Beaker74
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2003
- Messages
- 269
Weve been back for just over a week and figured it was time to do a trip report. My new husband and I set out for our 11 day Disney Gold Plan Honeymoon on May 10th. We arrived at the Contemporary Resort around noon. Our room was not ready so we checked our luggage and headed off to Epcot. It was definitely time to begin our journey of food and it began at Restaurant Akershus. (I did a dining review on all of our meals on the restaurants page
It was now time to buy Pal Mickey, a great addition to the honeymoon! He really is a lot of fun and has very informative tidbits on information along with helpful tips, for example: there was a long wait for TOT and Rock n Roller Coaster so we headed to the other side of the park. About 20 minutes later, Pal Mickey piped up to let us no that there was no wait at either ride so we should head over there. He was right, no wait! He would also let you know in advance what time parades & shows were along with the best places to view fireworks, etc. Yes, even for two adults, no children, he was well worth the $60.00, tax included.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at Epcot, rode Test Track, and had reservations for Teppanyaki for dinner. We let our server know right away that we were on the Gold Plan and she made sure we got everything we were entitled to.
After dinner we stayed for the fireworks and then headed back to the hotel since we had started the day at 4:00 a.m. We got to the hotel and were told that they were sorry but if it was okay with us, wed have to stay in our originally assigned room for that evening, and for the remainder of the stay wed be moved to the tower, 9th floor, MK view. It was wonderful! Actually there was nothing wrong with the original room, but that view from the tower Wow!
Day 2
We started our 1st full day off at CRTs. A beautiful table by the window. We were given 2 CRT champagne flutes along with a certificate.
After breakfast we headed to City Hall for our Keys to the Kingdom tour. This was an excellent experience. They have just recently started using earpieces for the tour so you can hear the guide even when she wasnt near or in a crowd. We went on POTC, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise, and ate at Columbia Harbor House. There were many behind the scenes opportunities along with a trip underground in the utilidors.
After the tour we walked (the CR is so convenient to get anywhere, including other resorts, a quick walk to MK and hop on a bus) back to the CR and hopped on a couple of water mice, or whatever they are calling them now. We spent about an hour touring the lakes and getting a different view of the MK, GF, Poly, and WL.
Time to clean up for dinner, which this evening will be at Narcossees. After dinner we headed back to the MK (a quick monorail ride) and had VIP viewing for Wishes, which was even more interesting after our behind the scenes tour and insight.
Day 3
Started day 3 at the Crystal Palace. Pretty good food and good character interaction even for two adults.
We spent the rest of the morning in the MK. Did all of Fantasyland. Around lunch time walked back to the CR and caught a bus to MGM for lunch at Sci-Fi. We really enjoyed it, it was a different, fun way to dine. The afternoon was spent at MGM doing pretty much all of the attractions. Crowds during these 11 days were very minimal. Then back to CR to get ready for dinner, but first a quick stop off for the water mice again.
Dinner was at Flying Fish at the Boardwalk. Walked around the Boardwalk for awhile and then headed to Downtown Disney to walk around.
Day 4
Starting today at Chef Mickeys and then off to AK for the Backstage Safari tour. This too was a great tour, great information, we pet a rhino, observed the preparation of the next days meals, etc. We also did Kilamajaro Safari with our tour guide telling us about all of the animals and other tidbits rather than the usual routine. Highly recommended!
We left AK right after the tour as it was crowded by this time and we had a late lunch PS at Le Cellier. You can get a bus from AK directly to Epcot so we were in business. After lunch a late afternoon margarita in Mexico overlooking the lake. Then onto Mission Space. Im incredibly claustrophobic, so I didnt even attempt it, its the only attraction I didnt do. DH said it was intense and the best simulator hes ever been on, however he didnt really want to go again.
Dinner tonight was at Spoodles at the Boardwalk. This way the only meal during the entire 11 days (3 meals a day) that I wasnt crazy about.
