Just back - the good, the bad, and the ehh

[LilGMom]

We were at WDW from 12/6 - 12/11 and I hate to say that I'm sorta happy to be home. When we planned our trip we knew that we'd be there during PW but since we've been during that before we figured it would be no big deal and we wouldn't run into any of the PW groups. Not sure if there are more teams/groups now or what but we saw soooo many groups throughout the day that it wasn't funny. The last time we went during PW the only time we say any PW groups was during PM EMH. PW combined with the extended Free Dining (really wish they WDW wouldn't have done that) and other '5 for 3' (or whatever it is) promos that are running the crowds were much more than what we've grown accustomed to during the first half of December.

We noticed less Holiday decorations throughout the parks and my DH even commented that it didn't feel as Christmasy as usual. There seemed to be more snack places shut than usual, the waffle cones have once again gotten smaller, don't like WCC replacing their potato wedges with Trans-fat free tasteless potato cubes and replacing their yummy fluffy biscuits with low-fat biscuits - If I want to eat unhealthy food on vacation please don't take that away from me (first the white to wheat buns everywhere and now this). The kids menu at some of the CS places is extremely lacking and what is up with the pressed chicken parts for chicken nuggets? I miss the tasty real chicken finger type kids' meal for my kids.

Despite the above less-than-positive comments we still love WDW and are already looking forward to going back in 165 days. It just stinks that some of the little things are being scaled back sooo much and at a much more frequent rate since it is often the little things that can make a trip that much more magical.

 

[KevinCG316]

I read the bad and the ehh. Where was the good in that post??

 

[dreambound]

I read the bad and the ehh. Where was the good in that post??

Agreed!

 

[Kay1]

We've had trips we were happy to return from. It just happens sometimes. I'll bet your next will be better. You'll know not to order biscuits and potatoes for one thng.

 

[Lucky4me]

ITA about the BUNS!
They were awful at every counter service meal we had. I don't mind the whole wheat part of it, but they fell apart. You could not eat them like a regular sandwich. I got the point where I just cut them up with a knife and fork. They were dry and weird. If that's because they took out the fat, bring it back!!

 

[kmvand1]

I agree with you on the crowd perception! To me, it was comparable to the summer months! I just shake my head in confusion when I read people's posts saying "it was empty!"

 

[n2mm]

I agree with you on the crowd perception! To me, it was comparable to the summer months! I just shake my head in confusion when I read people's posts saying "it was empty!"

I agree. We too were there 12/4-12 and could not get home fast enough. The crowds were the worse we've ever seen (we do not go during holidays so can't compare). We generally go in early May, late October and other assorted dates and will happily stay away from December in the future.

 

[LilGMom]

I read the bad and the ehh. Where was the good in that post??

Guess I got sidetracked, sorry. Either that or the boss walked in.

The good things included the resort (absolutely AKV Kidani), just being at WDW and soaking in the atmosphere, watching my kids have fun, and all of our TS's were really good. Our PM EMH at MK was really good as was our PM EMH at DAK. Our trip had its ups and downs which was very similiar to the weather last week. The bad and ehh won't keep us from going back because we always find more good than bad which, unfortunately, my first post didn't mention.

 

[wdwtweets]

I'm sorry that you had a less-than-enjoyable vacation. I can't say that I'm surprised about the crowds, given all that's going on right now. I'm pretty sure that we will never buy the dining plan when DS gets older. I really couldn't see myself limiting him to the offerings on the kid's menu. I know that a lot of children are picky eaters and that's probably why the menus offer the selection that they do but we'll be ingpay out of pocket for real food for DS.

 

[mariepapa]

I'm sorry that you had a less-than-enjoyable vacation. I can't say that I'm surprised about the crowds, given all that's going on right now. I'm pretty sure that we will never buy the dining plan when DS gets older. I really couldn't see myself limiting him to the offerings on the kid's menu. I know that a lot of children are picky eaters and that's probably why the menus offer the selection that they do but we'll be ingpay out of pocket for real food for DS.

I have 2 girls, one 10 and one 8. The 8 year old is a picky eater and the 10 year old always wants to order off of the adult menu. The dining plan works for us but it is limited in what it offers younger children. I can see how it might not work for a lot of families but to us it is still less expensive than buying out of pocket for a lot of the meals.

 

[avic77]

the waffle cones have once again gotten smaller, don't like WCC replacing their potato wedges with Trans-fat free tasteless potato cubes and replacing their yummy fluffy biscuits with low-fat biscuits - If I want to eat unhealthy food on vacation please don't take that away from me (first the white to wheat buns everywhere and now this). The kids menu at some of the CS places is extremely lacking and what is up with the pressed chicken parts for chicken nuggets? I miss the tasty real chicken finger type kids' meal for my kids.

Public schools where I live started a whole healthy eating thing. The lunches no longer had a "dessert". Then they decided there could be no candy given to the kids as rewards, now the parties at the various holidays are not allowed any sort of unhealthy foods. No halloween candy no pizza no cupcakes. Last party my kids attended in Public school the treats were cheese cubes, chicken fingers with apple juice and fruit cups.

