SuAnne
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 9, 1999
- Messages
- 415
Here is a link to some of our trip photos http://www.snapfish.com/shareereg/p...6115455900/l=59409754/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB/t_=0
or
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spicystruthers/album?.dir=/795f&.src=ph&.tok=phI.tlDBjRu74KF2
In my pre-trip report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=893365 I had managed to pull together this trip to Disney in two weeks, so off we went with my touring plans in hand. It was a Mom & Daughter trip with me and DD Hayley who is 12.
We were scheduled to fly out on Friday Aug. 26 , staying at the Sheraton Gateway at the Toronto airport on Thursday night, but with Katrina approaching Florida I decided I would check with Air Canada when we arrived to see if there was any possibility of getting on the flight that night. As luck would have it they had two seats on the flight IF we could get back to the hotel to get our luggage, check in, and get through customs in an hour. Now if youve ever been to the Toronto airport and experienced the lines at customs youll know this is no small feat. Like some scene from the Amazing Race we were off, and made it with 10 minutes to spare. As we were boarding the plane I was on the phone to POP Century to add a room for the night. Whew!
And so another Disney trip began and maybe it was the heat or all that free food but the 8 days seem a blur so I thought I would try a different approach to my trip report and just capture the highlights of the trip. Since eating out on vacation is very near and dear to my heart and almost as fun as the parks themselves, Ill capture our Dining Highlights in a separate report.
Hope you enjoy reading along ..
The Hotel .POP Century
I must admit I was a little wary about staying at Pop Century after reading many mixed reviews of the resort, but I must say we had nothing but a delightful stay there and I would no hesitations about staying there again. I loved the theming. I was born in the late 50s (very late!) so if you do the math you can tell the period of the classic years took me through my childhood, teen and early adult years .It was very nostalgic and the music from the different eras was fun to hear.
We were in the 70s building, corner room on the fourth floor facing the lake. Excellent location! It was a short walk to food court, bus stop and main pool. No problem with noise. No more so than any deluxe Disney resort we have stayed at, or any hotel for that matter. Just a turbo toilet flush now and then. The room was spotless and no wear and tear whatsoever. If we walked to the end of the wing of the building we could see the fireworks from EPCOT. One night we were lucky enough to see both Wishes and Illuminations simultaneously.
Room amenities included a wall mounted hairdryer with a nightlight attached to the plug in unit, ironing board and iron, safe, data jack by the table and chairs. No towel animals but I did see quite a few throughout the resort. No matter, I just made a window display with our Sorcerer Mickey to welcome us back to our room.
We found the temperature controls for the AC to work perfectly. You could have hung meat in there when we arrived, but I set it to 75 and it was perfect after that .then again we arent big AC people and only put it on home when the heat gets really uncomfortable.
The pools had cute theming, and temperature was perfect. Warm enough to get right in but cool enough to be refreshing. DD liked the Hippy Dippy pool and all the action. I preferred the 80s pool which ws never crowded. I even managed to get some laps in to wear off all the food we were eating.
The food court was well laid out and kept very clean. We bought refillable mugs and made great use of them. My daughter drank more than her share of slushies over the 8 days! The only time the food court seemed really hectic was in the morning around 9-10, and after the parks closed. I usually went down at around 7:00 am to pick up our breakfast to bring back to the room and the food court was empty then. I loved walking around at that time of the morning . so peaceful
Transportation
We used Magical Express to/from the airport. Very fast and efficient. We arrived at 11:40pm. We had to pick up our luggage as I hadnt put our Magical Express tags on as we changed our flight at the last minute. Got off the plane at 11:40 pm, picked up our luggage, got right on the bus as it was ready to leave and we were in our room at Pop at 1:00am.
Going back to the airport our ME pick up time was 5:10am (urghh!) for our 8:00 am flight. We were there by 6:00am and were able to get an earlier flight home.
Transportation to and from the parks was excellent!! Average wait was 5-10 minutes. This was the best park transportation we have had at any of our stays at Disney resorts. I was really impressed! The longest waits we had for busses were on the days we went from the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary over to MGM.
Weather
Hot and humid, but we knew what to expect as this was our fourth trip during the last week of August. You could set you watch for those afternoon downpours, which usually coincided exactly with the time we were heading to the pool for a swim!
If you get to the parks early, dash in and out of AC along the way, go for a swim in the afternoon and then head back to the parks in the evening, the heat isnt too bad.
