Back from 12 days at Disney --- some highlights

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

We're just back from a 11 night/12 day stay (April 29th to May 10th). Here's some of the highlights of our trip:

- Cast Members: Definitely impressed with the cast members --- I can't think of a single interaction that wasn't positive. From resort staff to theme park staff everyone we met was wonderful.

- Beach Club Resort: Everything from Check in to Check out was perfect. We'll definitely be back.

- Hollywood Studios: We thought with the closures we wouldn't enjoy HS as much but with the new Jedi Training, Launch Bay, Star Wars Fireworks (and dessert party --- which we really enjoyed) we loved it. Once the new areas open this park will be awesome.

- Illuminations Fireworks Cruise - We loved this! The view was wonderful and Wally, our captain, was great! He really made the trip extra special (took us to watch the DHS Star Wars Fireworks after Illuminations.) He is a really great & engaging guy. If your cruise is on a Monday night ask for him when you book as he is awesome. Kudos too to Yacht and Beach Club Private Dining (we ordered a birthday cake and sparkling wine for the cruise which was perfect.) So worth it for this and we'll book this again.

- Club Villain: Awesome character interaction, great venue, 1st rate entertainment, food, drinks, atmosphere, and the sparkling wine welcome was nice. We loved this and would do it again in a heartbeat.

- The Boathouse at Disney Springs: We tried the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan this time (way too much food for us) and ate here twice. Both meals were excellent. We'll definitely be back even when we're not on the dining plan.

- Magic Kingdom After Dark: We loved this and would definitely do this again. Zero waits, friendly CMs, great weather...

- Disney Hollywood Studios Symphony In the Stars Dessert Party: We LOVED this. Food, drinks, fireworks, Chewbacca mug --- everything was great. We'll do this again.

- Disney Florist In Room Celebration: My son loved this! Great to walk into the room with the door banner, Mickey footprints and luminaries, etc....


Other good stuff:

- Ferrytales Wishes Cruise - Not sure if this would actually happen as there was some bad weather --- it eventually did happen. My DH and myself enjoyed it but there wasn't much for my DS9 dessert-wise or entertainment-wise (there is a scavenger hunt with UV flashlights but not enough flashlights to go around. Oddly enough many adult only groups took them and didn't do the hunt and didn't return them so that others could use them. I get that adults might want to do the scavenger hunt but return the lights so that others can use them if you aren't doing the hunt.) Loved the lighted necklace, pin, lighted glass etc... I can see doing this again for DH and I.

- Disney Deluxe Dining Plan - This is a lot of food! We likely won't do it again but it was interesting to try. We probably ate some places we wouldn't normally eat just to use up credits.

- Really good meals at The Boathouse (twice, as mentioned above), Yachtsman, Via Napoli, La Hacienda, Le Cellier (was a bit concerned about this one but our meals were perfectly cooked and delicious.) My DH loved Teppan Edo.

- Character interaction at Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's was wonderful. Food was just okay as expected but the characters make the experience.

- La Nouba (Cirque du Soleil) - While there are elements we love I'm not sure we'd be back as the changes aren't exactly to our taste.

Not so good stuff:

- Illuminations Dessert Party - In past years this had been a favourite but I have to say this time it wasn't good! The food selection was extremely limited and of much lower quality compared to last year. Not worth it at all and we won't be doing this one again.

- Tusker House - We've done this a number of times and the food had been interesting and well prepared. Not this time.... the food was just not very good. 2 of the 4 characters never made it to our table at all. We will not be doing this again.

- A limited subset of guests --- Lots of rude behavior (line cutting, saw an adult knock over a child in another party and walk away laughing, filthy bathroom behavior, etc...). I know that this isn't unique to WDW but it does make you wonder.

On balance we had a great trip and we can't wait to go back as the new additions to DHS and AK are ready.

 

[bbjunkie]

Sounds like you had a fabulous trip!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sounds like a great trip!

I didn't know they were even still running the FerryTale Dessert Party, you don't hear much about that on here.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Thanks for the review! Sounds great!

 

[Stnkrbell3]

Can you give me some details on what was included in the Grand Welcome package? Thanks!

 

[Accident]

- Illuminations Fireworks Cruise - We loved this! The view was wonderful and Wally, our captain, was great! He really made the trip extra special (took us to watch the DHS Star Wars Fireworks after Illuminations.) He is a really great & engaging guy. If your cruise is on a Monday night ask for him when you book as he is awesome.

Whoa, is seeing both fireworks normal? I have family coming down with someone that has limited mobility and this sounds like a great thing to surprise everyone with. I never considered it worth the cost but if your getting both fireworks, now you have my interest.. I assume this is when the fireworks are spaced enough to get the boat over in time?

