We just got back from the world (Oct. 27-Nov.1). A couple quick thoughts:
1. This was our first time at a value, and we loved ASSp. It was NEVER crowded, the staff was awesome, the pools were never crowded, and the food court food was good and had a big enough variety for us. Very pleased, and would stay there again.
2. We tried to follow the per-park level numbers from TP. Early mornings were great, but parks were always crowded by the early afternoon. Wait times were minimal during our whole stay (except TSM), but it felt really crowded - much more so than we expected. Evidently, Disney has done a great job using free dining to fill in all the slow times, so that now there really aren't any.
3. We love the MSEP - it is worth fighting the crowds to see. And Wishes is probably the best on-going fireworks show around.
4. The F&W festival is a great idea, but the walkways are so narrow in WS, and the crowds are so thick, it ruins it for us. We were there as soon as it opened on Friday, and it was just not worth it to fight the crowds by 2:00. Would it not be practical (meaning financially feasible) to offer some version of that concept year-round (booths with snack-size portions)? It seems to me with the popularity of the dining plans and snack credits, it could work and would be a nice addition.
5. We did the QSDP, and for us (heavy eaters) we loved it, and still brought home a lot of snacks. It is very convenient, and we like not eating up a lot of time on sit down meals.
6. I was surprised at how many attraction CM's there were in announcer roles that had thick foreign accents. To me, this is a quality issue, and a negative. Overall, our interaction with CM's, especially the bus drivers, was great. A couple cashiers here and there were definitely not in the Disney frame of mind, though.
7. Physically, I thought the resort (with the exception of all the MK work) looked great.
8. DHS really, really needs a massive overhaul, I think. The Backlot Tour and Narnia are both now completely lame attractions. The GMR is tired and needs some newness. And it is way past time to switch out IJ and Beauty and the Beast. Just my opinion, of course.
9. We had my parents with us on scooters, which Disney does a great job trying to accommodate. I wish there was a way to make the bus transfers easier for everyone, but I can't think of what that would be.
If you are headed down soon, have a fantastic trip. Any questions, fire away...
Jesse
1. This was our first time at a value, and we loved ASSp. It was NEVER crowded, the staff was awesome, the pools were never crowded, and the food court food was good and had a big enough variety for us. Very pleased, and would stay there again.
2. We tried to follow the per-park level numbers from TP. Early mornings were great, but parks were always crowded by the early afternoon. Wait times were minimal during our whole stay (except TSM), but it felt really crowded - much more so than we expected. Evidently, Disney has done a great job using free dining to fill in all the slow times, so that now there really aren't any.
3. We love the MSEP - it is worth fighting the crowds to see. And Wishes is probably the best on-going fireworks show around.
4. The F&W festival is a great idea, but the walkways are so narrow in WS, and the crowds are so thick, it ruins it for us. We were there as soon as it opened on Friday, and it was just not worth it to fight the crowds by 2:00. Would it not be practical (meaning financially feasible) to offer some version of that concept year-round (booths with snack-size portions)? It seems to me with the popularity of the dining plans and snack credits, it could work and would be a nice addition.
5. We did the QSDP, and for us (heavy eaters) we loved it, and still brought home a lot of snacks. It is very convenient, and we like not eating up a lot of time on sit down meals.
6. I was surprised at how many attraction CM's there were in announcer roles that had thick foreign accents. To me, this is a quality issue, and a negative. Overall, our interaction with CM's, especially the bus drivers, was great. A couple cashiers here and there were definitely not in the Disney frame of mind, though.
7. Physically, I thought the resort (with the exception of all the MK work) looked great.
8. DHS really, really needs a massive overhaul, I think. The Backlot Tour and Narnia are both now completely lame attractions. The GMR is tired and needs some newness. And it is way past time to switch out IJ and Beauty and the Beast. Just my opinion, of course.
9. We had my parents with us on scooters, which Disney does a great job trying to accommodate. I wish there was a way to make the bus transfers easier for everyone, but I can't think of what that would be.
If you are headed down soon, have a fantastic trip. Any questions, fire away...
Jesse