AffordableDisney-Trip Reports
|
|||
Brought to you by...
John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
Vickie writes: "Hi John, just returned from D.W. on the 10th of Aug, 2003. We took advantage of the annual passholder discount at the Animal Kingdom that you had posted. We had spent 14 nights at Riverside last Nov. which was about our 12th or 13th time there, and as much as we love it there, we decided that we were ready for a change. It was a wonderful experience from the moment we arrived. The desk clerk was fantastic. I asked her if there might be any complementary room upgrades and she said there was no reason not to ask, and yes there was. As we had the passholder discount which was for a standard room, we would have been happy with any upgrade. We were very surprised and happy to be on the 3rd floor facing the Arusha Rock savanna. What a thrill to watch the giraffes, zebras, gazelles and numerous other animals for 12 glorious nights. Our housekeeper was so nice and really went above and beyond. We had our 5 yr. old grand daughter along, and every day when we got back to our room, she (the maid) had placed the small Eeyore and Bunny that my granddaughter had brought with her in creative little scenarios. It was so much fun for all of us. The first day she took a bath towel and two face towels and made them into the shape of a Mickey head on the bed, with a blue bag under the largest part and then set the animals in it as if in a pool. Another time we came back to find the Privacy Please door hanger on the closed bathroom door, and Eeyore and Bunny were sitting in the bathtub with shower caps on there heads, a wash cloth over them and a small shampoo bottle next to them. She did 4 or 5 other equally fun and creative things with them also. She really went out of her way. I can honestly say that we did not encounter one grumpy cast member. My only observation on a negative note was that some areas that were kept swept clean and painted in the past so that everything always looked "neat and pretty" were not this time. We went to Tom Sawyer Island and Injun Joe's cave was full of old litter, empty drink bottles and debris that had obviously been there for some time. That wasn't the only place that I noticed that, there was just generally lots more litter on the ground. I have to say that as a lover of all things Disney, it makes me a little angry that so many people are so disrespectful of my favorite place on earth. Of course, I realize that many people there don't share my feelings, but just a modicum of respect for one's surroundings would go a long ways towards keeping things clean. Well, enough of that. As usual, it was wonderful, and I will continue to watch the book for resort deals. Thanks for making such a great book." Thanks, Vickie, for the report and your generous comments. Eeyore and Bunny with shower caps on in the tub! What a hoot! |
Resources
|
||
Vickie visited WDW July, 2003: "Hi John, Just a few more things to share about our last July, early Aug. '03 vacation to WDW. We used your advice to get the discounted standard room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) and have always heard that it may pay to ask if there might be a room upgrade available. We asked and were upgraded to a 3rd floor savanna view room that was just beautiful. Yes, it is a hike from the lobby, but we have stayed at our favorite, Port Orleans Riverside at least 15 times, and it is also a hike to get over to the food court, and it is all outside. At least if it was raining, we were able to get to our room and stay dry at the same time. For folks planning on going in the late summer, expect rain most afternoons. This isn't such a big problem though if you bring your ponchos or can be a wonderful opportunity for a nap. It is vacation after all. We brought cereal with us and had breakfast in our room every morning, and went to the Mara 1-2 times a day. The food was good and the service was good. The only thing that was frustrating was that families or groups that were together would go up to the counter where there was a cast member waiting to take your order and hand you the ticket that you then take to your table, which is followed soon by your food delivered by a cast member. Anyway, there are large boards above the ordering area with alternating pictures of all of the food choices, and many times the family in its entirety or a group of 2 or more families would go up there and stand there for very extended periods of time deciding what they all wanted to eat, while all other customers stood in line awaiting their turn. As there was only one person taking orders the entire 12 days that we stayed there, it would be really courteous to others to know what you want when you go up to the line. John, they have the same cookies as Riverside:-) The pool is wonderful. Foam rubber swim vests are available at no cost for the little kids, and the recreation directors do a really fun event with the kids with African instruments every morning to "make the water flow down the slide and open the water slide. We had the same housekeeper every day but she made our stay very memorable. She would stage little scenarios with our grand daughter's bunny and Eeyore that she had brought along. Our grand daughter got very ill while there, and not knowing where to take her for care, I inquired at customer services and was advised to take her to the ER at the Celebration hospital. That whole experience was less than good due to the treatment while there, but our housekeeper got our little princess a card that was a picture of Mickey in Safari clothes, that was addressed to her and signed by Mickey, because she knew that she was ill. She really went above and beyond. As usual, we are already yearning for our next trip to WDW and thank you for all of the good tips and advice that are available in your book." Glad you had a good time, but I'm sorry to hear about your grand daughter's illness. I hope she recovered quickly. I could go for one of those cookies right now! :)
Tana visited WDW July 4, 2003: "I have meant to write before and every time I read your newsletter it reminds me. Our family visited Disney World on July 4th. We wanted to have a memorable vacation and thought that would be the most perfect day to visit. We arrived at the park just minutes after opening and were advised that the park would be full to capacity by 9:30 and if we left we probably wouldn't be able to get back in so we just made a day of it. The park was crowded, but we had an incredible day! At the end of the day (around 1:30 a.m.) my husband was exchanging a purchase that didn't work and my daughter was dancing around just being the princess that she is (while her 4 brothers were catching some zzz's) and a security guard was watching her and asked if I would allow her to call the last Monorail and of course I said yes. So, after waiting on my husband she was able to get on the walkie talkie and make the call for the last Monorail that officially closes the park. They took a digital picture for us (gave us the disk), gave her a pin and a junior security guard sticker and she got to be the co-pilot for the trip. It made our first trip to Disney a very memorable one and I'm sure this won't be the last. :o) Thanks for the great tips!" Thanks, Tana, for sharing that with me and our readers. That will make a wonderful memory for your "princess."
