Eeyore2003
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2003
- Messages
- 2,052
Rented points from DVC owner for OKW, it was AWESOME!!! Had studio, which was beautiful (don't know what people complain about!!!), very relaxing atmosphere, and the bus service was excellent. I have stayed at the CR and BI, so I do have other nice resorts to compare this too and it was wonderful!!!
Cast of characters, my brother, SIL, 11 y/o nephew, 7 y/o niece, DH and myself. Brother and families first time!!! I did allot of work to make it as special as possible.
THINGS I LEARNED THIS TRIP---the last several trips for us have been with our teen-age kids or just DH and myself. Taking a 7 y/o really did put a "crunch" in all my scheduling and I learned the first hour of the first day that I was going to have to be VERY flexible. I realized that it really didn't matter WHAT we were doing, as long as we were having fun. We stopped all the time so that she could get autographs or for them to look at some stores. All in all though, the only things that were on my list that we did miss were, Pooh, Peter Pan and the Great Movie Ride. They will have to top the list next time.
We all need a break from the parks in the afternoon, but it was ESPECIALLY important for the 7 year old to just get away from all the stimulation and relax in the pool. It seemed to relax and refresh and she was HAPPY again, and ready for the evening shows.
I learned to see WDW for the "first" time again. It was so wonderful seeing it through their eyes. I think we people here that go often get immune to the unbelievable enormity of the productions, the care in every detail and what WDW really offers for the money. My brother thought it was worth EVERY nickel, and for what he got, the tickets were unbelievably cheap. Even the meals were reasonable he thought, considering the good food and especially the "detailed" atmosphere. He's a banker, so he does watch his pennies and the value of things. When I told him some of the things the people complain about he couldn't believe it. I heartily agree!!! Especially seeing it again "for the first time". Disney offers allot of "bang for your buck", and unless you're REALLY rich and can stay at the most "posh" resorts, I don't know where else you'll find all of this for your money. When you see the "whole package" again "for the first time", it's all truly amazing!!!
Pretty proud of myself!!! The longest we really waited for anything was about 20 minutes, and that was mostly for a couple shows that had just started and we had to wait for them to end for the next one. 75% were walk-ons or less than 5 minutes. I'd like to think this was because of good planning. (which I think it WAS!!!)
Special highlights---Gift of a Lifetime event and Cindy's Slipper and Dalmation Dog Bone desserts.
Arrival Evening (stayed off site)
Went to Downtown Disney, a great "beginner activity" for my brother and family. DH and I got our first "Annual Passes", WHOOPEEE!!! Ate at McDonalds, and walked around a bit before going back to motel.
Day 1- Early check-in to OKW for resort guest keys.
AM-MK-EMH
Able to do Space Mountain, Buzz, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder before 10:00 reservations at CRT. Delicious breakfast, my niece was positively bubbling already!!! After breakfast, did Philharmagic, Pirates, and HM. Then I had planned an event with Jane from "Gifts of a Lifetime" which began with making a wish in Cinderella's Wishing Well, and ended in finding little bags of Pixie dust for each of us and wish for a wonderful stay. I was able to pull this off, having them think that it was just one of those magical things that happen at Disney, and I had nothing to do with it!!! It was a great pick me up when everyone was starting to get a little whiny!!!
Finished the AM with Aladin and Swiss Family Treehouse and went to resort for a much needed wonderful break or swimming and a little nap.
PM-EPCOT
Dinner at the Biergarten. All enjoyed the meal but my SIL didn't care for the food. Would rate this restaurant a "good". Enjoyed the polka band and my SIL and niece did a little "polka-ing".
DH and I saved excellent seats for Illuminations, while my brother and family walked around the nations, did American Adventure, watching the living statue in Italy, and a couple other acts. Watched Illuminations, which they were SO impressed with.
DAY 2---
Started the day at Typhoon Lagoon, got there at opening. It was drizzling a little and we basically had the whole park to ourselves. My brother, SIL and nephew absolutely LOVED Shark Reef, and did it at least 3 times each. My niece couldn't get enough of jumping in the waves.
We left TL about 10:30, we really had done quite a bit in that short of time with no lines.
Went to DQ upon opening. DQ was busier than usual, probably because of the rain. Had a nice time, but this was not one of their favorite things for the week.
PM-MGM
Early dinner reservations at Hollywood and Vine. The buffet was good. DH and I think it's our best choice for the Fantasmic pkg., we've tried them all now. Probably will not go to H&V again, unless we want the package. Did Millionaire, which they LOVED, Backlot Tour, which they thought was the worst of the week, and Fantasmic, which was my brothers favorite thing of all this week.
Day 3---
EMH-MGM
Did TOT, RNR, Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast all before 12:30.
Back to the resort for swimming and a nap. Lunch at resort.
PM---MK
Dinner at Chef Mickey, WONDERFUL!!!
DH and I saved a spot for the parade on Main Street while brother and family did Hall of Presidents and Tom Sawyer Island.
Saw Spectromagic and Wishes.
Day 4---
EMH---EPCOT
TT two times, Spaceship Earth, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Living with the Land and the Living Seas.
11:30 left for my "surprise lunch" at the Grand Floridian Cafe where we had sandwiches and "CINDERELLA"S SLIPPERS AND DALMATION DOG BONES", they were absolutely, unbelievabely awesome and beautiful!!!!!!!!! AND delicious!!!
We had off the rest of the day, swam in the pool, napped a little, had a great fun dinner at O'hana's and took the boat from OKW to DTD and did some shopping. Nice relaxing day and we needed it after doing the parks for the last 3 days.
Day 5--Our last day
AK
Did River Rapids FOUR times in a row, got stuck the last time and had to be "rescued".
Did Safari, Bug, and ended our fantastic vacation with the Lion King and pizza at Pizzafari.
