Disney Trip Report and Reviews

[Deleted]

Just got back from our trip last Saturday. It was a good trip. Not the best ever, some of that was Disney's fault but much of it was the fault of the party we were traveling with. All in all it was a really good time though. 


Background: This is my 3rd trip in 18months and my 6th trip in 7 years. I love the parks, and it's my absolute favorite vacation spot ( even pre kids). I have stayed at Pop, POR x2, BLT and now OKWx2. 

Cast : DH, DS, FIL, MIL, and Me. 

Accomodations - We had reservations for 2 studios at OKW with Disney Dining Plan and Park Hoppers. 

OKW Review 

We had originally booked 2 studios, however there were bugs ( like a bunch Ewwwww ) in our first studio. I went to the front desk and complained and they moved us to a HUGE 2 bedroom suite in the Turtle Pond area. At first my inlaws were going to keep there studio, as they were unaffected, however when we moved the room was so LARGE that we were overwhelmed with the space and asked my inlaws to join us. The best part about the 2 bedroom was that it had a washer and drier. It really came in handy when traveling with DS who spills stuff all the time. 

I was bummed about being in the Turtle Pond Area at first, however despite what the front desk told me, it was very very possible to walk from Turtle Pond to Hospitality House are ( where Olivia's and the theme pool and the store and the Gurgling Suitcase ) are in well under 10 minutes. The Turtle Pond area also had a very nice quiet pool with snack bar as well ( served pizza, turkey, and ham sandwiches, nachos, salads and refilled mugs. ) If I went back to OKW I would request this area instead of Penisular Road where we stayed last time even though Penisular Road is closer to things. 

I love the main pool at OKW. The themeing with the sandcastles and sandy digging area for kids is great. They also have a Sauna in the lighthouse, a large jacuzzi and a kiddie pool. The gift shop sells pales and shovels for 6.00 and little boats for 2.00 for the kids. DS loved playing with his boat in the kiddie pool. This area also houses the recreation center, with coloring and activities for kids, games, and a big TV that shows kids movies. You can rent a surrey bike here as well. This pool area is not as nice as the pool area at BLT, but is still very very fun. BLT has kids games and chalk outside everyday, plus a splash pad, as well as the breeze off of Bay Cove is incredible. However OKWs pool area is less busy and more laid back. 

The quick service Goods to Go is here. It only has outside seating, but they have good food if you are hanging by the pool. You can refill your mugs here if you got them with the dining plan, or you purchased them. The Gurgling Suitcase Bar makes great cocktails and the bartenders are really nice. 

We did have some issues with bus service. I have honestly never had this many issues with busses before at Disney. I think if we had stuck with the busses it would have evened out but my inlaws were mad about the service, so we took there car to the parks most of the rest of the week. 

We didn't take the boat to DtD this trip, but it is a nice boat ride. It's also cool that you can see the Characters in Flight balloon from some parts of the resort. 

Meals - 

We did Disney Dining Plan. I didn't keep track of whether or not we came out ahead on the plan, but I do know we ordered a lot of appetizers off the plan. If I realized how much the inlaws love apps, I would have gone Deluxe! LOL! 

Table Service 

Garden Grill- The food was great ( Salad, Rolls with Honey Butter,Tillapia, Steak, Roasted Turkey, fresh veggies, mashed potatos and stuffing, drum sticks, sweet potato " churro " fries OMG YUM and Mac and Cheese). Characters were awesome. Chip and Dale love Selfies and DS got to see everyone 2 times. Only dissapointment was that the rotation was turned off on the restaurant. Overall though very good

Be Our Guest- So amazing. This restaurant is beautiful & worth the ADR. It's like being in Beauty and the Beast. I had Salmon on a bed of mashed potatoes with Leeks. Delicious and a Lemon Cupcake for dessert. Meeting Beast afterwards was awesome and DS raved about it for days after. I like how you go to him in his library after you eat, but how he walks through the restaurant several times. DS loves this restaurant. This was his second time there. 

