Trip Report Observations from Easter Week-Mini Trip Report

Hello all! This Tuesday, I returned from 5 days in WDW! Let me tell you, coming home to 40 degrees and rain has been quite the shock, and the post Disney depression is real.

I wanted to write a full trip report, but my family did not want to be included in pictures that would be posted on here, so instead, I compiled some observations from the four parks, property, and the Dolphin. As you may recall, I posted a similar thread last year when I returned from the same vacation. I've tried to organize it as best I can!

Magic Kingdom:

1. The new hub looks fantastic, or at least, the finished part does. Its functionality is pretty solid too, the crowds were pretty rough the last two days of our vacation, so being able to use the new pathways to get out of the MK was a godsend. They just need to fix the transition in the pavement types.
2. The MS Bypass looks okay. I only saw the exposed show buildings from the new hub, but the bricks do make a pretty underrated difference. There is still some exposed show building in plain site and that bothered me, but I'll reserve judgement until its completed.
3. That seemed to be the theme of the trip in the MK- exposed show buildings everywhere. Tomorrowland, Main Street, Fantasyland, Tangled Toilets (still). I'm a stickler for these so that bothered me.
4. I know it gets a lot of hate here but after seeing it finally complete, I LOVE New Fantasyland. From the background music to the theming, I think Disney hit a homer with this area.
5. On that note, I also loved the Mine Train. Its lacking from a coaster standpoint and it could be longer but I throughly enjoyed it. I was very impressed with the theming. The mad dash to it in the mornings though was like nothing I have ever seen before in the Disney parks.
6. Since Little Mermaid's wait times are down now, I was able to finally ride that and I must say, I enjoyed it more than I thought. I just wish the ending was cleaned up a bit and there were some bubbles in the descent scene. Otherwise I enjoyed it!
7. Philharmagic's water effect was broken and the theater/screen needs a pretty substantial refresh.
8. What can I say about the Pork Shank and Le Fou's that I haven't already said? (I love them both).
9. A quick note on the subject of interactive queues...I traveled with a party that needed them this time around, and I know they get crap here but they are again, a godsend.
10. Tomorrowland is a disaster. Space Mountain is filthy on the outside, the TTA is like an exposed show buildings tour, Stitch was empty, Buzz was dirty (but fun...still needs some fog), Laugh Floor was good but needs cleaning. Show buildings/empty buildings everywhere. Please, for the love of God I hope the Tomorrowland movie is a roaring success and this area finally gets the help it needs.
11. I did enjoy the Space Mountain on ride sound effects though.
12. Frontierland looked perfect to me. Especially since Aunt Polly's was open!
13. EVERY effect on Splash Mountain was working and my goodness does that make a huge difference.
14. Thunder was pretty solid but could use those upgrades.
15. Liberty Square and the Haunted Mansion were of course perfect.
16. Adventureland could use another ride, and after trying to navigate through the crowds to get a Dole Whip, I finally understand the hate for the Aladdin spinner.
17. We had an excellent Jungle Cruise skipper, but that ride needs some help. Animatronics were barely moving, and there needs to be more to see.
18. The same can be said about the WDW RR, one of my favorite diversions. It just needs more.
19. The food in the MK was universally bad. (Quick service). With the exception of the Pork Shank and Waffle Sandwiches, everything we had was awful. I mean seriously awful. This would have been different if my family actually planned table service.
20. Loved Festival of Fantasy!

Epcot:

1. Don't care what anyone says, I like the new Test Track.
2. Soarin' desperately needs a refurb, and I am very excited for its new movie and new theater because that was the only line we had to really wait on.
3. On that note, the Land pavilion could use some love. I love the attractions, but the pavilion needs a refresh, and the Circle of Life has outlived its shelf life.
4. I still think the Nemo addition to the Seas is cute. I still enjoy it.
5. But my goodness, Ellen needs a total overhaul. I love it, I see it every time I go, but everything about that pavilion is lacking. That area of Epcot is dead after 4:00pm.
6. Mission Space had actual long waits this time. That ride is still a bit of a disappointment.
7. Seeing an empty Odyssey and WoL is just so sad. Not because I really remember either, but because Epcot has so much potential. The park could be the shinning crown jewel of Disney in America but that potential just is wasted. I think there is a real hunger in this world for a positive, unifying message to counter the fear mongering of our politicians and media. Maybe thats just me. I love Epcot- I spent almost every night of my trip there. It just could be so much more.
8. I didn't go near Imagination or Inventions...all I hope though is that when they do close Inventions that they keep the BGM active. I could listen to that for hours.
9. Club Cool is always fun. Floors are disgusting though.
10. World Showcase, by and large, looked awesome. I finally spent time in some of the pavilions that I had been ignoring and found myself falling in love with Epcot all over again. Morocco, China, and Japan are wonderful.
11. Norway...sigh. I wish Frozen wasn't going in. Construction started on the M+G too.
12. I will say this though. Tried the school bread and troll horn for the first time and now I have a MUST have when I am there. The school bread was incredible. Troll horn was meh.
13. Tried the new caramel shop in Germany and same thoughts. Wow.
14. Drank around the world a bit but I much prefer to snack around the world!
15. Anything I have ever eaten in France has just been fantastic. Can't wait for my real trip to Paris in June!
16. Illuminations was fantastic every night I watched it. The new lasers make a huge and noticeable difference, and the new pyro was also good. Not only did I watch it 4 times, but I cried every time. Nothing quite gets me like Illuminations does...I feel like its the message the whole park should have.
17. The Tapestry of Dreams music played after Promise. I learned by night two not to rush out of Epcot because walking out of that park listening to the old Tapestry music with a beer was one of the very best moments of my entire trip.
18. Soarin's show building was not as bad/noticeable as I remember.

