Cast of Characters:
Belle thats me, 33
Gigi my best friend, 33
Tia my best friends aunt and Disney Cast Member, 50
Let me start off right away by apologizing for the lenght of this report. What was going to be a few notes on the hotel somehow spiraled out of control.
About a month ago, Gigi waltzes into my office and tells me that we are going to visit Tia on December 5th. Thats right, she told me. She knows that if Disney is in the plans then to ask me whether or not I want to go is truly a waste of her breath. Surprisingly, I did hem and haw a little. After all it is close to the holiday season and I had not bought the first gift as of yet, for me this was way behind schedule.
After checking the flights between Jet Blue and Song, I agreed to meet her there the morning of December 5th taking Song out of JFK. Gigi flew out the night before from Newark. All I did for the week prior to this trip was to watch the weather reports and pray that I would be able to get out. I even considered flying out Thursday evening, a little thing like a Noreaster was not going to separate me from the Mouse.
Obsessive checking of the weather channel convinced me that I would be able to make it out of town without a hassle Friday morning. I did and was so excited that I was unable to sleep the night before. Who can sleep the night before a trip to Disney? Up at the crack of dawn I made it to the airport about an hour before my flight, checked in and through security with about twenty minutes to spare before boarding.
Now, I dont know how many of you out there have had the Song experience but I find it to be a little different to say the least. For some strange reason, they board the plane in zones. The zones dont strike me as odd, just the fact that they board the front of the plane before the back. Needless to say that was quite the scene with everyone anxious to get to their destinations.
Regardless, I settled into my window seat next to a nice family who played musical chairs through out the two-hour journey. All of that, and no music. You all know how its played. The father and son together, the mother with the girls, then dad with the girls, then mom in dads lap, then mom with son, then everyone moves back to their original positions and sits still just before the plane lands. None of this included the bathroom breaks. You know the game.
Now, Im notorious for being fast asleep as soon as the tell me to fasten my seat belt and not moving again until the jolt of the wheels hitting the tarmac at my destination. How much sleep do you think I got on this trip? No matter, I was off to see the Mouse. I took my luggage out of the overhead, released my Minnie Mouse ears from the bag and ceremoniously placed them on my head.
Now, I was ready to deplane.
Funny how a grown woman walking off of a plane and through an airport with mouse ears on doesnt even get a second glance. Everyone there understood, I dont think that would go over quite as well at any other airport. I took my first ride of the day, the monorail to the main terminal and called Gigi, who was waiting right outside. I came out into the sunshine and nippy weather.
Anyone want to explain to me how for weeks prior to my trip it was in the 70s and 80s I hit the ground and Im barely doing better than the weather I left behind. But, I digress. I was easy to spot in my ears, a hug and strong admonishment from Gigi, the ears you know and her Tia sitting in the passenger seat covering her face and trying not to accept my Minnie Mouse inspired kiss and hug. Hmmpfff!!! Not to be deterred, I straightened my ears and took a seat in the back. The next stop after all was Pop Century.
While I do try and keep up with whats going on with our friends at Disney, I some how missed that the hotel I was staying at was not yet open to the general public. I did not learn this bit of information until we turned onto the road leading to the hotel. That we in fact were the first to stay at the hotel, participating in the soft opening. My mouse ears now leaning to the side from my bouncing up and down and yelling thank you, thank you to Tia from the back seat I read the signs along the side of the road.
All done in very 50s advertising style, they read Air Conditioning, Color TV, Heated Pool. Now me being me, I wanted to know if they had a magic fingers bed, hey they were popular in the 50s but was told that was very unDisney of me. Oh well, maybe theyll think on it
and add them later.
We turned in to check in at Classic Hall. You will see a huge building with large PoP signs out front in different colors, red, blue, yellow, etc. It is here that you will find the buses for the property, the gift shop, food court and check-in. Spilling out of the car, I ran in leaving my entire party behind. no I didnt do that. I ran walked in the most controlled fashion that I could through the front door of the hall.
Now when you first walk in you will see a beautifully decorated Christmas tree that is just below ceiling height. Immediately, to your right you will find the ATM, public phone and the Disney Vacation Club sales desk. To your left is the entrance to gift shop and through the gift shop to the food court. Just past the phones the lobby opens into the check-in area and guest services all to your right. Past the lobby you will find the video game room and restrooms, straight ahead will be the main pool, 60s and 50s buildings.
