Back from 4 weeks at Disneyworld (July 2-31)

[bgula]

It's our 5th trip in 2 years (4 out of 5 at FW). Both myself and the DW have to admit that the Disney magic is starting to fade a bit, but not enough to stop us from booking our next trip over Christmas! My DS (4) loved every minute and didn't want to leave.

There's so much to talk about, but no one wants to read a long and boring trip report, so I'll keep it short and list the disappointments and complaints. That should stir up some conversation!

1) Why did they eliminate the bus from FW to the T&TC? We like to drive, but this was an acceptable alternative. Now, unless you want to ride 3 different buses to get to MK, you have no choice but to take the boat. One night that we did it, we had to wait for 3 boats there were that many people in line.

2) Anyone else notice that the garbages are not being emptied regularly, especially at Epcot? There were many occasions where garbages were stuffed full and actually had trash piled on top and around the base. To us, it took a little of the shine off of the Disney experience.

3) We've been looking forward to the openings for Soarin' and the Motorcycle stunt show. Anyone else feel like they were a giant waste of time? I personally can't believe that Disney spent all that money on construction for these 2 rides. Soarin' is interesting, but there are certainly no thrills - and this is coming from a person who does not like heights or drops. Speaking of drops - where were they? My rating: 3 out of 10.

Unless you like to watch mini cars constantly spinning their tires as they race around in circles, I'd avoid the Stunt show. WAY too much talking there. By the title and the way they described this show, I was expecting a STUNT show (i.e. cars and motorcycles doing amazing or daring jumps, etc.) No such luck. This show is comparable to Indiana Jones, but even though I've seen that one many times over the years, it somehow still captures my attention. This new one did not. My rating: 4 out of 10.

4) Rehab of It's a Small World: what was the point and why did it take so long? Other than a new entrance, I don't think I saw anything new and that song still drives me crazy. Just my luck, my DS loved the ride and wanted to go on it again and again and again and...

5) What happened to Goofy's Jamboree or whatever it was called? We saw it at Christmas, but now it's labelled as Woody and Friends. We thought it was a new show, but it's just a meet & greet for Woody and Jessie. What a shame.

6) Found out that Wonders of Life is closed until they find a new sponsor

7) I've never really liked Animal Kingdom as it still doesn't have that much to offer. Hopefully that will change in the future. For your information, stay away from Extra Hours at that park. It looks good on paper, but there's actually nothing to do. Usual closing time was 7pm, which meant that it would be open until 10pm. The DW was looking forward to a nighttime safari - something different. Well, we went to AK just for the extra hours and arrived at Africa just past 7:30. Guess what? The last safari was at 7:30 and Africa was closed. They were directing people out of that section. We weren't the only people surprised by this info. It would have been nice to know. Most of the other shows in the park finished by 8:00, which left Kali River Rapids, It's a Bugs Life and Dinoland the only things open in the park.


Please don't assume that we hated our trip. Far from it - there were numerous great things, but I don't want to be sitting here typing for hours writing out all the good things. You all know them anyway.

Can't wait for Christmas!

Anyone have any questions?

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for sharing.

 

[fizz13]

My my, not impressed with Soarin huh? Oh well, each to his own I guess. Some valid points about the garbage and the boat. Interesting reading and thanks for posting,

Claire xx

 

[noseybuddy]

Wow 4 weeks in WDW, the longest I have been there was 10 days. I am jealous.


2) Anyone else notice that the garbages are not being emptied regularly, especially at Epcot? There were many occasions where garbages were stuffed full and actually had trash piled on top and around the base. To us, it took a little of the shine off of the Disney experience.

This is something that you would have NEVER seen years ago. I haven't been there since 8/2002 and I did notice that WDW was not as clean as it use to be.

 

[marksor]

I was just there from 7/23-7/30 and I noticed the garbage piling up as well- particularly at the water parks.

 

[elastigirlfan]

That's funny...we didn't notice any garbage. It seemed pretty clean to us...in fact when we were eating outside of Pizza Planet in MGM there was a guy sweeping up the trash and crumbs.

Thanks for your trip report!! That must have been great to stay for sooo long!!

 

[KittyKitty]

Thanks for your comments. I never think a trip report is too long. Longer the better.

As for soarin'. That is the exact reason I love it, it's not a thrill ride. All (well most) ages can enjoy it. Maybe I get too "into" the rides, but on soarin", I lifted my feet so they wouldn't get wet as we "flew" over the river. I was totally into it. After the ride, the whole audience clapped in appreciation.

