Hi All,
Got back after 18 fab nights last week. We have been lucky enough to go three times in the past five years, always in the same time period: last week July, first couple of weeks August.
As ever it took a couple of days to get over the jetlag and readjust. I'm still struggling with the temperature here, missing the beautiful blue skies of Florida, the customer service and the can do attitude.
Takes some getting back into the swing of things when you are back doesnt it? Still all worth the adjusting of course!
I always enjoy reading peoples highs and lows after their trips. Here a few from our trip
Flights:
With United from Birmingham via New York. Booked 6 October 2012. Second time on this route in under a month, but this time in Economy. I have to be honest and say I did miss the extra leg room that Economy plus provided on the previous trip, but United got us there and back for £515 per person, from our local airport with minimal fuss. I have no complaints with United. The service, food and IFE were all spot on. Immigration at Newark done in under 20 mins from plane landing. Plenty at Newark to keep everyone amused in between flights. My new airline of choice for transatlantic!
Accommodation:
Had 14 nights at a villa on Indian Ridge. The best off site location that we have stayed in. From leaving the front door we were unloading in the MK car lot in just under 12 minutes (strictly observing all posted speed limits officer). Made it very easy to go back for a swim and relaxing in the daytime. Indian Ridge is a predominantly residential area and extremely quiet. Perfect for us. First time in a villa absolutely loved it! Pool was great, masses of space in the villa, no problems with security / wildlife in the pool or any of the other stuff you see appear in Villa threads. I would book again without hesitation.
We finished off with 4 nights at Royal Pacific Resort. Had two adjourning rooms, booked via British Airways - which saved us approx £300 compared to booking direct with Loewes. Second time staying here. Enjoyed the proximity to the parks, but personally prefer Portofino Bay. If Universal ever removed FOTL access for hotel tickets, the rates would have to drop significantly to get me back in there. The hotel was packed to the gunnels, and was a real contrast after the quiet of our Villa.
Weather:
For our three trips at this time of the year we enjoyed the best weather to date. Very little rain, extremely warm and it felt less humid to us than before. We had one night of an epic thunder and lightning storm which rumbled on from 7pm past midnight. We spent a very entertaining couple of hours on Main Street, watching the storms and getting some great lightning pics and video. The Main Street Electrical Parade was cancelled with minutes to go and Wishes subsequently delayed at 10pm. We left in torrential rain shortly after 10pm so never found out if wishes did go up that night. The stampede of soaking wet people stomping down Main Street after the MSEP cancellation was quite something it reminded me of the opening days of the sales on Oxford Street.
Crowd Levels:
Lots of Southern American Tour Groups who all but disappeared from August 1onwards to be replaced by the Brits on mass. I always stay off site so our only interaction is in the parks. Personally, I dont mind them. See a flag and a lot of bright coloured T-shirts, head in the opposite direction. No problems with queue jumping anywhere this time. Maybe we are just lucky and if we were in the same accommodation complex I maybe wouldnt be so charitable. We were at Fantasmic on Tue 30 July, and Im not kidding, one entire section was made up of kids from Argentina. I was at the front of the Fantasmic Package seating desperately avoiding eye contact with the hosts of the quite dreadful pre-show, hoping at all costs not to get picked. We were feeling slightly outnumbered in there! The parks felt much busier from August 1 onwards, but still very manageable. Obvious and often shared tip the early start alongside Fast Pass is your best friend people!
Parks / Attractions
We went with a plan to try as many new things as possible, whilst at the same time fitting in the favourites. In for opening each morning, we would focus on one part of the park and "do" that section to everyones content before either moving on or heading back for a swim. This saved a lot of energy rushing from one end of the park to another and for us worked. We pretty much rode everything at least once in the 'Big 4' Disney parks and Universal and Islands of Adventure.
Short of sitting on Main Street for a parade spot, the longest we waited for anything in our entire visit was 35 minutes - and that was in the FOTL queue at Universal for Minions Mayhem. I really pitied the folk entering that line in standby (120m wait posted) I admire your perseverance!
We found the new entry system using the plastic cards infinitely better than the previous paper ticket version. Good job Disney!
Loved Belles Enchanted Tale and went through that three times. Leave your usual Brit reserve at the airport and get involved. Its a right hoot! If you want to get picked, stand on the very end of the horseshoe of people in the wardrobe room and when instructed march with real enthusiasm. Swing those arms! You are guaranteed a place as a suit of armour!
Universal / IOA continue to torpedo Disney with their ride technology. Still think WWOHP is the greatest attraction ever but have to say that Transformers and Spiderman (with the new projections) give it a run for its money.
