We drove up last Saturday and upon our arrival at 2:30, we were told that the good news was that our room was ready, the bad news was that it was all the way at the end of the hall, 1 BR Boardwalk View, Room 3001. (We requested upper floor near elevator, so we got neither.) We were very happy that it was ready, and decided to unpack and go out when we were done. By the way, the room was in very good condition. About 4 p.m., it started pouring, so we stayed in until 6:00 dinner at the Flying Fish, which was excellent. After dinner the rain had stopped and we had just enough time to make it over to see Jay Black at the Flower Power concert. He was in good voice and it was fun to see Johnny Maestro, who was in the audience, go up on stage with him for one quick number. At 8:45, we were making our way to the bridge when we noticed that the veiwing section that is always blocked off for private functions was open, so we got to see Illuminations up close and personal. That was the only time it was open as we passed by.
On Sunday morning, we started the day at Epcot and were there at rope drop at the International Gateway. When the rope dropped, it seemed like everyone, including ourselves, was headed for Soarin'. The crowd for fastpasses was huge. We got ours and the return time was 10:09. We then got on the standby line and it moved rather quickly since no one was cutting in with fastpasses that early. After our first ride, it was close to 10:00 so we hung around waiting for 10:09 and got a new fastpass and the return time now was already 2:15. We rode again and then went back to the hotel to meet my sister who was flying in from NJ. We met up with the rest of the family for our 3:30 Fantasmic Dinner package at the Brown Derby for the 8:30 show. It was pouring by now, and we were told that they would have Fantasmic in the rain, but not in lightning. Dinner was very good, but for those of you who have been there before, they have deleted the filet mignon. Now it's a strip steak, definitely not as good. When we came out of dinner it was still pouring. We trudged on for three more hours, doing indoor attractions, but by 8:00, we were all soaking wet and we just couldn't hang on for another half hour. We called it a day. We never did see Fantasmic this trip! At 9:58 that evening we got a message that there was going to be an aerial spectacle over the resort from 10:15 -11:00 the next morning, weather permitting. It was going to be a "Magical Moment in the Year of a Million Dreams."
Monday morning I told everyone that we were staying at the resort to see it. By 11:00, nothing was happening. We headed over to Epcot to meet up with the family and while we were having lunch at the Mexican Cantina at about 1;00 p.m., they had an Air Force Thunderbirds Fly Over with six jets. It really was kind of magical, and pretty emotional as well, especially since we were with my BIL who served in the Air Force and is recently retired from the Air Force Reserves. Wow... Later, we went back to our hotel for awhile before dinner at 1900 Park Fare and a late night at MK. Dinner was a lot of fun, and really one of Disney World's best buffets. By the time we got to MK after dinner it was about 8:00. I have never seen so many people in my life. Everything was mobbed. We went to Haunted Mansion and the cue went in ways I never knew existed. We watched the 9:00 Spectro about four rows of people back. 10:00 Wishes was insane! There were people sitting in the streets and paths everywhere. You couldn't move. It was the worst I have ever seen it, and I've been here Christmas week a few years ago. I don't know how more people could possibly be there then. We hightailed it out of there the second Wishes was over. I never before saw a maze for the monorail for the TTC. It's highly unlikely that we, ourselves, will plan to go back at this time of year again!
We had some miscommunication on Tuesday and although we got to AK at 8:56, unfortunately the rest of the group didn't get through the turnstiles until 9:45. Because it appeared that they would be there momentarily, rather than rush onto the Safari, we waited. By the time we all trekked up to the Safari together, the wait was already 70 minutes. We never did get to the Safari on this trip. In three and a half hours we went to Finding Nemo, the Musical, we saw Bug's Life and we went on Kali River Rapids. When it's as crowded as it was this week, it's crucial to be at rope drop. We moved on. Later that evening, we all met up at Chefs de France. That was an excellent meal but there was one thing there that annoyed me. There were seven of us with four of us on the DDP and three paying cash. When we ordered "The French Menu" for $32.95, it was a set menu that included soup, chicken and creme brulee. The waiter said he would have to charge for the soup since it is not included on the DDP. This did not make any sense to me because if you ordered the beef at $32 and a dessert at $7 it would be $39, so I didn't think it was right that they would charge for the soup on the French Menu. It did not really effect us because the three people who got it were paying, I just thought it was petty. So instead of being a bargain, it isn't. After dinner we saw Herman's Hermits. They were great and the audience just loved them That was a lot of fun.
