Rate your recent trip!

[crazylady]

We went in early June last year. I thought I was prepared for FP+ and tried to be open minded, but I hated it. The rain was horrible when we were there too. All in all, I was left feeling like I need a do-over trip.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I voted "It was pretty good."

Went right after Thanksgiving. Crowds were as expected. First time using FP+, and I actually thought it worked out pretty well.

All of the new restaurants we tried were fine. Buses were fine. Lines were fine. No line cutting issues. No CM issues. No "larger touring groups" issues.

Disney Springs is a disaster area. I will not go there again until it is DONE.

 

[starjazz]

84% of voters are reporting above average trip, with half of those voters saying the trip was perfect. This is really good news, I'd say.

 

[disnut1149]

We were went last August. I voted "pretty good" We had bedbugs at POFQ, so that was awful. We spent the first day at Wal-Mart getting new clothes. We were supposed to be at the MK. But besides that, our trip was so much fun and we had free dining. Just being there with my DGD and DD is fun. Now planning to go again this spring. Just going to tear the whole bed apart and check everything with a flashlight.

 

[TiffanyA]

I felt my Xmas trip was pretty good. It was actually the spontaneous parts that were the best! We booked the Behind the Seed Tours on the spot one day, but because of timing, would have been in danger of missing our Soarin' fastpass (this was the week before Soarin' was scheduled to be closed). The CM ended up giving us special fastpasses so if the tour did go over, the three of us already with fatpasses could go on at another time (there were 6 of us). The tour did not go over, and we ended up giving the fastpasses to the other three members of our group so we all got to ride! We also really really enjoyed the tour

I also was able to book Teppan Edo same day for lunch. My mother had initially not wanted to waste time at sit downs, but her leg/foot muscles started acting up during the trip and table service suddenly looked great in a warmer than normal winter with sore muscles. It ended up being much appreciated and the restaurant is now on our repeat list. Our chef was very very entertaining and we had some great conversation with our table mates.

In addition I was unable to score 7DMT fastpasses, but was able to take advantage of the evening parade to hop in line when the wait was posted a 70 minutes. We made it through the queue in 26 minutes. We also couldn't get Test Track (since we got Soarin'), but made it through single rider in 30 minutes and actually got to sit in the same car!

So some wins were in spite of Disney, and some wins made by Disney. There were some hit and miss times, mostly because I overplanned yet again, but that's on me, right? FP+ worked as expected and though I really miss FP- still, we are still able to make it work on FP+. i really really wish they'd do away with the tiers though. Hollywood Studios was meh for us too this time.

 

[dipastor]

We were in Disney December 18th through the 24th (third year in a row). Loved it!!!!! We have a certain groove and even if something doesn't go our way, there's always a plan B. The CM's during our trip were also amazing. Weather was beautiful and we didn't go commando this trip. We took our time, did everything we wanted to do and tried some new restaurants (that we hadn't tried before). I will miss the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights but hopefully they will return one day. Can't wait to return!

 

[Lori74]

thanks to the Dis I learned a lot before going. this was our second time to the mk, (the first being a Halloween party a few hours). we had a ppo at bog which was fantastic to experience, got to ride mine train 4 times before opening. we explored and rode many rides then decided to go back to the resort to nap about 1. we came back about 6:30, had dinner, and rode some more, took advantage of rides during the fireworks and still got to see them as we were enjoying rides. a few of us hit a wall about 10ish. one of my kids was really grating on my nerves, so walking through frontierland, we sat them in the rocking chairs to just chill, and my husband and I walked around a little and bumped into aloha isle. I asked the cm if they sold a tiny dole whip so I could try it, they handed me a huge one, and I went to scan my mb and she said "no need, that's for you, enjoy!" I almost cried. we sat down as I said to my husband, ill never be able to finish this, 10 min later I was scraping the bottom, and in a much better state to face my cranky son (who is 19 btw). we watched the electric parade, 2 of my kids decided to head back to the resort while the rest of us moved on. we had a great time, and stayed to watch the kiss good night. when we looked back at the pictures, we realized how busy it really was. we had such a great time and followed what ive learned about touring, we didn't even notice how packed the park was. we were there on vets day. very magical day and the rest of the week was equally terrific visiting epcot and hs for the first time.

 

[MrInfinity]

Gotta love those replies about how it's not Disney World that's fun, people have to make their own magic. I mean really if that was the case, why not stay home and have crackers with the people you went with? That experience would be even better, because you would not have the cost, or need to overcome the obstacle of having fun at Disney World. Really who spends thousands of dollars on something they find so meh and then do it over and over and over again?

Our last trip was awesome. And I'm not just saying that, it was! If it's ever not awesome, we'd stop doing it. I'd say it was the best ever... was a mix of veterans and newbies which is a blast. FastPass was a huge hit, cuz the others in our group were expecting long lines like at a Six Flags, and we got on everything really fast. And even besides the rides, CMs were nice, the renovations were great at the Polynesian, and the kid-pool there was really great. Grog Grotto was fun, SDMT, JTA, and all the little stuff... It was such a good time we already want to go back -- maybe try a resort we haven't stayed at before, and take a short trip.

