Newbie Trip Report - All In One Thread!!

[AnninIowa]

All of the guide books are right: you definitely need 2 days to do Epcot!! With only 4 full days at Disney, we definitely had to RUSH to see all the "must do's" at all 4 parks. Had we had an extra day, I would have saved a day for the World Showcase only. If I ever did a second trip, my ideal itinerary would be two days for Epcot, one for the Magic Kingdom (I really would have liked to do some of the "classic" rides such as Small World and Peter Pan), and a fourth day to enjoy the resort and do Cirque du Soleil again. And next time I would wear better shoes!!!

 

[mrcricket]

I must say that I think your experience would have been better if you'd studied up a bit more before going. I'm sure you put a lot of planning in to it, but it seems from your trip report that you missed one of the cardinal rules of park touring - FASTPASS RULES. Just from your descriptions you spent way too much time waiting than riding. I think this may have influenced your seemingly negative responses to the parks in general. Maybe next time, if there is a next time, you can use the FP to your advantage and save your poor worn out feet a bit of standing time. By the way, congrats on the upgrade at the Beach Club. I've stayed there before and it is a wonderful resort in a wonderful location.

 

[tiki23]

Thanks for your report, Ann!

Not everyone sees Disney the same way, and that's ok. Even though not all of it was to your liking, I'm glad you found fun things to do. Your report didn't see negative to me - no whining and complaining that you didn't get towel animals, LOL - just your honest opinions. It sounded to me like you had a good attitude throughout your trip, especially considering your poor feet! I hope your Dad enjoyed himself!

 

[miste76]

When I read your report, I thought it was very negative... and I was ready to reply that you probably shouldn't consider returning to WDW... didn't seem your thing! Many of those "lame" things that you described are not meant to seem 'real' for adults, but are just meant for entertainment and many seem 'real' for children!!!

However, I then read your follow-up post and realized that I just read the report wrong... and that's very easy to do when you're just reading a computer screen (no vocal tones or facial expressions to go along with the words!!!) So, instead, I'll say that I'm glad that you have had the chance to visit WDW and I'm sorry that you didn't feel the magic!!!

 

[AnninIowa]

One of the attractions I described as "lame" was the Safari - and I think this had more to do with the CM guide. As I said, she was in character, but spoke so softly - we were in the first row and could barely hear her. Because of that, the entire "story" didn't work and became more of a distraction - by the time we came upon the "poachers", no one had a clue what the little scene was about...but the guide insisting every one clap! I had really built this ride up in my mind beforehand - it was the one absolute must do...so I was disappointed, for sure.

Also, in regards to Fastpass, I did do a lot of research in preparation for the trip - I wasn't disappointed in the 10-20 minutes wait times, as they were a lot less. It was my own fault for getting in the Test Track line at 40 minutes! We're from Iowa - hot to us is 80 degrees...so 90+ was unbearable. We just weren't physically able to grab a Fast Pass and then come back at a later time. However, now that I am familiar with the park layouts, if I ever did go back (with better shoes!), I would definitely utilize them as Magic Kingdom especially was a lot smaller than I was anticipating.

I think my report would have come across better in video format...the humor gets a little lost in text!

 

[anniem8]

Okay, I read your trip report and didn't take it as negative at all. You just said your feet hurt and you were hot. I must admit, when I experience some of the attractions, I see them as a bit 'lame' too, but then I'll catch a glimpse of a nearby 5 year old -darn my kids for growing up!- and the magic comes back for me full force! And by the way, while I was reading the part about you and your dad in the teacups, I had to laugh! I bet everyone around you enjoyed your ride as two 'more mature' adults having a great time!

 

[mjkaferle5]

That is about one of the most negative reports I have read. From what it sounds like everyone else was just interfering with your vacation. Maybe if it was cooler, the park was empty, there were no kids sitting in the front sections, there were no TALL people there, and the rednecks stayed home you might of had a good time. Just don't go when my family is there. I'm 6'5", I would hate to be in your way. We also have 4 children, but I guess you wouldn't mind them if they were in the back section!!

