avalon451
Errrr... what?
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
- Messages
- 4,248
We came home last night from our much-anticipated trip with the whole family-- 3 DDs and DSIL. I'm writing an extensive trip report (linked in my signature) but that's not going to be done for awhile. I wanted to get a few thoughts out while it's fresh!
We were in the parks 3 full days and a half day with travel on either end, Wednesday Sept. 11th- Sunday Sept. 15th. We had 3 rooms at the DLH. To be honest, I don't get the hype about staying at DLH. The rooms are fine, the pool and the restaurants are great amenities, the artworks and stuff is all very cool. The customer service was really great. But it seems SO far to walk, especially at night in the hordes of people in DTD. I guess I'm glad we did it once, but next time I'm going back to across the street. The price is just insane.
It was HOT. Our first and last day were very warm, but our three full days were just about unbearable. It got to around 95. It felt like a hammer was hitting you walking down DTD. I'd be freshly showered for dinner in the parks, but by the time we got there my hair and clothes would be soaked with sweat. Our best strategy was to hit EE and get out by noon. A couple of days we had to be there for lunch reservations, and it was not fun. Saturday afternoon, when we were walking back around 2 p.m. DD21 was about to collapse from heat exhaustion, and DD17 wasn't far behind her. (they recovered fine with a couple hours' rest in air conditioning, fruit and water). We tried to keep hydrated, and DH and I had Chilly Pad towels which were helpful, but not enough to beat the heat.
I thought the CMS were very cheerful and helpful. The CM at the hotel who checked us in was wonderful. She upgraded us to a pool view room in the tower we requested, and made sure our rooms were all on the same floor, not far from each other. The security guys at the DTD entrance in particular were unfailingly awesome. I'd go crazy after an hour of what they do. By the way, the security lines did get pretty backed up, especially in the late afternoons. By Saturday night, when we were headed back to go to F! it was backed up across the street almost to the Mickey Hat. It took about 20 minutes to get through. Not all the tents and lines were open.
The crowds were light Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, but started to pick up after that. Afternoons and evenings seemed packed to me, and Saturday was bonkers. I saw much higher wait times then than I'd been seeing on the app for awhile.
ST:GE --- Oh, boy. I'm obsessed. I loved everything about it, and so did DH and DSIL. The girls enjoyed it too, but didn't get our old-school obsession. I just love it all. I was also the one who was most enthusiastic about MF:SR. I rode it 5 times: single rider our first evening, and I got right front pilot first time out of the box! It was so great! I rode it with DH single rider, DD and DSIL single rider, with the whole family standby, and again single rider on my last morning. After that first time I mostly got engineer, and gunner once. I'm glad we went through the standby once, just to see the awesome queue. The posted wait was 50 minutes, but we were through in 30. We built light sabers at 9 p.m. on Thursday, which was awesome. Afterwards, we went to the Cantina, and I was underwhelmed. We were seated at a booth right under DJ Rex, so we couldn't see much, and there were several signs saying you can't walk around or you'll be asked to leave!! So we didn't see DJ Rex except coming in and leaving. The booth had a party of 4 at it already, and with the 6 of us it was very crowded. Also it was dirty, with dishes, glasses and napkins crumpled up all over from the previous party, The servers all rushed by without making eye contact, and it must have been 15 minutes before our server showed up and took our orders, and cleared the table. It was VERY noisy and uncomfortable there. We left after our one drink. I think they are going to have to step it up there-- more servers, more food options, more seating options.
We did F! with the Blue Bayou lunch package, and WOC dessert party, and enjoyed them very much. I'd have paid that for just the seats, which is good, because the WOC dessert party food for our gluten-free group was pretty icky. More details on that in my trip report once it's completed.
We did Napa Rose chef's counter which was fantastic-- our waiter was just awesome and the food was amazing.
We did Club 33 for lunch on my birthday, and again, it was fabulous.
Riding Big Thunder Mountain at night under a full moon-- so bright you could just about see everything, even away from the other lights-- is breathtaking and fun. The view you get of Blackspire Outpost from that ride at night is fantastic!
And, the original Tigger Tails are back at Pooh Corner, and I'm so glad. I didn't care for the ones rolled in orange sugar. These have the orange-tinted white chocolate back, and along with the thin caramel layer, it's yummy. However, I'm not used to that much sugar at once-- I was almost vibrating after eating one! We also tried the Cheshire Cat inspired one, and didn't care for it at all. It was sickly sweet.
My family was so happy I'd done all the planning! We mostly rope dropped, got everything done early, stacked FPs, and took long breaks back at the hotel.
