As this was my 1st Disney trip in nearly 10 years and a trip where we stayed on-site, I would like to share my unbiased trip experience with everyone. As there is a lot i'd like to talk about, I decided to break it down into sections. I hope my personal insights help you !
I first would like to thank tourguidemike.com as I found there schedule to be bang on accurate and would suggest that site for anyone that is going.
Ok here we go !
(1) Travel from canada to USA
Lets just say that it was the longest day of the trip. The usa was under "orange alert" so there was heavier then normal security and checkpoints. From the time we landed till we went out the front door with our luggage was nearly 3 hours ! Not much I can do about that, but the last 9 trips into the usa have all been under "orange alerts" Seems to be the norm?
(2) Car rental - And driving in Orlando area
We decided to rent a car. OMG ! if you are going to disney, and plan to go anywhere in the area, spend the 100 bucks and rent a car. Disney can be expensive to eat in unless you have a dining package. International drive hosts many fantastic restaurants at very good prices. Having the car helps with this, and waiting for the buses all the time gets old fast. The rental process is quick and easy but keep in mind there are some hidden fees for the unaware renter and you can pay a lot if your not careful. For instance, we booked the car in our package but they get you for another $70.00 in taxes + the gas you use which is not included.
Drivers - They are all nuts. Mostly. My wife and I actually made a game about spotting drivers the use their signal. It was the middle of the week before we actually saw someone use one. 14 drivers ran solid red lights. Disney bus drivers ... Crazy ... Don't get in their way !
(3) Hotel - Port Orleans - Riverside
Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic .. did I say that enough times? The resort was gorgeous and clean. The rooms were very nice although we spent very little time in them. The pool on ole man island ?... Small and shallow. I'm sure the kids won't be fussy. The restaurants are crowded and over priced and we found ourselves eating off site almost the entire trip. For example, we paid nearly $18.00 for 2 small pizza's and drinks. Just me, but seemed expensive. That being said, it did taste good
Desk staff were friendly and the check-in line was very short.
Pet peeve - The staff drive these golf carts around the resort WAY to fast and on one occasion nearly took out an entire family coming around a corner. It wasn't an isolated incident either. Many staff drive to fast even at night. I yelled at one in my nicest disney voice. "Too fast ! "
(4) The disney parks - What can I say, we loved them all. The crowd calculator from tourguidemike was bang on and we did not wait for any ride or attraction in all 4 parks for more then 30 minutes. That being said, we did fast pass a couple of the busy ones that had 90 min posted lines. The cast members at all parks were polite and happy except for hollywood studios where the staff was generally unfriendly and bored. That must be where they send the "bad" cms
The day before we left which was a saturday, Epcot was PACKED. Never seen so many people at one time. Good thing we got most of the rides in earlier in the week. It was wall to wall people. Overall though, the crowds seemed light everywhere.
Added note : Pixie hollow was an hour wait for us. By the time we left at 11:00am the line up was out the door and down the street. We heard whispers of a 4 hour wait. Lucky
(5) Universal Studios - Amazing. Spend the cash and get the 2 park fastpass. Saved us nearly 6 hours and we saw Almost every attraction in the same day. Great if your on a tight schedule and have some extra cash.
(6) Weather - Really nice all week in the 80's. Rained Friday morning for 3 or 4 hours and for about 30 minutes mid week. If you want to save some cash, buy your rain ponchos from the outlet mall near disney. Half the price.
Thats about it. Over all - 9/10 holiday. Pretty expensive week. Bring some spare cash with you ! It goes quick ! Please feel free to ask any questions you have about Disney or anything else !
I first would like to thank tourguidemike.com as I found there schedule to be bang on accurate and would suggest that site for anyone that is going.
Ok here we go !
(1) Travel from canada to USA
Lets just say that it was the longest day of the trip. The usa was under "orange alert" so there was heavier then normal security and checkpoints. From the time we landed till we went out the front door with our luggage was nearly 3 hours ! Not much I can do about that, but the last 9 trips into the usa have all been under "orange alerts" Seems to be the norm?
(2) Car rental - And driving in Orlando area
We decided to rent a car. OMG ! if you are going to disney, and plan to go anywhere in the area, spend the 100 bucks and rent a car. Disney can be expensive to eat in unless you have a dining package. International drive hosts many fantastic restaurants at very good prices. Having the car helps with this, and waiting for the buses all the time gets old fast. The rental process is quick and easy but keep in mind there are some hidden fees for the unaware renter and you can pay a lot if your not careful. For instance, we booked the car in our package but they get you for another $70.00 in taxes + the gas you use which is not included.
Drivers - They are all nuts. Mostly. My wife and I actually made a game about spotting drivers the use their signal. It was the middle of the week before we actually saw someone use one. 14 drivers ran solid red lights. Disney bus drivers ... Crazy ... Don't get in their way !
(3) Hotel - Port Orleans - Riverside
Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic .. did I say that enough times? The resort was gorgeous and clean. The rooms were very nice although we spent very little time in them. The pool on ole man island ?... Small and shallow. I'm sure the kids won't be fussy. The restaurants are crowded and over priced and we found ourselves eating off site almost the entire trip. For example, we paid nearly $18.00 for 2 small pizza's and drinks. Just me, but seemed expensive. That being said, it did taste good
Desk staff were friendly and the check-in line was very short.
Pet peeve - The staff drive these golf carts around the resort WAY to fast and on one occasion nearly took out an entire family coming around a corner. It wasn't an isolated incident either. Many staff drive to fast even at night. I yelled at one in my nicest disney voice. "Too fast ! "
(4) The disney parks - What can I say, we loved them all. The crowd calculator from tourguidemike was bang on and we did not wait for any ride or attraction in all 4 parks for more then 30 minutes. That being said, we did fast pass a couple of the busy ones that had 90 min posted lines. The cast members at all parks were polite and happy except for hollywood studios where the staff was generally unfriendly and bored. That must be where they send the "bad" cms
The day before we left which was a saturday, Epcot was PACKED. Never seen so many people at one time. Good thing we got most of the rides in earlier in the week. It was wall to wall people. Overall though, the crowds seemed light everywhere.
Added note : Pixie hollow was an hour wait for us. By the time we left at 11:00am the line up was out the door and down the street. We heard whispers of a 4 hour wait. Lucky
(5) Universal Studios - Amazing. Spend the cash and get the 2 park fastpass. Saved us nearly 6 hours and we saw Almost every attraction in the same day. Great if your on a tight schedule and have some extra cash.
(6) Weather - Really nice all week in the 80's. Rained Friday morning for 3 or 4 hours and for about 30 minutes mid week. If you want to save some cash, buy your rain ponchos from the outlet mall near disney. Half the price.
Thats about it. Over all - 9/10 holiday. Pretty expensive week. Bring some spare cash with you ! It goes quick ! Please feel free to ask any questions you have about Disney or anything else !
. We ate at both The Mill and Boat Wrights and both were good. The kids preferred The Mill. 