Free Dining Plan
We ate and we ate and we ate
What a deal that was, but boy oh boy were we stuffed when we left! I kept track of how much our meals would have cost us to see if it would be worth our while to buy the dining plan on another trip. DD is 12 and as youll see doesnt eat much more that Caesar salads, pizza and pasta! Our total for our free meals/snack would have been approx. $1413 (including gratuities) for the 8 nights which works out to roughly $88.00 each per day so to purchase the dining plan would definitely be beneficial (even for DD...Caesar salad girl!)
Here is the link to our dining reviews
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=905552
Parks
Very light crowds and most attractions were walk ons. We were usually at the parks for opening so we made good use of the parks during the mornings, went back to the hotel for a swim in the afternoon and then back to the parks in the evening after dinner.
We only did EMH at the Magic Kingdom, on Wednesday evening and found the crowds were lighter than I was expecting, and we also did EE on Friday morning at MK.
This was our fourth trip during the last week of August and it is a fabulous week to go for light crowds (as long as you can take the heat!)
Highlights: Soarin and seeing surgery on a mallard duck at Conservation Station at AK!
We also had two non park days. One day we went to Downtown Disney for some shopping. At the Goody candy store there, they have these really cute build your own slushie cups. DD did one with Minnie ears and shoes. Cute souvenir. We also went mini golfing at Wintersummerland which was lots of fun until I got bit by a fire ant ouch!
Magical Moments
Walking at sunset from the Polynesian to Grand Floridian and being the only footprints in the sand on the beach between he two resorts.
Visiting our three giraffe friends at the end of the Sunset Savannah at AKL
The little ones reaching out at the 3D effects at Mickeys Philharmagic.
What WERE They Thinking Moments
The family who got on the bus at MGM and pulled a VERY young puppy out of their backpack. Id be surprised if this little thing was old enough to be away from its mother! I just hope to goodness they didnt have that poor wee thing with them in that heat at MGM.
The family who actually hung a clothesline across the railing outside their room at Pop Century to hang their clothes on. You know you arent at the Grand Floridian when .
The teenager on his cell phone on the Tower of Terror who was determined he was going to carry on his phone conversation with his girlfriend through the ride. Our bellhop stared him down until he hung up and put it away.
Final Thoughts
It seems after each trip we always say it was out best trip ever, and this was no exception. We bought 10 day MYW tickets with no expiry so hopefuly we can squeeze another trip in soon with the money we saved by staying at Pop and the free dining
or
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spicystruthers/album?.dir=/795f&.src=ph&.tok=phI.tlDBjRu74KF2
In my pre-trip report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=893365 I had managed to pull together this trip to Disney in two weeks, so off we went with my touring plans in hand. It was a Mom & Daughter trip with me and DD Hayley who is 12.
We were scheduled to fly out on Friday Aug. 26 , staying at the Sheraton Gateway at the Toronto airport on Thursday night, but with Katrina approaching Florida I decided I would check with Air Canada when we arrived to see if there was any possibility of getting on the flight that night. As luck would have it they had two seats on the flight IF we could get back to the hotel to get our luggage, check in, and get through customs in an hour. Now if youve ever been to the Toronto airport and experienced the lines at customs youll know this is no small feat. Like some scene from the Amazing Race we were off, and made it with 10 minutes to spare. As we were boarding the plane I was on the phone to POP Century to add a room for the night. Whew!
And so another Disney trip began and maybe it was the heat or all that free food but the 8 days seem a blur so I thought I would try a different approach to my trip report and just capture the highlights of the trip. Since eating out on vacation is very near and dear to my heart and almost as fun as the parks themselves, Ill capture our Dining Highlights in a separate report.
Hope you enjoy reading along ..
The Hotel .POP Century
I must admit I was a little wary about staying at Pop Century after reading many mixed reviews of the resort, but I must say we had nothing but a delightful stay there and I would no hesitations about staying there again. I loved the theming. I was born in the late 50s (very late!) so if you do the math you can tell the period of the classic years took me through my childhood, teen and early adult years .It was very nostalgic and the music from the different eras was fun to hear.
We were in the 70s building, corner room on the fourth floor facing the lake. Excellent location! It was a short walk to food court, bus stop and main pool. No problem with noise. No more so than any deluxe Disney resort we have stayed at, or any hotel for that matter. Just a turbo toilet flush now and then. The room was spotless and no wear and tear whatsoever. If we walked to the end of the wing of the building we could see the fireworks from EPCOT. One night we were lucky enough to see both Wishes and Illuminations simultaneously.
Room amenities included a wall mounted hairdryer with a nightlight attached to the plug in unit, ironing board and iron, safe, data jack by the table and chairs. No towel animals but I did see quite a few throughout the resort. No matter, I just made a window display with our Sorcerer Mickey to welcome us back to our room.
