I got so busy that I never finished writing up my trip report from July! But I've been asked to write my CR experience, so here goes! Day 6
We (Me, mom, sons Chad and Jesse) transferred over to the CR early in the morning after a lovely stay at AKL. It was sad to leave AKL, but we were excited to be checking into "Walt's Hotel". The night before, we called bell services and they asked us how many bags we had to transfer and what time we wanted them to pick them up. We said 7:30 AM. The CM was there promptly, and didn't mind that we needed an extra 2 tags, since we had bags of souvenirs, too. He just wrote them out and took the luggage.
We had a Princess Storybook Breakfast booked at Norway for 10:30 or so, and so we went right over to CR to check-in and planned on monorailing ovet to Epcot in time for breakfast. I have to say that, as much as we love AKL, we absolutely love CR. This hotel is so alive, so energetic, so magical with Walt's spirit floating around in all the details. This hotel is so different than all the other Disney onsite hotels. I remember reading a funny story about a little girl asking her mom if they were at the airport when they entered CR! I just love the open-ness. It was very clean in the common areas, the floors were sparkling. I loved the huge windows, and the seating areas where you can look out over Bay Lake. By the escalator, I found a nook-like sitting area where a few times I just sat on the Jetson's sofa and relaxed while my family wandered around the CR.
Our check-in went fast and smooth. I asked for, and received, an MK view, and requested the 11th floor. It wasn't available, we we got 10, which was perfectly fine. I've always had the experience of CMs really trying to please. Within minutes, we were in our room, even though our luggage hadn't arrived yet. But we didn't expect it until the afternoon, so we were prepared.
We got really silly and crazy when we saw the room. It was larger than the room at AKL. The decor was vibrant, colorful, Jetson-like, which tickled my fancy to the max. And the balcony was great. The glass doors took up almost the whole wall, and we opened the drapes all the way. I have to admit, it was a bit unsettling being up so high, and for a little while I was a nag to my kids to not get close to the rail. I was really nervous about it. But I soon got over it.
Anyway, after the balcony, that's when things got crazy! Now, we're just a normal New York City family, but we sure looked like nut cases as Chad and Jesse started jumping on the beds, rolling the ottoman all around the room with Jesse on it, doing cartwheels. I have pictures that are hilarious. My mom just sat on the bed and laughed herself out of breath. She couldn't believe her well-behaved almost-adult grandsons were having such a silly ball. After a while, I told them to calm down, as we had the princess breakfast to get to.
First, about the room, I have to say that it was warm when we entered, which gave it a musty smell. The carpet felt damp on my bare feet, and it was a major turn-off. Also, there were NO towels in the bathroom, and a cigarette butt on the balcony. I called the desk, and they immediately sent a mousekeeper to make everything right, and she aplologized. She adjusted the air conditioner, and said when the room got cool, the carpet wouldn't feel humid and the musty smell would go away. She even vacuumed it, even though I didn't feel it needed it, but she said the suction would help. I put my faith in Disney, that they would, and did, fix it, but I just wish it was perfect when we first entered the room. But I understand that things happen, and I'm pretty easy to please.
And so, off we went, in plenty of time, to Epcot for breakfast. Well, this was the first and only mess-up of our trip. We got totally confused about which monorail to use, and we ended up two times around the resort loop. We were wasting time, and were finally directed on how to get to Epcot by monorail from CR. We sat in the front of the monorail, and Kyle gave us our Monorail Pilot licenses. He chatted with us, and Mom asked him why he wasn't steering. We cracked up. Mom, where's he going to steer to? This thing is on a track! He got a kick out of it, but wasn't the friendliest guy in the world. I got the impression that he just wanted to show he was a serious driver, and not fool around too much, which was fine with me. When we got to Epcot, we ran to get to Norway, but we knew it was too late.
We got there, and it was over. Jasmine was just hanging around, but we missed breakfast. I explained to the manager, and she waived the automatic CC charge for missing the breakfast, considering our circumstances. I appreciated that. While we were sitting there, deciding what to do for breakfast, we met up with nate, who we met on the segway tour. He remembered us, and joked that there are stalking laws! We had a good laugh, and parted ways again.
We walked around Epcot for a while, and really explored the countries. I love San Angel Inn in Mexico, the atmosphere is so convincing that we're in Mexico at night. We did the boat ride, which looked like it hadn't been changed since it opened years ago, but we enjoyed it just the same. There was a nice Mariachi band playing, and a senorita got flirty with Chad, which he loved. When we went by Canada, the Beaver tail place was closed again! C'mon you Canadians, gimme a taste of a Beaver Tail! I've read about how good they are, but was never able to get one.
