SSR Dec8-18th

[boettj]

Well we arrived at Disney World yesterday. The flight down on SWA was uneventful. A direct flight non the less.

The decision to rent a car came from a discussion from another thread on whether to rent or not. I can already tell you that I am very happy to have a rental at our command.

We are staying in the Paddock. Not too bad. It's only a studio, but it's very nice. I will take some pictures tomorrow and upload them over the next couple of days.

Day one - We took it easy and just went to dinner at the Turf Club. I noticed that the dinner selection seemed to be limited, http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_turfdin.htm.

Day two - We went to MK. I made reservations at the GF Cafe for breakfast. Here is another plug for a car if you are a true blue New Englander. Stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get a coffee before heading out to breakfast. Not bad at all. We valeted the car, so we could park at GF and go to MK. Which worked out better than leaving the car at the transportation center. The DW made reservations at the Concourse Steakhouse for dinner. Since we valeted the car at GF, you can valet it anywhere at no additional charge. Well there is the tip, but that is not too bad.

What I noticed and wanted to bring your attention was the menu, http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_cs.htm. If you go to the link above, and then go to this one, you will notice that there is not much difference. I asked out waiter what the deal was. He told us that the chef's at the different restaurants no longer help plan the menu. Disney was losing 1.5 million on food a week. So they put four top chefs in an office to come up with a more common meal plan to erase the debt.

Our waiter went on further to tell us that many of the restaurants are following this similar food plan. I believe the reason they are losing the money is the food plan itself. We have heard from another source that several of the restaurant's are going to not be included in the dining plan come January. My guess about this is to restore the restaurant to it's culinary independence, the y, Disney, had to break it down.

I will add more tomorrow.

 

[Pennyguy23]

We are going down jan 1st. What places aren't on DDP anymore?

 

[Doctor P]

Hate to be harsh, but your love of the rental car comes from using it inappropriately. Parking at a resort to go to a theme park is neither permitted, nor respectful of other guests. I'm sure it was very convenient for you, but imagine if all DVC members did it. It's simply not fair to the guests at the resort at which you are parking. Perhaps you were not aware of this (though I believe there are signs at the resorts that indicate this) or didn't think about it. Hope the rest of your trip is great.

 

[boettj]

I know that Teppanyaki, the Japense restaurant in Epcot is not going to be on the DDP as of January.

I believe there is a list somewhere of them. When I get a break, I will look for that list.

 

[Doctor P]

I know that Teppanyaki, the Japense restaurant in Epcot is not going to be on the DDP as of January.

I believe there is a list somewhere of them. When I get a break, I will look for that list.

It is possible that that is because the restaurant is closing for a while. Let's hope because I know a lot of people love to eat there.

 

[boettj]

Doctor P

When we arrived at GF for our breakfast, we asked if it were possible to park and go to the parks from GF. They told us that we could use the valet, $7, and go to the parks from GF. They told us this was acceptable at all of the WDW resorts. When we went to the Contemporary for dinner, we checked with them as well, and they told us it was fine as well.

That was not our original intention. Originally, we were going to park for breakfast, then my DW was going to take the DC's to MK on the monorail. However, we changed our mind when the gate told us we could valet and leave the car there.

The main reason that we like to have a car is our schedule. We usually are at the parks when they open. Lunch is at 11:30, and we head back to our room for a nap at 12:30. We don't return to the parks until 4ish. Usually just before dinner. Then we stay until the park closes. The DC have never melted down when using this plan. They are tired and go straight to sleep, but no melt downs like we see all over the park. Where parents have pushed their children to the breaking point.

 

[boettj]

2006 DDP - http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages06a.htm
2007 DDP - http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages07a.htm

Above are the links to Allearsnet's information on the dinning plan. However, they don't list Teppanyaki on this either 2006 or 2007. I will look into this more. The person that told me some of the restaurants are going off of the DDP is all things Disney. This may be a case where they are wrong. I will ask where they got their information.

 

[DMKEDM]

Teppanyaki's IS on the dining plan...both this year and next...likely the mistake came because the list doesn't show it under the "T's" (which is where I'd look for it!), but under the M's" (Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki)...I made the same mistake looking for ALfredo's (my son's all-time favorite WDW restaurant)...it's not under the "As," but under the "L's" (L'Originale Alfredo di Roma)...

Anyway, for Teppanyaki fans, it is on the DDP ...

Happy Holidays!

 

[Judique]

Hate to be harsh, but your love of the rental car comes from using it inappropriately. Parking at a resort to go to a theme park is neither permitted, nor respectful of other guests. I'm sure it was very convenient for you, but imagine if all DVC members did it. It's simply not fair to the guests at the resort at which you are parking. Perhaps you were not aware of this (though I believe there are signs at the resorts that indicate this) or didn't think about it. Hope the rest of your trip is great.

Parking is definitely permitted if you pay for valet as the above poster would have had to have done at Grand Floridian. DVC members get free valet at DVC resorts, not at regular Disney resorts.

