Just back...random ramblings

[Greg K.]

We got back last night from a 12 day visit to OKW -- our first trip there. We liked it a lot -- not as much as our beloved BWV, but we found the vacation-y atmosphere more to our liking than SSR.

Anywho...a few quick observations.

* First off: what in God's name has happened to Gooding's?! Once upon a time, back in the golden days of the mid-90s, it was almost as much a part of the Disney experience as visiting The World. There was a bubbling fountain by the door, cafe tables, gleaming aisles full of (overpriced) vacation goodies, friendly staff (some of whom would remember you from year to year). Now? It's chilling. The place is dark, deserted, half-empty. The carpeting is a horror and the place feels like it's on the verge of dying. Sad. Publix and Winn Dixie have them outclassed in every respect.

* Hungry? I have one word for you: Olivia's. What a pleasure to dine here. And the prices aren't bad, either. Try the Banana Bread French Toast and call me after you've awakened from your diabetic coma. It's amazing. Also tried the meatloaf special one night -- yum. And it's the only Disney place I visited that -- without asking -- brought me a refill cup of coffee in a carryout cup. "Just in case you want to take it with you," the server said, cheerfully. Classy!

* During tough times, Disney is definitely reaching for the upscale folks. I noticed that when we visited Blizzard Beach and saw the "Polar Patios" for rent. (Any idea what those babies go for?)

* If I ever run into Jimmy Buffet, I'm going to punch him. I heard every one of his songs piped in during my meanderings at OKW...and on the Disney bus...and at BB...ack!

* Are more cutbacks coming? I shudder to think what might happen. A friend who works at WDW told me another round of layoffs may happen in September if things don't improve. A Cast Member on Main Street confessed to me that she's worried because this July 4th was the first Independence Day that the Magic Kingdom had not reached capacity. (Free advice to Disney management: it might be a good idea to encourage your cast members to keep some things to themselves...)

* BLT has more security than Fort Knox. I dropped by one evening to look around and couldn't get in. Meantime, I had no trouble wandering around the new AKL public areas-- which were charmingly similar to the main AKL lobby, but smaller. Dinner at Sanaa, btw, was excellent!

That's about it. Now to start planning for the next big trip...!

 

[SusieBea]

I enjoyed that! Ramble on .....

 

[Tara]

* If I ever run into Jimmy Buffet, I'm going to punch him. I heard every one of his songs piped in during my meanderings at OKW...and on the Disney bus...and at BB...ack!

 

[Micca]

Thanks for your interesting comments Greg. It's funny that you mentioned Goodings seemed "dark". Last time I was there I thought they were having electrical problems, or maybe a section of lighting was not working.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think the "Polar Patios" run about $150 a day. You get a cooler of bottled water, towels, chairs.

 

[JimMIA]

* If I ever run into Jimmy Buffet, I'm going to punch him. I heard every one of his songs piped in during my meanderings at OKW...and on the Disney bus...and at BB...ack!

News Flash: If you run into Jimmy...you won't recognize him!

We were upstairs at Margaritaville in KW one day and I pointed him out to DW. He was sitting at a booth on the ground floor, apparently going over some numbers with a bean-counter. DW didn't believe me. She asked two different servers if that was REALLY JB. (The first one might have been mistaken, she said.)

Then, she decided to go say "Hey!" Pointed out the bodyguard and told her she wouldn't get near the great man -- again didn't believe me.

When she returned after being turned away, she still didn't admit I was right, but was grumpy at the bodyguard.

(Yes, as a matter of fact, she is blonde...how'd you guess?)

 

[Zdog]

We too just returned from a weeklong trip. Some additions to the observations above..

Plenty of police presence at Typhoon Lagoon-looks like the Orange County Sheriff's department is keeping a watchful eye on the wave pool, with two deputies stationed there. Glad to see it, in light of recent sex attacks.

Crowds: parks were busy, but by no means packed to the gills. Plenty of CM's I spoke with said compared with last year, it was definately 'off' business wise.

Service: Top notch. We had the DDP, and wait staff we dealt with (Rose and Crown, Kona, Narcoosee's, Teppen Edo, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, Beaches and Cream, Roarin Forks, et al) were fast and friendly. Never had any attitude over use of dining plan.

Lines: Again, manageable. Toy Story Mania was by far the longest, with Soarin a close second. Still dealing with a fearless few who try to inch their way past people waiting in line, but for the most part, this happened only on limited basis.

One thing that happened that surprised me, in a good way, was one night at Magic Kingdom, during the evening parade, we were trying to enter the park and get to the rides, and CM's pointed us 'back stage' to circumnavigate the crowds. Interesting look behind the scenes. Didn't know if this was typical or not. Fun to see, and helped out, big time!

 

[JimMIA]

* If I ever run into Jimmy Buffet, I'm going to punch him. I heard every one of his songs piped in during my meanderings at OKW...and on the Disney bus...and at BB...ack!

You may get tired of it when you're constantly bombarded, but JB's music epitomizes the very best of the South Florida lifestyle that has been rapidly disappearing for the past 30 years or so -- relaxed, carefree, just a tad bad-boy and rebellious...but in a good way. If you don't get "Boat Drinks" "Margaritaville" and "Changes in Latitudes," you'll never know what you missed here.

I absolutely cannot listen to "Son of a Sailor" without flashing back to those brilliant Sunday afternoons alone on a sailboat on Biscayne Bay, watching the dolphins play on my wake. "Hear the bells ring as the tight rigging sings, it's a son-of-a-gun of a chorus!" Yes, it is.

When tourists visit Key West and come back telling tales about how crazy the Keys are, we locals just smile...

