beattyfamily
DIS Cast Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2000
- Messages
- 23,572
From November 29 thru December 9.
Cast of characters = Me (36), hubby (39), DDs 5 and 2 years old.
This is our third WDW trip but our 2-year old's second. Trip included Universal for two days (three nights at HRH), 4 nights at the Grand Floridian, and a 3-night cruise.
Everyday was sunny and in the 80s except on Wednesday at Epcot it rained a little and also on our cruise on the day at Nassau it rained a little bit. But it was MUCH warmer than last years first week in December. I packed way too many winter clothes because of how cold it was last year! It was a perfect vacation weatherwise.
Thursday, 11/29 Arrived around 8:00 p.m. Emerald Aisle had slim pickings. 6 white cars between the EA and Full size asiles; all Malibus or similar. Took the Malibu.
Arrived at HRH around 8:30 p.m. Got a free upgrade from Garden view to pool view; didnt even ask but had my Loews card out. Got gift bag for each of my DDs. They never asked for my Entertainment card. Thought it was an expensive hotel; for example, the mini-bar and room service and parking. Wished they had 24-hour place to eat and a playroom. Loved the pool for my 2 DDs. Great to be able to walk to the parks. Would stay again at a discounted rate, of course.
It was my 36th birthday that night and my DH had 36 Roses and a beautiful cake delivered to our room! Went out to eat and came back and ate some cake and went to bed.
Friday, 11/30 Woke up early to get to IOA for opening at 9:00. Went straight to see the Grinchs Lair because I was afraid it would be crowded based on reports I read before I left. It was dead. No wait whatsoever. We encountered no waits. DD (5) and I went on Woody Roller coaster 3 times in a row without getting off. Never encountered waits. One Fish/Two Fish was also dead; rode it 3 times. Whobillation was cutback a little. Not as many Whovillers in make-up walking around this year. Park was dead! We heard the attendance the day before (Nov 29) was 4000. Did everything we wanted by 3:30. At night, HRH had Drive-in theater at the pool. That was nice. It was The Santa Clause.
Saturday, 12/1 Went to Universal. Did most everything we wanted. Saw Shrek but my 5-year-old DD was too afraid to stand by him even though she LOVES the movie. Left at closing.
Sunday, 12/2 Check in to Grand Floridian. Got a new cast member. Wouldnt combine my passes with my Key to the World card. Ive heard that its been done but they wouldnt help me. Check in took forever! No problems getting Fantasmic! Package for two days later. Picked up Candlelight Processional tickets and that took a long time too.
Granted my request for a view of MK/Lagoon. Stayed in 8305 in the Boca Chica building. At first I was bummed we were far from the Main building but the view was wonderful! Loved the hotel only complaint would be the food in the 24-hour place wasnt that great and the SMELL!! It was gross! My husband said something and they all knew. They said they will be changing the carpet soon and that is where it was coming from.
Went off to Disney Studios. Did Tower of Terror twice with DD (5). No wait. Saw the new parade; loved it. Did Little Mermaid show. No Beauty show till Tuesday; only day it was showing on our visit. It was a very manageable crowd; not bad at all. Had dinner at Crystal Palace at 5:30 (best character interaction all week) and then off to MVMCP.
MVMCP took free picture first then did most popular rides our DDs wanted like Dumbo and Pooh. Also did Aladdin ride for the first time. Saw the Belle Christmas show. Then watched the fireworks and got to see Rudolph slide down from the Castle. Then we went and waited for the second parade and then called it a night. It was crowded but manageable. It was hot too unlike last year!
Monday, 12/3 relaxed in the a.m. and swam in the new GF pool. Loved it. DD (5) did Alices Tea Party at 1:30. I was disappointed that they did not take a picture of her with Alice for us. Luckily, I sent her in with a camera and I think cast members took pictures for her. I believe they used to provide a picture??
Monday afternoon we went back to MK. Crowds were manageable again. We wanted to catch the new parade and my DD (5) did Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain for the first time and wanted to go again on SM with my husband but he didnt want to and it was our last ride of the night; the park was closing. It was like a ghost town over there. Once we got to Main Street, though, it was insane getting out. On our way down, we ran into Mike Eisner with some big wigs. My husband took a picture of him and then he and his group disappeared into a shop probably so no one else would ask for a picture!
After the parks we went to Downtown Disney. Did my souvenir shopping with my 10% DC discount.
