connorsmom911
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2004
- Messages
- 1,025
Well, we've been back a few days now, but this is the first nightshift I'm working and have time to write our report, so here goes...
Cast: me (32), dh (28), ds (20 mo), grandma, grandpa and my sister (29)
This trip started because my sister attended the neonatal nursing convention at Coronado, so an impromptu family trip sprouted out of it. We were quite stressed about the hurricane and didn't know if we would get there, but proceeded to drive to buffalo 09/26 and kept calling Southwest all day while at the Galleria. They kept assuring us the flight was scheduled to go, so we arrived at the airport Monday morning nice and early and sure enough, we boarded!! The pilot informed us on the way that we would be the 2nd flight back into Orlando after Jeanne. We got in early, and it was really spooky to taxi into the gate and not see a single plane! Lots of tired, weary people waiting to board, but otherwise the airport was deserted and our bags beat us to the claim area!!
I had reserved Tiffany Town Car, and there were drivers there, but none with our name, so we collected our bags and I went back and asked one of them about our reservation. He immediatlely called the office on his cell. There had been some kind of a mix-up, but they had a driver and van there for us in 5 minutes, he even escorted us right out to where the van was. Our driver was Dick, very nice gentleman, and we stopped at the Publix for groceries and were on our way to Coronado!!
We arrived shortly after 1pm, and check-in was smooth. I had requested Cabanas 9B, but they didn't have any connecting rooms available at that time, so we took Cabanas 8A and were happy with it. We had a great view of the lake, El Centro, and we were just a hop, skip and a jump from the Dig Site, bus stop 4 and the quiet pool. The theming was nice, similar to Caribbean Beach (our fav up to now) and the rooms were straightforward. It was great having the connecting rooms...my little guy could sleep while we watched tv, 2 bathrooms, etc. It was quite a hike to El Centro, but more because of the heat and humidity than the distance. We learned our lesson early and hopped on the golf carts that passed by instead of walking. I really liked the theming in the Ranchos section, especially their quiet pool, and I think we'll stay there next time. Pools were great! My hubbie loved the water slide. The quiet pool was deserted at most times, as most people were attending conventions.
We ate a few times at the Pepper Market, and while the food was ok (portions are HUGE!!), and the servers are pleasant and efficient, we were all disappointed with the value. I don't mind paying the gratuity, but the cooks at the stations were RUDE, the hostesses were non-chalant, and the cashiers seemed uninterested. Plus the prices are outrageous!! Won't be eating there again!! Didn't eat at the Maya Grill, so I can't offer any review of that.
We ate dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe, rave reviews all around!! I asked for my DS chicken fingers right away and I swear the waiter was back with them in under 5 minutes!! Swim in the main pool and early night.
Tuesday was Animal Kingdom, and we had PS at Rainforest for breakfast. Another meal with rave reviews!! My son especially loved watching the diver cleaning the inside of the fish tanks. We were told it takes him 5 hours!!! The park was great, but very hot and sunny, lots of times it felt like there was no air. We met Mickey and Minnie at (where else) Camp Minnie Mickey, then did Kilimanjaro Safaris with 5 min wait. Lots of animals and great pictures! We then snaked around and did "Tough to be a Bug" and then headed back to the hotel, heat was too much. We all had a nap and then headed out to AKL for dinner. Although our PS were for Jiko, everyone liked the feel of Boma, so we ate there instead and LOVED IT!!! So many options and great flavours!! The line for the bus to MK was LONG as everyone was headed to Spectro and Wishes, so we caught the bus to Epcot and took the monorail to MK. It took longer I'm sure, but less crowded and my DS loved the monorail ride. We arrived inside just as the parade was starting so we just stood with the crowd and watched, then made our way up through the stores and parked outside Caseys for Wishes. Loved the fireworks! Bus ride back was great...magic in motion...the whole packed bus singing "Wheels on the Bus" and funny enough, everyone knowing all the words.
Wednesday we had another early morning, PS at Crystal Palace to see Pooh, and celebrate my sister's birthday. Highly recommend this for any Pooh lovers. I have priceless pictures of my DS and all the characters as they come right to your table. Even my sister got a birthday card signed by them all and a little birthday cupcake. And the food was awesome!!! Then back to the barbershop to get my little guy's first haircut, another must if you have little ones. I admit, I cried the whole time watching his little curls getting chopped off, but it was a magical moment I'll never forget. Another hot, humid day, so we only managed Buzz, then walked through Fantasyland (lines were only 20 minutes or so, but I knew my guy was getting tired) to the Haunted Mansion where he fell right asleep. We stopped for a bit at Pecos Bills, did Pirates, had a Dole whip and then headed back for the hotel. This would be the night we all started to get sick. I thought it was heat stroke at first when my hubby started, as he rebels to drinking water and thinks he's immune, but then my little guy woke up sick in the night and when he was done, I had to take a gravol too.
