There was a question on the boards recently about whether it was worth going just for one week. So I thought Id give an idea of what we did an our week there in the February half term just past. We have been before (again just for one week) so we do know our way around as it were. On the trip were me, my wife and our son.
In the course of our week we would stay in three hotels: Royal Pacific Resort, Coronado Springs, and Animal Kingdom lodge (where we had stayed previously). Now your all thinking were a bit weird in staying in three in one week, but there was method in our madness: The weekend we arrived was the holiday weekend associated with presidents day, so I knew it was going to be busy. Hence, the one night stay in RPR so that we could use FOTL to bypass the queues at this busiest time. CSR was to be our base for the next three nights ,for busy part of the week, where we would hit the (Disney) parks and not spend a great deal of time in resort (and therefore save a bit of cash on this section - and also try out somewhere different), the last three nights we would stay in the AKL savannah, where we would do some parks, but generally relax a bit more. Our busy park days would be in mid week, when hopefully things would be more quiet.
First day
Our trip started with connecting flights from Newcastle to Gatwick with BA, then virgin to orlando. Online check in for the virgin flight saved a bit of time, but the fast bag drop was still quite long. Wed chosen virgin on price (230 return) (having flown BA all the way the last time). Service wise we werent over impressed, and would fly with them again only if we got a good deal (more later). A really turbulent flight, with people screaming and the captain telling us to lean away from the aisles in case we get hit with bags from the overhead lockers.
Picked up the car (our first time driving) and headed to the Royal Pacific resort for a one night stay. Had a general look about the resort for an hour or so and then headed of to US for an hour where we rode Revenge of the mummy, men in black and jaws (much better in the dark!) before heading back to the hotel.
Second day
Next morning nice breakie in islands then off to IoA for Spiderman (x3 a truly great ride), Jurassic Park (x2) and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges® ( x4 great fun with an American family who rode all four times with us and then stayed on for more drenching). Late morning head back to the hotel, have a swim and some lunch and a relax. Check out late afternoon and head to CSR
Check in goes smoothly, have a mooch around the resort have a further swim, then head off to Epcot, for a general wander and illuminations.
Third day:
EMH at epcot so were at the bus stop for 735, but must have just missed the bus as we have to wait till 8am (how much of a pain is it when youve made the effort to get up but end up getting to the park later than anticipated?)
By the time we get into Epcot at 830 it is busy, Soarin has a 50 min wait with no fast pass till 2pm, Get a fast pass for test track for 930. The park is heaving so we decide to cut our losses and go over to MGM, Arriving at MGM its much quieter, able to fast pass RnR and ToT in quick succession, a get a fast pass for the stunt show, ToT breaks down while were in the fast pass queue, meaning we miss out on the Indiana jones show. Catch a boat to the swan/dolphin to play some golf at the fantasia mini golf dolphin- great fun and then have a kitchen sink at beaches and cream at the beach club before heading back.
Fourth day:
Up early and out to AK, our favourite park, and now seemingly much busier than before. Not sure if everest will be running so get FP for KSafari first then head back to everest. It is running so we join the 45 min queue (our first big wait of the trip). The queuing area is superbly done, and even if you do FP , it is worth queuing at least once as it takes some time to appreciate the level of detail in here. The ride itself is good (more later)
Have a swim and hire a speedboat on the lake at CSR. Evening go to MK, where we get FP for buzz and SM, then ride Big thunder, splashM, and pirates during the night parade. Watch wishes, then head back to the resort.
Fifth day,
EMH at MK so were up early. I havent realised that all of adventure land and frontierland are closed during the AM EMH, so we head in the wrong direction. By the time we realise the early FPs for Space and buzz have gone, so we wait for buzz, then do small world then head over to haunted mansion, by the time we get out of there (at 9.30) there a huge queues at the frontier land attractions, with all early FP gone, so pleased we managed to fit them in the previous evening. Ride the jungle cruise and pirates then head off. Have a relax in some hammocks for an hour or so then head off to AKL at about 1pm.
