Trip Report - What Worked and What Didn't

[Joycek007]

This trip was my sister and I. I drove down from Oregon and she flew in from Sydney, Australia. I picked her up at LAX about 7am and we were checked into our hotel and at security just as the park was opening.

We stayed at Park Vue Inn and I would 100% stay here again. We had a ground floor room not too far from the ice machine. It was clean, quiet and sooo close.

We had 3 day park hoppers with Genie and thought it was worth every penny. The parks were crowded and felt it saved us so much time. We rode everything we wanted, some multiple times. We did skip Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Spring. If it was a priority we would have sucked it up and stood in line or paid for the LL but we were too busy with everything else. We did get on M&M Runaway Rail and I thought it was spectacular. So cool! I hadn't expected that! The photo pass pictures were an added bonus.

We had reservations for Lamplighter Lounge for lunch and Blue Bayou for dinner. Both were thoroughly unimpressive. BB was fun for the atmosphere and nostalgia factor but that was it. Counter service restaurants were MUCH better and mobile ordering works so well.

I know it's unpopular, but we didn't rope drop. With the exception of our first day, we didn't get to the parks until around 10am and this totally worked for us. Less stress, crowds more spread out, easier to close DL every night, and we did. We took the 3pm-6pmish break every day and it made a huge difference in our stamina and mental well being. It was also nice to "sleep in".

For everyone who offered advice for foot pain, thank you! I finished the trip with the least amount of damage I've ever experienced and it was a game changer. One little blister on my little toe in a horrible place but the blister blocker bandaids worked wonderfully. I used sketchers with an insert and compression socks. In the evening I went with Crocs. The most amazing tip was KT tape. I watched a few videos on how to wrap a heel and I had absolutely no pain at all. This is life changing for me!

We did the WOC dessert package and it was a great experience. We did not check in for the 9pm show until 8pm. It was worth it for us to take our chances and use that extra hour for Soaring and Web Slinger instead of standing in line. We still got a great seat.

I hadn't seen anyone really mention Tropical Hideaway. This was a great spot for a break with a dole whip and they had a bunch of different flavors, not just pineapple, and lots of seating.

They should really have an express security line. If you have a small bag or no bag, you could breeze right through.

I got so much great advice on this board I wanted to share. If you have specific questions let me know.

 

[LKing]

We had reservations for Lamplighter Lounge for lunch and Blue Bayou for dinner. Both were thoroughly unimpressive. BB was fun for the atmosphere and nostalgia factor but that was it. Counter service restaurants were MUCH better and mobile ordering works so well.

Glad you had a great trip. I think this needs to be highlighted. In every thread where people ask about dining reservations, locals mention counter service restaurants and the mobile ordering option. WDW must have scarred their guests because people are always hesitant to go this route.

They should really have an express security line. If you have a small bag or no bag, you could breeze right through.

It depends on security. Either my spouse or I carry a backpack and the other doesn't. Sometimes the one without the backpack is waived through. Sometimes security asks them to wait. I wish there was more consistency. On that note, I also wish that all of the attraction seatbelts went from right to left (or vice versa).

 

[DizMe]

On that note, I also wish that all of the attraction seatbelts went from right to left (or vice versa).

Me too!!

On the topic of dining, I just want to underscore that we don't all like the same things. I prefer restaurant dining to counter service. I don't care for most fast food including almost everything people rave about at DLR. I like a place I can sit and relax for a while. But that's not true for many others, so it's hard to know what advice to give when people ask what's good at DLR.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

They should really have an express security line. If you have a small bag or no bag, you could breeze right through.

While I absolutely wish they would do this too, I have come to the conclusion it will never work because...people. If you specify small bag, then what defines small and how many are going to argue about that? They have experimented with no bag lines in the past which I love to go through when we have no bags with us. It is in fact a very fast experience if everyone cooperates. BUT...I have seen so many people who just refuse to understand the meaning of "no bag" and who stand there and argue with the CM that they only have one bag or that their bag is so small that it can't possibly count or that they are the only one in their party with a bag so they should be allowed to use the same line as the rest of the family or bag, what bag? Sigh.

Either my spouse or I carry a backpack and the other doesn't. Sometimes the one without the backpack is waived through. Sometimes security asks them to wait. I wish there was more consistency.

I have rarely seen security wave a bagless person through from a different party than that which is being screened. As for our own party, we just send everyone without bags through first, so the bagholder doesn't hold up the rest of the group. My biggest pet peeve at bag check is that person who has to stand between the table and the metal detector and check everyone of their zippers, reposition everything in their stroller, give the kid a snack, send a text message and so on without moving forward through the scanner. And often security just stands there and waits letting them do their thing while a backup forms behind them. Either pass the waiting people through especially since they have already been screened at the first stage or make the person holding everything up either step aside or step through.

 

[LKing]

Interesting. We've had totally different experiences. Security at Mickey & Friends and the entrance to DTD from DTD parking rarely wave someone through. Going in and out of GCH, it happens a lot. We've also seen security ask people to step to the side to get their stroller organized and let others through the metal detector.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Me too!!

On the topic of dining, I just want to underscore that we don't all like the same things. I prefer restaurant dining to counter service. I don't care for most fast food including almost everything people rave about at DLR. I like a place I can sit and relax for a while. But that's not true for many others, so it's hard to know what advice to give when people ask what's good at DLR.

This is so true! I mean, I don’t like Plaza Inn fried chicken, corndogs, Monte Cristo sandwiches or the grey stuff so sometimes I feel like a Disneyland weirdo.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Interesting. We've had totally different experiences. Security at Mickey & Friends and the entrance to DTD from DTD parking rarely wave someone through. Going in and out of GCH, it happens a lot. We've also seen security ask people to step to the side to get their stroller organized and let others through the metal detector.

Huh. I almost always enter through Harbor security.

 

[AustinTink]

The most amazing tip was KT tape. I watched a few videos on how to wrap a heel and I had absolutely no pain at all. This is life changing for me!

I’d love some information about this. Can you share the video link?

 

[maleficent55]

I LOVE tropical hideaway!

The bao is seriously amazing!

 

[Joycek007]

I’d love some information about this. Can you share the video link?

I just did some googling. Heal pain kt tape demo

 

[flyingdumbo127]

So glad you and your sister enjoyed your trip, Joyce