Team Renfroe's 2nd Trip Report - 1,500 pictures, dining reviews, and DISmeets!

[alan_renfroe]

Sci-Fi is on the DDP and it takes 1 credit. The only difference is that they are on the DELUXE DDP and got to get the appetizer as well.

No OOP for you soulmates, it's included .

Yep, that's it. But I must say, if I were on the regular dining plan, I would probably not use a TS credit here. I would just get a shake and some onion rings, and save the TS for a dinner.

Thanks for the review! I'm just working on ADR plans for Sept and I think I'm going to have to find a way to work Sci Fi into the plans!

Keep 'em coming Team Renfroe!

Last year we ate at the 50s Prime Time Cafe on our DHS day. We really enjoyed it, but I've got to say I think we all liked Sci-Fi even better. If you are going to be at DHS around lunchtime, I would recommend Sci-Fi.

Hmm.. now I am 2nd guessing myself for not going here..but I think we will save it for next trip! I did love it it in there when we went in 2005, but did not LOVE the food, so I suppose we can wait one more year! Although that cheesecake looks fantabulous!! Your poor DD did not look like she wanted to be in any pics twds the end there

Hi IUM! That cheesecake was really, really good. I'm not kidding - it was one of my favorite desserts. In the future, we will try to make it to Sci-Fi for lunch on our DHS day. It was a blast!

Love the pics of Sci Fi we Love Sci Fi, the food is good, atmosphere is great! Thnks for sharing you have a beautiful family! looking forward to the rest!

Thanks nettii!

I'm in!! You've gotten off to a great start! We loved Sci-Fi for lunch too. I think it gets a bad rep here on the DIS!

Keep it coming, I can't wait to read more!!

Welcome aboard! I think you're right....we almost didn't make reservations for Sci-Fi, but Rosie convinced me! I'm so glad she did! We thought it was a really cool place. Our expectations were low....so we were pleasantly surprised.

I don't know how you eat all that food.!!!! We had the DDP and still thought it was a lot of food. Even with all the walking we still gained a few pounds. We thought Sci Fi was cute oddly quiet, but not one of our favs. Still don't have a favorite reseraunt at DHS. I'll keep reading your resteraunt reviews to try a new place to eat

The deluxe dining plan is WAY more food than you can possibly eat....but it is nice to sample many different menu choices. I must admit though....I ate ALL of my appetizer, entree, and dessert at Sci-Fi! (Whew! Was I FULL!)

You are soooo right about Sci Fi - not the greatest food, but combined with the atmosphere it is a perfect lunch spot. Don't know if I'd want to waste a TS credit for dinner, but lovedit for an out of pocked lunch.....

Now I'm REALLY looking forward to your FF review - that is our all time favorite in all of WDW!!!!

Spoiler alert!!! We loved FF also! They really spoiled us!

Morning Alan!!!

Hi Rosie! Hope you enjoyed our Sci-Fi pictures. We have YOU to thank for scheduling that restaurant.

Ok, we really need to give Sci Fi another shot. When we went it wasn't so much the food that turned us off- it was ok, nothing great, but we were in there for the atmosphere- but we didn't get a car. We got a table. Mediocre food at a table where everyone else is sitting in a car you'd like to be sitting in makes mediocre just no good at all. I think Cammie or Kara said they didn't see any tables on their last visit- did they take them out?

By the way, I wanted to tell you- love your shirt, Alan!!

Oh, that would suck to NOT be seated in a car! I didn't see any tables that weren't cars....but I really didn't notice. It is very dark in the dining area. I think it was all cars...but I'm not sure. Also, our server was cool and that makes a huge difference.

I figured you'd like that shirt, Ellen! I am possibly the world's biggest Buffett fan!!! For our wedding aniversary last year, we went to a Buffett concert in Atlanta!

Glad to hear you had a great meal at Sci Fi! DH and I ate here back in '06 and thought the atmosphere was really fun, I would love to go back and get a burger/shake/fries since everyone says their burgers are awesome. Maybe I can squeeze in a free dining trip...

Sci-Fi on free dining would be a good bet! Just stick with the basics, and don't expect any gourmet cuisine.....just great atmosphere and FUN!