Olivia's - We had ADRs for Saana this day ( which is my fave restaurant in the world, not just Disney) but DS FLIPPED OUT. Like lost his shit, and I had to take him back to the room for a nap before we could even get there. We ended up having an awesome meal at Olivia's after he woke up. The crab cakes are amazing, and I had a Po Boy that was so tangy and the bread was so crusty. The key lime tart was amazing. Very tart with merengue on top and raspberry sauce. DS really likes the pasta here. I did get my favorite marg EVER the Habenero Marg at the DTD Marg shack. Then I found out it will be bulldozed in 3 weeks! Come on Disney! Save my Marg Shack ( with live music! on the water! ) 

San Angel Inn - This is my inlaws favorite restaurant at Disney. We all ordered the fish taco special that came with an app, an entree and a dessert. DS got a quesadilla and didn't eat it, but loved his green beans and the chips. The atmosphere here is lovely. It can be a little hard to see. 

Hoop de Doo Review- I paid OOP for this as a Mother's Day gift for MIL. So So So glad we did. Everyone ( even grumpy FIL) had a great time. The fried chicken and ribs were awesome, the strawberry shortcake is HUGE and the Beer, Wine and Sangria are INCLUDED. Plus the jokes are corny and hilarious ( it's the Sangria talking) all at the same time. DS LOVED it, and cried when it was over because he wanted the show to come back. LOL! 

Crystal Palace Breakfast- Book this BEFORE Rope Drop at MK and ask for your check as soon as you walk in. This will put you ahead of the crowds for any rides/ attractions on your priority list. As usual, great buffet, awesome character interaction. Puffed French Toast and Breakfast Lasagna are awesome, and you can't get them elsewhere. Don't go for the pastries, they are standard Disney ( not bad, but just everywhere). DS love characters, so this was a huge hit. 


Counter Service - 

Electric Umbrella- We all shared some flat breads and fruit salad - okay nothing memorable 

Turtle Shack Snack Shack - We shared Pizza, & Salad- Pizza here is okay, it's pool snack shack pizza, individual sized round. Not great, not awful. DH said the Ceasar Salad was good. 

Flame Tree- Best CS of the Trip BBQ Chicken, Fruit Plate, Fries, Beans, Cole Slaw, and Key Lime Pudding ( tip Mix the key lime jelly into the pudding and eat it that way. ) Lovely seating area in a cool pergola, with fans and a water fall over looking Everest. 

Goods to Go- I actually had " Brunch " for lunch that day as I got one of the last crossant egg sandwhiches from GtG before they switched to lunch at 11:00 am. These are great. Get one if you are staying here. Soft and tasty with cheese and crisp bacon. On our last day I also got a Turkey Sandwich to take on the plane. It was very good with a cranberry mayo. 

Tortuga Traders - Basic CS with a limited indoor / outdoor seating area. Burritos, Salads, and Nachos. Excellent Topping Bar. 


Snacks 

I had to skip Dole Whips this trip because the line was so long, but I did eat my weight in Mickey Bars and also got 2 Pecan Turtles and a Chewy Bar from Karmel Kuche in Epcot. LOVE ate the chewy bar for breakfast in the room one morning 

Booze 

Turtle Crawl - Good in a rummy pool drink way. I had 3 that week Served at OKW 

Magical Star Cocktail - Yummy and cheaper if you order without the glow cube. Everywhere 

Habenero Marg- YUM Favorite. Disney don't get rid of my MARG SHACK. Served at DTD for 2 more weeks 

Jalepeno Marg with Hibiscus Salt - Very very good, but the bottom was too seedy to drink. Nice heat, cucumber flavor and hibiscus salt was very very pretty. 


Park Tips and Tricks 

First of all I HIGHLY advise you visit easywdw.com. Josh is my hero. Seriously. His game plans for FP+ came out right before I left, and if I had had them before my booking window I would have accomplished so much more. 

