Just back from Disney. Any questions?

[wearegoingtoDisney]

I tried to observe as much as I could so I could answer questions when we got back. Stayed at YBC and ASM. Used vouchers. Attended some EMH and overall had a fantastic trip. Any questions?

 

[dizcrazy]

How was the weather? Where did you use your vouchers? How did you like YBC - was it worth the money?

 

[poohj80]

Was there any let-down moving from the YBC to ASM?

 

[wearegoingtoDisney]

We were there for 10 days and the weather was a complete mixed bag. We wore everything from bathing suits and shorts, raincoats and fleece jackets with mittens. Not all on the same day but still what a mix of weather. I used the Q and C vouchers at Beaches and Cream, Columbia Harbor House, Pecos BIll and the counter service in fantasyland. I found that if you buy the salads with chicken (which were all excellent) you were able to get a side so it was a really good deal. For example at Columbia Harbor House I was able to get the salad, drink, bowl of chowder and apple pie. This was over $18. Of course at B&C it was a great deal because of the awesome desserts. I was able to get drink, chicken ceasar salad wrap with chips and a cookie, side of chilli and the brownie sundae.
I used the breakfast vouchers at Crystal Palace (was a great breakfast selection and we were the last seating at 10:25 so tons of character time) and Norway princess breakfast. Both times a big savings for our group
I used VKL at Rainforest and this was an outstanding value. I am so glad our server reminded us we could use these for the ICEE drink for the kids. They could not believe I let them get those as we are usually a milk or water family. There server was great about telling us what we could buy and it was a huge deal as we got the steak and lobster and the Volcano (using two vouchers).

We loved the YBC!!! However, we paid the convention rate and my husband's company paid for most of our stay. I am not sure what the regular rate is but the rate we paid was definately worth it. The location on the Boardwalk is hard to beat. The pool was partly closed but we could go over to the Boardwalk pool. The kid's loved the slide. I would stay there again in a heart beat! I feel very lucky that it was with a convention because I highly doubt we could afford the regular rate.

FYI some of my family was there at the same time and they "rented points" from a DVC member and stayed at OKW. Great price for a huge condo but next time they want to rent points to stay at the Boardwalk. The location is awesome. Always something going on and close to two parks

 

[wearegoingtoDisney]

At first there was a bit of a let down moving to ASM because we had terrible neighboors the first night. Disney moved us without any problem and after the first day it was fine. In reality the people at ASM are just regular people like us so as much as we loved the YBC we did feel at home at ASM once we got used to being in a regular hotel instead of luxury.

 

[poohj80]

I guess we're spoiled because after experiencing the luxury, we can't go back.

 

[littlesuitcase]

Just curious where you are from - I know when we are conditioned to certain temperatures we cope in different ways. I do know florida got pretty cold last week but just wondered. I will bring the stuff if we need to but anything above 10 celcius (I think that is around 50ish).

 

[wearegoingtoDisney]

I am from the Northeast and I keep my heat set a 60 so I am used to cold. There were definately two mornings of our trip that we needed fleece jackets it was 32 which is much warmer than it is here but still being outside all morning in that temperature requires a jacket and the mittens were used to keep the kids from saying that were too cold and wanted to go inside. I was very glad we had them as there were no complaints, the mornings at the parks were very quiet becasue it was cold and by lunch time it was low 50's and we were in our sweatshirts.

 

[littlesuitcase]

THanks - I think just to be on the safeside I will tuck a few pairs of mitts in the bag.

 

[wearegoingtoDisney]

When are you going? I hope it is warm and you don't have to use the mittens. This was my third end of January trip and the first time we needed the fleece or the mittens. It is just unpredictable this time of year.

 

[littlesuitcase]

WE are going feb 5-12!

 

[siennacrew]

Was flame tree BBQ opened at AK? I've heard some people say it isn't opened certain times of the year. We are going next week!

 

[snappy]

How were the wait times for rides in the parks? Were the week days pretty light?

Checking with CRO a couple of days ago, almost everything was booked up except suites at the resorts. I think they did have a standard view at AK.
No mods or values available. I am thinking next week will be a zoo in the parks, even the weekdays. Does anyone have any experience going around this time? I just want to be prepared.

Thanks.

 

[wearegoingtoDisney]

I am sorry but I did not notice if Flame Tree was open. The kids loved Dinoland so much that we spent way more time than I thought in the bones and on the slides. They needed a day to really play instead of make tracks around the park hitting rides.

The lines were very managable. Easy to work around by going early and staying late (we took breaks midday if the kids needed it). The weekdays were much quieter than the weekends. I was suprised how few lines there were on Wednesday at MK. I thought since it was a EMH night it would busy all day and it wasn't. Almost all rides were 15 minute waits or shorter and usually they estimate high. The busiest day was Saturday at MK it was also beautiful and sunny 75. On that day we needed to use our fast passes well and we saw waits on the big name rides at about 50-60 minutes and 30 minutes on rides like Magic Carpets, Philharmagic, Racecars and Jungle Cruise. I also notice that during the day they never let the lines back up onto the walk ways and as I said above the wait were usually a little bit shorter than stated. This changed during the last hour or so the park it opened. They start letting the lines back up a bit and the wait times were a lot shorter than is posted. For example in from 7:30-8:00 we rode Buzz, Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan. All 3 had wait times posted 15 mins. All 3 had cues out to the walk way and all three were about 5 minute waits. I think the CMs are trying to make the rides look busier than they are so that they can close the ride on time at the end of the night. Just my thoughts but maybe it will help to know that you may be able to get thouse rides in at the end of the day on a busy day. NEVER, NEVER get in the Peter Pan line when it is busy. That line looks much shorter than it really is plus all the Fast Pass people go infront. Get a fast pass or wait until the end of the day