We're back from the World! (with pics)

[disreport]

Day 1

We begin this fall adventure to WDW with a late night trip to the all-star music. I had taken the day off from work to gear up for our 10 hr drive to the world later in the day. Because my wife is a school teacher, we could not leave town until 2:30pm. This would put us in Orlando around 1am or so.

Breezing through check-in I was informed our room would be in the rock and roll section (easily the ugliest themed building in the resort imho). No matter, it was so late I could care less.

This was my first trip to the all-stars post room renovations. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and cleanliness of the rooms. Having stayed at POFQ on our previous trip, I was surprised that the rooms really did not seem any smaller. Everything looked as it should and was easily worth the $64/night I paid. I'm not sure if this is the case in all the rooms, but our beds were as hard as a brick. Still, it was an excellent short stay at the all-star music and I would definitely book again. I would, however, pay for a preferred room were we to stay more than 1 day.

The next morning, we get up and head to the polynesian. More to come....

 

[Mckymousefn]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[disreport]

Day 2

On to the poly...So we are out of the all-star music by 9am headed over to the poly. Upon entering we received our Hawaiian leis and, much to my surprise, the room I had requested; Samoa 3rd floor. Our room overlooked the quiet pool and was about the best I could ask for booking a garden room. The room location would turn out to be great as we were a stone's throw from the great ceremonial house and a short walk to the TTC.

Quick review of the poly: Loved the room, the location, the gardens, the great ceremonial house, the quick service food, and the grounds. That said, however, as close as we were to the MK, it still felt like it took longer to get over to the park than it should. Really wish there was just a trail around the seven seas lagoon to walk to MK instead of having to use the monorail or boat which never seemed to be there when I needed it. Housekeeping was great and the staff seemed genuinely friendly. I would definitely stay here again for the rate we paid.

Our room was ready at check in so we promptly moved our junk into the room and headed to the MK. I was thrilled that the bridge to Liberty Square was finished and not so thrilled the crane was in place about the castle. However, the crane was lowered later in the day. The fall decor was going up and I thought it added a nice, different look to the MK from our past visits.

The weather was absolutely wonderful on this first day; grey skies and rain. No seriously, the MK was a relative ghost town. I absolutely loved it. We hit a few rides and just enjoyed walking around the park. From the pictures I had seen the previous week, I had assumed the MK was essentially a construction zone. This was not the case at all. In fact, the park seemed to be in the best shape I had seen it in years.

Breaking to the room we ate lunch and checked out the loveliness of the polynesian beach and pool area. Never one to rest long, it was off to our favorite park, Epcot.

The weather guaranteed a ride in the front of the monorail and a very empty Epcot.

We first rode Spaceship Earth. While I absolutely hated the refurb on our visit in April, I liked it more this time. It seemed as though WDI has worked out some of the kinks and everything flowed better. Who knows, I just liked it more. I noticed the awning arms in the future world courtyard were painted and looked nice (although I wish they were laying in the same field as the wand).

Like the MK I was also afraid Epcot would look like a construction zone in the same way it was on our last august trip. While some work was going on for the Food and Wine Fest and the park seemed a bit bare compared to our last visit during the FG Fest, it was still very nice and in great shape. Also, StormStruck, the latest addition to Innoventions East, was much better than some of the reviews I had read before we left.

As dinner drew near, it was time to head back to the MK for dinner at the Plaza restaurant. The food was exactly as I expected it to be, good and relatively inexpensive.

After dinner we hung around the park some more, rode BTMRR for the first time at night, and saw the always amazing wishes. I am a huge fan of Wishes. I love the "smartness" of the show. So many times firework shows are just a glob of explosions sometimes set to music. Never in a way that emotionally grabs and sets the varying tones of the show.....anyway. Back to the poly for the second half of the Alabama / Clemson game.

More tomorrow...

 

[ajk912]

omg, I love your trip report so far and even more soo..I LOVE your camera! My night pics of the castle look NOTHING like yours, and I tried every camera setting I had!!! Can't wait to read more.

 

[purvislets]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your pics! I'm subscribing to the rest!

BTW, I'm a sucker for Wishes too. I never get tired of it! =)

 

[terbethk]

loving the TR so far!

 

[twob4him]

Great trippie so far....I love the pink castle pic!

 

[swald91]

Yes, I have to agree those pics are great!!!! We were there last week of Aug too-looking to see if I see our family in the background of your pictures...now that would be cool!

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

Great pics!!!!!

 

[bamajack]

Great to read a trip report from someone else from the Heart of Dixie. Thanks for posting the pictures. We are headed down September 23rd.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting your review and all those great looking pictures.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Great trippie so far!

 

[cyctorres]

I'm subscribing to the rest!

 

[disneybass]

Glad you are having a good time. Keep posting, we are enjoying all the pics!

 

[butiflfeet]

I'm loving this trip report! I'll be waiting for more...

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

omg, I love your trip report so far and even more soo..I LOVE your camera! My night pics of the castle look NOTHING like yours, and I tried every camera setting I had!!! Can't wait to read more.

If your using a digital camera, you HAVE to use a tripod to stabilize the camera! That goes for ALL night shots! If you don't want to carry around a tripod, use a ledge or top of a garbage can to make sure the camera doesn't move even a centimeter or you will get a blurry pic.

 

[TinkerCarol]

I cannot wait to hear and see more from your trip. Great pictures, what kind of camera are you using? Keep enjoying and pixie dust!

 

[maggymouse]

Thanks for sharing....great pictures & report!

 

[basas]

Great pictures!

 

[d1gitman]

hey, i just noticed there are no YofaMdreams decorations on the castle anymore.