We had a special celebration get together with my parents (5oth anniversary) and my brother (40th birthday) - seven of us stayed in a 2 br WL Villa. First time staying at WL - still like Poly best followed by AKL. Special occasions not acknowledged except by a recorded message from the manager at the end of our stay.
Weather was great - hot (high 80s, low 90s) and sunny every day. Crowds were pretty much as predicted by the touring plans - about 9s. I know that some people wrote about low crowds during this week but I have visited twice before over spring break and this was the most crowded I have ever seen the parks.
Hit rope drop every day -every park was great for the first two hours - except DHS which we visited on a Fantasmic Day. By the time we got to TSM, stand-by was 40 minutes and fastpass return time was 11:30. Headed to Tower of Tower -got on once with no wait but when we got out the standby time had shot to 45 minutes! All fps gone by mid-afternoon. Did Brown Derby Fantasmic package - one of the best meals of our trip.
Dining was a pleasant surprise after reading so many differing reviews. We actually had the opposite experience of some of the recent feedback: Ohana, Brown Derby, California Grill, Tusker House, Crystal Palace, Garden Grill were all excellent. On the other hand, a last minute addition that had rave reviews - Artist Point - really disappointed. Three of our party ordered a dish with rice with the rice not fully cooked (and couldn't be separated out because it was mixed in with the other ingredients) - everything was too salty - and I tend towards using higher salt with my food. The beef tenderloin was not nearly the quality of the filets we enjoyed at both Brown Derby and California Grill. They did comp the inedible rice dishes which helped but I was sad my brother and parents didn't get to enjoy their meal.
Although my mother greatly enjoyed the Fireworks Dessert Party I thought it was just okay. We had a great table right at the edge of the terrace at the end closest to Tomorrowland. Desserts were good - chocolate dipped strawberries were huge and delicious but of course those were not replenished more than once. The lights are not dimmed during the fireworks and the workers are constantly clearing during the show. Also, unlike the viewing on the street where everyone is hushed, there was a lot of talking. The fireworks - while clearly viewed - are off to the side of the castle - still, a better view than most people would get.
Loved the new show on the castle' The Magic, The Memories, and You'
Best counter-service places were both in Epcot - Tangerine Cafe in Morocco (the lamb shawarma just melts in your mouth and the salads are tasty) and Sunshine Seasons food court in The Land - really fresh, innovative food - good prices for what you get. My sons (ages 10 and 14) really enjoyed there seared tuna with sesame noodles - a large serving for under $10. My grilled veggie sandwich could not have been fresher - yummy slices of grilled zucchini, eggplant, red pepper with feta cheese - mmmm...... And course a fabulous bakery too! Counter service at France is also a great deal and very authentic - creme brulee Napolean - to die for! Side of chips at the Fish and Chip shop are perfectly fried and a bargain at $2.69.
Have to mention I had the best - and I mean the BEST - margarita I have every had which was the Cucumber margarita at La Cava del Tequila:
El Mayor premium silver Tequila, triple sec, caramelized pineapple juice, fresh basil, cucumber and agave nectar, served on the rocks with a cactus-lemongrass Himalayan salt rim
Also ordered crab tostadas - fresh crab heaped onto crispy tostadas and spiked with a mouth-tingling sauce!
Used a combo of rented car, buses, and boats for transportation. With a large party it was nice to have the flexibility of different groups going and coming as they desired. Parking at monorail resorts where we had dinner was very difficult - they were not enforcing the 3 hour parking rule and people were obviously taking advtange of it and using these lots for MK parking.
Hate to compare apples and oranges but we did start at Universal and I have to say I was reluctantly impressed. Stayed at the Hard Rock and the front of the line pass really spoils you! Also nice to be able to walk to both parks and to City Walk. Ride sophistication is very high in comparison too. Shows, however, do not compare to Disney's amazing productions.
Happy to answer any questions!
Note: I am writing detailed dining reviews by date and restaurant in the dining reviews section.
Weather was great - hot (high 80s, low 90s) and sunny every day. Crowds were pretty much as predicted by the touring plans - about 9s. I know that some people wrote about low crowds during this week but I have visited twice before over spring break and this was the most crowded I have ever seen the parks.
Hit rope drop every day -every park was great for the first two hours - except DHS which we visited on a Fantasmic Day. By the time we got to TSM, stand-by was 40 minutes and fastpass return time was 11:30. Headed to Tower of Tower -got on once with no wait but when we got out the standby time had shot to 45 minutes! All fps gone by mid-afternoon. Did Brown Derby Fantasmic package - one of the best meals of our trip.
Dining was a pleasant surprise after reading so many differing reviews. We actually had the opposite experience of some of the recent feedback: Ohana, Brown Derby, California Grill, Tusker House, Crystal Palace, Garden Grill were all excellent. On the other hand, a last minute addition that had rave reviews - Artist Point - really disappointed. Three of our party ordered a dish with rice with the rice not fully cooked (and couldn't be separated out because it was mixed in with the other ingredients) - everything was too salty - and I tend towards using higher salt with my food. The beef tenderloin was not nearly the quality of the filets we enjoyed at both Brown Derby and California Grill. They did comp the inedible rice dishes which helped but I was sad my brother and parents didn't get to enjoy their meal.
Although my mother greatly enjoyed the Fireworks Dessert Party I thought it was just okay. We had a great table right at the edge of the terrace at the end closest to Tomorrowland. Desserts were good - chocolate dipped strawberries were huge and delicious but of course those were not replenished more than once. The lights are not dimmed during the fireworks and the workers are constantly clearing during the show. Also, unlike the viewing on the street where everyone is hushed, there was a lot of talking. The fireworks - while clearly viewed - are off to the side of the castle - still, a better view than most people would get.
Loved the new show on the castle' The Magic, The Memories, and You'
Best counter-service places were both in Epcot - Tangerine Cafe in Morocco (the lamb shawarma just melts in your mouth and the salads are tasty) and Sunshine Seasons food court in The Land - really fresh, innovative food - good prices for what you get. My sons (ages 10 and 14) really enjoyed there seared tuna with sesame noodles - a large serving for under $10. My grilled veggie sandwich could not have been fresher - yummy slices of grilled zucchini, eggplant, red pepper with feta cheese - mmmm...... And course a fabulous bakery too! Counter service at France is also a great deal and very authentic - creme brulee Napolean - to die for! Side of chips at the Fish and Chip shop are perfectly fried and a bargain at $2.69.
Have to mention I had the best - and I mean the BEST - margarita I have every had which was the Cucumber margarita at La Cava del Tequila:
El Mayor premium silver Tequila, triple sec, caramelized pineapple juice, fresh basil, cucumber and agave nectar, served on the rocks with a cactus-lemongrass Himalayan salt rim
Also ordered crab tostadas - fresh crab heaped onto crispy tostadas and spiked with a mouth-tingling sauce!
Used a combo of rented car, buses, and boats for transportation. With a large party it was nice to have the flexibility of different groups going and coming as they desired. Parking at monorail resorts where we had dinner was very difficult - they were not enforcing the 3 hour parking rule and people were obviously taking advtange of it and using these lots for MK parking.
Hate to compare apples and oranges but we did start at Universal and I have to say I was reluctantly impressed. Stayed at the Hard Rock and the front of the line pass really spoils you! Also nice to be able to walk to both parks and to City Walk. Ride sophistication is very high in comparison too. Shows, however, do not compare to Disney's amazing productions.
Happy to answer any questions!
Note: I am writing detailed dining reviews by date and restaurant in the dining reviews section.
