When: Saturday December 20, 2003 to Saturday December 27, 2003
Who: DH age 53 first trip to WDW.
Me age 53 also first trip to WDW.
Where: We stayed at the Dolphin Hotel in a standard room for a $99.00 rate from 12/21/03 to 12/24/03. We paid the nurses rate of $139.00 per night for 12/25/03 and 12/26/03.
How: We flew on Song Airlines from Los Angeles to Tampa and rented a car to drive to Orlando. We had smooth, if crowded flights. The car rental went smoothly at both check out and return.
Overall Impressions:
Hotel We were very happy with the Dolphin Hotel and would stay there again. We were able to check into our room at 7:00am and get some sleep after an overnight flight. The beds are truly fabulous no waking up with sore backs here. We enjoyed the Fresh Restaurant very much and we had breakfast there each morning. Fabulous fresh juices made to order and great cherry jam that we fought over for our toast. Most of our other meals we ate in the parks. The hotel location was very good and close to everything in the Epcot area.
Weather We had fabulous weather. It was sunny and nice during the day and cool to cold at night. Some drizzle overnight, but no real rain. We couldnt have asked for better weather.
Crowds The parks were all busy, but manageable. The most crowded park seemed to be Animal Kingdom. We stayed only a half a day there due mostly to the crowds. I would love to go back here and roam around on a less crowded day.
Best Meals Besides Fresh at the Dolphin, we enjoyed the Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness and went there twice for dinner. We had a wonderful night at the California Grill on Christmas night. We were seated just as the fireworks started in the Magic Kingdom. We had a very nice late lunch at the café in the Grand Floridian next to the lounge where the afternoon tea is held. Unfortunately, we were not able to get reservations for the tea but maybe next time we go we will be able to attend. We also had a great lunch at the Brown Derby.
Trip Highlights Without a doubt the highlight of our trip was the Candlelight Processional. We had a dinner package for Christmas Eve for the 8:15pm show. We ate at the Coral Reef next to the huge aquarium which DH and I really enjoyed. There was a huge line to get into the Processional both for people with advance tickets and for walk-ins. We got great seats near the center of the theater. The production was narrated by Robby Benson and was just wonderful. The choir and orchestra sang and played their hearts out. If you go to WDW at Christmas time, try to go to this production. It is so worth it!
Other trip highlights included: Flights of Wonder show at the Animal Kingdom, the spectacular fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom, seeing the Christmas lights on the motor homes and tents in the Fort Wilderness campgrounds, all of the Christmas decorations in the parks and hotels, the movie in the French Pavilion at Epcot, the Illuminations show at Epcot, and all of the great meals!
The other really great thing about this vacation was that DH and I each lost five pounds. We ate very well, but we walked and walked and walked. DH says Disney should market WDW as a weight-loss destination!
Until we are able to return in person to WDW, I will continue to enjoy all of your trip reports.
mackathy
Who: DH age 53 first trip to WDW.
Me age 53 also first trip to WDW.
Where: We stayed at the Dolphin Hotel in a standard room for a $99.00 rate from 12/21/03 to 12/24/03. We paid the nurses rate of $139.00 per night for 12/25/03 and 12/26/03.
How: We flew on Song Airlines from Los Angeles to Tampa and rented a car to drive to Orlando. We had smooth, if crowded flights. The car rental went smoothly at both check out and return.
Overall Impressions:
Hotel We were very happy with the Dolphin Hotel and would stay there again. We were able to check into our room at 7:00am and get some sleep after an overnight flight. The beds are truly fabulous no waking up with sore backs here. We enjoyed the Fresh Restaurant very much and we had breakfast there each morning. Fabulous fresh juices made to order and great cherry jam that we fought over for our toast. Most of our other meals we ate in the parks. The hotel location was very good and close to everything in the Epcot area.
Weather We had fabulous weather. It was sunny and nice during the day and cool to cold at night. Some drizzle overnight, but no real rain. We couldnt have asked for better weather.
Crowds The parks were all busy, but manageable. The most crowded park seemed to be Animal Kingdom. We stayed only a half a day there due mostly to the crowds. I would love to go back here and roam around on a less crowded day.
Best Meals Besides Fresh at the Dolphin, we enjoyed the Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness and went there twice for dinner. We had a wonderful night at the California Grill on Christmas night. We were seated just as the fireworks started in the Magic Kingdom. We had a very nice late lunch at the café in the Grand Floridian next to the lounge where the afternoon tea is held. Unfortunately, we were not able to get reservations for the tea but maybe next time we go we will be able to attend. We also had a great lunch at the Brown Derby.
Trip Highlights Without a doubt the highlight of our trip was the Candlelight Processional. We had a dinner package for Christmas Eve for the 8:15pm show. We ate at the Coral Reef next to the huge aquarium which DH and I really enjoyed. There was a huge line to get into the Processional both for people with advance tickets and for walk-ins. We got great seats near the center of the theater. The production was narrated by Robby Benson and was just wonderful. The choir and orchestra sang and played their hearts out. If you go to WDW at Christmas time, try to go to this production. It is so worth it!
Other trip highlights included: Flights of Wonder show at the Animal Kingdom, the spectacular fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom, seeing the Christmas lights on the motor homes and tents in the Fort Wilderness campgrounds, all of the Christmas decorations in the parks and hotels, the movie in the French Pavilion at Epcot, the Illuminations show at Epcot, and all of the great meals!
The other really great thing about this vacation was that DH and I each lost five pounds. We ate very well, but we walked and walked and walked. DH says Disney should market WDW as a weight-loss destination!
Until we are able to return in person to WDW, I will continue to enjoy all of your trip reports.
mackathy
