13 Days of Disney – Shh-it’s a Surprise! - June 2016 PTR - Update 6/4

[Jfsag123]

Good luck with FP+ tonight

Thanks! About to book them now...

 

[Jfsag123]

Day 4: Wednesday, June 8 – Epcot

Is it weird that this is where I feel like the trip really gets started? We don’t have the high level of negativity toward DHS that many around these parts seem to have (in fact, it’s DH’s favorite park), but it feels a bit like an appetizer. Epcot is a main course. This might be affected by the fact that we started our past two trips with Epcot as our first park day. I’d like to keep the streak alive, but it has evening EMH on Tuesday and I’m not about that. So park day #2 it is!

We start this day with a very early wake-up in order to make an 8:00am breakfast at Akershus. Fortunately, we really don’t have to account for travel time, as we can just stroll right over to the International Gateway from BCV. I am VERY MUCH looking forward to this. We love our princess meals! We’ve decided to alternate between them each trip. We hit Akershus (also at 8:00am) on our first trip, had lunch at CRT last year, and so are returning to Akershus this year. Obligatory past Akershus pics of DS and DD trying to strike their best Snow White poses.

After Akershus things get a little fuzzy. Epcot is the park I’m having the most trouble planning because it has the most up in the air right now. Will the Frozen ride be open? Will Anna & Elsa be meeting in Norway?? Will Soarin’ be showing in its old form??? Will they open up the new Soarin’ on 6/17???? WON’T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?! (Ok, non-Disney reference there)

Anyway, the plan is to use our advantage of already being in Norway to hit one of the Frozen attractions after Akershus. If neither is open, we will book it to Test Track. If one or both Frozen attractions are open, but we make it through pretty quickly and the new stuff is pulling sufficient crowds in that direction, we might hit Test Track after anyway. It’s DD’s favorite ride and we will ride it as many times as possible.

How awesome is this rockin’ car? Not very? Alrighty then. Moving on…

After doing whatever we end up doing with our RD, we plan to knock out some more character meets by heading over to the Character Spot to see Baymax and Joy/Sadness. After that we may try to see Colortopia, the new attraction in Innoventions, if we have time. We want to be in position back up at the World Showcase rope by 11:00am in order to….meet another character! Seriously, I mentioned that we are character nuts and I’m not kidding. The goal is to see Mulan at the beginning of her meet, then spend as much or as little time in World Showcase as we want. I love going into WS right at 11:00 because hardly anyone else is back there yet. This is when we were getting lunch at around 11:30am the Liberty Inn last year during spring break (post face painting). We were literally the only people in the place!

I have two items on the agenda for our WS time: seeing American Adventure and picking a pearl in Japan. For the rest of the time we can just wander and see things as they come. Once we’ve made it around the circle, we’ll head out through the International Gateway and take a couple of hours to rest at the resort. Attractions for the evening are as follows:

Test Track w/FP+ (possibly change to old Soarin’ if it becomes available)
Spaceship Earth w/FP+ - leave some time to spend with exhibits/games after the ride
Nemo
Turtle Talk w/FP+
If leftover time, explore Main Tank
Looong hike up to dinner reservation at Via Napoli – it’s our first time eating here and I’m really excited!
After dinner, find spot for Illuminations, preferably near the IG
Watch Illuminations, then make a quick exit

I welcome your feedback. Sorry this was so long! I get pumped up talking about Epcot. Which park will be next? (Spoiler alert: it’s Animal Kingdom)

 

[Jfsag123]

FP+ Booking, AKA Mo’ Park Days, Mo’ Problems

My FP+ booking went relatively well. I got everything I wanted on the days I wanted, fairly close to the times I wanted. Plans might require a slight bit of tweaking on timing (for example, when we start and end breaks), but it looks the way I wanted it to for the most part.

The problem? I can’t consider my selections final because of all of the potential changes coming prior to June. I had to schedule placeholders on 5 separate days – for the Anna/Elsa meet, for the other MK princess meet, for Frozen Ever After in Epcot, for old Soarin’ in case it shows up in early June, and for new Soarin’ in case it opens on 6/17, which is the day before we leave. If new Soarin’ does indeed make its debut on the 17th, it will not only change my FP+ selection, but it will completely move one of my park days. So much yay.

But for now, I can sit back, content in the knowledge that the bulk of my stuff is scheduled. I picked placeholders that I know we will be happy with if they end up needing to be the final choice, and we will have a wonderful time regardless.

Next dilemma: Do I want to go ahead and do online check-in for Beach Club Villas, or do I want to save that excitement for another day? 59 days until we hit the road!

