Flying 2 days for 3 days at WDW is a SNAP! Final Thoughts 01/02

[skier_pete]

Hey there! Joining in!

I agree with your CSR feelings - I wouldn't mind staying there one day, but am not in a hurry to do so. My parents live in Arizona...and the Southwest theme is both not a favorite style of mine but also something I see frequently. We've only stayed at POFQ and totally love it, so might be a while before we try CSR.

As far as the pumpkin scarecrow goes, I believe while it was never in the books, it WAS in one of the movies I think.

 

[manntra]

Oooh I am so excited you went over to the dark side at Universal!! One of these days I want to get over there. My nephews are big HP fans.
I don't know how long it takes to get to Universal from where you were but that seems like quite a good deal.....I used cabs a few times last week for dining reservations (again....4 women getting ready ) All of the cabs were metered cabs except the one we took from the Dolphin back to AKV...I think because technically the Swalphin are not part of Disney their cabs didn't have to be metered
Your room was pretty....I do like duvets and the style of the rooms
I can't wait to see your pictures and your description of HP

Tracy

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Hiiii! I found you!

It was great to meet you; I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to cross paths again, though!

I love your TR so far; I haven't had time to start mine yet, but am hoping to do so in the next week or so!

Looking forward to more!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ohh I can't wait to go to WWHP! It looks amazing. Hagrids house looks really realistic.

The whole place was realistic. DH and I suspended reality for the entire time that we were in WWHP and felt like we were really in magic land. We're such tragics.

Oh no, WWHP was not on the to do list - will have to look into that.

I nearly booked CSR, but the kids wanted CBR for the pirate waterpark.

I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever resort you choose. CSR was nice; but I didn't get any special mousekeeping (so no towel animals) and the mousekeeper didn't take any of the envelops/tips that I left out. They had opened the first one and closed in with money still left in. All the other 2 envelops were also left in the pile. In the end, I took them all back.

I think the US is printing enough money at the moment to mean the exchange rate is very helpful

As for seating....I think I was around row 21 A few rows behind those in business class

I totally understand the in seat stuff. If it is important to you then go for it.
Just mainly commenting on the whole legroom thing. Economy Plus gives you better legroom than pretty much any standard Economy seat no matter what airline.

Yeah. I noted on the way in that the UA International Economy Plus leg room was as roomy as Domestic leg room. Maybe I'll give them a go again....when they get in-seat entertainment .

Looks great so far! I'm taking notes. I must admit I have not done ANY research on IOA or US. I had assumed that most of the rides would be too scary or not suitable for our young children. So I shall be following in your footsteps...



Queenie...is that really you? What happened!?!??! You've mellowed.
Glad to see you back in earnest. The boards are just not the same without your input! Nice to start hearing more about your trip as well on the other thread. Going now to sticky beak at your photos.

FJ will probably be too scary for your younger kids and I think there is a height restriction on the ride. But the ride in itself is like no other I've been on and there is nothing equivalent in the World to it. The closest analogy I can come up with is that it seems to be like that scene in Monsters Inc where they are riding on the doors. FJ seems to be on a "conveyer belt" and you get moved through what seems to be at least 5 or 6 different 'rooms' or scenes. The scenes seem to be shown in wide screen and/or 360 degrees around you, so you get the full benefit of almost 3D. Spiders, Dementors, Quidditch, Castle. Absolutely fantastic and for me and DH - so worth it!

Hey there! Joining in!

I agree with your CSR feelings - I wouldn't mind staying there one day, but am not in a hurry to do so. My parents live in Arizona...and the Southwest theme is both not a favorite style of mine but also something I see frequently. We've only stayed at POFQ and totally love it, so might be a while before we try CSR.

As far as the pumpkin scarecrow goes, I believe while it was never in the books, it WAS in one of the movies I think.

Hey Pete! Thanks for coming over to my TR! Now that I think about it, I think you're right...the pumpkin head is in one of the movies; Azkaban. I'll need to take another look at that movie again to see if it's there.

