Our Fall 2014 Trip Report - Coming to You Barely Live from Orlando - Page 10 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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The package gifts are really very nice. I sounds to me like the package would make sense if you could only go to the festival on a weekend when it's crowded and can't or don't want to wait in lines, and if they offered some seating. I was picturing the usual throw-away freebies but these items look to be nice quality. I love the design of the bands! What a nice dinner at MP! I think I need to give it a try.
Monsieur Paul was very good - definitely worth trying. Unfortunately, the premium reserved areas weren't open on the weekends, which is when they would really help (I think).
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
I like the gift bag items from the Premium Package. Things like that are pretty cool with all the detail that went into them! Glad you had a good experience and meal at Monsieur Paul. When I ate there back in late March, I enjoyed it very much, even with the steep price tag!
Dave - your positive review of MP helped convince me to keep the ADR. Glad we tried it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Those package gifts are really wonderful and I can see why you thought it was worth it now, having seen those. It's just a shame they don't finish it off with those little touches, like the seating..
I'm so glad you enjoyed your meal at Monsieur Paul's - we thought the food was very good, but you're right, it was the pacing that was the issue with our meal and it did spoil it, as we just felt rushed. Maybe we'll go back and give it another go one day....
As you say in the additional comment, it's definitely worth another try. I can see where it wouldn't be good if you felt like you were rushed. It is one of the restaurants at WDW that seems less like you are in a theme park, and it was also quieter than most.
All caught up. Sometimes I could just skip your writing and look at the pictures, they are so beautiful. Sorry the weather took away the urge to eat at F&WF. But the premium seating should have some shade. That's just silly not to.
Can't wait to read more.
I'm glad you like the photos. Even though the weather wasn't great, we had a good time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
The souvenir items that came with the premium package are quite nice. Dinner looks very delicious. I love the music so much in Impressions of France. I sit through it several times in a row just to listen.
I agree - the movie and the music is very relaxing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
The gift bag looked quite nice! And yes, I could see where the reserved areas would be beneficial on the weekends when it is busier, and I agree they really should consider more actual seating and shade. I will have to keep this in mind if they offer again when we can go!
At least for now, they don't have the premium areas open on the weekends. I'm guessing it's because they don't need to draw more people to the Festival on the weekends.
Dave - your positive review of MP helped convince me to keep the ADR. Glad we tried it!
Glad I could help and know it was worth it to you now after your experience there!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
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Day 5, Part 1: Hollywood Studios and The Littlest Jedi
Tuesday was our day to visit DHS. We were planning to have breakfast at Kouzzina's, but I was sleeping soundly and Lou just let me sleep in. Too bad, since this was the last morning for Kouzzina. We left for DHS sometime after 9am, catching the launch for a leisurely ride.
The Crowd Level for today at DHS was predicted at 1, and that seems about right. Even arriving at 9:30, there was no wait to get in:
Our first FP was for Toy Story Midway Mania. Since this was Lou's first visit to DHS, he had never seen (or heard about) this ride. He was quite taken with the toys in the line, even though you only see a few in the FP queue.
Obviously, we need to focus less on accuracy and more on hitting some targets!!! We both enjoyed the ride.
Next up, we spent quite a bit of time in One Man's Dream, and also watched the movie. We had a FP for Tower of Terror, but agreed to save the thrill rides for next trip. Instead, we walked to the short stand-by line for The Great Movie Ride. I know some find this snoozeville, but I enjoy all of the movie references:
The cast member actually walked down to the ride vehicle and chastised this guy, who had been taking video with his phone the whole ride, with the flash on:
All of the photos from today were taken with the new Lumix FZ1000 - I was pleasantly surprised with how well it did, even in darker spots - especially considering I really wasn't yet familiar with all of the controls:
Back outside, the sun was still shining, and it was getting warm, but wasn't too uncomfortable. Star Tours was next, and we had time to watch The Littlest Jedi train before our FP was ready:
It was now lunch time, and we got to The Brown Derby just before noon. We were able to watch the opening ribbon cutting ceremony, and were seated right away. I'd been here once, a long time ago, but it was another first for Lou. We had an enjoyable lunch - the ambience of the restaurant is nice, the food is good, and the service excellent. Will definitely plan to go back for dinner.
We could see it was raining while we were eating lunch, as the servers for the outside seating area were wearing their rain ponchos. Fortunately, the rain stopped before we ventured outside:
After lunch, we just walked around, did some shopping, and enjoyed the low crowd levels. I knew it was going to rain again, so we didn't attempt any of the outdoor shows.
The boat was just leaving as we arrived to go back to The Boardwalk, and it also started raining again. After a short 7 minute wait, another boat arrived and we were on our way.
Duffy had to sit by himself out in the rainy back seat of the launch:
Duffy enjoyed seeing the Swan & Dolphin, and was happy to see it had stopped raining:
Duffy waved goodbye to the folks getting off at the Yacht & Beach Club:
We had a nice visit to DHS. After exploring the Boardwalk area, we just relaxed for the afternoon, watching it rain off and on from our balcony.
The off-and-on rain is annoying, but you had a nice morning at the studios. Can't beat a "1" crowd level! I'm so glad you enjoyed HBD. It's such a comfortable restaurant and the food is very good.
Thanks for giving Duffy some personality. Up till now, I've been wondering "what the heck?" re: Duffy, but you got some great shots and I could see coming around on him.
It's good to see that huge stage and screen gone from in front of the hat. I didn't bother to buy my DHS pictures because you could only see the top of the hat and the huge screen in the pictures.
The gifts that you got with the Premium Package looked really great! That was so sweet of Lou to send champagne over to the wedding couple! Did Lou give DHS a positive review after his first visit?
Man, I hate that it rained on and off. I'd rather it just rain, get over with and be done. Looks like y'all had a blast at DHS. Man, those crowds are very small. I wish it were going to be like that when we go.
Poor duffy having to sit by himself. He needs a hug!
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You've never got Lou to the Studios before? Wow! What a great introduction for him, as the park was clearly deserted, as your photos show. I love the photos with Duffy - very cute!
Nice shots at DHS. I can only guess how the pix will look when you get the learning done on the new camera. It was really great to see the hat without the stage. The stage was up the whole time we were there. I do not think I have ever seen the crowd level that low at DHS.
Glad you got to enjoy DHS without too much rain. HBD sounded nice!
I am loving your pics! Helping me get ready for my trip. Making my anticipation grow!
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Glad you had a good experience and meal at Monsieur Paul. 
When I ate there back in late March, I enjoyed it very much, even with the steep price tag! 
It's just a shame they don't finish it off with those little touches, like the seating.. 
Maybe we'll go back and give it another go one day....
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Pixie Dust
Dinner looks very delicious. 
I love the music so much in Impressions of France. I sit through it several times in a row just to listen. 
PassPorter Guide Author
What a great introduction for him, as the park was clearly deserted, as your photos show. I love the photos with Duffy - very cute! 
Liz 
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