8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry the rain canceled the parade! And that BoG was less than stellar!

[disny_luvr]

I'm playing catch-up.

It looks like you had a fun morning at AK. We also love the Nemo show. We always get there late and end up sitting far, far away from the stage, but on our next trip, I'm going to make it a point to get there early so we can be closer.

I'm sorry the parade got rained out - again. I wish your waitress at BOG was more attentive. We've had waiters/waitresses like that before and it really can ruin the experience. We had lunch at BOG, and while we liked it, we are in no hurry to return. I'm glad you got to ride 7DMT again.

[hhawkins]

Originally Posted by lfredsbo

What a bummer that your waitress was not so attentive to you. I agree that the food at BoG is usually pretty typical - that it is good - but not OH MY this is heaven type of fantastic, but I usually enjoy the atmosphere there.

Something just do not live up to the hype.

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

Glad the rain worked to your advantage for rides even if you did have to miss the parade it's disappointing to hear another lukewarm review of BOG - it just has such a hype! Our experience was similar to yours though, maybe we had the same waitress ! I'd also hate to be by any of the "displays" as I don't want to be disturbed during a nice expensive dinner and it's one of the reasons I won't be back anytime soon!

I do not regret going, but like you we will skip it the next trip.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

I was finally able to read your TR from start to finish. You've had an amazing trip so far. Sorry some of your dining experiences weren't that great.

I must say, some of our park days overlapped. I was at the same Fantasmic show you were at. I was at MK on the evening of the 12th and at Epcot in the morning and early afternoon of the 13th. Too bad our paths never crossed.

That is funny. We may have been in line together and not even known it.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry the rain canceled the parade! And that BoG was less than stellar!

That is my one regret from the trip, missing the FoF Parade.

Originally Posted by disny_luvr

I'm playing catch-up.

It looks like you had a fun morning at AK. We also love the Nemo show. We always get there late and end up sitting far, far away from the stage, but on our next trip, I'm going to make it a point to get there early so we can be closer.

I'm sorry the parade got rained out - again. I wish your waitress at BOG was more attentive. We've had waiters/waitresses like that before and it really can ruin the experience. We had lunch at BOG, and while we liked it, we are in no hurry to return. I'm glad you got to ride 7DMT again.

Happy you caught up. I still have a day left. I hope to finish next week sometime.

[Cam22]

So sorry the rain again canceled the parade, and that BOG was only mediocre for you two. My sister has had the chicken and she said it was wonderful, so I'd like to think it was an off night for it. There is no excuse for the poor service from your waitress.

[hhawkins]

Sunday, June 15: Cinderella's Royal Table Breakfast & Magic Kingdom

This was such a bittersweet day. It is so sad to wake up on the last park day of a WDW vacation. Though we knew our vacation was all but over, this would turn out to be one of the funnest days of the entire trip. We just made the very best of it all.

We would be starting out with an ADR at Cinderella’s Royal Table. You hear so much online that is it the type of place you should do once, but not every trip. Let me start off by saying, very few things at WDW are truly a good value for the money. However, we loved this meal. I would totally recommend it and would love to go back any trip. As you know if you have read all my previous reviews, we have not had the best dining experiences. So this one was a breath of fresh air.

We had an ADR at 8:00 am, an hour before park opened. So this would mean a very early start. We had also spent our last night at Saratoga Springs, and would be changing resorts. So that meant a really early start to the day. I think we got up about 5:00 am to get ready and finish packing everything up. We would be having our luggage sent to our new resort, so I had it all up to the front desk by 6:30 am. I’ll leave you in suspense about where we would spend out last night of our trip. But let me say, it was not the same experience we had for the last 7-nights.

By 7:10 am we had boarded a bus headed for the Magic Kingdom. We planned to spend a couple hours this morning there before heading to our new resort to check in, and then finish the day at Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekend.

By the time we got to MK, through security and into the park a little prior to 8:00, we had just a few minutes to enjoy the empty Main Street. It was kinda neat, but I have to say the people and the hustle-bustle do not really bother me.

As we were headed toward the castle to check in, we saw that they were taking some wedding pictures on the castle stage. How beautiful. I am not sure if there had actually been a wedding that morning, or if they were just doing pictures. It was just the bride and groom, no other attendance or guests seemed to be there. But how romantic. Candi and I just strolled through slowly remembering our own wedding 15 years prior. This just seemed a fitting end to our special anniversary trip.

When we checked in for Breakfast, there was virtually no line, so it was only a couple minutes before we were shoulder to shoulder with Cinderella. She was so nice to each family, taking time to visit for a few minutes. With her, we did not feel rushed, but I have to say, that the handlers and photographers did seem to push things through. I guess they had to keep the line moving. But we had I pitures and princess time, then headed up the spiral staircase to the dining room.

