just back from disneyworld

[picantel]

Alrighty then we just got back from disneyworld early this morning. It started off really bad though. Two weeks ago we got a new freestar and in west virginia at around 9 at night thursday the tire went down for the count. We were told since it is a lease they would bring a new car so we waited 1 1/2 hours until the guy arrive and he had nothing so we drive about 3 hours at a crawl with a donut on the car. The next morning when we should have been there we had to take the car in and we found out the tire completely broke down and it was from a bad mold so they had to replace it. A couple hours later the tire light came on so we just said the heck with it and kept driving albeit slowly and arrived that night. The next morning we took it in and found out the dealership simply forgot to reset the pressure so the entire ordeal cost us 2 days of disneyworld. Our first 2 nights were spent at the Pop century. It was decent although much better in my opinion than the other all star resorts. At night it was really pretty though and I also think out of all the resorts I have stayed at deluxes included it has by far the nicest food court. The bus service was horrific though. By far the longest lines of all the resorts and they placed the pickup points the farthest away. Our next 3 nights were at the beach club which was really nice. the kids loved stormalong bay and of course beaches and cream. Oddsly enough we never did get over to the boardwalk which was the whole idea for staying there. The rooms were light and airy and of good size. Our final 3 days was spent at the animal kingdom, My wife loved it and I think it was pretty nice also. This is our 3rd trip in 6 months so I will list our favorite disney resorts in order of preference.
1)wilderness lodge- head and tails above the rest
2)beach club
3)animal kingdom
4)port orleans riverside
5)pop resort
6)all star movies

our 5 favorite sit down restaurants
1)ohanas-no comparison
2)whispering canyon dinner
3)kona cafe
4)bomas
5)chef mickeys

The parks were alot more crowded than I thought they would be and when we left(2 days ago friday) it was in my opinion worse than presidents day but not as bad as thanksgiving. I noticed a huge amount of large groups and 90% of the cars in the resort lots were florida plates. With the discounts going on it looks like from here on out things are not gonna be pretty. I did find the first 90 minutes of the park was practically ride on and then like magic within 10 minutes the lines will be 10 times as long as they were before.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

That's too bad about the car. What a bummer.

Our favorite resorts in order are:

1) BC
2) BWV
3) OKW
4) YC
5) Poly

My favorite places to eat are:

1) Cal Grill
2) Flying Fish
3) Teppenyaki (Japan)
4) Akershus
5) Spoodles

Did you notice that is was VERY busy on the weekends?

 

[picantel]

Personally I thought it was pretty busy the entire week. It did notice the crowded about doubled when we left this weekend. Fantasyland was ridiculous. you could barely walk and the heat(for someone from ohio that is) was pretty bad.

 

[Sami]

Sorry to hear your trip started off so badly, but it sounds like you made the best of it and had a good time.

Any reason in particular you think that Pop Century has the best food court? Just wondering.

 

[Epcotgal8]

Thank you for your report. We went from May 17th-25th 2 years ago and I was expecting it to be hot and we really only had one HOT day. The rest of the time it was nice and dd and I even had to buy a sweatshirt in Epcot one night because we had shorts and sleeveless tshirts on! On our trip last May (first week) and our previous trips even in early Oct. and late March we actually had warmer days. Just goes to show you never know about Mother Nature!

 

[picantel]

The pop century food court was pretty much brand new. They put up alot more comfortable boothes and I think the tables and chairs were of a better quality also. It was also a heck of alot cleaner and the middle areas where the drinks and other items were located were better organized. you would have to compare both to understand.

 

[firefawnkimmy]

I just wanted to agree with pacantel. I think that because there are no sit down restaurants at the value resorts that they HAVE to have the best food courts. I have never been to the Pop Century but thought the All Start food courts blew every other resorts food courts, and some restaurants (I know, shocked gasps around) away! The pop areas are better organized, the colors are not annoying nor are the areas smaller (one complaint about moderate resort food courts, which are nice though, is that a LOT of people eat there and they "seem" smaller. THey may not be in truth but they feel that way. The value resorts food courts are wide open like a cafeteria so no clostrophobia or feeling like your there with 100 other people even if you ARE there with over 100 people. Soft booths as well.

I also thank you pacantel for the heat report. I too am from northern ohio and i swear that it takes me a few days to adjust to the temperature every time we go there!

 

[Future Cast Member]

My Favorit resorts in order are:
1) Contemporary
2) Grand Floridian
3) Animal Kingdom Lodge
4) Port Orleans Riverside
5) Old Key West