First family trip in some time.

Me and my family just recently got back from WDW and it was our first trip together in quite some time. I have been there with my girlfriend 3 times since our last family trip so I was pretty up to date with what was going on even though not much has changed since they have been there. Here is just basically a short description of our trip.

Pro's:
-Not too crowded. Especially during extra hours we were able to walk right onto rides. The longest we waited was for Soarin for 1.5 hours (Normally I would not wait this long but my family insisted, except for my dad who bailed after 10 minutes.) Everything else was less than 30 min.

-Free Food. Free Dining is always awesome. We ate at our favorites (Beaches and Cream, 50's Prime Time, Whispering Canyon.) and some we haven't done before (Plaza Restaurant, Yak and Yeti.) All were great.

-Test Track did not break down

-Bus lines for Pop Century were not too bad.

-We had 2 rooms so 2 bathrooms.

Cons

-Toy Story Mania was down. One of the new things my family wanted to experience and they didn't get to.

-Small World was down. Nostalgic favorite of mine.

-Shops seemed to have depleted some good merchandise. What happened to the holiday houses at the Christmas stores? Where did all the dog stuff go? I wanted to get big water bowls for my dogs and they only had them for tiny dogs. No more cool cookie jars either. Also the Villain shop in MGM is now a Vinylmation shop. The shop by Hall of Presidents is all Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. These stores are becoming less and less unique. They should also get rid of the baking supplies store right outside the Haunted Mansion and sell Haunted Mansion merchandise there. They use to have cool HM merchandise but not anymore.

-Free Food. I know I listed this as a pro but man, I killed myself with all that food. Making reservations also forces you to work your schedule around that reservation.

-Since I was the only one taking pictures there are none of me.

-My feet were killing by the end of the trip.

-I learned that Kali River Rapids is a pointless ride other than to just get soaked. The theming is terrible and it's very boring.

-I hate that they make you get soaked on Splash Mountain now. You don't even get wet on the big hill. You get soaked in the beginning when you go AROUND the big hill.

It was a really good trip, no big fights with the family which is what normally happens. The weather was decent and we did everything we wanted to do. I spent way more money than I had hoped but o well.
It was all worth it.

Can't wait until the free food!

Just know when to quit or just moderate your portions. 50s Prime time counts a shake for your drink. I had a shake, fried chicken dinner, and an amazing Boston cream cupcake. I should of been taken out on a wheelbarrow. I finished every one of them.

Were you able to walk into any of the restaurants or did you have reservations?

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Originally Posted by Mr. Tom Morrow

-Shops seemed to have depleted some good merchandise. What happened to the holiday houses at the Christmas stores? Where did all the dog stuff go? I wanted to get big water bowls for my dogs and they only had them for tiny dogs. No more cool cookie jars either. Also the Villain shop in MGM is now a Vinylmation shop. The shop by Hall of Presidents is all Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. These stores are becoming less and less unique. They should also get rid of the baking supplies store right outside the Haunted Mansion and sell Haunted Mansion merchandise there. They use to have cool HM merchandise but not anymore.

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I've been disappointed in the dumbing down of the shops for about 5 years. Same stuff everywhere. Vinylmation I just don't get. I use to collect dinner plates, the ones you actually eat on. No more. I spend less on souvenirs now. Not because of $$ because of the offerings.

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-Free Food. I know I listed this as a pro but man, I killed myself with all that food. Making reservations also forces you to work your schedule around that reservation.

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Free is free. But beyond that I am less of a fan of the dining plan.
I never eat dessert after a meal except at Disney. Cause it comes with it.
Yet then you pay a tip on something you didnt really want. Except those cupcakes. :grin:

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-I learned that Kali River Rapids is a pointless ride other than to just get soaked. The theming is terrible and it very boring.

-I hate that they make you get soaked on Splash Mountain now. You don't even get wet on the big hill. You get soaked in the beginning when you go AROUND the big hill.

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Kali I don't do anymore. I hate the feeling of being soaked through.
Splash adjusts to the temperture.

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Loved your report. Glad you had a nice time.

You basically need reservations. Beaches and Cream you can't make reservations for so you can just go whenever you want. 50's Prime Time is always turning away customers without reservations.

