Hi all.
Myself (37), hubby (36) and DDs (6 & 8) were fortunate enough to enjoy WDW for one day as an add on to a cruise out of Miami. We stayed at POP Century for two nights and went to MK on Thursday, Dec 6th.
We had an easy and uneventful flight on Air Canada from Toronto direct to Orlando and landed at 1:30 pm. We did get a bit turned around in the airport and of course ended up on the wrong side for DME but eventually found our way and walked right onto a waiting motor coach. We waited for less than 10 minutes before our bus filled up and we were on our way. I didn't watch the clock closely but I would estimate that we were at our resort within 40 minutes of leaving MCO. Very painless and efficient.
There was no line up and we were off to our room within minutes. I had checked in online and requested 50's building, water view in the hopes that we would be able to see some of the Illuminations show at Epcot (thanks to posters here for that tidbit!) These requests were met and we had a lovely view and got to enjoy the fireworks on both nights of our stay.
We found the room to be clean and comfortable and suitable for our needs. My one comment would be that hubby and I found the bed to be horrifically uncomfortable and neither of us slept well either night we were there. We both like a firm mattress but this one was simply too firm for a good night's rest. We couldn't imagine having to sleep here a full week with exhausting days at the parks.
We rested for a few minutes and unloaded our carry ons (we had participated in the luggage delivery so no bags yet) before heading out to catch a bus to Downtown Disney for the evening.
We had an early dining reservation for Raglan Road as this was all that available when I was booking. The place was practically empty and was still mostly empty when we left. We thought the restaurant was nice but would not go there again. The food we had was just okay and we didn't feel was worth the money paid.
We then spent the rest of the evening walking around and shopping. We had given the kids $20 each to spend and told them to shop tonight because there would be no stopping at shops in MK. This worked out well as it eliminated them wanting to spent valuable touring time in the park stores.
We caught a bus back to POP and found our luggage had arrived so changed and went to the Hippy Dippy pool for a quick swim. Hubby went to buy our tickets for MK and after the fireworks show it was lights out as I knew we would have a busy next day.
We had booked our cruise last summer and added on the Disney portion in January when we were booking flights using reward points. At the time, I thought that early December would be a low traffic time to be at Disney and anticipated being able to do quite a bit at MK in one day.
Needless to say when I heard that they were planning the official opening of the new Fantasyland for the one day we were going to be there I had to change my mindset to anticipate a complete gong-show with a packed park. I was very grateful when they added in an am EMH about two weeks before we left as I know how important these can be in doing more.
We were up bright and early the next morning and grabbed a quick breakfast at the POP food court. We were second in line for the bus to MK shortly after 7 am. Wasn't long before a bus pulled up, filled up and we were on our way. After what seemed like a short wait at the park, the train pulled up, Mickey got out and we were allowed into the park just before 8 am.
As it turns out, we had the PERFECT park day. I cannot imagine having an easier day at the park and we were able to do more than I ever dreamed possible. I think everyone with a week's pass must have avoided MK like the plague that day because we experienced barely any waits ALL DAY LONG. Seriously! Our longest wait was 10 minutes but generally we walked right on or had only a few minutes' wait.
Here is what our day looked like:
1. Buzz Lightyear
2. Winnie the Pooh
3. Peter Pan (twice)
4. Royal Carousel
5. It's a small world
6. Peter Pan (yes, a third time!)
7. Haunted Mansion
8. Splash Mountain
9. Tom Sawyer's Island (the kids needed a break so we explored here for a full hour)
10. Great Thunder Mountain Railway (using FP obtained after Splash)
LUNCH BREAK
11. Pirates of the Caribbean
12. Jungle Cruise
13. Magic Carpets of Aladdin
14. Astro Orbiter
15. People Mover
16. Speedway
17. Mad Hatter's Teacups
18. Dumbo
19. Buzz Lightyear
SNACK BREAK
20. Mickey's philharmagic
21. It's a small world
22. Royal Carousel
23. Under the Sea
24. WDW Railway to see park as night fell
And on our way out (we embarked/debarked railway at Fantasyland) we were fortunate enough to see the Fairy Godmother light up the castle for Christmas.
No one in our party wanted to do Space Mountain but for reference, even at 3 pm, the estimated wait time in stand by was 20 minutes and we generally found that the wait time was exaggerated.
We left the gates around 6:45 pm, with the park closing to non-Christmas party guests at 7 so it worked out perfectly. We arrived at the buses in time to see the POP bus pulling away but were able to hop on the one heading to AoA.
We decided to visit the pasta station at AoA for dinner and then headed over the bridge conveniently near our room and changed to end the day with a dip in the pool. We were able to enjoy the fireworks at Epcot afterwards and got packed up and ready to head out the next morning.
We were very impressed with the efficiency of everything handled by Disney. I have been to WDW several times over the past two decades but this was the first time that I had stayed on property. We will certainly consider staying on property again when our little guys are older, although I'm not sure how affordable this will be with our need for two rooms (family of 6).
I also found the food at the park to be quite good. Hubby and I had a great burger at Peco Bill's, especially in contrast to the absolutely awful mickey burgers I remember from my first trip to WDW 22 years ago. The pasta at AoA was also very good and worth the wait (long lines). The breakfasts at POP were forgettable and of average quality that did not justify the price. We felt that $3.49 for a single serve of orange juice was outrageous.
We were suitably impressed with our overall experience however... had a fantastic time and couldn't have imagined a better Disney day.
