Just back from POP!!! A brief description of our trip.

[brighteyes]

Just got back Sunday from 8 days at POP!!!

We left Friday Aug 17th at 4:30 am for our 6:30 flight. We were flying out of Breslau airport which was only 15 mins away. Had problems checking in and getting our boarding passes ( the printer wasn't working), then as we sat forever on the plane, the pilot announced that all the safety checks weren't working out. At this point, I am praying for God to just get us there SAFELY. Then after a little while asks us to deplane so the maintenance crew can come check it. Then he comes out and says, "That's way above my head, so the mechanic has to come and the flight is cancelled. So for those of you that have connecting flights out of Detroit will miss the connection" So we had the choice to fly out of london, or toronto. As we are talking to the ticket agent, checking on flights, I am wondering how we are going to get to either airport since we had gotten a ride. They put us in a cab to london, but our first flight out wasn't until noon which is the time we were supposed to arrive at orlando airport. I called ME and told them we wouldn't be arriving until about 6 pm they said that's fine. I was more upset than my DS that we missed the whole day there. So after leaving home at 4:30 am on 2 hours sleep and arriving at POP about 7, waiting in line for an hour to check in and FINALLY getting something to eat, and not getting the section we wanted we were all pretty grumpy and too tired to go to MK so we just ate and swam in the pool.

We got there safely thank god, but I would never fly northwest again. We were told that upon leaving that we would need to ask to get our boarding passes printed the night before we left since we were leaving the hotel at 5 am for our flight home, this took about an hour or more because they could not verify our flight home even though we had the itinerary with the flight number, seat numbers, and confirmation and eticket numbers on!! Let me tell you after the drama we had flying out we were worried that when we arrived at the airport we would have the same problem.

So alas, at the airport going home, we try the self check in. Wouldn't work. A lady assisted us, wouldn't work. The ticket agent proceeds to call someone, and after a very long wait we were able to get boarding passes What a stress but we were finally on our way. Don't know what the problem was.

Other than that our trip was wonderful, tiring, exhausting, and magical. Except for my son being grumpy. He decided he wanted a grumpy hoodie and I of course didn't argue and bought it for him!!!

We ate at Le Cellier for lunch which was the best meal of the whole trip!!! We had the ceasar salad with the 5 oz filet and the chocolate moose for dessert with a glass of wine!!!

We also ate at Sci-Fi for lunch and were way too full to finish our burgers, but it was very good.

50's Primetime cafe was the second best meal. We all had the potroast and even my DS had it, and ate it I ordered the chocolate brownie sundae and of course only ate the brownie and my son finished the icecream off for me.

Our other meals were character meals, Chef Mickey's for dinner, Donald's breakfastsaurus our first full day there which was great too. Lilo and Stitch breakfast which was my favourite character meal, because all the kids did a parade with maracas around the restaurant with Lilo, Stitch, and Mickey!!!

Our last night we had the Luau booked but halfway through got cancelled b/c of the rainstorm They said they would credit us each back one full TS credit since we only saw half the show but did us no good b/c it was our last meal and we had already eaten at the luau. And it was our last night as we were leaving that morning at 5 am.

My son and I also ate breakfast one morning at the poly at the Kona Cafe b/c they had overeasy eggs which he loves.

I cannot say any one of these was a bad meal. Loved it all. Favourite non-character meal was LeCellier for sure. Favourite character meal was of course Lilo and Stitch!!

We did all the big rides the kids wanted to do. Soaring 4 times!! Tower of Terror, scared the crap out of me. I wanted to do it again but my son got so we got out of line. Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain both at least 3 times during EMH at MK. Space Mountain too Mission Space and Test Track.

3D shows we saw were Honey I Shrunk the Audience, which was waay too cool It's Tough to be a Bug, Mickey's Philharmagic.

We saw Wishes which made me cry. Spectromagic,Illuminations, and the Lights, Motors, Action or whatever the stunt show is at MGM. WOW is all I can say.

Our first full day in MK, which was the day after our hectic travel day, we walked in just as the Dreams Come true parade which of course made me cry because then finally I felt like I was in Disney!! It was all magical and amazing and now I see why everyone wants to go back.

