Just back 7/5 - 7/9 Offsite

[PamNC]

I just got back from a long weekend trip. I stayed offsite for the first time in forever (or a long, long time at least) to save $$. I visited MK and AK. I also took a beach day and went to Cocoa Beach.

Observations and reviews:

• Perhaps because it was the day after the 4th, but I did notice the parks were just a tad less clean than usual. On the jungle cruise I saw a few water bottles floating around. I know people can be tacky and not care about things like this and Disney can't pick up everything right away, but I've never really noticed it until this trip. If it were just one I wouldn't even bring it up. Noticed it throughout the park. Nothing real real bad - but noticeable. Didn't stop me from having fun or feeling the magic.
• Animal Kingdom is amazing - I got to the park early for rope drop (about 1 hour early) and was on FOP within 15 minutes. As soon as we got to the queue, and I was way towards the front of the crowd, the timer said "60 minute wait" so if you're ever in that position - don't believe the hype.
• Liked the Tree of Life Awakening a lot - very nice way to end the day. I'm an animal lover so that is expected.
• I don't like the noise level in the Dinoland area - there is something called Donald's something bash - can't remember. Anyway - I think it takes away from the dino theme even though the Dinorama is across the way - I don't like that section either so take this comment for what it's worth. The music was so loud it was deafening. It just seems tacky and out of theme (dinosaur theme) to me.
• Don't hate me - but I don't like the new MK fireworks show - HEA. I was very saddened that the classic Disney music is no more - or very little. The fireworks themselves were fantastic but I didn't get chills or choked up like the previous shows. Very disappointed. won't go see it again unless I just happen to be there and it's going on. Even then, I hope I don't have to hear that music again. UGH!

Weather wasn't too bad for July - the rains cooled it down in the evenings. Temps weren't bad, although humidity was rough as usual. Crowds not as bad as Julys I recall from the past.

Questions? Ask.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

• Don't hate me - but I don't like the new MK fireworks show - HEA. I was very saddened that the classic Disney music is no more - or very little. The fireworks themselves were fantastic but I didn't get chills or choked up like the previous shows. Very disappointed. won't go see it again unless I just happen to be there and it's going on. Even then, I hope I don't have to hear that music again. UGH!

No hate here. I will say - I wasn't crazy about it the first time I saw it. I was a big fan of Wishes and Holiday Wishes and I was bitter that they didn't give it a holiday makeover during the holiday week. It's grown on me, since. I think everyone needs to arrive early and watch from the Hub at least once. It's a totally difference experience from there when you can see the projections. Since being fully immersed in it, the Olaf part will always get this 29 year old man to tear up a bit.

 

[No.1000]

You don't like the song HEA or you don't like any of the music? Granted, most of it is from newer Disney movies-Moana, Frozen, Brave, Tangled...but there are still lots of classics like Lion King, Hercules, Aladdin. Sorry you didn't like it. It is my favorite thing at Disney right now...and I LOVED Wishes.

 

[capegirl]

Ahh...HEA...you either love it, or you are disappointed by it. I was emotionally invested in Wishes; it was always a must see for me. I am not a big fan of too many projections, I enjoy the fireworks much more. I think we will try viewing HEA from fantasyland this time to get a different perspective.

 

[MomOTwins]

Now you've got that hercules song from HEA in my head (good thing I like it).... "I can beat the odds... I can go the distance!!!"

 

[disneyvoice]

Totally agree with you about HEA. I can take or leave fireworks, we don't make an effort to watch any of the night time shows/fireworks anymore but I ALWAYS, ALWAYS got very teary eyed with Wishes. The new song just doesn't do anything for me. The castle projections are cool but not something I am interested in sitting through again. The thing I kept thinking during HEA when we watched it the first time was "This is so long, when will it ever end?"

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[bigbabyblues]

None of us liked HEA either.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

I watched Wishes for the last time from the deck at Narcoossee's in January 2017 and got choked up and teary eyed as usual. I watched HEA from the same spot in June and there just isn't any attachment. Maybe it will grow on me in time.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I always find it interesting when people say they don't get any emotion from HEA, it makes me cry like a baby every single time. The story and the message of it hits me hard, sooooo much emotion. I tear up several times throughout, but when Tink flies out to those lyrics I just lose it every time.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I always find it interesting when people say they don't get any emotion from HEA, it makes me cry like a baby every single time. The story and the message of it hits me hard, sooooo much emotion. I tear up several times throughout, but when Tink flies out to those lyrics I just lose it every time.

I'm with you and I was a very big fan of Wishes. Both shows are sentimental to me.

It's ok to love both.

 

[Jennasis]

Glad you had a great trip Pam! We've taken some off-site trips too (to supplement our DVC stays) and very much enjoyed them!

 

[johnnyr]

• Don't hate me - but I don't like the new MK fireworks show - HEA. I was very saddened that the classic Disney music is no more - or very little. The fireworks themselves were fantastic but I didn't get chills or choked up like the previous shows. Very disappointed. won't go see it again unless I just happen to be there and it's going on. Even then, I hope I don't have to hear that music again. UGH!

No hate here! I'm with you. I couldn't believe the lack of reference to the Disney classics and no reference at all to Walt!

 

[PamNC]

No hate here. I will say - I wasn't crazy about it the first time I saw it. I was a big fan of Wishes and Holiday Wishes and I was bitter that they didn't give it a holiday makeover during the holiday week. It's grown on me, since. I think everyone needs to arrive early and watch from the Hub at least once. It's a totally difference experience from there when you can see the projections. Since being fully immersed in it, the Olaf part will always get this 29 year old man to tear up a bit.

I LOVED wishes - I think it better captured the essence and spirit of Disney.

 

[PamNC]

I watched Wishes for the last time from the deck at Narcoossee's in January 2017 and got choked up and teary eyed as usual. I watched HEA from the same spot in June and there just isn't any attachment. Maybe it will grow on me in time.

I hope it grows on me too - but I was really disappointed to the point where I left before it was over. That bad.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

I hope it grows on me too - but I was really disappointed to the point where I left before it was over. That bad.

DW and I went back into Narcoossee's before it was over also. I just wasn't loving it and I was ready for twin lobster tails

 

[disneygirlsng]

I hope it grows on me too - but I was really disappointed to the point where I left before it was over. That bad.

Sorry to hear that. It's one of those things I wish everyone loved as much as I do because it's that incredible.
Also, the ending is by far my favorite part. Perfect finish to the story of the show.

 

[maxiesmom]

HEA doesn't do it for me either. I made it a point to see Wishes as many times as possible. I couldn't care less if I see HEA again.

 

[Sir Saint]

No flame from me. I feel the same way about Illuminations. What a bore.....

 

[rangerxenos]

I love Happily Ever After, I was surprised as I loved Wishes so much. However, I think the new castle projection show Once Upon A Time is horrible.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I love Happily Ever After, I was surprised as I loved Wishes so much. However, I think the new castle projection show Once Upon A Time is horrible.

Agreed, I liked Celebrate the Magic so much more