***The Official October 2016 Thread***

[Grand Admiral]

Just have to get through this work week and we will be there SUNDAY!

 

[absolutmey]

Just have to get through this work week and we will be there SUNDAY!

me too. Just have to make it through Friday at 12! Leaving Saturday morning

 

[BoltzNBrew]

I will do a full trip report when we get back. I caught a bug or allergies or something and I was pretty much down yesterday, luckily it was our day off. Felt much better today. Our AM EMH MK day on Friday Oct 18th couldn't have gone better. We were way ahead of schedule with everything pretty much a walk on or very short wait the first couple hours so we got an extra Splash ride in before the wait shot up plus got extra FP+ for Pirates, JC, Aladdin and Space. DHS plan didn't go quite as planned with ToT being down during our FP+ time slot but got that switched to an anytime pass and juggled things around on the fly and got everything in. Even got RnR FP+ for 6:30. We did Universal today. Took Uber there, driver seemed lost or was just trying to run up our fare but we'll deal with that later. We did 2 parks 1 day. Started at USF and did Minions, Shrek Transformers, Mummy and Gringotts before hopping over and doing Hippogriff, Jurassic and Spiderman. We hopped back over and did MIB, ET and T2 then hopped again to get Kong in the last hour with only a 30 min wait. It was 90 min most of the day. Only 3 days left at Epcot, MK and AK, kind of sad it's winding down but still 3 full days of magic to conquer.

 

[MelissaRV]

My family and I are leaving tomorrow. We are currently at Boardwalk Villas. We have several unopened snacks, a case of bottled water, Capri suns and plastic bottles of pop if anyone staying here would like to pick them up tomorrow! Just message me and let me know.

 

[Gryhndmom]

On day two of eating around the world and thought I would give first day impressions.

1. CROWDED! Some CM's have said NY schools out various times in oct due to Jewish holidays and Columbus Day. Still manageable but many more people than previous years.

2. Bought the 16 tab food and beverage pass for DH and I. List price is 109.00 ea before tax and dvc discount. In our opinion...this is a good deal if you will be drinking alcohol that is priced at 6.50 or above. Most food items are at the most 5.50 and wines can be around 6.00. My mai tai was 8.50 and I have had other cocktails in the 7.00 range but so far no food above 6.00 ea. ( I will caveat with I am allergic to seafood but have looked at pricing and not noticed anything above 6.50). I will take better notes today and report back accordingly if I note different prices.

For those on the dining plan I did notice that the signs indicate if you can use for a snack credit.

3. The loaded mac and cheese.....sooooo yummy! Matched with the mango mama wine and I was one happy girl. Chicken parmigiana was .....eeeh and chocolate cake in Ireland VERY good !

Merchandise....shirts are running small and in the purple style only mediums available so check parks shopping app for more sizes. Figment trash can gone....wine glass super cute and come in the tevis (non-breakable style).

Let me know if anyone has some specific questions and I will do my best to answer while we are here! Cheers!

 

[JamieLea]

We leave in 10 days! We are very excited as we made this a bucket list trip - doing Halloween Party, Christmas Party, Food and Wine and celebrating DH and DD's birthdays. Bonus - I get to play hooky from school!

 

[GoonieBride]

We leave tomorrow after work!!!

 

[ssdowning]

My wife and I fly out tomorrow and will spend Friday and Sat at the parks
Tomorrow: counter service at polynesian and catch firefworks from beach.

Friday: Morning AK hitting safari, everest, krr, and lion king
Afternoon: Hollywood.

Sat: MK all day 8am-midnight with maybe an afternoon parkhop to brave epcot for a few hours.

 

[JamieLea]

10/28-11/8 - Port Orleans Riverside

Travel Dates & Resorts​

If you'd like to be added to the list, just post your info. If your trip STARTS or ENDS in October, you are welcome to join us, even if your dates run into another month!

