Many ?'s. Spas, meals, shows etc.

[plutosgirl]

I have been getting so much information from this board it's been sooo helpful but now I have questions!!!???

There are 8 of us going to DW in May for 10 days (My family-dh,me,and our girls 5 & 7 and then my cousin, her dh and kids 8 & 3) we are staying at the Carribean Resort). We've done tons of research and now we need some opinions. Here goes...(sorry there may be alot of questions!)

1. Which is better the Poly Luau or the HopDeDo dinner shows?

2. We will be there on Mother's Day so my cousin and I are going to get a massage...which spa is best?

3. Which Character Meals are best. We plan on doing Chef Mickey's for a dinner, Crystal Palace for Breakfast or Lunch (which would be better?) and want to one more...but which one? (not the Cinderella breakfast though)

4. The men want a morning of Golf but what course should we reserve?

5. What type of packs do you take into the park...fanny packs, backpacks etc? Can you take them on the rides with you? What about camcorders and cameras?

6. Has anyone used the meal vouchers? Are they legitimate?

7. Are there any shows that we just HAVE to make sure we see?

8. Do the busses run back to the resorts late at night (like after the Pleasure Island midnight celebration?)

Any other ideas or suggestions will put us forever in your debt LOL. This is a once in a lifetime trip for all of us and we want to have a plan so we can get to everything we want to and not have to stress while we are there. I am so excited I think I'm going to burst!!! We are going to Disney!!!! Yeaaaaa

Christie

 

[jpd3]

We've done the Hoop De Doo Revue before and absolutely loved it. In fact we're doing it again on our next trip. We're also going to try the Luau for the first time this trip so we'll give you a compare and contrast after we get back.

The Princess Storybook Breakfast at Akershus in the Norway Pavillion at Epcot is a great character breakfast. My girls highly recommend it!

Have fun on your trip

 

[SnackyStacky]

Hi there!

A LOT of your questions are very subjective, and the answer will depend completely on your own tastes and preferences.

1.) Here's where the subjective part comes in! Hoop Dee Doo serves food that is generally more traditional barbeque stuff: fried chicken, pork ribs, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake! Unlimited beer, sangria and soft drinks are also included in the price. Spirit of Aloha serves Vinagrette-dressed salad, Sliced pineapple, Polynesian-style bread, Lanai Roasted Chicken, Pork Ribs, Polynesian Rice, South Seas Vegetables,
Dessert, and all you can drink: Soda, Coffee, Tea, Draft Beer, Red and White Wine. They also have a children's menu: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, and hot dogs. If you're more concerned about the show, it really is up to your personal tastes and preferences.

2.) Subjectivity! I haven't visited the spas, so I really can't comment, but I truly believe that no matter which you choose, you'll have a phenomenal experience.

3.) Here again, it's all subjectivity. Are you looking for food variety, or character variety? Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom) features Minnie Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale and serves Turkey, flank steak, dressing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, mac and cheese. Garden Grill (Epcot) features Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale and serves Eggs, potatoes and sausage for breakfast and Catfish, beef, chicken, veggies, potatoes, and mac and cheese for Lunch and dinner. Hollywood and Vine (MGM) features Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale and serves chocolate french toast, pancakes, eggs, and fruit salad for breakfast and carved meats, seafood, pasta, hot dogs and salad for lunch. Restaurantosaurus (Animal Kingdom) features Donald, Pluto, and Goofy and serves pancakes french toast, eggs, breakfast burritos, frittata, sausage, grits, cereal, and fresh fruit. 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian features "stars like Mary Poppins" for breakfast, and princesses for Dinner. They serve pancakes, eggs, and waffles for breakfast, and carved meats, cheese ravioli, lo mein, and brie and crackers for dinner. 'Ohana features Mickey, Goofy, Chip and Dale and serves waffles, eggs, biscuits, fruit, and bacon. Akershus (Epcot) features princesses and serves scrambled eggs, potato casseroles, french toast sticks, bacon, sausage, and fruit. Cape May Cafe (Beach Club) features Goofy, Minnie, Chip and Dale and serves eggs, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, fruit, cereal, and grits.

4.) I don't play golf, so I can't give you any low down on the courses. I CAN however link you to http://www.wdwgolf.com

5.) I personally use an over-the-shoulder pack, and yes. They allow it on all the rides. (The only ride I've ever had a problem with was Men in Black, but that's at Universal! ) I don't know if you're planning on USING your camcorder and/or camera on the rides, that's not permitted, but yes you can take them on the rides with you. There's quite a few I wouldn't reccomend taking it on, but they'll let you take it with you.

6.) I personally have NOT used meal vouchers. But from what I've read, if you're not getting them with a package, I wouldn't bother with them. Most of the companies that sell them are not reputable, and have many complaints filed against them.

7.) I would HIGHLY reccomend that you make sure you see: Fantasmic (although it wasn't my cup of tea, everyone should see it at least once!), Illuminations, and Wishes. I'm not a fan of the theme park Broadway style shows myself, but the seemingly most popular of those is Festival of the Lion King.

8.) Yes. If Disney's got it open, they'll provide you with transportation back to your Disney resort.

