Mac30188
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2015
- Messages
- 424
Very magical for daughter (4) first trip to Disney World.
1) Crowds were low. Utilized early mornings, fast pass +, lines app from touring plans and never waited more than 18 minutes for any ride the entire trip. Did virtually all rides and all headliners but Space Mountain (had fast pass but chickened out) and Test Track (40 minute line scared us away)
2) Staffing was never a concern. Not once at any point during the trip did the number of people staffed impact us in any way. There was always someone available within 20 feet. No rude staff members. 3 out of 4 were extremely customer focused and friendly. Bag checks were largely no wait.
3) Cleanliness was good to fair. Did find one elevator with a spilled drink, and the monorails are starting to smell stale. All trash cans were properly emptied and all restrooms were clean.
4) JTA training allowed before PPO breakfast. Free use fast pass also provided. Signing up for JTA meant we were not done with breakfast at rope drop.
5) Renting stroller very much recommended. Daughter has not used stroller in over a year, but could not have survived walking. Rented stroller from outside vendor allowed the use all the way back to room + significantly more comfortable. Only time picked up daughter was to see something.
6) Not one rude guest the entire trip.
7) Character meals recommended. Feet and legs are consumable asset. Waiting for characters to come to you is enormously better than waiting in line for them. Character lines are usually the slowest and most boring lines to stand in. Many are outside or not in themed areas. Daughter met 32 different characters (some multiple times). Mickey Mouse was her favorite by end of week.
8) Dining plan worked well with stacking of all character meals. A ton of food. Snack credits could not be consumed fast enough. As a normally healthy eater, found table service meals easier on stomach than counter service. A day of counter service = heart burn. Financially broke even, however the psychological impact of not freaking out on a $14 hamburger that looked like a hockey puck should not be underestimated.
9) Disney Magic did happen half a dozen times by staff (most small but one big thing/will not give details). Also brought self-made Disney magic to give out about a half-dozen times (for example made some letters from Rapunzel that showed up at end of each day). Recommend make your own Disney magic, expect nothing, and be amazed when something happens.
10) Ride tolerance for 4 year old was learned by both kid and parent on fly. Found out she did not like dark rides. Loved Splash Mountain, terrified of Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest was on the border. Bailed on Space Mountain once we saw Tower of Terror reaction. Every child will be different.
11) For 4 year old daughter, rides > characters > shows. Still enjoyed shows, but limited to 5-6. Favorite ride was Toy Story Midway Mania. Most of Fantasy land was well received. MK favorite park.
12) 6:30AM was our conservative leave room in time for PPO breakfast. Most busses started rolling 6:45 to 7:00. For Animal Kingdom we were 21st in line. For Magic Kingdom we were around 30th in line. For Hollywood Studios, we were 5th in line and first in park. Could have probably left a few minutes later, but I like the 6:30 target to start walk. Boards at bus stop that told time of bus to arrival were awesome.
13) Not one alligator sighting. Daughter liked playing in sand on beach. Not very crowded and peaceful. Weather largely perfect last week. No rain, 70s in day. A little chilly in evening needed coat.
14) Did not get wet on Pirates. Minimal signs of water in boat.
1) Crowds were low. Utilized early mornings, fast pass +, lines app from touring plans and never waited more than 18 minutes for any ride the entire trip. Did virtually all rides and all headliners but Space Mountain (had fast pass but chickened out) and Test Track (40 minute line scared us away)
2) Staffing was never a concern. Not once at any point during the trip did the number of people staffed impact us in any way. There was always someone available within 20 feet. No rude staff members. 3 out of 4 were extremely customer focused and friendly. Bag checks were largely no wait.
3) Cleanliness was good to fair. Did find one elevator with a spilled drink, and the monorails are starting to smell stale. All trash cans were properly emptied and all restrooms were clean.
4) JTA training allowed before PPO breakfast. Free use fast pass also provided. Signing up for JTA meant we were not done with breakfast at rope drop.
5) Renting stroller very much recommended. Daughter has not used stroller in over a year, but could not have survived walking. Rented stroller from outside vendor allowed the use all the way back to room + significantly more comfortable. Only time picked up daughter was to see something.
6) Not one rude guest the entire trip.
7) Character meals recommended. Feet and legs are consumable asset. Waiting for characters to come to you is enormously better than waiting in line for them. Character lines are usually the slowest and most boring lines to stand in. Many are outside or not in themed areas. Daughter met 32 different characters (some multiple times). Mickey Mouse was her favorite by end of week.
8) Dining plan worked well with stacking of all character meals. A ton of food. Snack credits could not be consumed fast enough. As a normally healthy eater, found table service meals easier on stomach than counter service. A day of counter service = heart burn. Financially broke even, however the psychological impact of not freaking out on a $14 hamburger that looked like a hockey puck should not be underestimated.
9) Disney Magic did happen half a dozen times by staff (most small but one big thing/will not give details). Also brought self-made Disney magic to give out about a half-dozen times (for example made some letters from Rapunzel that showed up at end of each day). Recommend make your own Disney magic, expect nothing, and be amazed when something happens.
10) Ride tolerance for 4 year old was learned by both kid and parent on fly. Found out she did not like dark rides. Loved Splash Mountain, terrified of Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest was on the border. Bailed on Space Mountain once we saw Tower of Terror reaction. Every child will be different.
11) For 4 year old daughter, rides > characters > shows. Still enjoyed shows, but limited to 5-6. Favorite ride was Toy Story Midway Mania. Most of Fantasy land was well received. MK favorite park.
12) 6:30AM was our conservative leave room in time for PPO breakfast. Most busses started rolling 6:45 to 7:00. For Animal Kingdom we were 21st in line. For Magic Kingdom we were around 30th in line. For Hollywood Studios, we were 5th in line and first in park. Could have probably left a few minutes later, but I like the 6:30 target to start walk. Boards at bus stop that told time of bus to arrival were awesome.
13) Not one alligator sighting. Daughter liked playing in sand on beach. Not very crowded and peaceful. Weather largely perfect last week. No rain, 70s in day. A little chilly in evening needed coat.
14) Did not get wet on Pirates. Minimal signs of water in boat.
My kiddos still needed a stroller at Disney when they were 7. Hadn't been in one in years, but at Disney it's different. It's Disney World, not the real world. 
