GoOfyInDisNEy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 26, 2006
- Messages
- 222
Hi guys. My husband and I just got back from our trip. We arrived on 10-28 and came back 11-4. This was our first time in October. We have gone in Mid May, July 4th (never again) the second week of December, and the last week of January (my fave).
Our Hotel: We have only ever stayed at POP, but decided this time to stay at POR. We loved it. The main pool area was a blast, the grounds were gorgeous. We got all of our requests. We were in the Mansions. Room 8715. Second floor, corner room. We had a one minute walk to the bus stop and about a 4 minute walk to the main building. The boat to downtown disney was fun. It was definitely easier to take the bus, but we enjoyed the ride. The food court was so so. Not many choices. Pop had way more grab and go options. If we wanted a dessert, we had to wait in line for the bakery instead of grabbing something already done. No biggie though. The create your own pasta was great. We shared a portion and couldn't even finish it.
Busses: We were pretty lucky with the busses. We stood twice the entire trip, and the longest we waited was 20 minutes (but that was going from HS to MK). I didn't mind that we had to make multiple stops, it didn't take that long at all. The one thing we didn't like was how there are no lines at the stops. It's chaos. I saw small kids getting trampled by grownups, and parents leaving their kids behind so they could get on the bus first. It was a little crazy. The value resorts have lines that you wait in, and I never thought I would miss those, but I did.
The Parks: The parks were great. Everything was very clean, except for a bathroom inside Cosmic Rays (that was the stuff nightmares are made of) Cast members were lovely. Wait times were fine. Not like January, but very low considering the amount of people that were there. We had some bad luck at Park Open for HS and AK. When we went to AK, Everest was down for the first hour and a half, and at HS, RRC was down for the first 3 hours. Such a bummer when there isn't much to choose from already at those places. Luckily at AK, the monkeys entertained me for a while.
Frozen was everywhere. It was almost comical. We liked the movie, but don't get this fan frenzy about it. Oh well....
This is the first trip that we have noticed just how empty Epcot and Hollywood Studios really is. It makes me sad. I don't get why they aren't adding to these parks? Hopefully soon. Food and wine was cool. I wouldn't go just for that, but it was fun tasting all the different foods I would never try.
Fast Pass: This was our second time using the new system. No glitches. Our bands worked great. Here is where it sucks:I messed up on our last morning. We used one fast pass at MK for Space. The park was insane, so we hopped to AK. I wanted to cancel my other 2 fast passes (they were for MK) but the lady said I couldn't. And because my last fast pass didn't start until 5:55 we weren't able to get any at AK. It wasn't a huge deal because the park wasn't crowded, but I was bummed I couldn't cancel any because I had already used one. We usually scheduled them early, and then picked up a 4th, 5th, etc. (This worked only in the MK). I miss the old system, but I think with some kinks worked out, this one could be great too.
Overall our trip was great. We spent more time at the hotel, and less time at the Parks then we usually do. The crowds weren't awful. Service was great. Food was great. Disney was great. I think we will wait about 3 years to go again. We were almost bored sometimes. We both agreed we want to wait until they have new stuff. Overall, a lot of changes were happening and I can't wait to go back and see what the Mouse has for us next time.
Our Hotel: We have only ever stayed at POP, but decided this time to stay at POR. We loved it. The main pool area was a blast, the grounds were gorgeous. We got all of our requests. We were in the Mansions. Room 8715. Second floor, corner room. We had a one minute walk to the bus stop and about a 4 minute walk to the main building. The boat to downtown disney was fun. It was definitely easier to take the bus, but we enjoyed the ride. The food court was so so. Not many choices. Pop had way more grab and go options. If we wanted a dessert, we had to wait in line for the bakery instead of grabbing something already done. No biggie though. The create your own pasta was great. We shared a portion and couldn't even finish it.
Busses: We were pretty lucky with the busses. We stood twice the entire trip, and the longest we waited was 20 minutes (but that was going from HS to MK). I didn't mind that we had to make multiple stops, it didn't take that long at all. The one thing we didn't like was how there are no lines at the stops. It's chaos. I saw small kids getting trampled by grownups, and parents leaving their kids behind so they could get on the bus first. It was a little crazy. The value resorts have lines that you wait in, and I never thought I would miss those, but I did.
The Parks: The parks were great. Everything was very clean, except for a bathroom inside Cosmic Rays (that was the stuff nightmares are made of) Cast members were lovely. Wait times were fine. Not like January, but very low considering the amount of people that were there. We had some bad luck at Park Open for HS and AK. When we went to AK, Everest was down for the first hour and a half, and at HS, RRC was down for the first 3 hours. Such a bummer when there isn't much to choose from already at those places. Luckily at AK, the monkeys entertained me for a while.
Frozen was everywhere. It was almost comical. We liked the movie, but don't get this fan frenzy about it. Oh well.... This is the first trip that we have noticed just how empty Epcot and Hollywood Studios really is. It makes me sad. I don't get why they aren't adding to these parks? Hopefully soon. Food and wine was cool. I wouldn't go just for that, but it was fun tasting all the different foods I would never try.Fast Pass: This was our second time using the new system. No glitches. Our bands worked great. Here is where it sucks:I messed up on our last morning. We used one fast pass at MK for Space. The park was insane, so we hopped to AK. I wanted to cancel my other 2 fast passes (they were for MK) but the lady said I couldn't. And because my last fast pass didn't start until 5:55 we weren't able to get any at AK. It wasn't a huge deal because the park wasn't crowded, but I was bummed I couldn't cancel any because I had already used one. We usually scheduled them early, and then picked up a 4th, 5th, etc. (This worked only in the MK). I miss the old system, but I think with some kinks worked out, this one could be great too.
Overall our trip was great. We spent more time at the hotel, and less time at the Parks then we usually do. The crowds weren't awful. Service was great. Food was great. Disney was great. I think we will wait about 3 years to go again. We were almost bored sometimes. We both agreed we want to wait until they have new stuff. Overall, a lot of changes were happening and I can't wait to go back and see what the Mouse has for us next time.
to POR, too. It's our favorite resort! You stated that the end of January was your favorite time to go to WDW. Can you expand on that please? Why was it your favorite? the weather, crowds, etc. Our favorite time of the year is early Nov or 2 weeks before Christmas. Thanks again
