"I think I'm in love, and her name is Polynesia..." an Aug/Sept '15 TR (NEW TR link @ end!)

[skier_pete]

Happy Thanksgiving!

Looks like a fantastic day in the Magic Kingdom!

I have never gotten to experience the Halloween stuff at the MK but I hope to someday.

I love the jungle cruise. We got to experience the jingle cruise last time which was something different and fun.

Great Photopass pictures as always.

We didn't really get to experience any Halloween stuff - other than the Halloween party there isn't much to experience. There is MUCH more Christmas stuff anyways.

Happy Thanksgiving.

What an amazing morning at MK to get that many rides in quickly. Love it when your few thousand friends all know to scatter through the park to keep the lines short.

Thank you! Nothing beats those first few hours in the park. We really knocked out so much that first day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thank you! I could wish you a belated one as well. (Only 6 weeks late!) Actually @mlegerto, you can answer me a question...do Canadians have an equivalent to "black Friday"? The day that everyone goes out and kicks of the Christmas shopping season? My wife said "Sure they do - it's called 'Black Friday' and they all come here!" but I argued that not everyone in Canada can come to the states for it. Just curious!

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! We ate too much, as usual!

I enjoyed this update and thought one thing was quite unusual and that has to do with a WDW centric person vs Disneyland centric folks. I even mentioned this to Fran and she had the exact same answer as I did. You said that MK is the defining thing about WDW for you, but yet when I said that to Fran we both said that Epcot was the defining park. I know for me the reason is that MK is kind of like a rip off of the original park and even stripped of some of the key attractions which have been farmed (I would really use another not so DIS friendly word that rhymes with "warred") out to other parks at WDW to make them more attractive.

To me Disneyland is THE park and MK is a cheap knock off. What makes WDW unique to me is Epcot. We don't have anything like Epcot at the original so that is what makes WDW cool to me. I'm thinking that Fran thinks similar, but when I mentioned your thoughts to her, she didn't tell me why she agreed with me that Epcot makes WDW what it is, but I'm guessing her reasons are similar to mine.

I'm not knocking your viewpoint, but just pointing out how folks from different walks of life can view the same place totally differently. Cool that we can all enjoy the same place with different perspectives. I'm glad you got to do as much as you did without so many waits. I hope we are as lucky in the a couple weeks!

@franandaj - we could probably have a long discourse on this topic. Speaking for myself, as a kid, it was JUST Magic Kingdom..so that's where the buried memories tell me is the heart and soul of WDW. As an adult, Epcot is very appealing and we never seem to get enough time there, but MK is the one park I could never skip. I'm sure there are people born later than I that would rank the other parks higher.

I think a lot of east-coasters never think twice about going to Disneyland. I really don't think going to Disneyland was even on OUR radar until maybe 2010. I know it's the original but it's not MY original. There's a pretty good theory out there that for most people their favorite is the one they grew up with. Don't get me wrong, we love Disneyland (heck we're heading out for our 3rd trip in 4 years). But if I had to choose one park - it would still be WDW-MK. I know it doesn't have as much stuff as DL - but everything is right where it should be. (DL just feels off with that teeny tiny castle dwarfed by a big lumpy mountain.)

 

[mlegerto]

Thank you! I could wish you a belated one as well. (Only 6 weeks late!) Actually @mlegerto, you can answer me a question...do Canadians have an equivalent to "black Friday"? The day that everyone goes out and kicks of the Christmas shopping season? My wife said "Sure they do - it's called 'Black Friday' and they all come here!" but I argued that not everyone in Canada can come to the states for it. Just curious

I will accept the belated well wishes!

Well...we don't quite have Black Friday, but some of the stores here in Canada try to pretend like we do. They will list a BLACK FRIDAY sale, but it's nothing like it is in the states - you may get like $10 off of somethings, a buy one get one 1/2 price, or reduced old stock, but that's pretty much it. There are quite a few people - especially in my area as I am only 1 hours from the Buffalo boarder, that will take the day off and cross the border for a shopping weekend.

 

[franandaj]

we could probably have a long discourse on this topic. Speaking for myself, as a kid, it was JUST Magic Kingdom..so that's where the buried memories tell me is the heart and soul of WDW. As an adult, Epcot is very appealing and we never seem to get enough time there, but MK is the one park I could never skip. I'm sure there are people born later than I that would rank the other parks higher.

I figured it was something like that, and I can understand childhood attachments. Mine is more from my adult life as I only visited Disneyland twice before my 18th birthday.

