Walt Disney World

[Brianfo]

My wife and I will be taking 2 small children to Walt Disney World in Florida in 2 weeks. I get to go as a bonus thru my work. We are staying at the Hilton. My question is what is the weather like down there in January? Any good ideas on what to see and do with twins that are 2 years old? I am kind of looking forward to it. A chance to get out of Iowa in January. Oh well, enought blabbing. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

[-King-]

I went to Disney world about 2 years ago and was so underwhelmed. Other than 1 show and the parade, almost everything else was a let down to me. The parks needs a renovation in the worst way. Everything looks like how it probably looked in the 70s.

[007]

Originally Posted by -King-

I went to Disney world about 2 years ago and was so underwhelmed. Other than 1 show and the parade, almost everything else was a let down to me. The parks needs a renovation in the worst way. Everything looks like how it probably looked in the 70s.

Epcot is going to be getting a major renovation over the next couple years. Tomorrowland in magic kingdom is getting expanded and updated.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by 007

Epcot is going to be getting a major renovation over the next couple years. Tomorrowland in magic kingdom is getting expanded and updated.

You'd think that Tomorrowland would require renovations every day.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by scho63

I can MAYBE understand visiting Disney 7-8 times over 20 years as they make new attractions but WTF visiting 50x's?

This country and the World is a big wonderful place, go somewhere else for a change.

It might be a mind opening experience......

I've been to 36 countries and about the same number of states and only visited a few multiple times.

Too much to see in the World to keep going back to the same place over and over and over again. I've never gotten that

I chuckle when I see a post like this.....and you are not the first. I grew up in KC (Mosby MO) to be exact and not much around the Midwest I haven't seen.

But beyond that.....

I have visited every state in the US save for Maine, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii. Seen the Grand Canyon, LA, San Fran, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, Cheyenne, Mount Rushmore, Red Wing MN, Washington DC, NY City, Philadelphia, Gatlinburg, Rutland VT, Boston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Amelia Island, etc....etc....you get my point. I have traveled all over the US and to Australia overseas...spent 6 months in Spain as a Foreign Exchange student when I was younger. Saw a lot of Europe with my exchange family.

Don't always make the assumption that just because someone has a favorite place that they don't expand horizons.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by -King-

I went to Disney world about 2 years ago and was so underwhelmed. Other than 1 show and the parade, almost everything else was a let down to me. The parks needs a renovation in the worst way. Everything looks like how it probably looked in the 70s.

Not really......they have done many changes if you haven't been in 2 years

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Just got back from a 5 day trip to WDW.....was at Disney Studios the day that Rise of The Resistance was debuted (not the soft opening). Didn't get to ride it, but no big deal for me since we are Annual Passholders and will probably go again soon when the crowds are a little more sparse.

But I will say this.....I have gone to WDW a little over 50 times since my first visit in 1987 and this is the first time I have come back from a trip a little wanting. There were opportunities for the Cast Members to exhibit that "Disney Magic" that has always been the nice component of a trip to DisneyWorld that were missed. I'm not talking freebies or comps, more of the opportunity to provide a nice experience.

This was supposed to be a special trip for myself and my family....my daughter and her hubby of one year came home for Thanksgiving and to go with us to WDW. In addition, my wife and I were celebrating our 35th anniversary, something she let Disney know when we made the reservations in April, along with every subsequent phone call to see if there were cancellations that would allow us to move to a different resort or a better room.

Without going too deep....none of the calls she made to the reservations line were pleasant or accommodating, (unless of course we would like to choose a larger room which they were happy to handle for the normal change in price).

When we got to the resort and were at the check-in line we asked for something available closest to the front so that the trek to the bus stop wasn't worse than walking around the park. What did we get....a room (non-refurbished) at the furthest point from the front of the resort!!

And while everyone else around us was being asked as they checked-in if there was a special occasion (first visit, birthday, ANNIVERSARY, or other special event) our illustrious Cast Member seemed more intent on just finishing our booking and sending us on our way. (Yes, I know I should have spoken up....but I have yet to visit Disney where a Cast Member didn't make that part of their "welcome" speech)

As always there were Cast Members who were exactly what you expect at Disney....courteous, considerate, helpful....and I will send a note to #CastCompliment to acknowledge it.

But honestly...this trip left a little to be desired.

Sounds like poor planning on your part..?

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Sounds like poor planning on your part..?

Nice try.....this sounds like an answer I would get from the crazies over at the Facebook Disney Junkies group.

To this point most of your posts about Disney have been pretty sane and reasonable. But I am not a newbie when it comes to planning for Disney....up to this point all my visits (yes, all 50 of them) I have come away very happy, pleased with the Disney Magic.

This time I wasn't...that doesn't make make me a poor planner, just someone who didn't receive the best of service this time.

When we made our reservations in April....during our last stay, we weren't told that they would be refurbishing the front 3 buildings at that time. Had we been told, we might have chosen a resort a step up.

