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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 27, 2024 10:37:20 GMT -5
I just returned from a week at WDW. Rather than a full trip report, here are some thoughts.
First time experiences -
1. GoG Cosmic Rewind - This is now our favorite ride at WDW. We had no problems getting VQs, riding it 4 times.
2. Tron - Like everyone else has said, this ride is a bit too short and really doesn't develop the story at all. Again, no problems getting VQs and we rode it twice.
3. Fantasmic! - This was our first time seeing the new version. We liked it a lot. I did think there was too much empty space during the Mulan scene.
4. Luminous - If you like fireworks, you will like this show. Personally, I prefer less fireworks and more other stuff. I much preferred Illuminations and Harmonious. Luminous left me without that emotional connection. Thought, since I was in the minority of liking Harmonious, I am likely in the minority of not really caring for Luminous.
5. Moana water experience - It's pretty and probably nice for small children. I guess it's better than nothing.
6. Rivera Resort - What a beautiful resort! We had a 2-bedroom and thought the place was amazing. We found the Skyliner quite convenient and much better than the buses.
7. Takumi Tei - The service is top notch. I'm not sure service could really get any better. The food was very good and used high quality ingredients, but did not amaze. It was a bit weird in that it seemed like the first part of the meal was prepared by one chef (presentation was very refined and tight as would be expected from a top-end Japanese restaurant) and the second part by a different chef (presentation was clunky and a bit sloppy as would be expected from a mid-range American restaurant). All in all, we enjoyed the meal, but DW and I both agreed that it doesn't live up to the price point. Two-Michelin starred restaurants in L.A. are only slightly more and offer much more (specifically thinking of N/naka and Providence).
8. Space 220 - I'm glad we went once and enjoyed the meal. The $55 lunch prix fix (appetizer + entree) was not such a bad deal. However, it was just way too much food for us. I doubt we would go again (even a la carte in the bar/lounge) as I thought there would be more going on in "space." After the initial look around, you almost forget the screen is there and it could really be any restaurant at that point.
Crowds - Crowds were heavy. As WDW pros, we were fine and had little wait for what we did. We actually did go on most things as we had 2 people with us who had never been before. The non-stop rain on Sunday, 2/18 cleared a lot of people out of the parks early and we were able to walk on to all rides at AK in the last hour. We did buy an ILL for 7 Dwarves and Genie+ for our MK day.
Rope drop - Why don't all the parks do rope drop like HS? On my last two visits to HS (last week and February 2022), HS lets you in and then lets you get in line for the ride (Slinky Dog, in my case). It is much more calm and civilized than letting people in, then corralling them in a section for a mad dash to whatever ride they are after. The mad dash at MK, AK, and Epcot consist of people elbowing for position and then a big mass having to condense into a single line. Our MK rope drop to SM was just awful. A lot of pushing and smashing at the point where the mass has to file into the line. Since I have only roped dropped Slinky Dog at HS, do they let you line up for all the rides at HS?
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Post by tomandrobin on Feb 27, 2024 11:43:06 GMT -5
Crowds - Crowds were heavy. As WDW pros, we were fine and had little wait for what we did. We actually did go on most things as we had 2 people with us who had never been before. The non-stop rain on Sunday, 2/18 cleared a lot of people out of the parks early and we were able to walk on to all rides at AK in the last hour. We did buy an ILL for 7 Dwarves and Genie+ for our MK day. Rope drop - Why don't all the parks do rope drop like HS? On my last two visits to HS (last week and February 2022), HS lets you in and then lets you get in line for the ride (Slinky Dog, in my case). It is much more calm and civilized than letting people in, then corralling them in a section for a mad dash to whatever ride they are after. The mad dash at MK, AK, and Epcot consist of people elbowing for position and then a big mass having to condense into a single line. Our MK rope drop to SM was just awful. A lot of pushing and smashing at the point where the mass has to file into the line. Since I have only roped dropped Slinky Dog at HS, do they let you line up for all the rides at HS? 1. It is really that good!
