Here goes again! I'm not sure where my original post went so I'll try to remember it all!
We got back this afternoon - the kids were great. They had their moments
, but were mostly GREAT!!!
Let me start this out by saying that I am an easy to please person. I rarely complain. To each his/her own...the WL just wasn't for me. That's why there's a resort to suit everyone's style. We arrived late at the lodge so we checked in, freshened up, and headed to our PS's for Whispering Canyon. The food was average at best and the service was absolutely horrible. In addition, I'd heard it was so great for kids. Aside from one pony stick race, there was no other interraction with the staff and our table (as well as the table next to us). We went back to the room after dinner. We just didn't care for it. I'd heard the rooms were smaller, but they were just TOO small, really small. The decor is so dark and the room had a musty smell. When we turned on the bath water, black water came out. The towels were rough and the kleenex was like sand paper. These are things I wouldn't normally notice but they were that bad IMO. If I were at a value hotel, that would be fine, but not at a deluxe property. The couple across the hall screamed at each other all night and all morning. We heard slamming doors all over the floor all night. Needless to say, we got very little sleep. There must have been some plumbing problem in a nearby room b/c we heard the sound of whistling any time there was running water. The evening snacks were brownies and cookies - not impressive. Mom also noticed two ladies fingering many of the brownies and then put them back on the tray. ICK! The breakfast selections were also quite lacking. It didn't feel like CL to me. It just felt like a little snack table set up in a corridor. At 7am on Sat., I called CRO hoping to get a room at CR tower. They were SOLD OUT!
I was able to obtain a lodge tower room at Sugar Loaf at GF. It was HEAVENLY. The atmosphere was light, bright, clean, beautiful, etc. The staff were just awesome and the food offerings were wonderful. If we're able to afford it, I'm not sure we'll stay anywhere else - aside from CR! Okay, and AKL when the kids are a little older? Gotta say, I just love those monorail resorts though.
On our first night, DH sent beautiful Mother;s Day flowers to our room. I also arranged for a Mickey Mother's Day card for Mom. The following day, I had private dining bring 1 dozen hand dipped choc. covered strawberries on a silver tray for Mom. The server even sang her a song. The wonderful staff at CL arranged this for me. IMO, Sugar Loaf was just more of what I assume concierge should be like. If anyone has ques., I'd be happy to answer.
BTW....forgot to mention that we waited as THREE boats to MK came and went while at WL. By the time they arrived at WL, they were already mostly full. Again, for a deluxe property, I think that's unacceptable.
We had a fantastic time all in all. The trip was (too) short but sweet. Can't wait for our 7 night stay in Dec.! WL is a wonderfully themed resort. It just wasn't for us, and it wasn't what I'd pictured from the CL perspective.
CONGRATS to Elisabeth on the job!!!
And, HELLO and thanks for the "welcome homes" from everyone else!!!
Now I will finish the dishes, bills, and laundry. YUCK!!!! I miss that room already!!!!!
Good news about the baby!
wave: ) but when we stayed at both the Poly and AKL CL last month, we did not have to relinquish our keys, just as you get to keep your key-card for a std. room, I got to keep mine. At AKL, the cm (Laura, wonderful woman!) asked when our flight was, and she said we were welcome to continue to use the lounge until our flight. She stated that, although the room key would no longer open the room door, it would still allow access to the 6th floor lounge.
I thought I saw it here a little while ago. Did you have a great time? Did the kids co-operate?