I am an Annual Passholder and won't stop going....we enjoy staying on property. Just disappointed in the service this time.

[Spott]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Nice try.....this sounds like an answer I would get from the crazies over at the Facebook Disney Junkies group.

To this point most of your posts about Disney have been pretty sane and reasonable. But I am not a newbie when it comes to planning for Disney....up to this point all my visits (yes, all 50 of them) I have come away very happy, pleased with the Disney Magic.

This time I wasn't...that doesn't make make me a poor planner, just someone who didn't receive the best of service this time.

When we made our reservations in April....during our last stay, we weren't told that they would be refurbishing the front 3 buildings at that time. Had we been told, we might have chosen a resort a step up.

I am an Annual Passholder and won't stop going....we enjoy staying on property. Just disappointed in the service this time.

Have you been to the Disney Land in France? I went this past summer and the rides are much better and the park isn’t nearly as crowded. There isn’t as much theming there, but the rides were pretty intense for a Disney park.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Spott

Have you been to the Disney Land in France? I went this past summer and the rides are much better and the park isn’t nearly as crowded. There isn’t as much theming there, but the rides were pretty intense for a Disney park.

The wife and I have talked about going to an overseas trip that would include a stop at a Disney owned property. Our stumbling block at this point is we have 28 y/o son with Asperger's who doesn't travel well on a plane. And unfortunately no one who we trust to be able to take care of him while we travel.

[Spott]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

The wife and I have talked about going to an overseas trip that would include a stop at a Disney owned property. Our stumbling block at this point is we have 28 y/o son with Asperger's who doesn't travel well on a plane. And unfortunately no one who we trust to be able to take care of him while we travel.

That would make it difficult. I think it was about an 8 hour flight to London and then another couple of hours on the train to France, so that’s a long time to be confined in a small space with a lot of people. We only went there for a couple of days and were in Paris for the other couple of days. After being in Paris, going to Disney felt like being at the US embassy. It was the only place where the French people were actually nice.

[mr. tegu]

It sounds like you may have had some higher than normal expectations for this trip, especially given the frequency with which you go, with this one being a bit more special for you compared to most. It is nice when they surprise you with perks and benefits but part of what makes them special is that you aren’t typically expecting them. But because this was a more unique and special trip I can see you hoping for something to help make it standout from the others long after leaving the park.

Things like a cast member here and there not being on top of their game happens as you know (though not frequently) but that being part of any feeling of wanting more seems really nit picky. I get that you hoped for more such as the room upgrade but expecting it is different and the not getting it factoring into a somewhat negative experience seems a bit unfair.

[MVChiefFan]

I was a Disney World cast member, an awesome one at that. I received many awards and trained new cast members. One day I found out my grandma had cancer AND I was trying to pass a kidney stone all day long. I didn’t act very “Disney” that day and a guest called me a prick and said I need to be more magical. My point is, you never know what people are going through, and sometimes it’s difficult to be on every day all day.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

It sounds like you may have had some higher than normal expectations for this trip, especially given the frequency with which you go, with this one being a bit more special for you compared to most. It is nice when they surprise you with perks and benefits but part of what makes them special is that you aren’t typically expecting them. But because this was a more unique and special trip I can see you hoping for something to help make it standout from the others long after leaving the park.

Things like a cast member here and there not being on top of their game happens as you know (though not frequently) but that being part of any feeling of wanting more seems really nit picky. I get that you hoped for more such as the room upgrade but expecting it is different and the not getting it factoring into a somewhat negative experience seems a bit unfair.

I get what you are trying to say...so evidently I am not expressing myself well enough.

What I am saying is that all my experiences with Disney have been with a touch of magic, so I know what to expect as normal. This time it didn't have that same touch of magic)

I didn't expect them to give us a room upgrade (to a suite or larger room) I just didn't expect to be put at the furthest point from the main building in one of the oldest rooms in the place.

And for clarification I just alluded to the Front Desk Cast Member in particular as an illustration. There were other issues that we ran into with other Cast Members I didn't elaborate on because it would take too long. (The Disney reservations group comes to mind)

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by MVChiefFan

I was a Disney World cast member, an awesome one at that. I received many awards and trained new cast members. One day I found out my grandma had cancer AND I was trying to pass a kidney stone all day long. I didn’t act very “Disney” that day and a guest called me a prick and said I need to be more magical. My point is, you never know what people are going through, and sometimes it’s difficult to be on every day all day.

This I understand....and I can tell at no point would I ever call a working Cast Member a "prick".

But having attended several seminars that were given by Disney associates it is weird that they made you work on a day you might not be your best due to family issues.

[MVChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

This I understand....and I can tell at no point would I ever call a working Cast Member a "prick".

But having attended several seminars that were given by Disney associates it is weird that they made you work on a day you might not be your best due to family issues.

I didn’t tell anyone. I needed the money, so I worked. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have. All in all, it was an awesome experience. I eventually moved on because the hours sucked and the pay was worse, so I had to adult. Lol