The good and the bad

[pixietwin]

Just returned a few days ago from our trip to Disney. We were there from February 10th through the 16th and then stayed a few days at my parent’s house in NW Florida before driving back to Memphis. Had a great time, of course! However, I wanted to mention a few things about the trip to see if others out there experienced the same thing….first, who else went during the same time? I ask because I was surprised at how crowded it was! Here was our itinerary and if anybody else did the same thing I’d love to read if you felt the crowd level was any different. Btw, this was my first trip back in 15 years and a lot had changed. I had never used Fast Pass and didn’t realize that many of the Fast Passes kiosks were out and non-functional by the late afternoon for the more popular rides.

We drove there on Sunday and went to MK about 5:45. Had dinner with ADR at Plaza Restaurant. After watching Spectromagic, we went off to Tomorrow Land (Space Mountain was 50 minutes in stand by)– then hit FantasyLand. Small World had a 10 minutes wait and this was the shortest of any rides we did. Peter Pan had a 50-minute wait! After waiting for Peter Pan, we were exhausted. This was an EMH night and open till 2 a.m. We left about 11:30 back to the hotel SOG.

Monday we went back to MK and it was also very crowded. Big ticket rides also had a long wait. I don’t think we walked onto any rides during our visit. We did the rest of the park during this day and returned back to Tomorrow Land for more Space Mountain before leaving about 6:30 for dinner.

Tuesday we went to MGM and it rained most of the day  Probably missed half the park because it was really coming down. In fact, didn’t know till later that they had tornado warnings all over the place and tornadoes hit some cities nearby.

Wednesday we toured Animal Kingdom. Wet the beginning of the day and cloudy the rest. This is the day that I ruined my back riding Safari. What is so strange is that I was in an electric scooter and we were first to load a new truck. Then three other sets of people came all in wheelchairs/scooters. We all laughed that we were on the handicap bus, but the lady driver sure didn’t make it easy for any of us. If anything, she dug in and made the ride as rough as she could. When it was over, I was in pain and so were several other people. I could barely walk that night and it almost ruined my trip. I didn’t ride most of the rides in this park because they were either coasters or rough and by this time I was hurting.

Thursday was a half-day at Epcot. We arrived at rope drop and stayed till about 4. We had reservations at medieval Times for dinner this day. Anyway, Soarin had a 60 minute wait. Anytime we did get Fast Passes we still had to handle a 10 to 20 minute wait. The Land boat ride had a 40-minute wait. Friday we returned for a full day and stayed at Epcot from 10 till 1 a.m. Friday was an evening EMH and everybody headed to Soarin after the fireworks. Had a 50-minute wait up until 11:30 p.m. Once it was close to midnight, you could get on with a 10 minute wait. Park closed at 12 and we made it to hotel about 1:15 a.m. Epcot was very crowded both days.

Here is my big gripe. I expected crowded but not this much. I could handle that, but I was very surprised at the absolute rudeness of people – adults. Pushing, rude comments, meanness. I went to the Tiki Room and the CM said to push down. This lady was standing facing away and in the middle of the walk. I stood behind her and waiting for her to turn around. I smiled when she did. She unleashed this pure hatred on me that stunned me speechless. She said something to the effect, “Who do you think you are? You think you are going to push past me and not wait you turn. You are a b*&%$” I was shocked. My mom stepped up and explained that they told everybody to move down but we weren’t trying to get in front of her (mind you that this is the preshow and we weren’t even in the room yet with the birds). Then when we sat inside, she kept glaring across the room at me. DH said that since nobody sat in front of her and her hubby, we should have walked over and sat right down in front of them. Anyway, guess she had a perverse attraction to Gilbert because when she wasn’t glaring daggers at me, she was in hog heaven with the bird!

So, overall awesome time and can’t wait to go again. But we encountered many rude people not including the one mentioned above. The parks were very crowded each day. When I was there in 1993 (twice), I could walk onto every ride and didn’t have any waits. Oh, Haunted Mansion had a 10 minute wait, I remember that and this was before Fast Passes. So, we have returned and I already went to my chiropractor and will have to have a few more visits to fix my back that was ruined on the safari ride. DH did all the coasters and Dinosaur, he said that the safari ride was rougher than any other ride he rode at all 4 parks. I wish I had known and skipped it! But DH had never been and already wants to go back next year. We’ll probably have to wait til early 2010 with money and planning, but I’m glad he enjoyed it. My fave parks are MK and Epcot. He loves AK and MGM. Thanks for everybody’s advice and help when I made posts here.