But........ if you were thinking it was to be a thrill ride, I sure can see how you would be disappointed

Did you stay at the cabins, or were you camping? I always wondered if it gets too hot for camping in the summer?

Thanks again

 

[mickeymom629]

I would have liked to have heard some of the good parts about your trip. We spent 12 nights in WDW in June/July (our longest trip yet!) and the only thing that was not "magical" was the HEAT! We loved SOARIN' and most of my family (except me) loves thrill rides. I could easily see how people waiting in the stand by line would have your thoughts - it is way to short of a ride to wait so long! FP is the only way to go.

Your other observations are valid and I agree with some, though I haven't seen trash overflowing. I have a gripe with the vacuuming down Main Street before guests have left, but that's another story.

Anyway, I would love to know some of the good, fun things you did for an entire month in WDW! And how lucky you are to be able to be away from work/home that long!

 

[bgula]

KittyKitty - We camped at FW - we have a fifth-wheel.

Mickeymom629 - I agree about the vacuuming (sp?), but when I see how lazy people are after the parades (i.e., leaving their trash everywhere instead of putting it in a trash can), I can understand why Disney would want to clean it up right away.
I'm a figure skating coach and my wife is a teacher. She's off for the whole summer, and I can take time off whenever I want (summer being the best time obviously), so extended vacations are not a problem for us - except trying to afford it, that is!

We used FP's for Soarin, no way we were going to stand in line for 90 minutes. I can't remember the exact wording they had going into the ride, but the way it seems to be described just does not seem to come across when you actually get on the ride - but I guess that's the same with any advertising - make it sound better than it is. Case in point: Stitch's Greatest Adventure! We both knew basically what the ride was going to be, we were just definitely expecting more. I've at least experienced some vertigo watching similar movies at the local IMAX theater - nothing on Soarin. As well, the illusion of "soarin" is not held together very well when you can look all around you and see the other riders in their own chairs. Both my wife and I kept shaking our heads, when every time we'd get to Epcot and see that the lineup was usually 90 minutes. We just wanted to go over there and tell people not to waste their time lining up for it - FP or nothing!

Enough about Soarin'. I'm not sure where to start about listing the good things. As I said before, we've been to Disney 5 times in the last 2 years and we've enjoyed every visit. These days, I think it's the little things that make Disney enjoyable (i.e. the interactions and conversations with the various CMs). We have great conversations with the monorail drivers and learn little tidbits about Disney every time. Epcot is the best place for interaction with CMs as they come from all over the world. One CM from Germany had a great talk for about 5 minutes with my 4 year-old son and then wrote a personallized note to him (in German) in his CM autograph book. She read it back to him in English and it just made his day. Epcot is by and far my favourite park just because you get this diversity and you can wander around at a more relaxed pace - it's not all rush rush rush to the next ride and wait in line for 30 minutes.

This is why we visit now for long periods of time - no need to rush in order to see everything. If we don't feel like going to a park today, then we don't. Or if we get to a park for 3 hours only, that's OK too. After all these trips, there are still many things that we have yet to do. In a month's time, we never made it to Ariel's Grotto - in fact, we've never been there yet. At FW, we've yet to do the wilderness trail. My wife finally went horseback riding this trip.

I guess the highlight of the trip, though, had to be watching the space shuttle take off. We had seen one go off back around 2000 I think, but as anyone can attest, this one was extra-special.

I don't know if I really explained things too well, but hopefully it comes across OK to those interested.

BTW - Just booked our Christmas stay tonight for POP.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I guess the highlight of the trip, though, had to be watching the space shuttle take off. We had seen one go off back around 2000 I think, but as anyone can attest, this one was extra-special.

I'm jealous! We were there when it was first scheduled to go off in July and then they postponed it.

 

[ScoJo15]

Epcot is the best place for interaction with CMs as they come from all over the world. One CM from Germany had a great talk for about 5 minutes with my 4 year-old son and then wrote a personallized note to him (in German) in his CM autograph book. She read it back to him in English and it just made his day. Epcot is by and far my favourite park just because you get this diversity and you can wander around at a more relaxed pace - it's not all rush rush rush to the next ride and wait in line for 30 minutes.

I agree about the CM interaction. My DD (now 7, was 6 on the last trip) absolutely loved walking around the world showcase talking to the CM's from the different countries. She also was getting their autographs and getting pictures taken with them. Those pictures make for great scrapbook memories, as she has a photo with a CM from each country at Epcot.