Tuesday, 12/4 Ate at the Grand Floridian café. It was fine. Saw lots of media eating there. Went off to Disney Studios again and saw Beauty and the Beast show finally. Also saw Bear (Playhouse Disney) show for our DD (2). DD (5) got to ride TOT again for the 3rd time! Saw security leading Wayne Brady through the park. I guess he was taping Regis and Kelly that day. Again, crowds were manageable. Had dinner at Hollywood and Vine (4:20) then went over to see Fantasmic! at 6:00. No pre-show entertainment. After, we went and saw the Osborne Lights and it was CRAZY!! It was SO crowded and unorganized. They had Regis and Kelly set up where you usually would enter so they were directing us around and it was just a zoo.
Wednesday, 12/5 Husband surprised me with room service breakfast. Relaxed and watched Regis and Kelly with Wayne Brady on! Ran into Joy Philbin getting out of the elevator at the GF when we were getting in. We didnt bother her. She had her own private escort. I kept telling my family that Regis always stays at the GF when hes at WDW. Hubby wanted to bring the girls to MK one last time but it was really crowded so we only did Fastpass for Peter Pan for DD (5) and did Dumbo for DD (2) and went on Its a Small World together one last time. Even that ride had a 20-minute wait by the time we left at 2:00. Then we were off to our day at Epcot. I did Test Track and my DD (5) chickened out. Saw these alien acrobats and did the Spaceship ride and then it was already time for our Candlelight Processional dinner package. We ate at Garden Grill at 4:30. I was not impressed and wouldnt go there again. The character interaction wasnt very good either. They seemed to be in a big hurry. The Candlelight Processional was at 6:45 and it was wonderful. It was our first time. We will do it again. Our narrator was guess who? Wayne Brady! The line for the later show seemed MUCH longer than our line. I guess its more popular. After CP, my DD (5) begged me to do the Honey, I shrunk the audience movie if we had time and we did. Meanwhile, my DH and DD (2) sent email photos of themselves to friends! Called it a night right as the fireworks started. This was the only day we had any kind of crowd issues and needed Fastpass for MK and Test Track.
Thursday, 12/6 Breakfast at Konas Café to try Tonga Toast (I had had it at the Contemporary last year in Room Service) and it was the best! Then we went off on our 3-night DCL cruise. Got there about 12:30. On the ship by 1:00. Took a tour. Did the mandatory drill. Then went off to the Sailaway party. It was already time to get ready for first seating dinner at Animators Palate. Then off to the Hercules show. DDs loved it.
Friday, 12/7 Day at Nassau. We relaxed and swam in the pools. Then we walked over to the Straw Market (old one burned down so now it's down the street). This day it did rain a little but not bad. Then went back to the ship and saw a character show about Castaway Cay and then caught the Monsters Inc movie which was my DD (5) and my second time seeing it but my DH and DD (2) first time. Then it was time to get ready for dinner at Parrot Kay. We didnt do the show that night because we were tired and its just a game. We went to the deck party that night and my DD (5) had a ball. There was a band and dancers and the characters of course. Didnt go to bed until almost Midnight.
Saturday, 12/8 Day at Castaway Cay and it was beautiful out! Went back to the ship and packed a little and then got ready for our dressy night at Tritons. Some people do not dress up and some go all out. We were in the middle. My husband wore suit and tie and we girls all work red dresses; my daughters dresses were Disney Cruise Line dresses. Then it was time for the wonderful Disney Dreams show. It was great as usual. Then we went to Studio Seas so our DDs could dance again. They both love to dance. Then we called it a night.
Some cruise observations: It was magical but noticed some things seemed more commercialized than our last cruise in 1998. For example, at the sailaway party, they came out with a cart of toys and souvenirs to sell while the cruisers are dancing and eating and singing on deck. I thought that was very tacky. They did away with the special dessert at the end of the Animators Palate. I was a little disappointed about that. The waiters used to come out with it at the end. Someone said they saw Paul Shaffer from the David Letterman show. Didnt get as many chances for our kids to see the characters. Not sure why but they were easier to access on our last cruise.
Sunday, 12/9 - We were back in Orlando by 10:00 a.m. so killed some time on International Dr. We checked out the up-side-down building and the mall near it with a big FAO Swartz store and Disney store (no DC discount there) in it. Our flight was scheduled for 2:30 but was postponed to 3:30 because of snow back home in Boston.