MK- Didn't get to go on the new mine coaster but it looks awesome. New Fantasyland is great, especially the Dumbo area if you have little kids. If you want to go to Enchanted Tales with Belle, book it for early afternoon on FP+. Also book Anna and Elsa for FP+ and Peter Pan . If you arrive at Rope Drop ( Seriously arrive at 8:15 the area fills up between 8:15 -8:30 and you might get stuck outside the scanners until 9:00am.) you will be able to do Dumbo, Barnstormer, Winnie the Pooh, Ariel, It's a Small World and maybe the Haunted Mansion before lunch/ your FP windows. The Dumbo area is a great place to take little ones, the Casey's Splash Pad is awesome. Bring an extra shirt for you and an extra outfit for your kid, or let everyone where bathing suits under clothes. Also a camp towel would have been a good idea.The characters under the big top have relatively short waits, and the train is right there. We spent almost 2 hours there between the splash pad, characters, shopping, snacks, dumbo and barnstormer. We did Adventure Land another afternoon, and Future World right before we left. Space Mountain is still awesome 

Epcot - Future World at Rope Drop is key. FP+ Soarin if anyone in your party is interested. If you FP+ Soarin, you can do Test Track walk on at RD. Turtle talk with Crush is fun for kids, DS played in the Seas Pavillion for a while. His favorite ride is Spaceship Earth. He LOVED the" big ball" . He didn't like Figment at all. He hates the " stinky thing part" but he loved the song, and sang it all week long " Immmaggiiiinnaaaaatiiioonnnn" LOL. 
World Showcase is lots of fun. DS wasn't interested in the KidCot or the Phineaus and Ferb game ( which is blasphemy as P&F are my favorite ) but he loved the water fountains, The Mexico Boat ride, the train in Germany, and the Flower and Garden play grounds. I got a spot on the highest bridge between UK and France at 8:15pm for a 9:00pm Illuminations. At 8:20 all of those spots were filled in. I waited with my snacks while DH and ILs took DS to the play area. The spot was awesome and DS loved the BIG FIRE. The character spot has NO WAIT after like 6:00pm. 5 minutes tops. So if you start at the WS at 12pm, and walk around go towards Mexico, so you can be back near FW around 6pm and hit the character spot. Then go back to WS for dinner, and get your spot for fireworks. 

We skipped DHS this trip to spend more time at Magic Kingdom. 

Animal Kingdom is still a half day park for me, and even more so with the parade ending in a few weeks. Go either first thing for the Safari ( more animals in the morning) and leave after lunch, or from 3-8 with FP plus and ride all the thrill rides. I tried to stretch this into a whole day thing, and failed and ended up with a freaking out DS at DtD. Boo. Next time I will try arriving at 3:00pm after a pool morning. 

Overall it was an okay trip. My FIL was grumpy, and he and my MIL move very slow so we missed Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Test Track. Other than that it was a good trip. I WILL be back at Disney again ( maybe not for a few years) but I won't take my inlaws again. 

[Brie]

Very helpful, thanks! I'm so excited, eeek.

[Deleted]

Holy shit I just realized I wrote a damn book. OMG!

[countthestars]

Thanks for the review! We have a timeshare at OKW (since 1992!!) so it's near and dear to me. I agree that it's very walkable from Turtle Pond to the main pool. Sorry your inlaws were fun suckers

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 11:35:17 GMT -5 Brie said:

Very helpful, thanks! I'm so excited, eeek.

When is your trip? 

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 11:37:10 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Thanks for the review! We have a timeshare at OKW (since 1992!!) so it's near and dear to me. I agree that it's very walkable from Turtle Pond to the main pool. Sorry your inlaws were fun suckers

I really love that place. I want to buy into DVC so so so bad. I am trying to delay trips so I can save up for resale points. 

Yes and the way the girl at the front desk was talking it was like Turtle Pond was on the far side of the moon! 

[ssmjlm]

Great review!

Which dining plan did you all do?

[jeaniebueller]

Great review! When we were there, we did Soarin' with our FP+ and then (since I was pregnant and couldn't ride the Test Track), H was able to ride the Test Track in the single rider line and only waited around 20 minutes. I worked out great.

[Brie]

May 13, 2014 11:37:23 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

May 13, 2014 11:35:17 GMT -5 Brie said:

Very helpful, thanks! I'm so excited, eeek.

When is your trip? 

Mid-November.  Our 180 day window for ADRs opens soon!

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 11:38:51 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Great review!

Which dining plan did you all do?

The basic- so not the QS but not the deluxe either 

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 11:40:12 GMT -5 Brie said:

May 13, 2014 11:37:23 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

When is your trip? 

