We were all awake predictably early. DD2 had the Disney Channel on at 6.00am to ensure the rest of us knew where we were. I went to the ajoining Starbucks at 7 for my morning caffeine & tobacco hit and sat outside taking in the morning activity despite the chilly weather. We could have had a complimentary breakfast at the hotel, but one glance through the restaurant window indicated that it was a close relative to airplane food, so something more enticing was in order.
Today we were moving for 3 nights at The Wilderness Lodge, so bags were quickly repacked, checkout completed and IHOP found. $40 for the four of us and you couldnt see the table for food. This has always been our favourite place for breakfast - if you havent already tried it, do so; the cream cheese stuffed French toast with strawberries is delicious.
By now it was about 11.30 so we headed over to the WL, as we needed to go over the Magic Kingdom to get our park passes (including my annual pass). Driving up to the hotel is amazing, but when you get inside that lobby wow! And the valet parking guy welcomed us home - how cool is that! Anyway, once wed picked our jaws up off the floor we headed through the hotel to the ferry dock to get a boat over to the MK. Had no problems getting the passes and were back at the hotel within the hour for check in (we would be back at MK later that day).
Now, I had 2 reasons for getting an AP. The first is so that I can get a solo trip in later in the year. The second was because I had heard that there were discounts available at the Disney hotels if you were a pass holder. At check in I was directed to a telephone and told to call central reservations to see if any discounts were available. I guess I should have read up on this discount lark more closely before going. Central Reservations told me that there were only a limited number of discount places and theyd gone. Great! So I rejoined the check in line and resigned myself to full rack rate - $330ish. Just as I got to the front of the queue a new desk was opened and the guy beckoned me over.
Good afternoon sir, welcome to WL, how has you day been? Now, my day had been pretty good, and I would answer yeah, good thank you 99% of the time. But instead, I found myself telling the guy about the episode with the AP. He calls central reservations and what they told me is confirmed. He then disappears into the back, returns 5 minutes later and starts checking me in. For about another minute he doesnt say a word, but then announces that he can give me a something discount (I couldnt catch the type of discount), but the room price would be $155 a night !!!!!!
Is that Ok for you sir?
Yes, yes, yes and would you like to marry my oldest daughter erm, in a couple of years time?
Not only that, the room was ready - this guy is my new hero. As it turned out, he was also the duty manager. First a deal on the car, and then this!
The room was great. The WL is shaped like a V and our room was situated on the 3rd floor at the right had tip of the V overlooking the beach and lake - a bit of a hike from reception, but what a view. Once settled in, we relaxed for the afternoon, bought the kids refillable mugs and smiled a lot.
We had 5.30 PS for The Crystal Palace and wanted to see Spectromagic and Wishes for the first time. There cant be many better views than looking down Main Street USA to the castle. Disney has clearly had the painters in and the new look castle was looking magnificent. We would have to wait for 20 minutes for our PS, but fortunately the 5.30 castle stage performance was about to being and you can get a pretty good view from the CP veranda.
Really enjoyed our meal a CP. The food was very good, especially the pulled pork. The deserts were a little thin on the ground, but what they did have was good. Also, there were only 2 choices for the youngsters - chicken strips and mac n cheese, but DD2 will eat anything, so it was not a problem for us. There were 4 Winnie the Pooh characters on view - Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & the donkey one, as my wife described it. They all passed by within the hour, which was good going as the restaurant was packed.
We had about another hour before Spectromagic so had a stole around and rode Pirates of the Caribbean. We then got a good place next to the Walt & Mickey statue at the top of Main Street for the parade. Loved the parade, although I have to say I like the afternoon one more. Also, Tinkerbell never came down the rope. Not sure why - maybe the cold weather. Oh, I forgot to mention that - it was now freezing. The kids and DW had cardigans and I had brought my coat that I had left England in. The kids were shivering, so like the dutiful dad I gave them my coat, which they both got into. I was left in my t shirt! Wishes started at 9 and was very impressive. But, whereas we had been in a great place for the parade, a better viewing point for the fireworks was probably the other side of the castle. Nevertheless, we all loved it.
There was a predictable rush for the exits at the end, but as my wife wanted a quick look in the shops, we missed much of the pushing & shoving. However, taking our time meant we were at the back of the line for the ferry - I think most the WL and campground must have been in the MK with us as the line was very long. We managed to get about the 4th boat and sat at the front - outside! God, it was cold. To make matters worse, we had to sit on the lake for 15 minutes while the Water Pageant passed by. Maybe theyll put their lights on to salute us said the captain. Maybe Ill salute back I thought. They did. I didnt.
