Just got home :(

[disneymomma1978]

My husband was the same way for his first ever Disney trip back in April '09. He was overwhelmed, didn't know what to expect, etc. We go back in 2 months and he is really excited for it!! He keeps telling me he can't wait to love Disney as much as I do!

 

[theycallmered]

We just got back on Saturday. Wait times were not that bad, however I did notice that the posted wait times were grossly off.

Peter Pan on Sunday (9/19) had a posted wait time of 25 minutes. Actual wait time was around 45-50 minutes.

Jungle Cruise on Sunday (9/19) had a posted wait time of 15 minutes. Actual wait time was approximately 35-40 minutes.

Toy Story Mania (9/23) had a posted wait time of 70 minutes for stand-by. The CM in front however was stating that the actual wait time was more around 2+ hours.

Tower of Terror (9/23) had a posted wait time of 30 minutes. Actual wait time was more around 5 minutes.

Back Lot Tour (9/25) had a posted wait time of 15 minutes. Actual wait time was 35 minutes.


These inaccurate wait times made it difficult and frustrating to try and plan things out. Taking advantage of Fast Passes, maintaining a touring plan, or trying to make ADR's was at some points horrible due to being stuck in a line. By the end of the week we just estimated that any posted wait time of 15 minutes actually meant 30-45 minutes.

 

[mom2travel]

We were at WDW last week from Sun 9/19 to Fri 9/24 and thought the crowds were so low all week! We actually found that the wait times were overstated - even Soarin' was posted as 25 minutes and we made it into the ride in 15min And that was our longest wait all week - didn't even use any fastpasses

We did not make it to DHS, but did hit MK and Epcot several times, plus AK once. Never did a rope drop either. Maybe we just lucked out on what park we picked when

I have a picture from the middle of Friday afternoon at Epcot, walking from World Showcase to the park exit, of the fountain with Spaceship Earth behind, and not a single person blocking the view

 

[Sugar Jones]

I think it was just dh's crappy attitude that made it seem worse than it was kwim?

I too found the wait times were way off, both longer and shorter than what was posted. I can totally understand it being off by 20 minutes or so, but some of them were out by an hour.

Next time I will plan for may days. We only had 5 park days to do everything and that alone made it even more overwhelming.

 

[LaDonna]

I also noticed wait times posted were not the norm, most of the time it was posted longer than it actually took. They had a 45minute wait at one point for TSM so we decided we had to wait since we had already been the previous Sat. and wait times never went below this and fast passes were gone before we even got to the park. It actually to our advantage only took about 20 minutes! I have been in Sept. in 2005 and 2006 and the crowd levels compared to then were at least 70% higher this trip. I didn't not do all EMH days either. We still had a great time, but definately were bumping into and weaving in and out of crowds our entire trip. Nothing like our last 2 September trips. Previously we did everything and did it more than twice. This year we actually missed a few things including Fantasmic I couldn't believe the 8pm show was full and at 8pm there was a line stretched out to the main street already for the 9:30 show. I do have to say we added water parks this trip and we'll always be adding these, it was the most relaxing part of our trip and the crowds were super low

 

[dmoore718]

You have convinced me to skip Fantasmic for sure!! I don't think the kids could stand waiting that long or being up so late, anyway.

 

[LaDonna]

You have convinced me to skip Fantasmic for sure!! I don't think the kids could stand waiting that long or being up so late, anyway.

weird thing is our past 2 Sept. trips we got first row seating with no problems with only going in about 30minutes prior to show time

 

[shelemm]

There are many people that have lousy first (and only) visits to Disney. That is why it is so important to have a really solid plan, not try to do too much, and know your limits - really difficult things to do. I've been to WDW the exact same week with very light crowds. But even with light crowds, you can go wrong and wait on unnecessary lines.

For WDW vets, it doesn't really matter. Vets have seen almost everything before, so it's never a rush, always easy. But for first timers, a trip to Disney can be frought with peril.

