The Spirited 8th Wonder (WDW's Future & You!)

[SpaceMountain77]

To be fair, I think WDW has plenty of wonderful spots like this, but MK is certainly no Disneyland. And MK at 60 won't be anything close to DL at 60, either.

Agreed. For me, glassblowing, at Crystal Arts, is a hidden gem. I can easily attend multiple demonstrations a day.

 

[Mike S]

Agreed. For me, glassblowing, at Crystal Arts, is a hidden gem. I can easily attend multiple demonstrations a day.

I stayed to watch glass blowing at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot one time. Very interesting process.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I stayed to watch glass blowing at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot one time. Very interesting process.

Personally, I find these experiences to be the truly magical moments, ones that many guests often overlook or simply miss. When rushing from attraction to attraction, guests may fail to see some of the resort's awe-inspring moments, like glassblowing on Main Street and sea turtle discussions at The Seas.

 

[Lee]

Show-off. The only true insider would be Mrs. Lee's favorite poster on this forum! (HINT: It may not be the choice some might think!)

Well, she is naturally a fan of mine, and I know she thinks highly of Martin.

But, you are correct...there is only one poster here that she has a pet name for. And, no... I won't tell what it is.

 

[71jason]

I defer to you as the local. I stand corrected. Seems kinda crazy to me to spend that kinda cash for a room right near my house, but to each their own.

Believe me, I'm with you. But then again, my friends in NJ and CT who buy DVC, it's not a purely economic decision, despite half-hearted efforts to justify it as such.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

@WDW1974

Although I believe your initial post, I do find it odd that the targeted resort is VWL. For the past several years, DVC activity has centered on the Magic Kingdom area resorts (e.g., BLT, VGF, PVV). Why continue this pattern with VWL?

Given my DVC experiences and knowledge, a significant BCV conversion would seem to be a huge cash cow. Overall, from studios to 2-bedrooms, the resort is arguably the most popular WDW DVC resort and it regularly maintains an active waitlist for prospective members and those wishing to add on. Moreover, you should see the countless discussion threads of non-BCV owners who desperately hope for availability at the 7-month mark and the prospect of their Flower & Garden or Food & Wine waitlist requests coming through. All this aside, to date, the only contracts that DVC has ever offered to buy back are BCV points.

Based on overall booking availability, I would put VWL in the middle-bottom of the pack. Before VGF, DVC member service representatives would joke that everyone calls in for the 3 B's - Beach Club, BoardWalk and Bay Lake Tower.

 

[scpergj]

Thank you, Harvey.

You may not realize it, but your post may be the most important one on this thread yet. If I were following this at CP/TDO/Burbank, I'd be worried ... worried a lot. Because you are the type of guest they have owned in the past. And you and your feelings are becoming more and more mainstream. And Disney's response to you is akin to saying 'Go Have a MAGICal Night!' ... What a way to run the world's top theme park resort? What a way to live up to the Disney Legacy? What a classy bunch ... nah, just stopping here.

@WDW1974, I have to second what Harvey said there.

This is now our second year without our AP's. We usually purchase them in October in the middle of Food and Wine so that we could always go to Food and Wine, either as the first trip or the last trip with our AP, never miss it. My wife and I would stay at the Boardwalk or the Beach club at least once during Food and Wine for a nice adults get away; my kids favorite resort is the Wilderness Lodge.

Disney has just plain made it impossible for us to do this any longer. We used to get our deluxe lodgings after checking and using one of the travel agencies that specialize in Disney - and we always stayed for discounted rates. Now that we can't get the Wilderness Lodge for $179 a night (which I GLADLY paid), or the Beach club for $220 a night (again, which I GLADLY paid)...and now that our AP's would cost almost $1500 (up from about $1000 just five or so years ago), we just can't do it any more.

And yes, we will be taking our kids down the road this fall (after Marching Band season, that is!) to see the Boy who Lived.

It makes me very sad. Angry that Disney has decided that customers like my family and I are no longer their target demographic...and sad.

