I hope you all remembered to turn your clocks back over the weekend. Otherwise you’ve spent the last couple of days very confused. Staff writer Steve Russo handles this week’s reader mail with letters on his “Bucket List” (September 25, 2009) and “Online Dining Reservations” (October 9, 2009).
Mary T. writes:
Of all the things on your list, you have got to try Victoria & Albert’s. It is definitely the best experience and food anywhere on Disney property. I’ve conned (or should I say “talked”) my husband into going there 3 times and we’ve been delighted with it each time. On our last trip we took our best friend along with us. After hearing us talk about this dining experience for years, he finally decided to join us and see what it was all about. We all had the best time together and can’t wait until we get the chance to go again together. Yes, the price tag is a bit steep. For the 3 of us, with wine pairings and tip, we paid approximately $500, but it was worth every penny!
You create a compelling argument. We’ll see… thanks for writing.
Bruce C. writes:
I’m sure by now you’ve heard this, but there were other resorts opened prior to the Grand Floridian. Fort Wilderness, the Village Resort and the Golf Resort, among others, predated the Grand Floridian.
My first trip was in 1979, and all I can recall being open at the time were the Polynesian, the Contemporary, Fort Wilderness resort and campgrounds, the Magic Kingdom and the Village. EPCOT was under construction, as was Big Thunder. Mission To Mars was still in Tomorrowland, as was If You Had Wings (or some iteration thereof), and the Mickey Mouse Review was playing in Fantasyland.
We used to go 2-3 times a year and stay on property, but since I was widowed in 2007 I’ve been back only once, two years ago. It’s funny… going alone felt a lot like being unfaithful.
Yes, I knew other resorts pre-dated the Grand Floridian… I didn’t convey that properly in the article when all I really wanted to state was that it represents a certain elegance at Disney World. Thanks for correcting me.
Mike S. writes:
I enjoy all of your columns. In response to your “Bucket List” column, you NEED to try the Crystal Palace. In my opinion, it is one of the best restaurants in all of Disney. The buffet is FANTASTIC. Give it a shot in December, I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks very much. You’re not alone in your recommendation. I guess I need to give it a try. So many restaurants, so little time.
Terri B. writes:
I just saw “The Bucket List” on TV the other day – such a moving story.
My first trip to the World was as an adult – I now have six visits under my belt. So, there are lots of things I have not yet done there. Here are the five I hope to knock off the list on the next trip:
1. Stay at Wilderness Lodge in a room with a view of Wishes
We stayed at the Lodge on the last trip and absolutely loved it. We had a “courtyard view” looking toward the Disney Vacation Club area. It was really nice, but I know that there are even better views to be had!
2. Ride on Space Mountain with my son
He rode Splash Mountain two years ago and did not like it – I have not been able to get him back on it. He rode Big Thunder Mountain for the first time on the last trip, and loved it. So I am hoping he is up for a try at his third mountain.
3. Actually save a spot for a parade
On each trip, we are so caught up with walking around and seeing everything that we forget to “hosie” a spot for the parade (this applies to all of the parks) – or, we have gotten tired and went back to our hotel for a rest. So, I have never experienced an up front view of any Disney parade.
4. Dine at Crystal Palace
Like you, we have walked by it many times saying “We should try this place next time we come”. My son is now 9, so he may be too old – but Pooh was always his favorite. We have done Chef Mickey’s many times, it’s time to shake things up a bit.
5. Go to the Wishes Dessert Party
Disney really has my number on this one. This sounds like a great way to end a “Magical” day.
As I said, there are MANY more things that we have not done. Hopefully, at least one of these will get checked off during our next trip. I’ll just keep planning trips until there is no more list (who am I kidding, there will always be something we haven’t tried)!
Thanks for the great article and for allowing us to voice our thoughts.
That’s my pleasure… thanks for sharing your thoughts.
A. D. J. writes:
I’m confused! A Bucket List is supposed to be things you *want* to do that you’ve never done, but you’ve listed several things that it sounds like you’re not sure you really want to do! Nevertheless, please let me give you a little piece of advice… If there are things on your Bucket List that you’ve been putting off, for money, or lack of time or whatever, I can’t suggest strongly enough that you find a way to go ahead and do them.
