jerseydevil1433
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2004
- Messages
- 20
We just got back from WDW yesterday. We stayed at the Pop century resort and a night at All-Star Sports. We chose Pop cntury as we believed it should follow the others in the finest Disney tradition being the newest resort. This was our fourth visit and all in all I'd have to say this was the greatest vacation...ever 
First let me talk about the negative as I hate to end on a bad note.
Pop Century was not up to Disney standard. Housekeeping was awful, longest bus stop walks at all parks, guests smoking in areas clearly not reserved for that purpose while staff looked on with indifference as the perpetrators snuffed smokes in garden spots. No hot water or water pressure. Sports was MUCH better.
My parents are fortunate enough to own many properties around the world allowing my family access to places otherwise undoable on our budget so not to imply our experience is any more valid than anyone elses, we have a broad basis for comparisson.
Five of the most Magical moments:
1) The candlelight procession with Edward James Olmos narating was as perfect. As first rate top shelf truly moving event that MUST be experienced, the music and naration were spectacular even by Disney standards
2) As we walked into the Magic Kingdom the first evening the choir was singing and my wife paused to take a better look at the enormous Christmas tree, she turned to ask when I thought they would light the tree. At that exact moment the lights poped on and the lights down Main St. followed suit. Jiminy Cricket himself had to orchestrate this timming.
3) Fantasmic. We watched Mickey Mouse prove beyond any doubt that Walt Disney's vision was as valid then as it remains today. Not only that your imagination can change the world, but goodness, honor and quality can have significant impact on anyone "makes no difference who you are"
Walt Disney lives indeed. It was amazing to me how much maturity clarifies things to a finer degree.
4) "One Mans Dream"-- Now a tradittion for my family. My oldest son requested this be the first event we attend....it's taken awhile but I think we all now "get it"
5) I saved the best for last and I'll attempt to put these feelings into words without sounding like an old fool. "Wishes" was the highlight of this trip as well as the very last thing we did. While waiting in front of the castle in close proximity to Walt and Mickey's statue, we set up house by positioning our seats and blankets preparing the hot Chocolate ect. A Family we didn't know nor could we communicate with (beyond innuendo) crowded together next to us. I believe they were French and they said very little but werevery gracious and polite. They had a very young daughter in tow and as it was cold she was freezing. We made room for them under our blankets and gave them some hot chocolate. They became very animated and talkative, the only word really understood was "thank you". As the show began I hoisted the child onto my shoulder so she could hold the railing and steady herself for a better view. As Tinkerbell flew overhead the girl exploded with giddyness. I galnced at her father in time to see him wipe away a tear. I'm sure he saw me do the same. This is the Walt Disney experience as good as it gets: It really makes no difference who you are. Thank me? NO Thank YOU
....and of course thank you Walt Disney World.
First let me talk about the negative as I hate to end on a bad note.
Pop Century was not up to Disney standard. Housekeeping was awful, longest bus stop walks at all parks, guests smoking in areas clearly not reserved for that purpose while staff looked on with indifference as the perpetrators snuffed smokes in garden spots. No hot water or water pressure. Sports was MUCH better.
My parents are fortunate enough to own many properties around the world allowing my family access to places otherwise undoable on our budget so not to imply our experience is any more valid than anyone elses, we have a broad basis for comparisson.
Five of the most Magical moments:
1) The candlelight procession with Edward James Olmos narating was as perfect. As first rate top shelf truly moving event that MUST be experienced, the music and naration were spectacular even by Disney standards
2) As we walked into the Magic Kingdom the first evening the choir was singing and my wife paused to take a better look at the enormous Christmas tree, she turned to ask when I thought they would light the tree. At that exact moment the lights poped on and the lights down Main St. followed suit. Jiminy Cricket himself had to orchestrate this timming.
3) Fantasmic. We watched Mickey Mouse prove beyond any doubt that Walt Disney's vision was as valid then as it remains today. Not only that your imagination can change the world, but goodness, honor and quality can have significant impact on anyone "makes no difference who you are"
Walt Disney lives indeed. It was amazing to me how much maturity clarifies things to a finer degree.
4) "One Mans Dream"-- Now a tradittion for my family. My oldest son requested this be the first event we attend....it's taken awhile but I think we all now "get it"
5) I saved the best for last and I'll attempt to put these feelings into words without sounding like an old fool. "Wishes" was the highlight of this trip as well as the very last thing we did. While waiting in front of the castle in close proximity to Walt and Mickey's statue, we set up house by positioning our seats and blankets preparing the hot Chocolate ect. A Family we didn't know nor could we communicate with (beyond innuendo) crowded together next to us. I believe they were French and they said very little but werevery gracious and polite. They had a very young daughter in tow and as it was cold she was freezing. We made room for them under our blankets and gave them some hot chocolate. They became very animated and talkative, the only word really understood was "thank you". As the show began I hoisted the child onto my shoulder so she could hold the railing and steady herself for a better view. As Tinkerbell flew overhead the girl exploded with giddyness. I galnced at her father in time to see him wipe away a tear. I'm sure he saw me do the same. This is the Walt Disney experience as good as it gets: It really makes no difference who you are. Thank me? NO Thank YOU
....and of course thank you Walt Disney World.