Sorted by Date:
ckrisie 9/24-10/3 Offsite
clairenuter 9/24-10/8 Offsite
SarahSnow 9/27-10/2 YC
vrajewski10513 9/28-10/8 Uni/POFQ
Veronique 10/29-10/9 ASMu
Lindaland 9/29-10/4 Undecided
BrookieM2001 9/29-10/8 POR
Abbyroad 9/30-10/3 BC
beesly 9/30-10/3 POR
picatinny 9/30-10/4 SoG
Andrea Wright 9/30-10/5 CSR
coffeehousemom 9/30-10/5 Undecided
sahm2two 9/30-10/8 Undecided
MinnieMac 9/30-10/8 CBR
timsprincess 9/30-10/8 AoA
mmafan 9/30-10/11 AKL
rcbfalcs 10/1-10/4 Pop
ammag 10/1-10/4 Offsite
Jengonz1982 10/1-10/5 AS Sports
leshunlenese 10/1-10/5 CR
Wood Nymph 10/1-10/5 BC
KristiKat 10/1-10/6 CSR
brownie_17 10/1-10/5 CSR
EagleG17 10/1-10/5 GF
Roxyfire 10/1-10/7 CBR
HatboxHaint 10/1-10/7 BLT
Tinkerbell117 10/1-10/7 CR
hicksnichols 10/1-10/7 CBR
mac3mpc 10/1-10/7 Poly/AKL
AEB123 10/1-10/7 POR
Magic458 10/1-10/8 AS Sports
maxiesmom 10/1-10/8 CSR
cristen72 10/1-10/8 CBR
Jersey918 10/1-10/8 POR
Suzie75 10/1-10/8 Offsite
tiffany41108 10/1-10/8 AoA (Mermaid)
im4pacers1 10/1-10/8 CR
DMG789 10/1-10/8 Pop
barbz56 10/1-10/8 POFQ
WickedMom 10/1-10/9 CBR
Roxyfire 10/1-10/10 CBR
pryzeless 10/1-10/11 AKL
Chant124 10/1-10/11 GF
CaliMoutnainMan 10/2-10/5 POR
dmc6469 10/2-10/6 Undecided
jesswindsor 10/2-10/7 Pop
Jesslm80 10/2-10/8 POFQ
pawpsicle 10/2-10/8 POFQ
Lynne G 10/2-10/8 POFQ
Eoywin 10/2-10/8 AoA (Mermaid)
patches07 10/2-10/9 Pop
NoCutsies 10/2-10/9 Offsite
megster1123 10/3-10/8 Poly
Angelat2247 10/3-10/9 Pop
Meg29Vanderpoel 10/3-10/9 Undecided
Atobias 10/4-10/10 AoA (Mermaid)
otten 10/4-10/11 AoA
Hwyprincess 10/4-10/13 AoA (Cars)
WDW Fan Since 1973 10/4-10/15 Pop
ILoveMyKellen 10/5-10/10 SoG
Paigevon 10/6-10/8 AoA
Lulubelle17 10/6-10/8 SoG
Minnie121 10/6-10/10 AoA (Mermaid)
Pinkstah 10/6-10/11 ASMo
SandiKB 10/6-10/11 Offsite
MamaDunk 10/6-10/14 Undecided
Tia1977 10/7-10/16 CBR
KristyUttaro 10/8-10/14 Pop
DisneyMommy9 10/8-10/15 AKL
dischic89 10/8-10/16 AKL
DBLGRR 10/8-10/26 AKL
Pesky 10/8-10/19 Uni/AKV/Poly
emsstacey 10/9-10/13 CBR
DISNEYMOON10121991 10/9-10/22 CBR
ravenanne 10/9-10/15 POFQ
DandMsMama 10/9-10/15 AoA
Velkoor 10/9-10/15 CSR
disneyAndi14 10/9-10/16 BWV
disneymom3588 10/9-10/16 Poly
BippidiBoppidi 10/10-10/12 POR
LIPeter 10/10-10/15 Undecided
ThisIsJason 10/10-10/17 CSR
MelissaRV 10/10-10/18 BWV
Melissa_E 10/11-10/18 SoG
ahibird 10/11-10/19 BLT/OWK
Just1Princess 10/12-10/17 POFQ
jeremyp 10/12-10/17 Pop
BoltzNBrew 10/12-10/21 POR
Kristie73 10/12-10/21 POR
puppytrainer 10/13-10/16 BLT
to be tink 10/13-10/16 Undecided
Gail Polehna 10/13-10/17 SS
decklake 10/13-10/18 BLT
disneydacey 10/13-10/22 BCV
Cluelyss 10/14-10/17 CR
lulu2121 10/14-10/20 BLT
Weasie13 10/14-10/20 Poly
Bbearrosenfeld 10/14-10/21 CSR
Disneymom1126 10/14-10/22 AKLKV/Pop
Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina 10/14-10/18 Offsite-SVR