Thursday we all slept in (well, I slept...hubby was up with Connor out for a walk at 5:30 and my sister was off to the conference) and seemed better, so we headed out to MGM. Another hot day, but we caved and bought a mistymate and seemed ok. Hubby did star tours and then we did Muppet 3D and just missed meeting Buzz and Woody (my sons heros of the moment), so we decided to grab a bite. My son fell asleep in his stroller and Pizza Planet was packed and noisy, so we opted for Mama Melroses. The food was good, but I was getting concerned about how hot the little guy felt, and sure enough, as soon as he woke up, he threw up again. Luckily the people sitting next to us were a group of mothers who totally understood, but I still flet horrible. Beeline to first-aid (missed the parade by walking through the stores) and they confirmed his mild fever and sent us packing with some gatorade back to the hotel. I was feeling yucky by then too, so only grandma, grandpa and my sister went back out to Fantasmic (which they said was just ok). We did go for a quick swim later and then bed.
Friday everybody seemed ok, so we headed to Epcot and had a very welcome breakfast at the Electric Umbrella after searching for our Leave a Legacy tiles from years past, and getting a new one with DS. Then on to Living Seas where we just missed meeting Nemo, but enjoyed the displays and the aquariums. We then started around the world, trying to stay in the shade. We ended up eating lunch at Teppanyaki (Japan), another excellent meal with great entertainment, and I bought my traditional pearl in the store, where I was surprised to get TWINS in silver/blue, apparently a rarity. We sorta rushed the rest of the way around as the heat was getting to us again, and we stopped for a break at the store (the one at the bottom of the lake) and then it happened... the character bus pulled up and we got our perfect family shot with Mickey (it's going in the xmas cards). We also met Chip and Dale before giving into the heat and heading to Ice Station Cool and then home (nope, no Beverly). My parents agreed to watch the little guy for the night, so hubby, sis and I headed to DTD Marketplace where it was PACKED with people wall to wall! I was surprised, as the parks were relatively bare to this point. We did some shopping (got my scrapbook, potato head and parts and Xmas ornament for DS) and ate at Earl of Sandwich (good stuff again!!). Had to head back to go to bed fairly early as sis had to get up early for conference, but went for a swim again before bed.
Saturday we were up early, so hubby, Ds and I headed back to MGM for early entry, only to discover that the stuff we wanted to see (Buzz and Woody, and Playhouse Disney) aren't part of early entry, so we had a leisurely breakfast at ABC Commissary and did the Great Movie Ride before standing in line for Bear in the Big Blue House (part of Playhouse Disney). We were amongst the first, but here's a warning to other parents...don't rush to sit right at the front, because once you're seated on the floor, you can't see onto the stage! Yes, we did see Bear, but the other puppets pop out from the stage, so we were too close to see them. Oh well, Bear was the draw anyways. We then sped over and stood in line to finally meet Buzz and Woody. The look on my Ds face...priceless! Our thought was to head back to MK and try to do some fantasyland rides, but when we exited the monorail and saw the lineup just to get into the park, we got back on the resort monorail and went to the Kona Cafe at the Poly for lunch. Another great meal (had to laugh when the waitress brought my iced cappucino and apologized for putting chocolate syrup in it by accident...when is chocolate a bad thing!?!?!?!) and then we headed back to the room for a swim, nap and then out to Epcot for Illuminations. Hubby got sick again and had to head back before it started (thank you to the stranger that rode the bus back to Coronado with him when he sort of passed out at the bus stop) but we enjoyed the show (is it shorter than it was in 2000?) and headed back to the hotel to find my very sick hubby with a fever (ok, now we start to conclude it's not heat stroke, but some kind of stomach bug). Got through the night and decided not to push it Sunday. Mom, Ds and I went back to Kona for breakfast (liked the Tonga Toast, want to have it again when I feel better), then we napped, swam and packed for the flight home on Monday. My mom got sick Sunday night, I got sick Monday and then sis Wed, and we spent Friday night in the ER with my DS again due to fever and chills. Still not sure what we caught down there, or what from, but grandpa was the only one who didn't get sick.
Overall, another great trip. I don't remember the heat and humidity being so bad last time we were there (09/00) but we will definitely be aiming our trips for Nov/Dec in the future. Will definitely go back to CS. CB was our favorite, but grandpa and grandpa went for breakfast one day this time and said it was packed with screaming kids everywhere. CS, being a convention resort was mostly deserted during the day, and we only noticed a crowd on the bus when heading to DTD at night, or back from MK on Spectro night, otherwise I think most guests were attending conventions. We maybe had 2 people other than our family at the quiet pool at any given time!
