2nd hotel stay in Disney Orlando over christmas and new year 2016/17
The hotel is undergoing a refurbishment which didn't affect us in any way the pool area for kids is superb and they really make a fuss of the kids. Most evenings families would be chilling and kids in the pool having a ball.
As you would imagine you have music everywhere and always Christmas music I think we learned a few songs we had not heard before the visit. Lovely and festive. When you walk around the hotel grounds you have oversized icons on each hotel building keeping it very Disney. We felt the hotel was more for families than couples.
We found the hotel a little dated inside the room with carpets needing changing but the rooms had been painted recently and all around the hotel it had been well kept and clean. If I was returning I would not stay in this hotel I would go for the art of animation as not much more in cost but much value for money being a lot more modern. Saying that we were in Disney so of course, the holiday was amazing.
The buses from the hotel are very regular and that is what I loved the most about staying in a Disney hotel it was quick and easy to get around and we felt close to all the parks/waterpark.
We went for the Disney dining plan which really felt like too much food as at times we often shared a counter service meal so some meals we used to upgrade the restaurants. The restaurants we booked that were incredible...
Be our guest in magic kingdom which is the beasts enchanted castle and you had the chance to have photos with the beast after your meal. It felt like we were in a Disney movie eating here.
Chefs de France in epcot serving delicious gourmet French food
50's prime time in Hollywood studios we went here for Christmas day. No Turkey which was different but the experience was really memorable. Our waitress called us kiddos and we were told off for using mobiles at the tables and arms on the table and a couple of diners walked past taking plates to the kitchen as they had not listened to the server and another lady had to go in the naughty corner for a few seconds so was a fun experience.
Staying in Disney means you can book fast passes 60 days in advance I love this as really helps to plan you stay to make the most of the time in the parks and be able to then relax.
Disney music was everywhere seeing snow around the parks was good and hot cookies were given out when we arrived in magic kingdom lots of nice touches I had not experienced before.
Staying in Disney at Christmas is brilliant the decorations are better than ever. I thought crowds would be a problem but I was pleasantly surprised as we booked 9 nights and had a lot more free time than we imagined as it was a lot easier to do the rides than we thought.
New Year we booked Narcosses in the grand Floridian hotel for food and singers and the food was incredible and they had a private platform for guests to watch the fireworks the main reason for choosing this restaurant which did not disappoint as I have never seen fireworks so amazing in my life truly incredible the best new years you can have.
If you are planning a trip to Disney I have visited a lot of the hotels and can really help choose the right one for you. I really enjoyed the hotels around the boardwalk where we spent some time especially the Disney yacht and beach club this is an amazing hotel and an easy walk to Epcot where you have the world which comes to life at night.