MoonPet's WDW Trip Report August 11-20

[MoonPet]

You will be proud to know that in the meantime I have managed to snag tickets to D23's Magic and Merriment (before they sold out in 5 minutes) and am currently piecing together a trip to Asia next summer that will include (hopefully) a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Woo Hoo!

[dichuy]

I totally understand that the food is brought from the kitchen, by a different person, who isn't keeping an eye on the table. I wouldn't be surprised if the food delivery operates on a timer system. However, I don't think it is unrealistic to make a U turn when you are approaching the table and see the guest(s) still eating the first course. Sure, it might mess up the "timing", but this is about the guest experience, no?

MoonPet, Loving the report!! Can't wait to read the rest.

My husband manages 3 small restaurants here in NYC and this is what is SUPPPOSED to happen: the lingo is 7-15-7. 7 minutes for appetizer, 15 for entree, 7 for dessert. The server "fires" the next course from the computer terminal, adjusting the 7-15-7 times if the guest is taking longer or shorter. They very well may be on an automatic timer at wdw, but that so isn't right. The server should be keeping an eye on his tables. Yes, the runner could turn around and take your entree back to the kitchen if they see you are still eating, but I personally would rather my entree be "fresh" rather than sit under the heating lamps. It really is too bad and they should fix this. Glad you said something to them, though I'm with you on how much it ruins your dining experience. They are suppose to be the professionals and do what is right.

[Amy]

You will be proud to know that in the meantime I have managed to snag tickets to D23's Magic and Merriment (before they sold out in 5 minutes) and am currently piecing together a trip to Asia next summer that will include (hopefully) a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Woo Hoo!

Congrats! I tried but was unsuccessful We'll be looking forward to a trip report and pictures from the Magic and Merriment expo for sure!!
If you make it to Asia, you simply must make it to Tokyo Disney Sea! It is beyond words

[MoonPet]

You will be proud to know that in the meantime I have managed to snag tickets to D23's Magic and Merriment (before they sold out in 5 minutes) and am currently piecing together a trip to Asia next summer that will include (hopefully) a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Woo Hoo!

Congrats! I tried but was unsuccessful We'll be looking forward to a trip report and pictures from the Magic and Merriment expo for sure!!
If you make it to Asia, you simply must make it to Tokyo Disney Sea! It is beyond words

Amy, so sorry you didn't get tickets. I will do an extra good job with taking photos for you.

We are definitely going to spend about 4 -5 days in Tokyo Disney. I can't get over the room rates though. EEK! We're starting to put the trip together.

Did you book your Tokyo Disney trip on your own or did you work with a travel professional?

[MoonPet]

I totally understand that the food is brought from the kitchen, by a different person, who isn't keeping an eye on the table. I wouldn't be surprised if the food delivery operates on a timer system. However, I don't think it is unrealistic to make a U turn when you are approaching the table and see the guest(s) still eating the first course. Sure, it might mess up the "timing", but this is about the guest experience, no?

MoonPet, Loving the report!! Can't wait to read the rest.

My husband manages 3 small restaurants here in NYC and this is what is SUPPPOSED to happen: the lingo is 7-15-7. 7 minutes for appetizer, 15 for entree, 7 for dessert. The server "fires" the next course from the computer terminal, adjusting the 7-15-7 times if the guest is taking longer or shorter. They very well may be on an automatic timer at wdw, but that so isn't right. The server should be keeping an eye on his tables. Yes, the runner could turn around and take your entree back to the kitchen if they see you are still eating, but I personally would rather my entree be "fresh" rather than sit under the heating lamps. It really is too bad and they should fix this. Glad you said something to them, though I'm with you on how much it ruins your dining experience. They are suppose to be the professionals and do what is right.

Fascinating info. Thanks.
Feel free to send me a PM of his restaurants here in the city. Always fun to visit new places.

[Amy]

Amy, so sorry you didn't get tickets. I will do an extra good job with taking photos for you.
We are definitely going to spend about 4 -5 days in Tokyo Disney. I can't get over the room rates though. EEK! We're starting to put the trip together.
Did you book your Tokyo Disney trip on your own or did you work with a travel professional?