I re-read my post and wanted to add something because it does look more negative than positive. I did have a great time, and it is a shame that some adults can be so rude. I think I have a pheramone scent or something that attracts it!! But it was a lot of fun and I wish it had not taken so long to visit since 1993. Next time, we can't stay at SOG since my step father got us the rooms. I guess we'll try Pop Century. I read that the rooms are around $90 a night - true or not? We'll pick a value resort because I want to use the Disney buses since SOG buses were good but left us waiting in the rain for 20 minutes and were late a few times. Can't wait to go back

 

[BeckWhy]

Wait times and weather aren't a surprise to me. Neither are the rude people actually. I mean it is too bad that people cannot go and be happy. I mean it is the happiest place on earth isn't it? I haven't had much experience with rude adults, but some children. I keep hearing all these stories on here. It's too bad.

I've always looked at Disney World as a natural anti-depressant. But I guess there are some people who are so overwhelmed in their own worlds that nothing will make them happy. It's too bad too.

 

[belle41379]

I'm glad you had a nice time! Perhaps the crowds were heavier than you thought they might be due to President's day. I know a lot of folks have posted about their schools being on break due to it.

Rude people...she must have lost "that Disney feel'in"! I'm glad you didn't let her sour attitude spoil your trip.

As for the Safari, I too have experienced it as a pretty rough ride. Maybe it was a little rougher than normal due to the big storm you described happening the day before. I know when I've ridden after rain it does seem to be a bit more bumpy.

I hope you get to return again soon and again, I'm so glad you had a nice time. Thanks for sharing your experience. I leave next week, so I was wondering how things were there.

 

[luvaladdin]

Thanks for your honest assessment. I am going alone with my two boys next week and hope that the parks are not as crowded as your visit. I'm with you on the crowd issue - it just isn't much fun with lines everywhere.

 

[cabanafrau]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us, it's fun to read how someone else enjoyed things -- sometimes oddly enough, especially the things that we don't enjoy. Somehow it makes me reconsider & hope we might enjoy something more in the future.

I can't say I'm shocked you were surprised by the crowds & the rudeness since you haven't been since '93. Attendance has been going up, up, up for several years. Some of that might cause folks to forget to mind their manners in the happiest place on earth, but sadly I think that's merely a sign of the times.


I'm hoping you can plan another trip soon & will come back & share your magical experiences with us!

 

[ametaldiva]

Hello pixietwin, what part of Memphis do you live in? We just moved from there a 1-1/2 years ago and my husband is a CM on the Safari. Sorry to hear about your back after the Safari ride - I will have to ask my DH if he has ever heard anyone make a similiar complaint. I mean, I know the Safari can be rough (I've probably been on it 50 times), but I think Dinosaur is the most "rough" attraction I have ever been on in my life - and I don't think Safari comes close to throwing you around like that does. Maybe you had a "rough" or inexperienced driver? I know that they have been testing some of the new trucks with more rows, maybe you were on one of those and that made for a bumpier ride? Anyway, I am glad to hear that you had a good trip despite the back problems and rudeness of some guests. Also, DH and I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be an "off-season" anymore, so I guess we are just lucky to live here and not have to worry about planning because of the crowds.

