Last Trip for a While - the Good and the Yikes

TiffFromTX

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Jun 2, 2019
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Hi everyone! Just got back from a week-long stay with my 17 yo daughter and thought I'd share our trip report. You can see previous trip dates in my signature, and this is the last for quite a while I think. I'll share some pics of what we had, etc. While many plates looked delicious, that's the only thing the had going for them. And I'm easy to please.

Day 1 (Dec 29): I decided this trip to fly out midday (American Airlines first class, was great from DFW) and stay at the Hyatt in the airport so we weren't rushing. BEST decision ever. Also, I had wheelchair service (too long of a walk on a cane) and they were amazing - funny and fast. The Hyatt, by the way, will go to baggage claim FOR you and get your luggage for $10 and bring it to your room. SO nice. Stepped off the plane and was whisked into our hotel room. We ordered room service which was fast and delish. The room was nice and I wish we could have gone on our balcony but they lock the doors now since an unfortunate incident in 2019 I believe.

Day 2 (Dec 30): Hotel had baggage and wheelchair to take us to Magical Express right at 8 AM, but not before I scored us Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and Test Track for later in the day. Got there, no line and a bus was waiting for us. Driver was cool. Told us about all of the people who have been so sad seeing M.E. go, as are we. We were taken to the Boardwalk (first time here - I prefer Beach Club).

The resort smells incredible. It's cute in the lobby and still had Christmas decor. The staff were all amazing and nice. Our room was ready at 9 AM. The only bad thing is that with a scooter, you have to use two elevators: One to go up to your room, then on level 2, you take a different elevator to level 1 to get on the Boardwalk. They should have a ramp outside or something.

The room itself is not my cup of tea. It looks like a grandma's house - yellow and white striped walls, wooden poster beds. Kind of like a bed and breakfast. But nice enough. Our room (3287) just overlooked the bus area and even being near the elevator and that, noise was almost nonexistent. As we waited on my scooter delivery, we went to the Boardwalk Cafe for breakfast and had a Mickey cin roll (YUM - I didn't expect how flakey and soft it would be) and my daughter had a cupcake and breakfast sandwich - they were okay - she didn't eat much of them.

I rented my scooter from Gold Mobility Scooters, as I always do. Last trip, I got a very squeaky one and we laughed that I sounded like Debo on the movie Friday w/the bicycle. Well this time, it was no different. None of the other times has this happened. It was also very slow compared to previous trips. Had a slow start, would get sluggish even fully charged, and my daughter was walking faster than I could go. (Last time she kept telling me to wait up). More about this later...

I was expecting huge wall to wall crowds but it wasn't like that. It was busy, but not even as bad as summertime in a non pandemic era. We ate at Regal Eagle and that smoked chicken is amazing! Saw the American Adventure and it was very well done. We left midday and went back to the room and I'd brought my Normatec compression pants and my daughter used them to revive her legs. They work SO well for a Disney trip. I also ordered a heated foot massager to deliver to the resort the next day because the airport and park/resort walking is hard on her (and she's physically fit).

Went back to Epcot for a 4 PM Chefs de France meal. I had to laugh at a recent blog I read about their charcuterie plate because it literally looked like they dumped a lunchable on a plate. It was awful. The French Onion soup was okay. Her steak was terrible - like the bottom of a shoe and way overcooked. I got the ratatouille and it was okay. For dessert we got the creme brulee and Tarte au chocolat Valrhona. I had really hoped they'd be amazing but they weren't. Just okay.

The rest of the day after chefs de France: we rode Remy’s Adventure and it was a cute ride that I’m shocked didn’t make me seasick. It’s 3D and lots of motion but I did fine. Then we went and rode Test Track. Soarin was too long of a wait so we did Living with the Land which was pretty because of Christmas decor. We shopped a bit. Then went to San Angel for a 9:45 PM reservation and said “Please let us in almost two hours early” and they did! We love the atmosphere. So pretty! Both of us got the chicken tostadas as appetizers. I found some gnarly hard piece (bone?) in mine so I quit eating it. We both got chicken enchiladas. I was full so barely ate any and same with my daughter but we got dessert!
😂
It was the 50th anniversary pyramid dessert with chocolate mousse inside. Neat look. But the dessert itself was kind of bland. Not that sweet chocolate I tend to like. My daughter had fun bashing it up though. We didn’t stay for fireworks at Epcot. Tired.
I'll attach pics here and continue below...

