Where are we, Jersey? Bye, Phoenicians! An August 2017 TR * NEW DINING/TR LINKS*

[ariane37]

I enjoyed your November trip report! Sorry the Lyft driver took you to the wrong place, once you got there it sounds like a great time.

We are thinking of doing a trip in April before our AP expires, what would you suggest, WL or CSR. CSR is about $400.00 less than WL. Do you think the $400. Savings is worth a moderate instead of Deluxe? I can’t make up my mind. Both would be standard. Was your room standard at CSR? How far where you from buses and main lobby? Thanks for the advice. CSR looks really nice from your report.

Ooh, that's tough since WL is my favorite resort! I think $400 is worth staying at WL. You have the boat to MK, Geyser Point which is gorgeous at night (and good during the day) and the view of the fireworks/ELP if you're there at night. Plus Territory Lounge is open in the evenings as a non QS option that you don't need reservations for. And the standard rooms there are absolutely fine, in fact your chance of a good view are better in a standard room than courtyard. But that's not to say picking CSR is the wrong choice!
CSR is really fine and like I said, the only "down side" I felt is that there isn't any other mode of transport other than buses. However it's pretty centrally located so no long bus rides; there's a bus stop in every section so you aren't far from one although I suggest not going to the stop at El Centro as it gets most crowded. Our room was standard; Casitas isn't a far walk at all from El Centro, maybe 5 minutes? Very pretty walk I like their gift shop also but I like WL's too! We had really good bus service, even when we did catch it from El Centro we didn't have long waits just more crowded buses. One other difference from deluxes is that there are 4 bus stops, so depending where you get on/off you'll be sitting through some other stops. Not the worst thing by far but, different. If you go with CSR I'd request either Casitas or Cabanas to be closer to El Centro, unless you want to be closer to the pool; then request Ranchos or Cabanas. Casitas is farthest from the pool and that's close to a 15 minutes walk.

I probably wasn't much help lol, sorry! I know you'll be happy with WL but I think if you try CSR you will, too.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Thank you, you were very helpful. I wanted to ask you since you have stayed at both. I have WL booked right now so I think I will keep it unless price reductions for another place are really significant!!

 

[kastoney]

Hi Trader SaMta

Somewhat freaky and possibly off-putting to children statue in the playground area:

Holy creepy!!! That would terrify me!

So, now on to our trip over to the GF. Feel free to skip this part if you've already heard it. Since we were going to have to take a bus and then a monorail, Steve decided we'd take a Lyft instead and after asking me what resort we were going for dinner he ordered the car.

Thanks for the pass since I lived it

Luckily we had a most boring Lyft ride home. And that was it! I think it was close to 11 when we got back to CSR so we finished packing up. Our flight the next day wasn't until 11:30, but of course we had to leave by 8:30. We had time for a quick breakfast at Pepper Market and we were off. That's it for our quick F&W trip! I'm so happy we went and very happy we had all our DISMeets. If it works out I'd love to go again next year, but then again I want to go for F&G next year, and MNSSHP.......

Glad you made it home safely and actually got to the right place! Hopefully we can do it again soon

 

[MeghanEmily]

I think pretty much every area of this resort is so pretty, hope that stays the same after all the refurbs are done.

Agreed!!

Reluctantly we made our way to the buses for the last time; it always sucks leaving your last park

It DOES suck! Sometimes I get sad thinking about it before our trip is even close to over.

The pool here is so pretty! I'm sad we never swam in it. There's never enough time!

Would we make it in time? Would we make it at all? If you're reading my dining report you already know the answer

I know how this went down. Jeesh...

If it works out I'd love to go again next year, but then again I want to go for F&G next year, and MNSSHP.......

This is the struggle!!

 

[Raeven]

I hate the glare on Beast's nose but how incredible is this??? I cannot imagine the time that goes into this.

These look really elaborate but I find Belle's head kind of scary looking

Somewhat freaky and possibly off-putting to children statue in the playground area:

Omg it looks like it's ready to eat you!

 

[MeghanEmily]

These look really elaborate but I find Belle's head kind of scary looking

Haha I hate to say it, but I kinda thought the same thing!

 

[kittylady1972]

What a wonderful quick trip for the two of you. How funny about the Lyft guy but glad you made it to dinner!

 

[cinderkelly]

Hi Ariane! I’m about 4 laps behind but I’m trying my best to get in more DIS time and get all caught up!

