Disney Ella
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2003
- Messages
- 4,205
Me - trip planner, frequent visitor to any and all Disney-related websites
Grumpy - DH - likes Disney, but has no interest whatsoever in planning. Gets a glazed look in his eyes when I talk about it, the same glazed look I get when he insists on talking to me about cars.
Daisy and Minnie - DDs, both seven. Have been dying to return to Disney
(Tuesday, March 11) Everyone was very happy to say goodbye to our less than luxurious hotel in Treasure Island and head to Orlando. We were going to Universal's Islands of Adventure first and then checking into Marriott's Grande Vista. I had originally booked POFQ, but after Disney shortened hours and Grumpy announced that he wasn't going to go to as many spring training games as I expected, the bus transportation became less important and having a separate bedroom, washer and dryer, jacuzzi, etc., became more important.
We arrived at Universal at 11 and found short lines and very pleasant CMs. We all liked Universal, although we thought that IOA was just a notch below Disney. We heard people in the queue for Cat in the Hat saying just the opposite, so it really is a matter of opinion. The kids really liked Seuss Landing, and I thought Universal did a wonderful job with Lost Continent - definitely as good as anything at Disney.
We all got in line for the Jurassic Park River Adventure and Daisy said, "Isn't this the ride where the dinosaurs jump out at you, and you go down the hill like at Splash Mountain?" If it was, she didn't want to ride it. I said I didn't think it was because I was having a hard time remembering exactly what ride did what at IOA. Once we were seated and that restraint came up, there was no doubt that something big was going to happen. The dinosaurs weren't nearly as scary as we had thought, and we enjoyed the ride, although I must admit that I didn't like the last part. I'm afraid of heights, and I really hate the sensation of falling, even if it's only for a few seconds. Daisy had a look of sheer terror on her face in the picture, and I wish now that I had bought it. Minnie had buried her head against the restraint so all you can see is her hands.
By 3:00 we were anxious to check into the hotel, so we left without riding Spiderman, which we had wanted to try. I really like Universal's parking garage and how easy and quickly you can get to the parks from your car.
We found Marriott's Grande Vista easily, and as soon as we drove through the grounds, we knew our lodging situation had drastically improved. The Grande Vista is set back from International Drive so you are not overlooking any roads. The whole resort is very nicely landscaped. We asked for a villa near the main pool area, and we were given one in building 83, which was only a few minutes walk to the pool. The unit was very nicely furnished and had a dishwasher (which housekeeping ran for us each day), a washer and dryer, jacuzzi, king-sized bed, two TVs, and a screened-in patio. The only thing we didn't like about the villa was the fold-out couch. It wasn't nearly as bad as the one at the Tahitian, but still not the most comfortable place to sleep. I think we'll spring for a two-bedroom next time.
The next morning (Wednesday) we arrived at MK at 9:30. (Grumpy doesn't like to be rushed in the morning!) Lines were very short and we waited only few minutes for POC, Aladdin, HM and SM. Last time, I didn't ride Splash Mountain because I had forgotten to take my Dramamine, and I was afraid it would make me sick. Really! I was! (And I'm also a big wimp and I was afraid of the drop.) I was glad I finally had the courage to go on it and will go on it again, although I'm still not crazy about that feeling of falling at the end.
We took boat over to WL for lunch at Whispering Canyon, the restaurant the kids refer to as "that funny restaurant." The ride over was very relaxing and uncrowded. We had a PS, although we really didn't need one. The atmosphere at Whispering Canyon was more subdued than at dinner, but they still did the pony races for the kids. Grumpy and I were a little tired, and he was glad he didn't have to get up and do the Little Buttercup dance this time. Our server noticed that both of our drinks were getting low and brought us refills. Since I don't usually drink more than one Coke at a meal, Grumpy said he would finish mine. As I was handing the glass to him, our server saw and said something about Grumpy being so thirsty that he was stealing my drink. A few minutes later, the server brought Grumpy an iced tea in a very large glass with a huge straw, which really amused the kids.
