Arrived home yesterday - a few thoughts

[Linda67]

Hello everyone
We just arrived home yesterday and because I am just too damn lazy to write a TR, I thought I would just share a few thoughts here
Firstly, to give context, we are DVC members and have been visiting WDW for 20 years
Our trip started with a 2 night stay at Port Orleans Riverside.
This was our first time at this resort and we LOVED it!!!
We can't say enough good things about this resort and to be completely honest, POR is better than most of the DVC properties we have stayed in
DCL - Disney Fantasy, 7 nights, Eastern Carribean ….. AMAZING !!!!
This was our fourth cruise and probably our best.
We got to spend time in the Roy O. Disney Suite and a Cabana at Castaway Cay
Superb in every single aspect. We can't wait to cruise with DCL again
OKW - we stayed here for 6 nights after our cruise and we have to say, we were disappointed. The rooms are in dire need of refurbishment, particularly the bathroom which was quite frankly, appalling! - not dirty but the tiles and toilet were OLD and worn to say the least!
Magic Bands/FP+ ….. we visited in December 2013 and had all sorts of issues but I am happy to report that they worked perfectly this year
7DMT - nice but SHORT! - blink and you miss it!
CMs - Oh how I hate to write this, but with a few noticable exceptions, the CMs seemed dis-interested and dis-engaged
Star Wars Weekends - so much fun!!
We did the Feel The Force Premium Package and it was top notch
The fireworks were breathtaking
We also did the Sci-Fi Dine In SWW breakfast (the Strormtroopers were the BEST!!) and the H&V Jedi Mickey Dinner, which again was fantastic with wonderful character interaction
All in all another fantastic trip and we can't wait to return
The only think I think we should change in the future is to do WDW before DCL

 

[wilma-bride]

Hi Linda and welcome back

I'm really happy you enjoyed the cruise. I would be interested to hear more about what you did, what you enjoyed. Having now done the Eastern and Western, we definitely prefer the Eastern itinerary. And I agree, it is always better to do DCL after WDW, it is a real shock coming back to WDW after being treated so well on the cruise.

Sorry to hear you were disappointed with OKW - we have stayed there twice and loved it both times but not been for a few years now so it is sad to think it may have deteriorated. And, again, sorry you found the CMs not as interested. We had a couple of disappointing experiences with CMs on our last trip but, on the whole, the majority of them were still great. I do think, in general, we have seen a decline in that side of things steadily over the last few years but it has been that gradual that maybe we have become acclimatised and just don't see it as poor when, 10 years ago we probably would have. I have commented to Gary a couple of times over the past couple of trips that WDW seems to have lost something for us and that perhaps...gasp...we should take a break from it next year. I guess we will see how we get on in October and decide after that.

Sounds like, all things considered, you still had a wonderful time. And not long to wait until the next one

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I have commented to Gary a couple of times over the past couple of trips that WDW seems to have lost something for us and that perhaps...gasp...we should take a break from it next year. I guess we will see how we get on in October and decide after that.

This is exactly why after many years of annual trips we now go every other year. Also we wanted to experience other parts of the world with the boys before they left home

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Glad to hear that overall your trip was good Linda

Funny isn't it how people differ ...... Paul likes to do WDW then DCL whereas I prefer to do DCL then WDW as I need the rest before I hit the parks

 

[Linda67]

Hi Linda and welcome back I'm really happy you enjoyed the cruise. I would be interested to hear more about what you did, what you enjoyed. Having now done the Eastern and Western, we definitely prefer the Eastern itinerary. And I agree, it is always better to do DCL after WDW, it is a real shock coming back to WDW after being treated so well on the cruise. Sorry to hear you were disappointed with OKW - we have stayed there twice and loved it both times but not been for a few years now so it is sad to think it may have deteriorated. And, again, sorry you found the CMs not as interested. We had a couple of disappointing experiences with CMs on our last trip but, on the whole, the majority of them were still great. I do think, in general, we have seen a decline in that side of things steadily over the last few years but it has been that gradual that maybe we have become acclimatised and just don't see it as poor when, 10 years ago we probably would have. I have commented to Gary a couple of times over the past couple of trips that WDW seems to have lost something for us and that perhaps...gasp...we should take a break from it next year. I guess we will see how we get on in October and decide after that. Sounds like, all things considered, you still had a wonderful time. And not long to wait until the next one

Hi Joh,
Hope you have a fab time in NY by the way!
We've done the Western and Eastern now and I agree with you, the Eastern is a much more relaxed itinerary
I enjoyed the ports more and loved the extra day at sea
The service on DCL is always fantastic but this time it was just over the top amazing
Every single CM seemed to go above and beyond.
Our servers in the MDRs were phenomenal, Palo brunch was wonderful and the Remy Brunch was exceptional
Our stateroom host was one of the nicest people we have ever met, we spent hours chatting with him!
To be honest, we always find WDW a little lacking after a cruise, to us, the staff at DCL are very much like the CMs at WDW used to be when we first started visiting 20 years ago
I was surprised at the standard and condition of the rooms at OKW. We stayed at POR for 2 nights ahead of the cruise and the room, facilities and CMs were 100% better there.
I'm looking forward to October as we haven't visited Universal for a while and we know the cruise will be fab!
It was a wonderful trip but DCL are spoiling us now as they are just so good !!!

 

[wilma-bride]

Well, with any luck, the prospect of seeing us at WDW in October should help to lessen the disappointment of slumming it again after your cruise And, if not, there is always the prospect of a Grey Goose Slushie to cheer you up

 

[Linda67]

Glad to hear that overall your trip was good Linda Funny isn't it how people differ ...... Paul likes to do WDW then DCL whereas I prefer to do DCL then WDW as I need the rest before I hit the parks

We've always opted to do WDW after our cruise as it's just too depressing to get in a flight home straight away
I think going forward, we may spend just a night or two after he cruise in the area and then head home. We would still visit WDW before the cruise though

 

[Linda67]

Well, with any luck, the prospect of seeing us at WDW in October should help to lessen the disappointment of slumming it again after your cruise And, if not, there is always the prospect of a Grey Goose Slushie to cheer you up

Yay, a Grey Goose Slushie with the Joh gang is certainly something to look forward to !!