I was delighted to hear the strong rumours that Captain EO is being retired permanently. This excuse of an attraction is an embarrassment to Disney and the concept of EPCOT. If Ellen's Energy adventure could follow suit, I would take that as a positive step forward. We all preferred the new Test Track. Horses for courses etc.
We played mini golf three times - twice on the winter course by Blizzard beach and once at Fantasia gardens. Entrance was free on our tickets (discovered here - thanks for the tip off!) I would advise getting there 15 minutes before opening to make sure you are one of the first ones out.
Cast members
Fabulous. They amaze me. I witnessed so many instances of bad, rude behaviour from guests which were dealt with politely and efficiently. Quite why people have to be so flipping rude and miserable to the CM's...
The CM's appeared slightly more stressed in the Magic Kingdom then the other parks. Down to the volume of punters I would guess, but in general still doing a marvelous, often extremely repetitive , role in trying circumstances to an impressive level. I admire them.
Dining:
Onsite we ate at Be Our Guest (reservation for 5 people at 4:15pm secured 2 weeks before we travelled keep checking online ahead of travel). It was expensive - $191 including tip for 5, but a great one off experience. We also enjoyed Mama Melrose at Hollywood Studios. Great food and very good service. $170 including tip. We also did the character breakfast at Tusker House. Great food, enough character interaction for us and a bonus to beat the crowds after to the first safari of the day. Highly recommended!
Offsite: Well I have to say a very large and grateful thank you to everyone who has raved about the Cheescake Factory.
Never has a recommendation been more gratefully received! We went twice. Wow! Best food we had in Florida, including the onsite restaurants. Its probably a good job that there isnt a chain of them over here - it would cause all manor of dramas to the wallet and waistline. Would kill for a slab of hersheys cheesecake right now though -
Elsewhere we ate at Outback, Texas Roadhouse (saddle up, saddle up), Ihop, Applebees, Nascar and Bubba Gumps. Applebees was disappointing from previous visits and we should have trusted our instincts and left after the drinks had been served. (hygiene of the server -
). The biggest disappointment we had was Bubba Gumps. Very expensive, poor quality food, devoid of atmosphere, dirty cutlery, muck on the table, continually having to mither for refills, napkins, clean cutlery. It was just not good in any single way. I appreciate that many will have had the time of their lives with Bubba, but my advice - avoid at all costs!
Photography
Had pre-purchased Photopass + prior to travel. We ended up with just under 300 shots and I consider this as great value, particularly as the quality and level of shots has noticeably improved since our 2011 holiday. It is worth checking shots from previous day each day as there were several occasions that they had not been transferred. By having a location and approximate time in most instances they were able to locate the shots and add to the card.
We also purchased the Universal PhotoConnect on entrance to the park at $60. We came back with approximately 50 shots, and a great print out of our favourite shot. If you are not interested in ride photos (and lets be honest - they can be pretty damned unflattering) then I am not sure you will get your value of this. Away from the ride shots you really have to hunt for photographers and opportunities. With what we ended up with - I was happy and again consider this as value for money.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides:
We had the free tickets included with our tickets from Attraction Tickets Direct, and had wondered whether we would manage to fit it in. So pleased we did - this was a highlight of the trip. Our pilot took us to within approximately 15 feet of a very large gator sat on her nest. He then played the sound of an "agitated baby gator calling" (his words) through his iphone. Having a 10 foot + gator charging towards us will stay with me for a long time. He mentioned that if he played that noise through a PA system we would be swamped with gators. It definitely felt like the right decision to be constrained by the iphone speakers at that point. We also saw other gators swimming in the lake, including a huge one that dived under the airboat. The whole experience was a real contrast to the sanitised bubble of Disney and a real treat. If you didnt have such close interactions then it would of course be a very difference experience. From our perspective - thoroughly recommended!
Next Time?
We returned exhausted with $4 in the kitty. Just the way a Florida holiday should be.
As we walked out of the MK on our last Disney day (flag ceremony, MSEP and Wishes being our routine on departure day) I again silently thanked Walt Disney for his incredible foresight, drive and determination to create a place where families experience incredible magical times together. What a legacy.
I left Florida feeling quite content that we had 'done' Disney, that we should give it a break for a number of years and go back to seeing more of the world. This was our last big family holiday as 5. There will be 3 of us going on future holidays (well unless the older two sort out the finance themselves -
), and wherever we go it will be a different dynamic.
That said, 8 days back in the UK, I'm already scheming how the three of us could get back, and soon! Amazing how a few days back in your routine changes your resolve. Just think of the opportunities: Stay onsite for the first time, DDP, maybe a cruise? Options, options, decisions, decisions. Plenty to plan, research and debate. Who knows. Hopefully we will be back within 3 years. Now if the oldest two get into the Disney College Program next summer.......
