Originally Posted By danyoung Well, it's been almost a month since my last visit to the World. I'm right in the middle of my busy season, and just haven't had the time to post about it. So here, better late than never, are my thoughts (not really a trip report!). My visit was from April 4th through the 9th, during what I thought was going to be a quiet week. Not at all - the parks were pretty much slammed. Not quite as bad as top prime season, but still more than I'm used to seeing. But being an experienced park stormer, I was able to cope (hit the parks at opening, leave around noon-ish for my hotel, back again late afternoon, judicious use of Fastpass, etc.). The only regular attractions I didn't get to were Pirates and the Jungle Cruise, as the lines were over 30 minutes long (I'll get 'em next time). Speaking of the MK, this was my 2nd time on the Laugh Floor, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Perhaps it's a factor of who's on duty, but there were some funny guys running the live interactive characters. And the crowd was very into it all. Still, I don't think this show has a place in Tomorrowland. And I still miss the Transportarium and the Timekeeper, one of my favorite attractions. On the dining front, while I ate well I wasn't as impressed with the food as I've been in the past. I did want to try Tutto Italia, as it would probably be my only chance to dine there before they changed formats again. I had a tasty meal of pasta e fagioli soup (rice-sized pasta with beans) and a veal tortelloni, but it wasn't earth shattering. Great service, though, and a great window seat to watch the folks scurrying around through the downpour outside. Digression about the weather - I've been visiting around twice a year for the past 15 years or so, and have always lucked out with the weather. This trip was payback time - it rained 4 out of the 5 days there. And not just the little thunderboomers that last 20 minutes - it was just flat POURING for hours at a time! It's really hard to have a good time watching IllumiNations in Epcot during a torrential downpour! The only night it didn't rain was my last night there, and I was really looking forward to that night's IllumiNations. Imagine my disappointment when the show started but the flame barge, arguably the centerpiece of the first movement of the show, wasn't working. Bad show, Disney! Back to the food - I had a pretty tasty reuben sandwich at the Sci-Fi Dine In, an OK lemon chicken at Marrakesh, and a perfectly done steak at the Brown Derby. But by far the hit of the week was my meal at 'Ohana. I've eaten here several times in the past, and always enjoyed it to varying degrees. But they've changed up their format a bit, and all to the better. They first bring some coconut/pineapple flavored bread, which you could make a meal out of. Next is a delicious light salad with a raspberry vinagrette dressing. Then it's bbq chicken wings and pot stickers (keep in mind that I was a single diner, and there was LOTS of food coming out - I was starting to fill up by the end of this course). After this came a plate of peanut flavored noodles and a bowl of snap peas and brocolli. All of this came out in maybe 10 minute intervals - I was in no way rushed, but I was pretty close to stuffed before the main event arrived. Finally, the skewers of meat - chicken and turkey first, then beef, and finally huge grilled shrimp, accompanied by a trio of dipping sauces. And to top it all off, since I learned about this right here on MP, I requested that they replace the bread pudding dessert with the former incredible dessert of pineapple with caramel dipping sauce! They don't bring the pineapple out in its former preparation on a pineapple shell - it's now in a small bowl. But it's still amazingly tasty, and a wonderful finish to a heavy meal! I was planning to go into the MK for SpectroMagic and Wishes after this meal, but I was just so freakin' stuffed that it was all I could do to roll my heavy self back to my hotel. Wonderful meal - just don't plan anything afterwards! I got to ride and see most of what I wanted to ride and see, including 3 rides in a row on Expedition Everest, my current fave. I also experienced the new Spaceship Earth a couple times. I have to say that I didn't think the ending was all that terrible, but the computer screen thing seemed more suited to a kiosk somewhere in the post show, not the ending of a ride. It was kinda fun, but I'm not really riding a ride to play a computer game. I think they could have done better with this, but their update of the first half of the ride was first-rate. As always, I was just getting into the groove of things when it was time to leave. I always hate that drive back to MCO, but it's always tempered by the fact that I'll be back soon. Next trip is in mid-October, during the Food & Wine Festival. Good times!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Glad you had a good time Dan. to be fair, I think weather can have a huge impact, and our last trip to the world, it either was horrific rain, or really unpleasant humidity (in December it was a little surprising) for the 11 days we were there. Also, our last trip, we had a lot of "barge" moments on almost every attraction. It may be that we had bad luck, or that things aren't quite what they used to be. I was nervous of responding to your thread, but perhaps you now have a taster of our last souring experience. On the flip side, I also recognise that our luck (or lack of it) may have colored our view. so much so I asked my DW if she would like to go back to WDW to try some of the newer offerings, and she declined the offer preferring another trip to DL. But I think weather, crowds, and 101's can make or break a seasoned traveller's visit. That said, sounds like the O'Hana experience was great. Food quality still good there too?
