Sadly we're back home

[Lisash]

Happy New Year all!

Arrived back yesterday and I already want to go back.

Had so many disasters during the holiday it's practically untrue (DH's company car broke down on way to airport even though it's only 18 months old & serviced regularly, Hotel said they had no reservation for us when we got there (good job Virgin issue accomodation vouchers because they go to anserphone over holiday periods), no Downtown Disney check in when leaving as system down so 1.5 hour queue at airport. Oh and I got really really bad tonsilitis on last day so got home yesterday and had emergency doctors appointment within couple of hours. We still had a fabulous time (proof if ever we needed it that Disney Magic really does exist)

Highs

RAC coming out within half an hour on Christmas morning at 7am to tow us to Gatwick
Osborne Christmas lights at MGM (absolutely magical)
Weather (10 days of sunshine mostly at 75+ degrees)
NYE at Magic Kingdom the fireworks at Midnight we're astounding (although must admit I was crying so hard couldn't see much)
Yankee Candle shops had really good sales on (bought loads)
DH seriously considering DVC (woo-hoo!!)
Watched Chicken Little at the cinema (loved every second)

Lows

Crowds (we knew it would be busy but it seemed to bring out the worst in some of our American friends who got very agressive)
Pushchairs & Wheelchairs everywhere (have multiple bruises from NYE at MK) and some of the wheelchair/pcv users were abusing the queue system (at Epcot one pcv user jumped the queue at Honey I've shrunk the audience with his party of 9!) I don't have a problem with wheelchair users getting priority but there should be a limit to how many people they can take in with them
People hogging the middle seats in 'theatre' shows and causing chaos (they seem to think pretending not to understand English excuses them)
No fastpass system at Universal (unless you upgraded your ticket at $35 each)

Think it's time to get brochures out

 

[Frances999]

Welcome Home! I'm glad you had a great trip despite so many problems At least the tonsilitis did not kick in until the final day.

Epcot one pcv user jumped the queue at Honey I've shrunk the audience with his party of 9!) I don't have a problem with wheelchair users getting priority but there should be a limit to how many people they can take in with them

I agree with limiting the number of guests a wheelchair user can take with them. I thought that this was already implemented Some friends of ours went with their elderly mother who was in a wheelchair, but they could not all ride together as the special guest assistance pass was only for five of them (there were six of them in total).

No fastpass system at Universal (unless you upgraded your ticket at $35 each.

Do Universal not offer free Express Passes anymore, then? If not I guess it is because of the FOTL passes given to hotel guests. Too many people were using the express lines when we were there in August. I am actually glad they have implemented this...one time we were in the line for Cat in the Hat and the "Express" Line was longer than the regular line!

 

[mandymouse]

Hi Lisa

Welcome home, I'm glad that you had such a good time (shame about the car breaking down and your tonsilitis). We came home on NYE, we left Epcot around 11am and it was extremely busy then. Are you doing a trippie for us ? If so, I look forward to reading it

 

[florida sun]

Welcome back Lisa

Glad you had a good time, sorry to hear you were poorly.

Looking forward to hearing more about it.


Sue

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome Home...glad to hear you are considering booking again LOL!!

 

[wilma-bride]

Glad you managed to have a good time despite all the problems

I heard a rumour (well, read over on the Universal board) that Universal and IOA are not issuing the Free Express passes any more. That's a shame but I must admit we've never really needed them when we've gone. It's a bit steep to fork out the extra $35 though (plus, you'd be gutted if you did and then didn't need to use FP)

The NYE fireworks sound great - I wonder if anyone over on the US board will post any video footage of them?

 

[Miffy2003]

Welcome home!

I'm glad your highs were magical enough to out weighh the lows! I bet that was so stressful breaking down on the way the the airport though - that is my nightmare scenario!

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome home Lisa ~ Sounds as though you had a fab time.

Sorry you were unwell.

 

[gilld]

We took my Mother in a wheelchair over Christmas 1997 - we were given a pass to allow the disabled person + up to 5 other guests disabled admission.

Like you, we found the sheer volume of guests really hard going, It actually took us over an hour to walk/push between Splash Mountain and Liberty Square because of the crowds. More than once ran into someone with Mum's wheelchair, simply because they suddenly stopped in front of us.

Glad you had a good time overall.

 

[jockey]

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[Netty]

welcome home!
hope your feeling better

 

[Lisash]

I will start my trippie very soon have some very funny stories like getting stuck in Cat in the Hat when it broke down and having to 'walk off' have never laughed so much in all my life. Also for any Desperate Housewives fans I caught the mid season 1 hour special this week where they catch up on what has happened in the new series (oh my god!!!) Not sure whether to post details as it may spoil things for you what do you all think?

 

[Cyrano]

Sorry to hear of your mishaps, but sounds as if you had a great time.
Look forward to reading all about it

 

[Miffy2003]

I. Also for any Desperate Housewives fans I caught the mid season 1 hour special this week where they catch up on what has happened in the new series (oh my god!!!) Not sure whether to post details as it may spoil things for you what do you all think?

Lisa - from my perspective PLEASE don't post or if you do put ****** spolier ****** in the title as I would be gutted to read anything before I see it!

I know I am a right sad case

 

[disneyholic family]

that is AMAZING that the car service people came to tow you within a half hour.....that must be some kind of world record!!!....
so really i would consider that a good start to your holiday, in an odd sort of way...

interesing about the FP at universal.....i know i'll get flamed for this, but i wish that WDW had FPs only for onsite guests....it would make peak season visits so much easier....

the fireworks sound wonderful.....since i cry when i see just the regular old Wishes, i can imagine what i would do for the NYE version...

 

[wils]

Glad you are hope safely and had such a good trip. Hope you are feeling better

 

[fizz13]

Welcome home!! So sorry about any problems you had, but as always, the disney magic is strong, you just have to go back.
Please don't post desperate Housewives stuff, I am so looking forward to finding out for myself, very nice of you to offer though. Will look out for trippies,

Claire xx