Got back last night-- some reactions

[lmmantini]

What is "smart" water?

Where is the frozen thing in HS?

 

[wdwrule]

For some reason, the water fountain water tasted incredibly metallic to me; I've never noticed it in the past. But after a few days, it got to where it was no longer worth drinking for me, and I used snack credits for "smart water" instead of refilling my water bottle. One of the snack kiosk CMs recommended it over regular water as long as I was using a credit anyway, and I figured it couldn't hurt.

Wonderful report and glad you had a great time!! Just an FYI maybe to use on your next trip . . . we use a filtered water bottle called a Bobble for the water fountains that helps a lot. Some people use the Brita water bottles. Also the free unlimited ice water at any quick service counter is way better than the water fountains.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Aliceacc...like everyone else I want to thank you for such a succinct and informative report. We have YC/BC in our sights as our next Disney Resort.

Just a couple of questions.

1.) What do they serve at the Tommorowland Dessert Party?

2.) Why are they heavily discounting the YC this summer? Did it seem like the resort had a lot of vacancies? How about the parks...what were the crowd levels at all four?

 

[lustergirl]

Alice: thanks for the great trip report. Glad to hear such positive reviews for a change

 

[Aliceacc]

We leave in 10 days, so I really enjoyed reading about your trip!

Sorry to hear about the Brown Derby; we loved both of our meals there (in 2003 and 2008).

I've been wondering how the MagicBand/ride photo thing is going. Did you have Memory Maker? If so, did your ride photos mysteriously appear on your account as they are supposed to?

Thanks for the great detail!

We did have a memory maker account. But I can't answer your questions yet-- my niece has the rights to the download and she's still there.

It worked incredibly well. At a regular photopass location, anyone on the account gives their bracelet to the photographer to scan. On the rides, they do it automatically.

What is "smart" water?

Where is the frozen thing in HS?

"Smart Water" tastes like regular bottled water. I imagine it has extra electrolytes, like in Gatorade?? It cost a bit more than regular water-- or would have, had we not been on the DDP, so I figured it was a better idea.... certainly no worse.

Here's what I meant by the frozen thing, from https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/hollywood-studios/frozen-summer-celebration/

"Oaken’s Frozen Funland: Blow into Soundstage One to see how Oaken and his closest cousins have been creating winter magic! Frozen festivities include ice skating and snowman building!"

They have an area full of snow that the kids can build snowmen on, and a separate ice rink, where $10 will get you socks, skates, a helmet, and about half an hour of skating. (I think we got more because it was the first session of the day.... I think they rounded our time up to the nearest half hour. )

Aliceacc...like everyone else I want to thank you for such a succinct and informative report. We have YC/BC in our sights as our next Disney Resort.

Just a couple of questions.

1.) What do they serve at the Tommorowland Dessert Party?

2.) Why are they heavily discounting the YC this summer? Did it seem like the resort had a lot of vacancies? How about the parks...what were the crowd levels at all four?

The dessert party has a great variety of desserts, each about 2 or 3 bites. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/ We booked it at about 180 days out, though I'm not sure whether they're still sticking to that timeline; there's a thread on the Food board about it. I had some chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate mousse, and I forget what else. My son mande himself a nice sundae, my daughter loved the cannoli.

We love it and try to go each time we're in WDW; this was our 3rd time.

As far as the discount goes, it was part of the summer special. Each time I've gone to WDW over the summer, there has been a discount, so I was thrilled but not surprised to find one this time. It didn't seem as though there were a lot of vacancies; there were people on the elevators, the lobby, Compass and Ale for coffee in the morning.

As far as the crowds in the parks: they were out in force!!! My paperwork is all somewhere upstairs, but I would guess maybe 8's or so.

But, as you read everywhere, so many of those people haven't done their homework. Rope Drop was a pleasure-- we had the parks basically to ourselves. And knowing what to see when made a huge difference. The only wait of more than 15 or 20 minutes was the rope drop day at DHS-- ToT had some difficulties and my daughter, son and husband spent a good hour there. But that was because of mechanical difficulties, not crowds. I didn't spend more than 15 minutes on any ride all week, and I got on to everything I wanted-- Soarin' 3 times, Mine Train, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, Kali, the Safari, you name it. It's all about knowing what you're doing.