 

[5thGenTexan]

I've felt that way for many years now. A friend of mine's wife (he is a big parks fan, she not so much) describes the MK as ''a mass market caricature of DL'' and she is dead on. All of the castle parks suffer some of this, but WDW's most of all because it has less and so much detail, so much of the layering of the Disney experience has disappeared over the past few decades. When I see the park open from 8-1 (and then 3 a.m for EMH) like July 3rd when I was there I just wonder how people find stuff to do after 8-9 hours. I get bored there after 4-5, even when with friends. I have never felt boredom at DL or DLP or TDL or HKDL.

Last year we were at the Magic Kingdom for one day as a port thing on a DCL cruise. It was the first time I had been there since 1992. We arrived early enough to stand here...

By 3:00 or so we had hit Its a Small World (walk on), Peter Pan (walk on) Little Mermaid (walk on), Pork Shanks, Dumbo (twice for my then 2 1/2 year old) and Barnstormer. We managed Winnie the Pooh, Stich, and the Peoplemover. Lunch at the big burger place in Tomorrowland. Headed across the way to Adventureland and my boy 2 1/2 year old was fighting a battle with sleep. (we got up on the ship at 6:00 am). I stopped in Adventureland for the restroom and when I was finished he was sleeping in the stroller. I held him the whole 45 minutes for Jungle Cruise because it was something I thought my then 4 year old would really like. He woke up for the ride. We then walked around through Frontierland and then to the Christmas store by the big tree in Liberty Square because my wife wanted to. It was about that time we decided to call it a day. No sense in making the kids and us miserable. On the way out we walked through to buy a couple of toys for the kids and then got on the bus back to PC.

Personally I was VERY disappointed we had to go. There was so much I wanted to do, but with two little kids and just one day it wasn't going to happen. If we make it back to WDW I firmly believe as a family with limited visits (my last visit was 1992, my wife last made a vacation in 1983 and there was not much at EPCOT). I believe we could spend two full days at the Magic Kingdom, day and a half at Epcot and spend a good deal of time at the Studios park and Animal Kingdom.


"If we make it back to WDW".

I do read a great deal here and it has really put a damper on my enthusiasm to return. I have NEVER spend a WDW vacation where Fastpass of any type existed. My entire experience is that of picking what to do and stand in line until you get on it. With only that to go on, I am not excited about having to plan my rides. I understand that it how it is now, but I don't like it and don't think it would make my trip more enjoyable.

This thread in particular makes me think the hotel situation at WDW sucks and I see no reason why I would want to experience that. I don't like the idea of renting a car and driving in a major metropolitan area that I am not familiar with that also is home to Walt Disney World. Kinda puts me in a pickle I guess.

 

[71jason]

lol that's like saying one of the parking lots look the same therefore it is

Well yeah, the garages are kind of similar too, now that you mention it. So they copied that from Premium as well?

 

[71jason]

And here's the concept art for Disney Springs. Not too much different to me, especially as the real thing never lives up to the artwork. From the ceiling to the shop signs, it's very similar.

The only difference is the shops at Premium aren't made-up placeholders.

 

[Finallyinflorida]

Last year we were at the Magic Kingdom for one day as a port thing on a DCL cruise. It was the first time I had been there since 1992. We arrived early enough to stand here...

By 3:00 or so we had hit Its a Small World (walk on), Peter Pan (walk on) Little Mermaid (walk on), Pork Shanks, Dumbo (twice for my then 2 1/2 year old) and Barnstormer. We managed Winnie the Pooh, Stich, and the Peoplemover. Lunch at the big burger place in Tomorrowland. Headed across the way to Adventureland and my boy 2 1/2 year old was fighting a battle with sleep. (we got up on the ship at 6:00 am). I stopped in Adventureland for the restroom and when I was finished he was sleeping in the stroller. I held him the whole 45 minutes for Jungle Cruise because it was something I thought my then 4 year old would really like. He woke up for the ride. We then walked around through Frontierland and then to the Christmas store by the big tree in Liberty Square because my wife wanted to. It was about that time we decided to call it a day. No sense in making the kids and us miserable. On the way out we walked through to buy a couple of toys for the kids and then got on the bus back to PC.

