TimNDansMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,093
This was to be an exciting day. We would be moving onsite to All Star Sports. Even though I had enjoyed my adventure of the last few days, I was glad to be finally putting down roots for the rest of my vacation. It was getting tiring, all this trudging around with luggage!
The breakfast buffet at the Comfort Inn LBV is actually pretty good for $5.95. There is an assortment of hot items, such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, grits, french toast sticks, make-it-yourself-waffles, as well as fruit and cereals. I discovered, while reading through the room information, that guests from age 50 on, were entitled to a 20% discount off the cost of their restaurant bill and since DH and I qualified, I made a mental note.
After packing up the luggage we had brought up to the room, we then walked over to the hotels restaurant in the main building. It was very busy but we only had to wait a couple of minutes. We didnt dawdle, but had a good breakfast. I left a tip on the table and at the cashier, asked for the 20% age discount, in a low voice meant only for her ears. It was a little disappointing that she didnt whisper back, Really? You dont look a day over 25!"
Recently, when I looked more carefully at that particular receipt, I discovered that in addition to the discount, a 12% gratuity charge had been tacked on! So, our waitress did very well! (Note to myself: This is a bad habit of mine ~ I MUST read the bill more carefully!) We went back to the room, got our luggage and checked out just about 10 oclock and were finally on our way to All Star Sports!
DH had his drivers license ready for the photo ID check at the security gate into the All Stars area but this trip he wasnt asked for it. Maybe the guard had a phenomenal memory and remembered us from a year ago or maybe it was because I was sitting ready with the unmistakably recognizable Disney confirmation letter and a huge grin on my face, because he just asked, Checking in? and waved us on through.
I must admit it felt a little strange heading into the driveway of All Star Sports because we have always stayed at All Star Music. But after we had parked and were walking towards the door, there stood the familiar pin cart and inside, although a different theme, it was just like stepping back in time to our past vacations at ASMu. I actually felt quite sad at that point that the kids no longer wanted to share in the fun and magic of a Disney vacation. Keeping my sunglasses on, I blinked and sniffed a few times and went to stand in the short line at check-in, while DH went and sat down to wait.
Last fall, when I made the reservation, I was told that there would be no problem in removing the extra charge for my 18 year old son, if he didn't come with us and I explained all this to the CM at the front desk. I think he was a little confused because he said that his computer just showed the $79 room rate, so figured that the statement he would print out for me would be correct. I was still tired mentally at this point and although knew that it didnt look right, decided that Id figure it out later. The good news was that we got our room assignment right away ~ this makes life so much easier!! I really liked the new Tinkerbell room/charge keys, too!
Of course, the CM always asks you if you need any park passes etc. and I remembered that I have always wanted to see Cirque du Soleil. I motioned for DH to come over to the desk and told him about my wish, to which he replied YOU go right ahead, honey. The CM gave him the evil eye and said I dont think thats what she means and DH, catching on, said Oh, alright .get TWO tickets, then. I had to explain to him that Cirque was not just any circus so I think that also piqued his interest. We got front row seats for Thursday night at 9:00. We also made Priority Seating arrangements for Boma on Wednesday night at 8, this is a must-do on all our trips, having stayed at AKL in July 2001 and loving it there!
We were to be in Touchdown Building #10, room 10139 and the location was perfect. Our room was on the ground floor and faced a garden area of trees and tropical bushes very close to the parking lot and the main building. In fact, we couldnt have got much closer to the food court and bus stops without paying for a preferred building. It was very quiet, just what I wanted. After unloading the car, we decided what to do. DH was anxious to get back on the golf course and I decided to take in Fantasmic that evening at 7 oclock, so caught the Disney bus over to MGM for the afternoon.
By the time I arrived there it was already past noon. I headed straight for Hollywood Tower of Terror only to find a 90 minute stand-by line. That wouldnt do and rather than get a FASTPASS right then, I decided to check out Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. It seemed that everyone was waiting to try out the new drop sequences at TOT as there was only a 30 minute wait at RnR and a FASTPASS return time in about an hour. I decided to get a FP for RnR plus wait in the 30 minute line. It ended up being longer than 30 minutes so I didnt have long to wait for my FP return time, first rushing over to get one for TOT as soon as my time window opened. I know how the system works!
WOW! I had forgotten that feeling in your stomach at the take-off point in the garage. WHAT A RUSH, though!!!! This is my favourite ride and I couldnt wait to get back on. The second time I was able to open my eyes at the take off. What can I say, this ride is SO much fun! I had been hoping that the stand-by line would be a lot shorter for TOT after my second RnR ride but it was not to be. My FP return time was between 6:20 and 7 oclock, when the park closed and I knew it was highly unlikely that I would be able to do it if I wanted to get a good seat for Fantasmic at 7. Extra Magic Hour for MGM was the next day, Tuesday, so I decided I would have to come back to ride TOT, then.
