We're back and what a ride that was!!

[BitsnBearsMom]

Trip started out with the plane having to slam on it's brakes in Atlanta on take off - we got up to almost full speed for take off and another plane went too far across the runway so we had to stop fast and veer almost all the way off the runway to avoid hitting it. Made for a 2.5 hr delay but thank goodness nothing worse happened - scary though - I've never seen so many fire trucks out on the runway before. Dh laughed at me b.c the take offs coming home I was white knuckling my seat

then we got to Tampa and got the call that we were NOT going to Grand cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize.... after watching hurricane Dean all week we kind of expected this though - we did go to Key West, Nassau, Half moon Caye and Grand Turk - Enjoyed the cruise and will definatly do one again.... in March to be presise

Disney was..... HOT. That will be the last time I ever go in august again - I knew it was going to be hot.... we were silly enough to go to Florida in august but it was humid and almost worse then hot. We didn't do much park time but enjoyed lazing around by the pool. Saw and did almost everything we wanted to by getting to the parks early in the morning - saw the new Nemo show and I have to say I think it's the worst show on disney property. Even worse then the Stitch ride

Wilderness lodge villa's were ok - I think Boardwalk and Saratoga are still my fav DVC resorts. went to AKL for dinner to check it out - looking forward to staying there some time since we got kicked out this time. Grand Floridian was.... Grand. Nice resort - kids loved the pools - very pretty resort but I don't think I'd pay the prices to stay there. We ended up getting 4 free 1 day park hoppers b.c we were supposed to get lagoon view and ended up with the back of a service room view that they called a pool view.

Was a great trip and none of the trivial things bothered me enough to say it was 'ruined' but I am glad to be home to my cool canadian fall weather and my puppy who is glued to my leg as I type!!

ETA: We stayed at the Clarion Buffalo airport hotel before our stay - won't do it again - hotel was dirty looking with lots of water damage everywhere and mould on the ceilings - not a hotel I'd recommend!

 

[murcor]

Thanks for the trip report. What was it about the Wilderness villas that didnt appeal to you? I sometimes think that being from Canada we are used to the wilderness feel, so its not so special? Who knows

Your trip to Dis would have scared the crap out of me too!!!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I do like WL and really there is nothing I specifically don't like about them - I just think I prefer the lighter feel and look of SSR and BWV - still have BC and AKL to stay at so who knows.... All the DVC resorts so far are great but BW wins for location/theme.

I think also we got a bit turned off when we got to the room and there were dirty dishes in the dishwasher and the coffee maker was disgusting... then in the morning when we went to use the shower it was yucky too! They came in and cleaned it again though!

 

[grover]

Yikes..i would be white nuckling it too after that expeirence!
How were the crowds?

 

[yanjan]

ha just missed me was at the lodge from 19 aug till 27 aug.

did u notice how thelodge was leaking from everywhere. good thing its not made of real wood.

and yes it was hot. 40 was the lowest temp we had and 46 the hottest.

pool time was great

would never go againt in aug. as far as the crowds it was manageble. got a opening, walk on. but at around 12:00 around 1 hour wait for e-tickets

nick

 

[F4disneyfan]

Trip started out with the plane having to slam on it's brakes in Atlanta on take off - we got up to almost full speed for take off and another plane went too far across the runway so we had to stop fast and veer almost all the way off the runway to avoid hitting it. Made for a 2.5 hr delay but thank goodness nothing worse happened - scary though - I've never seen so many fire trucks out on the runway before. Dh laughed at me b.c the take offs coming home I was white knuckling my seat

then we got to Tampa and got the call that we were NOT going to Grand cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize.... after watching hurricane Dean all week we kind of expected this though - we did go to Key West, Nassau, Half moon Caye and Grand Turk - Enjoyed the cruise and will definatly do one again.... in March to be presise

Disney was..... HOT. That will be the last time I ever go in august again - I knew it was going to be hot.... we were silly enough to go to Florida in august but it was humid and almost worse then hot. We didn't do much park time but enjoyed lazing around by the pool. Saw and did almost everything we wanted to by getting to the parks early in the morning - saw the new Nemo show and I have to say I think it's the worst show on disney property. Even worse then the Stitch ride

Wilderness lodge villa's were ok - I think Boardwalk and Saratoga are still my fav DVC resorts. went to AKL for dinner to check it out - looking forward to staying there some time since we got kicked out this time. Grand Floridian was.... Grand. Nice resort - kids loved the pools - very pretty resort but I don't think I'd pay the prices to stay there. We ended up getting 4 free 1 day park hoppers b.c we were supposed to get lagoon view and ended up with the back of a service room view that they called a pool view.

Was a great trip and none of the trivial things bothered me enough to say it was 'ruined' but I am glad to be home to my cool canadian fall weather and my puppy who is glued to my leg as I type!!

ETA: We stayed at the Clarion Buffalo airport hotel before our stay - won't do it again - hotel was dirty looking with lots of water damage everywhere and mould on the ceilings - not a hotel I'd recommend!

I have to agree with this statement we didn't care for WLV either when we stayed there I am so glad we didn't end up buying points there but opted for a different resort. We felt like we were a million miles from everything in the resort and it was as dark as a dungeon in the hallways.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I have to agree with this statement we didn't care for WLV either when we stayed there I am so glad we didn't end up buying points there but opted for a different resort. We felt like we were a million miles from everything in the resort and it was as dark as a dungeon in the hallways.

We almost bought points there also b/c the hotel part was a great experience. Glad we didn't after staying in the villa's. Didn't notice the leaking but they were refinishing the floors in the lobby when we were there.

We checked in on Aug 26th and crowds seemed to be huge. If you got to the parks very early rides were 20 mins max. wait. By noon-ish waits were up about 40 mins to 1 hr with test track and soarin being 70+ mins the afternoon we were there. We went back the next morning to do them early. We didn't end up spending a huge amount of time in the parks - trying to get on rides with all those other sweaty yucky people was not my idea of fun . Pool time was good but even the pools seemed hot and were always crowded. Couldn't believe how rude so many people seemed this time too..... maybe it was the heat!

We had been switched on our last night from AKL to GF lagoon view and didn't get the lagoon view there either - got the back of a service entrance view but did get 4 1 day park hoppers to compensate for it when I showed them my confirmation letter - they offered to move us but it was only 1 night and we had already made a mess in the room and didn't want to make more work for the mousekeepers. Loved GF but wouldn't spend the money they want to stay there - had a great time in the pool. My brother got Concierge in place of his savanna view room so we also booked a safari in the afternoon that was amazing - it was the 7 of us plus a mother and her small daughter also and wow... it was worth every penny of the $40 per person we paid! Learned lots!

Was a good trip though regardless of the heat and crowds - won't do Florida in August again - the cruise portion was fine b/c of being out on the ocean.