Just returned - any questions?

[Angela&Kayla]

My daughter and I just returned from our first trip to Disney - a whole 11 days! - and although I will post a trip report later, I would be more than happy to answer any questions people have now!

Just some info...

We stayed at POP.
We used ME.
We used Disney Transportation.
We ate at several places, including Boma, CRT for lunch, Ohana's for supper, LeCellier and Coral Reef, and the Hoop Dee Doo.
We spent two days at each park.
We went downtown and to La Nouba.

Again, I will post a more detailed trip report as soon as things settle down a little here at home, but would love to answer as many questions as I can!!

 

[luvpoohbear]

Age old question, How were the crowds?!?!

We are going down in a little over 2 weeks, do you think the crowds will be about the same then?

 

[Angela&Kayla]

Although I can not compare the crowds while I was there to any other time (since it was my first time ever in Disney), I would have to say that they were not bad at all. On all the days we went to the parks (8 days total plus one day downtown), the crowds were quite manageable. We went on all the rides we wanted to...some even a couple of times...without a long wait.

The only time I felt that it was crowded was when we were in a hurry to go somewhere...of course, right?!?

I do know that POP is completely booked over Labor Day weekend, but besides from that, they don't expect the crowds to be much bigger than when we were there.

Age old question, How were the crowds?!?!

We are going down in a little over 2 weeks, do you think the crowds will be about the same then?

 

[PrincessPatty]

Usually the stores have an offer such as spend $75 then have an option to buy _____ Did you notice what the option to buy was?

Okay that sounds confusing, here's an example:

Last year if you spend $75 (or something like that) then for $10 you could buy a Tink/Mickey watch or a limited poster at WOD.


Hopefully that cleared it up!

 

[mmmears]

One question -- how was lunch at CRT. We've been there for breakfast but are considering trying it out for lunch next trip. I'd love to hear what you thought of the place, characters, food, etc.

 

[Angela&Kayla]

The promotion was something like: Spend $40 or more and get a picture frame for $5.

Usually the stores have an offer such as spend $75 then have an option to buy _____ Did you notice what the option to buy was?

Okay that sounds confusing, here's an example:

Last year if you spend $75 (or something like that) then for $10 you could buy a Tink/Mickey watch or a limited poster at WOD.


Hopefully that cleared it up!

 

[heart4dis]

You are quite lucky.
1. What was your favorite thing?
2. Was 11 days too long?
3. Were the DisBoards helpful to you?
4. Was the castle in scaffolding yet?
5. What was the best thing you did?

 

[Angela&Kayla]

Being our first trip to Disney, we loved the experience of eatting in the castle. That being said, we would not go again. Here are my pros and cons of CRT (not complaining, just giving my opinions):

Pros:
-We got seated at a window and were able to see MK. It was great.
-Our waiter was very nice.
-We got to see some of our favorite princesses (Belle in blue, Princess Aurora, the Fairy Godmother, and Snow White).
-The picture package is included in the price. Some may see this as a con, but it is nice to not be pressured to buy the photo while you are eatting.
-We had 12:15 ADR's, and were quickly taken back for pictures. We would have been seated almost immediately upon checking in, but had to wait in line to see Cinderella. But the line to see Cinderella was worth it - I mean - it was Cinderella after all...

Cons:
-Very expensive for the quality of the food.
-All the kids get little gifts for the "wishing ceremony." My daughter only got 1/2 of what she needed. This was quickly rectified by our waiter, but had he not been around, she would have been awfully sad to not be able to participate.
-The food was not so good, IMHO. I am not a very picky eater, but did not like Major Domo's pie. My daughter didn't like her hotdogs either. How can a place mess up a hot dog? By fancifying it with a special bun...
-The characters seemed rushed. They were able to stop by each table and talk to the kids, but only while signing their autographs and taking their picture. After that, they were gone. Also, they started on opposite sides of the room, and we were in the middle, so my daughter saw all of them within a couple of minutes. It was a little bit stressful.

One question -- how was lunch at CRT. We've been there for breakfast but are considering trying it out for lunch next trip. I'd love to hear what you thought of the place, characters, food, etc.

 

[Angela&Kayla]

1. My favorite thing was the atmosphere of the place. I realize that is kind of a generic answer, but truely, it was great. People were generally happy (you don't get that too much in everyday life anymore), and everyone was so excited to be at Disney World. I also got to spend all that time with my daughter, which was great, because we had such a good time.
2. Yes and no. First of all, we were only supposed to be there 10 days, but our good friend Ernesto got our flight cancelled yesterday, so we had to spend another night at Disney World. By the time we got home this evening, we were very thankful to be home. Disney was great and everything, but it is a long time to be at one place. Also, I think we would have burned out very early had we gotten up early to hit the parks. We like to sleep in, so we did. We also banned alarm clocks for the time we were there.
3. The DisBoards were helpful and hurtful to me. Being my first trip, I had no knowledge of Disney and depended on others for information and opinions. I gathered tips for the boards and found several of them helpful but several of them not helpful. In fact, the tips about the touring plans (get up early, take a nap in the afternoon) and the crocs ended up hurting us
4. The castle was not in scaffolding.
5. The best thing we did - ate at Ohana's (it was so good - in fact, by the time the waiter was going to bring us the main course, we were already full!!). Also, by staying later in the evening, many people left and so we never had to wait long for rides. Finally...we skipped the parades and the fireworks for the most part and were able to take full advantage of the lack of people on all the attractions!!!

You are quite lucky.
1. What was your favorite thing?
2. Was 11 days too long?
3. Were the DisBoards helpful to you?
4. Was the castle in scaffolding yet?
5. What was the best thing you did?

 

[BarbaraK]

Do all the parks have the new finger scanners?

