9 days 2 resorts FREE Dining Christmas Lights & a bouncing Tigger who stole my heart

[NewCrew42]

Our waiter took that photo for us on our trip Spring break. I just love it. I didn't even think about it at the time, but it did take him awhile to get back to the car with my camera. I guess I am just too trusting.

Your food there looks wonderful!!!

I really like Sci-Fi!

Your boys once again are too cute for words!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Shelly - Fantastic report! That is so great that you and your son rode TOT! I laughed about the $5.00 bribe part - too funny. Tell your son that if wants to ride TOT over and over again, any member of our family would gladly be his riding partner. Our record is seven times in less than 2 hours - LOL.

Can't wait to see your Christmas light pictures.

Sea

Thanks Sea!

7 times on TOT WOW! I'm sure DS could do it, but not me!!

YAY!!!!!
Now he should know that mama is ALWAYS right! (good luck with that)!

TOTALLY off topic, but semi-related to your BWI/BC discussions...Andy and I went to Branson for a night of shopping and got suckered in to one of the time share tours (they bribed/convinced us with $100)! So as we're sitting there, they're telling us we can use the week for a week at Disney (ME: uh, yeah right, you're probably talking about the outside-the-gate hotels). Nope, you could use it for all the Disney villas. WHAT?? Andy thought I as a goner at that point, he was ready to sign the papers. Me being the cheapskate knew better, but found that very interesting. Well, after we said NO about a dozen times, they bring the manager "to get you your money", then HE starts in on the hard sell. By that point, we weren't really listening because we were ready to get our cash and get the heck out of there, but then after he was done explaining how they have re-sales and you just pay the leftover mortgage, I'm pretty sure he said it would only cost $1??? Did I hear that right? Now, I know you still have the maintenance of $601 or whatever they said, but if all I'm paying is $601/year to stay a week every year at the Boardwalk? Surely I must've misunderstood???

That sure does sound too good to be true. And you know what they say about things sounding too good to be true -- they usually are!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Catching up again!

Illuminations is my favorite! I'm glad you finally got to see it. And One Man's Dream ! We skipped it last time and I missed it.

How old were your boys when they first rode Star Tours. DS loves Star Wars but does not like roller coasters so I think it may too much for him this time around. He'll probably be happy enough in the store spending his gift cards!

I agree with the CS food choices. My DS is picky picky too. He eats burgers minus the burger. Fries without ketchup. PB&J hold the J. I'd love to see more CS choices especially for picky kids. He was so tired of room temp applesauce and grapes last trip. This time I'm packing some snacks I know he likes to make the week easier.


This is what I'm telling DH when I book our next trip!

Hey Kim ~ Another one of my long lost readers!!

The boys rode Star Tours on our second trip for the first time. DS10 was just 8 and DS8 was 5 1/2. DS8 doesn't like coasters, but he loves Star Tours. It's just a simulator basically. I don't think it's that bad. I could take it or leave it. Just not all that exciting to me I guess! But the boys love it!

So, when's the next trip???

"Another hot topic for discussion is whether or not you display the Wise Men with your navity as they didn't visit Christ when he was a baby in the manger."

I have never heard this before until now But I just read on a website that they came into a house and saw a young child, not a stable and saw a baby. Wow - I won't go into any debate on this and will keep my beliefs as I've always pictured them on seeing them with the baby Jesus but guess you can take what you read in any context you wish.

I never noticed that the baby was missing in that pic either but would have guessed it was because it wasn't Christmas Day yet.

Hmm. . . very interesting. So many different interpretations.

WOW! I've got a lot of catching up to do!! Was I gone that long? Sure doesn't feel like it! I'm hoping to do a TR once I get all the pics etc. sorted out.
You have lots of great pictures!

Welcome back Sheree! Hope your trip was wonderful.

Let me know if you start a TR!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Our waiter took that photo for us on our trip Spring break. I just love it. I didn't even think about it at the time, but it did take him awhile to get back to the car with my camera. I guess I am just too trusting.

Your food there looks wonderful!!!

I really like Sci-Fi!

Your boys once again are too cute for words!

I bet we had the same server! I didn't see any other servers doing that. He was very outgoing! He kept yelling "work it" "baby work it" when he was taking our pics!!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Shelly - Both of your meals look fantastic! I am definitely going to go eat at Sci-Fi for dinner next time and get what you got. Yum yum. - Sea

 

[JoBird]

A woo-woo!
Shelly and Hubby sittin in a car- Don't got wheels so it can't go far. Smoochy Smoochy 1-2-3, smoochy smoochy don't wanna see.......

Haaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy.





JUST kidding!

Too cute! Your salad looked great! minus the fries.

Glad you say VOTLM- it's a cute show. Cute pic of the boys afterwards.

Loved the update. Looking forward to the light show!

Jo

 

[seacrestpromo]

Snoop JoGG is in da house!!!

