As to DL and DCA: This time of year seems to be good as far as the weather goes. The days were pleasant except for a couple of hours in the afternoon when it did heat up a bit but was not unbearable. The mornings and evenings were delightful. The crowds were tolerable and only really bad on Monday. We had six-day hopper passes so our days were not hurried, which was wonderful, especially since we had two small children with us. My daughter had to use a wheelchair for medical reasons and I found all of the workers to be very accommodating and helpful. We found an excellent spot to view the fireworks at tables at the Plaza Inn. We got there about 90 minutes before the fireworks and had a leisurely dinner (the fried chicken is excellent). It is not necessary to buy food in order to sit at the tables; you will not be asked to leave. We also saw lots of folks sitting at tables around DL, eating food that they had obviously brought in; so the restrictions on outside food are not enforced. The parade down Main Street is very good -- worth waiting for. I had only one complaint: Ive been going to DL for 30 years and this was the first time that I found the bathrooms to be a bit untidy. There were attendants but maybe not enough because they couldnt seem to keep up with the cleaning.
By the way, during the fireworks, Tinkerbell flies back and forth several times, not just one time like in past years. And theyve added Dumbo!! -- he flies back and forth and his ears even flap! It was a very special surprise.
As to the food:
We did the lunch with the princesses at Ariels Grotto -- very nice and the food was good.
Café Orleans -- never disappointed here. We had the Monte Cristo, the 3-cheese Monte Cristo, the ratatouille, the seafood crepe, the pommes frites, the onion soup, the gumbo, etc., and all were delicious.
I am appalled at the poor quality of the hamburgers in DL/DCA. I had one at Hungry Bear and one at Taste Pilot and both were horrible. I dont understand why a huge business like Disney cant get a better quality burger.
We did the barbecue at Thunder Ranch. The ribs and chicken were both very good, and also the peach cobbler.
Had a very nice breakfast at Carnation Café -- always pleasant there.
We had several breakfasts outside of DL -- at Mimis, Dennys, and Millies. Of the three, Millies was my least favorite -- very greasy food.
One thing you must be sure to get is the beignets at the Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. We also had the popcorn shrimp platter -- yummy.
We stayed at Howard Johnsons. It was our first time there and we were very pleased. The beds were very comfortable and I liked that they fold the bedspread at the end of the bed so you dont have to use it if you dont want to. They gave plenty of towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and hangers. There was an ironing board and iron, small refrigerator, and Keurig coffee maker which made a good cup of coffee. The water park for the kids is lots of fun and much more than we expected. Theres a Jacuzzi, a kiddie pool, two slides, a splash bucket, two or three other water things, and lots of tables and lounge chairs for parents. Another great thing about this hotel is the small store that they have. They carry just about anything you could want or need while on vacation; and they give out free newspapers every day.
We also spent a morning at Newport Beach.
This is getting really long, so anyone has any specific questions, just ask and I will try to answer.
By the way, during the fireworks, Tinkerbell flies back and forth several times, not just one time like in past years. And theyve added Dumbo!! -- he flies back and forth and his ears even flap! It was a very special surprise.
As to the food:
We did the lunch with the princesses at Ariels Grotto -- very nice and the food was good.
Café Orleans -- never disappointed here. We had the Monte Cristo, the 3-cheese Monte Cristo, the ratatouille, the seafood crepe, the pommes frites, the onion soup, the gumbo, etc., and all were delicious.
I am appalled at the poor quality of the hamburgers in DL/DCA. I had one at Hungry Bear and one at Taste Pilot and both were horrible. I dont understand why a huge business like Disney cant get a better quality burger.
We did the barbecue at Thunder Ranch. The ribs and chicken were both very good, and also the peach cobbler.
Had a very nice breakfast at Carnation Café -- always pleasant there.
We had several breakfasts outside of DL -- at Mimis, Dennys, and Millies. Of the three, Millies was my least favorite -- very greasy food.
One thing you must be sure to get is the beignets at the Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. We also had the popcorn shrimp platter -- yummy.
We stayed at Howard Johnsons. It was our first time there and we were very pleased. The beds were very comfortable and I liked that they fold the bedspread at the end of the bed so you dont have to use it if you dont want to. They gave plenty of towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and hangers. There was an ironing board and iron, small refrigerator, and Keurig coffee maker which made a good cup of coffee. The water park for the kids is lots of fun and much more than we expected. Theres a Jacuzzi, a kiddie pool, two slides, a splash bucket, two or three other water things, and lots of tables and lounge chairs for parents. Another great thing about this hotel is the small store that they have. They carry just about anything you could want or need while on vacation; and they give out free newspapers every day.
We also spent a morning at Newport Beach.
This is getting really long, so anyone has any specific questions, just ask and I will try to answer.
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- I would still like to go to AZ though but maybe when the tepms are a little cooler than that