I paid for the dining plan once and never again, and that was when it was an appetizer and gratuity was included. I feel bad for servers that have to explain that the plan no longer includes tips to customers.

There was more I wanted to add but I can't remember. If I think of anything I'll post it.

I enjoyed your observations and agree with Haunted Gabe on her comments. It seems like we are no longer buying merchandise... at least on site, and eat TS outside the world.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Tom Morrow

You basically need reservations. Beaches and Cream you can't make reservations for so you can just go whenever you want. 50's Prime Time is always turning away customers without reservations.

I paid for the dining plan once and never again, and that was when it was an appetizer and gratuity was included. I feel bad for servers that have to explain that the plan no longer includes tips to customers.

There was more I wanted to add but I can't remember. If I think of anything I'll post it.

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im a hairstylist and i would never be like hey.. you know that giftcard you got for your pedicure doesnt include my tip.. i feel if people think i am worth it.. they will tip.. i never break it down and explain it to them.. and if you had a server do that to you.. i think its rude.. i would never hint around at a tip and thats what that sounds like to me.

just my op.

i havent used the dinning plan since its been changed so this will be interesting.. because my hubby tips according to service provided and not what everyone thinks you should tip.

and i loved the report.. i have never rode splash mtn... and i want to this time.. i dont wanna walk around all day wet... but it sounds like its going to happen...lol i mentioned to hubby about wearing ponchos.. and he was like no.. dont be a wussie

I am sorry to hear that there were any cons but not everything is for everybody.


"-Shops seemed to have depleted some good merchandise. What happened to the holiday houses at the Christmas stores? Where did all the dog stuff go? I wanted to get big water bowls for my dogs and they only had them for tiny dogs. No more cool cookie jars either. Also the Villain shop in MGM is now a Vinylmation shop. The shop by Hall of Presidents is all Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. These stores are becoming less and less unique. They should also get rid of the baking supplies store right outside the Haunted Mansion and sell Haunted Mansion merchandise there. They use to have cool HM merchandise but not anymore".

There is still one Christmas store by the HOP and behind Liberty Tree Tavern.
As for home goods There is on by the rear entrance of EPCOT.

"-Free Food. I know I listed this as a pro but man, I killed myself with all that food. Making reservations also forces you to work your schedule around that reservation."

That is the one draw back to any vacation with dining out involved. And waiting to eat is worse than waiting to ride anything when it is hot and over crowded and lots of hungry kids are all around you screaming.

Well the pros definitely weigh out the cons. I had a great time and got to do all the things I wanted to do. I did go to the Christmas shop but the only holiday house they sold was the Haunted Mansion, which I regret not buying.

Chrissy&Tayen, I totally see your point on the tips. The thing about it though is that the dining plan when it first started actually included the tip. So customers didn't have to leave a tip because Disney automatically paid the servers what the tip would have been. Now they don't include it and a lot people that had the dining plan before get it now and still think it is included and so they don't leave the tip. My girlfriend's brother and his family thought it was still included and when it wasn't, they weren't leaving any tips at all and they felt pretty bad when they found out the dining plan didn't include gratuity anymore. That's why I felt bad because they probably were coming across as jerks letting people know the dining plan no longer includes tips but if they didn't they would lose a lot of their earnings. You can tell they don't feel comfortable bringing it up. If that weren't the case then yeah I would be like guess what, your tip is now shrinking. Go get me a Coke.

Now when it comes to Splash Mtn and ponchos, I had the same attitude as your husband. Don't be a wuss. But when the water came and was about to hit, I threw my mom's poncho over me. I hope you ride it though because Splash Mountain is one of my favorite rides. If not my favorite. Just remember though, the part you get wet on is right at the beginning when you circle around the big drop and are about to go up a tunnel. Then of course you'll get a little wet on the last drop but not a lot.

I did remember what I wanted to mention. To add on to the pros, I use to complain how the Muppet Vision film was getting old and the film was looking grainy and they needed to remaster it. It looks like they did remaster it and are probably using a digital projector now so the film looks great again.

i think i will take a poncho in case....lol

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Originally Posted by Chrissy&Tayen

i think i will take a poncho in case....lol

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you will absolutely love Splash...!

i cant wait for it and space mountain.. in all my trips i have never rode either.. we always had bug with us

Who is bug?