madfordonald
If you're not wasted...the day is. ~DFG
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2006
- Messages
- 215
We've just returned from probably the best vacation I've ever been on!
The crowds were great and it seemed that almost everyone was very cheerful. I did notice little bits of magic being spread around by guests and CM's alike.
On the occasions in which we viewed the parades the nice people in front allowed our children to go in front of them so they could see. I made sure I thanked them profusely.
We stayed in POR for our first time and I can't believe how beautiful the grounds were! Very peaceful and I loved the crickets chirping at night. There was a cute little towel chick made up in our room when we arrived and on our second to last day, the maid made a rose complete with greenery in one of the glass cups. My ds(2) got to help wake up the 'old man' at the swimming hole and he also got the be the Riverboat Co-Captain (they gave him a button for this) on the boat to DTD.
We used the Fairy Godmothers babysitting on our first night. She was great! My DD (7) loved her and she brought her an Ariel crown and necklace. She was soooo nice and I wouldn't hesitate to do this again. DH and I used this night to go to the MK for a few hours and then go to Artist Point in WL for supper. The food was ok, I can't believe it's worth 2 credits, tho. Probably wouldn't do this one again. When we arrived back at the resort, the kids were sound asleep.
This was my DD first time collecting autographs and I have to say, I got into this as much as she did! It was fun finding the characters and in the end she ended up with 56 autographs! The best autograph time were MVMCP, tons of characters were out and about. Lots were riding rides with the kids and just wandering around the park. She got a couple of the Country Bears and Brer Bear, Jessie and Woody, Peter Pan, Wendy, Hook and Smee, Christmas Donald, Scrooge McDuck, Alice, Queen of Hearts, TweedleDee and Dum, MadHatter, Lilo and Stitch, Princess Aurora and Prince Philip, and Abu.
The 2nd best place/time was at MGM after the Christmas Parade. She got Cruella deVille, Belle, Snow White, Jafar, Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, Buzz, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. Plus we saw (no autos given or didn't make the line in time) Mike and Sully, Lightning and Mater, White Rabbit, Pocahontas, Meeko.
The worst experience I had was in a Character Greeting line at Epcot. We were in Morocco and we hopped in line to meet Aladdin, Genie, and Princess Jasmine. Right after we got in line one of the handlers got behind me and closed the line off. About ten minutes later this woman and her DD tried to get in line behind me and the handler informed her that the line was closed. Well, she told a fat whopper! She told him that they were in line behind me and her DD forgot her Autograph book in the stroller and she was getting it. He told her, "No ma'am, I've been behind this lady for 10 minutes now" and she told him that she WAS behind me. At this time I turned around and looked at her and said "No, he's been behind me the whole time, I was the last one in line!" Then her story changed, it was "NO! You are NOT going to do this! She's been waiting all week to meet Jasmine and YOU'RE going to tell her NO?!! How could you do this to a child?! It's not right, this is so unDisney-like! (At this time I wanted to say to her "And your behavior is?!") I just want to say she was screaming this the whole time and we're only 3 people away from the characters and this was in front of my DD. My DD said "Mama, she's lying!" Just disgusting behavior from an adult and the child seemed like she could of cared less one way or the other.
Some other special moments that happened to us was the free frozen coke in MGM. They were closing down and we didn't know and we were going to order 4 of them. The man was so nice and he let us order them but, he said our son's Slurpee was on him and he even let him pour it up.
Another is at one of the kiosks, the CM gave my DD trivia questions to answer and when she was done, the CM asked her to sign her autograph book and then gave her a Magical Moment certificate. Later, on the Tower of Terror, the Bellhops at the end of the ride wanted to make my DS a junior Bellhop. They had little matching costumes just like the CM's. DS wouldn't try it on but, my DD did. We have a great pic of her in the Jacket and hat.
Another nice moment was at 1900 Park Fare for the Cinderella dinner. My DS fell in love with the mice. They were so nice to him, they both got in the floor and played with him.
Also, a nice lady gave our family Fastpasses for Space Mountain. We were on our way to get some when she stopped us. Bless her for this because there was 110 minute wait and the FP return time was 9:15-10:00. The ones she gave us were for 8:20-9:20 and this was at 6:30 pm.
On a side note, I remember a thread a while back about parking at the deluxe resorts and then using their transportation to the park. I know a few Dis'ers got bent out of shape by the suggestion that it was ok. Well, officially I can tell you it IS ok! You are not taking up that resort guests parking spot. We did this at GF, Yacht Club and CR. You should have a ressie for a meal but, for the Yacht club, we told the guard that we wanted to use the boat to go to WS and he directed us to the 'Self- Parking' lot. There is no 3 hour time limit. The only time there is a 3 hr time limit is when you are not a WDW resort guest. If you're staying at a WDW resort you can park in Self Parking for as long as you like. This is per the gatekeeper at GF. Heck, we even Valet parked at GF one Afternoon (for the Park Fare Dinner) and came back for our car at 11 pm. This is not an issue for them. The self park is usually across the street (about a 3-5 minute walk) and it's where the CM's park their car.
Anyways, that's the highlights of my trip. The dates shown in the title is also including a few days in New Smyrna Beach (beautiful and quiet at this time of year).
