TBT: Walt Disney World November 2011, Part 5

By Nick

Back before I blogged, I participated regularly in the DVC News Forums where I would post trip reports, such as this one from November of 2011. 

Obviously part of today's post contains our side trip to Universal. Please hang in there, we get back to Disney at the end!

Any current commentary will be in italics.

PART 5 : 11/15 & 16/11
Part 4 can be found here


Tuesday, November 15th

We got a cab over to Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure, and were there at opening. It was not very crowded, and we walked right into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We knew we should head right for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, but, wow. Just, I'm still really, really impressed, just looking at our pictures.









Absolutely fantastic.
We took some pics, and then headed for Forbidden Journey, which we walked right on. It was amazing. It also almost made me sick. I really need to find a motion sickness solution.
Barbie and Josh had no issues, and went right back on.

After that, we got Butterbeer. I am now an addict. Throughout the day, I had 4.





We walked around the shops, which look amazing, are beautifully themed, but are very tiny and cramped. In fact, that is a good way to describe most of this area. I'm hearing they are going to be expanding, and that will absolutely get me back in. (Diagon Alley is now open and as wonderfully themed!)

We had an early lunch at the Three Broomsticks. The food was just so-so. I've been told that one central kitchen makes all the food for the restaurants in the park, and it sort of came over. The chicken and ribs were dry. The surroundings were gorgeous, the food looked delicious, but it unfortunately did not live up to the look. (Back to Diagon Alley, the food at The Leaky Cauldron is terrific.)

After lunch, Josh and Barbie went off to ride both sides of the Dragon Challenge, while I had a real beer in the Hog's Head. I was told the beer was made just for there. It wasn't bad, very Killian's Red.



Jill and I walked through the queue of Dragons, which was very nicely themed. But the coolest queue is in Forbidden Journey, and we all walked through Hogwarts. You can walk through the castle to see the very well done effects. We easily spent 40 minutes in there.
I actually watched a teenage girl walk into the room where Harry, Ron, and Hermione are projected, telling you about how to go on your journey, and burst into tears. It is THE Mecca for Harry Potter fans.
It may seem like I'm gushing. Because I am.

By now, it was 1pm, and we headed to other park locales. We eventually made our way around to Spider-Man. Barbie, Josh and I rode, and for some reason, I was fine, so we rode again.
Barbie and Josh rode Hulk twice, and we walked back around for more Butterbeer, before leaving for the day.

That night we had dinner at Trail's End, and Barbie and I had an early evening, as we had to pack.
Josh and Jill went to the pool and hot tub.

Wednesday, November 16th

We were at rope drop for Disney Hollywood Studios, and went right on Toy Story Midway Mania.



Josh and I headed over to Rockin Roller Coaster, while the girls went pin trading, and we got the front row.
We then rode Tower of Terror, and met the ladies afterwards, and had cupcakes for breakfast at Starring Rolls.
Peanut Butter and Red Velvet.



Barbie, Josh and I rode Star Tours next.



By now, it was around 11, so Barbie and I decided to head back. Josh and Jill stayed 2 more nights.
Barbie and I got off at the Wilderness Lodge and I grabbed a burger at Roaring Forks. We had a 120PM Magical Express pick up.

It was a great trip. Thank you for reading!

Thank you for following along on another trip, and Happy Thanksgiving to our readers in the United States.

TBT: Walt Disney World November 2011, Part 4

By Nick

Back before I blogged, I participated regularly in the DVC News Forums where I would post trip reports, such as this one from November of 2011. Any current commentary will be in italics.

PART 4 : 11/14/11 
Part 3 can be found here
 
Monday, November 14th:

We made the 8AM Extra Magic Hour at the Animal Kingdom, and rode the Kilimanjaro Safaris twice.
The first ride, the lion was awake!



The second ride, the lion was up! But no roar.



We then headed over to Expedition Everest, and Josh and Barbie rode. Jill managed to get a picture of them. That's them in the front!



We headed over towards Dinosaur, and Nemo was just seating, so we went in.



We then rode Dinosaur.
Barbie and Josh went back to Everest, while I went with Jill, who needed more Tigger!



I love the winter outfits.



We went one way around to meet up with Barbie and Josh, and they went to the picture spot looking for us, and got their pics with the characters also.



We met up, and had lunch at Yak and Yeti. Everything was very good, but we all agreed, the Chicken Lo Mein Jill ordered was the best dish. (This is my favorite Chicken Lo Mein, anywhere!)



Afterwards, we went to see "It's Tough to be a Bug".
We then did the different animal trails. The animals were all fairly active.





We then took some pics in front of the Tree of Life.





By now, it was getting late, and we caught the last Safari of the day. This time, the lion was pacing, probably waiting to be fed. We stopped and watched him for a few moments, but still no roar. Oh, well.





We headed over to the Magic Kingdom after the AK closed, as Barbie and I really wanted to see the Christmas version of the Castle show.
It was packed! I started to have flash backs to the 40th Anniversary debacle, and we all decided to get off Main Street and find a quieter local. We had dinner at Cosmic Rays, and then waited for the show next to the Tomorrowland Terrace.