Sorry to hear about Soarin'. At least at WDW, the great experiences outnumber the bad ones by far.

 

[Dizneydaz]

KittyKitty - We camped at FW - we have a fifth-wheel.

I guess the highlight of the trip, though, had to be watching the space shuttle take off. We had seen one go off back around 2000 I think, but as anyone can attest, this one was extra-special.

I don't know if I really explained things too well, but hopefully it comes across OK to those interested.

BTW - Just booked our Christmas stay tonight for POP.

Where were you when you watched the shuttle? There's a chance (I've heard) that the next shuttle will be going in Sept. when we are there. If so, we want to see it.

Also, sorry you didn't like Soarin'. We love it. It's one of my DD5 favs. However, if the line is long in Sept. we won't wait since it's the same as the one here in DL.

38 days and counting!

 

[bgula]

We followed I think it was the 50 straight to the Indian River. We tried the 428 at first, but it was jammed all the way, so we took this alternate route. There was a great view, it was directly across from the launch pads. If we had had more time we might have tried to get a little further north, but as I said, it was a great view from there. I'm sure there are better viewing spots, but I'm not an expert on them.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

The shuttle has been grounded again.

We, like you, enjoy Epcot, sleeping in, taking it easy while in the parks. We go for 10 days at a pop and enjoy taking it easy and not "commando" touring. We've been so many times now but the magic still hasn't worn off. We are REALLY looking forward to going this October again.

We have vacationed in the "World" many times and have found that 10 days is plenty for us. Two weeks was a little too much and one week was just not enough. 10 days is perfect for our family and we do it at a time that the kids only miss 5 days of school because of teacher conferences. We take assignments and homework with us.

I've always wanted to go to FW and "camp" for an extended period as you did. I think it would be great. There would be many days that we would just hang out and relax and stay away from the parks. I might try that someday but right now it's just too far of a drive.

 

[disyady]

Thanks for posting. Re your problem with the Kilimanjaro Safari @ AK - Disney does state on their website at the bottom of the EMH listings that the Safari "closes @ 7 pm and fluctuates with daylight hours". You would think that they would have that clearly stated at the park to avoid disappointment. Little things like that would make a big difference!

 

[alabamagirl]

If it were me (and this is just me) and I stayed in one place for four weeks, I would probably find a lot of things wrong too. I am not saying that to offend the OP, just most people who only vacation for a week would not usually notice things like trash or vacuuming after the parade.

I think I am going to be sorry I posted this.

 

[Viki]

I couldn't agree more about the little things being where the magic resides after you've stayed at WDW more than a few times. While we still do commando as we're ushering friends and family through on their first visits, even on those trips we know to take the time and talk with people, CMs and visitors alike. I'm quite a pin collector and one of my best memories of our last trip was standing in line for Mickey's Philarmagic when a little girl, new to pin trading, came up to me (with her parents watching attentively in the background) and asked very politely if I would trade pins with her. I was so delighted by her approach and her spirit that I traded one of my favorite pins away just so that I could see her so happy. I know encounters like this could happen anywhere, but I sure do notice them more at disney.

 

[bear22]

I don't understand. Why do you guys keep going back so often if you're only going to criticize WDW all the time. My only thought when I go is the magic for me and my kids. I don't let nothing bother me not even a full trash can. Well all I can say is enjoy your trip in December and don't be so critical.

 

[bgula]

I would say I'm more "disappointed" rather than trying to criticize. If you've been to Disney that many times, it's disappointing to see garbage cans overflowing as it takes away from some of the "magic" of Disney because the CMs usually do a wonderful job keeping the parks spotless. It's very un-Disneylike. I'm also disappointed when Disney changes things which in my opinion (which, of course is very important (grin)) were working very well in the first place.

This brings up an interesting point. Has anyone noticed how deserted the bus terminal is at the T&TC? Up to last year, it seemed to be packed with buses and people waiting. Now it's almost like a ghost town. They must be shifting more of the buses to the area near the entrance to MK.

As for expressing my disappointment with new rides - this is hardly a new thing on these boards. About a year ago I seem to remember the harsh discussions going on about Stitch's Great Escape. Another big mistake by some higher-up. Alien Encounter is still deeply missed.

If you've visited once or twice, it's easy to miss these things. Once you've been to Disney quite a few times, these things can start to stand out like sore thumbs.

BUT THERE'S STILL NO PLACE I'D RATHER BE ON VACATION!!!!!