Laura12 10/14-10/19 Pop
Shedraggon 10/14-10/22 OKW
Gryhndmom 10/15-10/21 BLT
sunnysideup3 10/15-10/22 Poly
KKip102016 10/15-10/22 Undecided
Disney_n00b 10/15-10/22 CBR
Disney 4 2 10/15-10/22 Undecided
may12th 10/15-10/22 POFQ
frachellea 10/15-10/22 CBR
SkiTeton 10/15-10/22 Pop
hiddenl1fe 10/15-10/23 YC
DMGuerts 10/15-10/23 SoG
Kacedia 10/15-10/23 Undecided
craedaisy12 10/15-10/29 Pop/POFQ
Nitzalie 10/16-10/21 POR
CARR1E F1SHER 10/16-10/22 AoA (Mermaid)
Sara L. 10/16-10/22 AoA (Cars)
BarbieGal457 10/16-10/22 AS Sports
ThreeBoyMama 10/16-10/24 BC/AKL-KV
aaarcher86 10/16-10/27 Poly
Melanie415 10/16-10/28 BLT/BCV
Debswild 10/17-10/21 AoA
Treysar 10/17-10/22 CR
Grym 10/17-10/22 Pop
princesstinkerbelle 10/17-10/22 GF
GingerFyre 10/17-10/24 Pop
cynditech 10/17-10/24 VGF
boomgoesthemickey 10/17-10/24 BC
oldgrandad 10/18-10/22 POFQ
ash-n-brensmom 10/18-10/26 Pop
squeezle 10/18-10/28 BLT
e777 10/19-10/24 Undecided
Metalfan 10/19-10/25 Pop
IowaTater 10/19-10/26 ASMo
Kelly25 10/19-10/27 Swan
Pineappley 10/19-11/3 Uni/AoA/POR
Chelle's Belles 10/20-10/24 BC
jmgriffith7 10/20-10/24 Swan
hsmamainva 10/20-10/25 AoA (Lion King)
jenhum 10/21-10/27 Poly/BC
mgaspard 10/21-10/29 Uni/Pop
Elevationist 10/21-10/28 BC
Ferrentinos 10/22-10/23 POFQ
Grandma G 10/22-10/29 BC
JMCDisneyLover 10/22-10/29 POFQ
tucker43 10/22-10/29 ASMo
hokieinpa 10/22-10/28 Pop
DarkAngel 10/22-10/29 BC/Undecided
miss_nik_nik 10/22-10/29 CBR
GraceMonica 10/22-10/29 Poly
absolutmey 10/22-10/29 FW (Cabin)
montugirl 10/22-10/29 POR
Pixie Dust 10/22-10/29 Poly
crazy4wdw 10/22-10/29 BC
MouseMamaoMany 10/22-10/29 Pop
Corbinator 10/22-10/29 AoA (Cars)
BlondieWolf 10/22-10/31 Pop
Jenny Sanders 10/23-10/24 POFQ
Doug S 10/23-10/26 POFQ
ABitDistracted 10/23-10/28 POFQ
Scurvyfreedman 10/23-10/28 Offsite
TigerLilly's Mom 10/23-10/28 BWV
CinderElsa 10/23-10/29 Poly
Grand Admiral 10/23-10/29 Undecided
mindylee847 10/23-10/29 OWK
likesdisney 10/23-10/29 VGF
krsb09 10/23-11/2 BCV
RedheadRinger 10/24-10/28 BWV
Djscarlette 10/24-10/28 POR
Belle2006beauty 10/24-11/5 Pop
mymommom 10/25-11/1 POFQ
RichfamilyCatano 10/25-11/3 Undecided
Heidi K 10/26-11/1 AS Sports
FoxC63 10/26-11/1 WL
peanutmomma 10/26-11/5 CSR
HoboDan2012 10/27-11/1 Undecided
MandyyA 10/27-11/1 BWI
Jerusalem Gal 10/27-11/7 Pop
stitchfan18 10/28-10/29 CBR
Jhaberlein 10/28-11/2 Offsite/Poly
lilpixiebabe101 10/28-11/7 Undecided
SnowWhiteOz 10/28-11/1 VWL
kiltclan 10/28-11/3 FW (Campground)
vcmartin413 10/28-11/3 POR
Janed 10/28-11/5 BWV
dancebird78 10/29-10/30 Pop
Poppybeach 10/29-11/5 POFQ
seashell996 10/29-11/5 POR
amtag 10/29-11/5 POFQ
Joeyswife3108 10/30-11/5 CR
Cinderella's Slipper 10/30-11/15 Pop/Offsite
lustergirl 10/31-11/3 AS Sports
mickey's minnie Undecided Undecided
SaintsManiac Undecided Undecided


