May 15-23 Trip Report : CSR and VWL

Pig Pen

To all who have come to this happy place...welcome
Joined
Nov 4, 2001
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I have been trying to write a very witty trip report since returning but it turned out sooooo long and I did not take good notes. I am condensing it down into one fairly boring post.

We are 2 adults, mid-40's.

We used US Airways (I had a free ticket) and everything was fine. Tiffany Towncar picked us up at the baggage claim and we used the grocery stop. Definitely worth the money if you don't need a car.

We arrived at CSR at 1:00 pm. Check-in was smooth (no line) and our room was ready. Unfortunately, the room was in the outer netherlands of Casitas 2 and overlooked the parking lot. Oh well, what do you expect for $74 ? At least it was near the bus stop. Other than that, everything was perfect. Our carpet appeared new and bell services was prompt and efficient both coming and going. The pool and spa are awesome and the entire resort was quiet, clean, and comfortable. We had one breakfast at Pepper Market with no complaints. And they are still charging the 10% service fee...it has NOT gone up to 15% as some mentioned a few weeks ago...not yet anyway.

The parks were not crowded. We saw Spectro, FITS (Tink flew right over us!) and E-Night. Used EE for Animal Kingdom only. Took an Illuminations Cruise (shared with other disers) and saw Fantasmic (my favorite show). Most days we slept late and didn't hit the parks until later in the day...having a late lunch or early dinner.

We used Fast Pass a couple times, but for the most part didn't need it. Our rule of thumb is to consider Fast Pass if the wait is more than 20 minutes. Not many attractions had long waits (Peter Pan and Test Track were the longest at 45 minutes).

Saw Billy Dee Williams and the guy who played C3PO at MGM Star Wars weekend. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival was very pretty. Our favorite was the rain forest in Mexico. Loved those orchids!

DH and I BOTH got 999,999 points on Buzz Lightyear at different times! I think we went on this 5 times. I didn't do well at Millionaire this trip. Usually I am in the top 10 every round. Never made it once this time!

After 3 nights at CSR we moved to our DVC studio at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Again, check in was smooth and our luggage was transferred with no problem other than one can of coke was dented and leaking.

WL is a fabulous place. We really enjoyed it. We were in 3505 overlooking the quiet pool and a sliver of the lake. I finally got to see the EWP! It's hilarious free fun.

The villas are much more quiet than the main lodge, thank goodness. But I think CSR was MOST quiet.

I posted restaurant reviews on the restaurant board but here is a quick rundown of where we ate. We didn't have a bad meal anywhere. Probably would NOT return to Rose and Crown or Teppanyaki - only because I can get that type of food anywhere and at a better price and better quality. Definitely will return to Boma and Ohana. Tusker House was a nice surprise at AK. DH is a burger nut so he HAD to get burgers at Sci Fi, B&C and Cosmic Rays. I usually got salads. I did buy a yukky chocolate chip cookie at a kiosk in Epcot but otherwise everything was great...and I have the extra 6 lbs to prove it!

Boma x 2
OHana
Tusker House x 2
Cosmic Ray
Casey Corner
Beaches and Cream
Rose and Crown
Dole Whips
Sci Fi Dine In
Teppanyaki
Pepper Market @ CSR
Whispering Canyon @ WL
Roaring Forks food court at WL
Bakery on Main St. at MK

Tiffany picked us up promptly on our final day.

Overall the trip was a great success. I think I would NOT do E-Night again. Nor would I let the bad room location go at CSR...it was the only damper on an otherwise perfect trip.
 
I love Buzz too.....my hubby maxed out a few times on that .....and I sit there getting a cramp in my thumb......oh well......we do love cosmic Rays ....for their burgers and chicken ceasar salad and ALSO.....big one here....my husband has to have at least two or three of their steak and cheese subs.......I love Fantasmic ...could watch it at least every night if I had a better sitting chair.....like with a back and arm rests.....that would be great....thanks again for your report
 
The problem with Buzz is that neither of us know what we did to get 999,999! The next time DH only got 8,200.
 
Pig Pen,
Some of the quietness of CSR goes away when you have a better room location. Our first trip we had a room very much like yours, seemed like we walked forever after we got to the building it was in. But it was probably one of the most quiet rooms we have ever had. I don't think anyone had to pass by it to get anywhere. On the other hand this trip we were upgraded to a great waterview in building 5, a bit noisy in the morning, didn't bother us much, but those sensitive to noise, and those who may want to sleep late may do better in those far off rooms. Thanks for the report.
 















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