 

[dchronister]

Glad you had a good time and sorry for the hateful people in the world. Our trip in 2006 gave us a saying in our household that I use at times when my DD11 seems to forget what a wonderful dad she has. We were walking through Fantasyland by Mickey's Philharmagic and this man grabs his son, probably about 6 years old by the arm and starts shaking the fire out of him and proceeds to say "what the f--- is the matter with you, you stupid little s-- of a b----". We were all just floored. Sure we got short tempered occassionaly on our trip, but WOW. Anyway, we went on and got in line for PeterPan and we are standing there and I could tell that she was deep in thought, but I had no idea what it was, when she looks at DH as says "I sure am lucky to have a daddy like you". I think my DH had a tear or two, but probably would not admit it. So anyway, when she gets mad at him for whatever, sometimes I'll say " I sure am lucky to have a daddy like you" and she know what I am saying and referring to. When at WDW, sometimes people do cut, but not worth saying anything to ruin your good time and especially if they don't cut anyway. Dena

 

[Mickey's Neighbor]

" I went to the Tiki Room and the CM said to push down." We ran into this type of problem on the AK safari ride. It was late in the day and we went to ride the safari. The line was long but the CM at the enterance said to push down and "fill in all available space". When we did as we were told a woman began yelling at us and the other's that moved when instructed to by the CM. It was very uncomfortable and when someone tried to tell her that the CM's alway tell you to fill in all the space she just became more angry. Thank goodness since the fast passes were done for the day the line split into two at the point were fast passes would be checked and we were able to get in the line she wasn't in.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Now I am a relative newbie to DW (my first trip was just over 3 years ago) but I understand crowds have gotten much larger over the last 5-10 years from things I have seen and read about DW hittling record attendence.

As far as rude people, unfortunately they are everywhere. We have all probabally encountered these people but I am not going to let someone else's sour attitude and ignorance ruin my trip.

That being said I go and get there early to avoid crowds, ignore ignorance and enjoy my day. Nothing can upset me at DW.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We were at the World the same time frame at you were last year. We found the Cheerleading Comp. and leading into Presidents weekend really amped up the crowd levels. We won't travel there at that time again. We are going to give early May a try.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Enjoyed your TR. Glad you had a good time.

We were victims of the "evil eye" too last month. We'd staked out a parade spot on the sidewalk - in the rain - early, before crowds gathered. I went off to do some shopping while DH and kids stayed in the spot. While I was gone DD realized she'd left a store with an item without paying and became upset and began to cry. DH had DS10 save the spot while he ran DD back to the store (right across the street) to return the item.

In the meantime, another family crowded in the spot despite DS and all of our bags sitting there. DS tried to tell explain but they did not speak English. When DH and DD returned to the spot they were angry and didn't want to let them in. Ditto when I returned. The parade started shortly afterward and every time I looked in their direction and tried to smile, they shot me dirty looks - especially Grandma. It was simply a misunderstanding but they wanted to stay mad. Oh well... at least everyone else around us knew what'd happened so we didn't feel completely evil.

 

[PrincessNewsie]

Thank you for your honest assessment of your experience. I am staying at SOG May 4-11th. What is your opinion of it? Did you enjoy it? Did you have any transportation issues? Is it true there's a Starbucks ?

 

[pixietwin]

Princess Newsie,
I really enjoyed SOG. First, the rooms are really big. We had patio with a pool view and duck pond right outside the sliding glass doors. The room had two queen beds with a small refrig and dinette table - overhead ceiling fan and large bathroom. My main complaint was housekeeping. We were there for a week and the sheets weren't changed. I complained that the sheets had not been changed as I had made a makeup stain on a sheet. I came into the rooms that Wednesday night and saw that they were still on the bed so I called and complained to the front desk. They said that they'd be changed for sure the next morning. Next day we left and came back around midnight on Thursday to see same sheets. Oh, and there was dried toothpaste in the sink when we checked in...so I went to the front desk in person and complained. The front desk guy was not very concerned. The sheets were changed for our last night. So, I would suggest that you somehow mark the sheets and keep an eye out. I guess they don't need to be changed each day if you stay a week, but I feel that for the price we paid ($130 a day) that the sheets should have been changed every two to three days. I should say that I don't have much faith in ANY hotel after watching those Primetime shows that have hidden cameras and show how even $1,000 a night suites still have dirty sheets and other problems. But if you check your sheets and make sure that they know you want them changed, all is good. The buses were every 20 minutes for MK and every hour for the other parks. We found that to be fine. The restaurants were good and cheap. Not paying tax is a big plus. The gift shop doesn't have anything unique so buy your souvenirs in the parks. I did find a nice 2008 shirt there but nothing else i.e. if you want a Soarin shot glass or Xmas ornament, they don't have them. Really really pretty grounds too. Next time we'll stay at a Value resort since we had a sponser, but I sure did enjoy coming home to an xtra large room at night. Beds are really firm tho. yes there is a Starbucks and ice cream shop. We never made it to the ice cream shop but my husband always wanted to make a stop by there but we never had time. There are three restaurants but we only at at the Garden one for dinner buffet twice. Pretty good and about $16-$20 a person for all you can eat. More for the seafood buffet with crab legs. We had that on Monday night. Tuesday night was all you can eat Prime Rib, etc. Hope the info helps!

