Cast: Myself, 16 year old daughter, Joanna, and 13 year old son, Max, on our 5th WDW trip in 5 years. DH and 20 year old daughter have accompanied us once or twice over the years, but had the "real" world to deal with this trip.
When: June 19-29 Mixed weather with some overcast days, temps were not that high but the humidity was always pretty oppressive. Crowds kept building as we got closer to the 4th of July. The MK was always very busy including on EE mornings and during E-ride nights, MGM and AK were hopping as well; I think that closing AK at 6pm compressed the crowds and didn't provide for the wait-saving strategy of going at the end of the day (6-7pm) when lines would usually disappear. Epcot seemed relatively quiet compared to the other parks. This was our 3rd trip during this same time frame; the other two were at the end of August. I think that the crowds seemed thicker this trip than we have ever experienced them even including during the 25th anniversary and millenium celebrations.
Transportation: Continental Airlines EWR<>MCO/ National Car Emerald Aisle (first time users). I posted about our Continental and National experiences on the Transportation boards. Both were mostly positive: Continental was on-time both ways and EA made car rental a breeze.
Resorts: 3 nights at the Swan and 7 nights in AKL Concierge (first time at either hotel and first time concierge anywhere). I posted about our experiences at both hotels on the resort board. We loved the Swan and the AKL is a resort that everybody should try to visit while at WDW. It is an amazing and beautiful place!
Tickets: Max and I had AP's from last August and bought one for Joanna for this trip using the gift option WDW offered last November. At $312 including tax, it offered us the best deal and best match for touring for all three of us.
Restaurants: Tried a few new places and returned to some old favorites.
New: Concouse Steakhouse: We had a PS at 7pm and were seated promptly. Sort of a cafe atmosphere with a monorail view. Had a draft beer, a filet mignon, a Kansas City Strip Steak, and a Stuffed Filet which were all very good. Something sort of weird happened here. We had decided after discussion that we would skip appetizers because we wanted to be able to finish our steaks. When we placed our individual orders, our server asked "Would you like soup or salad with that?". This sounded very much like a choice was included with the entre, so we figured, if it came with the dinner, we would go ahead and order salads. When the server returned with the salads, I asked whether or not these were included with the dinner and she said they were not. I told her that we did not want them, pleasantly, and said that the way she had presented the choices, we had gotten the wrong impression. She took them back. A little while later, I assume a manager came over and apologized for the mis-understanding. Even without the poor rejected salads our bill came to $95.69 including a slightly reduced tip. Food 4 stars/Service 2 stars/Atmosphere 3 stars
ESPN club: we went early for dinner around 5pm and the place was virtually empty. Asked and got a table with the video game on the wall. Controllers are obtained in the gift shop using something of value left as collateral like a driver's license or room key. I tried to leave my Swan room key but was told that they didn't accept them because it was not a Disney resort. They did take my license instead. That was the only time that I felt like staying at the Swan was not a full-fledged Disney experience....and it made absolutely no sense to me. Why is a Swan room key any less valuable or Disney than my driver's license? Talk among yourselves... Had a Tailgater specialty drink, very yummy bourbon and lemonade type drink, a couple of milk shakes, clam chowder, a portabello wrap that was so/so, a chicken ceasar salad that was wonderful, and a chili hot dog that was hugely messy and Max did not especially enjoy. Service was attentive. Price with tip= $56.91. Food 3 stars/Service 4 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars.
Boma: Ended up eating here twice for dinner. Loved the variety and the quality of the food served here. The servers are friendly and attentive. The staff behind the stations are full of ready information that they offer even before you can ask your question. We all enjoyed this restaurant very much. Price with tip=$80 Food 5 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars (it can get pretty noisy).
Maya Grill: Had 6pm PS and there was no one in this beautiful restaurant. Had the Pan Seared Duck which was tasty and unusual, the Ropa Vieja, great comfort food, and the steak and all were very good. Also a yummy margarita. Price with tip= $75.76. Food 4 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 5 stars. Go to this restaurant for interesting food in a lovely setting.
