FOTM_Ring_Bearer
Fellowship of the Mouse Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2003
- Messages
- 590
This was a trip for my dd18 and I. We had gone on a trip for her 16th b-day, and she decided she would like to do that again. We booked the week before Christmas because she finished all her exams by the 15th. Her b-day really is in September.
We had a great flight on SWA and were met by Florida Tours at baggage claim. We were very happy with Fl Tours, btw. We arrived at the BW by 11:30am and were pleasantly surprised that a room was available.
We were given room 4056. It was a dedicated studio with the daybed. Everything was in great shape. The bed and sofa bed were new. Both were very comfortable. The only disadvantage to this room was the balconey. It's totally enclosed. So if you sit, you can't see a thing. If you stand you have a nice view of the pool. It didn't matter to us because we weren't going to be in the room much. Normally it does, but we were doing Commando Disney at it's best. This room was close to the elavator, so that was nice. On T&T day, the maid not only emptied the trash and gave us new towels, but also straightened up the room (remade bed, made the sofa bed and straightened up the sink area).
It was a really nice trip. We ate TS at Mama Melrose's (MGM), Kona Cafe (Poly), Crystal Palace (Breakfast at MK), Matsunoma Lounge (Japan), San Angel Inn (Mexico), Rose and Crown (England) and Captn Jack's (DTD). We had ADR's for for everything except the Lounge in Japan and Captn Jack's. We were seated immediately at Captn Jack's and waited about 10 minutes for dinner at the lounge. We used our DDE card. I haven't looked at the numbers, but I think this works better for us than the DDP. We've checked the last 2 trips and came out ahead this way.
We saw Neil Patrick Harris do the CP. I debated about buying the package and ended up not doing it. It just seemed kind of expensive. We had done the package about 4 years ago and we got a discount at MouseGear. Without the discount, it just didn't make sense. We don't eat that much food. Anyway, we got in line a little before 8pm and we able to get a seat on the 19th. So, it all worked out. If we had been going between Christmas and New Years, I would have probably gone for the package. Just because of the crowds. We totally enjoyed the CP, it was beautiful. And Neil P. Harris did a good job.
Illuminations was great as usual and the holiday ending was amazing. We saw Illuminations 3 of the 4 nights we were there. The only night we missed was the 18th when we were at MVMCP. This was a first for us and I liked it a lot.
We went to the Osbourne Lights on our first day around 6pm. It was extremely crowded. We went back again our last night around 8pm and it was much better. Even though the schedule said they closed it at 8pm, the lights and the light show, stayed open longer than that. We really enjoyed the dancing lights.
We really enjoyed the decorations at the parks and the resorts. Bought a gingerbread shingle at the GF.
We got a special treat our last day. We had fast passed RnR Coaster and rode in the front seat. As we were exiting into the shop, a CM asked if we enjoyed the ride. I said yes it was great. Then he asked it we'd ride it again. I said Aboslutely. He said, Come with me. So he took us back to the exit, into the backstage area and back to where they load the cars. We got to ride again with no wait. He told us it was part of the YOMD. We both thought this was very cool. Just happened to be at the right place at the right time.
The weather was awesome. High 70's to 80 degrees. We usually didn't need a sweatshirt until 10pm. This was great. Usually we freeze in December.
The only thing we missed was the Merry Mixer. Our flight was at 6pm, and we weren't able to attend. We did see people lining up for it as we left Epcot that day.
I'm already looking forward to our family trip in July and our middle DD is turning 16 in August. So I have BW view already booked for her b-day trip.
We had a great flight on SWA and were met by Florida Tours at baggage claim. We were very happy with Fl Tours, btw. We arrived at the BW by 11:30am and were pleasantly surprised that a room was available.
We were given room 4056. It was a dedicated studio with the daybed. Everything was in great shape. The bed and sofa bed were new. Both were very comfortable. The only disadvantage to this room was the balconey. It's totally enclosed. So if you sit, you can't see a thing. If you stand you have a nice view of the pool. It didn't matter to us because we weren't going to be in the room much. Normally it does, but we were doing Commando Disney at it's best. This room was close to the elavator, so that was nice. On T&T day, the maid not only emptied the trash and gave us new towels, but also straightened up the room (remade bed, made the sofa bed and straightened up the sink area). It was a really nice trip. We ate TS at Mama Melrose's (MGM), Kona Cafe (Poly), Crystal Palace (Breakfast at MK), Matsunoma Lounge (Japan), San Angel Inn (Mexico), Rose and Crown (England) and Captn Jack's (DTD). We had ADR's for for everything except the Lounge in Japan and Captn Jack's. We were seated immediately at Captn Jack's and waited about 10 minutes for dinner at the lounge. We used our DDE card. I haven't looked at the numbers, but I think this works better for us than the DDP. We've checked the last 2 trips and came out ahead this way.
We saw Neil Patrick Harris do the CP. I debated about buying the package and ended up not doing it. It just seemed kind of expensive. We had done the package about 4 years ago and we got a discount at MouseGear. Without the discount, it just didn't make sense. We don't eat that much food. Anyway, we got in line a little before 8pm and we able to get a seat on the 19th. So, it all worked out. If we had been going between Christmas and New Years, I would have probably gone for the package. Just because of the crowds. We totally enjoyed the CP, it was beautiful. And Neil P. Harris did a good job.
Illuminations was great as usual and the holiday ending was amazing. We saw Illuminations 3 of the 4 nights we were there. The only night we missed was the 18th when we were at MVMCP. This was a first for us and I liked it a lot.
We went to the Osbourne Lights on our first day around 6pm. It was extremely crowded. We went back again our last night around 8pm and it was much better. Even though the schedule said they closed it at 8pm, the lights and the light show, stayed open longer than that. We really enjoyed the dancing lights.
We really enjoyed the decorations at the parks and the resorts. Bought a gingerbread shingle at the GF.
We got a special treat our last day. We had fast passed RnR Coaster and rode in the front seat. As we were exiting into the shop, a CM asked if we enjoyed the ride. I said yes it was great. Then he asked it we'd ride it again. I said Aboslutely. He said, Come with me. So he took us back to the exit, into the backstage area and back to where they load the cars. We got to ride again with no wait. He told us it was part of the YOMD. We both thought this was very cool. Just happened to be at the right place at the right time.
The weather was awesome. High 70's to 80 degrees. We usually didn't need a sweatshirt until 10pm. This was great. Usually we freeze in December.
The only thing we missed was the Merry Mixer. Our flight was at 6pm, and we weren't able to attend. We did see people lining up for it as we left Epcot that day.
I'm already looking forward to our family trip in July and our middle DD is turning 16 in August. So I have BW view already booked for her b-day trip.