This turned out to be such a wonderful day and special ending to our trip. Very relaxing and we all liked all the attractions. Left WDW about 2:00 for our drive home.
Cast of characters, my brother, SIL, 11 y/o nephew, 7 y/o niece, DH and myself. Brother and families first time!!! I did allot of work to make it as special as possible.
THINGS I LEARNED THIS TRIP---the last several trips for us have been with our teen-age kids or just DH and myself. Taking a 7 y/o really did put a "crunch" in all my scheduling and I learned the first hour of the first day that I was going to have to be VERY flexible. I realized that it really didn't matter WHAT we were doing, as long as we were having fun. We stopped all the time so that she could get autographs or for them to look at some stores. All in all though, the only things that were on my list that we did miss were, Pooh, Peter Pan and the Great Movie Ride. They will have to top the list next time.
We all need a break from the parks in the afternoon, but it was ESPECIALLY important for the 7 year old to just get away from all the stimulation and relax in the pool. It seemed to relax and refresh and she was HAPPY again, and ready for the evening shows.
I learned to see WDW for the "first" time again. It was so wonderful seeing it through their eyes. I think we people here that go often get immune to the unbelievable enormity of the productions, the care in every detail and what WDW really offers for the money. My brother thought it was worth EVERY nickel, and for what he got, the tickets were unbelievably cheap. Even the meals were reasonable he thought, considering the good food and especially the "detailed" atmosphere. He's a banker, so he does watch his pennies and the value of things. When I told him some of the things the people complain about he couldn't believe it. I heartily agree!!! Especially seeing it again "for the first time". Disney offers allot of "bang for your buck", and unless you're REALLY rich and can stay at the most "posh" resorts, I don't know where else you'll find all of this for your money. When you see the "whole package" again "for the first time", it's all truly amazing!!!
Pretty proud of myself!!! The longest we really waited for anything was about 20 minutes, and that was mostly for a couple shows that had just started and we had to wait for them to end for the next one. 75% were walk-ons or less than 5 minutes. I'd like to think this was because of good planning. (which I think it WAS!!!)
Special highlights---Gift of a Lifetime event and Cindy's Slipper and Dalmation Dog Bone desserts.
Arrival Evening (stayed off site)
Went to Downtown Disney, a great "beginner activity" for my brother and family. DH and I got our first "Annual Passes", WHOOPEEE!!! Ate at McDonalds, and walked around a bit before going back to motel.
Day 1- Early check-in to OKW for resort guest keys.
AM-MK-EMH
Able to do Space Mountain, Buzz, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder before 10:00 reservations at CRT. Delicious breakfast, my niece was positively bubbling already!!! After breakfast, did Philharmagic, Pirates, and HM. Then I had planned an event with Jane from "Gifts of a Lifetime" which began with making a wish in Cinderella's Wishing Well, and ended in finding little bags of Pixie dust for each of us and wish for a wonderful stay. I was able to pull this off, having them think that it was just one of those magical things that happen at Disney, and I had nothing to do with it!!! It was a great pick me up when everyone was starting to get a little whiny!!!
Finished the AM with Aladin and Swiss Family Treehouse and went to resort for a much needed wonderful break or swimming and a little nap.
PM-EPCOT
Dinner at the Biergarten. All enjoyed the meal but my SIL didn't care for the food. Would rate this restaurant a "good". Enjoyed the polka band and my SIL and niece did a little "polka-ing".
DH and I saved excellent seats for Illuminations, while my brother and family walked around the nations, did American Adventure, watching the living statue in Italy, and a couple other acts. Watched Illuminations, which they were SO impressed with.
DAY 2---
Started the day at Typhoon Lagoon, got there at opening. It was drizzling a little and we basically had the whole park to ourselves. My brother, SIL and nephew absolutely LOVED Shark Reef, and did it at least 3 times each. My niece couldn't get enough of jumping in the waves.
We left TL about 10:30, we really had done quite a bit in that short of time with no lines.
Went to DQ upon opening. DQ was busier than usual, probably because of the rain. Had a nice time, but this was not one of their favorite things for the week.
PM-MGM
Early dinner reservations at Hollywood and Vine. The buffet was good. DH and I think it's our best choice for the Fantasmic pkg., we've tried them all now. Probably will not go to H&V again, unless we want the package. Did Millionaire, which they LOVED, Backlot Tour, which they thought was the worst of the week, and Fantasmic, which was my brothers favorite thing of all this week.
Day 3---
EMH-MGM
Did TOT, RNR, Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast all before 12:30.
Back to the resort for swimming and a nap. Lunch at resort.
PM---MK
Dinner at Chef Mickey, WONDERFUL!!!
DH and I saved a spot for the parade on Main Street while brother and family did Hall of Presidents and Tom Sawyer Island.
Saw Spectromagic and Wishes.
Day 4---
EMH---EPCOT
TT two times, Spaceship Earth, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Living with the Land and the Living Seas.
11:30 left for my "surprise lunch" at the Grand Floridian Cafe where we had sandwiches and "CINDERELLA"S SLIPPERS AND DALMATION DOG BONES", they were absolutely, unbelievabely awesome and beautiful!!!!!!!!! AND delicious!!!
We had off the rest of the day, swam in the pool, napped a little, had a great fun dinner at O'hana's and took the boat from OKW to DTD and did some shopping. Nice relaxing day and we needed it after doing the parks for the last 3 days.
Day 5--Our last day
AK
Did River Rapids FOUR times in a row, got stuck the last time and had to be "rescued".
Did Safari, Bug, and ended our fantastic vacation with the Lion King and pizza at Pizzafari.
This turned out to be such a wonderful day and special ending to our trip. Very relaxing and we all liked all the attractions. Left WDW about 2:00 for our drive home.
