Walt Disney World Christmas Report – Part 1
Not this year. We aren’t going to go because we went for Halloween and are going back again in January for the Walt Disney World Marathon. Or so we said. Famous last words when you have an Annual Pass, right? Then, an invitation to the wedding of friends we met through the online Disney fan community came in the mail. Well, we had to go to that! Naturally, that meant we would have to go to Walt Disney World, too.
What was to be a short, weekend trip then ballooned into something longer. We found an airfare sale that allowed us to each fly for $188 roundtrip from LAX to MCO and we took Guy “Shia LaBeouf Super-fan” Selga up on his offer to split a room with them at All Star Sports. (There are some people who question our ability to travel so much, and to answer those questions, it’s much easier to travel when you’re incredibly frugal. Also, I suspect not having kids helps.)
One of the big downsides of traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast is that you lose basically an entire day in transit thanks to the distance and those pesky time zones. Whoever invented time zones should be forced to watch Carrot Top sing country music. To combat this, someone invented something called a “red eye flight” which leaves at night and arrives in the morning. It basically saves you a hotel room for a night. Seriously, get that person a Nobel Prize for that efficiency.
Our flight was scheduled to land in Orlando at 6:02 a.m., which was just a little too early. Most of the time when traveling, you’re hoping there aren’t any delays, but in this case, we were rooting for them. No such bad luck.
Our flight arrived on time (or maybe even early). Then, our Disney’s Magical Express was also efficient and we were the first stop. Of course we were the first stop. Whenever we want to get there quickly, we are dropped off last, but on the day when we wouldn’t mind if the bus drove around the block a few times, we arrive early.
At this point, it’s something like 7:00 a.m. during Pop Warner weekend as we are arriving to the front desk of All Star Sports. (“ASS” from here on out because Disney is all about acronyms, and this hotel really got cheated by the official one just being “AS”…or because I’m super immature and find that acronym hilarious. You pick.) Chances were slim our hotel room would be ready, but we held onto hopes, because our luck up until this point had been good.
Predictably, this is when the streak of good luck stopped, as there were no rooms available in the fully-booked hotel. For whatever reason, we hadn’t discussed in advance what we would do in the inevitable event that this happened, so we headed to the food court where we just sort of sat around and screwed around on the internet, all half-asleep.
After about an hour of this, the food court started to fill with pubescent teen jocks. How dare they converse with one another at appropriate decibel levels while eating breakfast…didn’t they know we were trying to rest?! Say what you will about Pop Warner, but this one was totally on us.
Realizing this was only going to get worse, I suggested we head to Port Orleans Resort (hence the alligators above). One goal for this trip was to get a bunch of photos of resorts at Christmas to update our Self-Guided Yuletide Resort Tour post, and that would be a quick way to knock out 2 of them.
We dropped our bags with Bell Services and headed to Port Orleans French Quarter. The decorations were simultaneously impressive and disappointing.
What was up was pretty, with color choices and classy pieces of decor that worked very well in the New Orleans theme. However, the decorations felt sparse, and there was nothing that stood out as being iconic.
The decorations at the Moderates are intended to be a nice touch for the guests staying at those hotels to get them into the spirit of the season rather than a draw for guests staying elsewhere, and this is understandable.
As I reflect upon my disappointment, I can’t help but wonder if my expectations are informed by New Orleans Square at Disneyland. French Quarter is charming and intimate by Moderate Resort standards, but it’s no New Orleans Square.
From there, we walked over to Port Orleans Riverside. Its decorations were less impressive than French Quarter’s, but I didn’t have as high of hopes, so I was less disappointed. French Quarter just has so much thematic potential and it demonstrates flashes of this, but it would be great if more of that potential were realized.
Thinking about this, in turn, has me wishing French Quarter were a Deluxe Resort. If this were Theme Park Tycoon, I’d “trade” one of the Epcot Area Resorts for it, since they are all pretty similar thematically, it wouldn’t be a huge loss to downgrade one of them.
In fairness, the decor at both of these resorts was typical of the other Moderates (and even some Deluxes), so it’s my expectations that were probably off.
We probably should have headed to one of the Deluxe heavy-hitters if we wanted exceptional ambiance. I could have really gone for a nap by a fireplace in a tucked away alcove at Wilderness Lodge.
Instead, we ended up kicking back in River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside. There were some overstuffed couches and chairs by a fireplace here just far enough from the lobby to keep things quiet, and we set up shop. I quickly fell asleep. Not just the light, one-eye-closed type of sleep you might get on a train or at an airport–I was in the hardcore nap zone, and stayed there for a good couple of hours. It was glorious.
Given that the four of us were there for so long, all obviously asleep, I do wonder how hotels typically deal with this sort of thing. Maybe Walt Disney World hotels are more lax because people get worn down easily at the parks and fall asleep just about anywhere (and because the parks are isolated away from a city center), but I suspect in a bigger city we would have been shooed along in an effort to keep vagrants out.
This makes me want to go around and find the best free places to take naps at Walt Disney World. All in the name of research, of course. I already know 3 of them, but I’ll bet I could find 7 more and come up with a killer top 10 list.