 

[Along4theRide]

Wow, I would be thrilled to be surprised with a cruise! That's awesome of you! Have you stayed at BLT before? I looooove it, even though we stay in a studio and they are tiny. Thanks for reading!

Nope, this will be our first time. Our style is more to the liking of POR or WL, but wanted to give the monorail route a try and like the fact that the 2bd villas would give us the room that we needed. Can't wait!!

 

[disny_luvr]

Walking from the BC, or in your case BCV, to the International Gateway is awesome!

I'm glad to hear that you got most of the FP+ for the days/times you want. It is frustrating with so many things up in the air. I'll be going through the same dilemma with our FP+ selections in a few weeks.

 

[soniam]

I love Epcot. It's my favorite park. The first time I went as a kid, Epcot had only been open a year or two. I fell in love then.

I know what you mean about up in the air. We have a trip in July. It's for the DIS Podcast Anniversary. Well, they really haven't announced anything for it, other than it runs from 7/22-26 and I have to leave the 25th free for the actual anniversary. I have so many weird ADRs, because I don't know what's happening with the anniversary events, ROL (and associated conundrums), Froway (or OROT - Olaf's River of Tears), Soarin' (but that's not too bad), and early magic mornings. We don't have as many unknowns as you, and it's just hubby and I and some adult DIS friends. It's easier to be flexible with adults though, and I have more time than you. I wish you luck. It will be a great trip no matter what happens.

 

[lamom18]

I'm excited to hear your plans. We are also surprising our kids with a trip in December. DD turns 4 in September, but we've got it in their heads that we'll go after she turns 5. DH and I haven't been in 10 years, since our Disneymoon (I'm about to go nuts!). We will also drive down, as we did with our last trip. We live in Louisiana, so I thought I'd give you a couple of options for your drive down. We have family we've gone to visit in Mobile and gone a couple of different ways, so it's about the same thing going to Orlando.

Option 1 - I-20 across to just the other side of Meridian, MS and take 45 down to Mobile to get on I-10.

Option 2 - I-49 in Shreveport down to I-10. This does take you across the Atchafalaya River Basin bridge. Luckily, we've never gotten stuck for a wreck, but it's possible (we usually take option 3, but we are a little further south than Shreveport).

Option 3 - I-49 in Shreveport down to Opelousas and get on 190. There are a few little towns through there, that you have to watch your speed (I have to set my Cruise at that point). You can stay on 190 all the way across the MS River, this runs into the area where I-10 & I-12 separate.

If you take Option 2 or 3, when you go through Baton Rouge, don't get on I-10 south, stay on I-12 and it will come back into I-10 a ways down.

Sorry if any of that is confusing. We've taken all 3 routes at some point in time and hopefully it will help you determine which way you'd prefer to go.

 

[Jfsag123]

Nope, this will be our first time. Our style is more to the liking of POR or WL, but wanted to give the monorail route a try and like the fact that the 2bd villas would give us the room that we needed. Can't wait!!

We got to stay at POR for one day last year before checking into BLT and LOVED it! Absolutely gorgeous and the boat to DTD was a nice perk. We are wanting to try WL, but I'm scared with the construction right now. I am jealous of all the space you will have in the 2bd villa!

Walking from the BC, or in your case BCV, to the International Gateway is awesome!

I'm glad to hear that you got most of the FP+ for the days/times you want. It is frustrating with so many things up in the air. I'll be going through the same dilemma with our FP+ selections in a few weeks.

Thank you! I'm hoping Disney will go ahead and announce opening dates for some of these things sooner rather than later, but I'm not counting on it, especially with the disaster that was the Rivers of Light opening announcement.

I'm excited to hear your plans. We are also surprising our kids with a trip in December. DD turns 4 in September, but we've got it in their heads that we'll go after she turns 5. DH and I haven't been in 10 years, since our Disneymoon (I'm about to go nuts!). We will also drive down, as we did with our last trip. We live in Louisiana, so I thought I'd give you a couple of options for your drive down. We have family we've gone to visit in Mobile and gone a couple of different ways, so it's about the same thing going to Orlando.

Option 1 - I-20 across to just the other side of Meridian, MS and take 45 down to Mobile to get on I-10.

Option 2 - I-49 in Shreveport down to I-10. This does take you across the Atchafalaya River Basin bridge. Luckily, we've never gotten stuck for a wreck, but it's possible (we usually take option 3, but we are a little further south than Shreveport).

Option 3 - I-49 in Shreveport down to Opelousas and get on 190. There are a few little towns through there, that you have to watch your speed (I have to set my Cruise at that point). You can stay on 190 all the way across the MS River, this runs into the area where I-10 & I-12 separate.