After dinner we headed back to the CR for a drink at the Outer Rim.
Day 5
1900 Park Fare this morning for breakfast. Character interaction was good and the omelet station was even better. Then off to the MK for the morning. COP was open so we checked it out, I really enjoy that attraction.
Around lunch time we headed to Epcot for our Rose & Crown PS. We decided at this point that Pal Mickey needed some enjoyment in the countries also so drinking around the world sounded like fun. We began here in the U.K. Our waitress supplied us with a Yard of Beer glass along with an English beer and we headed out of the restaurant across the way to one of the functional English phone booth. We propped Mickey up inside the classic booth next to his yard of beer and snapped a couple of shots, one further away to show the whole booth and then close ups to show off his English beer in the U.K.
We had to go back to the CR to get ready for the evening, so Mickey would have to wait for more beverages.
Tonight was Cirque at 6:00. An outstanding show! If you can do, you must! I had never been really that intrigued by it, but after seeing it I now know why people love it.
After the show we headed over to Wolf Gang Pucks Dining Room. DH had filet & lobster. I have to tell you, it was approximately a 20 oz. lobster tail and was the best Ive ever tasted! I will also add that his meal alone (entrée only) was $108.00, thank God for the Gold Plan, Id hate to pay that bill.
After dinner we had a couple drinks at the Jazz Club in PI.
Day 6
Breakfast at Grand Floridian Café. We had the traditional Japanese breakfast and your typical egg breakfast. The Japanese breakfast was very different, a new experience.
After breakfast we headed back to the CR to await our Fishing Excursion boat. Im not a fisherman, nor is DH, but this was a blast! I caught 16 fish and never had to bait the hook or get the fish off the hook. Thats my kind of fishing! This was a lot of fun!
After fishing we headed over to the Beach Club for Beaches & Cream. After lunch we cruised over to Typhoon Lagoon, relaxed a while in the sun and water and then headed back and hoped on boat taxi over to the WL to check it out. It is beautiful, we were originally going to stay there, however we live in the Midwest and there are a few resorts in the area with the same motif so we decided on a different atmosphere.
Dinner tonight is at California Grille. We had a table by the window and were seated at 9:00 and it was a 10:00 Wishes night. The way in which they dim the lights and pipe in the sound for Wishes is really a great touch along with a spectacular view and outstanding food.
Day 7
Breakfast was at Kona Café, the talk about the Tonga Toast is true! Its really good. After breakfast we grabbed a complimentary cab from the Poly to the Magnolia Golf Course for our golf lesson with Golf Pro Rodney, really nice guy. After our lesson we golfed 9 holes, my first time not too bad. An interesting addition to the golfing were the wild turkeys wondering around the course.
From there we grabbed another comp. cab and headed back to the CR to clean up, and off to MGM. We had a 3:30 PS for Brown Derby Fantasmic Package dinner. After we ate we rode all the rides and then decided to do TOT again. By now the wait was about 45 minutes so we decided again it. We went on Star Tours and when we got out Pal Mickey piped up and let us know there was no wait at TOT and Rock n Rollin Rollercoaster. He headed over there and the little guy was right, no wait on either! Fantasmic was at 9:00 that night and was fantastic, a must see! By the time we got out of MGM and got transportation, it was too late to eat anywhere so we went to Epcot which was open until midnight and grabbed some pretzels and beer.
Day 8
Got up and had dinner in the hotel at the Concourse Steakhouse, pretty good and you dont need a PS, although we had one. We had to high-tail it over to Epcot for our final behind the scenes tour, UnDIScovered Future World. This one was not for us, Ill leave it at that. Maybe if we had done this before the other two we would have been able to enjoy it, instead it was a let down.
