1st week over. Gone so quick.

[disneyholic family]

Now 2nd week over Been here 15 nights feels like we only just got here, why does time go so quick on holiday?
More pics added, http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/dclmad

yes, holidays seem to just whiz by, no matter how many days.....
especially for us at WDW...

your pictures are beautiful Wayne!!!.... the boy is so big now and VERY handsome!!!

New Toy Story Mania ride is brilliant, worth going round the line just to see the displays. Fast passes have not worked well for us as the ride is so new everyone wants to do it so we decided to stand in line, I have a max 20 min wait for any ride so DW and DS could not believe I said yes to 70 min line. I had a feeling they had it wrong, we asked and they said about 60 mins. It was actually 35 mins and with the theming and constant moving I didn't mind, l thought it was worth the wait. Want to do again now, might have to wait until October.

i told DD that the first time she goes to MGM (yeah i know...DHS)....she should go straight to toy story, get a set of FPs and then go into the standby line, to see the line....and then after that use the FP....so i hope that works for her...

Drove upto Daytona today, now done 1,700 miles and still trip to port Canaveral and back to do so going to exceed 2,000 miles this trip. Daytona was not what I expected, sooo quiet, looked like a resort that has had its day, we thought Saturday it would be busy but very quiet.

from what i understand, Daytona is only packed during easter/spring holidays when the university kids pack the area....i don't know if that's true though...

New area at Busch (Jungala) is great, tiger enclosers get you really close to them, few pics in link above. Love Busch, think its my fave park now. Did Sheikra on front row, awesome ride. Last year did it at back but twice as good on front row.

so now you MUST get yourself to Cedar Point (in Ohio). It's really a must.
http://www.cedarpoint.com/
The most roller coasters in the world (16 or 17) and they are outstanding.
Without question, THE best park in the world if you're into roller coasters. And it's on the lake and has some other great features as well.
it's only open in the warm months (late spring/summer/early fall)...
definitely worth a trip..
since you apparently like driving, you could combine it with a trip to other sites within a day or two drive....

Last day tomorrow(Sunday) before we cruise for 4 nights, hoping we miss the bad weather coming, then check into AKL for our last 3 nights next weekend.

have a wonderful cruise!! and i hope the weather holds out for you

 

[Pinky166]

Great 2nd week Wayne - shame the time is going so quickly for you.

Have a great Cruise!

 

[jackieleanne]

Now 2nd week over Been here 15 nights feels like we only just got here, why does time go so quick on holiday?
More pics added, http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/dclmad
New Toy Story Mania ride is brilliant, worth going round the line just to see the displays. Fast passes have not worked well for us as the ride is so new everyone wants to do it so we decided to stand in line, I have a max 20 min wait for any ride so DW and DS could not believe I said yes to 70 min line. I had a feeling they had it wrong, we asked and they said about 60 mins. It was actually 35 mins and with the theming and constant moving I didn't mind, l thought it was worth the wait. Want to do again now, might have to wait until October.
Drove upto Daytona today, now done 1,700 miles and still trip to port Canaveral and back to do so going to exceed 2,000 miles this trip. Daytona was not what I expected, sooo quiet, looked like a resort that has had its day, we thought Saturday it would be busy but very quiet. Had a great day though, stopping off at Daytona speedway and doing some Geocaching.
Filled car up 5 times now, every gas station now wants zip code if you try pay at pump by credit card. Past visits used Racetrac on 192 no problems, no zip needed but looks like they have improved the security now. Had to prepay at all 5 of them.
New area at Busch (Jungala) is great, tiger enclosers get you really close to them, few pics in link above. Love Busch, think its my fave park now. Did Sheikra on front row, awesome ride. Last year did it at back but twice as good on front row.
Last day tomorrow(Sunday) before we cruise for 4 nights, hoping we miss the bad weather coming, then check into AKL for our last 3 nights next weekend.
Only downer has been the exchange rate but still much prefer to use fee free credit card than cash or TC's. would never go back to using them.

Glad your having such a great time do you put the zip for your hotel in or English postcode at the petrol stations. I hope you enjoy the cruise and that you miss the bad weather.

 

[rachelanne]

Glad your having a great time,your son has got a lovely smile,all your pictures are brill,safe journey home

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Seems like you are having a great time - the holidays do fly by - but at least you don't have to long to wait before you go again

 

[wayneg]

your pictures are beautiful Wayne!!!.... the boy is so big now and VERY handsome

Everyone says he is a double of me so thank you
He just turned 14 3 weeks ago and already over 6' size & 11 shoe Also has a mouth to match his size, never shuts up.

Glad your having such a great time do you put the zip for your hotel in or English postcode at the petrol stations. I hope you enjoy the cruise and that you miss the bad weather.

Tried every way possible, hotel zip, DTD zip and 00000 except UK, what would I try? just the 3 numbers? hoping not to fill up again this trip now, spent about $250 on gas, thats enough for 1 trip. At least its dropping in price again, touched $4/gal, back to $3.50 today.

