So hey everyone, this is just a quick run down of our recent Disney holiday.
So we arrived at Manchester airport ready for our flight to Orlando with Virgin. Was booked into the V-Room and we would HIGHLY recommend it! Only another 2 couples in there, unlimited buffet, quite and relaxing. No problems on flight until we got to customs at MCO. Literally took us 3 hours and that was meant to be a quiet time to go. The reason it took so long was due to 4 staff being on the immigration desks and we were at the back of the plane. At first we jokingly said 'Let the queuing commence', by the end of the 3 hours we were itching to get to our hotel.
We arrived at PORS and was greeted to a typically happy CM welcome & our tension from the long wait at customs suddenly disappeared. As it was 9:30pm we just grabbed a Pizza from the QS restaurant and went to bed.
I'm not going to do a full day to day report but just give you a low down on poignant moments.
First up; magic bands! We were so excited to get them and let me tell you they did not disappoint. Like you have probably read, all our park tickets, dining plans and room key was on there. We sometimes went out without a bag or a single thing in our pockets as they have everything you need. We still had our KTTW card too but only used that once to get an extra FP. We brought the bandits for them (as you can see below) A pack of 4 cost $6.95. We had the park edition which had the four park icons. As you can see in the picture, we only have two. That's because the other two that were positioned lower down the band came off. We lost them somewhere in the parks and didn't notice. It happened to us both so, I don't think this was a one off. I wouldn't recommend buying them.
MAGIC BANDS OVERALL: 10/10
Next up, PORS. We got recommended this resort from you smashing people on here and also the travel agent. Our room was in Acadian House, bottom floor. We did ask for middle floor. We felt a little disappointed after walking around the rest of PORS. Some of the houses like Magnolia looked a lot nicer and also closer to the lobby. We used the pool next to Acadian House which was lovely and peaceful. The pool on Ol' Man Island always seemed busy so we avoided it. The QS restaurant was also very busy. I would not like to see it in high season. Plenty of choice but after 14 nights it does get a bit repetitive so we didn't eat there too much. The Bar was great and had a fantastic atmosphere. The buses were again busy! We were so shocked as we purposely came to WDW at a time of year when was quite. Especially after @ MK at night. As there was no queue for the FQ bus we waited there and got a bus then walked back. The walk took no longer than 10 minutes, so we would recommend this, even at 12am. Is PORS never quite? Overall, we were pleased with PORS. We would not stay there again but this might be due to the fact we are a young couple and it is generally family friendly.
PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE OVERALL: 7/10.
Now we moved onto the QS Dining Plan. This didn't cost us a penny as we got it free with our package, so this review will be based on that fact. To be honest, we underestimated how good this would be for us. There is so many places to eat from and we made full use of them. We generally only had two meals a day so they were all plenty of us. Sometimes we did feel uncomfortably full after the meals. Onto our top 3 QS restaurants to eat at. In at number 3 we have the delightful Landscapes of Flavours at the Art of Animation resort. We came here when going from Blizzard Beach to Typhoon Lagoon (resort transfer). Such a huge restaurant which that was very clean and of course new. There seemed to be a lot more choice than at our resort hotel and the create-your-own-pasta was a lot more delicious. A non mover at number 2 is that southern classic Flame Grill Barbecue at Animal Kingdom. If you like meat and Barbecue food then you will love this. The meat was very tender; the ribs fell off the bone. Right at the top, again at that pesky Animal Kingdom is Yak & Yeti. We had the Honey Chicken. Very yummy and exceedingly filling. A special mention will go out there to the Mango Gelato found at PVH @ MK.
QUICK SERVICE DINING PLAN: 8/10
Next up is a little surprise review for this thread. Well it certainly was for us anyway. We joined DVC! We looked into it last year and never did anything about it so this year we went for it hook, line and sinker. We are so excited to guaranteed to be continuing our Disney Adventure. We brought into AKV. We dined at Sanaa on a previous night and fell in love with the place. We are probably one of the only people to buy into DVC and use our points on the same visit. We had booked to stay off property for the final 3 nights of our visit. Instead, my partner said to me: 'Nathan, we haven't prepaid for the hotel on the last three nights so can still cancel. Can't we use some of our points for the last 3 nights and experience staying with DVC?' 48 points later we booked into Kidani Village, Savannah View.
We absolutely love it!!! Chilling with a glass of wine of the balcony watching the zebras was a personal highlight of mine. I just love all the detail they go to. It was so quite which is right up my street. You could actually forget for a second that you are at Disney...not that you'd want to.
DISNEY VACATION CLUB: 10/10 (well we couldn't give it any less could we?)
Whilst we were there is was Epcot Food & Wine Festival. It was so much fun. We decided to do the Epcot Beer challenge; well as much as possible. I think having a drink in all 30 countries was a bit ambitious/stupid. My girlfriend was loving the Eifel Sour Cosmo Slush (below).
We used a lot of our snack plans to purchase the foods. Drank. We watched Starship (We Built this City) on the Eat to the Beat stage. Drank some more. Nibbled on Chicken Gyzoa (below) Drank again. Chanted with CM's @ Singapore. Had a Loch Lomand @ Scotland. By the end we were very drunk. And a fantastic night
EPCOT FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL: 10/10
In total, we had an amazing, unforgettable time and we are gutted to be back to reality but am enjoying reliving our memorable moments through this thread and looking at photos.
Until next year my friends, keep safe, be happy, love Disney and most of all....
