Just back from WDW (11/30 - 12/5) and had a great time. Overall, it was a really fun trip and I'm looking forward to my trip to Las Vegas and Anaheim (DLR, here I come) in January! A few comments:
1) First time during Xmas (3rd time overall) to WDW. The Xmas decorations were pathetic. The music was nice, but overall, I expected more from Disney.
2) The Caribbean Beach Resort really is huge. If I stayed at Trinidad South, I'd be pretty annoyed. Stayed in Aruba. Loved it. Glad that I rented a car.
3) I'm tall. When watching fireworks (e.g., Illuminations & Wishes), do not show up during the show and push your kids in front of me when I'm already standing immediately behind someone. I'm sorry that your kid can't see, but that's your problem. Not mine. If you asked, I'd probably be nice and let your kids stand in front of me. As long as you said "please."
4) I enjoyed the lack of Brazilian tour groups (solely because they tend to mess with the wait times on rides). I did not enjoy hearing people speak Portugese or Spanish (yes, I know the difference) at a normal speaking volume while watching the Hall of Presidents or on Soarin'.
5) The WDW Wait Time App on the I-Phone is AMAZING!!! As long as others use it and input times, it's extremely accurate (within 5 minutes, I'd guess). It helped plan my day without resorting to an actual plan.
6) Le Cellier was a VERY good meal but I don't think I would go without free dining. The NY strip (I wanted a lot of meat that night) was excellent, the desert was superb, and the waitress was amazing. However, I can get a similar meal for two for about $30 less at home at a high end steakhouse.
7) The hosts/hostesses were a little rude throughout the trip. I totally understand that it's stressful working that type of job, but when Disney Dining tells me to show up 20 minutes before my ADR, don't tell me to come back in 20 minutes because you're running behind. Especially since I checked in anyway on 3 occasions 20 minutes beforehand and was sat a table well before my actual ADR time (Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, 50's Primetime) after being told to come back in 20 minutes.
8) I came across the Celine Dion performance by accident while resort hopping on the monorail that afternoon. I walked in and she was singing 5 minutes later. I'm not a huge fan of hers, but she is EXTREMELY talented, perfect pitch (I mean perfect...), and a very special person.
9) Don't try to take a picture while riding Tower of Terror. It brightens up the elevator and ruins the experience. Stupid lady. Luckily, I rode ToT 4 times, and never waited more than 10 minutes.
10) The food at Crystal Palace really is gross. I should've trusted people on the Boards.
11) The cast members were friendlier than during my last 2 trips (Jan 08, Jan 09). That made me very happy.
If you have any questions, just let me know!
1) First time during Xmas (3rd time overall) to WDW. The Xmas decorations were pathetic. The music was nice, but overall, I expected more from Disney.
2) The Caribbean Beach Resort really is huge. If I stayed at Trinidad South, I'd be pretty annoyed. Stayed in Aruba. Loved it. Glad that I rented a car.
3) I'm tall. When watching fireworks (e.g., Illuminations & Wishes), do not show up during the show and push your kids in front of me when I'm already standing immediately behind someone. I'm sorry that your kid can't see, but that's your problem. Not mine. If you asked, I'd probably be nice and let your kids stand in front of me. As long as you said "please."
4) I enjoyed the lack of Brazilian tour groups (solely because they tend to mess with the wait times on rides). I did not enjoy hearing people speak Portugese or Spanish (yes, I know the difference) at a normal speaking volume while watching the Hall of Presidents or on Soarin'.
5) The WDW Wait Time App on the I-Phone is AMAZING!!! As long as others use it and input times, it's extremely accurate (within 5 minutes, I'd guess). It helped plan my day without resorting to an actual plan.
6) Le Cellier was a VERY good meal but I don't think I would go without free dining. The NY strip (I wanted a lot of meat that night) was excellent, the desert was superb, and the waitress was amazing. However, I can get a similar meal for two for about $30 less at home at a high end steakhouse.
7) The hosts/hostesses were a little rude throughout the trip. I totally understand that it's stressful working that type of job, but when Disney Dining tells me to show up 20 minutes before my ADR, don't tell me to come back in 20 minutes because you're running behind. Especially since I checked in anyway on 3 occasions 20 minutes beforehand and was sat a table well before my actual ADR time (Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, 50's Primetime) after being told to come back in 20 minutes.
8) I came across the Celine Dion performance by accident while resort hopping on the monorail that afternoon. I walked in and she was singing 5 minutes later. I'm not a huge fan of hers, but she is EXTREMELY talented, perfect pitch (I mean perfect...), and a very special person.
9) Don't try to take a picture while riding Tower of Terror. It brightens up the elevator and ruins the experience. Stupid lady. Luckily, I rode ToT 4 times, and never waited more than 10 minutes.
10) The food at Crystal Palace really is gross. I should've trusted people on the Boards.
11) The cast members were friendlier than during my last 2 trips (Jan 08, Jan 09). That made me very happy.
If you have any questions, just let me know!
