ª"˜˜ª¤.¸Official Team August 2013 Thread!¸.¤ª˜˜"ª&#9733

[pigletto]

We felt the same way about US/IOA. In general there were a lot of great things about US. We LOVED the HRH - great place to stay - the room was big, the theming was fun, the pool was fantastic - kids watched HP in the pool while we sat at the restaurant/bar right next to it, breakfast was good. And the express pass is the best thing EVER! City Walk is great - different vibe from DTD but fun, great places to eat, etc. As for the parks themselves, IOA was better themed, and WWOHP was amazing....they truly outdid themselves and we loved every inch of it. But the rest of it was just ok. The big roller coasters are fun, but you can find those almost anywhere, many of the shows were just not our taste (but I suppose if you are into those characters/themes you would enjoy them), and I just wasn't blown away by anything other than WWOHP.

The real difference though is the attention to detail and the catering to guests. At one point my youngest DS wanted a churro. It was hot, we were tired, but there was a churro stand so we got in line. When I got up to the front, I could see in the churro holder thing (you know those heated things they have pretzels or curros in) that there were two left, and I thought I'm glad they still have one because I'm done after this. So I ask the girl for a churro. She looks at the holder thing and says I don't have any left but you can walk down around and over there (to a place significantly farther away from where we were) and see if they have any. I was like because I could see two sitting on the bottom rack. Did I mention it was 100 degrees and I was done? So I said, can I have that one. And she said, "That's in the back and I don't feel like moving the rack." Well, let's just say that that was the wrong thing to say to me. DW held me back (I'm usually very easy going), and suggested to the girl she should really consider doing whatever she needed to do to get that churro for me. She did, begrudgingly and I was like that's it, we're going back to Disney.

That kind of attitude just really soured things for me. I know it was isolated, but in general there was not that magical feeling you get at Disney.

Would I go back? Yes, I would, but I think I would stay for one night instead of two (and I would do that only for the express pass) and not expect too much. And I would wait until the HP expansion is finished.

Discovery Cove is on my list too - I think I would make a point of doing that before heading back to US.

Oh please tell me it wasn't the churro stand in front of the Twister/Rip Ride Rocket area
I had the WORST customer service ever there (well with the exception of the Orlando Walmart but that's a whole different story.)
The two kids behind the counter gabbed and chatted and ignored me forever, then I made my order and they resumed their conversation about drinking and didn't move to get anything. Until my husband walked up behind me and said "What could possibly be taking this long? It's a CHURRO and a WATER".
They rolled their sassy little eyes, but finally got it. I think I stood there ten minutes and I was the only one in line!

 

[carrie6466]

Between our friends coming for a few days and all the talk of DIS meets, I'm ready to throw my hands up, scrap our plans and just wing it!

Ok, not really, but this does bring me back around to that QOTD we had a while back on whether ADRs are a good thing or not, and it's times like these I wish we weren't making these plans 180 days out!

So, my friend asked if they could join us for dinner at Ohana . Dinner for 8 at 70-something days out at a prime time so we can finish and view fireworks at a restaurant that fills up at around day 179. No problem...let me see what I can do! Yes, you all know the answer to this one. Well, in fairness there's a table at 9:45, but no thanks.

That day we have breakfast at Kona and dinner at Ohana. My mouth is already watering for Tonga Toast and I have eaten breakfast at Ohana,but never dinner. And I've had breakfast at Kona, but never dinner. I could switch Ohana to breakfast and Kona for dinner (there is availability).

Opinions? For those of you who have eaten at both, which meal at each place do you prefer?

My cousin was going to join us only for our first day, as it was their last day.

Now she says she's adding another day to hang out with us. That's the day I have Tusker House booked for breakfast and 'Ohana for dinner. I can't get them into either restaurant with us.

I haven't decided what to do yet. I also made those ADR's at 180

 

[Loreli]

Sunday evenings watching WW of D on tv when you were a kid (well for some of us older people)

My Brother: "Mooom! Football's going into overtime AGAIN! We'll Miss Wonderful World of Disney!!!"
Me:"Moooom call the TV station and tell them we want to see Wonderful World of Disney!! Not more football!!"

DW held me back (I'm usually very easy going), and suggested to the girl she should really consider doing whatever she needed to do to get that churro for me. She did, begrudgingly and I was like that's it, we're going back to Disney.

I am not usually very easy going, so my husband is usually holding me back with quiet verbal reminders not to create a scene. I would have had a very difficult time with that churro chick. DH just said he wouldn't have held me back for that one


As far as Limited Time Magic....I'm glad it's limited, it bites. Trolley parades?? Really??

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would love to do Sea World sometime. I'd also like to do Discovery Cove, but I know it's pricey, so I'm not sure when we'll get to do it...

Discovery Cove is on my list too - I think I would make a point of doing that before heading back to US.