I think its rediculus! I understand eating healthy. However it should be my choice to do so or not to. That choice has been taken away. They really should have the OPTION of the wheat or white bun. We are after all paying for these things! I think I'll carefully select places that have something other then dry wheat bunned burgers

 

[nicki.momof3]

We were at WDW from 12/6 - 12/11 and I hate to say that I'm sorta happy to be home. When we planned our trip we knew that we'd be there during PW but since we've been during that before we figured it would be no big deal and we wouldn't run into any of the PW groups. Not sure if there are more teams/groups now or what but we saw soooo many groups throughout the day that it wasn't funny. The last time we went during PW the only time we say any PW groups was during PM EMH. PW combined with the extended Free Dining (really wish they WDW wouldn't have done that) and other '5 for 3' (or whatever it is) promos that are running the crowds were much more than what we've grown accustomed to during the first half of December.

We noticed less Holiday decorations throughout the parks and my DH even commented that it didn't feel as Christmasy as usual. There seemed to be more snack places shut than usual, the waffle cones have once again gotten smaller, don't like WCC replacing their potato wedges with Trans-fat free tasteless potato cubes and replacing their yummy fluffy biscuits with low-fat biscuits - If I want to eat unhealthy food on vacation please don't take that away from me (first the white to wheat buns everywhere and now this). The kids menu at some of the CS places is extremely lacking and what is up with the pressed chicken parts for chicken nuggets? I miss the tasty real chicken finger type kids' meal for my kids.

Despite the above less-than-positive comments we still love WDW and are already looking forward to going back in 165 days. It just stinks that some of the little things are being scaled back sooo much and at a much more frequent rate since it is often the little things that can make a trip that much more magical.

Maybe it is time to take a break from WDW. If potato wedges are enough to upset you than I would not return in 165 days. I did not read anythink "good' in your report. Save your $.

 

[Cedarmom]

I agree with you on the crowd perception! To me, it was comparable to the summer months! I just shake my head in confusion when I read people's posts saying "it was empty!"

We were there 12/2-12/9. One day, 12/4, it was pouring most of the day, but we went to Animal Kingdom anyway. We were there at rope drop (or close to it) and had Dinoland to ourselves for over an hour. My ILs didn't have to get off of Triceratop Spin for 45 minutes. We did Primeval Whirl twice in a row w/out getting off, and Dinosaur was a walkon both times we did it. We had an almost private meet and greet w/ Pluto and Goofy when they came out. EE was a walkon at about 11 am. The Safari was a walk on at 1 pm. NO one in the parks.

The next day, 12/5, we were at Epcot and rode Test Track for an hour w/ no wait (again, at rope drop). We got two sets of Soarin' FPs no problem. We walked into Turtle Talk just as it was starting at like 3:30 pm. We waited perhaps 10 minutes for Living w/ the Land right at lunchtime when that building was crazy packed w/ the lunch crowd.

Sunday, 12/6 was crazy busy at MK.

On 12/7, the only place we ever saw a crowd at HS was at TSMM. Every other ride in the park and all of the shows were walkon/walkin. We had FPs for RnR and used them, but didn't need them. In fact, the CM didn't even take them the first time thru.

We were at MK on 12/8 and had magic FPs good for any ride in the park b/c BTMRR had broken down on us on the 6th. We never even used them. Every ride we went to was a walkon (although we did get FPs for Buzz and BTMRR). We gave away the passes as we were leaving the park.

And since I've walked thru every other day, 12/3 was EMH for Mk (morning), and we were through Fantasyland in 1.5 hours (and only b/c we rode several rides several times), did Toontown and Tomorrowland, had lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern, and left the park at 2 pm b/c we'd done everything we wanted to do for the day.

I guess I call that empty? I dunno. It is weird that others had such different experiences on virtually the same days. Our only busy day was 12/6 at MK and once I saw the Jonas Brothers singing in the hub I knew we were in for it. Honestly, even the rides weren't bad that day. We got FPs for the big ones and took off to Tom Sawyer's Island at 3:30ish to wait for the parade (it was starting at 5 that day) b/c that side of the park had gotten busy.

 

[LilGMom]

Maybe it is time to take a break from WDW. If potato wedges are enough to upset you than I would not return in 165 days. I did not read anythink "good' in your report. Save your $.

The potato wedges didn't upset me, they are just one of the small changes that WDW has made recently that I don't really agree with. Give me the option of potato wedges that are full of trans-fat or potato cubes with no trans-fat. Give me the option of an unhealthy white bun that won't fall apart with my sandwhich or let me eat the wheat bun that you can't put down option. Would just like the choice - kinda like white milk or chocolate milk. And if you read a few posts after my original (Post #8 to be more specific) I mention some of the good parts of the trip, it wasn't all bad. My attention span today isn't the best as it is the first day back to work and part of my brain is thinking back to what we were doing at this time last week.

 

[puffkin]

I agree with you on the crowd perception! To me, it was comparable to the summer months! I just shake my head in confusion when I read people's posts saying "it was empty!"

