Not going to be popular, but really, tell me your thoughts

[bpesch]

We're doing out first trip in years in Nov 2017. I'm planning but not over planning. It will be our first trip with my granddaughter who will be 4. Her daddy, aunt and I are all really looking forward to our first Disney trip with a young one. We've been to Disney over the years, several times, but this is the first trip in a while that didn't have all adults. We want to do Ohana for dinner, lunch at Yaki & Yetti and lunch at the Sci-Fi Theater. And the only FP I'm getting is for Fairytale Hall to see the princesses. Other than that we're winging it. And for me, that's a major accomplishment. I'm a serious planner but just want to let things fall where they may for this trip. The fact that we'll have a young one with us is what makes the trip all that more special.

 

[CynJ]

First off- what is RD? I haven't seen that abbreviation before.

Next, I was getting super disappointed in planning my 2017 trip -between the bad dining reviews and how many "WDW has lost the magic" threads I've seen, it was just depressing.

I thought a lot about my two previous trips, both were very spontaneous trips. We just did what we wanted, no planning, no long term ADRs we just made same day reservations at an available spot. Nothing was an "omg we have to this or our whole trip is ruined" thing. We just let the magic unfurl around us and had spectacular trips on both occasions. I rearranged my thinking for my upcoming trip and tried to get on the minutia planning wagon but I just can't trying to do that is killing the magic for me. I'm sorting out which parks I'm going to on which days (so I don't miss fireworks or things only offered on certain days) but I'm going to wing it on the rest.

One thought I have, and no one take this the wrong way, but it seems like a lot of the complaining about lost magic seems to be predominately from folks who go to WDW every year or every couple years. Maybe it's too often - maybe something gets lost when something becomes that familiar.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

First off- what is RD? I haven't seen that abbreviation before.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

First off- what is RD? I haven't seen that abbreviation before.

Next, I was getting super disappointed in planning my 2017 trip -between the bad dining reviews and how many "WDW has lost the magic" threads I've seen, it was just depressing.

I thought a lot about my two previous trips, both were very spontaneous trips. We just did what we wanted, no planning, no long term ADRs we just made same day reservations at an available spot. Nothing was an "omg we have to this or our whole trip is ruined" thing. We just let the magic unfurl around us and had spectacular trips on both occasions. I rearranged my thinking for my upcoming trip and tried to get on the minutia planning wagon but I just can't trying to do that is killing the magic for me. I'm sorting out which parks I'm going to on which days (so I don't miss fireworks or things only offered on certain days) but I'm going to wing it on the rest.

One thought I have, and no one take this the wrong way, but it seems like a lot of the complaining about lost magic seems to be predominately from folks who go to WDW every year or every couple years. Maybe it's too often - maybe something gets lost when something becomes that familiar.

RD = Rope Drop (park opening time)

 

[CynJ]

RD = Rope Drop (park opening time)

Duh! lol thanks! I just couldn't suss that one out.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I hate to give out this secret. The old Disney Magic is still at Disney Land. No magic bands so planning your ride Choices months in advance is not an issue. You don't have to get too worked up about ADRs. There aren't too many higher end restaurants to get fixated about. Last November I was so tickled to eat a walking taco from Cozy Cone. The food in general is superior, varied and different than the repetitive junk available in FL. I also find the test track ride superior themed so beautifully in Carsland. It is stunning. I adore the impromptu dance party in Carsland and the neon light celebration each night.

Two parks is a cinch when you acces California Adventure by walking across a plaza. People in CA stood patiently within inches of one another to watch the fireworks last time I was there. Same at the Colors of Wonder. I've been there twice now and I adore DL. And Downtown Disney is also walkable! And if you want to stay offsite, you can walk!!

But here's the key thing - DL still has impromptu character interactions. My running buddy danced with the chipmunks. They just danced and danced. I was in shock. And wound up taking about 100 photos it was so magical. Then Cruella popped out and heckled everyone for a bit. Next thing you know, she was dancing too! All of this happened with the Fireman Band playing. So this was 7-10 employees counting handlers. I ran into Aurora traveling down a garden path by the castle and watched her interact so adorably with a girl. I realized FL used to be like this, but it is now over-managed.

If you can't swing CA, then I really can only say two words - Harry Potter. Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are where imagineering has moved to for this point in time. I like to go there in October. The parks close early for Horror stuff which we skip. We rest! We swim! We eat a leisurely meal! We don't stress out trying to pack it all in because it is do-able.

You summed up what I do love about the California parks perfectly. But I'll tell you what I didn't miss- the paper fast passes. I never get the time I want. The OP can have that particular piece of "nostalgia"- I loved the fp+ system!

 

[Westcoastwild]

First off- what is RD? I haven't seen that abbreviation before.

Next, I was getting super disappointed in planning my 2017 trip -between the bad dining reviews and how many "WDW has lost the magic" threads I've seen, it was just depressing.

I thought a lot about my two previous trips, both were very spontaneous trips. We just did what we wanted, no planning, no long term ADRs we just made same day reservations at an available spot. Nothing was an "omg we have to this or our whole trip is ruined" thing. We just let the magic unfurl around us and had spectacular trips on both occasions. I rearranged my thinking for my upcoming trip and tried to get on the minutia planning wagon but I just can't trying to do that is killing the magic for me. I'm sorting out which parks I'm going to on which days (so I don't miss fireworks or things only offered on certain days) but I'm going to wing it on the rest.

One thought I have, and no one take this the wrong way, but it seems like a lot of the complaining about lost magic seems to be predominately from folks who go to WDW every year or every couple years. Maybe it's too often - maybe something gets lost when something becomes that familiar.

I don't think you should be disappointed at all. I think I spent too much time lurking here before my last trip. Don't get me wrong- some of it was enormously helpful. But some of it had me more worried about WDW than my trip to Europe next year- and it took the first couple of days at WDW to put it into perspective. It does tremendously help to have those fast passes if only as a general framework. But seriously, I think the people who wring their hands over not having a certain fp or not getting a certain number per day just make themselves crazy. I wait in line at my local amusement park for easily an hour or more to ride my favorite coaster sober and over. Not paying for the fireworks dessert up sells...well, have you never fought the crowds in your town to see the Independence Day fireworks? Have to show up an hour early for that parade to claim your spot? Have you never showed up to a play an hour early because you only have general admission tickets?

And your kids learn a valuable lesson to boot- the best experiences in life often involve waiting in line or fighting crowds. I'm not sorry I went to WDW during the summer just like I'm not sorry I went to Yosemite last year. It was go then or don't go at all!

The people who obsess over ADRs- I actually do sort of get that, I'm not sure disney's system works all that well. But I never had a problem finding sit down dining at the resorts. And that's honestly more for the adults- I mean, sure, BOG was a highlight of my trip at WDW just like the Bayou is at DL- but if you've got a kid that eats nothing but chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese- well, just admit it, they can eat that anywhere in any park, no ADRs required. If feeding the kid in a timely manner is the priority, then why worry about ADRs at all?

I totally get your last remark, and I'll follow it up with a slightly stronger opinion- how can anyone stand to go multiple times a year, every year?? They push DVC pretty hard in the parks and I just don't get it. I don't even repeat the same city every year- no matter how much I love Boston or SF or Chicago, there's so much of the country or world I want to see. For there to be magic, there's got to be a little mystery left!