cbonewjersey
Babooey
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 171
Friends,
I spent months planning and researching for this Summer's visit to the world. Some things paid off, some didn't and I hope this (horribly long) post helps some of you. This board is a major lifeline for me in all aspects Disney, and even US.
Background: DVC member; 2nd trip home to home property BLT; August 22-28 plus 29 (Irene!!!). DH (me), DW, DS11, DS8.
Pre-bought tix: 7-day PH from UT; Universal Studios - used AMEX and Hilton points, and bought the Express Pass in advance ($24/day/person).
We had the earliest (0630) flt from Newark. Arrived by 9am, got Magic Express right away, no issues, except that CR/BLT is always the last (4th!!) stop - so you're pulling your hair out by the time you get there.
So, at the CR desk by 10. I did onlilne check-in - YOU MUST DO THIS! If you don't that's fine, you just make the lives of us, those that do, easier. I got the Welcome Home; the folder was ready for me, and at 10am, the room was ready for us!! 1 BR Std View. (we'll get to that). The concierge put my UT tickets onto the KTTW cards, and we were off.
The room - I requested 5th floor, any even number because that's the bridge floor and even numbers are outside view. What we got was 1st floor (7141), inside view
. We all know that room requests are just wishes, so I didn't make a stink. The room was great. clean, not run down. bigger laundry area than last year (7512) and easier to get to the pool. There is no privacy so curtains had to stay closed.
Off we went to MK - a 5 minute walk
It was far more crowded that Sunday and for a few days more, then it dropped off rapidly. Sun-Mon was DW, then Tues-Wed we went to US and IOA (WWoHP), then Thurs-Sun would be DW, but Irene extended this to Monday. I will get to that later.
Parks were all amazing as usual. DS8 finally did some more rides, but he still needed a stroller. It's embarassingly funny to see him in this thing, but it really makes the day easier because he gets so hot and tired. On this trip we organized several Epcot DRs and went to Sanaa at AKL. Hands down, Via Napoli, Hacienda de San Angel and Sanaa are the best disney meals we have had. I like Napoli even better than Tutto Italia, and I loved TI, but it's a much harder reservation.
Back to the room: WE HAD A MOUSE. 1st morning, DW sees it. Stays calm. Comes to me and tells me she saw it. What I didn't tell her was that I thought I felt it while we slept - I thought it was her foot, but when I looked...she was too far away. So I called the front desk, they sent in Pest Control while we were out and they got it. They also said that if they didn't they would move us.
UNIVERSAL.....this is key. 1) we took taxis - had all the flexibility, and it was less than $50 with tip each way for four people. 2) we did US the first day. Got there by 8am, went to kiosk to get the EPs and it was out of paper, so we had to go to the window, but it worked fine. 3) got in for rope drop at 9 but only a few rides are open before 0930. 4) went right to the Mummy Ride, were the first car of the day. This is by far the most intense ride that is not an outdoor major coaster. It's dark, very fast, goes backwards - it is terrifying to DS8, but we got it out of the way and went on to other rides. 5) this was a crazy hot day. I didn't get a stroller right away and paid the price. I went back to get one and learned this..a) more expensive than DW, and b) you can only rent day by day - you can't rent for multiple days to save time. 6) we saw 4 cockroaches on the ground at US, very suprising. 7) does seem to have more bathrooms than DW, or just easier to find.
A big tip for US and IOA...bring your AAA card. you save 10% on almost everything, even food at some places.
Best part of US - Simpsons, Mummy, MIB, ET. Worst - Twiser, Jaws. Just don't bother.
Next day was IOA - much better park because of the water rides in the heat, Harry Potter and Spider Man. SpiderMan is just the most fun you can have sitting down. Nothing to be afraid of, really - just fun! and it's being re-done with updated software and graphics in 2012. Water Rides - let's just say these are the wettest rides I have ever been on. Girls/moms - wear bras! Unless you don't want to, which is also fine with me - I have sons, and I'm a typical male. Sorry. Bluto's Bilge Rat rapids make KRR look boring and dry in comparison. You might as well be fully submerged.