It's always awesome to meet up with friends from the DIS when down in Disney,

That is so awesome that you got to meet up with so many people! We narrowly missed you and @kastoney, we arrived on Nov. 11

SHORT BUT SWEET NOVEMBER F&W TR, PART ONE!

Yea!!

I love taking ME, it's really gets me into the Disney mood!

I live the ME also, but the waiting sometimes kills me. When we flew down in Nov. the line just to check in was enormous! I think we stood in line for 30 min before even getting on the bus.

because I'm #notarunner,

I’m also in your notarunner group!

Complete with tiki man's hiney

Learned all that on the Marceline to the MK tour!

I loved that tour also!!

this is also when we saw Su-Lynn and Steve again!

Love them!

Three great DISMeet's down!

You are kickin some DISmeet bootie

I think CSR is such a pretty resort:

It looks really nice! We have never stayed there. I’m sure it will be even better after all the construction is done.

Everyone (I believe) gets a print after eating there, or at least everyone did when they opened and they were still giving them out now.

We got them also when we were there in November. Really cool lion picture. I think our server said Joe Rhode drew them. I think it’s a really nice touch

We also got some awesomely delicious dark chocolate bark "because you're returning guests", which was great

I’ll have to go back to get the chocolate! Of course the food there’re is wonderful and I love the calm atmosphere of it. I also like that it’s one of the few sig. restaurants that is open for lunch.

Somewhat freaky and possibly off-putting to children statue in the playground area:

Some of you may know- that's not on Disney property! Steve asked our driver where we were going and he excitedly responded, "to the resort you said you were going to, the Grand Resort and Spa!"

Oh no!!!

if you don't actually travel down to Disney with friends or extended family, it sure is nice to meet up with people you have lots in common with to share some of your trip with

Isn’t it so cool to meet up with people from all over who have the love of Disney in common?

Thank you guys for letting me go off topic from August to relive our November trip!

I really enjoyed your November trip detour! I hope Rickey’s knee is healing well. I also hope that someday our trips match up and we get to meet you too!

 

[ariane37]

I had thanksgiving with my family in FL. It wasn't Disney, but at least it was warmer. Sorry your thanksgiving was sad.

Aw,thanks, my while Thanksgiving wasn't totally sad, we were just sad we weren't in Disney this year. It was great that my sister and nephews were up!

although I'm stoked about two new resorts for us (CBV and BWV).

I love staying at new resorts! We've stayed at both of those, BCV once and BWV 4x. We did have one really bad experience at BWV but that was due to staff; otherwise I'd have to say we prefer it over BC. But Christopher loves the pool at BC and the proximity of both to Epcot/HS is fantastic

So happy for all of you (especially Ricky). Younger folks heal quicker and it's astounding how quickly they can bounce back. Just caution him not to overdo...don't want him to re-injure in his youthful zeal.

Yeah that's the hard part, not getting overly excited about feeling good and thinking you can do more than you can. He's pretty clear on the length of time recovery is going to take though. He started back with P/T today, so it's all forward from here on in with some pain along the way as he gets stronger

What are you saying...those are the best directions ever. Considering I don't think I have noticed the doggie door, I'm still lost.

I never noticed the doggie door either before our tour! It's in a corner after the captain in his "tub". You'll pass it on your left; it's like a back entrance to the cemetery for the grave digger so there's a doggie door for his dog. Then when you look beyond this door up on the hill you see that it is indeed leading to the back of the cemetery. All these little details you never notice until they're pointed out to you on tours!

I think the one major exception is AKL. We stayed there earlier this year and the bus service was horrible.

We've stayed there twice. First time bus service was great; last time it wasn't horrible but we definitely felt the distance to the parks more and they were more crowded. We do love the resort though (well I do; Steve not so much lol). It's absolutely gorgeous, peaceful. It's my 2nd favorite after WL except for location getting in the way................

I didn't get the bark and momma always told me I was special.

I guess when you return to Tiffins you'll have to act EXTRA special

Got all caught up on this report. Love the Food and Wine sidebar. My favorite event of the year!

Thanks for muddling through November! I love the Epcot festivals; have to try the Festival of the Arts now even though the reviews from last year weren't nearly as positive as those from F&G and F&W. But I have to say I've done all the festivals!

I didn't notice your shirt before! It's like my F&G one! Cute!

Um, I may have stolen the idea from you and stalked their site until this one came in stock

This would be my Mod of choice besides POFQ. I think it's beautiful!!

I think POFQ is pretty but I definitely prefer CSR. I just really hope they retain the look after construction and don't make it look too convention-like..............

