Luv2Roam
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2000
- Messages
- 15,479
All in all it was one of our better WDW trips, and we have had some very nice ones. The Disney magic is still alive in the CM's. I have read various posts about recent rude CM's. But we did not find this to be the case. Overall they were great. Very little refurbishment going on. We were even surprised at the number of Christmas lights, trees and decorations still up at WDW.
We flew Northwest, and had great service coming and going.
I booked a room only through Dreams Unlimited and got a great AP rate of $55 a night at ASMu, including tax.
I requested: Jazz building; non-smoking; corner room; backside; third (top) floor. All my requets were met, except we were in the Rock Inn building.
But that was to our advantage. Just like our room in the ASMo Woody building, we were a corner room near an elevator, overlooking trees and shrubs.
The room was clean, with freshly shampooed carpet. It was nice and quiet, despite that each AS was wall to wall cheerleaders.
They were very nice, and had plenty of room to practice between buildings.
There was only one incident where we saw a CM yell at a group to be quiet. (And I think that was mainly because they yelled/cheered some remarks about her driving her cart -- not that the CM was whipping around or anything.)
DH was in the marathon, and it appeared that most marathoners were in the Rock Inn section. I think AS did a very good job of keeping the like groups together.
We arrived at ASMu 4:30-5 p.m. for check-in, which was busy. It took a half hour of line waiting.
After dropping off the luggage, we ran and grabbed a bus to Epcot and validated our AP renewals. It wouldn't have taken long but only two windows were available and the most obnoxious family around was taking up both CM's times at both windows so they could (mostly) argue/try to haggle $ to buy passes.
Even the kids behind us were asking what was going on.
Then a quick trot to the boat launch and headed off to the Flying Fish. GREAT meal. $90, but VERY GOOD dining!
Then to top off a great meal, what's better than another boatride to Epcot to view Illuminations?
Whatta day.
Saturday, Jan 11-
We first went to CSR so DH could pick up his marathon race packet. He perused the expo while I stood in line for the Trade Parade pin exchange. It required at least a half hour of line standing each time. (Allowed five trips. I went for two.) But it was nice chatting with others about pins and I gave away my last DS Sept 11 pin. It was long standing, but fun. I was allowed three minutes to look at the trade parade cart with two pins in hands to trade
I saw a few lanyard pins on CM's lanyards and traded for other lanyard pins I happened to have extras of.
When I am in the parks I am always lanyard hunting. Not so much for that an elusive pin. I just enjoy trading and chatting with the CM's.
Afterwards, we went to MGM and had a nice lunch at Prime Time Cafe. First time there, and I am sure we will return some day.
Then we rode our favorites -- RnRC and ToT. Shopped a little.
Then back to ASMu. A fellow runner picked us up with her mom & dad and we all went to a Dead Runner's Society pre-race pasta dinner at the Macaroni Grill. (Off-site chain. But very good.)
Traded more pins at ASMu gift shop and headed for an early night of rest. DH had to get up at 3:00 a.m., which is 2:00 our time.
Sunday, early morning, approx 1:00 a.m. I woke up to what sounded like a frat party in the parking lot. Which pretty much is what it was. The one time the cheerleaders were a royal, inconsiderate pain. Evidently several busses were loading them and hauling them off. It sounded like an outdoor bus depot full of cheerleaders, believe me.
Luckily, neither one of us sleep well marathon morning. DH, because I know he is anxious about the marathon. Me, because I am anxious about being at WDW!
Then once the cheerleaders were gone, more busses were piling in the back and lining up getting ready to take the marathoners to the start.
But it was just that one morning. Otherwise all was quiet.
At 3:00, DH gets his Mickey wake up call, for "big doings!"
Off he trots and I snooze back a little finally, after watching a little t.v.
6:30, I get MY wake up call.
(yawn) And I head off to the MK.
MK wasn't officially open, but they were letting guests in (without checking tickets or ID's, which surprised me).
I have a nice quiche at a near empty Main St bakery and ride the rides, as I had MK to MYSELF! Talk about a dream come true! 
Woo Who! I even had a PRIVATE cruise on the PotC.
DH shook me awake by calling and saying he was at the finish line and I had to go meet him. I took the monorail over. Traffic entering Epcot was backed way up, between regular guests and those wanting to pick up race finishers.
DH finished the marathon (26.2 miles) in just a few minutes over 4 hours! He ran the entire course and was very happy.
We head back to ASMu, share a sandwich, he showers, rests awhile, and off we go to DTD.
We ate at Bongo's. (One of our usuals.) Kill a lot of time, as marathoners were allowed in Pleasure Island for free. (They had to show their race number and it was verified on-line.) I got into PI for $10.
