Just Back: 29 Dec- 4 Jan.....10 Thoughts.

[zdad59]

In no particular order....
(A full trip report will follow in coming days on the Trip Report board)

1. Do FOP, even if its in the pouring rain. We had a 10am FP+ on Wednesday. Ugly, rainy day and mama had a cold. She insisted we go use the FP and boy are we glad. Best ride in Disney. "Soarin' on Steroids" mama says.
2. Disney Transportation is awesome. We stayed at All Star Movies. In the 7 days we were there, we had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus twice.
3. Narcoosee's is worth 2 dining credits. One of the best meals we had at Disney in 36 years of going.
4. NYE Fireworks at MK are incredible. WOW...just awesome. And the castle all decked out was spectacular. Saw them on NYE Eve.
5. EPCOT on NYE was insane. WAY too many people there. We had fun with the crowds. Fireworks were OK. Don't hold a candle to MK show.
6. Taking the route out the Int'l Gateway and walking to HS after EPCOT NYE show was a great idea I got from the board. After the fireworks, we were back at ASM by 12:55. Walked right onto a bus at HS.
7. HS needs a big refurb. The Star Wars stage shows are eh. RNR and ToT are good, but Indy Jones and even the Star Wars ride need work. I hope the new Toy Story section and the Star Wars world build it up some.
8. Staying at ASM was fun, but we like WL too much. The holiday price for WL was way out of this world, so we chose ASM. A nice room. We stayed in the armpit of Buzz Lightyear. (Buzz was right outside our room, to the left. Was told by the manager at ASM that they getting ready for a complete refurb. Gutting every room.
9. Bongo's Cuban Café was great food. We ate there the night we arrived. Really enjoyed the flavors and the service.
10. Going to Disney over the holiday is a must do. Now that we've done it, no need to go back at such a crazy time. But it was so worth it to do it. Saw things you'll never see any other time, and the way Disney does it is top shelf.

A few pics....

MK NYE Finale

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10215289932547597

Castle at night....


NYE at EPCOT

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Thank you for this mini-report. Looking forward to your full one.

One question...did it seem like ASM was at full occupancy? Lot's of people in food court, commons areas, etc.?

 

[zdad59]

Thank you for this mini-report. Looking forward to your full one.

One question...did it seem like ASM was at full occupancy? Lot's of people in food court, commons areas, etc.?

If not full, it was close. Food Court busy at all hours. Common area was nuts at check out time every day. MK buses were SRO. Wed and Thur all the runners started coming in, so no lapse in people.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Thank you for your response! Are you suffering Disney withdrawals?

 

[zdad59]

Thank you for your response! Are you suffering Disney withdrawals?

Not yet. We both came home with wicked colds. That plus an average of 7 miles walked every day has us tuckered out. That being said, we are considering a stay at Grand Floridian in September.

 

[AngiTN]

We are there (at WDW) same dates, had a great trip too
I'd go back every NYE if I could. Gonna be up to how good/bad football becomes and if we have a bowl trip instead. DH loves Disney but he loves his football more. He'd never give up a bowl trip even for Disney. I go where he goes

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are there same dates, had a great trip too
I'd go back every NYE if I could. Gonna be up to how good/bad football becomes and if we have a bowl trip instead. DH lives Disney but he loves his football more. He'd never give up a bowl trip even for Disney. I go where he goes

You might have a year or two before that becomes a concern again.

Hi @AngiTN!

 

[Cotillard]

AWESOME

 

[OB1]

good report. Thanks for sharing. Well done to keep it brief with you 10 points.

 

[GeneralTso]

I love a trip report like this! Succinct, bullet points, great info.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Good job with the mini-TR. Lots of insight and advice with an economy of words

 

[AngiTN]

You might have a year or two before that becomes a concern again.

Hi @AngiTN!

LOL! Ha! Yeah, I believe so too. If ever again, though don't tell him that. Issues go way beyond coaching. But I digress.....

Hope you had a great boys trip, was great meeting you and your son.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Excellent report and photos.

Welcome home and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for the tips! We are looking into our first trip at that time of year (have been many other times) and I've always been nervous about the crowds. It's good to hear it's worth it once! (And especially which fireworks are better, since two late nights in a row is unlikely for my group.)

 

[awilliams4]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[BlueFairy]

Can you comment on arriving on the 1st for touring parks in the weekdays after the holiday? How were the crowds? I'm most interested in what would correspond to Wed-Thurs. of your trip. I think we could save Universal for the weekend when the marathon is in full swing. I'm not sure we could get there in time for NYE.

 

[NinaBella]

OMG, that crowd in your video. I have never been there with it THAT crowded.

 

[Haley R]

good report. Thanks for sharing. Well done to keep it brief with you 10 points.

10 points to gryffindor.

 

[AngiTN]

Can you comment on arriving on the 1st for touring parks in the weekdays after the holiday? How were the crowds? I'm most interested in what would correspond to Wed-Thurs. of your trip. I think we could save Universal for the weekend when the marathon is in full swing. I'm not sure we could get there in time for NYE.

This particular NY week it was still VERY crowded. It's all how school breaks fell this year. Majority of schools remained out all week so crowds remained high all week. Plus, you had the Marathon coming in on the back end of the week. There wasn't much drop off/change from the days before New Years to the days after. That isn't always the case, especially if New Years Eve falls at the end of the week and schools return soon after New Years day vs. a full week after.

 

[Monykalyn]

1-FoP- totally agree! I've been lucky enough to experience this several times now, but it's always so fun hearing newbies discussing the ride after.
2-it seemed disney was really on the ball with the busses. And we experienced a delay with MK monorail only once.
3-sounds like a great place. We did Hollywood Brown Derby this trip-great service (which seems isn't always the case) and great food. Narcoosees is definitely on the list!
4-7Yes,yes,yes! We liked MK NYE Eve fireworks better too, although epcots was good. The crowd seemed to be in good spirits (and CMs) both nights though. The bathrooms at the IG were never busy every time I went on NYE. Maybe because you have to leave the park but getting through security is a breeze with no bag.
8-we were at Coronado. WL is bucket list-looks so nice at Christmas time
9-my daughter wanted to go to Bongos but we never made it-kinda bummed about that now!
10-Disney holidays-perfectly said!!
And what great pictures!!!

For us- having dinner reservations in MK and Epcot for those nights was a lifesaver. We also really enjoyed the dessert party (late one) on the 30th.
I also discovered if rather be hot at Disney than freezing cold at Disney lol!
Will look for your full TR!!