Anyone that likes Icee try not to buy in the parks, use the garages, Racetrac do 3 sizes, largest is 44oz its massive for $1.29, in the parks they are $3.29 for about quarter the size. They also have a choice of about 6 or 8 flavours.

Seems like you are having a great time - the holidays do fly by - but at least you don't have to long to wait before you go again

Yes still October and Xmas trips to come this year but both short ones, 8 & 9 nights. Everytime we come we seem to have less and less time. This trip not had time to visit Old Town, Celebration or half the places we wanted to eat at.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Have a great last week - cruise and AKL - I am sooo jealous!! - Enjoy!!

 

[Lizzybear]

Enjoy the rest of your trip Wayne, looks like you've had a fantastic time so far from the photos

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Yes still October and Xmas trips to come this year but both short ones, 8 & 9 nights. Everytime we come we seem to have less and less time. This trip not had time to visit Old Town, Celebration or half the places we wanted to eat at.

Spreading the calorie intake over a few holidays can't be a bad thing

 

[gaylie]

Your pics are brill...glad you're having a really good time. Good tips on Daytona, gas and Budget, thanks.
There were 7 of us last year and we struggled with the Kitchen Sink, well done...enjoy the rest of your holiday..

 

[earthelves]

Wayne Thanks For The Report & Piccy's I'm Looking Forward To Hearing What U Think Of AKL Also Out Of Intrest What Dessert Did U Have At Chillis??

 

[wayneg]

Got home this morning, where did the last 24 nights go

Firstly the dessert at Chili's was WHITE CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE $6.25 (just seen they charge £6.25 in UK ) delicious. http://www.chilis.com/menu/default.asp?catID=12&tierID=161 &menuType=Dine In

DW has added more pics.

AKL, Wow took 3 hours to have a look around and take pics. We were upgraded to savannah room this made it for us, doubt very much we would have enjoyed half as much with a carpark view, problem is I would never pay the savannah view prices, cost me £82/night, I think it was over £130/night with AP discount.
Plus point opening curtains to Giraffes, Zebras etc and great themeing around the hotel but really that was it for us. Inroom bed was not comfortable, not in the same league as Country Inn and suites beds where we paid a 1/4 the price at £20/night(also included great breakfast and brilliant wireless internet) Disney Internet costs $9.95/night and could only get 1 laptop to connect, anymore than 3 night would have been an issue. Also location, as others have said in the past AKL is a bit further away than other resorts, we still prefer offsite at LBV, so close to everywhere.
Don't want to sound too negative as we had a fantastic 3 days there and will stay there again in future for a few days if rates are good but not somewhere we would want to stay more than 3 days. It has also re-confirmed Disney resorts are not for us if we took the animals away we much prefer country Inn, Fairfield or Courtyards etc.
Sunday Eve Magic Kingdom Extra magic hours, what a nightmare, luckily we got our wristbands early as they ran out and turning very unhappy people away but because it was so busy the lines were just like any other day. Would not do EMH again.

Boma, we were split on this one, I loved it, must have eaten about 24oz of prime rib, 3 large pieces of salmon and the curried seafood soup was the best soup I have ever tasted(even beats the Bellagio(Vegas) Mushroom soup, previous best) DW and DS ate pasta and meatballs . DW doesn't like any seafood, or chicken on the bone, there was nothing really for her.

We could not have timed our cruise any better, missed TS Fay while on cruise, Captain changed itinerery around to miss bad weather, just hit a bit but rest was v hot.

Had to put an extra $10 of gas in to get to airport, filled up at Hess onsite(near Fantasia golf), no zip code needed paid at pump with card very easy.

Came home with TED/BMI via Chicago, TED was OK although I was sat 3 rows away from DW and DS we didn't check in until 2 hours before departure. BMI, used twice before and had great flights, this was horrible, sat in Bulkhead seats, no legroom. DS was OK in end seat but our legroom was really bad. Staff were miserable and very ignorant. TV no working (like being on Virgin again ) Not a good experience but its only 7 hours. They wanted $400 pp to upgrade to their P/E service. What we saw looked same/similar food and only slightly bigger seats, breakfast they got still came in a white paper bag.

Whats happened? I don't do trip reports. Oh well the thread turned into one. 8 weeks to next trip

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Got home this morning, where did the last 24 nights go

Firstly the dessert at Chili's was WHITE CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE $6.25 (just seen they charge £6.25 in UK ) delicious. http://www.chilis.com/menu/default.asp?catID=12&tierID=161 &menuType=Dine In

DW has added more pics.

