beansmom
Grumpy Grandma Extraordinaire
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2000
We drove down on Thanksgiving and stayed in the Courtyard at Downtown Disney. We thought it was nice and were very pleased with the room we had (king with sofa sleeper). They offered the same perks as staying at a Disney Resort-bus service, early entry, package delivery.
Then we went to Carribean (sp?) Beach for six days. The room was a bit 'shabby'-dirty walls being my main complaint. And I was surprised to see that there are no baseboards on the walls. Ugh. Makes me think all kinds of creepy crawlies coming in through the cracks. We did find a couple of cute arrangements left by mousekeeping when we returned some evenings. The landscaping and atmosphere of the resort are very nice, very island-y. Don't know if I would stay there again.
Sunday was our first 'park' day. We went to Animal Kingdom and did the Safari first. Saw plenty of animals, giraffes, lions, rhinos, elephants, Nile Crocodiles, etc. We enjoyed it although the lady sitting behind us did NOTHING but gritch about the performance of the driver the ENTIRE time. Had breakfast at RFC--we had free gift certificates--and it was awful. We will NEVER eat at RFC again. It began to rain and rained hard and steady the rest of the day. We were able to see Lion King--loved it, loved it! Family rode Kali three times then we decided to go to the room and dry off. The rest of the week was beautiful weather-wise with just a quick cloudburst once or twice.
Monday went to MK--where it became apparent that you all were (of course) right and we couldn't do everything. So we did Space Mtn, Haunted Mansion, BTMRR, had breakfast with Cindy, Alien Encounter which terrified my 11 yr old dd. We tried to see the afternoon parade but unless you can sit on the curb in front, don't bother. People will just come stand in front of you and behind and block you in so you can't even do anything else. Tinkerbell's flight was sooo cool.
The fireworks and the kiss goodnight were cool, too.
Tuesday was Epcot..we did EE at each park and stayed all day. There was too much to see to waste time going back to our room. I loved Epcot more than my family did but they had a good time too. Illuminations is not to be described. It's a definite must see. We purchased the Millenium video with Illuminations and TON, both breathtaking. We ate at the Biergarten. DH says it was okay but I think he's just saying that to make me feel better because I really wanted to go. BEAVERTAILS! Yum. Didn't care for the apple but loved the strawberry and cream. Millenium Village was neat and the guy from Israel asked my daughter to participate in some little ceremony and she was thrilled. Spent most of the day in WS--actually needed another full day for the front of the park. Thought the water fountain was so neat. When my daughter found the talking fountain she started screaming! It was too funny.
Wednesday-MGM-Wonderful! The highlight of the day was lunch at 50's Prime Time. The whole campy, kitschy theme is too 'Donna Reed' fabulous. We were lucky enough to get 'Uncle Glenn' who immediately advised my DD 'to mind ya bizness' and told DH to get his elbows off the table. The food was good for park food but, of course, it was the staff that made the experience. We did Indiana Jones, R&RC, Tower of Terror and I couldn't get them off Star Tours. We saw Beauty and the Beast but frankly, if you have seen the stage version as we have, it was pretty cheesy. If not, then it probably was pretty good. We had breakfast at the Commissary (ok) and we did the Backlot tour. We also did the Osborne Lights after Fantasmic--it was something else. I can't imagine one person putting all that together! Also did Muppets which DH griped about but he laughed in all the right spots, too.
Thursday we spent all our money at Downtown Disney,had lunch at PH which DD loved--especially the statue of Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus. The appetizers were good and we might go back. Dropped a wad at World of Disney and DH wanted some $$$$ Legos but he had to settle for a hat.
Thursday night we went to the Very Merry Xmas Party. It was so neat. Rode all the fave rides and enjoyed the parade. It was just so 'movie-set' perfect with the 'snow', decorations, music, etc. So glad we went--something I would never have known about without you all.
Friday-the fam went back to their favorite parks-AK and MGM and rode all the rides they loved while I stayed and packed up for the drive home.
We did make it to Bahama Breeze--I think that was our favorite meal of the whole trip. Also got to get a steakburger again (first time in 20 years) and ate a ton of 'Krystal' burgers which DH hated. I guess they're for a more discriminating palate like mine
.
