ruvidu
SC Traveler --- I have spent most of my life fishi
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2001
- Messages
- 806
Here is the Reader's Digest Condensed version of our 5 day trip. Hope it helps someone.
We have been home for a little over 3 hours. The bags are unpacked and we are glad to be home. I did want to give everyone our thoughts on this trip before we head out on our next vacation so here goes:
We used Dreams Unlimited to plan this trip and we can not say enough good things about Merrie and DU. We will use them again in the future.
For transportation from MCO to Wilderness Lodge we used FL Tours. Mixed review but we will probably use them again. Our driver did not meet us at baggage claim as we were told. I called the toll free number for FL Tours, left a message and my call was returned within 10 minutes telling me to look up and see if I could see my driver which I did. He apologized for being late and took good care of us after that. My second problem was when he presented me a bill at WL for $104. DU had negotiated a RT for $90. I handed him a $100 bill and told him $10 was for him and what my negotiated price was. He did not argue and when we were picked up today there was no mention of the extra $14. We received a call yesterday confirming what time they would arrive to pick us up today. Cars were spotless and the drivers very nice.
Wilderness Lodge We stayed here 2 years ago and loved it but this will probably be our last time here. They only had two check in desks open and only one person at guest services. I spent way more time in line this week than I thought was necessary. You could tell they had cut back on personnel. When we left this afternoon, 12/5, the line went all the way past the Christmas tree in the center of the lodge and there were 6 or 7 people in line at guest services. Our phone was broken and only half of the one touch buttons worked. I reported it but nothing was ever done. We did not receive any turn down services at any time. Funny thing is that we received a towel animal the last day. I guess it was the Mousekeepers way of asking for a tip. Our room had not even been cleaned and made up on Thursday at 3 PM. We had left at 8:30 that morning. Food in Whispering Canyon was great as always. Coffee at Roaring Forks has to be some of the worst I have ever tried to drink. Good ole Nescafe I guess. If you are going here and want a beer, think twice. A domestic brew will set you back almost $4. You can get the same beer in the Mercantile for $2.
We had room 4010 which was OK. We had the Otter Pond view and could see the top of the Contemporary Hotel. We did spend about an hour one day watching an Otter play and feed on something. There were ducks and other shore birds around the pond as well. We did have a Mickey carved on our balcony post and I dont think we had one on the last trip. To sum it up It aint worth what they are charging now.
The parks They all seemed clean as usual and most of the CMs were great. We did talk to one who said everyone is mad because Eisner is bringing in foreigners to cut out the overtime. We did notice a lot of people from the nationalities he mentioned.
The rides Haunted Mansion broke down 3 times on one of our rides as did Planet Earth. Made us wonder if we wanted to do one of the roller coasters. We rode Mission Space twice about 3 hours apart. The first time it was a really cool ride. The second time the ride was much more harsh with the Gs really pulling on you. I could feel my cheeks being pulled back.. Dont know what might have caused that but it was like riding two entirely different rides. All the other rides, and we did most of them, were no problem.
The shows We both loved Mickeys Phillimagic and saw it twice. The Country Bear Jamboree Christmas show was a not to miss. We wanted to see Goofeys Christmas show at the Golden Horseshoe but had a problem there. We stood in line for 15 minutes and when we got in there the CM directed us to sit in the floor like school children. We are both mid 50 with arthritis so that wasnt going to happen . We then sat on a bench at the back of the hall. The CM then started lining standers up in front of us so we left. Eisner and Co. needs to invest in some folding or stacking chairs for this venue.
MVMCP We were there from 6PM until Midnight and had a great time. It was not crowded and the fireworks were great. Dan Murphy and Co. sat beside but did not know it. We were the quiet types and just sat back and listened. Hey Dan. We were the couple sitting on the bench when you and Pete walked up.
CLP Ben Vareem did a great job reading the Christmas Story but he just had to make a political statement at the end. The problem was that nobody knew what point he was trying to make. The choir was wonderful and again this was one of our favorite things we did in our 5 days.
We did see the signs announcing the Motorcycle, Boat and Car stunt show coming to MGM. Driver also said they were going to enlarge the NY area with a Chicago and a San Francisco.
We will probably come back in a couple of years but I doubt if it will be to WL. For the money we will probably go back to Moderates or up to GF.
