txbuckeye71
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2018
7 days. Stayed off site, rented a house in Reunion.
Probably my 15ish trip in my lifetime, I'm 50. Traveled with wife, three kids (31,24,23), 2 Sons-in-Laws, and 2 grandsons (4,2)
Major Takeaways-
The crowds were manageable but were large. Temps were ridiculous. Mid 80's every day. Made for a miserable few hours each afternoon.
Christmas Party was money well spent, had a great time. Lots of fun.
Have stayed on and off site many times and I'm realizing that when we return in3-4 years we will stay on-site. In order to take advantage of early morning and other perks, you need to stay on site and most likely at a Deluxe resort.
Genie + and LL was easy to use, we purchased it most days.
A few Magic "extras" - free preferred parking 2 days, and numerous free ice creams and drinks.
4 new attractions for us, Ratatouille, Mickey/Minnie, ROTR, and Smugglers - enjoyed all of them immensely.
The Magic is still there, I will say though, that nostalgia is a powerful drug, nothing is like it was in the past. WDW was always expensive, but I never felt like it was a money grab, and actually felt there was value for what we got in return. I often tell people, my kids have been to WDW more than 6 flags and 6 Flags is 45 minutes away in Arlington. (Live in Dallas) I was always turned off Universal, because it always felt that way (money grab)to me. It seems Disney is constantly taking away or charging for items that were included with the price of admission. I do feel now like its a bit of a money grab. Priority #1 is the shareholder and sadly not the paying customer or the cast members. It is what it is.
I don't care for the matching shirt nonsense. My opinion, though unpopular, you are NOT part of the show, its everywhere and I just don't care for them. To each his own.
Lastly, a rant. The Electric Vehicles are out of control. Its absurd. They are rented, in many instances, just so people don't want to walk. They take up a lot of room, they slow down attraction loading. We have a health problem in this country, the crowds at WDW are a microcosm of the country as a whole. We MUST right this ship and participate in our own healthcare.
Oh, and Splash Mountain is still the best attraction at WDW and I am also excited for the retheming to Princess and the Frog. Can't wait.
Probably my 15ish trip in my lifetime, I'm 50. Traveled with wife, three kids (31,24,23), 2 Sons-in-Laws, and 2 grandsons (4,2)
Major Takeaways-
The crowds were manageable but were large. Temps were ridiculous. Mid 80's every day. Made for a miserable few hours each afternoon.
Christmas Party was money well spent, had a great time. Lots of fun.
Have stayed on and off site many times and I'm realizing that when we return in3-4 years we will stay on-site. In order to take advantage of early morning and other perks, you need to stay on site and most likely at a Deluxe resort.
Genie + and LL was easy to use, we purchased it most days.
A few Magic "extras" - free preferred parking 2 days, and numerous free ice creams and drinks.
4 new attractions for us, Ratatouille, Mickey/Minnie, ROTR, and Smugglers - enjoyed all of them immensely.
The Magic is still there, I will say though, that nostalgia is a powerful drug, nothing is like it was in the past. WDW was always expensive, but I never felt like it was a money grab, and actually felt there was value for what we got in return. I often tell people, my kids have been to WDW more than 6 flags and 6 Flags is 45 minutes away in Arlington. (Live in Dallas) I was always turned off Universal, because it always felt that way (money grab)to me. It seems Disney is constantly taking away or charging for items that were included with the price of admission. I do feel now like its a bit of a money grab. Priority #1 is the shareholder and sadly not the paying customer or the cast members. It is what it is.
I don't care for the matching shirt nonsense. My opinion, though unpopular, you are NOT part of the show, its everywhere and I just don't care for them. To each his own.
Lastly, a rant. The Electric Vehicles are out of control. Its absurd. They are rented, in many instances, just so people don't want to walk. They take up a lot of room, they slow down attraction loading. We have a health problem in this country, the crowds at WDW are a microcosm of the country as a whole. We MUST right this ship and participate in our own healthcare.
Oh, and Splash Mountain is still the best attraction at WDW and I am also excited for the retheming to Princess and the Frog. Can't wait.
Last edited: