So we just returned from our trip and here’s what I have to report back:
- this time we stayed the YC on the club level which was phenomenal. The cast was very helpful and the lounge was perfect for our afternoon breaks. We arrived at 9:30 am and our room wasn’t quite ready so we had a nice relaxing breakfast in the club until our room was ready at about 10:15 am.
- purchasing the 3 additional FPs was well worth it. Not only does it basically get you any FP you want at your preferred time but it also opens your entire trip up to a 90 day window in lieu of 60 days. We literally achieved every single FP we wanted for the entire week long trip.
- the Skyliner system is going to make the International Gateway an absolute cluster and that’s a shame. I was discussing with an EPCOT CM and she said they aren’t sure how they will handle all the extra volume without unconvincing EPCOT area guests.
- don’t bother with a Fantasmic FP. We showed up an hour before showtime and still ended up with awful seats. Unacceptable.
- Animal Kingdom increasingly has become my least favorite park. It still amazes me how poor the layout is and how un-Disney most of the park feels.
- Flower and Garden was incredible.... Food and Wine is still my favorite but I was blown away by F&G.
- I miss old Test Track. With the new interactive design it only seems to make your wait time longer.
- The CMs continue to amaze me with everything they do. Dealing with rude and entitled guests they still continue to keep their cool and help guests.
- I can tell you with absolute certainty: strollers aren’t the problem. Slow walkers and scooters are much more of an issue when it comes to crowds.
- ADRs at ABC Commissary was a good call by Disney. Usually at dinner time that place is a zoo but this time the process of getting a table was much more peaceful.
- I’m going to miss Illuminations as it was a part of my childhood but it’s time for something new.
- The bus system seemed to run a lot more smoothly this trip. Not sure if they are running buses more frequently but we never waited for more than 10 min for a bus.
- The typical “pop up” storms luckily seemed to miss us most days. One minute you look at the radar and say “here it comes” and then you look at it a little bit later and see all the storms broke up before they hit WDW. Again, lucky
- It still amuses me that people think they can walk right up to a place like Be Our Guest for dinner and snag a table without an ADR. And then the outrage that follows only makes me chuckle.
- On that topic... Skipper Canteen is a hidden gem! I had the “A lot of Steak” Salad and it was phenomenal. And for $20 I felt it was a good value.
- Using private transportation to and from MCO is the way to go... about $150 round trip but it sure beats paying for parking at the resorts.
- this time we stayed the YC on the club level which was phenomenal. The cast was very helpful and the lounge was perfect for our afternoon breaks. We arrived at 9:30 am and our room wasn’t quite ready so we had a nice relaxing breakfast in the club until our room was ready at about 10:15 am.
- purchasing the 3 additional FPs was well worth it. Not only does it basically get you any FP you want at your preferred time but it also opens your entire trip up to a 90 day window in lieu of 60 days. We literally achieved every single FP we wanted for the entire week long trip.
- the Skyliner system is going to make the International Gateway an absolute cluster and that’s a shame. I was discussing with an EPCOT CM and she said they aren’t sure how they will handle all the extra volume without unconvincing EPCOT area guests.
- don’t bother with a Fantasmic FP. We showed up an hour before showtime and still ended up with awful seats. Unacceptable.
- Animal Kingdom increasingly has become my least favorite park. It still amazes me how poor the layout is and how un-Disney most of the park feels.
- Flower and Garden was incredible.... Food and Wine is still my favorite but I was blown away by F&G.
- I miss old Test Track. With the new interactive design it only seems to make your wait time longer.
- The CMs continue to amaze me with everything they do. Dealing with rude and entitled guests they still continue to keep their cool and help guests.
- I can tell you with absolute certainty: strollers aren’t the problem. Slow walkers and scooters are much more of an issue when it comes to crowds.
- ADRs at ABC Commissary was a good call by Disney. Usually at dinner time that place is a zoo but this time the process of getting a table was much more peaceful.
- I’m going to miss Illuminations as it was a part of my childhood but it’s time for something new.
- The bus system seemed to run a lot more smoothly this trip. Not sure if they are running buses more frequently but we never waited for more than 10 min for a bus.
- The typical “pop up” storms luckily seemed to miss us most days. One minute you look at the radar and say “here it comes” and then you look at it a little bit later and see all the storms broke up before they hit WDW. Again, lucky
- It still amuses me that people think they can walk right up to a place like Be Our Guest for dinner and snag a table without an ADR. And then the outrage that follows only makes me chuckle.
- On that topic... Skipper Canteen is a hidden gem! I had the “A lot of Steak” Salad and it was phenomenal. And for $20 I felt it was a good value.
- Using private transportation to and from MCO is the way to go... about $150 round trip but it sure beats paying for parking at the resorts.
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