cruisnfamily
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2002
- Messages
- 6,218
Quick Trip to Disney
The Cast
Me (DW 36) Sonya
DH (37) Bill
DD (9) Amanda
DS (6) Billy
Well, back in February we bought the play 4 days passes for FL Residents and still had 2 days left to use before June 7th. Thus, the quick 3-day trip became a plan.
We got reservations at Coronado Springs for $93 including tax, a FL Res rate which was better than any other deals I found and decided to head out Thursday after DH came home from work. As the trip got closer DH decided to just take the whole day off and spend it at the resort. We knew that June 1 was Gay Day at Magic Kingdom and planned to be nowhere near those crowds on Saturday. In order to preplan, I spent a lot of time on these boards getting all sorts of info, making PSs, trying to book an illuminations cruise, etc. Well, we didnt use the PSs, most of our plans got changed completely, and of course I was never able to book or share an illuminations cruise but we had a great trip! Here it goes:
Day 1-Thursday May 30th
We set no alarm clocks and woke and got ready slowly. We were packed and on the road by 10am if you can believe it! The drive (which I always thought took 2 ½ to 3 hours) ended up taking just under 2 hours with DH at the wheel doing an average of about 80mph. We rolled up to Coronado Springs absolutely starving at noon. Parked across from El Centro and headed for check in. DH and the kids wandered to the end of the lobby where they had crayons, coloring papers and a TV playing cartoons, the line was short and so far were really liking this place definitely a step up from the All Stars. Well, I get to the desk and she says something like oh, it says here youre not arriving until 7pm, oops, forgot to update them on our early arrival oh well, if the room isnt ready, well swim and amuse ourselves. Well, we were guaranteed a smoking room and had also requested Cabanas 8a. After much ado, the choices become clear: a non-smoking room in 8bCabanas or a smoking room way across the way in the Casitas section. What to do? Smoke or be conveniently located to the dig. We went for the non smoking room near the dig and were very happy we did! On to the Pepper Market! I was unsure as to what to expect, would we understand how the place works? Would we like the food? Well, we were very happy! We loved this place! First we were seated and brought drinks and given little cards to take up to the different stations to make our choices. Amanda and Billy both chose chicken fingers, got their cards stamped and received their food and headed back to the table. Bill and I both chose the wet burritos, which were absolutely huge! They were stuffed with beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese and all kinds of stuff. We garnished them with sour cream and salsa. The kids chicken came with fries. The portions were all very large and satisfying and although it was a bit pricey for lunch, we thought it was absolutely worth every penny and would highly recommend the Pepper market. Many people mentioned that they had trouble communicating with the workers here. Although we did notice most of the folks had heavy accents, we had no trouble at all understanding anyone or making ourselves understood. When we were through, we walked our little cards to the cashier who totaled it all up, we signed our name and were off to check out Cabanas 8B.
Our room was 8550, which faced the water. It was very convenient to the dig although next time I will really push for 8a as that, to me, would be the optimum location if your focus is the pool. The room was great. I specifically paid attention to the carpet as I had heard it was worn and soiled. Well, our carpet was neither worn nor soiled. It looked to be in good condition and was clean. The room was all we could have wanted. My only complaint, and I admit it is a minor one, is that there was no remote control for the TV. I cant remember the last time I stayed somewhere that didnt have a remote control for the TV. We probably should have mentioned it to someone, as I am sure it was supposed to have a remote control, but we never did mention it. Maybe the last guests took it home by mistake.
Quick unpacking and change of clothes and off to The Dig. It was about a 1-minute walk from our room not bad at all. My only complaint, and again, I know its a small one, is that to get towels, you have to walk all the way around the pool and over to the snack bar area. Why dont they have the towels where you come in? Strange. Anyway, we grabbed a couple of lounge chairs and hopped in. Amanda immediately headed off for the slide. DH, Billy and I played around for a while and Amanda continued sliding. DH headed for the hot tub with Amanda while I continued attempting to bribe Billy to try the slide. He insisted that he wasnt scared; he just wasnt in the mood to slide, yeah, right! Finally, I got him, I offered him $1 to try it once and he would never have to do it again if he didnt like it. Well, you know how this ends right, we didnt see him again for several hours as he continued to slide and then slide some more. DH and I tried the slide too (its not just for kids you know!).
At about 4 pm DH and Amanda headed out to Disney Quest for the evening while Billy and I continued to swim and slide. We ate at the Siestas poolside snack bar for dinner. Huge cheeseburger and fries for Billy, nachos for me. Large portions, very reasonably priced too. As we were eating we struck up a conversation with a couple and their DD11. It was their first time at Coronado Springs too and they were loving it as much as we were. They were going on an Illuminations Cruise that night which they were sharing .low and behold, this was KevinD65 with his family! How exciting to meet another DISer! We chatted awhile and then they headed out to get ready for their cruise and we got ready to hop back in the pool. Well, lightning forced the closing of the pool and my disappointed son and I headed back to the room. We amused ourselves that evening by checking out the gift shop and arcade and getting some ice cream. We hit the hay at about 10:15pm and DH and DD are still not back from Disney Quest! They must be having a great time at this place
More later, sorry this is so long winded; guess I had more to say than I thought.
