Back From Disney!

[Juniper]

Despite my misgivings about going to Disney World during spring break, we did it anyway. A very nice travel agent at AAA set us up with a package deal including a meal plan and airfare. It was very expensive, but wow, what a vacation!

I am not a "theme park person," so to speak. This is not what I personally would choose for my ideal vacation. My ideal vacation would involve a beach, lake or river and a much slower pace, much less crowds, and probably less expense too. But you know, kids tend to like this kind of thing. And they're not getting any younger. We figured that 10 and 13 were just about the ideal age to do this and we were right!

People have been telling me for a long time how wonderful Disney was, and I sort of believed them, but I figured they weren't like me, you know? I anticipated misery. I hate waiting in line and I hate crowds. It wasn't so bad, though. YES, it was really crowded. Unbearably so, a few particular times -- like, anytime around a parade or a big show. The wait times for rides was unreal - 3 hours for some! And you know how they've got these "Fast Pass" things? You put your ticket in and get a fast pass, so later you can just cruise through a special lane and get on the ride? We were only able to do that twice the whole time because they kept closing it down and not giving out anymore. You'd get there by 10 a.m. and get a fast pass for 8 p.m.! And after that, no more, too late, just wait in line with all the other dummies. BUT they do give you a lot to look at in those long lines; for a lot of rides the entertainment starts in the queue, and the lines (usually) do move fast.

We loved the rides, we loved the beautiful scenery, we loved the animal safari, we loved the hype and atmosphere, we loved the service which was absolutely exceptional everywhere we went.

Best of all was the FOOD! Oh my goodness, the food! We had the dining plan so we didn't have to worry about how much dinner cost. You do have to make reservations for sit-down meals, but the restaurants are awesome. We had a family-style all-you-can-eat the first night; it was plain food but very kid friendly: turkey, roast beef, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese and apple cobbler with ice cream for dessert. Second day we couldn't get dinner reservations so we had a big lunch instead at the Tusker House, African themed buffet. Yummy roast/carved meats and many unusual dishes to choose from, plus kid foods for the little ones (the usual nuggets, corn dogs, mac & cheese, etc). I love, love, love buffets. Third day we had dinner at the Biergarten, a German-themed buffet, and by far our favorite. Last night it was an American buffet, an art-deco themed diner, yum yum. I thought for sure I'd gain a bunch of weight from all the great food but apparently walking around all day kept it down.

I can't say enough about the service. Lines and crowds were miserably long, but the staff really does a great job of handling the huge amounts of people and they are without exception super, super nice! And also neat is that they're from all over the world. So you usually get real, authentic German folks, for example, at the German places in Epcot, real Canadians at the Canada exhibit, etc. and various ethnic folks throughout the place. The guy who sold us souvenirs at the Tower of Terror was from Macedonia. It says so on their name tags. And of course it's an international crowd of guests too, so you might be in line behind a family speaking French. That's something you don't experience every day, unless I guess you live in a big city.

We stayed at Pop Century, which is also a very cool place, one of the value resorts with teensy rooms but who cares, you won't be in the room very long anyway. The grounds has things like a giant Big Wheel, huge bowling pins, yo-yos, a giant foosball court, a giant lit-up rubik's cube. And the lobby is decorated with shadow boxes filled with retro items. "Wow," I exclaimed, "that's my first computer, the apple IIe! And I had that calculator! And I had one of those, and...wow, remember those?" LOL! Very neat.

This trip was also the first time I'd traveled on an airplane. I was really nervous but it turned out all right, and how very cool to look down on the clouds! We got to watch the sun rise on our way to Florida and set on our way back!

I also really enjoyed missing out on freezing temperatures in Ohio, and in a matter of hours, being in a lush tropical paradise. It was a little chilly by Florida standards - Wed. we had to wear jackets, but it sure beats snow.

The kids want to do this every spring break. I want to go back too, but maybe not during spring break!

Glad to be home though! I'm TIRED!

[Shawnee123]

OH fun! I'm not a Disney person, but I loved DW when my friend and I went down there for spring break one year (actually went to visit my roommate from the previous year who had transferred to Embry Riddle.) I DO love rollercoasters and rides.

I would love to go again someday, and go to Epcot and Universal as well.

Glad you had a great time! But yeah, it's always good to get back home, eh? Even if home is Ohio.

[wolf]

I am going in August with friends, one of whom goes with her family EVERY SINGLE STINKING YEAR.

I can't imagine that there is enough to do, or enough new to do to go every year.

I will need advice on which park passes to purchase.

The only things I need to pay for are transport, park passes, and food.

If I want to ride down in a van with the friend and kids and spend several days in Daytona Beach at the front end, I don't have to pay for transportation. I doubt that I will choose this option.

[Juniper]

God, no. Get on a plane!

What do you enjoy? Rides, shows, animals, movies, water parks, etc.?

If I were going down in August by myself, I'd do the water parks (didn't do that this year, not warm enough) and Epcot, and if I hadn't already seen them, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom in that order of preference. I'm not real interested in movies. Also I highly suggest getting the dining plan. It's no fun to worry about how much things cost; on vacation I just like to pig out!

Or maybe, if it were me, I'd just say to hell with it and go to the beach.

[Alluvial]

The one time I went, we rode on the same plane as Shaquille O'Neal. That was kinda kewl. That must have been when he played for Orlando.

Disney World is fascinating in many ways. It's the kind of thing you should do at least once in your life.

[BrianR]

If things don't change, I will be in Orlando in two weeks or so to give my rookie a break at home. I may take a day trip to Epcot.

[Cloud]

I agree.de is an amazing place. The good vibes are so strong there. Everyone is just there to have fun!

[sugarpop]

Good Lord. August in Florida will be such a joy. (not!) I haven't been to Disney WORLD in a very long time, but when I lived in California, we used to hit DisneyLAND every once in a while. Since we were local we got discounts. We never, ever went during the "on" season. Too many damn people. I celebrated my 40th birthday at Disneyland with a few choice friends. It was absolutely great!