Oooh I am so excited you went over to the dark side at Universal!! One of these days I want to get over there. My nephews are big HP fans.
I don't know how long it takes to get to Universal from where you were but that seems like quite a good deal.....I used cabs a few times last week for dining reservations (again....4 women getting ready ) All of the cabs were metered cabs except the one we took from the Dolphin back to AKV...I think because technically the Swalphin are not part of Disney their cabs didn't have to be metered
Your room was pretty....I do like duvets and the style of the rooms
I can't wait to see your pictures and your description of HP

Tracy

In 2005, I remember driving from WDW to the Outlet malls past Universal. It took over 40 minutes to do....but that was because we drove up I-DRIVE and got caught in all the hotel/resort traffic. This time round, the driver took the I-4. It only took like 10 minutes max. We went on a Sunday; so there was hardly any traffic on the roads.

I hear you about the cab thing. If I had ADRs and were all dressed up, I would take a cab as well!

Hiiii! I found you!

It was great to meet you; I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to cross paths again, though!

I love your TR so far; I haven't had time to start mine yet, but am hoping to do so in the next week or so!

Looking forward to more!

Hi Heather! Thanks for stopping by my TR. It was great to meet you and your DH and I wished we could have caught up again on the Tuesday party. Maybe next time. Looking forward to spotting yours on the boards next week or so!

 

[kyl]

Loving your TR PrincessInOz,
Yes I have to agree I wouldn't pick CSR over the other disney resorts again. We did two weeks there, it was good and had all we needed. But it did kinda lack the disney atmosphere. But then again we had never been to WDW until then so had nothing to compare it to. Until one night we stayed at AKL....o.k big difference. Not saying CSR is bad because it isn't, I liked pepper market and compared to the value resorts food court it was way better food. Friends stayed at POP and one morning we went to all stars music resort to get on a tour. I think if you were an older couple with no kids or even with kids and wanted a rest from the whole disney theme at the end of the day then this is the resort for you. But I should of listened to queenie and gone CBR......yes queenie you were right what can I say?

 

[ehsmum]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed Forbidden Journey! I can't rave about it enough. It's seriously the best ride I've ever been on! But I do feel really bad about recommending it to Ms Shuttergirl and traumatising her poor daughter

Jade - we loved Universal,especially Hogwarts, but there really isn't a lot for younger kids there. Seuss Landing is good for little ones, but most of the other rides are roller coaster types with height restrictions. If your little ones are happy to wander around and look at things then I'd say go for it cause WWOHP is amazing, but if your kids will be disappointed not to be able to ride much then I'd probably give it a miss.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Loving your TR PrincessInOz,
Yes I have to agree I wouldn't pick CSR over the other disney resorts again. We did two weeks there, it was good and had all we needed. But it did kinda lack the disney atmosphere. But then again we had never been to WDW until then so had nothing to compare it to. Until one night we stayed at AKL....o.k big difference. Not saying CSR is bad because it isn't, I liked pepper market and compared to the value resorts food court it was way better food. Friends stayed at POP and one morning we went to all stars music resort to get on a tour. I think if you were an older couple with no kids or even with kids and wanted a rest from the whole disney theme at the end of the day then this is the resort for you. But I should of listened to queenie and gone CBR......yes queenie you were right what can I say?

Thanks. And when you're right, you're right!

I'm so glad that you enjoyed Forbidden Journey! I can't rave about it enough. It's seriously the best ride I've ever been on! But I do feel really bad about recommending it to Ms Shuttergirl and traumatising her poor daughter

Jade - we loved Universal,especially Hogwarts, but there really isn't a lot for younger kids there. Seuss Landing is good for little ones, but most of the other rides are roller coaster types with height restrictions. If your little ones are happy to wander around and look at things then I'd say go for it cause WWOHP is amazing, but if your kids will be disappointed not to be able to ride much then I'd probably give it a miss.