Woo Hoo... another Team Renfroe report!!!! Loved the Sci-Fi review since we plan on trying that one out! Can't wait to read more... hope you and your family had fun!

Thanks portocall! We had a great time! Next chapter coming up.

 

[alan_renfroe]

After a wonderfully refreshing lunch at Sci-Fi, and a very successful morning of touring Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were ready to get back to the Coronado Springs Resort for a little "chill time" in the afternoon. As we were leaving DHS, we took a few pictures along the way:

It was now about 2pm, and we waited for a bus to take us back to Coronado Springs:

Once we got back to Coronado Springs, we decided to spend the afternoon at the Dig Site Pool!

Elizabeth and I decided to have ourselves a cocktail at Siesta's poolside bar:

We had a very relaxing afternoon just hanging out by the pool and enjoying our time together.

Coming up next, getting ready to go to dinner at Flying Fish, and our first-ever visit to the Boardwalk Resort.

 

[portocall]

Okay... your excitement is seriously contagious I will admit that Hollywood Studios is my least favorite of all the parks, but your pictures have actually gotten me excited to go for our November visit!

Also, please tell Juliana the picture she captured of the Disney sign was top knotch! I think she might be responsible for my own gonna be 9 year old to get his very own digital camera for his birthday (he has been asking)...

So while waiting until November, I am gonna live through your May trip as long as you don't mind taking me with you for the ride

 

[MeMom]

Thanks for the walk around Hollywood Studios. Great pictures!

Juliana is looking a little worn out in the Sci-Fi pics and at the bus stop. She looked very ready for some cool, relaxing pool time.

 

[stepdisney]

Okay, Okay....I must admit that I was one of the Sci-Fi bashers. We ordered too fancy because we were having dinner. I would love to go for lunch some time because that burger and those onion rings along with the milk shakes . We may go OOP for an afternoon of milkshakes and appys. That would work. Your trip report has my whole family very excited about our up-coming trip. We love how you tell a story. Can't wait to hear your take on the American Idol. (I'm actually thinking of auditioning ).

 

[karajeboo]

Ohhh, ur sitting on the hot seats on that bus!!! Ally always wants to sit there but Iguess the engine is back there or something - it's always so HOT!

Oh, and Ellen, yes there are still tables in Sci Fi.......

 

[inkedupmomma]

Alan, what are the names of said drinks..price and are they worth the price??

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love afternoon pool breaks! Aren't they the greatest? And I echo inkedupmamma's question on what are the drinks you ordered? They both look yummy! Can't wait to hear about Flying Fish!

 

[bucci818]

Finally caught up! You have me thinking that AM EMH are a good thing. Now, to convince my DH! I'm glad you got to get so much done in the morning, and then relax by the pool. I've never considered SciFi before, but I may have to take a second look at that. We want to go to FF, so I can't wait to see how your family liked it. So, I'll patiently wait for more....

 

[Lorettainny]

Great report. I love all the pictures and your family is great!!!!

We also enjoyed the Sci Fi. We did not have very high expectations walking in because of all the reviews on the DIS. I also agree that it gets a bad rap. I would go back again. The atmosphere is pretty special in there.

Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[Lady Lallie]

The kids look like are slowly refreshing with that pool break!

 

[jezaduck24]

Your report is really killing me - we are staying at Coronado in September and it just looks fabulous in your pictures!
Hey, btw - how are the bartenders at the pool bar? Are they generous with their pouring? After full mornings in the parks schlepping 2 toddlers and a double stroller, I am looking forward to frosty adult bevs!

 

[WillowBelle]

What a great day, so far! I can't get my DDs to want to leave the parks to go back to the pool. I told them this trip that I was going to have to do laundry at least once and they could swim, they said they'd rather go to the arcade!

 

[micandminforever]

The HS pictures were great. I enjoy eating at the SciFi, because it brings back childhood memories. I believe I have actually watch all the movies instead of just clips.

I thought of you and your family this weekend. My dh started his bike ride today at Cedartown Ga. and headed toward Ala. he only made it to Piedmont, but he was headed your way. He has a cousin that starts at Jacksonville sometimes and they meet at Piedmont and bike ride on the trail.

Looking forward to your reviews of FF.

