Another Mini-Report 9/13 to 9/18

[Funky Chicken]

Here is the condensed version of the report I'm working on for the trip reports thread-
Arrived Sunday 9/13
Checked in to ASMu within 10 minutes of pulling into the parking lot. No King Bed available (despite our request) but happy with the room location-8612, on the top floor of the parking side of Broadway 8. Quiet and easy access to the car (more on that later). Took the bus to MK for EMH and found Fantasyland borderline EMPTY. Got on Teacups, Peter Pan, Dumbo, IASW, and over to the Tomorrowland Speedway within 1 hour. Dinner at Cosmic Ray's and then back to the hotel.
Monday 9/14
DROVE to TTC parking for MK-walked thru turnstiles just after 9am. Jungle Cruise was 5 minutes, PotC was a walk-on. Did the Carpets and then used our first snack credits on a Dole Whip (what else?). Cut thru to HM and back over to Fantasyland for a couple of Dumbos (DD4's favorite) before 11:45 CP character lunch. Watched the show in front of the castle after lunch and left for a rest/swim. Monday was by far the hottest day of the week-HOT. Took the BUS back to hotel and then bussed back to MK for 5:45 at the Wave in CR. Great dinner and service at the Wave-very underrated! Not the best place for a 4 year old, although they were very accomodating. Back into MK via resort monorail for a few Tomorrowland rides including a couple of laps on the TTC (yay) before watching Wishes from the upper deck of the Railroad station, then the ferryboat back to the TTC and our waiting car.
Tuesday 9/15
Drove to Studios, arriving at 9:30 or so. Caught the first Little Mermaid Show and then waited all of 20 minutes for Toy Story Mania. High School Musical parade/show, then Lunch at the Commissary (eh.) then Playhouse Disney and on to Beauty and the Beast. Out of the park by 3, then nap/swim/DTD. Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express (great pizzas and only CS credits).
Wednesday 9/16
Drove to EPCOT, arriving around 9:30. Walked on Spaceship Earth, then over to NEMO. Waited 20 minutes for SOARIN', then did the Lion King film. Snack at Sunshine Seasons. Meandered over toward Akershus for Storybook Lunch. Grabbed FP for TT on the way over. took DD4 on the 3 amigos boat ride in Mexico TWICE while waiting for FP time. Back to Test Track then over to Akershus. Meandered thru shops on the way out after lunch, leaving Epcot about 3:15 for nap/swim/dinner. Did not go back for Illuminations-we had to manage to DD4 and didn't want to risk a meltdown.
Thursday 9/17
Drove to AK, arriving around 9. Walked into camp Minnie-Mickey to find the elusive Pocahontas waiting for someone to pay attention to her-DD4 obliged.
Also met Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip/Dale, and a group of Bears that I cannot identify with NO WAITING. The characters were all standing at the entrances to their little reception areas. Camp Minnie Mickey is the best character spot in all of WDW imo. Moved on to 10:15 Lion King then off to Kilamanjaro Safari (15 minute wait). Took the Rafiki train and spent a little time in the petting zoo before lunch at Flame Tree BBQ (great RIBS with CS credits!). Headed off to Nemo, then spent some time in Dino Land. Finished the day with Kali River Rapids-DD4 was insistent on going but started to freak out on the way up the conveyor belt. She did great on everything all week including Soarin' but KRR did her in. Back to the hotel for a swim and pizza delivery.
Friday 9/18
Checkout, drive to Poly for breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe (I called the night before and it was available-go figure), then into the car for the sad drive home.

Quick Summary-
If you can handle the heat, September is a great time to go.
We LOVED the dining plan-would do it again in a heartbeat. I paid for a couple of beers and drinks out of pocket but that was it. If you have little ones the Character Dining meals are a great way to use TS credits.
We felt NO discrimination because we were on the plan. Everyone seemed eager to make sure we got our money's worth out of it.
Our 4 year old simply could not handle a full day of touring or a late return to the parks so we just worked around that. The week was for her and we did everything we could to give her the trip that worked for her. I can always go on a ride that I have already been on 100+ times but her best moments were meeting the characters and simple rides.
The quality of the shows was really amazing, especially at AK. Lion King and Nemo were really terrific.
We met nothing but helpful CMs-no bad experiences at all.
I know this is a little disjointed but I'll get more up as time permits.

[stnet]

We were in the world the same time you were - Sunday EMH at MK, Monday MK, Tues. DHS, and Wed. Epcot!!! Experienced much of the same as you did. Thought the waits were great and thought it was HOT!!!