Thanks for looking out for those of us who really wanted to see Magic & Merriment!
I visited Tokyo Disney at the end of a really big trip so I don't remember the rooms catching me off guard on the price...I only stayed 2 nights though. I booked there, bought tickets there, so everything was done on site. I was actually hoping to camp out with a friend in Tokyo but they were busy and had no room at their teeny place. I only hope that I can return someday ~ Tokyo DL is cool but Tokyo DisneySea is worth the air fare alone!!

[MoonPet]

Right now the rooms at the Tokyo Disney hotels and nearby hotels are averaging between $500 - $700 a night. However, as this is something we've always wanted to do and we are using FF miles and points for our flights and other hotel stays, we'll manage. Still . . . with prices like that, how is this a family vacation destination. EEK!

[Amy]

Right now the rooms at the Tokyo Disney hotels and nearby hotels are averaging between $500 - $700 a night. However, as this is something we've always wanted to do and we are using FF miles and points for our flights and other hotel stays, we'll manage. Still . . . with prices like that, how is this a family vacation destination. EEK!

WOW! I know it wasn't that expensive when I was there! I would have remembered those prices!! Does that include tickets too? Maybe your own personal tour guide for the duration?

[mindflipper]

I hope you make it to TDL, MoonPet! I don't think we've had a trip report ever posted yet for TDL's DisneySeas, so you would be the first! You'll be the envy of the rest of us!

[MoonPet]

Right now the rooms at the Tokyo Disney hotels and nearby hotels are averaging between $500 - $700 a night. However, as this is something we've always wanted to do and we are using FF miles and points for our flights and other hotel stays, we'll manage. Still . . . with prices like that, how is this a family vacation destination. EEK!

WOW! I know it wasn't that expensive when I was there! I would have remembered those prices!! Does that include tickets too? Maybe your own personal tour guide for the duration?

No! Hotel room only, as far as I can tell.
It seems that July is one of their peak seasons. It could also be the currency exchange not working in our favor.

[MoonPet]

So I’m looking back over my calendar at the time I was in WDW and I’m realizing that I really should have pushed myself to write the trip reports right away; the details are fuzzy and the notes make little to no sense. Nice going Nicole . . .


Day 3

Friday August 13th started with another early-ish breakfast at Olivia’s using an ADR that I absolutely didn’t need, because Olivia’s was not crowded. Not sure if I mentioned this before, but a search of Olivia’s in the dining system will tell you that there are few reservations available while in actuality it can be empty many times. If you have ever stayed at OKW, you know firsthand that at most there can be a 10 – 15 minute wait for a table during peak times, but usually you can walk right in. I did not use a dining credit for breakfast, instead I paid out of pocket and used my TIW card.

I went back to Animal Kingdom again today because I really and truly wanted to see everything. I did a few of the “trails” I didn’t see yesterday and also visited the conservation station. I took my time though everything, wasn’t really in a rush, and was able to appreciate lots of the details of AK. I especially liked the wall painting around the tiger area and loved how detailed and authentic they were. I was fortunate to see the baby gorilla that was recently born and did get to spend time with a lovely red tailed hawk and a stunning Hyacinth Macaw at the conservation station. Because it wasn’t crowded, I was able to talk to their handlers for a bit, especially the handler of the macaw. And of course I got caught in another 10 minute soaking downpour, central Florida style. Poncho and flip flops went on and then 10 minutes later the blistering sun was out and I was cooking under the poncho. Brings back such memories of summers in Disney with my family.

However, as the day continued on, the sky started to get dark again and it didn’t seem like it would be another ten minute downpour. By 3:30 pm or so I was really craving a burger and starting to tire out. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not that familiar with AK, but all the quick service locations seemed to have outdoor only seating. Seriously, all I wanted to do was sit inside (because I knew the rain was coming) and eat a burger. It was getting dark and the wind was starting to pick up. I briefly considered Pizzafari, as I knew that was indoors, but the smell of the processed tomato sauce that permeates that place makes me ill. I decided to leave the park. I knew I would miss the lunch menu at Olivia’s, so I decided to head over to Rainforest Café. I made it inside about a minute before a torrential downpour started.

