[Erin]

I have a few questions about the Coronado Springs Resort.
First of all, my family and I stayed there last year, and LOVED it. I want to plan another trip for around the same time of year (late January - my son's birthday) So, here are my questions:


:) 1. Is there any way to know what conventions will be there? I really love the resort, but if their are alot of crazy drunk people, or really hyper cheerleaders, I will book somewhere else.

:) 2. My children have never ridden the monorail! Is there anyway I can give them this experience without having to actually ride it into the park in the morning?

:) 3. What will they/can they do for birthdays? My son will be turning 8 while we're there - any advice?? Ideas?

[mickey]

1. Is there any way to know what conventions will be there? I really love the resort, but if their are alot of crazy drunk people, or really hyper cheerleaders, I will book somewhere else.

I would suggest calling the resort, they will know who is coming. Of course, that can change at any time. The number is 407-939-1000.

2. My children have never ridden the monorail! Is there anyway I can give them this experience without having to actually ride it into the park in the morning?

Sure, this is always a nice break in the middle of the day. Just exit the MK or EPCOT, and get your hand stamped. You can then ride the monorail around for as long as you like, and then head back to the park. It is usually less crowded, and make sure you ask one of the CMs when you arrive if you can ride in the front. You may have to wait a train or two, but it will be worth it.

3. What will they/can they do for birthdays? My son will be turning 8 while we're there - any advice?? Ideas?

There have been several threads lately on birthdays while at WDW. I would suggest doing a search here. Make sure you let everyone know it is their birthday, at all restaurants, etc. You usually will get a big to do.

[buzzsmommy]

Don't know if this is "legal" or not but when I took my neice several years ago we ate dinner at Chef Mickeys the night we arrived and then rode the monorail for free for what seemed like forever (she insisted we go 'round and 'round all night). Because we arrived at 3ish in the afternoon I made early PS at Chef Mickeys (we were staying at Port Orleans). We took a bus to the Contemporary, ate dinner with Mickey, rode the monorail, shopped at the Contemporary gift shop, went to the observation deck, and then rode the bus back to our hotel. Since we hadn't been to any parks yet, my 8yr-old neice had a blast! She really thought that this WAS Disney World. It was a great intro to the fun yet to come!!! And, we didn't use up a park ticket. We could save that for a full day in the park. You could probably do something like this at any monorail hotel - dinner and ride. Your kids might enjoy this...

[mickey]

Riding the monorail as much as you like is completely legal. I really like taking the kids on the EPCOT monrail. It is fairly fast, and you actually go inside of EPCOT, and can see most of the park from the monorail. What a great way to get your kids excited about the trip!

[grammy]

This is hysterical about birthdays! I *almost* feel guilty! I was trying to make PS for a special birthday dinner on the day we arrived -- it will be my birthday and I'm the grandmother on this trip. When the person helping me said that the restaurant that I had requested had no openings, I said, "Oh! That's too bad. It's my birthday!" She said, "Well, I can get your group in to another restaurant." I was very happy and told her how much I appreciated her efforts because it was also my daughter's birthday. She asked, "How old will your little girl be?" I said, "30!" She just laughed and laughed then commented that they don't often get grandmother and mother celebrating their combined birthdays at Disney. She said she would make special notes on all my PS and reservations, etc. She said we should get special attention from the characters, a birthday card signed by all characters and cm's and maybe some other surprises! :laugh

Please, by all means, mention your child's birthday to everyone who will listen. They will all do everything they can to make it a special day!

We're leaving tomorrow. I'll let you know about the birthday celebrations and anything else I may discover!

[Erin]

Can I take them on the Epcot Monorail without having a park hopper pass? What if we just have two day passes?

Thank you for your replies! You are all so informative, and speedy, too!!!:p

[grammy]

Erin,

I think you can ride the monorail until the cows come home! I'll verify that while I'm there and let you know in just a few days -- when I'll be home planning my next trip! :D :p :laugh :) :) :)

[mickey]

Erin, you don't need any kind of pass to ride the monorail. The EPCOT monorail goes from the ticket and transportation center to EPCOT. It makes a big circle through EPCOT, around Spaceship Earth, and back outside. The station is outside the park, so you can get of and walk around and get back on, without a ticket. Same goes for the resort monorail.

Grammy, have a great trip!

[grammy]

Mickey,

Thanks! I can't do anything but "Disney". I've been waiting for half an hour for my husband to pick me up to head to the airport! I will write a more than full trip report when I return!!!!!! :laugh Woooooo - hoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oops -- he just called and he's downstairs!

We're off!
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)