Mid-November.  Our 180 day window for ADRs opens soon!

Oooh that's an awesome time. The crowds are going to be really low. Have you checked out easywdw.com? It will make planning so much easier. Where are you staying? 

[ECB]

May 13, 2014 11:31:41 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Overall it was an okay trip. My FIL was grumpy, and he and my MIL move very slow so we missed Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Test Track. Other than that it was a good trip. I WILL be back at Disney again ( maybe not for a few years) but I won't take my inlaws again. 

Oh, I'm almost crying from laughing.  I've been back from Disney a week.  Went w/ my ILs.  While this was "Their" trip and really, the only reason we were able to go - it just cemented that we will basically NEVER travel with them again.  At least not on a "vacation" type trip (meaning, trips to see family for some family event- clearly we'll spend time w/ them in that scenario). 

They moved SO slow.  We had to break off from them a few times.  But still.  It was stressful and as this was my first trip so Disney (and DHs as an adult), we really can't tell if it was THEM who affected our attitude, or if we're really not "Disney" people.  It might be a little of both (although, by the end of the trip, I saw enough that I DO want to go back at some point - probably when DS is old enough to take a friend and they can go off on their own ). 

but really- Disney w/ people who don't move well.... not a good combination.

[Deleted]

Awesome review!

[Brie]

May 13, 2014 11:43:11 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

May 13, 2014 11:40:12 GMT -5 Brie said:

Mid-November.  Our 180 day window for ADRs opens soon!

Oooh that's an awesome time. The crowds are going to be really low. Have you checked out easywdw.com? It will make planning so much easier. Where are you staying? 

I am looking there right now, thanks!  I really like the WDW Prep School blog and podcasts and the Disney Tourist Blog.

We're staying at Caribbean Beach with free dining.

I'm glad to read you liked BOG dinner--we're going to try to get that reservation, but I've heard mixed reviews.

[livinitup]

Thanks!

[ssmjlm]

Hmm, so @savestheday and ECB, should we re-think inviting my MIL and her husband? They don't get around well and we'll have a 2 yo with us?

[ECB]

May 13, 2014 12:16:14 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Hmm, so @savestheday and ECB, should we re-think inviting my MIL and her husband? They don't get around well and we'll have a 2 yo with us?

Honestly, yes, I would rethink it. 

more context, though.  MIL is 75 and can't walk well so they rented a scooter for her.  FIL is 78 and can walk.  BUT he does have arthritis in his knees and we could just TELL that it was a LOT for him to keep up.

Even w/ the scooter, MIL just moved slow and really pretty much made everything about her (a whole other issue). 

If they were they type to say "Oh- we're going to take it easy.  You go on ahead and we'll meet you.", it probably would have been better.

But they aren't.  Now, if WE said "we need to go ahead", they would be fine with it.  But FIL specifically just is NOT realistic about their limitations and he wants to do everything even though he can't.  And he won't ever just stopand say "hey- this is too much". 

if your MIL is more the kind to say "Hey- we're going to stop and have a snack while you go ahead", it might work better.

And we had to balance all of this with a 5 year old who wanted to "go go go".  Which actually- a 2 year old won't be quite as "demanding", I suspect, though.   DS is a roller coaster lover and he just wanted to get to the next one ASAP.  I think you'll have an easier balancing act w/ a 2 year old.

But - this was my experience and it was frustrating. 

[megs193]

May 13, 2014 11:37:07 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Holy shit I just realized I wrote a damn book. OMG!

[br

I think you're my disney twin. We just got home from disney on Sunday and I am obsessed with easywdw and pretty much followed the same plan and had the same FP+ Ressies as you. The last time we went my sister joked that I was going to leave my DH for Josh because I mentioned his website so much.

This was our first time trying Sanaa and I loved it! We also tried T-Rex for the first time and my boys loved it.

[SJ]

What a great review!

But this thread is super overwhelming/stressful to me (and I don't know what any acronyms are). I had NO IDEA it was so complicated to plan & execute trips to WDW. You can't just show up anymore? Or maybe when we go I can just pay someone to deal with all of this stuff for us?