Sorted by Resort:
Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas
10/30-10/11 mmafan
10/1-10/7 mac3mpc
10/1-10/11 Pryzeless
10/8-10/15 DisneyMommy9
10/8-10/16 dischic89
10/8-10/19 Pesky
10/8-10/26 DBLGRR
10/14-10/22 Disneymom1126
10/21-10/24 ThreeBoyMama

Art of Animation
9/30-10/8 Timsprincess
10/1-10/8 tiffany41108
10/2-10/8 Eoywin
10/4-10/10 Atobias
10/1-10/11 otten
10/4-10/13 Hwyprincess
10/6-10/8 Paigevon
10/6-10/10 Minnie121
10/9-10/15 DandMsMama
10/16-10/22 CARR1E F1SHER
10/16-10/22 Sara L.
10/17-10/21 Debswild
10/20-10/25 Hsmamainva
10/22-10/29 Corbinator
10/23-10/27 Pineappley

All-Star Sports
10/1-10/5 Jengonz1982
10/1-10/8 Magic458
10/16-10/22 BarbieGal457
10/26-11/1 Heidi K
10/31-11/3 lustergirl

All-Star Movies
10/6-10/11 Pinkstah
10/19-10/26 IowaTater
10/22-10/29 tucker43

All-Star Music
9/28-10/9 Veronique

Beach Club
9/30-10/3 Abbyroad05
10/1-10/5 Wood Nymph
10/13-10/22 Disneydacey
10/16-10/21 ThreeBoyMama
10/16-10/28 Melanie 415
10/17-10/24 Boomgoesthemickey
10/20-10/24 Chelle's Belles
10/21-10/27 Jenhum
10/21-10/28 Elevationist
10/22-10/29 Grandma G
10/22-10/29 crazy4wdw
10/22-10/29 DarkAngel

Bay Lake Tower
10/1-10/7 HatboxHaint
10/11-10/19 Ahinird
10/13-10/16 Puppytrainer
10/13-10/18 Decklake
10/14-10/20 lulu2121
10/15-10/21 Gryhndmom
10/18-10/28 Squeezle
10/16-10/28 Melanie415

Boardwalk Inn/Villas
10/9-10/16 disneyAndi14
10/10-10/18 MelissaRV
10/23-10/28 TigerLilly's Mom
10/24-10/28 RedheadRinger
10/27-11/1 MandyyA
10/28-11/5 Janed