Myself (37), hubby (36) and DDs (6 & 8) were fortunate enough to enjoy WDW for one day as an add on to a cruise out of Miami. We stayed at POP Century for two nights and went to MK on Thursday, Dec 6th.
We had an easy and uneventful flight on Air Canada from Toronto direct to Orlando and landed at 1:30 pm. We did get a bit turned around in the airport and of course ended up on the wrong side for DME but eventually found our way and walked right onto a waiting motor coach. We waited for less than 10 minutes before our bus filled up and we were on our way. I didn't watch the clock closely but I would estimate that we were at our resort within 40 minutes of leaving MCO. Very painless and efficient.
There was no line up and we were off to our room within minutes. I had checked in online and requested 50's building, water view in the hopes that we would be able to see some of the Illuminations show at Epcot (thanks to posters here for that tidbit!) These requests were met and we had a lovely view and got to enjoy the fireworks on both nights of our stay.
We found the room to be clean and comfortable and suitable for our needs. My one comment would be that hubby and I found the bed to be horrifically uncomfortable and neither of us slept well either night we were there. We both like a firm mattress but this one was simply too firm for a good night's rest. We couldn't imagine having to sleep here a full week with exhausting days at the parks.
We rested for a few minutes and unloaded our carry ons (we had participated in the luggage delivery so no bags yet) before heading out to catch a bus to Downtown Disney for the evening.
We had an early dining reservation for Raglan Road as this was all that available when I was booking. The place was practically empty and was still mostly empty when we left. We thought the restaurant was nice but would not go there again. The food we had was just okay and we didn't feel was worth the money paid.
We then spent the rest of the evening walking around and shopping. We had given the kids $20 each to spend and told them to shop tonight because there would be no stopping at shops in MK. This worked out well as it eliminated them wanting to spent valuable touring time in the park stores.
We caught a bus back to POP and found our luggage had arrived so changed and went to the Hippy Dippy pool for a quick swim. Hubby went to buy our tickets for MK and after the fireworks show it was lights out as I knew we would have a busy next day.
We had booked our cruise last summer and added on the Disney portion in January when we were booking flights using reward points. At the time, I thought that early December would be a low traffic time to be at Disney and anticipated being able to do quite a bit at MK in one day.
Needless to say when I heard that they were planning the official opening of the new Fantasyland for the one day we were going to be there I had to change my mindset to anticipate a complete gong-show with a packed park. I was very grateful when they added in an am EMH about two weeks before we left as I know how important these can be in doing more.
We were up bright and early the next morning and grabbed a quick breakfast at the POP food court. We were second in line for the bus to MK shortly after 7 am. Wasn't long before a bus pulled up, filled up and we were on our way. After what seemed like a short wait at the park, the train pulled up, Mickey got out and we were allowed into the park just before 8 am.
As it turns out, we had the PERFECT park day. I cannot imagine having an easier day at the park and we were able to do more than I ever dreamed possible. I think everyone with a week's pass must have avoided MK like the plague that day because we experienced barely any waits ALL DAY LONG. Seriously! Our longest wait was 10 minutes but generally we walked right on or had only a few minutes' wait.
Here is what our day looked like:
1. Buzz Lightyear
2. Winnie the Pooh
3. Peter Pan (twice)
4. Royal Carousel
5. It's a small world
6. Peter Pan (yes, a third time!)
7. Haunted Mansion
8. Splash Mountain
9. Tom Sawyer's Island (the kids needed a break so we explored here for a full hour)
10. Great Thunder Mountain Railway (using FP obtained after Splash)
LUNCH BREAK
11. Pirates of the Caribbean
12. Jungle Cruise
13. Magic Carpets of Aladdin
14. Astro Orbiter
15. People Mover
16. Speedway
17. Mad Hatter's Teacups
18. Dumbo
19. Buzz Lightyear
SNACK BREAK
20. Mickey's philharmagic
21. It's a small world
22. Royal Carousel
23. Under the Sea
24. WDW Railway to see park as night fell
And on our way out (we embarked/debarked railway at Fantasyland) we were fortunate enough to see the Fairy Godmother light up the castle for Christmas.
No one in our party wanted to do Space Mountain but for reference, even at 3 pm, the estimated wait time in stand by was 20 minutes and we generally found that the wait time was exaggerated.
We left the gates around 6:45 pm, with the park closing to non-Christmas party guests at 7 so it worked out perfectly. We arrived at the buses in time to see the POP bus pulling away but were able to hop on the one heading to AoA.
We decided to visit the pasta station at AoA for dinner and then headed over the bridge conveniently near our room and changed to end the day with a dip in the pool. We were able to enjoy the fireworks at Epcot afterwards and got packed up and ready to head out the next morning.
We were very impressed with the efficiency of everything handled by Disney. I have been to WDW several times over the past two decades but this was the first time that I had stayed on property. We will certainly consider staying on property again when our little guys are older, although I'm not sure how affordable this will be with our need for two rooms (family of 6).
I also found the food at the park to be quite good. Hubby and I had a great burger at Peco Bill's, especially in contrast to the absolutely awful mickey burgers I remember from my first trip to WDW 22 years ago. The pasta at AoA was also very good and worth the wait (long lines). The breakfasts at POP were forgettable and of average quality that did not justify the price. We felt that $3.49 for a single serve of orange juice was outrageous.
We were suitably impressed with our overall experience however... had a fantastic time and couldn't have imagined a better Disney day.
. So glad the opening didn't impact your day too much. How was the cruise portion? May I ask how your transportation was to and from the port and airport etc.? Maybe you are answering these questions over on the cruise line forum, I will check there!
