Just back! Crowds low, weather great, CP imploded

[Redbudlover]

Just back!!! We had great weather and low crowds. It was fantastic. I went with my exDH (long story and boring to those who don't know me!) and my DGD3 1/2. Arrived the first day around 3 pm and our room was ready at the BWV, which was great but our sv studio faced the construction - and just the construction. Tarps, wheelbarrows, paint cans, ladders, trash - our view was of inside the wall blocking the mess from public view.

I am ready for flames on this one, but imo there is nothing wrong with asking for a better room if what they give you at first is awful... I called down immediately to see if there was anything else available, including an upgrade I was willing to use more points for. They said nothing and that anything else faced the same view. I explained that anything else down the hall would not directly face the paint cans and trash. She said there was nothing else open that day and I said I was willing to move the next day. She went away and came back with a room on the fourth floor just after the turn in the hallway. Was one not renovated but looked like heaven after the first room. It turned out to be wonderful with a view of the fireworks! We were especially happy about being so insistent when the next morning - and those that followed - we walked down the hall past the area our old room was in and the paint or varnish fumes were so strong they almost knocked one down. We would have lived in that smell all day. Yes we had a little TV and no jack to plug in the ipod but we were happy.

We went that night to the Crystal Palace for dinner. We had an ADR for 6 pm and didn't get seated until 7! The crowds there were crazy and angry. People all over were loudly complaining about the hour delay past reservation times. We only had to wait an hour past our time, but I overheard one man saying they had just been told they were running 75 minutes behind! I have no idea what caused the restaurant to be running behind that long, but luckily it was the only reservation the whole trip that was delayed. My dgd kept busy with her little dolls while we waited and was thrilled at meeting Pooh and Piglet and gang again. Due to the delay we missed the fireworks that night, but it was EMHs so she rode the teacups and IASW and was a happy little girl.

The buses the whole trip were numerous and on time. Traveling from BWV to MK is a pain as you pick up from all the other Epcot resorts as well, but at least it is the first stop so we always had a seat. And it is a joy to walk to Epcot and ride the boat to the Studios. I love BWI - the theming, the decor, the peace of the place and its location. I have decided though, that for me, I prefer the BCV. I stayed in them last Christmas and they were beautiful, had the great pool, and most important for me were the restaurants in the hotel and the grab and go for breakfast in the morning. I tried to get something one morning for us at the Bakery on the boardwalk and the line was long and slower than table service! It would be different if I didn't mind something sweet in the morning as there are several options for that, but I wanted protein for my dgd to keep her off a suger high and I have to be careful about my blood sugar, so rolls and doughnuts don't work for me either. So I think I will go back to the BCV after my next already scheduled BWV trip at Christmas.

The crowds were low all week. Most things were a walk on. Even Soarin and TSM had less than an hour wait times, but by using FPs we did really well. We spent a long time in Epcot this year after avoiding it last year with DGD. I had worried there would be little for her to do, but she loved Crush and the Nemo ride, thought Spaceship Earth was ok, and absolutely adored Soarin. She also had a great time playing in the water where it pops up out of the ground. Her fave ride was Barnstormer, though. And she had so much fun at Ariel's dance party it was worth the price of admission! Lots of characters and lots of little girls dancing. She danced her heart out and had a great time. She rode TOT but said she would ride it again "when I am a little older"!

Any we had a great trip. Great weather, low crowds, almost impossibly nice people everywhere. CMs were terrific. If anyone has any questions, please ask away. Oh btw - we went to the breakfast with Cindarella - a much anticipated breakfast by dgd - and learned she doesn't appear at the breakfast. Lots of other princesses, but only a cattle call picture op with her. Pretty disappointing. And I felt rushed there the whole time. Probably won't do it again. Will try Akershus instead....

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! You must have been happy to avoid the paint fumes. Book a room get a free high...there is a new promo!!! LOL!

What is Ariel Dance party? is it part of MNSSHP or is it something else?

 

[Cheryl592000]

We too just returned on Saturday 10/3. Crystal Palace was ridiculous! We had 2:25 pm reservations for 8 people (2 being diabetic). We didn't get in until almost 3:45 pm. It was just crazy!!! People were on the porch of the CP like ants on a lollipop! Both my parents have recently had knee replacements and do you think anyone would give up their precious seat for them? Nope. The cast members were letting in people with no ressies, before the people that had ressies. And only 1/2 hr. before they called us in did they give us those light up pagers.
It was also downpouring for about 5 minutes at a time that day, every 1/2 hr. or so. It was hot, humid, wet, we were crabby, hungry...

