We Just Returned - Some Opinions

[rochek1999]

Myself, my daughter and 14 yr old granddaughter just returned from WDW. I'd like to post a few observations. We stayed 4 nights at All Star Sports. Please remember these are MY opinions and not all will agree with them!!

1) I won't be returning any time soon, especially during the summer. Crowds were extremely bad! Yesterday (Tues) at MK, it was so packed everyone seemed to be complaining.
2) If I ever do go back, unless they add more to do at AK, I will skip that park. There is just not enough there to keep me interested.
3) LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the new Launch Bay! We saw Chewbacca and Kylo Ren both with minimum wait times. The Storm Troopers were inside walking around and that was cool! The Ewoks were about too and my granddaughter got her pic taken with one of them.
4) The new Starwars fireworks are spectacular!!!! Don't miss them!!!!!!
5) I was at the pool on 3 different days. I got so irritated at the unruly children that cannon-balled in right next to me, kicked their way past me as I just relaxed along the edge, threw toys at me, etc., etc., Parents - please teach your children pool etiquette!!!! If there is an adult relaxing in the pool, make sure your children give them just a little bit of space without soaking the adult every time they jumped in. This happened every day and ruined my times at the pool.
6) EVERYTHING is so expensive! I don't know how those of you with children can afford to take them to WDW, even with the dining plan! Disney is out-pricing people from returning.
7) All parks are down to TWO smoking areas! I heard many people complaining about this and saying unless something changes, they will not be giving WDW anymore money. It's discrimination plain and simple. I'm not saying you should be able to smoke anywhere, but two spots in a place like MK is insane.

Oh, I really liked using the MDE although I couldn't make more FP+ after I had used my originals. I called Customer Service and they were able to make new ones for me right over the phone. That was nice.

My feet are killing me and I'm tired, tired, tired!!!!! I need a vacation from my Disney vacation!

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

 

[Alice777]

My feet are killing me and I'm tired, tired, tired!!!!! I need a vacation from my Disney vacation!

That's why I told people when I got back this past April. Going to WDW is NOT vacation! LOL! I really needed REAL VACATION of doing NOTHING!

 

[SaintsManiac]

That's why I told people when I got back this past April. Going to WDW is NOT vacation! LOL!

Yep! I always take the day after off to recover

 

[Koz]

I think that your biggest mistake is realizing that visiting Disney is a trip, not a vacation.

 

[ArwenMarie]

That's too bad about the crowds.

I never thought of the Disney pools as a place to have a relaxing swim. Even the "quiet" pools.

 

[SDSorority]

Totally hear ya, OP! With the high crowds, we have had to change our park touring strategies as of late. We do a lot more resort hopping and a lot less pool time... and if we do go to a pool we only do the quiet pools now, not the main pools. We also are really smart on fastpasses- 3 rides in the morning before lunch, schedule one immediately after we use the 3rd one for early evening, then LEAVE. Have some quiet time in the room, shower, nap, eat dinner, do laundry, swim, whatever... and go back afterward. We can't do the all day lines and sun and crowds anymore. We take a much slower pace to save our feet and minimize walking at all costs. No more of this rush rush rush stuff for us- we just can't do it anymore.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

The Ewoks were about too and my granddaughter got her pic taken with one of them.

I think you mean jawas, right?

 

[BrianL]

2) If I ever do go back, unless they add more to do at AK, I will skip that park. There is just not enough there to keep me interested.

Well, good news, Avatar: The World of Pandora should open next year at AK, bringing with it two rides and a highly themed area based on the movie. Also, Rivers of Light should be opening once they get the technical stuff sorted out.

It sounds like if you do go back you should try to hit the off season. Summer crowds can be rough!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

6) EVERYTHING is so expensive! I don't know how those of you with children can afford to take them to WDW, even with the dining plan! Disney is out-pricing people from returning.
7) All parks are down to TWO smoking areas! I heard many people complaining about this and saying unless something changes, they will not be giving WDW anymore money. It's discrimination plain and simple. I'm not saying you should be able to smoke anywhere, but two spots in a place like MK is insane.

The dining plan is no money saver. You can do better paying out of pocket for meals. There is another smoking area outside the entrance to MK. So you could consider that three smoking areas. I hardly think it's discrimination.

 

[guinea pig]

My daughter got was there from June 16-20. She said crowds were light! She sent numerous pictures from Epcot and AK with no one else in the background.

 

[Bay_Lake_Tower]

A private company cutting down on their smoking areas is hardly what I would refer to as discrimination, but to each their own I guess.

 

[DVCcurious]

You're right. Everything is very expensive. Disney vacations are definitely a luxury. I don't see how a middle income family (60k in the US) could ever afford it. It's a good thing I'm rich.

 

[Stageman12]

As someone with permanent lung scarring caused by secondhand smoke, the less smoking areas the better.

 

[Accident]

2) If I ever do go back, unless they add more to do at AK, I will skip that park. There is just not enough there to keep me interested.

i'm with you on this one, especially if it's really hot out, it's just miserable long walks with nowhere to cool off and nothing to show for it.