 

[skier_pete]

I will accept the belated well wishes!

Well...we don't quite have Black Friday, but some of the stores here in Canada try to pretend like we do. They will list a BLACK FRIDAY sale, but it's nothing like it is in the states - you may get like $10 off of somethings, a buy one get one 1/2 price, or reduced old stock, but that's pretty much it. There are quite a few people - especially in my area as I am only 1 hours from the Buffalo boarder, that will take the day off and cross the border for a shopping weekend.

Thanks for the info! I was just curious. I sometimes think we get more Canadians in our malls for shopping than Americans. I just don't like when you guys dump the wrappers/tags/old clothing in the parking lots to disguise the fact they were purchased here to save duty. At least throw stuff in the garbage Canada!

I figured it was something like that, and I can understand childhood attachments. Mine is more from my adult life as I only visited Disneyland twice before my 18th birthday.

And I also totally get why a west coaster would think poorly of MK versus the other parks. Though I think you'd have a hard time finding anyone or either coast picking DCA as their favorite park - even with Carsland.

 

[skier_pete]

Day 8 - Magic Kingdom - Part 2

We finally reached our first FP+ window for Peter Pan’s Flight (10:45 AM to 11:45 AM) so that was next on the agenda. Love this ride but hate the long lines! FP+ made it take little time. The funny thing is when we rode Small World, we were with a Plaid (Disney VIP cast member host) and her charges. We then walked off Small World with them, and walked right onto Peter Pan’s Flight with them. I was thinking that this family was paying probably $1000 for the day for this plaid to accompany them – in the meantime we were leading our family to a day of zero waits and lots of rides. It was kind of amusing to me.



Gotta make a comment on the shirt that was given to us by our photo pass share person @kcpinwdw . Thanks so much – DD loves it!!!


No photos really from Peter Pan. It was now only about 11:00 AM, and though we had a lunch planned in an hour or so, everyone wanted a snack. DD was still mad at me from 2 years ago that I wouldn’t let her get a $10 caramel apple, and so I had told her she could have one this trip. We knew we could get one at Storybook Circus, so that’s where we headed.


DD got her wish, though we actually all ate a bite of this one!


In addition – DW and I split a cake pop. Yes, it was small, but with the apple mixed in there it was more than enough.


We asked DD if she wanted to do Dumbo or Barnstormer while we were there in the park – but she didn’t have any interest. So we headed to Little Mermaid. Previously we had done this with a FP, but this time we went through the Standby line. It was a “walk-up”, except you had to walk through the ENTIRE line! Argh – why does Disney do this stuff. (Finding Nemo has the same killer foot issue.)





I know a lot of people complain about this ride as “not enough” but I think it’s a perfectly good old fashioned dark ride. I wish they’ve done something slightly more impressive with it, but overall it’s a cute ride.





[/URL]



DD must’ve thought so too, because as soon as we got off, she wanted to go on again. It was so fast that we said – sure let’s do it. Again trekking through that long queue though. Woof!

Continued in next post

 

[skier_pete]

After the second ride she had had enough – and anyways it was time to ride the 7D. This was our first time riding this ride together. It was a LOT of fun. Again, you read criticism on-line about all these new rides, but I really, really like this ride a lot. It’s not a big-time thrill, but it’s got two reasonable length coaster sections, and the cute dark ride middle part. I really enjoy the heck out of it. The best part of course was that by FP+ it, we skipped out on a 70 minute wait!


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4275_zpsv4zjrdsc.jpg.html


Here’s the ride photos and the video over at Photobucket!

[/URL]


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/sk...MK_MINETRAIN_7453106871_zpslixgkkwo.jpeg.html


Well – look at that – we did 10 rides (well 8 different ones) and it’s just getting on past noon. We were actually still early for our 12:30 ADR at BE Our Guest. I tried to check in, but they said “come back in 10 minutes”. So we went and found a photopass person:


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/sk...BRIDGEICONNC_7460361332_zpss3mragw3.jpeg.html
And then DW had to use the bathroom – so DD and I checked out Gaston’s Tavern. Since Gaston was outside entertaining the crowd, DD decided to check out Gaston’s chair! I think she was nervous he was going to show up any minute! Fortunately he was outside entertaining the crowd.
http://s898.photobucket.com/user/sk...BRIDGEICONNC_7460361332_zpss3mragw3.jpeg.html


Not surprisingly, Gaston’s decarations used a lot of antlers:

[/URL]

[/URL]

[/URL]

 

[rteetz]

I will never understand how non-celebrities need the VIP people but hey if you got the money I guess why not.