The thing preventing me from doing that is not self-respect (that ship sailed long ago–I’ve been known to sleep at fast food restaurants on road trips), but the fact that such a list would probably prove useful to exactly no one.
Nevertheless, now you know that the fireplace chairs and couches in River Roost Lounge earn the (coveted? scorned?) Bricker Napworthiness Award. I should print out a certificate and mail it to the hotel manager. I’m sure they would be thrilled…or thoroughly confused. I don’t want to hype this spot too much, but if ever you find yourself with daytime sleeping needs at Walt Disney World, I wholeheartedly endorse it. Seriously.
Around noon we received a text message from the ASS that our room was ready. Part of me was a bit reluctant to leave for ASS, as I wondered whether the beds in ASS would be as comfortable as those glorious couches by the fireplace. However, ASS was where we belonged, so we dragged our behinds to ASS. As expected, the ASS room was basic, but it did the job. A lot of people don’t like ASS, but we think ASS is sufficiently comfortable for a no-frills experience.
Okay, I’ll stop before I lose the 2 of you who are still reading this thing, but if you didn’t at least crack a smile at the above paragraph, you are waaaay too mature for your own good. (Also, you’re welcome: I refrained from a couple of sentences that might have “crossed the line.”)
We just got back 4 days ago and this was our first stay at a Value (for connecting rooms with 5 adults) so it made sense to choose ASS, especially for the acronym. And it was completely serviceable. (Whether serviceable is what you want on a Disney vacation is the YMMV variable.)
The only shared bus with Movies/Music all week was to Disney Springs. Every other bus from Dec. 15-22 took us straight from ASS to the park. Don’t if that’s Christmas hours at work, but we were surprised and happy about the direct service.
I would love the Bricker Certified Nap List! Next time we get to WDW it will be with children in tow so…yeah.
I think you’d find an audience for a Disney napping post. Ellen’s Energy Adventure and The American Adventure were my unintended napping spots on our trip. If I’m remembering my days correctly I was photographing the lobby about an hour before you, although a lot of my photos have one guy who was planted on the couch by the tree (maybe he was napping).
You fell asleep during The American Adventure?!?!?!
Please post your personal identification information so I can report you to the House Un-American Activities Committee. Don’t think I won’t do it…I reported MY OWN WIFE for this treasonous behavior! 😉
I’m not American so you’ll have to raise an international arrest warrant 😉
We’ve literally had the conversation of your first 2 sentences. I’ve also had a wonderful nap or 5 in those comfy leather chairs at the Wilderness Lodge. Be there in 5 days! My favorite at Christmas.
I would be all about seeing a nap list too. (keeping in mind that we have 4 of us to find space for) As we are flying from Calgary, we are in a similar situation give up a day to travel or do a red eye. I once was tired enough to fall asleep on a stucco wall in Greece while waiting for a bus so I have no shame about public sleeping either. Tom, I have to say that I adore your writing. It always makes my day when I can read a new post. Love your sense of humour and I am not above any A.S.S, jokes. Keep up the good work! And Merry Christmas to you and Sarah
Thanks for the kind words. If you can sleep on a stucco wall, you can sleep *anywhere.* I wonder how many times you’ve fallen asleep at your keyboard reading this blog!
The BEST place I have ever took a nap was Ellen’s Energy Adventure. It was Day 4 of our trip, and we were exhausted. We were in the August heat, walking around Epcot, and decided to go on Ellen’s Energy Adventure – a 45 minute ride! BEST NAP EVER. It was comfy and air conditioned. My bestfriend and I both went into nap zone immediately and woke up when our seats started moving to see the dinosaurs! I definitely say it was the best napping place in Epcot. Please do an article on that, would be hilarious and insightful.
As far as park attractions go, there are few better options than Ellen’s Energy Adventure if you’re a sound sleeper thanks to the duration. However, I do find it disrespectful to the dinosaurs to sleep as they put on their presentation.
We used Uber for the first time during our trip this month and it was awesome. We had 8am dining reservations at the Dolphin and getting there at that hour from Pop Century was going to be impossible (even the front desk suggested a taxi). 10 min and $6 later, we were at our destination eating mickey waffles. We used it once more getting from Port Orleans back to Pop Century. Again, 10 min trip and $5-$6 fare. AWESOME! Also, my husband is in the background of the picture of Sarah dancing with the country bear, haha 🙂
Ha, that’s hilarious that your husband is in the photo…what are the odds?!
As long as you look put together you, most hotels don’t mind the sleeping. We do it all the time in Disney and I have snoozed in hotel lobby’s in NYC, Chicago, LA, etc…when you travel allot for work, you cant help but find out these places
Once you have kids, the top 10 nap list will be a certain…our top list:
1. Couches/Rocking Chairs at wilderness lodge – great for afternoon naps
2. Beach chairs at Polynesian – perfect in the sun and usually quiet
3. Contemporary Window Couches – on main floor by chef mickeys, tucked away
4. Grand Floridian Lobby – wash your hands with soap store and fall asleep to sounds of the Piano
5. Rocking Chairs in Frontierland – push them back and sleep away
6. Carousel of Progress – dark and motion…mmmm
7. Hall of Presidents – ZZZzzzzzzz
8. Port Orleans/Riverside – great little benches to sleep on tucked away throughout
9. In the grass near Trails End – Quiet and never that crowded
10. Imaginations – before they closed this, the over AC’ed seats near the Visa photo pass area was filled with people drooped over napping away
Great list, Greg! As a super-budget off-site staying traveler, the resorts become our home away from our home away from home. Gotta have good nap spots, it’s part of the touring plan.
