Originally Posted By RoadTrip We were at WDW from April 26 – May 3 for my daughter’s wedding and a vacation afterwards. Following are a few random thoughts from our trip… The parks were all looking very good. Of course Epcot was having its Flower and Garden Festival so it looked especially good. Overall maintenance seemed better than I've experienced in the past few years. I used to try and remember where the clean restrooms were. This year I didn't happen upon one that made me go "Ewww". The crowds seemed heavy but wait times for most attractions were short. I can't quite figure that out. Was everyone just walking around and not going on rides or what? It seems bizarre when the streets are packed yet Tower of Terror is a WALK-ON and Rock and Roller Coaster is only a 10 minute wait. Maybe everyone was standing in line for Toy Story Midway Mania. Speaking of MM, I LOVED it! The only bad part is that it makes Buzz seem kind of lame. We enjoyed the re-worked Spaceship Earth. I like the Judi Dench narration better than Jeremy Irons, but still think I liked Cronkite the best. The final two computer scenes are OK. Not sure if I like the really bright mainframe scene going into the darkness of Woz in his garage. By the time your eyes adjust to the light difference you are out of the scene. It wasn't until the second time through that I realized what it was supposed to represent. I’ve read that the guy in the garage is in fact an ‘everyman’ rather than a specific individual, but I am personally convinced it looks like Woz. Does the new SSE have theme music? Is so, it certainly is not memorable. I don't remember a thing. We really enjoyed the cartoon thing on the way down. Sorry. Must be my frozen Minnesota brain. One time our photos apparently didn't work and they used generic heads. We were actually disappointed! We had a great meal at Restaurant Marrakesh. We've decided it is definitely our favorite Epcot restaurant. Yeah, I know. Frozen brain again. We love the room size and landscaping of Old Key West, but it is a really crummy resort if you don't have a car. Even though Saratoga Springs is a larger resort, it is more walking-friendly. At SSR the main buildings and pool are at the hub of a hub and spokes arrangement. Most areas of the resort are within reasonable walking distance of the central buildings. At Old Key West the main buildings and pool are at the northern edge of the resort with almost all of the villas extending south from there. When you get down to the southern end of the resort you are a LONG WAY from the 'Hospitality House'. Bus transportation at OKW is also cumbersome because the buildings are all arranged around a series of streets ending in cul-de-sacs that have only one way in and out. Because of this, transportation within the resorts takes a LONG time. It can take more time getting from the entrance of the resort to your resort stop than it takes to get from the theme park to the resort entrance! I still really like OKW, and greatly enjoy dining at Olivia's. But I would not consider staying there again without a car. Now for the bad. You know me. I am very rarely disappointed by WDW. But the 78 degree temperature setting in the resort rooms SUCKS!! You walk into your room at the end of the day and it smells like a swamp. Florida is just too humid... if they are going to set the temperature that high they should at least have a dehumidifier still running to remove the water from the air. Whatever they save in electricity they are going to have to spend on increased maintenance. Mildew was forming on the ceiling paint around the cooling unit and the cooler grill was starting to rust. If you let that much humidity accumulate in a room it is going to condense around the cooler when it starts running again. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID. I’m irritated enough about this that I am writing an e-mail to DVC complaining about it… a FIRST for me! Well, TTFN. I will make another post about my daughter's wedding when I have the time.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Thanks for the update. Sounds like you had a good time. Sorry your room was uncomfortable when you got in.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Once in the room you could turn the thermostat down and it would be comfortable within 10 minutes. So it certainly didn't keep me from enjoying my vacation. We had a great time. I just hated the musty smell when you walked in to the room after a day at the parks. You don't expect that when you pay what you are paying at a Disney resort. It also bothered me that the new policy was resulting in mildew and rust... not exactly something you want to see in a supposedly high-end hotel room.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 << It also bothered me that the new policy was resulting in mildew and rust... not exactly something you want to see in a supposedly high-end hotel room>> I wonder if in the long run, that may end up being more expensive.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Where did you end up for your anniversary dinner?>> You'll probably be disappointed. My wife just didn't like the menus at the various "fancy" places I wanted to take her to. She wanted to go to Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot so that is where we went. One thing I've learned over the years... when doing something special for Rosie it should be what SHE considers special... not necessarily what I consider special.