 

[ariane37]

Holy creepy!!! That would terrify me!

I think whomever designed it had visited the F&W festival for a few hours before completing that drawing. As did the manager who ok'd it. Either that, or everyone involved in the design hates kids

Glad you made it home safely and actually got to the right place! Hopefully we can do it again soon

How about March

It DOES suck! Sometimes I get sad thinking about it before our trip is even close to over.

I do the same thing! And I'm constantly thinking about when my next trip will be before I even arrive for whatever trip I'm currently planning.......we're all sad, sad people

The pool here is so pretty! I'm sad we never swam in it. There's never enough time!

The first time we stayed there and had the boys, we only went to the pyramid pool once. The boys had lots of fun and loved the slide, but for whatever reason the next 2x we swam they chose the Casitas quiet pool. That was fine also just no slide, there were always a decent amount of people in it so they found kids to hang with.

These look really elaborate but I find Belle's head kind of scary looking

I do agree with you as much as I love it! The heads could be smaller.

What a wonderful quick trip for the two of you. How funny about the Lyft guy but glad you made it to dinner!

We love our kid-free trips! Sadly I don't know when your next one will be, but I'm glad we get them in whenever we can. And I will be in charge of requesting Uber/Lyft/whatever if we do so in March lol

 

[ariane37]

Hi Ariane! I’m about 4 laps behind but I’m trying my best to get in more DIS time and get all caught up!

Hey Kelly! Glad you stopped by I know how hard it is to find DIS time unfortunately, and when I get it I try to update my reports so I am sadly behind on everyone else's reports!

That is so awesome that you got to meet up with so many people! We narrowly missed you and @kastoney, we arrived on Nov. 11

I think I knew that and it stinks!

I live the ME also, but the waiting sometimes kills me. When we flew down in Nov. the line just to check in was enormous! I think we stood in line for 30 min before even getting on the bus.

It just makes the start of your trip exciting! But ugh, standing in line waiting to get on a bus or sitting on the bus waiting to leave, 30 minutes is no fun. I'm afraid we won't be taking ME in March either after my latest conversation with Steve.

I’m also in your notarunner group!

lol, I think it's a fun group to be in

We got them also when we were there in November. Really cool lion picture. I think our server said Joe Rhode drew them. I think it’s a really nice touch

Yes, Joe Rhode either draws them or they're photos he's taken? One or the other! I'm going to ask for the lion one next time. I love big kitties

I also like that it’s one of the few sig. restaurants that is open for lunch.

Duh, I know this but still it never crossed my mind! And I've even lamented that fact before when a signature lunch would have fit our schedule better than a signature dinner.

Isn’t it so cool to meet up with people from all over who have the love of Disney in common?

Yes! Very few of my friends here share my Disney love-really none, I have a couple acquaintances who sort of do - so that part is wonderful. And then on top of that if you find people who share that love AND whom you can have fun with too, it's fantastic!

I really enjoyed your November trip detour! I hope Rickey’s knee is healing well. I also hope that someday our trips match up and we get to meet you too!

on the first two counts and yes, so do I! Our next trip is the end of March and I'm currently scheming to plan for after that lol. When is your next trip? I'm sure one of these days we'll match up!

 

[amalone1013]

Your Lyft story
But I can't say much because I did that to us in Vegas... we were trying to get to the Planet Hollywood restaurant in the Caesar's shops to pick up our Vegas passes, and I swear I had the right location the first time by my app froze up and I ended up closing it and reopening it... and we ended up at the Planet Hollywood casino.

 

[Tracy161]

Guess who has not forgotten about her TR?

Guess who has... Though I hope to have an update either tonight or tomorrow.

Reluctantly we made our way to the buses for the last time; it always sucks leaving your last park

Ugh, it really does!

I will say if you don't actually travel down to Disney with friends or extended family, it sure is nice to meet up with people you have lots in common with to share some of your trip with

It really is!

Luckily we had a most boring Lyft ride home.

Thank goodness for that!

Thank you guys for letting me go off topic from August to relive our November trip!

Happy you shared with us!

 

[ariane37]

Your Lyft story
But I can't say much because I did that to us in Vegas... we were trying to get to the Planet Hollywood restaurant in the Caesar's shops to pick up our Vegas passes, and I swear I had the right location the first time by my app froze up and I ended up closing it and reopening it... and we ended up at the Planet Hollywood casino.