On toHarry Potter. We did this FIRST. This was the biggest decision of the day. I was monitoring on my UT app the wait-times on all rides for weeks and days leading up, and FJ just doesn't get quiet if you don't want to do single rider. When rope drops, people just make a bee line through Seuss landing and right to WWoHP....and it's a long walk. So we went right there, and the wait was less than 30 minutes, and it goes all through the castle. Note: don't dawdle...you can always go back just to see the castle and not disupt the cue. The ride is amazing. I can see why people vomit every day on it, but it's very good. WANDS...if the line for Olivanders is too long, and it was, you can buy wands in two other places (a kiosk outside of Hogwarts and an anteroom at the exit of Olivanders), and the selection is amazing. the wands are beautifully made. All about $30. Butterbeer is not as nasty as I expected. Pretty good on a hot day.
Now DVC and Hurricane Irene - we were stranded. flights cancelled had to stay an extra day, so we had to sort out the room, and the park tickets. I go to CR and they give me 2 choices, both to stay in the same room. 1) discounted cash rate of $359 !! Wow - G-d bless DVC!!, or 2) use points, but if I used points I had to call MS. So while standing at Pirates in MK, I called MS, borrowed 33 from my Dec 2011 UY and done! very easy. And for the park tickets, DW and DS8 only used 6 days, while DS11 and I went to Wishes after IOA...so to add an extra day PH, was $17 total, even though I paid so little with UT. A great deal, and Disney made it all very easy.
Last thoughts: 1.)The BLT pool is just way too small for as many people as they have on a hot day. 2) the same pool needs more umbrellas...it's hotter than Dinoland. 3) The EPs at US/IOA were worthwhile on about 70% of the rides. 4) the food is pretty good at US/IOA. 5) the childswap is awesome at US..the big rides have quiet rooms, with TV and games for those waiting to be swapped. 6) AKL is beautiful. Had dinner there, which was amazing, but it's FAAAR from everything. I see lots of debates about DVC properties, but convenience to a park/parks has to be the major factor. If it's all buses all the time, then I have no interest. 7) the TOTW lounge in BLT is very nice. You have to get let up there because you have to be a member to go. If you rent points, you cannot go up.
Sorry for the long post. But this board saved my butt in so many ways...i wanted to return the favor.
I spent months planning and researching for this Summer's visit to the world. Some things paid off, some didn't and I hope this (horribly long) post helps some of you. This board is a major lifeline for me in all aspects Disney, and even US.
Background: DVC member; 2nd trip home to home property BLT; August 22-28 plus 29 (Irene!!!). DH (me), DW, DS11, DS8.
Pre-bought tix: 7-day PH from UT; Universal Studios - used AMEX and Hilton points, and bought the Express Pass in advance ($24/day/person).
We had the earliest (0630) flt from Newark. Arrived by 9am, got Magic Express right away, no issues, except that CR/BLT is always the last (4th!!) stop - so you're pulling your hair out by the time you get there.
So, at the CR desk by 10. I did onlilne check-in - YOU MUST DO THIS! If you don't that's fine, you just make the lives of us, those that do, easier. I got the Welcome Home; the folder was ready for me, and at 10am, the room was ready for us!! 1 BR Std View. (we'll get to that). The concierge put my UT tickets onto the KTTW cards, and we were off.
The room - I requested 5th floor, any even number because that's the bridge floor and even numbers are outside view. What we got was 1st floor (7141), inside view
. We all know that room requests are just wishes, so I didn't make a stink. The room was great. clean, not run down. bigger laundry area than last year (7512) and easier to get to the pool. There is no privacy so curtains had to stay closed.Off we went to MK - a 5 minute walk
It was far more crowded that Sunday and for a few days more, then it dropped off rapidly. Sun-Mon was DW, then Tues-Wed we went to US and IOA (WWoHP), then Thurs-Sun would be DW, but Irene extended this to Monday. I will get to that later.Parks were all amazing as usual. DS8 finally did some more rides, but he still needed a stroller. It's embarassingly funny to see him in this thing, but it really makes the day easier because he gets so hot and tired. On this trip we organized several Epcot DRs and went to Sanaa at AKL. Hands down, Via Napoli, Hacienda de San Angel and Sanaa are the best disney meals we have had. I like Napoli even better than Tutto Italia, and I loved TI, but it's a much harder reservation.
