SBETigg
09-01-2007, 05:25 PM
Dates: August 19- 29.
Grand Floridian, MK View: Boca Chica 8507
Cast:
Sherri: AKA SBETigg, 38, longtime WDW fan.
Sean: The DH, 42, desperate for a vacation.
The DS: 16, still willing to be seen with parents at WDW.
The DD: AKA SunshinePiglet, 14, shares love of all things Disney.
We had an amazing eleven days of vacation and I have nothing but respect, admiration, and sincere thanks for the Disney cast members who helped make it such a magical vacation.
The August heat was oppressive and really slowed us down, but didn’t stop us or impede our good time. Rain was minimal. Storms were not unwelcome when they finally came. My new summer vacation advice is to plan to take it slow(which could mean booking more days than planned), avoid EMH parks (too crowded, for the most part), do just a few attractions in morning/afternoon hours and more attractions at night, take advantage of afternoon breaks and resort pools, do special parties when offered, make the most of all air-conditioning and air-conditioned attractions, and to plan in advance but allow for spontaneity.
The best laid plans can go awry and indeed, we didn’t accomplish quite everything we planned due to the heat. We did hit all our favorite attractions and must-see attractions at all the parks, plus made time for some new things and extras, like water parks and DisneyQuest. We didn’t manage to use the SeaRaycer boats, parasail, or play minigolf as we thought we might do in our spare time. We did enjoy our resort and extra time at the resort, more than we even imagined we would.
Crowds were manageable, for the most part, though I can’t say it wasn’t crowded (especially in the MK, and EMH parks). People can be extremely annoying, but what can you do but shrug off bad behavior? People can also be inspiring and delightful, so there’s hope.
Having the major expenses (room, meals on Dining Plan) paid off in advance certainly reduced our stress levels and the dining plan saved us an incredible amount of money. Our meals were almost all wonderful, save one or two, and we have determined that we’re all for the signature dining in the future. Our signature dining meals were just that much better than most of our regular TS meals. Dining reviews to be posted include: Biergarten, San Angel Inn, Sci-Fi Dine-In, Raglan Road, Rose & Crown, Kona Café, Narcoossee’s, Boma, Le Cellier and a very special anniversary dinner for two at the California Grill. Also, CS reviews: Gasparilla Grill, Casey’s, Pecos Bill Café, Columbia Harbour House, Kringla Bakeri og Café(Norway), Yakitori House, Boulangerie Patisserie (France), Tangierine Café, Yorkshire County Fish & Chips(UK), Rose & Crown Pub, Lotus Blossom(China), and Flametree Barbecue (AK).
My children are teenagers and the comfort of knowing they could get around WDW without parental supervision added to our good time. The transportation system worked well for us, though it is wise to plan an hour to get to almost anywhere (with the exception of the MK when staying at a monorail hotel or Epcot when staying in walking distance). With teen kids, we had the best of both worlds at WDW- quality family time when we wanted it, and time apart when we needed it. It is an amazing family vacation destination.
In the end, the length of vacation was satisfying and felt like a long time away from it all but I still cried like a baby upon leaving the Grand Floridian and I’m now scheming for a way to get back sooner than expected (which could be awhile, considering the high cost of staying at the GF, the fact that the kids will soon be going off to college, and the fact that the DH and I agree that we need to see more of the world before heading back to WDW). The vacation will go down in our family history as a very special time at WDW, and one of the best anniversaries (17 years!) I have ever shared with the DH.
All in all, it was the perfect family vacation and will live in my heart as the best of times with my beloveds, away from all hassles and real world difficulties. You just can't beat WDW.
Next: Day One (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114620)
Grand Floridian, MK View: Boca Chica 8507
Cast:
Sherri: AKA SBETigg, 38, longtime WDW fan.
Sean: The DH, 42, desperate for a vacation.
The DS: 16, still willing to be seen with parents at WDW.
The DD: AKA SunshinePiglet, 14, shares love of all things Disney.
We had an amazing eleven days of vacation and I have nothing but respect, admiration, and sincere thanks for the Disney cast members who helped make it such a magical vacation.
The August heat was oppressive and really slowed us down, but didn’t stop us or impede our good time. Rain was minimal. Storms were not unwelcome when they finally came. My new summer vacation advice is to plan to take it slow(which could mean booking more days than planned), avoid EMH parks (too crowded, for the most part), do just a few attractions in morning/afternoon hours and more attractions at night, take advantage of afternoon breaks and resort pools, do special parties when offered, make the most of all air-conditioning and air-conditioned attractions, and to plan in advance but allow for spontaneity.
The best laid plans can go awry and indeed, we didn’t accomplish quite everything we planned due to the heat. We did hit all our favorite attractions and must-see attractions at all the parks, plus made time for some new things and extras, like water parks and DisneyQuest. We didn’t manage to use the SeaRaycer boats, parasail, or play minigolf as we thought we might do in our spare time. We did enjoy our resort and extra time at the resort, more than we even imagined we would.
Crowds were manageable, for the most part, though I can’t say it wasn’t crowded (especially in the MK, and EMH parks). People can be extremely annoying, but what can you do but shrug off bad behavior? People can also be inspiring and delightful, so there’s hope.
Having the major expenses (room, meals on Dining Plan) paid off in advance certainly reduced our stress levels and the dining plan saved us an incredible amount of money. Our meals were almost all wonderful, save one or two, and we have determined that we’re all for the signature dining in the future. Our signature dining meals were just that much better than most of our regular TS meals. Dining reviews to be posted include: Biergarten, San Angel Inn, Sci-Fi Dine-In, Raglan Road, Rose & Crown, Kona Café, Narcoossee’s, Boma, Le Cellier and a very special anniversary dinner for two at the California Grill. Also, CS reviews: Gasparilla Grill, Casey’s, Pecos Bill Café, Columbia Harbour House, Kringla Bakeri og Café(Norway), Yakitori House, Boulangerie Patisserie (France), Tangierine Café, Yorkshire County Fish & Chips(UK), Rose & Crown Pub, Lotus Blossom(China), and Flametree Barbecue (AK).
My children are teenagers and the comfort of knowing they could get around WDW without parental supervision added to our good time. The transportation system worked well for us, though it is wise to plan an hour to get to almost anywhere (with the exception of the MK when staying at a monorail hotel or Epcot when staying in walking distance). With teen kids, we had the best of both worlds at WDW- quality family time when we wanted it, and time apart when we needed it. It is an amazing family vacation destination.
In the end, the length of vacation was satisfying and felt like a long time away from it all but I still cried like a baby upon leaving the Grand Floridian and I’m now scheming for a way to get back sooner than expected (which could be awhile, considering the high cost of staying at the GF, the fact that the kids will soon be going off to college, and the fact that the DH and I agree that we need to see more of the world before heading back to WDW). The vacation will go down in our family history as a very special time at WDW, and one of the best anniversaries (17 years!) I have ever shared with the DH.
All in all, it was the perfect family vacation and will live in my heart as the best of times with my beloveds, away from all hassles and real world difficulties. You just can't beat WDW.
Next: Day One (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114620)