Team Renfroe trip report with TONS of pics & reviews

[alan_renfroe]

With DD & DW taking a nap back at the resort, DS & I drove to Disney's Hollywood Studios. It was about 2:30pm when we arrived and we needed to leave by 4pm...so we knew we didn't have a lot of time. We took these pictures as we arrived.

As I'm sure most first-timers to Disney's Hollywood Studios do, we took a right and walked down Hollywood Blvd towards the Tower of Terror.

We checked the standby line time at Rock 'N Roller Coaster. It was about 40 minutes, so we decided to get fastpasses for later, then head over to the Hollywood Tower of Terror.

The standby time for Tower of Terror was only 20 minutes, so we got in line. We were in within 10 minutes or so.

Now, I have a confession to make. I can only think of three things that scare me in this life: clowns, mimes, and ghosts. It wasn't the falling part I was scared of...it was the freakin' ghosts! Anyway, my brave son...who was keeping up his end of our bet by riding everything, was all for it....so I "manned up", got brave, and went on!

I have to tell you...in my honest opinion....this was the best ride YET! DS & I LOVED IT! The attention to detail...the suspense...the storyline....awesome, awesome, AWESOME! I think this ride epitomizes what Disney World is all about. It's a thill ride, but packaged in a way that makes it more than just a thrill ride. Small children would be scared, but everyone else needs to ride this ride! The freefalls are SO much fun! You literally come off of your seat, repeatedly.

After Tower of Terror, we had about 50 minutes left to explore the park. We decided to go see whether or not Toy Story Midway Mania was open yet. When we got to that area, it was blocked off and several cast members were standing around the area. I asked one of the cast members, "can you tell us when Toy Story Mania will be open?" She said, "its official opening date in May 31st, but there will be preview days." (This was on the Tuesday before Memorial Day.) I told her that our last day at WDW was on Friday and that we were planning to come back to DHS on that day. I asked if she thought it would be open on Friday. She smiled, and politely said, "there will be some preview days!" (It was as if she couldn't tell me, but I definitely got the feeling she was trying to say that it WOULD be open by Friday.)

Next, we headed over to Star Tours. The standby line was posted at 20 minutes, so we got on. DS & I both enjoyed it very much, but not as much as Mission Space at Epcot. This is just your basic motion simulator. It is definitely worth riding, but I wouldn't stand in line for it for a long period of time.

After Star Tours, it was time for DS & I to get back to the resort.

I'm really glad DS & I made the trip to Disney Hollywood Studios on this afternoon. We were able to pick up fastpasses for Rock 'N Roller Coaster for later, and ride Tower of Terror AND Star Tours...not to mention finding out some information about Toy Story Midway Mania...not bad for an hour & a half!

Hopefully, DD would be feeling better and everyone would be ready for our Spirit of Aloha experience. Stay tuned....

 

[alan_renfroe]

My son and I just read your entire report so far. We are enjoying it so much. You have a precious family and you (and the lady at the GF) are right these are the best times of our lives. We cherish these moments with our children just like you do. We cannot wait to read the rest of this

I am amazed at the low crowd levels ~ it seems ya'll hit it just right. We went the first week of Dec. last year when the crowds are really supposed to be low and we did not have days that looked like yours do so far. May we ask which week in May you went? Someone may have already asked this and if they have I apologize.

Thank you very much for your kind comments! I'm so glad that you and your son are enjoying the report!

Our vacation was from Friday, May 16 - to Friday, May 23, 2008. We left WDW on the Friday before Memorial Day, so the crowds got a little bigger each day. By Friday, everything was really crowded.

 

[englishrose47]

Great Updates Alan!! I loved Pepper Market!!I had lunch there and had steak!

 

[NewCrew42]

Loving your report AR!

I just wanted to let you know, this is the best time of your life! My ds just turned 13 and we see a little bit of a snarky teen sneaking in. I am hoping we get thru the snarkiness quickly and advance to the engaging young man phase quickly!

Enjoy while you can!