Old: Had dinner at LeCellier which was great! The cheese soup is wonderful. The prime rib on the children's menu was plenty of food for Jo and Max; I ordered the sirloin. I was brought a filet by mistake and it took most of the meal before I was given the correct entre. Still a neat place for dinner and we enjoyed it very much. Price with tip=$50 Food 4 stars/Service 3 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars.
Had lunch at the Kona Cafe: Love the beef teriyaki salad here. It has changed since I had it in August, but it is still very good. Also had the BBQ sandwich ("quite excellent"says Max) and a kona wrap sandwich which Jo enjoyed but was very filling. A virgin and regular Pina Colada. Susan N was a terrific server and added to another great meal here. Price with tip=$52 Food 4 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 5 stars (I love the Poly!)
Matsanoma Lounge for lunch. It was empty and we had a great table with the wonderful view of the promenade and lake. Had great exotic fruity drinks and sushi while the World rushed by us in the heat. Price with tip=35.90 Food 5 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 5 stars.
Spoodles for late breakfast: We love the buffet breakfast here. Wonderful choices and tasty items to sample. All the usual items plus frittattas, breakfast pizza, and lox. We tried the oatmeal here and it was like eating dessert. We were happy to find that the AKL concierge lounge breakfast had the same type of oatmeal every morning. Price with tip=$51.79 Food 4 stars/Service 4 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars.
Rose and Crown for Illuminations (I wouldn't go here for just the food) and Hollywood Brown Derby for lunch (Cobb salads for everyone).
We also did Cosmic Ray's and enjoyed Sonny Eclipse's performance as usual. Stopped in and had a milk shake and beer at the bar at the Prime Time Cafe. This was cool to do as it was virtually empty and you can briefly enjoy the '50s atmosphere and TV shows in a less intense way than you do when dining there. Had our Kaki Goris, Dole whips, and chocolate croissant from the French bakery. Little slices of heaven. Stopped by PO for a beignet fix for Max. Geesh, that was a lot of food.
Tomorrow I will try to post about our experiences in the Parks. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to ask any questions. dinah
When: June 19-29 Mixed weather with some overcast days, temps were not that high but the humidity was always pretty oppressive. Crowds kept building as we got closer to the 4th of July. The MK was always very busy including on EE mornings and during E-ride nights, MGM and AK were hopping as well; I think that closing AK at 6pm compressed the crowds and didn't provide for the wait-saving strategy of going at the end of the day (6-7pm) when lines would usually disappear. Epcot seemed relatively quiet compared to the other parks. This was our 3rd trip during this same time frame; the other two were at the end of August. I think that the crowds seemed thicker this trip than we have ever experienced them even including during the 25th anniversary and millenium celebrations.
Transportation: Continental Airlines EWR<>MCO/ National Car Emerald Aisle (first time users). I posted about our Continental and National experiences on the Transportation boards. Both were mostly positive: Continental was on-time both ways and EA made car rental a breeze.
Resorts: 3 nights at the Swan and 7 nights in AKL Concierge (first time at either hotel and first time concierge anywhere). I posted about our experiences at both hotels on the resort board. We loved the Swan and the AKL is a resort that everybody should try to visit while at WDW. It is an amazing and beautiful place!
Tickets: Max and I had AP's from last August and bought one for Joanna for this trip using the gift option WDW offered last November. At $312 including tax, it offered us the best deal and best match for touring for all three of us.
Restaurants: Tried a few new places and returned to some old favorites.
