Just Back......opinions.....

[Jblust524]

OK...just got back from WDW yesterday after spending a week at POR. I'll make this as quick as i can:

Resort

Pros:
POR is beautiful and the pictures definately do not do it justice
Pool area is fantastic
Pool bar is large, not crowded and makes good drinks
I loved the evening entertainment (WL and AKL where we'd previously stayed didn't have this) in the bar
Lots of entertainment options at resort including bikes, boats and carriage rides
Wonderful QS options (one of the best meals we had)
Boatrights was better than expected

Cons:
Rooms were small and outdated
Beds were not that comfortable (I know this is due for refurbishment)

From our three trips of staying onsite we'd rate it AKL, POR then WL

Parks:

Been there, done that.......all the parks are in desperate need of something new
AK - group we were with (group of 14) felt ripped off that htis park closed at 6PM, are you kidding?!?!?!?
AK = feels unfinished (kids asked, why are there dragons on the sign are there dragons in the park [said excitedly], my answer, no)
DHS - Lights Motors Action = boring
DHS = feels unfinished
DHS = group loved Fantasmic
DHS = 50's Primetime = Great, but depends on your waiter!
MK = looking forward to FLE being completed...were able to do most every ride by 10pm....this included dinner (something new is needed)
EPCOT = Kim Possible = kids thought would be stupid, but loved it....(it was pretty cool_
EPCOT = WS = needs a ride or some reason beyond shopping to go back there
EPCOT = do innoventions.....worth a look and has some very cool stuff
EPCOT = Test Track, is that it?
EPCOT = Mission Space = WOW, that was awesome!

There you go....snapshot of our trip...any questions?

 

[Bradsdadg]

Interesting opinions. AK is usually closed at 5 when we go, so 6 is actually a little later. But it is something we know way in advance and don't see a problem with it. I guess I would just say that I like WS the way it is. I don't think it needs more then the 2 rides that are already there. Because it isn't about rides. It's about experiences. We like TT alot for what it is, maybe they could update the pre video show, but that is about it. And I can't wait to try out Kim Possible. But overall, thanks for your report.

 

[Lehuaann]

I agree with you on POR.

I've never noticed Dragons on the AK sign. Need to check that out.

There are two rides in WS; Maelstrom (Norway) and The Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride (Mexico).

We've never been able to see Lights, Motors, Action...always on our to-do list but never happens. However, we WILL go next trip. It'll be a bummer if it's boring.

 

[stamot]

Interesting! I dont actually agree. But I will say that the closing time for Animal Kingdom is to make sure that the animals rest. If they stay open until late it will be a bad for the animals health because they need the dark to rest.

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks for your updates! I disagree about WS though..It is fine as is ( though another attraction wouldn't hurt).Plenty of entertainment back there and things to see..But different strokes for different folks

 

[Lehuaann]

Interesting! I dont actually agree. But I will say that the closing time for Animal Kingdom is to make sure that the animals rest. If they stay open until late it will be a bad for the animals health because they need the dark to rest.

That's the thing, they used to stay open late until 8 (9?) for extra magic hours up until early this year. I don't believe there an official answer as to why they've changed it. If there is, I haven't heard it.

 

[stitch1094]

FWIW, myself (40) and my 2 boys (6 and 4) LOVED Motor Cars. It was one of their favorite experiences last trip and they still bring it up from time to time. What boy doesn't love fast cars, motorcycles, gun fights, men on fire and explosions!

 

[John Tag]

I also see same thing with above poster, Epcot has 2 rides in the World..No less the little shows and small things like train display ect. Our kids love to expoler Epcot World with there Masks or Passports to enjoy each country exp.

Ak, Yes there usally short days..But we always find it a great exp. The Morning Safari ride when animals are most active in am is amazing..Same with closing hrs. The shows are great as well.

LMA, Well that is always fun never dull seeing a car drive off a building or cars sliding with in inches of eachotehr backwards ect..even thou we have do that 3 time already and plan again next week.

