Well, we're back home in the U.S. and we had a great time. We had some problems but overall, it was a great trip.
I have to say first off, guest service was poor compared to our last trip to DLP. We checked in at 2:15 p.m. and our room wasn't ready. We spent 45 minutes with a concierge making restaurant reservations because even though I called ahead three weeks before we left, only one of our five reservations was made. When I got back to the reception desk at 3:15 p.m. (check-in was 3 p.m.) our room was still not ready. We went to the Magic Kingdom, did a few rides, and returned to the hotel at 6:45 p.m. It took them 20 minutes to find us a room, then when we got to the room, someone else's things were in the room. We were horrified. Back down to the desk to get another room. Then, they forgot to swipe the credit card again when we got the second room and we needed to call family to let them know we arrived safely, so back down to the check-in desk again. That's 5 times at the check-in desk!!!
Then, for about US$7 you can have your breakfast (which is included with most packages) delivered to the room instead of fighting the queues. We asked for the breakfast to be delivered between 7:30 and 8 a.m. One morning we got it at 8:20 a.m., the next day at 8:15 a.m. When I called to ask where our breakfast was, room service's response was -- "It's coming. Just be patient."
Enough of my vent -- on to the good stuff!
The studios were quite nice and since the place was EMPTY due to low crowds and rain, we did everything a bunch of times. I especially loved Cinemagique -- in my opinion it was simple, yet well thought out and well executed. We also enjoyed Armageddon -- a fun little fright! In my opinion the park is going to be glorious as it grows. I was disappointed with Rock 'n Roller Coaster though -- the preshow STUNK and the ride didn't have any really great effects in it. But that said it was still RnRC so we road it 10 times!
We saw the construction in the area behind the HtH gates. I don't think they're actually working on the ride yet. I was surprised to see how smalle the building they're currently working on is -- smaller than the entry side of Armageddon -- and it's not really near the HtH gates, though it is inside the Art Deco fencing in the center of the park. Other than that small building, the rest of the property in there is still just flat -- no work done at all. I'm sure ToT is probably coming, but I don't think this building is it.
Disneyland was the same as last time we were there, with the exception of Indiana Jones now going backwards -- a nice twist! Big Thunder Mountain broke down while we were at the top of one of the big hills -- what a great view! And I strongly recommend going to Walt's for the earliest breakfast of the day. We walked up Main Street all by ourselves and got to take pictures in front of the castle with NO ONE ELSE THERE on Friday morning. Just us and the castle. I hope they come out well!
We also has a dinner at Inventions in the Disneyland Hotel, which was good, but not worth the US$35 each we paid for the meal. And we had a great meal at the Steakhouse in the Village -- the best cherry sorbet I've ever had! We also had some really good pizza at Bella Note in the Magic Kingdom.
Any questions -- I'll answer them tomorrow? I need to get some sleep!
I have to say first off, guest service was poor compared to our last trip to DLP. We checked in at 2:15 p.m. and our room wasn't ready. We spent 45 minutes with a concierge making restaurant reservations because even though I called ahead three weeks before we left, only one of our five reservations was made. When I got back to the reception desk at 3:15 p.m. (check-in was 3 p.m.) our room was still not ready. We went to the Magic Kingdom, did a few rides, and returned to the hotel at 6:45 p.m. It took them 20 minutes to find us a room, then when we got to the room, someone else's things were in the room. We were horrified. Back down to the desk to get another room. Then, they forgot to swipe the credit card again when we got the second room and we needed to call family to let them know we arrived safely, so back down to the check-in desk again. That's 5 times at the check-in desk!!!
Then, for about US$7 you can have your breakfast (which is included with most packages) delivered to the room instead of fighting the queues. We asked for the breakfast to be delivered between 7:30 and 8 a.m. One morning we got it at 8:20 a.m., the next day at 8:15 a.m. When I called to ask where our breakfast was, room service's response was -- "It's coming. Just be patient."
Enough of my vent -- on to the good stuff!
The studios were quite nice and since the place was EMPTY due to low crowds and rain, we did everything a bunch of times. I especially loved Cinemagique -- in my opinion it was simple, yet well thought out and well executed. We also enjoyed Armageddon -- a fun little fright! In my opinion the park is going to be glorious as it grows. I was disappointed with Rock 'n Roller Coaster though -- the preshow STUNK and the ride didn't have any really great effects in it. But that said it was still RnRC so we road it 10 times!
We saw the construction in the area behind the HtH gates. I don't think they're actually working on the ride yet. I was surprised to see how smalle the building they're currently working on is -- smaller than the entry side of Armageddon -- and it's not really near the HtH gates, though it is inside the Art Deco fencing in the center of the park. Other than that small building, the rest of the property in there is still just flat -- no work done at all. I'm sure ToT is probably coming, but I don't think this building is it.
Disneyland was the same as last time we were there, with the exception of Indiana Jones now going backwards -- a nice twist! Big Thunder Mountain broke down while we were at the top of one of the big hills -- what a great view! And I strongly recommend going to Walt's for the earliest breakfast of the day. We walked up Main Street all by ourselves and got to take pictures in front of the castle with NO ONE ELSE THERE on Friday morning. Just us and the castle. I hope they come out well!
We also has a dinner at Inventions in the Disneyland Hotel, which was good, but not worth the US$35 each we paid for the meal. And we had a great meal at the Steakhouse in the Village -- the best cherry sorbet I've ever had! We also had some really good pizza at Bella Note in the Magic Kingdom.
Any questions -- I'll answer them tomorrow? I need to get some sleep!