 

[TCKK]

The Pepper Market looks like a really neat place. Looks like you and your son had a great time at DHS. Love you pictures and your report. Thanks again. Looking forward to the next part. This is really helping me survive the wait until our trip

 

[MAJ RN]

Your son is a total daredevil!! I cannot even look at the TOT without becoming faint . I hope that your daughter is feeling better before your dinner at Aloha. Waiting for more!!


Melissa

 

[alan_renfroe]

Great Updates Alan!! I loved Pepper Market!!I had lunch there and had steak!

Thanks, englishrose. If we were on the regular dining plan instead of the deluxe dining plan, we would probably have eaten there more often. I think it is a great value for a Counter Service credit.

Loving your report AR!

I just wanted to let you know, this is the best time of your life! My ds just turned 13 and we see a little bit of a snarky teen sneaking in. I am hoping we get thru the snarkiness quickly and advance to the engaging young man phase quickly!

Enjoy while you can!

Thanks NC42. We definitely realize it. When that lady said that to us at Narcoossee's, it was one of those "in the moment" times in life. I wish I could wrap my arms around that moment and relive it over and over. That's one of the reasons why I am enjoying putting this trip report together so much.

I know what you mean about the snarkyness. Our DS11 is sort of in a Pre-Snarkiness phase already! He's always been my little boy, but no longer. He used to call me daddy, and now it is dad all of the sudden. You may have noticed his long hair....that is HIS choice. He told us about 6 months ago that "only the nerds have short hair!" I started noticing, and he was right! All the cool kids his age at school have longer hair! It makes him look a little older. It was funny, because I noticed pre-teen and even teenaged girls checking him out at Disney! Some even tried to talk to him in a few of the que lines. He is an awesome kid.

The Pepper Market looks like a really neat place. Looks like you and your son had a great time at DHS. Love you pictures and your report. Thanks again. Looking forward to the next part. This is really helping me survive the wait until our trip

It is funny being at the Pepper Market, because it is right next door to the convention area. There are people in flip flops and tank tops having dinner at a table next to businessmen in suits! It is a strange mix...but everytime I would see the conventioneers, I would think, "those poor saps are having to work at Disney!" Better them than me!

Your son is a total daredevil!! I cannot even look at the TOT without becoming faint . I hope that your daughter is feeling better before your dinner at Aloha. Waiting for more!!


Melissa

It is so funny because last year we went to Myrtle Beach, SC on vacation and he wouldn't even ride a roller coaster with me! Since riding Space Mountain on our first day in the parks, he has turned into a thrill junkie! Before the week was over, he was wanting to do things I wouldn't do!

Thanks, Melissa. More to come.

 

[alan_renfroe]

After DS & I had a nice afternoon at Disney's Hollywood Studios, we drove back to Coronado Springs to get ready for our dinner reservations at Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian.

DD & DW had been napping, and DD was still feeling poorly. We asked her if she felt well enough to go to dinner, and she said she would try. So, we drove to the Polynesian for the Spirit of Aloha dinner. DD was definitely not doing well.

This would be the last picture from our experience:

DD was crying and asking to go to the restroom. DW took her to the restroom, but she was still feeling really badly. It was hotter than 4 hells that afternoon and soon DD was needing to leave. DW took her behind some bushes and she started vomiting.

The only reason we didn't cancel this reservation in the first place is because it was the only one we COULDN'T cancel. When we first arrived at Coronado Springs and checked in, we had to go to the Concierge desk to pick up our tickets for Spirit of Aloha.

With DD being deathly sick, I asked one of the cast members what I could do. She pointed me in the direction of a business desk and told me to go tell them my situation. DS & I went to the desk while DW took DD back to our van. The people at the business desk were SO nice and helpful. They refunded our dining credits....all 8 of them! (Spirit of Aloha requires 2 Ticket Service credits.) That's was really great of them to accommodate our situation.

DS & I rushed back to the van and got DD back to our room. Once she was back in the air-conditioned room, she settled down and went to sleep early.

Life still happens....even at Disney World! At this point, I was just worried about my daughter. It was NOT something she had eaten...it was a stomach virus. DW had made a comment the day before about someone on the bus from Epcot who was sick at their stomach, and hoped that none of us would catch it.

