michelle2139
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2006
- Messages
- 8
Disney Trip 12/10-12/16 Family of 4
Let me start off by saying we had a Terrific trip!!!
This is our 2nd trip to Disney, last trip was Dec of 2003.
Who went- husband, son 10, daughter 7 and myself. We loved the Holiday time last trip so decided to go again same time and take the kids out of school. I feel it is great family time and both of the kids teachers felt the same (although my 10yr old will have a lot of homework to make up) they both wrote daily in their journals while we were there.
I will try and stick to the high lights of the trip, any questions I ask away and I will be happy to answer. I received so much great info from this board, Thank You!
Trip Planning-
We used the services of Dreams Unlimited, Shirley was our agent. The service was excellent and will use for future trips as well as recommend to others. I have seen several questions posted on the board asking if they should use Dreams Unlimited- answer is YES and I highly recommend Shirley! It takes away the hassle of calling for dining reservations as well as checking for discounts (which Shirley did get for us!) You also get a detailed itinerary as well as a list of tips before you leave.
I used our experience from last trip as well as all the information from this board to map out a game plan before we left.
I think you will have a more enjoyable time in Disney with some preplanning. We had a plan of which parks we were to visit daily as well as restaurant reservations. Key is it is just a plan- make changes accordingly once you are there- we did.
Our flight left from Hartford, CT at 7:00 AM Sunday. Flight was great and we were on our magical express and at our resort by 11:00 AM!
Magical Express-
highly recommend! Last trip we used a private service ( I think round trip was around $100 or so- did not keep good notes last trip) Magical Express was very organized at the Orlando airport, the check in and bus boarding was quick. The bus driver was very friendly and there was a quick movie to watch as well. The bus made 3 stops, ours was 2nd. Our luggage was waiting in our room by 1:00
Check-in-
We were staying at Coronado Springs Resort, 1st time! The check in was great, were in line for about 10 minutes. Our room was not ready yet, not a problem we were going to check out the resort and get a bit to eat. We were told our request was granted to stay in the Casitas- yeah! We called at 1:00 and our room was ready!
Resort/CSR-
we really loved this resort and decided to stay here based on all the positive info on this board/buzzs web site. Last trip we stayed at AKL which we Loved as well, but the CSR did not disappoint us. The hotel and grounds are beautiful. The lobby was decorated for Christmas and looked lovely! The resort as said is very large and does require quite a bit of walking which is something to keep in mind when staying here. A lot depends on your room location. We were very lucky, we requested the Casitas section which is where were located- Casitas 1- room 1239. Great location, close to both bus stop 1 & 2 as well as the lobby/pepper market. Our room was nice, pretty standard but in good condition. The main pool was great, kids loved the slide! Pepper Market was very good, we did not make it to the Maya restaurant.
Transportation-
The bus service was great! Never waited more than 5 minutes or so ( 2x we waited about 15-20 min later at night coming home from Epcot and MK)
Parks:
Magic Kingdom- spent 2 days at MK. Sunday 12/10 & Thursday 12/14
Highlights for us:
Epcot- spent 2 days at Epcot. Tuesday 12/12 & Friday 12/15
Highlights:
Animal Kingdom- 1 day Wednesday 12/13
Highlights:
Love Kilimanjaro Safari and Dinosaur rides and Tough to be a bug 3d movie.
Shows- we loved the new Nemo! Always love Lion King!
Disappointment- rode Kali River Rapids for the 1st time, I thought the ride was way to short, missing something. Also was very disappointed I did not get to ride EE- this was my fault. I was the only one who wanted to ride it and I waited until the afternoon when the wait was 70 minutes and the fast pass was to late. Oh well, next time.
Crowds- we arrived at 9:00 for opening and basically walked on every ride except EE
We really love the park, the theming is awesome.
MGM- 1 day Monday 12/11
Highlights:
Food-
I posted a report on the Dining Report section. Lots of great meals!
Christmas Decorations
- I love going to Disney at this time of the year! The parks were all decorated and everything looked beautiful!
Weather-
was great for the parks- not to hot. I would have liked more sun but you cant have everything. We did have a few showers, nothing to bad, we picked up ponchos in the park (one night it did pour for about 2 hours but it did not affect our plans much)
Overall it was a GREAT trip and we cant wait to go back!
Let me start off by saying we had a Terrific trip!!!
This is our 2nd trip to Disney, last trip was Dec of 2003.Who went- husband, son 10, daughter 7 and myself. We loved the Holiday time last trip so decided to go again same time and take the kids out of school. I feel it is great family time and both of the kids teachers felt the same (although my 10yr old will have a lot of homework to make up) they both wrote daily in their journals while we were there.
I will try and stick to the high lights of the trip, any questions I ask away and I will be happy to answer. I received so much great info from this board, Thank You!
Trip Planning-
We used the services of Dreams Unlimited, Shirley was our agent. The service was excellent and will use for future trips as well as recommend to others. I have seen several questions posted on the board asking if they should use Dreams Unlimited- answer is YES and I highly recommend Shirley! It takes away the hassle of calling for dining reservations as well as checking for discounts (which Shirley did get for us!) You also get a detailed itinerary as well as a list of tips before you leave.
I used our experience from last trip as well as all the information from this board to map out a game plan before we left.
I think you will have a more enjoyable time in Disney with some preplanning. We had a plan of which parks we were to visit daily as well as restaurant reservations. Key is it is just a plan- make changes accordingly once you are there- we did.
Our flight left from Hartford, CT at 7:00 AM Sunday. Flight was great and we were on our magical express and at our resort by 11:00 AM!
