JulieNMM
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2006
- Messages
- 379
Hi everyone, I'm back from a week-long trip to WDW and have a few observations based on things I've read on this forum. Some were spot on and others were a bit off. Of course, everything was just based on my perception of things, which might be different than yours. 
Also, I went to DLR in Calif last month and there are a few comparisons too. So, in random order, here is what I observed:
Ears -- A lot of people wear them at DLR, but I saw very few at WDW. Maybe it was the heat, or the fact that in WDW most people had hats and visors, but not nearly as many at WDW were worn (plenty for sale).
Afternoon thunderstorms -- The weather at WDW was terrible (mid-July, I know, I know). It rained every single day without fail, in the afternoon. Once, it was a torrential downpour for over an hour where it was almost impossible to go out in. After waiting a while, we finally ran to our car and went back to the hotel (we were planning on going back soon anyway) and we were soaked, even with ponchos and umbrellas. On the other days, it rained either only for a short time, or only very lightly. And WDW was waaaaaay more humid than DLR but we already know that. Did not see a single mosquito or alligator anywhere!
Shoes -- Some people suggested fancy walking sandals and other suggested tennies. Having just been to DLR, we wore tennies the whole time (plus we didn't have walking sandals and were not going to buy some just for this trip). Our feet still killed us each night and we did about 11 miles per day. The one day that it rained horribly, our shoes were soaking so it was a good thing we had a second pair, although they did dry pretty quickly.
Coronado Springs Resort -- Was nice but there was no clock in the room. I am used to waking up in the middle of the night and seeing the time, but couldn't do that. Otherwise, no problems. Well, one more kind of. As recommended here, we left the park mid-day, went back to the hotel and I was going to cool off in the pool. Except the water was very warm! Almost like a jacuzzi. Not refreshing at all. So we skipped the pools for the rest of the trip. Would have been nice to have them be cooler and more refreshing.
Wait times -- For most rides, we didn't have to wait more than 30-45 mins, and the posted wait times were usually about right, but not for Test Track. It might have been a fluke, but the posted wait time was 50 mins and we waited over 2 hours. This was by far the worst time we had on the trip, as the wait was long and excruciating. We kept thinking, the ride was just around the corner, but then we had more waiting ahead (we had never been before so didn't know what the queue was like). Then after we had designed our car and were in another line, they announced that the ride was experiencing problems (and it was totally sunny out at this time so not weather-related). We eventually got through it.
Bags and Bag Check -- In the parks, only DD took a cinch sack and it only held our ponchos and umbrellas. I had a teeny tiny bag with phone, cash and ID, and chapstick, plus our touring plans. DH and DS carried their stuff in their pockets. Bag check took one second for those with no bags but much longer if you actually had a bag. They checked everything and every single pocket. Only once did anyone from our family go through the metal detector. My son-in-law is dark and hairy and we kid him that he looks like a terrorist, and they never made him go through extra screening (so I guess that's good that they're not profiling?) But anyone who went through the "no bags" line could have had guns or knives or who knows what in their pockets. I did not feel safe in that regard (I felt just as safe as going anywhere else, such as the grocery store, etc). What I mean is, I don't know why they had such extensive bag checks if they're not going to check pockets. (Does that make sense?)
Frozen Ride -- We used one of our "premium" FPs for this and it was a disappointment. Short and very random. Didn't really tell a story but was just random singing and not exciting at all. Should have used the FP for Test Track!
Rides at MK vs DLR -- The Haunted Mansion at WDW was basically the same as at DLR but there were a few more scenes at WDW. Pirates is better at DLR and has more scenes there, plus a drop. Splash Mtn seemed better at WDW. Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan rides were the same at both parks, but the waiting areas at WDW were 110% better! There were interactive play areas while waiting in lines and parts of the lines were indoor. Dinosaur was just like Indiana Jones and Test Track was similar to RSR but with different theming. I prefer RSR much more!
Magic Bands -- These were awesome! Wish we had them at DLR. I definitely enjoyed making FP plans in advance because we knew where we were going, and it was very easy to make additional ones using the app after using up the first 3. We used these to get into the room, the parks, for FP, for pictures, and for charging things to the room. Didn't use cash or the credit cards at all (except when it was time to pay at the end....) On our last day, DS, DD, and DH all had problems with the bands and could not charge anything, but mine worked just fine... so it was a good thing I was with them. CMs told us it was a system-wide problem.
Dining -- Dining is way better at WDW. We ate at Ohana, but they were running 40 mins late. Our ressie was at 8:20 but we weren't seated til 9pm. Whispering Canyon Cafe was very fun. I asked the host where the bathroom was and he said "Down the stairs, turn right, go outside, and find a tree." Out of habit, I replied "Thanks!" and kept walking and then stopped and said "WHAT??!!?!??!" He totally got me! Was so funny. I didn't care for the food at Boma but DH loved it. We did see animals walking around outside! Liberty Tree Tavern was OK as was 50s Prime Time Cafe (food was so-so but our server was great).
Tour groups -- We only saw a few and mostly at Universal. Only one time did I see chanting led by an adult and a CM immediately ran over to the adult and said chanting was not allowed and to stop, at which time, the leader stopped and told the kids to stop, too. There was no joining of arms or bad behavior by any of them that I saw.