Any questions, feel free to ask!
Tracey
Cast: me (32), dh (28), ds (20 mo), grandma, grandpa and my sister (29)
This trip started because my sister attended the neonatal nursing convention at Coronado, so an impromptu family trip sprouted out of it. We were quite stressed about the hurricane and didn't know if we would get there, but proceeded to drive to buffalo 09/26 and kept calling Southwest all day while at the Galleria. They kept assuring us the flight was scheduled to go, so we arrived at the airport Monday morning nice and early and sure enough, we boarded!! The pilot informed us on the way that we would be the 2nd flight back into Orlando after Jeanne. We got in early, and it was really spooky to taxi into the gate and not see a single plane! Lots of tired, weary people waiting to board, but otherwise the airport was deserted and our bags beat us to the claim area!!
I had reserved Tiffany Town Car, and there were drivers there, but none with our name, so we collected our bags and I went back and asked one of them about our reservation. He immediatlely called the office on his cell. There had been some kind of a mix-up, but they had a driver and van there for us in 5 minutes, he even escorted us right out to where the van was. Our driver was Dick, very nice gentleman, and we stopped at the Publix for groceries and were on our way to Coronado!!
We arrived shortly after 1pm, and check-in was smooth. I had requested Cabanas 9B, but they didn't have any connecting rooms available at that time, so we took Cabanas 8A and were happy with it. We had a great view of the lake, El Centro, and we were just a hop, skip and a jump from the Dig Site, bus stop 4 and the quiet pool. The theming was nice, similar to Caribbean Beach (our fav up to now) and the rooms were straightforward. It was great having the connecting rooms...my little guy could sleep while we watched tv, 2 bathrooms, etc. It was quite a hike to El Centro, but more because of the heat and humidity than the distance. We learned our lesson early and hopped on the golf carts that passed by instead of walking. I really liked the theming in the Ranchos section, especially their quiet pool, and I think we'll stay there next time. Pools were great! My hubbie loved the water slide. The quiet pool was deserted at most times, as most people were attending conventions.
We ate a few times at the Pepper Market, and while the food was ok (portions are HUGE!!), and the servers are pleasant and efficient, we were all disappointed with the value. I don't mind paying the gratuity, but the cooks at the stations were RUDE, the hostesses were non-chalant, and the cashiers seemed uninterested. Plus the prices are outrageous!! Won't be eating there again!! Didn't eat at the Maya Grill, so I can't offer any review of that.
We ate dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe, rave reviews all around!! I asked for my DS chicken fingers right away and I swear the waiter was back with them in under 5 minutes!! Swim in the main pool and early night.
Tuesday was Animal Kingdom, and we had PS at Rainforest for breakfast. Another meal with rave reviews!! My son especially loved watching the diver cleaning the inside of the fish tanks. We were told it takes him 5 hours!!! The park was great, but very hot and sunny, lots of times it felt like there was no air. We met Mickey and Minnie at (where else) Camp Minnie Mickey, then did Kilimanjaro Safaris with 5 min wait. Lots of animals and great pictures! We then snaked around and did "Tough to be a Bug" and then headed back to the hotel, heat was too much. We all had a nap and then headed out to AKL for dinner. Although our PS were for Jiko, everyone liked the feel of Boma, so we ate there instead and LOVED IT!!! So many options and great flavours!! The line for the bus to MK was LONG as everyone was headed to Spectro and Wishes, so we caught the bus to Epcot and took the monorail to MK. It took longer I'm sure, but less crowded and my DS loved the monorail ride. We arrived inside just as the parade was starting so we just stood with the crowd and watched, then made our way up through the stores and parked outside Caseys for Wishes. Loved the fireworks! Bus ride back was great...magic in motion...the whole packed bus singing "Wheels on the Bus" and funny enough, everyone knowing all the words.
Wednesday we had another early morning, PS at Crystal Palace to see Pooh, and celebrate my sister's birthday. Highly recommend this for any Pooh lovers. I have priceless pictures of my DS and all the characters as they come right to your table. Even my sister got a birthday card signed by them all and a little birthday cupcake. And the food was awesome!!! Then back to the barbershop to get my little guy's first haircut, another must if you have little ones. I admit, I cried the whole time watching his little curls getting chopped off, but it was a magical moment I'll never forget. Another hot, humid day, so we only managed Buzz, then walked through Fantasyland (lines were only 20 minutes or so, but I knew my guy was getting tired) to the Haunted Mansion where he fell right asleep. We stopped for a bit at Pecos Bills, did Pirates, had a Dole whip and then headed back for the hotel. This would be the night we all started to get sick. I thought it was heat stroke at first when my hubby started, as he rebels to drinking water and thinks he's immune, but then my little guy woke up sick in the night and when he was done, I had to take a gravol too.