Lunch was at Tempura Kiku. Then we continued Pal Mickeys drinking around the world. In each country we wanted the picture taken somewhere it would be obvious which country he was in. In addition, we wanted the drink of the county (i.e. beer in Germany, margarita in Mexico). This posed somewhat of a problem in several countries because they dont give you the actual bottle of beer with the label on it. The CM in Canada suggested she come with us and she would bring the actual bottle. That gave us our suggestion for all the other countries. Wed just as a CM to bring the bottle to whatever location we chose in each country, take the picture and then theyd take the bottle, wed keep the cup of beer. Actually Germany was pretty funny, we asked the same of the CM there and he graciously agreed. When we got to the location we wanted the picture, he joined Pal Mickey in the photo in his full garb, it really added to the German feel. A couple of other CMs from other countries also wanted to join in on the photo, Morocco and Mexico. After our Pal Mickey tour of the countries we headed over to Test Track again.
Dinner was at Yachtsman Steakhouse, an excellent meal (of course they all were). After dinner we went to Downtown Disney and to Ghirardellis.
Day 9
Breakfast at Ohana and then to Blizzard Beach. Once again, no lines except a minimal one on Summit Plummet. When we were done (or just plain exhausted from walking up stairs) we headed to Epcot. We had a job to complete, Pal Mickeys adventures in the World Showcase. We ate at Tangerine Café and finished our drinks around the world.
Dinner was at Artist Point and was yep you guessed it, excellent! We caught the boat back to the CR after dinner and went up to the room to decide if we would go down for a drink or what we wanted to do. It appeared by looking out the window of the room that the MK was still open. DH called the front desk and it was and the fireworks were set to go off any minute. We sat out on the balcony and enjoyed them. You cant beat this view anywhere in Disney!
Day 10
Breakfast at Crystal Palace again. The best part of dining in the park early for breakfast is as soon as your done you can head towards whatever ride you want to go on before the park opens, not to mention pictures in front of the castle prior to opening. We did all the mountains several times and then left by 11:00 and headed over to AK. Lunch was at Flame Tree BBQ, pretty good actually. We hit Kali River, Tough to be a Bug, and Primevil Whirl (Dinosaur was closed). Left AK for CR and walked over to the MK for an ice cream from the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor (the CR is really convenient!). Return to CR and hopped on the boats again. After a few times around the lakes it was time to get ready for dinner at Citricos, possibly my favorite of all the excellent meals! We headed to Downtown Disney for any last minute purchases and then had a couple of drinks at PI. Great place to people-watch, thats for sure!
Day 11
We started our last day at Concourse Steakhouse, checked our luggage and checked out. We headed over to Epcot to hit Test Track again and did Spaceship Earth (we had previously decided wed skip it, but there was no wait so we decided to do it). Lunch was at Chefs de France and we took dessert to-go so we could catch Off Kilter since wed missed them every time wed go by. After Off Kilter we headed over to MK and got our last meal on our plan at the Plaza Restaurant and got a couple of sandwiches to-go for the plane.
Our Tiffany Towncar driver forgot to pick us up, had to call and they rushed someone over. Our flight took off on-time, but we ended up circling OHare for over an hour due to terrible storms before they decided to land in Indy due to low fuel. We sat in Indy on the plane for about an hour and a half. We took off for OHare and landed, however there were no open gates so we had to sit on the runway for about an hour or so. Our 2 ½ hour flight turned into an 8 hour experience. Not a big deal though, we figured it was someones way of telling us we needed to get out of our most excellent vacation mode and back to reality!
A couple of side notes. The Gold Plan might not be for everyone, but we loved it! Included in the plan were all of our meals, tours, golf & lessons, fishing, Cirque, and boat rentals. We added up all of our meals and activities and we came out over $1,000.00 ahead over what we would have spent out of pocket if not on the plan.
Second, we absolutely loved the Contemporary Resort. It did not appear to be in any need of up dating. The rooms are huge and we didnt find them tacky at all. Our original room in the wing was equally as nice as our tower room. The convenience of the CR cant be beat! We walked to the MK, had the monorail access right in the resort, and since we ate many meals at other resorts, wed just walk to the MK and hop on a bus. We are going back in October on the 7 for 4 deal and were planning on staying at Pop Century just to save some money. After the convenience of the CR, we changed our reservations and are staying there again.
