10th Anniversary Trip Report - A Much Needed Break!!!

[PAJD]

We weren't sure what to do for dinner this night. I had booked Cali Grill for a full dinner, but midway through Saturday, we realized we'd been eating/drinking so much during the day, we probably wouldn't be up for a huge meal Sunday night. Turns out we were right. So I had cancelled the reservation with time to spare on the 24 hour rule, and we just headed down to The Wave for dinner.

That night the Flyers and Devils were playing Game 4. Big game. Thought for sure it was on NBC, and Kim actually suggested we sit at the bar if I wanted to watch it. Great idea! But it was on NBC Sports Network instead, and in Disney, you're not getting more NBC unless you pay bookoo bucks. So they only carry NBC and the news networks. Ugghh. So no watching that at the bar. But we decide to eat there anyway.

We pull a seat up to the bar and order drinks. Blue Moon for me and Margarita for Kim. For dinner, I really just wanted a burger, and Kim just wanted a cobb salad. Saw the bison burger on the lunch menu and asked if I could have that. I think I really disappointed the bartender at that point because after that, he completely ignored us, and there were only a few others there. I also ordered the pretzels as an app cause they just sounded good. We rip through those, and yes, they were good. And then Kim's salad came out. Very weak. Tasted good, but it literally looked like a kids' salad (even though he asked her if she wanted dinner size), and she was done in minutes. My burger came out plain (assumed it came with cheese because he didn't ask me), and a handful of burnt and pretty cold fries. I didn't want to ask about cheese or complain about the fries because the bartender at this point hadn't even looked at us since taking our order 15 minutes ago, and our drinks were pretty much finished - something you would expect a bartender to notice want to address. The burger was actually good, so not a total loss. Bartender never asked us if we wanted another drink, never asked us if we wanted dessert, so I finally flagged him down, asked for the check and we went back upstairs. Weird. I shouldn't have used TIW because I really didn't want to leave him a tip. Worst service we had that weekend by far. And I'm still not sure why. O well.

[wxchick]

Thank you for all the pics and sharing your trip with us. It seems as if it was magical.

I was telling DH about the wine at the GF....I anticipate wine and truffles at our house this weekend!

[PAJD]

Breaking this night up because there's no more pictures to share. So we go upstairs and Kim just wants to have a beer, pack up, read her book, and hit the sack because ME was picking us up the next morning at 7:30 and she didn't want to be tired when we got home.

That's fine with me, but I'm hitting EMH considering I could walk to it, and I wanted to see wishes in the park, and hit some rides. Kim felt bad that I was going by myself. But I really didn't care. I told you all how comfortable I am in Disney, and I can do everything their with 20 people, or just by myself, and I'm perfectly happy. And I told her I didn't care, and wanted her to get sleep, but I guess she didn't believe me, cause she texted me a bunch of times kind of apologizing.

So I get to MK and walk up Main Street toward the Castle, and just stop at a spot bc Magic Memories and You was just about to start. At that point, I realized I never actually saw this. The other time I had a chance to, we were behind the Castle watching the parade, and just never saw it. This show is AMAZING!! I loved it. How they do that just amazes me. And seeing it look like it's going to take off, like it's going to melt, like it's crumbling, and all the other features they project onto it just blew me away. So glad I caught this. A few minutes later, Wishes, as usual, doesn't disappoint. Always love that show, and always love the music and story that goes along with it.

As everyone starts to head out, I head toward Splash Mountain. No wait. Get right on the ride, sit in the front, and get pretty wet. At this point, the guilt had consumed Kim, so I get a text asking me where I am when I'm on my way back toward the castle to head over to Space Mountain. I crack a joke that I'm with my girlfriend this time having dessert at GF, but didn't realize she was actually trying to find me! She walked over !!! I was laughing. She's so considerate and thoughtful, that she actually thought I was upset she wasn't there with me. While that is such a nice thing, I really wanted her to get her sleep, and I was perfectly fine doing that by myself. She's gotta start trusting me.....

If BTM was not under construction, we'd have jumped on that. Instead we went back to Splash Mountain. Had fun there, and we just walked a little, and took in the sights. I knew she was tired, and actually I was too, so at about 11:30, instead of heading over to Space Mountain, we just headed out, and went back to finish our desserts from Friday and head off to sleep.

Really nice night. We didn't get a whole lot in, but that part of the night confirmed for me that we made the right choice staying there this summer. This is going to be great. Can't wait!

The next day ME was on time, we got to the airport in plenty of time, and of course, we were the ONLY flight delayed. Beautiful day. No reason. So we spent an extra 2 hours in MCO, flight was uneventful, and we finally got back home to the kids around 4pm. 50 and drizzly. Luke had practice in an hour. We needed to feed them all. Vacation over....