If you take Option 2 or 3, when you go through Baton Rouge, don't get on I-10 south, stay on I-12 and it will come back into I-10 a ways down.

Sorry if any of that is confusing. We've taken all 3 routes at some point in time and hopefully it will help you determine which way you'd prefer to go.

Not confusing, and actually super helpful to have options! I pulled up Google maps in another tab and traced the routes and could see what you were talking about with each. I think we may wait until we're actually on the road and getting close to Shreveport, then check road conditions and start making decisions right then and there. It's great to have alternate route options in case of messes along the way, so thank you very much!

Your kids are going to go nuts when they find out about your trip! Not only do they get a surprise Disney trip, but it's during the holiday season. I'm desperate to get down in December at some point in the future.

 

[Jfsag123]

I love Epcot. It's my favorite park. The first time I went as a kid, Epcot had only been open a year or two. I fell in love then.

I know what you mean about up in the air. We have a trip in July. It's for the DIS Podcast Anniversary. Well, they really haven't announced anything for it, other than it runs from 7/22-26 and I have to leave the 25th free for the actual anniversary. I have so many weird ADRs, because I don't know what's happening with the anniversary events, ROL (and associated conundrums), Froway (or OROT - Olaf's River of Tears), Soarin' (but that's not too bad), and early magic mornings. We don't have as many unknowns as you, and it's just hubby and I and some adult DIS friends. It's easier to be flexible with adults though, and I have more time than you. I wish you luck. It will be a great trip no matter what happens.

Don't know how I missed you in my previous post! I also fell in love with Epcot on my first trip as a kid! Most of my memories from that trip are from that park. I just love the atmosphere.

I hope you'll do a trip report for your podcast anniversary trip as well!

 

[ArielSRL]

Not sure what happened but I haven't been getting updates for the report. Sooooo, I just got caught up. I was coming to ask how FP selections went and realized I was behind. So glad it went well and of course, we are in the same boat as far as playing a waiting game.

You haven't even gotten to BCV yet and I'm already leaning towards that or BWV for our June 2017 trip.

Enjoying the PTR! Keep it up!

 

[ariane37]

I love going into WS right at 11:00 because hardly anyone else is back there yet.

Yes! This is what we always try to do. It's also really cool walking through WS (well, as much of WS as you can) prior to 11 from the IG to get to FW. If you're not in a rush you can really take your time and look around with nobody in your way

Speaking of IG, and since you guys are really into character meets, keep your eye out for random characters "training" at the IG, in front of the store there

 

[Jfsag123]

Yes! This is what we always try to do. It's also really cool walking through WS (well, as much of WS as you can) prior to 11 from the IG to get to FW. If you're not in a rush you can really take your time and look around with nobody in your way

Speaking of IG, and since you guys are really into character meets, keep your eye out for random characters "training" at the IG, in front of the store there

I had heard about that! Seems like the timing is pretty random. We would love to luck into seeing some there!

 

[Jfsag123]

Day 5: Thursday, June 9 – Animal Kingdom

In the spirit of full disclosure, I will start with a disclaimer: Animal Kingdom is my least favorite park. In fact, it’s my whole family’s least favorite park. I don’t fully blame AK for this. There were three major contributing factors, which don’t really have a lot to do with the park itself for the most part.

1. On our first family trip, we saved AK for the last day of our trip. Initially, it was supposed to be a MK day, but then Disney scheduled a 24 hour MK day for that date, and we didn’t want to deal with the crowds with super young kids who we knew wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the late hours anyway. So I did some last minute swapping, gave up my precious Cinderella’s Royal Table ADR that we’d scheduled for that day, and switched it to an AK day, moving our extra MK day to earlier in the week. I was new to WDW at this point and was not thrilled with the last-minute change. Strike 1.

2. AK is also a very hot park, as many people regularly say on the boards. I didn’t give a lot of thought to this before going, but wow, did it feel true. I have a distinct memory of feeling like I was going to melt while sitting on the concrete waiting for the Jammin’ Jungle parade. Strike 2.

3. The placement of AK at the end of the week meant we were all somewhat low energy by this point. I had scheduled some down time due to the advice I’d gotten here, but it hadn’t been enough and we were pretty worn out. Worn out+ heat +2 year old = trouble. DS was awful. I mean AWFUL. He was just not having it anymore. If we’d been staying onsite, either DH or I would have just taken him back to the hotel while the other took DD around the park. We were offsite and tied to a single vehicle, so we just took turns trying to sit in shady areas with DS as he threw fits while the other one took DD to see attractions. Three strikes, you’re out, AK!