This isn't really meant to be a full trip report, just a brief description of what we did and saw. If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Stephanie

 

[michelle1]

Sorry to hear about your travel troubles...sounds like a nightmare to me since I have a small fear of flying! I was wondering how you liked POP and where your room was and if it was a good location. I will at POP for the first time in Sept but from the maps I see it looks like such a large resort.

 

[brighteyes]

Sorry to hear about your travel troubles...sounds like a nightmare to me since I have a small fear of flying! I was wondering how you liked POP and where your room was and if it was a good location. I will at POP for the first time in Sept but from the maps I see it looks like such a large resort.

Our travel agent had told us to request building 1, we were in the 50's section. When we got there it was so late, they put us in the jukebox building in the 50's section. We were at the back of the jukebox building and our room faced epcot. We were not facing the pool, which was good. We could see the globe from our room. We weren't happy, but it was so late and we were miserable. That was room 2452. I smoke and it was way too far to find a smoking area near the room as we were on the fourth floor and if you were tired a fair jaunt for the kids late at night.

We requested if we could change rooms, and two days later we got into building 1, the Lady building again at the back, we were facing the parking lot. You couldn't really see much of the parking lot anyways because of all the trees. That was room 1442. Fourth floor again. But perfect location. Around the corner to the elevator, and down around the corner one quick pathway to the main building and busses, and closer to the smoking area. lol

I loved POP!! Loved the bright colours, the theming, rooms were not huge but clean and considering we were hardly ever there who cares?? Beds were very comfy too.

Service was great. When we changed rooms, we just had to be out by 10 so they could clean it and they called to see how many bags we had packed. So off we went to the park in the morning and when we came back we just got our new cards from the front desk and off we went to our new room! I even had a fridge from the POP fridge swap I had gotten from luggage services the previous day and they moved that for me too. Then the manager of guest services administration called to see if the room change went smoothly.

Loved the maids there too. We never got a towel critter, but everyday my son's assortment of stuffed animals that he brought and stitch that he bought there were always in some sort of trouble when we got back to the room. He couldn't wait to get back to the room everyday.

As I was getting our drinks from the foodcourt on the way back from the parks, I let my son go to the room ahead of me so he could see what his animals were doing. He was so excited that his monkey was tied up in the drapes like a hammock with all the rest of them sitting on his back my son went out of the room to take a picture and locked us out.

So back down I went to the main hall to wait in line and there is a lady there taking a survey as to why you are in line for concierge. So I told her I wasn't sure which line to be in since I was locked out and all my ID was in the room. She went to the manager and he took me out of the long line and took me up to my room and let us in!!! Thank goodness, because it had been a long day.

Another great thing we loved about POP was the foodcourt. I was travelling with my friend and her daughter as well and my son is a picky eater. But we never ate counter service in the parks. We were on the dining plan and I was worried my son wouldn't eat anything being as he was considered an adult. Well was I wrong!! He even ate the double cheeseburger. I know it's not the healthiest but at least he ate. They had apples and bananas there as well. The kids always wanted to eat CS at the POP. I loved it too, the chicken parmigan I was bad on this trip. They had cheese fries, and let me tell you I had a side of those things everyday and gained back 5 lobs of the 20 lbs I lost before our trip. But I think that is muscle cause my calf muscles are rock hard now.

Anyways I loved the foodcourt. I never got the chance to look around the rest of the resort but the 50's section in building 1 was perfect for us, close to the pool, the foodcourt and buses.

If I ever get the chance to go back I will stay at POP again for sure. Loved it!!

Sorry so long again, as you can see from my rambling I loved it there

Stephanie

 

[d.d.s mom]

I am so glad to hear you had a great trip. Me and DS leave next Thursday and are staying at Pop as well . When do you make the requests for a certain room - either before you go or as you are checking in? Also did you depart from a Canadian airport? If so, how does ME work. We are flying out of Moncton to Toronto to Orlando. Do I attach my ME tags when we leave Moncton or do I wait until we clear customs in Toronto? Did you tip your maid every day or did you wait until the last day of your stay. Did they replenish the soaps and shampoo everyday? How was the bus situation and the waiting times? We have a lot of the same restaurants booked as you did(Chef Mickeys, Lilo and Stitch breakfast, Primetime and 50's) and was glad to hear you and your son enjoyed them. My DS is a verry picky eater too. Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[brighteyes]