Personally I was VERY disappointed we had to go. There was so much I wanted to do, but with two little kids and just one day it wasn't going to happen. If we make it back to WDW I firmly believe as a family with limited visits (my last visit was 1992, my wife last made a vacation in 1983 and there was not much at EPCOT). I believe we could spend two full days at the Magic Kingdom, day and a half at Epcot and spend a good deal of time at the Studios park and Animal Kingdom.


"If we make it back to WDW".

I do read a great deal here and it has really put a damper on my enthusiasm to return. I have NEVER spend a WDW vacation where Fastpass of any type existed. My entire experience is that of picking what to do and stand in line until you get on it. With only that to go on, I am not excited about having to plan my rides. I understand that it how it is now, but I don't like it and don't think it would make my trip more enjoyable.

This thread in particular makes me think the hotel situation at WDW sucks and I see no reason why I would want to experience that. I don't like the idea of renting a car and driving in a major metropolitan area that I am not familiar with that also is home to Walt Disney World. Kinda puts me in a pickle I guess.

My family and I are FL pass holders. We drive down to WDW about 4-5 times a year. That said, our last trip in March had me a little stressed. We hit it at peak time for spring break and We had someone with us that couldn't get fast passes until we got there. (Long story)

It actually turned out great. My husband rushed around trying to "sync" our fast pass times with/for our guest and then we would get to the rides and just walk on not using our fast passes at all. We started just "winging" it and it turned out great. (And no, we weren't at the Hall of Presidents)

All this is to say, don't sweat it. It can still turn out to be a fun and easygoing time, even at MK!!!

 

[flynnibus]

Members seem to have a tendency to overlook what they see. I am not sure if this is because of a need to justify one's DVC purchase or pledge allegiance to Disney.

They don't want to foot the bill to fix it

 

[SpaceMountain77]

They don't want to foot the bill to fix it

Honestly, I am not sure that is entirely the case. I have attended several member mixers and am surprised by the number of members that are willing to pay higher maintenance fees for better quality rooms.

I cannot help but wonder if higher dues would result in greater villa care by members.

 

[LithiumBill]

As long as it's not Westgate you have my support

Not Westgate! I have timeshare based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, we bank weeks with Intervale and trade in for Orlando every other year. Stayed at many wonderful places over the years.

 

[flynnibus]

While I absolutely don't want to get off-topic, since some brought up the recent renovations to rooms at CBR. All I can say is that they look very much like what you'd get a typical 3-star chain motel/hotel anywhere with some vaguely tropical theming.

After seeing those photos, I was tempted to take photos of the Holiday Inn Express I was staying at all week (in the middle of average america..). The place had similar contemporary styling... but a MUCH bigger TV, DirectTV with all the channels (only thing lacking was DVR!), free continental breakfast, oh and public advertised rate is $109/night. Average town America had basically the same hotel room as the former vacation kingdom of the world...

 

[Magenta Panther]

Last year we were at the Magic Kingdom for one day as a port thing on a DCL cruise. It was the first time I had been there since 1992. We arrived early enough to stand here...

By 3:00 or so we had hit Its a Small World (walk on), Peter Pan (walk on) Little Mermaid (walk on), Pork Shanks, Dumbo (twice for my then 2 1/2 year old) and Barnstormer. We managed Winnie the Pooh, Stich, and the Peoplemover. Lunch at the big burger place in Tomorrowland. Headed across the way to Adventureland and my boy 2 1/2 year old was fighting a battle with sleep. (we got up on the ship at 6:00 am). I stopped in Adventureland for the restroom and when I was finished he was sleeping in the stroller. I held him the whole 45 minutes for Jungle Cruise because it was something I thought my then 4 year old would really like. He woke up for the ride. We then walked around through Frontierland and then to the Christmas store by the big tree in Liberty Square because my wife wanted to. It was about that time we decided to call it a day. No sense in making the kids and us miserable. On the way out we walked through to buy a couple of toys for the kids and then got on the bus back to PC.

Personally I was VERY disappointed we had to go. There was so much I wanted to do, but with two little kids and just one day it wasn't going to happen. If we make it back to WDW I firmly believe as a family with limited visits (my last visit was 1992, my wife last made a vacation in 1983 and there was not much at EPCOT). I believe we could spend two full days at the Magic Kingdom, day and a half at Epcot and spend a good deal of time at the Studios park and Animal Kingdom.