I had brought my daughter’s Cinderella book from home, and forgotten to have her autograph it, so I sent it back down with a cast member. Soon enough, it was returned to me with a special message to Ella.

We were seated at a window seat which was so romantic. They had already put out a plate of pastries, and we dug in. They were all very good. I think we had at least tasted each of them before we left.

Our waitress was very attentive. Bring out our menus and taking our drink order. In just a few minutes, she was back with our drinks as well as a wand for Candi and a sword for me. I’d heard that adults dining alone did not get them, but we did. In fact, a few minutes later another attendant came around and pointed out our anniversary and gave us another set. That meant that each of our kids will would get one when we got home. Score!

We ordered our food just as the wave of princesses started making their rounds. I ordered the quiche and Candi had the bread pudding type french toast. They came out quickly, piping hot and were both VERY yummy. Remember that our breakfasts all week had consisted of cereal and breakfast bars in the room, so this was a real treat. If it was not so expensive, I would go back for the food alone.

As the princess started making their rounds, Candi and I agreed that she would be in the pictures and I would play photographer. That was okay with me. By this day, we are missing out kiddos so much that we are in major withdrawls. We came up with the idea of having each of the princesses record a special message to our 3-year old daughter, Ella Rose. I will try to get them uploaded or linked here if I can. But if I can’t, know this was a really cute idea, and each princess sent Ella a special message that she loved when we got home.

I am hoping you can click on each picture below to hear Ella's message from the princess.

Breakfast arrived and we ate as the ladies made their rounds through the room. I have to say, we loved the food.

We had an amazing time and agreed this was at the top of our list for 2015 with the kids, or at least Ella. I know it is expensive, but since you have to pre-pay we really did not even notice he expense. We never really felt rushed, but as we were leaving it became obvious that it was time for our seating to make our way out. The wait staff was eager to reset for the next seating. The best $120 we spent the entire trip!

After breakfast we decided to spend just a few more minutes in Magic Kingdom for the last time this trip. Other than the Parade, there was not much that we had missed. As we took a final stroll through Fantasyland, the the wait for Voyage of the Little Mermaid was five minutes, so we rode. Then headed toward Big Top Treats, as I wanted to pick up another Caramel Apple. I really wanted the same one I had earlier in the week, but they did not have one. So I settled for a Maleficent ons, and an Olaf Marshmallow on a stick.

Then it was off to the train. The lady at the stop said we had missed the first train, and did not think another would be through for a while as they did not usually run two trains until later in the morning. As she was saying this, the whistle broke through the air and she started to laugh. We got on and rode to the front of the park and said goodby to Magic Kingdom or another year. It was with such a heavy heart we headed out and for the busses.

It was about 10:00 am, and this time we would board a bus headed for a different resort. This time we would be headed to All Star Music for one last night.

Up Next: All Star Music Resort & Star Wars Weekend
Back To Daily Play-By-Play Table of Contents CLICK HERE

[disny_luvr]

What a perfect way to start your last full day of vacation. Breakfast looked fun and delicious!

[lfredsbo]

I will second that it sounds like the perfect way to end your trip!

[Cam22]

Sounds like the best way to begin your last full day at WDW! I so glad you liked it and plan to return with your kids. Great idea to have the princesses to record a message to your Ella!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great meal at CRT! Great start to your day!

[hhawkins]

Originally Posted by disny_luvr

What a perfect way to start your last full day of vacation. Breakfast looked fun and delicious!

It would be a fun day.

Originally Posted by lfredsbo

I will second that it sounds like the perfect way to end your trip!

Is there really ever a "perfect end" to a trip? LOL

Originally Posted by Cam22

Sounds like the best way to begin your last full day at WDW! I so glad you liked it and plan to return with your kids. Great idea to have the princesses to record a message to your Ella!

We did have such a good time and really liked the food.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Glad you had a great meal at CRT! Great start to your day!

Thanks.

[hhawkins]

Sunday, June 15: All Star Music Resort

The bus ride from Magic Kingdom was filled with nervous anxiety. Remember that we had spent the last seven nights in a 1-bedroom suite with a full kitchen and living room. All the comforts of home. We really did not know what to expect as we headed to All Star Music.

We added an extra night because the flight back to Chicago on this day was very early in the morning, and so we decided to add one extra day in the parks and fly out on Monday morning. I found this room on Priceline.com for $115 per night. I snatched up the reservation and hoped for the best.

