Who Invited My Mother In Law? A Moderately Deluxe TR All New X 3 & PTR Link 2/3 !!

[mirage0306]

Oh yes, Pizza Planet!! I specifically DID NOT let my kids go in there because I knew they'd never want to come out.

 

[TinksThree]

I could have sworn I wrote that post! It took forever every time we left DTD...we thought we would never get to our resort. And DTD buses go through the POR stops first so it was 45-55 minutes every time! And three times Madison danced while we rode because she had to go now! But she is 16! And last year we did the DTD to DHS via Dolphin and I concur with your assessment 110% It was a turn off and we wandered in circles looking for the restroom!

I ate at Pizza Planet in March and actually enjoyed it. The pizza was good and I enjoyed the caesar salad but then I was also exhausted!! It is a place I would return to but I do agree using a Deluxe credit on it isn't great!! Cute pics looking over the map!

 

[amandaw]

I'm sure that I'm not going to take away from the next update by telling you that's exactly what we did with Maddie!

Ha! Love it! At least now I know this tactic has proven success!

I hope that works!

Indeed!

 

[RGirl]

Phew! I'm glad I didn't get behind!

I can't believe you didn't enjoy my favorite BW-to-DHS pathway. I think I'm the only person on earth who loves that walk.

I'm glad y'all enjoyed your lunch despite it not being something stellar. Sometimes a meal like that just hits the spot.

And the photo of you and Maddie checking out the map is so cute!

 

[shan23877]

How frustrating those CM's at the Swan or Dolphin must have been!

Honestly, I remembered it well enough to write about it, but it wasn't that bad. I guess i didn't really expect much from them so that helped.

Glad y'all were able to make it to DHS though. I had a feeling Pizza Planet was going to be the choice for lunch. It may not have been the best use of a DXDP credit but at least y'all were full & happy!

Love that picture of you & Maddie! Can't wait to see what y'all did at the park.

Oh Pizza Planet. The place where you take a grumpy kid to cheer them up. It was not bad as far as Disney pizza goes, and would be a solid use of a CS credit. But, you're right. We were full and happy again and that's all that mattered.

Thanks!

To me, when you can't remember the name of the hotel it is NOT Disney status. I mean, really, does anyone staying at the AKL ever forget and say "Uhm, the one with the animals, like it's a zoo but more like Africa"? NO. I doubt I'll ever stay in the Swan, Dolphin, BLT or Contemporary because they have no character.

That's an excellent point. I don't feel the same about the CR or BLT, but I think I'd only stay there for the walking path.

I want to plan a "rest day" but I fear I'll end up in the same boat, in a park without a plan.

Waiting for more

I'm not at all surprise that's what happened to us.

I may update tonight!

Glad to hear that the crowds were pretty manageable for you guys!!! The resort next to the Boardwalk is the Swan, but it looks like your picture is of the Dolphin. I've stayed at the Swan a bunch of times (it's my parents' favorite place to stay), and while it is nice, it does lack the whole "Disney" atmosphere we all love!

(HOWEVER - the Dolphin does have a kind of awesome retro-ish candy store in it, Sugar3 (sugar cubed - I can't figure out how to do the raised number here) that we love to stop in!)

The crowds were really great for the whole week! (besides character lines). Maybe I took the photo of the Dolphin from the Swan? I honestly have no idea.

It was a nice hotel for sure. And the employees didn't really bother me that much. Just not too 'Disney'--you're right. However, if I'd known about a candy store I may be singing a different tune!

John has his heart set on Pizza Planet, and in Sept Kadence wanted to eat there so bad, but we had an ADR at Sci Fi,. We'll most likely be eating there in Nov. As long as it's edible, I'll live.

It's edible! It really isn't too bad at all.

How long of a walk is it from DHS to the Beach Club? Is walking to best way to get there? I have a 10:30am ADR there on a DHS day. Is the walking path before you go into the park?

Too many questions this morning!

I'd say that the walk is 20 minutes if you have beginning of the day energy. At 1:30 having not eaten lunch, it may take longer. The boat takes about the same amount of time, but that's if you catch one right away.

The path leaves off right where the buses drop you off. So if you head toward the bus stops from DHS (veering to the left side) and keep following the sidewalk, you'll get there with no problems.

