Just back -- my thoughts

[tjevans]

Hi, everyone. We got back over the weekend from DS7's first trip to WDW (Oct. 30-Nov. 5). Here are my thoughts on several places/attractions there. The guests were DW (pregnant), DS, and myself.

Downtown Disney -- I went to DTD for the first time on this trip. If you love to shop at Disney World, as do I, then this is the place for you. The soda fountain is one of my favorite places on property.

Old Key West -- We stayed here and loved it. It was the first time I had ever stayed on property. The only bad thing were the busses. It seems there are too few of them serving OKW, and OKW's distance from the theme parks makes it that much worse. For example. We went to the bus stop at 8:00 to go to AK. A bus for AK did not get there until 8:40 (busses for all other theme parks came by three times during our wait), and we did not get to AK until 8:57. We missed the park opening ceremony because of this.

Buzz Lightyear -- I didn't see what the hub bub was about. I definitely do not like this ride. Bring back if you had wings!

Stitch's Great Escape -- Loved it. Seems I'm in the minority, but I just love Stitch!

MNSSHP: Great time. Got lots of candy. Loved hallowishes.

Fantasmic: First time to see Fantasmic, and I will see it again! It definitely pays to do the Fantasmic Dining Package as we did not have to wait in line to know we would have a seat.

Test Track: Great ride! Rode it 6 times that day until we got the perfect picture!

Mission Space: Another great ride! DS and I love it! Rode it twice that day.

Soarin: I loved it, and can't wait for the new film.

Animal Kingdom: This was my first time at AK. I was very disappointed. I think part of this comes from the fact this was our last park. We were tired and didn't want to take the time to "savor" the park and observe the animals. I got called on stage to participate in the "Flights of Wonder" show. MGM is still my least favorite park, but AK gives it fierce competition in that category. I was especially disappointed in Festival of the Lion King. I was expecting something more like Voyage of the Little Mermaid, which is one of my favorite attractions.

Well, these are only my thoughts and ymmv.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Thanks for your reviews! I love to read what people liked/didn't like. Did your family all have different favorites??

 

[tjevans]

Thanks for your reviews! I love to read what people liked/didn't like. Did your family all have different favorites??

DW and I pretty much shared opinions, except she loves Buzz Lightyear. DS said his favorite attractions at each park were MK -- Buzz; MGM -- Star Tours; Ep -- Spaceship Earth (go figure!); AK -- the Safari.

For those touring pregnant, DW went on some of the rides that have warnings. She had no problem on Test Track and Soarin'. Test Track is easier than her morning commute, and Soarin' is so gentle I don't see why it has a warning.

Two more things to add: At MK, you must see Philar-Magic! It's great! Be sure to look for the hidden mickey on the instruments surrounding the screen. At AK, don't waste your time on Kali River Rapids. I've been on a much better rapids rides at Dollywood. It really disappointed me if this was the best Disney could come up with on a rapids ride.

 

[eblack0409]

I think it's always good to hear the good and bad things about Disney. While I agree with your thoughts on almost everything...AK is my least favorite park too...just not enough there...I absolutely HATED Stitch's Great Escape....but if everyone liked the same things the world would be boring....

I am glad you had a good time!

 

[Tigger2252]

We love Animal Kingdom and MGM. Most of our favorite rides are at MGM and we really enjoyed the shows at AK, particularly Lion King. We love Dinosaur, It's a Bug's Life, Devine, the Safari, and the overall "feel" of the park. We felt we were able to take it at a much less frenetic pace than we do MK and enjoyed the scenery, the Tree of Life, etc. The kids enjoyed going to Raffiki's Planet Watch and looking at the displays. They enjoyed playing the drums with the CMs, watching Flights of Wonder, and going on the walking tour. That's the best part of "The World". There is something for everyone's taste!

 

[danny1649]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Nank]

Thanks for your report.

I'm the opposite, however, HATED Stitch, LOVED Buzz!

 

[TeresaP]

Thanks for your review - the differences in all of our opinions is what make Disney so great - it seems they have something that we all love and something that we all hate.

I have to agree with some of the others - we were there in September and rode Stitch after my hubby's co-worker stated how much they loved it (they were there in Aug) - I HATED IT!!! the entire time I could not wait for it to end. It seemed like every child in the place was crying or screaming. The aweful smells stayed with us the rest of the day - I don't know if it was in my hair or what - I would never ride it again.

I loved the Festival of the Lion King. AK is great if you can catch it on a cooler day and the animal are out and about. If it is hot - its a tough park to go through because of its size. I was amazed with Dinosaur - each time we road it we would always have a child and/or adult on the ride with us that was horrified. It is definately not a ride to take fearful children or adults on. Pretty realistic.

I used to work for Disney (Human Resources) in the late 80's and I have to admit everytime we return its like I am back home again - I look back now and wish we would not had gotten home sick and moved back to WV - at the stage we are at in our lives now - I would love to be back.

 

[Schmeck]

What do you mean by the 'soda fountain' in DTD? Ghiradhelli's (sp?) Chocolates, or Goofy's Candy Store, or something else I don't know about?

 

[tjevans]

What do you mean by the 'soda fountain' in DTD? Ghiradhelli's (sp?) Chocolates, or Goofy's Candy Store, or something else I don't know about?

That's it, Ghiardhelli's (or however it's spelled) soda fountain. Maybe the ice cream wasn't the absolute best, but I just love ice cream parlors and soda fountains like that.

BTW, I hope no one has interpreted my original post as putting down those who don't share my opinions. As someone said, the world would be boring if everyone liked the same things.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Surprised you didn't like Festival of the Lion King, but have to agree that the Kali River Rapids ride is way too short ... the one at Dollywood is much better!

 

[tjevans]

Surprised you didn't like Festival of the Lion King, but have to agree that the Kali River Rapids ride is way too short ... the one at Dollywood is much better!

I probably would have liked it if I had researched it more and known what to expect. I was expecting a watered down version of the broadway musical.