Caribbean Beach Resort
9/30-10/8 MinnieMac
10/1-10/7 Roxyfire
10/1-10/7 Hicksnichols
10/1-10/8 cristen72
10/1-10/9 WickedMom
10/1-10/10 Roxyfire
10/7-10/16 Tia1977
10/9-10/13 Emsstacey
10/9-10/22 DISNEYMOON10121991
10/15-10/22 Disney_n00b
10/15-10/22 frachellea
10/22-10/29 miss_nik_nik
10/28-10/29 stitchfan18

Contemporary Resort
10/1-10/5 Leshunlenese
10/1-10/7 Tinkerbell117
10/1-10/8 im4pacers1
10/14-10/17 Cluelyss
10/17-10/22 Treysar
10/30-11/5 Joeyswife3108

Coronado Springs Resort
9/30-10/5 Andrea Wright
10/1-10/6 KristiKat
10/1-10/5 brownie_17
10/1-10/8 maxiesmom
10/9-10/15 Velkoor
10/10-10/17 ThisIsJason
10/14-10/21 Bbearrosenfeld
10/26-11/5 Peanutmomma

Fort Wilderness Campground/Cabins
10/22-10/29 Absolutmey
10/28-11/3 Kiltclan

Grand Floridian Resort/Villas
10/1-10/5 EagleG17
10/1-10/11 Chant124
10/17-10/22 Princesstinkerbelle
10/17-10/24 Cynditech
10/23-10/29 likesdisney

Old Key West Resort
10/11-10/19 Ahibird
10/14-10/22 Shegdraggon
10/23-10/29 mindylee847

Port Orleans French Quarter
10/1-10/8 vrajewski10513
10/1-10/8 barbz56
10/2-10/8 Jesslm80
10/2-10/8 Pawpsicle
10/2-10/8 Lynne G
10/9-10/15 Ravenanne
10/12-10/17 Just1Princess
10/15-10/22 may12th
10/18-10/22 oldgrandad
10/20-10/29 craedaisy12
10/22-10/24 Ferrentinos
10/22-10/29 JMCDisneyLover
10/23-10/24 Jenny Sanders
10/23-10/26 Doug S
10/23-10/28 ABitDistracted
10/25-11/1 momommom
10/29-11/5 Poppybeach
10/29-11/5 amtag

Polynesian Resort/Villas
10/1-10/7 mac3mpc
10/3-10/8 megster1123
10/8-10/19 Pesky
10/9-10/16 disneymom3588
10/14-10/20 Weasie13
10/15-10/22 sunnysideup3
10/16-10/27 aaarcher86
10/21-10/27 Jenhum
10/22-10/29 GraceMonica
10/22-10/29 Pixie Dust
10/23-10/29 CinderElsa
10/28-11/2 Jhaberlein

Pop Century Resort
10/1-10/4 rcbfalcs
10/1-10/8 DMG789
10/2-10/7 jesswindsor
10/2-10/9 patches07
10/3-10/9 Angelat2247
10/4-10/15 WDW Fan Since 1973
10/8-10/14 KristyUttaro
10/12-10/17 jeremyp
10/14-10/19 Laura12
10/14-10/22 Disneymom1126
10/15-10/22 SkiTeton
10/15-10/20 craedaisy12
10/17-10/22 Grym
10/17-10/24 GingerFyre
10/18-10/26 ash-n-brensmom
10/19-10/25 Metalfan
10/21-10/29 Mgaspard
10/22-10/28 hokieinpa
10/22-10/29 MouseMamaToMany
10/22-10/31 BlondieWolf
10/24-11/5 Belle2006beauty
10/27-11/7 Jerusalem Gal
10/29-10/30 dancebird78
10/30-11/15 Cinderella's Slipper

Port Orleans Riverside
9/29-10/8 BrookieM2001
9/30-10/3 Beesly
10/1-10/7 AEB123
10/1-10/8 Jersey918
10/2-10/5 CaliMountainMan
10/10-10/12 BippidiBoppidi
10/12-10/21 BoltzNBrew
10/12-10/21 Kristie73
10/16-10/21 Nitzalie
10/22-10/29 Montugirl
10/24-10/28 Djscarlette
10/27-11/3 Pineappley
10/28-11/3 vcmartin413
10/29-11/5 seashell996