Hollywood Studios:

1. No hat! I was once a hat supporter, and I still enjoyed it, but the Chinese Theater does so much more for the park. Just make it the icon already.
2. The Theater does however need a serious refurb. I'm glad that has started!
3. I really don't get the hate for DHS. The front of the park is fantastic. The feel of old hollywood lends itself to such a great atmosphere. Strolling up Sunset Blvd with a butterfingers cupcake and an ice coffee was another excellent moment of the trip.
4. However: there was nothing to do in this park. Half of it is shuttered and that is painfully obvious. Other lines in the park were miserable. I feel the same way about DHS that I do about Epcot- it has excellent potential. As I said last year, make the front of the park all about the Hollywood that never was, and make the back of the park your portal into the movies. There, done: thematic coherence. The studio theming needs to be removed, and I bet in the rebranding, it will be.
5. Rockin' was great. Love that ride. Did not ride Tower, but the rest of my party did and loved it.
6. Saw Beauty and the Beast for the first time in a while and I thought it was spectacular. I love Tangled but I would not want to see that replace BatB. Its about time this theater was enclosed though.
7. Fantastmic was great as well. First time I saw it in a while, and everything was fun. My only complaints: please, for the love of all that is good in this world, upgrade that dragon and the story. Give it the Disneyland treatment and we're set.
8. I had the three best rides on Star Tours with combinations I have never had before.
9. The young ones in our group did the Jedi Training Academy and it was adorable.
10. Great Movie Ride needs an update. Love it but its very tired.
11. Loved Toy Story. Such a fun little ride. Didn't see much in the way of construction, but I'm sure its happening.
12. One Man's Dream is still spectacular.
13. Overall, DHS is very clearly now a 1/2 day park. It needs love desperately.

Animal Kingdom:

1. The same can be said about AK, though by 2017, that won't be the case.
2. I have to say guys, I know there is a lot of hate for Avatar on this board but everyone I talked to was excited about the addition. I heard many people discussing it as we passed construction. Will it be as big as HP? No. But I think we'll all be surprised about the enjoyment this will bring.
3. New Tree of Life additions look great!
4. Construction is everywhere in AK but it didn't bother me as much as the MK hub construction did last year. I am so excited for Rivers of Light, and I'm not the only one!
5. Africa is the best themed land in WDW. There, I said it. It's only going to get better, if the Marketplace looks half as good as the Harambe Theater district.
6. The Safari was phenomenal. Construction was present though, and I still think the Wild Africa Trek hurts the immersion a bit.
7. Asia is a close second. Everest was fun as always, except for the broken Yeti. One of the waterfalls was off as well, same with the bird on a stick.
8. Kali was great too! A fun little ride, emphasis on little. Can we please lengthen it and give the burned down scene a face lift? My family, usually good about this stuff, had no idea how the logging story fit.
9. Finding Nemo is overrated. Loved it when I first saw it but it almost put me to sleep this time. Plus its out of place.
10. Dinosaur needs some love too. Fun, but needs some love. In fact, all of Dinoland does. Diorama is an absolute travesty.
11. I could see AK as my second favorite park after all the work is done. Very excited for the future of Disney's hidden gem!

General Resort:

1. Thought everything was much clearer this year. Much, much cleaner. The restrooms, the actual lands, the rides, everything.
2. I love the magic band, and from what I heard, so do many others.
3. I hate, no, detest My Magic+. Hate it. The lack of flexibility, the rushing from ride to ride, planning everything to the last second had a negative impact on my enjoyment. Fastpass+ screws with my touring plans, and the lack of park hopping makes it impossible to do anything on the crowded days.
4. Without getting to controversial...the type of guest that now frequents WDW is pretty disheartening. The entitlement, ignorance, ignoring basic rules, barreling through people...its stunning.
5. Property on the whole looked good. Monorails were very hit and miss though.
6. Poly bungalows look good. Sorry. I'd never pay for them though, at that price, send me to Bora Bora.
7. Crescent Lake area has never looked better. Best hotel area in WDW and its not even close.
8. Next time I go to WDW, I want to go when its less crowded. I love running from ride to ride but I really want to slow down next time.
9. Saw a very big gator for the first time on WDW property, near the Floridian/Shades of Green border.

Dolphin:

1. I honestly do not know why you would stay anywhere else. Its the perfect location and cheap. The accommodations were better here than anywhere else on property I've stayed and I had the total Disney feel.
2. Pool, and by extension, the poolside drinks, were fantastic.

So thats it! Can't wait to go back next year, but more importantly, I can't wait to head to my first non WDW Disney park in June. Disneyland Paris and Disney Studios Paris, here I come!

 

[FlaggNL]

Great report! Thanks for the share! I love your observations!

So in June you will be nearby LOL! Enjoyt the DLP pre feelings and have a marvelous stay! And if possible please provide us with a TR, curious what other people think about DLP!

 

[mrdrift]

Thank you for the detailed observations of each of the parks. Have a wonderful time in Paris.