Room not ready, so have a relax in the pool, then eat at Boma. Then chill out watching the animals from our balcony
Sixth day:
A cooler day, but were in luck this means blizzard beach is quiet, and while were a bit chilly at fist weve basically got the whole park to ourselves and have no waits for any slides etc. Ride summit plummet twice; you dont really appreciate your speed until you watch it on video. Our favourites are the straight downhill toboggan racers which are not too daunting but super fun. Play some mini golf at the winterland golf next to the waterpark. My favourite day of the trip. Later in the afternoon were back at AK for an hour only, where we ride everest again (FP) and dinosaur. Head back to AKL for tea and then listen to a talk from one of the AKL guides and do some viewing through their night vision goggles (very impressive).
Seventh day, sat
Have a lie in, then drive down to Boggy Creek, arrive about 1200 but cant get an airboat till 1.15. No point in going all the way back now, so we just sit and wait (dull). It is a pity you cant reserve a time in advance. The airboat ride itself is great and well worth the trip. Head back to AKL for a swim and relax. Eat at jiko.
Eighth day:
Check in via virgin downtown - a shambles. Were told on the outward flight that it opens at 8am - I double check this on exiting the plane as I didnt think this was the case, but they confirm 8am. We arrive 805sh to find it that it doesnt open until 830. More people arrive who have also been told 8am, then people arrive who had been told by their virgin holidays rep that they could check in the day before (and hence had turned up the previous day only to be turned away). At his point (810ish) the check in staff arrive arrive and go for coffee. The weather turns and its blowing a gale, with the rain sheeting in under the roof, the virgin staff leave us out there in the cold and rain until dead on 830 while they sit in their office. Now I know we all dont like to start work earlier than we have to, but under the circumstances you might think they would come out a bit earlier.
Anyway we then head to AK. The weather is really poor so the park is very quiet. Ride Ksafari, everest , do a couple of shows. As weve got round quicker than expected, we nip over to MGM and ride TOT twice before heading back to AKL for a final relax and drive to the airport.
Return flight. No tv guide in any of the seats on our row, after asking the stewards were still waiting, fortunately our tvs were working, unlike some others who had the misfortune of no tv.
The weather:
The first five day were in the mid eighties, the last couple a bit cooler. It was generally hotter than we expected,
The crowds:
We visited in July/August last year. The crowds in this February week were much busier in all parks (except for the water park) than we experienced last year. The ending of the (free?) universal express pass has made the FOTL even quicker than at our last visit. I would definately go again though at this time of year as the sun is so nice after all those dark days at home
The hotels:
RPR: thought it was a great hotel, nice room and public areas and lovely staff. The best and warmest pool of any of the resorts we stayed in. They have some table tennis tables and pool table that are free for resort guests, that are a good addition to the pool area. Lovely burgers, smoothies and cocktails at Bulas. Enjoyed it more than the portofino. The FOTL means you can do the universal parks in such a leisurely fashion, it is a great perk. Will definitely stay for longer at the RPR if we go back to florida again.
CSR: Water view room: room itself a bit basic (think travelodge), but public resort areas great, lovely beach areas with hammocks for relaxing on, cycle and boat rental available. Decent food at the pepper market. Plenty of buses which are generally quiet . Main pool and quiet pools both a bit too cold for my liking. Main pool has a good slide (better than the one at AKL)
AKL: a lovely hotel for relaxing in, it remains one of my favourite holiday hotels. Pool warmer here that CSR. Enjoyed to decent meals at boma. Meal at Jiko was a bit of a letdown this time with below par service ( a contrast to last time when we really enjoyed it here which just goes to show you cant judge these things on one visit).
I don't know if this is always the case but we booked the hotels direct through disney uk and when we arrived at the CSR and AKL they gave us some free passes for the mini golf which was a nice bonus.
Expedition everest. A good ride, that has really upped the crowd level at AK. I think we rode it four times in total, it is probably a bit more intense than BTM, but not too way out. I found it a bit jarring on the neck, they really could do with fitting some padding to the headrest rather than just leaving it with the hard plastic.