 

[ariane37]

Sounds like you had a great trip!

- Club Villain: Awesome character interaction, great venue, 1st rate entertainment, food, drinks, atmosphere, and the sparkling wine welcome was nice. We loved this and would do it again in a heartbeat.

DH and I did the first CV back in January and absolutely loved every element of it. I was so happy each time they extended it into the next month and had hoped it would become a permanent thing, but rumor is it'll be no more by the end of this month. Glad you got to experience it!

 

[AngiTN]

Great trip you had. Glad so much of it was as good, or better than expected.

 

[tlmadden73]

Curious on the size/makeup of your group.

I see you did a lot of the optional extras (like dessert parties, club villain, etc.).
Do you feel that a long trip enables you to have the time to do those extra things or do you find those extra things worth it even if you were on a shorter trip?

Curious, as I've never done a long trip like that (not even close). The length and amenities in a trip like that is something I dream about. I'm glad you are able to do that! Sounds like a blast.

 

[GC&S]

Can you explain the changes to La Nouba? We haven't seen it for a few years but my dd wants to see it on her b-day.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Can you give me some details on what was included in the Grand Welcome package? Thanks!

We did the Mickeys Magical Welcome package (not the full grand one). The package included the door banner (with Mickey mail), 4 luminaries, mickey foot prints, a collapsible mickey bag, beach towel, pillowcases, mickey ears, mickey vision glasses, silver tray with mickey mug cookie bouquet, autograph book and pen, pretzels, jelly beans, mickey head crackers, lollipops, and a couple of additional snack things that I can't recall. We added additional towels, pillow cases, and different types of the fireworks glasses -- frozen ones that make the fireworks look like snowflakes and olaf ones that make them look like flowers.

We were really happy with the package and my son couldn't believe that Mickey would stop by his room and leave him cool stuff. We'd do it again.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Whoa, is seeing both fireworks normal? I have family coming down with someone that has limited mobility and this sounds like a great thing to surprise everyone with. I never considered it worth the cost but if your getting both fireworks, now you have my interest.. I assume this is when the fireworks are spaced enough to get the boat over in time?

Actually our boat was the only one that did. But our captain suggested going to DHS so when the other boats were heading back to the marina we went on to DHS. If you're going on a Monday night ask for Captain Wally, he was awesome. We really enjoyed it and found it well worth it.

Illuminations was at 9pm and went for about 15 minutes and the Star Wars ones started at 9:45 so there was lots of time to do both.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Sounds like you had a great trip!



DH and I did the first CV back in January and absolutely loved every element of it. I was so happy each time they extended it into the next month and had hoped it would become a permanent thing, but rumor is it'll be no more by the end of this month. Glad you got to experience it!

I'm sorry to hear this as it was a great experience and we'd have definitely gone back next year if it was still running.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Curious on the size/makeup of your group.

I see you did a lot of the optional extras (like dessert parties, club villain, etc.).
Do you feel that a long trip enables you to have the time to do those extra things or do you find those extra things worth it even if you were on a shorter trip?

Curious, as I've never done a long trip like that (not even close). The length and amenities in a trip like that is something I dream about. I'm glad you are able to do that! Sounds like a blast.

There are just 3 of us - myself, DH and DS who turned 10 this trip.

We like to do the longer trip in part because we want to take our time and not feel like we're having to rush around. It definitely makes it easier to schedule the extras. Normally we'll do park mornings and then head back to the resort to swim or relax and then head out to another park at night. We rarely spend a full day at any park now.

Even when we went for shorter trips we would always try to do at least a couple of special events - tours, golf, dessert parties or holiday parties, cruises, etc... For us that's time where we regroup and enjoy things.

 

[Dbktmc]

I have been looking into prices for the fireworks cruises and can't find anything. We are going to WDW to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary and I think this would be amazing. Can anyone give me an approximate cost?

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

I have been looking into prices for the fireworks cruises and can't find anything. We are going to WDW to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary and I think this would be amazing. Can anyone give me an approximate cost?

The total cost (including taxes) for the Illuminations cruise was $372. I understand that the prices are higher around holidays (July 4th, etc..)

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Can you explain the changes to La Nouba? We haven't seen it for a few years but my dd wants to see it on her b-day.

There were different acts from last year. Some of the new acts were break dancers, more bike stuff, different clown act and a balancing act. It not that the new acts weren't good it's just that we found the show didn't have as good of a flow as the previous versions.

 

[kickash]

Whoa, is seeing both fireworks normal? I have family coming down with someone that has limited mobility and this sounds like a great thing to surprise everyone with. I never considered it worth the cost but if your getting both fireworks, now you have my interest.. I assume this is when the fireworks are spaced enough to get the boat over in time?