WE planned on going to AK today, but it didn't work out. I don't know if I mentioned it in previous reports, but this night we had a Wishes cruise booked, but I cancelled it because we did the Illuminations cruise, and we decided to save some money and not do the Wishes. We stayed at Epcot and did the countries all morning and afternoon. Mom's family is from Norway, so we took lots of pictures there with the "natives". There was a Norwegian band playing, which was nice. Kids were dancing all around. We wanted to see Off Kilter at Canada, but they weren't there. I told Mom about the Tapestry Parades, and how much me and my kids LOVED those parades, and I wished she could've seen them before Disney mistakenly got rid of them.
We decided to go back to CR for a break, and when we got there, our bags were in the room. And so was a balloon bouquet with a signed birthday card for Mom from Mickey! Wow, I didn't order this, I just had it put on my original ressie that thie trip was a 60th birthday celebration for Mom, and the CR responded with this wonderful surprise! Mom didn't believe me that I didn't put the CR up to this, but I really didn't. She is so convinced that Disney World is the happiest place on earth.
We went down to the food court and the arcade. Now, I'm almost afraid to write this, but my mom used her AKL mug at CR, with the CMs permission. She walked up to him, said she just checked into CR from AKL, and would she be allowed to use her mug or buy a CR mug. He said, please use your AKL mug, no need to spend money on another mug! Flame me if you want to, but it won't bother me in the least!
The arcade was fun, even I played a game or two, and I'm not usually a gamer. The kid's club was right there in the foot court/arcade area, and we did see a few young children there playing with two CMs, one male and one female.
I went to the services desk and made a ressie for that night at Concourse Steakhouse. They have a courtesy phone right there, and the CM even offered to make the ressie for me.
I'm trying to remember the layout of the CR. When we open our room door and look down below, there's Chef Mickey. Concourse Steakhouse, another restaurant, I think (?), and the monorail entrance/exit. It's so cool to see the momorail come through! A floor below that are the giftshops, and below that is the main lobby, with the food court and arcade. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! We spent more time exploring the CR than we did at AKL, I can't really explain why, especially because AKL was beautiful. We just really enjoyed CR so much.
We spent so much time in the gift shops, just talking to the CMs. One was setting up a table to do a scrapbooking demonstration.
We ate, rested, and then decided to out into the parks again. But I wanted to try one more time to meet Chip n Dale Tyler. So I convinced Mom and Jesse to go back to Pop with me. Chad said no way, and was happy to have some free alone time.
We monorailed to Epcot, and took the bus to Pop. Well, we got lucky, because we did indeed meet the Dis's own famous Tyler! This was when he was doing guest assistance in baggage handling, but I'm happy to hear he's back in transport, which I think he really likes. Anyway, Tyler is a sweetheart, a tall redheaded helpful guy and it was cute the way the other CMs gathered around to see all the hoopla being made over Tyler. I told them that he's an exceptional CM and that I came to get his autograph. He signed my book, and we got a pic together, joked about the Dis, and said adios.
We went to Pop bus stop and decided to get on whatever bus came first, and then transfer to the CR bus. We waited a long time, and there's very little shade there. But we finally got back to CR. That's when we remembered we were supposed to be going to a park, not back to CR! But it worked out, because Chad was still there, and so we all went back out together.
That evening, we put on non-park clothes and went down to Concourse Steakhouse to eat. We were seated immediately by a maitre'd-type man who played the part to the hilt, even telling me I looked lovely this evening. LOL! We sat in a booth, and water was placed on our table. Well, I have to say my stomach did flip flops because the water smelled like eggs. We asked the server for lemonade instead, explaining that we weren't used to the water, but even the lemon in the ade didn't help. There was no way I could drink it. I didn't understand why in other restaurants the water was fine, but not here. The server explained that resort water doesn't have the extra filtering process that park restaurants have. Oh well. Me and my boys had cokes, and mom was a troopwer and drank her lemonade.
The food was barely ok, I hate to be a negative critic, but ... My steak was so covered with some kind of sauce that I couldn't enjoy the meat. Chad's burger was very good, though, he said. And Jesse's shrimp cocktail appetizer was good. But the straks were not great at all, considering this was a steakhouse. Jesse ended up scraping the sauce off my steak and eating it because his own steak was like rubber. I'd definitely give this place another chance, but I'd question the server more about the food. We should have gently complained even then, but we didn't. That was a mistake. How can someone fix something that they don't know is broken? Live and learn.
