Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have read so much negativity about dining, hotels, attractions etc. that I am really starting to worry my trip will be a bust. We are getting a great deal, but we are paying a small fortune to go to AKL Deluxe Savannah View rooms, flying from the UK. The trip is about 6 months worth of car payments, but we're doing it because we love Disney. Our last trip to WDW was in 2000 and we loved it (except the Studios and MK). The dining was a big bonus, as were Epcot and DAK. I had read lot's of doomand gloom stories, but we found a number of them unfounded. However, we have personally noticed things slipping at all the resorts around the globe over the last 10 years, and our last DLP trip in May really lacked a lot of magic. I'm worried we are going to be disappointed on our trip. It's a once in a lifetime for my MIL. And we have made a lot of sacrifices this year to be able to go. I just hope I am not disappointed.
Originally Posted By bloona you wont be Dave, trust me. I was worried a little too before we went as I had such high high hopes. I wasnt disappointed. Just the look on your kids faces is enough to justify the cost. enjoy!
Originally Posted By Labuda You will not be disappointed, Dave! WDW is still the most Magical place in these United States!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd You will not be disappointed. We go back year after year so there is still plenty of magic there. Even those people who post the negative, still seem to go back over and over. Why is that? Because the good, still greatly outweighs the bad. Enjoy your trip!
Originally Posted By u k fan I've learned from experience not to believe reports about Disney Resorts until you've been there. Then you can make up your own mind. I've read oh so many reports of bad character experiences at DLP, yet I've had some of my best character meetings there and certainly prefer meeting my characters at DLP over WDW. On a side note: WDW are offering the Dining Plan free to UK visitors next summer. I may be booking next year's trip before I take this year's!!!
Originally Posted By tinkerbellfly We went in August. We had a great time! We had the dining plan also. Yes it was free and I was thinking the service wouldn't be great because of what I read here. But we had no problems with the quality of food or service. You will enjoy yourself! Don't worry!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Like bloona said, just look on the faces of your kids and everything will be worth it. Go in with an open mind let all of your adult responsiblites melt away. Hnave a wonderful time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks gang, this is all making me feel so much better. It's just I may be jeapordising career development going as well as having the responsibility of 4 loved ones. I don't want to mess up!
Originally Posted By u k fan I don't think my boss is particularly happy about me having the first week of December off, but I work to live - not the other way around!!!
Originally Posted By Socrates Please put me down for "not disappointed", too. In fact, I'm going down there in a few days myself. And I think sherrytodd (#4) said it best. Socrates "The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Dave, with all of the negativity in the World, you will not be disappointed, simply because most everything they do at WDW is done better than DLP. You will see the difference in quality and service right away. No smoking all over, no cutting in line for the most part, and genuine Disney CMs who smile just because and not because they are told to "be that way" to make Paris look better. Even WDW is a cleaner and better maintained park than DLRP. Not as pretty, but better maintained. Biggest disappoint is not bringing Bloona along so I can give her a hard time in person.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I agree with TDLFAN ... although, execs aside, I found the DLP CMs to be quite good, much better than I anticipated. But WDW is still a wonderful place. You are staying in one of the best resorts. With two of the best restaurants in Central Florida a short walk away. The time of year you are going is terrfic with good weather and lots going on. If you spend most of your time at Epcot and DAK and understand that the MK has fallen a long way from its heyday, you'll have a great time. I write a lot of negative things because there are things that need to be said or they'll never get improved upon. But I love the place. It still offers so much You just can't expect it to held to 1986 standards (but I do.)
Originally Posted By TDLFAN You are too kind, I expect to hold them to 1979 standards, especially since guests now pay 7 times more for a day there than we did back then.
Originally Posted By Labuda Hey, Socrates - check the Meets section here for info on a WDW 35th birthday meet.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom You absolutely won't be disappointed. I'm so excited about going in January! I plan on doing some scoping around looking at the DVCs.
Originally Posted By kennect Dave, First stay at AKL? If so you will be blown away.....Unless something has changed I think you have still have to go to Africa to get anything close to the experience....
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks guys. We will be at AKL (our first time, they were building it last timewe were at WDW) 27 Nov - 7 December. We chose it because we are huge fans of Peter Dominic's work (love the WL and Grand Californian) and we are huge animal lovers. Also, with little one's, we wanted one of the quieter resorts, so AKL seemed to bring together all the right ingredients. I am excited, but I suppose I have been reading far more negativity lately andI still have 1970's/80's expectations of Disney and I know they have been falling short.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I still have 1970's/80's expectations of Disney and I know they have been falling short.<< Oooookay. Hmmm... Maybe you should re-schedule and try DLR or TDR.
Originally Posted By bloona <<Biggest disappoint is not bringing Bloona along so I can give her a hard time in person. >> I didnt realise you were pining(sp) for me . Aw bless ya. Dave, I told my boys you were going yesterday and the whole " we love Mikey" thing has started again, he really did leave a great impression on them....so it seems we may HAVE to come with you!