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 12:22:37 GMT -5 ECB said:

May 13, 2014 12:16:14 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Hmm, so @savestheday and ECB, should we re-think inviting my MIL and her husband? They don't get around well and we'll have a 2 yo with us?

Honestly, yes, I would rethink it. 

more context, though.  MIL is 75 and can't walk well so they rented a scooter for her.  FIL is 78 and can walk.  BUT he does have arthritis in his knees and we could just TELL that it was a LOT for him to keep up.

Even w/ the scooter, MIL just moved slow and really pretty much made everything about her (a whole other issue). 

If they were they type to say "Oh- we're going to take it easy.  You go on ahead and we'll meet you.", it probably would have been better.

But they aren't.  Now, if WE said "we need to go ahead", they would be fine with it.  But FIL specifically just is NOT realistic about their limitations and he wants to do everything even though he can't.  And he won't ever just stopand say "hey- this is too much". 

if your MIL is more the kind to say "Hey- we're going to stop and have a snack while you go ahead", it might work better.

And we had to balance all of this with a 5 year old who wanted to "go go go".  Which actually- a 2 year old won't be quite as "demanding", I suspect, though.   DS is a roller coaster lover and he just wanted to get to the next one ASAP.  I think you'll have an easier balancing act w/ a 2 year old.

But - this was my experience and it was frustrating. 

yeah- My MIL really can't walk fast at all. Sometimes at Disney you have to GO NOW, and rest later. We missed Enchanted Tales with Belle, because by the time we got into the park there were 5 minutes left until our FP+window expired and she can't walk fast, but wasn't willing to split up. Also my FIL can be a jackass and throws temper tantrums, so they were a fun combo. I knew she moved slow, but I think it didn't seem that slow outside of the parks. But once we got there it was like watching someone trudge through molasses. I had warned her that she should warm up to the walking by going out and walking a mile a day, and build from there, but she told me she was fine with her Tai Chi class. In the end missing Enchanted Tales with Belle wasn't a big deal because DS doesn't care anyways, it was just frustrating at the time,                                                                        

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 12:30:55 GMT -5 megs193 said:

May 13, 2014 11:37:07 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Holy shit I just realized I wrote a damn book. OMG!

[br

I think you're my disney twin. We just got home from disney on Sunday and I am obsessed with easywdw and pretty much followed the same plan and had the same FP+ Ressies as you. The last time we went my sister joked that I was going to leave my DH for Josh because I mentioned his website so much.

This was our first time trying Sanaa and I loved it! We also tried T-Rex for the first time and my boys loved it.

Not if I steal him first Muahahahahaaaa... 

No really my H keeps saying " savesthedays internet boyfriend Josh said blah blah blah " 

[ECB]

May 13, 2014 12:32:46 GMT -5 SJ said:

What a great review!

But this thread is super overwhelming/stressful to me (and I don't know what any acronyms are). I had NO IDEA it was so complicated to plan & execute trips to WDW. You can't just show up anymore? Or maybe when we go I can just pay someone to deal with all of this stuff for us?

You kind of can just "show up".  I was stressed too.  I would do SOME research, though.  see what rides are at what parks, what do yo uthink you'll be interested in doing?  Of anything, I wanted to plan our Fastpass use as best I could.

But really- we stayed off-site and ate only 2 formal meals (one being a character breakfast) onsite and then 1 casual meals.  That was it. 

As this was my first time- I did find it overwhelming, but even after the first day, I felt like I had a MUCH better grasp of the parks and how everything works. 

You CAN do some of it on the fly if you want.  You really can.  It just depends on how much of the "experience" you want.

If you're going to stay onsite and do the meal plan, though, you will want ot reserve some of that far in advance.  The restaurants do book up.  But this is part of the reason why I'm glad we didn't.  I really didin't want to tie us to certain parks on certain days.  I wanted to be able to nbe flexible.

[ECB]

May 13, 2014 12:37:45 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

 but wasn't willing to split up. Also my FIL can be a jackass and throws temper tantrums, so they were a fun combo.                                             

This was the ONE saving grace we had.  WE had to prompt it, but once we did - FIL "got it" that we couldn't all stay together the ENTIRE time. 

