SCDisneyfanatic
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 8, 2014
Well, we just returned from a week at WDW...I have some things that were good (as expected), some things that weren't so good, and a few things that were spectacular. Overall, the trip was a great success. All the planning that took place over the weeks and months prior to traveling paid off. That Sunday (14 Dec) was a perfect example. AK in the morning, FP+ for Dinosaur, EE, and Kilimanjaro Safari...saw Tough to be a Bug, Nemo, Lion King and took a trip to the conservatory...out of there by 3:00, back to the hotel to freshen up and grab a cold adult beverage. EPCOT from 5:00 until 8:30 to get started on our Drink Around the World Passport...boat to HS at 8:30 to see Osborne Lights. Bottom Line: the planning and the FP+ made things pretty smooth.
So, what was the bad? Considering the crowds were projected at 4's most days and we went to the recommended parks each day, I can't imagine the crowds on "busy" days. I've seen it that crowded before, but it was in June or July. MVMCP was a ZOO!!!! Some awesome stuff (will mention that soon), but it was so crowded around the events that I often felt like I couldn't breathe. It was wall-to-wall people!!! It seemed to be the norm that something was broken every day...Pirates of the Caribbean was down both days at MK, FP+ was delayed (although they honor it later) for Dinosaur and Spaceship Earth...any popular ride without a FP was a really long wait (from 60-120 minutes). Luckily we did RD (+ 10 minutes...because the Monorail was delayed) at EPCOT on one day and hit TT Stand-by (still took 30 minutes)...we never even attempted 7DMT or TSMM since we didn't have FP+ for them.
The Best: Candlelight Processional is amazing...sat almost center stage about 5 rows back...it was incredible to witness. Unbelievable shows included Osborne Lights, Wishes at the Christmas Party, MVMCP Parade, and Fantasmic. Nemo, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast were all excellent. Dining at Jiko - The Cooking Place was phenomenal (although too pricey for some). For adults, doing the Drink Around the World Showcase Passport was great. We did it over two evenings at EPCOT and had each country's rep sign in their language saying "Merry Christmas" or something close (based on their language). It was a great trip and I look forward to returning in the future (problably a few years because we want to have Grandchildren old enough to remember what the experience).
So, what was the bad? Considering the crowds were projected at 4's most days and we went to the recommended parks each day, I can't imagine the crowds on "busy" days. I've seen it that crowded before, but it was in June or July. MVMCP was a ZOO!!!! Some awesome stuff (will mention that soon), but it was so crowded around the events that I often felt like I couldn't breathe. It was wall-to-wall people!!! It seemed to be the norm that something was broken every day...Pirates of the Caribbean was down both days at MK, FP+ was delayed (although they honor it later) for Dinosaur and Spaceship Earth...any popular ride without a FP was a really long wait (from 60-120 minutes). Luckily we did RD (+ 10 minutes...because the Monorail was delayed) at EPCOT on one day and hit TT Stand-by (still took 30 minutes)...we never even attempted 7DMT or TSMM since we didn't have FP+ for them.
The Best: Candlelight Processional is amazing...sat almost center stage about 5 rows back...it was incredible to witness. Unbelievable shows included Osborne Lights, Wishes at the Christmas Party, MVMCP Parade, and Fantasmic. Nemo, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast were all excellent. Dining at Jiko - The Cooking Place was phenomenal (although too pricey for some). For adults, doing the Drink Around the World Showcase Passport was great. We did it over two evenings at EPCOT and had each country's rep sign in their language saying "Merry Christmas" or something close (based on their language). It was a great trip and I look forward to returning in the future (problably a few years because we want to have Grandchildren old enough to remember what the experience).