More Adventures in WDW: June, November and December Trip Reports

[jenseib]

It looks beautiful there. Your pictures are wonderful as always. I can't wait to read more.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hey Di! Looks like you've made it just in time for the trip report.

Columbia has been out go-to CS restaurant at Magic Kingdom too, but I think our CS horizons have been expanded a bit after this trip.

I've never seen that meerkat site before. It's pretty cute, although I have to admit, I'm not sure I understand what it's supposed to be completely.

Great start to the report, and photos as always! The resort looks lovely, but the rooms did look a bit bare! The landscaping was lovely though, as was the shop!

The meerkat started out as an advert for a car insurance comparison website of all things and proved so popular he now has his own website, facebook page and toys - it's a big hit over here! I love them, and always enjoy watching the new adverts (sad I know!) and frequently quote Aleksandr (even sadder I know!) Simples!! Check out the TV adverts link on the website, it does kind of explain things!

Di x

 

[dawnbu40]

Lovely pics! I like simplicity in decor so I the rooms at CSR! Hope the heat didn't bother you too much!

 

[meeko_33785]

The rooms are not nearly as "Disney" as other resorts but the bedding looks quite soft and comfortable. I hate the Disney bedspreads, they are so scratchy!

I love that little Donkey, he is so cute.

Yeah, I think that's a good way to put it. It didn't really have quite the whimsy of feeling of place that the resort guestrooms do. But I did like the room. Those beds were pretty comfortable too.

It looks beautiful there. Your pictures are wonderful as always. I can't wait to read more.

It really is a beautiful resort. Glad you're enjoying the report so far.

Great start to the report, and photos as always! The resort looks lovely, but the rooms did look a bit bare! The landscaping was lovely though, as was the shop!

The meerkat started out as an advert for a car insurance comparison website of all things and proved so popular he now has his own website, facebook page and toys - it's a big hit over here! I love them, and always enjoy watching the new adverts (sad I know!) and frequently quote Aleksandr (even sadder I know!) Simples!! Check out the TV adverts link on the website, it does kind of explain things!

Di x

Thanks Di. Yeah, I really was expecting at least some piece of artwork in the room (even the values have that), but still I thought the room looked nice in general.

I watched the videos on Compare the Meerkat and they were pretty cute. I think I finally get it now. Here in the US we have very similar commercials for Geico car insurance that have a gecko always being mistaken for Geico. The way you talk about the meerkat oness sounds like they're just as popular over in the UK as the gecko ones are over here. I wonder which came first.

Lovely pics! I like simplicity in decor so I the rooms at CSR! Hope the heat didn't bother you too much!

Thanks Dawn. As for the heat, let's just say it won't be getting any hotter from this point on in the report.

 

[meeko_33785]

As Buzz and I approached El Centro, we could see the Casitas section of the resort across the lake. We didn’t really make it over to explore the Casitas, which feels a little weird since that’s the area we usually stay at. Still, with this heat, Buzz and I were pretty eager to get inside for some air conditioning.

Before going inside though, we did pause to check out the Three Caballeros topiaries. I was pretty impressed with these three. They looked even nicer than they did when they used to have the Caballeros tucked in courtyard in the Casitas. These guys were missing last time we were here, so it’s nice to see them back and looking better than ever! Jose looked ready to dance a samba.

Panchito, belting out a tune.

Donald plays the maracas.

The Three all together.

We finally make it into the air conditioning and, boy, did it feel good! It was about time to get some lunch, so we figured we’d look for Goofy and see if he was interested in getting something to eat and, explore El Centro (including another look around Panchito’s) in the process.

A mural on the dome right above the fountain in the lobby.

We ended up finding Goofy at Rix, the Coronado’s lounge. It turns out he had the same idea we had about lunch and went ahead and got some pizza from the counter service place next door, Café Rix. Buzz and I went over to the Café, got some lunch and joined him. The Café was new since the last time Buzz and I had been to the Coronado, and was certainly a welcome addition. It was nice to be able to get a quick meal without the hassle of having to go through the overcomplicated Pepper Market. I got a Cuban sandwich which was pretty good, and Buzz got a cheeseburger. We brought the food back to the lounge and since the bar was closed, there were plenty of tables. The lounge was nicely decorated- very modern and hip- and at this time of day, the main attraction seemed to be the TVs playing the World Cup. Still, it didn’t really feel like anything more than a fancy hotel lounge- nothing spectacular about it. Regardless of the lounge, I do have to give a “thumbs up” to the Café. The food was pretty good counter service fare (nothing knock-your-socks-off, but good), and it added a new dining option that the resort was in need of.