 

[PrincessNewsie]

Princess Newsie,
I really enjoyed SOG. First, the rooms are really big. We had patio with a pool view and duck pond right outside the sliding glass doors. The room had two queen beds with a small refrig and dinette table - overhead ceiling fan and large bathroom. The buses were every 20 minutes for MK and every hour for the other parks. We found that to be fine. The restaurants were good and cheap. Not paying tax is a big plus. Really really pretty grounds too. Next time we'll stay at a Value resort since we had a sponser, but I sure did enjoy coming home to an xtra large room at night. Beds are really firm tho. yes there is a Starbucks and ice cream shop. We never made it to the ice cream shop but my husband always wanted to make a stop by there but we never had time. There are three restaurants but we only at at the Garden one for dinner buffet twice. Pretty good and about $16-$20 a person for all you can eat. !

The information helps so much, thank you so much Pixietwin!!! I am so excited to go and stay ina large room. Did you stay in the older section or the newer section? Do you have any advice for "requesting" a room? I am staying with my boyfriend and no kids so I'm not looking for too much noise!!! Did they have any jacuzzis?

The hotel sounds great, thank you so much for your TR. I am really looking forward to trying the ice cream shop and getting Starbucks for those early park mornings!

 

[pixietwin]

I honestly don't know which part we stayed in...room number was 143. They have a heated pool and I read about a jacuzzi but we didn't look for it...should have taken suits but honestly didn't think about it when packing. If you want an outside patio with table and two chairs, then request the first floor for sure. You can walk out the sliding glass doors and enjoy the patio. We really liked the area of our room because a pretty little pond/water feature was right outside our room. A pool was past that but far enough away that you didn't have it right at your door. An elevator was about 20 feet away with a turn of the corner. Very convenient room IMHO. Enjoy!

 

[pearlieq]

To be honest, the waits you experienced sound about average. Soarin' is almost always a high-wait ride, and the boat ride usually gets an echo effect. Same with Peter Pan--it's always a long wait, no matter what the regular crowd situation is like.

Others are right--crowds have been building steadily over the last 15 years, minus a small blip for 9/11.

I hope your back is doing better!

 

[alliesmommy]

We were there at exactly the same time that you were. 2/10-2/17. We actually left MK on the 11th because it was so crowded. We usually go in September and will likely not return in Feb. I realize there isn't a slow time to go anymore, but we prefer September's weather over Feb. I don't mind the rain, but to be cold and wet is no fun. We had a hard time planning around the cold in the mornings and the heat in the afternoons. Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing trip, and we had an awesome time.

We had the same types of experiences that you did with rude people. I don't understand what people are thinking. We lined up for fireworks and parades well in advance only to have people try to stand in front of us. What really made me sad was to see all of the small children, clearly exhausted, with their parents yelling at them to quit crying.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

We were there at about the same time that you were-- the 12th through the 18th-- and for the most part, we thought the crowds were pretty good! We arrived on Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday afternoon and Thursday we were pretty much walking on rides at the MK. Crowds did pick up some on Friday, but we arrived at rope drop and left the park mid-day, and the waits were minimal. We were at Epcot on Saturday, and the crowds were heavy (with the Daytona 500 and President's Day weekend)-- 55 minute wait at Soarin' by 10 am! Sunday morning the MK was packed and we had to use Fastpass (but we still walked on Thunder Mountain twice, and Splash Mountain twice before having to wait in any kind of line), but by Sunday afternoon, it had emptied out again. Isn't it funny how experiences can be so different??? I'm glad that you had a great time, though!