We had brought several snacks and things to eat in the room from home. DW suggested that DS & I go find a place to have dinner and she would stay with DD and eat in the room. Since DS wanted to see Fantasmic, we called the Disney Dining number to see what we could get at Disney Hollywood Studios. We tried Mama Melrose, but no luck.....50s Prime Time Cafe, no luck....Brown Derby, no luck...the only reservation we could get was at the Hollywood & Vine dinner buffet, so we took it.

Next installment - DS & I go back to Disney's Hollywood Studios, have dinner at Hollywood & Vine, and catch Fantasmic.

 

[Dcanoli]

Do you know what is my favorite part of reading TRs is?

I love seeing how each family "does Disney." We all do it COMPLETELY different!

My family does one park a day, from opening to close, and take one day off in the middle to do whatever we want. To me, that's the ONLY way; yet, I am completely amazed at how many different ways you can do a Disney trip.

To me, I never would consider an hour and a half in a Park, but I LOVE reading this TR and seeing how your family "schedules" everything.

I think that is a key ingredient to Disney's success. The fact that you can do a Disney vacation in so many different ways.

Great trip report! I know I've said it before, but it bears saying again! Good job Alan!

 

[Dcanoli]

Wow! Just read the next installment of your TR.

(You must have been posting at about the same time I was.)

That is FANTASTIC they refunded your TS credits! Way to go Disney! I can't believe they did that, but I'm glad they did!

Can't wait to read about H&V and Fantasmic!

You know what? This was a great way to have some good one-on-one time with your son. As parents, we don't get to do that a lot, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise!

 

[MAJ RN]

My youngest son, Alex, always gets sick on a trip no matter where we go. Thank goodness he has a wonderful physician who sends us with a script for antibiotics to fill if needed. I hope all goes well with your daughter and that she did get better. Illness always puts a damper on a vacation.

Melissa

 

[PilotWife]

Hi - I just started your trip report and wanted to say that I am from Alpharetta, Ga (military has us north of Nashville right now).....BUT I went home for the 2nd night of the Eagles concert. Loved IT. Great time, and I LOVE our new concert venue.

Great TR also.

Jennifer

 

[Figment's Friend]

Great update, Alan!
I never saw inside Pepper Market before - I love the theming in there! What you said about Tower of Terror.....that's exactly how I feel about it! The storyline/suspense/the TERROR! It's just brilliant. Aww I felt so bad about your DD getting sick, poor girl Looking forward to hearing about "a guy's night out at HS"

 

[alan_renfroe]

Do you know what is my favorite part of reading TRs is?

I love seeing how each family "does Disney." We all do it COMPLETELY different!

My family does one park a day, from opening to close, and take one day off in the middle to do whatever we want. To me, that's the ONLY way; yet, I am completely amazed at how many different ways you can do a Disney trip.

To me, I never would consider an hour and a half in a Park, but I LOVE reading this TR and seeing how your family "schedules" everything.

I think that is a key ingredient to Disney's success. The fact that you can do a Disney vacation in so many different ways.

Great trip report! I know I've said it before, but it bears saying again! Good job Alan!

In retrospect, we probably should have taken a "day off" at some point. We were really burning the candle at both ends...even though we took nice breaks in the middle of the day. But it was our first trip ever! We were just so excited to see what was next! I imagine that future trip itineraries will include more "down time."

We had not planned to do an hour and a half at a park, but DS & I didn't want to take a nap that day....so we got creative! I am a planner and like to plan things, but I also like to leave room for spontaneity!

Thanks for your kind comments, Dcanoli! You are right on the money...part of Disney's success is that everyone experiences the magic in different ways!

Wow! Just read the next installment of your TR.

(You must have been posting at about the same time I was.)

That is FANTASTIC they refunded your TS credits! Way to go Disney! I can't believe they did that, but I'm glad they did!

Can't wait to read about H&V and Fantasmic!

You know what? This was a great way to have some good one-on-one time with your son. As parents, we don't get to do that a lot, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise!

