Highs and Lows from our Second Trip!

[BudgieMama]

So, back in the UK and trying to keep busy before I can go to bed, I wanted to reflect on my highs and lows of the trip. Luckily, it was mostly highs! YAY!

HIGHS
* Coronado Springs Resort - I was initially more worried than I cared to admit about moving down from a DVC resort to a moderate (for those of you who were around for my first trip in 2014, we got upgraded at SSR and had a One Bedroom Villa for the week, which was incredible)... booking a moderate felt like a big gamble, especially with not knowing how my husband would react to it, but we LOVED the resort. Within 2 days, I was happy to say I preferred it to SSR, and by the end of the first week DH did too! Loved the pools, loved our room, loved how close we were to the bus stop, loved the bus service (flawless apart from our very first morning when we arrived at the bus stop at 6.55am and waited for an AK bus until 7.35am despite being a day with morning EMH! But every other time, the buses were brilliant.) We really enjoyed the Pepper Market and Siestas, the CMs were wonderful. Just a beautiful place that I'm very glad I'm staying in again next year!

* Quick Service Dining Plan - Having previously been on the DDP, this also felt like a step down, but it worked SO well for us. Couldn't do DDP again now! We loved the freedom it gave us- we booked Be Our Guest a few times during our trip, which gave a nice change, but the flexibility of getting 3 snacks for one credit or full meals- we ate very well, we treated ourselves, and still had 5 QS credits left to exchange for snacks at the end! Ideal! Loved not having to worry about tips too.

* FP+ - I've always been a fan, but this worked even better for us this trip. In particular, we had HUGE success pulling multiple FP+ for Space Mountain in the evenings (we did a couple of nights where we rode Space Mountain back to back with FP+ for a couple of hours- we lost count of how many times we rode it!) But even on our final morning, we were able to pull a second FP+ to repeat Soarin' in just 50 minutes time so we had time to eat and ride it again before we had to leave for our resort. Love being able to change things on the go, and to add new FP+ on the app, and to make further FP+ for a different park whilst still at another one. Made park hopping a great option for us this time. We wore ourselves out a Epcot, then managed to grab some FP+ for Space Mountain, hopped over and it gave us a second wind. YAY! (DH is even suggesting a DLP trip now, but is put off by the old style paper FP!)

* Trying New Rides - we rode a few things we missed last time that we ended up loving. We chickened out of both Rock'n'Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, but we LOVED them. (Actually, I HATE the theming of TOT, because it freaks me out, but if I can stick it out, I love the actual ride part!) DH refused Space Mountain last time, but loved it, hence the back to back rides!

* More relaxed time - a two week trip gave us plenty of time to chill out and not feel like we were running around all the time. It meant we managed to shut down MK three nights, as well as DHS twice and Epcot twice. Good times.

* Memory Maker - we love it. So glad it was free this time round! We get a lot of value from it!

* Star Wars - all the stuff at DHS- the march, the stage show, the launch bay and most importantly the Fireworks. Currently, we think the Star Wars fireworks are the best show on property. Beautiful. DHS know how to do fireworks.

Edited to add!
* Pixie Dust! - We stopped to thank and get a photo with an amazing Skipper from the Jungle Cruise whilst they were shut due to lightning and he gifted us with free MK FPs that we could use almost anywhere... and then after lamenting the price of the awesome BB-8 Cups at DHS, I rescued one as I was passing (it fell off the stand and I picked it up to hand back to the CM) and he gave it to me! Love a bit of Pixie Dust! I spent the rest of the day hugging my BB-8 and he's now got pride of place on my mantlepiece!

I'll put my lows in a second post as this is getting rather long!

 

[loves to dive]

So glad you enjoyed CS, I have an upcoming split stay there and have been a little worried so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Funny your long bus wait was around half hour, I'll take that if it's as worse as it gets.

ToT is my favorite ride in all the parks so glad you got on it and enjoyed it. I even like the theaming, would love to spend the night in the place.

Looking forward to hearing what your lows were.

 

[BudgieMama]

LOWS

* Other People - Not all of them, and the crowds were pretty reasonable, but we had more of a problem who just have no sense of courtesy to others. Like the couple who chatted loudly through the whole Safari when we shared the row with them, or the woman who kept shouting to her daughter (who was sat right next to her) during Soarin'. We were always brought up that in situations where other people are trying to enjoy an experience, having a conversation where others could hear what you were saying meant you were talking too loud. Doesn't seem to be a concept that many guests were taught and it had a real negative impact on our enjoyment of some of the rides, especially when you're trying to listen to some narration or information from a CM.

* Refurbs - we caught a few more significant ones this time: no Dinosaur, no Big Thunder Mountain, and it's a small world closed a couple of days into our trip.

* Disney Springs - last time, it was awful due to construction... now it's just quite clearly not aimed at us, and it's a pain to haul over there to pick up the gift card when there are only about 3 shops we would visit. It looks very nice, but way too high end for us, filled with stores we had never heard of. Never mind!

Edited to add:
* Grrrr - I couldn't figure what to caption this one, but we got grief from one of DH's "friends" from school whilst we were WDW, basically telling us we shouldn't be there without kids, and that we needed to hurry up and have a baby because DH is nearly 40 (which is so incredibly insensitive on so many levels, not least because she is not close enough to us to know what the reason is why we don't have children, and plenty of my friends are childless through infertility and that is obviously very painful for them). Anyway, she put a huge downer on one of our days (I don't know why I let her get to me)... it ended up as a joke as we enjoyed riding Space Mountain again or having another gorgeous meal at BOG or whatever, and we kept saying to each other "Of course, there's NOTHING for adults to do at WDW"... Why do people feel it's OK to have ago about where we go on holiday? And why should our ability or willingness to have kids affect where we can visit?