Originally Posted By danyoung The food quality was excellent at 'Ohana, far better than the last time I ate there 2 years ago. And yes, your experience will absolutely be colored by everything you experience, and not all of it is Disney's fault. Some of it is just luck of the draw. Rides are gonna break down, flame barges are going to fail, etc. When things gang up and you get more than your share of failures, it can indeed hurt your desire to come back. I need to say that I had a terrific time at the World - even at the MK, which I found to be clean, in nice condition, and staffed with great CM's - and can't wait to get back again. You and I can get along fine with differing opinions, Dave. Where it gets tense is when you or others say that the MK is so far gone that it's not worth visiting, which I completely disagree with. I'm sure we'll both have many more chances to express our opinions!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed. I also recognise that a trip to the MK is better than no MK like experience. But when for us it can cost more to go to WDW than DL or DLP, I question the value of the MK. If you are from the South, then i understand the devotion - it's local. Or if your experience at the other parks compensate - which I can totally understand as Epcot and DAK are awesome, awesome, awesome experiences, then fine. But I kid you not, our experience at the MK that December of 2006 was a lesser experience than a 6 Flags park. The streets and tables in counter service were filthy. All the AA attractions had 101 AA's. The lines were mega. And they closed early virtually every night for the MVMCP. The menus had been dumbed down immensley and the stores were full of generic merchandise. To me, it was the nadir of the MK. I am glad to hear things are on the up. And while I was a little disatisfied at the time, the clincher was that DLP (often subpar in the cleanliness/service category) offered up a better quality experience that summer. Mix in the fact that we had an even better time at DL in March 08, well, I think it is important to explore and question - is the MK a lesser experience than DL and DLP, or did we experience a one time glitch (let's face it, the HM renovation has gone a long way towards helping). Then mix in my frustrations in Europe where people like bloona has never even been to DLP despite living 2500 miles closer (she is not alone). And there are 1000's of people who think only WDW is the real deal (some thinking it the original). Well it may manifest itself as sound bytes that come across more critical than it may seem.
Originally Posted By MPierce Thanks for the report Dan. The weather will effect the quality of the trip, that's for sure. It really detracts from the parks when you either have to walk around with a poncho on or have wet underwear, and socks. Still it's better than being at work. I had the Rueben at Sci-Fi last time also, and found it very tasty also. Unfortunately it was one of the better meals I had. I was very disappointed in the dining. Maybe it will be better next time I return. I bet you found a way to stay out of the rain most evenings. Perhaps with a Martini at the Rose and Crown?
Originally Posted By danyoung I didn't mention anything about martinis at the Rose & Crown, as it's just a given by this time that I will be there at least once or thrice. Sunday night when Pam Brody was there, I once again reprised my famous Irish tenor version of Oh Danny Boy, to the thundering applause and cheers of the masses. At least, that's the way my vodka soaked brain remembers it, and I'm sticking to that! But I have to say, watching IllumiNations in the rain while drunk still sucks!!!
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Glad you had a great time! I'm sorry you didn't email me to meet up, it would have been fun. Denise
Originally Posted By danyoung I honestly thought about it, Denise. Then the rains started, and my vacation kept getting shorter and shorter, and it just never happened. Next trip is in mid-October - let's make it happen!
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Definitely, Dan! I was at the parks at that time too (seeing Peter Noone, I believe). Denise
Originally Posted By danyoung I saw your pics, and I think I was in the audience on the show when you took 'em!
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Dan - That is funny! I actually was there for 5 shows (he's my favorite Flower and Garden Festival performer!) Too bad I missed you there - Denise
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer I'm glad to hear the food at Ohana's has improved. The last time we ate there we were extremely dissappointed. Hopefully I'll get to eat there when I go alone in June.
Originally Posted By danyoung I'll agree with you, Minnie, that they had gone downhill quite a bit. But this visit everything was just spectacular!
