The McKinleys' WDW 4th-and-a-Half Anniversary - Day 1

[Main Street Jim]

Sunday, 8/31/14, Arrival/check-in & MK:

Keep in mind, this is our *first vacation* down here, first time staying on-property I can tell already we have a lot to learn...LOL

Left CAK at 7:10am after getting up at 5am. :P

Arrived at MCO 20 minutes early, at 9:10am.

DME to Coronado - so far so good.

The first person we see getting off of the DME bus? A friend of ours that we used to work with in Tomorrowland

We decided to keep our luggage with us. Room "wasn't ready yet", so, we checked it with Bell Services after checking in (online, of course). They told us that they would text us when the room was ready after asking if we were heading out to the parks. Decided to head out to catch a bus to MK. While waiting for an MK bus: three EPCOT buses; two AK buses; two Downtown Disney buses; and three Blizzard Beach buses. When the LONE MK bus showed up, it was already packed full - we were waiting at the last stop :/ So, when the FOURTH EPCOT bus pulled up, we decided to get on, thinking we'd catch the Monorail from there. So, we get to EPCOT, and, forgot we HAD to go through Bag Check just to get to the Monorail. Got to the bottom of the Monorail ramp, and....it's closed off :/ No signage or anything....just four Cast Members standing there, blocking the ramp.

So....we walk all the way back over to the buses....and catch a bus from there to the TTC. We get to TTC...and...again, Express Monorail is closed, but resort side is running. The line is down the ramp, so, we took the Ferry.

Got into the park and met another friend of mine I used to work with, then we headed to Casey's for lunch. HOLY COW. That BBQ/slaw dawg is *HUGE*! So is the chili/cheese dawg!

So after lunch, we met up with Terra and her two boys - and I got them on the back of the train for Guest Conductor They LOVED it!

We had already missed our first FP time for BTMRR, so, we headed up Main Street to see the new parade - and just as the Grand Marshals came around the Hub, it started *POURING* - and, yep, we got drenched. Headed over to Tomorrowland and rode TTA - not a fan of the "new" color scheme. It's not even *red*; it's more like a "coral-ish" color. So, now we're *soaked* - but decided to try out VotLM. Cute - not "blow your mind great", but cute. By that time, it was time for 7DMT. Walked right in with FP+ - standby was posted at a 70-minute wait at about 4:30pm.

After 7DMT, we headed toward the front of the park and Guest Relations to see if they could check on our room for us - and, yes, it *was* ready. But - we NEVER got a text or anything about it. :/ So, we went back to Coronado to change out of wet clothes, clean up, and head back to MK for the evening. Had an 8:30pm dinner at BoG - restaurant itself is *amazing* with the three different dining rooms. Food was *great* - chef came out and helped out my wife, who's allergic to onions. But, our server left a little something to be desired. :/ First things first - she got my wife's drink order wrong - not once, but, on the "refill" trip, she got that incorrect, too. Then, as we were *eating* our appetizers, as I had a fork into a bite, she came and just *yanked* them out from under us *as we were taking bites*. Then, she asked us not once, but twice, if we'd like bread with our entrees - and never brought it out until we were done and dessert was served. :/ Little disappointing in the service.

After dinner, it was back down to Main Street - and MSEP Good way to end our first night back.

[disneymom15]

Hope today goes smoother than yesterday. Never fails, the bus you're waiting for takes forever to show up.
Enjoy your day.

[faline]

You certainly had your share of glitches to start off your trip!! Hope things go more smoothly for the rest of your trip.

[hauntedmansiongirl]

Magic kingdom buses seem to always take forever and be packed full! One thing that I wish would be addressed!

Hope that the rest of your trip goes a lot smoother!

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Wow! What a crazy transportation day. I find we're driving more and more each trip, I just don't have the patience for the busses anymore.

Sorry your BOG experience wasn't so great ... seems like quite the off night for the server.

[emerzmom]

Sorry your BoG experience was not magical. Looking forward to reading more about your trip!

Julie

[princessgirls]

Great day in spite of a few glitches. Such a strange experience at BOG. Wow... taking the food while you are still eating it.

Thanks for sharing Jim!
Julie

[Terra]

It was great meeting up with you both!! The boys are still talking bout their train trip

Glad you're having a good time!!

[Main Street Jim]

Sorry we haven't been on here most of the week; we've just been so busy and getting back to the room so late :P

Will update with days 3, 4, 5, and 6 as soon as I can

[KylesMom]

Jim, it sounds like you've had a few of challenges your first day!

I am most disappointed with your BoG server. Nothing can ruin your meal faster than inattentiveness. I hope this is the only one you encounter during your stay.

Nice that you were still able to create some magic for an INTERCOTEE even though you are no longer on staff - spectacular!

[vizsla]

Thanks for the report.

[Main Street Jim]

Been a busy week since getting back to the "real world"

I'll try and work on getting the rest of the week's reports up and posted this weekend. I have to go through and download pictures and videos from the wife's laptop.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Wow I think yours is the second report I've read this week about poor service at BOG.