I will try to answer any questions upcoming visitors may have.
Merry Christmas All
Russ and Miss Vivian
We have been home for a little over 3 hours. The bags are unpacked and we are glad to be home. I did want to give everyone our thoughts on this trip before we head out on our next vacation so here goes:
We used Dreams Unlimited to plan this trip and we can not say enough good things about Merrie and DU. We will use them again in the future.
For transportation from MCO to Wilderness Lodge we used FL Tours. Mixed review but we will probably use them again. Our driver did not meet us at baggage claim as we were told. I called the toll free number for FL Tours, left a message and my call was returned within 10 minutes telling me to look up and see if I could see my driver which I did. He apologized for being late and took good care of us after that. My second problem was when he presented me a bill at WL for $104. DU had negotiated a RT for $90. I handed him a $100 bill and told him $10 was for him and what my negotiated price was. He did not argue and when we were picked up today there was no mention of the extra $14. We received a call yesterday confirming what time they would arrive to pick us up today. Cars were spotless and the drivers very nice.
Wilderness Lodge We stayed here 2 years ago and loved it but this will probably be our last time here. They only had two check in desks open and only one person at guest services. I spent way more time in line this week than I thought was necessary. You could tell they had cut back on personnel. When we left this afternoon, 12/5, the line went all the way past the Christmas tree in the center of the lodge and there were 6 or 7 people in line at guest services. Our phone was broken and only half of the one touch buttons worked. I reported it but nothing was ever done. We did not receive any turn down services at any time. Funny thing is that we received a towel animal the last day. I guess it was the Mousekeepers way of asking for a tip. Our room had not even been cleaned and made up on Thursday at 3 PM. We had left at 8:30 that morning. Food in Whispering Canyon was great as always. Coffee at Roaring Forks has to be some of the worst I have ever tried to drink. Good ole Nescafe I guess. If you are going here and want a beer, think twice. A domestic brew will set you back almost $4. You can get the same beer in the Mercantile for $2.
We had room 4010 which was OK. We had the Otter Pond view and could see the top of the Contemporary Hotel. We did spend about an hour one day watching an Otter play and feed on something. There were ducks and other shore birds around the pond as well. We did have a Mickey carved on our balcony post and I dont think we had one on the last trip. To sum it up It aint worth what they are charging now.
The parks They all seemed clean as usual and most of the CMs were great. We did talk to one who said everyone is mad because Eisner is bringing in foreigners to cut out the overtime. We did notice a lot of people from the nationalities he mentioned.
The rides Haunted Mansion broke down 3 times on one of our rides as did Planet Earth. Made us wonder if we wanted to do one of the roller coasters. We rode Mission Space twice about 3 hours apart. The first time it was a really cool ride. The second time the ride was much more harsh with the Gs really pulling on you. I could feel my cheeks being pulled back.. Dont know what might have caused that but it was like riding two entirely different rides. All the other rides, and we did most of them, were no problem.
The shows We both loved Mickeys Phillimagic and saw it twice. The Country Bear Jamboree Christmas show was a not to miss. We wanted to see Goofeys Christmas show at the Golden Horseshoe but had a problem there. We stood in line for 15 minutes and when we got in there the CM directed us to sit in the floor like school children. We are both mid 50 with arthritis so that wasnt going to happen . We then sat on a bench at the back of the hall. The CM then started lining standers up in front of us so we left. Eisner and Co. needs to invest in some folding or stacking chairs for this venue.
MVMCP We were there from 6PM until Midnight and had a great time. It was not crowded and the fireworks were great. Dan Murphy and Co. sat beside but did not know it. We were the quiet types and just sat back and listened. Hey Dan. We were the couple sitting on the bench when you and Pete walked up.
CLP Ben Vareem did a great job reading the Christmas Story but he just had to make a political statement at the end. The problem was that nobody knew what point he was trying to make. The choir was wonderful and again this was one of our favorite things we did in our 5 days.
We did see the signs announcing the Motorcycle, Boat and Car stunt show coming to MGM. Driver also said they were going to enlarge the NY area with a Chicago and a San Francisco.
We will probably come back in a couple of years but I doubt if it will be to WL. For the money we will probably go back to Moderates or up to GF.
I will try to answer any questions upcoming visitors may have.
Merry Christmas All
Russ and Miss Vivian
