New poster with lots of ?'s HELP!!

[debsnyder32]

To start off, THANK YOU for all the great info that I have gotten from this board! I have discovered so many things about WDW that I would have never known about PS being huge on that list! We are heading south in two weeks for 4 days at WDW. We are staying at the Contemporary through SOG, which I am very excited about. We went 18 months ago and stayed at All-Star Movies and had an awesome time, so the CR will be a big change--I think!!!

I have heard that you cn request specific rooms at the CR. Has anyone stayed at the Garden Wing and would you reccommend a specific room, or shoudl I just hope for the best?

I tried and tried to get seats at Cinderella's breakfast withno luck, so we are going to 1900 Park Fare instead. Is it worth it? Which charicters will be seeing? My 3-year old loves Cinderella, so I am hoping that this splurge is worth it! We are going on a Sunday evening.

I also have PS for the ice cream social at Epcot. Once again, is it worth it? Which Charicters are usually there?

We have one day to spend at a water park--Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon?

How far is the walk from Epcot to MGM? Is it doable with young kids, or should we take the Disney transportation?

I have heard about an evening parade type thing in the lake by the CR. What time is this and does it happen every night?

I think that is all my questions for now! Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Mimi Q]

Here is a good link to information about The Electrical Water Pageant which is a nightly display that makes its circuit around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake for the Magic Kingdom area resorts.

http://www.wdwig.com/ewp.htm

1900 Park Fare dinner regulars include Cinderella and Prince Charming, Suzy and Perla, and the Fairy Godmother (some characters may only be in the lobby for photos).

 

[mco-missy]

Welcome-- I can't answer all your questions but here's the one's I do know!

I was unable to get Cinderella's b-fast but I tried 3 days before our trip and they had times open. So, you may want to try again closer to the trip. Also, you never know when there may be a cancellation so just try calling whenever.

I have done the Ice Cream Social three times. The characters have been Mickey, Chip and Dale, and Pluto. We really enjoy the ICS- it is a "cheap" character meal and the ice cream is yummy!

Sorry, but that is all I can help you with. I hope you have a great trip. I'm sure others will come along and answer the rest of your questions.

 

[Mimi Q]

As far as which room to request at CR, if you post that question on the Resort Board I am sure you can get some help. I have never stayed there before.

No, you can't walk to MGM or Epcot, but the folks on the transportation board could tell you the best way to get there.

 

[Captain America]

Dear debsnyder32,
I've never stayed at the Contemporary so I can't answer your question regarding room locations , however , here are the answers to your other questions :

- the characters at 1900 Park Fare as listed on this site are Mary Poppins , Alice in Wonderland , the Mad Hatter , Snow White , and Dopey
- the characters at the Garden Grille ice cream social as listed on this site are Mickey and friends (usually Chip & Dale and Pluto)
- I think that between the two waterparks I prefer Blizzard Beach (but you can't go wrong at either one / both have great play areas for young kids)
- don't try walking from EPCOT to MGM , take the water taxi near the International Gateway
- and last but not least the Electric Water Paegent is viewable most nights from the beach area of the Contemporary starting at 10:05 p.m. / use this link to see pictures of this nightly "parade on water" (as I call it) http://wdwig.com/ewp.htm


Hope this helps . Enjoy your trip !
Captain America

 

[kiddoc]

1900 Park Fare now has Cinderella characters--as posted above. The interaction there is really good and the food is GREAT! Definitely worth the stop.

We stayed in the Garden Wing at CR and really liked it. Although there are trees in between, we were able to see the MK fireworks from our room.

As for walking to MGM from EPCOT--I'm not sure if that is even feasible. We took the water taxi with our 3 year old and 1 year old DD's and they enjoyed the ride.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wanted to take a moment to welcome you to the DIS, debsnyder!!!! Lots of good info and people here.

 

[Aunt Jo]

You CAN walk from Epcot to MGM but I would suggest you take the boat just outside the International Gateway. Some folks complain it is too slow as it stops at each Epcot Resort but I find it to be a good time to relax and rest a bit between parks.

 

[sunking]

just to clear up the 1900 park fare questions...they offer two different sets of characters during different meals...
for breakfast it is alice, mad hatter, pooh, mary poppins, etc...
for dinner it is Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzy and Perla, and the Fairy Godmother...
we do breakfast at 1900 park fare every time we are down there...great meal and good character interaction....
sunking

 

[Eljay]

You will enjoy the CR, it's got a fun "1971 retro-modern" decor that is very interesting. There is a wonderful character meal restaurant right in your hotel, Chef Mickey's. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, etc. will be there. Of course you are on the monorail, which is wonderful with a little one.

Another lovely place for breakfast for your 3 yr. old would be the Princess Storybook Breakfast in the Akershus Restaurant in Norway at Epcot. There are 5 of the Disney heroines that quietly circulate to pose for pics, chat & sign autographs. BTW, be sure to pick up an official autograph book before you go to the character meals. I recommend that you leave the page facing the autograph blank so you can add the picture of your child with the character later. Back to the Princess Breakfast, we saw Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, Jasmine, Snow White & Belle. The girls may vary, I have heard that sometimes Mulan or Pocahontis are there.

The walk from Epcot to MGM is definately too far, especially in this heat. I have done it & I would guess it to be a mile or more. Save your feet & use the water taxi. You will get a nice look at the Epcot resort area and the Boardwalk. There are only 3 extra stops. Coming from Epcot, going to MGM, the water taxi stops at the Boardwalk, then the Yacht/Beach Clubs, on to the Swan & Dolphin Resorts, then to MGM.

Have a magical trip!

 

[wld]

We like Blizzard Beach better than Typhoon Lagoon. My 4 year old nephew just loved BB.

 

[snuggles]

Hi and welcome!

You might want to ride the boat to MGM from Epcot. It's a pretty long walk. I would also recommend posting on our Restaurant board. Thanks for posting and have a wonderful trip.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

I don't have any other answers than already posted, but wanted to add a couple of things. First, if you have breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, you have got to try the custom made omelets. They make them to order with your choice of ingredients.

Second, I got a real hoot out of Eljays post...

You will enjoy the CR, it's got a fun "1971 retro-modern" decor that is very interesting

The funny thing here is that the decor hasn't actually changed since it was built in the 70's. It has just come back around and is in style again.

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

There is a paved walkway from MGM to the Boardwalk. It's a good 15 minute walk. The pathway runs along the canal that the water taxi travels between Epcot/Epcot Resorts/Boardwalk & MGM Studios. The path ends at the Disney Boardwalk between Yacht Club & Boardwalk Inn. From this point take the Boardwalk to the Epcot/International gateway entrance on the opposide side of Crescent lake, which is anoother 15 minute walk. I've walked from Epcot to MGM Studios several times and it takes me about 25 - 30 minutes. Which is about the same duration as the water taxi (because the taxi makes 3 stops along the way). I wouldn't recommend attempting this walk unless the temperature is mild and you are feeling energized.

You & your 3 year old will love the Electric Water Pagent. It's a magical (and free) way to end your Disney Day.