Just back...random ramblings

[AnnaS]

Thanks for sharing your great pictures and definitely enjoyed your rambling.

 

[Tiger926]

Great rambling!

We stayed for 14 days in July, and returned on July 25th, and we had our very, very, very, very busy days, and not so busy days. Glad to hear you were able to work out the crowds!!

We too enjoy Olivia's a lot, although we didn't eat there this trip, as we had other meals planned. We also agree that CRT is the most overrated meal on property, right behind, Le Cellier and Tutto Italia.

We also couldn't believe the waits for TSM either - we have spent a total of 30 park days since May '08, and have not been able to ride TSM. We refuse to wait in lines that are hours long either - not good for kids in that sweltering heat! We will ride it one day, and we aren't that upset about it either as it will wait. Too many other fun things to do...!

Enjoyed reading! Tiger

 

[Corinne]

I enjoyed your photos, thank you for sharing. The photo on the hammock with the castle....were you at OKW MK? I didn't think it was possible to see the castle from OKW???

PS~the 'twilight' photo is lovely!

 

[yandbfan]

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

I still think the recession hasn't impacted Disney that much. We were there in Mid-July and the crowds in general were pretty big. We couldn't get fast passes for Toy Story by by 6:00pm on a weekend but we hit Soarin' early early which helped. And they certainly should think about going for more shows and dates for Fantasmic. The line was unbelievable.

 

[Greg K.]

I enjoyed your photos, thank you for sharing. The photo on the hammock with the castle....were you at OKW MK? I didn't think it was possible to see the castle from OKW???

PS~the 'twilight' photo is lovely!

We popped over to the Poly one evening -- it's become a little tradition of ours. "How about we head over to the Poly after dinner for a 'hammock moment'?," I'll ask my wife. Taking a swing on the hammock is the best ride in all of Disney World -- and no lines!

 

[Mickeyfollowers]

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

On magickingdom.com it reads this:

Polar Patios are four premium spaces available for daily rental. Each "patio" can accommodate up to six guests.

The rental fee includes a private attendant, private lockers, lounge furniture, tables, all-day drink mugs, ice chest stocked with bottled water, and towels.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost: $250 (+ tax) per day.

 

[Deb & Bill]

On magickingdom.com it reads this:

Polar Patios are four premium spaces available for daily rental. Each "patio" can accommodate up to six guests.

The rental fee includes a private attendant, private lockers, lounge furniture, tables, all-day drink mugs, ice chest stocked with bottled water, and towels.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost: $250 (+ tax) per day.

Well, I was only off by 40%.

 

[rentayenta]

Loved Olivia's. Ate there last trip and thought it was one of the best meals we had during our stay.

 

[Corinne]

We popped over to the Poly one evening -- it's become a little tradition of ours. "How about we head over to the Poly after dinner for a 'hammock moment'?," I'll ask my wife. Taking a swing on the hammock is the best ride in all of Disney World -- and no lines!

OK! I was 99.9% sure it was the Poly!

 

[Telcogirl]

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.
:

 

[GoofItUp]

Enjoyed reading your ramblings. We are waiting on our first DVC contract (BCV) to pass ROFR, and I've already been imagining my stays at each resort. The other day I was talking to DH and he said he had no interest in staying at OKW ever. GASP! I can't imagine not trying out each one and, in turn, getting a different vacation with a different feel every time. I'll have to make this thread (and the pics) required reading/viewing for him!

The Characters in Flight sounds like fun. Definitely something to check out.

The Polar Patios would interest me at $150. At $250, I think they're a little steep. I wonder if they're renting out each day since there's so few of them anyway.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

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."

*

1. This is hilarious and I totally agree with the CM.
2. However, that comment was totally unprofessional.

I've seen more and more comments on the boards about employees, matter of factly saying negative things about Disney. The most blatent example was an employee suggesting that a guest visit Universal Studios. He said: my wife works over there, so I get paid either way. Notice: I called these folks employees, not Cast Members.

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that it's kind of sad to see the demise of Gooding's. I, too, was shocked when I went there in March after not having been there in years. I imagine they will be shutting their doors before long. As a local chain, I'm sure they just couldn't compete not only with Publix and Winn Dixie but Wal-Mart, Costco, etc.

 

[5forDiz]

On magickingdom.com it reads this:

Polar Patios are four premium spaces available for daily rental. Each "patio" can accommodate up to six guests.

The rental fee includes a private attendant, private lockers, lounge furniture, tables, all-day drink mugs, ice chest stocked with bottled water, and towels.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost: $250 (+ tax) per day.

$250 plus tax DH said he's pretty sure we can pay

our kids alot less to scare up a couple of chairs & get us cold drinks whenever

we want them

 

[CharmedLife]

1. This is hilarious and I totally agree with the CM.
2. However, that comment was totally unprofessional.

I've seen more and more comments on the boards about employees, matter of factly saying negative things about Disney. The most blatent example was an employee suggesting that a guest visit Universal Studios. He said: my wife works over there, so I get paid either way. Notice: I called these folks employees, not Cast Members.

I totally agree, I am reading more and more negative comments from employees which is sad. It's one thing to sit in the break room and complain with your co-workers about things, but it's not good business to badmouth your company to the guests who are paying to be there. I certainly wouldn't do that where I work and expect to keep my job!

 

[rentayenta]

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."

Love that CM. I agree, next to Chef Mickey's the food at CRT was the worst!

 

[Doug7856]

Thanks for sharing your pictures. We really enjoyed the pictures and your "random ramblings".