See you're too young to remember NOT doing everything on electronics, but seriously as helpful as they are using papers like actual MAPS and crap worked so much better! I miss things like that lol, call me old and old fashioned. Give me a typewriter and a cell phone the size of a shoebox and I'll be happy

Guess who has... Though I hope to have an update either tonight or tomorrow.

You know how many times I'm doing something NOT fun and I wish I could be on the DIS? It's a magical sickness, I tell you!

 

[ariane37]

HELLO EVERYONE!

Well, I went back to page 19 to see exactly where I left off with our August trip and just as I thought, I still have 3 full days to report on! Whew! I was considering doing a PTR for our spring break trip coming up in March but I think I'm going to have to forget that in order to finish up this and my dining report before we go. Speaking of that trip which I cannot WAIT for, I need to get moving on plans. For someone who does daily park plans for people all the time, I have the hardest time doing ones for my family when it's all 4 of us. And as far as ADR's I only have 3 made. Maybe once Christmas is over I'll find the time???
Now without further ado I return you to August, 2017! As a refresher, I finished up our night at Pirates and Pals having returned to WL for a couple drinks from Geyser Point and food from Roaring Fork. And yes I'm using Christmas colors now

SOME ADULT TIME IN THE MK
​

We'd gotten in pretty late the night before and after eating at RF again, Ricky went to sleep not feeling great. I had to get up early to make some client FP's and while doing that, got an alert for us for BOG breakfast! Steve and I had eaten breakfast there before but the boys hadn't so tomorrow would be their first time. Since we'd decided to sleep in a bit I went back to bed briefly after my "work" was done.
Once we were up, Ricky still wasn't feeling great. We were going to MK first and then AK later, and the kids were riding FOP for the first time and he didn't want to miss that, so he chose to stay at the resort to rest and hopefully feel better. Seeing the opportunity to sleep in even longer Chris did the same which meant Steve and I had adult time in MK on a family trip!

We did a quick stop at the lounge for some breakfast stuff and glanced at the menu for Wine and Cheese time later on:



And then took this ridiculous selfie on the bus to MK at 11:30. I'm not sure why we chose the bus over the boat, but more than likely we both just walked the wrong way and then decided to go with it:

​

Since our FP's were for later at AK we were kind of winging it. Lucky for me we happened upon the Citizens of Main St. and the trolley show with I LOVE:





You know what I really love about the trolley show besides the music? I love that they have different costumes for every season. I think the only ones I hadn't seen at this point were their Fall costumes. I did get a quick glance at them last month but we were rushing to something so unfortunately I didn't get to watch the show.

As I mentioned we had FP's for later at AK, so we were just going with whatever had short waits. One of those was Under the Sea, which some find boring but I actually really enjoy! I noticed this Ursula on the ceiling for the first time:



When we came out of the ride a PP photographer grabbed us so we did this:



And this! My first Sebastian magic shot:



Our breakfast was wearing off so we grabbed lunch at CHH and then did some souvenir shopping because the waits for everything were crazy long for a random Thursday in August! Walking around the HUB I snapped these statue pics:





My goal is to get pictures of all these adorable HUB statues. I may actually have them all now, I need to check! By this point we were ready to head back to the resort and see how the kids were doing. We didn't spend a whole lot of time in the MK and we only rode one ride, but we still had a good time walking around and being together.

When we got back to WL Ricky was feeling better and both boys had gone to the lounge for some snacks. Still kind of hungry, they went down to Roaring Fork for some more solid food before we headed out to the bus for AK at about 2:15 ish. We were only on the bus a minute or two when I heard someone say my name - " I recognize you from DISBoards!" and with that, Kathy @KathyM2 came up to me!



She and her daughter Alexis were going back to their resort (Contemporary) from AK and we were sharing a bus. What an awesome coincidence! I was so glad she recognized me; I knew she was down there and we were hoping to meet up anyway. Very soon we were at their resort, but this wouldn't be our last time meeting

UP NEXT: FLYING HIGH IN AK

​

 

[Smilelea]

All caught up again.

BOG! We loved eating there for our first time last week!

You know I haven't noticed Ursula there. We rode that ride 3 times last week. hmmm.

Oh how we love Magic Shots! We got 4 this last trip and plan to do more in May while we have Memory Maker.

 

[buzzrelly]

We got to HS and it was all decorated for Christmas And I'll tel you, as I sit here typing this on Thanksgiving night I really, really miss not being down there now as we were the past 2 years. Anyhoo I took a couple pictures of the decor like this retro billboard I liked:

DHS Christmas decorations are second, only to MK. I loved the little retro signs , and they do an awesome job with their store fronts!