New: Concouse Steakhouse: We had a PS at 7pm and were seated promptly. Sort of a cafe atmosphere with a monorail view. Had a draft beer, a filet mignon, a Kansas City Strip Steak, and a Stuffed Filet which were all very good. Something sort of weird happened here. We had decided after discussion that we would skip appetizers because we wanted to be able to finish our steaks. When we placed our individual orders, our server asked "Would you like soup or salad with that?". This sounded very much like a choice was included with the entre, so we figured, if it came with the dinner, we would go ahead and order salads. When the server returned with the salads, I asked whether or not these were included with the dinner and she said they were not. I told her that we did not want them, pleasantly, and said that the way she had presented the choices, we had gotten the wrong impression. She took them back. A little while later, I assume a manager came over and apologized for the mis-understanding. Even without the poor rejected salads our bill came to $95.69 including a slightly reduced tip. Food 4 stars/Service 2 stars/Atmosphere 3 stars
ESPN club: we went early for dinner around 5pm and the place was virtually empty. Asked and got a table with the video game on the wall. Controllers are obtained in the gift shop using something of value left as collateral like a driver's license or room key. I tried to leave my Swan room key but was told that they didn't accept them because it was not a Disney resort. They did take my license instead. That was the only time that I felt like staying at the Swan was not a full-fledged Disney experience....and it made absolutely no sense to me. Why is a Swan room key any less valuable or Disney than my driver's license? Talk among yourselves... Had a Tailgater specialty drink, very yummy bourbon and lemonade type drink, a couple of milk shakes, clam chowder, a portabello wrap that was so/so, a chicken ceasar salad that was wonderful, and a chili hot dog that was hugely messy and Max did not especially enjoy. Service was attentive. Price with tip= $56.91. Food 3 stars/Service 4 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars.
Boma: Ended up eating here twice for dinner. Loved the variety and the quality of the food served here. The servers are friendly and attentive. The staff behind the stations are full of ready information that they offer even before you can ask your question. We all enjoyed this restaurant very much. Price with tip=$80 Food 5 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars (it can get pretty noisy).
Maya Grill: Had 6pm PS and there was no one in this beautiful restaurant. Had the Pan Seared Duck which was tasty and unusual, the Ropa Vieja, great comfort food, and the steak and all were very good. Also a yummy margarita. Price with tip= $75.76. Food 4 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 5 stars. Go to this restaurant for interesting food in a lovely setting.
Old: Had dinner at LeCellier which was great! The cheese soup is wonderful. The prime rib on the children's menu was plenty of food for Jo and Max; I ordered the sirloin. I was brought a filet by mistake and it took most of the meal before I was given the correct entre. Still a neat place for dinner and we enjoyed it very much. Price with tip=$50 Food 4 stars/Service 3 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars.
Had lunch at the Kona Cafe: Love the beef teriyaki salad here. It has changed since I had it in August, but it is still very good. Also had the BBQ sandwich ("quite excellent"says Max) and a kona wrap sandwich which Jo enjoyed but was very filling. A virgin and regular Pina Colada. Susan N was a terrific server and added to another great meal here. Price with tip=$52 Food 4 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 5 stars (I love the Poly!)
Matsanoma Lounge for lunch. It was empty and we had a great table with the wonderful view of the promenade and lake. Had great exotic fruity drinks and sushi while the World rushed by us in the heat. Price with tip=35.90 Food 5 stars/Service 5 stars/Atmosphere 5 stars.
Spoodles for late breakfast: We love the buffet breakfast here. Wonderful choices and tasty items to sample. All the usual items plus frittattas, breakfast pizza, and lox. We tried the oatmeal here and it was like eating dessert. We were happy to find that the AKL concierge lounge breakfast had the same type of oatmeal every morning. Price with tip=$51.79 Food 4 stars/Service 4 stars/Atmosphere 4 stars.
Rose and Crown for Illuminations (I wouldn't go here for just the food) and Hollywood Brown Derby for lunch (Cobb salads for everyone).
We also did Cosmic Ray's and enjoyed Sonny Eclipse's performance as usual. Stopped in and had a milk shake and beer at the bar at the Prime Time Cafe. This was cool to do as it was virtually empty and you can briefly enjoy the '50s atmosphere and TV shows in a less intense way than you do when dining there. Had our Kaki Goris, Dole whips, and chocolate croissant from the French bakery. Little slices of heaven. Stopped by PO for a beignet fix for Max. Geesh, that was a lot of food.
Tomorrow I will try to post about our experiences in the Parks. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to ask any questions. dinah