We found the temperature controls for the AC to work perfectly. You could have hung meat in there when we arrived, but I set it to 75 and it was perfect after that .then again we arent big AC people and only put it on home when the heat gets really uncomfortable.
The pools had cute theming, and temperature was perfect. Warm enough to get right in but cool enough to be refreshing. DD liked the Hippy Dippy pool and all the action. I preferred the 80s pool which ws never crowded. I even managed to get some laps in to wear off all the food we were eating.
The food court was well laid out and kept very clean. We bought refillable mugs and made great use of them. My daughter drank more than her share of slushies over the 8 days! The only time the food court seemed really hectic was in the morning around 9-10, and after the parks closed. I usually went down at around 7:00 am to pick up our breakfast to bring back to the room and the food court was empty then. I loved walking around at that time of the morning . so peaceful
Transportation
We used Magical Express to/from the airport. Very fast and efficient. We arrived at 11:40pm. We had to pick up our luggage as I hadnt put our Magical Express tags on as we changed our flight at the last minute. Got off the plane at 11:40 pm, picked up our luggage, got right on the bus as it was ready to leave and we were in our room at Pop at 1:00am.
Going back to the airport our ME pick up time was 5:10am (urghh!) for our 8:00 am flight. We were there by 6:00am and were able to get an earlier flight home.
Transportation to and from the parks was excellent!! Average wait was 5-10 minutes. This was the best park transportation we have had at any of our stays at Disney resorts. I was really impressed! The longest waits we had for busses were on the days we went from the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary over to MGM.
Weather
Hot and humid, but we knew what to expect as this was our fourth trip during the last week of August. You could set you watch for those afternoon downpours, which usually coincided exactly with the time we were heading to the pool for a swim!
If you get to the parks early, dash in and out of AC along the way, go for a swim in the afternoon and then head back to the parks in the evening, the heat isnt too bad.
Free Dining Plan
We ate and we ate and we ate
What a deal that was, but boy oh boy were we stuffed when we left! I kept track of how much our meals would have cost us to see if it would be worth our while to buy the dining plan on another trip. DD is 12 and as youll see doesnt eat much more that Caesar salads, pizza and pasta! Our total for our free meals/snack would have been approx. $1413 (including gratuities) for the 8 nights which works out to roughly $88.00 each per day so to purchase the dining plan would definitely be beneficial (even for DD...Caesar salad girl!)
Here is the link to our dining reviews
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=905552
Parks
Very light crowds and most attractions were walk ons. We were usually at the parks for opening so we made good use of the parks during the mornings, went back to the hotel for a swim in the afternoon and then back to the parks in the evening after dinner.
We only did EMH at the Magic Kingdom, on Wednesday evening and found the crowds were lighter than I was expecting, and we also did EE on Friday morning at MK.
This was our fourth trip during the last week of August and it is a fabulous week to go for light crowds (as long as you can take the heat!)
Highlights: Soarin and seeing surgery on a mallard duck at Conservation Station at AK!
We also had two non park days. One day we went to Downtown Disney for some shopping. At the Goody candy store there, they have these really cute build your own slushie cups. DD did one with Minnie ears and shoes. Cute souvenir. We also went mini golfing at Wintersummerland which was lots of fun until I got bit by a fire ant ouch!
Magical Moments
Walking at sunset from the Polynesian to Grand Floridian and being the only footprints in the sand on the beach between he two resorts.
Visiting our three giraffe friends at the end of the Sunset Savannah at AKL
The little ones reaching out at the 3D effects at Mickeys Philharmagic.
What WERE They Thinking Moments
The family who got on the bus at MGM and pulled a VERY young puppy out of their backpack. Id be surprised if this little thing was old enough to be away from its mother! I just hope to goodness they didnt have that poor wee thing with them in that heat at MGM.
The family who actually hung a clothesline across the railing outside their room at Pop Century to hang their clothes on. You know you arent at the Grand Floridian when .
The teenager on his cell phone on the Tower of Terror who was determined he was going to carry on his phone conversation with his girlfriend through the ride. Our bellhop stared him down until he hung up and put it away.
Final Thoughts
It seems after each trip we always say it was out best trip ever, and this was no exception. We bought 10 day MYW tickets with no expiry so hopefuly we can squeeze another trip in soon with the money we saved by staying at Pop and the free dining
Seriously, that was our only negative of the trip. It was a wonderful week! I got towel animals almost daily, while neither party on each side of me did. I can only attribute it to my daily $3 tips. Am looking forward to your dining report. I never thought to add up our food costs to see what we saved. . .great idea!
