Just got home :(

[Sugar Jones]

We just returned from out very first Disney trip. It's bittersweet to be home. I was so sad to leave, but happy to be home as well.

We had a great week despite the fact that my husband never did find the Disney magic. He was overwhelmed with the crowds, put off by wait times, and by Tuesday had such bad motion sickness he had to lay down for the entire afternoon. He said he's never going back


I was a bit overwhelmed with the crowds. I guess because I've heard September was a "slower time" I wasn't expecting 1-2hr waits for rides. Thank goodness for Disboards because I had a plan regarding fast passes and it worked out great for us.

We all LOVED Soarin'! It was a favourite for everyone. My younger two loved Pooh's ride the best. My 8 year old was totally terrified on Dinosaur and was almost crying - I think I scarred him for life We all HATED the Stitch ride - who designed that thing anyway????

The food was amazing and plentiful! We had 9 snack credits left over that we used to get snacks and drinks for our 21 hour drive home! It worked out great.


We really enjoyed POR and if I ever go back I would stay there in again in a heartbeat. We had an amazing mousekeeper that did something special with for the kids everyday! I'll post pictures later

I hope to someday go back, but I will definitely leave my husband at home next time!!!! I'll have a much better time

 

[Suellen]

Oh My! We were there the same week and never waited more than 20 minutes MAX (except Soarin we waited 40 minutes and rode twice ~ but it was DD's first time at 40 inches so we waited).

I would definitely NOT recommend a busier time for you if these crowds overwhelmed you. I found the parks to be pretty well empty.

 

[blessedby3]

Sorry you dh didnt like it and the crowds were worse than you thought. Did you get to the parks at Rope Drop?? That makes a HUGE difference. My family doesnt like to get up early on vacation, but I insist on it (even with their grumbling) and they always thank me later when we are at the parks early and walking onto the rides with no wait.
Maybe you can convince dh to go back again....if not, take the kids and try again. Also, I love Tour Guide Mike for planning my park days. He tells you which days are "green" "yellow" and "red". We always go to his green park days and have never had long waits. We also collect fast passes in the am and save them for afternoons or evenings when it is busier.

 

[Sugar Jones]

Oh My! We were there the same week and never waited more than 20 minutes MAX (except Soarin we waited 40 minutes and rode twice ~ but it was DD's first time at 40 inches so we waited).

I would definitely NOT recommend a busier time for you if these crowds overwhelmed you. I found the parks to be pretty well empty.

Really???? Maybe we went on the wrong days or something?

We didn't have long waits at Magic Kingdom or Epcot, but at Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studio's it was very busy. We waited in line for Kali Rapids for over an hour despite the sign saying a 20 minute wait. The crowds at Fantasmic were down right scary. People were pushing and shoving just waiting in line. Once they started letting people in it was like a free for all. Both the 8 & 9:30 show were full.

We didn't make the parks for rope drop, but we were there within 15 minutes of park openings.

I did have an amazing time and want to go back again, and I will. I will just leave my husband at home. I think his agitation rubbed off on me and made me irritated when normally I wouldn't have been kwim?

I definitely felt the magic and during the fireworks at Magic Kingdom on our first night, I could have cried I was so happy to be there. And seeing my dd's face when she seen Cinderella and all the princess' at the CRT, was priceless. Watching my ds#2 battle Darth Vadar was worth the 2 hour wait, and listening to ds#1 tell me all about Test Track (I didn't go on it) and seeing his excitment was worth every minute in any line

 

[princessage]

Thanks for the info though it makes me a little more nervous about our trip. It sounds like you have some wonderful memories regardless.

 

[Pookasaurus]

We just got back from POR too - The crowds were a bit more than I was expecting as well, but didn't face any of the waits you did (I think the longest wait was 20min or so - we thought it was perfect). Fantasmic Thursday night was terrible (crowd wise). People were shoving my 3 year old and almost knocked my baby out of my arms - we're planning a return trip but I think we'll skip fantasmic next time!!

Sorry your husband didn't enjoy himself as much

 

[kat08]

We just got back, too, and didn't find the crowds too bad. We don't like crowds in general so we stick to the off season. Yeah, there were a few rides with crazy long waits (more than a half hour is too long for me) but we just used FPs on those. I didn't wait more than 20-30 minutes in a line - ever.

I'm sorry your hubs didn't "get it." I would just leave him at home next time, too. My DH can be like that sometimes and it just makes me mad to have him ruin my time so I leave him at home when I know he's going to be like that. Hope next time is better. (((Hugs)))

 

[Sugar Jones]

We just got back from POR too - The crowds were a bit more than I was expecting as well, but didn't face any of the waits you did (I think the longest wait was 20min or so - we thought it was perfect). Fantasmic Thursday night was terrible (crowd wise). People were shoving my 3 year old and almost knocked my baby out of my arms - we're planning a return trip but I think we'll skip fantasmic next time!!

Sorry your husband didn't enjoy himself as much

I don't think the CM's were even prepared for the amount of people at Fantasmic.

