Ferb, I know What We're Going to Do Today! - Updated 9/30

[If U Had Wings]

Your trip title made me open it. Can't wait to read it.

Welcome!

I know! I used to go to Pinocchios Village Haus when they had the most awesome burgers ever, before they changed it to pizza. The last thing we Italian folk want to eat on vacation is pizza.

Especially Disney pizza! I'm horribly particular about my Italian food. I rarely eat it at places like Disney because I'm always disappointed. There are so many phenomenal places up here in the Northeast that I don't feel like I'm missing it when I'm on vacation and use that time to try new things.

I miss the burgers at Pinocchios too! I was thinking of that this trip.

That is so funny. Most people would be all BRING ON THE BEEF!!! and you wish it was smaller. I'm lucky in that I have DH and DS to finish off things I don't eat.

I need to pace myself of vacation. I like to leave room for Dole Whips.

You could have gotten 20% off???? I would have asked you to buy one for me!!!

I may have an ultra mini trip coming up in March, but of course the special is over. I'm going to be kicking myself for this one.

Those bags are so cute. Gotta get one
The DIS just enables my spending

The DIS is responsible for many of my purchases, all bought in the name of my trips. It's very scary.

Hurray! I can see the pictures now!

I am also a fan of the Tiki Room! I hope Disney refurbs it before the stars start molting.

Pecos Bill's is another of my favorites! I love that Christmas themed cup!

You must see The Princess and the Frog! It's wonderful!

I have this image of Iago molting and exploding like the Harry Potter phoenix now.

I've stuck my head into the movie on my breaks a few times, but haven't seen the whole thing. I'm going to try to see it this weekend. I'm still battling left over fatigue from my bought with bronchitis and have problems getting up the energy to do anything. I somehow need to pull down my Christmas stuff this weekend too. I dread the thought of all the trips up and down to the basement to put it away.

Love the TR so far, thanks!!

Thanks! It was a fun trip. Even with my mini-melt down. I'm feeling better about it now that some time has passed.

OK, I"m back, for real. Pecos is one of my all-time faves for CS, next to Casey's and CHH. If it were just those 3 I"d be very , very happy indeed. The toppings bar was amazing! Such a bounty of delectable heaven. Mushrooms for me, all the way!

It's one of my few "must stops" in the way of counter service on my trips. My only other one coming on day 2. During last years trip, all the nieces wanted was the mushrooms. I don't even want to know how many we ate.

GREAT update! I wish they still had the riverboat, too- I'm sad I missed it. I loved your photos of it- thanks!

I really liked the show. They really did a wonderful job with it, and it really felt like one of those "little" things that sometimes seems to be lacking around the parks.

 

[jewels1916]

Great start! And I was glad to see your pics from the riverboat show. We missed that while we were there. My last trip was my first meal at Pecos Bill's as well! I enjoyed the burger bar, and will definitely be visiting again!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Great start! And I was glad to see your pics from the riverboat show. We missed that while we were there. My last trip was my first meal at Pecos Bill's as well! I enjoyed the burger bar, and will definitely be visiting again!

Welcome! I think my last trip with my BFF our first meal was at Pecos Bills too. I end up there an awful lot.

 

[praisehisname]

Jumping onboard and loving it!!!

 

[skier_pete]

Especially Disney pizza! I'm horribly particular about my Italian food. I rarely eat it at places like Disney because I'm always disappointed. There are so many phenomenal places up here in the Northeast that I don't feel like I'm missing it when I'm on vacation and use that time to try new things.
.

I totally agree. I grew up in Agawam, Mass, which is a mafia stronghold, and there are some plain awesome Italian restaurants in the Springfield area. (Not to mention Boston's North End.) I find Italian food so unspectacular most places, and I can't even imagine that Disney Italian would be anywhere near acceptable, so I go no-where near Mama Melrose or Tony's, or even Tutto. Same goes for Pizza, even Buffalo has some great Pizza places. The Pizza at Disney looks and tastes horrible...though DD likes it!

 

[All7OfUs]

It's one of my few "must stops" in the way of counter service on my trips. My only other one coming on day 2. During last years trip, all the nieces wanted was the mushrooms. I don't even want to know how many we ate.

I can't even IMAGINE how your guts handled such quantities- or not.

 

[MEK]

Enjoying your TR so far. I hope you will continue to post ASSp pics. It's one of the values I have never stayed at and I would like to give it a try. You are brave staying there during Pop Warner.