 

[RMulieri]

Glad you had fun...I agree that there is nothing wrong asking for another room if what you get assigned is not acceptable.Not surprised at CP , it seems that the restaurant always runs behind adr times anymore.

 

[seadd67]

By no means,you can not stay In a room thats going to get you sick? or pay all that money to look at construction work??,I am glad they where able to movie you.75 min wait time for CP,never herd of a wait time more then 20min yikes!,but i would of waited
Trip with the "X" did that many times,I know what you mean about haveing to know you,you get the weirdest looks.But!! for me took we took enough trips that we got back together and thats been,,,,,,what 14years ago and still going strong,not married but loveing life I am glad you had fun

 

[mariepapa]

I have heard of numerous reports of CP being very slow lately. We were lucky we got in under 10 minutes during late August. You should ask for a different room if you get the ugliest view ever!

 

[itchin2go]

I am ready for flames on this one, but imo there is nothing wrong with asking for a better room if what they give you at first is awful...

No flames here. I totally agree with you. Glad they found you another room!

 

[MusiqChic99]

Glad you had a good trip.

I am always surprised on all the different takes of vacations. I mean you say low crowds and so many people are talking about how crowed it is there. LOL I guess it depends on your expectations. We always go during the 4th of July so I'm guessing we will think it's not crowded at all!

I'm glad you asked for another room and got one. You pay good money for a vacation...nothing unreasonable with what you requested!

 

[bluesky225]

We were there at the same time and also had an hour wait at CP. (reservations were for 3:45--got in at 4:45) That was the only restaurant that we had a long wait.
Glad you had a great trip!!! We had a great time too....

 

[waltskids]

Glad they moved you to another room and that you had a great trip. We just ate at CP yesterday (10/4) and had a 12:00 pm ressie and were seated by 12:10 but there were tons of people mad and yelling that they got there at 11:30 (not sure when lunch starts) and weren't seated yet. I guess that's nothing compared to 60-75 minutes! I agree about the low crowds too, it was great! Of course we usually travel in the summer so it was a light crowd to us. We also did MNSSHP and loved it.

 

[cassiez76]

sounds like you had a great time! we just got home last night and had a great time!

every time we walked past CP, it was crazy! i think all eating places were though.

the crowds varied at parks, i thought. but the weather was great!

 

[pioneer89]

I'm glad you got your room moved, smelling paint all night would have given me a headache.

I can second (or third, or fourth!!) the Crystal Palace stories. When I was there in late August, I was waiting in line for over 20 minutes before I was even able to sign in, and they had the nerve to tell me I was 5 minutes late . The CM behind the counter told me it was going to be at least 60 minutes, and people waiting on the benches confirmed that they were waiting for that long.

I sent my wife and kids to go see the SFRTH, and was suprised when my buzzer went off in about 5 minutes. I even asked the hostess if they were sure it was my turn, because people who were waiting on benches when I got there to sign in had still not been seated.

Only thing I can figure is that they have some sort of queue that puts me in a table when I signed in, and the family before me must have left before getting seated. Can't think of any other reason that a family of four waiting there before me gets seated after my family of four.

The service was very slow, but I didn't see our server running around to too many tables though, she was just no where to be seen. We waited at least 10 minutes to get our check, and another 10 minutes for her to pick it up, and ANOTHER 10 minutes to bring back the ticket to sign.

Dare I suggest an organized slow-down?

 

[Rainkiss]

I'm suddenly very glad we decided to give CP a pass this upcoming trip. We were disappointed with it last time... We didn't have to wait long to get in (we had dinner during the fireworks), but the food was only so-so. I'd been told this was a MUST do... Yes, seeing the characters was neat, but I'd rather have food that's better than what we get down at the buffet down the street at home.

 

[LoraJ]

Glad you had a good trip.

I am always surprised on all the different takes of vacations. I mean you say low crowds and so many people are talking about how crowed it is there. LOL I guess it depends on your expectations. We always go during the 4th of July so I'm guessing we will think it's not crowded at all!

I'm glad you asked for another room and got one. You pay good money for a vacation...nothing unreasonable with what you requested!

LOL! I know. I do not think the crowds were low at all compared to when I have been there around the same time before.

The crowd at Epcot was the same on Weds as it was on Sunday, when usually the Weds would be a lot less crowded.

