Just Back From VWL...long and wandering

[Cmadsen]

Just have a few observations and questions...Fell in love with VWL all over again! Had a studio at the very end of the hall and LOVED it! Really quiet and peaceful.

Did Soarin' the first day out and agreed with others in line that it is spectacular! A gentleman in line told us the ride was actually created by a man using an erector set who then sold Disney on the concept. My friend said she had heard this info, too. Did it twice and tried to get on another day, but the wait was a bit long.

Did EMH one night at the MK. Got on most attractions with an expected wait. Does anyone else think the evening EMHs are difficult for the little ones? We saw so many kids who were really wiped out (and sick) still at the park at 1 a.m.

Has anyone heard if morning EMH will fall consistently on certain days, as it used to? Does anyone else find it harder to make PS's not knowing which parks, which days?

Weather was great, Test Track was broken but we got our one ride in, even enjoyed IASW...everything looked shiny and bright in anticipation of the coming celebration. Saw Wishes from the back of the Castle (next to Carousel) and felt like we were smack dab in the center of the fireworks! Wishes is fabulous from anywhere.

Saw a family lose a child...husband and MIL(?) went out on unsuccessful search. Suggested to Mom she talk to nearby Security. In less than ten minutes Security returned the crying tyke to his crying folks and all was well. When Disney is good, they are very, very good...

Went to Vic and Al's for the first time and it was even more wonderful than we had heard. Not at all stuffy and every bite of food was outstanding! Yup, it's expensive and we'll wait for a special occasion to go back, but we felt it was well worth the expense.

Please don't flame me, because I really, really, really love Disney (and know reality creeps in even there) but I felt folks were slightly more rude this trip. Of course I tend to talk to a post and I realize my conversation may not always be welcome, but I've always met such great people while waiting in lines or for parades,etc. This trip people seemed to push and shove and just generally be crabby. The last night we waited at a spot for 45 minutes to see Illuminations and just as it began, an adult family pushed right in front of us. They acted like we were invisible. Anyone else notice this behavior?

Hope to hear from all of you who have recently been there, too! I'm usually so depressed to get home, but am very lucky this time because we're going "home" for Christmas!

Chrys

 

[lodgelady]

Glad you had a great time- we love the quiet at the Lodge too. Sorry to hear about the rude guests. We have not had adults push infront of us at Illuminations, but we have had people send their kids to push in front of our kids so that DH and I have to give up our spots on the rail so our kids can see too!

 

[manning]

The last night we waited at a spot for 45 minutes to see Illuminations and just as it began, an adult family pushed right in front of us. They acted like we were invisible. Anyone else notice this behavior?

Chrys

Had this happen to us last time there. We were in the street waiting for Illumination when three women stopped right in front of us and almost stepped on DW feet (and they had at least 20 feet in front of them). The five foot fireball (DW) got right in front of them and let them have it. They said what was that all about. Sneaky me (not letting them know I was with her) said to them "you can't blame the lady for being mad, you almost stepped on her feet. Maybe you ought to apologize to her." I never saw three women move so fast in my life." The only thing missing on main street was a hole they wished they could crawl into.

 

[manning]

but we have had people send their kids to push in front of our kids so that DH and I have to give up our spots on the rail so our kids can see too!

Know what you mean. We will let small kids get on the rail in front of us, but are finding it more and more difficult to be generous. More and more parents try to follow them.

 

[sleepydog25]

My DD4, DW, and I just returned from a trip to VWL from 10-15 Apr. Wow. What a fine time to go to WDW, eh? We missed the spring break crowds and hit the parks before summer throngs take over. The weather was darn near picture perfect and the crowds smallish. We enjoy VWL so much that we can't convince ourselves to try anywhere else.

We enjoyed SOARIN' as the first day of the sneak peek was our last day in the parks--we actually flew back home that afternoon. A fun "ride" and a worthy addition to the Disney pantheon of attractions. As for tired kids, we didn't do any late EMHs for the very reason Cmadsen mentioned--you are asking for a meltdown if you keep young children up and out too late. Sure, we'll do later events, such as FANTASMIC or WISHES, but we make sure the DD4 takes a nap that afternoon, and we don't keep her out any later than we have to in order to watch those shows. On the other hand, she's an early riser, so making the morning EMHs are a breeze and we'll do more in that one hour than we get done the rest of the day.

Overall, folks were nice, accomodating, and not too pushy, but we did have a small episode during SPECTRO/WISHES. We were along Main Street, curbside, and in the second "row" so to speak. Our DD4 was in a small stroller and we were behind a family with three sons, and they had staked out great seats right on the curb. They all sat which allowed our family great views of SPECTRO. Once the parade started, however, a family of 7 or 8 decided to try to push in front, muscling by folks behind us and coming up to my left trying to elbow in front of me. Didn't work, as I wasn't budging. Being a retired military type, I wasn't going to relinquish a spot we had been in for nearly an hour. I'm not mean nor intimidating, but I refuse to be pushed around due to another's lack of planning and forethought. But that incident was the exception during our visit.

However, I do have one pet peeve to mention, and no offense to those who use them on a regular basis, but can't we do without cell phones for just a few short hours each day, for a week, while we're in the parks? Somehow, it seems so distracting and counterproductive to the whole notion behind what a vacation is and what Disney is supposed to be all about. There were literally scores of people each day who talked incessantly on their cell phones, and while not terribly distracting in a physical sense, it filled me with a sense of sadness that we are so tied to device that we can't let it go to for a few days. I know, I know. Many folks use them to help coordinate their movements within a park when they have large groups or several family members all wishing to do separate rides. That's all fine and good. But, you know what? Before cell phones the old method of "meet me at IASW in two hours" seemed to work just fine. In fact, to me, that's part of the essence of the Disney experience, not being emotionally dependent upon a piece of plasticized electronics. No, I'm not a Luddite and, yes, I own a cell phone--two, in fact. But, carrying them in the parks? Nahhh.

All in all, the trip to WDW couldn't have gone much better. Our PS's went off without a hitch; our DD4 had a thoroughly divine time (as did DW and I); the CMs were largely helpful and attentive; and we actually enjoyed our vacation time rather than worry over what we couldn't fit in during this trip. Viva la VWL!

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Ms. Sparrow aka Allison

 

[twotoohappy]

Thanks for the report We love the lodge too. We just came back and I've decided that April is just too crowded for us. We'll stick to off season. We'll be at VWL the first week of Dec. to see the great Christmas decorations too

 

[TEXASPRINCESSES]

Ok..those of you just back from VWL--what studios did you have as we are trying to request a QUIET one for our first half of our June trip--the second half is a 1-bedroom at Boardwalk! I am one of those freaks that will walk further and be inconvenienced for peace and quiet--it is so important to me on vacation.

 

[Cmadsen]

Hope I'm not transposing this number...I believe it was 3563. Long hallway but well worth the quiet...and it was dedicated. Want to mention, too, that housekeeping was excellent, as usual!