[Franco54]

Well I sucked it up the best I could, I had a few stumbles but I (we) hung in there with them. First of all, we had awesome weather, 70's and a couple of 80's and no rain. We in our six trips have had one day of rain so we count ourselves lucky. Coronardo Springs Resort, we had mixed feelings. The setting was just beautiful, some of MY best moments were walking the grounds at 5:00 am every morning. The peacefulness was just great! The room in general was fine although I am not a big fan of thier bathroom and sink area with the curtain you pull to have some privacy. The curtain just reminds me of a motel in the early 50's with that I was not impressed. Housekeeping was spotty at best, I left notes on what I thought should be done and when we returned they were. One good thing was that I asked for our room to be done as early as possible everyday just in case I needed to "bunker down" and it was always done early. The boys loved the pools and even on the nippy days they would do them for awhile. The restaurants Maya Grille/Pepper Market were not out favorites, we tried them once and found the uninspiring. Although the little window for coffee made a good cup of coffee(but Dopey's Wolf Gang Puck Coffee) that she so kindly sent me was even better in our room. Our first nine days were in CSR. Now for the restaurants, Only one WDW restaurant made our "Top Three" Our first visits to both Emeril's and the Tchop Chop were instant winners, no doubt they were our top two. California Grille is one of our favorites and with the surprise of a delayed birthday cake for Helena it was a very nice meal. Yachtsman Steak House still does a nice job all away around, I love thier garlic spread for the breads. Both the Crystal Palace and Cape May still do a very good breakfast, with the Crystal Palace our favorite. Chef Mickey's was shaky at best for breakfast we think they have slipped a bit. We had adr's for Raglan Road but went to thier window for thier fish and chips, excellent fish but maybe a bit too crunchy but good never the less. Le Cellier Steak House was another disappointment, we have been there three other times and loved it, but the meat was not up to thier standards (IMHO) I think we will take a break from them for awhile. That also was our meal for the Candle Light Processinal. That I had to beg out of and return to our room, but the boys and Helena went and loved it, and recorded lots of it. We also ate off site several times including a place called Texas De Brazil which was fine and fun with thier meats coming to you on skerwers and them slicing it for you, Helena and the boys really enjoyed it. I cancelled some of our adr's Whispering Canyon. 50's Prime Time. Let me give you an example on why my babe thinks I spend too much on food.(I am not one to count pennies when on vacation) On a two day span, first at Crystal Palace for breakfast then off to Emeril's for dinner next is Cape May for breakfast and then back to the Tchop Chop for dinner. For dinner we all like our appetizers so there is no cheap dinners. Just for that two days I spent $650.00 on four meals. I think I argree with the boss that we can cut down quite a bit! I am writing this in between one VA appointment and another so I will continue soon.

[Dana]

Franco -
Welcome home papa bear! I can't wait to hear more details from your trip.

[dhoughton]

Hiya Franco! Looking forward to reading more about your trip!

[mickaholic4077]

Sounds like you had an overall good trip Franco!!!

[Princessbaby]

Looking forward to reading the rest of your report!

[Peppertink]

Tchoup Chop...YUMMY!!! We sooo loved this special treat on our last visit:) Can't wait to hear more of your report.;)

[jk8]

Mmmm, meat on skewers - makes me hungry!

[alicefan]

I love TR's about food!!!!! Oh, BTW - Happy Belated Birthday!!!

[lovemysons]

Welcome back Franco! Can't wait to read more. :)

[E&B's Mom]

I'm so glad you had a good trip. I was thinking about you and your family. Did I read right that you went to Tchoup Chop twice? We LOVE that restaurant. We plan on going during our next trip.

[Maria]

Welcome back! Can't wait to read more!

[Disneyfever]

Your trip sounds wonderful! I could just imagine how peaceful those 5 am walks must have been! I love being out when there are not very many people around. You also had a lot of good food. We have a Texas De Brazil here, and it is wonderful. I'm looking forward to reading more about your trip!

[mrspooky]

Welcome back, love reading the report!

[Franco54]

So where was I? We had NO problems at all getting in our favorite rides in all parks despite all the talk of how busy it would be. We are out in the morning have something to eat and off to the park of the boys choice. We do all our rides and shows and are looking for things to do at like 11:30 am or so, also this is the trip that I hand off the baton to our youngest (Daniel) yes its offical from now on Helena and myself will sit on the side lines and enjoy the parks. After the park of the day the boys would either swim or go to DisneyQuest, they just love that. So, after nine days of CSR we were off to our favorite resort for the last three days. SOG, we love it! I always ask to be on the fifth floor and have a golf course view, it is downright hypnotic! I seat on the balcony and I am lost in the tranqility. The rooms are huge, as big or bigger than any resort on site. The restaurants range from a very poor/cheap buffet breakfast to thier dinner time buffets which we have not tried yet but thier menus look decent. And then you have what I have already said, IMHO Mangino's is the best Italian food on site! We count it in our top five. Most of the nights I would beg off and the troops would go to another park, not really for the rides, the lines and times were huge. But one night we went to the garage at SOG's top floor and had a great view of the fireworks, they were just fantastic! So, all in all, it was a great trip, when I had to bow out my clan understood why and went on thier way. So, here is another surprise!! We got back Tuesday and Wednesday morning I made ressies for another Christmas trip next year!!! Dec 22-Jan4!!! So, I will need your expertise once again. I am thinking about scrapping all of the restaurants that we tend to always go to and try all new places. So opinions please from all you nice people! Thank You kindly!!

[lovemysons]

Franco, that is great that you are going again next year! Christmas time at Disney is so special!