All in all, this was an outstanding trip! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
It was now time to buy Pal Mickey, a great addition to the honeymoon! He really is a lot of fun and has very informative tidbits on information along with helpful tips, for example: there was a long wait for TOT and Rock n Roller Coaster so we headed to the other side of the park. About 20 minutes later, Pal Mickey piped up to let us no that there was no wait at either ride so we should head over there. He was right, no wait! He would also let you know in advance what time parades & shows were along with the best places to view fireworks, etc. Yes, even for two adults, no children, he was well worth the $60.00, tax included.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at Epcot, rode Test Track, and had reservations for Teppanyaki for dinner. We let our server know right away that we were on the Gold Plan and she made sure we got everything we were entitled to.
After dinner we stayed for the fireworks and then headed back to the hotel since we had started the day at 4:00 a.m. We got to the hotel and were told that they were sorry but if it was okay with us, wed have to stay in our originally assigned room for that evening, and for the remainder of the stay wed be moved to the tower, 9th floor, MK view. It was wonderful! Actually there was nothing wrong with the original room, but that view from the tower Wow!
Day 2
We started our 1st full day off at CRTs. A beautiful table by the window. We were given 2 CRT champagne flutes along with a certificate.
After breakfast we headed to City Hall for our Keys to the Kingdom tour. This was an excellent experience. They have just recently started using earpieces for the tour so you can hear the guide even when she wasnt near or in a crowd. We went on POTC, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise, and ate at Columbia Harbor House. There were many behind the scenes opportunities along with a trip underground in the utilidors.
After the tour we walked (the CR is so convenient to get anywhere, including other resorts, a quick walk to MK and hop on a bus) back to the CR and hopped on a couple of water mice, or whatever they are calling them now. We spent about an hour touring the lakes and getting a different view of the MK, GF, Poly, and WL.
Time to clean up for dinner, which this evening will be at Narcossees. After dinner we headed back to the MK (a quick monorail ride) and had VIP viewing for Wishes, which was even more interesting after our behind the scenes tour and insight.
Day 3
Started day 3 at the Crystal Palace. Pretty good food and good character interaction even for two adults.
We spent the rest of the morning in the MK. Did all of Fantasyland. Around lunch time walked back to the CR and caught a bus to MGM for lunch at Sci-Fi. We really enjoyed it, it was a different, fun way to dine. The afternoon was spent at MGM doing pretty much all of the attractions. Crowds during these 11 days were very minimal. Then back to CR to get ready for dinner, but first a quick stop off for the water mice again.
Dinner was at Flying Fish at the Boardwalk. Walked around the Boardwalk for awhile and then headed to Downtown Disney to walk around.
Day 4
Starting today at Chef Mickeys and then off to AK for the Backstage Safari tour. This too was a great tour, great information, we pet a rhino, observed the preparation of the next days meals, etc. We also did Kilamajaro Safari with our tour guide telling us about all of the animals and other tidbits rather than the usual routine. Highly recommended!
We left AK right after the tour as it was crowded by this time and we had a late lunch PS at Le Cellier. You can get a bus from AK directly to Epcot so we were in business. After lunch a late afternoon margarita in Mexico overlooking the lake. Then onto Mission Space. Im incredibly claustrophobic, so I didnt even attempt it, its the only attraction I didnt do. DH said it was intense and the best simulator hes ever been on, however he didnt really want to go again.
Dinner tonight was at Spoodles at the Boardwalk. This way the only meal during the entire 11 days (3 meals a day) that I wasnt crazy about.
After dinner we headed back to the CR for a drink at the Outer Rim.
Day 5
1900 Park Fare this morning for breakfast. Character interaction was good and the omelet station was even better. Then off to the MK for the morning. COP was open so we checked it out, I really enjoy that attraction.