Originally Posted By dshyates Smart man. I am glad you guys enjoyed your special dinner, WDW in general, and your daughters most special day.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Hey, I enjoyed that restaurant, too! And I'm not even from Minnesota... Glad you two had a great time for a wonderful moment in your lives!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I wonder if in the long run, that may end up being more expensive. >>> It may not even matter, depending on how they have their accounting set up.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad <<<<The crowds seemed heavy but wait times for most attractions were short. I can't quite figure that out. Was everyone just walking around and not going on rides or what? It seems bizarre when the streets are packed yet Tower of Terror is a WALK-ON and Rock and Roller Coaster is only a 10 minute wait>>>> I commented on the same thing in Nov. The only explanation I could think of was that perhaps so many people were waiting on dinner reservations with the DDP. While Toy story was extremely busy ToT and RnRC had very short waits in Nov. also. So we fast passed Toy Story and then went an rode the other 2 standby.
Originally Posted By MPierce Thanks for the report RT, and congratulations to your daughter. I really don't think Disney's latest attempt to save money, under the guise of going green is going to be a big hit with the majority of guest.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 One thing I've learned over the years... when doing something special for Rosie it should be what SHE considers special... not necessarily what I consider special. smart man -- thanks for the heads up on the A/C- as I will likely be there the first week of August. ( I know the family will be there - my job not cooperating 100% right now ) - if oldest daughter goes back to sit by the pool mid day - will have her turn down A/C. as for OKW - it is still my fave DVC but I do always have a car -so the distance issues never affected me...
Originally Posted By jkayjs <<You'll probably be disappointed. My wife just didn't like the menus at the various "fancy" places I wanted to take her to. She wanted to go to Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot so that is where we went.>> I too enjoy Marrakesh. It is lovely & intimate. I keep trying to get Mr.jkayjs to go. I thought the belly dancer might work but not so far. BTW you couldn't disappoint anyone after all it was you & your lovely wifes anniversary. Hope all went well with the wedding & congrats. Will look forward to your report. Disney may have opened a can of worms with this thermostat thing. Besides the issues you already mentioned there is also a health issue. Many folks have allergies to mold. Boy would that be fun sleeping in a room that blows mold spores into the air you are breathing. Of course there is always some of these allergns around but actively encouraging their developement to save a few dollars isn't wise. Oh well maybe they'll wise up before we go in Dec.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad <<<Many folks have allergies to mold. Boy would that be fun sleeping in a room that blows mold spores into the air you are breathing. Of course there is always some of these allergns around but actively encouraging their developement to save a few dollars isn't wise.>>> I just can't imagine how those rooms are going to look and smell after a hot humid year of temperature control. BTW isn't it alot easier to prevent mold and mildew than to try to remove it after the fact?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Interesting observations, Trippy. Most importantly, congrats to you and the wife on the anniversary and many, many, many more ... and on the nuptuals. Sounds like you had a great trip because of those two most important gals. Beyond the OKW AC situation (follow my advice on the other thread) it doesn't seem you had any real issues. OKW is one resort I have never stayed at (BCV and ASMovies being the others) but I never want to be at the whim of Disney buses to begin with. Restaurant Marrakesh has never disappointed me, so it doesn't surprise me that you enjoyed it. And so what if that's where Rosie wanted to go? You're going for a special dinner with the PERSON so the place doesn't matter so long as the two of you are happy. Are the other places 'better'? Well, it's always subjective but it's safe to say YES!!! ... But again, so long as you kids enjoyed yourself it doesn't matter if you dined on Big Macs! Anyway, interesting comments and would look forward to hearing more.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Disney may have opened a can of worms with this thermostat thing. Besides the issues you already mentioned there is also a health issue. Many folks have allergies to mold. Boy would that be fun sleeping in a room that blows mold spores into the air you are breathing. Of course there is always some of these allergns around but actively encouraging their developement to save a few dollars isn't wise. Oh well maybe they'll wise up before we go in Dec.>> It may well keep me off-property (or at least out of a Disney owned and operated location) if I head up in July unless I am sure that my resort doesn't have the controls locked. If it's 95 and humid out, I want my room a nice, cool 70 degrees. As to environmentality, they can go ... nevermind. This was trippy's happy thread!
Originally Posted By StitchMom84 I found this post again, RT,because I just had the pleasure of looking at your beautiful daughter's wedding photos withing another posted topic. You should post the link here for anyone who may not have been reading that other topic. BTW...do you have time to do the report on the wedding itself? It sure looked like you have a wonderful day..and again,your daughter is beautiful ...thank you for sharing the photos with us.