"If we make it back to WDW".

I do read a great deal here and it has really put a damper on my enthusiasm to return. I have NEVER spend a WDW vacation where Fastpass of any type existed. My entire experience is that of picking what to do and stand in line until you get on it. With only that to go on, I am not excited about having to plan my rides. I understand that it how it is now, but I don't like it and don't think it would make my trip more enjoyable.

This thread in particular makes me think the hotel situation at WDW sucks and I see no reason why I would want to experience that. I don't like the idea of renting a car and driving in a major metropolitan area that I am not familiar with that also is home to Walt Disney World. Kinda puts me in a pickle I guess.

Well, I don't think the WDW hotels are all that bad. I've stayed in 2 values, one moderate and at the Swan and Dolphin (very nice). You might look into staying at the Pop Century. It's the best of the value motels, it's colorful and fun for the kids but not too garish for grownups, and I think your family would have a blast. Bus service to the parks is decent. Food court's not bad either, at least for breakfast. But do plan to spend a week. That's the only way your family will be able to enjoy enough of the parks without getting stressed or exhausted. I'd also plan to go in the early spring or in fall, particularly after September and before December. Crowds and weather are much more manageable then. Look into the Dining Plan too.

And SCREW the magic band crap. You'll have to use them, you can't avoid them, but just use them as room keys and to pay for your meals on the Dining Plan. Using them for Fastpass sucks, and I didn't do it but I still managed to get on most of the rides I wanted to except for Peter Pan's Flight, which is ALWAYS packed. Don't let the Bands get you down. If you haven't visited WDW for a while, you're in for a treat - it's still a very fun place to be. It's just not what it COULD be if more thoughtful, ambitious and creative people ran the place. But it's still worth a visit. Anyway, that's my two cents.

 

[5thGenTexan]

My family and I are FL pass holders. We drive down to WDW about 4-5 times a year. That said, our last trip in March had me a little stressed. We hit it at peak time for spring break and We had someone with us that couldn't get fast passes until we got there. (Long story)

It actually turned out great. My husband rushed around trying to "sync" our fast pass times with/for our guest and then we would get to the rides and just walk on not using our fast passes at all. We started just "winging" it and it turned out great. (And no, we weren't at the Hall of Presidents)

All this is to say, don't sweat it. It can still turn out to be a fun and easygoing time, even at MK!!!

Here is the thing though... we live in Texas. Years ago in my trips in the 80's and for that matter my band trip in 1992 we drove. WDW offered a different product than Disneyland then. DCA has really closed the gap offerings between the two parks. Epcot is not what it was when last I was there. As I said, we live in Texas. From a distance perspective there really is not much difference between Florida and California. Don't get me wrong, I WANT to spend a week at WDW but the reasons to pick Florida over California are getting far and few between. Our one chance at a theme park vacation went out the window when it was announced that DCL was returning for a limited time to Galveston. 6 hours to drive and get on a ship is better than spending a day at airports and airplanes any day for me. So in December 2015 we are returning to a ship. Disney in this case made it really easy for us not to go to one of the parks.

 

[flynnibus]

Anyone who travels with a modicum of frequency will realize that Disney isn't close to a trendsetter ... they are a follower.

While not 'themed' - when paying for a room to sleep in, people should look at updated concepts like Hyatt Place to see just how far behind Disney really is.

This is where I like staying in the valley now.. http://siliconvalleyfremont.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/rooms/standard.html I can't embed the photos, but if people just click on the photo and look.. you'd see things like 40+" TVs... an actual cozy corner in a non-suite, kitchette counter, etc. The in room concept is fantastic for a traveler and so relaxing.

 

[flynnibus]

Honestly, I am not sure that is entirely the case. I have attended several member mixers and am surprised by the number of members that are willing to pay higher maintenance fees for better quality rooms.

Everyone says that until they get the bill.

The owners don't have any representation in the running of the properties right?

 

[FigmentJedi]

Anyone who travels with a modicum of frequency will realize that Disney isn't close to a trendsetter ... they are a follower.

Like how they've only now realized that Free Wi-Fi at their resorts is a good idea.