My last bit of advice is to have a tentative itinerary, but if the winds change, go with the flow. If people get crabby, take a break. Go back to the hotel, or split up. I would highly reccomend scheduling time to split up so that you all get a break from one another, and can do what YOU want to do.

Also, pay a visit to http://www.allearsnet.com TONS of useful information there.

Have a PHENOMENAL trip!

 

[kandmwedding]

1. Given everyone's answers that I'd read before, I always thought I'd like the HDDR better, but now having done both, the Luau is my favorite! I liked the action better and the food was a million times better!! Just the food alone was worth the money!!

2. Don't know

3. Don't know

4. Don't know

5. We carried one backpack for the two of us, which was enough to hold sweatshirts (it was January), snacks and drinks, sunscreen, etc.

6. Haven't used them, but they are legitimate. Check out the thread on the Budget Board for infor all about them.

7. Cirque du Soleil!!!! It's really expensive, but definitely worth the money!!

8. The buses run from each location for about one hour after closing. So they continue to run from the West Side bus spot until about 3am I believe.

Plan in some relaxation time! We planned a jam-packed week, and everything went well the first 3 days, but when we got to that fourth day, and we didn't "have" to be anywhere right away in the morning, we found ourselves just relaxing in the room for the whole morning. But we felt rejuvenated and were able to continue on for the rest of the week without any problems!!!

 

[hannahryan]

1. Luau...I love the atmosphere. Book it soon, I think they determine your location based on when you reserve.
2. GF for the atmosphere
3. In addition to Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace (I would do lunch) and Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club...make sure you tour the resort and grounds while you're there, it's amazing!
4. Palm Golf Course is Disney's best (call (407)WDW-GOLF). You can save 30% with an AP (I would buy at least 1 to get the AP resort discount).
5. We don't like wearing backpacks. Since you'll need a stroller, I would throw everything in there.
6. I wouldn't bother.
7. Must sees: Illuminations at EPCOT, Lion King at AK
8. We don't use the buses

Have a great time!! Disney is the BEST!!!

 

[bibbidiboo]

1)HoopDe Doo would probably be a better show/food for kids. I've never been, but I'm just guessing. We did the Luau 6 years ago, i've heard its changed since then, so I don't know.

2)I've only been to the GF spa, and it was wonderful. Pricy--for me at least, but the experinence was worth it. The only other one that I knew of at the time was at the Disney Institue, but that closed a few months before our trip. I heard some of the other resorts(DVC?) have them, but I thought they were only for DVC members or the guests of those resorts, I never saw any contact info on these spas--Maybe someone else can help.


3) I would probably do Crystal Palace for the last breakfast possible--eat a snack/breakfast in your room and then this meal would be like lunch. Chef Mickey's--EXCELLENT CHOICE. Other than that, Maybe Breakfastosaurous at AK. Maybe something at one of the hotels.

4) Only did the mini variety, and I would recommend Fantasia Gardens for that.

5) Backpack, and somedays we put that in a locker.

6)never used

7)FoTLK, Fantasmic, Spectro/Wishes--haven't seen wishes yet, but the fireworks shows are amazing.

8) Yes, but maybe not as often.

Have fun

 

[Deb & Bill]

GF spa is very good. WL spa (which is really at the Villas) is also very good. The spa at Saratoga Springs (was Disney Institute) is closed until about mid May when Saratoga Springs resort opens. It is a new DVC resort on the site of the old Disney Institute.

All the spas are run by the same company and it is not Disney. Prices are comparable at all the spas. A 50 minute massage will cost about $75 plus a tip.

There are several golf courses. Magnolia (I think) is the toughest and is near the Shades of Green. Lake Buena Vista Course runs through the Old Key West (DVC) resort. Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge are kind of between Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[jann1033]

1) really didn't care for hoop de doo thought it overpriced, food not that great but many lkie it. haven't been to new Luau just the old old one
5) we found a great samsonite oblong pack for camera, maps, schedules,vouchers at walmart that fit comfortably on my husband's side in the seats while on his shoulder and I bought a wonderful little pretty fabric "purse" at china in epcot for $5 (where they were selling the fabric wallets and stuff by the cash registers,) about 4x6 on a black rope shoulder strap with room for my pass, brush, motrin( back was out), chap stick ect. and weighed about an ounce! best money I ever spend! when I got home daughter wanted it but too bad! ( could have saved a bunch on *her* present had I known!)
6)great value..we saved $5-11 per voucher with q/c and $10-30+ per vkl.. , no sweat using them or getting them, probably would not bother with the breakfast v. unless for the adult character breakfst.
7) we enjoyed all the shows but must see were lion king and if you can swing it Cirque de solei (was fantastic and worth every penny...from a cheapskate who is not easily convinced! ). spectro ,wishes and illuminations are musts. fantasmic was good but imo would be too intense for some preschoolers( loud, dark and larger than life dragons , witches ect. heard lots of shrieks of alarm/fear not joy from little ones)
8) buses from PI and DTD run late and are easy to do since it is only one bus to your resort( sometimes multiple stops though) but not so good from resorts after dinner and at or after park closings ..then it is at least an hr or much longer to get from one resort to another ( bus from resort to dtd, then another bus to your resort with sometimes long waits for each bus and sometimes mutliple stops between)