This Christmas we took a family vacation to WDW. Here are the takeaways at this point
1. Timing is everything! We went Dec 15-22. The first 4 days were really nice. Crowds were low and we pretty much walked on whatever we wanted. The last 4 were not so bueno. It was a good thing that we got to ride a lot of stuff up front because we got do very little thereafter. It's hard to feel the "magic" when you are fighting 75,000 other people. Literally. Even with 8 days, we ran out of time and didn't get to do a couple of favorites. No more peak season for us!
2. Animal Kingdom is a mess. Construction walls and screens are everywhere. Although we got to see what appeared to be a "floating mountain" being held up by a crane, Avatar has really messed everything up. Hopefully, it will be worth it.
3. I don't like the new Safaris as well as the old. Yes, I know the story had gotten old, but there was very little excitement to the new version. Heck, at least rev the engine on the truck!
4. Same goes for the new plaza area at MK. Too much concrete makes it look more like a (albeit very nice) theme park, and less like a real place. It seems to compromise the separation of the lands as well.
5. Hollywood Studios is becoming a mess, and will be much worse before it gets better. For this reason, we are not planning on going back until all of the construction is finished. Probably at least five years. Unfortunately the same goes for Disneyland.
6. Having gotten into the Test Track vehicle, the ride broke down. We were given fastpasses for any ride in the park, but never got to use them because of #1. Bummer.
7. The moderates are worth it. Our rooms at the All Star Music were nice enough, but I missed the extra theming and attention to detail.
8. The hat being gone at Hollywood Studios is a WONDERFUL thing! Looking down the street did not make me cringe.
9. Disney Springs is really turning out to be very nice. We went there on the 18th and checked out Star Wars. We then ate at Wolfgang Puck's right after. I might actually plan a day for it next time.
10. The grandkids didn't care about any of this stuff, and were in heaven. That is what made it worthwhile. I wouldn't change a thing!
"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day..."
1973- Disneyland
1981- WDW- OS
1991- WDW- OS
1995- WDW- CBR
2000- WDW- DLR
2001- WDW- ASM
2009- WDW- POFQ
2010 (November)-WDW POR
2015 (December...with the grandkids)WDW ASM
2019- WDW- POR
I think the crowds are even harder to deal with when you start out with low crowds and then suddenly have crowds upon you. When you arrive in a crowd, you already know you're going to make the most of it. Having them suddenly start to arrive when you've been having a lovely time without them, not so bueno as you say. But I'm glad you had a great time anyway!
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
Glad you enjoyed yourselves despite the crowding. Disney Springs is shaping up quite nicely - I was pleased during our recent visit. And, yes....there is a whole lot of construction going on!!!
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
faline@intercot.com
I did a Christmas trip one year where we got there around the 22nd (when you left) which was bonkers but as Christmas approached the place emptied out (we stayed over Xmas). Feels way better that way. A beautiful time of year to be there regardless.
Do you guys think the construction will still be bad in November? I'm headed down for the F&W early November. If that's the case then so be it. But it'll be good to be mentally prepared.
Linda
2010 - POFQ
2012 - POP
2013 - SWAN
2014 - SWAN
2015 - DLR (offsite)
2016 - SWAN
2017 - DLR (offsite)
2018 - DOLPHIN
2018 - Fall trip - in the planning process!!!!