I'm just glad that I knew the answers!

I've gotta admit--I like bad pizza, too. I mean, it's a totally different taste experience to eat dollar frozen pizzas than it is to eat a nice gourmet pizza, which I also love. I guess I just love pizza, period. So American. My kids love it, too. In fact, 2/3 of them are STILL sick with the dang stomach virus (forget the "we're getting better" in my last update, because my kids enjoyed proving me wrong as soon as I posted) and STILL keep requesting pizza.

DH and my brother LOVE bad pizza. I sure hope those kids start feeling better soon! I can't imagine taking care of 3 sick babies.

When I was little, my parents and I stayed at the Swan for one night, I think, and went to Universal for a day. Don't ask why we stayed all the way over there, but we did. I remember thinking that it was really fancy, but really boring, and I thought all the staff were grumpy and didn't like me because I was a kid and they hated kids. True story. And this was years and years and years ago! Guess that goes for the Dolphin, too, huh? That lady who pointed at the bathroom without speaking might have pushed me over the edge. I'm so super nice...until I'm not.

That's so terrible! It must have made you feel awful if you still remember it.

I'm the same way! I try so hard to be extra nice to people but I almost had it out with a really rude nurse on the phone today!

Oh Pizza Planet.

We haven't been back there since our first trip in 2010. We could NOT get Anthony out of there! We are at Disney World and all he wanted was to play those arcade games. Since then we have tried to avoid that area of the park

I don't blame you at all! Star Tours saved our butts after Pizza Planet, but we still had a few minutes of standoff over video games.

Those pics of you and Maddie are great. Love you two consulting the map!

ETA: I hate that the staff at the Swan/Dolphin were so rude. Seems like they needed to be slapped with some pixie dust!

Thank you!

I've been thinking about it. I'm wondering if Disney employs all of the really positive and upbeat people in the greater Orlando area, and the other places get the cast offs? That's really the only explanation.

In real life those employees wouldn't have been that noticeable, but on Disney property? It was jarring.

How unfortunate that the CMs at the Dolphin Resort weren't very nice. That's not a situation you want to be in when your little one has to go potty or trying to find your way to the park.

It wasn't the ideal time to encounter rude people. It's just so shocking to come across regular employees after being surrounded by Disney CMs.

Pizza Planet! There really aren't that many good counter service restaurants at Hollywood Studios so 9 times out of 10, end up there too.

The last pic of you and Maddie is so cute! Love it!

Pizza Planet was really a lot better than it's reputation. And with a 5 year old? it was perfect.

Thank you! She loves looking at park maps!

AWE She's beautiful!!!!! Um I think your MIL and my mom must be related LOl.(wish me luck,I have 6 nights in WDW with her coming up) I love your report so far!!!

Thanks!

Oh wow! Good luck!

And thanks again! Don't be a stranger!

 

[shan23877]

The silent treatment at the swolphin really goes to show you how much better Disney does things. If you had been at one of their resorts, they wouldn't just point in a general direction!

Exactly! It's so jarring to encounter that smack in the middle of the magic!

I think I might be kind of like Bryan when it comes to bad pizza. I tend to sample it at the buffets too. I guess my opinion is that there are really 2 types of pizza. Good pizza (a place like Via Napoli) and pizza (chain places, etc.). Pizza Planet is clearly pizza. I can't knock it though, I eat there every once in a while.

I think a lot of people are like that! It's really not bad, and it gets such a bad rap on the DIS!

I really don't understand the swolphin. Like, why is it even on property? What is the purpose? I agree that it looks nice, but it's just so un-Disney. I feel like since the CMs actually work on Disney property, they should at least be nice. Sigh.

I'm not sure. I've always wondered how much the owners of the SwanandDolphin pay for that location. Must be huge $$$ to land there!

Hahaha, Pizza Planet. I was expecting ABC Commissary or something! I've heard terrible things about that place. At least the food did the trick!

Oh God No!! Not ABC Commissary!

It was actually a decent lunch, just not very deluxe.

Oh yes, Pizza Planet!! I specifically DID NOT let my kids go in there because I knew they'd never want to come out.

Isn't it funny that in the middle of Disney World the kids want to play video games!