Here we are after the parade trying not to look sweaty and angry. We failed.

Good times, right? We made it an early evening, and by the end of the day everyone had perked up some, including DS, but we left with a less magical taste in our mouths as compared to the other parks. On our trip last year, we skipped AK completely. We make our triumphant return this June. We are only going to dip our little toes in the water of AK. We have one park day scheduled there out of 10. However, our attitudes and expectations will be better and DS is no longer a toddler.

We have an 8:00am reservation for Tusker House that I may or may not keep, depending on what happens with Rivers of Light Dining packages and whether or not we really want to do 3 Mickey meals.

Whether we do TH or not, our morning touring plan looks the same:

Kilimanjaro Safaris
Festival of the Lion King
Character Meets
-Pocahontas
-Tarzan
-Russell and Dug
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
We will not leave the park for break this day, but will instead spend a couple of hours in the air conditioning up at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Afternoon attractions:

Character Meet
-Baloo & Louie
Kali River Rapids (FP+)
Expedition Everest (FP+)
Finding Nemo Show
Dinosaur (FP+)
Dinner – maybe Yak & Yeti, maybe Rivers of Light Package, maybe quick service
See It’s Tough to be a Bug
-I HATE this show. However, I bargained with my children. They agreed to go on Expedition Everest with me if I’ll see this again with them.
If Rivers of Light is happening, attempt to see it, otherwise, we’ll leave at this point

I welcome feedback here! Everywhere else of course too, but especially here, because I have spent a grand total of one largely miserable day at AK in the past.

 

[soniam]

Have you thought about doing Primeval Whirl, or does that make you guys sick? DS loves it!! We were going to do it 3 times last trip, since we hit AK for AM EMH. However, after 2, we all agreed that was just enough. Otherwise, it looks good to me. Have you guys seen Nemo? If not, it can be a little slow. However, everyone should see it at least once. Plus, it's air conditioned As for TH, it has become one of those places that we do every trip. DS loves Donald, and character meals seem about the only way DS likes to meet characters, except for Star Wars characters. However, we have only done lunch and dinner. On park days, we like to eat breakfast in the room or car to hit RD. Have you considered Flights of Wonder? It sounds stupid, but we do it every trip, except last since it was under refurb

Don't feel bad. We usually only spend a day or half a day at AK. I don't like seeing animals in cages, and we don't do water rides or most shows. So, that doesn't leave a lot. I think ROL and Pandora will change things. However, I think we will just come back at night for ROL.

 

[ArielSRL]

I don't have much feedback because I'm not an AK expert. I think I've been, at the most, a few times. But your plan looks good. I truly hope it goes better for you this time and for somewhat selfish reasons, I hope ROL is open for your trip!

 

[lamom18]

Not confusing, and actually super helpful to have options! I pulled up Google maps in another tab and traced the routes and could see what you were talking about with each. I think we may wait until we're actually on the road and getting close to Shreveport, then check road conditions and start making decisions right then and there. It's great to have alternate route options in case of messes along the way, so thank you very much!

Your kids are going to go nuts when they find out about your trip! Not only do they get a surprise Disney trip, but it's during the holiday season. I'm desperate to get down in December at some point in the future.

Glad I could be of some help! I'm so excited and I'm sure my in-laws and my mother are tired of hearing about it, since I can't tell the kids. We started looking at dates to go back 2 years ago, knowing that our 10 year was approaching. I wanted to go during the holidays and it'll work out with the first week of school being out, for Christmas break. So it's an Anniversary present, Christmas present & their first trip all in one! When I have time, I live on the DisBoards to hold me over. I hope you do a Trip Report after!

 

[Jfsag123]

Have you thought about doing Primeval Whirl, or does that make you guys sick? DS loves it!! We were going to do it 3 times last trip, since we hit AK for AM EMH. However, after 2, we all agreed that was just enough. Otherwise, it looks good to me. Have you guys seen Nemo? If not, it can be a little slow. However, everyone should see it at least once. Plus, it's air conditioned As for TH, it has become one of those places that we do every trip. DS loves Donald, and character meals seem about the only way DS likes to meet characters, except for Star Wars characters. However, we have only done lunch and dinner. On park days, we like to eat breakfast in the room or car to hit RD. Have you considered Flights of Wonder? It sounds stupid, but we do it every trip, except last since it was under refurb

Don't feel bad. We usually only spend a day or half a day at AK. I don't like seeing animals in cages, and we don't do water rides or most shows. So, that doesn't leave a lot. I think ROL and Pandora will change things. However, I think we will just come back at night for ROL.

