RabFlmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2003
- Messages
- 1,903
We took our son to sirport this morning and decided to go on to SW for lunch and to see the decorations and maybe a show or 2.
In 30 years I have never seen so many people at SW during Christmas week. When we got on International drive from 528(the Bee line), we were already in line to get into the parking at SW. Thinking it would save time we didn't drive around the park to get to the entrance but went on the main road that goes to the hotels etc. It still took us 45 minutes to get to the stoplight to turn into the parking area of SW. Then it took another 40 minutes to get through the toll booth. They directed us to drive on what is usually the exit road through the parking lot and then across the street into Turtle B parking lot. After the shuttle ride to the gate it really didn't take long to get into the park. We have passes but son's was stolen a while back so had to go to guest services to get a new one. Only took about 10 minutes.
I can tell you I already hate the new feeding the dolphin method. It was not feeding time. The old sidewalk in is now roped off to everyone. They direct you to the left of it for buying fish or to get to the part to just try to pet the dolphins.You line up on the sidewalk that went around the tank above where you looked at the computers to see pics taken of you or to wash hands. The line was all the wayback to the original entrance. The section for people without fish was lined about 5 deep while the fish feeding area was totally EMPTY. So you have to stand in line even to just get up to the tank where you don't feed the dolphins. Looks like on busy days if you don't plan to buy fish just walk on by.
All Blue H. and Believe shows were being announced closed at least 1- 11/2 hour before the shows were to start. People were already lined up for the 2 PM Blue Horizon at 12:30 PM. We opted to go to underwater viewing and the manatees without watching the film. Maybe took 30 minutes for both. When we got back out to Dolphin stadium the line was already beginning to wrap the stadium.
We spent a lot of time just watching the sea lions since we couldn't get into any shows. Watch for the ones who play with a stone from the bottom. One would go down and pick it up with his mouth and then sort of get it up on his nose. Then he would toss it in the air. A couple others would do the same and sort of play keep away, chasing the one with the rock. LOL
When we decided to move on. the line for Clyde and Seemore was still a mile long but the stadium was filled to the top. I think that was 30 minutes before the show.
At 3 we decided it was time to find a place for lunch. Lines for both sides of Smokey Creek would at least take an hour and a half to get food. Lines at Voyagers were out the door for both lines, so we wernt to Sea Fire Inn where the line was the shortest. We had food within a half hour. We opted for the almost $8 regular steakburger which included fries. Burgers and fries were sort of cold, just sort of ho hum food and more costly than a burger and fries at the MK. We probably would never eat there again. Didn't seem to have as good a menu selection as some of the other places. Very little inside seating for dining and the patio was brimming with people standing at tables eating but few chairs to be found.
From there we went to Wild Arctic (wait for ride or walk through with film was about 50 minutes either side,) so since this is our favorite place we opted to go in our own way since we are passport holders and there to see the animals on a regular basis we always by -pass the ride and or movie, anyway.
Very crowded so we watched for a while and left so others could have their time at the windows etc.
Happy Harbour seems awesome for kids. This is the first time we have seen the added rides, snack area, etc. My kids would have loved this area when they were kids. Well, they did love the boat and overhead area when they were younger. The rides really add to it. The child comfort area with the rockers on the porch looked so inviting for parents with babies, there is a new restroom for the area( I think-don't remember it there but it may have been), and a first aide station right there if any of the kids should happen to hurt themselves while playing etc. I would plan at least an hour there for the kids to just chill and have fun.
From there we continued the circle around the park-even the line for the shark tube was out on the regular sidewalk, so we decided to just call it a day. We left by 4, were there for at least 4 hours, enjoyed just being there without the shows; but if you can go any other time of the year, you will have so much more fun in the park than during Christmas week. One CM told me this was the most people in the park they have had this week. 2 or 3 of the Disney parks were also packed and closed for a while according to the news and even Universal had no parking available to guests either.
Oh, and there were signs all over letting people know that they were going to do Mystify tonight. When I had talked to them earlier in the week about a stolen pass and asked questions about what was going on she said they wouldn't be doing Mystify over Christmas at all. People asking for it must have changed their minds.
BTW there also is a special meal offered this week rather than trying to find a restaurant to eat at. I think it was an all you can eat picnic for $14.95. Might just be for season pass holders, not sure if general public can buy ticket for the meal. It was only offered in a certain time span. We sort of missed it. Probably would have been an easier way to eat for us.