I agree. We too were there 12/4-12 and could not get home fast enough. The crowds were the worse we've ever seen (we do not go during holidays so can't compare). We generally go in early May, late October and other assorted dates and will happily stay away from December in the future.

Guess I got sidetracked, sorry. Either that or the boss walked in.

The good things included the resort (absolutely AKV Kidani), just being at WDW and soaking in the atmosphere, watching my kids have fun, and all of our TS's were really good. Our PM EMH at MK was really good as was our PM EMH at DAK. Our trip had its ups and downs which was very similiar to the weather last week. The bad and ehh won't keep us from going back because we always find more good than bad which, unfortunately, my first post didn't mention.

We were there the same time and stayed at AKV-Kidani too! We also did PM EMH at MK and AK! Probably passed you a few times, LOL.

We thought the same things as you. We have been twice the same week before and crowds were easily doubled this trip. Our most recent previous trips have been May 2009, October 2008, January 2008 and October 2007 and the crowds were at least as busy as October/May but it felt like summer crowds to me (we used to go in the summer a lot). Now I dont' really follow touring plans and things like that because we go so often and would rather be on our schedule rather than theirs. But it was very busy but manageable. I too am scratching my heads at posts saying it was empty.

Glad you liked Kidani. I am torn on that one...there were many things I loved and many I didn't but that is a whole seperate post )

 

[LilGMom]

We were there the same time and stayed at AKV-Kidani too! We also did PM EMH at MK and AK! Probably passed you a few times, LOL.

We thought the same things as you. We have been twice the same week before and crowds were easily doubled this trip. Our most recent previous trips have been May 2009, October 2008, January 2008 and October 2007 and the crowds were at least as busy as October/May but it felt like summer crowds to me (we used to go in the summer a lot). Now I dont' really follow touring plans and things like that because we go so often and would rather be on our schedule rather than theirs. But it was very busy but manageable. I too am scratching my heads at posts saying it was empty.

Glad you liked Kidani. I am torn on that one...there were many things I loved and many I didn't but that is a whole seperate post )

We probably did pass each other. I loved our one bedroom at Kidani and really loved having the second bathroom but I did kinda miss being in Jambo, not walking through the Jambo lobby each night and not having super easy access to The Mara. We did enjoy the covered parking at Kidani and loved some of the little sitting areas near the lobby as well as the animal viewing areas. I imagine on our next over 4 days visit we'll be trying to get Kidani again, or even Jambo because I don't think you can go wrong with either place.

 

[Pecobill]

Public schools where I live started a whole healthy eating thing. The lunches no longer had a "dessert". Then they decided there could be no candy given to the kids as rewards, now the parties at the various holidays are not allowed any sort of unhealthy foods. No halloween candy no pizza no cupcakes. Last party my kids attended in Public school the treats were cheese cubes, chicken fingers with apple juice and fruit cups.

I think its rediculus! I understand eating healthy. However it should be my choice to do so or not to. That choice has been taken away. They really should have the OPTION of the wheat or white bun. We are after all paying for these things! I think I'll carefully select places that have something other then dry wheat bunned burgers

Wow thats very different from the schools in my county.We didnt get dessert but we did have burgers,pizza,and chick-fi-la every day to choose from.

It really is sad that all this healthy stuff is being forced on people.

 

[Marty Joe]

LilGMom,
I’m with you on Disney’s diet plan for us. When I go to WDW, I don’t’ care about my diet. First, Capt. Cooks shot their menu in the butt (no fries –are you kidding me!), then ‘Ohana got rid of the Maui potatoes (No way… Yes way!), and now – potato cubes, wheat buns, smashed chicken parts! If I were counting calories, I would go to Six Flags over Fat Farm. (I’m sorry in advance about the fat farm comment – I know there are some folks that will flip out over it.) For one week out of the year I'm letting it rip and if I don't feel like letting it rip, I will be in control of what I eat - not some calorie countin' goober who doesn't like chicken tenders (sorry in advance for the "calorie countin' goober" comment - I know there are some folks that will flip out over it.)

 

[puffkin]

We probably did pass each other. I loved our one bedroom at Kidani and really loved having the second bathroom but I did kinda miss being in Jambo, not walking through the Jambo lobby each night and not having super easy access to The Mara. We did enjoy the covered parking at Kidani and loved some of the little sitting areas near the lobby as well as the animal viewing areas. I imagine on our next over 4 days visit we'll be trying to get Kidani again, or even Jambo because I don't think you can go wrong with either place.

Agreed! We loved the layout of the Kidani Villa. My mom travels with us, so it is great for her to have her own bathroom! We thought the pool area was small but perfect for kids. So much for them to do there besides just the pool. I am anxious to see if it gets super crowded though during warmer months because it isn't very big.

I too missed the large, bustling lobby. I didn't like the small store. We really, really missed the Mara or at least some type of grab and go selection. I don't understand why they didn't make the store a bit larger and add a few coolers of grab and go stuff or something like the MarketPlace at Beach Club. We normally have a car but used the busses this trip. I liked how Kidani was the first bus stop and also liked that you could park really close to your villa if you drive.

As you can see, I am torn, LOL. Still a great place to stay though!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Trip Reports board.