1/24-1/28/2013 Trip Notes (not really a report, but here it is) - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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1/24-1/28/2013 Trip Notes (not really a report, but here it is)
Those of you who know me on this board may remember that I used to write long, multi-page trip reports. Well, I've had to come to terms with the fact that I just don't have the time or the patience anymore! However, even as a veteran of WDW, I always learn a lot from others' trip reports and all the other forums on PassPorter.com, so I feel like I should return the favor. I hope that the info that follows will be helpful to those of you planning a trip in the near future!
1) Our dates were 1/24/2013 to 1/28/2013. We booked at this time thinking of three factors: lower prices at the resorts, cooler, dry weather, and smaller crowds. We got two out of three, in that most of the resorts are in value season at the moment (not to mention a 35% discount code) and the weather was excellent (70's during the days and cool nights with not a drop of rain). However, the parks were crowded. This is Brazilian tour group season, and WDW has been making a big effort to attract more Floridians to the parks during slower times. So, while not at the crowd level you might expect at Christmas or June/July, waits were longer than I anticipated. We saw lots of families with young children and babies, lots of Brazilians, and lots of adult groups.
2) We stayed at Disney's Contemporary Resort in a MK view room in the tower. Cost (with that 35% discount code) was $342 per night on average (before tax). We always stay at monorail resorts, and I let my partner choose this time. The CR is his favorite, so that's where we were. Overall we were quite pleased. The hotel is showing its age in places, but that's nothing new. The staff was very friendly and helpful, though we did have a significant delay in getting housekeeping to service our room on one particular day. Our room was spacious, comfortable, quiet, and well appointed. While I miss the theming of the Poly and the GF, I also appreciate the convenience and location of the CR, and I'm sure we'll be back. If you go, remember to request nightly turndown when you check in!
3) Meals were quite good. We did Sanaa, San Angel Inn, the Contempo Café, V&A's, Columbia Harbour House, Hollywood & Vine, and various counter service spots in the parks. Sanaa, San Angel Inn, and V&A's were standouts, and we liked the selection and service at H&V (a bit pricey, but it got us reserved seating at Fantasmic!, so no complaints). If you've never had the Nutella and fresh fruit waffle at Sleepy Hollow in the MK, get it! I had it twice, and it was phenomenal. I also enjoyed the salmon with couscous and seasoned broccoli at Columbia Harbour House. Of course, I had to have a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle on our last day.
4) New Fantasyland was beautiful, though I wish there was more for adults to do. I rode Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and it's fantastic, but I'm not 8, so yeah. We wandered through the Storybook Circus area, and again it's wonderfully put together (and I had a really good cake pop while I was there), but definitely geared toward kids. I will admit that I was blown away by Enchanted Tales with Belle. Again, it's more for kids, but the experience is uniquely Disney, and it should not be missed whether you're 5 or 100. I did it yesterday morning (headed straight there after rope drop) and waited maybe 5 or 10 minutes. By the time I got out (9:30ish), the wait was well over an hour, so plan accordingly as FastPass isn't yet an option. I'm hoping that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will have a broader age appeal once it opens.
5) Other things we noted: Rapunzel's Village is coming along though still behind walls. The tower is up and clearly visible from the western side of Fantasyland and from Liberty Square. Splash Mountain is down for rehab. Main Street Bakery is closed for its rehab into Starbucks (blah). In general, we saw lots of small construction walls all over property - at the resorts, in the parks, and around the grounds - so WDW is busy prepping for spring break and summer travelers. We enjoyed the new version of TestTrack; it was in need of a new look, and it definitely got it!
6) We drove down from Atlanta, and I'm again very happy that we had a car at our disposal. I love the monorail to/from MK and Epcot, but those buses are for the birds, and it was so convenient to know that we could jump in our car, head to AK, DHS, Downtown Disney, another resort, the grocery store, etc. I realize that driving down or renting a car (if you fly) isn't an option for everyone, but it's sure a nice perk if you can have one at your disposal.
7) Saving money at WDW isn't easy, but I feel like we did a good job while still splurging on things that were important to us. We stayed off property in an inexpensive motel on our arrival night. We bought our tickets from Undercover Tourist (using the special link from the MouseSavers newsletter), and we skipped the park-hopper option. We opted to drive instead of fly. We ate just one table service meal each day. We made a grocery store run the first morning and picked up Gatorade, bottled water, yogurt, and some snacks to keep in the room. As a DVC member, I get 10% off at most WDW merchandise locations, so that helped a bit on souvenirs. We brought our own ponchos (though ended up not needing them).