After the meal, the kids went to the arcade, and mom and I decided to take a monorail ride to the Poly. We'd never been inside before, and it was lovely. I did some pin trading with a nice elderly CM, and she surprised me with a tapestry pin, which I'm a fanatic about collecting. I also bought a Pocahontas pin to surprise Chad, since he didn't see her so far this trip, and he's smitten with her. WE went to the lounge, had an exotic drink, walked around outside, and saw Wishes beginning. Then I got anxious, because I wanted to get back to CR in time to watch Wishes with Chad and Jesse from our balcony. We got on the monorail, but didn't make it back in time.
Before I went to the room, I stopped off at guest service desk and asked a CM if she could have someone deliver the Pocahontas pin to my room with a cute note for Chad, from Pocahontas. Keep in mind, Chad is 18 years old, but he knows how to immerse himself in the Disney magic and enjoys every bit of it! The CM said she'd take care of i. I went to hand her a few dollars, but she wouldn't take it.
Mom and I lingered a bit to see the Electrical water Pageant, then went up to our room. When we got there, Chad had the pin in his hand. Wow, that CM was fast!! He thought it was a nice gesture on "Pocahontas's" part to say she was sorry she missed him. He said he and Jesse watched Wishes together, and enjoyed their brother time.
I had to get them out of the room so that turndown could come in and do their thing. I arranged to have two Disney video games placed on the beds, and nothing for me and mom this time. We decided to go out to the pool, but never made it, because we ended up sitting around, trying different sitting areas and making phone calls to home.
The elevators go fast, by the way, but I'd rdead that Mickey announces the floors, which didn't happen at all when we were there. Back upstairs, turndown was done, cool towel creations, and the gifts. And Mom was angry that she didn't get a gift this time! Gee, I, uh I mean Disney, sure spoiled her! LOL!
Jesse and mom went back down to fuill our mugs, and we settled down for the night. It was midnight by then. The next day was Sunday, and we had the Gospel brunch at HOB. I was also going to meet Diser Mad4themouse to pass on the Pal Mickey. I hadn't been carrying PM with me anymore as much as I did the first 2 or 3 days. I wrote a bit in his diary, packed him in the lovely bag Southern4sure made for him, and we all went to sleep. Wake-up was to be at 7:30 the next morning. Chad slept on the opened sofa that the turndown mousekeeper cozied up for him. He had a great view of the castle and Space Mountain. And he said it was very comfortable.
We (Me, mom, sons Chad and Jesse) transferred over to the CR early in the morning after a lovely stay at AKL. It was sad to leave AKL, but we were excited to be checking into "Walt's Hotel". The night before, we called bell services and they asked us how many bags we had to transfer and what time we wanted them to pick them up. We said 7:30 AM. The CM was there promptly, and didn't mind that we needed an extra 2 tags, since we had bags of souvenirs, too. He just wrote them out and took the luggage.
We had a Princess Storybook Breakfast booked at Norway for 10:30 or so, and so we went right over to CR to check-in and planned on monorailing ovet to Epcot in time for breakfast. I have to say that, as much as we love AKL, we absolutely love CR. This hotel is so alive, so energetic, so magical with Walt's spirit floating around in all the details. This hotel is so different than all the other Disney onsite hotels. I remember reading a funny story about a little girl asking her mom if they were at the airport when they entered CR! I just love the open-ness. It was very clean in the common areas, the floors were sparkling. I loved the huge windows, and the seating areas where you can look out over Bay Lake. By the escalator, I found a nook-like sitting area where a few times I just sat on the Jetson's sofa and relaxed while my family wandered around the CR.
Our check-in went fast and smooth. I asked for, and received, an MK view, and requested the 11th floor. It wasn't available, we we got 10, which was perfectly fine. I've always had the experience of CMs really trying to please. Within minutes, we were in our room, even though our luggage hadn't arrived yet. But we didn't expect it until the afternoon, so we were prepared.
We got really silly and crazy when we saw the room. It was larger than the room at AKL. The decor was vibrant, colorful, Jetson-like, which tickled my fancy to the max. And the balcony was great. The glass doors took up almost the whole wall, and we opened the drapes all the way. I have to admit, it was a bit unsettling being up so high, and for a little while I was a nag to my kids to not get close to the rail. I was really nervous about it. But I soon got over it.
Anyway, after the balcony, that's when things got crazy! Now, we're just a normal New York City family, but we sure looked like nut cases as Chad and Jesse started jumping on the beds, rolling the ottoman all around the room with Jesse on it, doing cartwheels. I have pictures that are hilarious. My mom just sat on the bed and laughed herself out of breath. She couldn't believe her well-behaved almost-adult grandsons were having such a silly ball. After a while, I told them to calm down, as we had the princess breakfast to get to.