We had a great time. This was such a needed break. Thanks so much for my parents for watching the kids and allowing it to happen. We may not do this next year, but we will do something maybe the year after that. But we will always remember Friday night. That was pure Disney Magic.

[PAJD]

Originally Posted by Yogi3323

Based on your picture I just added a breakfest ADR for that Tonga Toast in week.

Flyers? Looks like you lost Jason Peters again, though?

Yeah, they're really going to miss him. They signed a guy from Buffalo to replace him, but Peters is an All-Pro. That's going to hurt them for sure.

Originally Posted by wxchick

Thank you for all the pics and sharing your trip with us. It seems as if it was magical.

I was telling DH about the wine at the GF....I anticipate wine and truffles at our house this weekend!

Tell your husband I'm sorry!!!! Kidding. I bought a bottle of that at the PA Wine and Spirits store, and it was only $22!!! $42 markup in Disney. So funny.

[B'rer Karen]

Originally Posted by PAJD

Breaking this night up because there's no more pictures to share. So we go upstairs and Kim just wants to have a beer, pack up, read her book, and hit the sack because ME was picking us up the next morning at 7:30 and she didn't want to be tired when we got home.

That's fine with me, but I'm hitting EMH considering I could walk to it, and I wanted to see wishes in the park, and hit some rides. Kim felt bad that I was going by myself. But I really didn't care. I told you all how comfortable I am in Disney, and I can do everything their with 20 people, or just by myself, and I'm perfectly happy. And I told her I didn't care, and wanted her to get sleep, but I guess she didn't believe me, cause she texted me a bunch of times kind of apologizing.

So I get to MK and walk up Main Street toward the Castle, and just stop at a spot bc Magic Memories and You was just about to start. At that point, I realized I never actually saw this. The other time I had a chance to, we were behind the Castle watching the parade, and just never saw it. This show is AMAZING!! I loved it. How they do that just amazes me. And seeing it look like it's going to take off, like it's going to melt, like it's crumbling, and all the other features they project onto it just blew me away. So glad I caught this. A few minutes later, Wishes, as usual, doesn't disappoint. Always love that show, and always love the music and story that goes along with it.

As everyone starts to head out, I head toward Splash Mountain. No wait. Get right on the ride, sit in the front, and get pretty wet. At this point, the guilt had consumed Kim, so I get a text asking me where I am when I'm on my way back toward the castle to head over to Space Mountain. I crack a joke that I'm with my girlfriend this time having dessert at GF, but didn't realize she was actually trying to find me! She walked over !!! I was laughing. She's so considerate and thoughtful, that she actually thought I was upset she wasn't there with me. While that is such a nice thing, I really wanted her to get her sleep, and I was perfectly fine doing that by myself. She's gotta start trusting me.....

If BTM was not under construction, we'd have jumped on that. Instead we went back to Splash Mountain. Had fun there, and we just walked a little, and took in the sights. I knew she was tired, and actually I was too, so at about 11:30, instead of heading over to Space Mountain, we just headed out, and went back to finish our desserts from Friday and head off to sleep.

Really nice night. We didn't get a whole lot in, but that part of the night confirmed for me that we made the right choice staying there this summer. This is going to be great. Can't wait!

The next day ME was on time, we got to the airport in plenty of time, and of course, we were the ONLY flight delayed. Beautiful day. No reason. So we spent an extra 2 hours in MCO, flight was uneventful, and we finally got back home to the kids around 4pm. 50 and drizzly. Luke had practice in an hour. We needed to feed them all. Vacation over....

We had a great time. This was such a needed break. Thanks so much for my parents for watching the kids and allowing it to happen. We may not do this next year, but we will do something maybe the year after that. But we will always remember Friday night. That was pure Disney Magic.

Thanks again for sharing. That was very sweet of Kim to come find you at the MK. Sorry to hear about the disappointing service at the Wave. I typically go to the bar there just for a drink or two and their buffalo mozzarella flatbread and have had nothing but good experiences. I hope that this was just an off night for the bartender, or a bartender I never get.

[PAJD]

1.) Was very surprised at the beginning of our trip that ME will allow people to wait on a bus for over an hour to fill it up after midnight. We got on that bus at about 12:30, and didn't leave for the resort until 1:30. That's really late. Thankfully we didn't have any kids with us.

2.) Notice an awful lot of brand new, never worn before Washington Nationals hats this week. Interested to see how many of them I see in August when they're back in 3rd place

3.) Kim and I may possibly be the only people under the age of 40 with no tattoes. Nothing against people that have them at all, it was just very noticeable at the pool. Most of the women had them in the spots I'm used to seeing them. But the guys especially, almost everyone had multiple up and down their arms. But the one that actually surprised me was the one that covers the whole chest. Noticed that on the guy we sat next to on the way down, as he was wearing a v-neck tee under another shirt. Must be a good time to be a tattoo artist!

