mickeys#1fan
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2001
- Messages
- 295
Hi gang!
DW, DD and I got back from our trip to FL last Wed. We were in the world for four days and spent eight more with family and friends in various parts of FL. So here is a brief trip report...
We arrived in Orlando 12/20. Went from 32 degrees here in Greensboro to 70 in Orlando. What a welcome change!
After picking up baggage, it was off to Payless Rent-a-car. Or so we thought...it was a 20 min. wait for the shuttle. I think three Hertz shuttles came and went in that time. Then we ended up paying more than $200.00 over the reservation price for our car. Turns out we should have read the fine print more carefully - like we did when the rental agent shoved a copy of their web page in our faces. Next long trip to FL, we'll just drive. Poor service, dirty cars, and rude staff - I recommend that everyone avoid Payless.
That disaster over with, we got groceries and sped off for VWL. It's quite breathtaking at Christmastime! We pulled up to the gate, and after a quick security check, the guard welcomed us home - just as he did every night thereafter. DW practically cried. That does make you feel special, and hearing it never gets old.
We ate dinner at Jiko that night. Fortunately, they squeezed us in earlier than our PS was for. Good thing, too, DD was exhausted after a sleepless/excited night before. Jiko was fabulous! It is the best Disney dining we've done (not having tried Citricos or California Grill). The name of DW's dessert escapes me... it was something purse. Liqid chocolate enveloped by fried, sugar-coated phyllo dough with orange dipping sauce. Almost as good as the chocolate souffle on the Disney Cruise. And, finally, our server could see that DD wasn't in the best of moods, so he called her over to the phone for a personal call from Goofy! That was quite a lift.
Friday was our day at the studios. DW and a friend started out at Rockin' Roller Coaster - twice. Not a long wait either time. Unfortunately, we missed the Stars and Motorcars parade for a longer than usual ride time on the Backlot Tour. Highlights of the were Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and taking a picture with Mike, from Monsters Inc. After a long day it was nice to be greeted with "Welcome Home!"
Saturday was Epcot. The day started with breakfast at Whispering Canyon. What a difference from dinner! The food was delicious and the CM's were a riot. Most lines at the park were fairly short, except for Test Track, which was broken down about half the day. The highlight of that day was the Candlelight Processional, narrated by Gary Sinise. Much more moving than when we saw Leeza Gibbons do it last year.
Sunday we went to MK. Talk about crowds!! Everything had at least a 30 min. wait. We're used to practically walking on Small World and Pirates, but those even had long waits. The mountains were all at least 90 min. FastPass is a godsend. DD did Splash Mountain for her first time and begged to go again. SpectroMagic and the fireworks were a thrill as always.
Christmas Eve the plan was to spend a half day at Animal Kingdom. Unfortunately we were rained out, so we went to an eariler mass than planned and spent more time with family and friends.
Later that week we went to Universal for the first time. Can't even touch Disney! All in all it was a fantastic trip. Joining DVC was the best thing we ever did!
Brian
DW, DD and I got back from our trip to FL last Wed. We were in the world for four days and spent eight more with family and friends in various parts of FL. So here is a brief trip report...
We arrived in Orlando 12/20. Went from 32 degrees here in Greensboro to 70 in Orlando. What a welcome change!
After picking up baggage, it was off to Payless Rent-a-car. Or so we thought...it was a 20 min. wait for the shuttle. I think three Hertz shuttles came and went in that time. Then we ended up paying more than $200.00 over the reservation price for our car. Turns out we should have read the fine print more carefully - like we did when the rental agent shoved a copy of their web page in our faces. Next long trip to FL, we'll just drive. Poor service, dirty cars, and rude staff - I recommend that everyone avoid Payless.
That disaster over with, we got groceries and sped off for VWL. It's quite breathtaking at Christmastime! We pulled up to the gate, and after a quick security check, the guard welcomed us home - just as he did every night thereafter. DW practically cried. That does make you feel special, and hearing it never gets old.
We ate dinner at Jiko that night. Fortunately, they squeezed us in earlier than our PS was for. Good thing, too, DD was exhausted after a sleepless/excited night before. Jiko was fabulous! It is the best Disney dining we've done (not having tried Citricos or California Grill). The name of DW's dessert escapes me... it was something purse. Liqid chocolate enveloped by fried, sugar-coated phyllo dough with orange dipping sauce. Almost as good as the chocolate souffle on the Disney Cruise. And, finally, our server could see that DD wasn't in the best of moods, so he called her over to the phone for a personal call from Goofy! That was quite a lift.
Friday was our day at the studios. DW and a friend started out at Rockin' Roller Coaster - twice. Not a long wait either time. Unfortunately, we missed the Stars and Motorcars parade for a longer than usual ride time on the Backlot Tour. Highlights of the were Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and taking a picture with Mike, from Monsters Inc. After a long day it was nice to be greeted with "Welcome Home!"
Saturday was Epcot. The day started with breakfast at Whispering Canyon. What a difference from dinner! The food was delicious and the CM's were a riot. Most lines at the park were fairly short, except for Test Track, which was broken down about half the day. The highlight of that day was the Candlelight Processional, narrated by Gary Sinise. Much more moving than when we saw Leeza Gibbons do it last year.
Sunday we went to MK. Talk about crowds!! Everything had at least a 30 min. wait. We're used to practically walking on Small World and Pirates, but those even had long waits. The mountains were all at least 90 min. FastPass is a godsend. DD did Splash Mountain for her first time and begged to go again. SpectroMagic and the fireworks were a thrill as always.
Christmas Eve the plan was to spend a half day at Animal Kingdom. Unfortunately we were rained out, so we went to an eariler mass than planned and spent more time with family and friends.
Later that week we went to Universal for the first time. Can't even touch Disney! All in all it was a fantastic trip. Joining DVC was the best thing we ever did!
Brian