We took the boat back over to MK just in time for the parade. I knew we would be getting there late to get the best spots, but we were going to be happy with whatever we found. We got on the train, took that to Frontierland, and found parade-watching spots in the second row near Frontierland. When the parade started, a nice woman told the kids that they could sit down next to her. We all really enjoyed the parade and the kids liked the interaction with the characters. A bride and groom on their honeymoon were one set of the grandmarshals, and they were just so young and cute in their wedding ears.
By now the park was getting crowded, but we managed to get on Snow White before the after-parade crowds hit. After a quick stop at Mickey and Minnie's house, we headed back to the car for the quick trip to the hotel for some pool time. Unfortunately the trip wasn't quite as short as we planned. We didn't see any signs for 536 and eventually got to the point where we either had to get on I4 or 192. We weren't sure exactly how far down we were on I4 and, of course, we picked I4 west, which we soon discovered was the wrong way to go. Whenever we hit a snag in our plans, Grumpy can get a little melodramatic. This is how the conversation went:
Me: "We'll have to get off and turn around."
Grumpy: "We don't know how far apart the exits are! Who knows how long we'll have to drive until there's an exit. We could be driving on this road for miles!"
Me: "I see an exit sign over there."
Grumpy: "Well, just because there's an exit, it doesn't automatically mean you can get back on."
Me: "There's a car getting on right now."
Grumpy (shaking his head as we drive down the exit ramp): "I don't know if we can get over there. There might not be a way over there."
Me: "Just turn left!"
After that experience, if there were no signs for 536, we followed the signs for Downtown Disney and eventually came upon the 536 signs.
That evening we went to Illuminations, which we all thought was very well done. We got to Epcot just at the end of Off Kilter's last set. I have read so many good things about them, and I really wanted to see them, but that will have to wait for another time. We did get to hear two songs by the British Invasion before the kids got bored. Getting out of Epcot after Illuminations was very easy, and we were back at the hotel in no time. Everyone went right to bed; we wanted to make sure we got enough rest to tackle the Studios the next day.
Grumpy - DH - likes Disney, but has no interest whatsoever in planning. Gets a glazed look in his eyes when I talk about it, the same glazed look I get when he insists on talking to me about cars.
Daisy and Minnie - DDs, both seven. Have been dying to return to Disney
(Tuesday, March 11) Everyone was very happy to say goodbye to our less than luxurious hotel in Treasure Island and head to Orlando. We were going to Universal's Islands of Adventure first and then checking into Marriott's Grande Vista. I had originally booked POFQ, but after Disney shortened hours and Grumpy announced that he wasn't going to go to as many spring training games as I expected, the bus transportation became less important and having a separate bedroom, washer and dryer, jacuzzi, etc., became more important.
We arrived at Universal at 11 and found short lines and very pleasant CMs. We all liked Universal, although we thought that IOA was just a notch below Disney. We heard people in the queue for Cat in the Hat saying just the opposite, so it really is a matter of opinion. The kids really liked Seuss Landing, and I thought Universal did a wonderful job with Lost Continent - definitely as good as anything at Disney.
We all got in line for the Jurassic Park River Adventure and Daisy said, "Isn't this the ride where the dinosaurs jump out at you, and you go down the hill like at Splash Mountain?" If it was, she didn't want to ride it. I said I didn't think it was because I was having a hard time remembering exactly what ride did what at IOA. Once we were seated and that restraint came up, there was no doubt that something big was going to happen. The dinosaurs weren't nearly as scary as we had thought, and we enjoyed the ride, although I must admit that I didn't like the last part. I'm afraid of heights, and I really hate the sensation of falling, even if it's only for a few seconds. Daisy had a look of sheer terror on her face in the picture, and I wish now that I had bought it. Minnie had buried her head against the restraint so all you can see is her hands.
By 3:00 we were anxious to check into the hotel, so we left without riding Spiderman, which we had wanted to try. I really like Universal's parking garage and how easy and quickly you can get to the parks from your car.