But, Ea person does have there own idea of fun.

 

[Jblust524]

I should have been more clear...I know WS has two rides, but the opinions I gave were based upon firsttimers reactions to WDW.....they didn't see the boat rides as rides per se.....and they liked WS and the experiences, shows and what not, just the an additional rides would make it more worthwhile.

 

[Jblust524]

I also see same thing with above poster, Epcot has 2 rides in the World..No less the little shows and small things like train display ect. Our kids love to expoler Epcot World with there Masks or Passports to enjoy each country exp.

Ak, Yes there usally short days..But we always find it a great exp. The Morning Safari ride when animals are most active in am is amazing..Same with closing hrs. The shows are great as well.

LMA, Well that is always fun never dull seeing a car drive off a building or cars sliding with in inches of eachotehr backwards ect..even thou we have do that 3 time already and plan again next week.

But, Ea person does have there own idea of fun.

I agree with your statement on LMA - it just didn't seem to rev up the crowd we were with....and it definately fit the demographic....bots 7-8 and girls 8-10.....but all said, it sucked the life out of them. Now that being said, they really liked the Indiana Jones show....

 

[RobDIS]

My wife had the exact same reaction to Test Track. I think it had been hyped up way too much and she was expecting something more thrilling.

LMA and the bird show at AK were my least favorite shows. I'll likely skip both on future visits, but they are certainly worth checking out for anyone who has never seen them.

 

[RalphinSC]

Nailed Test Track for me.

Honestly, you can get a bigger thrill and a real sense of danger just from driving I-4 to Disney. Can't beleive people wait in line for an hour-plus for something they could do in the parking lot trying to beat the rush out after Illuminations. Like you, I thought Mission space was wonderful and I'm not sure how Test Track stacks up in the same breath. MS is my favorite attraction at Epcot.

also agree with the incomplete assessments for AK and DHS. The good news is that both parks will probably grow significantly in the future.

Disagree about MK being too little to do. I spent two full days there and still feel that I missed a lot of the smaller things. But i'm looking forward to the FLE too.

Didn't get enough WS time in last trip. It's just a different experience from other parks and very unique.

 

[HsvTeacher]

That's the thing, they used to stay open late until 8 (9?) for extra magic hours up until early this year. I don't believe there an official answer as to why they've changed it. If there is, I haven't heard it.

AK was open until 7:00pm on April 15 and until 8:00pm on April 16. They usually have the longer hours during busier times of the year. (They were also open late when we were there in December.)

 

[Jblust524]

Other additions:

Food:

50's Prime Time = food WAY better than anticipated
Boatwrights = an overlooked gem!
Cosmic Rays = love the condiment bar
Raglan Road = Very nice and loved the entertainment
San Angel Inn = Once again, neat atmosphere, food is junk (third try, trust my opinion)
Teppen Edo = good, but hibachi is hibachi, not Disneyesque enough
POR QS = AWESOME!!! serisouly.......

Other things....

Saw a family in full burka (however this is spelled ) which sparked some controvery within our group....as in, is it ok to wear this at WDW (for the record, I said heck no, I don't care what their belief is, is subjegation of women, yet all the women in the group defended it......go figure)

Hounted manion que was cool and got to see the new ending, also cool...

Tiki Room sign still says 'under new management' someone prviously stated that it was pulled...it is not!

Kali River Rapids has changed a lot since I first rode it years ago (it's worse...you don't get as wet and I would swear at one point, there were water spouts that poured on you...general take, way too short)

Typhoon Lagoon WAY better than Blizzard Beach = Blizzard Beach would be better but there seems to be more lines....

I'll try to think of other takes....

 

[sharona]

Interesting! I dont actually agree. But I will say that the closing time for Animal Kingdom is to make sure that the animals rest. If they stay open until late it will be a bad for the animals health because they need the dark to rest.

