IBelieveInTheMagic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2009
- Messages
- 4,355
Hello! 
I've always loved reading everyone's mini just back trip reports so I thought I'd post some of our highlights and what we experienced this past week.
The crowds - it was definitely a lot more crowded than I expected. I had been the week before Thanksgiving in 2008 and it didn't even compare. We all know the "secret" is out and as we all say, there really isn't a quiet time anymore. I'm fine with that but just warning others!
We didn't have horrendous wait times for the ride times because we did do RD most days and used the fast passes as needed. We also used them after their posted times (as discussed many times here 
) and not one CM said anything to us about returning after the posted time. I've been with my family this week in 2008, the end of Sept/beginning of October, two weeks before/after Easter (third week in April) the end of October and most recently this past June (9-16th) and honestly this trip was just as crowded as the week in June. I say that not to scare people away from this week in the future, but perhaps June isn't all that bad which is what I had read before we went in June. Clearly it was warmer in June, but since it got up to almost 85 during this past week - not by much! 
My advice - pick a timeframe that works for your family, have a plan, and enjoy! 
We went to the MVMCP on Tuesday, November 15th and it was very packed! I had been the same time during our November 2008 trip and I've also been to two different MNSSHP's and this Xmas party was by far the most crowded party I've been too. It was more crowded than the MNSSHP last year on Oct 28th! We enjoyed ourselves but it was extremely over crowded in the hub area (you literally could not move) and leaving we literally stood still in a crowd of people for over 10 minutes. We also experienced crowds through out the parks and this was a little shocking to me (based on my past party experiences). Looking back I would still do it, but just be prepared for it. It was also very warm that night
The dining/food - we took advantage of the free dining and had wonderful dining experiences, for the most part.
We stayed at the POP and we all know it can get sort of hectic at times but we just rolled with it. At Sci-Fi my burger that was supposed to be well done (and I stressed well done 
) came out pink and I just couldn't eat it. Unfortunately our waitress didn't come back to check on us for another 15 minutes. I was about to get up and ask someone to find her because by then my friend was finished eating but I waited patiently since we were relaxing and not in a hurry. When the waitress stopped by, she felt bad I could tell. I told her she could just bring me a kids cheeseburger since they are smaller and that's all I'd eat anyway and I knew they'd cook faster. She agreed and disappeared. A few minutes later she brought a disney bag over to me and said she got me some goodies. She gave me two Sci-Fi drinking cups filled with caramel popcorn as well as two water bottles for later. I had been talking to her earlier and mentioned my DS (8) and she gave me a buzz lightyear light up clip pin to bring home to him. So very sweet of her and not expected. 
Now on to the nightmare - Mama Melrose!
I don't think this is talked about too much on the boards - or at least I don't read about it too often - but it needs to be known because there were A LOT of very angry customers in there. This also happened during our June trip so it's worth mentioning since it obviously happens quite often, if not daily. We had an early dinner ADR at 4:00pm because we wanted to catch the flipping of the switch for the Osborne Lights show. We got there around 3:50-3:55pm and waited in line to check in for at least 15 minutes - it went out the door. We had already overheard it was at least a 45 minute delay for reservations. Not a problem and we got lucky and found a seat to sit down and wait. Well - it was over 1 hour wait, if not about 1 hour 15 minute wait time for a 4pm ADR! The folks that were complaining VERY vocally were upset because they had booked the Fantasmic package and now wouldn't be able to make it to the 6:30pm show since the dining part was delayed so much. They weren't happy at all and I can't blame them. I had heard from the June trip for our waitress that the people in the restaurant that have the Fantasmic reservations usually don't leave because they hang out and wait for the show there or wait up close to the time. Thus, the restaurant doesn't empty as fast as they think and it's all backed up. That's difficult on both sides of the coin...I don't know what the solution is but it was a zoo there and I don't think the food quality warrants waiting that long and around a bunch of very upset people - that's just my two cents! By the way - we did end up missing the flipping of the switch for the lights 
which was disappointing but nothing we could do about it. We had wonderful meals at 'Ohana, Tutto Italia, Crystal Palace for breakfast, Grand Floridian for tea, Food & Wine Snacks, Sci - Fi, Earl of Sandwich, Yak & Yeti and Coral Reef. 
The weather - I have this "thing" about bringing record breaking heat waves with me! I had really hoped for the weather to be in the 60's. We got very lucky during our Nov 08 trip and wore a light jacket most nights and loved it. This week, we ended up with high humidity (natural for FL) and it was 84 degrees several days and very warm. A lot probably loved it but it was too hot for me. Not unbearable of course, but we were easily sweating!
Bus transportation was just fine all week and we never waiting too long. Leaving HS one night we had to wait on the three busses to head to the POP but it was crowded at that time.
I had a wonderful first time girls only trip but my own humble opinion - I just missed my DS and DH too much this trip. I think it's because we've built so many wonderful family memories at Disney that I thought of the two of them constantly and missed them terribly. I'm so very glad they supported my girls trip but I won't be doing it again, without them!
Highlights for me this trip would be the Osborne Lights in HS (we went twice) and also the tea at the Grand Floridian before going to MVMCP - great tea and food and so elegant!
Any questions - I'll be happy to try and help out!
Heather
I've always loved reading everyone's mini just back trip reports so I thought I'd post some of our highlights and what we experienced this past week.
