MAGIC...It is still there!

[dprincessmom]

We just returned from 8 nights at POR. We rocked our Disney Side (for 16 of the 24 hours) and did everything we wanted to do at MK. FP+ helped with the late night hours.

Did I see the parents with tired kids stating they were going to enjoy this trip because of the money that was spent - yes. Kids having meltdowns because of the tiredness - yes.

But I also saw: great CM interaction with guests; parks that were constantly being cleaned; new rides with excited kids and adults.

Here's what I took away from our trip:
You have to plan, if not you aren't going to have fun. Repeatedly, my DD told me Thank you for getting FP+ as we were bypassing waits of 100+ minutes.

Use the additional FP+ to your advantage. We often added additional FP+ and did some of the lesser attractions. We did Socerers of MK and my DD loved it.

Your trip will be what you make of it. Those that were focusing on doing everything and dragging tired crying children weren't having any fun. Meanwhile, we lucked into some great wait times by being on the wrong side of the parades in Frontierland, but rode BTM and SM with 5 minute waits.

Decide that you and your family are going to have a great time, plan a little before you go and then enjoy being with the ones you love. I saw so many multi-generational families having a great time enjoying the simple things that WDW has to offer that I was reminded that that was the groundwork for DL and WDW to begin with... A place where a parent and children could go and have a great time.

 

[Love Tink]

The Disboards!

Come for the theme park discussion...stay for the constant, unsolicited parenting advice!

 

[DebbieB]

We just returned from 8 nights at POR. We rocked our Disney Side (for 16 of the 24 hours) and did everything we wanted to do at MK. FP+ helped with the late night hours.

Did I see the parents with tired kids stating they were going to enjoy this trip because of the money that was spent - yes. Kids having meltdowns because of the tiredness - yes.

But I also saw: great CM interaction with guests; parks that were constantly being cleaned; new rides with excited kids and adults.

Here's what I took away from our trip:
You have to plan, if not you aren't going to have fun. Repeatedly, my DD told me Thank you for getting FP+ as we were bypassing waits of 100+ minutes.

Use the additional FP+ to your advantage. We often added additional FP+ and did some of the lesser attractions. We did Socerers of MK and my DD loved it.

Your trip will be what you make of it. Those that were focusing on doing everything and dragging tired crying children weren't having any fun. Meanwhile, we lucked into some great wait times by being on the wrong side of the parades in Frontierland, but rode BTM and SM with 5 minute waits.

Decide that you and your family are going to have a great time, plan a little before you go and then enjoy being with the ones you love. I saw so many multi-generational families having a great time enjoying the simple things that WDW has to offer that I was reminded that that was the groundwork for DL and WDW to begin with... A place where a parent and children could go and have a great time.

Glad to hear you had a great time! I was there 2 weeks ago also, we loved the 24 hour day, we did the first 5 and the last 4 hours. I'll never forget dancing in front of the castle at 5:00am with the characters and the stilt walkers and the close in front of the train station as the sun was coming up.

 

[boltfan]

The Disboards!

Come for the theme park discussion...stay for the constant, unsolicited parenting advice!

Didn't see any advice...just comments on what was observed (and what I'm sure we've all seen while at WDW).

For the OP: Glad to hear you had such a great time. Can't wait to get there myself!

 

[disney meema]

Glad the Magic is still there, and you had a wonderful vacation : )

 

[amg35]

The Disboards!

Come for the theme park discussion...stay for the constant, unsolicited parenting advice!

n/m

 

[kastoney]

Glad to head you had such a great time. We too aren't planners and just go with the flow, which usually means going where my 3 year old takes us. 2 trips down I'm a very proud to say she has never had a melt down, largely because as you said its about taking it slow and enjoying our time together not doing everything on a preplanned spreadsheet.

 

[ajwolfe]

We just got back from a couple weeks ago (makes me sad to already think it was that far) and agree whole heartedly!! It's all what you make of it. Decide to have a good time and you will. My family doesn't like the heat much, but we stuck it out all day on plenty of hot days and still managed to have a good time. Although my sister and I did decide that 4pm is the magic hour when babies start crying and moms start losing it. lol

 

[PeterPanic]

ANNOUNCEMENT: Little Known Fact About Disney Magic...

Disclaimer... many might not want to know this so you might want to avert your eyes while the rest of us read it.

The Magic comes from within ourselves. As adults we must allow our inner child to be set free, we must go into "willingness to suspend disbelief" and look for only the good.

If we have that internal mode in the "ON" position, we will see all kinds of magic.

Many, feel that it is totally Disney's responsibility to "Make the Magic" but it requires the cooperation of each of us to actually witness it. If you look for it and accept that it isn't what you are given, but instead, what you receive, it will be there! (to paraphrase the movie line)

 

[KimBean]

ANNOUNCEMENT: Little Known Fact About Disney Magic...

Disclaimer... many might not want to know this so you might want to avert your eyes while the rest of us read it.

The Magic comes from within ourselves. As adults we must allow our inner child to be set free, we must go into "willingness to suspend disbelief" and look for only the good.

If we have that internal mode in the "ON" position, we will see all kinds of magic.

