All American High Toned and Fancy To Do!

[ckdipp]

Even the rain couldn't wash us out! Just back (last night) from our weekend trip to WDW. This trip was "All-American" due to my youngest son making the Pop-Warner All American Scholar team that we made this trip. The festivities and banquet were held at Coronado Springs.

We didn't stay there, the rooms were not large enough to hold the 5 of us. We had a room at Yacht Club. We are DVC members, but had banked all of our remaining points before finding out that ds received this honor. So this was a cash trip.

Arrived Thursday night (5/21) and returned (sadly) last night (5/25). No problems with our flights (Southwest), or the Magical Express. Did you know you didn't need to check in at the counter there anymore? Or was it just because it was later in the evening? I've always had to check in at the ME counter before.

I had done the online check-in for the hotel. But really didn't need to. Since we arrived at the hotel around 9:30pm there was no check-in line anyway! And we ended up with a wrong room type. We needed one with 2 beds plus a day bed - got to the room and there was no day bed - only sleeps 4 people. The whole reason we were staying at Yacht Club was to fit 5 people. Tried calling to get a new room assigned, but didn't get a call back. A visit to the desk and we were quickly on our way to a new room, that would sleep all 5 of us and a great view too!

Every one of the cast members that we encountered were wonderful. They were especially kind and very gracious. There were other guests that were intolerant from the weather (rain, rain, and more rain) that had been around most of the week. But seriously - those cast members may be able to work some magic, but they do not control the weather!

BTW - My middle son is a special needs child. We had no problems helping him deal with the crowds, noises, smells, etc that bother him. Cast members were understanding of his need to have space to pace in restaurants etc.

We managed to fit in MK on Friday, some pool time in the rain - until the thunder storms forced us out. Friday night we took a cab to the Coronado for the All American Scholar recognition reception.

Saturday we spent time at AK and then back to the pool before returning to Coronado Springs that night for the Pop Warner AA Banquet.

Sunday we made it to HS and enjoyed the last day of the first Star Wars weekend this year. That was the only park that had a bit of a crowd. Definitely worth it if you have anyone in your group that likes Star Wars!

Made it back to the pool just before more nasty thunderstorms arrived. But they cleared up just in time to walk into Epcot to watch the fireworks!

Monday we enjoyed Epcot and then had to catch the ME bus back to the airport in the afternoon. Sad it is over. But we will be going back in August using our DVC points that time!

My only complaint is that there was not enough help at Hanna's grill (near the Beach/Yacht Club pool). Now that Beaches & Cream no longer does the food take out - Hanna's was swamped with people ordering lunch. There was a wait of about 15 minutes to place the order and at least 30-40 minutes to have the food served (counter service). The cast members were working their tales off to keep up - It was just not a large enough facility to handle the demand.

Oh on Monday (yesterday) we went to Seasons in the Land for lunch. It's usually so crowded when we go.... we went for an early lunch 11:15 and there were plenty of tables available!!

Well this is my first Trip Report. How'd I do??

 

[ckdipp]

The banquet..... How do you seat, serve, feed and entertain over 2,000 people at once? You have Disney do it! Wow! There were about 2,000 people at the Pop-Warner All American Scholar banquet at held at the Coronado Springs Convention Center Saturday night.

The staff did a marvelous job of serving all the tables in a kind friendly and timely way. Salads were on the table waiting as we entered to be seated. Dinner was served in conjunction with a break in the speakers/presentation. The meals were a baked chicken breast with cheese and tomato topping like a parmagiana, mashed potatoes and seasoned steamed vegetables. Children were served checken tenders, tater-tots and mac and cheese. Rolls were brought to the table. Ice water and Iced tead were available to all seats.

I was amazed at the how the staff managed to handle getting meals to all the guests, served warm and fresh from the kitchen, were available to assist guests and yet never distracted from the presentation. Kudos to the staff that served this banquet and made it such a success!

Dessert was a rich chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and an accompanying white chocolate "card" complete with the Pop Warner Little Scholars logo! What a special treat for the honored guys and gals in attendance!