Wrapping up current DL trip..a few thoughts

Chip#1

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jun 11, 2019
Messages
97
Been at DL since Wednesday; first trip back since Covid. We were top level annual pass holders for a few years at DL before flipping over to Premier these last 3 — we did 6 trips to DL alone in 2019 so we know what to expect here. And this wasn’t one of our top trips for for sure.
We did a private VIP tour with an Oogie Boogie Bash private tour add on — that day was fantastic!! We did the same thing in 2019 and hope they continue it going forward. Had a great time catching up with our tour guide; couldn’t have asked for a better day.
The other days…hmmm. If someone says it’s not busy here, I seriously don’t know where they are hanging out. If you have been looking at app times, they are correct. It’s BUSY!! Yes we are use to it being busy in October but this just seems different and we think it’s because there is no FP/G+ system going yet.Wait times in the evening are still quite high.
A few things to point out:
1) thanks to the pp’s who mentioned COVID Test Courier — they worked great. Booked the first 7am appointment and had our results by 11pm. Requested the test to be done in lobby of the Grand; no problem. And the Grand did not charge her for parking so that was good.
2) Dining — this has gone down hill at most places. Storyteller was actually quite good — they moved the omelette station to ordering it from ur server, which works WAY better. Be ready w your camera because the characters are there for like a second and keep moving. Plaza Inn — GARBAGE! And it literally pains me to type that since it’s been one of our top character meals on either coast. Food was horrible and all the characters do is march around w zero stopping. I knew it had changed up so I went in aiming low to avoid disappointment; I did not aim low enough. Lamplight— back to cramming ppl in there; tried to sit us right next to ppl at the bar; no thanks. Food was good but you can feel the building move even more now every time the roller coaster blasts off (all the water has been drained for work on WofC) — this could make some ppl a bit ill. Enjoyed Pims Kitchen however there is no seating; so be prepared to grab a table before your order is up
3) Rude guests — maybe it’s because it’s so busy and ppl are standing in lines more, who knows. But guests out in DL are WAY ruder than guests in WDW. And not just to fellow guests but CMs take the brunt of it. They are definitely short staffed and I don’t blame ppl for not wanting to work here anymore
4) pleasant surprise was how much we enjoyed the new Web Slingers. It’s one of those rides that as long as you don’t take it too seriously, you’ll be laughing the entire time like we do.
Have another OBB party tonight; hopefully it goes well since we are on our own for it. Hard to say if we just got use to WDW these last 14 months (we have done 7 trips there before DL) and our expectations are now too high for DL? We won’t be back until probably Feb which G+ should be in full swing by then. Will we get Magic Keys —ehh I’m leaning towards no right now.
 
Thanks for the review! We are heading down on November 10th and have Covid Test Courier booked so I'm glad you had a good experience with them (our appts are also at 7am). Storytellers is one of the few dining ressies we have so glad to hear it's still worth it. Lamplighter is another we have, but we have never been before so I'm anxious to see what it's about. Too bad about Plaza Inn.
Not looking forward to it being crowded but we're going in thinking it will be super busy and just tempering our expectations. This is our first trip back to DL since March 2019 so it's been a while for us.
 
Thanks for the review! We are heading down on November 10th and have Covid Test Courier booked so I'm glad you had a good experience with them (our appts are also at 7am). Storytellers is one of the few dining ressies we have so glad to hear it's still worth it. Lamplighter is another we have, but we have never been before so I'm anxious to see what it's about. Too bad about Plaza Inn.
Not looking forward to it being crowded but we're going in thinking it will be super busy and just tempering our expectations. This is our first trip back to DL since March 2019 so it's been a while for us.
You’ll probably have Kristine for testing. She texted an ETA of 7:15am and was bang on. Less than 5min to do both of us; nicest lady. Definitely can’t go wrong booking with them.
Use to it being busy in October; I do think it’s the lack of some FP system right now. I’m sitting here eating a Parfait from Adorable Snowman Fosted Treats so the world is good! This place certainly has kept up since the shut down!
I forgot we also ate at River Belle — had outside seats; still quite tasty. And Carnation Cafe — inside seats at larger table so not too cramped; food was tasty. DH has had to order salads a lot more due to recent health issues — eh salads at both probably weren’t tops but my entrees were tasty!
Hope you have a fantastic trip and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
 
Another person who didn't know about the extended dining area for Pyms. I'm sorry you didn't discover this amazing area to eat, over by Hyperion Theater. Disney needs to add some signage pointing to this area.

It is crowded. Although we were there last weekend and also today and it wasn't NEARLY as crowded as it was in early/mid month. Crowds are down nearly 30% (my guess) since then.
 

Thanks for your report! We are going in January and we’re hoping the government would rethink the PCR test but so far no luck. Glad to hear Covid Test Courier worked well!
 
Thanks for your report! We are going in January and we’re hoping the government would rethink the PCR test but so far no luck. Glad to hear Covid Test Courier worked well!


We are going end of January and also hoping the PCR will be gone, but who knows right!
 





New Posts










Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top