Cindybelle's DoD Trip Report, May 2009 WDW--Updated 6/19 - COMPLETE! About This Page:

[cindybelle]

When life gives you lemons. . . make lemonade. Well, the Friday afternoon I arrived (May 1) at WDW, I was hungry, anxious about my Aunt Ann, disappointed that we hadn't been able to dine at Jiko, and then of course my uncle and aunts had to drop me at ASMo so they could get Aunt Ann home. My room was overly warm, there was no refrigerator (although I'd requested one and was being billed $10/day), etc. Not the best of circumstances to arrive at the resort.

I called the front desk and was told someone would be there with a refrigerator soon. (Good, since Ann & Bruce had brought me cold milk, juice, and beer which were rapidly warming in my sink. I kept shoving ice around the bottles.) The guy showed up within 10 minutes. By then, I was trying to get pizza delivery on the phone but kept getting the DVC instead. I asked the delivery guy if he had any suggestions, and he kindly pointed out how close the ASMusic food court was (just over the trees from my Mighty Ducks building). I thanked him, cranked the A/C down low, and walked over to the ASMu food court. Stood in a long line (but it was 6:30 on a Friday evening, after all) and got a personal pizza. Carried that back to my room and decided to pop open a semi-cold beer.

That's when I discovered my uncle had inadvertently purchased "pry top" bottles. Uh oh. I finally opened a bottle the way I'd seen it done on TV -- held the bottle top against my little table and smacked the cap with my other hand. It worked!

The pizza was ugh (but that was literally the only thing I purchased at the food court during my entire visit), my room was still warm, and the beer wasn't as cold as I would have liked, BUT I was at WDW. I'd brought Cheetos and M&Ms from home (very important), and after a SECOND beer I was feeling much better. (Plus, I called Rick and told him my tale of woes -- why does it always help to have a loved one express sympathy? Don't know, but it does work.) I unpacked and then ironed a few shirts (no matter how carefully I fold my clothes, they're always a mess when I unpack them).

Then I walked over to the ASMo shop and found a Mickey bottle opener. That made me smile. No more breaking caps off with my hand -- and my first souvenir of the trip!

Around 8:00 p.m., I called the ASMo front desk and reported concern that my A/C wasn't chilling. They promised to send someone from engineering. Well, you guessed it -- at 10:00 p.m., I called again. They apologized and said they thought someone had come to my room. Twenty minutes later, I called again. They said, "We are terribly sorry. We'll have someone there within an HOUR." I said, "Thanks but no thanks -- I've been up since 4 a.m. and just want to shower and go to bed." I asked if someone could check on the A/C the next morning, and they promised someone would.

Then the neighbors started making noise. There were two rooms of people who were obviously traveling together -- one next door to me and one a couple doors down. Small children from both rooms ran back and forth, happily chattering, until about midnight. The only language I heard was Spanish, plus I figured, "Stay happy -- this is WDW." So I never reported them or said anything to them other than smiling and waving -- and the kids generally went to bed around midnight. (And yes, they did this EVERY night.) I was really starting to doubt my choice of a value resort at this point, but realize noisy neighbors can be around at ANY resort, right? At least I was paying -$100/night.)

So I showered and went to bed with my hair wet (which I ended up doing every night of the trip). That cooled me off, so I slept pretty well. I also wore ear plugs to bed, which helped with the sound issue.

The next morning, I was very happy to see an empty bus waiting to take us to the MK -- I'd been concerned about some reports that the ASMo bus would be full of ASSp and ASMu guests, but not true. And when I got back to my room Saturday night, it was cool -- and stayed that way for the rest of my visit.

Sheri (skateycat) asked me several times that week whether I liked ASMo and I never answered her. She's asked a few times since I got home, and I still haven't answered her. So sheri, here's my answer: I'm glad I tried ASMo. The room was large enough for one person, and the price was definitely right. The theming is really fun -- I never did walk the entire property, but I got some nice photos of Mighty Ducks, 101 Dalmatians, and the Calypso theming (that's at ASMu). I don't think I'd book it again if I were sharing a room with anyone else, but for one person it's fine.

I refuse to feel upset at WDW! And I didn't.


Leave it to Disney to have great theming -- even on the welcome mat.




Any pool with Goofy as a goalie has my full support!









Here's the pool next to the ASMu food court building. Naturally, water sprays out of the pistols. How fun!

