mickeys#1fan
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2001
- Messages
- 295
DD 9 and I spent two weeks with parents and in-laws before even seeing VWL. I was SOOOOO ready for this trip. We picked up DW at OIA July 4, for another couple of days with her parents, then checked in at VWL on the 6th.
Before check-in, we went to mass at Mary, Queen of the Universe shrine - very nice mass. Then we bought groceries at a Publix behind the Prime Outlets. Just take the 535 exit and turn left, instead of right. Take the first left and curl around behind Prime. Publix is in a shopping center there. Much cheaper and cleaner than the Goodings at Crossroads.
We checked in at 2:30, and our room was ready. In spite of high crowds, the CM went the extra mile to get us what we wanted in a room. Ours was 5519, a one-bedroom on the fifth floor corner. I overlooked the quiet pool and a part of Bay Lake. There are two balconies off the living room and master bedroom. We sipped coffee and listened to the wonderful VWL music most mornings. Both pools were crowded in the aftermoons. Just as we got ready to go, it started to rain for about ten minutes. The geyser wasn't working. We chilled out before dinner at CG, and DW enjoyed a drink called a Tilt-a-Whirl from Trout Pass.
We had 8 pm PS for California Grill. I don't know how to post a link, but my CG review is posted on the restaurant board as "Truly Fine Dining." The long and short is it was our first time, but definitely not our last. We returned about 11:30, and I enjoyed a victory cigar (celebrating my new job) on the balcony.
Day 2 was easy going. We couldn't get the sofa bed to fold up, and maintenance replaced it. We enjoyed coffee on the balcony and pool-hopped to Luna Park for the day. They had alot more kids activities than in times past. Went to Beaches 'n' Cream for lunch. Had burgers all the way around. Enjoyed a Frozen Sunshine during the long wait. Had a No Way Jose sundae - very large and rich with lots of gooey peanut butter and hot fudge. We spent the evening at DTD.
Day 3 we went to Blizzard Beach with a friend from Orlando and her DS 4. It was hot and crowded, but we had a great time! We intended to go to the Member BBQ, but missed it. To give an idea of the crowds, Summit Plummet was a 90 min. wait all day. We had dinner at Roaring Forks and watched the fireworks over the main lodge. I tried to see the EWP from our balcony, but it didn't light up until the barges were obscured by the trees. Not enough of a view of Bay Lake to see it.
Day 4 was HOOOOOTTTTT!! The thermometer by the pool registered 108. When we lived in Orlando there was a rumor that local weather people low-balled the temps to keep tourists from being scared off by weather. Since they reported a high of 92, I'm inclined to believe it. We started off at EPCOT. It was an EE day and just impossible. The only exception was TT, which we rode on twice before 10 am. Spent the rest of the day at MK. Did I mention it was smokin' hot? After lunch at Columbia Harbor House (decent fish and chips) we waited 20 min. for Haunted Mansion. BTMRR was posting waits of 45 min., but turned out to be only 10. We rode twice. Splash Mountain was every bit of 90 min. During our FP for that, we went to ride Buzz Lightyear. They posted a 15 min. wait, but announced it was 45. We bailed and went on TTA, then DD and I did our FP at Splash Mountain (even the FP line was 15 min.), while DW shopped on Main Street. Man was it hot.
We had dinner at Artist Point that night. See my review on the restaurant board, titled "Truly Fine Dining...part 2. We will come back here, too. Then we went to Cirque du Soleil. This was an amazing show. I've seen them in Vegas, and I'm always floored by their agility and talent. Still, for $73.00 for 90 minutes entertainment, I'm not inclined to see it again. DW is, and I will inevitably lose the argument. Did I mention it was sluggishly hot yesterday?
Day 5 I went for a morning swim, then we met some friends at DisneyQuest. It was crowded with lots of YMCA and Boys Club camps. There were 20 min. waits for all attractions. Not as thrilling as the first time here. Could see SSR construction across the lake - they are making rapid progress. We had dinner at House of Blues. Also not thrilling, especially for the prices. At the last minute, we decided to see Pirates of the Caribbean. It was an awesome flick!
Day 6, after checking out we hung out by the pool all day and spent the night with friends in Orlando. It was a tremendous trip, and we can't wait to go home again.