Back to the room: WE HAD A MOUSE. 1st morning, DW sees it. Stays calm. Comes to me and tells me she saw it. What I didn't tell her was that I thought I felt it while we slept - I thought it was her foot, but when I looked...she was too far away. So I called the front desk, they sent in Pest Control while we were out and they got it. They also said that if they didn't they would move us.
UNIVERSAL.....this is key. 1) we took taxis - had all the flexibility, and it was less than $50 with tip each way for four people. 2) we did US the first day. Got there by 8am, went to kiosk to get the EPs and it was out of paper, so we had to go to the window, but it worked fine. 3) got in for rope drop at 9 but only a few rides are open before 0930. 4) went right to the Mummy Ride, were the first car of the day. This is by far the most intense ride that is not an outdoor major coaster. It's dark, very fast, goes backwards - it is terrifying to DS8, but we got it out of the way and went on to other rides. 5) this was a crazy hot day. I didn't get a stroller right away and paid the price. I went back to get one and learned this..a) more expensive than DW, and b) you can only rent day by day - you can't rent for multiple days to save time. 6) we saw 4 cockroaches on the ground at US, very suprising. 7) does seem to have more bathrooms than DW, or just easier to find.
A big tip for US and IOA...bring your AAA card. you save 10% on almost everything, even food at some places.
Best part of US - Simpsons, Mummy, MIB, ET. Worst - Twiser, Jaws. Just don't bother.
Next day was IOA - much better park because of the water rides in the heat, Harry Potter and Spider Man. SpiderMan is just the most fun you can have sitting down. Nothing to be afraid of, really - just fun! and it's being re-done with updated software and graphics in 2012. Water Rides - let's just say these are the wettest rides I have ever been on. Girls/moms - wear bras! Unless you don't want to, which is also fine with me - I have sons, and I'm a typical male. Sorry. Bluto's Bilge Rat rapids make KRR look boring and dry in comparison. You might as well be fully submerged.
On toHarry Potter. We did this FIRST. This was the biggest decision of the day. I was monitoring on my UT app the wait-times on all rides for weeks and days leading up, and FJ just doesn't get quiet if you don't want to do single rider. When rope drops, people just make a bee line through Seuss landing and right to WWoHP....and it's a long walk. So we went right there, and the wait was less than 30 minutes, and it goes all through the castle. Note: don't dawdle...you can always go back just to see the castle and not disupt the cue. The ride is amazing. I can see why people vomit every day on it, but it's very good. WANDS...if the line for Olivanders is too long, and it was, you can buy wands in two other places (a kiosk outside of Hogwarts and an anteroom at the exit of Olivanders), and the selection is amazing. the wands are beautifully made. All about $30. Butterbeer is not as nasty as I expected. Pretty good on a hot day.
Now DVC and Hurricane Irene - we were stranded. flights cancelled had to stay an extra day, so we had to sort out the room, and the park tickets. I go to CR and they give me 2 choices, both to stay in the same room. 1) discounted cash rate of $359 !! Wow - G-d bless DVC!!, or 2) use points, but if I used points I had to call MS. So while standing at Pirates in MK, I called MS, borrowed 33 from my Dec 2011 UY and done! very easy. And for the park tickets, DW and DS8 only used 6 days, while DS11 and I went to Wishes after IOA...so to add an extra day PH, was $17 total, even though I paid so little with UT. A great deal, and Disney made it all very easy.
Last thoughts: 1.)The BLT pool is just way too small for as many people as they have on a hot day. 2) the same pool needs more umbrellas...it's hotter than Dinoland. 3) The EPs at US/IOA were worthwhile on about 70% of the rides. 4) the food is pretty good at US/IOA. 5) the childswap is awesome at US..the big rides have quiet rooms, with TV and games for those waiting to be swapped. 6) AKL is beautiful. Had dinner there, which was amazing, but it's FAAAR from everything. I see lots of debates about DVC properties, but convenience to a park/parks has to be the major factor. If it's all buses all the time, then I have no interest. 7) the TOTW lounge in BLT is very nice. You have to get let up there because you have to be a member to go. If you rent points, you cannot go up.
Sorry for the long post. But this board saved my butt in so many ways...i wanted to return the favor.
And I love your attitude about everything...the mouse...the hot days...the hurricane. 
