Trip Report I Vowed Never Again ~ Yet Here We Are! *COMPLETED*

Wait, what?

WDW-obsessed Tuvalu actually vowed never again ?!?!

Must. Read. More.


Clickbait! :joyfull:

But there is truth in my statement. I did vow not to visit the world whenever our spring break...always the first week in April....aligns with Easter. The first week of April typically brings heavy crowds since most southern school systems are out. I can handle heavy. But add in additional volume from schools that coordinate their break with Easter and “heavy” becomes INSANE. (Not quite the insanity of Christmas week....I am smart enough to avoid that, thanks to a one-day trip in 1994.)

But I’ve BEEN THERE ~
In 2009 (during the recession) when it took 40 minutes just to get through the Epcot parking booth....and the line for the boat ride in Mexico was out the front door of the pavilion....and Magic Kingdom was closed due to capacity.

In 2010 when the mid-morning standby wait for Test Track was 240 minutes (that’s 4 hours, people!) and the wait time for Nemo (Nemo!) was 150 minutes.

In 2015 when we watched the 6:45 am MK Welcome show in the dark because we wanted to ride a few attractions before the hordes descended.

Long lines to use the restrooms (always filthy because attendants couldn’t keep up); no available tables in quick-service locations, forcing guests to sit on the ground outside the restaurants; and a general atmosphere of cranky/angry guests who didn’t like dealing with the multitude any more than I did.

So I declared, DONE THAT!

Or so I thought.....

My darling daughter Em lives for spring break. As a student she vacationed (Disney or beach) every year but one ~ and there was nearly a mutiny! Now that she’s a teacher, going away for spring break has reached an even higher level of importance. 😉 With this year’s Easter/spring break overlap, we began researching other warm-weather destinations.

Guess what we discovered. Transportation, resort and dining costs were cheaper if we went to WDW! And having APs means our entertainment would be free. Em’s teacher budget would not be strained. The practical side of me could not argue....and the mom side of me could not disappoint my daughter.

We leave on Monday. We’re prepared. And we’re gonna be LIVE!

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A few Magic meet-ups are in the works. Hope to keep them a surprise (as long as @Zipitidoda doesn’t spill the beans! :cautious:)

Despite declining MagicBands for our upcoming stay, these arrived in yesterday’s mail ~

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Yeah, like we’re gonna wear the UGLY gray ones.....🙄

See Ya Real Soon!
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
The unexpected "surprise" were the hassles we had at POFQ: room not ready at 4:30 pm;

Haven't stayed at a (Disney-owned resort) in years now. What I can't understand is why they don't have the rooms ready until late afternoon?

On the day that you check out, however, housekeeping is banging on your door after 8 AM, asking when you think you'll be checking out?! :banghead:
 

Gurt

Well-Known Member
Great report, I would love to go during F&G but we are doing September again next year. Looking forward to your next mother / daughter trip, and of course your trips with Woody.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Great report! I'm glad you are becoming more fond of AK.

Your comments on EPCOT made me long for the time the kids were young enough to take out of school. We had several April and May trips and loved F&G.

Looking forward to the next report. :D
Isn't it about time for you and Val to go on kid-less getaway? I know WDW isn't her fave, but it's impossible not to fall in love with Epcot during Flower and Garden! Shirley says DO IT!!!!

Thanks for sharing your trips with us!! It helps us get through the withdrawal pains- which we had the next day we were gone. Can’t wait until your next TR!
Disney withdrawal is the worst! Are you going to share your trip with us?
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Haven't stayed at a (Disney-owned resort) in years now. What I can't understand is why they don't have the rooms ready until late afternoon?
On the day that you check out, however, housekeeping is banging on your door after 8 AM, asking when you think you'll be checking out?! :banghead:
Cuts in staff is the biggest reason rooms aren't ready until late afternoon. Anyone who receives a room in the morning (before 'official' check in time) can be fairly certain that room was unused the night prior. I was shocked to hear from an assistant manager at the GF, "Our housekeepers service rooms until 7 pm." WTH????? IMO, housekeepers should be done cleaning rooms no later than 4 pm.....which is certainly attainable with enough staff!

Looking forward to your next mother / daughter trip, and of course your trips with Woody.
Me too! :joyfull:
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
Cuts in staff is the biggest reason rooms aren't ready until late afternoon. Anyone who receives a room in the morning (before 'official' check in time) can be fairly certain that room was unused the night prior. I was shocked to hear from an assistant manager at the GF, "Our housekeepers service rooms until 7 pm." WTH????? IMO, housekeepers should be done cleaning rooms no later than 4 pm.....which is certainly attainable with enough staff!

Until 7 PM?! Yikes -- unless it's turndown service and a mint on the pillow ;) (do they even do that anymore?!) -- but I assume he means actual room cleaning until 7 PM. That is just crazy. :facepalm:
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster

riverside

Premium Member
The kids here in my little corner of Wisconsin are done on the 6th of June as well, and this teacher has to work until the 7th for some in service time.
Hopefully the 7th will be here before you know it!! Enjoy your summer off!!
He has to work year round b/c he's the principal(stinks to be him!!) That's why we're going at the end of June again:arghh:(the extreme heat & I do not mix well). He won't take vacation time during the school year and he's busy in July & August getting ready for the next school year so June it is.
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
We're done Friday! :joyfull: Would also be Thursday but.... Irma. :cautious:
Em’s last day (teacher workday) was supposed to be today but is now next Wednesday......IRMA 😡

What a great gift! Kids are finished on Thursday as well! Can. Not. Wait.:cool: Love my kiddos but I am ready for a break. Especially because they are looping up with me next year!
Em would be committed if this year’s class looped with her in the fall! :joyfull:

Lol, mine isn't done until June 22!
As a New England student from 3rd-12th grade I suffered those same late June end-of-years! But then I did get to enjoy the last week of July and ALL of August school-free....which is still SUMMER (unlike those whose breaks begin next week and will be back at their desks July 30.)
 

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