If I think of more, I'll add it in, but that's what I got for now.
Also, I went to DLR in Calif last month and there are a few comparisons too. So, in random order, here is what I observed:Ears -- A lot of people wear them at DLR, but I saw very few at WDW. Maybe it was the heat, or the fact that in WDW most people had hats and visors, but not nearly as many at WDW were worn (plenty for sale).
Afternoon thunderstorms -- The weather at WDW was terrible (mid-July, I know, I know). It rained every single day without fail, in the afternoon. Once, it was a torrential downpour for over an hour where it was almost impossible to go out in. After waiting a while, we finally ran to our car and went back to the hotel (we were planning on going back soon anyway) and we were soaked, even with ponchos and umbrellas. On the other days, it rained either only for a short time, or only very lightly. And WDW was waaaaaay more humid than DLR but we already know that. Did not see a single mosquito or alligator anywhere!
Shoes -- Some people suggested fancy walking sandals and other suggested tennies. Having just been to DLR, we wore tennies the whole time (plus we didn't have walking sandals and were not going to buy some just for this trip). Our feet still killed us each night and we did about 11 miles per day. The one day that it rained horribly, our shoes were soaking so it was a good thing we had a second pair, although they did dry pretty quickly.
Coronado Springs Resort -- Was nice but there was no clock in the room. I am used to waking up in the middle of the night and seeing the time, but couldn't do that. Otherwise, no problems. Well, one more kind of. As recommended here, we left the park mid-day, went back to the hotel and I was going to cool off in the pool. Except the water was very warm! Almost like a jacuzzi. Not refreshing at all. So we skipped the pools for the rest of the trip. Would have been nice to have them be cooler and more refreshing.
Wait times -- For most rides, we didn't have to wait more than 30-45 mins, and the posted wait times were usually about right, but not for Test Track. It might have been a fluke, but the posted wait time was 50 mins and we waited over 2 hours. This was by far the worst time we had on the trip, as the wait was long and excruciating. We kept thinking, the ride was just around the corner, but then we had more waiting ahead (we had never been before so didn't know what the queue was like). Then after we had designed our car and were in another line, they announced that the ride was experiencing problems (and it was totally sunny out at this time so not weather-related). We eventually got through it.
Bags and Bag Check -- In the parks, only DD took a cinch sack and it only held our ponchos and umbrellas. I had a teeny tiny bag with phone, cash and ID, and chapstick, plus our touring plans. DH and DS carried their stuff in their pockets. Bag check took one second for those with no bags but much longer if you actually had a bag. They checked everything and every single pocket. Only once did anyone from our family go through the metal detector. My son-in-law is dark and hairy and we kid him that he looks like a terrorist, and they never made him go through extra screening (so I guess that's good that they're not profiling?) But anyone who went through the "no bags" line could have had guns or knives or who knows what in their pockets. I did not feel safe in that regard (I felt just as safe as going anywhere else, such as the grocery store, etc). What I mean is, I don't know why they had such extensive bag checks if they're not going to check pockets. (Does that make sense?)
Frozen Ride -- We used one of our "premium" FPs for this and it was a disappointment. Short and very random. Didn't really tell a story but was just random singing and not exciting at all. Should have used the FP for Test Track!
Rides at MK vs DLR -- The Haunted Mansion at WDW was basically the same as at DLR but there were a few more scenes at WDW. Pirates is better at DLR and has more scenes there, plus a drop. Splash Mtn seemed better at WDW. Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan rides were the same at both parks, but the waiting areas at WDW were 110% better! There were interactive play areas while waiting in lines and parts of the lines were indoor. Dinosaur was just like Indiana Jones and Test Track was similar to RSR but with different theming. I prefer RSR much more!
Magic Bands -- These were awesome! Wish we had them at DLR. I definitely enjoyed making FP plans in advance because we knew where we were going, and it was very easy to make additional ones using the app after using up the first 3. We used these to get into the room, the parks, for FP, for pictures, and for charging things to the room. Didn't use cash or the credit cards at all (except when it was time to pay at the end....) On our last day, DS, DD, and DH all had problems with the bands and could not charge anything, but mine worked just fine... so it was a good thing I was with them. CMs told us it was a system-wide problem.
Dining -- Dining is way better at WDW. We ate at Ohana, but they were running 40 mins late. Our ressie was at 8:20 but we weren't seated til 9pm. Whispering Canyon Cafe was very fun. I asked the host where the bathroom was and he said "Down the stairs, turn right, go outside, and find a tree." Out of habit, I replied "Thanks!" and kept walking and then stopped and said "WHAT??!!?!??!" He totally got me! Was so funny. I didn't care for the food at Boma but DH loved it. We did see animals walking around outside! Liberty Tree Tavern was OK as was 50s Prime Time Cafe (food was so-so but our server was great).
Tour groups -- We only saw a few and mostly at Universal. Only one time did I see chanting led by an adult and a CM immediately ran over to the adult and said chanting was not allowed and to stop, at which time, the leader stopped and told the kids to stop, too. There was no joining of arms or bad behavior by any of them that I saw.
If I think of more, I'll add it in, but that's what I got for now.