Let me know if you have any questions!
Heather
The crowds were great and it seemed that almost everyone was very cheerful. I did notice little bits of magic being spread around by guests and CM's alike.
On the occasions in which we viewed the parades the nice people in front allowed our children to go in front of them so they could see. I made sure I thanked them profusely.
We stayed in POR for our first time and I can't believe how beautiful the grounds were! Very peaceful and I loved the crickets chirping at night. There was a cute little towel chick made up in our room when we arrived and on our second to last day, the maid made a rose complete with greenery in one of the glass cups. My ds(2) got to help wake up the 'old man' at the swimming hole and he also got the be the Riverboat Co-Captain (they gave him a button for this) on the boat to DTD.
We used the Fairy Godmothers babysitting on our first night. She was great! My DD (7) loved her and she brought her an Ariel crown and necklace. She was soooo nice and I wouldn't hesitate to do this again. DH and I used this night to go to the MK for a few hours and then go to Artist Point in WL for supper. The food was ok, I can't believe it's worth 2 credits, tho. Probably wouldn't do this one again. When we arrived back at the resort, the kids were sound asleep.
This was my DD first time collecting autographs and I have to say, I got into this as much as she did! It was fun finding the characters and in the end she ended up with 56 autographs! The best autograph time were MVMCP, tons of characters were out and about. Lots were riding rides with the kids and just wandering around the park. She got a couple of the Country Bears and Brer Bear, Jessie and Woody, Peter Pan, Wendy, Hook and Smee, Christmas Donald, Scrooge McDuck, Alice, Queen of Hearts, TweedleDee and Dum, MadHatter, Lilo and Stitch, Princess Aurora and Prince Philip, and Abu.
The 2nd best place/time was at MGM after the Christmas Parade. She got Cruella deVille, Belle, Snow White, Jafar, Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, Buzz, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. Plus we saw (no autos given or didn't make the line in time) Mike and Sully, Lightning and Mater, White Rabbit, Pocahontas, Meeko.
The worst experience I had was in a Character Greeting line at Epcot. We were in Morocco and we hopped in line to meet Aladdin, Genie, and Princess Jasmine. Right after we got in line one of the handlers got behind me and closed the line off. About ten minutes later this woman and her DD tried to get in line behind me and the handler informed her that the line was closed. Well, she told a fat whopper! She told him that they were in line behind me and her DD forgot her Autograph book in the stroller and she was getting it. He told her, "No ma'am, I've been behind this lady for 10 minutes now" and she told him that she WAS behind me. At this time I turned around and looked at her and said "No, he's been behind me the whole time, I was the last one in line!" Then her story changed, it was "NO! You are NOT going to do this! She's been waiting all week to meet Jasmine and YOU'RE going to tell her NO?!! How could you do this to a child?! It's not right, this is so unDisney-like! (At this time I wanted to say to her "And your behavior is?!") I just want to say she was screaming this the whole time and we're only 3 people away from the characters and this was in front of my DD. My DD said "Mama, she's lying!" Just disgusting behavior from an adult and the child seemed like she could of cared less one way or the other.
Some other special moments that happened to us was the free frozen coke in MGM. They were closing down and we didn't know and we were going to order 4 of them. The man was so nice and he let us order them but, he said our son's Slurpee was on him and he even let him pour it up.
Another is at one of the kiosks, the CM gave my DD trivia questions to answer and when she was done, the CM asked her to sign her autograph book and then gave her a Magical Moment certificate. Later, on the Tower of Terror, the Bellhops at the end of the ride wanted to make my DS a junior Bellhop. They had little matching costumes just like the CM's. DS wouldn't try it on but, my DD did. We have a great pic of her in the Jacket and hat.
Another nice moment was at 1900 Park Fare for the Cinderella dinner. My DS fell in love with the mice. They were so nice to him, they both got in the floor and played with him.
Also, a nice lady gave our family Fastpasses for Space Mountain. We were on our way to get some when she stopped us. Bless her for this because there was 110 minute wait and the FP return time was 9:15-10:00. The ones she gave us were for 8:20-9:20 and this was at 6:30 pm.
On a side note, I remember a thread a while back about parking at the deluxe resorts and then using their transportation to the park. I know a few Dis'ers got bent out of shape by the suggestion that it was ok. Well, officially I can tell you it IS ok! You are not taking up that resort guests parking spot. We did this at GF, Yacht Club and CR. You should have a ressie for a meal but, for the Yacht club, we told the guard that we wanted to use the boat to go to WS and he directed us to the 'Self- Parking' lot. There is no 3 hour time limit. The only time there is a 3 hr time limit is when you are not a WDW resort guest. If you're staying at a WDW resort you can park in Self Parking for as long as you like. This is per the gatekeeper at GF. Heck, we even Valet parked at GF one Afternoon (for the Park Fare Dinner) and came back for our car at 11 pm. This is not an issue for them. The self park is usually across the street (about a 3-5 minute walk) and it's where the CM's park their car.
Anyways, that's the highlights of my trip. The dates shown in the title is also including a few days in New Smyrna Beach (beautiful and quiet at this time of year).
Let me know if you have any questions!
Heather
