Arrived home yesterday from our first ever driving trip to WDW.
Friday 12/8: Checked in at 3:00, our 1BR villa was ready, room 4001. I asked if it was a Boardwalk View room and the CM looked on some sort of list and said, "Yes, you have a great view of Illuminations." Our room with two separate balconies was located at the end of the hallway adjacent to Jelly Rolls. The view was great. Walked over to Guest Relations in Epcot to pick up our DDE card (thanks for the advice). Had a wonderful CM named Willy who told us we were in the wrong place, so he ran over to the outside Guest Relations booth and picked it up for us. Heading towards dinner, we got stuck in the crowd at the Tree Lighting Treat. What an unexpected pleasant surprise. It's something we would never have planned on going to. We did not get the DDP this trip so we planned our ADR's at places that would be 2 coupons. Had an excellent dinner at Flying Fish, watched the fireworks from our room, then went to EMH at Epcot. Went on Finding Nemo, weren't all that impressed, maybe because we are not really all that familiar with the storyline. We thought it was too dark and difficult to see anything. Later on, ran into another great CM, Harry, on the Friendship boat at 12:55 a.m. He had a great sense of humor, was cheerful and welcomed each and every one of us onboard at such a late hour.
Saturday: Figured the parks would be crazy on the weekend so we went to DTD to do some Christmas shopping. It was crazy there as well. Had lunch at Earl of Sandwich, very long line, but it moved, and it was very good. About 5:00 p.m. went to The Timeshare Store. Met Emily and Jamie. Both very sweet. Picked up our gift from Tom. What a great present! There were so many to choose from, had some difficulty there. How very generous of him! Very easy to get to. Really, really nice. Later that evening had dinner at Bistro de Paris which was excellent, as always. It's now DH's favorite restaurant. Saw Illuminations again and loved the extra Christmas fireworks display.
Sunday: Went to AK. DH went on EE. He loved it. Crowds were not bad. Short lines on most rides. In the p.m. went to MK. Pretty crowded but wanted to see Spectro. Great, as usual. Had a late dinner at Narcoossee's, very good. Took a cab back from the GF, about $16.
Monday: Cancelled Rainforest breakfast and slept in. T&T day, housekeeping was excellent. A.M. Went to MGM. Beauty & the Beast closed. Went on lots of rides. Had fun. In the p.m. went to MK for MVMCP. Got there around 5:30. Wanted to eat at the Noodle place in Tomorrowland, but it was closed. Plaza also closed. Had to grab a quick hot dog at Casey's. Did not care for it. Will have to plan that better next time. Having been there the previous day, we found that the rides we hadn't gone on (Riverboat, Jungle Cruise, etc.) were closed. Started thinking that this was a waste of money, then came the Christmas Parade. It was outstanding. The Christmas fireworks were also just gorgeous. All in all we totally enjoyed ourselves.
Tuesday: A.M. Went to MGM. Beauty & the Beast closed (Never did get to see it this trip) but had a great time anyway. Later on went to Le Cellier for CP dinner. Food was great, server was okay. Maureeen McGovern led the CP. She was very good and the show itself just takes your breath away. Hadn't been at Christmas time for a few years and DH said he had forgotten how wonderful the CP was. It's so moving! A definite highlight.
Wednesday: A.M. Went to EP. Love it there. P.M. went to Brown Derby for Fantasmic dinner. Got banquette seating. Loved it, made you feel very elegant. Had Nick as a server, very attentive. Both the food and show were excellent. The stadium filled, but the dining section had empty seats. Sat in the first row, didn't get wet. Had a blast.
Thursday. More of Epcot. Had an incident. DH is not a shopper. Bought nothing the entire trip. Went to Guerlain in France and he went to buy L'Instant cologne for $71. Went to use his room charge for the first time besides dinners, and the girl said it was declined. He was livid. She gave him no info, just said it was declined. He didn't even bring a credit card, it was in the safe. Luckily I was with him and I had my Disney credit card on me so we charged it on that. He was still fuming when we got back to the hotel. Asked to see a manager but spoke to some guy who said something about the $1500 limit and just gave him the e-mail guest communications card. DH was so annoyed, he cancelled dinner at the Yachtsman and went to Shula's instead. (Best meal of the trip by the way, with superior service, but super-expensive.)
The next day, checkout day, my husband felt that the issue was not resolved and we most likely would run into the same problem when we come next month with the four nieces and nephews. He did not want to be embarrassed again so he went downstairs once more. This time he was directed to Tammy who is one of the managers. She said the issue was handled incorrectly. The proper procedure was for the girl to contact the hotel and then the hotel would allow the charge. She said it wouldn't happen again and to contact her when we come back to be sure. (It seems petty when writing about it, but he really was very upset, I think it brought back memories of his poorer days.) After that, checked out about 10:00 a.m. I agree that there should be some way to let them know when you are leaving.
Does anyone know what group the kids in yellow were with? I think the flag said "CVC." That was the only huge group we ran into several times during the week. I think it's a great time to go. Loved it so much, we're planning on going next year at the same time.
Anyway, we had a really fabulous trip! Seeing all the Christmas decorations and hearing the constant playing of Christmas music made this trip even more enjoyable than usual. Love, love, love my DVC. Any questions?
