cherrymarzipan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2010
- Messages
- 1,340
Got back late last night after our latest trip. Funny, this time the highs and lows were mainly down to non-Disney related factors.
I'll start with the lows which were very slight:
Park & Suites Village. I'm not even sure if this counts as a low really but we stayed here a few years ago when the villas were newer, or perhaps we were just lucky, and this time our villa felt quite shabby and not overly clean. I always bring a pack of anti-back wipes with us if we are self-catering so it was nothing I couldn't sort out but was a bit disappointing and I would hesitate to recommend it here for that reason. The advertised pool was empty too. On the other hand it was a cheap way to accommodate six and with three bedrooms and two bathrooms quite spacious. The kitchen had hob, microwave and dishwasher but very limited utensils - no colander, chopping board, can-opener or grater although I had brought the last two with me in case. There was free Wifi except we couldn't get it to work for the last couple of days. It was close to the park though and had a boulangerie just across the road from the complex and bus stop nearby. I did miss staying on-site though.
DFDS ferries. First time we have used them and NOT impressed. We were booked on the 12:15 return but when we got there we were told that the sailing had been moved forward to 11:00 (which we had just missed) and the next one (13:30) was full so we would have to wait for the 15:30. DS1 has special needs and the three hour drive from Paris is made bearable with a portable DVD player for him but another three hours with nothing to do was not. DD1 was marvellous though, after an hour or so she found someone and stood her ground insisting that we be put on the next boat and we were squeezed on at the last minute. The staff seemed very indifferent to the situation though, they told us everyone had been emailed but we hadn't had anything and even last night when we came home and finally downloaded the emails that had built up over the last couple of days there was nothing from DFDS. One woman there told us the reason for the change was the tides - have they never heard of tide tables?
Another incident started off as a low but turned out a high, on our first full day I noticed that the pouch part of my lanyard had fallen off, presumably broken, with mine and DS's AP cards and my shareholder's card. It must have fallen off sometime during Dreams or on the walk afterwards. I was frantic and we spent quite a bit of time queueing up at the ticket office outside the park. Once we spoke to the CM she was very nice and issued me with a temporary pass to enter and enable me to go to City Hall. She tried to ring lost and found but couldn't get through. By this time I was resigned to having to pay for two replacement AP cards and be unable to do anything about my SC until our return. It would also mean I would be unable to collect my VIP fastpass from Salon Mickey. More queueing at City Hall but... my cards were there! I could have kissed the CM and was so grateful to whoever handed them in.
Restored my faith in DLP guest nature.
Also slightly disappointed with the Agrabah this trip. Last meal we had there was in the (to my mind) more interesting area to the side and we had great interaction with the staff. This time they couldn't have cared less and hardly spoke to us, much less smiled. I asked politely for some more water and the waiter just gave a curt nod and walked off and plonked it down on the table when he returned. Plates were whisked away without being asked if we had finished and no-body said goodbye as we left. It was not as if we were late in the day and had reserved beforehand. The food was just as good as last time but we came out thinking we would not go back there in a hurry which was a shame. Just shows how important friendly staff is to the enjoyment of a meal.
Not sure about the new Mickey meet and Great location. The style is lovely but it is all so RED and although we bought the photo Mickey does tend to blend in to the curtains.
As others have said it was a bit of a shame that Mickey in his 20th outfit was out of stock as was the thick, grey hoodie with Mickey in blue flock on the front in the size I wanted for DS. found other things to buy though, as one does
, including the German outfit for Duffy which DS insists is Peter Pan because of the hat! As long as he is happy. 
Last low-ish was the fact that teenagers and older do not like getting up early! Especially when they have been up late watching Dreams the night(s) before so we didn't get to the park until late each day. We then missed out on the pastries in SM and had to make do with cookies instead. Hardly a deal breaker though.
Biggest high was just having my whole family together for the duration. With DDs 1 and 2 having left home this was a real treat for me. They had plenty of time exploring the wider area on their own but we still spent a lot of time together in the park and had most meals as a complete family.
Crush's Coaster! Older children persuaded me that DS1 who is disabled would enjoy this as he loves BTM and he did. They then said I would have to do it as I am normally on my own with him and he would want to do it in the future. I was really scared
as I feel BTM is my limit but I grew to like it too and it is now DS's new "obsession" ride. Think I prefer sitting backwards.
Lots of lovely character interaction, particularly in the Studios. I love the relaxed atmosphere of the Stars and Cars parade where you can turn up close to the time and still line the street near the start. It is over in five minutes but many characters recognised DS and called out or thumbs upped
him.
The many non-character CMs who DS also loves to interact and pose for photos with.
Dreams, still lovely for DS, DH and me and great to show off to rest of family
The kind guest or CM who found and handed in my cards!
It seems like I have written far more under "lows" but that is definitely not a true reflection of the holiday. We had a lovely time and I really hope we get to do it all together again.