 

[Camster0307]

All caught up Alan! Great morning at DHS! Well done, my friend. I wish I could drag my girls out of bed for early EMH - you do accomplish alot!

Love Aerosmith. Love Rollercoasters. Helllllllooooo? Rode twice? I have yet to ride ONCE!

We love SciFi also. I go in with low expections. The experience is worth dining there but I did enjoy our burgers also. Very fun!

Elizabeth and I decided to have ourselves a cocktail at Siesta's poolside bar:

And dude - the drinks look really YUMMY! What are they?

 

[TigerKat]

Can't wait to hear about FF and your impressions of my favorite place in all of WDW, the Boardwalk!!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Ooooh...those drinks at Siesta's look so good. One of the things I am going to miss most about not being at Disney this year--drinks at Siesta's.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Okay... your excitement is seriously contagious I will admit that Hollywood Studios is my least favorite of all the parks, but your pictures have actually gotten me excited to go for our November visit!

Also, please tell Juliana the picture she captured of the Disney sign was top knotch! I think she might be responsible for my own gonna be 9 year old to get his very own digital camera for his birthday (he has been asking)...

So while waiting until November, I am gonna live through your May trip as long as you don't mind taking me with you for the ride

I think your 9-year-old would love having a digital camera! Juliana has really enjoyed hers. I think she's got potential as a photographer!

You just feel free to live vicariously through this report....in fact, go ahead and consider yourself an honorary Renfroe!!

Thanks for the walk around Hollywood Studios. Great pictures!

Juliana is looking a little worn out in the Sci-Fi pics and at the bus stop. She looked very ready for some cool, relaxing pool time.

She was definitely tired - but nothing that a nice afternoon at the pool couldn't fix!

Okay, Okay....I must admit that I was one of the Sci-Fi bashers. We ordered too fancy because we were having dinner. I would love to go for lunch some time because that burger and those onion rings along with the milk shakes . We may go OOP for an afternoon of milkshakes and appys. That would work. Your trip report has my whole family very excited about our up-coming trip. We love how you tell a story. Can't wait to hear your take on the American Idol. (I'm actually thinking of auditioning ).

Hey, I totally understand on the Sci-Fi thing. We just happened to have a great server and didn't get overly complicated with our order....and I definitely think that makes a difference. There are so many great options for dinner in Disney World that I don't think we would ever do Sci-FI. However, if you are at DHS around lunchtime, I actually liked it better than 50s Prime Time Cafe.

Thanks for your great compliments! I am glad you are enjoying the report! and you should DEFINITELY audition for American Idol!

Ohhh, ur sitting on the hot seats on that bus!!! Ally always wants to sit there but Iguess the engine is back there or something - it's always so HOT!

Oh, and Ellen, yes there are still tables in Sci Fi.......

Hahaha...that's hilarious! They weren't hot for us...but I can see how they could get that way. There is definitely some rumble going on back there!

Alan, what are the names of said drinks..price and are they worth the price??

Oh, I forgot to identify the drinks! The one on the left is called a Raspberry Crush = $8.75. The one on the right is called the Fiesta Margarita = $9.20. They are a little pricey, but given the incredible atmosphere, you can't beat having a big tropical drink while watching the kids have fun in the pool.

I love afternoon pool breaks! Aren't they the greatest? And I echo inkedupmamma's question on what are the drinks you ordered? They both look yummy! Can't wait to hear about Flying Fish!

Yay for afternoon pool breaks! We swear by them! Info on the drinks are posted above. They were both yummy!

Finally caught up! You have me thinking that AM EMH are a good thing. Now, to convince my DH! I'm glad you got to get so much done in the morning, and then relax by the pool. I've never considered SciFi before, but I may have to take a second look at that. We want to go to FF, so I can't wait to see how your family liked it. So, I'll patiently wait for more....

If you want to convince DH, just tell him that everyone can ride all of the rides they want to experience by LUNCHTIME! Then, you have the entire afternoon to nap, rest, swim, etc. Three words: NAPS ARE GOOD! (You can quote me on that.)

Great report. I love all the pictures and your family is great!!!!

We also enjoyed the Sci Fi. We did not have very high expectations walking in because of all the reviews on the DIS. I also agree that it gets a bad rap. I would go back again. The atmosphere is pretty special in there.

