Just back! 11/9-11/21

[madfordonald]

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.

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

 

[calliemom]

madfordonald, we too were at the por from 11/11/ - 11/17 and I have to agree the cm's all around were simply splendid! We were lucky enought to have our 7 year old experience some super special moments including riding Goofy's Barnstorer with Goofy and then receiving a "frequent flyer card" from a cm , after riding it 7 times in a row (no one else waiting to get on). She also was chosen to be an honorary chef at Mama Melrose and even recieved a chef hat with her name on it along with a make your own sundae tray. The POR was truly a fantastic hotel and the food at Boatwrights was delicious (banana stuffed french toast to die for!).
We definately would not hesitate to go back to this hotel again.

 

[sydprincess]

I am SO glad you mentioned the parking issue! My parents told me the same thing after their trip in May, which I relayed to this board, but people still insisted you could not park more than 3 hours. I am also planning on parking and using the mono/boat the way you did during our June trip.

 

[dimoe]

curious where in mgm did you get the characters autographs after the parade. Some really good characters you found . I am leaving in 10 days and so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TikiGoddess]

Glad you had fun...makes me anxious for our upcoming trip!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

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.

It sounds like you had a lot of fun & just to add to what you said about the parking, not everything you mentioned is true. During the major holidays like 4th Of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years, the guards are more strict when it comes to parking at a Resort & then using their transportation. Last New Years Eve in the afternoon my family & I went to the Boardwalk & we had to park at the back of the Hess Gas station across the street. Eventhough we had our Contemporary parking pass displayed on our rental car, we were still given a 3 hour temporary parking pass. Later that night when we were returning to the Contemporary, we saw a lot of cars that were told to turn around & leave. They obviously were not Contemporary guests, or had ADR's which is why. Also I am not sure how many guests told to turn & leave were staying onsite & offsite, so on a day like that it would not matter if you were staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

Also on any day of the year at the Contemporary, they can go into "lockdown mode" as the guard called it. Basically it's just like what I mentioned about what I saw on New Years Eve, only this time it was because there were 2 major conventions going, so they wanted to save parking spaces for the Contemporary guests & guests with ADR's. This was going on when we were there this past August & one night when returning, we saw a few cars that were told to turn around & leave.

 

[madfordonald]

CRFan...this may be true. It wasn't a high time and I could see where they would do that during peak times. Just check when you get to the resort...I would probably say that a majority of the time, it'd be fine unless they tell you otherwise.

Dimoe: It was funny, we were walking by the hat and they just came spilling out from nowhere. I think we were in the right place at the right time. They took up their queues at various spots around the hat and just beyond where the little ornate fencing is. I never thought we'd see as many face characters on this trip as we did. We were lucky, I suppose.

 

[Dznefreek]

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.

not entirely true. . . . .

I went to to the Poly last Friday just to take some pictures as a day guest (I live up the road and was not staying on WDW property)and the parking pass stated "Issued: Nov. 17, 2006, Expires: Nov. 17, 2006". There was no 3 hour limit printed on the pass anymore.

 

[madfordonald]

Hmmm...that's interesting because we went to Chef Mickeys for breakfast on one of our days as a non-resort guest and we were given a yellow pass for the window that stated 3 hr limit and the time we entered into the gates on it.
Perhaps it's different for each resort.

 

[bytheblood]

Glad you enjoyed your vacation!

 

[Captain Jenny]

What was wrong with Artist Point? This is one of our favorite places to eat.

Glad you had a great trip.

Jenny
WL Jan 2007 / 6th stay