[skateycat]

Well, i am glad i finally got your opinion anyway. and it is exactly as i see it...for one person who isn't spending time in their room, it is great. if you are wanting amenities, this is not your spot....sorry the a/c wasn't up to snuff. my room was nice and brrrrrr....chilly chilly cold! i hate recommending places to others, esp. someone i have never met. i do feel i described it as you found it and i am seeing that it was an "ok" choice for you. now, on to our yc stay...he he he

[cindybelle]

Originally Posted by skateycat

Well, i am glad i finally got your opinion anyway. and it is exactly as i see it...i hate recommending places to others, esp. someone i have never met. i do feel i described it as you found it and i am seeing that it was an "ok" choice for you. now, on to our yc stay...he he he

Sheri, your comments were 100% right. And I really am glad that I stayed at ASMo. Yes, now I must start saving my pennies for my next trip to WDW -- no more in 2009 (poor me, I have to go to Italy this fall , but maybe in 2010???)


Here's my new Mickey bottle opener, by the way. I've used it several times since getting home -- even with screw-off caps -- simply because I love using a Mickey bottle opener! I mean, who wouldn't? (Nobody on the PassPorterboards, that's for sure.)





Here's one of my favorite souvenirs of the trip -- from ToT (of course). I wore this cap my last day of the trip (Wed, May 6).




Now, back to some great theming at ASMo:




At ASMu:

[MBUS]

I have that bottle opener! Always makes me smile (and makes the relatives roll their eyes, which is another plus! lol).

Sorry the resort left something to be desired, I think values will be too loud and crowded for me. You did a great job staying positive - and you're right. Being in any WDW resort is better than not being there! Can't wait to read more.

Beth

[BettyBeBop]

DD and I stayed in the Fantasia Building of ASMo when we went at Christmas time in 2007. I totally agree with everything you said about it. It was fine for the two of us because on that trip we hardly saw our room at all. We were too busy trying to see all of the Christmas stuff and get her to and from auditions. The next trip out, 3 months later, we stayed a CSR and absolutely loved the extra room as we relaxed in our room more on that trip!

I love that you bought the Mickey bottle opener. That’s what DD brought back to her father from one of those trips and that’s what he uses to open his nightly Corona. Wow! You brought back so many neat memories for me in that one post!! Sorry you had a rough go of it at the beginning, but thanks so much for the smiles it brought!!!

[vfair]

Sorry about the tough time at Pop but sounds like you made it work for you. Great pics.

[skateycat]

now my experience was somewhat different...i had a poolside room in mighty ducks and did not hear a peep out of anyone. no kids running by, no noise from the pool. hmmm...me thinks i need my hearing checked! ha ha ha. hey, it just depends on the kind of person you are and what you want out of the trip. when i just want a place to crash and take a shower and foodcourt food, any of the all star resorts are for me! when i want something more, well, of course, it is yc! sometimes i also just like the pofq if in the mood for like a half and half trip...i know,,,,what is that? anyway, yes, we must plan the next adventure for 2001! poor you, having to save for italy...boohoo...how bad i feel for you. (yes, you can tell everyone here how mean i am to you...ha ha ha....just like you did at disney...tee hee hee)

[Cam22]

I have almost bought that same ToT cap! It is so !

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures!! Sorry you didn't enjoy your stay!

[belle0517]

Great update! Sorry to hear about all the problems at the hotel.

[EmpressLizBunny]

sounds like we need another group trip in 2010!!!

[skateycat]

yes, liz, i believe we do! let's plan it!

[cindybelle]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great pictures!! Sorry you didn't enjoy your stay!

My stay was actually fine, just not as magical as the rest of the trip was. But, like Sheri, I basically needed a place to shower and sleep. For less than $100 a night, it was still better than "just OK" because I was on Disney property.

Thanks for all the good comments on my pics! Can't wait for that CD to arrive (Liz, you know I mean you!) Then I'll show all of you some more photos of my PP DoD experience!

[Laurie Malinowski]

Hey Cindy ,I had meant to ask for a refridgerator when I got to the resort(sunday may 3.) I just called and asked for one and when I was about to leave the go to Epcot the guy showed up with one.
I am sorry you had so much trouble there. The only thing i have to complain about the resorts (yes I have seen this in all star music as well as pop century.)is the outlets.
hi liz I agree I would like to be included in this group trip in 2010 I am already thinking about a trip for May 2-May 8.
Hi Sheri ,I didn't think you were mean at all.(heee heee)I thought you were fun.
Laurie

[skateycat]

cindy was telling all the cm's i was being a meanie to her...i think she said like i was her mean cousin or something...ha ha ha.....