Shades of Green
9/30-10/4 picatinny
10/5-10/10 ILoveMyKellen
10/6-10/8 Lulubelle17
10/11-10/18 Melissa_E
10/15-10/23 DMGuerts

Saratoga Springs
10/13-10/17 Gail Polehna

Swan Hotel
10/19-10/27 Kelly25
10/20-10/24 jmgriffith7

Wilderness Lodge/Villas
10/26-11/1 FoxC63
10/28-11/1 SnowWhiteOz

Yacht Club
9/27-10/2 SarahSnow
10/15-10/23 hiddenl1fe

Offsite
9/24-10/3 Ckrisie
9/24-10/8 Clairenuter
9/28-10/1 vrajewski10513
10/1-10/4 ammag
10/1-10/8 Suzie75
10/2-10/9 NoCutsies
10/6-10/11 SandiKB
10/14-10/18 Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina
10/19-10/23 Pineappley
10/23-10/28 Scurvyfreedman
10/28-11/2 Jhaberlein

 

[princessbee]

Today's the day but I have to get through this work day and make sure all my homework is finished... maybe the first semester of grad school wasn't the best time to plan this trip? Anyway, it's torture! I just want 5:00 to come!

 

[GoonieBride]

Today's the day but I have to get through this work day and make sure all my homework is finished... maybe the first semester of grad school wasn't the best time to plan this trip? Anyway, it's torture! I just want 5:00 to come!

me too!!! 3 hours left!!!

 

[Belle2006beauty]

Still feeling so jealous of everyone who is leaving today, or those who've recently left. I have 4 days left...ugh!! I've never been so excited for a Monday. Lol!!

 

[CinderDuffy]

We leave TOMORROW for a week at the Poly!

 

[Gryhndmom]

Down to my last two days at food and wine. Have enjoyed trying new cocktails....mojito, twinings pumpkin chai tea with caramel vodka, pineapple marguerita and a lychee mixed drink. Definitely diet time after we return home. It has remained somewhat crowded and hope for those on their way now it will thin out some.

 

[Corbinator]

Omg tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow!!!! Going to sleep right now!!!!

 

[Belle2006beauty]

2 days!! Packing today. Keep the trip updates coming! I already cannot sleep.

 

[CARR1E F1SHER]

We have had a truly Magical vacation!! Lots of Pixie Dust thrown our way and we passed it along as much as we could. I think we were given at least three balloons, which we passed on to others.

My DD was chosen to ring the bell at the end of the Muppets show in Liberty Square and she rode her very 1st roller coaster, 7DMT. She wanted to go on right after again and was pretty sad she's not quite tall enough to ride EE yet. Also, single rider line is the way to go for EE if you have littles! We asked about Rider Switch and were told that it was better to do single rider line.

We stayed at AoA in a Little Mermaid room. It is such a beautifully themed, fun resort but that walk to LM is long at the end of a long park day. We also had hit or miss bus service. Getting to the parks was fantastic, but getting back to the resort was pretty awful. We waited over 40mins for an Epcot bus on thursday. A guy ended up calling the resort to see what the heck was going on, the bus showed up about 10min later and the driver said they were having computer issues.

But, all in all, a really great vacation!! Now it's time to board the Tragical Express and head back home to the cold!