I want to thank all of you who helped me plan this trip. You gave wonderful advice and made our 'dream' vacation a reality.
Then we went to Carribean (sp?) Beach for six days. The room was a bit 'shabby'-dirty walls being my main complaint. And I was surprised to see that there are no baseboards on the walls. Ugh. Makes me think all kinds of creepy crawlies coming in through the cracks. We did find a couple of cute arrangements left by mousekeeping when we returned some evenings. The landscaping and atmosphere of the resort are very nice, very island-y. Don't know if I would stay there again.
Sunday was our first 'park' day. We went to Animal Kingdom and did the Safari first. Saw plenty of animals, giraffes, lions, rhinos, elephants, Nile Crocodiles, etc. We enjoyed it although the lady sitting behind us did NOTHING but gritch about the performance of the driver the ENTIRE time. Had breakfast at RFC--we had free gift certificates--and it was awful. We will NEVER eat at RFC again. It began to rain and rained hard and steady the rest of the day. We were able to see Lion King--loved it, loved it! Family rode Kali three times then we decided to go to the room and dry off. The rest of the week was beautiful weather-wise with just a quick cloudburst once or twice.
Monday went to MK--where it became apparent that you all were (of course) right and we couldn't do everything. So we did Space Mtn, Haunted Mansion, BTMRR, had breakfast with Cindy, Alien Encounter which terrified my 11 yr old dd. We tried to see the afternoon parade but unless you can sit on the curb in front, don't bother. People will just come stand in front of you and behind and block you in so you can't even do anything else. Tinkerbell's flight was sooo cool.
The fireworks and the kiss goodnight were cool, too.
Tuesday was Epcot..we did EE at each park and stayed all day. There was too much to see to waste time going back to our room. I loved Epcot more than my family did but they had a good time too. Illuminations is not to be described. It's a definite must see. We purchased the Millenium video with Illuminations and TON, both breathtaking. We ate at the Biergarten. DH says it was okay but I think he's just saying that to make me feel better because I really wanted to go. BEAVERTAILS! Yum. Didn't care for the apple but loved the strawberry and cream. Millenium Village was neat and the guy from Israel asked my daughter to participate in some little ceremony and she was thrilled. Spent most of the day in WS--actually needed another full day for the front of the park. Thought the water fountain was so neat. When my daughter found the talking fountain she started screaming! It was too funny.
Wednesday-MGM-Wonderful! The highlight of the day was lunch at 50's Prime Time. The whole campy, kitschy theme is too 'Donna Reed' fabulous. We were lucky enough to get 'Uncle Glenn' who immediately advised my DD 'to mind ya bizness' and told DH to get his elbows off the table. The food was good for park food but, of course, it was the staff that made the experience. We did Indiana Jones, R&RC, Tower of Terror and I couldn't get them off Star Tours. We saw Beauty and the Beast but frankly, if you have seen the stage version as we have, it was pretty cheesy. If not, then it probably was pretty good. We had breakfast at the Commissary (ok) and we did the Backlot tour. We also did the Osborne Lights after Fantasmic--it was something else. I can't imagine one person putting all that together! Also did Muppets which DH griped about but he laughed in all the right spots, too.
Thursday we spent all our money at Downtown Disney,had lunch at PH which DD loved--especially the statue of Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus. The appetizers were good and we might go back. Dropped a wad at World of Disney and DH wanted some $$$$ Legos but he had to settle for a hat.
Thursday night we went to the Very Merry Xmas Party. It was so neat. Rode all the fave rides and enjoyed the parade. It was just so 'movie-set' perfect with the 'snow', decorations, music, etc. So glad we went--something I would never have known about without you all.
Friday-the fam went back to their favorite parks-AK and MGM and rode all the rides they loved while I stayed and packed up for the drive home.
We did make it to Bahama Breeze--I think that was our favorite meal of the whole trip. Also got to get a steakburger again (first time in 20 years) and ate a ton of 'Krystal' burgers which DH hated. I guess they're for a more discriminating palate like mine
. I want to thank all of you who helped me plan this trip. You gave wonderful advice and made our 'dream' vacation a reality.