Friday 12/8: Checked in at 3:00, our 1BR villa was ready, room 4001. I asked if it was a Boardwalk View room and the CM looked on some sort of list and said, "Yes, you have a great view of Illuminations." Our room with two separate balconies was located at the end of the hallway adjacent to Jelly Rolls. The view was great. Walked over to Guest Relations in Epcot to pick up our DDE card (thanks for the advice). Had a wonderful CM named Willy who told us we were in the wrong place, so he ran over to the outside Guest Relations booth and picked it up for us. Heading towards dinner, we got stuck in the crowd at the Tree Lighting Treat. What an unexpected pleasant surprise. It's something we would never have planned on going to. We did not get the DDP this trip so we planned our ADR's at places that would be 2 coupons. Had an excellent dinner at Flying Fish, watched the fireworks from our room, then went to EMH at Epcot. Went on Finding Nemo, weren't all that impressed, maybe because we are not really all that familiar with the storyline. We thought it was too dark and difficult to see anything. Later on, ran into another great CM, Harry, on the Friendship boat at 12:55 a.m. He had a great sense of humor, was cheerful and welcomed each and every one of us onboard at such a late hour.
Saturday: Figured the parks would be crazy on the weekend so we went to DTD to do some Christmas shopping. It was crazy there as well. Had lunch at Earl of Sandwich, very long line, but it moved, and it was very good. About 5:00 p.m. went to The Timeshare Store. Met Emily and Jamie. Both very sweet. Picked up our gift from Tom. What a great present! There were so many to choose from, had some difficulty there. How very generous of him! Very easy to get to. Really, really nice. Later that evening had dinner at Bistro de Paris which was excellent, as always. It's now DH's favorite restaurant. Saw Illuminations again and loved the extra Christmas fireworks display.
Sunday: Went to AK. DH went on EE. He loved it. Crowds were not bad. Short lines on most rides. In the p.m. went to MK. Pretty crowded but wanted to see Spectro. Great, as usual. Had a late dinner at Narcoossee's, very good. Took a cab back from the GF, about $16.
Monday: Cancelled Rainforest breakfast and slept in. T&T day, housekeeping was excellent. A.M. Went to MGM. Beauty & the Beast closed. Went on lots of rides. Had fun. In the p.m. went to MK for MVMCP. Got there around 5:30. Wanted to eat at the Noodle place in Tomorrowland, but it was closed. Plaza also closed. Had to grab a quick hot dog at Casey's. Did not care for it. Will have to plan that better next time. Having been there the previous day, we found that the rides we hadn't gone on (Riverboat, Jungle Cruise, etc.) were closed. Started thinking that this was a waste of money, then came the Christmas Parade. It was outstanding. The Christmas fireworks were also just gorgeous. All in all we totally enjoyed ourselves.
Tuesday: A.M. Went to MGM. Beauty & the Beast closed (Never did get to see it this trip) but had a great time anyway. Later on went to Le Cellier for CP dinner. Food was great, server was okay. Maureeen McGovern led the CP. She was very good and the show itself just takes your breath away. Hadn't been at Christmas time for a few years and DH said he had forgotten how wonderful the CP was. It's so moving! A definite highlight.
Wednesday: A.M. Went to EP. Love it there. P.M. went to Brown Derby for Fantasmic dinner. Got banquette seating. Loved it, made you feel very elegant. Had Nick as a server, very attentive. Both the food and show were excellent. The stadium filled, but the dining section had empty seats. Sat in the first row, didn't get wet. Had a blast.
Thursday. More of Epcot. Had an incident. DH is not a shopper. Bought nothing the entire trip. Went to Guerlain in France and he went to buy L'Instant cologne for $71. Went to use his room charge for the first time besides dinners, and the girl said it was declined. He was livid. She gave him no info, just said it was declined. He didn't even bring a credit card, it was in the safe. Luckily I was with him and I had my Disney credit card on me so we charged it on that. He was still fuming when we got back to the hotel. Asked to see a manager but spoke to some guy who said something about the $1500 limit and just gave him the e-mail guest communications card. DH was so annoyed, he cancelled dinner at the Yachtsman and went to Shula's instead. (Best meal of the trip by the way, with superior service, but super-expensive.)
The next day, checkout day, my husband felt that the issue was not resolved and we most likely would run into the same problem when we come next month with the four nieces and nephews. He did not want to be embarrassed again so he went downstairs once more. This time he was directed to Tammy who is one of the managers. She said the issue was handled incorrectly. The proper procedure was for the girl to contact the hotel and then the hotel would allow the charge. She said it wouldn't happen again and to contact her when we come back to be sure. (It seems petty when writing about it, but he really was very upset, I think it brought back memories of his poorer days.) After that, checked out about 10:00 a.m. I agree that there should be some way to let them know when you are leaving.
Does anyone know what group the kids in yellow were with? I think the flag said "CVC." That was the only huge group we ran into several times during the week. I think it's a great time to go. Loved it so much, we're planning on going next year at the same time.
Anyway, we had a really fabulous trip! Seeing all the Christmas decorations and hearing the constant playing of Christmas music made this trip even more enjoyable than usual. Love, love, love my DVC. Any questions?
