MAY 12th-19th!! THESE ARE THE MAYS OF OUR LIVES! III

[seacrestpromo]

Welcome Home Mari and RF! Glad to hear that you are home safely. I can't wait to see your photos and read your trip reports. Seacrest

 

[Katiebell]

Welcome home RF and Mari! Can't wait to see your trip pics I know it's so hard to leave Disney -- I've found that it's almost better to say goodbye to DL at the end of the night when we've had a long day, saw the fireworks, stopped for ice cream and shopping on Main Street on the way out, and are totally exhausted... When I go back in the morning, and we have to walk out of there and head home during the day, I always end up getting all teary as we leave

Hi! It is really warm here today in SM. It is already about 78 and it feels like it might get a bit hotter. Going over to the mall today and visit the Disney to pick up a ticket for tomorrow. We are taking our friend's son, he is about 7 years old, so pray for us. This is his second or third time to DL and he really wants to ride Nemo Subs so we are going to leave really early tomorrow morning (6:45 am) so that we can make the rope drop. We are also planning to meet up with some of our friends during the day so that should be fun too. I think my sister and her family are meeting up with us too. It is suppose to be like 90 there tomorrow - hopefully, if there is a slight breeze it won't be too bad.

Ugh, we've been having a heat wave up here in Sacramento My DH is a lizard and loves this heat but I hate it.

I liked the Nemo Subs they were cute and fun, but I would never wait in that huge line to ride them. We went first thing at rope drop and still had to wait over 20 min, but better than later in the day! But my DGD liked it, so did her mom. I kinda miss the old submarine ride, but I understood why they updated it. Kids today don't know 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. They don't know Swiss Family Robinson either, so that's why the treehouse is Tarzan's now.

You guys mentioned that the DDP didn't work well for you...yeah, it certainly isn't for everyone. I can't imagine paying adult price for a 10 year old who only wants chicken nuggets However it worked really great for DH and me last year, and we are looking forward to free dining in September. We typically eat one TS meal a day, and usually one CS meal. That's only 2 meals a day, and with a snack that's usually plenty for us. I just plan our ADR's around our touring plan -- usually eat at or near the park we will be at for the majority of the day (we park hop a little, but try not to unnecessarily).

 

[fall08CP]

I leave in 12 hours!! Time to freak out! I won't be back until January 3

 

[NewCrew42]

I leave in 12 hours!! Time to freak out! I won't be back until January 3

Enjoy the cp!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm back

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We had a great time!

Saturday and Sunday were miserably hot & humid though. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were perfect, about 85 and hardly any humidity, cooling off into the low 70's in the evenings. Thursday was pretty hot. And then Friday and Saturday were extremely hot & humid again.

Crowds were manageable. Lots of rides were under 15 minutes. But some were up to an hour. Definitely more crowds than last year.

As for the DDP, I have to agree with Huggie. . . . I'm not sure it's for us. It just seemed like we were rushing around to make all of our ADR's. And now that the tip is not included it really isn't as great of a deal. So, I don't know. It is fun to try all the different restaurants and we did have some really good meals.

Not too impressed with CSR. Like Mari said, the layout is kind of crazy. Long walks to everything. PM is not very good. It wasn't confusing to us like it is to many people, it just isn't very effective I guess. And service was very slow at many of the stations. Mousekeeping was bad. We did love the pool though! It was great!! DS9 loved that slide, he must have gone down it about 20 times or more, me too!! And DS6 and I loved laying on the hammocks by the lake after a long day at the parks.

It sure was fun meeting the MAYers ~ Huggie, Sulley, & Mari!!

More later, must go do more laundry.

 

[NewCrew42]

Sounds like you guys had a great time.

You'll all have to tell us more this week!

 

[Floridamomof2]

I know I am a little late posting. I have been really busy since we got back... plus just worn out that I have hardly gotten on the computer. We got back on Thursday afternoon. We had a great time. The kids did great.

