Team Renfroe trip report with TONS of pics & reviews

[TigerKat]

Alan - No need to feel you're offending anyone with a negative review of H&V. You're helping us all make educated decisions on where to use our credits and $$$.

I'm so sorry your DD was sick, hopefully it was only a 24 hour bug.

 

[heaven2dc]

I hope your daughter starts to feel better by the next morning so she can enjoy the rest of your trip! She looked like she was having so much fun at Typhoon Lagoon - maybe the rest at the hotel was just what she needed to get back into full swing again.

It was great that you were credited back your 8 DDP points from the luau - I've always wondered what would happen if you couldn't make a show like that if someone got sick and how Disney would accomodate it. As far as your opinion of H&V, it would have been a disappointing experience for anyone with the lack-luster food.

Anxious to read more!

 

[KatMark]

Alan, you gave H&V a higher ranking than we would have. We've been there twice and will never go back again. We thought the dinner food terrible. I am so enjoying reading your report...one of the best reports I have ever followed.

 

[peightonmom]

I'm sorry your dd got sick!But that was great to get your credits back.

 

[Figment's Friend]

Don't worry, Alan, I'm NOT very fond of H&V either! It was the worst TS meal of our trip last year . And from what I read on the Restaurants thread, most Disers will agree! Glad you and DS loved Rock 'n Rollercoaster so much, it's so fun! But I'm even happier your DD was feeling better!

 

[Bibbidi]

Hollywood and Vine is our least favorite restaurant of all time at Disney. We've been there on two separate occassions as a family (I also went as a kid in the 90's with my parents--didn't like it then either) - I keep hoping that one day it will get converted to something new.

Your trip report is wonderful - the pictures are great. Hoping for your dd to feel better in the next installment.

 

[alan_renfroe]

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.

There is a section on the Great Movie Ride where the alien creature from the movie "Alien" comes down from the ceiling. Who puts "Alien" in the same category as "The Wizard of Oz" and "Casablanca" anyway? It was just a very bizzare experience.

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!!

Hey DCanoli! I'll have to remember to sit up front next time. DS & DD would love to be splashed, I'm sure!

There are others who really like H&V, but to me if the salad is bad it is only going to go downhill from there.

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.

Hello, estherhead! I've definitely heard mixed reviews about Spirit of Aloha. I do know this....even if we did not have to leave, it would have been so hot it would be difficult to sit there for 2 hours. BUT, it couldn't be any worse than Hollywood & Vine!

I'm glad to hear someone else agrees with me about the Great Movie Ride. We almost really enjoyed it...except for the alien part. I just thought it was so unnecessary.

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 !!

Hi, englishrose! I could imagine that breakfast at Hollywood & Vine would be just fine...breakfast buffets usually are. I was looking at the picture of my plate of food from H&V closely, and you can tell that the lettuce is wilted and soggy. Others may really love it, but it definitely was not my cup of tea.

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.

Thanks for your concerns, x. Not to give anything away, but DD will survive!

You've GOT to try Tower of Terror! It is just too cool and technologically advanced to pass up! You don't want to disappoint DD7 now do you?

Oh...those pics....I, um...yeah....

Alan - No need to feel you're offending anyone with a negative review of H&V. You're helping us all make educated decisions on where to use our credits and $$$.

I'm so sorry your DD was sick, hopefully it was only a 24 hour bug.

Thanks, TigerKat. I hate to leave negative feedback almost as much as I hate to complain about something at a restaurant. I just had to be honest!

I hope your daughter starts to feel better by the next morning so she can enjoy the rest of your trip! She looked like she was having so much fun at Typhoon Lagoon - maybe the rest at the hotel was just what she needed to get back into full swing again.

It was great that you were credited back your 8 DDP points from the luau - I've always wondered what would happen if you couldn't make a show like that if someone got sick and how Disney would accomodate it. As far as your opinion of H&V, it would have been a disappointing experience for anyone with the lack-luster food.

Anxious to read more!

Hello, C family! This just in....DD will live to play another day!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Alan, you gave H&V a higher ranking than we would have. We've been there twice and will never go back again. We thought the dinner food terrible. I am so enjoying reading your report...one of the best reports I have ever followed.

Wow...glad to know I'm not the only one. I have to admit that I was really worried about DD being sick, and that may be part of the reason I was so critical.

Thanks VERY much for your kind remarks, Kathy & Mark!

I'm sorry your dd got sick!But that was great to get your credits back.

I really didn't expect to get the credits back, but it allowed us to finish our trip without paying for any food out of pocket.

Don't worry, Alan, I'm NOT very fond of H&V either! It was the worst TS meal of our trip last year . And from what I read on the Restaurants thread, most Disers will agree! Glad you and DS loved Rock 'n Rollercoaster so much, it's so fun! But I'm even happier your DD was feeling better!

Thanks, Figment's Friend. We did love us some Rock 'N Roller Coaster!

Hollywood and Vine is our least favorite restaurant of all time at Disney. We've been there on two separate occassions as a family (I also went as a kid in the 90's with my parents--didn't like it then either) - I keep hoping that one day it will get converted to something new.

Your trip report is wonderful - the pictures are great. Hoping for your dd to feel better in the next installment.

Hey, Bibbidi! Glad to know you agree with us about Hollywood & Vine. I guess there's a reason we were able to get last minute reservations there, huh?

Thanks so much for your kind comments!

Alan

 

[alan_renfroe]

We woke up early on Day 6, anxious to see how DD was feeling. Fortunately, she was feeling MUCH better! She was, however, still a little tired from being so sick. We asked her if she was up for spending the day at Animal Kingdom and she assured us that she was.