2. Spot on....Love the ride, short, not enough back story.
3. Still not seen it in about 14 years.
4. Still not seen it, maybe this Friday.
5. I was very disappointed. I thought this was going to be bigger. Its cute, great for kids, but way too much hype.
6. We now own three contracts there....That is how much we love the resort.
7. I refuse to go until Disney does away with the prixe fixe meal.
8. Space 220 was better than I expected, but felt it was too overpriced....but again, its Disney.
Last week was project to be the 4th busiest week of the year for 2024. I feel sorry for newbies who don't know the ropes to navigate the parks.
Each Park has their own manager. Each manager chooses how their park operates. You would think there be a standard, but nope. And even if they found a way that worked best, they will just change it again and again.
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 27, 2024 11:52:33 GMT -5
Wow! 4th busiest week. I can believe it. Rope drop was a zoo. We saw a lot of people turned away from Tron and GoG who either had no idea that VQ existed or didn't get one and thought they could just stand in line. ILL was available for both of the rides, but the GoG ones seemed to sell out quickly.
I didn't know that each park has their own manager who decides how to operate the park. In that case, maybe the other park managers have no idea how orderly HS rope drop is. I will have to make some comment about that on my park visit survey.
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Post by bakerworld on Feb 28, 2024 8:57:49 GMT -5
We sent our eldest GC there over President's weekend right before COVID shutdown. They loved it. Never mentioned the crowds. Thrice we went the weekend before President's Day. Not sure why, but our township always had a teacher's in-service day around the previous weekend before so we'd pull the kids out of school a day early and do a long weekend in WDW. The weather was always good - better than September - and our youngest was there for her birthday. She use to tell people that we took her to WDW for her birthday all the time. LOL
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Post by tomandrobin on Feb 28, 2024 9:32:31 GMT -5
We sent our eldest GC there over President's weekend right before COVID shutdown. They loved it. Never mentioned the crowds. Thrice we went the weekend before President's Day. Not sure why, but our township always had a teacher's in-service day around the previous weekend before so we'd pull the kids out of school a day early and do a long weekend in WDW. The weather was always good - better than September - and our youngest was there for her birthday. She use to tell people that we took her to WDW for her birthday all the time. LOL Robin and my birthdays are the last week of February. We have been going to WDW for years to celebrate, but the last couple years, the crowds have gotten so bad that we now go a week later, and next year not at all to WDW for our birthdays. The Princess Marathons have grown so big that we dread going that week now. |
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 28, 2024 10:20:59 GMT -5
We sent our eldest GC there over President's weekend right before COVID shutdown. They loved it. Never mentioned the crowds. Thrice we went the weekend before President's Day. Not sure why, but our township always had a teacher's in-service day around the previous weekend before so we'd pull the kids out of school a day early and do a long weekend in WDW. The weather was always good - better than September - and our youngest was there for her birthday. She use to tell people that we took her to WDW for her birthday all the time. LOL We have been gone to WDW several times during this week. This was the first year that I found the crowds to be so large. I don't know when the Princess run was added to this week. I don't recall it in previous years, but I could be mistaken. Also, more and more school districts (including ours) have been giving this week off as "ski week." |
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 28, 2024 10:22:37 GMT -5
We sent our eldest GC there over President's weekend right before COVID shutdown. They loved it. Never mentioned the crowds. Thrice we went the weekend before President's Day. Not sure why, but our township always had a teacher's in-service day around the previous weekend before so we'd pull the kids out of school a day early and do a long weekend in WDW. The weather was always good - better than September - and our youngest was there for her birthday. She use to tell people that we took her to WDW for her birthday all the time. LOL Robin and my birthdays are the last week of February. We have been going to WDW for years to celebrate, but the last couple years, the crowds have gotten so bad that we now go a week later, and next year not at all to WDW for our birthdays. The Princess Marathons have grown so big that we dread going that week now. Looking at wait times, this week would have been much better than last week. DW and I will become empty nesters at the end of this year, so now we'll be able to go without worrying about school schedules. |
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Post by Brian5581 on Feb 28, 2024 19:42:18 GMT -5
Nice summary, thanks for taking the time to share.