If anyone is on the fence about whether or not Discovery Cove is worth it, I can't stress enough how wonderful it is there. Its an amazing park. So beautiful, so relaxing, and so nice to have everything you need included in your admission (food, drinks, alcoholic beverages, parking, activities, sunscreen, even a family photo). Its actually a decent value, too, if you book your tickets early and take advantage of the included admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica. I would definitely encourage you to give it a try on a future trip!

Mmmmm.....Butterbeer!

I liked it too! I had the roast chicken if I recall, it was tasty. I looooove the frozen Butterbeer (the regular is a bit too sweet for me) and the pumpkin juice. Yum! Also the peanut butter and strawberry ice cream was ridiculously good.

I preferred the non-frozen over the frozen (I'm weird, I know ) but ohhhh, it was good either way!

Since I'm in a picture mood today, here's one to motivate your tastebuds:

Love the pic!! Once the expansion is completed, maybe we can venture over there for a day or two as part of a future FL trip. The kids would be a bit older then too and able to go on more of the rides I'm sure. Would like to check out the new Transformers ride as well!

I do agree that Universal is much more suited to older kids (while there is some stuff for the smaller folks, as a general rule, the parks seem to be geared to 10 and up), so its probably smart to wait until your kids are a wee bit older and all the WWoHP expansion is done. I know DH and DS will be chomping at the bit for a visit when their new additions are complete!!

 

[pigletto]

We also aren't going to Universal on this trip for the first time in forever. And we are torn on whether to go at Christmas or not because one night is over $350 PLUS tickets. However.. when the expansion for Potter is done we will wait the minimum amount of time for the crowds to die down and we'll be there in a heartbeat.

DD is 16 and pretty much grew up with the books. My sister and I would take her to the midnight book release parties, and we were at the movies (me, my daughter, my sister and my mom!) on opening night for every single one.
We were (and still are) fanatics. We've read each book at least 3 times each. She made a friend in 5th grade who was her first friend at her new school and came up to ask her to play because dd was sitting by herself reading one of the Potter books and they bonded over it. We started taking the friend with us to the book parties and movies. Then we took her with us to Disney and Universal last summer and stayed in one of the FW cabins. Couldn't have asked for a better behaved and more polite girl to accompany us on our trip. She was absolutely enthralled with HP land.I just adore her.
So you better bet when we take that trip for the opening of the new Potter expansion Michelle will be with us!
Love that my daughter has such an awesome friend and I love that I get to do something special for her and dd before they go off to University.

 

[dwfanatic]

We are going to IOA for a day because DS (10) is a Harry Potter fanatic(as am I). I just decided to book a day at one of the hotels on property to take advantage of the FOTL pass, and to get in one hour earlier to WWoHP. Also, we won't have to get up at the break of dawn to get there early enough for park opening. DH loves thrill rides so he'll be happy, and DS(17) loves Jurrasic Park- so a little something for everyone. We haven't been to US for 12 years.

 

[zabache]

Just got plane tix for my nieces and our money to pay for our trip!! Insert happy dance! This trip is finally reality.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Oh please tell me it wasn't the churro stand in front of the Twister/Rip Ride Rocket area
I had the WORST customer service ever there (well with the exception of the Orlando Walmart but that's a whole different story.)
The two kids behind the counter gabbed and chatted and ignored me forever, then I made my order and they resumed their conversation about drinking and didn't move to get anything. Until my husband walked up behind me and said "What could possibly be taking this long? It's a CHURRO and a WATER".
They rolled their sassy little eyes, but finally got it. I think I stood there ten minutes and I was the only one in line!

I don't remember where we were (I don't know US parks the way I know Disney), but it sure is possible. Maybe they punish the lousy CMs by putting them in churro stands on blazing hot days Seriously though, I felt like I was at my local Six Flags (which isn't saying much) instead of a major amusement park whose biggest competition prides themselves on customer service!

My cousin was going to join us only for our first day, as it was their last day.

Now she says she's adding another day to hang out with us. That's the day I have Tusker House booked for breakfast and 'Ohana for dinner. I can't get them into either restaurant with us.

I haven't decided what to do yet. I also made those ADR's at 180

Oh, I feel your pain We can obsess about this together while your cousin and my friend probably have no clue the stress we are going through as obsessive planners .

We are going to IOA for a day because DS (10) is a Harry Potter fanatic(as am I). I just decided to book a day at one of the hotels on property to take advantage of the FOTL pass, and to get in one hour earlier to WWoHP. Also, we won't have to get up at the break of dawn to get there early enough for park opening. DH loves thrill rides so he'll be happy, and DS(17) loves Jurrasic Park- so a little something for everyone. We haven't been to US for 12 years.

That FOTL pass and the hour early into WWOHP is more than worth the day at the hotel. That is the only way I would do US. Have fun!