By Wednesday, even Epcot was mobbed. Once again, we were at rope drop. This time they made you stay in an orderly line to get the Soarin' Fastpasses. Our return time was already 10:30. One thing I defintely did not understand today was that as soon as we got our fastpasses, we got on the standby line. There were people coming through in the fastpass line. I don't see how that was possible because although we weren't first on line, we were certainly in the first thrush, and if our fastpass time was 10:30, how could several people be in the fastpass line at 9:20. I really wanted to learn that secret! Anyway, after riding twice by 11:30, the fastpass return time was already 4:30 and we couldn't even get one at that time, because we weren't eligible for another fastpass until 12:30. Only two rides that day. We returned later for our 6:00 dinner at Le Cellier. They had a check-in outside by the entrance so you didn't have to walk all the way to the restaurant. We checked in at 5:50, and we still weren't seated at 6:20. When my BIL went to the bathroom, he noticed that there were no empty tables, so I guess people were just lingering longer than usual. The dinner was pretty good.
Our last full day was Thursday and since we got rained out on Sunday, we returned to the Studios. We got to see Beauty and the Beast (it was packed), and Lights, Motors, Action (it was really packed). We had lunch at Starring Rolls and no one was thrilled with the CM's attitude there, very snippy. DH stayed for the 4:00 Indiana Jones show but I went back to begin packing. For dinner we met up at Teppan Edo. That was very nice. We had to watch Illuminations one last time. It was great as always.
This morning we had a knock on our door at 8:36 (I did not have the Privacy Please notice out), but we were up early so it wasn't a big deal. We called housekeeping at 9:15 to tell them we were vacating our room, so maybe someone else will be lucky enough to get in early.
Even with all the crowds and craziness, we still had a great time. We really love our trips there. We hated to leave today. Everything is just so beautiful, and 99% of the CMs are wonderful. We especially loved Kevin, the Valet Captain at the Grand Floridian and Al at the Boardwalk. Also, I thought the parks were especially clean this week. For us, it really is a Magical place.
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
On Sunday morning, we started the day at Epcot and were there at rope drop at the International Gateway. When the rope dropped, it seemed like everyone, including ourselves, was headed for Soarin'. The crowd for fastpasses was huge. We got ours and the return time was 10:09. We then got on the standby line and it moved rather quickly since no one was cutting in with fastpasses that early. After our first ride, it was close to 10:00 so we hung around waiting for 10:09 and got a new fastpass and the return time now was already 2:15. We rode again and then went back to the hotel to meet my sister who was flying in from NJ. We met up with the rest of the family for our 3:30 Fantasmic Dinner package at the Brown Derby for the 8:30 show. It was pouring by now, and we were told that they would have Fantasmic in the rain, but not in lightning. Dinner was very good, but for those of you who have been there before, they have deleted the filet mignon. Now it's a strip steak, definitely not as good. When we came out of dinner it was still pouring. We trudged on for three more hours, doing indoor attractions, but by 8:00, we were all soaking wet and we just couldn't hang on for another half hour. We called it a day. We never did see Fantasmic this trip! At 9:58 that evening we got a message that there was going to be an aerial spectacle over the resort from 10:15 -11:00 the next morning, weather permitting. It was going to be a "Magical Moment in the Year of a Million Dreams."