As a thank you for my coat, DD1 & 2 filled their mugs with coffee for me - ahhh. Spent 20 minutes watching the Top 7 Girl on Tv before falling asleep.
Rich
Today we were moving for 3 nights at The Wilderness Lodge, so bags were quickly repacked, checkout completed and IHOP found. $40 for the four of us and you couldnt see the table for food. This has always been our favourite place for breakfast - if you havent already tried it, do so; the cream cheese stuffed French toast with strawberries is delicious.
By now it was about 11.30 so we headed over to the WL, as we needed to go over the Magic Kingdom to get our park passes (including my annual pass). Driving up to the hotel is amazing, but when you get inside that lobby wow! And the valet parking guy welcomed us home - how cool is that! Anyway, once wed picked our jaws up off the floor we headed through the hotel to the ferry dock to get a boat over to the MK. Had no problems getting the passes and were back at the hotel within the hour for check in (we would be back at MK later that day).
Now, I had 2 reasons for getting an AP. The first is so that I can get a solo trip in later in the year. The second was because I had heard that there were discounts available at the Disney hotels if you were a pass holder. At check in I was directed to a telephone and told to call central reservations to see if any discounts were available. I guess I should have read up on this discount lark more closely before going. Central Reservations told me that there were only a limited number of discount places and theyd gone. Great! So I rejoined the check in line and resigned myself to full rack rate - $330ish. Just as I got to the front of the queue a new desk was opened and the guy beckoned me over.
Good afternoon sir, welcome to WL, how has you day been? Now, my day had been pretty good, and I would answer yeah, good thank you 99% of the time. But instead, I found myself telling the guy about the episode with the AP. He calls central reservations and what they told me is confirmed. He then disappears into the back, returns 5 minutes later and starts checking me in. For about another minute he doesnt say a word, but then announces that he can give me a something discount (I couldnt catch the type of discount), but the room price would be $155 a night !!!!!!
Is that Ok for you sir?
Yes, yes, yes and would you like to marry my oldest daughter erm, in a couple of years time?
Not only that, the room was ready - this guy is my new hero. As it turned out, he was also the duty manager. First a deal on the car, and then this!
The room was great. The WL is shaped like a V and our room was situated on the 3rd floor at the right had tip of the V overlooking the beach and lake - a bit of a hike from reception, but what a view. Once settled in, we relaxed for the afternoon, bought the kids refillable mugs and smiled a lot.
We had 5.30 PS for The Crystal Palace and wanted to see Spectromagic and Wishes for the first time. There cant be many better views than looking down Main Street USA to the castle. Disney has clearly had the painters in and the new look castle was looking magnificent. We would have to wait for 20 minutes for our PS, but fortunately the 5.30 castle stage performance was about to being and you can get a pretty good view from the CP veranda.
Really enjoyed our meal a CP. The food was very good, especially the pulled pork. The deserts were a little thin on the ground, but what they did have was good. Also, there were only 2 choices for the youngsters - chicken strips and mac n cheese, but DD2 will eat anything, so it was not a problem for us. There were 4 Winnie the Pooh characters on view - Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & the donkey one, as my wife described it. They all passed by within the hour, which was good going as the restaurant was packed.
We had about another hour before Spectromagic so had a stole around and rode Pirates of the Caribbean. We then got a good place next to the Walt & Mickey statue at the top of Main Street for the parade. Loved the parade, although I have to say I like the afternoon one more. Also, Tinkerbell never came down the rope. Not sure why - maybe the cold weather. Oh, I forgot to mention that - it was now freezing. The kids and DW had cardigans and I had brought my coat that I had left England in. The kids were shivering, so like the dutiful dad I gave them my coat, which they both got into. I was left in my t shirt! Wishes started at 9 and was very impressive. But, whereas we had been in a great place for the parade, a better viewing point for the fireworks was probably the other side of the castle. Nevertheless, we all loved it.
There was a predictable rush for the exits at the end, but as my wife wanted a quick look in the shops, we missed much of the pushing & shoving. However, taking our time meant we were at the back of the line for the ferry - I think most the WL and campground must have been in the MK with us as the line was very long. We managed to get about the 4th boat and sat at the front - outside! God, it was cold. To make matters worse, we had to sit on the lake for 15 minutes while the Water Pageant passed by. Maybe theyll put their lights on to salute us said the captain. Maybe Ill salute back I thought. They did. I didnt.
As a thank you for my coat, DD1 & 2 filled their mugs with coffee for me - ahhh. Spent 20 minutes watching the Top 7 Girl on Tv before falling asleep.
Rich
, but Wilderness and AKL are my favourites based on previous reports.