AKL, Wow took 3 hours to have a look around and take pics. We were upgraded to savannah room this made it for us, doubt very much we would have enjoyed half as much with a carpark view, problem is I would never pay the savannah view prices, cost me £82/night, I think it was over £130/night with AP discount.
Plus point opening curtains to Giraffes, Zebras etc and great themeing around the hotel but really that was it for us. Inroom bed was not comfortable, not in the same league as Country Inn and suites beds where we paid a 1/4 the price at £20/night(also included great breakfast and brilliant wireless internet) Disney Internet costs $9.95/night and could only get 1 laptop to connect, anymore than 3 night would have been an issue. Also location, as others have said in the past AKL is a bit further away than other resorts, we still prefer offsite at LBV, so close to everywhere.
Don't want to sound too negative as we had a fantastic 3 days there and will stay there again in future for a few days if rates are good but not somewhere we would want to stay more than 3 days. It has also re-confirmed Disney resorts are not for us if we took the animals away we much prefer country Inn, Fairfield or Courtyards etc.
Sunday Eve Magic Kingdom Extra magic hours, what a nightmare, luckily we got our wristbands early as they ran out and turning very unhappy people away but because it was so busy the lines were just like any other day. Would not do EMH again.

Boma, we were split on this one, I loved it, must have eaten about 24oz of prime rib, 3 large pieces of salmon and the curried seafood soup was the best soup I have ever tasted(even beats the Bellagio(Vegas) Mushroom soup, previous best) DW and DS ate pasta and meatballs . DW doesn't like any seafood, or chicken on the bone, there was nothing really for her.

We could not have timed our cruise any better, missed TS Fay while on cruise, Captain changed itinerery around to miss bad weather, just hit a bit but rest was v hot.

Had to put an extra $10 of gas in to get to airport, filled up at Hess onsite(near Fantasia golf), no zip code needed paid at pump with card very easy.

Came home with TED/BMI via Chicago, TED was OK although I was sat 3 rows away from DW and DS we didn't check in until 2 hours before departure. BMI, used twice before and had great flights, this was horrible, sat in Bulkhead seats, no legroom. DS was OK in end seat but our legroom was really bad. Staff were miserable and very ignorant. TV no working (like being on Virgin again ) Not a good experience but its only 7 hours. They wanted $400 pp to upgrade to their P/E service. What we saw looked same/similar food and only slightly bigger seats, breakfast they got still came in a white paper bag.

Whats happened? I don't do trip reports. Oh well the thread turned into one. 8 weeks to next trip

glad you had such a good time

I agree with you about AKL - I wouldn't see the point without a savannah view! And Boma was great!!!

The last 3 weeks have flown by - at least you haven't got too long until the next one - (unlike some of us!! )

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Welcome back

Glad you missed the worst of the bad weather We also enjoy Boma - think my DD likes to be 'grown up' and go get her own - while DH loves the chicken pepper stew.

Back to the grind now - but not for long eh??

 

[PoppyAnna]

Welcome home. Glad you enjoyed AKL, are you and on-site convert now then?
Great pictures

 

[Princess Fiona]

Sounds a great trip wayne, thanks for the report.

 

[wayneg]

Welcome home. Glad you enjoyed AKL, are you and on-site convert now then?
Great pictures

No unfortunatley still prefer offsite, just dont get the "Disney Magic". We were there 3 days and apart from DVC rep trying to get us to go on tour and a cast member taking our photo we were not spoken to in the 3 days. Very large overpowering, impersonal IMHO.
Offsite, smaller more relaxed, comfier beds, better internet access, better location. Like I said earlier, take away the animals and we would not have enjoyed anywhere near as much. Doubt very much we be trying any other onsite resorts in future.
Our preference is definitely offsite in good budget hotel and a Disney Cruise.

 

[Lisash]

Glad you had a good time. We'll see you at the Fairfield in December

 

[LORNA ANN]

Firstly the dessert at Chili's was WHITE CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE $6.25 (just seen they charge £6.25 in UK ) delicious.

Glad to hear you had a great holiday !
DS can't wait to go to Chillis & try white choc molten cake normally always have regular one but DS loves white choc. so Chillis def on the dinner menu !!

 

[wicket2005]

No unfortunatley still prefer offsite, just dont get the "Disney Magic". We were there 3 days and apart from DVC rep trying to get us to go on tour and a cast member taking our photo we were not spoken to in the 3 days. Very large overpowering, impersonal IMHO.
Offsite, smaller more relaxed, comfier beds, better internet access, better location. Like I said earlier, take away the animals and we would not have enjoyed anywhere near as much. Doubt very much we be trying any other onsite resorts in future.
Our preference is definitely offsite in good budget hotel and a Disney Cruise.

I don't get the Disney Magic either but have not stayed onsite, it was too expensive when the sons were kids and none of us fancy Disney at all. However, staying onsite at Universal we do like because the Universal parks are our favourite, plus you get FOTL passes which is a tremendous perk. All the staff, no matter what level say hello and ask if you are having a good day. Though it is a premium price we pay it is the only time we can go away with the sons' college/university exams falling after every major holiday but we do make sure we use the hotel's facilities.

Oh forgot to say I am so pleased you have had a lovely time. Someday we hope to be able to go when we are not tied down to college/university exam schedules. Whoever thought of having them after Christmas, Easter and round Spring Bank is not my friend.