Many, feel that it is totally Disney's responsibility to "Make the Magic" but it requires the cooperation of each of us to actually witness it. If you look for it and accept that it isn't what you are given, but instead, what you receive, it will be there! (to paraphrase the movie line)

Well SAID!!! Agree!!!

 

[wendybeth75]

We just returned from 8 nights at POR. We rocked our Disney Side (for 16 of the 24 hours) and did everything we wanted to do at MK. FP+ helped with the late night hours.

Did I see the parents with tired kids stating they were going to enjoy this trip because of the money that was spent - yes. Kids having meltdowns because of the tiredness - yes.

But I also saw: great CM interaction with guests; parks that were constantly being cleaned; new rides with excited kids and adults.

Here's what I took away from our trip:
You have to plan, if not you aren't going to have fun. Repeatedly, my DD told me Thank you for getting FP+ as we were bypassing waits of 100+ minutes.

Use the additional FP+ to your advantage. We often added additional FP+ and did some of the lesser attractions. We did Socerers of MK and my DD loved it.

Your trip will be what you make of it. Those that were focusing on doing everything and dragging tired crying children weren't having any fun. Meanwhile, we lucked into some great wait times by being on the wrong side of the parades in Frontierland, but rode BTM and SM with 5 minute waits.

Decide that you and your family are going to have a great time, plan a little before you go and then enjoy being with the ones you love. I saw so many multi-generational families having a great time enjoying the simple things that WDW has to offer that I was reminded that that was the groundwork for DL and WDW to begin with... A place where a parent and children could go and have a great time.

So glad you had a wonderful trip! I LOVE POR, such a great resort!

 

[asamford23]

ANNOUNCEMENT: Little Known Fact About Disney Magic...

Disclaimer... many might not want to know this so you might want to avert your eyes while the rest of us read it.

The Magic comes from within ourselves. As adults we must allow our inner child to be set free, we must go into "willingness to suspend disbelief" and look for only the good.

If we have that internal mode in the "ON" position, we will see all kinds of magic.

Many, feel that it is totally Disney's responsibility to "Make the Magic" but it requires the cooperation of each of us to actually witness it. If you look for it and accept that it isn't what you are given, but instead, what you receive, it will be there! (to paraphrase the movie line)

the magic is within and around us always. the veil is just a little thinner at WDW. not even a grumpy Big Thunder CM at 2:30 AM can mess that up if you don't let em.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We just returned from 8 nights at POR. We rocked our Disney Side (for 16 of the 24 hours) and did everything we wanted to do at MK.
Use the additional FP+ to your advantage. We often added additional FP+ and did some of the lesser attractions. We did Socerers of MK and my DD loved it.

dprincessmom...did you venture to the other three parks or was the whole 8 days concentrated on the MK?

 

[dprincessmom]

dprincessmom...did you venture to the other three parks or was the whole 8 days concentrated on the MK?

We hit all the parks, both water parks and one putt putt course, as well as DTD. I would be happy to answer any/all questions.

 

[DT83097]

ANNOUNCEMENT: Little Known Fact About Disney Magic...

Disclaimer... many might not want to know this so you might want to avert your eyes while the rest of us read it.

The Magic comes from within ourselves. As adults we must allow our inner child to be set free, we must go into "willingness to suspend disbelief" and look for only the good.

If we have that internal mode in the "ON" position, we will see all kinds of magic.

Many, feel that it is totally Disney's responsibility to "Make the Magic" but it requires the cooperation of each of us to actually witness it. If you look for it and accept that it isn't what you are given, but instead, what you receive, it will be there! (to paraphrase the movie line)

Love it!!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We hit all the parks, both water parks and one putt putt course, as well as DTD. I would be happy to answer any/all questions.

What park was the least crowded? Were the water parks crowded? Was your resort full?

 

[DaisyNY]

Enjoying Disney changes with your touring group and their ages...with little ones (early mornings...frequent breaks) and older ones (late, late mornings and the ability to stay up till the wee hours)

Pace yourself...and figure out what's best for your family...and most of all...ENJOY!!!

 

[dprincessmom]

What park was the least crowded? Were the water parks crowded? Was your resort full?

We stayed at PO Riverside and it didn't "feel" as crowded as usual. We checked in the Wed before Memorial Day so that might have been adding to the less crowded feel. Also POR is a big resort and it is spread out. We were in Alligator Bayou and it was quiet in building 25 (near the West Bus Stop).

I think HS was less crowded - we actually stayed the whole day there which is unusual for us. The crowds were manageable at all the parks though. We did 2 partial days at AK and they seemed to be about the same crowd wise.

The water parks were great. TL we hit opening and you could tell the crowd was building when we left at lunch time. Likewise, we went to BB in the afternoon and it was crowded when we arrived, but they thinned out about 2:30 or 3.

Water rides at all the parks were lengthy waits as the temps rose.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We stayed at PO Riverside and it didn't "feel" as crowded as usual. I think HS was less crowded - we actually stayed the whole day there which is unusual for us.
The water parks were great. TL we hit opening and you could tell the crowd was building when we left at lunch time.

@dprincessmom...so POR seemed less crowded than your previous visits?

 

[dprincessmom]

@dprincessmom...so POR seemed less crowded than your previous visits?

yes - can swear that it was, but it felt less crowded.