I thought that we were going to lose that dinner altogether, but wasn't it nice of the Disney folks to return the credits! Disney truly lived up to that customer service level we've always heard about.

As it turned out, DS & I did have some great quality time together. Next installment is coming up.

My youngest son, Alex, always gets sick on a trip no matter where we go. Thank goodness he has a wonderful physician who sends us with a script for antibiotics to fill if needed. I hope all goes well with your daughter and that she did get better. Illness always puts a damper on a vacation.

Melissa

Hey Melissa! I'm sorry to hear that Alex gets sick often on trips. That's no fun! I'm glad that you all have a physician that can fulfill his needs when the occasion arises.

Illness can definitely put a damper on a trip....especially one that is so highly anticipated, like our first trip to Disney! At this point, we are just hoping that it is a 24-hour thing.

Hi - I just started your trip report and wanted to say that I am from Alpharetta, Ga (military has us north of Nashville right now).....BUT I went home for the 2nd night of the Eagles concert. Loved IT. Great time, and I LOVE our new concert venue.

Great TR also.

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer! Welcome to my trip report! That is awesome that you live in Alpharetta! It's a small world after all!

We LOVED the Eagles concert. The venue in Alpharetta was really nice. We could have bought better seats, but we really wanted to take our kids to an Eagles show....so we went with lawn seats. Great food at the venue, also!

Great update, Alan!
I never saw inside Pepper Market before - I love the theming in there! What you said about Tower of Terror.....that's exactly how I feel about it! The storyline/suspense/the TERROR! It's just brilliant. Aww I felt so bad about your DD getting sick, poor girl Looking forward to hearing about "a guy's night out at HS"

Thanks for your concern about DD. She will survive...I promise!

 

[alan_renfroe]

So after unexpectantly having to leave the Spirit of Aloha dinner, we had to change plans. DD was sick with what we hoped was just a 24-hour stomach bug. DW was tired and more than willing to stay with DD. So, DS & I made a last-minute reservation for Hollywood & Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Here is a picture that DS took of me. I now look like a moron in my Parrot-laden Hawaiian shirt!

Anyway, we made our way over to Rock 'N Roller Coaster, where we had picked up fastpasses earlier. So....we had our first Rock 'N Roller Coaster experience! It was FANTASTIC! DS & I loved it SOOOO much! The takeoff was akin to being shot out of a gun! Throughout the ride, I was nervous as to how my DS was going to handle the inversions. He loved them! In fact, RNR coaster ended up being my son's favorite ride ALL WEEK!

We had time to ride the Hollywood Tower of Terror one more time before heading to Hollywood & Vine for dinner.

I was trying to decide if I liked RNR coaster better or ToT. It is not an apples-to-apples comparison....so it is hard to say. However, I think the sheer energy of Rock 'N Roller Coaster, (not to mention the fact that I am a HUGE Aerosmith fan,) made it my favorite of the two.

After our 2nd experience on Tower of Terror, it was time to head to dinner at Hollywood & Vine. Our reservations were for 6:45pm. We arrived about 10 minutes early, but it still took about 20 minutes to be seated.

Okay....brace yourselves, readers....because this one is about to get UGLY. Hands down, this was the WORST restaurant of our entire trip. This was AWFUL! How can you screw up a buffet this badly? Maybe I was just in a bad mood because I was worried about DD, but I would NEVER, EVER go back to Hollywood & Vine. DS was okay with it....but I hated it. I hated everything about it. I hated the server, I hated the food, the whole thing!

My son's favorite thing was the chicken nuggets. (That should tell you something right there!) To me, the nuggets tasted like a frozen dinner that had been nuked. These nuggets made McDonald's seem like gourmet!

Now, most of you have read my reviews and know that I am a POSITIVE person...but this was just bad. The only reason I am going on this rant is because I hope that the readers will not make the same mistake we made! We should have just had dinner at the Pepper Market or something.

