Polly Juice
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 23
We just returned from Florida. We did 7 nights at the W.Lodge and 3 nights at the Hard Rock. We had a great time. Beware weather reports of 60 + degrees and 5-10 mph winds. The wind off the water is very cold. We needed hats, gloves, sweatshirts, windbreakers etc. I even wore a scarf around my neck on several days. Take something to sit on at Fantasmic as the metal benches can be very chilling. Of course, I'm from TX, so I don't like the cold much, but everyone I saw was buying sweatshirts. I booked both hotels thru Barbara at wdwtravel@aol.com She got the best deals for me. WL was about $154 per night and HR was 180 something for Wed. and Thurs. but 230 for Fri. so plan accordingly. We got to WDW and found early entry days had changed to different days than what I had planned and in addition some parks are open late on certain nights. That can really change your touring plans and crowd avoidance plans. We enjoyed W.Lodge again. FYI there are 6 washing machines and 10 dryers. $2.00 each. The laundry is located directly across from the elevators near Roaring Forks. Very safe. There is a TV in there, but no stool to sit on. There is a large folding table and a coin changer, which sometimes gives you 5 quarters or 3 or 4 depending on its mood. Our room was 6020. It was a bunkbed room, woods view. We could see most of the fireworks from MK from the balcony. There are trees that block some of the view and if it's foggy you can't see much but I loved sitting in a comfortable climate controlled room with the lights off and watching the fireworks from there. I heard the neighbors talking on either side and they evidently could see the fireworks well also. The balcony is up under the eves and so is enclosed and very private. (I was able to dry some clothes out there without looking like a hillbilly). 6020 is also very near the Roaring Forks. I would request this room again. There was no refrigerator when we arrived, but they brought one up. The pool is heated to about 85 degrees. The kids and husband swam one day. Roaring Forks has 2 microwaves that guests can use. The mercantile sells milk by the quart. My husband wished the rooms had more comfortable chairs. We rented the 4 man surrey and the 2 seater mouse boats one day. Both were lots of fun. We did Epcot on Thurs. 2-3-05. Crowds were light. I'm glad I did Mission Space, but I have no desire to ride again. During the lift off it gave me blurred vision, but you're not supposed to close your eyes. Very unpleasant. My kids loved it though and rode twice. We did lunch at the Biergarten in Germany. It's a big buffet and very good. We did dinner at Chefs de France. It was very good also. I love the lobster bisque. Fri. 2-4-05 was early entry day at MK. Tomorrowland and Fantasyland were open early. Had late breakfast at the Castle with the Princesses. It's all you can eat family style and it's really good. I would do it again for the food alone. Crowds were heavy by noon, but we had already done all the big stuff. Parents- if your kids want to do Winnie the Pooh, do it early or fast pass it early, cause it loads really really slow. Sat. 2-5 05 MGM crowds were moderate. It was NOT an early entry day. We did Fantasmic dinner reserved seating thru Hollywood and Vine. It was O.K. The wind blew the water from Fantasmic up at least 12 rows. Mon. 2-7-05 was MK again. Crowds were heavier. Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern. I like the food here. Tues. 2-8-05 Animal kingdom. We got fast passes for K.safaris first thing then headed to the Pangani Forest Trail. We got to walk thru unmolested and see the gorillas up close. When we finished the Trail it was time to use our fast pass. It worked out great. We took the big garbage bags for Kali. That worked fine also. We had a low crowd walk thru the Majaraja Jungle Trek, too. It was very enjoyable and peaceful. Lunch at Rainforest. I have a Rainforest club card and I made a priority seating. I got a special stamp on my ticket and got my table before the other priority seatings I think. We did Epcot in the evening. If you've never been to WDW know this: you will not eat at a full service restaurant without priority seating- even at your hotel, so decide ahead of time. Wed. we checked out and went to Universal. It was once again a great trip and a great time (mainly because we did lots of planning ahead and made all our priority seatings from home). If you're a Disney novice I cannot stress this enough. Also you must be at the park when it opens - no sleeping in- or go to the parks late if you want to ride the most popular rides without a long wait. Also note that the W.Lodge launch to M.K. doesn't run in heavy fog, you have to take the bus. The buses seemed to be running 7:45 and 8:15-8:20 am at W.Lodge. For those of you looking forward to your shot of dopamine- I'm jealous. Have a great time and hug Eeyore for me. 