The crowds - it was definitely a lot more crowded than I expected. I had been the week before Thanksgiving in 2008 and it didn't even compare. We all know the "secret" is out and as we all say, there really isn't a quiet time anymore. I'm fine with that but just warning others!
We didn't have horrendous wait times for the ride times because we did do RD most days and used the fast passes as needed. We also used them after their posted times (as discussed many times here ) and not one CM said anything to us about returning after the posted time. I've been with my family this week in 2008, the end of Sept/beginning of October, two weeks before/after Easter (third week in April) the end of October and most recently this past June (9-16th) and honestly this trip was just as crowded as the week in June. I say that not to scare people away from this week in the future, but perhaps June isn't all that bad which is what I had read before we went in June. Clearly it was warmer in June, but since it got up to almost 85 during this past week - not by much! My advice - pick a timeframe that works for your family, have a plan, and enjoy! We went to the MVMCP on Tuesday, November 15th and it was very packed! I had been the same time during our November 2008 trip and I've also been to two different MNSSHP's and this Xmas party was by far the most crowded party I've been too. It was more crowded than the MNSSHP last year on Oct 28th! We enjoyed ourselves but it was extremely over crowded in the hub area (you literally could not move) and leaving we literally stood still in a crowd of people for over 10 minutes. We also experienced crowds through out the parks and this was a little shocking to me (based on my past party experiences). Looking back I would still do it, but just be prepared for it. It was also very warm that night
The dining/food - we took advantage of the free dining and had wonderful dining experiences, for the most part.
We stayed at the POP and we all know it can get sort of hectic at times but we just rolled with it. At Sci-Fi my burger that was supposed to be well done (and I stressed well done ) came out pink and I just couldn't eat it. Unfortunately our waitress didn't come back to check on us for another 15 minutes. I was about to get up and ask someone to find her because by then my friend was finished eating but I waited patiently since we were relaxing and not in a hurry. When the waitress stopped by, she felt bad I could tell. I told her she could just bring me a kids cheeseburger since they are smaller and that's all I'd eat anyway and I knew they'd cook faster. She agreed and disappeared. A few minutes later she brought a disney bag over to me and said she got me some goodies. She gave me two Sci-Fi drinking cups filled with caramel popcorn as well as two water bottles for later. I had been talking to her earlier and mentioned my DS (8) and she gave me a buzz lightyear light up clip pin to bring home to him. So very sweet of her and not expected. Now on to the nightmare - Mama Melrose!
I don't think this is talked about too much on the boards - or at least I don't read about it too often - but it needs to be known because there were A LOT of very angry customers in there. This also happened during our June trip so it's worth mentioning since it obviously happens quite often, if not daily. We had an early dinner ADR at 4:00pm because we wanted to catch the flipping of the switch for the Osborne Lights show. We got there around 3:50-3:55pm and waited in line to check in for at least 15 minutes - it went out the door. We had already overheard it was at least a 45 minute delay for reservations. Not a problem and we got lucky and found a seat to sit down and wait. Well - it was over 1 hour wait, if not about 1 hour 15 minute wait time for a 4pm ADR! The folks that were complaining VERY vocally were upset because they had booked the Fantasmic package and now wouldn't be able to make it to the 6:30pm show since the dining part was delayed so much. They weren't happy at all and I can't blame them. I had heard from the June trip for our waitress that the people in the restaurant that have the Fantasmic reservations usually don't leave because they hang out and wait for the show there or wait up close to the time. Thus, the restaurant doesn't empty as fast as they think and it's all backed up. That's difficult on both sides of the coin...I don't know what the solution is but it was a zoo there and I don't think the food quality warrants waiting that long and around a bunch of very upset people - that's just my two cents! By the way - we did end up missing the flipping of the switch for the lights which was disappointing but nothing we could do about it. We had wonderful meals at 'Ohana, Tutto Italia, Crystal Palace for breakfast, Grand Floridian for tea, Food & Wine Snacks, Sci - Fi, Earl of Sandwich, Yak & Yeti and Coral Reef. The weather - I have this "thing" about bringing record breaking heat waves with me!
I had really hoped for the weather to be in the 60's. We got very lucky during our Nov 08 trip and wore a light jacket most nights and loved it. This week, we ended up with high humidity (natural for FL) and it was 84 degrees several days and very warm. A lot probably loved it but it was too hot for me. Not unbearable of course, but we were easily sweating! Bus transportation was just fine all week and we never waiting too long. Leaving HS one night we had to wait on the three busses to head to the POP but it was crowded at that time.
I had a wonderful first time girls only trip but my own humble opinion - I just missed my DS and DH too much this trip. I think it's because we've built so many wonderful family memories at Disney that I thought of the two of them constantly and missed them terribly. I'm so very glad they supported my girls trip but I won't be doing it again, without them!
Highlights for me this trip would be the Osborne Lights in HS (we went twice) and also the tea at the Grand Floridian before going to MVMCP - great tea and food and so elegant!
Any questions - I'll be happy to try and help out!
Heather
I told my husband I was going in January next time so I'm open!! 
Oh well, maybe next time? We actually did not swim this trip but I heard they finally fixed the heater at the POP pools but I'm not 100% on that. I did see a lot of people swimming, even at night so I would assume it was fixed? 
)