Magical Express-
highly recommend! Last trip we used a private service ( I think round trip was around $100 or so- did not keep good notes last trip) Magical Express was very organized at the Orlando airport, the check in and bus boarding was quick. The bus driver was very friendly and there was a quick movie to watch as well. The bus made 3 stops, ours was 2nd. Our luggage was waiting in our room by 1:00
Check-in-
We were staying at Coronado Springs Resort, 1st time! The check in was great, were in line for about 10 minutes. Our room was not ready yet, not a problem we were going to check out the resort and get a bit to eat. We were told our request was granted to stay in the Casitas- yeah! We called at 1:00 and our room was ready!
Resort/CSR-
we really loved this resort and decided to stay here based on all the positive info on this board/buzzs web site. Last trip we stayed at AKL which we Loved as well, but the CSR did not disappoint us. The hotel and grounds are beautiful. The lobby was decorated for Christmas and looked lovely! The resort as said is very large and does require quite a bit of walking which is something to keep in mind when staying here. A lot depends on your room location. We were very lucky, we requested the Casitas section which is where were located- Casitas 1- room 1239. Great location, close to both bus stop 1 & 2 as well as the lobby/pepper market. Our room was nice, pretty standard but in good condition. The main pool was great, kids loved the slide! Pepper Market was very good, we did not make it to the Maya restaurant.
Transportation-
The bus service was great! Never waited more than 5 minutes or so ( 2x we waited about 15-20 min later at night coming home from Epcot and MK)
Parks:
Magic Kingdom- spent 2 days at MK. Sunday 12/10 & Thursday 12/14
Highlights for us:
Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear, Mickeys Philharmagic ( I really enjoy Peter Pan)
Loved the Spectromagic Parade which was our 1st time. We did not get to see much of Wishes- I was really disappointed because I loved them last trip. The night we were planning to see them it poured and visibility was poor.
Disappointment- the new Stich ride, they could have made this so much better!
Crowds- 1st day we went was Sunday and it was pretty crowded but we still managed lots of rides and did not wait more than 15-20 min. 2nd day was Early Entry Thursday which was great. We got to the park at 8:30 and rode everything with no wait!
Loved the Spectromagic Parade which was our 1st time. We did not get to see much of Wishes- I was really disappointed because I loved them last trip. The night we were planning to see them it poured and visibility was poor.
Disappointment- the new Stich ride, they could have made this so much better!
Crowds- 1st day we went was Sunday and it was pretty crowded but we still managed lots of rides and did not wait more than 15-20 min. 2nd day was Early Entry Thursday which was great. We got to the park at 8:30 and rode everything with no wait!
Epcot- spent 2 days at Epcot. Tuesday 12/12 & Friday 12/15
Highlights:
Soaring- LOVED, Mission Space ( less intense), Test Track
Nemo and Honey I shrunk the audience were cute
We love the countries- kids did past ports and masks at the Kidcot fun stops. We saw many Christmas story tellers and shows through out the countries. Of course samples lots of food and drinks. Loved Illuminations as well.
Candlelight Procession- my husband and I really enjoyed this, kids thought it was ok.
Crowds- 1st day Tuesday early entry again great, rode all rides with virtually not wait even soaring! 2nd Day Friday did not arrive until 12:30, this was our last night and we knew it would be a late night. Still worked out fine, needed a fast pass for Soaring but again all other rides not much of a wait.
We really love Epcot!
Nemo and Honey I shrunk the audience were cute
We love the countries- kids did past ports and masks at the Kidcot fun stops. We saw many Christmas story tellers and shows through out the countries. Of course samples lots of food and drinks. Loved Illuminations as well.
Candlelight Procession- my husband and I really enjoyed this, kids thought it was ok.
Crowds- 1st day Tuesday early entry again great, rode all rides with virtually not wait even soaring! 2nd Day Friday did not arrive until 12:30, this was our last night and we knew it would be a late night. Still worked out fine, needed a fast pass for Soaring but again all other rides not much of a wait.
We really love Epcot!
Animal Kingdom- 1 day Wednesday 12/13
Highlights:
Love Kilimanjaro Safari and Dinosaur rides and Tough to be a bug 3d movie.
Shows- we loved the new Nemo! Always love Lion King!
Disappointment- rode Kali River Rapids for the 1st time, I thought the ride was way to short, missing something. Also was very disappointed I did not get to ride EE- this was my fault. I was the only one who wanted to ride it and I waited until the afternoon when the wait was 70 minutes and the fast pass was to late. Oh well, next time.
Crowds- we arrived at 9:00 for opening and basically walked on every ride except EE
We really love the park, the theming is awesome.
MGM- 1 day Monday 12/11
Highlights:
Rock n Roll Rollercoaster and enjoyed Voyage of the little mermaid. ( to chicken to ride Tower of Terror)
Liked the new Lights, Motors, Action show
LOVE FANTASMIC!!! Also saw the Osborne light for the 1st time- AWESOME.
Crowds- Not bad. It did seem there were a lot of people in the park, but still managed to get on all the rides and shows with no problems.
Probably our least favorite park, although we will always come back for Rock n Roll Rollercoaster and Fantasmic.
Liked the new Lights, Motors, Action show
LOVE FANTASMIC!!! Also saw the Osborne light for the 1st time- AWESOME.
Crowds- Not bad. It did seem there were a lot of people in the park, but still managed to get on all the rides and shows with no problems.
Probably our least favorite park, although we will always come back for Rock n Roll Rollercoaster and Fantasmic.
Food-
I posted a report on the Dining Report section. Lots of great meals!
Christmas Decorations
- I love going to Disney at this time of the year! The parks were all decorated and everything looked beautiful!
Weather-
was great for the parks- not to hot. I would have liked more sun but you cant have everything. We did have a few showers, nothing to bad, we picked up ponchos in the park (one night it did pour for about 2 hours but it did not affect our plans much)
Overall it was a GREAT trip and we cant wait to go back!