The Cast
Me (DW 36) Sonya
DH (37) Bill
DD (9) Amanda
DS (6) Billy
Well, back in February we bought the play 4 days passes for FL Residents and still had 2 days left to use before June 7th. Thus, the quick 3-day trip became a plan.
We got reservations at Coronado Springs for $93 including tax, a FL Res rate which was better than any other deals I found and decided to head out Thursday after DH came home from work. As the trip got closer DH decided to just take the whole day off and spend it at the resort. We knew that June 1 was Gay Day at Magic Kingdom and planned to be nowhere near those crowds on Saturday. In order to preplan, I spent a lot of time on these boards getting all sorts of info, making PSs, trying to book an illuminations cruise, etc. Well, we didnt use the PSs, most of our plans got changed completely, and of course I was never able to book or share an illuminations cruise but we had a great trip! Here it goes:
Day 1-Thursday May 30th
We set no alarm clocks and woke and got ready slowly. We were packed and on the road by 10am if you can believe it! The drive (which I always thought took 2 ½ to 3 hours) ended up taking just under 2 hours with DH at the wheel doing an average of about 80mph. We rolled up to Coronado Springs absolutely starving at noon. Parked across from El Centro and headed for check in. DH and the kids wandered to the end of the lobby where they had crayons, coloring papers and a TV playing cartoons, the line was short and so far were really liking this place definitely a step up from the All Stars. Well, I get to the desk and she says something like oh, it says here youre not arriving until 7pm, oops, forgot to update them on our early arrival oh well, if the room isnt ready, well swim and amuse ourselves. Well, we were guaranteed a smoking room and had also requested Cabanas 8a. After much ado, the choices become clear: a non-smoking room in 8bCabanas or a smoking room way across the way in the Casitas section. What to do? Smoke or be conveniently located to the dig. We went for the non smoking room near the dig and were very happy we did! On to the Pepper Market! I was unsure as to what to expect, would we understand how the place works? Would we like the food? Well, we were very happy! We loved this place! First we were seated and brought drinks and given little cards to take up to the different stations to make our choices. Amanda and Billy both chose chicken fingers, got their cards stamped and received their food and headed back to the table. Bill and I both chose the wet burritos, which were absolutely huge! They were stuffed with beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese and all kinds of stuff. We garnished them with sour cream and salsa. The kids chicken came with fries. The portions were all very large and satisfying and although it was a bit pricey for lunch, we thought it was absolutely worth every penny and would highly recommend the Pepper market. Many people mentioned that they had trouble communicating with the workers here. Although we did notice most of the folks had heavy accents, we had no trouble at all understanding anyone or making ourselves understood. When we were through, we walked our little cards to the cashier who totaled it all up, we signed our name and were off to check out Cabanas 8B.
Our room was 8550, which faced the water. It was very convenient to the dig although next time I will really push for 8a as that, to me, would be the optimum location if your focus is the pool. The room was great. I specifically paid attention to the carpet as I had heard it was worn and soiled. Well, our carpet was neither worn nor soiled. It looked to be in good condition and was clean. The room was all we could have wanted. My only complaint, and I admit it is a minor one, is that there was no remote control for the TV. I cant remember the last time I stayed somewhere that didnt have a remote control for the TV. We probably should have mentioned it to someone, as I am sure it was supposed to have a remote control, but we never did mention it. Maybe the last guests took it home by mistake.
Quick unpacking and change of clothes and off to The Dig. It was about a 1-minute walk from our room not bad at all. My only complaint, and again, I know its a small one, is that to get towels, you have to walk all the way around the pool and over to the snack bar area. Why dont they have the towels where you come in? Strange. Anyway, we grabbed a couple of lounge chairs and hopped in. Amanda immediately headed off for the slide. DH, Billy and I played around for a while and Amanda continued sliding. DH headed for the hot tub with Amanda while I continued attempting to bribe Billy to try the slide. He insisted that he wasnt scared; he just wasnt in the mood to slide, yeah, right! Finally, I got him, I offered him $1 to try it once and he would never have to do it again if he didnt like it. Well, you know how this ends right, we didnt see him again for several hours as he continued to slide and then slide some more. DH and I tried the slide too (its not just for kids you know!).
At about 4 pm DH and Amanda headed out to Disney Quest for the evening while Billy and I continued to swim and slide. We ate at the Siestas poolside snack bar for dinner. Huge cheeseburger and fries for Billy, nachos for me. Large portions, very reasonably priced too. As we were eating we struck up a conversation with a couple and their DD11. It was their first time at Coronado Springs too and they were loving it as much as we were. They were going on an Illuminations Cruise that night which they were sharing .low and behold, this was KevinD65 with his family! How exciting to meet another DISer! We chatted awhile and then they headed out to get ready for their cruise and we got ready to hop back in the pool. Well, lightning forced the closing of the pool and my disappointed son and I headed back to the room. We amused ourselves that evening by checking out the gift shop and arcade and getting some ice cream. We hit the hay at about 10:15pm and DH and DD are still not back from Disney Quest! They must be having a great time at this place
More later, sorry this is so long winded; guess I had more to say than I thought.