 

[Pesky]

Just back. Crowds were okay -- swelled to be uncomfortable in the middle of the day but then would taper off. Crazy on our first day in Epcot -- CMs even commented they were weekend sized crowds. While Epcot had one of our favorite rides (TT) of the trip, the kids were meh on the park. DD announced she didn't like Epcot, "it was educational." But here are some things we were glad we did:
* Universal: honestly we loved it as we are big Potterphiles and Simpsons fans. Hogsmeade was a little crowded for my taste but Diagon Alley was great. The express pass was brilliant and we had withdrawals moving to the FP system.
* Memento Mori lenticular pictures: hands down one of the kids' favorite souvenirs.
* MNSSHP: I know there has been comparisons to the past but as this was our first, I thought it was great. We had a good time and the fireworks were great.
* New rides: 7DMT was a ton of fun and I also like FEA. For FEA, we had a FP that worked beautifully so that was great but don't think I'd wait in a long line for it.
* Poly: it is showing signs of being well loved (the carpet on the stairs was oddly lumpy) but the location couldn't be beat and the pool was great. I loved the peacefulness of AKV and the buses were great but the pool there was a big meh. For kids who love to go to the pool every day, that was more of an issue.
* Magic bands: loved the convenience. Definitely beat USO on this one.
* BOG lunch
* Disney rewards card usage: great to get it at guest services and that paid for a lot
* V&A: so nice but probably won't do again unless we win the lottery
* Lilo's Playhouse: kids loved it and Chip and Dale stopped by
* MM: the ride pictures alone made this worthwhile
* Pirates League: Expensive but both kids loved it.

In terms of what I would change:
* forego park hoppers: we used the hopping feature one day only. Just not needed the way our family operates.
* fewer ADRs: we just didn't need that many sit-down meals and probably would've been fine with more QS/CS.
* forego the tours: while interesting to me, I was really the only one who enjoyed our tour
* Skipped most of DTD: loved WoD and the princess meet there but didn't need the rest
* F&W: I was super excited about this but honestly couldn't eat that much and it was very crowded

 

[Gryhndmom]

Just back. Crowds were okay -- swelled to be uncomfortable in the middle of the day but then would taper off. Crazy on our first day in Epcot -- CMs even commented they were weekend sized crowds. While Epcot had one of our favorite rides (TT) of the trip, the kids were meh on the park. DD announced she didn't like Epcot, "it was educational." But here are some things we were glad we did:
* Universal: honestly we loved it as we are big Potterphiles and Simpsons fans. Hogsmeade was a little crowded for my taste but Diagon Alley was great. The express pass was brilliant and we had withdrawals moving to the FP system.
* Memento Mori lenticular pictures: hands down one of the kids' favorite souvenirs.
* MNSSHP: I know there has been comparisons to the past but as this was our first, I thought it was great. We had a good time and the fireworks were great.
* New rides: 7DMT was a ton of fun and I also like FEA. For FEA, we had a FP that worked beautifully so that was great but don't think I'd wait in a long line for it.
* Poly: it is showing signs of being well loved (the carpet on the stairs was oddly lumpy) but the location couldn't be beat and the pool was great. I loved the peacefulness of AKV and the buses were great but the pool there was a big meh. For kids who love to go to the pool every day, that was more of an issue.
* Magic bands: loved the convenience. Definitely beat USO on this one.
* BOG lunch
* Disney rewards card usage: great to get it at guest services and that paid for a lot
* V&A: so nice but probably won't do again unless we win the lottery
* Lilo's Playhouse: kids loved it and Chip and Dale stopped by
* MM: the ride pictures alone made this worthwhile
* Pirates League: Expensive but both kids loved it.

In terms of what I would change:
* forego park hoppers: we used the hopping feature one day only. Just not needed the way our family operates.
* fewer ADRs: we just didn't need that many sit-down meals and probably would've been fine with more QS/CS.
* forego the tours: while interesting to me, I was really the only one who enjoyed our tour
* Skipped most of DTD: loved WoD and the princess meet there but didn't need the rest
* F&W: I was super excited about this but honestly couldn't eat that much and it was very crowded

We also are just getting back from food and wine and had many of the same thoughts you did. Today We did half a day at Epcot and OMG on the crowds ! We generally don't do a weekend day so it was mind blowing for us!

Over FEA! And yes I did sing along with "Let it go!"

 

[Grand Admiral]

Today's the day! Eating my breakfast and then we're on our way to the airport!