First, about the room, I have to say that it was warm when we entered, which gave it a musty smell. The carpet felt damp on my bare feet, and it was a major turn-off. Also, there were NO towels in the bathroom, and a cigarette butt on the balcony. I called the desk, and they immediately sent a mousekeeper to make everything right, and she aplologized. She adjusted the air conditioner, and said when the room got cool, the carpet wouldn't feel humid and the musty smell would go away. She even vacuumed it, even though I didn't feel it needed it, but she said the suction would help. I put my faith in Disney, that they would, and did, fix it, but I just wish it was perfect when we first entered the room. But I understand that things happen, and I'm pretty easy to please.
And so, off we went, in plenty of time, to Epcot for breakfast. Well, this was the first and only mess-up of our trip. We got totally confused about which monorail to use, and we ended up two times around the resort loop. We were wasting time, and were finally directed on how to get to Epcot by monorail from CR. We sat in the front of the monorail, and Kyle gave us our Monorail Pilot licenses. He chatted with us, and Mom asked him why he wasn't steering. We cracked up. Mom, where's he going to steer to? This thing is on a track! He got a kick out of it, but wasn't the friendliest guy in the world. I got the impression that he just wanted to show he was a serious driver, and not fool around too much, which was fine with me. When we got to Epcot, we ran to get to Norway, but we knew it was too late.
We got there, and it was over. Jasmine was just hanging around, but we missed breakfast. I explained to the manager, and she waived the automatic CC charge for missing the breakfast, considering our circumstances. I appreciated that. While we were sitting there, deciding what to do for breakfast, we met up with nate, who we met on the segway tour. He remembered us, and joked that there are stalking laws! We had a good laugh, and parted ways again.
We walked around Epcot for a while, and really explored the countries. I love San Angel Inn in Mexico, the atmosphere is so convincing that we're in Mexico at night. We did the boat ride, which looked like it hadn't been changed since it opened years ago, but we enjoyed it just the same. There was a nice Mariachi band playing, and a senorita got flirty with Chad, which he loved. When we went by Canada, the Beaver tail place was closed again! C'mon you Canadians, gimme a taste of a Beaver Tail! I've read about how good they are, but was never able to get one.
WE planned on going to AK today, but it didn't work out. I don't know if I mentioned it in previous reports, but this night we had a Wishes cruise booked, but I cancelled it because we did the Illuminations cruise, and we decided to save some money and not do the Wishes. We stayed at Epcot and did the countries all morning and afternoon. Mom's family is from Norway, so we took lots of pictures there with the "natives". There was a Norwegian band playing, which was nice. Kids were dancing all around. We wanted to see Off Kilter at Canada, but they weren't there. I told Mom about the Tapestry Parades, and how much me and my kids LOVED those parades, and I wished she could've seen them before Disney mistakenly got rid of them.
We decided to go back to CR for a break, and when we got there, our bags were in the room. And so was a balloon bouquet with a signed birthday card for Mom from Mickey! Wow, I didn't order this, I just had it put on my original ressie that thie trip was a 60th birthday celebration for Mom, and the CR responded with this wonderful surprise! Mom didn't believe me that I didn't put the CR up to this, but I really didn't. She is so convinced that Disney World is the happiest place on earth.
We went down to the food court and the arcade. Now, I'm almost afraid to write this, but my mom used her AKL mug at CR, with the CMs permission. She walked up to him, said she just checked into CR from AKL, and would she be allowed to use her mug or buy a CR mug. He said, please use your AKL mug, no need to spend money on another mug! Flame me if you want to, but it won't bother me in the least!
The arcade was fun, even I played a game or two, and I'm not usually a gamer. The kid's club was right there in the foot court/arcade area, and we did see a few young children there playing with two CMs, one male and one female.
I went to the services desk and made a ressie for that night at Concourse Steakhouse. They have a courtesy phone right there, and the CM even offered to make the ressie for me.
I'm trying to remember the layout of the CR. When we open our room door and look down below, there's Chef Mickey. Concourse Steakhouse, another restaurant, I think (?), and the monorail entrance/exit. It's so cool to see the momorail come through! A floor below that are the giftshops, and below that is the main lobby, with the food court and arcade. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! We spent more time exploring the CR than we did at AKL, I can't really explain why, especially because AKL was beautiful. We just really enjoyed CR so much.
We spent so much time in the gift shops, just talking to the CMs. One was setting up a table to do a scrapbooking demonstration.
