bjscheel
(Avatar art by my daughter)
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Messages
- 5,435
Well, I started out with a blow-by-blow account, but think I'll just summarize! For our trip April 27-May 1 there was me, Beth, 28; husband Jeff 34; DD Rachel 6; and DD Allison 3.
Our towncar company was Prestige. Driver Ray was helpful, prompt, and friendly, but do remind them about a grocery stop if you want one! Even picked us up in the rain at 5:30 Sunday morning for our return and was there at least 15 minutes early.
We stayed off-site at Homewood Suites by Hilton, $80/night. Just 1.5 miles from the "gates" which we found to mean still several miles from MK! Lovely hotel, we were in a building next to the interstate but had very little noise from that or from neighbors. Rooms clean and nice. Had a two room suite, including a full kitchen, two queen beds and a pull out couch. Great to have the extra room to spread out in and DDs did not have to share a bed. Weeknights they serve a free supper so after check-in we had hot dogs and salad before swimming. Thursday night we got back after the supper time, but they sent leftovers with us to our room! Outdoor pool only, but it was SO warm, almost too hot some evenings. Free hot breakfast in the mornings was great. Our only problem was at check-in they could see I paid in advance but at check-out that guy was going to charge our credit card again. I had to run back to our room and pull our confirmation email out of the trash. Otherwise fantastic stay.
Yes, we depended on the hotel shuttle for our transportation! And survived! DH did not want to drive at all. It left for MK and AK at 7:45. It actually travelled to several hotels but we were last on in the morning and 2nd off at night so shorter ride than the rest. DD3 and I got to sit each time but DH and DD6 had to stand on some trips. Thursday night they had pickup at 6:45, 9:20 and 10:20 at TTC. We took the 6:45 each time. The bus to Epcot was 10:30 am and pickup at 10:00 pm. We did not want to stay till 10 pm so we took the monorail to the TTC and caught the 6:45. We do think we'd like to try on-site next time for the bus service but this worked and was fine.
Meals- we were at the front for rope drop Thursday morning but didn't get much accomplished before CRT at 9:55. Excellent breakfast, server, and characters. Just wish I could have eaten more- I was feeling sick to my stomach but ate the stuffed french toast and felt fine the rest of the day! Would definitely do again. We also did the Princess lunch at Epcot which was fine but the only princess that was different there was Jasmine. Won't do that again. Cosmic Rays was good but crowded at 12:30! DH couldn't find us at the table we staked out and tried calling my cell but I never heard it ring. Pinocchio restaurant was okay, the girls like the turkey roll up meal.
Rides & Attractions- DD3 hid her face through every dark ride. She liked IASW, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Magic Carpet, Philharmagic. We skipped Dumbo the first day because of the lines but made a run for it Saturday and were on the first round! That's tough when you're carrying a 3 year old (we put Dad on stroller check-out duty while we ran). Saturday morning we got in several rides including Splash Mountain and BTMR with 0-5 minute waits. Girls loved the parade and Cinderellabration. Also loved all of Toontown. I think the highlight of everything was just the characters. So glad we got autograph books. DD3 was fine with all of the female characters, but often hung on me/hid behind me or stayed in the stroller for Goofy, Aladdin, Mickey, Pinocchio, etc.
We happened to be by Belle's Storytime 7 minutes before a show so we got in along the far wall and sat on the window ledge. Both girls were picked to be Chip and Mrs. Potts so that was a huge highlight.
Girls loved the gift shops and the monorail. We hit Epcot for a short day, I've posted about that elsewhere.
All in all, a great trip, tiring, but now that I've recuperated, I think we'll do it again in a couple years!
Our towncar company was Prestige. Driver Ray was helpful, prompt, and friendly, but do remind them about a grocery stop if you want one! Even picked us up in the rain at 5:30 Sunday morning for our return and was there at least 15 minutes early.
We stayed off-site at Homewood Suites by Hilton, $80/night. Just 1.5 miles from the "gates" which we found to mean still several miles from MK! Lovely hotel, we were in a building next to the interstate but had very little noise from that or from neighbors. Rooms clean and nice. Had a two room suite, including a full kitchen, two queen beds and a pull out couch. Great to have the extra room to spread out in and DDs did not have to share a bed. Weeknights they serve a free supper so after check-in we had hot dogs and salad before swimming. Thursday night we got back after the supper time, but they sent leftovers with us to our room! Outdoor pool only, but it was SO warm, almost too hot some evenings. Free hot breakfast in the mornings was great. Our only problem was at check-in they could see I paid in advance but at check-out that guy was going to charge our credit card again. I had to run back to our room and pull our confirmation email out of the trash. Otherwise fantastic stay.
Yes, we depended on the hotel shuttle for our transportation! And survived! DH did not want to drive at all. It left for MK and AK at 7:45. It actually travelled to several hotels but we were last on in the morning and 2nd off at night so shorter ride than the rest. DD3 and I got to sit each time but DH and DD6 had to stand on some trips. Thursday night they had pickup at 6:45, 9:20 and 10:20 at TTC. We took the 6:45 each time. The bus to Epcot was 10:30 am and pickup at 10:00 pm. We did not want to stay till 10 pm so we took the monorail to the TTC and caught the 6:45. We do think we'd like to try on-site next time for the bus service but this worked and was fine.
Meals- we were at the front for rope drop Thursday morning but didn't get much accomplished before CRT at 9:55. Excellent breakfast, server, and characters. Just wish I could have eaten more- I was feeling sick to my stomach but ate the stuffed french toast and felt fine the rest of the day! Would definitely do again. We also did the Princess lunch at Epcot which was fine but the only princess that was different there was Jasmine. Won't do that again. Cosmic Rays was good but crowded at 12:30! DH couldn't find us at the table we staked out and tried calling my cell but I never heard it ring. Pinocchio restaurant was okay, the girls like the turkey roll up meal.
Rides & Attractions- DD3 hid her face through every dark ride. She liked IASW, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Magic Carpet, Philharmagic. We skipped Dumbo the first day because of the lines but made a run for it Saturday and were on the first round! That's tough when you're carrying a 3 year old (we put Dad on stroller check-out duty while we ran). Saturday morning we got in several rides including Splash Mountain and BTMR with 0-5 minute waits. Girls loved the parade and Cinderellabration. Also loved all of Toontown. I think the highlight of everything was just the characters. So glad we got autograph books. DD3 was fine with all of the female characters, but often hung on me/hid behind me or stayed in the stroller for Goofy, Aladdin, Mickey, Pinocchio, etc.
We happened to be by Belle's Storytime 7 minutes before a show so we got in along the far wall and sat on the window ledge. Both girls were picked to be Chip and Mrs. Potts so that was a huge highlight.
Girls loved the gift shops and the monorail. We hit Epcot for a short day, I've posted about that elsewhere.
All in all, a great trip, tiring, but now that I've recuperated, I think we'll do it again in a couple years!
