Just returned from 12 days at WDW: Any Questions?

[CarnotaurDad]

Good morning,

My DW, DD (5) and I just returned from a 12 day stay at WDW (7/29 - 8/8). We stayed 2 nights at POFQ, 4 nights at BWV and 5 nights at OKW. We used DME and never left property once. We used our AP and visited at least one park each day.

Over the next week or so, we will be posting trip reports, restaurant reviews and resort reviews.

For now, just wanted to see if there were any questions that we could help for anyone trying to plan their trip.

Thanks!

Carnotaur Dad

 

[corvair]

thanks...can't wait to hear your report...which building were you in at POFQ.,,,and also what was your location at BWV...thanks.. amy

 

[jacksmom]

I would love to hear your opinions on BWV and OKW? If you could maybe, some compare and contrast?? Thanks!

 

[moopdog]

Well...in the meantime, waiting for your report....

Did OKW have a kids program with activities scheduled daily? If so, could you tell me about it? Actually, pretty much anything that you can tell me about OKW at all would be great I think I'm requesting bldg 64 (or maybe it's 62) near the main pool... where were you? Did your DD enjoy the pool and play area? Thanks!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Glad to answer.

Corvair and jacksmom, to jointly answer, we were in Building 7 on the 2nd floor, facing the courtyard. In BWV, we were on the 2nd floor, facing the interior entrance; that is, we faced the Boardwalk entrance and pathway as opposed to the one that cars use to get to the lobby. To compare and contrast, POFQ would have been wonderful for a romantic vacation with just the DW and I. However, BWV was just more "fun" for us. I am not saying that POFQ wasn't magical. Far from it, especially for a moderate. The accomodations were fantastic and the setting (and rooms) were lovely and tranquil. But BWV, in the middle of everything, was just a lot more fun for us. Granted, I am partial to walking so I loved the fact that we could walk to two parks from BWV and there were lots of dining options nearby.

To answer moopdog, OKW did have kids programs each day. Some cost money (about $5 was the max) but many were free. Some I remember were: wallet making, pool games, Goofy Bingo, decorate a mask, etc. We were in building 46 with a fantastic water view. Very nice. Our DD did love the pool, especially, the water slide, and we had a great time.

Anything else, and I will be glad to answer.

 

[bluejasmine]

Did you go to any Evening EMH? Were they as bad as everyone has said and did you use the dining plan?

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Hi bluejasmine,

We didn't use the dining plan (as DVC members, if we use our points, that isn't an option right now. maybe soon).

We did two EMH: MK and DS.

Our opinion on EMH: it is nowhere near as sparse from a crowd standpoint in the evening as it is in the morning. For example, in the early morning hour, you can hit almost all the Fantasyland rides in that hour. You cannot do that with the evening hours. That said, the parks are still MUCH less crowded than during the day and it is a lot more comfortable in the dark than with the sun blazing down on you.

We thought that EMH at DS was a lot more festive than the one at MK. There was a live DJ under the Sorcerer's Hat and there were lots of family games (limbo, hula hooping, etc.). We couldn't believe there was a VOTLM show at 12:35 AM! Hope the actors drank their coffee before that one!

 

[bluejasmine]

Wow thanks carnotaur dad, first positive thing I have heard on evening EMH. I appreciate that and it calms my worries, I will be there in 2 weeks and I believe I will check out the eveing EMH now...

 

[lenore1]

Did you rent a car or rely on Disney transporation? We are staying at the CBR in October, our first disney family vacation, and I wasn't sure if we needed to rent a car. Thanks for the advice!

Lenore

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Hi lenore1,

We relied on Disney transportation and it was wonderful. The longest we ever waited for a bus during those 12 days was 20 minutes. It was much more relaxing, IMO, than dealing with a rental especially since we knew we wouldn't be going off site.

The toughest part was getting from one resort to another. Let's say you make ADRs for Boma at AKL. You would need to get from CBR to another park or DTD and then transfer to a bus to AKL. Give yourself at least an hour to do that. If you were driving, it would take about 15 - 20 minutes.

Hi bluejasmine, glad to help. I think it's all about expectations. If you're used to the morning EMH, and expect the evening hours to be the same crowd level, you will definitely be disappointed. The biggest opportunity for improvement we found was that most of the stores and dining options closed at their normal time. It would have been nice to have more carts and stores open.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

I am thinking of a spur of the moment trip leaving today around 1pm for the night and all day tomorrow. Was wondering what the crowd levels where, specially since most schools have started back here in FL. Did you hit any of the waterparks? How busy where they?

Thanks for your help.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Hi goofyfreek,

We didn't hit any of the waterparks so, unfortunately, can't help there. From a crowd level, it was pretty crowded but not too unbearable. We went to MK almost every day and, surprisingly, the most crowded we saw MK was yesterday (Monday, 8/8).

Some examples were, Stitch was running at 70 minutes, Space Mountain was 60 minutes, Splash Mountain was 80 minutes, even Haunted Mansion was running at 30 minutes.

That said, as long as you plan accordingly, we were able to hit a lot of attractions with Fast Passes and good planning.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

As an FYI, here is the link to our dining reviews from this trip:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=882994

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am thinking of a spur of the moment trip leaving today around 1pm for the night and all day tomorrow. Was wondering what the crowd levels where, specially since most schools have started back here in FL. Did you hit any of the waterparks? How busy where they?

Thanks for your help.

We were there last week and the water parks got closed every day by about 11. They reopened to guests as other guests left the parks.

The parks were ungodly by 10:30 or 11AM. We got there when they opened, did the few attractions we wanted to do and left. Went back in the evening occasionally, but for the most part, spent a lot of time at the pool. Do your stuff early in the AM when the park opens. You can get a lot done in those first two hours. Lines were waaaay long by the time we left in the late morning. We did EMH evening the first night and left about the time it actually started because it was just too crowded for us. I don't wait longer than 15-20 minutes, tops. If the line is longer than that, I skip it. I'll do it in January.

We had planned to do EMH each night, but changed our plans around to avoid the EMH park each day. When people don't want to pay extra for hopping, they stay at the same park all day, that means the EMH park.

In the MK, I did Buzz four times, rode the Tomorrowland Speedway, Peter Pan(fast pass), Philharmagic, Tiki Birds in the first 2 hours. While I did Buzz three times, my husband and son did Space Mt and Astro Orbitor. You can not do that after 11AM.