I'll start with the lows which were very slight:
Park & Suites Village. I'm not even sure if this counts as a low really but we stayed here a few years ago when the villas were newer, or perhaps we were just lucky, and this time our villa felt quite shabby and not overly clean. I always bring a pack of anti-back wipes with us if we are self-catering so it was nothing I couldn't sort out but was a bit disappointing and I would hesitate to recommend it here for that reason. The advertised pool was empty too. On the other hand it was a cheap way to accommodate six and with three bedrooms and two bathrooms quite spacious. The kitchen had hob, microwave and dishwasher but very limited utensils - no colander, chopping board, can-opener or grater although I had brought the last two with me in case. There was free Wifi except we couldn't get it to work for the last couple of days. It was close to the park though and had a boulangerie just across the road from the complex and bus stop nearby. I did miss staying on-site though.
DFDS ferries. First time we have used them and NOT impressed. We were booked on the 12:15 return but when we got there we were told that the sailing had been moved forward to 11:00 (which we had just missed) and the next one (13:30) was full so we would have to wait for the 15:30. DS1 has special needs and the three hour drive from Paris is made bearable with a portable DVD player for him but another three hours with nothing to do was not. DD1 was marvellous though, after an hour or so she found someone and stood her ground insisting that we be put on the next boat and we were squeezed on at the last minute. The staff seemed very indifferent to the situation though, they told us everyone had been emailed but we hadn't had anything and even last night when we came home and finally downloaded the emails that had built up over the last couple of days there was nothing from DFDS. One woman there told us the reason for the change was the tides - have they never heard of tide tables?
Another incident started off as a low but turned out a high, on our first full day I noticed that the pouch part of my lanyard had fallen off, presumably broken, with mine and DS's AP cards and my shareholder's card. It must have fallen off sometime during Dreams or on the walk afterwards. I was frantic and we spent quite a bit of time queueing up at the ticket office outside the park. Once we spoke to the CM she was very nice and issued me with a temporary pass to enter and enable me to go to City Hall. She tried to ring lost and found but couldn't get through. By this time I was resigned to having to pay for two replacement AP cards and be unable to do anything about my SC until our return. It would also mean I would be unable to collect my VIP fastpass from Salon Mickey. More queueing at City Hall but... my cards were there! I could have kissed the CM and was so grateful to whoever handed them in.
Restored my faith in DLP guest nature.Also slightly disappointed with the Agrabah this trip. Last meal we had there was in the (to my mind) more interesting area to the side and we had great interaction with the staff. This time they couldn't have cared less and hardly spoke to us, much less smiled. I asked politely for some more water and the waiter just gave a curt nod and walked off and plonked it down on the table when he returned. Plates were whisked away without being asked if we had finished and no-body said goodbye as we left. It was not as if we were late in the day and had reserved beforehand. The food was just as good as last time but we came out thinking we would not go back there in a hurry which was a shame. Just shows how important friendly staff is to the enjoyment of a meal.
Not sure about the new Mickey meet and Great location. The style is lovely but it is all so RED and although we bought the photo Mickey does tend to blend in to the curtains.
As others have said it was a bit of a shame that Mickey in his 20th outfit was out of stock as was the thick, grey hoodie with Mickey in blue flock on the front in the size I wanted for DS. found other things to buy though, as one does
, including the German outfit for Duffy which DS insists is Peter Pan because of the hat! As long as he is happy. Last low-ish was the fact that teenagers and older do not like getting up early! Especially when they have been up late watching Dreams the night(s) before so we didn't get to the park until late each day. We then missed out on the pastries in SM and had to make do with cookies instead. Hardly a deal breaker though.
Biggest high was just having my whole family together for the duration. With DDs 1 and 2 having left home this was a real treat for me.
They had plenty of time exploring the wider area on their own but we still spent a lot of time together in the park and had most meals as a complete family. Crush's Coaster! Older children persuaded me that DS1 who is disabled would enjoy this as he loves BTM and he did. They then said I would have to do it as I am normally on my own with him and he would want to do it in the future. I was really scared
as I feel BTM is my limit but I grew to like it too and it is now DS's new "obsession" ride. Think I prefer sitting backwards.Lots of lovely character interaction, particularly in the Studios. I love the relaxed atmosphere of the Stars and Cars parade where you can turn up close to the time and still line the street near the start. It is over in five minutes but many characters recognised DS and called out or thumbs upped
him.The many non-character CMs who DS also loves to interact and pose for photos with.
Dreams, still lovely for DS, DH and me and great to show off to rest of family
The kind guest or CM who found and handed in my cards!
It seems like I have written far more under "lows" but that is definitely not a true reflection of the holiday. We had a lovely time and I really hope we get to do it all together again.
I tried it once 
I refuse to take my younger two back to WDW because they won't get going early enough in the morning for me! Thank goodness that at DLP DH and I can go off and do our own thing if they're not ready and they can catch up with us later.
You did Crush 
)