Thats it. Hope it wasnt too dull.
In the course of our week we would stay in three hotels: Royal Pacific Resort, Coronado Springs, and Animal Kingdom lodge (where we had stayed previously). Now your all thinking were a bit weird in staying in three in one week, but there was method in our madness: The weekend we arrived was the holiday weekend associated with presidents day, so I knew it was going to be busy. Hence, the one night stay in RPR so that we could use FOTL to bypass the queues at this busiest time. CSR was to be our base for the next three nights ,for busy part of the week, where we would hit the (Disney) parks and not spend a great deal of time in resort (and therefore save a bit of cash on this section - and also try out somewhere different), the last three nights we would stay in the AKL savannah, where we would do some parks, but generally relax a bit more. Our busy park days would be in mid week, when hopefully things would be more quiet.
First day
Our trip started with connecting flights from Newcastle to Gatwick with BA, then virgin to orlando. Online check in for the virgin flight saved a bit of time, but the fast bag drop was still quite long. Wed chosen virgin on price (230 return) (having flown BA all the way the last time). Service wise we werent over impressed, and would fly with them again only if we got a good deal (more later). A really turbulent flight, with people screaming and the captain telling us to lean away from the aisles in case we get hit with bags from the overhead lockers.
Picked up the car (our first time driving) and headed to the Royal Pacific resort for a one night stay. Had a general look about the resort for an hour or so and then headed of to US for an hour where we rode Revenge of the mummy, men in black and jaws (much better in the dark!) before heading back to the hotel.
Second day
Next morning nice breakie in islands then off to IoA for Spiderman (x3 a truly great ride), Jurassic Park (x2) and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges® ( x4 great fun with an American family who rode all four times with us and then stayed on for more drenching). Late morning head back to the hotel, have a swim and some lunch and a relax. Check out late afternoon and head to CSR
Check in goes smoothly, have a mooch around the resort have a further swim, then head off to Epcot, for a general wander and illuminations.
Third day:
EMH at epcot so were at the bus stop for 735, but must have just missed the bus as we have to wait till 8am (how much of a pain is it when youve made the effort to get up but end up getting to the park later than anticipated?)
By the time we get into Epcot at 830 it is busy, Soarin has a 50 min wait with no fast pass till 2pm, Get a fast pass for test track for 930. The park is heaving so we decide to cut our losses and go over to MGM, Arriving at MGM its much quieter, able to fast pass RnR and ToT in quick succession, a get a fast pass for the stunt show, ToT breaks down while were in the fast pass queue, meaning we miss out on the Indiana jones show. Catch a boat to the swan/dolphin to play some golf at the fantasia mini golf dolphin- great fun and then have a kitchen sink at beaches and cream at the beach club before heading back.Fourth day:
Up early and out to AK, our favourite park, and now seemingly much busier than before. Not sure if everest will be running so get FP for KSafari first then head back to everest. It is running so we join the 45 min queue (our first big wait of the trip). The queuing area is superbly done, and even if you do FP , it is worth queuing at least once as it takes some time to appreciate the level of detail in here. The ride itself is good (more later)
Have a swim and hire a speedboat on the lake at CSR. Evening go to MK, where we get FP for buzz and SM, then ride Big thunder, splashM, and pirates during the night parade. Watch wishes, then head back to the resort.
Fifth day,
EMH at MK so were up early. I havent realised that all of adventure land and frontierland are closed during the AM EMH, so we head in the wrong direction. By the time we realise the early FPs for Space and buzz have gone, so we wait for buzz, then do small world then head over to haunted mansion, by the time we get out of there (at 9.30) there a huge queues at the frontier land attractions, with all early FP gone, so pleased we managed to fit them in the previous evening. Ride the jungle cruise and pirates then head off. Have a relax in some hammocks for an hour or so then head off to AKL at about 1pm.