I could have sworn I wrote that post! It took forever every time we left DTD...we thought we would never get to our resort. And DTD buses go through the POR stops first so it was 45-55 minutes every time! And three times Madison danced while we rode because she had to go now! But she is 16! And last year we did the DTD to DHS via Dolphin and I concur with your assessment 110% It was a turn off and we wandered in circles looking for the restroom!

Oh my Gosh! That's so funny that you had the exact same experience!

The hotel was nice enough, but just not very Disney. And the ladies room is hard to find!

I ate at Pizza Planet in March and actually enjoyed it. The pizza was good and I enjoyed the caesar salad but then I was also exhausted!! It is a place I would return to but I do agree using a Deluxe credit on it isn't great!! Cute pics looking over the map!

It was pretty good! The salad may not have been that fresh since we likely got there right after the lunch rush. Either way we'd probably eat there again -just not with a Deluxe credit!

Phew! I'm glad I didn't get behind!

I waited until I knew you'd be back!

I can't believe you didn't enjoy my favorite BW-to-DHS pathway. I think I'm the only person on earth who loves that walk.

We used to like it a lot! Back before we had to drag a whiny 5 year old along with us.
To be fair, I'm not sure DH ever loved it, but I did!

I'm glad y'all enjoyed your lunch despite it not being something stellar. Sometimes a meal like that just hits the spot.

And the photo of you and Maddie checking out the map is so cute!

Thanks! It wasn't the best use of our money, but it did the trick. Full bellies+happy DD= Good Afternoon.

 

[ShortStuff]

The best thing about Pizza Planet.... is that it isn't ABC Commissary. Usually I go to Starring Rolls and get my daughter and I lunch to bring back to Pizza Planet for the boys. We always get my grandson back into the park by promising Star Tours and then Muppets 3D.

Looking forward to your next adventure!

 

[shan23877]

After much discussion we’d finally decided what to do. Maddie really thought that she ought to play some video games, but we had other ideas. Secure in the fact that we were the Worst Parents Ever, we left Pizza Planet.

One Friday night when she was about 3, Bryan and Maddie were talking about what movie they’d like to watch. Having already grown tired of Disney Princess movies, Bryan asked, “Hey Maddie, wanna watch a new movie? It’s got a princess in it!” And so began her Star Wars fandom.

We were headed to Star Tours.

I know nothing about Star Wars having only watched ‘A New Hope’ once in college, but I don’t hate the movie, it’s just not my thing. Bryan and I have an unspoken agreement. He no longer tries to get me to watch the Godfather or Star Wars series with him, and I return the favor by never suggesting CenterStage or Coyote Ugly. And Toddlers and Tiaras? Only once he’s gone to bed.

So anyway, as we approached Star Tours Maddie and Bryan noticed the vehicle photo op thingy outside of the ride. Clearly they knew what it’s called and I did not, but even after they told me I continued to refer to it as “thingy” in an effort to drive Bryan crazy. (Which it did of course, it’s not my first rodeo) After a few minutes of malicious (but funny!) pestering of Bryan, it was Maddie who finally broke. “For the last time Mommy, it’s a Speeder!!” I laughed so hard that tears were rolling down my face, and all of the people around us were cracking up too. After all that we had to get some photos.

​

The wait time for Star Tours was posted at 20 minutes, but we walked right on. I really like the effects of the ride even though I’m pretty much lost on the story part. Bryan did help me take careful notes though. On this ride we went to Wookie Island, went under water, Chewy landed on the windshield, and we saw Admiral Acbar. Does any of this make sense to anyone? We all enjoyed the ride, and Maddie said she wanted to ride again this trip.

CPO the Golden Robot

​

Next up was Muppet Vision 3D which was a first for all of us. Stop throwing things at me! We went didn’t we?

But first, my favorite fountain

A great review! We had to try it!

​

We waited in the pre-show area where Maddie was fascinated and I took 1,000 photos.

This is how Maddie travels too

Watching the Pre-Show Movie

​

Muppet Vision was another homerun for Maddie. She loved it!

 

[shan23877]

We wandered over to the gift shop to see if there was any cool Statler and Waldorf merch for DH (nope), and while we were there we noticed that the line for the Phineus and Ferb M&G was really short.