Thursday we all slept in (well, I slept...hubby was up with Connor out for a walk at 5:30 and my sister was off to the conference) and seemed better, so we headed out to MGM. Another hot day, but we caved and bought a mistymate and seemed ok. Hubby did star tours and then we did Muppet 3D and just missed meeting Buzz and Woody (my sons heros of the moment), so we decided to grab a bite. My son fell asleep in his stroller and Pizza Planet was packed and noisy, so we opted for Mama Melroses. The food was good, but I was getting concerned about how hot the little guy felt, and sure enough, as soon as he woke up, he threw up again. Luckily the people sitting next to us were a group of mothers who totally understood, but I still flet horrible. Beeline to first-aid (missed the parade by walking through the stores) and they confirmed his mild fever and sent us packing with some gatorade back to the hotel. I was feeling yucky by then too, so only grandma, grandpa and my sister went back out to Fantasmic (which they said was just ok). We did go for a quick swim later and then bed.
Friday everybody seemed ok, so we headed to Epcot and had a very welcome breakfast at the Electric Umbrella after searching for our Leave a Legacy tiles from years past, and getting a new one with DS. Then on to Living Seas where we just missed meeting Nemo, but enjoyed the displays and the aquariums. We then started around the world, trying to stay in the shade. We ended up eating lunch at Teppanyaki (Japan), another excellent meal with great entertainment, and I bought my traditional pearl in the store, where I was surprised to get TWINS in silver/blue, apparently a rarity. We sorta rushed the rest of the way around as the heat was getting to us again, and we stopped for a break at the store (the one at the bottom of the lake) and then it happened... the character bus pulled up and we got our perfect family shot with Mickey (it's going in the xmas cards). We also met Chip and Dale before giving into the heat and heading to Ice Station Cool and then home (nope, no Beverly). My parents agreed to watch the little guy for the night, so hubby, sis and I headed to DTD Marketplace where it was PACKED with people wall to wall! I was surprised, as the parks were relatively bare to this point. We did some shopping (got my scrapbook, potato head and parts and Xmas ornament for DS) and ate at Earl of Sandwich (good stuff again!!). Had to head back to go to bed fairly early as sis had to get up early for conference, but went for a swim again before bed.
Saturday we were up early, so hubby, Ds and I headed back to MGM for early entry, only to discover that the stuff we wanted to see (Buzz and Woody, and Playhouse Disney) aren't part of early entry, so we had a leisurely breakfast at ABC Commissary and did the Great Movie Ride before standing in line for Bear in the Big Blue House (part of Playhouse Disney). We were amongst the first, but here's a warning to other parents...don't rush to sit right at the front, because once you're seated on the floor, you can't see onto the stage! Yes, we did see Bear, but the other puppets pop out from the stage, so we were too close to see them. Oh well, Bear was the draw anyways. We then sped over and stood in line to finally meet Buzz and Woody. The look on my Ds face...priceless! Our thought was to head back to MK and try to do some fantasyland rides, but when we exited the monorail and saw the lineup just to get into the park, we got back on the resort monorail and went to the Kona Cafe at the Poly for lunch. Another great meal (had to laugh when the waitress brought my iced cappucino and apologized for putting chocolate syrup in it by accident...when is chocolate a bad thing!?!?!?!) and then we headed back to the room for a swim, nap and then out to Epcot for Illuminations. Hubby got sick again and had to head back before it started (thank you to the stranger that rode the bus back to Coronado with him when he sort of passed out at the bus stop) but we enjoyed the show (is it shorter than it was in 2000?) and headed back to the hotel to find my very sick hubby with a fever (ok, now we start to conclude it's not heat stroke, but some kind of stomach bug). Got through the night and decided not to push it Sunday. Mom, Ds and I went back to Kona for breakfast (liked the Tonga Toast, want to have it again when I feel better), then we napped, swam and packed for the flight home on Monday. My mom got sick Sunday night, I got sick Monday and then sis Wed, and we spent Friday night in the ER with my DS again due to fever and chills. Still not sure what we caught down there, or what from, but grandpa was the only one who didn't get sick.
Overall, another great trip. I don't remember the heat and humidity being so bad last time we were there (09/00) but we will definitely be aiming our trips for Nov/Dec in the future. Will definitely go back to CS. CB was our favorite, but grandpa and grandpa went for breakfast one day this time and said it was packed with screaming kids everywhere. CS, being a convention resort was mostly deserted during the day, and we only noticed a crowd on the bus when heading to DTD at night, or back from MK on Spectro night, otherwise I think most guests were attending conventions. We maybe had 2 people other than our family at the quiet pool at any given time!
Any questions, feel free to ask!
Tracey
