we went the 20th and left this morning. We had such an amazing time. We went two years ago in January, and we had so much more fun this time. Here are a couple of my thoughts on the week. Sorry this turned out longer than I thought it would. Don't know if I have too much info or not.
-AM EMH are must dos for us from now on (didn't last time). HS on Sunday we rode RNRC twice, tot, star tours a couple times, let my nephew play in the playground, ride great movie ride, saw Indian jones ate lunch and were at Epcot by 1. Monday went to AK and rode Everest three times and the safari and were in MK by 930. We missed the AM EMH Thursday and Friday because we were out late the nights before, but wish we could've made them too.
-hoppers and afternoon FP are also a must for us (once again didn't last time). When we hopped to Epcot Sunday we rode TT then did FPs for spaceship, nemo, and TT again. We also explored innovations and relaxed before dinner at 6. It was a jam packed day, but couldn't have went smoother. No waiting at all. The rest of the week was the same with FP. Rode early at one park, then took advantage of FP when crowds were heavier. Even days we didn't get out early we enjoyed the FP in the afternoon.
-hoppers were amazing. Went to three parks two days. Yeah, it was tiring, but we didn't wait long for buses and it all just flowed amazingly. The hoppers let us take it easy knowing we could go back to any park at any time.
-crowds were manageable. HS studios was getting packed when we left Sunday at noonish. Monday and Friday at MK were kind of a mess after noon. Long waits for everything (small world was 45 minutes when we walked by Monday afternoon). Wednesday AM it rained and called for rain later so MK was slow. We got so much done. Took some dollar tree ponchos (which we ended up not needing) and went about our day. I recommend going to parks when it's raining or change if this was the norm. Other than early morning and rain the parks were not slow like I've heard they used to be, but they were mostly manageable.
- cast members were all great. No one really went out of their way, but any time we asked a question we were helped and felt like the genuinely cared.
- we went to DS Thursday night and leaving was an absolute disaster (we were there sat afternoon and went smooth). We tried to leave about 1030 to sports and waited about 40 minutes with no bus. All stars were sharing and the line was RIDICULOUS. It stretched through probably 5 long zig zags then back through the walkway probably quarter way up the bus terminal. They did bring two buses when they came and we were near the end of the second, but (no exaggeration) they probably needed at least 6 buses to get everyone out. I wonder how long the people behind us had to wait. While we waited we saw port Orleans 4 times, and Coronado 3. I'm usually mild mannered but I was pretty mad. Clearly someone dropped the ball.
-buses were pretty awesome other than that. One day leaving sports we waited about 40 minutes for an MK bus and one evening leaving Hs We waited quite a bit but it was after fireworks. We shared quite a bit coming back to the resort from the park (not evenings more afternoon) but other than going to DS Thursday night we never shared going somewhere. Even sharing on the way back was no issue. They kept the buses coming fast.
-sports was an ok resort. I prefer something a little roomier/nicer but it was nice saving a bit of money. We stayed AOA and CR and while they are much nicer, we really only slept and swam a bit so no need for the nicer room.
-just an FYI. We did resort check in and when we got to the tsa agent two of our five boarding passes wouldn't scan. He said it happens quite often for people who use Disney check in. Not sure how that could happen, but he knew right away we came from a Disney resort when it didn't scan. We had to go print another boarding pass and wait in line another twenty minutes to get through. Luckily we were early as it was almost an hour ordeal to get through security all told. So if I were you (and we will next time) print out boarding passes on your own (even if they give you them) just to be safe.
-really enjoyed FOF MSEP parades. I'm not a parade person but watched both twice. Also loved wishes, Star Wars fireworks, and fantasmic (didn't make illuminations).
So sorry for the ramble. Hope I didn't bore everyone. I enjoyed reading people's experiences before I went, so figured I'd add mine.
-AM EMH are must dos for us from now on (didn't last time). HS on Sunday we rode RNRC twice, tot, star tours a couple times, let my nephew play in the playground, ride great movie ride, saw Indian jones ate lunch and were at Epcot by 1. Monday went to AK and rode Everest three times and the safari and were in MK by 930. We missed the AM EMH Thursday and Friday because we were out late the nights before, but wish we could've made them too.
-hoppers and afternoon FP are also a must for us (once again didn't last time). When we hopped to Epcot Sunday we rode TT then did FPs for spaceship, nemo, and TT again. We also explored innovations and relaxed before dinner at 6. It was a jam packed day, but couldn't have went smoother. No waiting at all. The rest of the week was the same with FP. Rode early at one park, then took advantage of FP when crowds were heavier. Even days we didn't get out early we enjoyed the FP in the afternoon.
-hoppers were amazing. Went to three parks two days. Yeah, it was tiring, but we didn't wait long for buses and it all just flowed amazingly. The hoppers let us take it easy knowing we could go back to any park at any time.
-crowds were manageable. HS studios was getting packed when we left Sunday at noonish. Monday and Friday at MK were kind of a mess after noon. Long waits for everything (small world was 45 minutes when we walked by Monday afternoon). Wednesday AM it rained and called for rain later so MK was slow. We got so much done. Took some dollar tree ponchos (which we ended up not needing) and went about our day. I recommend going to parks when it's raining or change if this was the norm. Other than early morning and rain the parks were not slow like I've heard they used to be, but they were mostly manageable.
- cast members were all great. No one really went out of their way, but any time we asked a question we were helped and felt like the genuinely cared.
- we went to DS Thursday night and leaving was an absolute disaster (we were there sat afternoon and went smooth). We tried to leave about 1030 to sports and waited about 40 minutes with no bus. All stars were sharing and the line was RIDICULOUS. It stretched through probably 5 long zig zags then back through the walkway probably quarter way up the bus terminal. They did bring two buses when they came and we were near the end of the second, but (no exaggeration) they probably needed at least 6 buses to get everyone out. I wonder how long the people behind us had to wait. While we waited we saw port Orleans 4 times, and Coronado 3. I'm usually mild mannered but I was pretty mad. Clearly someone dropped the ball.
-buses were pretty awesome other than that. One day leaving sports we waited about 40 minutes for an MK bus and one evening leaving Hs We waited quite a bit but it was after fireworks. We shared quite a bit coming back to the resort from the park (not evenings more afternoon) but other than going to DS Thursday night we never shared going somewhere. Even sharing on the way back was no issue. They kept the buses coming fast.
-sports was an ok resort. I prefer something a little roomier/nicer but it was nice saving a bit of money. We stayed AOA and CR and while they are much nicer, we really only slept and swam a bit so no need for the nicer room.
-just an FYI. We did resort check in and when we got to the tsa agent two of our five boarding passes wouldn't scan. He said it happens quite often for people who use Disney check in. Not sure how that could happen, but he knew right away we came from a Disney resort when it didn't scan. We had to go print another boarding pass and wait in line another twenty minutes to get through. Luckily we were early as it was almost an hour ordeal to get through security all told. So if I were you (and we will next time) print out boarding passes on your own (even if they give you them) just to be safe.
-really enjoyed FOF MSEP parades. I'm not a parade person but watched both twice. Also loved wishes, Star Wars fireworks, and fantasmic (didn't make illuminations).
So sorry for the ramble. Hope I didn't bore everyone. I enjoyed reading people's experiences before I went, so figured I'd add mine.