I was only in the Rainforest Café about two minutes before I had a flashback to my last and only other visit to Rainforest Café – being seriously jetlagged, starving, and tired at Disneyland Paris on arrival day many years ago. I was seated right in front of the elephant and I swear that by the time I was done eating I wanted to throw things and yell “SHUT UP!!!!” at that stupid elephant.

So, I had a choice here – go back into the downpour, thunder, and lightning and grab a bus to somewhere to get something to eat (I was sooo hungry) or just stay at Rainforest. Hunger won out and I stayed.

I didn’t have a reservation but Rainforest was not crowded and I was seated right away. I did have my burger and during the course of my meal a massive fight broke out between the monkeys and the apes, or the apes and the chimps, or something like that, at least three times. I think there was a storm or two also. The animals don’t like the thunder much either. They started screaming and hooting when it would thunder. I don’t know how anyone can work in that environment; I would seriously lose my mind. It was so loud I couldn’t hear myself think.

I was happy to get out of there (despite the storm still going on in the real world). The burger was certainly decent. However, not to be gross, that burger did not sit well at all and it repeated on me for hours. Yuck! It could be because I don’t usually eat like this. I should add that I don’t really eat burgers that often, and when I do I know exactly what meat goes into the patty and that it comes from only one cow. This isn’t to discourage you from going to Rainforest, nor do I want to impose my food “issues” on anyone, I just want to give you the complete picture.

I don’t have my receipt anymore, but I do remember feeling that I paid a ridiculously high price for a burger and an iced tea (and I live in NYC, not exactly a low-price city).

The storm continued and I headed back to OKW and took a nap.

Nap and storm over I headed over to The Wave for a late dinner. I had a 9:20 ADR and probably got there around 9ish. In typical Disney fashion the restaurant was not at all crowded and I was given a pager that went off right as I sat down, about 30 seconds later. Does this happen to anyone else? We always get the pager. At the end of the trip I started photographing the pagers. Couldn’t help myself.

I couldn’t get over how The Wave was once the gameroom where I often played air hockey and skee ball as a kid. In fact, turning towards the entrance of The Wave I still expected to hear the clack clack of the air hockey tables and the video game sounds.

I thought the appetizers and dessert and The Wave were outstanding, but the entrée was a bit underwhelming. In fact, had I known, I would have ordered two appetizers instead of an entrée (and skipped using the dining plan).

Meal was as follows (description from menu):

Appetizer: Avocado and Citrus Salad – local greens and orange vinaigrette

Entrée: Braised Chicken Pot Pie – with peas, mushrooms, and carrots topped with thyme pastry

Dessert: “Decadent Flavors” – blueberry compote with yogurt gelato, lemon cornbread with vanilla panna cotta, chocolate mousse with salted caramel sauce

Dessert Wine: Selaks Ice Wine

As I said, appetizer and dessert were outstanding. The dessert was a tasting portion of each of the three items, so it was a perfect size and each item was just incredible. The flavors were intense, well balanced, and all complemented each other well. The chocolate mousse was more fudge-like in texture than mousse and oh so good. And, best part, I got proofed when ordering the Selaks. Woo Hoo! I was thrilled to show my ID. The waiter apologized, but I know that Disney policy is to proof anyone who looks to be under the age of 30. If the waiter thinks I look younger than 30 . . . hooray for me!

I found the chicken pot pie disappointing. First, it wasn’t what I would consider a chicken pot pie. It was a bowl of stew with a disc shaped pastry laid on top of the bowl. But, more importantly, I found both the stew and the pastry to be bland and tasteless, even when adding a little salt and putting the pasty in the stew. I’ll have to try something else next time.

