Just back

[2 Point]

Back to work after 2 fantastic weeks.

We flew cattle class with TCD, drove a Dodge Intrepid and stayed in a 4 bed villa in Indian Point with heated pool (much to the envy of our neighbors both sides). Our first and probably last TCD trip until our daughter is old enough for Sunshine First, the extra cost of flying Virgin definately pays for itself. TCD were faultless but we feel that the overall experience with Virgin is better, whether I'll still feel this way when the quotes start coming in for next year we'll have to see!

Highlights.
No queues for anything, virtually all walk on (Playhouse Disney being the exception, 20 minute wait).
Weather was superb, 3 hours of rain in 2 weeks.
PS for Fantasmic on out last night (Fri)
Location of villa (Indian Point).

Lowlights.
Disney's Boardwalk and ESPN food.
Not getting access to Mickey Phil.
Coming home.

We did the usual Disney parks, Universal and Kennedy Space Centre. Ate at a few places we hadn't before, the main successes being Pebbles (superb food, A1 service and style), Charley's(excellent steak unsurprisingly) and Golden Corral(sooo much better than Ponderosa).

Character meals taken were

Breakfast at the Grand Floridian 1900 Park Fare with Mary Poppins, Tigger and Pooh.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella, Prince Charming, mice and the Fairy Godmother, a real shame as this was supposed to be the Beauty and Beast dinner, changed without notice.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ, a real bonus was Charlotte was chosen to lead out the birthday cake.

Fantasmic package at Hollywood and Vine, MGM.

All questions and queries welcomed. I didn't take notes and although I enjoy the trip reports of others I just haven't the motivation to write my own. You'll have to take my word for it that we had a great time and will be going back next year for another fix, probably in the same villa.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hello and Welcome Back

Tell us about the food at 1900 for dinner - we are looking forward to this. What didn't you like about the Boardwalk??

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome back !!

Not many lowlights which is great to see!!

I'm surprised you didn't know about 1900 Park Fare, who supplied you with the character breakfast info? Cinderella's Gala Feast began way back in January, replacing Beauty & The Beast.

I think the Boardwalk can possibly lack atmosphere when WDW isn't busy - I love it by night but maybe the lack of people meant less street acts and less atmosphere - what do you think?

 

[2 Point]

I can't remember where I picked up the info for dinner at Park Fare, it was either here or Deb's site. We saw Belle a few times later in the week so our daughter was pacified with her fix.

We did this on our trip, a pretty early PS at 16:40, but it was perfect as we were pretty pooped by this time after any early start in the MK.

Cinderella was excellent, very pretty and interactive with Charlotte. We've got some lovely photos. The mice were fun and eager to please, being pretty much ignored in favour of Cinderella by the other tables.

Perpare to be disappointed by Prince Charming, he's slightly crossed eyed and has little carisma (straight from my wife and MIL).

The food was excellent, the usual buffet dinner and a prepared to order pasta station. This dinner must be the best value we've had from any Disney restaurant.

I had planned to visit the Boardwalk on our previous trips but never made it due to other distractions. We took the boat from MGM and checked with the captain that the last boat back was an hour after MGM closed (it also had it in writing next to the boat dock), this information was not quite true however, back to this later. The journey to the Boardwalk was special and gave a unique view of the Swan/Dolphin, rounding the corner to see the end of a wedding at the YC.
It was a Monday and I had realised (!) that we were in the NFL season, perfect timing for dinner in the ESPN. Monday Night Football with Live coverage of the game with a commentator, excellent. Shame the food was the worst I have ever tasted in the US, the server was quite rude, the whole experience was spoiled and my settling down for a little gridiron in an American bar atmosphere was blown away.
We went outside for a stroll around, there was no entertainment, unless you count the couple of fair type stalls next to the dock, although we did have a giggle with the fun mirrors. We would have taken a spin on the bikes, but the group atomosphere wasn't right. The whole experience just didn't live up to expectations.
It was just short of 9pm, so we went to get the boat back to MGM and catch a glimpse of the fireworks at Epcot. Shock horror, no boats back to MGM even though Fantasmic started at 8.30pm, the definition of 'park closing' needs further examination! We decided to take a slow stroll back to MGM via the waterside pathways, but after taking a wrong turn and being eaten alive by the waterside bugs we headed for the YC and ordered a taxi.
We've decided we will give the Boardwalk another go next year, eat at MGM before we get there and take a ride around the lake on a bike after a suitable rest. I was looking to make a tour of the DVC there, DW has discounted that option outright after this trip.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Originally posted by 2 Point
Prepare to be disappointed by Prince Charming, he's slightly crossed eyed and has little carisma (straight from my wife and MIL).

Bummer

Welcome back - apart from the disappointment with Prince Charming and Boarwalk, it sounds like you've all had a wonderful time

 

[2 Point]

This trip was the best of the three, the benefit of a villa over a hotel cannot be underestimated. A few days later in the holiday FIL just chilled by the pool, much to the releif of the rest of us!

Shame about Prince Charming, but I was kept happy by Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Snow White and Alice. I was even chatted up at the Rose and Crown, got the 'over 21' question, wears a bit when I'm 35 with greying hair, followed by the usual where you from in the UK bit (the girl was English too). It was confirmed to me that this was indeed a chatup ploy when she gave me change for $20 from $10, now I'm as honest as the day is long, but when a fair maiden gives you the eye, buys you a beer and gives you change, who was I to argue?

 

[LJP]

Welcome back 2 point - glad you had a great holiday. DH and I got back on Friday - absolute bummer!!! Weather was great wasn't it?

Where did you get the TCD plane from - we're from Edinburgh too - we flew charter for the 1st time from Glasgow - with MyTravel - can't fault them and not to have to go via London was great, particularly on the way back . Only complaint was that Sanford on the Thursday check-in was absolute bedlam. No organisation whatsoever.

 

[2 Point]

Lynn, we flew British Airways from Edinburgh to Manchester. Flight was at 07:10, getting into Manchester at 08:00. Sounds really early but FIL and MIL were driving up from Lichfield in the Midlands to meet us for our 14:00 flight to Orlando. We had a few hours to kill at the airport but after doing some window shopping, a bite to eat and checking in time soon passes.
The BA flight was £175 for 2 adults and a child, this was cheaper than taking the option of flying from Glasgow with TCD (well, with a carrier acting for TCD).
We landed back into Manchester at 10:00 with the onward flight at 13:10, landing at 14:00. Our last trip was from Gatwick, where I drove us all back to Lichfield (180 miles), before flying from East Midlands to Edinburgh the next day. That journey was so dangerous I vowed I'd never drive after the flight back again, even a short journey, friends picked us up from Edinburgh this time.