Just Back - Highs & Lows

[RJMC]

Hello all - just returned, and will be doing a trip report with pics, but before I begin that just wanted to give you my personal highs and lows summary

Highs

• Having some quality - high energy quality family time together
• Halloween Party Night - always a blast, despite the high price
• Universal - we had never done this before, and really enjoyed two days there
• Water Parks - Have done them before, but they are still as fantastic as ever, and no one should miss a few days at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach - quite simply the best water parks in the world
• Rope Drops - Remain the best way to get the best value, and we were always at the parks before they opened, got loads done, and then back to the hotel pool for afternoon when the crowds got crazy
• New Fantasyland - We got in to see this and do all of the attractions, and although not earth shattering, it was nice to experience a new part of the park - (Area is stunning, Enchanted Tales is excellent, Undersea Adventure was a little underwhelming, Lefou's Brew tastes like medicine).

Lows

• Epcot Future World - somehow seems to have lost something, and felt a bit lacking in atmosphere (World Showcase still fab though)
• Cast Members - I felt that they generally seemed to lack some of the sincerity, excitement and courtesy that I once used to experience from staff at WDW. Appearance was also not as 'well turned out' as it used to be - but then again neither is mine !!!.
• Food Quality - just didn't seem to be as high a standard as it has been in past, and although service was always consistent/good, it wasn't amazing (and feel the automatic 18% tip that gets added to the bill may have something to do with this)
• PhotoPass - Just seemed less of them around, and looking at my pics tonight, the quality is OK, but not as good as I feel it used to be. They also used to have photographers out at resorts and waterparks - but none this time
• Flight Home - unfortunately we were on a Virgin Flight which encountered some technical difficulties halfway over the Atlantic, and had to do an emergency diversion / landing in Shannon, which meant an overnight there, and then had to re-board same plane following day - slightly stressful end to the holiday!

 

[Chilly]

Not the best way to end your holiday but at least it wasn't on the way out.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thanks for posting highs and lows - I enjoy reading these Shame about the flight home, but the main thing is you got back!!!

I think the dining plan has a lot to answer for at WDW - we have never had it and think the food quality and prices has been affected by it for the worse for those who pay cash

 

[jen_uk]

Sounds like a good trip apart from the flight back

What was the weather like?

 

[RJMC]

Sounds like a good trip apart from the flight back

What was the weather like?

Apart from 2 cool/windy days in middle, weather was sunny, clear and warm throughout. No rain even though it was forecast a few times. Second week got very hot just before we left.

Afternoons on most days spent by the pool. Temperatures averaged high 70s low 80s. But I have been before in Oct when it's been much hotter and much more humid than on this trip.