Just back, a few thoughts... can answer ?'s

[vicb]

Hi all. Just back from a wonderful week at WDW. Thanks to all on this board who helped us plan and answered so many ?'s. Now it's my turn to answer ?'s. I'll give a brief run down of what we did and a few thoughts.

Went from Mon-Mon (2/27-3/6). Mon-Fri the parks were very uncrowded, it was heavenly! We got so much done. Sat, Sun and Mon the crowds definitely increased a lot! Hoppers are a must, we hopped almost every day.

I was worried about rude CMs and poor guest behavior after reading so many threads but must say we really had very little of that experience. I made an effort to smile a lot and thank CMs and got lots of good vibes back. Their jobs can not be easy, dealing with so many of us! We did witness some clueless guests whos behavior was amazingly stupid but I also met some really nice people and felt good about it.

This was to be our last trip for atleast 3 years for a bunch of reasons so we involved our kids (ages 10 and 13) heavily in planning and decision making. They didn't want to be commando, they didn't want any character meals and lots of pool time. Weather was perfect for parks and pool.

Day 1- late afternoon arrival, dinner at Teppanyaki-watched drummers, DD did pick a pearl, movie in France, pastries and Illuminations. Fun first night.

Day 2 - reg. park opening at MK, little or no waits until 11am, then used FP. Lunch at LTT, hopped to Epcot at parade time. Kids invited to ride up front with driver! Did a few rides at Epcot then headed for pool. Dinner on BW.

Day 3 - reg. park opening at MGM, again not crowded. Loved LMA show! Lunch at PTC, fun! Left park again at parade time. Pool at BC. Kids did room service, DH and I did Les Chefs and Illuminations.

Day 4 - reg. park opening at Epcot, again not crowded. Only long wait for TT but DH is GM employee so we used our perk there. Loved Soaring. Lunch at Le Cellier. Pool at BC. 6pm La Nouba, dinner WGPCafe, wandered DTD.

Day 5 - slept in, at TL by 11am. Had the park to ourselves, no lines for any slides or shark reef to speak of. Loved TL, great time. Dinner in Morrocco then eve. emh at Epcot... our first crowds and a mistake for us. We were too tired from TL. Were able to do TT and MS during Illum. but when it ended the attractions were mobbed. Left tired and crabby!

Day 6 - slept in knowing it would be very bad to arrive late at MK but did so anyway! Arrived 10:45, front of park a mob scene! But once back by Splash and BTMR it was only 20 min. waits. Did FP for SM, was able to do a few other rides and lunch at Plaza. Watched most of parade then left park for pool. Dinner in Epcot, Illuminations and BW.

Day 7 - slept in again (hey we weren't in commando remember!) late breakfast at Spoodles, rented surrey bikes and spent day at SAB. Dinner at WL then Wishes at MK and eve. emh. Worked much better here, crowds more spread out among the attractions open. Stayed until 11pm.

Day 8 - back to MGM for a few things we'd missed, lunch at B&C then off to airport by 1pm.

Did not do AK, have been 3 times and it is not our fav park. We were tempted by EE but opted for pool and TL days. Also did not do Fantasmic this trip, it is a wonderful show however and not to be missed by first timers.

Sorry so long. Be happy to answer any ?s.

 

[bunnymkc]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. we will be in disney 3/26 and hope that our weather will be as great as yours. hoping for some swim time. as for going at your own pace, tell the truth didn't you enjoy yourselves more this time? we do that every time we go and people say " your'e going to Disney again?" but they don't inderstand that it can be a real relaxing vacation if you have been there so many times before. again thanks and glad you all had a great time.Marianne

 

[mmeads4]

We are planning our first trip in Dec 06, we are also planning to do the candlelight processional, eat dinner at one of the nice restaurants and catch Illuminations. Are the restaurants a good place to view Illuminations? We are thinking San Angel Inn....

 

[Marcy Mouse]

I don't think I'll have a choice but to take it easy. From everything I heard it is going to be mobbed. We are camping so that really takes you away from the crowed feeling. Our plan is to get to the parks as soon as they open and then either back to the camp or one of the water parks for most of the afternoon's. Then will hit the parks aging 2-3 hours before closing.

I want to check out a few resorts also.

I hope it isn't to crazy.

Anyway, I glad you had a great time.

Marcy

 

[vicb]

Really only Rose & Crown has a good Illuminations view. Eat at which ever country appeals most to you and make your dinner reservation for 7ish. That gives you plenty of time to eat, explore that pavillion and then stake out a spot for Illuminations at 9pm. The raised porch at Japan is one of our fav spots to watch, done that in the rain a few trips. This trip we watched from Canada and Norway, both were good viewing. I love Illuminations!


Marcy, just use FP and you will do fine. We did not do any emh mornings, we always went to an opposite park and got tons done in the first hour or so. The Sat. we went into MK at 10:45 I was amazed at how many people enter the park that late! The front was mobbed but not so much the back of the park. Also try the evening emh at MK, that worked well for us sunday and was neat to be in the park at night. Really pretty!

 

[swillis]

That was a great trip report! No offense to anyonre else's reports but I happen to get more out of them when they are short and specific like yours.

I will be traveling in April w/ my kids (10,11) so I am curious as to what attractions your kids liked best?

Did they enjoy the sit down meals? When you say "sleeping in" what time dis the family rise and shine and actually get to the parks?

I ask that last question because in involving my kids in the planning as well, they mentioned that they wanted to sleep late a few days on vacation. "it is our vacation after all Mom!" I say early bird gets the worm, but I also don't want them cranky and moody.

I am just so excited.

 

[vicb]

That was a great trip report! No offense to anyonre else's reports but I happen to get more out of them when they are short and specific like yours.

I will be traveling in April w/ my kids (10,11) so I am curious as to what attractions your kids liked best?

Did they enjoy the sit down meals? When you say "sleeping in" what time dis the family rise and shine and actually get to the parks?

I ask that last question because in involving my kids in the planning as well, they mentioned that they wanted to sleep late a few days on vacation. "it is our vacation after all Mom!" I say early bird gets the worm, but I also don't want them cranky and moody.

I am just so excited.

Sunni, we did not do any morning emh's where the park would have opened at 8am. So on our first 3 park days we were at the parks for 9am opening. On our TL day we slept until 8:30, had a 9:30 breakfast then got to TL by 10:45ish. On Sunday we let the kids sleep until 9:45, breakfast at Spoodles at 10:20. Sleeping in is a compromise at WDW.

MK is still my kids fav park. They love the Mts, and everything in Tomorrowland. They still like HM, Mickey Philharmagic, Pooh (go figure) and POC. At Epcot they loved Soaring, TT and MS but also love Figment (again, go figure?). They like the older attractions at MGM, we don't do Playhouse, Bear or Little Mermaid anymore. If your kids like swimming do either BB or TL, hands down it was their fav day!

The restaurants they chose to eat at were: ESPN, Japan, PTC and Plaza. DH and I chose Biergarten and Morocco. Both kids loved Teppanyaki. DD loved Biergarten and Morocco, DS did fine at both. They were a bit too tired to really enjoy PTC but the food was good and we were glad we did it.

Hope you have a great trip in April.

 

[swillis]

Thank you! I'm so looking forward to going