Well, we wrapped up the weekend and are now back home.
First of all, please excuse my cryptic typing in the earlier posts, but that was about all I could manage on my "smart phone." (My previous not-so-smart phone had a rotary dial.
) Also, I'm sorry, but I have not learned how to attach photos here yet, and I really didn't take any anyway. We were having too much fun!
Here are a couple of final observations that pertain, more or less, to POR or items that some of you may have asked about.
The blankets, in addition to being bland in appearance, are THIN. We asked for an extra, but still ended up using our own that we brought along--for just such a situation. If they are going this route, then they certainly should be using the comforter style duvets, not this blanket sandwich arrangement. And I still find it hard to believe that Disney couldn't "imagine" something appropriately themed for the different rooms/resorts.
I can't say if all of the rooms have refrigerators now, but ours in Magnolia did.
Our MB's worked just fine, but as I said earlier, they are finicky about their orientation and contact with the various readers. Even some of the CM's were still trying to figure them out, especially the mobile "devices" used by servers, vendors, etc. In one restaurant the CM/server scanned the wrong bill with my band and it took about 10 minutes for them to figure out how to void and reenter the correct info. The standard answer for any glitches is: "The system is still in the testing phase." I finally figured out that by wearing the MB as loose as possible on my wrist that it was easier to maneuver it into proper orientation with the readers. It can take two hands that way, but it worked better, especially at our room lock. Although it is not strictly required, or the same with all readers, I started calling it "ears-to-ears" contact, as some readers didn't seem to like angles or upside down Mickey. Eventually I think they should offer alternate devices, since they are apparently planning on doing away with the old KTTW cards. At check-in they did issue those also, "while the system is still in the testing phase." Maybe a choice of a pendant, or even a "Magic Mickey Ring" would be possible alternatives. Or maybe the readers could be a little more sensitive and read the band at slightly more than contact distance, to allow for some "Kentucky Windage?" One place I did not try the bands was for the resort entry gates. We used the bus system, so I'm not sure how getting the wrist with the band in the correct position plays out if you're driving. Of course, you can always take it off and hold it in your hand, like I did several times at our room lock. Just thinking out loud here. Overall, it seems like a convenient system and I'm sure it will be here to stay.
Speaking of the buses, they seemed to be running pretty much on schedule. They were standing room only most of the time. We spent Saturday evening at MK and left right after the fireworks. We got on the second bus that left from the Transportation Center right after that. We timed it just about perfectly, as there were a BUNCH of folks who were still in line as we were leaving. Probably 3 or 4 bus loads, and more people queuing up. I'm sure their bus wait stories will be different from ours. We seemed to catch the breaks this time and never waited longer than about 20 minutes anywhere. Less most of the time. If you don't mind the walk, it is often easier to get a bus back to POFQ and walk over to POR when things get crowded.
I'll mention Yehaa Bob again, as his shows were his usual manic excellence. As I said earlier, he started with his Christmas songs this weekend, and those of you who know him can imagine the orchestrated pandemonium that ensues when he does "The Twelve Days of Christmas," what with all the "maids-a-milking, swans-a-swimming, lords-a-leaping," etc. Utter (or maybe udder) chaos, but what great fun!!
You just can't hide, or sit still, when Bob gets wound up!!! Fortunately, CM John (who I mentioned in my earlier post), kept us supplied with wine and Mint Juleps, so we could "cope with the chaos." Don't miss Bob! But you might want to bring noise protection and steel-toed shoes.
Everyplace was decked out for the holidays, and particularly there were thousands of poinsettias everywhere. Pots full, flower beds full, trees made from them. My wife loves them, so she was quite happy checking them all out. There are BIG trees in all the resorts we checked out (POR, POFQ, WL, GF). The tree at WL and the gingerbread house at GF were every bit as amazing as reported by others. Well worth the time to make the side trips to check them out.
There were other interesting things, some good and some not, but since they don't pertain to PO, I won't bore you with them here. Overall it was an "E Coupon" weekend.
Thanks for listening. I hope this helps you plan for and/or enjoy your visits.