WDWDecember
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 98
First off, a BIG thank you to this board. I planned our trip almost exclusively by tips here and it paid off big time! 
Part I: Amtrak to WDW
We took Amtrak from Penn Station in NYC to Orlando. Three adults, one four and a half y.o. We were in Coach the entire time. Honestly, it wasn't too bad. The train was on time to FL and actually early into NYC on the way back. Dh had the hardest time sleeping, but he's tall and couldn't really get comfortable. But we brought our own food and drinks and so saved $ and ate better than most. Next time I think we'll splurge and get sleeping cars or do the Autotrain but really, the long train ride was less painful than flying out of Newark. Of course most New Jerseyans know that.
Part II: Transport from train station to our resort (POFQ)
Following advice here, we used Tiffany Town Car (am I allowed to post this name? Sorry in advance if I'm not!). They were great. On time, brought us to the grocery store. Definitely worth the $.
Part III: Our resort, POFQ
I have no basis for comparison but this place is wonderful! We were very pleasantly surprised to find our room had a river view (even though we didn't pay extra for this when we booked via AAA). The people were very nice, our son kept getting beads and little plastic coins from staff wherever he went. The dining place they have there was very flexible in allowing us to trade stuff on our DDP.
Part IV: Dining
We were all on the basic DDP.
The first night we took the boat to DTD. It's a lovely ride and we got to see those cool treehouses they're building for DVC. We kind of want to join DVC but we're waiting to see how the economy goes.
At DTD we used our Quick Service credits for a meal at WPE. It was excellent. Sorry- we didn't take pics of food. I'll come back later and post pics I took of the T Rex Restaurant.
Second day, we had lunch at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. It was very good food. That place is just soooo crowded though, with the mobs of people going to the Soarin' ride. They need to enlarge that area by the escalators.
We had dinner at Coral Reef. I've posted elsewhere about our disappointing meal here. The food was good but we got horrible C.S. Luckily, this was our first and last encounter with bad cast members.
All of our entrees were great. The best part of the meal were the desserts.
Third day Lunch in the MK at Columbia Harbor House (QS). We all had the fish and chips baskets. Very yummy and huge portions.
Dinner was at O'Hana's. Everything was wonderful, food was plentiful. The shrimp and the beef were the best. The bread pudding was amazing. I couldn't believe it but my health conscious Dh actually said 'yes' when our server offered seconds on the break pudding. Our son had fun with the activities going on. We all walked out of there stuffed and covered with leis. I highly recommend it.
Fourth day Lunch at Cosmic Ray's in the MK (QS). Food was good, portions very large.
Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. Our server (Michelle) was awesome- so nice! The food was very good (we all had prime rib, son had the chicken kid's meal). The desserts, however, were a little disappointing. I suppose it's hard to top the chocolate wave and O'Hana bread pudding. The chocolate buckle (which I got) was by far the best dessert (we tried all three).
Fifth and last day. Breakfast at WPE. We had to try the breakfast pizza which is as good as the pics here show.
In the parks we used snack credits on things like popcorn and icecream bars. We used four credits at Googy's in DTD (and we're still eating some of the confections- they really are enormous).
All in all, if you like to eat a sit-down dinner then I recommend the regular Dining Plan. But if you're happy with quicker meals/fast food I'd probably either pay OOP or go with the new QS dining plan. The DDP really only pays itself off (for adults) if you get a nice sit down dinner.
Part V: The parks
Well, I knew it'd be a crowded time to go and that Soarin would be popular but I was still shocked at how popular Soarin really is!! (see below)
First day, Dec 28. (we had park hoppers).
We arrived at AK just as the park opened. We went to Dino dig and then my son decided he wanted to ride on Dinosaur. Well, we all went and I have to tell you, this ride is terrifying! It's incredibly jerky and the dinosaurs are almost touching you. Unfortunately our son LOVED this ride. He and Dh went one more time while me and my Mom waited outside. After this, we quickly exited AK and I had to lie and tell my son that AK was closed for the holidays for the rest of the trip because he kept wanting to go back on the Dinosaur ride. TG he wasn't scared to death by it.