Got back after 18 fab nights last week. We have been lucky enough to go three times in the past five years, always in the same time period: last week July, first couple of weeks August.
As ever it took a couple of days to get over the jetlag and readjust. I'm still struggling with the temperature here, missing the beautiful blue skies of Florida, the customer service and the can do attitude.
Takes some getting back into the swing of things when you are back doesnt it? Still all worth the adjusting of course! I always enjoy reading peoples highs and lows after their trips. Here a few from our trip
Flights:
With United from Birmingham via New York. Booked 6 October 2012. Second time on this route in under a month, but this time in Economy. I have to be honest and say I did miss the extra leg room that Economy plus provided on the previous trip, but United got us there and back for £515 per person, from our local airport with minimal fuss. I have no complaints with United. The service, food and IFE were all spot on. Immigration at Newark done in under 20 mins from plane landing. Plenty at Newark to keep everyone amused in between flights. My new airline of choice for transatlantic!
Accommodation:
Had 14 nights at a villa on Indian Ridge. The best off site location that we have stayed in. From leaving the front door we were unloading in the MK car lot in just under 12 minutes (strictly observing all posted speed limits officer). Made it very easy to go back for a swim and relaxing in the daytime. Indian Ridge is a predominantly residential area and extremely quiet. Perfect for us. First time in a villa absolutely loved it! Pool was great, masses of space in the villa, no problems with security / wildlife in the pool or any of the other stuff you see appear in Villa threads. I would book again without hesitation.
We finished off with 4 nights at Royal Pacific Resort. Had two adjourning rooms, booked via British Airways - which saved us approx £300 compared to booking direct with Loewes. Second time staying here. Enjoyed the proximity to the parks, but personally prefer Portofino Bay. If Universal ever removed FOTL access for hotel tickets, the rates would have to drop significantly to get me back in there. The hotel was packed to the gunnels, and was a real contrast after the quiet of our Villa.
Weather:
For our three trips at this time of the year we enjoyed the best weather to date. Very little rain, extremely warm and it felt less humid to us than before. We had one night of an epic thunder and lightning storm which rumbled on from 7pm past midnight. We spent a very entertaining couple of hours on Main Street, watching the storms and getting some great lightning pics and video. The Main Street Electrical Parade was cancelled with minutes to go and Wishes subsequently delayed at 10pm. We left in torrential rain shortly after 10pm so never found out if wishes did go up that night. The stampede of soaking wet people stomping down Main Street after the MSEP cancellation was quite something it reminded me of the opening days of the sales on Oxford Street.
Crowd Levels:
Lots of Southern American Tour Groups who all but disappeared from August 1onwards to be replaced by the Brits on mass. I always stay off site so our only interaction is in the parks. Personally, I dont mind them. See a flag and a lot of bright coloured T-shirts, head in the opposite direction. No problems with queue jumping anywhere this time. Maybe we are just lucky and if we were in the same accommodation complex I maybe wouldnt be so charitable. We were at Fantasmic on Tue 30 July, and Im not kidding, one entire section was made up of kids from Argentina. I was at the front of the Fantasmic Package seating desperately avoiding eye contact with the hosts of the quite dreadful pre-show, hoping at all costs not to get picked. We were feeling slightly outnumbered in there! The parks felt much busier from August 1 onwards, but still very manageable. Obvious and often shared tip the early start alongside Fast Pass is your best friend people!
Parks / Attractions
We went with a plan to try as many new things as possible, whilst at the same time fitting in the favourites. In for opening each morning, we would focus on one part of the park and "do" that section to everyones content before either moving on or heading back for a swim. This saved a lot of energy rushing from one end of the park to another and for us worked. We pretty much rode everything at least once in the 'Big 4' Disney parks and Universal and Islands of Adventure.
Short of sitting on Main Street for a parade spot, the longest we waited for anything in our entire visit was 35 minutes - and that was in the FOTL queue at Universal for Minions Mayhem. I really pitied the folk entering that line in standby (120m wait posted) I admire your perseverance!
We found the new entry system using the plastic cards infinitely better than the previous paper ticket version. Good job Disney!
Loved Belles Enchanted Tale and went through that three times. Leave your usual Brit reserve at the airport and get involved. Its a right hoot! If you want to get picked, stand on the very end of the horseshoe of people in the wardrobe room and when instructed march with real enthusiasm. Swing those arms! You are guaranteed a place as a suit of armour!
Universal / IOA continue to torpedo Disney with their ride technology. Still think WWOHP is the greatest attraction ever but have to say that Transformers and Spiderman (with the new projections) give it a run for its money.
