jamnich314
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 2, 2012
- Messages
- 253
We just got back from our Honeymoon this past week and I figured I would share my thoughts on the trip starting with the positives and quickly spiraling out of control.
1) Port Orleans French Quarter is amazing. First time staying there but the resort is SO nice. The small size is wonderful when you want to get to the bus stop or fill up your mug.
2) Bus services seemed good for all resorts. We did a lot of hotel hopping because of dining reservations and besides the bus to DTD I don't think we waited more than 15 minutes for a bus going anywhere. I think we got lucky though because there were a lot of times we were leaving the park and ended up running to the bus stop to catch the already parked bus before it left.
3) First time on the Dining Plan as well and I'm not convinced. Obviously if we go again and it's free we are going to get it but I don't think I would pay for it. I got tired of the dessert included with every meal after the first couple days (especially with the QS meals) and half of the TS places we went just weren't that outstanding.
4) Restaurants we enjoyed: California Grille, Le Cellier and Artist Point for TS and Tangerine Cafe, Columbia Harbour House and Earl of Sandwich for QS. Obviously these are all Signature spots but if we went again on the dining plan we decided we would probably only spend the 2 credits on Cali Grille; the other two don't seem worth it. Maybe it exposes our lack of taste but one of my favorite meals of the trip was Cosmic Rays on our last night. Had the lamb platter at Tangerine Cafe the first day for lunch and it was amazing. Columbia Harbour House has a great selection and Earl of Sandwich has the best sandwiches and brownie pies.
5) Restaurants we were less than impressed with: Narcoossee's, San Angel Inn and Sci-Fi Dine-In. Narcoossee's had some shining moments (crab bisque, almond cheesecake) but overall wasn't that grealt and certainly not worth the 2 dining credits in DW and my opinions. I certainly wouldn't pay OOP for it. San Angel and Sci-Fi both had wonderful atmospheres but the food wasn't anything to write home about. It wasn't bad but we could been just as satisfied eating at a QS location.
6) Fireworks Dessert Party: I enjoyed most of the desserts (there were about 15-20 to choose from) but DW did not. We went on a day it was raining so Tinker Bell didn't fly from the castle. Also, for the price, I don't think we would do it again. I'm glad that we did it once because it was nice having a reserved table and a spot to watch the fireworks from but I think we will save the $80 next time.
7) EasyWDW suggestions were spot on. We never waited for more than 15 minutes for anything when we went to a Recommended park. We went to a few Non Recommended parks because of dining reservations and you could definitely tell the difference. Our last night (Sept. 2) we went to MK and it was an absolute mad house.
8) Crowd levels overall seemed to be somewhat low. We are used to going in June and March so the crowds the last week of August were very manageable.
**Here is where I complain**
9) HOT! HOT! HOT! We were disappointed by the rain the first few days but began to wish for more of it after the sun came out. Holy Hades was it hot down there. And the humidity was killer. By 10 a.m. I felt like I was walking around in a sweat suit.
10) Double strollers should be outlawed. It's bad enough that a parent is trying to make their spoiled child stop screaming because it didn't get a Donald Duck keychain and push a stroller at the same time but when the darn thing is four feet wide it becomes comically absurd. People should either be forced to use the "hot dog style" double stroller as I like to call it (one kid in front of the other) or use two single strollers. Oh, and don't let your kid push the stroller around when you are waiting to eat or use the bathroom; they tend to not be aware of their surroundings.
11) Cell phones should also be outlawed in the park. You are on vacation people! What need do you have to be calling somebody or checking your stocks? Put the stupid thing away and PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU ARE WALKING. DW and I felt invisible the entire time we were there. By the last day I was ready to tackle the next person that cut me off talking on their phone or ran into me with their monster-truck-stroller.
12) If you are between the ages of 20 and 50 and have a seat on a crowded bus, get your butt up and offer your seat to a child or older person. Yeah, it sucks having to walk around the park all day then stand for 15 more minutes while the bus driver tries to roll the bus the entire trip back but suck it up and do it. I saw WAY too many able bodied people sitting on the bus while less able bodied people stood up.
13) Ticket prices should be based on IQ. When a family books a trip to Disney, all members over the age of 18 should be required to take an IQ test. The higher you score on the test, the lower your admissions price and vice versa. I realize everybody is there to have a great time and make memories but if you can't figure out how to put your ticket in the machine, place your finger on the hot blue light until it turns green, grab your ticket and walk through the turnstile then you should have to pay more $$ to make up for my wasted time.
1) Port Orleans French Quarter is amazing. First time staying there but the resort is SO nice. The small size is wonderful when you want to get to the bus stop or fill up your mug.