Nemo and little mermaid are both very similar attractions. Both attractions shouldn't have FP which kind of is why they don't need the long queues but if they didn't have FP it would probably be more necessary.

Great PP photos as always. Mine train is really a solid addition I just wish it was a little longer.

 

[skier_pete]

I will never understand how non-celebrities need the VIP people but hey if you got the money I guess why not.

Nemo and little mermaid are both very similar attractions. Both attractions shouldn't have FP which kind of is why they don't need the long queues but if they didn't have FP it would probably be more necessary.

Great PP photos as always. Mine train is really a solid addition I just wish it was a little longer.

Yeah - I was trying to see if these people were someone famous. The guy looked like he could've been an athlete but I didn't recognize him. It was funny that we kept running into them for a while.

I agree with 7DMT - it should be about 45 seconds longer, but actually after the first time riding it, I found expecting the shorter ride I really, really enjoyed it. It just the right level of coaster, and having the dark ride in the middle is great (similar to Radiator Springs Racers - thought that ride is simply amazing).

I just don't get why they don't have a short-cut to the queue when the whole thing isn't necessary. There were even a few spots where it completely doubled back on itself and yet you still had to walk the whole length. Tiring people out doesn't really benefit Disney, people going back to their rooms earlier doesn't get them spending cash.

 

[NJlauren]

Slacker over here!

I cant believe you made it to day 8 with out hitting up the MK! I know what you mean so much to do in all the other parts for WDw, but MK is 'the park'! So its hard to not hit it up sooner!

The VIP plaid people, if I ever got one (when I hit the lotto) I would go Christmas week and get one, then maybe it would be worth it, and so much fun!

I think people are critical of the new rides because the expect every ride to be the best, well it doesn't work like that, but i do think Disney could get the rides ready a little quicker? Maybe?

 

[skier_pete]

Slacker over here!

I cant believe you made it to day 8 with out hitting up the MK! I know what you mean so much to do in all the other parts for WDw, but MK is 'the park'! So its hard to not hit it up sooner!

The VIP plaid people, if I ever got one (when I hit the lotto) I would go Christmas week and get one, then maybe it would be worth it, and so much fun!

I think people are critical of the new rides because the expect every ride to be the best, well it doesn't work like that, but i do think Disney could get the rides ready a little quicker? Maybe?

Yes to the plaid for Christmas week, and then hang out with the Candlelight Processional person in a private party! (Hey, we might as well dream big, huh?) "Next time I should say "Would you like some company on your tour?" I wonder how fast security would show up.

8 days without MK was rough, but being so close to MK was such a pleasure. I never really even dreamed of being able to stay at a monorail resort. I love DVC.

Truthfully from when they started construction on the mine train to completion was probably less than two years. Yes, they could probably do it faster, but I guess I am just happy we get new experiences of this caliber.

 

[jandlinz]

You sure did get a lot done in the morning! We have yet to make a rope drop. Last time I pushed to get to AK as early as we could and we did get a lot done. I never even knew about the opening show until reading the forums. I can't wait to check it out. We usually stay until closing so the kids are wiped the next day, but making an early night and hitting rope drop looks like a great option. Your photopass pictures are truly special. Your DD looks like she's having a blast!

 

[DVC Nicole]

Looks like your family had a amazing time Great Pictures!

~Nicole
#dvcrentals

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great morning!

It must have been fantastic to get through MK without a lot of people and not much queue time.
Love the antlers at Gaston's.

And YUM to that candy apple. $10????

 

[Tinker326]

Love DD's shirt. I always see those & think I should attempt to make them. And then I think again because I'd probably never get my Mickey to turn out right.....

I think 7DMR isn't bad- per say- it was really the fact that it took YEARS to build (New Harry Potter land was built in LESS time than this one ride) and it was a ride very similar to Big Thunder. I think the big letdown was that everyone was expecting something SO grand because it took SO long to build. That being said- my kids LOVE 7DMR..and I enjoy it too- so long as I get a FP and don't have to wait in that line for it!

You guys are rockin' the lines at Magic Kingdom! Woo hoo! I'm already prepping myself to ride exactly 3 rides (our FP rides) during Spring Break due to extreme crowds. Hahahaha!

Great updates!

 

[franandaj]

Catching up here! Great job on the rides! That's a lot in a short period.