We also had this bit of pixie dust last summer on our Illuminations cruise, except ours was to see Frozen Summer fireworks. I don't think it is normal at all, but it wouldn't hurt to ask!

 

[jknc]

We're just back from a 11 night/12 day stay (April 29th to May 10th). Here's some of the highlights of our trip:

- Cast Members: Definitely impressed with the cast members --- I can't think of a single interaction that wasn't positive. From resort staff to theme park staff everyone we met was wonderful.

- Beach Club Resort: Everything from Check in to Check out was perfect. We'll definitely be back.

- Hollywood Studios: We thought with the closures we wouldn't enjoy HS as much but with the new Jedi Training, Launch Bay, Star Wars Fireworks (and dessert party --- which we really enjoyed) we loved it. Once the new areas open this park will be awesome.

- Illuminations Fireworks Cruise - We loved this! The view was wonderful and Wally, our captain, was great! He really made the trip extra special (took us to watch the DHS Star Wars Fireworks after Illuminations.) He is a really great & engaging guy. If your cruise is on a Monday night ask for him when you book as he is awesome. Kudos too to Yacht and Beach Club Private Dining (we ordered a birthday cake and sparkling wine for the cruise which was perfect.) So worth it for this and we'll book this again.

- Club Villain: Awesome character interaction, great venue, 1st rate entertainment, food, drinks, atmosphere, and the sparkling wine welcome was nice. We loved this and would do it again in a heartbeat.

- The Boathouse at Disney Springs: We tried the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan this time (way too much food for us) and ate here twice. Both meals were excellent. We'll definitely be back even when we're not on the dining plan.

- Magic Kingdom After Dark: We loved this and would definitely do this again. Zero waits, friendly CMs, great weather...

- Disney Hollywood Studios Symphony In the Stars Dessert Party: We LOVED this. Food, drinks, fireworks, Chewbacca mug --- everything was great. We'll do this again.

- Disney Florist In Room Celebration: My son loved this! Great to walk into the room with the door banner, Mickey footprints and luminaries, etc....


Other good stuff:

- Ferrytales Wishes Cruise - Not sure if this would actually happen as there was some bad weather --- it eventually did happen. My DH and myself enjoyed it but there wasn't much for my DS9 dessert-wise or entertainment-wise (there is a scavenger hunt with UV flashlights but not enough flashlights to go around. Oddly enough many adult only groups took them and didn't do the hunt and didn't return them so that others could use them. I get that adults might want to do the scavenger hunt but return the lights so that others can use them if you aren't doing the hunt.) Loved the lighted necklace, pin, lighted glass etc... I can see doing this again for DH and I.

- Disney Deluxe Dining Plan - This is a lot of food! We likely won't do it again but it was interesting to try. We probably ate some places we wouldn't normally eat just to use up credits.

- Really good meals at The Boathouse (twice, as mentioned above), Yachtsman, Via Napoli, La Hacienda, Le Cellier (was a bit concerned about this one but our meals were perfectly cooked and delicious.) My DH loved Teppan Edo.

- Character interaction at Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's was wonderful. Food was just okay as expected but the characters make the experience.

- La Nouba (Cirque du Soleil) - While there are elements we love I'm not sure we'd be back as the changes aren't exactly to our taste.

Not so good stuff:

- Illuminations Dessert Party - In past years this had been a favourite but I have to say this time it wasn't good! The food selection was extremely limited and of much lower quality compared to last year. Not worth it at all and we won't be doing this one again.

- Tusker House - We've done this a number of times and the food had been interesting and well prepared. Not this time.... the food was just not very good. 2 of the 4 characters never made it to our table at all. We will not be doing this again.

- A limited subset of guests --- Lots of rude behavior (line cutting, saw an adult knock over a child in another party and walk away laughing, filthy bathroom behavior, etc...). I know that this isn't unique to WDW but it does make you wonder.

On balance we had a great trip and we can't wait to go back as the new additions to DHS and AK are ready.

Please do not take my comment personally as it's merely an observation.

It's sorta sad to see half of what you enjoyed most are considered premium add-on's.

Is this a good thing or bad for thing for the current state of WDW as a whole?

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Not taking it personally at all...

I can honestly say that 99.99% percent of the trip was really wonderful and we'd go back in a heartbeat even without the premium add-ons. Probably if it had been a full trip report there would have been more balance between the add-ons and the regular awesome stuff at WDW --- but some of these were new experiences for us so they did standout for us.

We enjoy the add-ons though and so we usually do a couple each trip. This trip we just seemed to do more since the planning phase was longer than previous trips.