I am so glad to hear you had a great trip. Me and DS leave next Thursday and are staying at Pop as well . When do you make the requests for a certain room - either before you go or as you are checking in? Also did you depart from a Canadian airport? If so, how does ME work. We are flying out of Moncton to Toronto to Orlando. Do I attach my ME tags when we leave Moncton or do I wait until we clear customs in Toronto? Did you tip your maid every day or did you wait until the last day of your stay. Did they replenish the soaps and shampoo everyday? How was the bus situation and the waiting times? We have a lot of the same restaurants booked as you did(Chef Mickeys, Lilo and Stitch breakfast, Primetime and 50's) and was glad to hear you and your son enjoyed them. My DS is a verry picky eater too. Thanks for any info you can give me.

Well we made the request for the building when we got there, which is why we had to move later. Our TA had requested the 50's when we booked our trip.

We should have departed from Breslau airport, but then were re-routed to London airport. Attach your ME tags BEFORE you leave home. Check with the luggage people when you fly out, but we had to pick up our luggage in Detroit, which is where we transferred to Orlando. You may have to pick up your luggage in Toronto before you head to Orlando.

I wasn't going to tip the maid at all, but the 2nd last day of our stay my son saw her and thanked her for taking good care of his animals, and we had a nice conversation with us. She told me then that she was off for the weekend and she would see us on Sunday, so I knew the next day would be her last day with us before we left so the next day I left her 18.00 which was 2.00 per day that we had her as the maid.

Th soap and shampoo were not always replenished b/c i had stuff from home that I brought, but on the days when i took the soaps and put them away for souvenirs, yes, they were replenished then.

Hope that answers your questions.

Stephanie

 

[crazyhunter98]

I am so glad to hear you had a great trip. Me and DS leave next Thursday and are staying at Pop as well . When do you make the requests for a certain room - either before you go or as you are checking in? Also did you depart from a Canadian airport? If so, how does ME work. We are flying out of Moncton to Toronto to Orlando. Do I attach my ME tags when we leave Moncton or do I wait until we clear customs in Toronto? Did you tip your maid every day or did you wait until the last day of your stay. Did they replenish the soaps and shampoo everyday? How was the bus situation and the waiting times? We have a lot of the same restaurants booked as you did(Chef Mickeys, Lilo and Stitch breakfast, Primetime and 50's) and was glad to hear you and your son enjoyed them. My DS is a verry picky eater too. Thanks for any info you can give me.

we flew out of moncton our last trip to toronto then orlando we put our me tags on after we got our bags in toronto and before u go through customs because you will not get your bags again until your hotel room.the buses are great so have a good time everything will be fine wdw really takes good care of there quest it is unbelieveable have a great trip we are going again in dec

 

[crazyhunter98]

I am so glad to hear you had a great trip. Me and DS leave next Thursday and are staying at Pop as well . When do you make the requests for a certain room - either before you go or as you are checking in? Also did you depart from a Canadian airport? If so, how does ME work. We are flying out of Moncton to Toronto to Orlando. Do I attach my ME tags when we leave Moncton or do I wait until we clear customs in Toronto? Did you tip your maid every day or did you wait until the last day of your stay. Did they replenish the soaps and shampoo everyday? How was the bus situation and the waiting times? We have a lot of the same restaurants booked as you did(Chef Mickeys, Lilo and Stitch breakfast, Primetime and 50's) and was glad to hear you and your son enjoyed them. My DS is a verry picky eater too. Thanks for any info you can give me.

if you do not mind me asking where you from i am from the miramichi

 

[d.d.s mom]

So am I!!

 

[crazyhunter98]

So am I!!

really is this your first trip to disney lol and u are from the miramichi did you book it on your own or with a travel agent

 

[brighteyes]

Oh forgot to tell you about the buses. I don't think we ever waited for more than 10 mins for a bus. When we had to go to a resort, we just took the bus to MK transportation centre and transferred to the monorail. Max time to a park was 15 mins. It was great.

Stephanie

 

[aGoofyMom]

I am wondering - have you flown out of Breslau before? DH & I were thinking the next Cuba trip would be out of Breslau, but now I am not sure...
Was it a case of problems with Northwest specifically for your flight down?
No mechanics?