For most of the afternoon, I wandered in and out of all the shops that I never seemed to have time for in the past. I also finally saw Beauty and the Beast in its entirety. I actually missed the parade when I decided to get some chicken strips and fries at the Backlot Express and found myself a nice little table to enjoy my lazy afternoon. I noticed there was no wait time at Star Tours as I strolled by, so that was the only other ride I went on that afternoon. The Hat had an under refurbishment sign around it. I didnt go over to see what they were doing.
Finally, around 6 oclock, I bought a Mickey Ice Cream Bar and made my way into the Fantasmic theatre to grab myself a seat, dead centre. I thought I had an excellent view, when wouldnt you know it, just before the show started, a very tall gentleman sat down in a space still vacant in front of me. I spent the entire show leaning to one side so that I could see. In spite of that, Fantasmic was as spectacular and magical as I remembered. The bus was packed for the drive back to ASSp but I got lucky and grabbed the last seat.
DH was already in bed watching TV when I arrived "home" but got up and went over to the food court with me while I got some dinner. He had already bought his ASSp refillable mug ~ he likes the shorter stout ones ~ so he had a coffee. I bought my mug ~ I prefer the taller ones with the closeable lid ~ and decided on chicken strips again. I brought along the statement that the CM had given me at check-in to study over dinner. I soon realized why it hadnt looked right. The first line showed my one nights deposit, including the extra charge for Dan (since he was 18), of $89 plus tax. The next entries still showed the total room charge for the week as if he had come with us, then the payment for the balance owed upon check-in and then charge and payment for the Cirque tickets.
After dinner we headed over to guest services and after waiting patiently for several minutes, it was my turn. At first the CM said that I would have to go back in the morning to get it straightened out but I think someone sprinkled a little Pixie Dust over him, either that or he recognized the look of frustration on my face. All of a sudden he said, Let me see what I can do and disappeared into the back for a while. Finally, he came back with the news that it had all been straightened out and gave me an updated statement. Good, that was off my mind, at last!
Back at the room, I discovered how to set the Mickey Wake-up Call that I had, amazingly, never got around to trying yet and decided to "call it a night", in order to get up for Extra Magic Hour the next morning. It was SO nice to be back!
The breakfast buffet at the Comfort Inn LBV is actually pretty good for $5.95. There is an assortment of hot items, such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, grits, french toast sticks, make-it-yourself-waffles, as well as fruit and cereals. I discovered, while reading through the room information, that guests from age 50 on, were entitled to a 20% discount off the cost of their restaurant bill and since DH and I qualified, I made a mental note.
After packing up the luggage we had brought up to the room, we then walked over to the hotels restaurant in the main building. It was very busy but we only had to wait a couple of minutes. We didnt dawdle, but had a good breakfast. I left a tip on the table and at the cashier, asked for the 20% age discount, in a low voice meant only for her ears. It was a little disappointing that she didnt whisper back, Really? You dont look a day over 25!"
Recently, when I looked more carefully at that particular receipt, I discovered that in addition to the discount, a 12% gratuity charge had been tacked on! So, our waitress did very well! (Note to myself: This is a bad habit of mine ~ I MUST read the bill more carefully!) We went back to the room, got our luggage and checked out just about 10 oclock and were finally on our way to All Star Sports!DH had his drivers license ready for the photo ID check at the security gate into the All Stars area but this trip he wasnt asked for it. Maybe the guard had a phenomenal memory and remembered us from a year ago or maybe it was because I was sitting ready with the unmistakably recognizable Disney confirmation letter and a huge grin on my face, because he just asked, Checking in? and waved us on through.
I must admit it felt a little strange heading into the driveway of All Star Sports because we have always stayed at All Star Music. But after we had parked and were walking towards the door, there stood the familiar pin cart and inside, although a different theme, it was just like stepping back in time to our past vacations at ASMu. I actually felt quite sad at that point that the kids no longer wanted to share in the fun and magic of a Disney vacation. Keeping my sunglasses on, I blinked and sniffed a few times and went to stand in the short line at check-in, while DH went and sat down to wait.
Last fall, when I made the reservation, I was told that there would be no problem in removing the extra charge for my 18 year old son, if he didn't come with us and I explained all this to the CM at the front desk. I think he was a little confused because he said that his computer just showed the $79 room rate, so figured that the statement he would print out for me would be correct. I was still tired mentally at this point and although knew that it didnt look right, decided that Id figure it out later. The good news was that we got our room assignment right away ~ this makes life so much easier!! I really liked the new Tinkerbell room/charge keys, too!
