Contemporary Hotel in Disney World

I've always wanted to stay at the Contemporary resort in Disney World.  We see it every time we visit the Magic Kingdom.  We've even eaten at Chef Mickey's in the hotel.  

We never stayed there because it is very expensive.

My parents love to surprise us and keep us in suspense until the last minute many times lying to us, to make the surprise even more special when we get it.   They told me we were staying at a different hotel.  As we were arriving in the area my dad pretended he made a wrong turn and went in through the Magic Kingdom entrance.   I needed to use the bathroom so my parents said we would just stop in at this hotel since it was the closest thing and I could use the bathroom in the lobby. 

While I used the bathroom my dad checked in.  They kept the lie going and said since we were there we should look around the hotel so we could see what it was like.  They pretended to just press a random floor in the elevator, but they knew exactly what they were doing.  We arrived on the 8th floor and when the doors opened we saw a big desk with the concierge sitting there.  He told us we could have food and drinks that were set up for the guests.  While we ate our snacks my dad asked him to pretend to show us our room. We made our way to our room and the concierge opened the door...it was amazing.  We were there for my mom and sister's birthdays so they had left cards for each of them from the Disney characters, but the best part was the view. 

 We had a view of Cinderella's Castle.  I was so happy.  My sister and I just started jumping up and down.

We went to all the Disney parks except for Hollywood Studios on this trip.  My favorite park is Magic Kingdom and my favorite ride is Space Mountain.  My sister's favorite ride is splash Mountain which is also in Magic Kingdom.  We went to Magic Kingdom the day of my sister's birthday.  On my mom's birthday we went to Epcot.  I think my parent's favorite park is Epcot, because they love to travel and at Epcot you get to visit different countries.

I usually like to spend  all the time at the parks but not on this trip.  This time I wanted to stay a lot of time at the hotel.  It was so cool.  After all the parks we went in the pool which had a water slide.  At night , from our balcony, we had a perfect view of the fireworks  at the Magic Kingdom.

 In the daytime you could see all the rides and from far away Mt. Everest which is a ride in Animal Kingdom.  The last day before we left we had breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the hotel.

The breakfast there is a buffet and it's really good.  Every time we go to Disney, I hope we stay at the Contemporary.  Even if we don't it is still fun to go.

Jake

Disney's Contemporary Resort is a modern Disney Deluxe Resort.  The tower or main building resembles a pyramid or the letter A and has adjoining wings with additional rooms.   It is lake side and is the only hotel in Walt Disney World Resort to have the monorail going right through it.  It is very convenient.  

Aquatica

 Aquatica is a SeaWorld water park.  It just opened this year.  We spent the day there and had a wonderful time.  There is something for everyone.  We went with a group with children ranging from four years old to thirteen year olds.

 

There were many rides and activities that were fun for everyone.  We really enjoyed orur time there.  We also purchased the meal plan for the children which provided a great value.  The adults paid for each meal.

 

We also recommend going later in the day.  Around 4:00pm and after the crowds get significantly lighter and the park more enjoyable because you don't have to wait in line any more.  If you can find something else to do in the morning, I would suggest going to the park after 2:00pm (getting a discounted ticket) and enjoying the rides without lines.

 

 

 

 ANA

 

 

**Images from http://themeparks.about.com/od/waterparksphotogallery/ig/Aquatica-Water-Park/

Gaylord Palms

August 15, 2011

We arrived at Gaylord Palms and I got off with the children to check in while Al stayed in the car waiting.  Jake's reaction was so funny... he though it was the best hotel he'd ever been in.  He may have been right...
this place is impressive.  He wanted to thank the person who'd found the hotel, because it was great.

Our friend found a great deal for the hotel on a travel portal (I can't remember the name).  We checked in and they were nice enough to give us an upgrade overlooking the atrium. 

We took our bags to the room and explored the hotel for a little while as we waited for other families in our group to arrive.  They took a very long time, so we took advantage of our early arrival and went to Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.

We had a wonderful time riding and enjoying the park.

Melbourne, Florida

We had to stop in Melbourne Florida on the way back to Miami, because the keys to our car stayed in our friend's car and they left with them. 
We were supposed to leave yesterday, however it was late and we were tired.  Rather than drive while sleepy we thought it would be better to rest and sleep and leave early the next morning.

Unfortunately, we'd left the keys in our friends' car.  The most inexpensive solution was to have them overnight the key to us.  Our friend from Melbourne picked us up and invited us to sleep at their home.  We were able to see the family and spend the night which was very nice.

