16 Honest Observations from 2 'Dinks' Just Back

lizandjason

Mouseketeer
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
429
1. Pop Century is fantastic. Fun theming, great food court, convenient layout, efficient bus service.

2. Dining tip: Make your main meal a breakfast or lunch buffet or family style...you'll pay a lot less than you would for dinner and you'll be full for the whole day. Our favorites this trip were Biergarten and Cape May Breakfast Buffet.

3. If your child is crying and begging you not to make him ride something truly frightening (like Dinosaur) don't force him to ride it. And don't laugh at him for being scared. It's just cruel and unnecessary.

4. Disney has unfortunately chosen quantity over quality in many of their CM's. The Disney 'magic' is lost in their vacant stares, expressionless faces and robotic answers to intelligent questions. Sure, we had some great interactions with a few, but this was the exception rather than the rule. We also noticed groups of CMs standing around doing absolutely nothing. :confused3

5. Our best experiences: Trails End dinner buffet, the hammocks at the Polynesian beach, Grand Floridian tea, Kona Cafe lunch, boat ride from HS to Epcot, evening flag ceremony at MK (brought tears to my eyes), the American Adventure (all kids over age 6 should watch this).

6. It was so cool to see so many different people from all over the world at WDW. It's a wonderful place where everyone can come together no matter where they're from and enjoy a magical experience that transcends language barriers. However, we found it difficult to understand some CMs who speak English as a second language and it seemed that many of them were in roles where they make announcements, gave directions or worked in customer service. I'm not saying that only native English speakers should have these roles; many of these CMs were exceptionally nice and helpful, but this was frustrating.

7. Add at least 25% to your budgeted daily amount for a more accurate idea of what you'll really be spending. Prices are incredible. A little refrigerator magnet costs $7 and a simple counter service meal with drink, entree and dessert will cost $12-$18 per person.

8. Deserving of dirty looks: People who count out pennies and nickels at a cash register with a line of people behind them, yell or hit their kids in public, use profanity around children or don't give up their seats on the bus to the elderly or parents with small kids

9. Even the best-laid itineraries will take a different course. You'll discover the best surprises when you veer off of the beaten path.

10. We're done with Animal Kingdom. It is so poorly laid out, navigating through bottlenecked crowds is excruciating.

11. Don't be afraid to enjoy the Deluxe resorts even if you're not staying there. While you can't use their pools (for good reason), you can stroll their beautiful grounds, enjoy their restaurants and relax in their lobbies when you're between parks.

12. Disney boat transportation is wonderful. Instead of taking a bus to DTD, get to POFQ or Riverside and take the boat. It is a beautiful, relaxing trip.

13. Many people don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom. No wonder everyone gets sick at the end of their trip.

14. Planet Hollywood is an absolute joke. We left right after sitting down. And they have bathroom attendants...how tacky and outdated. Oh, and they sat us in the middle of a group of 50 people. When we asked to move to a vacant table they refused without explanation. Buh-bye.

15. The most surprising dining experience of the trip was Cookes of Dublin. Delicious fish and chips and meat pies.

16. Must-have desserts: Sundae from Ghiradelli and Minnie's bakeshop cookies.

We appreciate your comments...and remember, these are just our opinions! ;)
 
We are done with animal kingdom too. I can go to the national zoo in DC for free whenever I want to see animals. It's not worth it to us for the same reasons as yall-crowded and poorly laid out. Maybe we will try it again in the future but it didn't get done this trip and it probably won't be revisited for a while...
 
I've honestly never 'loved' the AK. I agree that it's poorly laid out. The walkways are just too small! I imagine since we are no longer DINKs that I will have to spend more time here once DS asks to. For now we skip it :)

I have to disagree on the people who count out change in lines are deserving of dirty looks. Why? It's not like you'll get through those lines much faster. I think it's more annoying when people don't know how to order at CS places on the DDP. Disney should do a better job of explaining that! Maybe charts with pictures or something.
 
I actually really like the AK. I no longer look at it as a park where I have to do X,Y, & Z. I now take time to look at all the details, especially now that I am interested in photography. I never realized how many wonderful, off the beaten track, things there are to see there. I think this park has the most interesting detail of all the parks. But I believe this is because my perspective is different now that I have teenage kids and I can finally enjoy the luxury of going without them.

As far as bad parenting skills. Before I had kids I was quick to judge parents who didn't display the best parenting skills. Now I realize that even the best parents experience times when their frustration gets the best of them and they act inappropriately. I am not excusing it. I am just a little bit more tolerant of it because I don't know what happened to that parent in the hour or two leading up to the outburst.

As far as not washing hands......that's just plain gross. I also hate when customers are afraid to sit on the toilet seat. We know how that ends up! :sad2:

I agree that visiting the deluxe resorts is so fun. My DH and I celebrated our anniversary at the world last September and we visited several deluxe resorts while cutting costs by staying at Pop. I just add those resorts to my "wish list".

Sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing.
 

I'm not usually a Disney hater but we had a terrible experience at the Animal Kingdom last July 3rd, 2009. For one, it's center of the sun hot here compared to the other parks.

I had the absolute worst treatment from a female CM on Expedition: Everest. I really should have reported her but I didn't. But, I'm sure she's probably fired by now because of her very un-Disney attitude.

I think the only good things at AK are the Finding Nemo and Lion King shows. But that's not really worth the price of admission.

The plant-life there makes it so much more muggy and humid compared to the other parks.

And the restaurants aren't anywhere as good as at the other parks. Its like, "lets see, do I want to stand outside to eat, OR, sit outside to eat with ducks nibbling my bags, OR, fight for a bench while I sit outside to eat?! Gee I guess I'll sit outside to eat!"
 












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