Last month I shared some tips and guidance on discovering some of the most UNDERRATED attractions and niche sites at WDW. This month I am going to reveal a few of the most OVERRATED whereabouts, and full disclosure…it’s about to be good, a little bad, and maybe ugly!
The Contemporary Resort
Starting off with the Contemporary Resort…an oxymoron of a name for a resort that feels more like 1970’s retro “ contemporary” than present day mod. Although the atrium feels a bit outdated, and it lacks the zing of other Disney resorts, there are some positives mixed in we can’t overlook.
Pros:
-The best and most obvious reason to stay here is convenience and proximity to the Magic Kingdom. It’s a short walking path away from the entrance and has access to a private security gateway to speed up your entry.
-The accommodations were recently updated with adorable and albeit fitting theming from the Incredibles movies. In fact, if you land in a tower room, the views of Bay Lake or the Magic Kingdom can be just as “Incredible” as your room.
-The resort has two popular dining options, Chef Mickey’s character dining and Steakhouse 71. Chef Mickey’s is an all American buffet located in the tower atrium where you can meet the fab five : Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto all dressed in cute chef outfits. Super popular with young kids as the menu and fare cater to even the pickiest eaters. California Grill on the other hand, also located in the Contemporary, is one of Disney’s premier restaurants. Here you’ll find superior dining and table service with stunning views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks at night.
Cons:
-The atrium feels painfully outdated and has the atmosphere of the adjacent convention center. I’m not sure how else to put it, so I went blunt.
-The pool itself is very underwhelming compared to other Deluxe resort pools. If the swimming pool is an important item on your list, there are 100% better options elsewhere on property. The Polynesian Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Beach Club and Yacht Club’s pools are far more enticing and much more of what you would expect when staying Deluxe. (I have to mention if you are traveling between Jan 2025-June 2025 Yacht & Beach Club’s pool, Stormalong Bay, is closed for refurbishment.)
So wrapping up, if you plan on spending considerable time at the resort and looking for more than just location, you might want to consider comparing your options. You might be better off for the price with the Polynesian vibe or the sophisticated Grand Floridian, both located in the Monorail resort family as well.
Space Mountain
This iconic roller coaster was the first major thrill ride for Walt Disney World. The big lure to this attraction is that you’re sent speeding along through the atmosphere in total darkness of space, and when I say dark I mean pitch black dark.
Often referred to as the “jolty” and “bumpy” one in terms of Disney World roller coasters, Space Mountain has pretty tough competition when it comes to high intensity attractions. I mean if I had to describe Space Mountain in one word it would be “turbulent,” making it hard to compete with the smooth glide and edgy imagery of Guardians of the Galaxy and Tron.
This once sought after and must do attraction needs some love and updating from the Imagineers to earn its place back in the spotlight. And as 2025 approaches the 50th anniversary of the ride, who knows?
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Well, howdy folks! Welcome to the most kitschy restaurant in town!
When Woody’s Round Up Rodeo opened in spring of 2023 inside Hollywood Studios, you were lucky to snag a reservation, in fact it was one of the hardest reservations to get. Now it seems there’s a plethora of openings…. Coincidence?
First on the bright side, it’s a very immersive western themed dining hall, and you definitely feel like you’re in Toy Story Mania while inside. Wall to ceiling artfulness and attention to details really are convincing of being in Andy’s room, and cast members participate in the storytelling experience.
Unfortunately the food was surprisingly disenchanting. I’ve been on several occasions and regrettably , the dry barbecue and cheaply made side dishes were not worth the cost or time. In fact, my family’s favorite part of the meal was the macaroni and cheese with crushed goldfish (which I never thought in my life I would say). For $45 a person I’m going to pass on this one.
Looking for great barbecue and lively family fun? I’d recommend moseying on over to Fort Wilderness’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review or Whispering Canyon located in the Wilderness Lodge
Jungle Cruise
This is the ride I really want to love, I mean, I really, really try to love it. I even politely laugh at the Skipper’s dad jokes, which no matter how many times I’ve been on the ride, all sound similarly the same.
I will give the Jungle Cruise some grace, though, as I know it’s been recently updated and cannot wait to see what they’ve done! But other than the cute animatronic elephants and floating through the cave, this ride is definitely a sleeper.
If you’re looking for a more stimulating boat ride, swashbuckle your way over to Pirates of the Caribbean, located next door in Adventureland and bonus- it’s air-conditioned!
Rope Dropping
Rope dropping…the term used for being the first in line and the time the cast members officially open the attractions at the theme parks. I see how this could be appealing for some early birds who are just excited to get into the parks. But for all those like me who enjoy a leisurely morning while on vacation, this does not make sense.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking anyones fun, remember this article is about most overrated, so let me state my case.
Waking up early to wait in a long line for transportation, to wait outside the park for up to an hour, to fight a crowd, to race to get on a ride just for a slightly minimal wait time does not sound like a great use of time for my family. Let me demonstrate my reasoning and share some non-rope dropping tips.
1. A lot of people who arrive super early and rope drop tend to head back to the resorts early afternoon for a midday break before coming back in the evening. Take advantage of the lower midday crowds!
2. If you plan on using the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, there is a better chance of getting all of your rides and times set up for later in the day than first thing in the morning. You can always modify your ride times to later so your day is more planned, which means a happy family!
3. And if you are a night owl, one of the best times to go on the rides is during the fireworks, as the lines are typically way shorter and you can still see the fireworks from most places in the park. When the fireworks are over, stick around and don’t hurry out of the park! This is a perfect time to enjoy the cooler weather and shorter rides in the evening. And with being well rested from your full night of sleep, that’s a win-win for me!
“Luck favors the prepared.., Dahling” -Edna Mode
As a Smart Moms Travel Agent I love helping families plan their trips to Disney. From dining reservations to park strategy to Lightning Lane suggestions, Disney takes a lot of planning! Rest assured you are in good hands if you are currently working with a Smart Moms agent, but if not, I would love to work with you! Just click below and we can start planning your Disney vacation today!
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