Here is a picture of my plate:

Overall, I give this restaurant a 4.0 out of 10. The only reason I give it a 4, and not lower, is because the carving station was decent. The prime rib from the carving station was eatable. The salads were absolutely sub-par. Both the Caesar and the mixed green salads were soggy and had no crispiness whatsover. The veggies were so gross...it looked like lunchroom food! I thought I was in 10th grade again! Our server's name was Bing, and he barely spoke English.

When Bing brought the check, I started to just leave enough cash to cover the bill and a small gratuity....just so we could get out of there! I ended up giving him our card and using 2 credits from our dining plan. I told him not to add the gratuity, because I would leave cash. I did leave cash, but it was only for 10%. The service and the food were terrible.

I promise that you will not get anything negative from me for the rest of this report.... but this dinner was horrible. I'm so sorry if I offend any of the readers, but I feel obliged to give my honest opinion.

Here is where I wish we could have eaten:

After dinner, we rode the Great Movie Ride:

I enjoyed the Great Movie Ride, but the "Alien" part sort of freaked out DS. After riding, I knew that when we come back on Friday we should NOT let DD ride this....too scary.

So, now it's time for things to get better! It was about 8pm and DS & I headed to the Fantasmic arena. We got great seats! We were about 5 rows from the top and right in the middle.

Unfortunately, about 8:20pm DS decided he needed to go to the bathroom! This meant leaving our great seats! Fortunately, the family sitting next to us were able to hold our seats until we returned. A HUGE shout-out to that family for looking out for us!

We LOVED Fantasmic! It incorporated tons of Disney characters with special effects and fireworks. This was a great way to end our day!

After the show, we walked quickly to our van and beat the crowd. We were back at Coronado Springs by 9:50pm! After a long day, we headed to bed around 10:30pm.

Next up - Day 6 takes us to Animal Kingdom....and DD is feeling better!

 

[pmama]

So glad your DD gets to feeling better quickly. Poor thing.

So, now I'm glad I chose Mama's Melrose over Hollywood & Vine for Fantasmic package. Good to know!

I didn't realize the Great Movie Ride was so scary. Was hoping to visit w/ DD (almost 8) next time. Will have to rethink that.

 

[Dcanoli]

Hey Alan,

NEXT trip, sit in the FRONT row for Fantasmic!

We can usually get there late and get a front row seat (if that tells you anything)!!

BUT, my kids LOVE sitting up there and getting "wet!" (I have two boys--11 and 8.)

That show is FANTASMIC from any seat in the house!

I'm really surprised about H&V. We've never eaten there--3 times @ PTC only.

I wonder what the reviews are over at AllEars? I might have to check it out, only out of curiousity....

Glad I don't have a ressie for there this year! Heading to Sci-Fi this time around....

Keep up the trip report, but I'm already dreading it's end!!

 

[estherhead]

Just wanted to say 2 things. One, DH & I HATED Spirit of Aloha, others on here have enjoyed it, but we really disliked it. Disliked the food, disliked the show. So if something bad were going to happen & make you miss something, Aloha, in my opinion, was a good one to miss. Bummer about Hollywood & Vine, though. Hollywood Studios is so hard to get a meal at! They need more restaurants, and obviously, to make H&V a better one.

Smart move on the Great Movie Ride. We took my 7 yr old DD on it & she really freaked out. She rode everything, and only that did she melt down on. So I'm glad you got a chance to preview it & I wish we had!

Hope DW & DD had a great evening of rest & that tomorrow was a great day for you.

 

[englishrose47]

Oh Alan your poor daughter ! We had breakfast at H &V and really liked it! I had thought of thought of dinner there but am def. reconsidering !!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Oh Alan,sorry about your daughter.Hope she was'nt real bad+it soon settled down.I bet it was nice to have some father+son time though.Sorry about your manky food at H+V.Your son is braver than me when it comes to the rides,i have'nt rode Rock n Roller Coaster as i don't 'do' inversions(Aerosmith rocks by the way -we had 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' played at our Wedding reception for our first dance),and i still have'nt plucked up the courage to even ride Tower of Terror-although my dd7 has told me i WILL be riding it next year .Maybe i should have a plan like you have with your son,my dd7 will have to pay me to go on the rides .

p.s-still waiting for them pics .x.