Seriously I would be so bummed if I was in Disney World and felt like "oh, this is 'meh' I'm not having a great time"... I would not go again until that desire was rekindled. I don't think I've even thought that while waiting in a line. I hope those of you who are having crummy times there find a way to turn it around. Think -- It's Disney World! Figure out what's not fun about it... is it a line? Is it the need to go to a ride at a certain time? Try doing unplanned things... like skip a ride, do Sorcerers or the Wilderness Explorer kits at the AK -- things that might seem like a suboptimal use of time, but kids end up loving. Stop getting up at the crack of dawn, and have a lazy breakfast at your hotel. Go play in the sand. Look at some of the little stuff. Stop and listen to the quartet, or watch a show. I would get to the root of what's wrong fast because your trip goes by so quickly and then you're home and wishing you were back at Disney World. Live it up, now... Really. Go have fun. You are in a place all of us at home would trade with you in an instant!!

 

[maryandthemouse]

We LOVE Disney, no matter what time of year, no matter the crowds, no matter the weather! I agree with others, if you do your homework (or have a TA help you) and plan accordingly, you take a lot of the moments that could be frustrating away.

 

[glassslippergirl]

OP, I think that the definition you provide of a perfect trip in your poll is really limited to YOUR definition of a perfect trip. For example, the idea that wait times have to be low for a trip to be the absolute best really doesn't jive with my experiences. While I would love to wait less time for the best rides, I also love to go to WDW for special events, which draw extra people into a park and, thus, make wait times longer. Probably my two most memorable trips in the last 10 years have involved being in the parks for Fourth of July and New Year's Eve, days with the highest crowds of the year. The long lines were nothing when compared to just the experience of being in Disney for that special event-- by far the most exciting New Year's Eve I've ever experienced and by far the best Fourth of July fireworks program I've ever seen. I've also endured many a SWW crowd (so sad, no more), camped out to get autographs, and even braved the crowds for the Star Tours rededication in 2011. We were packed like sardines in the 90-degree temperatures, but I wouldn't trade the memories for anything. I get that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I wanted to express a different view on a perfect trip.

As for my most recent trip, I selected that it was pretty good. I agree with PP. The planning was far too much.

 

[Magpie]

With regards to the importance of planning and "newbies don't plan":

I might be unusual, but I planned the heck out of my first trip to Disney, even though we'd never been before.

I bought and borrowed guide books and read them. I ordered planning CDs. I learned the "ropes", before I ever set foot onsite. And we had a great first trip!

I did the exact same thing the first time I ever set foot in London a few years back, except now I can turn to Reddit and trip planning boards for even more help. So, doing your research and planning for your trip is not just a Disney-thing. I truly believe it improves every trip, no matter where in the world you want to go.

 

[Seeker615]

I think this is particularly problematic when Disney adds paint the picture of a trip you don't really have to plan. Right ? Its all about you just walk up to the front counter and tell them what you want to do and *poof* you are set.

I know our first trip we had NO idea of the need to plan, we just booked it and showed up. Now this wasn't a problem under legacy FP, or when the parks were a little less crowded (though I think the crowding is also a function of FP+), lines were shorter, FPs didn't need to be planned etc. So we had a great time. But if I had done the same and hit larger crowds or lines etc ... I imagine I wouldn't have been nearly as pleased.

I always chuckle when I see that commercial of the family at the front desk ordering what they want out of their trip to the cast member. It really does paint a picture that all you do is ask and you shall receive! I am sure there are newbies who will think it is so!

 

[lovin'fl]

I went with 'pretty good'. My last trip, Oct 2015, with my twin DDs-16 and DH was a good one. It was just 3 nights for F&W and MNSSHP. We are DVC and go frequently and our prior trip, Aug 2015, was not super great. But my DDs enjoyed their first MNSSHP and F&W. We flew in while DH drove in so DDs and I had lots of time there without DH and that was nice and 'chill'...DH is always grumpy. Everything went relatively well too. Good meals, a great room at SSR and decent cast members. Only one issue was that our ME paper didn't get delivered to our door the night before our departure so I had to trek over to the desk and she gave me misinformation as to why we didn't get it. But after a few minutes, I had it printed and in hand.

 

[lovin'fl]

I went with 'pretty good'. My last trip, Oct 2015, with my twin DDs-16 and DH was a good one. It was just 3 nights for F&W and MNSSHP. We are DVC and go frequently and our prior trip, Aug 2015, was not super great. But my DDs enjoyed their first MNSSHP and F&W. We flew in while DH drove in so DDs and I had lots of time there without DH and that was nice and 'chill'...DH is always grumpy. Everything went relatively well too. Good meals, a great room at SSR and decent cast members. Only one issue was that our ME paper didn't get delivered to our door the night before our departure so I had to trek over to the desk and she gave me misinformation as to why we didn't get it. But after a few minutes, I had it printed and in hand.