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Post by TexasChick on Feb 28, 2024 21:55:15 GMT -5
We went the weekend before Presidents’ Day and came home on Presidents’ Day. The crowds were honestly nonexistent on Sunday night at MK. However, there was a reason for this. The weather that Saturday and Sunday is probably the worst I’ve ever experienced at WDW. It was rainy, cold, and windy. Just one of these is bad enough. All three together were horrific and wouldn’t let up. It started on Saturday morning and went through Sunday night of just constant rain. We left the parks on Sunday, 2/18, just go to back to the hotel to get out of our wet clothes in the afternoon. Rain coats, ponchos, and umbrellas help, but they don’t keep your shoes, socks, and bottom of your pants dry. We didn’t go back to the parks until 7:30pm or so. People were coming out in droves. I think the constant rain all day did them in. Parks were open until 11pm that night. We could pretty much walk into every ride. It was so crazy. That was our last night, so we were happy to end it on that note. It stopped raining at about 8:30pm or so and wasn’t as heavy as it had been earlier in the day. I have to admit that I was surprised at how big the crowds were earlier in the day in the heavy rain.
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Feb 29, 2024 9:09:33 GMT -5
I just returned from a week at WDW. Rather than a full trip report, here are some thoughts. First time experiences - 1. GoG Cosmic Rewind - This is now our favorite ride at WDW. We had no problems getting VQs, riding it 4 times. 2. Tron - Like everyone else has said, this ride is a bit too short and really doesn't develop the story at all. Again, no problems getting VQs and we rode it twice. 3. Fantasmic! - This was our first time seeing the new version. We liked it a lot. I did think there was too much empty space during the Mulan scene. 4. Luminous - If you like fireworks, you will like this show. Personally, I prefer less fireworks and more other stuff. I much preferred Illuminations and Harmonious. Luminous left me without that emotional connection. Thought, since I was in the minority of liking Harmonious, I am likely in the minority of not really caring for Luminous. 5. Moana water experience - It's pretty and probably nice for small children. I guess it's better than nothing. 6. Rivera Resort - What a beautiful resort! We had a 2-bedroom and thought the place was amazing. We found the Skyliner quite convenient and much better than the buses. 7. Takumi Tei - The service is top notch. I'm not sure service could really get any better. The food was very good and used high quality ingredients, but did not amaze. It was a bit weird in that it seemed like the first part of the meal was prepared by one chef (presentation was very refined and tight as would be expected from a top-end Japanese restaurant) and the second part by a different chef (presentation was clunky and a bit sloppy as would be expected from a mid-range American restaurant). All in all, we enjoyed the meal, but DW and I both agreed that it doesn't live up to the price point. Two-Michelin starred restaurants in L.A. are only slightly more and offer much more (specifically thinking of N/naka and Providence). 8. Space 220 - I'm glad we went once and enjoyed the meal. The $55 lunch prix fix (appetizer + entree) was not such a bad deal. However, it was just way too much food for us. I doubt we would go again (even a la carte in the bar/lounge) as I thought there would be more going on in "space." After the initial look around, you almost forget the screen is there and it could really be any restaurant at that point. Crowds - Crowds were heavy. As WDW pros, we were fine and had little wait for what we did. We actually did go on most things as we had 2 people with us who had never been before. The non-stop rain on Sunday, 2/18 cleared a lot of people out of the parks early and we were able to walk on to all rides at AK in the last hour. We did buy an ILL for 7 Dwarves and Genie+ for our MK day. Rope drop - Why don't all the parks do rope drop like HS? On my last two visits to HS (last week and February 2022), HS lets you in and then lets you get in line for the ride (Slinky Dog, in my case). It is much more calm and civilized than letting people in, then corralling them in a section for a mad dash to whatever ride they are after. The mad dash at MK, AK, and Epcot consist of people elbowing for position and then a big mass having to condense into a single