Just back - pros & cons

[Lady Hiss]

Adults only trip, stayed at BCV with pool view. During our 11 day stay, we had groups of 6, 7 and/or 8 at various times (with their own rooms). DH & I are WDW veterans who’ve been going for 30+ years. While we understand and support the need for things to change, we also appreciate the classic Disney experience.

This may be too long but I want to note a few things while the trip is fresh in my mind.
First, the not-so-great:

1. The biggie: lightning lane. We bought both LLMP & LLSP on multiple days. It’s hard to think of this as anything other than a money grab. So many rides are ‘unavailable’ after your initial 3, it’s annoying. I didn’t have much luck refreshing to get more passes (for 6,7, or 8 people). Didn’t want to spend all my time looking at my stupid phone either. Where’s the ‘magic’ in that process?

2. I’ll get flamed for this one: Communicore Plaza. It’s just ‘meh’ for us. I can’t understand why they took out the huge, beautiful dancing fountain for a dance party venue. Each time we walked by, only a small handful of people were participating. The music is good but the thumping bass combined with other music playing in other areas is just a mishmash of sound. I don’t want to hear the dance party while walking from World Showcase or even when I’m sitting outside Connections Cafe. The festival building is ok, but nothing special other than a place to sit in AC and maybe experience festival food & info.

3. Rides not open or going down, especially during EEH. Where’s the value of EEH? IMHO, EVERYTHING should be open - all rides, all food stands/restaurants, all shops.

4. Disney merchandise. It’s very hard to find WDW clothing or souvenirs that aren’t super loud and garish. Some of us like classy and classic. Also, finding anything in adult XS was close to impossible.

The good stuff:

1. Cast Members - most were awesome and truly seemed happy to be there. I love it when they play their parts (yes, it makes me believe in the magic), or when they cheerfully help with technology or other glitches like transportation, etc. It’s not quite so magical when they’re talking to each other about where they got drunk last night or when their next break is, but… I digress. Most are fabulous and some are very fun.

2. The parks. All four were beautiful and clean. Epcot F&G decorations were stunning, as always. Kudos to the maintenance and landscaping employees - they do a great job.

3. The guests. With the exceptions of those who stopped in the middle of busy walkways to hold a family conference and the drunk guests on Saturday night at Epcot, we found people to be polite and kind. It restored my faith in humanity - people held doors open, saved spots for you, asked where you were from, smiled at you, tried to help those who were lost, etc.

4. The weather! It was simply perfect - 70s during the day. Not that Disney controls it, but it was a good time of year to go.

5, Disney transportation - it was reliable, clean, and efficient. I miss the personal interactions the bus drivers and boat skippers used to have with guests, but so be it. The Skyliner is a great option and I hope they expand it to AK someday.

6. BC & BCV - love this resort due to its location and vibe. Our rooms were clean, quiet and the staff were friendly as well as efficient.

We’re going to take a long break from Disney in the hopes that the new attractions will wow us, ride reliability improves, crowds are dispersed better, and the ride procedures change. Too many people, not enough space or attractions seems to be a major problem. If Disney continues to charge more for less, we’ll take our money elsewhere. Hoping they can figure it out. We love the idea of Disney magic, but just didn’t see much of it this time.

Thanks for reading - sorry so long!

 

[greeneyedchick]

Adults only trip, stayed at BCV with pool view. During our 11 day stay, we had groups of 6, 7 and/or 8 at various times (with their own rooms). DH & I are WDW veterans who’ve been going for 30+ years. While we understand and support the need for things to change, we also appreciate the classic Disney experience.

This may be too long but I want to note a few things while the trip is fresh in my mind.
First, the not-so-great:

1. The biggie: lightning lane. We bought both LLMP & LLSP on multiple days. It’s hard to think of this as anything other than a money grab. So many rides are ‘unavailable’ after your initial 3, it’s annoying. I didn’t have much luck refreshing to get more passes (for 6,7, or 8 people). Didn’t want to spend all my time looking at my stupid phone either. Where’s the ‘magic’ in that process?

2. I’ll get flamed for this one: Communicore Plaza. It’s just ‘meh’ for us. I can’t understand why they took out the huge, beautiful dancing fountain for a dance party venue. Each time we walked by, only a small handful of people were participating. The music is good but the thumping bass combined with other music playing in other areas is just a mishmash of sound. I don’t want to hear the dance party while walking from World Showcase or even when I’m sitting outside Connections Cafe. The festival building is ok, but nothing special other than a place to sit in AC and maybe experience festival food & info.

3. Rides not open or going down, especially during EEH. Where’s the value of EEH? IMHO, EVERYTHING should be open - all rides, all food stands/restaurants, all shops.

4. Disney merchandise. It’s very hard to find WDW clothing or souvenirs that aren’t super loud and garish. Some of us like classy and classic. Also, finding anything in adult XS was close to impossible.

The good stuff:

1. Cast Members - most were awesome and truly seemed happy to be there. I love it when they play their parts (yes, it makes me believe in the magic), or when they cheerfully help with technology or other glitches like transportation, etc. It’s not quite so magical when they’re talking to each other about where they got drunk last night or when their next break is, but… I digress. Most are fabulous and some are very fun.

2. The parks. All four were beautiful and clean. Epcot F&G decorations were stunning, as always. Kudos to the maintenance and landscaping employees - they do a great job.

3. The guests. With the exceptions of those who stopped in the middle of busy walkways to hold a family conference and the drunk guests on Saturday night at Epcot, we found people to be polite and kind. It restored my faith in humanity - people held doors open, saved spots for you, asked where you were from, smiled at you, tried to help those who were lost, etc.

4. The weather! It was simply perfect - 70s during the day. Not that Disney controls it, but it was a good time of year to go.

5, Disney transportation - it was reliable, clean, and efficient. I miss the personal interactions the bus drivers and boat skippers used to have with guests, but so be it. The Skyliner is a great option and I hope they expand it to AK someday.

6. BC & BCV - love this resort due to its location and vibe. Our rooms were clean, quiet and the staff were friendly as well as efficient.

We’re going to take a long break from Disney in the hopes that the new attractions will wow us, ride reliability improves, crowds are dispersed better, and the ride procedures change. Too many people, not enough space or attractions seems to be a major problem. If Disney continues to charge more for less, we’ll take our money elsewhere. Hoping they can figure it out. We love the idea of Disney magic, but just didn’t see much of it this time.

Thanks for reading - sorry so long!

Although I know it won't go away because it's making Disney too much money, but I feel like fast pass/ lightening lane is one of the main contributors to over crowding at the parks. When everyone is standing in line somewhere, there's a lot less people in the main walk ways. With so many people paying for lightening lane, it means those people are wandering around the shopping areas or standing in other lines. Granted, the whole point when Disney started this was to free up people's time to shop and dine more. However, having most people stand in line would go along way to making the parks feel less congested. Universal has an express pass, too, but I feel like the higher cost prevents a majority of people from using it. Universal also caps the number of passes sold. I don't know if Disney is actually limiting the number of people who can buy regular lightening lane passes.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Oh and I totally agree that Disney made a very bad decision in taking down that beautiful fountain in EPCOT. It was one of my favorite things about that park.