Room not ready, so have a relax in the pool, then eat at Boma. Then chill out watching the animals from our balcony
Sixth day:
A cooler day, but were in luck this means blizzard beach is quiet, and while were a bit chilly at fist weve basically got the whole park to ourselves and have no waits for any slides etc. Ride summit plummet twice; you dont really appreciate your speed until you watch it on video. Our favourites are the straight downhill toboggan racers which are not too daunting but super fun. Play some mini golf at the winterland golf next to the waterpark. My favourite day of the trip. Later in the afternoon were back at AK for an hour only, where we ride everest again (FP) and dinosaur. Head back to AKL for tea and then listen to a talk from one of the AKL guides and do some viewing through their night vision goggles (very impressive).
Seventh day, sat
Have a lie in, then drive down to Boggy Creek, arrive about 1200 but cant get an airboat till 1.15. No point in going all the way back now, so we just sit and wait (dull). It is a pity you cant reserve a time in advance. The airboat ride itself is great and well worth the trip. Head back to AKL for a swim and relax. Eat at jiko.
Eighth day:
Check in via virgin downtown - a shambles. Were told on the outward flight that it opens at 8am - I double check this on exiting the plane as I didnt think this was the case, but they confirm 8am. We arrive 805sh to find it that it doesnt open until 830. More people arrive who have also been told 8am, then people arrive who had been told by their virgin holidays rep that they could check in the day before (and hence had turned up the previous day only to be turned away). At his point (810ish) the check in staff arrive arrive and go for coffee. The weather turns and its blowing a gale, with the rain sheeting in under the roof, the virgin staff leave us out there in the cold and rain until dead on 830 while they sit in their office. Now I know we all dont like to start work earlier than we have to, but under the circumstances you might think they would come out a bit earlier.
Anyway we then head to AK. The weather is really poor so the park is very quiet. Ride Ksafari, everest , do a couple of shows. As weve got round quicker than expected, we nip over to MGM and ride TOT twice before heading back to AKL for a final relax and drive to the airport.
Return flight. No tv guide in any of the seats on our row, after asking the stewards were still waiting, fortunately our tvs were working, unlike some others who had the misfortune of no tv.
The weather:
The first five day were in the mid eighties, the last couple a bit cooler. It was generally hotter than we expected,
The crowds:
We visited in July/August last year. The crowds in this February week were much busier in all parks (except for the water park) than we experienced last year. The ending of the (free?) universal express pass has made the FOTL even quicker than at our last visit. I would definately go again though at this time of year as the sun is so nice after all those dark days at home
The hotels:
RPR: thought it was a great hotel, nice room and public areas and lovely staff. The best and warmest pool of any of the resorts we stayed in. They have some table tennis tables and pool table that are free for resort guests, that are a good addition to the pool area. Lovely burgers, smoothies and cocktails at Bulas. Enjoyed it more than the portofino. The FOTL means you can do the universal parks in such a leisurely fashion, it is a great perk. Will definitely stay for longer at the RPR if we go back to florida again.
CSR: Water view room: room itself a bit basic (think travelodge), but public resort areas great, lovely beach areas with hammocks for relaxing on, cycle and boat rental available. Decent food at the pepper market. Plenty of buses which are generally quiet . Main pool and quiet pools both a bit too cold for my liking. Main pool has a good slide (better than the one at AKL)
AKL: a lovely hotel for relaxing in, it remains one of my favourite holiday hotels. Pool warmer here that CSR. Enjoyed to decent meals at boma. Meal at Jiko was a bit of a letdown this time with below par service ( a contrast to last time when we really enjoyed it here which just goes to show you cant judge these things on one visit).
I don't know if this is always the case but we booked the hotels direct through disney uk and when we arrived at the CSR and AKL they gave us some free passes for the mini golf which was a nice bonus.
Expedition everest. A good ride, that has really upped the crowd level at AK. I think we rode it four times in total, it is probably a bit more intense than BTM, but not too way out. I found it a bit jarring on the neck, they really could do with fitting some padding to the headrest rather than just leaving it with the hard plastic.
Thats it. Hope it wasnt too dull.