 

[thptrek]

Quote "We're from Iowa - hot to us is 80 degrees...so 90+ was unbearable." May I suggest the Weather Channel homepage to check what weather conditions can be expected in order to determine if conditions will be likeable for you. Early Oct in Florida equals still being hot. Sort of like don't go to Iowa in February and complain that it is cold, lol.

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your reports ~ Thanx for posting.

 

[AnninIowa]

Quote "We're from Iowa - hot to us is 80 degrees...so 90+ was unbearable." May I suggest the Weather Channel homepage to check what weather conditions can be expected in order to determine if conditions will be likeable for you. Early Oct in Florida equals still being hot. Sort of like don't go to Iowa in February and complain that it is cold, lol.

Well, predicting weather is kind of hard to do when you book a trip 8 months in advance...and in the research I'd done October looked like an 80's month. Beside, in many of the other trip reports I've been reading, heat has been an issue for many people.

 

[Keggy]

Gosh - I am surprised you had an enjoyable vacation! Your posts definitely came across as negative - I couldn't find the humor.

Definitely a huge plus to have been upgraded! Very cool!

Kelly

 

[jennymouse]

LOL! I can't help but laugh at some of the responses you're getting! It's as if you told them their kids were ugly or sumpin'!lol

I enjoyed your report. I now live with my 81yo dad and can relate to you in so many ways. We've actually taken two trips to WDW together. The first one started off a bit rough but he ended up having a ball and even wanting to go back so we took my aunt/uncle in their late 70's with us last time. Both times we've gone has been end of January first week of February and is more your kind of weather. Upper 70's/lower 80's during the day and 40/50 at night. I rented scooters for all three of them from an offsite home health company and that really saves their energy plus they enjoyed riding them. Really, they couldn't have done it without them. I even rented one at the park for myself on one of our Epcot days because I was exhausted from trying to keep up with them!lol

I usually have to take my grandkids in the hotter months and it just wears you out too fast and makes it hard to enjoy yourself. I hope you all do get to make it back to WDW sometime because I feel like you missed a lot. If you do, go in February and consider renting scooters! The safari is really hit or miss as far as the animals are concerned. Sometimes there's a bunch and sometimes not very many. My aunt was disappointed in it too and her and my uncle are farmers and love animals. The poacher story is lame...especially after several trips.

I love WDW, I really do. But I didn't actually fall in love with it until my second trip as I was so overwhelmed the first time.

Thanks for sharing your honest opinions! I enjoyed reading them. Sorry some haven't received it well. Can't please everyone, right?hehe

 

[suevee]

Thanks for posting. I didn't see your posts as being to negative and I enjoyed your perspective. I like seeing WDW from different angles. I do think you would enjoy it a lot more in cooler weather. We used to go only in June then we started to go in Feb/March, much better for us. If you go again someday when it is cooler I would suggest you definitely try to get to the Lion King Show in AK and Beauty and the Beast in Studios. Aloha!

 

[disneymom3]

I am glad that even with the negatives you have a very open attitude. I am on the other hand soooo sad that the Safari Ride did not work out for you! I love that ride and have always seen lots of animals. I would have been terribly disappointed in that experience too. However, I have to say I would have liked not hearing the guide as I hate that poacher story!! I wish they had two lines--one for the dorky story and one to just enjoy the scenery.

Thanks for taking the time to share your report. What an amazing upgrade!! I have never heard of that happening!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

It sounds like some stuff went well; some stuff didn't. My first trip, I suffered with blisters ON my blisters and my poor little 3 year-old daughter was speechless & shaking with terror when we got off Pirates... And NOW we're going back to celebrate her college graduation!!!! Over the years, I've been barfed-on, hollered at, and sat in other folks' fanny sweat on the busses. Balancing those experiences are: the fun watching the water parade at the beach, locating the lawnmower tree at FW (harder to find every year), and spotting the "big golfball" from the plane before landing at MCO.
I really liked the passage where you recounted seeing and photographing the "famous" Bell-hop! He made your day. You probably made his!There's something indefinable about the WDW experience but I think you are homing in on it with that event. It's way too soon to tell if you got bit by the Disney bug (mouse?? ) or not .. wait and see what you remember when you're looking at your vacation pictures later this year.
Thanks again for the great report.