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Day 3 (Dec 31 - NYE): I was worried but shouldn't have been. Crowd level was the same if not less than what I've experienced in previous summers. Slept in and started off eating an early 11 AM lunch at Tutto Italiana and it was amazing. Nice atmosphere. Great service. I had penne vodka and she had fettuccine. My tiramisu was great and her cannoli was good.

Ate an early dinner/late lunch at 4 at Coral Reef - WAY too loud and it usually is loud, but this was beyond. What I DO love is this is the ONLY place I can find a frozen pina colada and they are GOOD. She ordered steak and I ordered chicken. Hers was anemic. Mine was okay. We took a bite or two and skipped dessert.

Went to the Germany pavilion and in the Werther's store got a 50th cupcake (the frosting was incredible) and a caramel which she didn't like. Rode some rides.

Stayed for early fireworks this time. Pretty! Afterwards went for a later dinner at 7 at Le Cellier. So we do foodie vacations but just taste test a variety of stuff because we schedule multiple restaurants and do snacks, etc. The waiters will often worry something was wrong w/the meals because we just try several items - we don't finish them or even do half.

My daughter got some 50th anniversary drink. She put some character in there that dissolved, etc. For appetizers we tried: Plant-based House-made Chorizo Meatballs and split one. It was okay. Loved the maple whisky Brussels sprouts. My daughter ate a few bites of her steak and said it was good. I ate 1 steamed impossible dumpling. As expected it was ok but not my style of food. She ate some Mac n cheese and liked it. The maple creme brûlée didn’t have a crackable top - mush. Shame! But tasted amazing. We tasted a bite of the chocolate maple and it sucked. All in all a good meal except the waiter’s comment. When we finish ordering and the waiter says, “I will tell you that’s quite a bit of food.” Mind you, I'm fat but most of the reason we got the extra sides and appetizer etc. was for my tall, thin about 100 pound daughter. Made HER feel ashamed/embarrassed. Wrong thing to say but I'm sure he just meant it as a warning in case we didn't know but it came out wrong.

We then went back to our room and decided to go to a backup reservation at 10 at Todd English's bluezoo at Swan and Dolphin just for fun. Bluezoo was delish! My daughter had filet mignon and fries. I had chicken and a risotto tot. She had a s’mores dessert and I had a root beer float. (A few bites and great service - they even went table to table handing out hats and noise makers. Atmosphere is gorgeous.

Then went to Epcot for New Years fireworks. They were beautiful!20.jpg19.jpg18.jpg17.jpg16.jpg15.jpg14.jpg13.jpgIMG_4741.JPGIMG_4740.JPG
 
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Day 3 Jan 1st:

We had reservations at 11 for Be Our Guest but we decided to usher in 2022 by sleeping in late. Woke up at 10:30 to go to Magic Kingdom but not before I whipped out my can opener and pathetic can of black eyed peas for a good luck breakfast (Southerners will know).

Got some Starbucks to start but the bagel was burnt and the blue pastry were gross. Went to carousel of progress. Cute! Love the dog. The went to Gaston’s tavern but no sign of him (she got a cin roll and I got some mousse). Then went to Mickey’s PhilHarmonic and it was a cute 3D show. Then to Hall of Presidents.

We rode big thunder mountain and also rode Jingle Cruise which looked pretty for Christmas at night. For lunch we had Cinderella’s royal table and it was ok. The cheese charcuterie was wonderful! She had steak which she ate all of (shocked) and I had the chicken but wasn't a fan of the red sauce. Both got pumpkin cheesecake which we didn't much care for.

We went to Be Our Guest for dinner. Daughter said they had the better steak of all so far and cooked it right (med well instead of well). The chicken was ok. Dessert was a no. On the way out I got a Xmas cupcake at the Confectionary and we got to our hotel and they gave me Tiffany H’s order of caramel apples instead, so I threw them away. I don't eat them.