*****************************************

Well, I have something new to countdown for and obsess over! I am planning on running the Tinkerbell 1/2 in January. I am so up in the air over so many aspects of this trip, but the big one right now is that I'm stressing over getting in!! The registration for the Princess 1/2 opened yesterday, and with it they introduced a new C2C challenge. I am planning on doing the C2C with W&D in November 2014, but this one is a special pink princessy type one, so a ton of people jumped on it. They also introduced the Glass Slipper Challenge which is a 10k one day and the 1/2 the next. Well, the GSC is already sold out and the Princess is at 50%, AND if you opted for the special C2C, you could do a special early registration for Tink yesterday. Tink doesn't officially open up until July 9, but a lot of people already have their spots by going this route. So now I'm panicking it's going to sell out super fast! I'll be sitting by the computer on July 9, obsessing....27 days to go! I am also debating adding on the Neverland 5k, which sells out instantly, so I really need to make that decision too.

Then I need to figure out the rest of this trip. I've never been to DL before, so it's all very new. The biggest decision I need to make is whether to do this trip with or without the boys. With requires them missing two days of school, it will be very $$$$, and obviously we (DW is running too) won't be able to totally focus on ourselves for race prep. Also, if they do come, I will allow DS12 to run Neverland, so I'll need to be set with that decision by July 8th. If I don't bring them the guilt might kill me What to do, what to do?!?!

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Just got plane tix for my nieces and our money to pay for our trip!! Insert happy dance! This trip is finally reality.

Congrats!! I'm glad it all worked out with your nieces coming along!

 

[pigletto]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ing-for-week-long-refurbishment-in-august.htm

Spaceship Earth closing for refurb for a week in August. We LOVE Spaceship Earth. Luckily for us it will reopen 2 days after we get there but I thought I would put it in here in case it affects any of your trips. I think we're probably the only people who would be hugely disappointed if it was closed though

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/spaceship-earth/news/11jun2013-spaceship-earth-closing-for-week-long-refurbishment-in-august.htm

Spaceship Earth closing for refurb for a week in August. It's so silly but we LOVE Spaceship Earth. Luckily for us it's will reopen 2 days after we get there but I thought I would put it in here in case it affects any of your trips. I think we're probably the only people who would be hugely disappointed if it was closed though

It's a fav of ours too. Luckily for us we can ride it after it reopens too!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ing-for-week-long-refurbishment-in-august.htm

Spaceship Earth closing for refurb for a week in August. We LOVE Spaceship Earth. Luckily for us it will reopen 2 days after we get there but I thought I would put it in here in case it affects any of your trips. I think we're probably the only people who would be hugely disappointed if it was closed though

Ugh, that stinks! We'll totally miss it. Me and my girls don't ride roller coasters, so that is one of the few rides we have that aren't "kiddie" rides. Oh well!

 

[momto3gr8boys]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ing-for-week-long-refurbishment-in-august.htm

Spaceship Earth closing for refurb for a week in August. We LOVE Spaceship Earth. Luckily for us it will reopen 2 days after we get there but I thought I would put it in here in case it affects any of your trips. I think we're probably the only people who would be hugely disappointed if it was closed though

I saw that on the FB page It's one of our favorites, so count us in on the disappointment. We are there 8/18-8/27 so I am hoping it opens back up on time (or goes down a day late). We had SE closed on an August trip a few years back (when they redid it) and I really missed it. I may have missed it more than when Space Mountain was down for an entire trip one year.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ing-for-week-long-refurbishment-in-august.htm

Spaceship Earth closing for refurb for a week in August. We LOVE Spaceship Earth. Luckily for us it will reopen 2 days after we get there but I thought I would put it in here in case it affects any of your trips. I think we're probably the only people who would be hugely disappointed if it was closed though

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Well, at least we planned on being there on the 26th, so hopefully it opens on time.

 

[joshsmom]

We are there the beginning of August, 1-12, so we should be fine as far as Spaceship Earth goes. Muppets goes down a few days after we get there. Prince Charmings Carousel is closed the whole time we are there. I think River Boat closes and reopens while we are there too!!

 

[JavArmy]

Where is the best (and easiest) place to look at the referb schedule. The one on the Disney website didn't have half of these when I looked.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Where is the best (and easiest) place to look at the referb schedule. The one on the Disney website didn't have half of these when I looked.

I used to go to all ears, but they haven't seemed to be keeping up with these latest refurbs. Here is a link to the one here on the DIS and seems to be very up to date: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

 

[joshsmom]

I used to go to all ears, but they haven't seemed to be keeping up with these latest refurbs. Here is a link to the one here on the DIS and seems to be very up to date: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

This is the one I use.

 

[JavArmy]

I used to go to all ears, but they haven't seemed to be keeping up with these latest refurbs. Here is a link to the one here on the DIS and seems to be very up to date: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

Thanks!!

 

[Koh1977]

We are there the beginning of August, 1-12, so we should be fine as far as Spaceship Earth goes. Muppets goes down a few days after we get there. Prince Charmings Carousel is closed the whole time we are there. I think River Boat closes and reopens while we are there too!!

I saw that the carousel was down...that's too bad because DD loves carousels...but we will live.

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