Can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks very much! I would definitely go back to Sci-Fi for lunch. The movies were a riot!

The kids look like are slowly refreshing with that pool break!

ah, yes....we are ALL getting refreshed! LOVE afternoon breaks!

Your report is really killing me - we are staying at Coronado in September and it just looks fabulous in your pictures!
Hey, btw - how are the bartenders at the pool bar? Are they generous with their pouring? After full mornings in the parks schlepping 2 toddlers and a double stroller, I am looking forward to frosty adult bevs!

I hope you all will love Coronado Springs as much as we do! I've got lots more resort pictures in future postings, so stay tuned.

The bartenders at Siesta's are THE BEST ANYWHERE!! Francisco is the main guy, and another guy named Adrian is a hoot! They spar with the patrons and really make you feel like you are chillin' in paradise. The thing I love the most about Siesta's is that they make you feel like you are at some high-end resort in the Caribbean. I swear, one day I am going to plan an entire day just sitting at Siesta's!!! Oh, and they have good food also. They serve hamburgers, nachos, etc. If we were anywhere OTHER than Disney World, we would just hang out at the Dig Site pool area and Siesta's all the time!

 

[alan_renfroe]

What a great day, so far! I can't get my DDs to want to leave the parks to go back to the pool. I told them this trip that I was going to have to do laundry at least once and they could swim, they said they'd rather go to the arcade!

Our kids love leaving the parks after lunch. They enjoy the break....and when it gets hot in the middle of the day, we would rather be chillin' in the pool!

The HS pictures were great. I enjoy eating at the SciFi, because it brings back childhood memories. I believe I have actually watch all the movies instead of just clips.

I thought of you and your family this weekend. My dh started his bike ride today at Cedartown Ga. and headed toward Ala. he only made it to Piedmont, but he was headed your way. He has a cousin that starts at Jacksonville sometimes and they meet at Piedmont and bike ride on the trail.

Looking forward to your reviews of FF.

Thanks, micandminforever! Our kids, especially Wil, got a big kick out of the cheesiness of the movies at Sci-Fi!

Oh wow! Your DH is really, REALLY close to us. We go walking on that trail all the time. Here between Jacksonville, Alabama and the Georgia state line, the trail is called the Ladiga Trail....and it is really beautiful. Sometimes, Wil and I ride our bikes on the trail as well. I have only been as far as Piedmont. I would love to get in better shape and eventually be able to ride to Cedartown and back.

All caught up Alan! Great morning at DHS! Well done, my friend. I wish I could drag my girls out of bed for early EMH - you do accomplish alot!

Love Aerosmith. Love Rollercoasters. Helllllllooooo? Rode twice? I have yet to ride ONCE!

We love SciFi also. I go in with low expections. The experience is worth dining there but I did enjoy our burgers also. Very fun!

And dude - the drinks look really YUMMY! What are they?

I LOVE that line! Love Aerosmith. Love rollercoasters. Hellloooo? Classic Stacey. Wil and I really DO love that ride. I've got a feeling that Lauren might start getting braver and MAKE you ride!!! Just close your eyes and SCREAM!!

Those drinks were very refreshing. Elizabeth had the Raspberry Crush and I had the Fiesta Margarita. YUM!!! (Can you believe it is day 2, and we are just now getting a cocktail? What's up with that?)

By the way, Juliana got Lauren's 'thank you' card and it thrilled her to death! Tell Lauren she has definitely got a little sis in Alabama!

Can't wait to hear about FF and your impressions of my favorite place in all of WDW, the Boardwalk!!!!!

Here's a spoiler alert.................LOVE the Boardwalk!

Ooooh...those drinks at Siesta's look so good. One of the things I am going to miss most about not being at Disney this year--drinks at Siesta's.

I knew if ANYONE would appreciate those pictures from Siesta's, it would be you!!! Don't you just LOVE that place?

 

[alan_renfroe]

After a very relaxing afternoon at the Dig Site pool at Coronado Springs Resort, it was time to get ready for dinner and our afternoon back at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

We decided to drive to Disney's Hollywood Studios instead of taking the bus, because we had dinner reservations at the Flying Fish at the Boardwalk. We thought about just driving to the Boardwalk and walking over to DHS, but it was still really, really hot, so we wanted to park as close as possible.