I walked over to MK after dinner and got through the turnstile just as the Main Street Electrical Parade was starting. I walked with the parade up Main Street awhile and then stood near the walkway to Tomorrowland and watched the parade from there. You may recall that the entire reason for staring my trip earlier than planned was to see the MSEP (before they announced the extension of the parade). I wasn’t planning to catch the parade tonight, I just arrived at the perfect time, and was so happy to watch the parade and listed to the music.

It was an extra magic hour evening until 2 am, so naturally I stayed the entire time. As the time ticked on the park got emptier and emptier and it is so much more civil when it isn’t so hot! I was impressed that even though nearly everything was empty and quiet and you could walk on to every ride, the line for Peter Pan’s flight was about 45 minutes. So I got a Fastpass for entry between 12:45 and 1:45 am, went to Philharmagic, then came back to Peter Pan. Another highlight of the evening was almost having the entire Country Bear Jamboree performance to myself. Three other people showed up just as the show was about to start. Say what you will about this very dated attraction, it has very dear memories for me. I did notice that Bunny, Bubbles, and Beula are in need of a little TLC though. Some of their eyes are out of orientation and don’t go back to the center when they are supposed to; they either go to the left or right side of the eye. For me, it was really funny to see – usually one eye was fine and the other was messed up, but I know that if I was a first time guest I would have been really disappointed.

At 1:50 am, when walking back to Main Street through Adventureland, I was happy to see that Aloha Isle was still open and I had my very first Dole Whip (used a snack credit). I got the vanilla swirl one. It was really good and tremendously large. It really is meant to be shared, but of course I finished it. Not sure that I should have eaten that much ice cream at such a late hour, but oh well . . . Having finished the Dole Whip I walked over to the castle just in time for the good night kiss and then headed out of the park. I snapped a photo of a Main Street clock at 2:10 am and then took a few minutes to view the Emporium windows before leaving. There were a few handfuls of guests milling around, but it was so nice, quiet, calm, and not blazing hot. How often do you get to admire the details of the Emporium windows without being jostled, trampled, or irritated? I do always appreciate the Disney window displays, even the “normal” ones that just display merchandise and loved the themed ones along the Main Street alleyways that are just for Main Street theming and don’t display much of the merchandise for sale (for example, the one with the fancy dress and hat).

Took a snapshot of the clock on the bus heading back to OKW; 2:20 am. You would think I have never been here before with the sheer number of hours I am spending out in the parks.

[Amy]

Right now the rooms at the Tokyo Disney hotels and nearby hotels are averaging between $500 - $700 a night. However, as this is something we've always wanted to do and we are using FF miles and points for our flights and other hotel stays, we'll manage. Still . . . with prices like that, how is this a family vacation destination. EEK!

WOW! I know it wasn't that expensive when I was there! I would have remembered those prices!! Does that include tickets too? Maybe your own personal tour guide for the duration?

No! Hotel room only, as far as I can tell.
It seems that July is one of their peak seasons. It could also be the currency exchange not working in our favor.

Ah yes, the dollar has taken quite a nose dive since I was there in 2003, and I went in early December, not during the high summer season. That explains quite a lot...it still is worth the trip. Hopefully you can find cheaper accommodations though!

[Amy]

Nice addition to the trip report MoonPet I love your description of the animal behaviors at the Rainforest Cafe
I've seen the term "good night kiss" before, but I don't know what it is...can someone please enlighten me?!

[MoonPet]

I am sure that someone will post a more elaborate description, but basically the characters come over the PA say good night, the castle changes colors then goes dark for a moment, and the voice of Disney tells you that the park is closed.


From Wikipedia:
At the park's closing, the nightly 'Kiss Goodnight' is performed, in which Roy O. Disney's dedication speech for the Magic Kingdom is played all over the park alongside classic Disney music which changes with the vivid colors of the castle. When the park closes before 11pm, the show is performed again at 11pm providing entertainment for guests of Disney resort hotels bordering the Seven Seas Lagoon.

[Amy]

I am sure that someone will post a more elaborate description, but basically the characters come over the PA say good night, the castle changes colors then goes dark for a moment, and the voice of Disney tells you that the park is closed.

Oh, so there is no actual kissing involved?