Around lunch time we headed to Epcot for our Rose & Crown PS. We decided at this point that Pal Mickey needed some enjoyment in the countries also so drinking around the world sounded like fun. We began here in the U.K. Our waitress supplied us with a Yard of Beer glass along with an English beer and we headed out of the restaurant across the way to one of the functional English phone booth. We propped Mickey up inside the classic booth next to his yard of beer and snapped a couple of shots, one further away to show the whole booth and then close ups to show off his English beer in the U.K.
We had to go back to the CR to get ready for the evening, so Mickey would have to wait for more beverages.
Tonight was Cirque at 6:00. An outstanding show! If you can do, you must! I had never been really that intrigued by it, but after seeing it I now know why people love it.
After the show we headed over to Wolf Gang Pucks Dining Room. DH had filet & lobster. I have to tell you, it was approximately a 20 oz. lobster tail and was the best Ive ever tasted! I will also add that his meal alone (entrée only) was $108.00, thank God for the Gold Plan, Id hate to pay that bill.
After dinner we had a couple drinks at the Jazz Club in PI.
Day 6
Breakfast at Grand Floridian Café. We had the traditional Japanese breakfast and your typical egg breakfast. The Japanese breakfast was very different, a new experience.
After breakfast we headed back to the CR to await our Fishing Excursion boat. Im not a fisherman, nor is DH, but this was a blast! I caught 16 fish and never had to bait the hook or get the fish off the hook. Thats my kind of fishing! This was a lot of fun!
After fishing we headed over to the Beach Club for Beaches & Cream. After lunch we cruised over to Typhoon Lagoon, relaxed a while in the sun and water and then headed back and hoped on boat taxi over to the WL to check it out. It is beautiful, we were originally going to stay there, however we live in the Midwest and there are a few resorts in the area with the same motif so we decided on a different atmosphere.
Dinner tonight is at California Grille. We had a table by the window and were seated at 9:00 and it was a 10:00 Wishes night. The way in which they dim the lights and pipe in the sound for Wishes is really a great touch along with a spectacular view and outstanding food.
Day 7
Breakfast was at Kona Café, the talk about the Tonga Toast is true! Its really good. After breakfast we grabbed a complimentary cab from the Poly to the Magnolia Golf Course for our golf lesson with Golf Pro Rodney, really nice guy. After our lesson we golfed 9 holes, my first time not too bad. An interesting addition to the golfing were the wild turkeys wondering around the course.
From there we grabbed another comp. cab and headed back to the CR to clean up, and off to MGM. We had a 3:30 PS for Brown Derby Fantasmic Package dinner. After we ate we rode all the rides and then decided to do TOT again. By now the wait was about 45 minutes so we decided again it. We went on Star Tours and when we got out Pal Mickey piped up and let us know there was no wait at TOT and Rock n Rollin Rollercoaster. He headed over there and the little guy was right, no wait on either! Fantasmic was at 9:00 that night and was fantastic, a must see! By the time we got out of MGM and got transportation, it was too late to eat anywhere so we went to Epcot which was open until midnight and grabbed some pretzels and beer.
Day 8
Got up and had dinner in the hotel at the Concourse Steakhouse, pretty good and you dont need a PS, although we had one. We had to high-tail it over to Epcot for our final behind the scenes tour, UnDIScovered Future World. This one was not for us, Ill leave it at that. Maybe if we had done this before the other two we would have been able to enjoy it, instead it was a let down.