Before check-in, we went to mass at Mary, Queen of the Universe shrine - very nice mass. Then we bought groceries at a Publix behind the Prime Outlets. Just take the 535 exit and turn left, instead of right. Take the first left and curl around behind Prime. Publix is in a shopping center there. Much cheaper and cleaner than the Goodings at Crossroads.
We checked in at 2:30, and our room was ready. In spite of high crowds, the CM went the extra mile to get us what we wanted in a room. Ours was 5519, a one-bedroom on the fifth floor corner. I overlooked the quiet pool and a part of Bay Lake. There are two balconies off the living room and master bedroom. We sipped coffee and listened to the wonderful VWL music most mornings. Both pools were crowded in the aftermoons. Just as we got ready to go, it started to rain for about ten minutes. The geyser wasn't working. We chilled out before dinner at CG, and DW enjoyed a drink called a Tilt-a-Whirl from Trout Pass.
We had 8 pm PS for California Grill. I don't know how to post a link, but my CG review is posted on the restaurant board as "Truly Fine Dining." The long and short is it was our first time, but definitely not our last. We returned about 11:30, and I enjoyed a victory cigar (celebrating my new job) on the balcony.
Day 2 was easy going. We couldn't get the sofa bed to fold up, and maintenance replaced it. We enjoyed coffee on the balcony and pool-hopped to Luna Park for the day. They had alot more kids activities than in times past. Went to Beaches 'n' Cream for lunch. Had burgers all the way around. Enjoyed a Frozen Sunshine during the long wait. Had a No Way Jose sundae - very large and rich with lots of gooey peanut butter and hot fudge. We spent the evening at DTD.
Day 3 we went to Blizzard Beach with a friend from Orlando and her DS 4. It was hot and crowded, but we had a great time! We intended to go to the Member BBQ, but missed it. To give an idea of the crowds, Summit Plummet was a 90 min. wait all day. We had dinner at Roaring Forks and watched the fireworks over the main lodge. I tried to see the EWP from our balcony, but it didn't light up until the barges were obscured by the trees. Not enough of a view of Bay Lake to see it.
Day 4 was HOOOOOTTTTT!! The thermometer by the pool registered 108. When we lived in Orlando there was a rumor that local weather people low-balled the temps to keep tourists from being scared off by weather. Since they reported a high of 92, I'm inclined to believe it. We started off at EPCOT. It was an EE day and just impossible. The only exception was TT, which we rode on twice before 10 am. Spent the rest of the day at MK. Did I mention it was smokin' hot? After lunch at Columbia Harbor House (decent fish and chips) we waited 20 min. for Haunted Mansion. BTMRR was posting waits of 45 min., but turned out to be only 10. We rode twice. Splash Mountain was every bit of 90 min. During our FP for that, we went to ride Buzz Lightyear. They posted a 15 min. wait, but announced it was 45. We bailed and went on TTA, then DD and I did our FP at Splash Mountain (even the FP line was 15 min.), while DW shopped on Main Street. Man was it hot.
We had dinner at Artist Point that night. See my review on the restaurant board, titled "Truly Fine Dining...part 2. We will come back here, too. Then we went to Cirque du Soleil. This was an amazing show. I've seen them in Vegas, and I'm always floored by their agility and talent. Still, for $73.00 for 90 minutes entertainment, I'm not inclined to see it again. DW is, and I will inevitably lose the argument. Did I mention it was sluggishly hot yesterday?
Day 5 I went for a morning swim, then we met some friends at DisneyQuest. It was crowded with lots of YMCA and Boys Club camps. There were 20 min. waits for all attractions. Not as thrilling as the first time here. Could see SSR construction across the lake - they are making rapid progress. We had dinner at House of Blues. Also not thrilling, especially for the prices. At the last minute, we decided to see Pirates of the Caribbean. It was an awesome flick!
Day 6, after checking out we hung out by the pool all day and spent the night with friends in Orlando. It was a tremendous trip, and we can't wait to go home again.
I wonder if the sofa thing is a big problem at VWL. The maintenance guy acted like it happened all the time. Anyway, sounds like you had a great trip!
