Cal-Pie
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2011
- Messages
- 2,327
We’re back and I finally got the laundry done, so I have a minute to share a few things.
Desert Inn & Suites- This was our second time staying here, I have such a love/hate relationship with this place. Basically, I love the price and proximity, and I hate everything else
. It’s very clean, but very bare bones. We had a parlor suite on the 5th floor, but there is only one elevator that goes to the 5Th floor and it was far from our room, so that was really inconvenient. When we arrived on Friday night, there was a woman at the front desk on the phone with 911. Apparently, her suicidal boyfriend had been drinking and had locked her out of their room. By the time I checked in and left the lobby, several police officers had descended on the place, and the rest of my family was standing outside with the valet wondering what was happening. Within a few minutes, they had the man outside and into a police car. It was a really unfortunate incident, and I felt terrible for all involved, but not the best welcome for us, and it kind of freaked out my kids. I realize that this could happen at any hotel, anywhere, and was altogether really unfortunate. Even though I really don’t love DI&S, we would likely stay again if the price was right, I really love the extra space with teenagers.
Ticket Upgrades- I was able to upgrade 2 day 1park/day +maxpass tickets that I purchased last year to promo 3day/day + maxpass and MM for only $10! By the time I got through the line and got everything finished, it took about an hour start to finish. I noticed that the ticket booth lines were light mid-day, and really busy every night.
1 park/day tickets- This was the 1st time I haven’t purchased hoppers, and I really didn’t miss them. It worked great for us on a 3 day trip, but for a longer trip, I’d go back to hoppers.
Harbor Security- We arrived 30 minutes early every day and never had to wait at all. Never had any problems coming back from our afternoon breaks either.
Crowds- I felt like the crowds at DL Saturday weren’t too bad at all. Sunday was heavier at DCA because of Food & Wine, and Monday at DL was slammed. Even by 10am things were getting crazy. We took a longer afternoon break that day (boys did the Void and loved it). When we went back in the evening it started to drizzle and that thinned the crowds substantially.
F! Hungry Bear- We did this package Saturday night. The cashier wouldn’t let us order off the regular menu, so I kindly asked her to check with her supervisor. She did, and then let us order off the regular menu. While we were ordering, someone walked up without a reservation and they told her they were booked for the night. Because of that, we arrived at Harbor Galley at 7:20, and a small queue was already forming. The CMs kept things very organized, and began seating people at about 8:10. We sat right at the rail, and the section was completely full behind us. We enjoyed the show, but nearly froze to death by the time it was over, it was sooo chilly that night. The view of the fireworks was great afterward, but it was difficult to see much of the projections from MMM on the water screens.
Splash Mountain- I honestly don’t know what changed or when, but it is beyond a splash now. My kids were so wet, we had to take them back to the hotel to change. We will only ride with ponchos from here on out, which is unfortunate, because that’s a pain.
Blue Bayou- My first time! DH and I went for lunch on Monday. We got a great waterside table, and the service was good. He ordered the gumbo and ribeye, I ordered the salad and Montecristo, and we shared. Everything was yummy, and it was a really fun experience.
Pirates- I have bruises from Pirates! On our last ride Monday, there was some sort of emergency stop before the 2nd drop. The boat lurched so hard that I hit the bench in front of me, and I have bruises all across my chest and knees. My daughter’s knees are bruised as well. It hurt like heck, but it’s still my favorite ride!
All in all, we had a great time. The parks were beautiful, and 99% of the CMs were great. We’ll probably take a little break and return in late 19 or early 20 to see SWGE before my oldest turns 18 and fly’s the coop.
Desert Inn & Suites- This was our second time staying here, I have such a love/hate relationship with this place. Basically, I love the price and proximity, and I hate everything else
. It’s very clean, but very bare bones. We had a parlor suite on the 5th floor, but there is only one elevator that goes to the 5Th floor and it was far from our room, so that was really inconvenient. When we arrived on Friday night, there was a woman at the front desk on the phone with 911. Apparently, her suicidal boyfriend had been drinking and had locked her out of their room. By the time I checked in and left the lobby, several police officers had descended on the place, and the rest of my family was standing outside with the valet wondering what was happening. Within a few minutes, they had the man outside and into a police car. It was a really unfortunate incident, and I felt terrible for all involved, but not the best welcome for us, and it kind of freaked out my kids. I realize that this could happen at any hotel, anywhere, and was altogether really unfortunate. Even though I really don’t love DI&S, we would likely stay again if the price was right, I really love the extra space with teenagers.Ticket Upgrades- I was able to upgrade 2 day 1park/day +maxpass tickets that I purchased last year to promo 3day/day + maxpass and MM for only $10! By the time I got through the line and got everything finished, it took about an hour start to finish. I noticed that the ticket booth lines were light mid-day, and really busy every night.
1 park/day tickets- This was the 1st time I haven’t purchased hoppers, and I really didn’t miss them. It worked great for us on a 3 day trip, but for a longer trip, I’d go back to hoppers.
Harbor Security- We arrived 30 minutes early every day and never had to wait at all. Never had any problems coming back from our afternoon breaks either.
Crowds- I felt like the crowds at DL Saturday weren’t too bad at all. Sunday was heavier at DCA because of Food & Wine, and Monday at DL was slammed. Even by 10am things were getting crazy. We took a longer afternoon break that day (boys did the Void and loved it). When we went back in the evening it started to drizzle and that thinned the crowds substantially.
F! Hungry Bear- We did this package Saturday night. The cashier wouldn’t let us order off the regular menu, so I kindly asked her to check with her supervisor. She did, and then let us order off the regular menu. While we were ordering, someone walked up without a reservation and they told her they were booked for the night. Because of that, we arrived at Harbor Galley at 7:20, and a small queue was already forming. The CMs kept things very organized, and began seating people at about 8:10. We sat right at the rail, and the section was completely full behind us. We enjoyed the show, but nearly froze to death by the time it was over, it was sooo chilly that night. The view of the fireworks was great afterward, but it was difficult to see much of the projections from MMM on the water screens.
Splash Mountain- I honestly don’t know what changed or when, but it is beyond a splash now. My kids were so wet, we had to take them back to the hotel to change. We will only ride with ponchos from here on out, which is unfortunate, because that’s a pain.
Blue Bayou- My first time! DH and I went for lunch on Monday. We got a great waterside table, and the service was good. He ordered the gumbo and ribeye, I ordered the salad and Montecristo, and we shared. Everything was yummy, and it was a really fun experience.
Pirates- I have bruises from Pirates! On our last ride Monday, there was some sort of emergency stop before the 2nd drop. The boat lurched so hard that I hit the bench in front of me, and I have bruises all across my chest and knees. My daughter’s knees are bruised as well. It hurt like heck, but it’s still my favorite ride!
All in all, we had a great time. The parks were beautiful, and 99% of the CMs were great. We’ll probably take a little break and return in late 19 or early 20 to see SWGE before my oldest turns 18 and fly’s the coop.
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