Can't wait to read about BWI. Congrats on your AP! Looks so you and your friend are off to a magical start. I hope you guys have a good trip. Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I completely agree with you on the Tiki Birds. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the under new management version of the show I have to go see it for the song. I have the Tiki Bird Show on my 4 Parks One World CD and I listen to it for the Tiki song part and then skip the track.

That burger looks so GOOD. Yummy! I have never been there.

 

[skier_pete]

I completely agree with you on the Tiki Birds. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the under new management version of the show I have to go see it for the song. I have the Tiki Bird Show on my 4 Parks One World CD and I listen to it for the Tiki song part and then skip the track.

But you won't here this anymore:

The boys in the back are called macaws.
Because of their caws? No, because they're macaws.
And our fine feathered friend is a jolly toucan
and two cans sound better than one toucan can.

The bird of paradise is an elegant bird.
It likes to be seen and it loves to be heard.
Most little birdies will fly away,
but the Tiki Room birds are here everyday.

Our show is delightful, we hope you'll agree.
We hope that fills you with pleasure and glee.
Because if we don't make you feel like that,
we're gonna wind up on a lady's hat!

(Hey, I miss the old Tiki Birds too! I find it painful to sit through the new show, but have finally discovered a slight fondness for it. There are a lot of lines from the original sprinkled throughout - which I find myself listening for. The oriignal show is still in Disneyland, though! Someday I intend to go there and watch it half a dozen times!)

 

[TarzansKat]

That does it.

Now I have the Tiki bird song in my head.

For those of you who are interested, the original song in its true form can be found on the Disneyland 50th Anniversary CD. It contains songs from Disneyland and World, but it's got that one on it.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Hi there! I followed your TR link from my report and wanted to read along. We were there the exact same dates! How neat. What a great start, I can't wait to read more!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I totally agree. I grew up in Agawam, Mass, which is a mafia stronghold, and there are some plain awesome Italian restaurants in the Springfield area. (Not to mention Boston's North End.) I find Italian food so unspectacular most places, and I can't even imagine that Disney Italian would be anywhere near acceptable, so I go no-where near Mama Melrose or Tony's, or even Tutto. Same goes for Pizza, even Buffalo has some great Pizza places. The Pizza at Disney looks and tastes horrible...though DD likes it!

Agawam, home of Riverside! (It will always be Riverside to me, especially as I haven't been up there since it became Six Flags. I live right near New Haven, home of some pretty famous pizza at Pepe's and Sally's. The whole area here has some pretty good pizza. So not worth it to eat bad stuff on vacation.

My family who lives in Florida is convinced that it has something to do with the water down there. They always say they can't get any good bread. The horror!

I can't even IMAGINE how your guts handled such quantities- or not.

I swear those kids could eat anything. I think it's a family trait.

Enjoying your TR so far. I hope you will continue to post ASSp pics. It's one of the values I have never stayed at and I would like to give it a try. You are brave staying there during Pop Warner.

Can't wait to read about BWI. Congrats on your AP! Looks so you and your friend are off to a magical start. I hope you guys have a good trip. Looking forward to reading more!

I took a few more pics one night so I'll be posting those too. I was happily surprised with AsSp. I had made the reservation grudgingly, but I ended up being fairly happy with it.

Pop Warner didn't end up being as bad as I was expecting, but I think it had a lot to do with our room location. Some spots were awfully loud. BWI though was just heavenly.

I completely agree with you on the Tiki Birds. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the under new management version of the show I have to go see it for the song. I have the Tiki Bird Show on my 4 Parks One World CD and I listen to it for the Tiki song part and then skip the track.

That burger looks so GOOD. Yummy! I have never been there.

It's one of those attractions I always have to hit. I love the dancing tikis on the totem poles. I usually like to hit the treehouse too, but sadly I never made it this year.

But you won't here this anymore:

The boys in the back are called macaws.
Because of their caws? No, because they're macaws.
And our fine feathered friend is a jolly toucan
and two cans sound better than one toucan can.

The bird of paradise is an elegant bird.
It likes to be seen and it loves to be heard.
Most little birdies will fly away,
but the Tiki Room birds are here everyday.

Our show is delightful, we hope you'll agree.
We hope that fills you with pleasure and glee.
Because if we don't make you feel like that,
we're gonna wind up on a lady's hat!