 

[Angela&Kayla]

I believe all the parks had finger scanners...some of the parks needed one finger, while others needed two. My DD, 8, did not need to have her finger scanned at all - just me each time.

Do all the parks have the new finger scanners?

 

[alite]

Did you see Pleasure Island? Was it still alot of construction walls?

Thanks

 

[Angela&Kayla]

Unfortunately, I did not see Pleasure Island as I was in Disney with my 8 year old daughter - so I cannot help you out! Sorry!!

Did you see Pleasure Island? Was it still alot of construction walls?

Thanks

 

[TLHB70]

We normally eat CRT for breakfast. This upcoming trip we are trying lunch. I have looked at the menu online and not found much that I care to order. I thought I would try the Major Domos pie since so many DISers recommend it. What did you not like about it? Can you describe it to me?
Thanks.

 

[Pixiedust34]

What time did your plane land, and when did you get to Pop Century? Was your room ready at check-in? Which section of Pop did you stay at? Did you like it?

Thanks!

 

[DreaminDisney]

Hi there

1) Did you like Pop and would you stay there again? We're planning on staying at ASMo but Pop isn't out of question yet.

2) Did you like Hoop dee doo? I know it's expensive and food mediocre (I've heard) but overall was it worth it and would you do it again? My kids will be 10 & 7 and we're thinking of doing this.

3) Was CRT that bad ( how can they mess up a hot dog? ) or would you try dinner next time?

4) Did you like Boma? My family are some of the very few who don't care for it too much. How was the food in your opinion?

 

[Angela&Kayla]

I'm really not sure why I didn't like it. I guess I was expecting something similar to a pot pie kind of dish, which this was not.

On the bottom of the plate was the crusty pastry, which would have been good alone, but it was topped with the mashed potatoes and then pieces of meat in sauce. Again, maybe it was a texture thing or maybe it was a mixture thing, but to me, it was unappealling.

Hopefully this makes at least a little sense...

We normally eat CRT for breakfast. This upcoming trip we are trying lunch. I have looked at the menu online and not found much that I care to order. I thought I would try the Major Domos pie since so many DISers recommend it. What did you not like about it? Can you describe it to me?
Thanks.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Usually the stores have an offer such as spend $75 then have an option to buy _____ Did you notice what the option to buy was?

Okay that sounds confusing, here's an example:

Last year if you spend $75 (or something like that) then for $10 you could buy a Tink/Mickey watch or a limited poster at WOD.


Hopefully that cleared it up!

When I was there 2 weeks ago, the deal at MK was if you bought $75, then you could buy a Pirates watch for $10. It had the skull and crossbones - if it was Jack Sparrow, I would have found $75 worth of stuff to buy!

 

[Angela&Kayla]

Our plane landed at 4:05 pm in Orlando, and we were on the bus by 4:25 pm. We got to POP by around 5 and waited just a couple of minutes until check-in. They at first put us in the 90s building, but since it was just me and my daughter, I requested something closer to the main building. They quickly changed us and we put in the 70's section facing the lake. Our room was ready for us when we arrived, and actually we were able to stay in the same room the extra night we had to stay because of Ernesto - including late check-out!!

I really liked the hotel. We were on the main level facing the lake. The main building was only a minute or so walk away, as was the main pool. It was a little longer to get to the buses (2 or 3 minutes), but nothing major.

Honestly, I don't think any building is too far away. Reading the boards, I was worried I'd have to walk a long distance to get to the main building and transportation, but the layout of the hotel - with the main building and transportation in the middle - made everything quite convienient.

What time did your plane land, and when did you get to Pop Century? Was your room ready at check-in? Which section of Pop did you stay at? Did you like it?

Thanks!

 

[Angela&Kayla]

1. I really liked Pop. They have a shopping area, four places to get counter service meals plus a ice cream place in the cafeteria area, an arcade, and a lot of front desk personel. The bus system was pretty good as well - 1st ones dropped off by ME, last ones picked up by ME, and the only hotel on the line for the buses to the parks. It was clean and fun (they have things like a twister game outside that you can play).

2. My daughter and I giggled a little bit at the Hoop dee doo, but it wasn't as great as I thought it would be. The food was not good at all for my daughter and I...I liked the salad and the cornbread and that was it...and the show was okay. They do get the audience to participate, even on the upper level, but it just wasn't as funny as I think it could have been. I'm glad I went, but if I go to Disney again, I would try something else. Also, the show went on throughout the meal. When they broke for us to eat the main meal, my DD and I only ate a piece of chicken and a piece of corn on the cob when they began with the "show" again. If we would have actually liked the food, I don't think we would have been able to eat much more than we did!

3. CRT wasn't that bad. We just didn't like the food. Now that we have been able to eat in the castle, we have no desire to go back (not even for supper). If I could redo my visit, though, I would have done the supper as there is more on the menu that I would have probably liked. Again, I personally just didn't care for Major Domo's pie...but it is the most popular item on the menu so lots of people probably like it - just not me!

4. I enjoyed Boma. It again wasn't what I expected (when I think of pods, I think of spaced out stations - but to me it was just like any other buffet with a couple of feet between tables), but it was still good. We tried several things we would not have tried otherwise, and laughed at some of the choices (potatoes with afritude). Our server was also very good...he was happy to explain things to us and get us what we needed.

Hi there

1) Did you like Pop and would you stay there again? We're planning on staying at ASMo but Pop isn't out of question yet.

2) Did you like Hoop dee doo? I know it's expensive and food mediocre (I've heard) but overall was it worth it and would you do it again? My kids will be 10 & 7 and we're thinking of doing this.

3) Was CRT that bad ( how can they mess up a hot dog? ) or would you try dinner next time?

4) Did you like Boma? My family are some of the very few who don't care for it too much. How was the food in your opinion?