We killed some more time. And then stood in a line for 45 minutes to go into the Comedy Club. It was fun and a very good show. But the show was too short. (Approx 40 minutes I would guess.) Too much line standing. It would be better if you could at least go in and sit. And it was chilly that night.
After the show we headed back to ASMu for some well deserved sleep.
We flew Northwest, and had great service coming and going.
I booked a room only through Dreams Unlimited and got a great AP rate of $55 a night at ASMu, including tax.
I requested: Jazz building; non-smoking; corner room; backside; third (top) floor. All my requets were met, except we were in the Rock Inn building.
But that was to our advantage. Just like our room in the ASMo Woody building, we were a corner room near an elevator, overlooking trees and shrubs.
The room was clean, with freshly shampooed carpet. It was nice and quiet, despite that each AS was wall to wall cheerleaders.
They were very nice, and had plenty of room to practice between buildings.There was only one incident where we saw a CM yell at a group to be quiet. (And I think that was mainly because they yelled/cheered some remarks about her driving her cart -- not that the CM was whipping around or anything.)
DH was in the marathon, and it appeared that most marathoners were in the Rock Inn section. I think AS did a very good job of keeping the like groups together.
We arrived at ASMu 4:30-5 p.m. for check-in, which was busy. It took a half hour of line waiting.
After dropping off the luggage, we ran and grabbed a bus to Epcot and validated our AP renewals. It wouldn't have taken long but only two windows were available and the most obnoxious family around was taking up both CM's times at both windows so they could (mostly) argue/try to haggle $ to buy passes.
Even the kids behind us were asking what was going on.Then a quick trot to the boat launch and headed off to the Flying Fish. GREAT meal. $90, but VERY GOOD dining!
Then to top off a great meal, what's better than another boatride to Epcot to view Illuminations?
Whatta day.
Saturday, Jan 11-
We first went to CSR so DH could pick up his marathon race packet. He perused the expo while I stood in line for the Trade Parade pin exchange. It required at least a half hour of line standing each time. (Allowed five trips. I went for two.) But it was nice chatting with others about pins and I gave away my last DS Sept 11 pin. It was long standing, but fun. I was allowed three minutes to look at the trade parade cart with two pins in hands to trade
I saw a few lanyard pins on CM's lanyards and traded for other lanyard pins I happened to have extras of.
When I am in the parks I am always lanyard hunting. Not so much for that an elusive pin. I just enjoy trading and chatting with the CM's.
Afterwards, we went to MGM and had a nice lunch at Prime Time Cafe. First time there, and I am sure we will return some day.
Then we rode our favorites -- RnRC and ToT. Shopped a little.
Then back to ASMu. A fellow runner picked us up with her mom & dad and we all went to a Dead Runner's Society pre-race pasta dinner at the Macaroni Grill. (Off-site chain. But very good.)
Traded more pins at ASMu gift shop and headed for an early night of rest. DH had to get up at 3:00 a.m., which is 2:00 our time.
Sunday, early morning, approx 1:00 a.m. I woke up to what sounded like a frat party in the parking lot. Which pretty much is what it was.
The one time the cheerleaders were a royal, inconsiderate pain. Evidently several busses were loading them and hauling them off. It sounded like an outdoor bus depot full of cheerleaders, believe me. Luckily, neither one of us sleep well marathon morning. DH, because I know he is anxious about the marathon. Me, because I am anxious about being at WDW!
Then once the cheerleaders were gone, more busses were piling in the back and lining up getting ready to take the marathoners to the start.
But it was just that one morning. Otherwise all was quiet.
At 3:00, DH gets his Mickey wake up call, for "big doings!"
Off he trots and I snooze back a little finally, after watching a little t.v.6:30, I get MY wake up call.
(yawn) And I head off to the MK. MK wasn't officially open, but they were letting guests in (without checking tickets or ID's, which surprised me).
I have a nice quiche at a near empty Main St bakery and ride the rides, as I had MK to MYSELF!
Talk about a dream come true! Woo Who! I even had a PRIVATE cruise on the PotC.DH shook me awake by calling and saying he was at the finish line and I had to go meet him. I took the monorail over. Traffic entering Epcot was backed way up, between regular guests and those wanting to pick up race finishers.
DH finished the marathon (26.2 miles) in just a few minutes over 4 hours! He ran the entire course and was very happy.
We head back to ASMu, share a sandwich, he showers, rests awhile, and off we go to DTD.
We ate at Bongo's. (One of our usuals.) Kill a lot of time, as marathoners were allowed in Pleasure Island for free. (They had to show their race number and it was verified on-line.) I got into PI for $10.
We killed some more time. And then stood in a line for 45 minutes to go into the Comedy Club. It was fun and a very good show. But the show was too short. (Approx 40 minutes I would guess.) Too much line standing. It would be better if you could at least go in and sit. And it was chilly that night.
After the show we headed back to ASMu for some well deserved sleep.
