slwood3411
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2008
- Messages
- 4
Hi everyone,
Since you guys helped me SO much with our trip, I wanted to keep my promise and write a "trip report". This was our 1st trip to Disney and we stayed at All-Star Music from July 21st through July 29th. The rooms were okay (old, but clean) but were VERY SMALL! Thankfully all we used them for was to sleep, so we didn't notice much....just had to keep everything VERY organized throughout the week. Although we didn't participate, they did have some entertainment at the hotel....bingo games for Disney prizes, movies by the pool, trivia games, etc. Now, their food court was NOT good....at least I didn't think so. I guess I'll go on to a food review....
Well, it didn't start well. First night was at Tony's Town at MK and my shrimp pasta was drenched in two inches of olive oil and was basically inedible. The next night was Coral Reef at Epcot and there was not a SHRIMP or CRAB LEG on the menu....I actually had a pork chop!! So, my advice....review the actual menus NOT just the ratings before making any reservations. Thankfully, we did find the best kept secret in Disney for yummy food----Wolfgang Puck Cafes located at Downtown Disney. There is one on each side (Marketplace and West) and although it is considered a quick service meal, it is DIVINE! Our bill for our family of three (our daughter had a kid's meal) was over $50.00 and that was entirely covered by our dining plan (which is the one with the entree & dessert, btw). Also, check your card frequently to ensure that they are accurately deducting the meals from your dining plan. They screwed up ours and my in-laws as well (easily fixed, but we caught it early!). Of course, we ate at a lot of other restaurants that were yummy....oh, the breakfast buffet at Tusker House in AK is OUTSTANDING!! The Cinderalla Castle breakfast was just okay, but you do get a professional portrait of your daughter with Cinderalla (an 8 x 10 and (4) 4 x 6) in a nice portfolio!
Oh, we also did makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbity Boutique and we went ahead and paid the extra $$$$ for the princess outfit (our daughter chose Jasmine). I would say that it was SO worth it to see her face as she walked through the park all pretty and dressed as her favorite princess was absolutely priceless in my book! There was also a professional photo shoot included in that price and I was able to choose an 8 x 10 and (4) 4 x 6 pictures in a nice portfolio with that as well. NOW, if you are on a budget...I suggest just paying for the makeover and bringing your own princess outfit from home to change into for the day.
Weather was okay...low 90's with 100% humidity...just what you expect in Florida! It does rain almost every single day in the late afternoon for a solid hour. BUT, it cools off the temperature, so it is a WELCOME relief!! Just bring some ponchos, and keep trudging along!! My daughter was scared to death of thunderstorms before we left and by the time we came home, a streak of lightening can come and go and she doesn't even notice it anymore! We had the Water Park and more option...so I suggest going to the water parks when they first open to not only get everything in before the rain comes, but also to get the best seats next to the wave pool or anywhere you want to sit. Once the rain comes, the water rides are SHUT DOWN!! No refunds!!
The rides?? They were AWESOME!! I am heavy-set, handicapped, and had to be in a scooter the entire trip. My main reason for going was to watch my husband and daughter participate in everything and to just sit back and get the "good" pictures.....also I'm a scaredy cat! WELL, let me tell you that I rode almost EVERY SINGLE ride and had a BLAST! Yes, I even rode the Tower of Terror and now that I have survived it and am sitting at home, I would LOVE to ride it again!!
I won't lie to you, the waits were bad. I think the most I saw was 110 minutes and the least I saw on the "big" rides was maybe 60 minutes?? We thankfully had one of those guest assistance passes and everyone was so accomodating that we almost had no waits whatsoever. Also, I didn't really notice a problem with the crowds...only when a parade or fireworks show was over and then it was mayhem! But, I got around fairly easily and remember, I was in a scooter! Oh, the Cirque de Soleil...yes it's expensive, but SO worth it!! What an amazing show!
So, we are back home....2,000 pictures later and a TON of memories. This was our once in a lifetime trip, and although I don't think we will return...it was worth every single cent we spent. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at lisa070800@aol.com. Although I am no Disney expert, I can at least share my experiences with you about some of the stuff we saw last week. My gosh, after nine LONG days there, I almost feel like an expert!!
---Lisa
P.S. We used the Disney bus transportation the entire trip and had NO problem getting on board with a scooter (average wait was maybe 20 minutes?). Most of the drivers were very nice and accomodating!