Since the character lines that we’d experienced this trip were outrageous, I figured that we’d better take advantage of a short line when we saw it. I was bummed because I’d planned for Maddie to be wearing her Perry T-shirt when we met them (on our scheduled DHS day), but she didn’t care so we got in line.

The P&F meet is really well done. While you’re waiting a gentleman, The Best Director in the Tri-State Area, does some “casting” for his upcoming shows. He pulls volunteers from the line of kids waiting to meet P&F, and not only is it cute to watch—it makes the line go really fast! Maddie was chosen to be a part of the ‘library scene’ where her job was to play the rubber stamp. She was delighted with herself.

I've tried to blur these kids faces 4 times. I hope their parents don't mind

​

And then it was our turn to meet them

They loved her headband

​

After that great experience, we wandered over to Pixar Place to check on the wait time for Woody and Buzz.

​

It was 90 minutes, and since we’d need to leave for the Polynesian in 30 minutes Bryan and I vetoed that. We didn’t have enough time to catch any of the shows that Maddie loves so much, and she vetoed meeting Sully and Mike W. so DH and I decided to check out the single rider line for RnRC.

I was really hoping that we'd make it on ToT this trip

He insisted that I ride first (probably still a little afraid that DD or I would combust after our DTD morning). I was the only one in line, but it still took me 15 minutes to get on. I hadn’t ridden RnRC since our honeymoon, but it’s still my favorite ride on property. So much fun! I can’t wait until Maddie is tall enough to bribe her onto that one so that we can ride as a family.

Little girl, big guitar

While I was were riding, Maddie had found a nice CM who set her up with some record albums to draw on, and gave her lots of stickers and a guitar pick. She was pretty pleased with her loot.


Since it had taken so long for me to get on, Bryan decided to skip the ride for that day and we headed toward the exit.

But, there's always time for PhotoPass!

It was almost Luau time!

 

[shan23877]

The best thing about Pizza Planet.... is that it isn't ABC Commissary. Usually I go to Starring Rossa and get my daughter and I lunch to bring back to Pizza Planet for the boys. We always get my grandson back into the park by promising Star Tours and then Muppets 3D.

Looking forward to your next adventure!

That's probably true! I'd really like to check out Starring Rolls one of these days, but since we were doing all TS rolleyes1) I didn't plan for it.

Wait until you read the update!!!

 

[ShortStuff]

Too too funny!! My grandsons were in my room and I was showing them pictures, hence the Rossa vs Rolls...lol, I hate typos!

Great minds just think alike I guess!! My older grandson LOVES Star Tours as much as he loves Muppets 3D. Actually, HS is the easiest park for us to encourage him to do things, as we can always offer another ride on Star Tours as an added bonus!

I think my grandson will be tall enough for a lot of rides this time. So far we have only been able to get him on BTMM, KRR, ST, POTC, and HM as far as dark or roller coaster rides go.

He says in September he wants to go on Splash, with his Mommy of course, so we will see.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

at your reference to watching Toddlers and Tiaras when Bryan's not there. That's one of the shows DF won't watch either, in the category of Dance Moms and Keeping up with the Kardashians - all shows I definitely watch while he isn't around as well!

I love that you were teasing them about the "bike thingy". But I especially love that Maddie enjoyed the Muppets!

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Been silently following you since the beginning Great trip report!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

You are on an updating roll!!

I LOVE the reference to CenterStage! I was pretty sure I was the only person in the world to see that movie, especially to secretly really like it! And no, I haven't gotten DH to watch it. Obviously he doesn't know what he's missing.

Glad you finally went to see MV3D! Miss Priss really fits in posing at that fountain with Miss Piggy! My kids all LOVE it, but they are more than a little obsessed with Muppets, especially Muppets Take Manhattan.

Before our last trip, Brandon and I watched the original three Star Wars movies in preparation for the ride. I wonder if my kids (or at least Julia) would like them since Maddie does?! Might have to investigate that! Julia loves the ride without even knowing the movies, though!

Very cool that CMs were entertaining Maddie! Where were you when they did that? Just standing outside? Are they there all the time, or was it just a random thing? My kids are going to need some distraction so Brandon and I can ride RNR. We had MIL last trip, but won't this time banana!

