So, this is more like a series of keen(IMO) observations, then a typical trip report. For one thing, I do not take many pictures while on vacation. I prefer to view things in ultra HD right in front of my face, then through a tiny little screen. So there will be no pictures. So, for the 1 or 2 of you still reading, here is both the good and the bad.
Staying at WLV from April 5th to April 11th.
Day 1...
Arrived at WLV at around 1:30a. Got stuck in room 1559. Which backed up to a utility room. Not sure what machinery was in there, but whatever it was, it was incredibly loud. Asked to be moved, and around 2a, we were able to switch rooms. I think the WLV might need an updating, the rooms are, a bit, rough around the edges. But still quite nice.
Day 2...
Slept in a bit, being up till 2:30 will do that to you. Then had some trouble with our KTTW cards, they could not change the RFID in the cards to open up our new room. So, they had to re-book our reservation, then issue us new cards. This took around 45 minutes. Which was not an ideal start to the day. Technology, making things easier, whilst also making things more difficult.
After that was all sorted out, we decided to just spend the day at Epcot. We were able to use the new entry points with our RFID KTTW cards, and for most people, this was a simpler, faster way to enter the parks. For some people, it was basically the equivalent of asking them to pilot a rocket ship. The amount of confusion going on around those Mickey heads was staggering. The fact is, it IS a better way to enter the parks. But it does require some eagle eyed CMs to make sure no-one is sneaking in, and to help the less, bright? guests, enter the parks.
As for the park itself....
The new My Disney Experience app was better then expected for me. The wait times were really accurate, and the ability to check FP return times before trudging across the park was a helpful touch. The Dining portion of the app needs some work though. It would be nice if they would add Menu descriptions, instead of just the names of the dishes.
Flower and Garden had the park looking beautiful. All of the character topiaries are so cool. Especially the Cars shrubs. And the Troll in Norway, and Snow White, and the Lion King, and, well, you get it. The new Food booths were IMO a worthy edition, but the menus need tweaking. I like the idea behind having the new booths, but truthfully, there were very few items we were interested in trying. The ones we did try, BBQ in USA, Dole Whip w/rum, Beer Flight in Germany were all good though.
On to attractions...
Soarin' is atrocious at the moment. Is atrocious a strong enough adjective? I'm not sure. The queue is beat up and dirty(besides being a joke to begin with) no one watches or pays attention to the pre-show film, which means when you get onto the ride, many people can't even figure out the basics of wearing a seat belt. Now...the film....what can I say about it? It is in horrible condition. It is bordering on unwatchable at this point. A. It needs to be updated. B. It needs to be cleaned desperately. This will be the last trip we ride on Soarin', not worth the wait, even with a FP.
Test Track is a huge improvement. HUGE. I can't emphasize that enough. Everyone should make an effort to see this new version, I dare you not to be impressed. This attraction was a must skip for us the last few times down to WDW. Now it is a must do. Someone alert Stacy.
Spaceship Earth was in good working order. Rome was burning, smelled burny. Most AAs were working fine, descent is silly. Quick story about my trip through time. A group in front of me, maybe by four vehicles was using a flash light in the ride. Not joking. They were actually using a flashlight to point to dark areas of the attraction. It was infuriating. They also had an Ipad? or a netbook? or something of that ilk, open for the entire ride. I wish Disney did more to curb this type of behavior. One example of many, that the quality of guest in WDW can be really quite low.
Didn't bother with the Imagination pavilion, not that anyone seems to. It was a ghost town every time we passed.
The Seas were the seas. Everything was working though, which was a nice change. And no-one felt the need to use a flashlight in there, which was also pretty great.
Had lunch at Tutto Gusto. It was okay. The food options are a little fancy pants, but quite tasty. The big downside? The prices. It was incredibly expensive, even for a theme park. I'm talking $50+ for a half bottle of wine, the cheapest on the list no less, and the worlds tiniest sandwich. It was also jam packed, and one table was a group of young 20 somethings celebrating a birthday in the most obnoxious way imaginable. They brought the noise level from an enjoyable 5 or 6, to an ear splitting 9 or 10. To the managers credit though, he asked them to quiet down once, and when he was promptly ignored, he asked them to leave. So, good job by him.
Toured the WS after lunch. Great experience as always. The place is in immaculate condition(not counting the attractions which we skipped this trip) Tried a few drinks from the new booths, and just generally enjoyed taking in the atmosphere. We had dinner at R&C and secured an Illuminations view table. Cottage pie, and Black & Tans with a front row view of Illuminations, hard to beat that for an evening out.