So, you can see the balance is definitely skewered on the highs, and the lows are only minors really. It was a great trip, and 2 weeks is definitely much better than 1! Best of all, DH started talking about "our next trip" again after saying "not again" before this one. I'm back next year, but thinking maybe doing a land and sea type thing in 2020 for our 10th Wedding Anniversary. YAY!

 

[BudgieMama]

So glad you enjoyed CS, I have an upcoming split stay there and have been a little worried so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Funny your long bus wait was around half hour, I'll take that if it's as worse as it gets.

40 minutes, not half an hour, but it was literally just the once! The buses were great after that! Drivers were so good at waiting if they saw you coming too. Once DH had run back to grab something and our bus arrived, the driver asked if I wanted to board and I told her I was waiting and he was on his way. She said she couldn't wait if she couldn't see him, but would go as slow as she could... and then spotted him in the distance. When I confirmed that was who I was waiting for, she told me she was now allowed to wait as she could see him. Very accommodating!

 

[dixonsontour]

Sounds like a great trip. Hope your DH has unfriended her, absolutely no need for comments like that. Love your budgie signature, got my mum a cushion with budgies on for her birthday on saturday which she loved as we used to have them when I was growing up. Our blue one was called Bluebell.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

So glad you had a brilliant time, I think I remember a thread before you booked asking about CSR. We too love it there

People are sometimes jealous or ignorant, and it can get to you, but we have been to WDW before and after our daughter was born and enjoyed it just as much as 2 adults as we have as a family. So keep on visiting!

 

[tinkerpea]

Sounds like a great trip!
We have 3 children and we still get flack for going to Disney!
But ours is normally like this,
"Don't you ever want to take your children anywhere educational"
All they will have seen is disney.
Well people it never did me any harm as a child!
And our children have been to other places, we just absolutely 100% prefer disney,.... And a few days at universal of course lol

 

[pickers1982]

A lot of people used to look at me a bit odd going to Disney without kids but they were amazing trips! I now have two and they are also amazing trips but I'm very glad a did some trips as an adult minus kids as it's totally different! She sounds like a rubbish friend!

 

[micksn]

Hi It was lovely to meet you at Coronado Springs, it really was a lovely resort. I'm glad you had such a great time and a safe journey home.

 

[Portugal1000]

Glad you had a brilliant time. When we go back next year we will definitely do Disney. Missed it a bit this time and didn't go last year either although still more than enough to keep us busy. My favourite ride is ToT. Good to hear how well you utilised the FP+.
I gave up listening to people pass comments on me going to Disney so much. I never understand why my holiday choice has the ability to upset people. On the flip side, I have had so many people from work and church asking me for help with their plans that it makes it all worth it.

 

[disneyseniors]

Yes, OP, adults going alone??? What????????? It really bothers me and my husband, as we go every year (for the past 5) by ourselves Some people don't understand, and that's okay. We find something new to do each time we go. It's a different experience each time. We also go with the family and have a great time, but prefer going alone! Gasp!
So don't let those other people get to you. Going to WDW as an adult without children is a blast!!!! We are in our 60's and absolutely prefer it this way!
Thanks for your great report

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

We've been loads of times as the kids were growing up but this year we went with another couple who we actually met through the DIS boards and we had a fantastic time. I would absolutely go again without kids (although our "kids" are now 18 and 20) and I'd also make a very rude hand gesture to anyone who suggested I shouldn't go

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Sounds like you had a fab trip! Glad you enjoyed it so much.

Jealously is such an ugly trait in people. You were right to make light of it in the end - don't let them get you down when they don't know you or your situation. But hey, what could you do but have fun on their behalf hehe!

Welcome home, and let the countdown commence to your next trip!

 

[bex7583]

Well we have 3children , which I find terribly inconvenient for booking affordable onsite accommodation, so I see the advantages to your adult only trip.

Sounds like you got some great fast pass uses.

I have a feeling your hubby's going to wish he was coming with you next year

 

[Elise79]

Glad you had a good trip

On Disney Springs not all the shops are as high end as they look - we came across a clothes shop by accident that we loved and was really reasonable priced. Also some of the new places to eat are really good too - loved D-LUXE Burger!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Sounds like a great trip!

Domt start me on the kids thing! I was talking to a contractor at work the other day and happened to mention I was going to Disneyworld in 6 weeks (I "happen" to mention that a lot at the minute . . . ) and he just looked at me and said "oh how lovely, how old are your kids?". His mouth fell open and he didnt know what to say when I said that it was me and my 41 year old boyfriend!!!!

 

[thestevied]

Sounds like our had a great time! My wife and I have been almost every year for the past 15 or so years. Some years we've gone twice. And each time it's been just the two of us. We get occasional comments but it doesn't bother us at all. We say the same thing, we go back because we love it and have the best time ever. It will never stop us!

 

[scoobydooby2016]

I can't wait to use the new version of FPP with all app access and park hopping potential. Sounds like it works really well at MK at least! My first trip was without children (honeymoon) and we have been many times now as a family of four and me and my daughter have been just the two of us. But let me tell you know me and DH have already planned our second childless trip!!! 2020. Boardwalk. To hit food and wine, the Halloween and the Christmas parties

 

[Britkurd]

It's perfectly fine to go without kids!! Most of my friends go and love it. However I find it quite sad that some adults over on American boards go without their small children. I personally couldn't do that. Fine if you don't have any but why would you leave the poor little sods?

 

[clareyfairymouse]

Sounds like a fab trip!
I am with you entirely on the kids thing.
We are kid free but not by choice & people can't believe we still go to Disney or on a Disney cruise and they can't see why we wouldn't book adult only trips instead.
It just makes me more Disney loud & proud to annoy them
Disney is my second home.