Crowd levels were fine!
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Day 4 Jan 2nd:

Woke up and immediately got us Rise of the Resistance and was SO excited. Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno at the Boardwalk before we arrived at Hollywood Studios. I had Tiramisu French toast w (hard gross) potatoes and she had buttermilk pancakes and an iced coffee . Great service.

On the way to Hollywood Studios I texted Gold Mobility asking if I could swap out the scooter because it was so sluggish and squeaky. I was told squeaks were normal and that we wouldn't be able to hear it at the park (untrue) and then was asked what my weight was about the sluggishness. LOL! Well it's the same weight as all the other times I've ordered and driven them just fine and wayyyy under their 325 limit she mentioned. So I just said, "It's fine. Forget it." And then they kept trying to continue asking questions so I just brushed it off. I have always had impeccable service w/them and this time it seemed less so.

Daughter rode Tower of Terror a couple of times. Rockin rollercoaster was down all day! We watched the 3D muppets show and went to backlot for a disgusting dessert. One small bite and done. Rode the Mickey's Adventure - SUCH a cute ride!

Mama Melrose for lunch but barely touched it. He was overly worried we were unhappy and I promised we weren't - we were just tired. She ordered a flatbread appetizer and I had a salad. I got Mama's Italian spaghetti with chicken and my daughter got the steak and she wasn't a fan (she likes filets and this one was fatty). I got the cherry chocolate dessert and she got cannolis.

Went back in the hotel room for two hours. Skipped Oga’s reservation and went back for Rise of the Resistance - OMG amazing!

Had dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby later. She got a charcuterie and Walt's filet (ok), I got a GREAT chicken and stone fruit salad. We got a creme brulee (again, lacking) and the grapefruit dessert (light and yummy). GREAT service too.

Rode Tower on the way out.
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More day 4:
 

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Day 5 January 3rd:

We had breakfast reservations at Cinderella’s castle this morning but decided to skip to sleep in. It was chilly this day, so we dressed warm and went to Magic Kingdom around 1 PM. Got a cupcake (the one they didn't give me the other night and I told her what happened and they still charged me for it) and some coffee before riding People Mover.

Walked around shopping, taking pics etc. Had lunch at Tony's Tavern. We usually love their fried mozzarella but they brought them kind of cold. She had chicken fettuccini and I had the chicken parm. A few bites each. She got strawberry shortcake (not a fan) but I had the waitress pick my dessert and I got the little donuts w/shimmer and they were good.

Rode Splash mountain yay!

Back to the resort for a few hours then dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse - impeccable service. Old school gentleman who took pride in his work. Daughter said her steak was very good. I had Peruvian bbq chicken - so good! The creme brûlée was ok. This trip none of them have been creamy but instead hardened a bit. The blueberries were great though. She had the 50th dessert and neither of us liked that. It was cold and hard. The Parmesan truffle fries were to die for!
 

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Day 6 January 4th: Last Day!

We had lunch scheduled at Space 220, so we went in, shopped and rode Spaceship Earth one last time. Space 220 Was fun. We both had the fried cauliflower for appetizers and it was good. I got the free range chicken for the entrée and my daughter got a burger. Both good. I prefer this juice in the chicken to the red or creamy sauce all the other places seemed to have. Both got the sticky toffee cake for dessert and neither liked it. Too much banana flavor. But the atmosphere and sound were relaxing. Service amazing.

Went back to Boardwalk and the bell man was SO sweet. Since Gold Mobility was going to arrive later and we were ready to go, he let us leave the scooter with him! They don't normally do that for GMS. He got us on an early Magical Express and we left.

Bittersweet.
 

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Thx for posting. That’s some serious food tasting and testing, wow! Curious about your dining reservations that you skipped. Did they charge you the $10 No show fees or is that just hype?
Agree, the Hyatt is a great way to start or end a resort stay that leaves you rested. Good food there too, lol.
 
Summary:

I'm one of those people who usually feel a bad day at Disney is still better than a normal day at home. BUT. I go Deluxe, first class, signature etc. I don't feel it was worth that at all.

Pros:

1. No rain the entire time. Gorgeous weather. That's never happened for us.

2. 99.9% of staff everywhere were incredible!

