So disappointed...

[bumbershoot]

And I suppose my expectations on the weather were way too high. It was 80 degrees the prior weekend! ....

Definitely should go to DL on the first day. I think that sets the whole tone of the trip for me. Also I think I'd try to go for a mid-week trip rather than a weekend.

Weather can be tricky in Anaheim AND Orlando. Our first WDW trip had us experiencing below-freezing temperatures. On our last day, as we were getting food from Mara (had finished up the stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which we HATED and I cannot imagine ever staying there again without DS exerting his "but I loved the animals outside the balcony" pressure on me), the weather lightened up and was sunshiney and we were SO jealous. We had indeed gone swimming on that long trip (17 days, including 4 days at Universal, which was awesome) a few times, but we froze while doing it! So we were jealous that "they" got the good weather while we were so cold.

I lost my voice on the 15th day and didn't get much of it back for 2 months...my voice, over a year later, can still get creaky and sound just like it did in the first weeks once my voice came back. I don't know what on earth happened at WDW in December 2010, but it's had lasting effects on my health!


So weather and illness can get floopy no matter which park it is. I remember looking at the weather in Washington state, while freezing at WDW, thinking that it was actually colder in Orlando than it was in the Seattle area...



Weekday trips are great, but depending on the season, you'll miss things like fireworks. Just so ya know.

And...my family loves DCA. We almost always start a trip there, and it's wonderful! Comparing the MK expansion to DCA's changes is impossible, since one is all the way in the back of the park, while the other's right up front.

Think of it if they were totally redoing Spaceship Earth, how Epcot would look as you walked in. Right?

 

[Disney Dreams]

There you go!

I think the most important points that YOU made here which you should absolutely remember are:
- Just because you know WDW inside and out, does not mean that DLR is a "no-brainer." Many, many people make that mistake and I'm not sure why. It's a different place. It works similarly, but different at the same time. As you said, you plan and plan when you go to WDW, but did not plan hardly at all for DLR. Now, I don't think you have to mega-plan (although many do), but for your first time at DL? Yes, some planning and research would be best. Next time.

-Construction: Again, FL@WDW is not DCA@DLR. It's most of an entire Park (out of 2 Parks) that is getting a massive overhaul, not one land in one of four Parks and two water parks. Huge difference. We can't even deal with DCA right now when we go. It's just too much hassle. Next time it'll be a whole new place for you!

- April can be good - or really bad - depending upon when Spring Breaks hit in that given year. You'll want to research that (ask here even) before planning your dates.

- You mentioned here going to DL on the first day. It's interesting you state that because I noticed in your initial post you barely mentioned DL at all. right now, DL is the main event and DCA has some great things to see. In 2013, they both should be amazing Parks. HOwever, I would absolutely start with DL. Great thought!

- Enjoy F&W, say hi to "Stripe," the giraffe we named at AKL on our last visit, and dream about your next "First Visit" to the Happiest Place on Earth.

- Dreams

 

[larina]

I wanted to come back and say that you totally deserve a do-over. December was a do-over for us from our horrible trip in May and it was THE BEST TRIP EVER!!! I hope you can go again and that it will make up for this experience!!!!

 

[cewilkes]

Some of us just aren't wired for spontenaity!

On another note, I'm really enjoying all these emoticons.

Larina, what made your return trip awesome?

 

[Sally_fan]

Our first trip (with the kids) to DL wasn't quite as magical as I was expecting either. Both kids ended up sick, I could not find my way around the parks (even with maps) which I find very stressful, none of my plans turned out the way I had envisioned them despite major planning on my part & alllllll of that made for a tough trip. I enjoyed it enough however to immediately start planning a do-over trip & THAT trip was the BEST trip ever! And every trip thereafter just gets better! I can not wait for our next trips to DL!! I am constantly planning our return!! Now I can't compare parks as I have never been to DW but I do love DL. And for what it's worth...I never once thought "what a dummy". I know what it's like to have things not work out as plannned due to illness, etc. Hope you are able to get back someday & your do-over trip is a wonderful experience!!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Our first trip (with the kids) to DL wasn't quite as magical as I was expecting either. Both kids ended up sick, I could not find my way around the parks (even with maps) which I find very stressful, none of my plans turned out the way I had envisioned them despite major planning on my part & alllllll of that made for a tough trip. I enjoyed it enough however to immediately start planning a do-over trip & THAT trip was the BEST trip ever! And every trip thereafter just gets better! I can not wait for our next trips to DL!! I am constantly planning our return!! Now I can't compare parks as I have never been to DW but I do love DL. And for what it's worth...I never once thought "what a dummy". I know what it's like to have things not work out as plannned due to illness, etc. Hope you are able to get back someday & your do-over trip is a wonderful experience!!!

(bolding mine) This sounds like me in WDW. NOTHING was where it was supposed to be in MK and I was totally frustrated. It is all just so big compared to the little maps in my Passporter that I was totally unprepared.

 

[Sally_fan]

(bolding mine) This sounds like me in WDW. NOTHING was where it was supposed to be in MK and I was totally frustrated. It is all just so big compared to the little maps in my Passporter that I was totally unprepared.

hahaha I "think" that's why I am afraid to go to WDW!!! Oh I was so frustrated I ended up in tears. Seems funny to me in retrospect but then...not so much!

 

[Ingrid0382]

Just chiming in to say I'm sorry you didn't have a great experience. I'm looking forward to hearing about your great "do-over" trip, though!

 

[cewilkes]

Thanks for all the perspectives everyone.

I have hope for next time (and I'll have a killer trip insurance policy just in case)!

 

[larina]

...

Larina, what made your return trip awesome?

Honestly, I owe most of it to this board!!! I got tips about the things that were most important to us (Pixie Hollow, character meals, food in general, and Fast Passes) and advice on seating for Fireworks and Parades.

We got great AAA Preferred Seating for the holiday parade ON Christmas, which was just awesome. We loved the parade AND we were comfortable, so nice. Someone here told us about asking to steer the Mark Twain. We did and it was so awesome!!!! My parents and I did it with my 3 year old son. He steered and my dad got to ring the bell and pull the whistle. Oh, and we got a certificate when it was over. It was so great. Don't know who had more fun!!!

We were in a much better place; nobody got sick and we weren't dealing with a terrible tragedy. We knew where to eat and when to go. We planned just enough and left lots of things open. The holidays were crazy, but we were prepared (again, Thanks Dis members!!!) and just came in with the right attitude.

I hope your next trip is as great!!!!!