This years' visit was very nice and relaxing. Better than last year. Walt Disney World can wear out the best of us and it is impossible to do everything during a two week vacation. It takes months to do everything WDW has to offer. The following are a few observations from our trip.
- When the Disney Dining Plan started (2005), it was a very good deal and we purchased it with our package. The following year, they changed it and it was no longer a good deal. We have not purchased it since it's first year. We looked at our receipts from this trip and we may have saved a few dollars if we had purchased the Deluxe Dining Plan. Now that would have locked us into the on site restaurants only, but that is not a big deal as there are so many to choose from. The Deluxe Plan is probably too much food, but a savings is a savings.
- The prices on the small souvenirs we usually buy for friends and family has gone up dramatically. So much so, it was immediately noticeable.
- There was a lot of work going on in the parks. More so than usual ( I am not referring to the Fantasyland expansion).
- As my wife and I get older, the park "commando" touring is a thing of the past. For years, we would be on the go constantly so that we could hit every ride at every park. It was tiring and we would need a few days to recover once we got home. Our future trips will be more leisurely. Actually, our next trip in 2012 may start with (7) days at the parks followed by a (5) day Disney cruise. We have never been on a cruise and the down time after the parks should be wonderful.
- The quality of the food in the parks could be better. Years ago, before the dining plan, the food was much better.
- We have now stayed at both Port Orleans sections. They are both beautiful and we give them an enthusiastic recommendation.
- With the closing of the Pleasure Island clubs and Virgin, it is a ghost town from The Marketplace over. Disney must work on bringing in new establishments and creating new energy at both the Pleasure Island and Westside sections.