Of course, the CM always asks you if you need any park passes etc. and I remembered that I have always wanted to see Cirque du Soleil. I motioned for DH to come over to the desk and told him about my wish, to which he replied YOU go right ahead, honey. The CM gave him the evil eye and said I dont think thats what she means and DH, catching on, said Oh, alright .get TWO tickets, then. I had to explain to him that Cirque was not just any circus so I think that also piqued his interest. We got front row seats for Thursday night at 9:00. We also made Priority Seating arrangements for Boma on Wednesday night at 8, this is a must-do on all our trips, having stayed at AKL in July 2001 and loving it there!
We were to be in Touchdown Building #10, room 10139 and the location was perfect. Our room was on the ground floor and faced a garden area of trees and tropical bushes very close to the parking lot and the main building. In fact, we couldnt have got much closer to the food court and bus stops without paying for a preferred building. It was very quiet, just what I wanted. After unloading the car, we decided what to do. DH was anxious to get back on the golf course and I decided to take in Fantasmic that evening at 7 oclock, so caught the Disney bus over to MGM for the afternoon.
By the time I arrived there it was already past noon. I headed straight for Hollywood Tower of Terror only to find a 90 minute stand-by line. That wouldnt do and rather than get a FASTPASS right then, I decided to check out Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. It seemed that everyone was waiting to try out the new drop sequences at TOT as there was only a 30 minute wait at RnR and a FASTPASS return time in about an hour. I decided to get a FP for RnR plus wait in the 30 minute line. It ended up being longer than 30 minutes so I didnt have long to wait for my FP return time, first rushing over to get one for TOT as soon as my time window opened. I know how the system works!
WOW! I had forgotten that feeling in your stomach at the take-off point in the garage. WHAT A RUSH, though!!!! This is my favourite ride and I couldnt wait to get back on. The second time I was able to open my eyes at the take off. What can I say, this ride is SO much fun! I had been hoping that the stand-by line would be a lot shorter for TOT after my second RnR ride but it was not to be. My FP return time was between 6:20 and 7 oclock, when the park closed and I knew it was highly unlikely that I would be able to do it if I wanted to get a good seat for Fantasmic at 7. Extra Magic Hour for MGM was the next day, Tuesday, so I decided I would have to come back to ride TOT, then.
For most of the afternoon, I wandered in and out of all the shops that I never seemed to have time for in the past. I also finally saw Beauty and the Beast in its entirety. I actually missed the parade when I decided to get some chicken strips and fries at the Backlot Express and found myself a nice little table to enjoy my lazy afternoon. I noticed there was no wait time at Star Tours as I strolled by, so that was the only other ride I went on that afternoon. The Hat had an under refurbishment sign around it. I didnt go over to see what they were doing.
Finally, around 6 oclock, I bought a Mickey Ice Cream Bar and made my way into the Fantasmic theatre to grab myself a seat, dead centre. I thought I had an excellent view, when wouldnt you know it, just before the show started, a very tall gentleman sat down in a space still vacant in front of me. I spent the entire show leaning to one side so that I could see. In spite of that, Fantasmic was as spectacular and magical as I remembered. The bus was packed for the drive back to ASSp but I got lucky and grabbed the last seat.
DH was already in bed watching TV when I arrived "home" but got up and went over to the food court with me while I got some dinner. He had already bought his ASSp refillable mug ~ he likes the shorter stout ones ~ so he had a coffee. I bought my mug ~ I prefer the taller ones with the closeable lid ~ and decided on chicken strips again. I brought along the statement that the CM had given me at check-in to study over dinner. I soon realized why it hadnt looked right. The first line showed my one nights deposit, including the extra charge for Dan (since he was 18), of $89 plus tax. The next entries still showed the total room charge for the week as if he had come with us, then the payment for the balance owed upon check-in and then charge and payment for the Cirque tickets.
After dinner we headed over to guest services and after waiting patiently for several minutes, it was my turn. At first the CM said that I would have to go back in the morning to get it straightened out but I think someone sprinkled a little Pixie Dust over him, either that or he recognized the look of frustration on my face. All of a sudden he said, Let me see what I can do and disappeared into the back for a while. Finally, he came back with the news that it had all been straightened out and gave me an updated statement. Good, that was off my mind, at last!
Back at the room, I discovered how to set the Mickey Wake-up Call that I had, amazingly, never got around to trying yet and decided to "call it a night", in order to get up for Extra Magic Hour the next morning. It was SO nice to be back!