After lunch, the three of us spent most of the afternoon in the Convention Center. I didn’t really get any pictures of it (somewhat out of character for me, I know), but I do have to at least mention how huge it is! The main hallway feels like it just goes on forever, and the ballrooms looked enormous. Since Buzz and I weren’t there for the convention like Goofy was, we couldn’t really take part in any of its sessions, but we did get to meet some of Goofy’s colleagues and hang out with him for the afternoon.

While in the Convention Center, one of our standard Florida summer afternoon storms came through. This turned out to be a great thing, though, since once the storm was gone, the temperatures, while still hot, were more manageable that the awful heat earlier in the day. Maybe the heat at the Magic Kingdom the next day wouldn’t be so bad at all.

Once it was getting close to the evening, Goofy stayed at the conference, while Buzz and I decided to head off to Downtown Disney where he would later meet us for dinner. We again took the long, but thankfully not so hot, walk back to the room to get ready for the evening.

Another view of the Ranchos on the way to the room.

While we weren’t close to El Centro, we were very close to a bus stop, which was very much appreciated. Within no time, a bus for Downtown Disney arrived for us.

If I can remember correctly, this bus ride might have been a Disney first for us- the first time that we had ever had an entire bus to ourselves! I really couldn’t believe that it was empty and wrote it off to the fact that a lot of the Coronado’s guests were probably there for the convention and weren’t heading to any of the destinations just yet. Still, part of me wondered if maybe Disney really wasn’t nearly as crowded as I thought it would be in June. I hoped that this might be the case as we headed off to Downtown Disney.



Next chapter: Looking around the Marketplace

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love this picture!!

That's neat that CSR has a Cafe for an option. I have heard that the Pepper Market can be overwhelming, so that's nice.

How neat to have a bus all to yourself!! I hope your right and the crowds weren't bad the next day....

 

[dawnbu40]

Beautiful pictures of the resort I love that ceiling! Just gorgeous!

 

[jenjolt]

Loving the updates so far!!! I have to agree with you its been HOT here lately in Florida and the humidity even worse! We definitely welcome those afternoon rain storms!!!

Love the toparies around the resort...so cute!!! Can you believe that I have actually never seen The Three Cabeleros I think I need to remedy that!

 

[meeko_33785]

I love this picture!!

That's neat that CSR has a Cafe for an option. I have heard that the Pepper Market can be overwhelming, so that's nice.

How neat to have a bus all to yourself!! I hope your right and the crowds weren't bad the next day....

Thanks LL. They really have some fantastic lighting fixtures at the Coronado.

I couldn't believe we had a bus to ourselves- and it wouldn't be the last time we would on this trip!

Beautiful pictures of the resort I love that ceiling! Just gorgeous!

Thanks Dawn.

Loving the updates so far!!! I have to agree with you its been HOT here lately in Florida and the humidity even worse! We definitely welcome those afternoon rain storms!!!

Love the toparies around the resort...so cute!!! Can you believe that I have actually never seen The Three Cabeleros I think I need to remedy that!

Thanks Jen. I can't believe how hot and humid it's been this summer- even for Florida! Thankfully, if wasn't at its worst by the time we got to Downtown Disney and the parks.

If you watch the Three Caballeros, be prepared for one of the trippiest Disney movies ever. It really does get crazier as it goes on.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yikes, I am behind. Great start though and your pictures are fantastic!

 

[meeko_33785]

Yikes, I am behind. Great start though and your pictures are fantastic!

Thanks. Glad you're enjoying the repot so far.

 

[KatMark]

I'm a little late, but I'm here.

I wonder if you happened to have a room that they haven't put artwork in yet? Our room the Cabanas in September had paintings on the wall? Or maybe it has something to do with the theme of the three sections? Very odd that there was no artwork.

For your readers pleasure, here are the sliding doors you spoke of earlier:

 

[Jennifer48]

Just found your TR and caught up. Great start and thanks for all the photos of the Coronado. I've never seen pics of the inside.

 

[meeko_33785]

I'm a little late, but I'm here.

I wonder if you happened to have a room that they haven't put artwork in yet? Our room the Cabanas in September had paintings on the wall? Or maybe it has something to do with the theme of the three sections? Very odd that there was no artwork.

Hi and welcome!

Do you have a picture of the artwork on your wall. I looked at all the pictures I could find of the rooms at Coronado online and didn't see any with any artwork besides the mirror in any of the sections. I'm very curious to see what it looks like.

Just found your TR and caught up. Great start and thanks for all the photos of the Coronado. I've never seen pics of the inside.

Welcome! Glad you're enjoying the trip report so far. There's not a whole bunch more photos from Coronado to come, but there'll be plenty of Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios if you're interested.

 

[KatMark]

I'm working on a "borrowed" computer (mine crashed for the third time) so it will take me a little time to look and see what I've got. I don't remember if I took a photo or not, but I definitely remember a print on the wall of some sort (we were in Cabanas 9A).