As we got closer to the resort, we first stopped at Sports, then it was on to All Star Music, our home for the night. The 1st thing that struck me was the blazing sun at the bus stop, and there was no covering. We had been spoiled the last week with a of shady path to the bus stop, then a covered bus stop with plenty benches to sit and wait. As we would find in a couple hours when we headed out to the Studios, at ASM you stand in the blazing sun, hoping for a bus to arrive soon as there wi nothing to shade you. Why do they not at least put up some type of awning. I can’t imagine that people do not have heat stroke in those line. I know it is a value resort, but some on Disney.

We made our way into the lobby to check in and that process was pretty smooth. The line was short, and our room was ready. However, we wanted to check on the process for the morning as we would be taking magical express back to the airport. I had packed our airline information in our luggage that was in route to the resort, so I needed to find that infor out. This became an issue.

We went up to the counter in hopes that they could help us. We found the internet to be very slow and unreliable across the WDW, and this resort was no exception. It took forever for us to finally get it pulled up on my phone, only to be told we would have to bring our own luggage and check it at the airport anyway because we were leaving so early. Great, a precious park hour wasted.

Our room was ready and we needed a break, so we decided to try and find our room. It was in the Broadway section, so we started the hike down. We had never visited a value resort, and did not know what to expect. In 2010 we stared at Port Orleans French Quarter, a small resort. And the previous 7-nights we were close to the bus stop at Saratoga Springs. As we started heading down the path to our room, I wondered if we would EVER get there. Man was the resort huge, and our room was near the end.

We finally found our room, and boy were we in for a shock. In one word -- BASIC!

Do not get me wrong, We are not hotel snobs. We can’t afford to be. Because of our timeshare, we have often been spooled to stay in some nice places. I often travel to conferences for my job, and the conference hotels paid for by my employer are nice. However, when my family travels and stays in hotels, we do not stay in expensive rooms. I usually to the “Name Your Price” on Priceline and get rooms as cheap as possible. So you can understand that we have been in our share of Motel 6’s in our day. That is basically how I would rate our room.

When we opened the door and saw just how small it was, I was almost taken back. This room may have been smaller than our bathroom are at Saratoga Springs, and shoved in this room was two small beds, a entertainment center, table and chairs, bed table and the “motel” style air conditioner in the window. WOW! It was a shock to the system.

Keep in mind that before I found out we would be able to use our timeshare to stay in a DVC room, this is the type of room I planned to spend the week in. I have actually booked a week at POP, but canceled it when our timeshare came through. I can not imagine spending 7-night here. I would be one thing it it was just Candi and I, as we were on this trip. However, I do not think I would ever even attempt 7-night here with my family. do not think all of us would make it out alive.

Do not get me wrong. It was very clean, the air worked well, the bed was comfortable, the shower was warm and there was Mickey Soap to take home. But boy was it small.

We rested for a few minutes from not only our morning at Magic Kingdom, but also the 10-mile hike to our room. While there we did some re-accessing of our money situation. As this would be our last day we would be doing some souvenir shopping. Basically we needed to make sure we could eat, get the kiddos a toy and still have money to make it home. LOL!

Finally about noon, we headed out and back up to the bus stops to catch a bus and finish out our day. We would end up at Hollywood Studios for Stars Wars Weekend.

Up Next: Hollywood Studio & Star Wars Weekend
Back To Daily Play-By-Play Table of Contents CLICK HERE

[xwewhisper]

The Values would be a shock to anyone after a roomy 1 bedroom! Thankfully you had more park time to enjoy

[Cam22]

It is a little rough going from a deluxe to a value as it is easy to get spoiled by all the space and amenities. Can't wait to hear what you thought of SWW.

[hhawkins]

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

The Values would be a shock to anyone after a roomy 1 bedroom! Thankfully you had more park time to enjoy

You are right, it is a MAJOR shock to the system.

Originally Posted by Cam22

It is a little rough going from a deluxe to a value as it is easy to get spoiled by all the space and amenities. Can't wait to hear what you thought of SWW.

We were spoiled. I hope to finish the trip report soon. We did have a blast at SWW.

[mommapants]

All caught up. I have to totally agree with your meal choices. I think I like the same places and style you do and so love hearing your reviews. I have been debating about Be Our Guest for my next visit and now I'm thinking maybe it isn't really for me.

What a shock for the change in hotels. As a former travel agent that is one of the first things you learn, don't go from delux to budget, it makes the budget resort seem so much less than it is. I have to agree those rooms are small. I stayed there for one night back in the 90's and thought it then. I too complained about the lack of shade at the bus stops too - nice to see nothing has changed. I would agree just a basic motel. OK for one night for 2 adults but wouldn't want to stay with my whole family.