line. Our MK rope drop to SM was just awful. A lot of pushing and smashing at the point where the mass has to file into the line. Since I have only roped dropped Slinky Dog at HS, do they let you line up for all the rides at HS? I’m only guessing on studios. There is no room for them outside the park & on the main street (I can’t come up with the name right now) so they have to let people in and go to the rides. They do allow people to get in line for all the rides at HS. I “think” maybe FoP they do as well, but I haven’t done that in a long time. They don’t want people running which I get. AK can get clogged as well. They stop people at Springs from running to Gideon’s because some feel the need to be the first in line so they can post it on Instagram or where ever. In February DH and I went at 9 am when Springs security opened and this social media person was intent on being first. I hurt my foot so I sent DH ahead…she was insane…ended up 4 people ahead of DH, but she was FIRST! Anyone who knows me or DH can just imagine with all the different paths in Springs how hard it was to direct him to Gideon’s. He did it! I was very proud of him. I tried to change to lime garage at the last minute that morning and he said “no” lol! Orange garage is 1000 times easier to navigate so we always park there. I hobbled in and met up with him which was a good plan. 30 minute wait beyond the hour till opening. Getting the February cookie for one of my kids who didn’t follow that Gideon’s has monthly cookies. He wanted it back in December. Lol FOMO…drives me nuts! |
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Feb 29, 2024 9:22:18 GMT -5
Also on Studios…
I come in on days sometimes when I am a peasant local and cannot get in early. There is no where for us to wait so they let the resort guests in early. That is NOT a place I’d like to be either. I did it once and realized what was happening and went and sat down outside Studios, after security and not in the mosh pit.
The other parks have more room to keep track of the locals who cannot get in on day trips. Studios does not.
AK they send locals up one path and resorts guests another way.
MK stops people at the Hub.
Epcot has room at both entrances to sit or stand as well.
I enjoy Epcot as a peasant as we can get a Joffey's coffee and sit and wait until we can get in.
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 29, 2024 9:40:01 GMT -5
I’m only guessing on studios. There is no room for them outside the park & on the main street (I can’t come up with the name right now) so they have to let people in and go to the rides. They do allow people to get in line for all the rides at HS. I “think” maybe FoP they do as well, but I haven’t done that in a long time. They don’t want people running which I get. AK can get clogged as well. They stop people at Springs from running to Gideon’s because some feel the need to be the first in line so they can post it on Instagram or where ever. In February DH and I went at 9 am when Springs security opened and this social media person was intent on being first. I hurt my foot so I sent DH ahead…she was insane…ended up 4 people ahead of DH, but she was FIRST! Anyone who knows me or DH can just imagine with all the different paths in Springs how hard it was to direct him to Gideon’s. He did it! I was very proud of him. I tried to change to lime garage at the last minute that morning and he said “no” lol! Orange garage is 1000 times easier to navigate so we always park there. I hobbled in and met up with him which was a good plan. 30 minute wait beyond the hour till opening. Getting the February cookie for one of my kids who didn’t follow that Gideon’s has monthly cookies. He wanted it back in December. Lol FOMO…drives me nuts! Also on Studios… I come in on days sometimes when I am a peasant local and cannot get in early. There is no where for us to wait so they let the resort guests in early. That is NOT a place I’d like to be either. I did it once and realized what was happening and went and sat down outside Studios, after security and not in the mosh pit. The other parks have more room to keep track of the locals who cannot get in on day trips. Studios does not. AK they send locals up one path and resorts guests another way. MK stops people at the Hub. Epcot has room at both entrances to sit or stand as well. I enjoy Epcot as a peasant as we can get a Joffey's coffee and sit and wait until we can get in. This makes complete sense. There is definitely less room to hold guests until official park open. I just wish they would all do that. What is the real benefit of the stampede of rope drop? It probably doesn't matter on lighter days, but the mob scene we experienced last week at SM is just asking for trouble. Sooner or later, somebody is going to throw a punch. |