A few years ago, in the midst of a very harrowing and stressful year, my doctor found a mysterious lump. I went through quite a lot of hassle before I finally learned it was harmless. But it scared the life *into* me. I made up my mind that I would no longer put off the things I wanted to do, and 11 months later I took a Hawaiian cruise. Ever since, I have searched for ways to make my dreams come true. This December I’m going to Walt Disney World to cross off several more Bucket List items, including Victoria and Albert’s and the Osborne Christmas lights. For all the years of travelling with my family, I never could convince them to do these things. They’re not going with me this time, but the significant other is.
Steve, I urge you to GO FOR IT! Whatever “it” is, for you.
Sorry to be so confusing. I started the column as my Bucket List of things I haven’t yet done… then realized that, for some of them, there was a valid reason for avoiding them. I’ll pick off 2 on our upcoming trip and, based on reader feedback (strong feedback), we may have to give Victoria and Albert’s and Crystal Palace a try. I’m glad your “situation” worked out for the best and I certainly understand your message.
Scott writes:
Good article. I have a follow-up to your comments about reserving for three versus two. I have the opportunity to make a solo trip to Walt Disney World later this month and decided I wanted to eat at a couple of different restaurants. I used the online system a couple of months ago but was disappointed when I couldn’t get the times I wanted.
For some reason it occurred to me to try again, but I changed the party size to two instead of one. Guess what, additional times were available and I got the reservations I wanted. I understand the business logic of wanting to maximize your use of table space but it bothers me a bit to think that they discriminate against single diners. Is this common in the restaurant world?
I don’t have any real restaurant experience so I’m in no position to comment directly, however, your experience surprises me a bit. A single would only require a “two top” table, same as a couple. There could (would?) be a loss of revenue for the establishment but I find it difficult to believe that Disney would do that – so many single travelers rave about how comfortable they are made to feel when dining solo at Disney World.
I’ll ask around and see if I can come up with an answer. Thanks for writing.
Randy H. writes:
I too found the Advance Dining Reservation system ‘quirky.’ Making Advance Dining Reservations for a solo trip the second week of December, I found no availability for one at Boma for breakfast, but when I changed it to two and can get pretty much anything I wanted.
I suppose it might be easier to use to cancel current reservations once I get my trip linked to them, just made my final payment and prior to this haven’t been able to link to my reservation. Suppose it has to be fully paid first.
Yours is the second reply I have received with the same complaint. There may be a glitch in Disney’s system for reservations for one. I’ll see if I an dig for an answer. Thanks for writing.
Pat McC. writes:
I would guess others have now corrected you that Disney dining loads not at 6 a.m. EST, but at 3 a.m. EST. I actually got in at about 2:56 a.m. I stayed up because our stay is from December 30 – January 3, and I knew getting anything on December 31 would be almost impossible.
I did get what I wanted, pretty much, including Le Cellier and my family’s favorite, SciFi during our stay. I will be at Bay Lake Towers, but I could not get Chef Mickeys at all, tried every day. For New Year’s, the system usually locks up, and I tried to access it at all times of the day or night over several days. I finally booked at Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom. (We may go there on New Year’s Eve to avoid the crowds, and head back to our room at Bay Lake Towers after dinner).
No, you’re the first and I’m surprised. Everything I’ve seen indicated a start of 6:00 a.m. EST. Did you read this somewhere? Thanks for the heads-up.
Sandy M. writes:
I also had trouble securing reservations for a few of my favorite restaurants, but the beauty of the online system is I checked back frequently, okay almost neurotically, and was able to get a 5 p.m. reservation for Le Cellier three weeks before our trip! Also Garden Grill, which I had originally only been able to get a 3:30 time for, I eventually got a 6:30 time. I think because it is so much more convenient to change reservations online now there’s a whole lot of switching going on. So my advice, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!
Thanks for the kind words, the tip, and for writing.