I thought it was the best ride I've ever been on as well. It probably will start the next generation of rides. Yes, I didn't think that there was a lot at IoA for the little kids. My DS10 would LOVE it!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Turns out that I was not the only person in the family that had done some research on HPW. At this point, DH surprised me and said that he really wanted to go to Ollivander’s and see the wand choosing ceremony.

Really??? If I'd known this, I would have queued up here before the Hippogriffs!

The queue for Ollivander’s was at the sign post by this stage. But, given that it was 9.20 am, we got in line and waited.

This gave me the opportunity to pull out a couple of lenses and take some shots of the castle and Hogsmeade.

We waited some more and got thirsty. So, I headed out to pick up some Butterbeer. This is the cold variety. Yum!

As you can see, we were very thirsty and got through a fair bit before we remembered about taking porn pictures.

By the stage, the sun was rising up and starting to hit the castle. So, being in the queue allowed me the time to get more shooting practise in.

The details are amazing!


We finally got into Ollivanders after about 30 minutes – not too bad a wait. We stood somewhere near the back of the shop. For anyone with kids wanting to be part of the show, you probably need to stand in the front part of the shop, nearer the staircase and/or counter. For the group that we got in with, there was only one (un)fortunate child of the right height and it was a tough choice for the wizard! Good call to pick him, though.

There were heaps of boxes everywhere, but someone needs to talk to the marketing and merchandising department. No colour anywhere! Pretty drab, I thought.

The tulips were a nice touch; although how you get up to water them way up there is beyond me!

I guess that’s what all the wands are for.

I am glad that we went in. It is a cute show, albeit short.


After Ollivander’s, we were herded out of the door that opened up to this shop.

Turns out my shopaholic husband wanted to buy wands and wizard hats. Maybe the subdued packaging works afterall!
So, I left him to his shopping whilst I caught glimpses of the shop.

With DH still shopping and the shop getting busier, I was getting impatient to be out....


Up next - Hogsmeade

 

[queenie82]

Queenie...is that really you? What happened!?!??! You've mellowed.
Glad to see you back in earnest. The boards are just not the same without your input! Nice to start hearing more about your trip as well on the other thread. Going now to sticky beak at your photos.

I've done my best...I leave you all with my opinions and we all need to choose our own priorities.
My no visual stimulation flight with mask and noise cancelling headphones was the most tolerable in a while. So it seems that is what works best for me.

Loving your TR PrincessInOz,
Yes I have to agree I wouldn't pick CSR over the other disney resorts again. We did two weeks there, it was good and had all we needed. But it did kinda lack the disney atmosphere. But then again we had never been to WDW until then so had nothing to compare it to. Until one night we stayed at AKL....o.k big difference. Not saying CSR is bad because it isn't, I liked pepper market and compared to the value resorts food court it was way better food. Friends stayed at POP and one morning we went to all stars music resort to get on a tour. I think if you were an older couple with no kids or even with kids and wanted a rest from the whole disney theme at the end of the day then this is the resort for you. But I should of listened to queenie and gone CBR......yes queenie you were right what can I say?

Thanks. And when you're right, you're right!

See...I do my best...
But we all make our own decisions

And to PrincessInOz....I have sort of started a TR....but...I haven't even left the country yet...and there are many words so far...
This might take a while...

 

[franandaj]

So cool you went there, when we meet up in Jan you can give us pointers on what to do and where to go! Did you ever get my PM? I was having internet problems that night....

 

[SoonerGirl]

One of these days I will have to cheat on Mickey myself and head over to Universal/IoA. The boys are big thrill ride junkies so I know they would love it, and even though I'm really not much of a HP fan, the area looks so cool that I really want to check it out!

 

[franandaj]

So what was the Butter Beer like? I've read recipies, but have not tried any of them. I am looking forward to trying it when I cheat on Mickey next year!