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Meeko!

Enjoyed the updates and photos - the resort does look lovely, I really like that style of architecture. Sounds like it was really hot!

Bit of a change for our holiday plans - Disney emailed me on Thursday night to offer us a free upgrade to a 1 bed villa or studio at either SSR or OKW, we decided to go for a 1 bed villa at OKW, should hopefully hear this week if we get it! If not, POR will still be great, but it might be nice to see another resort we've never been to before!

Di x

 

[meeko_33785]

Hi Meeko!

Enjoyed the updates and photos - the resort does look lovely, I really like that style of architecture. Sounds like it was really hot!

Bit of a change for our holiday plans - Disney emailed me on Thursday night to offer us a free upgrade to a 1 bed villa or studio at either SSR or OKW, we decided to go for a 1 bed villa at OKW, should hopefully hear this week if we get it! If not, POR will still be great, but it might be nice to see another resort we've never been to before!

Di x

Hey Di! The Coronado was great. The whole family is already considering staying there on our next trip as well.

OKW sounds fun too. Keep me updated on which resort you end up at.

 

[meeko_33785]

When we last left off, Goofy was still at his conference, and Buzz and I were riding an empty bus (well, empty us and the driver, of course) to Downtown Disney. Since we hadn’t been anywhere besides the Coronado since we arrived, I was more than ready to get to explore another part of the World. Buzz and I decided to start at the Marketplace and work our way to West Side, the most likely place where we would meet up for dinner with Goofy later in the evening. Since the Art of Disney is one of the closest shops to the bus stop, we started there and moved on to some of the other shops.

Of course, we stopped to browse through some pins at the pin shop.

Next up, we hit Once Upon A Toy.

Outisde, one of the stars of Toy Story and the just-released Toy Story 3, Buzz Lightyear, stands guard at the door.

Just across the way was Buzz’s co-star Mr. Potato Head.

Inside, Woody twirls his lasso above guests. (I promise, it was not intentional that most of the photos inside Once Upon A Toy are all Toy Story related. Perhaps I just had Toy Story 3 on the brain even though I hadn't seen it yet).

Even in the mural of Geppetto’s workshop in the store, Buzz Lightyear stands among the toys. If you’ve never spotted him in there, I really recommend taking another look at the mural. It was fun trying to find all of the hidden Disney characters in it. On top of Buzz, I also managed to find Woody, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, Pooh, and Mickey Mouse among Geppetto’s creations.

Finally, we reach a shot that has nothing to do with Toy Story! Disney Bear (or Duffy of whatever they’re calling him now) drives a train for some reason.

Peter Pan flies up above.

I always think that Genie looks great up there whenever the skies are blue behind him. After the rain we had so far that afternoon, it was great to see some a beautiful sky.

After sufficiently browsing the Once Upon A Toy, we headed to Tren-D. I had seen a photo of a mural featuring The Incredibles Edna Mode in the store online and thought I’d give photographing it a try. It turned out, however, that Edna was tucked away next to the dressing rooms which appeared to be guarded by a fairly surly-looking Cast Member, so I decided not to even try to get a shot. Instead, I focused on trying to get more pictures of the colorful chandeliers above the store.

Of all of the shops in Downtown Disney (and maybe all of WDW), the World of Disney has to be my favorite in respect to theming and decorations. I know I mention this in almost every one of my trip reports lately, but almost every bit of the store is covered with nods to so many Disney films and characters- including a number of which that are not represented almost anywhere else in the parks. Mr. Toad is just one such example.

You really don’t see much of the Three Little Pigs anymore either, but they’re still here.

The Bird room is one of my favorite spots to find unusual characters. The mural on the ceiling is covered with them. The Scissors Bird and Aracuan from The Three Caballeros have to be among the most obscure.

Iago is one of the more well-known characters in the mural.

Perhaps the most obscure, a pair of black-and-white characters from (I believe) the Silly Symphonies!

Over in the Villains Room, Maleficent’s raven Diablo appears to be keeping watch.

Fairly recently, some new Beauty and the Beast displays were added to the room with all of the home wears and kitchen items. I thought they looked great.

Even the footstool is included!

Mrs. Potts and Chip.

Dumbo above the entrance.

After looking through World of Disney, Buzz and I continued on to Pleasure Island and West Side.



Next chapter: More of Downtown Disney including our first visit to D-Street

 

[Lady Lallie]

You get such great details in your photos, details that I sometimes don't even notice!

Love the little bugs from the Silly Symphonies.

 

[dawnbu40]

Your TRs always have the best pictures! You seem to notice things the rest of us miss!

Nice update and it makes me eager to get to DTD next month!