We had dinner at Mimi's Cafe in Melbourne.  It is a southern style restaurant.  The meal was delicious and we were able to relax and take some time with friends.

Typhoon Lagoon

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, one of 2 Water Parks in Walt Disney World Resort, features attractions for the whole family—from fast waterslides to a children's area with pint-sized raft rides. Catch 6-foot waves in the Surf Pool and snorkel Shark Reef—with real sharks!

Escape to a tropical paradise where you'll discover a storm of fun in the sun. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park is the place to go for aquatic thrill-seekers of all ages. In addition to great waterslides, you'll love the lazy river, wave pool and children's play area!

Attractions

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon features attractions for the entire family—including thrill rides, chill rides, family-style raft rides, areas for little squirts and plenty of tropical lounging for grownups.

Experience 9 exhilarating waterslides, relax as you drift down Castaway Creek, share a trip together down Gang Plank Falls, splash the day away at a children's play area, go for a swim in a giant Surf Pool with 6-foot waves, or brave Shark Reef—where you can snorkel with real sharks and schools of colorful fish. Be sure to check out the parks newest attraction, the Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster!

According to Disney legend, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon was created by an epic storm. Surfboards were hurled into palm trees and boats were tossed around like toys.

The typhoon made the storm-soaked Mount Mayday an ideal source for exhilarating waterslides. Surrounding the mountain, a 56-acre topsy-turvy tropical paradise was formed—full of waterways, rivers, rapids and slides.

Miss Tilly

The park's famous icon is an ill-fated shrimp boat named Miss Tilly. She found herself swept up by the twisting tides of the fierce typhoon and came to rest on the peak of Mount Mayday.

Every half hour, the boat's whistle blows and the volcano attempts to dislodge the ship, resulting in an enormous geyser of water.

This is a park for carefree fun in the sun.  No cameras allowed because they can't get wet.  This was the first time I was ever on vacation without a camera.  It felt liberating!!!

I also enjoyed the ability to not worry about carrying anything or pushing strollers, etc.

**Images and information from Typhoon Lagoon website

Blizzard Beach

We had a fabulous time at Blizzard Beach!  Our friends are pros at the water parks so they helped make the experience very enjoyable.

**It's important to wear aqua shoes so you don't have to be barefoot all over the park.  They do not permit shoes on the rides, however, aqua shoes are permitted.  You should also feel very comfortable in your bathing suit because you will be wearing that and only that all day, while walking all over the park.

We arrived around 10:00am.  We took a cooler with drinks and fruit.  The parks offer covered and uncovered lounging areas where you can leave coolers with snacks, etc. (unlike the Disney non-water parks)  We left our cooler at a covered easily-accessible lounging area.  We were able to go back and hang out there several times throughout the day. 

Lockers are available for valuables.  It's hard to take photos unless someone from the group stays off the rides and takes them.  We ended up purchasing the ones they take of you throughout the park. 

The park was full earlier in the day and the lines were long.  However, after 3:00pm, the lines got shorter and faster.  About two hours before closing time we were able to just ride over and over and over, without even standing in line.  We rode everything several times and even my four year old daughter was able to ride and had a lot of fun. 

The end of the day was the best time and we had a fabulous time!

We enjoyed all the rides but my personal favorite was just hanging out and drifting together n the lazy river...


**All photos are from www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/blizzard-beach/ website

Disney Waterparks and Orlando, FL

Disney Water parks

All these years and we'd never been to the Disney Water parks...Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Jake was anxious to visit the parks so we decided it would be a good opportunity to write about another aspect of the Disney empire.

We arrived late in the afternoon and checked into our hotel room at Lake Buena Vista Palace.  We are traveling with another family and they reserved in this hotel.  The hotel is big and clean, however, the parking lot is very far from the room.  If we were traveling alone I wouldn't feel comfortable staying here and probably would stay at a different hotel.

After settling in, we went to dinner at Bongo's in Downtown Disney and then bought tickets for Disney Quest and the water parks.  The combo ticket was a great deal.  Essentially for the same price we would have paid for the entrance fees to the water parks, we received a yearly pass that allows us access to both parks and Disney Quest for the year.

We had never been to Disney Quest and really liked it.  Its a huge video arcade, but they have several virtual reality games that are almost like amusement park rides.

The children enjoyed the experience tremendously.