(Hey, I miss the old Tiki Birds too! I find it painful to sit through the new show, but have finally discovered a slight fondness for it. There are a lot of lines from the original sprinkled throughout - which I find myself listening for. The oriignal show is still in Disneyland, though! Someday I intend to go there and watch it half a dozen times!)

I just love that song! I have it on my ipod, and I love when the shuffle ends up on it. I know I just have to go to Disneyland to see it. I swear my must do at Disneyland list has all my favorite ex-Disneyworld stuff on it. Tiki birds, Mr Toad, and most of all the Main Street Electrical Parade.

That does it.

Now I have the Tiki bird song in my head.

For those of you who are interested, the original song in its true form can be found on the Disneyland 50th Anniversary CD. It contains songs from Disneyland and World, but it's got that one on it.

I think my friend was ready to kill me. I went around most of the day singing that song.

Hi there! I followed your TR link from my report and wanted to read along. We were there the exact same dates! How neat. What a great start, I can't wait to read more!

Welcome!

 

[If U Had Wings]

After catching the Tiana show we decieded to head over to hitch a ride on BTMR, but when we got over there the ride was temporarily shut down. We snagged ourselves a couple of fastpasses for later and watched the crazy people riding Splash Mountain in the increasing cold weather for awhile. Seriously, as much as I love Splash Mountain, there was nothing that could have dragged me on that ride when it was about 40 degrees out. Brrrrr!

The crowds around us seemed to be multiplying as the temps were dropping too. We heading towards Liberty Square and managed to walk right into the Country Bears Show. Like the Tiki's, they aren't a favorite, but I do confess a love for Big Al. It doesn't matter how often I see that show I always laugh when he stars singing, and I feel like a kid again seeing it for the first time. It's just one of those attractions that I identify with being a kid at Disney. I will admit though, that like the Tiki birds, Disney really needs to step in and do a freshening up of the bears. I only wish that they had been doing the Christmas overlay on the bear jamboree. I remember seeing the summer vacation show when I was a kid, but I've never seen the Christmas version. Every time I leave the show when it's over, I always expect to see the animal heads repeated on the wall of the restaurant still singing the songs. Does anyone else remember that?

After the bears we only had to wait a few minutes before the next HoP show was about to begin. They did a wonderful job updating HoP! The updates really kept the heart of what the show was about before, but brought it very much up to date. Excellent! The theater was actually pretty full, which I don't think I've seen in ages. Our seats were way over at the edge opposite the entrance, so I didn't get a good a view of all the Presidents as I would have liked, but I did get to check out the new Obama one. I didn't think it looked much like him.

After that we tried to do a bit of shopping in Liberty Square, but the stores were so jammed it wasn't enjoyable at all. We thought of meeting Tiana, but the line was just crazy. Instead we headed over to Haunted Mansion, where the line was backed up to nearly the Columbia Harbor House. The time posted was 20 minutes, which even though I was convinced was wrong, we waited for. (And it was longer than 20 minutes).

By the time we got off and headed into Fantasyland, the lines had begun to really get out of control. We were going to ride It's a Small World, but the post wait time was an hour. An Hour for It's a Small World!!!!! Needless to say we chose to pass. Philharmagic seemed to be our best choice, and we got in without too much of a wait. I'm a huge Donald fan so Philharmagic is one of my favorite attractions. Can I just say how much I dislike the people who stop in the middle of a row? As we were sitting they were announcing that it was going to be a full house so please keep moving all the way to the end. Needless to say nearly every row had that one group that can't follow directionsWe actually got that a lot this trip, probably because so many of the shows were playing to full houses. I'm used to being there in the fall when they even tell you just to go 3/4 of the way across.

It was nearly time for our dinner ADR at the Plaza so we headed through the hub to get there and managed to catch the castle lighting ceremony. It was very cute, and what a Wow moment! The castle lit up was one of the things I was really looking forward to seeing and it didn't disappoint.

Our dinner at the Plaza was really good. Sorry but no food porn from there. I still hadn't fessed up to the fact I was photographing food yet at this point in the trip, and didn't get any minutes alone in there. We skipped appetizers and desserts in there, and just had meals. I had the Philly cheesesteak sandwich and my friend had the strawberry chicken sandwich. Both got big thumbs up from both of us. Good food, large servings, and at (for Disney anyways) a decent price. I don't know if I would use DP credits for it, but on a cash basis The Plaza is a good deal.

