[SilentRascal]

Today’s the day we’ve started our return trip from WDW. Our stay for the week in the Boardwalk Villas went well, considering how far we were from my favorite of the 4 parks, the Magic Kingdom. The entire Boardwalk area was beautiful; however, I wouldn’t go out of my way to stay there again. My wife and I prefer to stay in a resort o the monorail line, since we like to begin each day with a round of Buzz Lightyear and a few trips on Space Mountain. This time, though, we had 6 other people with us, and all of us were on the dining plan (free from the special deal we found at booking) which meant for the most part we were all together every day. We were in a two-bedroom villa overlooking the Boardwalk Inn pool, which was fine with us since it was better than opening the balcony and looking at a parking lot. We took the boat to Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot several times (although we also found it easier at times just to walk to Epcot. For my wife and I, the only new thing we experienced was Expedition Everest…..and my personal ranking for it among the WDW coasters puts it higher than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but below Space Mountain and Rock n’ Roller Coaster. I loved the main hill because when I looked out to the left, I could see over to the Swan and Dolphin, and could also make out Spaceship Earth. If I turned and looked backwards, I could even see Space Mountain way out over at Magic Kingdom. Actually, there was one other new thing we experienced, the re-done version of Pirates of the Caribbean. I enjoyed the visual of Davey Jones and the 3 different Jack Sparrow animatronics, but was expecting a more reworked version of the whole ride. I was let down by what relatively little was actually changed. On this trip, we took advantage of the free dining plan that was thrown in when we booked the trip, but we did end up leaving the trip with over 20 counter service meals left, 2 table service meals, and 1 snack. We ate in Canada, Italy, China, Mexico, and also at the ESPN Club and at the Crystal Palace. All decent enough meals in their own ways. The only day we hopped to all four parks was the very last day as it was the main one to include some souvenir or gift shopping. Otherwise, we usually did 2 or 3 in a day. I still love Soarin, and enjoyed Mission: Space and Test Track a lot more this time around. My wife had yet another hard time on this trip (healthwise), as she seems to have gotten a little sunstroke or heat stroke, and her one foot really bothered her with blisters from all the walking. The lines this past week were very reasonable. We managed to hit Tower of Terror at least 6-7 times in a row with absolute minimal wait each time on two different days. The lines for RnRC were a tad longer. We did Pirates twice, did BTMRR 3-4 times, EE about 5-6 times in total, and probably did Tower of Terror about 15-20 times. We did Haunted Mansion twice, and I didn’t get to go on Splash Mountain at all, but we did the usuals like Peter Pan, Snow White, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. The others seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of It’s Tough to Be a Bug, and my brother-in-law seemed to enjoy Animal Kingdom the most.

One of the things I really enjoy doing on these trips is just sitting or standing and doing some people-watching. On several occasions I just watched as a number of people in their 80s or higher were roaming around on their handicapped scooters, and in some places I saw some people on their scooters that had to be about 500-600 lbs. It really makes me wonder how much enjoyment some of these ones can really have in the parks. If you’re crippled and elderly, what exactly can they find enjoyable? Or if you’re so physically unable to get on any rides or really get much mobility in the parks, what exactly do they get out of it? It makes me feel bad for them.

Another thing this trip helped me with is that it further solidified my knowledge that my wife and I made the right choice in not having any children. To watch as family after family strolled by with their huge two-seater strollers, lugging around all kinds of bags of baby supplies and then having their older (but still young) children constantly whining and pulling on them……I could think of no worse fate to have. I’d rather be dead, to be honest. And then I think of all of their expenses, and how much time it probably takes them each day just to get their kids ready……no way in this world would I want to be subjected to that and I know my wife agrees with me. Then there were the parents that allowed their children to run wild down the hallways of the resort, screaming their heads off at 8:00 or so while people are still trying to sleep, or the parents that were constantly giving in to their screaming brats’ (and in this case I feel justified in using the term ‘brat’) demands for every toy or piece of candy they come across in the stores.

Also, I noticed that the celebration decorations on Cinderella Castle were either removed or in the process of being removed while we were there. It was late in the week before the final main piece, the magic mirror showing all of the other Disney parks, was removed from the front of the Castle. But you’d have thought they’d do that work after the park was closed. On numerous times during the week, the crane behind the Castle was clearly visible, well into the later hours of the afternoon. We found it strange that WDW has a new policy in place with the refillable resort mugs, that they have to give you your drink in a regular drink cup instead of actually filling your mug. Also, there was no place at the Boardwalk where you could fill the mug yourself, you had to go somewhere and have it done for you, in the manner I just described.

Something else to add, I believe I had read on these boards somewhere that they had finally removed Stitch from the monorail spiel. I can firmly state that such a statement is untrue. On my last trip to the MK, just this past Friday, Stitch welcomed us "Stitch Kingdom" once more when we arrived at the station. Too bad. Also, I saw absolutely NO signs that any kind of gift shop addition was being added to the end of the Haunted Mansion ride. There wasn't anything there other than the little vendor cart with HM-related goods.

On this trip, both Space Mountain and Expedition Everest were down briefly. We managed to get on them again the next day. Right as we were turned away from SM, we got onto the TTA and were treated to a rare view of the inside of SM with the lights completely on. It was a pretty cool sight to see. Also, I noted some work that needed to be done to the inside of SM. When we were heading up the opening hill, as I looked up at the "earth" on the ceiling, I couldn't help but notice plenty of missing tiles both on the earth and on the area around it. I hope that gets fixed.

