Christmas Fun 12/11-12/19

[JWG]

Well it's been interesting even getting here. Originally supposed to fly out of MSP on 12/11 but was able to change due to a weather waiver. Then, was supposed to fly out 12/10 at 7:20pm. We finally left at 12:20a (12/11) after waiting for a new inbound aircraft. While the delay and 5 extra hours at the airport was awful (especially when nothing is open), it was worth it. We took off in a blizzard and our 12/11 flight was canceled as the airport shut down.

Anyway, here's what we've noticed since arriving at 4:00am on 12/11:

• Marriott Village is decent complex. We stayed here 12/11-12/13 before checking into AKV-Jambo. The family suite room at the Fairfield wasn't bad for a couple of nights.
• Saturday 12/11 was awful. The MK was a wreck. Last day of Pop Warner and you couldn't do anything in the park without waiting a decent amount.
• I thought the DDP had ruined the dining experience. If that's true, the free dining promo as insured its death. What a horrible experience we've had dining. Kona Cafe, the waitress literally took our drink and food order at the same time, was upset when we ordered an appetizer and couldn't get us out the door fast enough. Talk about lack of service. Just get us out so the next group can sit. Similar experience at Whispering Canyon Cafe for lunch. None of the normal fun, hooting and hollering. Just frantic servers trying to turn tables. Disappointing to say the least.
• Teppan Edo, the only place we haven't felt table service was turned quick service, was amazing. Did the CP Package, so paid 2x what we should have, but it was amazing. Best experience we've had thus far (compared to Kona Cafe, Boma's, Ohana's breakfast, San Angel and Whispering Canyon Cafe)
• Candlelight Processional with Stephen Curtis Chapman was amazing. The CP Package was worth if given the seats we got. Dead center first row after the main parallel aisle that runs behind about row 6 or so. Great spot, not too close and not far away. Our first time seeing it and it was as good as advertised.
• A ridiculous number of Chicago Bears fans here. Not sure why. More of that aparrel then any other team of any sport.
• Member Merry Mixer today was great. Not too crowded but not dead. Easily got photos with Minnie and Mickey, got our treat and our DD(4) did crafts. The only upsetting thing was trying to look at merchandise previews. A few over zealous members nearly trampled my poor daughter. People, the display pins aren't going anywhere. Calmness.
• Crowds have been heavier then expected. Touring Plans can suck it this trip. We've had waits everywhere we've been for the most part. Not sure what's going on, but definitely not as quiet as we expected.
• The stores are mostly out of 2010 merchandise (clothes especially). But plenty of 2011 in stock already?! Guests coming Christmas week may be disappointed they'll be stuck with 2011 stuff even though they're here in 2010.
• My wife bought holiday pajamas at 50% off already?! The same one's we had just gotten a text about being a "Disney Parks exclusive". Odd they were clearanced before the major holiday crowds even show.

I hope free DDP is done after this next lengthy period. I didn't think the dumbing down of the dining experience could get worse. Now it's gone from just boring food to horrid service in an effort to turn tables over. We've never felt so rushed.

On a side note, our daughter got a special private meet and greet with Jasmine in City Hall. We stopped to ask a question and the cast member asked if our DD could help him for a few minutes. Even better, the GAVE her an autograph book. Well, good for here, not for us. Did you know you could visit 19 characters in 1 day? Yup. You can. 19 characters and 17 autographs on Tuesday. I think we've gotten about 50 autographs this trip. Not the original plan, but we know we'll be back in October, so doing nothing but standing in lines for autographs (literally) has been somewhat tolerable.

Still have two days left, eating at 50' Prime Time and Chef Mickey's. If those experiences are bad, I'll be sorely disappointed. We're only going to 50's Prime Time for it's character and the server's. If their mission is only to turn over tables I'll be upset.

Will update if anything else exciting happens.

 

[GopherHockey]

Have a great time the rest of your trip!!

 

[robert@dvcstore]

Sorry to hear that there have been some bumps along the road during your stay. This is a busy time at WDW and more people can result in more bumps.

Make the best of your remaining time and Happy Holidays.

Robert

 

[kid-at-heart]

My, my, I am sorry to hear about the crowds and the lack of dining service. We were in Disney a couple of years ago this week and the crowds were great. I wonder why so many people are there this year?

I am afraid I have to agree with you regarding the dummying down of quality since the implementation of the free dining plan. Every time we go it seems the dining pleasure lessens. We were there this past November and the only meal which seemed up to past Disney standards was Boma. We had an early dinner and it was not overly crowded so that may have helped the situation.

Now, regarding standing in line for autographs, I know what you mean. When Sar was 4 and 7 we spent many hours looking for characters and collecting autographs. Now that she is “too old” for character autographs I find I miss it and her excitement at each new encounter.