Sunday May 11 we arrived at POP at about 3 pm, we checked in changed clothes and headed for DHS about 4:30. We were able to ride Toy Story Mania. That was a blast. The kids loved it. We wanted to ride again but they were closing it for the night after we got through the line. We then headed over to Epcot for dinner and Illuminations. We ate counter service and then walked around a bit. The kids loved the butterfly garden and all the flowers. We rode the boat over from DHS to Epcot. That was the first time we did that. It was a nice ride. We found a place for the firewords and sat on the ground for about 30 mins prior. The kids had a blast playing with us and playing with their light up things that I had brought from home. We lasted about half way through the fireworks and the kids had had enough so we just headed back to the hotel.

Monday May 12 we went to Animal Kingdom for EMH. We were actually the first car there that morning. My DH decided he wanted to drive instead of riding the bus. We ended up waiting about 30 mins before they opened the gate for cars, meanwhile there was a steady stream of buses heading in. We got the first parking spot for Guests so that was neat. We were able to walk right on the Safari and it was the best one I have ever been on at AK. The animals were so close and the guide was very informative and spent a lot of time at each spot. We then headed over to the Jungle Trek and we were one of the only families on there. We were able to really look and explore. The kids loved it. We really just took our time because we had Res's at Tusker house at 10 am. We ate and then piddled around a little at Dinosaur land and then left at about 1. We went back to the hotel, swam for a little while then took a 3 hr nap. All of us did and it was nice. We then got up and went to MK for the parade and fireworks. We were able to get most of the stuff done in Frontierland that we wanted to do and Adventure land too.

Tuesday May 13th was Epcot day and we went back to DHS for the afternoon, then back to the hotel to rest and swim. We ate at the Food Court that night.

Wednesday May 14th was MK in the morning and then we were able to get in at Coral Reef for a late lunch. We did a few more things at Epcot and then headed back to the hotel to swim and eat. My DD and I went to DTD that night for some girl shopping.

Thursday we left around 9 am and were were actually ready this time. We had a great time but we were ready to leave.

We are planning our next trip for either Sept or Oct. We are hoping not to take the kids. We will see if that happens.

 

[mari360]

Hi guys.... i'll be doing my TR tommorow... i'm uploading pics onto photobucket right now......

 

[mari360]

I know I am a little late posting. I have been really busy since we got back... plus just worn out that I have hardly gotten on the computer. We got back on Thursday afternoon. We had a great time. The kids did great.

Sunday May 11 we arrived at POP at about 3 pm, we checked in changed clothes and headed for DHS about 4:30. We were able to ride Toy Story Mania. That was a blast. The kids loved it. We wanted to ride again but they were closing it for the night after we got through the line. We then headed over to Epcot for dinner and Illuminations. We ate counter service and then walked around a bit. The kids loved the butterfly garden and all the flowers. We rode the boat over from DHS to Epcot. That was the first time we did that. It was a nice ride. We found a place for the firewords and sat on the ground for about 30 mins prior. The kids had a blast playing with us and playing with their light up things that I had brought from home. We lasted about half way through the fireworks and the kids had had enough so we just headed back to the hotel.

Monday May 12 we went to Animal Kingdom for EMH. We were actually the first car there that morning. My DH decided he wanted to drive instead of riding the bus. We ended up waiting about 30 mins before they opened the gate for cars, meanwhile there was a steady stream of buses heading in. We got the first parking spot for Guests so that was neat. We were able to walk right on the Safari and it was the best one I have ever been on at AK. The animals were so close and the guide was very informative and spent a lot of time at each spot. We then headed over to the Jungle Trek and we were one of the only families on there. We were able to really look and explore. The kids loved it. We really just took our time because we had Res's at Tusker house at 10 am. We ate and then piddled around a little at Dinosaur land and then left at about 1. We went back to the hotel, swam for a little while then took a 3 hr nap. All of us did and it was nice. We then got up and went to MK for the parade and fireworks. We were able to get most of the stuff done in Frontierland that we wanted to do and Adventure land too.

