Just returned from a Dec 5th - 10th stay at WDW. First, let me preface by saying We had a great time and weather during our stay at the AKL. Also, I am not against change, but sometimes things just shouldn't. The arguement is to keep things fresh, but those beloved 10 year old attractions are , new to alot of people.
- why do they always preface an announcement with " a hugely popular attraction" or "a beloved attraction" or "a guess favorite", followed by its being closed or rethemed. I would think it is popular, because people want to see it just the way it is.
- It just didn't feel like a 50th anniversary celebration. Sure, "50" was plastered on everything and there were some 50th decorations. But it was like going to someone's 50th birthday, all dressed up, but with no cake or presents. I expected a little bit more, like the "year of a million dreams" celebration.
- All the castmembers were great, as usual. Nice, cheerful, playful, and always willing to help.
- Glad to see the DVC lounge still open. Very simple and basic offerings, but in leu of all the other perks being discontinued, its nice to have.
-It was crowded, expected it to be less so. I don't know what the park capacities are now, but it seemed like it was at 100%. The standby ques were long, but the actual wait times were usually 15-20 minutes less than the time on Genie and the entrance board.
-We did not use Genie plus or individual attraction tickets. With the 30 minutes early entry for resort guests and the 2 hour extended hours for deluxe resort guests, we rode everything, some multiple times. The standby lanes were sometimes long, but moved quickly.
-I hope the castle icicle lights come back next year.
-The "Guest Experience" stations scattered around the parks was a great idea. Better than having to go all the way back to Guest relations at the front of the park. Hope it continues.
-After riding Mickey and Minnie's runaway rail train for the first time, I looked at my friends and said "They replaced the Great movie ride with this?" A big(but not the biggest) disappointment.
- I really, really tried to like Harmonious, but just came away disappointed. To me, it was just a mishmash of random swirling lights and spraying water. The random raising of the curved arms did nothing to add to the performance. Maybe it was the viewing angle as we watched from near the Mexican restaurant. Not to mention the eyesore during the day. Give me a 20 year old illuminations any day, every day. Everything now a days seems to be projection mapping, lasers, or abstract video graphics.
-I discovered a Coke beverage worse tasting than Beverly. That would be the sour plum drink from China. I can at least choke down Beverly in small sips.
- I was overjoyed to see that "Feathered friends in Flight" went back to the old Flights of wonder type show. The interim years shows with the up characters where just plain bad despite the animals. Finnaly, they listened to the guests.
- I am glad I got to ride the current versions of Spaceship earth and splash mountain one last time before their refurbishment/retheming. Given the recent track record, hate to see what will happen to them now.
- they need to add a landing scene to the end of soarin.
-Other than the outside loop, test track is nothing more than black painted wood cutouts with florescent coloring. Another example of reimagining of a ride gone wrong.
- Watched the Candlelight processional with the dining package. I thought Alton Fitzgerald White did an awesome job as did all the performers. A few days latter, saw parts of the show with Bart Millard, from standing in the back and thought he was flat/monotone in his reading. Wish we could be there for Courtney B. Vance. I bet he'll be great.
- We will probably go back in 2-3 years, Jan/Feb, once all the delayed attractions are completed, parades and night time shows come back light Fantasmic, and Behind the scene tours come back. Essentially when things get back to normal, normal.
Until then, hoping fore the best