Monday morning I told everyone that we were staying at the resort to see it. By 11:00, nothing was happening. We headed over to Epcot to meet up with the family and while we were having lunch at the Mexican Cantina at about 1;00 p.m., they had an Air Force Thunderbirds Fly Over with six jets. It really was kind of magical, and pretty emotional as well, especially since we were with my BIL who served in the Air Force and is recently retired from the Air Force Reserves. Wow... Later, we went back to our hotel for awhile before dinner at 1900 Park Fare and a late night at MK. Dinner was a lot of fun, and really one of Disney World's best buffets. By the time we got to MK after dinner it was about 8:00. I have never seen so many people in my life. Everything was mobbed. We went to Haunted Mansion and the cue went in ways I never knew existed. We watched the 9:00 Spectro about four rows of people back. 10:00 Wishes was insane! There were people sitting in the streets and paths everywhere. You couldn't move. It was the worst I have ever seen it, and I've been here Christmas week a few years ago. I don't know how more people could possibly be there then. We hightailed it out of there the second Wishes was over. I never before saw a maze for the monorail for the TTC. It's highly unlikely that we, ourselves, will plan to go back at this time of year again!
We had some miscommunication on Tuesday and although we got to AK at 8:56, unfortunately the rest of the group didn't get through the turnstiles until 9:45. Because it appeared that they would be there momentarily, rather than rush onto the Safari, we waited. By the time we all trekked up to the Safari together, the wait was already 70 minutes. We never did get to the Safari on this trip. In three and a half hours we went to Finding Nemo, the Musical, we saw Bug's Life and we went on Kali River Rapids. When it's as crowded as it was this week, it's crucial to be at rope drop. We moved on. Later that evening, we all met up at Chefs de France. That was an excellent meal but there was one thing there that annoyed me. There were seven of us with four of us on the DDP and three paying cash. When we ordered "The French Menu" for $32.95, it was a set menu that included soup, chicken and creme brulee. The waiter said he would have to charge for the soup since it is not included on the DDP. This did not make any sense to me because if you ordered the beef at $32 and a dessert at $7 it would be $39, so I didn't think it was right that they would charge for the soup on the French Menu. It did not really effect us because the three people who got it were paying, I just thought it was petty. So instead of being a bargain, it isn't. After dinner we saw Herman's Hermits. They were great and the audience just loved them That was a lot of fun.
By Wednesday, even Epcot was mobbed. Once again, we were at rope drop. This time they made you stay in an orderly line to get the Soarin' Fastpasses. Our return time was already 10:30. One thing I defintely did not understand today was that as soon as we got our fastpasses, we got on the standby line. There were people coming through in the fastpass line. I don't see how that was possible because although we weren't first on line, we were certainly in the first thrush, and if our fastpass time was 10:30, how could several people be in the fastpass line at 9:20. I really wanted to learn that secret! Anyway, after riding twice by 11:30, the fastpass return time was already 4:30 and we couldn't even get one at that time, because we weren't eligible for another fastpass until 12:30. Only two rides that day. We returned later for our 6:00 dinner at Le Cellier. They had a check-in outside by the entrance so you didn't have to walk all the way to the restaurant. We checked in at 5:50, and we still weren't seated at 6:20. When my BIL went to the bathroom, he noticed that there were no empty tables, so I guess people were just lingering longer than usual. The dinner was pretty good.
Our last full day was Thursday and since we got rained out on Sunday, we returned to the Studios. We got to see Beauty and the Beast (it was packed), and Lights, Motors, Action (it was really packed). We had lunch at Starring Rolls and no one was thrilled with the CM's attitude there, very snippy. DH stayed for the 4:00 Indiana Jones show but I went back to begin packing. For dinner we met up at Teppan Edo. That was very nice. We had to watch Illuminations one last time. It was great as always.
This morning we had a knock on our door at 8:36 (I did not have the Privacy Please notice out), but we were up early so it wasn't a big deal. We called housekeeping at 9:15 to tell them we were vacating our room, so maybe someone else will be lucky enough to get in early.
Even with all the crowds and craziness, we still had a great time. We really love our trips there. We hated to leave today. Everything is just so beautiful, and 99% of the CMs are wonderful. We especially loved Kevin, the Valet Captain at the Grand Floridian and Al at the Boardwalk. Also, I thought the parks were especially clean this week. For us, it really is a Magical place.
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
I really think EPCOT resort guests should get the same access and be allowed to proceed to the fountain to await rope drop as well as the vast majority of EPCOT guests.
