

Today was “water park day.” We grabbed a quick breakfast at the Roaring Fork and headed to Typhoon Lagoon. We arrived early (at about 10:00 a.m.), so we were able to stake out a couple of lounge chairs underneath one of the shade shelters. It was going to be a swelteringly hot day, so it was a good one for playing in the water – but would have been deadly for lying in the sun.

We did the water park thing until about 2:00, eating an uninspired lunch at one of the counter service spots, then headed back to clean up for the rest of our afternoon and evening. After all of that sun and heat, we decided that a nap was in order, and then a return trip to Epcot.

We were having different dinner cravings, so DH watched me eat at the Tangierine Café in Morocco (Lamb Shawarma platter – yummy!) and I watched him eat at the Cantina de San Angel in Mexico (combination platter). It was a beautiful night with a nice breeze. The day had been so hot – lots of people came out. This was probably the most crowded park we saw during our entire trip – but it wasn’t really bad. We enjoyed our favorites again – but passed on Soarin’ when we saw that there was actually a line.

Back to VWL for the night!

 

[Dodie]

Day Five: Sunday, 9/17

We were heading to Animal Kingdom this morning. It is our least favorite park. Not to say that we don’t enjoy it – because we do. We just don’t find that much to amuse us there. A few hours in the morning is usually good enough. DH was really looking forward to Expedition Everest, so, following a quick breakfast at Roaring Fork, we headed out early, to be there at opening.

We went straight to Expedition Everest and walked on with no wait. Here’s a time when I almost wish there had been a wait. There is SO MUCH to look at in that line. I did not do the ride. I do not do backward rides well and knew that this one wasn’t for me. DH liked it, although it wasn’t as thrilling as he had expected.

We rushed over to do the safari ride – where we saw more animals than we have ever seen before. (I’m not sure why – although it was early, it was already VERY HOT.) As everyone knows, this is the hottest park. We just didn’t last long there. After we did our “must-do” rides and DH rode Everest again, we headed back to VWL.

This was our last night – and it coincided with EMH that evening at the MK, so we headed back over there at about 6:00 p.m., got our wristbands, grabbed a hotdog at Casey’s, and stayed there until the 11:00 p.m. closing for EMH attendees. (Wishes was at 8:00 p.m. this night.) There were actually a lot of resort guests in the park that evening, but it was still a great time. Again, it cooled off dramatically and the weather was just perfect.

This is the tough night. The night when you see so many happy people who are STARTING their vacation when you are ENDING yours. But we couldn’t complain. Everything had worked out beautifully for our trip and we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Day Six: Monday, 9/18

Bob from Sunray was in front of the WL at 10:15 a.m. as promised to take us back to MCO. Thankfully, the Northwest flight attendants were still not striking, so, our flight home went off without a hitch!

 

[Dodie]

In summary...

I hope some of you got something from my report. I know it wasn't as detailed as some and wasn't as simple as some others.

I just think September is a great time to go if you can manage it. (We obviously don't have kids.) Also, we've had great luck renting DVC points this trip and in the past.

Questions?

 

[Uncle Remus]

I like the parts about NO CROWDS the best, Thanks

 

[plgrn]

Yes! Hopefully it will remain uncrowded for our trip at the end of this month. Thanks for sharing!

 

[serendipity]

Thanks for the report. I especially enjoyed the joke you made about the personal guarantee that it won't rain if you bring your mickey ponchos. How's the whispering canyon cafe if you aren't a big eater?

 

[DeterminedOne]

In summary...

I hope some of you got something from my report. I know it wasn't as detailed as some and wasn't as simple as some others.

I just think September is a great time to go if you can manage it. (We obviously don't have kids.) Also, we've had great luck renting DVC points this trip and in the past.

Questions?

I enjoyed your report. Thanks for sharing. September sounds great! Your DH sounds like a real sport having gone to the GF tea.

 

[Dodie]

How's the whispering canyon cafe if you aren't a big eater?

We've only eaten there for breakfast. They do have other options that are not "all you can eat" and they seem pretty reasonable - omelettes, pancakes, ala carte items, etc. It's really a lot of fun!

 

[Antonia]

Dodie - I loved your trip report. DH and I (44 & 45yo) are headed to VWL on rented points this Sunday for 5 nights. We also are not on the DDP and hope to have a trip much like yours - sounded slow and relaxing.

After VWL, we are doing AKL for one night and then heading home - although spending one night in Savannah. Ga on the way home.

Wish us luck - this is our first time in VWL and we can't wait!

 

[Dodie]

Wish us luck - this is our first time in VWL and we can't wait!

I think you'll love it!!!!!

 

[OhMari]

Glad to hear you have great luck renting points from a DVC member. I hope I do to when we go next April. Did you know you don't need MYW tickets to get the Dining Plan if you are a DVC member or renting points from a DVC member. You just need to call your DVC owner and have them add the plan onto your ressie, when you get to your DVC resort, that is when you pay for it. It sounds like you might not have used all your credits, with the different places you ate at. I don't think the Tea Party is part of the Dining Plan. I would so love to haul my husband to the Tea Party, but I am going to suprise him with the Richard Petty Experience-it is his Christmas Present.

Thanks for posting all of your report. It is nice to read a finished Report.

 

[Dodie]

Did you know you don't need MYW tickets to get the Dining Plan if you are a DVC member or renting points from a DVC member. You just need to call your DVC owner and have them add the plan onto your ressie, when you get to your DVC resort, that is when you pay for it.

Yeah. I knew we could add it on/purchase it. DH and I had free dining for our September trip last year. We're not big eaters. I rarely have dessert and we often split meals. It was way too much food for us! Fine when it was free - but definitely NOT something we would pay for!

 

[ntsammy5]

Thanks so much for taking the time. I particularly liked the part about no wait on EE.

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[Dodie]

I added some pictures. Hope you enjoy them!

 

[BobLefty61]

Great report and great pics!

DD and I were at Animal Kingdom on Saturday morning, and we rode EE twice.

The light crowds really made it an enjoyable trip for us (9/15-9/19). We accomplished everything on our "must-do" list and, as you mentioned, had time left over to enjoy some simple strolling around the parks.