A woo-woo!
Shelly and Hubby sittin in a car- Don't got wheels so it can't go far. Smoochy Smoochy 1-2-3, smoochy smoochy don't wanna see.......

Haaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy.



Jo

 

[rusafee1183]

Shelly - I can't believe you got DS10 to ride TOT! That is awesome! I knew he wold love it once he gave it a try! And it only cost $5! I'm sure if you would have known that a few trips ago...

I can't wait to see the Osborne Lights. I want to go at Christmas time so bad!!!

*sigh*

Someday

 

[DisneyDreamerMom]

Yeah for DS10 riding Tot ! And thanks for all the Sci-Fi pics. It's one of my fav places to eat (yes, I know I'm in the minority, but we never miss it). Great trip report!

Kim

 

[Jane-in-PA]

Fantasmic pics of Sci-Fi. The food looks delish! Well, that hot dog looks pretty lonely, but the rest looks yummy! Especially those malts and that chocolate dessert.

What in the world did your boys think of the kissing pics? I'll bet they really got a kick out of that!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Whew! Finally all Caught up! WOW!!! Your trip so far sure has been a great one! Thanks for the great review of Sci Fi! We are eating there next month and even though we decided to eat there after reading all the NEGATIVE reviews, I am so very glad to hear a good one!

A question about Free Dining - Are you still required to leave tips? Something I wondered about. Some people I know went in October during Free Dining and they said that they never once tipped at a TS restaurant! This stuck me as wrong but thought I would ask you since you were just there on Free Dining!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Whew! Finally all Caught up! WOW!!! Your trip so far sure has been a great one! Thanks for the great review of Sci Fi! We are eating there next month and even though we decided to eat there after reading all the NEGATIVE reviews, I am so very glad to hear a good one!

A question about Free Dining - Are you still required to leave tips? Something I wondered about. Some people I know went in October during Free Dining and they said that they never once tipped at a TS restaurant! This stuck me as wrong but thought I would ask you since you were just there on Free Dining!

Not to hijack..but yeah, we were on the ddp and we did tips also. It used to be figured in, but not anymore. When they bring your ticket, they have a line on the bottow with how much an 18% tip and how much a 20% tip will be according to the balance for your meal...you just put what you want to tip on the bottom line and they add that to your credit card (ours was on our room key)..or you can leave cash. I would think it's not right to not tip...they are still serving you and cleaning up after you!!! I am always happy to tip a good server!!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

YEA for DS10 on TOT!
Why do our kids not believe us when we KNOW they will like something?

I know lots of people who don't put Baby Jesus in the nativity scene until Christmas day--just different traditions, I guess. I also know people who put the wise men somewhere else in the room and move them closer to the nativity scene each day until Epiphany, when they finally get there. I can't do that--I would forget, and find them somewhere in about April!

 

[mreid1974]

We ate this past trip at Sci-fi and we loved it.. The atmosphere is great and the food was great.. I think it may of been our favorite for the week too.. Im so glad you liked it!! Its in our plans for our next trip in May!!

 

[jbmom]

Great updates! We have had similar luck with restuarants, WCC never again for the same reasons you stated, ABC Commissary blech! But, we love Scifi and eat there every trip.

BTW, I mentioned to my sons that you found one of those tree frogs in your hotel room and they want to stay at POR next time because they think its a good thing to find frogs in hotel rooms! I too live surrounded by testosterone and my ds 10 thinks he's the next Crocodile Hunter.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Not to hijack..but yeah, we were on the ddp and we did tips also. It used to be figured in, but not anymore. When they bring your ticket, they have a line on the bottow with how much an 18% tip and how much a 20% tip will be according to the balance for your meal...you just put what you want to tip on the bottom line and they add that to your credit card (ours was on our room key)..or you can leave cash. I would think it's not right to not tip...they are still serving you and cleaning up after you!!! I am always happy to tip a good server!!!

Thanks for the info Shawna! We are great tippers too! It didn't seem right to me that these people I know didn't leave tips! They probably left a trail of VERY UNHAPPY CMs behind them! Glad I know now! If we EVER go for FREE dining I will be sure to tip even a bit extra so they know I appreciate their service even tho we aren't paying for the food!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly - Both of your meals look fantastic! I am definitely going to go eat at Sci-Fi for dinner next time and get what you got. Yum yum. - Sea

Thanks Sea! Yes, everything was very good. We will definitely be back!

A woo-woo!
Shelly and Hubby sittin in a car- Don't got wheels so it can't go far. Smoochy Smoochy 1-2-3, smoochy smoochy don't wanna see.......

Haaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy.





JUST kidding!

Too cute! Your salad looked great! minus the fries.

Glad you say VOTLM- it's a cute show. Cute pic of the boys afterwards.

Loved the update. Looking forward to the light show!

Jo

Smoochy

What do you mean no fries on the salad??? I thought you learned better during your brief time in PA. . . .