Tuesday May 13th was Epcot day and we went back to DHS for the afternoon, then back to the hotel to rest and swim. We ate at the Food Court that night.

Wednesday May 14th was MK in the morning and then we were able to get in at Coral Reef for a late lunch. We did a few more things at Epcot and then headed back to the hotel to swim and eat. My DD and I went to DTD that night for some girl shopping.

Thursday we left around 9 am and were were actually ready this time. We had a great time but we were ready to leave.

We are planning our next trip for either Sept or Oct. We are hoping not to take the kids. We will see if that happens.

Sounds like you had a great vacation.....

 

[JoBird]

I'm home and exhaustipated.

TR tomorrow.

DH leaves tomorrow for Cali- the trip I was originally going on with him.


We probably had the best trip we've ever had this time. Details later----



Jo

 

[JoBird]

PS_ for those of you just leaving...

pack sunscreen. It's hot!!!!

oh, and don't be shocked. It's crowded.

J-

 

[seacrestpromo]

Hey Jo and Shelly are back! Welcome home!

Glad you had a good time...too bad it was a bit hot and crowded. Sounds like CSR went downhill this year with their housekeeping and food services. Bummer.

One of the things that I noticed last year that the CM's are doing multiple jobs on different days. I know for a fact, this one guy was at World of Disney one night (past 11 pm), the next morning he was at CSR gift shop opening up (7:00 am), and we saw him at EPCOT one day at a counter service place! So, that tells you something right there: they are stretching people thin and nobody can do everything top notch all the time. How many CM's are rotating through 3 or 4 positions a week?

And it is not just WDW, DL does the same thing too, we were watching the Pixar Play Parade today and at the end of they had a CM walking with the back rope who was wearing a TOT costume! Totally out of place with the other CM's who were wearing a PPP costume. Bad Show! I think it is more of management problem here (and there in FL too).

Ok, I am off my soap box.

 

[seacrestpromo]

Check out Wall-E:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As7UQtKX00c

He will be coming to the parks this summer!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Jo and Shelly are back! Welcome home!

Glad you had a good time...too bad it was a bit hot and crowded. Sounds like CSR went downhill this year with their housekeeping and food services. Bummer.

One of the things that I noticed last year that the CM's are doing multiple jobs on different days. I know for a fact, this one guy was at World of Disney one night (past 11 pm), the next morning he was at CSR gift shop opening up (7:00 am), and we saw him at EPCOT one day at a counter service place! So, that tells you something right there: they are stretching people thin and nobody can do everything top notch all the time. How many CM's are rotating through 3 or 4 positions a week?

Yeah Sea, the service at PM was terrible. We ate there the first night. I took the kids to the kids station and it took forever to get waited on and I was the only one there. DH went to the grill station to order us the steak, potato and veggie dinners. Eventually (when the kids were nearly done eating their dinner) he got one plate with the steak, fries, and veggies. He told them that he asked for a baked potato. They said - you get what you get. . . . He brought that to me and I started eating because they told him it would be 10 more minutes for his , we don't know why - he ordered them together. Finally he gets his and he gets the steak and fries, and no veggies - again, you get what you get. . . . So none of us ate together. Then the only dessert choice that they allowed you to get on the dining plan was either a cookie or a cinnamon roll. They wouldn't let us get any of the cakes or anything like that.

The second time we went there we decided we'd try the pizza. Again, I took the kids to the kids station. DH went to the pizza station to order our pizza. He was the only one there and there were 2 CM's behind the counter. One approached DH and asked if he was wanting pizza, DH said yes, and the CM told him that he couldn't get that for him that the other CM had to. Okay, well DH stood there for 10-15 minutes and she kept her back to him the whole time. Finally we took the kids meals and left. We went over to Rix Cafe and got sandwiches.