I do hope you have a wonderful trip. I bet you are glad to be away from the snow.

 

[Cee]

We were there the first week in Nov. and everywhere we ate the server asked if we were on the DDP. When I said, "no", I thought they were going to kiss me.

 

[JWG]

I just re-read my first post and it sounds like we're not having fun... Not true at all, we're having a blast.

Crowds are still high, yesterday DHS was definitely a higher crowd as most shows auditoriums/seating filled before the show started (exceptions being American Idol was only half full at 12:00 and Sounds Dangerous was about 35 people at 7:30p). Fantasmic (6:30) was standing room only by about 40 minutes prior to show start.

Ate at 50's Prime Time Cafe. Was seated about 20-25 minutes past our time (and we had 4:20p ADR's, so hopefully they didn't continue to get behind as the night went on). Still have the same concern over the dining experience. Our server seated us, told us the "rules" and asked who was setting the table. That was the extent of the theming. Didn't even notice those around us breaking the "rules" as they hurried to serve tables. It's unfortunate that turning tables has taken precedence of the experience. Food was good though, that's a plus.

Still having a great time. Loving AKV and just spending a day at the hotel before Chef Mickey's tonight and a few final rides at MK tonight. Heading home to cold and snow tomorrow.

 

[rascalmom]

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear you are having fun, despite the annoyances.

I couldn't agree more about the dining plan - it is time for it to go away! We can only wish.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I agree that the CP with Steven Curtis Chapman was great! I had another CP package with Thomas Gibson who was also very good!

The meals we had were in the Garden Grill....we had enough time to eat and enjoy and the food was better than we thought it would be (we never ate there before, but will again, on New Years Eve). The next time I was with friends in Biergarten, and the food was excellent! I agree about the food costing twice as much but we all enjoyed Illuminations from the designated place. (Especially last Monday, the coldest night. I think more than 1/2 the people skipped Illuminations, the area was deserted!)

Bobbi

 

[JWG]

All-in-all a wonderful trip. We'd never done WDW during the holidays (Did DL in 1996 and loved it). Everything is so much more captivating and colorful with all the additional decorations. It was even more exciting having just watched the Behind the Scenes: Disney Holiday Magic or whatever it's called on cable over Thanksgiving.

We're planning a return trip for the holidays in 2012. We're doing F&W/MNSSHP in 2011. I want to then do another DL trip in 2013-2014 once CA is complete.

Our final couple of days were good. Did Chef Mickey's on Saturday night. Arrived at 3:50p for 4:25p seating and got in at about 4:10p. It was great since they do staged seating and the restaurant isn't full - we saw all 5 characters very quickly and then could focus on eating. In the past we've had late seatings (8pm or later) and it seemed like it took forever for each character to make it around.

The food was decent as always. I struggle paying $39.99 for a decent buffet. It's a tradition we've done for years (since my parents 25th wedding anniversary in 1998) and we don't want to give it up - but $100 for 2 adults and 1 child at a buffet?! At least we had the TiW card.

Crowds were no worse on the 18th as compared to the 11th. Had we stayed past 7:30pm, we'd of had most things to ourselves with 10 minute waits or less except for major attractions. Space was 35 when we left, BTR was 25, Peter Pan/Pooh 20 and HM/Buzz 15. All else was 10 or less.

Overall:
- The holidays are truly something special at WDW
- Monorails are free of the "Celebrate" theming!! Let's work on the busses now.
- DDP and Free Dining has KILLED the dining experience. First it was the food, now it's the experience itself.
- Crowds were not as quiet as expected. Surprised at crowd levels actually
- CP is so amazing in person, videos didn't do it justice
- Illuminations is still the best nighttime spectacular at WDW
- Fantasmic 2-3 nights a week is a disaster for crowds, I can't imagine trying to see it during peak periods
- Loved AKV, but CANNOT WAIT to finally stay at BLT. Will have had our BLT points almost 2 years before we do.
- Merry Member Mixer was worth it. The ornament alone was very nice.

All in all, a wonderful week. Always hard to be just done with a trip because it means we're a long time away from our next.

EDIT: Shout out to Michelle at the AKV-Jambo lobby Concierge desk. She went above and beyond in returning a lost item to us. L&F was closed when we inquired, so she made a note, called back, hand delivered the item (we were gone) and left them in the room for us with a special photo and note.

 

[Sammie]

Yep the crowds from the week after Thanksgiving and on, are just really above what it was in the past.

The secret is out and no more slow time in early Dec.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I was there from 12/11 - 12/16 and I also found it to be very crowded - I was actually surprised by the number of people. I usually vacation at Disney in the fall (September or early November) or May so it was a bit of a different Disney experience.

Also, it was freezing - I couldn't believe it was under 30 degrees while watching the X-mas parade and fireworks!

While I had a great time as always, it might be my last December trip for a long time.