I have thought about Primeval Whirl, but was thinking we would save that one until DS is tall enough to do it. I have never felt sick on a ride except for last year when the kids made me ride the teacups 3 times in a row and there was no line, so no breaks in between! DH is not completely sold on the idea of PW and I'm not sure we want to spend the time it would take for a rider swap on it, as it seems like the design set-up is similar to something we have at our local Six Flags. However, if it ends up having a short line and/or extra fastpass availability when we're in the area we may try to check it out!

We haven't seen Nemo, but the kids have been asking to since it's heavily featured on the planning DVD. I've heard it's long, but I tried to schedule it for a time when we'll desperately need the AC!

I actually think we would love Flights of Wonder! I struggled to find a place for it in my schedule. Do you guys ever make it up here to Dallas for the State Fair? Up until a couple of years ago, we had a Birds of the World show as an annual part of the fair. The show is no longer being done, but a smaller scale version has been installed at the Dallas Zoo. I'm pretty sure these shows are put on by the same company as the group who does Flights of Wonder. We love seeing these shows and, from what I've read, the AK one is very similar in structure to our fair show. It would be nice to be able to see it again and feel like it was a piece of home in WDW (even though the company that does the shows is actually based in Orlando!).

I don't have much feedback because I'm not an AK expert. I think I've been, at the most, a few times. But your plan looks good. I truly hope it goes better for you this time and for somewhat selfish reasons, I hope ROL is open for your trip!

Thank you! I will selfishly hope that it's open for your trip too.

Glad I could be of some help! I'm so excited and I'm sure my in-laws and my mother are tired of hearing about it, since I can't tell the kids. We started looking at dates to go back 2 years ago, knowing that our 10 year was approaching. I wanted to go during the holidays and it'll work out with the first week of school being out, for Christmas break. So it's an Anniversary present, Christmas present & their first trip all in one! When I have time, I live on the DisBoards to hold me over. I hope you do a Trip Report after!

I know what you mean about annoying people because you can't talk to the kids! DH has to put up with my obligatory Disney talk time for a brief period after they go to bed every day. I am planning to try an actual trip report after it's all over - might be nice to get to relive it!

 

[ArielSRL]

I kind of forgot about FoW. Now I need to see if I can get it in our plans....

 

[soniam]

I have thought about Primeval Whirl, but was thinking we would save that one until DS is tall enough to do it. I have never felt sick on a ride except for last year when the kids made me ride the teacups 3 times in a row and there was no line, so no breaks in between! DH is not completely sold on the idea of PW and I'm not sure we want to spend the time it would take for a rider swap on it, as it seems like the design set-up is similar to something we have at our local Six Flags. However, if it ends up having a short line and/or extra fastpass availability when we're in the area we may try to check it out!

We haven't seen Nemo, but the kids have been asking to since it's heavily featured on the planning DVD. I've heard it's long, but I tried to schedule it for a time when we'll desperately need the AC!

I actually think we would love Flights of Wonder! I struggled to find a place for it in my schedule. Do you guys ever make it up here to Dallas for the State Fair? Up until a couple of years ago, we had a Birds of the World show as an annual part of the fair. The show is no longer being done, but a smaller scale version has been installed at the Dallas Zoo. I'm pretty sure these shows are put on by the same company as the group who does Flights of Wonder. We love seeing these shows and, from what I've read, the AK one is very similar in structure to our fair show. It would be nice to be able to see it again and feel like it was a piece of home in WDW (even though the company that does the shows is actually based in Orlando!).

Don't bother doing PW if you have to do rider swap. Just wait until everyone is tall enough. DH and I grew up in Plano and Dallas, respectively, so we have been to the fair, but not lately. I don't remember seeing it at the fair though. It's similar to a show that I have seen at Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, but FOW is longer and better and has more birds.

 

[ariane37]

I agree you should try fitting Flights of Wonder into your day, it's great! AK has been our least favorite park for awhile; that's
not to say we don't like it. And I do think it's beautiful. We just never seemed to fill a whole day there. Then on our trip last Nov. I made sure we went on all the trails/paths and since it was a gorgeous day but not too hot, we did everything that each of us enjoys. We arrived at 8:50 (park opened at 8) and stayed until 4 which I considered pretty darn good for AK! Then DH and my older DS actually went back for a few hours another day. I think once RoL opens, hopefully by our trip this Nov., we'll make it a FULL full day

I know it'll be on the hot side when you're there but if you find yourself looking to fill some time, try walking the Maharaj jungle trek. Love watching the tigers.