3. Got to try new rides and restaurants.

Cons:

1. Mask trash everywhere - and I mean everywhere - even saw one floating in the water by Cinderella's castle. Gross - at the resorts, in lines, Main Street, left on rides, everywhere. Disgusting.

2. A couple of rude CMs who I think were just short tempered because they were directing traffic. Not directed at me just abrasive.

3. Rude walkers/people. They just don't watch where they're going - tons looking at phones, stopping suddenly in the middle of the walkway, not watching their kids veer into others. Felt Genie made it worse.

4. Shops and merch had EXTREMELY low inventory. No mugs almost anywhere.

5. Food quality way less. Looked pretty. Taste was missing. Barely saw any cupcakes anywhere. too.

6. Genie + was a waste of money for me. I got my paid ILL rides and then 1 other one each day. Just didn't seem to work right - rides so much later and then you can't grab another one.
 
Thx for posting. That’s some serious food tasting and testing, wow! Curious about your dining reservations that you skipped. Did they charge you the $10 No show fees or is that just hype?
Agree, the Hyatt is a great way to start or end a resort stay that leaves you rested. Good food there too, lol.

Yes I got charged a $20 fee for each one we skipped and I believe I had prepaid Cinderella if I'm not mistaken but my daughter's happiness/energy was more important. LOL :)
 
Thank you for posting. I am a deluxe girl as well and I have not been since my epic 10 day Contemporary Club Level trip. Life happened but now that things are back to normal, I have been debating a trip. I am going to hold off. I enjoy sit down meals and it just seems like the food quality has gone downhill in a lot of places, not just Disney. I'm glad y'all overall had a good time. YES to the blackeyed peas. I normally fix greens, blackeyed peas and cornbread for New Years Day but I had covid and it just wasnt happening. We'll see how my luck is this year. ; )

I love Disney but for the money, there are so many other places to go. I will definitely be back, just not in 2022. Thank you for your report. It helped me make my decision reading a TR with travel style similar to mine.
 
Thank you for posting. I am a deluxe girl as well and I have not been since my epic 10 day Contemporary Club Level trip. Life happened but now that things are back to normal, I have been debating a trip. I am going to hold off. I enjoy sit down meals and it just seems like the food quality has gone downhill in a lot of places, not just Disney. I'm glad y'all overall had a good time. YES to the blackeyed peas. I normally fix greens, blackeyed peas and cornbread for New Years Day but I had covid and it just wasnt happening. We'll see how my luck is this year. ; )

I love Disney but for the money, there are so many other places to go. I will definitely be back, just not in 2022. Thank you for your report. It helped me make my decision reading a TR with travel style similar to mine.

Yes! Some people scold us for it but it's the way we like to travel. And I don't splurge on a lot else in life. LOL! Sorry you had to forego the traditional meal. Life won't ding you for being sick. You get a delay. So have some when you feel better!

Disney is just not quite there right now. Hold off and enjoy it more once they're up to par. Ohhh! Maybe I'll save for a really luxury one like w/VIP etc.
 
I splurge on my gym/fitness memberships. I literally have 4 separate monthly memberships but I use them all.

I think saving up for a big splurge trip to Disney sounds like the way to go. I would LOVE to do a VIP tour. I was actually pricing it the other day. Its not bad if you have a few people to split it with. I want to go on a Disney Cruise as well but definitely not cruising right now.
 
I was stuck on hold with a call at work and started looking at short trips now that I have decided to postpone disney. Booked an airb&b in Tybee Island, GA right outside of Savannah for April. Will get a few beach days in and a day to explore Savannah. Thank you again for posting your TR. I was on the fence and didn't know what to do but now that I have made my decision, I am happy with it.

If we're both saving for a splurge disney trip, that just means several small trips elsewhere until then, right? ; )
 
I was stuck on hold with a call at work and started looking at short trips now that I have decided to postpone disney. Booked an airb&b in Tybee Island, GA right outside of Savannah for April. Will get a few beach days in and a day to explore Savannah. Thank you again for posting your TR. I was on the fence and didn't know what to do but now that I have made my decision, I am happy with it.

If we're both saving for a splurge disney trip, that just means several small trips elsewhere until then, right? ; )

Exactly! Have fun!
 





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