My Thoughts 2/7 - 2/14

[disneyfav4ever]

First of all I thought the parks were more crowded then it has been in previous Februaries.

Characters seemed more scarace then they have in the past. Besides the places like Toontown and Character Connection, I saw almost no characters. Before I had always seen lots of characters out and about throughout the parks, and this time I only saw a few.

I was in Disney on my birthday and even though there are extra options available to pay for, there are still plenty of little things that CM's did for free, like cards, desserts, and once I even got to keep a Fast Pass so I could ride again. I didn't put a note on any reservations that I was celebrating a burthday, all I did was wear the birthday button for a few days, which was the second day, and then the day before and after my birthday, as well as my actual birthday.

I had no problem picking up my birthday $75 gift card, which I was able to use at County Bounty in Toontown and Yankee Trader in Liberty Square.

People seemed a little more rude this trip too. Not everyone, but enough for me to notice. Obviously this isn't Disney's fault, but it did make me scratch my head and wonder why people would act that way. A few examples;

My first night I was with a friend and her son waiting for Spectro Magic to start. We had been in our spot for about an hour, and had a great spot right by the rope. A few minutes before Spectro was about to start a lady came up wanting us to scooch back so she and her family could sit in front of us.

The next day I was at AK and had gotten a spot for the afternoon parade half an hour before. Again, a few minutes before the parade started, a few families wanted me to move. It was worse this time though because both of these parents decided that they would just shove their kids in front of me. One girl had on one of those huge Goofy hats, and the other had a liitle boy who literally ran out into the middle of the parade route and the one dancer in the parade had to grab him and get him back to his parents.

Also on 2/12 DHS had an American Idol premiere party. I had gotten a spot for it two and a half hours early, but right when the parade started there were mobs of people shoving in front of everyone, and somehow people who showed up closer to showtime were shoving in front.

Other rude people just seemed to be inconsiderate, like I would hold a door open for people behind me, and they wouldn't even say thank you. Also a lot of people wouldn't say excuse me, they would just shove past me to get where they wanted to go.

The food was great again as usual. The signature restaurants were fantastic as always, and all the basic one-credit table service meals were good as well, if not great.

 

[Cee]

Thanks for your report. It sounds like most of the rudeness happened at parades. It makes me glad that I never watch them!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Yep, this happens at the parades all the time so it's pretty much useless to stake out a spot ahead of time. There will always be one jerk or another butting in front of you. This is the reason my dh does not like to go to the parades and fireworks shows. I think you either need to brush it off and deal with it or just not see the shows.

 

[Mom2tmha]

I was there from 2/3 til 2/10 and me and my family thought the parks were a LOT more crowded then the last time we were there in Feb.
And there were so many rude people, just one example, we were in AK and we were waiting for a table so we could eat lunch (not sure the exact location, it is outside next to some place where they have people playing instruments and dancing) so there was a family getting up and I walked over and said, "Are you done with your table?" The mom says, "Sure, you can have it" and they get up leaving all there garbage right where it was...so we were left to clean the table with all their stuff before we could even sit down. I couldn't believe how rude!
Of course I loved being in Disney but was a little disappointed.

 

[TinkPearl]

Hi, I just got back also. We were there the same dates (2/7-2/14) and stayed at POR. The beginning of our trip was perfect....low crowds, gorgeous weather, hardly any wait times. It got warmer and more humid our last 2 days there.....AK seemed crowded on Thu but again the wait times weren't too bad. I think that park always seems worse than it is. Friday was crazy at MK! Luckily, we had done almost all rides on Tues when we were there because Fri was much busier than I would have liked. I pretty much expected that though because it was the start of Pres wkend and also the Daytona 500.

We encountered one rude Dad......we were having breakfast at Ohana and just as Pluto came to our table, this Dad comes out of no where and shoves his 2 kids to take pics with Pluto! Pluto was trying to ignore them since it was my kids turn but this Dad was so pushy, he didn't care that DH and I were giving him dirty looks. So, that guy is in all our Pluto pics. I don't even think they were eating at Ohana! We didn't do any parades though.....we did see the Street Party at MK, that was fun!

Otherwise, we also had a lot of helpful people! Several times, my stroller tipped over when I took my DS out of it because I had too much stuff hanging from it. and people would help pick it up for me. I also got several comments from people and cast members/waiters/waitresses on how cute my children were or how well behaved my 9 month old was. Of course, that always made my day. Several cast members stopped to talk to my 5 year old and he thought that was great, especially when they called him by name! (on the back of his ears!)

All in all, we had a great trip! Oh, and we saw Celebration stuff everywhere and not any Million Dreams.....

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

We, too, were there the same time and we noticed bigger Feb. crowds as usual.

When it comes to parade/fireworks viewing, we always have people trying to 'butt' into our space. We just stand our ground and don't move. On the same note, if I notice an open spot by someone, I'll politely ask, 'Do you mind if we stand in that spot?". I won't just shove my way like some people do.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We didn't do any parades though.....we did see the Street Party at MK, that was fun!

All in all, we had a great trip! Oh, and we saw Celebration stuff everywhere and not any Million Dreams.....

I saw the street party too. I know it was what pretty much replaced the Family Fun Day parade, but there is no comparision, the street party is so much better.

I did see some Dreams stuff, but it seemed like less at the end of the week, and they were just using up the end of the dreams stuff. I like that the new plastic bags are all made from recycled materials. And the ink on the bag doesn't come off on my hand.

