got15
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2014
We were at WDW from November 26-December 2 and stayed at BWI Club Level and POR (1 night). We had Park Hoppers & the DDP.
Resorts:
POR: We liked our room (Alligator Bayou- Bldg 37, Standard view)initially. We heard the neighbors next to us- and were facing the parking lot. We never heard the cars in the parking lot. We did have a few incidents: 1. Lost our son's lovie (soul crushing), 2. DH broke out into bug bites from the bed, and 3. killed a few ticks in the room. DH spoke to the MOD and response was passive for all- bugs and ticks happen. Will not be staying here again.
BWI: We had a CL Standard Room. We had a wonderful view of the main courtyard, Christmas tree and boardwalk.. if this was a Standard Room view- we could see the water and Boardwalk- and we were impressed. This was our first time at this resort and the CL concierge was spectacular! I was peeved at first that we were not greeted or checked-in by concierge but by the front desk- but soon got over it- it just made the check-in a little chaotic. We had welcome balloons in our room- which was a nice touch. We used the lounge mostly in the mornings and afternoons. We loved that they had a substantial breakfast, a nespresso machine, and that snacks were a little heavier (due to this- we were left with a bunch of quick service credits). On a beautiful moment- I spoke to Anita and Joe in the morning about the lost lovie and the POR experience- she said she would try to track it down. When we came back to our room in the evening- they had put a new lovie in there (not the one that we had lost- but something to keep our DS happy in the evening). It was so beautiful and I will be forever grateful. It was truly a special Disney moment. Otherwise, the hotel was very easy to get around, the pool was nice- but in need of a refurb. Transportation to MK by bus was very quick- and we never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus. We will be back- we were pleasantly surprised.
Parks:
- They were busy, the Park Hopper and going in with a touring plan and FP made the difference.
- CM were friendly, even after the Thanksgiving rush
- We tried the Early Morning Magic- we enjoyed ourselves, the kids LOVED riding SDMT multiple times. I don't know if we would pay for that again- but as a one time splurge- it was enjoyable
- MVMCP- it was busy (we went on Dec 1), and it took us awhile to get in the park (maybe 40 min), meet and greet waits were very long- we only did 2, and the cookie/cocoa lines were very efficient
- EPCOT was always crowded (esp around the USA near the amphitheater). NPH was speaking the night we were there- and I know thats a busy one- but the foot traffic was very tight. We did the FEA ride with a FP (even with that it was a 35 min wait)- but was cute. We enjoyed the Christmas stories from each country- and the seasonal foods. We enjoyed the new Soarin as well. DHS was under construction but still good for a 3/4 of a day.
- parks and restrooms were clean (minus the Tomorrowland in MK bathrooms)
- monorail worked fine every time we were on it
Dining:
- Due to our decent sized snacks and breakfasts at BWI- we left too many credits on the table. We will need to amend this for the next trip- and maybe just pay OOP.
- Stand outs: Flying Fish, Ohana (Dinner), and Garden Grill (lunch), Flame Tree BBQ. We loved loved loved Flying Fish- DH had bison and I had Lobster. It was beautiful, food was inspired, and service was wonderful. Highly Recommend! Garden Grill was terrific as usual- while its not the most mind blowing food ever- it is consistent. We keep going back for the service (we love our server Staci- she remembered us from our last trip!!!) and we love the character interaction. Ohana was yummy as usual- and we tried Flame Tree at AK for the first time- we like it- esp the quality for a QS.
- Disappointments: The Wave (Dinner) and Mama Melrose (lunch)... took waay too long for what it was worth- food was disappointing.
Extras:
We did Kids club at the Beach Club and also the Pirates & Pals cruise- both standouts!!!
Honestly, this was one of our best trips ever. The weather was perfect- crows were decent- and we met and encountered some really wonderful CMs. While disappointed that the lovie never was found- the thoughtfulness and compassion that our hotel staff had for us was so touching. There really is no place like Disney- we visit other places- but keep coming back- its a great time for all.