Staying at WLV from April 5th to April 11th.
Day 1...
Arrived at WLV at around 1:30a. Got stuck in room 1559. Which backed up to a utility room. Not sure what machinery was in there, but whatever it was, it was incredibly loud. Asked to be moved, and around 2a, we were able to switch rooms. I think the WLV might need an updating, the rooms are, a bit, rough around the edges. But still quite nice.
Day 2...
Slept in a bit, being up till 2:30 will do that to you. Then had some trouble with our KTTW cards, they could not change the RFID in the cards to open up our new room. So, they had to re-book our reservation, then issue us new cards. This took around 45 minutes. Which was not an ideal start to the day. Technology, making things easier, whilst also making things more difficult.
After that was all sorted out, we decided to just spend the day at Epcot. We were able to use the new entry points with our RFID KTTW cards, and for most people, this was a simpler, faster way to enter the parks. For some people, it was basically the equivalent of asking them to pilot a rocket ship. The amount of confusion going on around those Mickey heads was staggering. The fact is, it IS a better way to enter the parks. But it does require some eagle eyed CMs to make sure no-one is sneaking in, and to help the less, bright? guests, enter the parks.
As for the park itself....
The new My Disney Experience app was better then expected for me. The wait times were really accurate, and the ability to check FP return times before trudging across the park was a helpful touch. The Dining portion of the app needs some work though. It would be nice if they would add Menu descriptions, instead of just the names of the dishes.
Flower and Garden had the park looking beautiful. All of the character topiaries are so cool. Especially the Cars shrubs. And the Troll in Norway, and Snow White, and the Lion King, and, well, you get it. The new Food booths were IMO a worthy edition, but the menus need tweaking. I like the idea behind having the new booths, but truthfully, there were very few items we were interested in trying. The ones we did try, BBQ in USA, Dole Whip w/rum, Beer Flight in Germany were all good though.
On to attractions...
Soarin' is atrocious at the moment. Is atrocious a strong enough adjective? I'm not sure. The queue is beat up and dirty(besides being a joke to begin with) no one watches or pays attention to the pre-show film, which means when you get onto the ride, many people can't even figure out the basics of wearing a seat belt. Now...the film....what can I say about it? It is in horrible condition. It is bordering on unwatchable at this point. A. It needs to be updated. B. It needs to be cleaned desperately. This will be the last trip we ride on Soarin', not worth the wait, even with a FP.
Test Track is a huge improvement. HUGE. I can't emphasize that enough. Everyone should make an effort to see this new version, I dare you not to be impressed. This attraction was a must skip for us the last few times down to WDW. Now it is a must do. Someone alert Stacy.
Spaceship Earth was in good working order. Rome was burning, smelled burny. Most AAs were working fine, descent is silly. Quick story about my trip through time. A group in front of me, maybe by four vehicles was using a flash light in the ride. Not joking. They were actually using a flashlight to point to dark areas of the attraction. It was infuriating. They also had an Ipad? or a netbook? or something of that ilk, open for the entire ride. I wish Disney did more to curb this type of behavior. One example of many, that the quality of guest in WDW can be really quite low.
Didn't bother with the Imagination pavilion, not that anyone seems to. It was a ghost town every time we passed.
The Seas were the seas. Everything was working though, which was a nice change. And no-one felt the need to use a flashlight in there, which was also pretty great.
Had lunch at Tutto Gusto. It was okay. The food options are a little fancy pants, but quite tasty. The big downside? The prices. It was incredibly expensive, even for a theme park. I'm talking $50+ for a half bottle of wine, the cheapest on the list no less, and the worlds tiniest sandwich. It was also jam packed, and one table was a group of young 20 somethings celebrating a birthday in the most obnoxious way imaginable. They brought the noise level from an enjoyable 5 or 6, to an ear splitting 9 or 10. To the managers credit though, he asked them to quiet down once, and when he was promptly ignored, he asked them to leave. So, good job by him.
Toured the WS after lunch. Great experience as always. The place is in immaculate condition(not counting the attractions which we skipped this trip) Tried a few drinks from the new booths, and just generally enjoyed taking in the atmosphere. We had dinner at R&C and secured an Illuminations view table. Cottage pie, and Black & Tans with a front row view of Illuminations, hard to beat that for an evening out.
Lower than low.