I think some people base crowds on lines, I base it on both lines and how many people I have to weave in and out of while walking around. The parks felt crowded to me, but the lines were not bad at all. Just slightly longer on average than what I experienced last year. We usually walk on Spaceship Earth but had to wait in line about 15 minutes.

 

[WVParkfan]

Oh btw - we went to the breakfast with Cindarella - a much anticipated breakfast by dgd - and learned she doesn't appear at the breakfast. Lots of other princesses, but only a cattle call picture op with her. Pretty disappointing. And I felt rushed there the whole time. Probably won't do it again. Will try Akershus instead....

A meal in the castle is a special treat, but we liked Akershus better. I think you'll really enjoy it.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

When we ate at CP on 9/29, the CM at the podium said that the restaurant has been terribly overbooked ever since the online system started. He told me they were running 30 minutes behind when we checked in at 4:15. Luckily it ended up not being that long and the castle show had just started so I had something to do while we were waiting.

 

[seashoreCM]

The cast members were letting in people with no ressies, before the people that had ressies. ...

Can you give me some telltale hints so I too could recognize this if I were caught waiting for my ADR?

The CM behind the counter told me it was going to be at least 60 minutes, ...

I sent my wife and kids to go see the SFRTH,

Is there a mechanism in place so I too can go off and do something for those 60 minutes and come back in time for my (our) ADR?

 

[jfortsch]

We had the same experience with Crystal Palace on 9/26. We had a 6:05 reservation, didn't get seated until after 7. Didn't even get to see Tigger they were so far behind. We were so disappointed, this was our favorite from our previous trip, but this time it was so terrible! Oh well, can't complain - the rest of the trip was great!

Jacqui

 

[canoe86]

Funny, reading different posts tonight, how some people have great trips, others, not so hot. some feel it was crowded , others, not so much.

I agree with the other posters, for what it costs to stay on property, you should get a decent room, with a non-construction view.

If I arrive in 3 weeks to the sight on construction, there will be a change.

 

[Redbudlover]

Hi, everyone,

Thanks for all support about the room! I was afraid I would get totally flamed for demanding a different room, but you wouldn't have believed what it looked like out the window. I wish I would have taken a picture. And the fumes were awful and strong.

Hi, Lil Bit Goofy, Ariel's dance party is located right next to Toon Town and is held during the MNSSHP. They have a DJ and all kinds of characters come out and dance with the kids: Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Daisy plus assorted princesses. They did a congo line with the kids following Daisy. It was so much fun for DGD. A real highlight for little kids.

Cheryl59200 - OMG you had that kind of wait in the middle of the afternoon! That is unexcusable. I was really curious if CP's problems happened on other nights than the one I was there. I used to book it for every party, but recently have found it takes so long to get seated that it eats up too much party time. What in the world is going on there? Other restaurants don't seem to have that problem and they also get booked online? Even Boma which is always packed doesn't make people wait like this...

Pioneer89. A ten minute wait and seated before everyone else? You must have walked by a pixie and been dusted! Our service was also very slow - same experience getting the check and trying to get it paid. And we never did see Tigger.. Cosmic Rays is looking better all the time!

Seadd67. Whoo Hoo! Yes people give us funny looks! This is the first trip we have taken together, but won't be our last. I don't know about getting back together, though. I like the TV remote too much and don't like it on when I am trying to sleep!!! I am glad you are loving life. That is what counts.

VW Park Fan. Thanks for the news about Akershus. I am so trying it next time. For the three of us we paid $100 for the breakfast and were hurried and rushed through it all. My ex couldn't even get a second cup of coffee. My dgd was at least happy seeing all the princesses who were really great with the kids, but she had been so excited about "having breakfast with Cindarella". She couldn't understand why she wasn't there - and neither could I. It is marketed as breakfast "with."

And it is funny, yes, that some people found the parks crowded and some didn't. For me, when I could get a Soarin and a TSM FP without waiting in line after 10 in the morning and the return time was only a couple of hours later - that was the mark of a low crowd level. I expected the restaurants to be booked due to free dining and they were - though there are always little hidden gems that you can get into - like Il Mulinas - great food and easy ADR - got one the same evening when we missed Brown Derby ADR because DGD's nap was so long and I figured she needed the rest.

Thanks everyone for the support about the room. We did have a great trip and didn't let CP get us down. What could be better than 5 cool, non-rainy days at WDW? Nothing I can imagine!