As frustrated as I was, I cna't even begin to imagine my reaction if my ILs had refused to split up!!  Hell.

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 12:32:46 GMT -5 SJ said:

What a great review!

But this thread is super overwhelming/stressful to me (and I don't know what any acronyms are). I had NO IDEA it was so complicated to plan & execute trips to WDW. You can't just show up anymore? Or maybe when we go I can just pay someone to deal with all of this stuff for us?

You can just show up and have a great trip BUT... you might miss out on some really fun stuff that you could have done if you preplanned ( like character meals, less waiting for rides ect ect.) 

I am not a travel agent so I can't book for you but if you want to shoot me a PM with your travel info ( dates, hotel etc ) and preferences, I can help you make a plan and help you find reservations for restaurants etc. I won't charge you anything because I am a dork and love this. 


First step go to disney website and register for mydisneyexperience. 

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 12:43:43 GMT -5 ECB said:

May 13, 2014 12:37:45 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

 but wasn't willing to split up. Also my FIL can be a jackass and throws temper tantrums, so they were a fun combo.                                             

This was the ONE saving grace we had.  WE had to prompt it, but once we did - FIL "got it" that we couldn't all stay together the ENTIRE time. 

As frustrated as I was, I cna't even begin to imagine my reaction if my ILs had refused to split up!!  Hell.

I have a tendency to steam roll ahead so when I was " taking off" I got asked to slow down a lot. When it was time to hold spots for parades and fireworks they had no problem with me splitting off. LOL! 

[dulcemariamar]

What does OKW stand for?

[Brie]

May 13, 2014 12:32:46 GMT -5 SJ said:

What a great review!

But this thread is super overwhelming/stressful to me (and I don't know what any acronyms are). I had NO IDEA it was so complicated to plan & execute trips to WDW. You can't just show up anymore? Or maybe when we go I can just pay someone to deal with all of this stuff for us?

It doesn't have to be complicated.  You can just reserve a hotel, flights, and show up and buy tickets there.  I've done that many times before.

Mostly I'm excited and like planning.

I am using a Disney-specific travel agent (you pay no fee, commission is from the hotels) and he's fantastic.  I basically told him that we want to go sometime in November, for about 5 nights, no more than $X per night, get us a deal.  And he did.  He will also book dining reservations for us and anything else, with as much or as little guidance as you want.  You could email him and be like, "we'd like to book a character breakfast at some point that our toddler will enjoy, no more than $50 per person, and we like to eat adventurous foods, so pick a few restaurants for us" and he would.

[ECB]

May 13, 2014 12:48:21 GMT -5 Brie said:

I am using a Disney-specific travel agent (you pay no fee, commission is from the hotels) and he's fantastic.  I basically told him that we want to go sometime in November, for about 5 nights, no more than $X per night, get us a deal.  And he did.  He will also book dining reservations for us and anything else, with as much or as little guidance as you want.  You could email him and be like, "we'd like to book a character breakfast at some point that our toddler will enjoy, no more than $50 per person, and we like to eat adventurous foods, so pick a few restaurants for us" and he would.

Good to know. 

[countthestars]

May 13, 2014 12:47:24 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

What does OKW stand for?

Old Key West - it's one of the Disney resorts

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 12:43:43 GMT -5 ECB said:

May 13, 2014 12:37:45 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

 but wasn't willing to split up. Also my FIL can be a jackass and throws temper tantrums, so they were a fun combo.                                             

This was the ONE saving grace we had.  WE had to prompt it, but once we did - FIL "got it" that we couldn't all stay together the ENTIRE time. 

As frustrated as I was, I cna't even begin to imagine my reaction if my ILs had refused to split up!!  Hell.

Thinking back on it almost all of our fails on this trip were related to mobility or lack there off. For example I saw the wait time was really low for the characters at 6pm at Epcot, but MIL and FIL couldn't get there and back to WS in time for fireworks ( or at all) so DS had to miss that.... or at AK I had planned to do the trails after lunch before the parade ( hoping if we kept walking DS would sleep in his stroller. Instead we ended up driving to DTD so inlaws could sit in AC because they couldn't walk the trails and that's when DS lost it.