Back from a great week (7/06-13.) This was our first time going in July so wondered how it would compare to our previous May/June trips. Sorry this will probably be long. Feel free to skip over if you get bored
First thing we noticed...THE TOUR GROUPS!!!
They were everywhere!!! However, we didn't feel the overall crowd level was that bad. Wait times were short and often less than posted.
Weather was about as perfect as we could have asked for. Only had a 5-10 minute sprinkle a couple days. Heat/sun weren't near what I was afraid of. We even came home from Florida without a tan!
Tried a couple new things "thanks" to free coupons in our MYW pkg....both were major disappointments. Fantasia Gardens mini golf was cute, I suppose, but wasn't worth the time. Didn't help that this was probably our hottest day and they had us so backed up we were waiting & waiting on each hole. Wished they would have put some more time between each group. Also went to Disney Quest. OMG! I can't imagine PAYING to get in to this place. It was dark, loud, dirty, understaffed--just a total waste! Hated it! We did both of these on the same day so needless to say, not a good day.
On the brighter side--we did lunch at BOG. When we got to the bridge the line was back quite all the way to the beginning. The CM said it would be an hour wait. I asked DD & she wanted to wait. From the time we got in line until we were walking out with full tummies, it was an hour!
Once inside there were TONS of empty tables. We chose the main room and sat along the "snowing" windows. The food was fine, nothing great, nothing bad--but the experience was pretty cool & so glad we "waited."
Finally had lunch at Le Cellier. I have wanted to try the famous cheese soup & pretzel bread but couldn't see paying for four of us to eat there. Figured this mother/daughter trip was my big chance! We were in the first seating so were there pre-opening. Thought it was cool when all the staff came up and sang the Canadian National Anthem before opening. The cheese soup & pretzel bread were yummy! BUT--after bringing the food, or waiter disappeard--
Never came back to check on us, our drinks were empty, the bread was long gone even before our meals arrived and the bowl just sat there. Meanwhile I'm watching other servers being attentive and interacting with their tables. The saving of this experience was our waiter did finally reappear and had a chocolate mousse dessert for DD in recognition of her birthday button. Needless to say, all was forgiven.
Another day at Epcot we tried Via Napoli. Pizza was good, but not worth the hype. It is a good value though so I can see why people go there. Restaurant was very loud and tables close together which didn't help.
The day before we left DD asked if we were going to 1900PF--?!? Told her I hadn't planned on it (we've done breakfast & dinner there on previous trips.) She said she realllly wanted to have dinner there. Couldn't believe it but there were several times available. I quickly came to the conclusion this is more an experience for younger kids. The characters hardly stopped long enough to sign an autograph & take a picture. Looking around though they would sit, chat, dance, etc, etc with the little kids. My DD is 9, but this was her big request (probably based on her previous dinner experience here when she was 5--which was much like the other little kids were getting this night.) Our server was good, but for the $$ spent and DD's disappointment, this was a big let down.
I sort of came to the conclusion that a dining party of 2 (mother/daughter) did not get the same service as a larger party. I know we might not order as much=bigger tip, but we still paid good money. The thought that came to mind after every meal with an ADR--not worth the money.
Did not get to meet Gaston
Every CM we asked gave a different time he was scheduled to appear. After lingering around the fountain area for an hour we finally gave up. Checked back on our second MK day and he was not there that day--
We did have some pixie dust moments though. DD received a cinnamon roll for her birthday button at Gaston's Tavern. Had some great character interactions with Chip & Dale (multiple times--DD's favorite!), Goofy, Buzz & Captain Hook. She got to dress a stuffed Duffy bear at our resort gift shop. Had lots of fun trading pins & vinylmations.
AND--we ran into Tom & Sarah Bricker!!!
I felt like it was my own "character" meet & greet. We were going thru the line for BTMR and there they were, off to the side taking pictures of the decor. They were so nice to talk to me. DD thought I was crazy, but I was sure excited!
All in all, another great Disney trip--made all the more special because I got to share it one on one with my DD.
at our family in the weeks leading up to our trip, and yesterday we received some discouraging news, and we nearly had to call it quits, and cancel. Although there are some dark clouds lingering, we've decided we really need to detach from the gloom and doom, and move forward with our plans. So I find myself trying to get excited for the trip all over again. I thought we could get motivated by packing; since up until today, we'd been staring at a pile of empty suitcases. So tonight after supper, we went out bought our Disney gift cards, road trip snacks, and we came home and had a big packing marathon to reclaim a little magic.
Best memory ever!!!
Happy to hear that your time with DD was very special.
