Here now. Need to say a few things.

[yeaitspootie]

Okay, first things first, the crowds are here but they are TOTALLY manageable.

The Christmas decorations are fewer, but still reaaaallly pretty.
The food seems way way expensive.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is GREAT! I can't stress how cool and funny it was.
I had no idea the Haunted Mansion and POTC refurb was so awesome!!!!!!!
Contemporary online concierge (in-room computer) is also awesome!!!!! (I'm on it right now)
There seems to be a lot of kids that should be in school right now.
Ummm, why so many wheelchairs and scooters????????

Last thing.....anybody know where the magic went? Maybe I'm just being cynical. I'm having a blast, but something is missing.

 

[Vexorg]

I don't have any context to compare to since this is my first time to Disney World, but I was in the MK today and the crowds seemed reasonable to me. The evening EMH crowds were quite small, and most rides had short waits or were walk-ons.

 

[sanapunk]

I know what you mean about the magic. I just came back from an 8 day trip and didn't get my usual warm fuzzies til about day 6.

 

[yeaitspootie]

I too was at MK today, from 4-10. The crowds were definitely okay today, but Epcot in the morning was packed

 

[seadd67]

Okay, first things first, the crowds are here but they are TOTALLY manageable.

The Christmas decorations are fewer, but still reaaaallly pretty.
The food seems way way expensive.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is GREAT! I can't stress how cool and funny it was.
I had no idea the Haunted Mansion and POTC refurb was so awesome!!!!!!!
Contemporary online concierge (in-room computer) is also awesome!!!!! (I'm on it right now)
There seems to be a lot of kids that should be in school right now.
Ummm, why so many wheelchairs and scooters????????

Last thing.....anybody know where the magic went? Maybe I'm just being cynical. I'm having a blast, but something is missing.

Yep I think you are being a bit to much cynical! The Magic Is what you make out of It,let your self relax and enjoy your self.Take two teaspoons of pixi dust and call us In the Morining,I almost gurantee a full recovery

 

[Matt'sMom]

Ummm, why so many wheelchairs and scooters????????

Because WDW is one of the few truly accessible vacation destinations for those of us who happen to need an ECV or wheelchair due to mobility disabilities. It is wonderful to actually be able to vacation together as a family in a place that provides appropriate HA accomidations, and where the family member in a wheelchair is able to share in the experience just like any other 'able bodied' person. WDW happens to be a wonderful, magical place in that respect.

 

[dolphindan1]

We are here now too and I will say this the parks do have more people than recent Dec trips but we have yet to wait over 18 minutes, except for Soarin and it was 25 minutes...We went to DS yesterday and rode TSM 3 times, 1 time at RD which we got a FP 1st and then rode standby then got another FP at about 11:30 by then the return time was about 5 PM...we rode RNR 3 times no wait FP a ll 3 times, HM 1 time, Star tours, Muppets, backlot, movie ride, stunt show which was great by the way, Fantasmic and the Osbourne lights..plus we took slow snacks and lunch breaks and did alot of store gazing and shopping...oh yeah we saw the Jedi Show 2 times....

So wiats are not bad if you have a plan, and plan and stick with it and not just run around like a chicken with your head cutoff which I think 70% of the poeple do...

also I didnt see 1 person who didnt have the right to be in a scooter o wheelchair...I even let a couple in front of me in TSM and opened the door for a couple at some shops....I doubt any person really wants to be in those things....

Oh and if you have no Adr's might as well plan on counter service there has been nothing availble for sit down table service...we swapped days to MGM on Monday from thursday and tried to switch our Sci fi....sorry we are booked....oh well we ate at the backlot

as far as the magic...I am so tired right now I dont know if the maic has hit me yet........back hurts, legs hurt, old tired....heck I am only 35 but I have a sit down job and i do not excercise like I should, so all this walking expecially the morning sprint is catching up to me....that being said my 2 boys are trying to kill the magic for me...at 8 and 12, no time for characters, just ride the rides...plus they wanna bug the crap out of each other and it drives me crazy....I will report back on Disney magic at the end of my trip on Sunday...

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Okay, first things first, the crowds are here but they are TOTALLY manageable.

The Christmas decorations are fewer, but still reaaaallly pretty.
The food seems way way expensive.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is GREAT! I can't stress how cool and funny it was.
I had no idea the Haunted Mansion and POTC refurb was so awesome!!!!!!!
Contemporary online concierge (in-room computer) is also awesome!!!!! (I'm on it right now)
There seems to be a lot of kids that should be in school right now.
Ummm, why so many wheelchairs and scooters????????

Last thing.....anybody know where the magic went? Maybe I'm just being cynical. I'm having a blast, but something is missing.

I'll comment on the wheelchair/scooter observation.

I believe you are correct - there DO seem to be many more than in years past and I think it is WONDERFUL. I say that....because a scooter saved our trip. 2 weeks before we were scheduled to arrive at the Boardwalk....I was in an MRI machine hoping I would not have surgery on my ankle. Luckily, I think I will avoid it but was admonished to not even STAND on my foot if possible.