After dinner we headed over to the Jungle Cruise for our two week excursion. In all my years going to Disney I had never been on at night before. It was fantastic at night! All the effects felt so much more real, and you no longer felt like you were in the middle of an amusement park. Very cool! After my night ride this trip, I'd be hard pressed to chose a daytime ride again.

We headed over to BTMRR to use our fast passes. We had just handed over our fastpasses and had been waiting in line for about 5 minutes or so when all of a sudden the line came to a screeching halt. There was some kind of a glitch, and they had to shut down the ride. We waited while they emptied the regular line having everyone back out of the line before they had the fast pass line walk through the ride (climbing across the cars) to get out. They gave us each a fastpass good for any ride in the MK that was good for one week. I felt horrible for some of the people waiting in the regular line. I think the wait time had been posted at something like nearly 2 hours at the time it got shut down. The rollercoasters getting shut down ended up being a bit of a regular happening this trip. There was one point that first day that BTMRR, SM and Barnstormer were all down at the same time.

It was getting later, by the time we got out of the line so we headed over to Main Street for one of my favorites - Spectromagic!

As much as I love Spectromagic parade, I hate what it turns people into. My last trip with my BFF I had some woman leaning on my back the entire parade. This time I got to witness people showing up as the parade was starting shoving their kids down to the front where there was nowhere for them to go. The place was jammed and all the curb seats were gone by the time we got over to Main Street. We managed to snag a good viewing spot right at the hub behind the stroller of a family sitting on the curb. The people shoving the kids up to the front were annoying me. Yes, I know you want your kid to see, but really you need to make a small effort to get a spot more than 5 minutes before the show starts. CMs had to keep coming through to tell these people that they couldn't let their kids sit in the middle of the street.

 

[If U Had Wings]

When the parade was over we headed to Tomorrowland, where the lines were only slightly better than Fantasyland. We tried to ride Space Mountain, but it was down. We went to ride the Peoplemover, and there was actually a line for that. I don't think I've had to wait in line for that in years! It was pretty chilly riding it that night. Temps were down in the 40s that night, and I was wishing I had brought my fleece jacket into the park with me. My thin rain jacket just wasn't cutting it.

Buzz had a 20 min. wait time posted so we hopped in line. The line was out the door, and all the way over to the left hand side through a small maze, so I was thinking that the wait time wasn't quite right. That was the last time on this trip I believed the wait times. Usually when I go to Disney the wait times posted are usually shorter than the actual wait times. This trip they all seemed to longer waits than actually posted. I think we ended up in line for nearly 50 minutes.

By the time we got off the fireworks were just about to start. People were backed up all across the bridge into Tomorrowland, but I switched into my New York City walking mode, dragging my friend along with me and made it across the bridge to my favorite spot along the pathway between Tomorrowland and Main Street in no time. Luckily, while my favorite spot was taken, we got a great spot just a bit further down right along the railing.

Wishes just never gets old. I love it!

By the time Wishes was over we had both just about had it. The park was open until midnight, but the fact that I had woken up at 3am was starting to catch up with me. We headed back down Main Street, along with what felt like everyone else in the park. We were both in the mood for a snack so we stopped off at the bakery to bring something back to the room with us.

I saw this and couldn't refuse -

Mmmmmm, apple turnover! It was delicious. Lots of apple, and just the right amount of icing. Yum!

It was about now that we learned the downside to staying at the All Star Sports. The buses. Ugh!! They were just horrible. We stood there, exhausted, watching buses show up for the other resorts, but nothing for ours. I think CBR had about three show up before one showed up for Sports. We didn't make that one, so stood their waiting more and more impatiently. The line was now backed up down the walkway, while the other stops near ours had emptied out. One another one finally showed up it got a lovely bronx cheer from the crowd waiting in line.

Back at AsSp the party around the pool bar was going strong. It seemed like all the Pop Warner parents were hanging around over there. We grabbed some sodas and headed back to the room for some much needed rest. Day 2 and the Animal Kingdom were waiting for us!

 

[skier_pete]

Great Updates!

It's funny, we had no crowd problems at all to speak of...did you go to MK on Saturday? I always find that the crowds build something awful by the afternoon there. Our trip we did Monday (14th) and Friday (18th)...Monday was moderate crowds, but it was an EMH night. Friday was just DEAD...simply awesome. Saturday the 19th was bad, but we didn't really try to ride anything, so I can't comment on the lines. We never saw a wait time posted that was longer than the actual wait, though.