 

[OhDonna]

I appreciate your honesty. Disney is not "easy" for first timers but then I always enjoy the second trip, anywhere, more than the first. Learning your way around, deciding where to go, what to do, even where to eat can be a little stressful, especially if you are pushed for time, caring for others and dealing with staggering heat.

The higher the expectations, the higher the frustration when things don't go quite right. It is easy to get caught up in the "do this first, do that second, now eat there..." madness but there is not much sense in trying to do-it-all, if it is wearing you out-even if it is a once in a lifetime trip.

I will soon be making my 7th trip. To be honest, I was going to New Orleans but you know that story..... So I am going to New Orleans/Disney. My first trip to Disney was about 30 years ago, only had the MK back then.

Naturally, I read the reviews. Planning is part of the fun/obsession but my first priority is to simply have a good time. I like to get away from the park for a day about midway through the trip. Discovery Cove is a nice change.

Disney is an easy/comfortable vacation for me because I don't care if I don't do it all or see it all. There are always new surprises and fun to be had. The best is often the least expected. I just want to feel that child-like thrill, be bombarded with old memories, play, ride, eat and be happy. Disney has never let me down.

 

[heaven2dc]

Okay, Ann, I have to apologize here after posting my reply earlier. I lived in Iowa as a little girl and still consider that home so as one native Iowa gal to another, please don't take my reply as negative either.

When we went in 97 (12 of us all adults except my 15 year old son then), we chose to leave my youngest 2 with their great uncle and honestly I felt the parks were more enjoyable visiting the first time without children. We visited in March and it was relatively cool then, I thought I packed comfortable shoes but still got a blister. The crowds weren't bad that time of year. I think tho next year when we visit (now with my DS12, DS18, DS23, DD26 & DS27) I will have to try to keep the magic as it seems people are much ruder & I'm not as tolerant as I use to be. So in closing I just want to say I did enjoy your report and hope you get to see Hawaii soon.

P.S. If I hit the lottery, I'll send you personally on the best trip ever!!

 

[AnninIowa]

Thanks to everyone for all the responses - it's certainly been lively! Honestly, I was very hurt that some took my report as negative, as I meant a lot of it as tounge in cheek. For instance, I really don't believe kids should be banned for Cirque...I just think Cirque should be banned from selling those jugs of pop that made the kids have to pee every five minutes!

Seriously, I actually wrote the report for myself first as I wanted to remember all the details of the trip...and then decided I'd post it here. I also forwarded it to my family and friends - they know me, and totally "get" my storytelling! My Disney memories are very positive - and I have nothing but good things to say when I talk to people. In fact, I'm helping a couple of friends with their future trips - they have children, and while I was at Disney, I also took some notes for them so they'd know where their kid's favorite characters would be. I also sent postcards to my friends' kids from their favorite characters - they loved them!

On a personal note, my mom died when I was six, and my dad raised me by himself (along with a mentally retarded older brother, who died three years after my mom died, and another older brother who had problems of his own). Now Dad lives with me, and a trip to Hawaii (my parents went a couple years before my mom died, and we kind of retraced that trip) last year and then this trip to Disney have actually been the first time we've done any big trips just for fun (i.e. not to visit relatives). So, my excessive detailing may seem like it's highlighting too many negatives, but it's just my way of holding on to every single memory!!

Oh, one last thing...how long before I'll stop hearing Stacy from the "Top 7" in my head?! "Summit, Plummet"!

 

[wackywexler]

Thank you so much for the report. I appreciated your honesty and could see that you were telling us the good and the bad things that happened. My Dad is 72 and I was imagining him and me taking your trip together and really enjoyed thinking about that, especially the teacups! I like to know that it is not all a bed of roses on these trips so that when bad stuff happens to me I don't feel like I am the only one it has ever happened to. People have accused me sometimes of finding fault like there is a reward for it. I think some of us are just naturally more talented that way! lol Anyway, we all have different views, tastes and preferences and it is wonderful that we can all constructively share them here in this delightful format! Thanks again!

 

[PolyGuy]

Nice report Ann... We were there last week also, and the heat did get to me a little. It was very hot and very humid for this time of year, and it rained every day.