I urge you to take time in the lobby and look at the display cases that are filled with items that represent the different eras of the hotel. You will find your self going,
Hey, remember that? I had one of those What every happen to my______? Gigi and I spent time engaged in this conversation all down the wall and the subsequent trip down memory lane, particularly as we hit the 70s and 80s.
While Tia checked in we sat for a moment in the kids area and watched cartoons. Yes, we are both 33 and chuckled out loud at the Mouse on screen. We quickly left that area and hit the luggage services area just out side. What enticed us to go leave the brightly colored seating area and toons? Well, it was the hula-hoops of course!!!
In this area the cast members are each equipped with a hula-hoop and will let you play with one for as long as you like. It had been much longer than Id like to recount since Id played with on of these and it showed. But, I did not quit until I got some of the old hip action back.
Quite out of breath, we headed back in side to shop. I wont tell you everything that was purchased there that day (or the next for that matter); lets just say that I had to talk myself down from Mr. Potato head, my favorite toy growing up.
Finally, we were ready to roll, we were checked into the seventies building and stayed just outside of the giant big wheel. A word about this hotel, you will be captivated by the bright colors and the "Groovy" sayings on each of the buildings. According to which era you are in there will the appropriate gadgets out front and common phrases on the buildings.
I cannot say enough about it, huge 8 tracks, and disco dancers, and 70s music surrounded us. The 50s had huge bowling pins and notes about Bee Hive hairdos and Peggy Sue playing in the background. The 80s have gigantic Rubiks cubes and Roger Rabbit. The 90s have cell phones and a laptop to anchor them.
The rooms are your standard size with two double beds, a small round table, two chairs, in room safe, color television, armoire/dresser, sink outside of the bathroom and standard shower and commode inside. The rooms boarder and comforters on the bed match in a collage of the eras with a beige background and each room will have a framed poster collage of popular items for the era in which you are staying.
So, where to stay? I was able to experience both the 70s and the 90s. I would say that if you want to be close to the Classic Hall, then ask for the 50s and 60s. The 70s is a bearable walk away from Classic Hall and the main pool (it does not have its own pool). The 80s and 90s are further away from the action at Classic Hall but the 90s does have a pool beneath the huge laptop. The same with the 50s. I did spy two decent size laundry rooms next to the 50s and 90s pool area.
No matter where you end up, if you are taking public transportation you will have walk to the front of Classic Hall for the buses. There is also the beginnings of a nice jog path around the lake. The path around the lake was supposed to connect this property to the earlier eras, the 00s 10s 20s 30s and 40s. As some of you may know, building on the adjacent property was halted after 9/11. I wasnt able to find out if they will resume the building there. Even so, the lake is nice to visit with different signs telling you what interesting things happened every few years starting in the 50s.
All in all a wonderful experience and though Im not usually a value resort kind of gal, read hotel snob
I really enjoyed it here and would consider staying here again. The only other thing that I would caution is that for a family of four I believe the room would be a tight squeeze. But, if you've already stayed at the All Star Resorts, I understand that the rooms are about the same size.
Also, be patient with the cast members. I've learned that the resort is not the only thing new here. Many of the cast members are brand new hires. While there are more exprerienced cast members around. The newbies far out weigh them.
Finally, we did partake in what I like to call turbo Disney, you know two or more parks in as many days. We started with Epcot, if you are going this holiday season, you must see the candlelight processional outside of America, check the time schedules. Very good show, I did not do Mission to Space on this trip but Im going back in March and will have more to report then.
If you are close friends with a Cast Member, you must get them to take you to property control. The bargains to be had if you are patient are unbelievable. For instance, I picked up two Mickey Mouse Parkas for $25 each originally priced at $100 each. Everything here is 75% off. I understand that Company D is great as well.
While we were in the Magic Kingdom on Saturday, they were filming the Very Merry Christmas parade. I didnt get to see much of that as our Tia had lets just say escaped from the office for the day and did not want to be caught on film. All in all a wonderful and magical Disney journey. Short but oh so sweet!!!
If anyone has any questions just let me know.