We then went over to Epcot. Stupid me, I figured I'd just head over and get FPs for Soarin'. I got FPs at 10:35 a.m., the earliest ride time was 9:30 p.m.
Needless to say, we didn't ride Soarin' that day.
We went on Spaceship Earth, Ellen's Universe of Energy ride (son LOVED the dinos in this one too- thankfully, it's not scary at all), Livin' with the Land, and Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Then we went back to the resort to swim, because it was 80 degrees the whole time we were there
. Then we went back to Epcot for dinner. Before dinner we did the Seas with Nemo and Turtle talk. We left just as Illuminations was starting. It was a great day.
Second day
Arrived at MK just prior to park opening and stayed the whole day. Went around and got FPs for Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear ride, and Jungle Cruise. Stood in line for eons to go on Haunted Mansion (twice- son loved this ride as well) and for Pirates (twice). We went on that big boat that just cruises around for awhile- it was very nice and we also went around the park on the train. We saw the Mickey Christmas parade. Then we went to an early dinner at O'Hanas and made it back to the resort in time to swim.
Third day Arrived at Epcot prior to opening, rushed over to get FPs for Soarin' and rode at 10:00 a.m. We all LOVED this ride. We only did it once because it's just insanely popular. It's worth it though. We did Universe of Energy again and then headed over to the MK. {Note: buses from park to park were so much faster than the monorail}.
At the MK we did Buzz Lightyear again and again and also the Haunted Mansion. We did Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Pirates ride again. Then we went back to AK so my son could ride Dinosaur one last time {after it conveniently 'opened' again during the holidays, LOL}.
The next day we left to come home.
As you can see, we made good use of our park hoppers and didn't spend anytime doing character stuff. My son just wasn't into it and we weren't going to force it. We also used buses for all our tranportation and never had to wait or stand on a bus. I guess we got lucky in that department.
The crowds at the parks were impressive, especially after 10 a.m. But luckily we knew to expect that. Our son is a good traveler. We didn't use a stroller, but Dh did have to carry ds on his shoulders quite often.
The parks were awesome! We liked Epcot the best. The MK IS magical though. We're definitely fans now and will return as often as possible.
Part I: Amtrak to WDW
We took Amtrak from Penn Station in NYC to Orlando. Three adults, one four and a half y.o. We were in Coach the entire time. Honestly, it wasn't too bad. The train was on time to FL and actually early into NYC on the way back. Dh had the hardest time sleeping, but he's tall and couldn't really get comfortable. But we brought our own food and drinks and so saved $ and ate better than most. Next time I think we'll splurge and get sleeping cars or do the Autotrain but really, the long train ride was less painful than flying out of Newark. Of course most New Jerseyans know that.
Part II: Transport from train station to our resort (POFQ)
Following advice here, we used Tiffany Town Car (am I allowed to post this name? Sorry in advance if I'm not!). They were great. On time, brought us to the grocery store. Definitely worth the $.
Part III: Our resort, POFQ
I have no basis for comparison but this place is wonderful! We were very pleasantly surprised to find our room had a river view (even though we didn't pay extra for this when we booked via AAA). The people were very nice, our son kept getting beads and little plastic coins from staff wherever he went. The dining place they have there was very flexible in allowing us to trade stuff on our DDP.
Part IV: Dining
We were all on the basic DDP.
The first night we took the boat to DTD. It's a lovely ride and we got to see those cool treehouses they're building for DVC. We kind of want to join DVC but we're waiting to see how the economy goes.
At DTD we used our Quick Service credits for a meal at WPE. It was excellent. Sorry- we didn't take pics of food. I'll come back later and post pics I took of the T Rex Restaurant.
Second day, we had lunch at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. It was very good food. That place is just soooo crowded though, with the mobs of people going to the Soarin' ride. They need to enlarge that area by the escalators.
We had dinner at Coral Reef. I've posted elsewhere about our disappointing meal here. The food was good but we got horrible C.S. Luckily, this was our first and last encounter with bad cast members.
All of our entrees were great. The best part of the meal were the desserts.
Third day Lunch in the MK at Columbia Harbor House (QS). We all had the fish and chips baskets. Very yummy and huge portions.