It's a pretty good spot, but.....



..half of the front of the caste projection was out! Major disappointment!

We waited a couple minutes, but it wasn't being corrected, so we headed around to Big Thunder to ride while the fireworks were going off.

After that, the park started emptying out, as it was evening Extra Magic Hours, so we walked right onto Jungle Cruise, then got ice cream at the Plaza.



We then headed out. It was a long day!

Please stop back next Thursday for the final part of this all to short trip.

TBT: Walt Disney World November 2011, Part 1

By Nick

Back before I blogged, I participated regularly in the DVC News Forums where I would post trip reports, such as this one from November of 2011. Any current commentary will be in italics.

PART 1 : 11/11/11

Who?
Me, my wife, Barbie, and our friend's Josh and Jill.
Where?
The Cabin's at Fort Wilderness.

Friday, November 11th:

We flew into Orlando from Philly, and took Magical Express to Fort Wilderness, checked in, and proceeded to our cabin.

We were in cabin 2768, which is very close to the main road, and one of the many bus stops throughout the grounds.
It is also a fairly short walk to the Outpost Depot, which is where you get a bus to Downtown Disney and all the parks except the Magic Kingdom, which is reached by boat.

Our cabin:







You walk into the kitchen area straight ahead.



To the right is the living room. There is a Murphy bed, which is where my wife and I slept.





This is very comfortable, perhaps more comfortable than other resorts beds. It is a double however, so some may find it a little small.
The hallway.



The bathroom. I felt the water pressure was also better than some resorts.



The bedroom.



A couple of things of note. I think this may have been one of the cleanest and most well kept of the rooms we've stayed in! Mouse Keeping was exceptional.

Also, one of the things I got the most feedback about, was the bus service. Many suggested we rent a car, but our friends decided that wasn't necessary. The bus service was the best of any other resort we've stayed at, with the exception of one late evening, after returning via boat from the Magic Kingdom, when we had to wait about 20 minutes for a bus. Even the internal bus service was often arriving just as we would approach both our local bus stop or the main Outpost stop. On only a couple of occasions was a bus not at the ready, and we opted to simply walk either to the main depot, or our cabin.

The pools, we did not try, but our friends enjoyed the heated quiet pool and hot tub.

Me, my wife, and our friends all agree, we would absolutely stay at the cabins again.

A big thank you to Jill for getting the interior pics for us after we left, mine didn't come out very well.

We dropped off our bags, and headed right to Epcot for some Food and Wine.
Josh, my wife Barbie, and Jill.



The weather was absolutely perfect. The Christmas decorations were already appearing, and the Christmas loops were playing.



Loved the Lamp Chop from Australia.



2 other great choices were the Steak Taco and Flan from Mexico.



Just so-so were the ravioli's from Italy.






We got our pics with Beauty and the Beast. I'd never even seen the Beast there before! We didn't get one picture where we were all looking at the same camera, as the PhotoPass person, Josh and Jill were all taking pics at the same time. 

I did a post about this, which can be found here.



A Torontopolitan from a cart in front of Canada.



Having made our way around World Showcase, we headed for Future World, and rode Imagination and the Seas With Nemo, and explored the Seas.
By now, it was almost time to head back to World Showcase. We were attending the 3D Dessert party, which was at 8PM.
On the way there, we ran into a co-worker of my wife, Mary! From New Jersey! And this wouldn't be the only time!!
.
The Dessert party:

We lined up about 730, and were admitted not to soon afterwards. We waited in front of a curtain, which was parted at 8, and all rushed for tables, which really wasn't necessary, as there were plenty.
I picked out a table, and next to our table was Barbie's co-worker, Mary! What are the odds?!



The room was beautiful.







There was an excellent live band playing songs such as "Sweet Caroline", "Sweet Child of Mine", "Sweet Home Alabama", you get the picture.



There was a lot of drink choices, coffees, teas, and many adult beverages, wine, punches, etc., and our favorite, the DeKuyper liquors.





There was also a savory station of dried meats and cheeses, as well as fruit.

Sadly the most disappointing thing about the dessert party were the desserts.



The best thing, and almost worth the price of admission alone, was the Flambeed Cinnamon Doughnuts with Red Stag Infused Sundried Cherries served with Red Stag Ice Cream.





Most of the rest of the desserts were fairly pedestrian. We all agreed the dessert trio from the Food and Wine Dessert and Champagne Booth was far superior.

At about 930, there was an announcement that we would be going to the Illuminations viewing area, located between the 2 shops at the entrance of World Showcase. On the way out, we were each handed a gift bag with a Merci Chocolate assortment, as well as some other goodies. We were also provide special glasses that made small Mickey heads out of the fireworks.



All in all, it was absolutely worth experiencing once, but we agreed we wouldn't do it again.

Please stop back next Thursday for Part 2!