I was thinking that this family was paying probably $1000 for the day

I don't know about MK rates but at DL the VIP tour guides run anywhere from $250-350 per hour (seasonally) and require a 6 hour minimum. However they can park hop which commands a greater value. I think the tour guides at WDW are assigned to a specific park.

 

[skier_pete]

You sure did get a lot done in the morning! We have yet to make a rope drop. Last time I pushed to get to AK as early as we could and we did get a lot done. I never even knew about the opening show until reading the forums. I can't wait to check it out. We usually stay until closing so the kids are wiped the next day, but making an early night and hitting rope drop looks like a great option. Your photopass pictures are truly special. Your DD looks like she's having a blast!

You can get so much done in those first two hours. We are early risers anyways, so it's not that hard for us to make rope drop, but we've discovered that if you make rope drop and push hard for the first 2-3 hours to get stuff done, that really leaves you with the rest of the day to take a softer pace and then you can do pretty much whatever you want and still feel you had a good day. We also don't usually stay late because DD doesn't take to doing that well. She is also much better in the morning.

This is about the happiest DD gets. She mostly acts like she is miserable unless she is enjoying annoying us. Ahh...teenagers.

Looks like your family had a amazing time Great Pictures!

~Nicole
#dvcrentals

we did! Thanks.

Great morning!

It must have been fantastic to get through MK without a lot of people and not much queue time.
Love the antlers at Gaston's.

And YUM to that candy apple. $10????

I know - $10. I think the evil queen priced that one!!! Regardless of FP+ and the much easier access to touring plans than 15 years ago, there is still very easy ways to "beat the crowds" at WDW!!

Love DD's shirt. I always see those & think I should attempt to make them. And then I think again because I'd probably never get my Mickey to turn out right.....

I think 7DMR isn't bad- per say- it was really the fact that it took YEARS to build (New Harry Potter land was built in LESS time than this one ride) and it was a ride very similar to Big Thunder. I think the big letdown was that everyone was expecting something SO grand because it took SO long to build. That being said- my kids LOVE 7DMR..and I enjoy it too- so long as I get a FP and don't have to wait in that line for it!

You guys are rockin' the lines at Magic Kingdom! Woo hoo! I'm already prepping myself to ride exactly 3 rides (our FP rides) during Spring Break due to extreme crowds. Hahahaha!

Great updates!

Rope drop - girl!!! The more crowded the season, the more important rope drop is. You might even be able to ride 6 or 7 rides!

I think people are overreacting to how long 7DMR took to build. It's easy to forget construction on it started much later than the rest of NFL. It still took 2 years to build, and you are right that Universal builds things much faster! I don't think it reminds me of Big Thunder that much though...it's a similar level coaster, but definitely different themed. I really love the show scene in the middle! I agree that the letdown is probably everyone wants something spectacular. I think Fantasyland is not the place for spectacular though....it's for kids rides.

Catching up here! Great job on the rides! That's a lot in a short period.

I don't know about MK rates but at DL the VIP tour guides run anywhere from $250-350 per hour (seasonally) and require a 6 hour minimum. However they can park hop which commands a greater value. I think the tour guides at WDW are assigned to a specific park.

Well, my $1000 was a guess. I just looked it up, and the Disney website lists VIP tours as $400 - $600 per hour. It also lists DLR at $400 - $550 per hour. I hope those tour guides get some of that bank! That's almost a monthly mortgage payment for me per hour. I don't think I have to worry about ever hiring a plaid.

 

[Teetah]

Catching up! Hope you and your family are doing well! This trip looks great so far. The Poly looks amazing and is definitely on my list to stay there next (fingers crossed). It was fun to see you guys in Germany - I can't go there without thinking of you both! I am with your DD...I miss Kim Possible.

I agree with your sentiments on DTD...I keep hoping to see more nightlife. DS is some improvement, but I really feel they could do so much more. Really excited to try the Hangar Bar tho!

So impressed with all you got done in MK in so little time. That is what good planning will get you! I agree on 7DMT...we finally got to ride it last time and I thought it was so much fun and a great ride! Definitely beats the pants off so many other "new" ones to me. I don't need big thrills - the small ones are good enough for me...and the theming is just incredible on that ride. The jewels in the mine was my favorite part!

Maybe someday I will get started on that TR...but we all know how that will probably go for me. Maybe around holiday time off. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

 

[skier_pete]

Catching up! Hope you and your family are doing well! This trip looks great so far. The Poly looks amazing and is definitely on my list to stay there next (fingers crossed). It was fun to see you guys in Germany - I can't go there without thinking of you both! I am with your DD...I miss Kim Possible.