Today I'm back to work and real life - yuck - but that's the way it always is. I'm happy in the knowledge that another WDW trip can't be too far in my future!
If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to post here or send me a private message. Happy planning!
__________________
Walt Disney World has become a touchstone for me, a constant in a world where everything changes. Again and again I have come back to this place, grounding myself, communing with all the people I've been.
Great review! I am so with you about the new Fantasyland and wishing there was more for adults. It's interesting that the waits for Enchanted Tales aren't coming down at all. To me, it's something that does need Fastpasses, at least in the short term. I'd love to see that being introduced there...
Thanks and I will be sure to get one of those waffles! YUM! Also, thanks for the tips to get there at rope drop. We will be sure to do thst first on MK days. Also, I know the tour groups are a pain in the neck! Not all but, most are so rude!
Great reviews, Winston! Luke and I are anxious to see if the mine train in FL will be more adult friendly. We liked what we saw, but like you, we wanted more for adults, too. Sanaa is my favorite WDW restaurant right now. I can't wait to go back in June.
Winston did you go with your Mother to Disney before? I just remember some great trip reports from you and was thinking you went yearly with your Mom. But I could be just plaine crazy and can't remember it correctly. I dod enjoy this trip report though.
Betty
Great review! I am so with you about the new Fantasyland and wishing there was more for adults. It's interesting that the waits for Enchanted Tales aren't coming down at all. To me, it's something that does need Fastpasses, at least in the short term. I'd love to see that being introduced there...
It looks as if the queue is "FastPass ready" (i.e. divided down the middle, a FP clock, etc.), so it may not be far off.
__________________
Walt Disney World has become a touchstone for me, a constant in a world where everything changes. Again and again I have come back to this place, grounding myself, communing with all the people I've been.
Thanks and I will be sure to get one of those waffles! YUM! Also, thanks for the tips to get there at rope drop. We will be sure to do thst first on MK days. Also, I know the tour groups are a pain in the neck! Not all but, most are so rude!
I think your best strategy might be to grab a FP to Little Mermaid and then get in line asap for Belle. Even with a lone, Mermaid uses omnimovers and rarely stops, while the Belle attraction moves in waves with lots of waiting in between.
And those waffles were SO GOOD! Up there with Tonga Toast!
__________________
Walt Disney World has become a touchstone for me, a constant in a world where everything changes. Again and again I have come back to this place, grounding myself, communing with all the people I've been.
Great reviews, Winston! Luke and I are anxious to see if the mine train in FL will be more adult friendly. We liked what we saw, but like you, we wanted more for adults, too. Sanaa is my favorite WDW restaurant right now. I can't wait to go back in June.
I thought about you guys when we ate there, Cam. The service started off a bit rough, but I think it was because our server had too many tables, including one large party. Once one or two of his other tables cleared out, he got a lot better. He even brought us more rice (no charge) and a free dessert! Both of us agreed that the food was excellent.
__________________
Walt Disney World has become a touchstone for me, a constant in a world where everything changes. Again and again I have come back to this place, grounding myself, communing with all the people I've been.
Winston did you go with your Mother to Disney before? I just remember some great trip reports from you and was thinking you went yearly with your Mom. But I could be just plaine crazy and can't remember it correctly. I dod enjoy this trip report though.
Betty
You have a good memory! My mom and I went twice in 2002 (not too long after my dad died) and once in 2003. My partner and I started going together in 2010, but I have been back with mom once. It was in 2011 for our birthdays and WDW's 40th! It was incredible to be there on October 1st with all the special events going on.
__________________
Walt Disney World has become a touchstone for me, a constant in a world where everything changes. Again and again I have come back to this place, grounding myself, communing with all the people I've been.
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Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. That waffle is definitely on my list for next time. Anyone know if it's served just at breakfast-time?
I know that there are lunch-specific waffle sandwiches served only after a certain time, but I got the impression that the others (Nutella, strawberry, etc.) could be ordered all day.
__________________
Walt Disney World has become a touchstone for me, a constant in a world where everything changes. Again and again I have come back to this place, grounding myself, communing with all the people I've been.
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I am so with you about the new Fantasyland and wishing there was more for adults. It's interesting that the waits for Enchanted Tales aren't coming down at all. To me, it's something that does need Fastpasses, at least in the short term. I'd love to see that being introduced there...
Sanaa is my favorite WDW restaurant right now. I can't wait to go back in June.
Mary - not enough trips!
I'm goingto Disney World!!! 
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