Nationals Emerald Club car return was simple and I was charged what I had on my reservation - $180 for 10 days.
Cast of characters = Me (36), hubby (39), DDs 5 and 2 years old.
This is our third WDW trip but our 2-year old's second. Trip included Universal for two days (three nights at HRH), 4 nights at the Grand Floridian, and a 3-night cruise.
Everyday was sunny and in the 80s except on Wednesday at Epcot it rained a little and also on our cruise on the day at Nassau it rained a little bit. But it was MUCH warmer than last years first week in December. I packed way too many winter clothes because of how cold it was last year! It was a perfect vacation weatherwise.
Thursday, 11/29 Arrived around 8:00 p.m. Emerald Aisle had slim pickings. 6 white cars between the EA and Full size asiles; all Malibus or similar. Took the Malibu.
Arrived at HRH around 8:30 p.m. Got a free upgrade from Garden view to pool view; didnt even ask but had my Loews card out. Got gift bag for each of my DDs. They never asked for my Entertainment card. Thought it was an expensive hotel; for example, the mini-bar and room service and parking. Wished they had 24-hour place to eat and a playroom. Loved the pool for my 2 DDs. Great to be able to walk to the parks. Would stay again at a discounted rate, of course.
It was my 36th birthday that night and my DH had 36 Roses and a beautiful cake delivered to our room! Went out to eat and came back and ate some cake and went to bed.
Friday, 11/30 Woke up early to get to IOA for opening at 9:00. Went straight to see the Grinchs Lair because I was afraid it would be crowded based on reports I read before I left. It was dead. No wait whatsoever. We encountered no waits. DD (5) and I went on Woody Roller coaster 3 times in a row without getting off. Never encountered waits. One Fish/Two Fish was also dead; rode it 3 times. Whobillation was cutback a little. Not as many Whovillers in make-up walking around this year. Park was dead! We heard the attendance the day before (Nov 29) was 4000. Did everything we wanted by 3:30. At night, HRH had Drive-in theater at the pool. That was nice. It was The Santa Clause.
Saturday, 12/1 Went to Universal. Did most everything we wanted. Saw Shrek but my 5-year-old DD was too afraid to stand by him even though she LOVES the movie. Left at closing.
Sunday, 12/2 Check in to Grand Floridian. Got a new cast member. Wouldnt combine my passes with my Key to the World card. Ive heard that its been done but they wouldnt help me. Check in took forever! No problems getting Fantasmic! Package for two days later. Picked up Candlelight Processional tickets and that took a long time too.
Granted my request for a view of MK/Lagoon. Stayed in 8305 in the Boca Chica building. At first I was bummed we were far from the Main building but the view was wonderful! Loved the hotel only complaint would be the food in the 24-hour place wasnt that great and the SMELL!! It was gross! My husband said something and they all knew. They said they will be changing the carpet soon and that is where it was coming from.
Went off to Disney Studios. Did Tower of Terror twice with DD (5). No wait. Saw the new parade; loved it. Did Little Mermaid show. No Beauty show till Tuesday; only day it was showing on our visit. It was a very manageable crowd; not bad at all. Had dinner at Crystal Palace at 5:30 (best character interaction all week) and then off to MVMCP.
MVMCP took free picture first then did most popular rides our DDs wanted like Dumbo and Pooh. Also did Aladdin ride for the first time. Saw the Belle Christmas show. Then watched the fireworks and got to see Rudolph slide down from the Castle. Then we went and waited for the second parade and then called it a night. It was crowded but manageable. It was hot too unlike last year!
Monday, 12/3 relaxed in the a.m. and swam in the new GF pool. Loved it. DD (5) did Alices Tea Party at 1:30. I was disappointed that they did not take a picture of her with Alice for us. Luckily, I sent her in with a camera and I think cast members took pictures for her. I believe they used to provide a picture??
Monday afternoon we went back to MK. Crowds were manageable again. We wanted to catch the new parade and my DD (5) did Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain for the first time and wanted to go again on SM with my husband but he didnt want to and it was our last ride of the night; the park was closing. It was like a ghost town over there. Once we got to Main Street, though, it was insane getting out. On our way down, we ran into Mike Eisner with some big wigs. My husband took a picture of him and then he and his group disappeared into a shop probably so no one else would ask for a picture!
After the parks we went to Downtown Disney. Did my souvenir shopping with my 10% DC discount.