2) Bus services seemed good for all resorts. We did a lot of hotel hopping because of dining reservations and besides the bus to DTD I don't think we waited more than 15 minutes for a bus going anywhere. I think we got lucky though because there were a lot of times we were leaving the park and ended up running to the bus stop to catch the already parked bus before it left.
3) First time on the Dining Plan as well and I'm not convinced. Obviously if we go again and it's free we are going to get it but I don't think I would pay for it. I got tired of the dessert included with every meal after the first couple days (especially with the QS meals) and half of the TS places we went just weren't that outstanding.
4) Restaurants we enjoyed: California Grille, Le Cellier and Artist Point for TS and Tangerine Cafe, Columbia Harbour House and Earl of Sandwich for QS. Obviously these are all Signature spots but if we went again on the dining plan we decided we would probably only spend the 2 credits on Cali Grille; the other two don't seem worth it. Maybe it exposes our lack of taste but one of my favorite meals of the trip was Cosmic Rays on our last night. Had the lamb platter at Tangerine Cafe the first day for lunch and it was amazing. Columbia Harbour House has a great selection and Earl of Sandwich has the best sandwiches and brownie pies.
5) Restaurants we were less than impressed with: Narcoossee's, San Angel Inn and Sci-Fi Dine-In. Narcoossee's had some shining moments (crab bisque, almond cheesecake) but overall wasn't that grealt and certainly not worth the 2 dining credits in DW and my opinions. I certainly wouldn't pay OOP for it. San Angel and Sci-Fi both had wonderful atmospheres but the food wasn't anything to write home about. It wasn't bad but we could been just as satisfied eating at a QS location.
6) Fireworks Dessert Party: I enjoyed most of the desserts (there were about 15-20 to choose from) but DW did not. We went on a day it was raining so Tinker Bell didn't fly from the castle. Also, for the price, I don't think we would do it again. I'm glad that we did it once because it was nice having a reserved table and a spot to watch the fireworks from but I think we will save the $80 next time.
7) EasyWDW suggestions were spot on. We never waited for more than 15 minutes for anything when we went to a Recommended park. We went to a few Non Recommended parks because of dining reservations and you could definitely tell the difference. Our last night (Sept. 2) we went to MK and it was an absolute mad house.
8) Crowd levels overall seemed to be somewhat low. We are used to going in June and March so the crowds the last week of August were very manageable.
**Here is where I complain**
9) HOT! HOT! HOT! We were disappointed by the rain the first few days but began to wish for more of it after the sun came out. Holy Hades was it hot down there. And the humidity was killer. By 10 a.m. I felt like I was walking around in a sweat suit.
10) Double strollers should be outlawed. It's bad enough that a parent is trying to make their spoiled child stop screaming because it didn't get a Donald Duck keychain and push a stroller at the same time but when the darn thing is four feet wide it becomes comically absurd. People should either be forced to use the "hot dog style" double stroller as I like to call it (one kid in front of the other) or use two single strollers. Oh, and don't let your kid push the stroller around when you are waiting to eat or use the bathroom; they tend to not be aware of their surroundings.
11) Cell phones should also be outlawed in the park. You are on vacation people! What need do you have to be calling somebody or checking your stocks? Put the stupid thing away and PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU ARE WALKING. DW and I felt invisible the entire time we were there. By the last day I was ready to tackle the next person that cut me off talking on their phone or ran into me with their monster-truck-stroller.
12) If you are between the ages of 20 and 50 and have a seat on a crowded bus, get your butt up and offer your seat to a child or older person. Yeah, it sucks having to walk around the park all day then stand for 15 more minutes while the bus driver tries to roll the bus the entire trip back but suck it up and do it. I saw WAY too many able bodied people sitting on the bus while less able bodied people stood up.
13) Ticket prices should be based on IQ. When a family books a trip to Disney, all members over the age of 18 should be required to take an IQ test. The higher you score on the test, the lower your admissions price and vice versa. I realize everybody is there to have a great time and make memories but if you can't figure out how to put your ticket in the machine, place your finger on the hot blue light until it turns green, grab your ticket and walk through the turnstile then you should have to pay more $$ to make up for my wasted time.
especially the one about ticket prices based off IQ.
. I'm sure there were a lot of parents who had double strollers who never cut anybody off or ran into anybody...but we don't notice the good ones, only the bad 
The best example was the car full of screaming banshees in front of us on the TTA. Instead of telling their kids to stop after the first time they tried to shatter the glass inside Space Mountain, their parents instead laughed and joined in. At first I thought I was just being crabby but when the people in the car behind us started complaining about the screeching I felt a little better about my thoughts.
@ #13. There are a lot of places, besides the entry system, where stupidity should be taxed, so I'm totally with you on that one. 
