Just Back! Great time and a little Pixie Dust to boot!

[Laz]

We booked a garden view at the GF and got a free upgrade to a view of the main pool. We got a room with the rotunda (sp?)! It had a couch, lounge chair and a second television with a porch off to the side.

It was crowded but manageable because we took advantage of EMHs and afternoon breaks when the heat and thunderstorms really hit. We did the behind the scenes tour and had lunch with an imagineer (We had lunch with Jason, a senior designer). Jason took as much time as we wanted and answered many questions without giving away any secrets. A few hints:

1) Go to Toy Story Mania EARLY! We got in line for EMH at 7:30am and was near the front of the rope. We walked (not run) directly to the stand by entrance for a 5 minute wait and then waited for a fast pass. By the time we got out of the ride the line was already out the door for about a 90 minute wait. The fast pass return time we recieved was 10:30am. It was about a 2 hour stand by wait the rest of the day and fast passes were gone by 1-2pm. After Toy story we went tor RNR and ToT. We rode all three rides before 9:30.

2)We went into EPCOT at 8:30 pm during an night EMH. We went on Test Track then Soarin both before 9:30 due to illuminations. When we got out of Soarin the wait was 85 minutes.

3) We went to the 10:30 Fantasmic show and it was not filled. both end sections were empty. Fantasmic was only shown 3 times during the week.

4) One of the parks closed at 7pm each day, so plan accordingly. Epcot closes its gates at 7pm, but keeps the major rides open until 9pm.

5)Space Mountain is still closed until November and I could not get a confirmation on a soft opening.

6) It rained every afternoon around 4-5pm except one, and that one day the humidity stayed up due to lack of rain. Good time to be back at your hotel for a nap!

Any questions?

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Laz

4) One of the parks closed at 7pm each day, so plan accordingly. Epcot closes its gates at 7pm, but keeps the major rides open until 9pm.

I think you mean Epcot's Future World.

Epcot does not close its gates at 7pm.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Congrats on the upgrade. Thanks for the hint on Toy Story Mania.

[UncleOrville]

Congrats on the upgrade and thanks for sharing! We're doing the lunch with an Imagineer for the first time on our upcoming trip, so I'm glad to hear your experience was a good one.

[Laz]

Originally Posted by Robo

I think you mean Epcot's Future World.

Epcot does not close its gates at 7pm.

Your right, they don't close the gates. Poor choice of words.

I am looking at the time guide right now for last week and it lists Epcot's future world closing at 7 pm. & World Showcase closing at 9pm. However, the guide also lists that Test Track, Soarin, and various restaraunts remained open until 9 pm.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Laz

Your right, they don't close the gates. Poor choice of words.

I am looking at the time guide right now for last week and it lists Epcot's future world closing at 7 pm. & World Showcase closing at 9pm. However, the guide also lists that Test Track, Soarin, and various restaraunts remained open until 9 pm.

Yes.

Disney states on-line, on times guides, on signs at Epcot, etc. that Epcot's Future World "closes at 7:00pm"

But, in true fact-

FW does not fully "close" at 7:00pm on any night of the year.

The following attractions stay open until IllumiNations begins every night:

Space Ship Earth
Mission: Space
Test Track
Soarin'
The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion


And on EMH nights, they (and likely, a couple more) stay open until the end of PM EMH along with certain WS attractions.

[cattrix]

Hello from a fellow Hoosier

Thanks for the great tips, we're going down next month and are hoping for great weather and low crowds....

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

welcome back! sounds like a wonderful trip. I hope to do the rope drop thing with my two little ones in november. I know that ds will want to do this ride over and over and over and over and over...well you get the idea. with any luck we can do the ride, get a fast pass, and then go back and get another fast pass. I think i am dreaming on that but it will be november so who knows!

[Laz]

A second set of Fast Passes may be possible IF the park is open later and you go back right when your Fast Pass allows it. Another tip: If you have a stroller remember that the ramp down to the Ave. is just to the left of the main stairs. People will be moving quickly and it may be hard to get to the ramp if you try at the last minute. Also remember to park your stroller before getting in line or they will make you go back to the parking area which is just before the fast past entrance. Have fun!

[Laz]

Originally Posted by cattrix

Hello from a fellow Hoosier

Thanks for the great tips, we're going down next month and are hoping for great weather and low crowds....

As a teacher, I can not go during September. Enjoy the smaller crowds!

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Laz

If you have a stroller remember that the ramp down to the Ave. is just to the left of the main stairs. People will be moving quickly and it may be hard to get to the ramp if you try at the last minute.

In the morning following Rope Drop, the CM's won't let you go through the area near the hat with the steps and the ramp.

The "Alternate Path" on the TSM route below is
now nearly always used by the CM's to route guests to TSM following the Rope Drop.