Imagineer5
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2007
- Messages
- 3,418
Thanks for all the helpful comments before my DL trip last week 
I had an excellent trip - wore my green mickey proud (though didn't see any others). A few observations from the trip:
Tuesday 10/20 I struggled to refrain from entering the parks when I got to Hojo's this evening, but I'm glad I did - was so tired from the time change and such. Had an early dinner at Tortilla Jo's (would def return here!), and did quite a bit of shopping.
Wednesday 10/21 was definitely the best day at DL. Walked on to Nemo, Indy, BTMRR, etc. Oh, and bfast before entering at Mimi's. I'd return there in a heartbeat - prices, food, and service couldn't be beat!! Overall not too many crowds but by 7pm (I entered at rope drop) I was tired.
Thursday 10/22 - MM at 8am - got to ride every FL ride without a wait (maybe 2 minutes at PP??). Matterhorn was down for the first hour, so I got a Space FP at 9 for later and then rode the Matterhorn. Then hopped over to DCA. Wow, TSMM was so awesome! Also saw Aladdin for the first time and every great thing said about it was true. Enjoyed every minute! Crowds were fine all day but the evening at DL led me to another 7PM return to the hotel. Oh, lunch was at the Wine Country Trattoria and I probably won't return there. Had terrible service - had to ask after 15 min for bread and water even though all the tables around me had theirs - and limited offerings for food. I wanted wine though, so that's why I went here. Dinner was at the Cafe Orleans - fun and great food, and the service was great too. My kindle came in VERY handy these 3 days btw!!
Friday 10/23, 8AM opening, rode a bunch of rides, then did the Toontown Madness which was cute, went on BTMRR and did some rides until the 11:15 Billy Hill show - very funny and enjoyed this quite a bit. Got veggie gumbo and fritters at Royal Street Veranda - YUM! Then hopped over to DCA for another go at TSMM. Tonight I stayed for the fireworks which were so awesome, but the crowds were horrendous and I just couldn't handle crowds for fantasmic AND the fireworks...looking back though I really wish I'd stayed for the fireworks on Wed/Thurs and then seen Fantasmic.
Some thoughts:
1. Hojo's has been great to me, service is still excellent, but I think this may have been my last stay there. I had a king bed in B1 - highway side. Didn't sleep at all (hence leaving early each day!). The room was so tiny that even as 1 person it felt cramped. I have certainly stayed in better rooms there, but that combined with the walk - I think from now on I'll rent points and stay at GCV. (Or convince DH to become a member of DVC!)
2. The SR lines were AMAZING. Seriously. I maybe waited 5 minutes MAX the whole entire time I was there.
3. SMGG was awesome. I don't know how anyone didn't enjoy it. The halloween updates were great - that hand following me scared me every time
4. HMH was SO great too!! I don't even like that movie and I thoroughly enjoyed the updates. It was the first time I've felt the need to get FPs for HM but that helped beat any line.
5. I know the reasonings but I still wish DL could serve wine/drinks at their restaurants. At the very least, at the sit-down restaurants. It was missed at my Cafe Orleans dinner
I think that's about it. Sorry for the long winded report. I only wish I could have had more time (I'm currently in San Diego at the symposium that brought me out to CA in the first place - it's horrible being SO close to DL and not being able to go!!). I can't wait to return, which will probably be after DCA updates are finished. DL resort is definitely amazing every visit no matter what is down, what is about to come, etc.
I had an excellent trip - wore my green mickey proud (though didn't see any others). A few observations from the trip:
Tuesday 10/20 I struggled to refrain from entering the parks when I got to Hojo's this evening, but I'm glad I did - was so tired from the time change and such. Had an early dinner at Tortilla Jo's (would def return here!), and did quite a bit of shopping.
Wednesday 10/21 was definitely the best day at DL. Walked on to Nemo, Indy, BTMRR, etc. Oh, and bfast before entering at Mimi's. I'd return there in a heartbeat - prices, food, and service couldn't be beat!! Overall not too many crowds but by 7pm (I entered at rope drop) I was tired.
Thursday 10/22 - MM at 8am - got to ride every FL ride without a wait (maybe 2 minutes at PP??). Matterhorn was down for the first hour, so I got a Space FP at 9 for later and then rode the Matterhorn. Then hopped over to DCA. Wow, TSMM was so awesome! Also saw Aladdin for the first time and every great thing said about it was true. Enjoyed every minute! Crowds were fine all day but the evening at DL led me to another 7PM return to the hotel. Oh, lunch was at the Wine Country Trattoria and I probably won't return there. Had terrible service - had to ask after 15 min for bread and water even though all the tables around me had theirs - and limited offerings for food. I wanted wine though, so that's why I went here. Dinner was at the Cafe Orleans - fun and great food, and the service was great too. My kindle came in VERY handy these 3 days btw!!
Friday 10/23, 8AM opening, rode a bunch of rides, then did the Toontown Madness which was cute, went on BTMRR and did some rides until the 11:15 Billy Hill show - very funny and enjoyed this quite a bit. Got veggie gumbo and fritters at Royal Street Veranda - YUM! Then hopped over to DCA for another go at TSMM. Tonight I stayed for the fireworks which were so awesome, but the crowds were horrendous and I just couldn't handle crowds for fantasmic AND the fireworks...looking back though I really wish I'd stayed for the fireworks on Wed/Thurs and then seen Fantasmic.
Some thoughts:
1. Hojo's has been great to me, service is still excellent, but I think this may have been my last stay there. I had a king bed in B1 - highway side. Didn't sleep at all (hence leaving early each day!). The room was so tiny that even as 1 person it felt cramped. I have certainly stayed in better rooms there, but that combined with the walk - I think from now on I'll rent points and stay at GCV. (Or convince DH to become a member of DVC!)
2. The SR lines were AMAZING. Seriously. I maybe waited 5 minutes MAX the whole entire time I was there.
3. SMGG was awesome. I don't know how anyone didn't enjoy it. The halloween updates were great - that hand following me scared me every time
4. HMH was SO great too!!
I don't even like that movie and I thoroughly enjoyed the updates. It was the first time I've felt the need to get FPs for HM but that helped beat any line. 5. I know the reasonings but I still wish DL could serve wine/drinks at their restaurants. At the very least, at the sit-down restaurants. It was missed at my Cafe Orleans dinner
I think that's about it. Sorry for the long winded report. I only wish I could have had more time (I'm currently in San Diego at the symposium that brought me out to CA in the first place - it's horrible being SO close to DL and not being able to go!!). I can't wait to return, which will probably be after DCA updates are finished. DL resort is definitely amazing every visit no matter what is down, what is about to come, etc.
It was soooo nice running around to the rides, or just sitting down for a few minutes, or hopping into a shop, etc without someone else there. Also I was able to spend WAY more than if DH had been there 
I love going solo, too. Most people just assume your family and/or friends are elsewhere. Sounds like you saw quite a bit, thanks for sharing.