Since you guys helped me SO much with our trip, I wanted to keep my promise and write a "trip report". This was our 1st trip to Disney and we stayed at All-Star Music from July 21st through July 29th. The rooms were okay (old, but clean) but were VERY SMALL! Thankfully all we used them for was to sleep, so we didn't notice much....just had to keep everything VERY organized throughout the week. Although we didn't participate, they did have some entertainment at the hotel....bingo games for Disney prizes, movies by the pool, trivia games, etc. Now, their food court was NOT good....at least I didn't think so. I guess I'll go on to a food review....
Well, it didn't start well. First night was at Tony's Town at MK and my shrimp pasta was drenched in two inches of olive oil and was basically inedible. The next night was Coral Reef at Epcot and there was not a SHRIMP or CRAB LEG on the menu....I actually had a pork chop!! So, my advice....review the actual menus NOT just the ratings before making any reservations. Thankfully, we did find the best kept secret in Disney for yummy food----Wolfgang Puck Cafes located at Downtown Disney. There is one on each side (Marketplace and West) and although it is considered a quick service meal, it is DIVINE! Our bill for our family of three (our daughter had a kid's meal) was over $50.00 and that was entirely covered by our dining plan (which is the one with the entree & dessert, btw). Also, check your card frequently to ensure that they are accurately deducting the meals from your dining plan. They screwed up ours and my in-laws as well (easily fixed, but we caught it early!). Of course, we ate at a lot of other restaurants that were yummy....oh, the breakfast buffet at Tusker House in AK is OUTSTANDING!! The Cinderalla Castle breakfast was just okay, but you do get a professional portrait of your daughter with Cinderalla (an 8 x 10 and (4) 4 x 6) in a nice portfolio!
Oh, we also did makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbity Boutique and we went ahead and paid the extra $$$$ for the princess outfit (our daughter chose Jasmine). I would say that it was SO worth it to see her face as she walked through the park all pretty and dressed as her favorite princess was absolutely priceless in my book! There was also a professional photo shoot included in that price and I was able to choose an 8 x 10 and (4) 4 x 6 pictures in a nice portfolio with that as well. NOW, if you are on a budget...I suggest just paying for the makeover and bringing your own princess outfit from home to change into for the day.
Weather was okay...low 90's with 100% humidity...just what you expect in Florida! It does rain almost every single day in the late afternoon for a solid hour. BUT, it cools off the temperature, so it is a WELCOME relief!! Just bring some ponchos, and keep trudging along!! My daughter was scared to death of thunderstorms before we left and by the time we came home, a streak of lightening can come and go and she doesn't even notice it anymore! We had the Water Park and more option...so I suggest going to the water parks when they first open to not only get everything in before the rain comes, but also to get the best seats next to the wave pool or anywhere you want to sit. Once the rain comes, the water rides are SHUT DOWN!! No refunds!!
The rides?? They were AWESOME!! I am heavy-set, handicapped, and had to be in a scooter the entire trip. My main reason for going was to watch my husband and daughter participate in everything and to just sit back and get the "good" pictures.....also I'm a scaredy cat! WELL, let me tell you that I rode almost EVERY SINGLE ride and had a BLAST! Yes, I even rode the Tower of Terror and now that I have survived it and am sitting at home, I would LOVE to ride it again!!
I won't lie to you, the waits were bad. I think the most I saw was 110 minutes and the least I saw on the "big" rides was maybe 60 minutes?? We thankfully had one of those guest assistance passes and everyone was so accomodating that we almost had no waits whatsoever. Also, I didn't really notice a problem with the crowds...only when a parade or fireworks show was over and then it was mayhem! But, I got around fairly easily and remember, I was in a scooter! Oh, the Cirque de Soleil...yes it's expensive, but SO worth it!! What an amazing show!So, we are back home....2,000 pictures later and a TON of memories. This was our once in a lifetime trip, and although I don't think we will return...it was worth every single cent we spent. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at lisa070800@aol.com. Although I am no Disney expert, I can at least share my experiences with you about some of the stuff we saw last week. My gosh, after nine LONG days there, I almost feel like an expert!!
---Lisa
P.S. We used the Disney bus transportation the entire trip and had NO problem getting on board with a scooter (average wait was maybe 20 minutes?). Most of the drivers were very nice and accomodating!