Dinner was at O'Hana's. Everything was wonderful, food was plentiful. The shrimp and the beef were the best. The bread pudding was amazing. I couldn't believe it but my health conscious Dh actually said 'yes' when our server offered seconds on the break pudding. Our son had fun with the activities going on. We all walked out of there stuffed and covered with leis. I highly recommend it.
Fourth day Lunch at Cosmic Ray's in the MK (QS). Food was good, portions very large.
Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. Our server (Michelle) was awesome- so nice! The food was very good (we all had prime rib, son had the chicken kid's meal). The desserts, however, were a little disappointing. I suppose it's hard to top the chocolate wave and O'Hana bread pudding. The chocolate buckle (which I got) was by far the best dessert (we tried all three).
Fifth and last day. Breakfast at WPE. We had to try the breakfast pizza which is as good as the pics here show.
In the parks we used snack credits on things like popcorn and icecream bars. We used four credits at Googy's in DTD (and we're still eating some of the confections- they really are enormous).
All in all, if you like to eat a sit-down dinner then I recommend the regular Dining Plan. But if you're happy with quicker meals/fast food I'd probably either pay OOP or go with the new QS dining plan. The DDP really only pays itself off (for adults) if you get a nice sit down dinner.
Part V: The parks
Well, I knew it'd be a crowded time to go and that Soarin would be popular but I was still shocked at how popular Soarin really is!! (see below)
First day, Dec 28. (we had park hoppers).
We arrived at AK just as the park opened. We went to Dino dig and then my son decided he wanted to ride on Dinosaur. Well, we all went and I have to tell you, this ride is terrifying! It's incredibly jerky and the dinosaurs are almost touching you. Unfortunately our son LOVED this ride. He and Dh went one more time while me and my Mom waited outside. After this, we quickly exited AK and I had to lie and tell my son that AK was closed for the holidays for the rest of the trip because he kept wanting to go back on the Dinosaur ride. TG he wasn't scared to death by it.
We then went over to Epcot. Stupid me, I figured I'd just head over and get FPs for Soarin'. I got FPs at 10:35 a.m., the earliest ride time was 9:30 p.m.
Needless to say, we didn't ride Soarin' that day.We went on Spaceship Earth, Ellen's Universe of Energy ride (son LOVED the dinos in this one too- thankfully, it's not scary at all), Livin' with the Land, and Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Then we went back to the resort to swim, because it was 80 degrees the whole time we were there
. Then we went back to Epcot for dinner. Before dinner we did the Seas with Nemo and Turtle talk. We left just as Illuminations was starting. It was a great day.Second day
Arrived at MK just prior to park opening and stayed the whole day. Went around and got FPs for Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear ride, and Jungle Cruise. Stood in line for eons to go on Haunted Mansion (twice- son loved this ride as well) and for Pirates (twice). We went on that big boat that just cruises around for awhile- it was very nice and we also went around the park on the train. We saw the Mickey Christmas parade. Then we went to an early dinner at O'Hanas and made it back to the resort in time to swim.
Third day Arrived at Epcot prior to opening, rushed over to get FPs for Soarin' and rode at 10:00 a.m. We all LOVED this ride. We only did it once because it's just insanely popular. It's worth it though. We did Universe of Energy again and then headed over to the MK. {Note: buses from park to park were so much faster than the monorail}.
At the MK we did Buzz Lightyear again and again and also the Haunted Mansion. We did Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Pirates ride again. Then we went back to AK so my son could ride Dinosaur one last time {after it conveniently 'opened' again during the holidays, LOL}.
The next day we left to come home.
As you can see, we made good use of our park hoppers and didn't spend anytime doing character stuff. My son just wasn't into it and we weren't going to force it. We also used buses for all our tranportation and never had to wait or stand on a bus. I guess we got lucky in that department.
The crowds at the parks were impressive, especially after 10 a.m. But luckily we knew to expect that. Our son is a good traveler. We didn't use a stroller, but Dh did have to carry ds on his shoulders quite often.
The parks were awesome! We liked Epcot the best. The MK IS magical though. We're definitely fans now and will return as often as possible.
