4/4/23
Overrated, Underrated, and Whelming at WDW
March 4, 2023
What really makes something underrated?
What makes something overrated?
Isn’t it all about value?
Where do you find value?
The answer to that question will determine if something is overwhelming, underwhelming, or just whelming. Is whelming a word? Microsoft Word didn’t put a red line under it, so I’m going with it. With so many experiences, shows, attractions, and eateries on WDW property, you can be certain to have your favorites and conversely ones that are one-and-done. Whilst I’m not a glass half empty kind of WDW enthusiast, I also do not snort Pixie Dust. Therefore, my goal today is to pick three experiences from each category: overrated, underrated, and whelming (this is my new favorite word and I plan on working it into as many conversations as possible for the next few weeks), and then I will present my case. There are no right answers. There are no wrong answers. There are only my answers.
Overrated:
1. Bay Lake Tower Theme Park View Rooms – No, not the Tower itself, although it isn’t my favorite, but specifically the theme park view rooms. You pay a premium for a stunning view of a big ol’ parking lot and the Magic Kingdom bus drop-offs. Yes, for thirty minutes each evening, it is pretty freaking magical. I will not argue that point. But the rest of the time? Kind of meh to me. The lake view rooms that overlook Bay Lake have a much more stunning view, and it makes for a better “morning coffee on the balcony” experience than the theme park view rooms.
2. Test Track – This ride. Ugh. Why? Why does it always command the highest wait time at EPCOT? I partially know the answer to this, as Test Track is not exactly a people-eater. The throughput is pretty slim. However, there is also the fact that it is extremely boring and if anyone even says a work that rhymes with “rain” within 50 feet of the attraction it will shut down for an hour. And I realize that iT’s tHe FaStEst rIdE aT WdW. When I want to go 65mph in a car, I will literally go to work. I do it every day. During COVID they even suspended the “create your own car” portion of the queue which was the ONLY interesting thing about the attraction.
3. Italy – Not the nation of Italy, but rather the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT. I always liken Toy Story Land to a land that is a hallway. Italy is the EPCOT version of this. It seems like an afterthought in World Showcase. It has two decent table service restaurants (neither being up to the actual nation’s reputation for cuisine), no discernable quick service location, completely uninspired shops, and a small footprint overall. The Bell Tower is pretty cool, no denying that, but it just isn’t good. Italy also has abysmal food at each of the festivals. Seriously, they completely phone it in.
Underrated:
1. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – This is a polarizing viewpoint, but I will dig my heels in on this one. Not only is this attraction absolutely STEEPED in tradition, but Walt was involved in the conception and production of the Disneyland version. The WDW version is larger and accommodates more guests but is condensed a bit from its West Coast counterpart. This does nothing to rob the Magic Kingdom’s iteration of its charm. The layout of the attraction is wonderfully transportive. Even the queue with its waterfall and pre-show are captivating. The show itself is a Polynesian delight with singing flowers, chanting totem poles and tiki gods, and some of the catchiest songs you’ll ever hear. LOVE. THIS. SHOW.
2. Everything POP Shopping and Dining – I KNOW RIGHT? A value resort having a great gift shop is straight up weird, but here we are. Everything POP is unique in several ways. First off it is open air. Not outside mind you, but not in an enclosed four-walled room. Secondly, it is more robust than any other value resort’s gift shop and is better than most of the moderate ones too! The variety is excellent, and their inventory is mammoth comparatively speaking. My one knock on this shop is the lack of resort specific merch, but that is typical of every value resort shop. Even their selection of Magic Bands and phone cases are larger than most. It is just an outstanding store.
3. Il Mulino – Y’all be sleeping on the Swan and Dolphin restaurants. It’s not like they’re out of the way. Right on Crescent Lake, the Swolphin resorts have a location second to none! Yes, the nickel and diming with parking fees, resort fees, and additional taxes are super annoying, but the accommodations are top notch, and the restaurants are fabulous. Il Mulino in particular was exquisite the last time we were there. The arancini is something about which I still dream. The red sauce there… *chef’s kiss* While I haven’t eaten at them all, the reviews for Shula’s Steakhouse, Todd English’s Bluezoo, and Il Mulino are unequivocally positive. With a real lack of “good” Italian food at Walt Disney World, Il Mulino’s candle shines even brighter. Seriously, try it. (It’s also on Open Table and always seems to have availability!!)
Whelming:
1. Happily Ever After Nighttime Spectacular – Yep, it’s as good as advertised. The story, the soundtrack, the projection mapping, the pyro: it all flows together so seamlessly. Disney’s Enchantment Nighttime show, although universally panned, would not have looked so inadequate if it weren’t the successor to HEA. By comparison, Enchantment looked anemic and dull. It certainly wasn’t a worthy show for Disney’s flagship park in Florida. Fortunately for everyone, Happily Ever After is back and the addition of projections down Main Street doesn’t hurt the show at all. It really is a “Don’t Skip” production.
2. Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants – Jiko – the Cooking Place, Boma – Flavors of Africa, and Sanaa get a ton of praise and great reviews everywhere you look, be it Facebook groups, blogs, YouTube, TripAdvisor, etc. The praise is merited. These restaurants are that good. The bread service at Sanaa is legendary. The sheer variety and scope of the buffet at BOMA will satisfy everyone in your party. And Jiko is a signature restaurant that is always mentioned in the top five of most WDW foodies. Even the Mara, the quick service at Jambo House is top tier for resort QS joints. Unique flavors and incredible theming all set against a backdrop of a wildlife savanna. Wowsers.
3. Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror – Is it new and shiny? No. Does it use innovative new technology? No. Does it belong to an intellectual property that is beloved by the young family demographic that Disney targets the most? Also no. It’s a drop ride based on an IP with which few people under 40 are overly familiar. It also boasts demand and wait times on par with the hottest attractions at Hollywood Studios or any of the rest of the parks. Why? Because it is so well done. The grounds, the queue, the eerie background music, the pre-show, the story: all of it. It is still heralded as a masterpiece, and it lives up to the hype.
Well, there you go. More of my opinions and bias shoved lovingly down your throats. What do you think of my takes? Agree? Disagree? Meh, who cares. No comments section means I get to live in my delusions as long as I please.