I took this picture of a beautiful sunrise at Coronado Springs:

Since we now had extra credits on our deluxe dining plan, we decided to go to the Pepper Market and have a quick breakfast before heading off to Animal Kingdom.

It was an Extra Magic Hours morning, so Animal Kingdom was opening at 8am. Since we were hurried, I didn't bother taking pictures of our breakfast...but it was really good! and it was HUGE! We could have split two breakfasts among the four of us.

Okay, so now we're off to Animal Kingdom.

We got there just a few minutes after rope drop. DD spotted a store that sold Webkinz, so she and DW decided to check it out. Meanwhile, DS & I headed straight to Expedition Everest.

We got fastpasses, but the standby line was only 10 minutes, so we went ahead and got on!

Afterwards, we met back up with the girls and headed to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Next installment - Kilimanjaro Safaris.

 

[Shazzie B]

So glad your DD was feeling better, you can tell by the photos though that she wasn't 100%. Hope she enjoyed AK, it's my DD favourite.

Did they not do pancakes at Pepper Market? We love your pancakes!

 

[krmlaw]

Alan, so glad your DD got better so soon! There is nothing worse than having a sick child and not being able to make them feel better

I too completely agree with you about H & V. We had to go there for the fantasmic package, the other restaurants were booked. DH and DS thought it was the worst restaurant at Disney. I thought it was the worst restaurant period. No wonder why its easy to get ADRs there!

Your pics are awesome! We are staying at CSR too, going to MK and Epcot and TL, so I just LOVE your report. Cant wait for more!

 

[TigerKat]

So glad to hear that your DD was feeling well enough to get back to her vacation!!!!

How'd you guys like EE????

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Just found your trip report and am so glad I did! It is wonderful! Your family is beautiful! So glad that you DD is feeling better! Can't wait to read more!

 

[CHEK]

Wow I've had a bit of catching up to do......., sorry that your DD had an upset tummy, I don't think there's anything worse than being sick, but then again I'm a wimp when it comes to being sick and want my Dad! (nothing better than your Dad when your sick ). Pepper market looks like a great idea . And how brave are you and your DS, I hate RNR and so did my eldest DD last year , never managed to do ToT yet so that's on the cards for Feb . Great photo's of your day at Animal Kingdom & Everest Did you do Kali River Rapids????

 

[MickeyNicki]

So sorry your daughter was ill, I know how she feels because that happened to me Oct 06....I tried to muddle through it but it was soooo hot outside that I think the heat made me feel worse!

I agree with you 100% about H&V DH and I ate there once, Dec 05 and it was so disgusting! The food, the service and the cleanliness of the entire place was just plain terrible.

 

[alan_renfroe]

So glad your DD was feeling better, you can tell by the photos though that she wasn't 100%. Hope she enjoyed AK, it's my DD favourite.

Did they not do pancakes at Pepper Market? We love your pancakes!

Hi, Shazzie B! Thanks for your kind wishes for DD. You are definitely right...she was not back to 100%, but she was a trouper!

Come to think of it, I don't think they had pancakes at the Pepper Market! Hmmm....

Alan, so glad your DD got better so soon! There is nothing worse than having a sick child and not being able to make them feel better

I too completely agree with you about H & V. We had to go there for the fantasmic package, the other restaurants were booked. DH and DS thought it was the worst restaurant at Disney. I thought it was the worst restaurant period. No wonder why its easy to get ADRs there!

Your pics are awesome! We are staying at CSR too, going to MK and Epcot and TL, so I just LOVE your report. Cant wait for more!

Thanks, krmlaw. I'm glad you are enjoying the report!

So glad to hear that your DD was feeling well enough to get back to her vacation!!!!

How'd you guys like EE????

Hi TigerKat! Oh yeah....I totally forgot to mention....Expedition Everest was MY FAVORITE in all of Disney World! I could ride it over and over and over. It was intense, but not too intense. The best part, by far, was going backwards into the mountain. Oh yeah!! AWESOME! DS loved it to, but he liked Rock 'N Roller Coaster a little better. I loved both, but if I could only ride one it would be Expedition Everest.

My new top 5 favorite attractions in the World:
1 - Expedition Everest
2 - Rock 'N Roller Coaster
3 - Tower of Terror
4 - Crush 'N Gusher
5 - Space Mountain

 

[TigerKat]

Hi TigerKat! Oh yeah....I totally forgot to mention....Expedition Everest was MY FAVORITE in all of Disney World!

I love it too! I'll never forget my first time riding I was seated with a young boy (DH & DS were behind me) who was riding for the second time. When he heard it was my first time he proceeded to give me a play by play of what was going to happen right before it happened.....

 

[alan_renfroe]

Here are some random photos I took before we got to Kilimanjaro Safaris:

Next up - Kilimanjaro Safaris

 

[pepperw23]

Wow, I really have enjoyed your trip report...my boss not so much becasue I have not gotten a thing done today....he'll get over it though cause I never "goof off" lol.

Looks like you guys really had a good time. You guys do Disney like us...whatever we decide to do at the moment minus the dinner ressies, that is the plan.

Glad DD was able to get up and around for Animal Kingdom. Bless her little heart, but tell her that just means you guys will need to plan another trip so she can go and not get sick.

 

[alan_renfroe]

We all rode Kilimanjaro Safaris together. We let the kids take several pictures of the animals along the way:

We LOVED Kilimanjaro Safaris. It was already getting really hot that day, so it was nice to sit back and enjoy the ride through the savannah.

Our kids' favorite animal was the Thompson's Gazelles.

Continued in next post...