Tuesday, 12/4 Ate at the Grand Floridian café. It was fine. Saw lots of media eating there. Went off to Disney Studios again and saw Beauty and the Beast show finally. Also saw Bear (Playhouse Disney) show for our DD (2). DD (5) got to ride TOT again for the 3rd time! Saw security leading Wayne Brady through the park. I guess he was taping Regis and Kelly that day. Again, crowds were manageable. Had dinner at Hollywood and Vine (4:20) then went over to see Fantasmic! at 6:00. No pre-show entertainment. After, we went and saw the Osborne Lights and it was CRAZY!! It was SO crowded and unorganized. They had Regis and Kelly set up where you usually would enter so they were directing us around and it was just a zoo.
Wednesday, 12/5 Husband surprised me with room service breakfast. Relaxed and watched Regis and Kelly with Wayne Brady on! Ran into Joy Philbin getting out of the elevator at the GF when we were getting in. We didnt bother her. She had her own private escort. I kept telling my family that Regis always stays at the GF when hes at WDW. Hubby wanted to bring the girls to MK one last time but it was really crowded so we only did Fastpass for Peter Pan for DD (5) and did Dumbo for DD (2) and went on Its a Small World together one last time. Even that ride had a 20-minute wait by the time we left at 2:00. Then we were off to our day at Epcot. I did Test Track and my DD (5) chickened out. Saw these alien acrobats and did the Spaceship ride and then it was already time for our Candlelight Processional dinner package. We ate at Garden Grill at 4:30. I was not impressed and wouldnt go there again. The character interaction wasnt very good either. They seemed to be in a big hurry. The Candlelight Processional was at 6:45 and it was wonderful. It was our first time. We will do it again. Our narrator was guess who? Wayne Brady! The line for the later show seemed MUCH longer than our line. I guess its more popular. After CP, my DD (5) begged me to do the Honey, I shrunk the audience movie if we had time and we did. Meanwhile, my DH and DD (2) sent email photos of themselves to friends! Called it a night right as the fireworks started. This was the only day we had any kind of crowd issues and needed Fastpass for MK and Test Track.
Thursday, 12/6 Breakfast at Konas Café to try Tonga Toast (I had had it at the Contemporary last year in Room Service) and it was the best! Then we went off on our 3-night DCL cruise. Got there about 12:30. On the ship by 1:00. Took a tour. Did the mandatory drill. Then went off to the Sailaway party. It was already time to get ready for first seating dinner at Animators Palate. Then off to the Hercules show. DDs loved it.
Friday, 12/7 Day at Nassau. We relaxed and swam in the pools. Then we walked over to the Straw Market (old one burned down so now it's down the street). This day it did rain a little but not bad. Then went back to the ship and saw a character show about Castaway Cay and then caught the Monsters Inc movie which was my DD (5) and my second time seeing it but my DH and DD (2) first time. Then it was time to get ready for dinner at Parrot Kay. We didnt do the show that night because we were tired and its just a game. We went to the deck party that night and my DD (5) had a ball. There was a band and dancers and the characters of course. Didnt go to bed until almost Midnight.
Saturday, 12/8 Day at Castaway Cay and it was beautiful out! Went back to the ship and packed a little and then got ready for our dressy night at Tritons. Some people do not dress up and some go all out. We were in the middle. My husband wore suit and tie and we girls all work red dresses; my daughters dresses were Disney Cruise Line dresses. Then it was time for the wonderful Disney Dreams show. It was great as usual. Then we went to Studio Seas so our DDs could dance again. They both love to dance. Then we called it a night.
Some cruise observations: It was magical but noticed some things seemed more commercialized than our last cruise in 1998. For example, at the sailaway party, they came out with a cart of toys and souvenirs to sell while the cruisers are dancing and eating and singing on deck. I thought that was very tacky. They did away with the special dessert at the end of the Animators Palate. I was a little disappointed about that. The waiters used to come out with it at the end. Someone said they saw Paul Shaffer from the David Letterman show. Didnt get as many chances for our kids to see the characters. Not sure why but they were easier to access on our last cruise.
Sunday, 12/9 - We were back in Orlando by 10:00 a.m. so killed some time on International Dr. We checked out the up-side-down building and the mall near it with a big FAO Swartz store and Disney store (no DC discount there) in it. Our flight was scheduled for 2:30 but was postponed to 3:30 because of snow back home in Boston.
Nationals Emerald Club car return was simple and I was charged what I had on my reservation - $180 for 10 days.