It was mainly Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom that were the busiest to me.

I loved the resort! We were in building 16 looking onto the quiet pool. Our mousekeeper was awesome!

I might complain about the crowds but I would do it all again

 

[maddiemacsmommy]

We just got back home tonight as well. We had a fantastic trip! Never waited for anything, and rode the rides my six year old daughter liked two and three times (which included all the mountains in Magic Kingdom, Test Track, Soarin', Everest, and Tower of Terror). We were there for rope drop every morning, and used fast passes for afternoon water rides mostly. We didn't really need them for anything else. We didn't attempt Fantasmic this trip, we did EMH at HS instead. The only time the crowds seemed overwhelming were at Wishes on Sunday night, we got caught in the middle of of the crowd in front of the castle and it was quite scary for a bit. If my feet could have handled it, I would have added another day!! I hope you have the opportunity to visit Disney again very soon, and that your husband decides to give it another try, and that your next trip is nothing but magical!

 

[bdink921]

The first WDW trip can be very overwhelming--it sure was for us. Sorry to hear your DH did not have a good time but so glad that you and your children made some magical memories. I loved that we stayed on Disney property for the simple fact that DH could leave the parks and go back to the resort to relax when he had enough. We loved the morning EMH--we really seemed to get alot done and felt we had a head start on the crowds. Our first visit was very commando and since then we have learned our way around the parks so although we get up early to get to the parks at rope drop, we always seem to see and do everything we want to. I don't think we've ever really been there at slow times. My DH still hasn't felt the 'magic' and probably never will, but that's ok, he tolerates it because I love it so much . It's great that you plan to go back someday, even if DH stays home.

 

[Alexander2010]

we go at the end of Aug. and there are some rides no matter what time your there (from what understand) TSM and Sorein' just to name 2.

i found the motion simulators gave me the most motion sickness. which was a shame cause i could only do Star Tours only 2 times and i couldn't do it again.

tell DH don't give up the more you go, the better it gets.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I am almost 30 and that stupid Dino ride scares me lol!!

 

[Disney-Chick]

The first trip my family took was overwhelming also. We only went for 7 days and the crowds weren't to bad (we went Dec. 16-23). We now go every year the beginning of Dec and leave around the 20th or 21st. That is when it gets busy, but we always have a plan and really utilize the Extra Magic Evenings. We like to sleep in.

Im sure your next trip will go better as you will be prepared for the crowds and learn new tricks each and everytime you go.

Also, my nephew was terrified of the Dino ride and he was 8. Now they are going again this year for our wedding and he wants to do all the rides, he is now 11.

Good luck!!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We were there last week and that same week last year. This year had much less crowds overall--Toy Story Mania is always way crowded, but even Soarin had much less wait times than usual.
I hope you go again and enjoy it, hopefully convert your DH--I just cannot think of a time it will be less crowded.

 

[Planogirl]

Your DH might be willing to give it another try once some time has passed. However, some people never enjoy it so just be prepared for that possibility.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

 

[jdcthree]

We had a similar experience with our first trip. It was very overwhelming but AWESOME at the same time. We were just happy to be there! Our other trips went much more smoothly. Of course, we went at the worst possible time for our first trip (over New Year's) and anything is a breeze after that!

I hope you get to go back and I'm sure you will have a great time because you have a positive attitude. Sorry about your dh not enjoying it.

 

[prnces1214]

We have found September is the best time to go. That is when the crowds are the lightest. Last time we went the longest wait time was of course for TSM but it was still only 40 minutes, but this 3 months after it was open! But we have also found that the EMH mornings usually draw bigger crowds so we try and stay away from the park that opens early, but hit the evening EMH. POR is an amazing resort! One of my favorites for sure. I would try it again though for sure We leave usually the second wk in september and miss all the crowds...but then again it all depends on when you are available to go! But I hope next time works out better for you

 

[MegDen101109]

I was just there from the 18-23 and the crowds were so light in my opinion!
We walked on practically every ride. The rides in Fantasyland had waits (luckily we dont have kids) as did Soarin & TSM. We got to HS at rope drop on our last full day in order to ride TSM without a wait.
The most we waited was 35-40 min on the 18th (Saturday) for Soarin...and that was it. Everything else was at a most 15 min wait

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I am so glad that you had a good time. That first trip can be a little stressful, but it gets much easier over time.

I just had to let you know that my DH also gets overwhelmed with the crowds, so we have just learned to ignore him. Seriously, when he starts feeling that way, he heads back to the resort to relax & chill out with a beer and some football or something. This way, he is happy & the kids and I are happy because we are still in the park. You will find what works out best for you after a couple of trips.

 

[blue65829]

The crowds at Fantasmic were down right scary. People were pushing and shoving just waiting in line. Once they started letting people in it was like a free for all. Both the 8 & 9:30 show were full.

We went Sept. 7-15 and had the same issue with Fantasmic, we really didn't experience crowds anywhere else, but the crowds waiting for both the 8pm and 9:30pm show were so insane we ended up skipping it entirely for the trip.