Just returned from our 9-night stay at the Dolphin and our family of five had a great time on this our 4th trip to WDW.
Here are a few of the many highlights we enjoyed:
* Made rope drop for Toon Town at MK and my 5-year-old son got to enter the park with Goofy and ride the Barnstormer with him!
* Made rope drop for Disney-MGM Studios and we were the first ones to ride Tower of Terror.
* Also at MGM--I was selected to participate in the backlot tour boat skit--great laughs for the family
* At EPCOT, unwittingly scored VIP seating to view Illumniations
* Front row curb seating for MK Fireworks--let me just say that "Wishes" is a tremendous upgrade--superbly choreographed fireworks and narration makes this a much more meaningful experience. Two thumbs way up!
* Took in PhilHarmagic--best 3d show going at WDW! Finally, they figured out that you don't have to scare the life out of kids to put on a good 3d show!
We also seemed to have good karma with bus and boat waits...everything smooth.
Even when things went wrong, a courteous employee made things better. E.g. on our first trip down Splash Mountain, an extremely mature individual or group of individuals ruined our photo by making an obscene gesture--very classy indeed. We were planning to get a photo this year, so we were really disappointed. I told a Disney employee of our disappointment and he immediately escorted us back to the front of the line so that we could ride again and get a good picture.
PARTING THOUGHTS:
* WDW is still the best place to vacation with your family, period.
* FASTPASS is still a huge advantage and I continue to be mystified by those who don't utilize it.
* Some people are still of the opinion that rules are meant for other people. Many children ignore the height limitations in certain play areas and the parents are either not there to witness the infraction or they are there and simply don't see anything wrong with it. That really bugs me. We had an incident in Typhoon Lagoon's "ketchakiddie creek" that really annoyed me. A kid at least a full foot taller (and no he wasn't just big for his age--he was clearly much older than the little tikes playing there) than the height minimum anchored himself at one of the water cannons, refusing to let any younger kids get in there for a turn. This went on for quite some time before my 15 year old finally went up there and asked him to make way for the other kids to play, which he reluctantly did.
* Finally, I think the waterparks should issue "Speedo" alerts. I am basically of the opinion that Speedos are best suited (pun intended) for Olympic athletes. Many of us--and I would be at the top of the list-- are just not meant to wear them.
So sad to be back--hoping we get to go back soon. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Here are a few of the many highlights we enjoyed:
* Made rope drop for Toon Town at MK and my 5-year-old son got to enter the park with Goofy and ride the Barnstormer with him!
* Made rope drop for Disney-MGM Studios and we were the first ones to ride Tower of Terror.
* Also at MGM--I was selected to participate in the backlot tour boat skit--great laughs for the family
* At EPCOT, unwittingly scored VIP seating to view Illumniations
* Front row curb seating for MK Fireworks--let me just say that "Wishes" is a tremendous upgrade--superbly choreographed fireworks and narration makes this a much more meaningful experience. Two thumbs way up!
* Took in PhilHarmagic--best 3d show going at WDW! Finally, they figured out that you don't have to scare the life out of kids to put on a good 3d show!
We also seemed to have good karma with bus and boat waits...everything smooth.
Even when things went wrong, a courteous employee made things better. E.g. on our first trip down Splash Mountain, an extremely mature individual or group of individuals ruined our photo by making an obscene gesture--very classy indeed. We were planning to get a photo this year, so we were really disappointed. I told a Disney employee of our disappointment and he immediately escorted us back to the front of the line so that we could ride again and get a good picture.
PARTING THOUGHTS:
* WDW is still the best place to vacation with your family, period.
* FASTPASS is still a huge advantage and I continue to be mystified by those who don't utilize it.
* Some people are still of the opinion that rules are meant for other people. Many children ignore the height limitations in certain play areas and the parents are either not there to witness the infraction or they are there and simply don't see anything wrong with it. That really bugs me. We had an incident in Typhoon Lagoon's "ketchakiddie creek" that really annoyed me. A kid at least a full foot taller (and no he wasn't just big for his age--he was clearly much older than the little tikes playing there) than the height minimum anchored himself at one of the water cannons, refusing to let any younger kids get in there for a turn. This went on for quite some time before my 15 year old finally went up there and asked him to make way for the other kids to play, which he reluctantly did.
* Finally, I think the waterparks should issue "Speedo" alerts. I am basically of the opinion that Speedos are best suited (pun intended) for Olympic athletes. Many of us--and I would be at the top of the list-- are just not meant to wear them.
So sad to be back--hoping we get to go back soon. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
