Recent Trip to WDW - Quick Thoughts

[BrianL]

Okay, so I'm just back off of an exhausting week and thought I'd share some quick takeaways:

• Port Orleans Riverside - I've stayed here before but it's been a while. Honestly, I think I don't like the very laid back style of this resort and everything seemed to be a production. There was always a line at the front desk and no apparent urgency on the part of cast members. I'm sorry to say, but this could have been better, especially when we kept having issues with our magic bands. Bus service though was efficient and the drives seemed closer to most parks. Still, I think I prefer Pop and other values.
• MVCMP - First time doing the Christmas Party. It's no MNSSHP, but it was still fun. The plussed-up fireworks this year were spectacular and we got perfect viewing spots only about 15 minutes ahead of time. The Space Mountain overlay was kind of pointless, but we were able to ride very quickly as it had been down and came back right as we approached. The free treats were nice and it was chilly so the hot chocolate was welcome.
• Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Okay, it was my first time here too, and I have some thoughts.
  • The land itself is large - maybe too large with some areas seeming empty. Maybe that will change when Rise of the Resistance opens.
  • Smuggler's Run is a problematic ride. The positions are not equally fun and we never got to be pilots. If the pilots are bad it can ruin the experience - and I don't mean because you don't win the game - we had pilots that rammed us into the ground and that caused intense shaking - my back was killing me! Walking into this thing is amazing and I love Hondo, but I feel like it should be better than Star Tours - it's not.
  • Speaking of Star Tours - it always puts a smile on my face. SWGE did not. While some of it is EXCELLENT and I had a great time, some of it just left me a little cold. I feel like the "put on" that it's all "real" is a bit much and I would prefer it to be a celebration of Star Wars, not a playset moored to a specific story.
  • When we visited at night I have to say it was actually unpleasant. Speaking as a Star Wars fan - Star Wars fans are THE WORST. These kids (and by kids I mean like 25 years old) swinging their lightsabers around, pushing to follow Chewie around, just being...*sigh*, I don't know. Has anyone else noticed behavior being a problem? I feel like it's only a matter of time before a fight breaks out over who gets to be a pilot.
  • I get that they tried to do something different here, but I think it lacks a little charm. I guess these days I'm more of a Disney fan first, so I'd prefer a bit more of a theme park feel. Still, I can't wait for Rise of the Resistance to open, considering it is the "A ride" anyway. It'll still be fun.
  • Also, both kinds of Ronto Wraps are delicious!
• So, if SWGE was a bit flat for me, the new crown jewel to me at WDW is the Skyliner. My goodness what an awesome thing it is! It's so fast and efficient, fun to ride, and just beautiful. The stations are very cool too. It's a fantastic addition!
• My new favorite place in all of WDW right now is the round room in the Epcot Experience Center. I swear I could just watch that forever! I am hyped for the new Epcot additions!
• Garden Grill continues to be impressive and we had a great server and meal there. I missed the sausage from the skillet, but the steak with chimichuri was excellent. It was well worth it!
• I really loved the puppets for the holidays at Animal Kingdom. They are really cool!

One last story that may sound a little odd is why I watched The American Adventure twice in one day. We had been at Epcot earlier in the day, but hopped over to HS (on the Skyliner - woo hoo!). Once there, after riding RnRC I noticed that I had lost my comb. Now, we are talking about a 50 cent pocket comb, but it's one I've had for about 30 years. New combs seem to be made of a different kind of plastic and I hate them. This thing is a bit precious to me. I also knew where I must have dropped it - when I took an eyeglass wipe out of my pocket at the American Adventure. I was a bit crestfallen that I had lost it but went back over to SWGE. I thought about it and figured, maybe I break off from my friend, go back to Epcot, hit the next show of The American Adventure and look for the comb. Nah, it couldn't be there right? Then I thought I'd probably want to watch Epcot Forever again rather than Jingle Bell Jingle Bam so I decided to go for it. I Skylinered over and went straight to America. I got first in line up the stars and at the door. I knew where I had sat. I made my way and checked the floor and found nothing. Then, on the seat next to me, sitting right on the hinge, there it was. My precious little comb. I snatched it up and secured it in my pocket. I then watched the entire show out of respect. My friend stayed at SWGE, learned to play Sabacc and even got into Ogas without a reservation. I have no regrets!

 

[disneyseniors]

Thanks for your review of SWGE. I'm sure it will be fantastic when the new ride shows up.
I had to laugh over the "50"cent comb you've had for years I have a nail file that I got many, many years ago when I worked in a doctor's office. The detail man for surgical supplies gave each of us one. I have never seen one like it. It is made of high grade surgical steel and has never worn out in many years, probably 50+ or so!!! So.....I can see what you mean about sentimental value. Afterall, I get silly over my nail file

 

[BrianL]

Thanks for your review of SWGE. I'm sure it will be fantastic when the new ride shows up.
I had to laugh over the "50"cent comb you've had for years I have a nail file that I got many, many years ago when I worked in a doctor's office. The detail man for surgical supplies gave each of us one. I have never seen one like it. It is made of high grade surgical steel and has never worn out in many years, probably 50+ or so!!! So.....I can see what you mean about sentimental value. Afterall, I get silly over my nail file

Oh, believe me, I was feeling distraught over the comb. I actually have misplaced it before and bought new ones but they just aren't the same. They are too hard. I was very happy to find it.

 

[disneyseniors]

Oh, believe me, I was feeling distraught over the comb. I actually have misplaced it before and bought new ones but they just aren't the same. They are too hard. I was very happy to find it.

That reminds me of a funny comb story! Here goes! My husband needed another comb, and I saw some for sale at a flea market - a pack of 3 for a dollar! What a deal. I brought them home to my husband, bragging about how cheap they were. When he tried to use one, he found out that the teeth were GLUED together, so they couldn't be used! LOL!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Spot on review. I was there two weeks ago and agree with virtually everything you wrote, except that I didn't stay at POR. I stayed at POP specifically to be at a Skyliner resort. The Skyliner is definitely the best of the new additions, although I did have to evacuate one time when the Epcot line stopped running and I was forced to take a bus from CBR.

Universal's Harry Potter lands raised the bar for immersive, interactive lands and I don't think that SWGE has reached that bar. It still has a lot of potential, though, and Imagineering says that they will be adding more besides RotR in the future. I'm looking forward to seeing their additions.

 

[BrianL]

Spot on review. I was there two weeks ago and agree with virtually everything you wrote, except that I didn't stay at POR. I stayed at POP specifically to be at a Skyliner resort. The Skyliner is definitely the best of the new additions, although I did have to evacuate one time when the Epcot line stopped running and I was forced to take a bus from CBR.

Universal's Harry Potter lands raised the bar for immersive, interactive lands and I don't think that SWGE has reached that bar. It still has a lot of potential, though, and Imagineering says that they will be adding more besides RotR in the future. I'm looking forward to seeing their additions.

Yeah, HP at Uni definitely sort of started the trend - I'm just not sure that I like it. The idea of it being "real" is a little odd to me. I'd rather have the Star Wars theme blaring as I walk through the gates (think the gates of Jurassic Park at Uni) - I think it lacks a little charm. Somehow Pandora doesn't suffer from it even though it is also similar in that regard. Maybe the environment is just a little more pleasant in general - most planets in Star Wars aren't places I would actually want to go to!