 

[PrincessInOz]

And to PrincessInOz....I have sort of started a TR....but...I haven't even left the country yet...and there are many words so far...
This might take a while...

I'll be following it!

So cool you went there, when we meet up in Jan you can give us pointers on what to do and where to go! Did you ever get my PM? I was having internet problems that night....

All sorted now.

One of these days I will have to cheat on Mickey myself and head over to Universal/IoA. The boys are big thrill ride junkies so I know they would love it, and even though I'm really not much of a HP fan, the area looks so cool that I really want to check it out!

For a real HP fan, the area is beyond cool .

So what was the Butter Beer like? I've read recipies, but have not tried any of them. I am looking forward to trying it when I cheat on Mickey next year!

Butterbeer is like creamy soda, only with added spider foam! It is really yummy and if I could have drunk a truckfull, I would have .

 

[PrincessInOz]

DH was still waiting for a wand or two to select him; so I decided to check out the village scene and walked straight out to the Owlery.

I know that the opening of WWoHP was delayed by about 1 month. Meandering around Hogsmeade, I can see why. There were buildings leaning over…

…curved lines….

…and crooked chimney stacks everywhere!

I hope that Universal asked for some money back from their builders, as it seems that they didn’t know how to use a spirit level or plumb line during construction.


By this stage, DH came out of Dervish and Banges well pleased with his selections (and his selections with him).

We realized that we really rushed in through the gates this morning as neither of us registered Hogwart’s Express on the way in. It registered now!

And, yes, I do know that I did snap a shot of HE on our way in; my first picture that I posted of entering HPW clearly shows the train!!



We then found Zonko’s; but no Weasley’s anywhere.

We purchased something for DS in this shop and at this time of the morning, the lines were crazy!


And then meandered into Honeyduke’s.

For us die-hard Potties, these two shops and the village were very impressive places to be!

Up next: The Three Broomsticks

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Those cauldron cakes are so cute!

Anyway, love the pictures! I'm glad you guys enjoyed it so much, I'm really looking forward to it now

 

[PrincessInOz]

Those cauldron cakes are so cute!

Anyway, love the pictures! I'm glad you guys enjoyed it so much, I'm really looking forward to it now

Now I wish I had bought some to try.

Thanks! I'm gonna try move this along so that I get it back to Disney!

 

[PrincessInOz]

It was around 11.30 am and breakfast was a fleeting memory. I thought it was time to head for lunch. Yes, I knew it was early for lunch but I really wanted to have lunch here and today was not the day for a long wait before being able to order!

DH wasn’t hungry yet and opted to wait. So, without needing to think about the vegetarian options, what else would I choose to eat but a Shepherd’s pie and salad…..

…and a Butterbeer to wash it all down with? Frozen this time.

Yes, the frozen is MUCH better than the cold. And Shepherd’s pie was decent.



Some shots of the Three Broomsticks

We then decided it was time to re-join the muggle world and took one last stroll around the Hogs.

And check out the Gringott’s branch office.

We also weren’t planning on leaving without a look at the Dueling Dragons. Neither DH nor I were prepared to go upside down; but figured it was worth taking a look at this ride. For the record, wait time at noon was 5 minutes.

I just love the details everywhere

and of the shop signs!

And then it was Muggle Time!

Up Next: Running Through Islands of Adventure

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I love that snowman

 

[ehsmum]

For us die-hard Potties, these two shops and the village were very impressive places to be!

It's impressive even to non-Potterheads! My DH is not a fan, hasn't read the books and only seen bits of the movies and he loved it! He raves about it to everyone and insists if you're going to Orlando, you're not to miss Harry Potter World!

I was amazed at the detail everywhere too. Did you notice the tape measure working on Hermione's dress? I loved that!

 

[franandaj]

I can't wait to go there now! Too bad the Shepherd's Pie was just OK, I love Shepherd's pie and that is probably what I would choose to order there....It looked good!