11. On the sitting wall around the casey jones splash area. The kid knows where you are, and you’ll wake up if they start screaming.
Nice list. I’m totally with you on 1-3, although I’m a bit bitter about #2, as there used to be a couple of top-notch hammock options that I haven’t seen lately (although I didn’t check after the refurbishment wrapped up).
Disagree with #4, that lobby is way too busy; at least whenever I’m there.
#9 is a great idea that I’ve never considered. I’ll have to check this out next time. I presume there are also some quiet indoor spots at Fort Wilderness.
For #10, I think you mean Innoventions? Right?
I don’t think any list like this should include attractions. Yeah, it’s happened to all of us and sometimes it’s a necessity, but most of the best sleeping spots are my favorite attractions, and I just wouldn’t feel right putting them on a list like this.
Great ideas, overall, though! 🙂
I hear you… Right on innovations.
When you are up at 530…the guilt of sleeping on attractions goes out the window.
For the grand Floridaian… It gets busy but the couches are sooo comfortable that you will doze off. Also rocking chairs near trails end.
One last item. There are some tucked away high back chairs at yacht club that are nice
Love these trip reports. I actually was staying at All Star Sports during the same period and saw you. I should have said hi as I’m a big fan of your blog but got shy haha.
I definitely understand the case for Uber especially when traveling between resorts. I was very impressed with the bus service at ASS (haha) this time around. I love that they now have the time boards with bus arrivals which I found to be accurate. Also, maybe I lucked out but during 3 days of trips to the parks the buses I took went straight from ASS to the parks (no stopping at the other All Stars). I was kinda shocked especially when a bus of only 5 of us headed straight to Hollywood Studios in the middle of the day.
Looking forward to Part 2!
I never understand why people would be shy to meet me. You’ve obviously *read* the ridiculous stuff I write here…it’s not like I’m some intimidating cool person. Next time, say hello! 🙂
Surprised to hear that about the dedicated buses. I wonder if that’s because of the number of guests staying there due to Pop Warner?
Really enjoyed this, your late night boat trip to Wilderness Lodge had me envisaging a Disney version of Scorsese’s After Hours. Please someone, make this happen.
After Hours has a Kafkaesque cool and edginess to it. I promise you that none of my encounters with other human beings ever have that. Mine are more like the most awkward scenes in a Woody Allen film.
I lost it laughing at the ASS paragraph – I guess that means I have a slight immature sense of humor but I don’t care – I needed a laugh – thanks for helping out with that 🙂
That one paragraph did indeed crack a smile on my face. 🙂 also, I would love a top ten napping spots list!
The Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort. I once found myself checking in there after dark at Christmastime, and the grandeur and beauty of that lobby at night is unforgettable.
Tom – how does Riverside’s lounge compare in your eyes to FQ’s? Looks like a snug place for a nap could be found towards the back, out of the way.
I think you’d have similar luck at French Quarter, but I don’t recall what the furniture is like there.
Currently writing this while waiting for Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular. I love all of your reports and insight! I throughly enjoy reading the thoughtful and well versed pieces! Keep em coming!
I would love a Top 10 Napping Spots! For what it’s worth, my favorite napping lounge is Animal Kingdom Lodge. I actually always plan to leave Animal Kingdom about mid-afternoon, to get a solid hour long nap in before an early dinner at Sanaa (which we tried on your suggestion and now it’s our favorite restaurant!)
I’d imagine AKL has some great, nap-worthy locations. Any favorite spots, specifically, or is that classified intel? 😉
Since we go for dinner at Sanaa, we spend most of our time in AKL at Kidani Village. If you go through the lobby and hang a right at the staircase (think about 2:00 on a clock) then you’ll find a little lounge-y room (immediately on your left) with small tables, couches, and a fireplace, with a balcony outside of it. That’s my go-to spot for a nap!
I’m enjoying your trip report so far, (see more than two people did read it!). Always enjoy your honest commentary and sarcasm, of course, not to mention your fabulous pictures. Love that they are never the typical shots of my favorite place, WDW!
Every post from now on shall end with Sarah getting down with Liverlips.
Unofficially, we use the ASS acronym on property. Especially the CPs. ASS is cheap to uh…;)
I’ve heard the CPs still use the original acronym for Monsters Laugh Floor, too! 😉
You should definitely do a top ten places to nap list! I did the 24-hour party last year and was wiped, but had to hang around until my flight at 7pm that night and was too mentally exhausted to think of a good place to nap.
If you do 24 hours in the park, I think you’re entitled to fall asleep wherever you want!
I love Sarah’s manatee Christmas sweater!
No manatees were harmed in the making of that sweater. Or so I assume.