Have a Magical day!
So we arrived at Manchester airport ready for our flight to Orlando with Virgin. Was booked into the V-Room and we would HIGHLY recommend it! Only another 2 couples in there, unlimited buffet, quite and relaxing. No problems on flight until we got to customs at MCO. Literally took us 3 hours and that was meant to be a quiet time to go. The reason it took so long was due to 4 staff being on the immigration desks and we were at the back of the plane. At first we jokingly said 'Let the queuing commence', by the end of the 3 hours we were itching to get to our hotel.
We arrived at PORS and was greeted to a typically happy CM welcome & our tension from the long wait at customs suddenly disappeared. As it was 9:30pm we just grabbed a Pizza from the QS restaurant and went to bed.
I'm not going to do a full day to day report but just give you a low down on poignant moments.
First up; magic bands! We were so excited to get them and let me tell you they did not disappoint. Like you have probably read, all our park tickets, dining plans and room key was on there. We sometimes went out without a bag or a single thing in our pockets as they have everything you need. We still had our KTTW card too but only used that once to get an extra FP. We brought the bandits for them (as you can see below) A pack of 4 cost $6.95. We had the park edition which had the four park icons. As you can see in the picture, we only have two. That's because the other two that were positioned lower down the band came off. We lost them somewhere in the parks and didn't notice. It happened to us both so, I don't think this was a one off. I wouldn't recommend buying them.
MAGIC BANDS OVERALL: 10/10
Next up, PORS. We got recommended this resort from you smashing people on here and also the travel agent. Our room was in Acadian House, bottom floor. We did ask for middle floor. We felt a little disappointed after walking around the rest of PORS. Some of the houses like Magnolia looked a lot nicer and also closer to the lobby. We used the pool next to Acadian House which was lovely and peaceful. The pool on Ol' Man Island always seemed busy so we avoided it. The QS restaurant was also very busy. I would not like to see it in high season. Plenty of choice but after 14 nights it does get a bit repetitive so we didn't eat there too much. The Bar was great and had a fantastic atmosphere. The buses were again busy! We were so shocked as we purposely came to WDW at a time of year when was quite. Especially after @ MK at night. As there was no queue for the FQ bus we waited there and got a bus then walked back. The walk took no longer than 10 minutes, so we would recommend this, even at 12am. Is PORS never quite? Overall, we were pleased with PORS. We would not stay there again but this might be due to the fact we are a young couple and it is generally family friendly.
PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE OVERALL: 7/10.
Now we moved onto the QS Dining Plan. This didn't cost us a penny as we got it free with our package, so this review will be based on that fact. To be honest, we underestimated how good this would be for us. There is so many places to eat from and we made full use of them. We generally only had two meals a day so they were all plenty of us. Sometimes we did feel uncomfortably full after the meals. Onto our top 3 QS restaurants to eat at. In at number 3 we have the delightful Landscapes of Flavours at the Art of Animation resort. We came here when going from Blizzard Beach to Typhoon Lagoon (resort transfer). Such a huge restaurant which that was very clean and of course new. There seemed to be a lot more choice than at our resort hotel and the create-your-own-pasta was a lot more delicious. A non mover at number 2 is that southern classic Flame Grill Barbecue at Animal Kingdom. If you like meat and Barbecue food then you will love this. The meat was very tender; the ribs fell off the bone. Right at the top, again at that pesky Animal Kingdom is Yak & Yeti. We had the Honey Chicken. Very yummy and exceedingly filling. A special mention will go out there to the Mango Gelato found at PVH @ MK.
QUICK SERVICE DINING PLAN: 8/10
Next up is a little surprise review for this thread. Well it certainly was for us anyway. We joined DVC! We looked into it last year and never did anything about it so this year we went for it hook, line and sinker. We are so excited to guaranteed to be continuing our Disney Adventure. We brought into AKV. We dined at Sanaa on a previous night and fell in love with the place. We are probably one of the only people to buy into DVC and use our points on the same visit. We had booked to stay off property for the final 3 nights of our visit. Instead, my partner said to me: 'Nathan, we haven't prepaid for the hotel on the last three nights so can still cancel. Can't we use some of our points for the last 3 nights and experience staying with DVC?' 48 points later we booked into Kidani Village, Savannah View.
We absolutely love it!!! Chilling with a glass of wine of the balcony watching the zebras was a personal highlight of mine. I just love all the detail they go to. It was so quite which is right up my street. You could actually forget for a second that you are at Disney...not that you'd want to.
DISNEY VACATION CLUB: 10/10 (well we couldn't give it any less could we?)
Whilst we were there is was Epcot Food & Wine Festival. It was so much fun. We decided to do the Epcot Beer challenge; well as much as possible. I think having a drink in all 30 countries was a bit ambitious/stupid. My girlfriend was loving the Eifel Sour Cosmo Slush (below).
We used a lot of our snack plans to purchase the foods. Drank. We watched Starship (We Built this City) on the Eat to the Beat stage. Drank some more. Nibbled on Chicken Gyzoa (below) Drank again. Chanted with CM's @ Singapore. Had a Loch Lomand @ Scotland. By the end we were very drunk. And a fantastic night
EPCOT FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL: 10/10
In total, we had an amazing, unforgettable time and we are gutted to be back to reality but am enjoying reliving our memorable moments through this thread and looking at photos.
Until next year my friends, keep safe, be happy, love Disney and most of all....
Have a Magical day!
