tlmadden73
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2014
- Messages
- 4,714
A few highlights from my trip that I wanted to share here:
Day 1 - Disney Springs afternoon
Day 2 - DHS EMH/MK in afternoon
Day 3 - Epcot
Day 4 - Non-Disney theme park.
Day 5 - Pool day
1) DHS "felt" crowded.
There just isn't enough to do there and not enough space. I went on a EMH day, Sunday, and it was just crowded. TSMM 55 minute posted wait at 8:30 am during EMH (was actually 30), hard to get around, The noon Indiana Jones show was at capacity when showing up 10 minutes prior (that was shocking to me). We enjoyed the Launch Bay (son was scared of the darkness and the characters --beware) and the Star Wars shows/marches, but since we weren't going on the other rides, not much to do there with a toddler/infant. (which we knew going in).
2) Disney Springs. Very nice looking. Great food.
I enjoyed the look and feel of the new areas even though the shopping didn't interest me. It just made it easier to navigate and I liked the theming. The parking structure was convenient. I liked how they utilize the old bus stop for events (Cars 3 preview). I enjoyed the new food choices as well. My son enjoyed the usual spots _ Legoland, World of Disney, Once Upon A Toy.
3) Express Bus. Worth ... every ... penny.
My plan was to hop from DHS to MK and because of that it was a QUICK breeze to get to MK. Since we missed the Indiana Jones show, we just took the time waiting for the bus as a little break in the shade. The time (and hassle) we saved was immense. We never had to go up/down main street at MK.
4) Crowds - besides DHS .. crowds felt not bad at MK and Epcot for "Spring Break" time.
With Fast passes and just hitting the "not so popular" rides, we got more done at MK in the afternoon then at DHS that morning (even with EMH). Tons of stuff at Epcot were walk-ons and let us easily adjust our plans when Test Track was closed for the first 90 minutes of the day.
5) Despite its age, Epcot was a better park than I remember and will likely skip DHS (unless the new lands are done) next time.
It was my son's (4 yo) first time there (since he now was tall enough for Test Track and Soaring) and he enjoyed it. (Both Test Track and Soaring were "new" to me as well since their changes). All the indoor venues was great shelter from the heat and easier for my wife to take care of and feed an infant while my son enjoyed the activities in the pavilions. We spent noon until 4 just doing things inside the Land and the Seas (including lunch). We briefly enjoyed the World Showcase before we left. Flower and Garden made it great to look at.
6) Infant touring -- it's tough, but manageable. We found Rider swap hard to do. USE headphones.
We knew what we were getting into, so our expectations were low. She did great, but was just slow going. We NEVER took advantage of Rider Swap. Why? Because we found it difficult to go up to a podium as a family to do it. (Baby was eating or sleeping). So we just went solo sometimes.
We used headphones on her to block out all the sound and it worked great for her for naps and on a few noisy rides. When you really think about it, WDW is a noisy place.
Don't regret going with an infant as we all had a good time, glad we kept the trip short though.
7) Garden Grill Character Meal - great.
I just love the convenience of the character meals. You get your food right away, the characters come to you without waiting in a line and the food is usually pretty darn good. We all enjoyed the food at the Garden Grill and the fun family style atmosphere. The kids loved seeing the ride below us rotate by.
The cost is pretty crazy, but I just understand I am paying a premium for those character experiences and the quantity of food they throw at you.
Day 1 - Disney Springs afternoon
Day 2 - DHS EMH/MK in afternoon
Day 3 - Epcot
Day 4 - Non-Disney theme park.
Day 5 - Pool day
1) DHS "felt" crowded.
There just isn't enough to do there and not enough space. I went on a EMH day, Sunday, and it was just crowded. TSMM 55 minute posted wait at 8:30 am during EMH (was actually 30), hard to get around, The noon Indiana Jones show was at capacity when showing up 10 minutes prior (that was shocking to me). We enjoyed the Launch Bay (son was scared of the darkness and the characters --beware) and the Star Wars shows/marches, but since we weren't going on the other rides, not much to do there with a toddler/infant. (which we knew going in).
2) Disney Springs. Very nice looking. Great food.
I enjoyed the look and feel of the new areas even though the shopping didn't interest me. It just made it easier to navigate and I liked the theming. The parking structure was convenient. I liked how they utilize the old bus stop for events (Cars 3 preview). I enjoyed the new food choices as well. My son enjoyed the usual spots _ Legoland, World of Disney, Once Upon A Toy.
3) Express Bus. Worth ... every ... penny.
My plan was to hop from DHS to MK and because of that it was a QUICK breeze to get to MK. Since we missed the Indiana Jones show, we just took the time waiting for the bus as a little break in the shade. The time (and hassle) we saved was immense. We never had to go up/down main street at MK.
4) Crowds - besides DHS .. crowds felt not bad at MK and Epcot for "Spring Break" time.
With Fast passes and just hitting the "not so popular" rides, we got more done at MK in the afternoon then at DHS that morning (even with EMH). Tons of stuff at Epcot were walk-ons and let us easily adjust our plans when Test Track was closed for the first 90 minutes of the day.
5) Despite its age, Epcot was a better park than I remember and will likely skip DHS (unless the new lands are done) next time.
It was my son's (4 yo) first time there (since he now was tall enough for Test Track and Soaring) and he enjoyed it. (Both Test Track and Soaring were "new" to me as well since their changes). All the indoor venues was great shelter from the heat and easier for my wife to take care of and feed an infant while my son enjoyed the activities in the pavilions. We spent noon until 4 just doing things inside the Land and the Seas (including lunch). We briefly enjoyed the World Showcase before we left. Flower and Garden made it great to look at.
6) Infant touring -- it's tough, but manageable. We found Rider swap hard to do. USE headphones.
We knew what we were getting into, so our expectations were low. She did great, but was just slow going. We NEVER took advantage of Rider Swap. Why? Because we found it difficult to go up to a podium as a family to do it. (Baby was eating or sleeping). So we just went solo sometimes.
We used headphones on her to block out all the sound and it worked great for her for naps and on a few noisy rides. When you really think about it, WDW is a noisy place.
Don't regret going with an infant as we all had a good time, glad we kept the trip short though.
7) Garden Grill Character Meal - great.
I just love the convenience of the character meals. You get your food right away, the characters come to you without waiting in a line and the food is usually pretty darn good. We all enjoyed the food at the Garden Grill and the fun family style atmosphere. The kids loved seeing the ride below us rotate by.
The cost is pretty crazy, but I just understand I am paying a premium for those character experiences and the quantity of food they throw at you.
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Thanks for writing it up.
