We're back

[Clare D]

After 10 days in Disney (POR) we arrived home this morning on the Gatwick Flight. We had 5 days in Chicago first before heading down to a very hot Orlando. The weather overall was excellent hardly any rain and when it did it was most welcome. The crowds were heavy but not a problem if you knew which rides to fast pass when.
The hotel was lovely. We were in Oak Manor so between the Ol' Man Island pool and the bridge over to the lobby. It was clean and quiet and was a lovely trip on the Sassagoula river down to DTD.
We had the TS DDP and it worked out really well for us and saved us a fortune. We did Crystal Palace for lunch, Whispering Canyon for dinner at Wilderness Lodge, Wolfgang Puck's twice at DTD for lunch and dinner, Donald's Safari at AK, Coral Reef at Epcot for lunch, Sci -fi at DHS for lunch and the Oktoberfest at the German pavilion at DTD. I was glad I paid the extra to upgrade as the food was delicious and it meant that we were having a proper dinner at least once a day which is great when you have young kids. We had credits left over though but we tended not to use our snack credits for water but used them for more expensive items instead. We loved the sherbert ice cream at the ice cream parlour in Epcot (next door to the Coca Cola place). We also did T-Rex, Rain Forest Cafe and PF Chang's at the Mall at Millenia.
One gem we found was the Writers Stop at DHS. The heat was at least 95 so whilst waiting for DH and DS AT Star Tours I called in to have a look at the shop. What I forgot was that there is a cofffee shop inside serving cakes and pastries too and the tv was on showing the usual cartoons. What was great was that it was so quiet and relaxing.
The usual fast passes ran out for Soarin and Toy Story and the wait at times was over 100 minutes for these
Overall a great holiday even with a 15 month old in tow. It just meant I had more shopping to do to get out of the heat. I think now after 6 trips I am ready to visit other parts of the States and give Disney a rest for a couple of years and next time I'll visit in Autumn.

 

[suzycute]

Sounds like you had a great trip - will look out for the Writers Stop at DHS when we go in September

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Welcome back. Thanks for sharing some of your experiences with us!

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back

 

[Pegasus928]

Welcome back Clare.

Can we expect a full trip report and some pics

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sounds great

Did you enjoy Chicago as well? - we went a few years ago and I was surprised at how much there was to do for our DD - the lake,Aquarium, zoo etc My DH would like to go back - we may get there again one day!!

 

[irongirlof12]

welcome home! sounds like a fab trip

 

[MrsJobba1]

I feel the same as you - I'm gutted to be back

Sounds like you had a great holiday

 

[Snowy-girls]

Welcome back,glad you had a lovely time.x.

 

[Lizzybear]

Welcome home I agree about wanting to visit other parts of the US, we're doing as you did this trip and combining WDW with time elsewhere (in our case New York and Boston/New England in general) We'll probably do the same for future WDW/DLR trips too I'm also interested to know how you found Chicago? It's somewhere my bf is dying to go to but I haven't looked into it much as yet.

 

[Clare D]

We stayed just outside Chicago in Oakbrook at the Hyatt on the McDonald's campus. We were there as DH'S brother's wedding was there so to get the kids out of the way whilst DH did his best man speech we visited Hamburger University - yes you read that right - McDonald's own university to check out their memrobilia.
On the Saturday we went in to Chicago on the train and wow what a city. My feet were covered in blisters when we had done and we must have walked about ten miles. We visited the Navy Pier, Millenium Park, North Michigan Avenue which was packed and the Sears Tower but as it was overcast we didn't go up to the top. It is a great city as you feel like you are at the beach as there is a big marina and the lake is so big it looks like the ocean. I would definately visit it again.
I have never done a trip report but this time I might and post some pics I'll have to get the DH to help as I haven't a clue about photo bucket
Next time I am thinking about maybe Cape Cod.

 

[torsie24]

Glad you had a wonderful trip and liked Chicago! I agree, it's a wonderful city! (Last time I called Disney my castmember was from Chicago and I said I'd been there a couple of years back and she said "Poor You" She's clearly not tried living in the UK!)

Thanks for the tip about DHS, sunds a great escape from the crowds and heat! I'm writing that in my tips book so I don't forget when I'm there!

 

[zippy99]

Sounds like you had a fab time!