Melody visited WDW June, 2003: My family recently went to WDW (6/29-7/3/2003). Beth made our reservations at Wilderness Lodge and we were able to get an excellent room with a fabulous pool view for only $129 a night-- over $100 less than the rack room rate! The cast members were wonderful. I lost my cell phone at MGM studios and the cast member at WL made all the calls necessary to track down my phone and get it back to me! I thought I would have to go back to MGM to retrieve it, and we had not planned on returning there, but it turns out, they ship everything to a central lost and found, which happened to be within walking distance of WL!! The transportation to/from WL was fine. The only problem we encountered was leaving the MK right after fireworks one night. We had to wait 40 minutes for a boat, but I had been forewarned about this, so it was my own fault for not hanging out at MK longer to avoid mass exodus after the fireworks. We were able to get into MK early by making priority seating reservations for breakfast before the park opened. Our family really enjoyed Cinderella's Castle and Crystal Palace. I also highly recommend e-ride night for guests staying on property. We were able to ride all the biggie rides as many times as we wanted. Even without e-ride night, the waits were not bad except in the heat of the afternoon, when we left to go swimming at the hotel anyway. Fastpass was EXCELLENT and I hope they add more rides. Thanks for all of your excellent advice and especially to Beth for her friendly, prompt service and the great savings!"
Steve visited WDW June, 2003: "We just returned from 10 days at Disney with mixed feelings: The Good: Great....Beth, your recommended travel agent. We saved over $500 [following a strategy in the book] ... and having Beth reserve us 2 rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for 10 nights... We had been calling every day and when I spoke with Beth she said, 'let me try for you,' and she did great. Fast Pass really works to get through the park the way you want to go. Overall Disney Food, especially Hollywood and Vine restaurant in MGM, was excellent. Tickets [from your agent], we got a 5 day park Hopper with 4 options and used them all. Plus it allowed us to take advantage of the E-ticket at the Magic Kingdom on a night the park closed at 7 PM. It was walk on time on the biggie rides. House of Blues Sunday Services/Brunch.......outstanding entertainment as well as a tasty buffet brunch. "Keys to the Kingdom" behind the scenes 5 1/2 hour tour, $58 with lunch at the Columbia House restaurant. You get to see the tunnels, behind the walls and inside the parade floats. Hostess Mary is an outstanding pleasure to tour with. I highly recommend calling for this. The Not so good: Having Animal Kingdom Lodge tell us at check in that they upgraded our room and then sending us to the almost but not quite furthest 2 rooms in the hotel, rooms 4347 and 4349. 350 steps to the front desk, 780 steps to the Mara for unlimited beverages in the $10 mugs. We (6 adults) were there 10 nights and I spoke with David, a Guest Services Manager, on day 7 to explain this and said we did not want to move but please don't consider this location at the back end of the hotel from the standard parking lot view rooms an upgrade and got no response. Losing 1/3 of the AKL parking lot to valet parking and having to walk and walk just to self park. The time we were there the valet parking was less than 25% full at any time. AKL swimming pool...just 1 pool for such a huge resort, well a hotel and then the animals they make show up by bringing their food outside the windows so you can see the various animals. The front desk staff at the AKL are not trained properly to answer questions beyond the ones in their orientation, such as when we were leaving at 6 :15 to catch a 7 :45 AM flight the front desk person explained the bell stand was not on until 7 AM and when we slepped our bags down they asked why didn't we call for the bell services at the valet area. The 3 restaurants are different but not always good different. Disney is still a full life experience but I would never ever stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge."
Kristi visited WDW June, 2003: "My husband and I went to WDW June 26th - July 2nd. We had subscribed to your site around April I believe--and have found it to be well worth the price!! We stayed at the Port Orleans using a tip on a discount price off the weekly updates...we utilized Beth for our reservations. She was wonderful. And our accommodations were out of this world. The Port Orleans was way above our expectations...and we got a great room for $94/night. The staff were wonderful and very, very helpful!! Our entire trip was magical and above our dreams! Unlike recent reports, we did not experience any rude cast members--on the contrary, everyone we encountered was very cheery and helpful. We took the Behind the Magic tour for $199/person---and it was phenomenal...well worth the money if you can afford it. They give you a special behind the magic pin at the end of the tour...we ate lunch (provided in cost of tour) at the upscale Italian restaurant in MGM---a very pricey meal....just an absolute delightful part of our trip. I hope to be more detailed with you in the next few weeks-- however, I wanted to give you some good news because I've read so many disappointing accounts in the last updates. We really had an awesome time...this was my husband's first time and my second at WDW--and we will definitely be going back. I had some medical needs due to horrible blisters while we were there--and can honestly say that the cast members were very helpful and knowledgeable in assisting us with anything we asked. And as the latest update said--the wait for the rides was usually none--and if any maybe 10 minutes--with it being 20 minutes for It's a Bug's Life at Animal Kingdom. So sorry that others have not had a magical experience as of late...because we definitely had an awesome time!" Kristi, glad you had a great time! Blisters can be a problem - I know!
Choose a page and jump: Looking for something in particular?
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information contained on our site. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other companies mentioned on our site and in our newsletter are registered trademarks of their respective companies. The use of these trademarks is for editorial reasons only. No endorsement by the Walt Disney Company or any other company is implied. |