 

[Doctor P]

Doctor P

When we arrived at GF for our breakfast, we asked if it were possible to park and go to the parks from GF. They told us that we could use the valet, $7, and go to the parks from GF. They told us this was acceptable at all of the WDW resorts. When we went to the Contemporary for dinner, we checked with them as well, and they told us it was fine as well.

That was not our original intention. Originally, we were going to park for breakfast, then my DW was going to take the DC's to MK on the monorail. However, we changed our mind when the gate told us we could valet and leave the car there.

The main reason that we like to have a car is our schedule. We usually are at the parks when they open. Lunch is at 11:30, and we head back to our room for a nap at 12:30. We don't return to the parks until 4ish. Usually just before dinner. Then we stay until the park closes. The DC have never melted down when using this plan. They are tired and go straight to sleep, but no melt downs like we see all over the park. Where parents have pushed their children to the breaking point.

Regardless of what you were told, and this has been confirmed in other threads on this board, you are NOT to park at a resort, valet or otherwise, for the purpose of entering a theme park. Getting a three hour pass and returning within the three hours is in a gray area. Why have the parking lots at MK if all one needs to do is make a PS at a resort and pay their valet fee instead of the MK parking fee (think about off-site guests with respect to this example)? As far as I know, and others have posted the signs, there still are signs up saying that you can't park for the theme parks at any of the resorts. I'm glad you asked, but think about respect for other guests as well.

 

[Doctor P]

Parking is definitely permitted if you pay for valet as the above poster would have had to have done at Grand Floridian. DVC members get free valet at DVC resorts, not at regular Disney resorts.

What is the source of your information other than urban legend? This has been a well-debated topic on these boards and the bottom line of the discussions has been, contrary to urban legend, this is NOT allowed. Otherwise, there would be no parking for resort guests or parking for visitors to the resort. Why should I, as a day guest, ever park in the lot at MK or Epcot if this is the policy????

 

[boettj]

This thread was not started for a debate over Disney parking policies. If everyone wants to debate this, then please start another thread.



Thank you.

 

[Pluto 2]

its hard to believe that disney was losing money on food.

 

[boettj]

I started my day at 4am when the DB woke up. My DW gave her a bottle, but she would not go back to sleep. I took her and she finally went back to sleep. However, that was it for me. I got up at 6am, and went to Dunkin Donuts for a tea and Ice coffee.

The DW chose for us to eat at Artist Palette. The options are limited. I don't mean to keep hoping on the limited bit about the food plan. However, things have definitely changed since our family trip last October.

We arrived at 10am at Epcot. The whole family went on Space Ship Earth. From their we went into Innovations West. Being a volunteer fire fighter for over 10 years, I love their display with the fire truck and the house for the kids. We walked around and went through the the different displays.

Next we went on Nemo. The DF all loved this new ride. It appears that a lot of thought went into this ride. I definitely thing the 20 minute ride was worth it.

After a short lunch, I took the DK over to the Test Track, but it was offline. They were having a mechanical issue. We will head back another day.

We spent the rest of the day over by Morocco, Japan, and the US.

Both my DW and I agree that we love Disney this time of year. The decorations are wonderful. The weather is perfect. They have my vote over MNSSHP.

Tomorrow the DW goes to The Spa to get some well deserved R&R.


Take care for now.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Sounds like you are having a great time!!

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your vacation!

 

[Sammie]

Actually this is a case of Disney policy and pixie dust. The policy is as Doctor P, stated, no access to parks from resort parking lots including valet. If you contact Disney via their site they will be glad to share this with you. Also the valet CM probably could care less about official policy and only wants the tip for parking the car.

What happened was you were dusted with pixie dust. However when that is shared on a Net forum that is read by thousands, then pretty soon that pixie dusting will cease to exist. Some things are best not shared, just as your favorite fishing hole.

Glad you are having a good time. Has the menu changed at Artist's Pallette?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Hey Jason

All i want to know is how is the tree . We are on the list after you under tmt martins .

Hope you guys have a great time.

 

[boettj]

Liferbabe

I was reading your signature and it reminded me of a comment my DD 4 said on the car ride from the airport. "But the real Disney World is warm". Bill Cosby had it right with the show, Kids Say the Darnedest Things.

Anyhow, day three is a relaxing day with no plans. Other than the DW going to the SPA. Probably the pool and maybe a walk around Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk.



No Worries.

 

[boettj]

The tree is great and a huge hit with the kids. It's a table top with that has the lights on it. They also have ornaments in the box. There are additional lights as well.

I was a little concerned with the amount of free space we have at the studio. However, it turned out perfect. The tree is on the table.


What day do you arrive here?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

The tree is great and a huge hit with the kids. It's a table top with that has the lights on it. They also have ornaments in the box. There are additional lights as well.

I was a little concerned with the amount of free space we have at the studio. However, it turned out perfect. The tree is on the table.


What day do you arrive here?

Thanks

We get in on the 18th