Bad idea cancelling Express Transportation, Disney

I don't understand why they would get rid of something so awesome I'm REALLY hoping they bring it back if enough people complain.

We used an EE FP we'd made when we decided to go to AK and then went back to CSR to chill for a bit for our big night out on the town - or should I say 'round the world - with Kari @kastoney and her DH Jason. We met over in WS around 5:30ish and began our jaunt around the countries. At one point we ended up in the Craft Beers building:

Fun!

I have pictures of 4 out of 5 on my dining report; here's my favorite (ALL CHOCOLATE!!)

Those are amazing! I didn't spend enough time at food & wine…I feel I missed so much!

Somewhat freaky and possibly off-putting to children statue in the playground area:

Yikes!

Feel free to skip this part if you've already heard it.

Still oh so entertaining reading it for a second time

Oh, and for those of you not familiar with Citricos, while the view isn't that of California Grill or Narcoossee's you CAN see HEA from the restaurant:

Pretty!

Our flight the next day wasn't until 11:30, but of course we had to leave by 8:30.

7:30 now

I want to go for F&G next year, and MNSSHP.......

We are booked for The Poly October 16-21, 2018

And yes I'm using Christmas colors now

Perfect

And then took this ridiculous selfie on the bus to MK at 11:30. I'm not sure why we chose the bus over the boat, but more than likely we both just walked the wrong way and then decided to go with it:

​

Cute!

Since our FP's were for later at AK we were kind of winging it. Lucky for me we happened upon the Citizens of Main St. and the trolley show with I LOVE:

I think I could be in this, if they would let me

One of those was Under the Sea, which some find boring but I actually really enjoy!

My mom and I like this too

When we came out of the ride a PP photographer grabbed us so we did this:

Nice pic!

And this! My first Sebastian magic shot:

Aw, I want that now!

I heard someone say my name - " I recognize you from DISBoards!" and with that, Kathy @KathyM2 came up to me!

OMG! How funny!

 

[kastoney]

Now without further ado I return you to August, 2017! As a refresher, I finished up our night at Pirates and Pals having returned to WL for a couple drinks from Geyser Point and food from Roaring Fork. And yes I'm using Christmas colors now

Thanks for the refresher and the Christmas colors. Ya got me feeling all holly and jolly. Ho Ho Ho

Once we were up, Ricky still wasn't feeling great. We were going to MK first and then AK later, and the kids were riding FOP for the first time and he didn't want to miss that, so he chose to stay at the resort to rest and hopefully feel better. Seeing the opportunity to sleep in even longer Chris did the same which meant Steve and I had adult time in MK on a family trip!

Sorry Ricky wasn't feeling great, but yeah for some adult time.

And this! My first Sebastian magic shot:

Love this! We never find the magic shots.

till kind of hungry, they went down to Roaring Fork for some more solid food before we headed out to the bus for AK at about 2:15 ish. We were only on the bus a minute or two when I heard someone say my name - " I recognize you from DISBoards!" and with that, Kathy @KathyM2 came up to me!

What an awesome coincidence. Glad you all were able to meet up

 

[wdwnut61]

I still can’t believe how close Christmas is
I’m sorry Ricky wasn’t feeling well but glad you and Steve got some adult time in MK
I love to stop and watch the trolley show
That’s such a great pick of you and Steve
Love the pp shot with Sebastian too
Yay for another DIS meet

 

[Wood Nymph]

That's it for our quick F&W trip! I'm so happy we went and very happy we had all our DISMeets. If it works out I'd love to go again next year, but then again I want to go for F&G next year, and MNSSHP.......

We love all the specials like F&g, F&W, the Halloween stuff and our favorite, the Christmas decorations and activities.

I love the Epcot festivals; have to try the Festival of the Arts now even though the reviews from last year weren't nearly as positive as those from F&G and F&W. But I have to say I've done all the festivals!

We'll be going to the Festival of the Arts next month. We didn't plan it that way, it just happened. We like to do a January trip and this will be something new to do. I'm not expecting much, though.

One of those was Under the Sea, which some find boring but I actually really enjoy! I noticed this Ursula on the ceiling for the first time:

We usually end up riding this, too, mostly because the line isn't long and it is a nice ride.

And this! My first Sebastian magic shot:

That is a cute picture.

I can't believe how lost your taxi driver was? We would not be pleased at all if it happened to us. At least you made it to the Grand in time for dinner.
.