Belle thats me, 33
Gigi my best friend, 33
Tia my best friends aunt and Disney Cast Member, 50
Let me start off right away by apologizing for the lenght of this report. What was going to be a few notes on the hotel somehow spiraled out of control.
About a month ago, Gigi waltzes into my office and tells me that we are going to visit Tia on December 5th. Thats right, she told me. She knows that if Disney is in the plans then to ask me whether or not I want to go is truly a waste of her breath. Surprisingly, I did hem and haw a little. After all it is close to the holiday season and I had not bought the first gift as of yet, for me this was way behind schedule.
After checking the flights between Jet Blue and Song, I agreed to meet her there the morning of December 5th taking Song out of JFK. Gigi flew out the night before from Newark. All I did for the week prior to this trip was to watch the weather reports and pray that I would be able to get out. I even considered flying out Thursday evening, a little thing like a Noreaster was not going to separate me from the Mouse.
Obsessive checking of the weather channel convinced me that I would be able to make it out of town without a hassle Friday morning. I did and was so excited that I was unable to sleep the night before. Who can sleep the night before a trip to Disney? Up at the crack of dawn I made it to the airport about an hour before my flight, checked in and through security with about twenty minutes to spare before boarding.
Now, I dont know how many of you out there have had the Song experience but I find it to be a little different to say the least. For some strange reason, they board the plane in zones. The zones dont strike me as odd, just the fact that they board the front of the plane before the back. Needless to say that was quite the scene with everyone anxious to get to their destinations.
Regardless, I settled into my window seat next to a nice family who played musical chairs through out the two-hour journey. All of that, and no music. You all know how its played. The father and son together, the mother with the girls, then dad with the girls, then mom in dads lap, then mom with son, then everyone moves back to their original positions and sits still just before the plane lands. None of this included the bathroom breaks. You know the game.
Now, Im notorious for being fast asleep as soon as the tell me to fasten my seat belt and not moving again until the jolt of the wheels hitting the tarmac at my destination. How much sleep do you think I got on this trip? No matter, I was off to see the Mouse. I took my luggage out of the overhead, released my Minnie Mouse ears from the bag and ceremoniously placed them on my head.
Now, I was ready to deplane.Funny how a grown woman walking off of a plane and through an airport with mouse ears on doesnt even get a second glance. Everyone there understood, I dont think that would go over quite as well at any other airport. I took my first ride of the day, the monorail to the main terminal and called Gigi, who was waiting right outside. I came out into the sunshine and nippy weather.
Anyone want to explain to me how for weeks prior to my trip it was in the 70s and 80s I hit the ground and Im barely doing better than the weather I left behind. But, I digress. I was easy to spot in my ears, a hug and strong admonishment from Gigi, the ears you know and her Tia sitting in the passenger seat covering her face and trying not to accept my Minnie Mouse inspired kiss and hug. Hmmpfff!!! Not to be deterred, I straightened my ears and took a seat in the back. The next stop after all was Pop Century.
While I do try and keep up with whats going on with our friends at Disney, I some how missed that the hotel I was staying at was not yet open to the general public. I did not learn this bit of information until we turned onto the road leading to the hotel. That we in fact were the first to stay at the hotel, participating in the soft opening. My mouse ears now leaning to the side from my bouncing up and down and yelling thank you, thank you to Tia from the back seat I read the signs along the side of the road.
All done in very 50s advertising style, they read Air Conditioning, Color TV, Heated Pool. Now me being me, I wanted to know if they had a magic fingers bed, hey they were popular in the 50s but was told that was very unDisney of me. Oh well, maybe theyll think on it
and add them later.We turned in to check in at Classic Hall. You will see a huge building with large PoP signs out front in different colors, red, blue, yellow, etc. It is here that you will find the buses for the property, the gift shop, food court and check-in. Spilling out of the car, I ran in leaving my entire party behind. no I didnt do that. I ran walked in the most controlled fashion that I could through the front door of the hall.
Now when you first walk in you will see a beautifully decorated Christmas tree that is just below ceiling height. Immediately, to your right you will find the ATM, public phone and the Disney Vacation Club sales desk. To your left is the entrance to gift shop and through the gift shop to the food court. Just past the phones the lobby opens into the check-in area and guest services all to your right. Past the lobby you will find the video game room and restrooms, straight ahead will be the main pool, 60s and 50s buildings.
