nemodeb
Fish are friends.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2014
- Messages
- 145
Just wanted to give a mini report to share our observations/experience. DH and I, May 7-18. We go every year for F&G, but missed last year due to a family illness.
Overall experience: fantastic!
Magic Bands: Convenient. Was nice not having to dig out a card for purchases or park entry.
Fast Pass: Mostly good. I was able to make them 60 days out, change them online, or change times on the go in the parks with the app. We did not use the kiosks to make new/additional FPs. I made two FPs for SDMT during our stay. We rode it two additional times via standby. Both SB wait times were under 30 or 40 minutes. It just depends on when you go (evenings were shorter). We bided our time and caught shorter wait periods.
SDMT: my new favorite ride. I'm a coaster wuss, don't ride RRC or EE, but I do like BTM and Barnstormer. SDMT was, to me, just a bit challenging, but very fun. I was able to put my hands in the air (like I just do not care)
for the first time ever on a coaster. Smooth, curvy, very fun.
Absolutely loved the Star Wars fire works show. We didn't do anything else for SW Weekend as we are not diehard fans. The movies are entertaining and enjoyable, but we're not fanatical about them. But the fireworks were "out of this world". Great shells!
Loved the new Illuminations lasers.
People: at times a bit crowded, but we rolled with it. Everyone was pretty much nice, well behaved, and enjoying themselves. All good cast member experiences and interactions.
Flower and Garden: Missed having HGTV speakers, but the ones we did see were informative. Loved seeing all the little instructional gardens throughout Epcot. Hope they keep doing those. Of course, all the flowers and landscaping were beautiful. Loved the food booths too!
Tours: we did Gardens of the World, Magic Behind our Steam Trains, and Segway Wilderness Experience. Oh, and Behind the Seeds, where we had a "tour date" because it was just DH and me and the intern. Love them all! Had great tour guides, very informative and knowledgeable. For the Segway tour, there were only three of us, plus the two guides.
Construction: We didn't explore DD West Side, just from the new bridge over to the Marketplace. Really like how the walkways are opened up with the new bridge. Good improvement there. Walls at AK were a bit distracting and limiting, as people have said. Park didn't have the wild feel we're used to. But we did like how the viewing for the front of the ToL was opened up. I do miss all the trails around the tree. Seems like they are all closed off expect for ITTBAB path and the main east to west path. I remember other paths that meandered through the woods. We do like FoLK's new location, a good extension to Harambe. Didn't get to see new Harambe Marketplace, as it wasn't opened yet. Darn, just missed it, but it'll be there next time. MK construction seemed mostly out of the way. New hub is nice.
Overall we had a great time, ate lots, did lots, even with standby lines we felt we were able to do a bunch. Did we do everything? No, but we aren't pushing to. We're "live in the moment" type of people and we enjoyed every moment. We do all our favorites, and the rest is bonus. And yes, there were many occasions where we still felt the Magic.
Coronado Springs: our home. CMs were all nice. A little saddened by the changes in Pepper Market (we didn't mind the small gratuity when they got our drinks and bussed our tables). Less choices for food than before, but the food was good. On our arrival night, I had the tacos, which were fantastic IMHO. Also later had the nachos which were also really good. Didn't try the other entrees (burgers and such) as we weren't eating there that often. Breakfast was pretty standard. We ate a couple breakfasts there, but mostly cereal in our room (money saving tip).
Another money saving tip is that DH and I shared and split some meals. Allowed both of us to try different things and stretched the dollars. Especially with the F&G food booths. Splitting those little things allowed us to try more of them.
Hope this helps you all with your planning. Just wanted to share that a great time is still possible. We're positive people, so we keep up a good attitude. The magic will find you.
Overall experience: fantastic!
Magic Bands: Convenient. Was nice not having to dig out a card for purchases or park entry.
Fast Pass: Mostly good. I was able to make them 60 days out, change them online, or change times on the go in the parks with the app. We did not use the kiosks to make new/additional FPs. I made two FPs for SDMT during our stay. We rode it two additional times via standby. Both SB wait times were under 30 or 40 minutes. It just depends on when you go (evenings were shorter). We bided our time and caught shorter wait periods.
SDMT: my new favorite ride. I'm a coaster wuss, don't ride RRC or EE, but I do like BTM and Barnstormer. SDMT was, to me, just a bit challenging, but very fun. I was able to put my hands in the air (like I just do not care)
for the first time ever on a coaster. Smooth, curvy, very fun.Absolutely loved the Star Wars fire works show. We didn't do anything else for SW Weekend as we are not diehard fans. The movies are entertaining and enjoyable, but we're not fanatical about them. But the fireworks were "out of this world". Great shells!
Loved the new Illuminations lasers.
People: at times a bit crowded, but we rolled with it. Everyone was pretty much nice, well behaved, and enjoying themselves. All good cast member experiences and interactions.
Flower and Garden: Missed having HGTV speakers, but the ones we did see were informative. Loved seeing all the little instructional gardens throughout Epcot. Hope they keep doing those. Of course, all the flowers and landscaping were beautiful. Loved the food booths too!
Tours: we did Gardens of the World, Magic Behind our Steam Trains, and Segway Wilderness Experience. Oh, and Behind the Seeds, where we had a "tour date" because it was just DH and me and the intern. Love them all! Had great tour guides, very informative and knowledgeable. For the Segway tour, there were only three of us, plus the two guides.
Construction: We didn't explore DD West Side, just from the new bridge over to the Marketplace. Really like how the walkways are opened up with the new bridge. Good improvement there. Walls at AK were a bit distracting and limiting, as people have said. Park didn't have the wild feel we're used to. But we did like how the viewing for the front of the ToL was opened up. I do miss all the trails around the tree. Seems like they are all closed off expect for ITTBAB path and the main east to west path. I remember other paths that meandered through the woods. We do like FoLK's new location, a good extension to Harambe. Didn't get to see new Harambe Marketplace, as it wasn't opened yet. Darn, just missed it, but it'll be there next time. MK construction seemed mostly out of the way. New hub is nice.
Overall we had a great time, ate lots, did lots, even with standby lines we felt we were able to do a bunch. Did we do everything? No, but we aren't pushing to. We're "live in the moment" type of people and we enjoyed every moment. We do all our favorites, and the rest is bonus. And yes, there were many occasions where we still felt the Magic.
Coronado Springs: our home. CMs were all nice. A little saddened by the changes in Pepper Market (we didn't mind the small gratuity when they got our drinks and bussed our tables). Less choices for food than before, but the food was good. On our arrival night, I had the tacos, which were fantastic IMHO. Also later had the nachos which were also really good. Didn't try the other entrees (burgers and such) as we weren't eating there that often. Breakfast was pretty standard. We ate a couple breakfasts there, but mostly cereal in our room (money saving tip).
Another money saving tip is that DH and I shared and split some meals. Allowed both of us to try different things and stretched the dollars. Especially with the F&G food booths. Splitting those little things allowed us to try more of them.
Hope this helps you all with your planning. Just wanted to share that a great time is still possible. We're positive people, so we keep up a good attitude. The magic will find you.