First, the scooter gave me the freedom to walk I had not had since an accident in June.....I could FLY again!

I suspect the reason we are seeing so many is ..... the people you see riding probably could not even consider a WDW holiday before the availability of affordable scooter rentals.

I for one am thrilled so many people can now discover the magic we find on each trip.....people who were unable to consider a Disney trip in the past.

Scooters are a lifesaver for those of us who need them. My little Pride Revo from Scootarama saved our trip.



.....and your last line.....we agree. We had to make MORE of our own magic this time than in the past.

Disney is under extreme stress in this economy and I suspect it's beginning to be felt at all levels there......staff layoffs, cutbacks, budget cuts...it's beginning to show.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I returned from my trip on December 10th and felt that the Magic was alive and well all trip long. I was not disappointed at all. It was my DS's birthday whilst we were there and they bent over backwards to make it special for him. I really believe that IF YOU DO NOT LOOK FOR THE MAGIC, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT. It's certainly still there!!

 

[TriMom]

Sorry you couldn't find the magic
pixie dust that it gets better

 

[estherhead]

Sorry there is no magic for you. Sometimes Disney just isn't what a person needs at the moment.

We just got back from a 10 day vacation Dec 6th and there were way more crowds that we were expecting and it got downs to 39 degrees one night!!!

But I teared up just like always when I saw the castle and when my kids had exciting moments and at the first fireworks.

Plus we had a sick baby the day after Thanksgiving (story in my TR) and a lady at Pop and the clinic took care of us and other magical moments.

Not sure what the magic is for others, but for me I try to make my own magic and am genuinely surprised when others add to it. We even had a few pixie dust moments at the airport where people took good care of us.

Just relax and pretend you are at the beach. The magic will come back. Ooo, or get a Grand Marinier smoothie in France. I always feel magical after that!

By the way, I have a close friend that is there right now (she did Epcot yesterday & MK the day before) and said it is absolutely gorgeous. Great weather, they haven't stood in any lines (they're getting there early & staying late) and they've been packing a lunch everyday so they aren't spending much money. She said it truly is the happiest place on earth.

I'm sending some pixie dust your way so the magic will bite ya today!

 

[Echo queen]

To be with my family no school no work no cooking cleaning bill paying is MAGIC I hope you find it.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

The magic didn't go anywhere. It's like the magic of Christmas. It's up to each of us to embrace it or not. Nobody can force you to feel magical.

 

[yeaitspootie]

Thanks everyone. Like I said, I'm still having a great time, I just felt something is missing. However, I'm only just starting day 3 of 7 (yes, we slept really late today ) so I'm sure I'll get into the groove.

Oh yea, and the new Contemporary counter service place is great. I am so pleased with all the new Contemporary things.

I'm off to Animal Kingdom.

 

[nhl66pens]

I was there 12/6 - 12/13 and the only thing that irritated me is that I saw so many men not get up on the bus to offer their seat to a woman or child. Where did the civility and manners go? I am not talking one time either. I couldn't believe guys would just sit in their seat while almost right in front of them a child barely tall enough to reach the straps would struggle to hold on. I wanted to confront them but my wife insisted that I let it go. That just is unacceptable to me. Other than that, I didn't have a problem riding anything I wanted to and missed out on some rides only because my DD wanted to get so many autographs and character pics.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

To be with my family no school no work no cooking cleaning bill paying is MAGIC

Well said. I couldn't agree more!

 

[Echo queen]

Thanks everyone. Like I said, I'm still having a great time, I just felt something is missing. However, I'm only just starting day 3 of 7 (yes, we slept really late today ) so I'm sure I'll get into the groove.

Oh yea, and the new Contemporary counter service place is great. I am so pleased with all the new Contemporary things.

I'm off to Animal Kingdom.

Good to hear you are enjoying CR I will be there in 6days Rest is often the best medicine.

 

[gk90]

Because WDW is one of the few truly accessible vacation destinations for those of us who happen to need an ECV or wheelchair due to mobility disabilities. It is wonderful to actually be able to vacation together as a family in a place that provides appropriate HA accomidations, and where the family member in a wheelchair is able to share in the experience just like any other 'able bodied' person. WDW happens to be a wonderful, magical place in that respect.

I was just watching the new planning DVD and noticed that several scenes included guests in wheelchairs & scooters. I thought that was very positive in terms of showing WDW as an accessible family destination.

 

[katymare]

I hope you find that magic! I miss being there! We came back on the 8th from our 8th aventure and the kids are already asking when we are returning!!

 

[Bev J]

This was our first Christmas visit to WDW and we found it to be one of our most magical!
We have finially learned to sit back and take it in and not feel like we have to rush around and try and get as much done as we can.

The castle lights, the Osborn Lights, Let there be Peace on Earth after Illuminations, The holiday decorations, the Jolly CM's, Candlelight Processional, Holiday Stories around WS, even the sold out MVMCP! All so very magical for us....can't wait to visit during this time again.

Hope the Magic finds you very soon...

Bev