In 30 years I have never seen so many people at SW during Christmas week. When we got on International drive from 528(the Bee line), we were already in line to get into the parking at SW. Thinking it would save time we didn't drive around the park to get to the entrance but went on the main road that goes to the hotels etc. It still took us 45 minutes to get to the stoplight to turn into the parking area of SW. Then it took another 40 minutes to get through the toll booth. They directed us to drive on what is usually the exit road through the parking lot and then across the street into Turtle B parking lot. After the shuttle ride to the gate it really didn't take long to get into the park. We have passes but son's was stolen a while back so had to go to guest services to get a new one. Only took about 10 minutes.
I can tell you I already hate the new feeding the dolphin method. It was not feeding time. The old sidewalk in is now roped off to everyone. They direct you to the left of it for buying fish or to get to the part to just try to pet the dolphins.You line up on the sidewalk that went around the tank above where you looked at the computers to see pics taken of you or to wash hands. The line was all the wayback to the original entrance. The section for people without fish was lined about 5 deep while the fish feeding area was totally EMPTY. So you have to stand in line even to just get up to the tank where you don't feed the dolphins. Looks like on busy days if you don't plan to buy fish just walk on by.
All Blue H. and Believe shows were being announced closed at least 1- 11/2 hour before the shows were to start. People were already lined up for the 2 PM Blue Horizon at 12:30 PM. We opted to go to underwater viewing and the manatees without watching the film. Maybe took 30 minutes for both. When we got back out to Dolphin stadium the line was already beginning to wrap the stadium.
We spent a lot of time just watching the sea lions since we couldn't get into any shows. Watch for the ones who play with a stone from the bottom. One would go down and pick it up with his mouth and then sort of get it up on his nose. Then he would toss it in the air. A couple others would do the same and sort of play keep away, chasing the one with the rock. LOL
When we decided to move on. the line for Clyde and Seemore was still a mile long but the stadium was filled to the top. I think that was 30 minutes before the show.
At 3 we decided it was time to find a place for lunch. Lines for both sides of Smokey Creek would at least take an hour and a half to get food. Lines at Voyagers were out the door for both lines, so we wernt to Sea Fire Inn where the line was the shortest. We had food within a half hour. We opted for the almost $8 regular steakburger which included fries. Burgers and fries were sort of cold, just sort of ho hum food and more costly than a burger and fries at the MK. We probably would never eat there again. Didn't seem to have as good a menu selection as some of the other places. Very little inside seating for dining and the patio was brimming with people standing at tables eating but few chairs to be found.
From there we went to Wild Arctic (wait for ride or walk through with film was about 50 minutes either side,) so since this is our favorite place we opted to go in our own way since we are passport holders and there to see the animals on a regular basis we always by -pass the ride and or movie, anyway.
Very crowded so we watched for a while and left so others could have their time at the windows etc.
Happy Harbour seems awesome for kids. This is the first time we have seen the added rides, snack area, etc. My kids would have loved this area when they were kids. Well, they did love the boat and overhead area when they were younger. The rides really add to it. The child comfort area with the rockers on the porch looked so inviting for parents with babies, there is a new restroom for the area( I think-don't remember it there but it may have been), and a first aide station right there if any of the kids should happen to hurt themselves while playing etc. I would plan at least an hour there for the kids to just chill and have fun.
From there we continued the circle around the park-even the line for the shark tube was out on the regular sidewalk, so we decided to just call it a day. We left by 4, were there for at least 4 hours, enjoyed just being there without the shows; but if you can go any other time of the year, you will have so much more fun in the park than during Christmas week. One CM told me this was the most people in the park they have had this week. 2 or 3 of the Disney parks were also packed and closed for a while according to the news and even Universal had no parking available to guests either.
Oh, and there were signs all over letting people know that they were going to do Mystify tonight. When I had talked to them earlier in the week about a stolen pass and asked questions about what was going on she said they wouldn't be doing Mystify over Christmas at all. People asking for it must have changed their minds.
BTW there also is a special meal offered this week rather than trying to find a restaurant to eat at. I think it was an all you can eat picnic for $14.95. Might just be for season pass holders, not sure if general public can buy ticket for the meal. It was only offered in a certain time span. We sort of missed it. Probably would have been an easier way to eat for us.
Hi Rab! It's Robin from AOL boards. 
I'm so glad that we didn't decide to suprise the kids this week after all. No matter what we would have chosen, it doens't look like it would have a been a good idea!!! I think we'll stick to our tried and true, somewhat "off" dates! Although we love Disney we always do SW or US/IOA or BG, beach, aquarium or something. Sounds like all would have been a great mistake. : ( 