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 29, 2024 9:41:11 GMT -5
We went the weekend before Presidents’ Day and came home on Presidents’ Day. The crowds were honestly nonexistent on Sunday night at MK. However, there was a reason for this. The weather that Saturday and Sunday is probably the worst I’ve ever experienced at WDW. It was rainy, cold, and windy. Just one of these is bad enough. All three together were horrific and wouldn’t let up. It started on Saturday morning and went through Sunday night of just constant rain. We left the parks on Sunday, 2/18, just go to back to the hotel to get out of our wet clothes in the afternoon. Rain coats, ponchos, and umbrellas help, but they don’t keep your shoes, socks, and bottom of your pants dry. We didn’t go back to the parks until 7:30pm or so. People were coming out in droves. I think the constant rain all day did them in. Parks were open until 11pm that night. We could pretty much walk into every ride. It was so crazy. That was our last night, so we were happy to end it on that note. It stopped raining at about 8:30pm or so and wasn’t as heavy as it had been earlier in the day. I have to admit that I was surprised at how big the crowds were earlier in the day in the heavy rain. We arrived in the rain on Saturday and it never stopped raining until Monday morning. We, too, benefited with everything being walk on at AK in the final hours. FOP without a wait? Yes, please. |
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Post by brp on Feb 29, 2024 10:55:03 GMT -5
We went the weekend before Presidents’ Day and came home on Presidents’ Day. The crowds were honestly nonexistent on Sunday night at MK. However, there was a reason for this. The weather that Saturday and Sunday is probably the worst I’ve ever experienced at WDW. It was rainy, cold, and windy. Just one of these is bad enough. All three together were horrific and wouldn’t let up. It started on Saturday morning and went through Sunday night of just constant rain. We left the parks on Sunday, 2/18, just go to back to the hotel to get out of our wet clothes in the afternoon. Rain coats, ponchos, and umbrellas help, but they don’t keep your shoes, socks, and bottom of your pants dry. We didn’t go back to the parks until 7:30pm or so. People were coming out in droves. I think the constant rain all day did them in. Parks were open until 11pm that night. We could pretty much walk into every ride. It was so crazy. That was our last night, so we were happy to end it on that note. It stopped raining at about 8:30pm or so and wasn’t as heavy as it had been earlier in the day. I have to admit that I was surprised at how big the crowds were earlier in the day in the heavy rain. We arrived in the rain on Saturday and it never stopped raining until Monday morning. We, too, benefited with everything being walk on at AK in the final hours. FOP without a wait? Yes, please. Love rain at Disney simply because others don't. And, if they do run Kilimanjaro Safari, the animals sure as hell don't care about the rain.
Cheers.
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Post by jedimom3 on Mar 2, 2024 8:53:06 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the fun.
Agree that GotG is the best ride now. I can't believe the first time I rode, I decided I wouldn't do it again, due to queasiness, but once I figured out how/where to look, no issues, and I LOVE it!! I think I'll plan on buying extra rides on our upcoming trip, since we all love it. And maybe I'll finally get Conga.
Our plans originally included Riviera, but we changed. hope to stay there soon.
I do like rope drop at HS. for Rise, you can get all the way in the ride queue and just wait. not sure how far they'll let you go at ToT, but last time, DH and DS were waiting outside on the blvd for quite a while for it to open.
We knew SO many people from Louisiana who were in Disney the week before President's Day, for Mardi Gras. That used to be our favorite time to go for sure. then I didn't realize that a lot of school systems take a winter break on President's Day week. We'll for sure have to remember that if we ever think about going then.
Enjoyed reading the TR!
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