Mobile order is a godsend. I hope more places get it soon.
That's all for now! Watch for my full trip report later, linked in my siggy!
We were in the parks 3 full days and a half day with travel on either end, Wednesday Sept. 11th- Sunday Sept. 15th. We had 3 rooms at the DLH. To be honest, I don't get the hype about staying at DLH. The rooms are fine, the pool and the restaurants are great amenities, the artworks and stuff is all very cool. The customer service was really great. But it seems SO far to walk, especially at night in the hordes of people in DTD. I guess I'm glad we did it once, but next time I'm going back to across the street. The price is just insane.
It was HOT. Our first and last day were very warm, but our three full days were just about unbearable. It got to around 95. It felt like a hammer was hitting you walking down DTD. I'd be freshly showered for dinner in the parks, but by the time we got there my hair and clothes would be soaked with sweat. Our best strategy was to hit EE and get out by noon. A couple of days we had to be there for lunch reservations, and it was not fun. Saturday afternoon, when we were walking back around 2 p.m. DD21 was about to collapse from heat exhaustion, and DD17 wasn't far behind her. (they recovered fine with a couple hours' rest in air conditioning, fruit and water). We tried to keep hydrated, and DH and I had Chilly Pad towels which were helpful, but not enough to beat the heat.
I thought the CMS were very cheerful and helpful. The CM at the hotel who checked us in was wonderful. She upgraded us to a pool view room in the tower we requested, and made sure our rooms were all on the same floor, not far from each other. The security guys at the DTD entrance in particular were unfailingly awesome. I'd go crazy after an hour of what they do. By the way, the security lines did get pretty backed up, especially in the late afternoons. By Saturday night, when we were headed back to go to F! it was backed up across the street almost to the Mickey Hat. It took about 20 minutes to get through. Not all the tents and lines were open.
The crowds were light Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, but started to pick up after that. Afternoons and evenings seemed packed to me, and Saturday was bonkers. I saw much higher wait times then than I'd been seeing on the app for awhile.
ST:GE --- Oh, boy. I'm obsessed. I loved everything about it, and so did DH and DSIL. The girls enjoyed it too, but didn't get our old-school obsession. I just love it all. I was also the one who was most enthusiastic about MF:SR. I rode it 5 times: single rider our first evening, and I got right front pilot first time out of the box! It was so great! I rode it with DH single rider, DD and DSIL single rider, with the whole family standby, and again single rider on my last morning. After that first time I mostly got engineer, and gunner once. I'm glad we went through the standby once, just to see the awesome queue. The posted wait was 50 minutes, but we were through in 30. We built light sabers at 9 p.m. on Thursday, which was awesome. Afterwards, we went to the Cantina, and I was underwhelmed. We were seated at a booth right under DJ Rex, so we couldn't see much, and there were several signs saying you can't walk around or you'll be asked to leave!! So we didn't see DJ Rex except coming in and leaving. The booth had a party of 4 at it already, and with the 6 of us it was very crowded. Also it was dirty, with dishes, glasses and napkins crumpled up all over from the previous party, The servers all rushed by without making eye contact, and it must have been 15 minutes before our server showed up and took our orders, and cleared the table. It was VERY noisy and uncomfortable there. We left after our one drink. I think they are going to have to step it up there-- more servers, more food options, more seating options.
We did F! with the Blue Bayou lunch package, and WOC dessert party, and enjoyed them very much. I'd have paid that for just the seats, which is good, because the WOC dessert party food for our gluten-free group was pretty icky. More details on that in my trip report once it's completed.
We did Napa Rose chef's counter which was fantastic-- our waiter was just awesome and the food was amazing.
We did Club 33 for lunch on my birthday, and again, it was fabulous.
Riding Big Thunder Mountain at night under a full moon-- so bright you could just about see everything, even away from the other lights-- is breathtaking and fun. The view you get of Blackspire Outpost from that ride at night is fantastic!
And, the original Tigger Tails are back at Pooh Corner, and I'm so glad. I didn't care for the ones rolled in orange sugar. These have the orange-tinted white chocolate back, and along with the thin caramel layer, it's yummy. However, I'm not used to that much sugar at once-- I was almost vibrating after eating one! We also tried the Cheshire Cat inspired one, and didn't care for it at all. It was sickly sweet.
My family was so happy I'd done all the planning! We mostly rope dropped, got everything done early, stacked FPs, and took long breaks back at the hotel.
Mobile order is a godsend. I hope more places get it soon.
That's all for now! Watch for my full trip report later, linked in my siggy!