We found Marriott's Grande Vista easily, and as soon as we drove through the grounds, we knew our lodging situation had drastically improved. The Grande Vista is set back from International Drive so you are not overlooking any roads. The whole resort is very nicely landscaped. We asked for a villa near the main pool area, and we were given one in building 83, which was only a few minutes walk to the pool. The unit was very nicely furnished and had a dishwasher (which housekeeping ran for us each day), a washer and dryer, jacuzzi, king-sized bed, two TVs, and a screened-in patio. The only thing we didn't like about the villa was the fold-out couch. It wasn't nearly as bad as the one at the Tahitian, but still not the most comfortable place to sleep. I think we'll spring for a two-bedroom next time.
The next morning (Wednesday) we arrived at MK at 9:30. (Grumpy doesn't like to be rushed in the morning!) Lines were very short and we waited only few minutes for POC, Aladdin, HM and SM. Last time, I didn't ride Splash Mountain because I had forgotten to take my Dramamine, and I was afraid it would make me sick. Really! I was! (And I'm also a big wimp and I was afraid of the drop.) I was glad I finally had the courage to go on it and will go on it again, although I'm still not crazy about that feeling of falling at the end.
We took boat over to WL for lunch at Whispering Canyon, the restaurant the kids refer to as "that funny restaurant." The ride over was very relaxing and uncrowded. We had a PS, although we really didn't need one. The atmosphere at Whispering Canyon was more subdued than at dinner, but they still did the pony races for the kids. Grumpy and I were a little tired, and he was glad he didn't have to get up and do the Little Buttercup dance this time. Our server noticed that both of our drinks were getting low and brought us refills. Since I don't usually drink more than one Coke at a meal, Grumpy said he would finish mine. As I was handing the glass to him, our server saw and said something about Grumpy being so thirsty that he was stealing my drink. A few minutes later, the server brought Grumpy an iced tea in a very large glass with a huge straw, which really amused the kids.
We took the boat back over to MK just in time for the parade. I knew we would be getting there late to get the best spots, but we were going to be happy with whatever we found. We got on the train, took that to Frontierland, and found parade-watching spots in the second row near Frontierland. When the parade started, a nice woman told the kids that they could sit down next to her. We all really enjoyed the parade and the kids liked the interaction with the characters. A bride and groom on their honeymoon were one set of the grandmarshals, and they were just so young and cute in their wedding ears.
By now the park was getting crowded, but we managed to get on Snow White before the after-parade crowds hit. After a quick stop at Mickey and Minnie's house, we headed back to the car for the quick trip to the hotel for some pool time. Unfortunately the trip wasn't quite as short as we planned. We didn't see any signs for 536 and eventually got to the point where we either had to get on I4 or 192. We weren't sure exactly how far down we were on I4 and, of course, we picked I4 west, which we soon discovered was the wrong way to go. Whenever we hit a snag in our plans, Grumpy can get a little melodramatic. This is how the conversation went:
Me: "We'll have to get off and turn around."
Grumpy: "We don't know how far apart the exits are! Who knows how long we'll have to drive until there's an exit. We could be driving on this road for miles!"
Me: "I see an exit sign over there."
Grumpy: "Well, just because there's an exit, it doesn't automatically mean you can get back on."
Me: "There's a car getting on right now."
Grumpy (shaking his head as we drive down the exit ramp): "I don't know if we can get over there. There might not be a way over there."
Me: "Just turn left!"
After that experience, if there were no signs for 536, we followed the signs for Downtown Disney and eventually came upon the 536 signs.
That evening we went to Illuminations, which we all thought was very well done. We got to Epcot just at the end of Off Kilter's last set. I have read so many good things about them, and I really wanted to see them, but that will have to wait for another time. We did get to hear two songs by the British Invasion before the kids got bored. Getting out of Epcot after Illuminations was very easy, and we were back at the hotel in no time. Everyone went right to bed; we wanted to make sure we got enough rest to tackle the Studios the next day.