As for housekeeping, well there was a cracker under one bed and a Kleenex under the other when we arrived, and let's just say that I'm pretty sure they are still there. And I asked for a shower cap for 3 days straight. I left a note right on top of the tip. The housekeeper would take the tip and throw the note back on the desk and never did leave a shower cap. We couldn't call housekeeping on the phone because the CSR phones didn't work all week. After 3 days DH walked down to the desk and told them what was going on, they never offered an apology or anything, just sent someone to the room with 2 shower caps.

I totally understand that the CM's are probably stretched to their limits, but for the money you pay to go to WDW you do expect at the least decent service.

Like I said, the pool and slide at CSR were awesome! And the location was great, pretty central to all the parks, so none of the bus rides were very long. So it wasn't a total bust!!! We just wouldn't go back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It still was a great trip overall! I will start my report in a bit, I have to go to the grocery store first so my family doesn't starve!!

Highlights to come:

New attractions I tried: TOT, Splash Mtn, Mission Space, Maelstrom, Lights Motors Action Stunt Show, and IllumiNations.

New restaurants: Ohana, LeCellier, Electric Umbrella, Mama Melrose, Cape May, & Sci-Fi.

DH got picked to be the guy that gets all the water dumped on him in the Backlot Tour!!

And I have one official Jedi!! Yes, only one of the boys got picked for the Jedi Training Academy.

I met 3 awesome MAYers!!!!

More to come!

 

[mari360]

Morning all.......

Shelly sorry to hear about your dilema with CSR.... my housekeeping lady was GREAT.... our service at PM was fast but the food was ok.... nothing special.... i really liked the Maya Grill..... good food....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Morning Mari! It was so great to meet you and your family at Chef Mickeys!! Can you believe that we were seated 2 tables apart in that huge place??? That was lucky! We looked for you guys at the pool the next day but never saw you.

We actually liked most of the food we got at PM. What we could actually get!! The steak was very good and the kids liked their pizza. Just the service was so bad.

I am working on editing my pictures and uploading them to photobucket so I can have pics to go along with my story!

Hey, does anyone know what we can do (if anything) about SW destroying a piece of our checked luggage??? When we got our luggage back at Pittsburgh Saturday night one piece was nearly destroyed. The handle was ripped off and the back was nearly ripped open. We are lucky we didn't loose anything. And lucky that my snowglobe wasn't in that one. It appears that it got stuck in something and was ripped out. Like maybe a conveyor belt. It was so late Saturday night and the flight had taken so long (left a half hour late and then we couldn't unload at Pitt for awhile because of lightening) that we just wanted to get home, so we didn't bother to do anything about it then. It's probably too late now.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm home and exhaustipated.

TR tomorrow.

DH leaves tomorrow for Cali- the trip I was originally going on with him.


We probably had the best trip we've ever had this time. Details later----



Jo

Welcome back JO! Did you get to meet any MAYers?

 

[Katiebell]

Good morning Mayers! Just popping in real quick to say hi...gotta run off to work (so what else is new?)

Sorry CSR was a disappointment, Shelly...you know, more and more I think the resorts and the restaurants are hit or miss -- and most of it depends on the CM's you get. Some people will say they loved or hated a meal or their stay at one of the hotels, and then they go on to say the CM was wonderful, friendly, helpful...or that they were surly, indifferent, and just didn't care. I wish Disney understood that the reason we all love Disney so much and keep coming back for more (instead of going to US or other parks) is because the CM's are so great. I don't know if they really understand what a value and asset the GOOD CM's are.

OK, gotta fly...can't wait to read more TR's later!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

You're right Katie, the CM's can really make or break your experience. With the exception of the CSR employees and one nasty waitress at Cape May, most everyone else we encountered was great!

Remember the CM on the phone that told me we'd never make our 7:30am ADR at Ohana by Disney transportation and wanted us to change it to after 9:00??? We made it to Ohana by 7:15AM!!!!!



Anyone want to guess how many pictures I took on this trip?????