Now.....this is when we had a scary moment.

The tram was loading in our section of the parking lot to take guests to the front gate of the park. I said, "Hurry, everyone! Let's get to the tram before it leaves!" I got to the tram and jumped on. Juliana and Elizabeth followed. As the two of them got on, the driver of the tram yelled into the microphone, "NOBODY else is to get on! We are leaving now! Absolutely no one is to get on!" Wil didn't know what to do. He is a good kid, and didn't want to not follow orders. We were telling him, "C'mon Wil! Get on RIGHT NOW!" But he wouldn't because the driver said not to. The tram was not even full, but the driver was hell bent on leaving at that particular moment.

As the tram left, we could see fear in Wil's eyes as he was left behind. Elizabeth yelled, "YOU LEFT MY SON!" Then, some *****y woman yelled back at her, "No, lady....YOU left your son!" I yelled to Wil, "just stay right there and I'll be back for you!"

When the tram stopped, I got off and headed back down the path. The driver stopped me and said, "You can't go back that way!" I said, "you left my son, dude. I've got to go get him." He then showed me how to get back to where he was. I took off walking as fast as I could. After a few hundred yards, my cell phone rang. It was Elizabeth telling me that Wil had called her. He had just taken the next tram and would meet us at the entrance.

Wil is a very mature 12-year-old...but that was a really scary moment. He is a calm kid, and knew exactly what to do. From that point on, I always made sure that Elizabeth, Wil, and Juliana were boarded on ANY transportation system before I got on.

So now that we are all back together and back at the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios, we were ready to put the whole event behind us and get back to having fun.

Uh....yet another snag....

Elizabeth realized that she had left her Key to the World back in the hotel room. She had accidentally grabbed her PhotoPass card instead of her admission card. So, we had to go to guest services. Fortunately, they were extremely friendly and helpful. They issued her a new card that would allow her admission. He even drew a little Mickey Mouse figure on the new card. Now I was confused at this point..... I thought he was telling us that the card with the Mickey Mouse on it was a temporary card, and that we were to throw it away and use the other card for the remainder of the trip. (As I would later find out, that is NOT what he said!)

SO.....FINALLY.....we are back at DHS!

The park was suppose to close at 7pm. Our original plan was to use our FastPasses for Toy Story Mania, and then catch the American Idol finale show of the day. We thought that since the park was closing at 7pm, the last show would probably be at 6pm. Wrong! The final American Idol show of the day was going to be at 7pm. Our dinner reservations at the Flying Fish were at 7:45pm, so we knew we would not have time to see the 7pm show.

We decided to go see the 6pm American Idol show instead, and then ride Toy Story Mania. This plan worked out just perfectly!!

The American Idol Experience was wonderful!!! We are big fans of the show. Being a musician myself, when the show first came on the air I thought it was just glorified karoke. However, during the show's 4th season, I started watching it. Bo Bice is from Helena, Alabama, which is where my best friend lives. I wanted to see what all the hype was about. I got hooked! Since then, our entire family has enjoyed watching the show. We were really excited about catching the American Idol Experience at DHS.

The set is amazing! You actually feel like you are getting the experience!

The three contestants for this show were all females, two of which were probably too old to have competed on the actual television show.

The judges were close replicas of Randy, Simon, and Paula. The Simonesque character was Australian....and he was the "Bad Cop" in the good cop/bad cop scenario.

The first contest had a pleasant voice. She had a likeability, but something was telling me that she would not be the best of the three.

The second contestant was not very good at all. I couldn't help but think, "I am better than her! Maybe I should have tried out for this! It would certainly have been fun!"

The third contestant was CLEARLY better than the other two. Not surprisingly, she won the competition. I wish we could have seen the final show of the day! I would have loved to have seen how our winner stacked up against the other winners of the day.

After the American Idol Experience, we went back to Toy Story Mania and used our FastPasses. This was Elizabeth and Juliana's third time to ride today, and second time for Wil and I.

Coming up next, our last Toy Story Mania experience for the day, exploring the Boardwalk Resort, and dinner at the Flying Fish.