They could easily keep the shows and few rides going w/out disturbing the "residents". Maybe the crowds were not there after 5pm to warrant the expense of keeping the gates open. Most people tag AK as a 1/2 day or 3/4 day park...

The cynic in me thinks the early closing of AK earns WDW a lot of money in park hoppers.

 

[sharona]

OK...just got back from WDW yesterday after spending a week at POR. I'll make this as quick as i can:

Resort

Pros:
POR is beautiful and the pictures definately do not do it justice
Pool area is fantastic
Pool bar is large, not crowded and makes good drinks
I loved the evening entertainment (WL and AKL where we'd previously stayed didn't have this) in the bar
Lots of entertainment options at resort including bikes, boats and carriage rides
Wonderful QS options (one of the best meals we had)
Boatrights was better than expected

Cons:
Rooms were small and outdated
Beds were not that comfortable (I know this is due for refurbishment)

From our three trips of staying onsite we'd rate it AKL, POR then WL

Parks:

Been there, done that.......all the parks are in desperate need of something new
AK - group we were with (group of 14) felt ripped off that htis park closed at 6PM, are you kidding?!?!?!?
AK = feels unfinished (kids asked, why are there dragons on the sign are there dragons in the park [said excitedly], my answer, no)
DHS - Lights Motors Action = boring
DHS = feels unfinished
DHS = group loved Fantasmic
DHS = 50's Primetime = Great, but depends on your waiter!
MK = looking forward to FLE being completed...were able to do most every ride by 10pm....this included dinner (something new is needed)
EPCOT = Kim Possible = kids thought would be stupid, but loved it....(it was pretty cool_
EPCOT = WS = needs a ride or some reason beyond shopping to go back there
EPCOT = do innoventions.....worth a look and has some very cool stuff
EPCOT = Test Track, is that it?
EPCOT = Mission Space = WOW, that was awesome!

There you go....snapshot of our trip...any questions?

Agree about POR food and entertainment - both were excellent. Happy to hear everyone liked F! as we're seeing it for the first time in a few weeks and so many have labeled it overrated.

Sounds like you skipped a lot in MK and WS.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

The cynic in me thinks the early closing of AK earns WDW a lot of money in park hoppers.

Interesting point! When we went in September and for our upcoming trip we are going to DTD after AK. In September AK closed at 5 pm. In May it will close at 6 pm. I planned out our AK day and I figure we'll be out of there after the 3:45 parade.

 

[Jblust524]

And one more important thing........

SCOOTERS HAVE GOT TO GO!!! We all agreed as three in our party were hit by them....you gotta be freaking kidding me how many of these damn things there are....Wall E must have been created after seeing WDW!

I even started singing 'Convoy' as I saw a line of scooters all puttering down the walk (like 6 in a row)...I"m sorry that people are too fat or otherwise injured who need these things, but there has got to be a better way.

One of our group stated they should have a scooter lane much like a bike lane...this actually has some merit!

 

[CurlyJo224]

And one more important thing........

SCOOTERS HAVE GOT TO GO!!! We all agreed as three in our party were hit by them....you gotta be freaking kidding me how many of these damn things there are....Wall E must have been created after seeing WDW!

I even started singing 'Convoy' as I saw a line of scooters all puttering down the walk (like 6 in a row)...I"m sorry that people are too fat or otherwise injured who need these things, but there has got to be a better way.

One of our group stated they should have a scooter lane much like a bike lane...this actually has some merit!

Just be glad you don't need one. For a lot of people, it's either rent a scooter, or don't do Disney.

 

[Lehuaann]

AK was open until 7:00pm on April 15 and until 8:00pm on April 16. They usually have the longer hours during busier times of the year. (They were also open late when we were there in December.)

I know they extend general public hours for busier timeframes, however, I was referring to AK pm EMHs which seems to have changed across the board.

For the first time in our Sep/Oct trip history we will have no AK pm EMH's during the two weeks we will be there. AK closes at 5 pm every night. We used to have at least 2-3 AK 8 pm EMH park closings, not this year.