4.) Disney needs more bartenders. That guy at the Wave notwithstanding, the bar outside Ohana was packed. That guy was really nice, and worked his tail off, but he just couldn't possibly keep up with that crowd all by himself.

[PAJD]

Originally Posted by B'rer Karen

Thanks again for sharing. That was very sweet of Kim to come find you at the MK. Sorry to hear about the disappointing service at the Wave. I typically go to the bar there just for a drink or two and their buffalo mozzarella flatbread and have had nothing but good experiences. I hope that this was just an off night for the bartender, or a bartender I never get.

Thanks Karen. Yea, I don't know what it was. He seemed very pleasant when we sat down. And I asked him if we were able to order anything from the lunch menu because we were in the mood for some of the things on that menu. And as soon as I asked him that, his demeanor completely changed. I don't get it. He could have earned a bunch of extra gratuity simply re-filling our drinks even if we didn't order a whole lot of food. Who knows? Didn't ruin the night, but I just found that odd.

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Originally Posted by PAJD

4.) Disney needs more bartenders. That guy at the Wave notwithstanding, the bar outside Ohana was packed. That guy was really nice, and worked his tail off, but he just couldn't possibly keep up with that crowd all by himself.

My friend Krista vehemently agrees with you-the one thing that drove her crazy on our Girls' Trip in March were the bartenders (she's an ex-bartender and ex-bar manager and she kept pointing out ALL the things the Disney bartenders do wrong-there are a lot. Evidently Disney's excellent training of castmembers stops short of the boozemasters, and hiring ENOUGH boozemasters...)

[Brian5581]

Originally Posted by PAJD

1.) Was very surprised at the beginning of our trip that ME will allow people to wait on a bus for over an hour to fill it up after midnight. We got on that bus at about 12:30, and didn't leave for the resort until 1:30. That's really late. Thankfully we didn't have any kids with us.

2.) Notice an awful lot of brand new, never worn before Washington Nationals hats this week. Interested to see how many of them I see in August when they're back in 3rd place

3.) Kim and I may possibly be the only people under the age of 40 with no tattoes. Nothing against people that have them at all, it was just very noticeable at the pool. Most of the women had them in the spots I'm used to seeing them. But the guys especially, almost everyone had multiple up and down their arms. But the one that actually surprised me was the one that covers the whole chest. Noticed that on the guy we sat next to on the way down, as he was wearing a v-neck tee under another shirt. Must be a good time to be a tattoo artist!

4.) Disney needs more bartenders. That guy at the Wave notwithstanding, the bar outside Ohana was packed. That guy was really nice, and worked his tail off, but he just couldn't possibly keep up with that crowd all by himself.

Well said, Jeff...

1. Yup, I've been in that situation before as well. They definitely wait longer at night, which of course doesn't always make for the best of starts.

2. Haha, they look pretty good so far, but I tend to believe you are correct with that prediction.

3. I've definitely noticed the prevalence of tattoos, too. By the way, I'm in the same category as you and Kim in that regard, none for me, thanks. Not personally a fan, but understand others don't feel the same way. Just surprised that at times it seems the percentage of those others hovers around 75%.

4. Again, tend to agree. It took Kristin (mousefan1972) quite some time to get the bartender's attention to order our Lapu Lapus in December. Can only imagine how long it would have taken if it was only me...

[Jay324]

I guess we will take the Wave off our list for my wife loves to order salad for her meal but she likes "the big salad" like the one served on Seinfeld. If she was given a kids salad, she would have complained all night. And a bad bartender can really kill a night as well, at least he didn't spoil yours.

You are going to love BLT with the kids this summer. Perfect spot for the MK fans and even better walking home from EMH at MK. While the treehouse villas sound incredible, I think you made the right choice in your switch. Good idea to save the treehouse villa for when you can't switch.

As for your observations:

We regularly arrive after 10 and use ME. Coming from NY, it always seems the flight is full of people taking the ME and it is almost like the ME is waiting for our flight to head to the resort. We have never waited for more than 20 minutes for the bus to depart but maybe we have been lucky so far.

Nats Hats - With Strasburg and Harper in Washington, I am not surprised by the increased sales. Even if they tank, although with that starting rotation I am not sure they will, the sales will thrive. Thinking of getting a Strasburg jersey myself.

The increased popularity of tattoos has been a mystery to myself as well. No tats for the wife or myself, although I have several friends that have gotten them years ago (some of them would love it removed at this point). The tat I really don't understand is those that have Chinese writing on people with no Chinese ancestry. I know someone with absolutely no Chinese heritage (big mixed martial arts guy) with a Chinese phase on his back and he admits it was a mistake.

As for the lack of bartenders, your observation is spot on, especially at Ohana. The last time we were there I didn't even bother trying to get a drink at the bar. It just seemed near impossible.

Thanks again for the great report and glad you had such a great trip.

Jay