Loved the Castle lights....1 million times better than the cake overlay.

 

[MRYPPNS]

You got to do 2 things that night that I had planned to do on my trip and didn't: eat a steak & cheese at The Plaza and ride JC at night.

I'm so glad you at an ADR that night with the crowds! Good planning.

 

[TarzansKat]

I'm so afraid you're all going to laugh at me, but I swear, as a pregnant woman who's just getting over the first trimester, the first thing I notice in everyone's posts is food. LOL

That apple turnover looks absolutely divine.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time with wait times. That is kind of a bummer when they're not consistent with the signage.

On the upside, you got some beautiful pictures of Spectro and the fireworks!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Great Updates!

It's funny, we had no crowd problems at all to speak of...did you go to MK on Saturday? I always find that the crowds build something awful by the afternoon there. Our trip we did Monday (14th) and Friday (18th)...Monday was moderate crowds, but it was an EMH night. Friday was just DEAD...simply awesome. Saturday the 19th was bad, but we didn't really try to ride anything, so I can't comment on the lines. We never saw a wait time posted that was longer than the actual wait, though.

Loved the Castle lights....1 million times better than the cake overlay.

We hit crowds all week. MK on that Saturday was one of the worst. I haven't seen crowds like that in a long time. I'm too used to my fall trips now. I knew I was in trouble when It's a Small World had an hour wait. Most of the other Fantasyland stuff was at least 90 minutes.

I loved the castle all lit up. Much, much better than the cake.

You got to do 2 things that night that I had planned to do on my trip and didn't: eat a steak & cheese at The Plaza and ride JC at night.

I'm so glad you at an ADR that night with the crowds! Good planning.

We would have been doing counter service that night if we missed the Plaza. They had big signs up that everything was filled for table service. The Plaza was one of the few places that was actually full on our trip.

The night ride on JC was one of the few things on my list that I actually did on this vacation.

I'm so afraid you're all going to laugh at me, but I swear, as a pregnant woman who's just getting over the first trimester, the first thing I notice in everyone's posts is food. LOL

That apple turnover looks absolutely divine.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time with wait times. That is kind of a bummer when they're not consistent with the signage.

On the upside, you got some beautiful pictures of Spectro and the fireworks!

Your defintely allowed to focus on the food. You have the perfect excuse. I don't think I had ever been in the Main St. bakery before. Everything looked so good, but I'm a complete apple addict. The turnover had my name written all over it.

I've never had a problem with the signs before at the parks. This was a first. Hopefully it was something they will be able to fix.

I was pretty happy with my night time pics this trip, especially as I left my gorilla pod home. I finally figured out how to use the night time settings.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Seriously, as much as I love Splash Mountain, there was nothing that could have dragged me on that ride when it was about 40 degrees out. Brrrrr!

Cold and wet do not mix in my eyes!

Every time I leave the show when it's over, I always expect to see the animal heads repeated on the wall of the restaurant still singing the songs. Does anyone else remember that?

I do! I do!

I didn't think it looked much like him.

I have heard that from a few people! Looking forward to seeing the new changes in July!

By the time we got off and headed into Fantasyland, the lines had begun to really get out of control. We were going to ride It's a Small World, but the post wait time was an hour. An Hour for It's a Small World!!!!!

I can't believe how crazy crowded it was! That wait time for It's a Small World says it all!

The castle lit up was one of the things I was really looking forward to seeing and it didn't disappoint.

So magically pretty!

After dinner we headed over to the Jungle Cruise for our two week excursion. In all my years going to Disney I had never been on at night before. It was fantastic at night! All the effects felt so much more real, and you no longer felt like you were in the middle of an amusement park. Very cool! After my night ride this trip, I'd be hard pressed to chose a daytime ride again.

Connor's first ride on the Jungle Cruise was at night and he still talks about it. It's one of the few things he remembers from his first trip in 2004.

There was one point that first day that BTMRR, SM and Barnstormer were all down at the same time.

That couldn't have helped with the crowd levels!!!

I saw this and couldn't refuse -

Mmmmmm, apple turnover! It was delicious. Lots of apple, and just the right amount of icing. Yum!

Yum is right! I will take one of those for breakfast, please!

 

[TarzansKat]

Wow you're just using night time settings? Do you have a point and shoot or a more souped up camera?