 

[d.d.s mom]

Crazyhunter98: This is my 4th time going but my first time on site We leave next Thursday and are staying until the following Saturday. This is a solo trip for me and my little boy as DH couldn't get time off from work. I had originally booked thru Disney but then WEstjet came out with a better deal so I went with a TA.

 

[crazyhunter98]

yes i seen the deal westjet had on it was a great deal to bad about dh not being able to get time off work well i am sure you will have a good time would it be to much to ask where he works i work at atcon plywood

 

[brighteyes]

I am wondering - have you flown out of Breslau before? DH & I were thinking the next Cuba trip would be out of Breslau, but now I am not sure...
Was it a case of problems with Northwest specifically for your flight down?
No mechanics? [/QUOTE

The engine gages were reading zero, the pilot said. And it could be nothing but it's better to get it checked out. Geeze, do you think???

So they had maintenance there first but had to wait two hours for a mechanic and it would be awhile before it would be fixed. Hence we missed our connecting flight. I mean at least he did the safety checks and got us off the plane if it wasn't working right. They did pay for a cab for us to get to London airport, it's just our first trip to disney and we were 8 hours late That really sucked lol. So we never flew out of breslau on the way out.

Then I don't know what the mix up was on the way back. I did notice however that our flight number on our itinerary was different than our boarding passes, so who knows.

Coming into customs in breslau was a breeze, just the few people on our small flight. In through there in about five minutes. Wonderful after the 15 hour travel time it took to get us to disney to come home and have no lineups like that.

Stephanie

Stephanie

 

[CJK]

I am wondering - have you flown out of Breslau before? DH & I were thinking the next Cuba trip would be out of Breslau, but now I am not sure...
Was it a case of problems with Northwest specifically for your flight down?
No mechanics?

I just wanted to mention that we have flown out of the breslau airport twice. Once was with Northwest Airlines (to Detroit, then onto Disney), and the other was with Sky Service to Cancun, Mexico. We had no problems! It's so convenient and you don't have to be there quite so early as you do with Toronto. Have a great trip to Cuba! We may be joining you in January!

Thanks to OP for your trip report. Sounds like a magical trip! Sorry to hear about your flight trouble though.... On your next trip, you'll be due for fabulous travel conditions!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Oh forgot to tell you about the buses. I don't think we ever waited for more than 10 mins for a bus. When we had to go to a resort, we just took the bus to MK transportation centre and transferred to the monorail. Max time to a park was 15 mins. It was great.

Stephanie

That is so great to hear.

 

[aGoofyMom]

Thanks for the info on Breslau...now if only SOUTHwest would come up here!

to the OP - I loved reading about your trip - it sounds like heaven (except the flight stuff) and after all the delays getting there you were rewarded with excellent bus transportation on site!

 

[brighteyes]

Yes, my trip was magical. Except for my son being miserable for no reason at all!!! Well, he is 11 after all. As a single mom, it's really bad to say but we never really have spent time 24/7 with each other. Not since he was little. When we are at home we do our thing together and then he has time by himself and so do I. We spend time but not together every moment. So his griping, and complaining and just having SOMETHING to say about nothing really tried on my nerves and was beginning to wear away at the magic I was feeling.

After a few times of threatening to leave him with my friend and going to the hotel by myself, he would say well I've stopped now. I work full time and I guess at home he is playing with his friends, etc. so I am not really just with him 24/7 like that and it was trying. But it was still magical and wonderful and we did have good times all in all. All his complaining did not mean a thing though because every night coming home on the bus, he would just want to talk anyone's ear off about what he did that day, ask them what they did that day, and just talked the whole way. Some of those people just wanted to rest I am sure and tried to get him to be quiet but he was just so excited he just talked their poor ears off.

But after about three days he was I guess too exhausted to complain much. lol. At the end of our trip in DTD i bought myself a big white hoodie with mickey on the back and he saw one with Grumpy and asked if he could have it. I promptly bought it for him as a memory of our trip because it fit.

It was still magical and I am still talking about it. It was great and I want to go back. But I am about to start school full time in the fall for one year and then hopefully two years full time after that. So it may be awhile before I get back.


I do have 600 or so pictures to remember it by though.

Stephanie

 

[LittleFlounder]

Is the Breslau airport the same as the Kitchener one? or are they 2 completely different airports? I'm flying out of Kitchener in November to Orlando.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Welcome back - other then your travel issues it sounds like you had a pretty good trip!