As a first-timer, I would not try to go see Fantasmic. Sad, but true. It's not like it used to be when it was performed every night. Heck, as a first timer I didn't even stay for the fireworks. They get crowded even on light days.

However, I do recommend that first-timers take advantage of MNSSHP and do the Crystal Palace breakfast early to be the first ones at rope drop. Most rides are walk-on during MNSSHP, and walking down Main Street before anyone else arrives is a great intro to MK.


I am really big into avoiding crowds.

You actually did go a good time of year, and also your son was the right age to appreciate everything - I'm sorry he got scared.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Listen to what he's saying because if DH doesn't want to go back, don't force him! We go to Orlando every year. I try to mix it up with UO and Seaworld, however DH could now care less about going. Well in April, DH went because DS and I were going and he felt guilty about not coming with us. It was the most miserable trip of our lives. All DH did was complain about everything! I almost put him on a plane home after two days. Instead we suffered through the rest of the short vacation with him. Never again! DS and I are going next month and we are all okay with the fact that DH is not coming this trip. Maybe if he doesn't go for a couple of years he'll enjoy it more. But I'll wait til he suggests it and then have him sign a contract swearing he'll not complain once! The things we do...

 

[cm8]

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

some where right now, your husband is probably saying or thinking the same thing!

 

[shelemm]

it's too bad you can't think of doing something that you ALL like doing together.

 

[RMulieri]

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.

2nd this ...My husband is like that.Our first trip together ( his first,my 10th)was in 2000 for our honeymoon.He was completely overwhelmed by the crowds, the lines etc he NEVER did find the magic.He swore he was never going back and didn't until 2008.He went in 2009 again and refused to go this year and probably next year.So it is me and the daughter solo next year.

 

[Sugar Jones]

it's too bad you can't think of doing something that you ALL like doing together.

We do lots of things together as a family. We camp all summer, every two years we go to Great Wolf Lodge for a weekend.

Every year he goes to a different Nascar Race. I used to go as well, but honestly I hate it and was sick of spending that kind of money for something I didn't enjoy. So Nascar will be his thing every year and Disney will be the kids and my thing every 3 years.

 

[suemom2kay]

You've gotten great advice. I know you spent time here and planned, but a site like Tour Guide Mike or Unofficial Guide would really help you. Our first trip was difficult in comparison to our last 3. My dh hates crowds, so TGM is essential for us. Since using TGM, we all enjoy a line free vacation every year. But, whatever plan you follow you can have a line free vacation by getting there early and utilizing fastpasses.

I have NEVER seen F! 'cause when it wasn't so crowded DD was too small. Now it is so crowded we have little desire to go.

Good luck for next time and just plan your trip. Who knows maybe DH will surprise you and want to try it again. And, he may actually enjoy it.

Take care!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

You might consider offering him a ride along experience at the race car track if he is well behaved and doesn't complain on your next trip. My DH can only do a couple days and he is past the "magic". Especially if it is hot! I have went on trips with just me and the kids. We also have gone with him while he was working in the area or at a convention and we played in the parks with him joining in for the last couple days. There are ways to make it fun for everyone if you can be creative.

 

[pilferk]

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

Question: Did it happen to work out that you were at DHS and AK on the weekends (Sat/Sun)? Or maybe on "Extra Magic Hour" mornings?

 

[danny1649]

I just wanted to let you know that I have pulled your just back/any questions thread from the board. We know you are excited to share your knowledge about your trip, but unfortunately, we can't allow this type of thread. On any given day, we have dozens of DISers just back from trips, and if we allowed this type of thread, the boards would be hard to navigate if many posters posted this type of thread.

Additionally, the moderators feel that this type of thread is a personal message to the original poster, which is against DIS guidelines.

We encourage posters to share their knowledge and experiences by answering questions, and sharing a trip report on the trip report board.

 

[Sugar Jones]

Additionally, the moderators feel that this type of thread is a personal message to the original poster, which is against DIS guidelines.

What does this mean?