We ate, rested, and then decided to out into the parks again. But I wanted to try one more time to meet Chip n Dale Tyler. So I convinced Mom and Jesse to go back to Pop with me. Chad said no way, and was happy to have some free alone time.
We monorailed to Epcot, and took the bus to Pop. Well, we got lucky, because we did indeed meet the Dis's own famous Tyler! This was when he was doing guest assistance in baggage handling, but I'm happy to hear he's back in transport, which I think he really likes. Anyway, Tyler is a sweetheart, a tall redheaded helpful guy and it was cute the way the other CMs gathered around to see all the hoopla being made over Tyler. I told them that he's an exceptional CM and that I came to get his autograph. He signed my book, and we got a pic together, joked about the Dis, and said adios.
We went to Pop bus stop and decided to get on whatever bus came first, and then transfer to the CR bus. We waited a long time, and there's very little shade there. But we finally got back to CR. That's when we remembered we were supposed to be going to a park, not back to CR! But it worked out, because Chad was still there, and so we all went back out together.
That evening, we put on non-park clothes and went down to Concourse Steakhouse to eat. We were seated immediately by a maitre'd-type man who played the part to the hilt, even telling me I looked lovely this evening. LOL! We sat in a booth, and water was placed on our table. Well, I have to say my stomach did flip flops because the water smelled like eggs. We asked the server for lemonade instead, explaining that we weren't used to the water, but even the lemon in the ade didn't help. There was no way I could drink it. I didn't understand why in other restaurants the water was fine, but not here. The server explained that resort water doesn't have the extra filtering process that park restaurants have. Oh well. Me and my boys had cokes, and mom was a troopwer and drank her lemonade.
The food was barely ok, I hate to be a negative critic, but ... My steak was so covered with some kind of sauce that I couldn't enjoy the meat. Chad's burger was very good, though, he said. And Jesse's shrimp cocktail appetizer was good. But the straks were not great at all, considering this was a steakhouse. Jesse ended up scraping the sauce off my steak and eating it because his own steak was like rubber. I'd definitely give this place another chance, but I'd question the server more about the food. We should have gently complained even then, but we didn't. That was a mistake. How can someone fix something that they don't know is broken? Live and learn.
After the meal, the kids went to the arcade, and mom and I decided to take a monorail ride to the Poly. We'd never been inside before, and it was lovely. I did some pin trading with a nice elderly CM, and she surprised me with a tapestry pin, which I'm a fanatic about collecting. I also bought a Pocahontas pin to surprise Chad, since he didn't see her so far this trip, and he's smitten with her. WE went to the lounge, had an exotic drink, walked around outside, and saw Wishes beginning. Then I got anxious, because I wanted to get back to CR in time to watch Wishes with Chad and Jesse from our balcony. We got on the monorail, but didn't make it back in time.
Before I went to the room, I stopped off at guest service desk and asked a CM if she could have someone deliver the Pocahontas pin to my room with a cute note for Chad, from Pocahontas. Keep in mind, Chad is 18 years old, but he knows how to immerse himself in the Disney magic and enjoys every bit of it! The CM said she'd take care of i. I went to hand her a few dollars, but she wouldn't take it.
Mom and I lingered a bit to see the Electrical water Pageant, then went up to our room. When we got there, Chad had the pin in his hand. Wow, that CM was fast!! He thought it was a nice gesture on "Pocahontas's" part to say she was sorry she missed him. He said he and Jesse watched Wishes together, and enjoyed their brother time.
I had to get them out of the room so that turndown could come in and do their thing. I arranged to have two Disney video games placed on the beds, and nothing for me and mom this time. We decided to go out to the pool, but never made it, because we ended up sitting around, trying different sitting areas and making phone calls to home.
The elevators go fast, by the way, but I'd rdead that Mickey announces the floors, which didn't happen at all when we were there. Back upstairs, turndown was done, cool towel creations, and the gifts. And Mom was angry that she didn't get a gift this time! Gee, I, uh I mean Disney, sure spoiled her! LOL!
Jesse and mom went back down to fuill our mugs, and we settled down for the night. It was midnight by then. The next day was Sunday, and we had the Gospel brunch at HOB. I was also going to meet Diser Mad4themouse to pass on the Pal Mickey. I hadn't been carrying PM with me anymore as much as I did the first 2 or 3 days. I wrote a bit in his diary, packed him in the lovely bag Southern4sure made for him, and we all went to sleep. Wake-up was to be at 7:30 the next morning. Chad slept on the opened sofa that the turndown mousekeeper cozied up for him. He had a great view of the castle and Space Mountain. And he said it was very comfortable.