Resorts:
POR: We liked our room (Alligator Bayou- Bldg 37, Standard view)initially. We heard the neighbors next to us- and were facing the parking lot. We never heard the cars in the parking lot. We did have a few incidents: 1. Lost our son's lovie (soul crushing), 2. DH broke out into bug bites from the bed, and 3. killed a few ticks in the room. DH spoke to the MOD and response was passive for all- bugs and ticks happen. Will not be staying here again.
BWI: We had a CL Standard Room. We had a wonderful view of the main courtyard, Christmas tree and boardwalk.. if this was a Standard Room view- we could see the water and Boardwalk- and we were impressed. This was our first time at this resort and the CL concierge was spectacular! I was peeved at first that we were not greeted or checked-in by concierge but by the front desk- but soon got over it- it just made the check-in a little chaotic. We had welcome balloons in our room- which was a nice touch. We used the lounge mostly in the mornings and afternoons. We loved that they had a substantial breakfast, a nespresso machine, and that snacks were a little heavier (due to this- we were left with a bunch of quick service credits). On a beautiful moment- I spoke to Anita and Joe in the morning about the lost lovie and the POR experience- she said she would try to track it down. When we came back to our room in the evening- they had put a new lovie in there (not the one that we had lost- but something to keep our DS happy in the evening). It was so beautiful and I will be forever grateful. It was truly a special Disney moment. Otherwise, the hotel was very easy to get around, the pool was nice- but in need of a refurb. Transportation to MK by bus was very quick- and we never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus. We will be back- we were pleasantly surprised.
Parks:
- They were busy, the Park Hopper and going in with a touring plan and FP made the difference.
- CM were friendly, even after the Thanksgiving rush
- We tried the Early Morning Magic- we enjoyed ourselves, the kids LOVED riding SDMT multiple times. I don't know if we would pay for that again- but as a one time splurge- it was enjoyable
- MVMCP- it was busy (we went on Dec 1), and it took us awhile to get in the park (maybe 40 min), meet and greet waits were very long- we only did 2, and the cookie/cocoa lines were very efficient
- EPCOT was always crowded (esp around the USA near the amphitheater). NPH was speaking the night we were there- and I know thats a busy one- but the foot traffic was very tight. We did the FEA ride with a FP (even with that it was a 35 min wait)- but was cute. We enjoyed the Christmas stories from each country- and the seasonal foods. We enjoyed the new Soarin as well. DHS was under construction but still good for a 3/4 of a day.
- parks and restrooms were clean (minus the Tomorrowland in MK bathrooms)
- monorail worked fine every time we were on it
Dining:
- Due to our decent sized snacks and breakfasts at BWI- we left too many credits on the table. We will need to amend this for the next trip- and maybe just pay OOP.
- Stand outs: Flying Fish, Ohana (Dinner), and Garden Grill (lunch), Flame Tree BBQ. We loved loved loved Flying Fish- DH had bison and I had Lobster. It was beautiful, food was inspired, and service was wonderful. Highly Recommend! Garden Grill was terrific as usual- while its not the most mind blowing food ever- it is consistent. We keep going back for the service (we love our server Staci- she remembered us from our last trip!!!) and we love the character interaction. Ohana was yummy as usual- and we tried Flame Tree at AK for the first time- we like it- esp the quality for a QS.
- Disappointments: The Wave (Dinner) and Mama Melrose (lunch)... took waay too long for what it was worth- food was disappointing.
Extras:
We did Kids club at the Beach Club and also the Pirates & Pals cruise- both standouts!!!
Honestly, this was one of our best trips ever. The weather was perfect- crows were decent- and we met and encountered some really wonderful CMs. While disappointed that the lovie never was found- the thoughtfulness and compassion that our hotel staff had for us was so touching. There really is no place like Disney- we visit other places- but keep coming back- its a great time for all.