[MissDisney]

Wow... whew! Hope you enjoyed some of your trip, even though there were so many drawbacks for you!

[WDW Rules]

Wow!! I can honestly say I have never read such a negative trip report. Sounds like you need a new vacation destination, one that doesn't cater to children.

[alicefan]

.....maybe you should try to vacation someplace where you won't be subjected to having to look at the elderly, obese people or children since it's such a downer for you......I'm glad you did have fun enjoying the rides and short lines if nothing else.

[susieq76]

"Another thing this trip helped me with is that it further solidified my knowledge that my wife and I made the right choice in not having any children. To watch as family after family strolled by with their huge two-seater strollers, lugging around all kinds of bags of baby supplies and then having their older (but still young) children constantly whining and pulling on them……I could think of no worse fate to have. I’d rather be dead, to be honest. And then I think of all of their expenses, and how much time it probably takes them each day just to get their kids ready……no way in this world would I want to be subjected to that and I know my wife agrees with me. Then there were the parents that allowed their children to run wild down the hallways of the resort, screaming their heads off at 8:00 or so while people are still trying to sleep, or the parents that were constantly giving in to their screaming brats’ (and in this case I feel justified in using the term ‘brat’) demands for every toy or piece of candy they come across in the stores. "

Oh my God! What is wrong with you? It sure is a good thing you didn't have children.

[lopo]

Folks, while I may empathize with your reaction, for instance,

Oh my God! What is wrong with you? It sure is a good thing you didn't have children.

, perhaps it is best not to "flame" our fellow DVCers. All of us have a right to express ourselves, right?

Actually, when I read SilentRascal's TR, the African proverb "It takes a village . . . " kept repeating in my mind. Although I truly believe it, I know that not everyone does.

Just my two cents.

[KingOMiami]

Sorry that there were so many drawbacks for your vacation. But it sure sounds like you had alot of fun with the rides. I don't think I have been there where I could go on a ride multiple times in a row especially during the day, so that is cool y'all could have fun with those.

[MissDisney]

Originally Posted by lopo

Folks, while I may empathize with your reaction, for instance, , perhaps it is best not to "flame" our fellow DVCers. All of us have a right to express ourselves, right?

Actually, when I read SilentRascal's TR, the African proverb "It takes a village . . . " kept repeating in my mind. Although I truly believe it, I know that not everyone does.

Just my two cents.

I understand what you are saying , but I also see that this sort of negative TR on a pro-Disney board is bound to have others reply by exercising their right to express themselves, and it is not always going to be pretty.

It's just how things tend to be on this site: when a negative TR is combined with criticism of guests, it is bound to be met with "concerned" feedback.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by SilentRascal

Today’s the day we’ve started our return trip from WDW.. On this trip, we took advantage of the free dining plan that was thrown in when we booked the trip, but we did end up leaving the trip with over 20 counter service meals left, 2 table service meals, and 1 snack.. All decent enough meals in their own ways...

So, um, did you eat any of that yummy bread pudding at Ohanas?????

[DisneyTeacher]

Thank you for you very honest trip report, SR. It sounds like you got to go on attractions a lot more than we do because of the low crowds, good for you.


Remember, flaming another member is not allowed on MouseBuzz, everyone has a right to their opinion and we need to respect that. Sometimes it's better to just back out of a thread and go on to another one if you have nothing nice to add.

[SilentRascal]

Originally Posted by alicefan

.....maybe you should try to vacation someplace where you won't be subjected to having to look at the elderly, obese people or children since it's such a downer for you......I'm glad you did have fun enjoying the rides and short lines if nothing else.

I suggest you re-read the report, because your comments were totally unnecessary. I never said anything about not wanting to look at the elderly or obese people, in fact I said I felt bad for them. I was merely musing about what kind of enjoyment such ones can get out of Disney World in the state some of them are in. I didn't say they shouldn't go, nor did I say anything derogatory about them. Let's read a little more carefully in the future, shall we?

[SilentRascal]

Originally Posted by Experiment6-2-6

So, um, did you eat any of that yummy bread pudding at Ohanas?????

Actually, I gladly passed on that nasty sludge they call "bread pudding" at O'Hana.....but enjoyed the rest of the meal.

[SilentRascal]

Originally Posted by susieq76

Oh my God! What is wrong with you? It sure is a good thing you didn't have children.

Not a thing, thank goodness. As I said, my experience being around all of those other families and looking at their situations did nothing but confirm the rightness of my wife and I's decision to not have children.

[Dopey]

Now, now everyone, don't get so mad. We are all entitled to our opinions. Not everyone enjoys screaming kids. And it is a lot of work to have little ones, you all know that. Maybe he could have put it in different terms - I didn't take it as criticism

I thought that I didn't want children for the exact same reasons as you just described, but suddenly at 38 I had no choice in the matter anymore. You should try it, it's scary at first but it is the best time you've ever imagined. Really.

[Dana]

SR and fellow MBers....this is a trip report and someone's opinion. It's not the TR we usually read, but a little more honest and such. I think you should all maybe read it a bit more carefully to get the full meaning....no flame bait on here as Stephanie said. I will shut this down in a new york minute.