I was delighted to hear the strong rumours that Captain EO is being retired permanently. This excuse of an attraction is an embarrassment to Disney and the concept of EPCOT. If Ellen's Energy adventure could follow suit, I would take that as a positive step forward. We all preferred the new Test Track. Horses for courses etc.
We played mini golf three times - twice on the winter course by Blizzard beach and once at Fantasia gardens. Entrance was free on our tickets (discovered here - thanks for the tip off!) I would advise getting there 15 minutes before opening to make sure you are one of the first ones out.
Cast members
Fabulous. They amaze me. I witnessed so many instances of bad, rude behaviour from guests which were dealt with politely and efficiently. Quite why people have to be so flipping rude and miserable to the CM's...
The CM's appeared slightly more stressed in the Magic Kingdom then the other parks. Down to the volume of punters I would guess, but in general still doing a marvelous, often extremely repetitive , role in trying circumstances to an impressive level. I admire them.
Dining:
Onsite we ate at Be Our Guest (reservation for 5 people at 4:15pm secured 2 weeks before we travelled keep checking online ahead of travel). It was expensive - $191 including tip for 5, but a great one off experience. We also enjoyed Mama Melrose at Hollywood Studios. Great food and very good service. $170 including tip. We also did the character breakfast at Tusker House. Great food, enough character interaction for us and a bonus to beat the crowds after to the first safari of the day. Highly recommended!
Offsite: Well I have to say a very large and grateful thank you to everyone who has raved about the Cheescake Factory.
Never has a recommendation been more gratefully received! We went twice. Wow! Best food we had in Florida, including the onsite restaurants. Its probably a good job that there isnt a chain of them over here - it would cause all manor of dramas to the wallet and waistline. Would kill for a slab of hersheys cheesecake right now though - Elsewhere we ate at Outback, Texas Roadhouse (saddle up, saddle up), Ihop, Applebees, Nascar and Bubba Gumps. Applebees was disappointing from previous visits and we should have trusted our instincts and left after the drinks had been served. (hygiene of the server -
). The biggest disappointment we had was Bubba Gumps. Very expensive, poor quality food, devoid of atmosphere, dirty cutlery, muck on the table, continually having to mither for refills, napkins, clean cutlery. It was just not good in any single way. I appreciate that many will have had the time of their lives with Bubba, but my advice - avoid at all costs!Photography
Had pre-purchased Photopass + prior to travel. We ended up with just under 300 shots and I consider this as great value, particularly as the quality and level of shots has noticeably improved since our 2011 holiday. It is worth checking shots from previous day each day as there were several occasions that they had not been transferred. By having a location and approximate time in most instances they were able to locate the shots and add to the card.
We also purchased the Universal PhotoConnect on entrance to the park at $60. We came back with approximately 50 shots, and a great print out of our favourite shot. If you are not interested in ride photos (and lets be honest - they can be pretty damned unflattering) then I am not sure you will get your value of this. Away from the ride shots you really have to hunt for photographers and opportunities. With what we ended up with - I was happy and again consider this as value for money.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides:
We had the free tickets included with our tickets from Attraction Tickets Direct, and had wondered whether we would manage to fit it in. So pleased we did - this was a highlight of the trip. Our pilot took us to within approximately 15 feet of a very large gator sat on her nest. He then played the sound of an "agitated baby gator calling" (his words) through his iphone. Having a 10 foot + gator charging towards us will stay with me for a long time. He mentioned that if he played that noise through a PA system we would be swamped with gators. It definitely felt like the right decision to be constrained by the iphone speakers at that point. We also saw other gators swimming in the lake, including a huge one that dived under the airboat. The whole experience was a real contrast to the sanitised bubble of Disney and a real treat. If you didnt have such close interactions then it would of course be a very difference experience. From our perspective - thoroughly recommended!
Next Time?
We returned exhausted with $4 in the kitty. Just the way a Florida holiday should be.
As we walked out of the MK on our last Disney day (flag ceremony, MSEP and Wishes being our routine on departure day) I again silently thanked Walt Disney for his incredible foresight, drive and determination to create a place where families experience incredible magical times together. What a legacy.
I left Florida feeling quite content that we had 'done' Disney, that we should give it a break for a number of years and go back to seeing more of the world. This was our last big family holiday as 5. There will be 3 of us going on future holidays (well unless the older two sort out the finance themselves -
), and wherever we go it will be a different dynamic. That said, 8 days back in the UK, I'm already scheming how the three of us could get back, and soon! Amazing how a few days back in your routine changes your resolve. Just think of the opportunities: Stay onsite for the first time, DDP, maybe a cruise? Options, options, decisions, decisions. Plenty to plan, research and debate. Who knows. Hopefully we will be back within 3 years. Now if the oldest two get into the Disney College Program next summer.......