I urge you to take time in the lobby and look at the display cases that are filled with items that represent the different eras of the hotel. You will find your self going,
Hey, remember that? I had one of those What every happen to my______? Gigi and I spent time engaged in this conversation all down the wall and the subsequent trip down memory lane, particularly as we hit the 70s and 80s.While Tia checked in we sat for a moment in the kids area and watched cartoons. Yes, we are both 33 and chuckled out loud at the Mouse on screen. We quickly left that area and hit the luggage services area just out side. What enticed us to go leave the brightly colored seating area and toons? Well, it was the hula-hoops of course!!!
In this area the cast members are each equipped with a hula-hoop and will let you play with one for as long as you like. It had been much longer than Id like to recount since Id played with on of these and it showed. But, I did not quit until I got some of the old hip action back.
Quite out of breath, we headed back in side to shop. I wont tell you everything that was purchased there that day (or the next for that matter); lets just say that I had to talk myself down from Mr. Potato head, my favorite toy growing up.
Finally, we were ready to roll, we were checked into the seventies building and stayed just outside of the giant big wheel. A word about this hotel, you will be captivated by the bright colors and the "Groovy" sayings on each of the buildings. According to which era you are in there will the appropriate gadgets out front and common phrases on the buildings.
I cannot say enough about it, huge 8 tracks, and disco dancers, and 70s music surrounded us. The 50s had huge bowling pins and notes about Bee Hive hairdos and Peggy Sue playing in the background. The 80s have gigantic Rubiks cubes and Roger Rabbit. The 90s have cell phones and a laptop to anchor them.
The rooms are your standard size with two double beds, a small round table, two chairs, in room safe, color television, armoire/dresser, sink outside of the bathroom and standard shower and commode inside. The rooms boarder and comforters on the bed match in a collage of the eras with a beige background and each room will have a framed poster collage of popular items for the era in which you are staying.
So, where to stay? I was able to experience both the 70s and the 90s. I would say that if you want to be close to the Classic Hall, then ask for the 50s and 60s. The 70s is a bearable walk away from Classic Hall and the main pool (it does not have its own pool). The 80s and 90s are further away from the action at Classic Hall but the 90s does have a pool beneath the huge laptop. The same with the 50s. I did spy two decent size laundry rooms next to the 50s and 90s pool area.
No matter where you end up, if you are taking public transportation you will have walk to the front of Classic Hall for the buses. There is also the beginnings of a nice jog path around the lake. The path around the lake was supposed to connect this property to the earlier eras, the 00s 10s 20s 30s and 40s. As some of you may know, building on the adjacent property was halted after 9/11. I wasnt able to find out if they will resume the building there. Even so, the lake is nice to visit with different signs telling you what interesting things happened every few years starting in the 50s.
All in all a wonderful experience and though Im not usually a value resort kind of gal, read hotel snob
I really enjoyed it here and would consider staying here again. The only other thing that I would caution is that for a family of four I believe the room would be a tight squeeze. But, if you've already stayed at the All Star Resorts, I understand that the rooms are about the same size.Also, be patient with the cast members. I've learned that the resort is not the only thing new here. Many of the cast members are brand new hires. While there are more exprerienced cast members around. The newbies far out weigh them.
Finally, we did partake in what I like to call turbo Disney, you know two or more parks in as many days. We started with Epcot, if you are going this holiday season, you must see the candlelight processional outside of America, check the time schedules. Very good show, I did not do Mission to Space on this trip but Im going back in March and will have more to report then.
If you are close friends with a Cast Member, you must get them to take you to property control. The bargains to be had if you are patient are unbelievable. For instance, I picked up two Mickey Mouse Parkas for $25 each originally priced at $100 each. Everything here is 75% off. I understand that Company D is great as well.
While we were in the Magic Kingdom on Saturday, they were filming the Very Merry Christmas parade. I didnt get to see much of that as our Tia had lets just say escaped from the office for the day and did not want to be caught on film. All in all a wonderful and magical Disney journey. Short but oh so sweet!!!
If anyone has any questions just let me know.
