We just returned from a fabulous trip to the World! I don't really have time to do a trip report so thought I would just share some thoughts and highlights!
BLT: We absolutely loved this resort. We rented points and stayed in a 2 BR lake view and it was great. Plenty of space (4 adults, a teenager, and 2 kiddos), kitchen was great for breakfasts and a couple dinners, washer and dryer was so nice to have, and DS7 loved the jet tub! Our view was of the pool and Bay Lake and it was very pretty. The location cannot be beat as we had so many transportation options and it was such an easy walk to the MK. We had absolutely no complaints about the resort at all except the location of the pool means that after 3-4 PM, the sun was completely blocked by the hotel. I would definitely stay here again.
Coronado Springs: After the first 7 days, the family left and DM and I moved over to CSR (I had a work conference and she just needed R&R). We thought this resort was perfect for what we needed....quiet and relaxing. It definitely seemed more adult and less "Disney." Although we enjoyed it very much, I honestly would not want to stay there with kids (Disclaimer: I am a spoiled rotten Deluxe girl). I didn't mind the walking (we were in the ranchos), but I cannot imagine walking around all day in the parks and then having to drag the kids all around the resort....but that is just my opinion.
Crowds: We were there Nov 10-17 as a family so we hit the end of Jersey Week. Our first weekend was pretty crowded, especially since we are used to going in Jan/Feb, which is not busy at all. On Saturday, Epcot was absolutely mobbed (esp the World Showcase) so we ended up just leaving. You could seriously barely walk around and it just wasn't worth it. By Sunday and especially Monday, things had definitely thinned out. We used FP appropriately and never waited more than 15 min or so to ride anything.
MVMCP: We made the mistake of choosing Friday, November 11 to attend the party. Now, I knew it would probably be a little crowded, but didn't at all think it would sell out! We arrived around 6, after dinner at Chef Mickey's and mainstreet/castle area was already completely full of people waiting on the 8:30 parade...I think that's nuts! We did manage to ride a few rides and then see the parade from Frontierland, but it was very crowded over there also. After the parade, lines were manageable so we did BTMRR and ended up watching the fireworks from Frontierland also, which was fine. After the fireworks, though, we tried to walk through the castle area to Tomorrowland....huge mistake! There were so many people, you just couldn't move at all! I got annoyed and just headed back to the hotel (DM and DD had already gone back) but the boys stayed and did manage to ride SM and Buzz after waiting for about 45 minutes. We did enjoy the party...the snow on mainstreet was beautiful, the castle was beautiful, the parade and fireworks were very good but honestly, there were too many people. We had previously attended the Pirate and Princess Party and it was so awesome! I guess I thought this one would be similar.
Food: We ate at CRT, CM, Ohana (BFast), WCC, T-Rex, Sci-Fi, La Hacienda and then DM and I went to Fulton's Crab House. The food at the character meals was just average but let's face it, you are paying for the experience. WCC was pretty good and we had a very lively waitress. Everyone liked T-Rex, especially the boys and we thought Sci-Fi was a great experience. I didn't love my food there but it wasn't terrible. We did not like La Hacienda though....except DS7 who wolfed down his chicken tacos. Honestly, though, my favorite meal of the trip was at Fulton's. I know it gets mixed reviews but we really thought the food was fantastic and the service was excellent!
Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions. Fyi, the weather was absolutely fantastic for our entire trip!!
BLT: We absolutely loved this resort. We rented points and stayed in a 2 BR lake view and it was great. Plenty of space (4 adults, a teenager, and 2 kiddos), kitchen was great for breakfasts and a couple dinners, washer and dryer was so nice to have, and DS7 loved the jet tub! Our view was of the pool and Bay Lake and it was very pretty. The location cannot be beat as we had so many transportation options and it was such an easy walk to the MK. We had absolutely no complaints about the resort at all except the location of the pool means that after 3-4 PM, the sun was completely blocked by the hotel. I would definitely stay here again.
Coronado Springs: After the first 7 days, the family left and DM and I moved over to CSR (I had a work conference and she just needed R&R). We thought this resort was perfect for what we needed....quiet and relaxing. It definitely seemed more adult and less "Disney." Although we enjoyed it very much, I honestly would not want to stay there with kids (Disclaimer: I am a spoiled rotten Deluxe girl). I didn't mind the walking (we were in the ranchos), but I cannot imagine walking around all day in the parks and then having to drag the kids all around the resort....but that is just my opinion.
Crowds: We were there Nov 10-17 as a family so we hit the end of Jersey Week. Our first weekend was pretty crowded, especially since we are used to going in Jan/Feb, which is not busy at all. On Saturday, Epcot was absolutely mobbed (esp the World Showcase) so we ended up just leaving. You could seriously barely walk around and it just wasn't worth it. By Sunday and especially Monday, things had definitely thinned out. We used FP appropriately and never waited more than 15 min or so to ride anything.
MVMCP: We made the mistake of choosing Friday, November 11 to attend the party. Now, I knew it would probably be a little crowded, but didn't at all think it would sell out! We arrived around 6, after dinner at Chef Mickey's and mainstreet/castle area was already completely full of people waiting on the 8:30 parade...I think that's nuts! We did manage to ride a few rides and then see the parade from Frontierland, but it was very crowded over there also. After the parade, lines were manageable so we did BTMRR and ended up watching the fireworks from Frontierland also, which was fine. After the fireworks, though, we tried to walk through the castle area to Tomorrowland....huge mistake! There were so many people, you just couldn't move at all! I got annoyed and just headed back to the hotel (DM and DD had already gone back) but the boys stayed and did manage to ride SM and Buzz after waiting for about 45 minutes. We did enjoy the party...the snow on mainstreet was beautiful, the castle was beautiful, the parade and fireworks were very good but honestly, there were too many people. We had previously attended the Pirate and Princess Party and it was so awesome! I guess I thought this one would be similar.
Food: We ate at CRT, CM, Ohana (BFast), WCC, T-Rex, Sci-Fi, La Hacienda and then DM and I went to Fulton's Crab House. The food at the character meals was just average but let's face it, you are paying for the experience. WCC was pretty good and we had a very lively waitress. Everyone liked T-Rex, especially the boys and we thought Sci-Fi was a great experience. I didn't love my food there but it wasn't terrible. We did not like La Hacienda though....except DS7 who wolfed down his chicken tacos. Honestly, though, my favorite meal of the trip was at Fulton's. I know it gets mixed reviews but we really thought the food was fantastic and the service was excellent!
Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions. Fyi, the weather was absolutely fantastic for our entire trip!!
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