 

[amandaw]

Love both of the updates!

The Star Wars section had me laughing! I love it that Maddie likes Star Wars. I started showing Reid the movies about a year ago. He loves them, too! Ed & I are geeks so of course we love Star Wars & are happy our son is following in our geeky footsteps. The pictures on the Speeders are great! Reid is sitting next to me & got quite excited when he saw them. He was even more excited when I told him where they are & that he can get his picture on it.

So fun that y'all got to meet P&F & that the line wasn't long! I've heard that line is really well done. As for the Toy Story meet & greet... It's always so crazy long there. We always meet those Disney friends in MK.

Yay! for getting to RNRC! That is my favorite ride at DHS. So fun! And I love the pictures of Maddie in front of the guitar.

And the Photopass pictures are all great, too! The one with y'all kissing & Maddie covering her eyes is too funny!

 

[katt789]

DHS seriously has the worst counter service food in the world! I like starring rolls, and that's about it! Pizza Planet just doesn't do it for me at all, but I do like the environment, so I always make sure to at least walk through the restaurant during the trip.

Baha! I'm about the same with you on the Star Wars stuff (and Center Stage, Coyote Ugly & Tods &Tiaras) I haven't seen any of the original ones, although I want to, and pretty much everything in that section is a "the thingy" to me too lol.

Oh my gosh, Muppets is seriously one of my favorite things over in DHS, it just cracks me up! I love them so much! I'm glad you got on RnR! I have yet to do that (and might be doing it in Sept ), hopefully you guys get onto ToT sometime during the trip!

 

[michael's mom]

Great update! My son is finally tall enough to ride all of the rides except RnRC and I'm so excited to get him onto the mountains and ToT. It's funny that you mentioned bribing her to go on the rides...I've already offered DS a "bravery prize" for every new grown up ride he tries with me. He's already agreed to trying most of them. He's a little unsure of EE and ToT but I have incredible powers of persuasion so I'm pretty sure I'll get him on He's emphatically said NO to Dinosaur, but I wouldn't take him on that anyway...it scares me a bit, I know he'll be scared.

 

[KatMark]

Great updates, Shannon.

I love the picture of you and Maddie after you made up.

The ceasar salad was pretty good at Pizzafari at the AK (I'm fussy about my salad too).

The "thingy" for the Speeder--I love it. I don't know anything about Star Wars either...just not my thing (I watch my chick flicks when Mark goes out of town on business or is umpping his games, and I go upstairs and play on my computer when he watches Star Wars and Godfather and most westerns).

Seriously? Seriously? You had never seen the Muppets before. I cannot believe it. I do think it needs a little updating, however.

LOVE LOVE LOVE your t-shirt in the photopass pictures, and the pictures themselves are really cute.

 

[marDgreen88]

HAHAHA, I'm glad Maddie set you straight once and for all!

Your ride on Star Tours sounds a lot like the one I had last week! Too funny.

I'm glad you got to get on your favorite ride! And the PP photos are so cute.

 

[happymommy]

I really enjoyed your TR so far! I have to say, we do Disney a lot differently - my kids have met a few characters in their trips, but don't do a lot of interaction. They are more into stuff like Innoventions, the countries in Epcot, and my DD loves roller coasters (rode Goofy at age 2 in the front seat with her hands up, and by the time she was tall enough loved the others, ugh!).

Your DD is so cute!

The food looked wonderful. If you haven't done Bistro de Paris at Epcot you'd love it! We did that once - very memorable (only since we did wine pairings for us, not the kids, lol) and then my DH was leaving (I was staying a few more days with the kids as is our usual he only comes a few days and I go a lot longer) it started storming like mad, so he took my umbrella which did him no good and got to one or our rooms at the Dolphin to change into dry clothing and leave me the wet stuff. When the rain is coming sideways in late August no umbrella or poncho is going to keep you dry. But the Bistro was nice and good food and drinks (sorry I guess you don't drink but man lots of wine!). My kids love Epcot best, then AK and DHS, MK last. They're weird but we trained them to like what we do I guess - not really!

I cannot imagine going with my MIL. Yikes you are brave.