I agree with your sentiments on DTD...I keep hoping to see more nightlife. DS is some improvement, but I really feel they could do so much more. Really excited to try the Hangar Bar tho!

So impressed with all you got done in MK in so little time. That is what good planning will get you! I agree on 7DMT...we finally got to ride it last time and I thought it was so much fun and a great ride! Definitely beats the pants off so many other "new" ones to me. I don't need big thrills - the small ones are good enough for me...and the theming is just incredible on that ride. The jewels in the mine was my favorite part!

Maybe someday I will get started on that TR...but we all know how that will probably go for me. Maybe around holiday time off. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

We had such a great time with you and Tim as well! I was thinking of you guys when I was drinking my beer in Germany! We dream of the time when we can take a Food and Wine weekend every year! Looks like we might actually be there next year - but more on that in a future PTR!

 

[skier_pete]

To contiue where we left off...we were about to have lunch at Be Our Guest. We had stopped there once but it was too early, so now we went back over to Be Our Guest and this time they let us in.


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4282_zpskwdbiyfj.jpg.html


We hadn’t pre-ordered our food, so we had to wait in line. It was a long line, but it moved real fast – probably took < 10 minutes to order.



These Gargoyle guys definitely aren’t having a good time.



DD has matured, last trip two years ago, she wouldn’t walk past these knights because they were talking to each other. This year she braved the talking knights.



We actually had a heck of a time finding an empty table. We ended up in the music box room, and even then had to wait for the servants to clear the tables:


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4291_zps4spdcexv.jpg.html


Our food came reasonably quickly. DD had the Croque Monsieur - Grilled sandwich of carved ham, Gruyere cheese, and bechamel with Pommes Frites :



And followed that up with a Triple Chocolate Cupcake - chocolate sponge cake, chocolate mousse filling, and chocolate ganache



I had the Carved Prime Chuck Roast Beef Sandwich - served warm on a baguette with horseradish sour cream and Pomme Frites. And I could not resist the The Master's Cupcake - chocolate sponge cake topped with Lumiere's special grey stuff



DW wanted to try the French Onion Soup, the Braised Pork - slow-cooked pork with vegetables and bacon served with mashed potatoes and green beans jardinière and the Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake - vanilla sponge cake, strawberry mousse filling, and cream cheese icing


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4296_zpsjyzdpxqb.jpg.html
Everyone LOVED their meals, especially DD, who was so enamored with the meal that she requested the recipe from the chef. (They e-mailed it to us eventually!) I have to say, we’ve eaten here for both lunch and dinner, and both times the meals were excellent. Highly recommended for both the theme and the food.

Continued in the next post...

 

[skier_pete]

We were getting towards the heat of the day, so we had one last ride planned before taking a break. I had planned to do Splash Mountain right before returning to our resort – just in case we got soaked. As it turned out, we didn’t get too wet, though I think I got the wettest of the bunch. Instead of ride photos – I went with something different – QUEUE photos!




http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4298_zpsci0tu71o.jpg.html


At this point DD was getting tired (we all were) and so we had planned to go back to the room anyways, so we hopped the Railroad and road it to the front of the park. From there, we debated between the monorail and the boat, but the boat was there already, so the boat won.

I’d ridden the boat over to Wilderness Lodge, but never to the Grand Floridian/Poly. We ended up always taking the monorail over to the park, but rode the boat a bunch of times.


http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4300_zpsc0f3zovy.jpg.html

http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4301_zpsr7grpjqx.jpg.html

http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4303_zpso4baczjw.jpg.html

http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4304_zpspurleg47.jpg.html

http://s898.photobucket.com/user/skierpete23/media/WDW 2015 Part 2/DSCN4306_zpsyz7sjmgv.jpg.html


Even though we stopped at the GF first, it was a short (hot) ride to the Poly, but we were in the shade in the breeze, which made for a pretty nice ride. We were considering going down to the pool, but the skies had been threatening as we got back to the resort, and after a little while it just OPENED UP pouring. I cannot even describe how hard it was raining, I mean it rained hard many days we were here, but this was a “next level monsoon” type of rain. I said to DW “Even in torrential rains this resort is wonderful, because you look outside and it looks like the rain belongs here.”

[/URL]

[/URL]

Again the view from our balcony. You can certainly see the rain pouring down, but what doesn’t show up so well is that the sidewalks had turned to rivers, and there was standing water in the grass. It was just crazy and I was glad we spent the time hanging in our room.

Next Update - Back to MK for the evening!!!