Lunch was at Tempura Kiku. Then we continued Pal Mickeys drinking around the world. In each country we wanted the picture taken somewhere it would be obvious which country he was in. In addition, we wanted the drink of the county (i.e. beer in Germany, margarita in Mexico). This posed somewhat of a problem in several countries because they dont give you the actual bottle of beer with the label on it. The CM in Canada suggested she come with us and she would bring the actual bottle. That gave us our suggestion for all the other countries. Wed just as a CM to bring the bottle to whatever location we chose in each country, take the picture and then theyd take the bottle, wed keep the cup of beer. Actually Germany was pretty funny, we asked the same of the CM there and he graciously agreed. When we got to the location we wanted the picture, he joined Pal Mickey in the photo in his full garb, it really added to the German feel. A couple of other CMs from other countries also wanted to join in on the photo, Morocco and Mexico. After our Pal Mickey tour of the countries we headed over to Test Track again.
Dinner was at Yachtsman Steakhouse, an excellent meal (of course they all were). After dinner we went to Downtown Disney and to Ghirardellis.
Day 9
Breakfast at Ohana and then to Blizzard Beach. Once again, no lines except a minimal one on Summit Plummet. When we were done (or just plain exhausted from walking up stairs) we headed to Epcot. We had a job to complete, Pal Mickeys adventures in the World Showcase. We ate at Tangerine Café and finished our drinks around the world.
Dinner was at Artist Point and was yep you guessed it, excellent! We caught the boat back to the CR after dinner and went up to the room to decide if we would go down for a drink or what we wanted to do. It appeared by looking out the window of the room that the MK was still open. DH called the front desk and it was and the fireworks were set to go off any minute. We sat out on the balcony and enjoyed them. You cant beat this view anywhere in Disney!
Day 10
Breakfast at Crystal Palace again. The best part of dining in the park early for breakfast is as soon as your done you can head towards whatever ride you want to go on before the park opens, not to mention pictures in front of the castle prior to opening. We did all the mountains several times and then left by 11:00 and headed over to AK. Lunch was at Flame Tree BBQ, pretty good actually. We hit Kali River, Tough to be a Bug, and Primevil Whirl (Dinosaur was closed). Left AK for CR and walked over to the MK for an ice cream from the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor (the CR is really convenient!). Return to CR and hopped on the boats again. After a few times around the lakes it was time to get ready for dinner at Citricos, possibly my favorite of all the excellent meals! We headed to Downtown Disney for any last minute purchases and then had a couple of drinks at PI. Great place to people-watch, thats for sure!
Day 11
We started our last day at Concourse Steakhouse, checked our luggage and checked out. We headed over to Epcot to hit Test Track again and did Spaceship Earth (we had previously decided wed skip it, but there was no wait so we decided to do it). Lunch was at Chefs de France and we took dessert to-go so we could catch Off Kilter since wed missed them every time wed go by. After Off Kilter we headed over to MK and got our last meal on our plan at the Plaza Restaurant and got a couple of sandwiches to-go for the plane.
Our Tiffany Towncar driver forgot to pick us up, had to call and they rushed someone over. Our flight took off on-time, but we ended up circling OHare for over an hour due to terrible storms before they decided to land in Indy due to low fuel. We sat in Indy on the plane for about an hour and a half. We took off for OHare and landed, however there were no open gates so we had to sit on the runway for about an hour or so. Our 2 ½ hour flight turned into an 8 hour experience. Not a big deal though, we figured it was someones way of telling us we needed to get out of our most excellent vacation mode and back to reality!
A couple of side notes. The Gold Plan might not be for everyone, but we loved it! Included in the plan were all of our meals, tours, golf & lessons, fishing, Cirque, and boat rentals. We added up all of our meals and activities and we came out over $1,000.00 ahead over what we would have spent out of pocket if not on the plan.
Second, we absolutely loved the Contemporary Resort. It did not appear to be in any need of up dating. The rooms are huge and we didnt find them tacky at all. Our original room in the wing was equally as nice as our tower room. The convenience of the CR cant be beat! We walked to the MK, had the monorail access right in the resort, and since we ate many meals at other resorts, wed just walk to the MK and hop on a bus. We are going back in October on the 7 for 4 deal and were planning on staying at Pop Century just to save some money. After the convenience of the CR, we changed our reservations and are staying there again.
All in all, this was an outstanding trip! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