5) I was at the pool on 3 different days. I got so irritated at the unruly children that cannon-balled in right next to me, kicked their way past me as I just relaxed along the edge, threw toys at me, etc., etc., Parents - please teach your children pool etiquette!!!! If there is an adult relaxing in the pool, make sure your children give them just a little bit of space without soaking the adult every time they jumped in. This happened every day and ruined my times at the pool.

Something that might help is look into a resort the next trip with more than 1 pool. usually 1 is themed and the rest are not or quiet pools. You don't need to go deluxe to find this, I think pop (that sometimes is cheaper than all stars or within a couple dollars) has 2 quieter pools and only 1 unruly kids pool.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

I agree with the other posters. I'll be happy when Disney goes completely smoke-free.

 

[Purplestorm]

I do wish they would lower their food prices... a burger and fries should not cost more than $7 unless it is at Le cellier

 

[Shanti]

Myself, my daughter and 14 yr old granddaughter just returned from WDW. I'd like to post a few observations. We stayed 4 nights at All Star Sports. Please remember these are MY opinions and not all will agree with them!!

1) I won't be returning any time soon, especially during the summer. Crowds were extremely bad! Yesterday (Tues) at MK, it was so packed everyone seemed to be complaining.
2) If I ever do go back, unless they add more to do at AK, I will skip that park. There is just not enough there to keep me interested.
3) LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the new Launch Bay! We saw Chewbacca and Kylo Ren both with minimum wait times. The Storm Troopers were inside walking around and that was cool! The Ewoks were about too and my granddaughter got her pic taken with one of them.
4) The new Starwars fireworks are spectacular!!!! Don't miss them!!!!!!
5) I was at the pool on 3 different days. I got so irritated at the unruly children that cannon-balled in right next to me, kicked their way past me as I just relaxed along the edge, threw toys at me, etc., etc., Parents - please teach your children pool etiquette!!!! If there is an adult relaxing in the pool, make sure your children give them just a little bit of space without soaking the adult every time they jumped in. This happened every day and ruined my times at the pool.
6) EVERYTHING is so expensive! I don't know how those of you with children can afford to take them to WDW, even with the dining plan! Disney is out-pricing people from returning.
7) All parks are down to TWO smoking areas! I heard many people complaining about this and saying unless something changes, they will not be giving WDW anymore money. It's discrimination plain and simple. I'm not saying you should be able to smoke anywhere, but two spots in a place like MK is insane.

Oh, I really liked using the MDE although I couldn't make more FP+ after I had used my originals. I called Customer Service and they were able to make new ones for me right over the phone. That was nice.

My feet are killing me and I'm tired, tired, tired!!!!! I need a vacation from my Disney vacation!

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

I'm sorry your trip was less than magical. It does sound like you'd prefer a more relaxing and affordable vacation destination, such as spending a week at a local beach or lake.

It does also sound like you did have some fun, though. If you ever decide to return, I have a few suggestions:

1. Stay offsite. There are many more affordable lodging options offsite, and many of those are quite close to WDW- some are even within the WDW complex. In general, offsite lodging offers higher quality lodging than you would get for the same amount of money at a WDW resort.

2. Do not get the dining plan. It typically costs more than paying out of pocket for the same food. Just look at online menus in advance and budget generously for your meals & tips ahead of time.

3. Arrive at the parks 30 minutes before the parks open, without fail. The lightest crowds are first thing in the morning (arriving at park opening is called doing "rope drop"). You'll get a lot of rides/attractions done in the first few hours, then can return to your resort/hotel after a late lunch to rest or swim (you'll likely have a better offsite swimming experience than you would at a Disney value resort). You can later head back to the park for fireworks viewing if you wish.

4. If the long walks WDW requires are really hurting you, rent an ECV (electric scooter) next time. I rented one from Care Medical for my mother to use on our last trip, and the scooter was perfect and reasonably priced.

 

[awalker1015]

I'll second a PP about staying at a resort with multiple pools. We stay at POR and when the kids want to be rowdy and engage with other kids we hit the main feature pool. When not, the quiet pools are awesome.

 

[rochek1999]

I think you mean jawas, right?

Yes! I knew I'd get that wrong!!

 

[rochek1999]

I'm sorry your trip was less than magical. It does sound like you'd prefer a more relaxing and affordable vacation destination, such as spending a week at a local beach or lake.

It does also sound like you did have some fun, though. If you ever decide to return, I have a few suggestions:

1. Stay offsite. There are many more affordable lodging options offsite, and many of those are quite close to WDW- some are even within the WDW complex. In general, offsite lodging offers higher quality lodging than you would get for the same amount of money at a WDW resort.

2. Do not get the dining plan. It typically costs more than paying out of pocket for the same food. Just look at online menus in advance and budget generously for your meals & tips ahead of time.

3. Arrive at the parks 30 minutes before the parks open, without fail. The lightest crowds are first thing in the morning (arriving at park opening is called doing "rope drop"). You'll get a lot of rides/attractions done in the first few hours, then can return to your resort/hotel after a late lunch to rest or swim (you'll likely have a better offsite swimming experience than in a Disney value resort). You can later head back to the park for fireworks viewing if you wish.

4. If the long walks WDW requires are really hurting you, rent an ECV (electric scooter) next time. I rented one from Care Medical for my mother to use on our last trip, and the scooter was perfect and reasonably priced.

We were at rope drop at every park.