We're back

[pigby]

Highlights of trip -

Being in the Jungle Jamming Parade

Best meal - The Brown Derby for the Fantasmic package - knocks the spots of Mama Melrose and H&V (done these on previous trips)

FOTL at Universal parks - even though parks were reasonably quiet, this is a great perk - as we're planning on going at a busy time next year, this would really come into it's own. I would do this at the end of our stay next time, if we decide to go back to Universal - we were up early at the beginning of our stay - could seem to get out of bed so easily at WDW! Also we had been used to walking to the front of the line at Universal, it's a shock to the system when you have to queue at Disney.

The weather - mid eighties every day dropping to mid sixties at night with just a speck of rain on our first day then no rain at all.

Pop Century resort - we were in a end room overlooking the lake on the top floor in the seventies section - still can't stop singing away to the songs.

MNSSHP - really good although didn't get to see Maleficient or the Wicked Queen from Snow White apart from in parades. On the night we went, it wasn't so busy - rode the mountains with no wait at all - bigger lines for the characters - hardly any wait for trick or treat. Our free photos - we got one each, all the same, were waiting for us when we arrived home.

Dole whips - DH is a big fan.

FL Tours - would use again without hesitation - friendly and very punctual.

The fact that we saved lots of $'s using AP's - saved quite a bit this year, but even better knowing that next July, the three of us can stay at Pop - if we decide to stay in one resort, for 14 nights with flights and of course park tickets for around £2000.

Slight negatives :-

Royal Pacific pool was absolutely freezing - didn't seem to bother DD much though - and she loved the interactive ship play area where she made a couple of friends from the US.

Who said French Quarter was quiet? We found the air conditioning units too loud - had to switch off at night - had no sleep our first night there and had to switch off rest of stay - just used the ceiling fan - not too bad in late October but wouldn't like to stay here in July. Also at 8am every morning, they used a power water spray to hose down the exteriors of the buildings - even though rooms were quite well insulated, could hear the noise inside the rooms and was deafening outside. There were also people clearing up leaves using huge vacuum cleaners during the course of the day. Saying that the resort was pretty and we had a corner room, albeit overlooking the car park. That said, we wished we had stayed at Pop - sorry POFQ fans.

We switched hotels - did 3 in our 2 week stay - perhaps would only switch the once next time or stay put for the full 2 weeks.

My Halloween 'Maleficient' outfit arriving after I returned home.

That's all for now - I'm sure that there were lots of other highs - if anyone has any questions, please ask. I'll post again - particularly with regard to restaurant reviews, as we did quite a few - no bad experiences here really - ranged from 'pretty good' to 'excellent'.

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome home

'Being in the Jungle Jamming Parade' - tell me more - how?? Pictures?


Shame about your Halloween Outfit - a reason to go back next October perhaps????

 

[Miffy2003]

Sounds like you had an amazing time - what a shame about POFQ. I'm glad you like Pop though!

FOTL access sounds great. What was Royal Pacific like (apart from having a freezing pool brrrrrr!)??

Typical your outfit arrived too late!

I would love to hear your food reviews when you are ready

I would also love to hear how you ended up in the Jammin' Jungle Parade - Magical Moment or what?!!

 

[pigby]

We had missed the JJP twice last year due to afternoon thunderstorms - this year it was a must. We went over to AK to arrive just before 3pm and we were heading towards Africa when a CM approached us and started chatting, just asking where we were from and what we had been doing that day and whether we planned to stay for the parade. I just thought she was one of those market research people, but then she asked if we would be in the parade - DD and I said yes but DH was more reluctant - luckily we persuaded him.

Anyway, we were told to be at the entrance to the safari by 3.30pm, so we abandoned the plan to do the safari and went round Pangini forest area instead. We were given a disposable camera, dressed in safari waistcoats and hats with Mickey ears and climbed aboard the Tiger float ahead of Donald. Saw all the characters get off the cast bus and take their place on the parade floats. The CM's in the parade chatted to us - were really friendly - one of them couldn't wait for that evening as Hyacinth Bucket was on the telly! Weren't allowed to take photos behind the scenes, but used the full disposable camera during the parade - hope it turns out as I packed it in my checked in luggage.

All in all a great experience even though our arms were tired with all that waving - it's a knack, you have to keep swapping hands.

With regard to the Royal Pacific, I thought it was a beautiful hotel with fantastic boat transportation to the parks and Citywalk. Our room was lovely (and quiet) - not the best view over the highway, but we don' t sit in the room looking at the view for long, anyway. The room was a little smaller than I expected though. I would definitely stay there again.

I would love to go back next October to wear my Halloween outfit (and F&W etc etc) but my DD starts High School in September and I would imagine that they would be stricter than Junior School regarding letting kids have time off - anyone else taken older kids out of school for a holiday? As I could just make it work using our AP's again before they expire, I wondered whether to ring the school involved (assuming she gets in) or would that be just too cheeky?...........

 

[Scottish-Helen]

Just a quick question re crowds. What were the wait times like at Disney?

Trying to decide for next year whether to go this week in November or 3rd December for lower crowds but not so warm weather.

We went over Halloween 2 years ago and the parks were unbelievably quiet but I know that this period has been busier since then.

Many thanks and glad you had a great trip!!!

 

[kazzie]

Welcome home

How great to be the the parade I'd love to see a photo

 

[susie2]

hi, sounds like you had a great time, we are taking our two boys out of school, in dec this year, the youngest only started in sept and we where worried about what the school would say, we put our holiday forms in and they sent a reply saying this was not a problem as the school winds down at this time of year, i think if you can pick the right time of year you shouldnt have a problem, although they dont encourage it, they didnt have aproblem with letting them go, hope this helps susie