Osborne Lights - up next!!

Snoop JoGG is in da house!!!

Shelly - I can't believe you got DS10 to ride TOT! That is awesome! I knew he wold love it once he gave it a try! And it only cost $5! I'm sure if you would have known that a few trips ago...

I can't wait to see the Osborne Lights. I want to go at Christmas time so bad!!!

*sigh*

Someday

I can't believe I actually got him to ride it either. It was quite the struggle. But of course I was right and he loved it. Actually he loved it even more than I thought he would!!

Yep, must see Disney at Christmas!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yeah for DS10 riding Tot ! And thanks for all the Sci-Fi pics. It's one of my fav places to eat (yes, I know I'm in the minority, but we never miss it). Great trip report!

Kim

I'll never understand why Sci-Fi gets so many negative reviews. The place was packed. And that was at 4:30. I didn't hear anyone complaining!! We will definitely be back next time. On the plus side -- it's never hard to get an ADR there!! We actually had one there for our arrival day, but then I got my airfare and we got a later flight than originally planned. So I had to cancel it for that night and re-book it for this night. And I got the time I wanted about 7 weeks out!

Fantasmic pics of Sci-Fi. The food looks delish! Well, that hot dog looks pretty lonely, but the rest looks yummy! Especially those malts and that chocolate dessert.

What in the world did your boys think of the kissing pics? I'll bet they really got a kick out of that!

Thanks!

The boys think it is hilarious!! On our last trip the photopass guy at MK made us kiss. And ever since when DS10 takes our picture he likes to make us kiss! So I guess they aren't too grossed out by it, yet!

Whew! Finally all Caught up! WOW!!! Your trip so far sure has been a great one! Thanks for the great review of Sci Fi! We are eating there next month and even though we decided to eat there after reading all the NEGATIVE reviews, I am so very glad to hear a good one!

A question about Free Dining - Are you still required to leave tips? Something I wondered about. Some people I know went in October during Free Dining and they said that they never once tipped at a TS restaurant! This stuck me as wrong but thought I would ask you since you were just there on Free Dining!

Glad you are all caught up. Sorry about so many updates yesterday, I am just excited to get to the Osborne Lights part!!

Yes, you are still required to leave a tip when you are on free dining. Back 2-3 years ago the tip was included on the DDP, so maybe back then when you were on free dining you didn't have to leave one because it was already covered. But now it's not included on the plan. We would look at the "suggested tips" at the bottom and tip accordingly depending on the service we got. And most of the time we had very good service!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

YEA for DS10 on TOT!
Why do our kids not believe us when we KNOW they will like something?

I know lots of people who don't put Baby Jesus in the nativity scene until Christmas day--just different traditions, I guess. I also know people who put the wise men somewhere else in the room and move them closer to the nativity scene each day until Epiphany, when they finally get there. I can't do that--I would forget, and find them somewhere in about April!

I keep telling DS -- one of these days you will figure out that I am not so dumb after-all!!

That is interesting about placing the Wise Men somewhere else and then moving them closer. I'm like you, I would probably forget where they are and end up finding them later!! I like my whole nativity scene together.

We ate this past trip at Sci-fi and we loved it.. The atmosphere is great and the food was great.. I think it may of been our favorite for the week too.. Im so glad you liked it!! Its in our plans for our next trip in May!!

We had great food, great service, and loved the fun atmosphere! We are already planning on it for next time. Whenever that may be!!

I'm glad you enjoyed Sci-Fi too!

Great updates! We have had similar luck with restuarants, WCC never again for the same reasons you stated, ABC Commissary blech! But, we love Scifi and eat there every trip.

BTW, I mentioned to my sons that you found one of those tree frogs in your hotel room and they want to stay at POR next time because they think its a good thing to find frogs in hotel rooms! I too live surrounded by testosterone and my ds 10 thinks he's the next Crocodile Hunter.

Can't wait to read more!

Sorry you had similar experiences at WCC and ABC. But I'm glad you have had good experiences at Sci-Fi!

I know, my boys still want to know why we couldn't bring that frog home!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks for the info Shawna! We are great tippers too! It didn't seem right to me that these people I know didn't leave tips! They probably left a trail of VERY UNHAPPY CMs behind them! Glad I know now! If we EVER go for FREE dining I will be sure to tip even a bit extra so they know I appreciate their service even tho we aren't paying for the food!

I don't think the CM's would even know if you were on free dining. The card just tells which type of DDP you are on since there are 3 of them now. And not everyone there would be on free dining. Some people choose to do the room discount instead of the free dining. So some people on the DDP at the same time might have actually paid for it. Either way, I'm sure those CM's were very unhappy and confused as to why they weren't tipped.

I wonder how many other people think they don't have to tip when they are on free dining, or even if they paid for the DDP? Disney probably shouldn't have done what they did by including the tip in the DDP and then changing it.