I also got the new refillable mug design, except that didn't come out until that Tuesday, after I had already gotten one with the dreams design, so I ended up having two mugs this trip.

 

[zgirl]

I was there during the same week and was surprised by the crowds.

The rudest thing that happened to us was after rope drop, on our way to Thunder Mtn. Railroad, an elderly man elbowed my 10 year old son in the chest and said "Get out of my way kid!" I was flabbergasted! He rushed to get to the entrance and then stand there and wait for his family who was far behind him. I don't know what his hurry was! We also encountered lots of people with strollers taking cuts by just pushing forward and almost running people over. We tried to take it all with a grain of salt and enjoy our time at Disney.

 

[nenner1]

Wow! I guess I'm not too shocked to hear the crowds are higher, given the 4/3 deal. I'm hopeful they subside a bit next week, though...lol!

Sorry to hear about the rudeness...the parades are just crazy. We avoid them at all costs!

Thanks for the report!

 

[SnwflkCts]

I was there from 2/9-2/14 -- DH and I noted the huge crowds but we were amazed that early in the morning the rides were walk-on.

Now MK on Tuesday was walk-on most places EXCEPT Fantasy Land - OMG - wall to wall. We got a fast pass to Peter Pan and then rode IASW, but did manage to get into Philharmagic fairly quickly ... then we beat it out of there!

I was at DHS the day of the big Idol Opening - I wouldn't have picked that day even though I like Idol. People were lining up for the parade from about 1 PM on so I can imagine the pushing/chaos that occurred since things didn't kick off until 4 PM. We left arount 2:30.

As sad as this is, I avoid anything like parades. My DH is so tall, that he always hangs back so I know I would never have a good seat ... plus I am very non-confrontational and those rude people would just intimidate me! But that is sad.

I have to say the only rude people we encountered were those RUSHING for seats in any of the 3D shows and on the train in AK!! Well ... on the train, I was trying to get in a row first since we were just going to ride the loop -- no an entire family did push me right out of the way to get there ... so when we stopped at Affection Section, I (and tall DH) waited until EVERYONE got off before moving down a row for the ride back. I actually could feel the dad pushing on my back but I stood firm ... it was not as if he wouldn't get there!

But the weather was nice ... though it did get a little warm. Sorry for the rude people the OP encountered -- and although I wore my LGMH, I saw no others! Back to the real world (work) tomorrow.

 

[CathrynRose]

My first night I was with a friend and her son waiting for Spectro Magic to start. We had been in our spot for about an hour, and had a great spot right by the rope. A few minutes before Spectro was about to start a lady came up wanting us to scooch back so she and her family could sit in front of us.

.

Now, now - she gave us an option. Would we like to scooch back, so they could sit in front of us, or would we prefer they sat behind us (where they squashed 4 people into a spot for maybe one)

Like I said - we should have just relinquished our spots - I mean, werent we just holding those seats, for them???

I was absolutely floored at the crowds. I think I'm just spoiled rotten, since I go in September and usually late January - but geez louise. It was really more crowded this year. I cant tell you how many times I turned to my son and said "Looks like the 4/3 deal is working"

 

[KorieDWnut]

I was there from 2/3 til 2/10 and me and my family thought the parks were a LOT more crowded then the last time we were there in Feb.
And there were so many rude people, just one example, we were in AK and we were waiting for a table so we could eat lunch (not sure the exact location, it is outside next to some place where they have people playing instruments and dancing) so there was a family getting up and I walked over and said, "Are you done with your table?" The mom says, "Sure, you can have it" and they get up leaving all there garbage right where it was...so we were left to clean the table with all their stuff before we could even sit down. I couldn't believe how rude!
Of course I loved being in Disney but was a little disappointed.

I see that SOOO often at CS places there...people leaving their food trays and garbage on the tables. I don't get it!!

 

[bellaphia]

wow-can't stand rude people...can someone tell me about the weather-we are planning next year that time of year but not sure about the weather...
thanks

 

[disneyfav4ever]

wow-can't stand rude people...can someone tell me about the weather-we are planning next year that time of year but not sure about the weather...
thanks

The weather was beautiful. High 70's all week, and no rain. I came from 20 degree weather so it was so nice to me. I need see some people though walking around in winter jackets while I was wearing my light summery shirts though.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Now, now - she gave us an option. Would we like to scooch back, so they could sit in front of us, or would we prefer they sat behind us (where they squashed 4 people into a spot for maybe one)

Like I said - we should have just relinquished our spots - I mean, werent we just holding those seats, for them???

I was absolutely floored at the crowds. I think I'm just spoiled rotten, since I go in September and usually late January - but geez louise. It was really more crowded this year. I cant tell you how many times I turned to my son and said "Looks like the 4/3 deal is working"

The 4/3 deal is the only reason I went, that and the birthday deal for me was too good to pass up. And I'm so glad we got to hang out as much as we did those few days. Now I am just hoping for free dining so another trip this year might me possible.

 

[zgirl]

The weather was great last week, but you have to be careful in Jan/Feb. The week right before that was really COLD for FL. Where we are it got down into the 20s at night and I don't think it got above 60 during the day. I would have been miserable that week.

 

[marriedtothebeast]

People are rude and inconsiderate everywhere you go! It's getting ridiculous isn't it?
When things like that happen to us, I have a fresh appreciation for my "not at all shy" husband who kindly b ut firmly puts these people in their place! And while he's doing that, I take the opportunity to explain to our children why we do not engage in such rude and disrespectful behavior!!