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

One thing that happened that surprised me, in a good way, was one night at Magic Kingdom, during the evening parade, we were trying to enter the park and get to the rides, and CM's pointed us 'back stage' to circumnavigate the crowds. Interesting look behind the scenes. Didn't know if this was typical or not. Fun to see, and helped out, big time!

They use the Main Street bypass a lot during the Christmas season and Spring Break. You must have been there on a pretty busy day.

 

[Greg K.]

A few footnotes...

* Worst meal ever? Dinner at Cindy's Royal Table. Egad. We loved the view and the atmosphere -- we had a window seat for two overlooking the carousel -- but the food left much to be desired. Even the signature "Chocolate Buckle" desert was lame. I should have taken the advice of a Cast Member who was helping with the picture-taking beforehand. I mentioned a couple menu items and asked what she'd recommend. "Personally," she whispered, "I'd recommend Yachtsman Steakhouse."

* Most under-sold treat: Characters In Flight balloon ride. It's a little pricey, at $16, but if you go early in the morning, or during the fireworks, you can have quite a thrill. I did it around 9 one morning with just a handful of other people. It was a blast. I'm surprised it doesn't get plugged more.

* Biggest shock: the line for Toy Story Mania. We got there at 9 am, right at opening one morning, only to find the line already stretching clear down to the Animation Courtyard. And that was just the Fast Pass line! The standby wait at 9:10 was 60 minutes. We got a FP for 11 am. By the time we got off the ride, around 11:20, the earliest FP time available was 8:30 that night!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We got back last night from a 12 day visit to OKW -- our first trip there. We liked it a lot -- not as much as our beloved BWV, but we found the vacation-y atmosphere more to our liking than SSR.

Anywho...a few quick observations.

* First off: what in God's name has happened to Gooding's?! Once upon a time, back in the golden days of the mid-90s, it was almost as much a part of the Disney experience as visiting The World. There was a bubbling fountain by the door, cafe tables, gleaming aisles full of (overpriced) vacation goodies, friendly staff (some of whom would remember you from year to year). Now? It's chilling. The place is dark, deserted, half-empty. The carpeting is a horror and the place feels like it's on the verge of dying. Sad. Publix and Winn Dixie have them outclassed in every respect.

*

Actually, I don't see how Goodings ever stayed in business with their high prices. We went in there once many, many years ago and then never darkened their door again. I love the Publix down there, always clean, bright, cheery, and they carry everything I have ever needed.

By the way, I am jealous of your 12-day stay. Never had the vacation to stay that long myself, probably won't until I retire.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Glad you enjoyed your stay. We must have just missed you (we were there 7/24-8/7). OUr friends also commented on Goodings and I quickly gave them directions to Publix!! I have not gone to Goodings in years..........way too overpriced.

Glad to hear Olivia's was good. This was the first trip.....EVER, we did not eat there. I had a bad meal there back in April and the service was not as friendly as before so we opted not to go there this trip. DD was sad, but since she wan't paying, we chose to eat elsewhere. I will be happy to try it again on my next trip.

Can't wait to head back.............sooner than we think but definelty back to our 16 days next July/August!! Sad we had to cut back this year (DD is moving to college so we had to take time off for that, but it means more points for another quick trip in between!!)...

 

[jodifla]

OK, my question: What size OKW unit did you stay in, and how was the bed? Comfortable, or like sleeping on a slab of steel?

 

[Greg K.]

OK, my question: What size OKW unit did you stay in, and how was the bed? Comfortable, or like sleeping on a slab of steel?

We stayed in a 1 BR, building 64, which was great -- close to both the Hospitality House and the first and last bus stops!

I wouldn't say the bed was like steel. More like bricks.

Oh: and you can check out some of my Disney vacation pics at the link below:

http://thedeaconscamera.shutterfly.com/173

 

[izzy]

* Most under-sold treat: Characters In Flight balloon ride. It's a little pricey, at $16, but if you go early in the morning, or during the fireworks, you can have quite a thrill. I did it around 9 one morning with just a handful of other people. It was a blast. I'm surprised it doesn't get plugged more.

I've never heard of this? What is it? Sounds intriguing!

 

[Sandisw]

I've never heard of this? What is it? Sounds intriguing!

It opened up at DTD not that long ago. We did it and it was a lot of fun. It lasts about 20 minutes and you go straight up in a tethered hot air balloon. The day we were there (around 12:30 pm) we had to wait about 20 minutes to ride but I thought it was worth the extra.

I don't think it would be something I would do each trip but it is worth a try!

 

[roth697]

We got back last night from a 12 day visit to OKW -- our first trip there. We liked it a lot -- not as much as our beloved BWV, but we found the vacation-y atmosphere more to our liking than SSR.

Anywho...a few quick observations.




* During tough times, Disney is definitely reaching for the upscale folks. I noticed that when we visited Blizzard Beach and saw the "Polar Patios" for rent. (Any idea what those babies go for?)

When we went to Blizzard Beach for the first time this past June we were thrilled to see the Polar Patios - I wish they would advertise them elsewhere - If we would have known we would have taken advantage - It was myself, DH and a close friend of ours - the cost (if you planned to spend the whole day) was well worth it- it included a "home base" not to mention waiters - it included water and towels - they were around 260 or so - we figure that was less than 100 dollars per person - again - really worth it if you spend the entire day there but we had dinner plans we were looking forward to.... we will look forward to using it the next time we are down.

 

[GGOOFY1]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[rmonty02]

The pics are great. I have to check out more OKW pics, yours have got me intrigued.

 

[Muushka]

I enjoyed that! Ramble on .....

..Me too!