A trip to WDW, then versus now

[Wadekind]

There are still parks like that. Our next trip is going to be a Universal-only trip and there is zero planning to do other than the hotel. Nothing. On a smaller scale, we went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (which is a great park BTW!) and all we did is book the hotel room, drive down, and go to the park. We had a blast. No planning. Disney is just very special, for better or for worse

Harry Potter can still get crazy if you don't get there early.

 

[kaetra]

I have a photo of my 5 year old self riding an elephant in what I have always believed to be Disney World.

That would have been about 1974. Did they have elephants to ride then?

 

[redsbe]

"Some people thrive on planning their trip. Not everyone wants to fly by the seat of their pants and just see what happens. Some people want to make sure they're getting their money's worth, and frankly, standing in line, for hours, doesn't sound appealing to me."

Same here, for me maximizing enjoyment, relaxation and value has always meant reducing as much as possible time waiting in lines at WDW. With some limited pre-trip planning, including when to visit off season and using RD (and on occasion FP) it was possible to at least greatly reduce the stress and time lost waiting in long lines 30+ minutes long. Even with MB and FP+ same approaches are possible.

If I want to simply go on vacation, lie around on the beach with a cool drink, and spend my time wondering through a city or driving the countryside, I simply make plans that do not involve WDW. Have taken many of those vacations over the years as well. Came to understand a long time ago that to enjoy and experience WDW as a vacation simply takes more advanced planning and structure.

 

[MommaBarb]

I remember a really long line for BTMRR, this is really the only vivid memory I have. It was 25 years ago. And my mom had back problems. We'd been waiting a LONG time, and we finally got to the sign that said don't ride if you have back problems, and I asked my mom about it and she said "I didn't wait that long to get out of line now!"

Oddly, it was also the first time I had teriyaki chicken, in Japan. And I pointed out the building to my DH and he thought that was crazy i remembered it.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Off season trip to WDW also requires minimum advanced planning, can go without FP or ADR (of course the windows in the off season at WDW are much smaller than Universal!)

Sorry, but I totally disagree. I'm going in January (traditionally, one of the slowest weeks of the year) and I was trying to move some ADR's around the other day, and couldn't get many of them. Also went in September this year and ADR's were hard to come by.

There's no such thing as off season at WDW, just not quite as insanely busy season.

 

[Granny square]

Sorry, but I totally disagree. I'm going in January (traditionally, one of the slowest weeks of the year) and I was trying to move some ADR's around the other day, and couldn't get many of them. Also went in September this year and ADR's were hard to come by. There's no such thing as off season at WDW, just not quite as insanely busy season.

That stinks. Did they add free dining?

Lol, the brown derby is opening a lounge upstairs. No adr's

 

[lugnut33]

Also, it's nice that some people can pick an off-season time to go, but most people can't. Hence the reason the parks are busy during holidays and summer. Our family can't go at any other time because we got kids in school and wife is a teacher. That means summer and holidays for us.... and the majority of people I think fall under that.

As for BTMRR and the two hour wait, it's quite possible that will be returning soon if you don't use a FP+ on it. And I wasn't really pining for the old days, I am simply trying to point out how a trip to WDW has changed.

 

[yarlenna]

I remember when there was only one park. I worked there then - at Adventureland . I hated the new menu with pineapple on everything. That place is now closed.

 

[Postal68]

You could just walk up to restaurants and get a table. No need to get up at 12 a.m. exactly 180 days from arrival to make ADR's at the popular restaurants. You didn't need a credit card to hold reservations. If you wanted to make a reservation at an Epcot restaurant back in the day, you could do it the day of at a special video communications kiosk inside the park.

^^^THIS

I vividly remember standing there with my Parents as my father video conferenced with the cast member making our dining reservations for a World Showcase Restaurant.

 

[luvdisney87]

I think it's all a matter of perspective. I've known people that go with minimal planning and have a great time. For me, 3/4 of my fun is planning the trip, getting up at 6 am to make resides, obsessing about when discounts are being released, obsessing about planning the "perfect" schedule, etc.
I remember when WDW was only Magic Kingdom, our park tickets were actually tickets we tore out of a booklet, and we stayed at a Howard Johnson's. I prefer today's WDW even with all the things that seem to drive others' nuts!

 

[magicbob]

^^^THIS

I vividly remember standing there with my Parents as my father video conferenced with the cast member making our dining reservations for a World Showcase Restaurant.

I remember walking up to King Stefan's Banquet Hall (now Cinderella's Royal Table) at the castle and making an ADR for that evening!

 

[minnie mum]

I'm just saying...cable cars! It was my very first ride at the Magic Kingdom.

Cable cars? Are we talkin' Main Street Trolleys or the gondolas of the Fantasyland/Tomorrowland Skyway? I LOVED the Skyway.

 

[Granny square]

I remember walking up to King Stefan's Banquet Hall (now Cinderella's Royal Table) at the castle and making an ADR for that evening!

And wondering why king Stefan had his banquet hall was in cinderellas castle...

 

[skriegerjr]

Cable cars? Are we talkin' Main Street Trolleys or the gondolas of the Fantasyland/Tomorrowland Skyway? I LOVED the Skyway.

I vividly remember the gondola ride

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

 

[Postal68]

As for BTMRR and the two hour wait, it's quite possible that will be returning soon if you don't use a FP+ on it. And I wasn't really pining for the old days, I am simply trying to point out how a trip to WDW has changed.

BINGO!!!

The FP+ system is going to make it impossible to go to WDW unless you have FP+ reservations. Of you want to just go there for the day or vacation there without reservations you are simply wasting thousands of dollars because you will not be able to do anything without waiting an hour minimum.

You'll be lucky to get in 5 attractions in a day between lines and breaks for meals and comfort.

 

[lugnut33]

Pot, calling the kettle, black!

I neither made fun of nor criticized anyone, simply pointed out my memory, and what I enjoy about planning my trips...

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

Hey you two, let's not forget it's opinions that make this country great.

While I do agree with the previous opinion that it's fun planning for a trip, I also find that I spend about 20 hours planning before we even get on the plane. This trip it's substantially more as I'm making sure I understand all the nuances of the new MDE system. Makes that two hours at BTMRR seem short.

 

[Granny square]

I vividly remember the gondola ride Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

Making out in the gondolas! Forgot that!

 

[skriegerjr]

Making out in the gondolas! Forgot that!

Well I was, I think, 9 when I rode them, so a little young to be making out with anyone...

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

 

[Granny square]

BINGO!!! The FP+ system is going to make it impossible to go to WDW unless you have FP+ reservations. Of you want to just go there for the day or vacation there without reservations you are simply wasting thousands of dollars because you will not be able to do anything without waiting an hour minimum. You'll be lucky to get in 5 attractions in a day between lines and breaks for meals and comfort.

I disagree. We get there early (always have because we are morning people ) and have usually ridden buzz, sm, pooh, pp, sw, and the hm before lunch without fp's. Then we hit the other side major rides and then wander the shows etc. would use fp for btmm on occasion.

My opinion. Only time will tell of course.

 

[Granny square]

Well I was, I think, 9 when I rode them, so a little young to be making out with anyone... Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app

Lol, you missed it then!