disneyholic family
disney on my mind....
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2002
- Messages
- 20,500
So we got back home at 10:00 PM last night, after 2 weeks in WDW and 4 days in NYC.
We're already planning our return (the only way to avoid post-WDW depression).
No time to write a full report, but the following are a few highlights.
-- 9 nights in a 2 BR villa at Old Key West - fantastic - the CMs were WONDERFUL and the villa is incredibly spacious. We were in building 56 next to one of the quiet pools and really enjoyed the location.
-- 2 nights in the Contemporary Resort, in a MK view one BR suite on the 14th floor concierge - we were very disappointed with the CR and the concierge and the CMs - we were scheduled to stay here for 5 nights (the remainder of our two weeks), but we hated it so i found us 2 rooms at the WL and we moved. However the view of the MK was truly magical and i'm glad we had 2 nights there.
-- 3 nights at the WL concierge - FANTASTIC!! - wonderful CMs, both in the concierge and all over the resort, and the new concierge lounge is very nice. i LOVE the WL. The theming is perfect as are the CMs.
-- 4 nights at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC - I love NYC, always have and always will -- but apparently so do zillions of tourists who have finally returned in force to the city (following 9-11). The Waldorf was 100% occupied which is unbelievable. Great for the city, but making touring just a bit more challenging. The heat also made touring challenging, but nevertheless we had a phenomenal time (no surprise there). We saw 3 musicals this year, including Avenue Q, which is a must see for anyone visiting New York (but NOT appropriate for children).
WDW highlights -
--Soaring is AMAZING - a MUST MUST MUST see - we did it 3 times (you have to be there at the crack of opening both to get on it standby and to get a FP). We were so lucky. When we came in late one day with my mom, people leaving gave us their 5 FPs for Soaring. Wow. We were so excited that we would be able to take my mom on it. My mom also loved it. She hasn't stopped talking about it.
-- Crush and Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon is a blast. Once you ride it you'll be ruined for all other tube slides. Best time to go is an hour before closing when the line is short and you basically just get right on.
-- Crush the Turtle at the Living Seas is another Must See. He is hilarious and the interactivity is fun .
-- It's a Small World - we haven't done this for several years because my kids (18 and 20 years old) hate it. But since it underwent a major refurbishment last year, they decided to go for it. We were very pleasantly surprised. The changes that were made definitely improved it.
-- Stitch's Great Escape - Not as bad as we feared, but once was enough and we would never see it again. For Alien fans (like us) it's worth one visit (but do NOT wait in a long line for it).
-- My mom joined us for 2 days to celebrate her 78th Bday with us. As always, the CMs were spectacular at breakfast (chrystal palace) and lunch (plaza restaurant).
-- Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain remain our overall favorites. ToT is totally unbelievable. We never had the same ride.
-- It is imperative to avoid any park that is having Extra Magic Hours on that day. The difference in crowd level is significant.
-- The MK and AK have very nice openings with the characters that are worth seeing, so you have to be there before opening.
-- the rides seemed to have more technical difficulties this year, perhaps because of the heat and crowds. We added several more rides to those we've had to be taken off of in the middle.
-- i managed to get many last minute dining reservations, despite the crowds.
--We didn't go fishing, bicycling or riding this year due to the extreme heat. In fact, the best place to be was in the pool, immersed neck deep in water.
-- we did the Segway tour at Epcot again and enjoyed it just as much as last year. I highly recommend it.
-- We finally did the Behind the Seeds tour at the Land in Epcot. We also enjoyed this tour very much.
Despite the intense heat and humidity and unrelenting crowds, we had a spectacular time and can't wait to go back.
We're already planning our return (the only way to avoid post-WDW depression).
No time to write a full report, but the following are a few highlights.
-- 9 nights in a 2 BR villa at Old Key West - fantastic - the CMs were WONDERFUL and the villa is incredibly spacious. We were in building 56 next to one of the quiet pools and really enjoyed the location.
-- 2 nights in the Contemporary Resort, in a MK view one BR suite on the 14th floor concierge - we were very disappointed with the CR and the concierge and the CMs - we were scheduled to stay here for 5 nights (the remainder of our two weeks), but we hated it so i found us 2 rooms at the WL and we moved. However the view of the MK was truly magical and i'm glad we had 2 nights there.
-- 3 nights at the WL concierge - FANTASTIC!! - wonderful CMs, both in the concierge and all over the resort, and the new concierge lounge is very nice. i LOVE the WL. The theming is perfect as are the CMs.
-- 4 nights at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC - I love NYC, always have and always will -- but apparently so do zillions of tourists who have finally returned in force to the city (following 9-11). The Waldorf was 100% occupied which is unbelievable. Great for the city, but making touring just a bit more challenging. The heat also made touring challenging, but nevertheless we had a phenomenal time (no surprise there). We saw 3 musicals this year, including Avenue Q, which is a must see for anyone visiting New York (but NOT appropriate for children).
WDW highlights -
--Soaring is AMAZING - a MUST MUST MUST see - we did it 3 times (you have to be there at the crack of opening both to get on it standby and to get a FP). We were so lucky. When we came in late one day with my mom, people leaving gave us their 5 FPs for Soaring. Wow. We were so excited that we would be able to take my mom on it. My mom also loved it. She hasn't stopped talking about it.
-- Crush and Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon is a blast. Once you ride it you'll be ruined for all other tube slides. Best time to go is an hour before closing when the line is short and you basically just get right on.
-- Crush the Turtle at the Living Seas is another Must See. He is hilarious and the interactivity is fun .
-- It's a Small World - we haven't done this for several years because my kids (18 and 20 years old) hate it. But since it underwent a major refurbishment last year, they decided to go for it. We were very pleasantly surprised. The changes that were made definitely improved it.
-- Stitch's Great Escape - Not as bad as we feared, but once was enough and we would never see it again. For Alien fans (like us) it's worth one visit (but do NOT wait in a long line for it).
-- My mom joined us for 2 days to celebrate her 78th Bday with us. As always, the CMs were spectacular at breakfast (chrystal palace) and lunch (plaza restaurant).
-- Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain remain our overall favorites. ToT is totally unbelievable. We never had the same ride.
-- It is imperative to avoid any park that is having Extra Magic Hours on that day. The difference in crowd level is significant.
-- The MK and AK have very nice openings with the characters that are worth seeing, so you have to be there before opening.
-- the rides seemed to have more technical difficulties this year, perhaps because of the heat and crowds. We added several more rides to those we've had to be taken off of in the middle.
-- i managed to get many last minute dining reservations, despite the crowds.
--We didn't go fishing, bicycling or riding this year due to the extreme heat. In fact, the best place to be was in the pool, immersed neck deep in water.
-- we did the Segway tour at Epcot again and enjoyed it just as much as last year. I highly recommend it.
-- We finally did the Behind the Seeds tour at the Land in Epcot. We also enjoyed this tour very much.
Despite the intense heat and humidity and unrelenting crowds, we had a spectacular time and can't wait to go back.
looking forward to that trippie 
