We were back late Saturday night. Picked up my mom at Newark Sunday. Worked late last night and here I am! We toured the Grand Villa at SSR for next year. WOW. My mom was so impressed that she now owns at SSR too! Works for me!
I did laundry every day - cooked breakfast twice (everyone's was to order even!) - made dinner one night. I love to cook so it wasn't a chore at all. I have no clue how I am ever going to be in a regular room again. The rooms were laid out nicely, plenty of room for 8 of us. The rooms are also sound proof!! You could NOT hear anything from one room to another, nor from above or below us. I really love DCV!! We figure with both moms owning, when Kayla gets married at WDW, we will have room for all of Kayla's family!!
I was surprised at the amount of refurbishing going on. The riverboats in MK, the Muppet fountain in MGM, the bus stops in MK. There were a few other places, but I am drawing a blank as to where else right now. I was also dissappointed in the merchanizing. For as much Disney stuff I own, we always shop and bring home at least a tee shirt each. Nothing struck our fancy. We didn't even go nuts over pins (now you know something was wrong!!) But we discovered that new merchandize is coming in on Sept 15th! I guess they are getting ready for the 35th Anniversary of WDW.
I rode EE. Whoa! I did not realize how much backwards traveling you do. I only rode it because my 12 DNiece was not going on anything UNLESS I went on! GREAT. She ended up loving it and went on everything. I cannot do the simulation rides as I get severely motion sick. But my DN did it all, even RnR. Boy were we proud of her!
The transmission on the safari wasn't working so that was a dissappointment. There was no point in finding Big red in the end. POTC was fantastic. I wish I had gone on again. Everyone loved Soarin' and went on several times. Same with M:S. (Except me, I did neither!)
We always eat at Pecos Bill's, so that was good. No more hotdogs though. Had a few turkey legs here and there. Crystal Palace for character breakfast was yummy. Still find 1900 Park Fare is our favorite. Kayla and the BF went to 50's Prime Time and had fun. Earl of Sandwich in DTD is a new favorite.
SO SO SO disappointed with Alfredo's. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was pleseant, but our food was cold. Stone cold. It was tasty, but not even luke warm. We didn't complain as they allowed us to order off the lunch menu for our picky eaters even though it was dinner time, and my MIL swears they would spit in our food if we sent it back. Dessert was fabulous and the antipasto was plentiful. We decided if we ever go back we would only get the antipasto and dessert. Everything I read on these boards about Alfredo's was true, but we had to experience it on our own.
The weather was a whole other issue. If we didn't have to go in August, believe me we wouldn't have. But I'm glad we went last week with the storm and all! It was HOT, swelltering! But we knew this going into it, so I knew what to expect.
The drive was a piece of cake. I didn't know what to expect, but it was fine. I even made a road scavenger hunt which kept everyone entertained!
Grim, I could not get a comfirmation about the Contemporary, but everyone said 'they had heard about it' or 'there is something going on there'. Nothing concrete though.
Nan, sorry to hear there were some hiccups in your trip. Glad you are home safe.
Tig, Kayla starts on the 6th at Raritan Valley. Community College is they way to go for her right now. Since she doesn't have to be a full time student to be covered under my health care, I don't think we are making her take a full load this year either. She can ease into it better!
Great pictures Aisling.
Dede, I'm pulling for you! I know you both can't wait to meet Piper!
I think that's all I had to report.