Me 49, Disney nut
DH 49 (almost 50), enjoys WDW
DD 18, Disney nut
DF 18, hasnt been in a few years
Friday, April 2, 2004 OFF TO THE PARKS
Todays park hours are shorter than the ones for the rest of our stay, so I figured the crowds were about to descend and this might be the last decent day. Little did I know just how crowded Easter break would be!!!
We got a late start to the parks (MK opened at 9:00 and we got there at 9:30) because people were lolly gagging at the bathroom. Note for rest of trip to get them up and going!!! We took the ferry to the MK and got through the security and were in. I collected all the tickets before heading off to Frontierland since we were late and I figured everyone else went to Tomorrowland. We rode Big Thunder Railroad 3 times, Pirates of the Caribbean once, Jungle Cruise once (we may have even done the Haunted Mansion) - unable to use the Splash Mountain fastpass because the ride was down and the pass was for later in the day. We gave the passes away on our way to the ferry.
We had lunch at the campsite and then drove to the Studios. Rock-n-Rollercoaster twice, Tower of Terror once (really, really fun!!), Movie Ride (got stuck in a long line!), ice cream, One Mans Dream and then off to eat dinner at the Sunset Blvd Marketplace. The place was busy but later in the trip --- oh boy, Id look back on these crowds with longing. Since it was Friday during Lent, we needed to get some non-meat items to eat. DD had a veggie burger basket and DF a Cheeseburger basket; DH and I each had a cheese pizza which was nothing to write home about.
The park closed at 7:30 and Fantasmic also started then. We proceeded into the theatre about an hour before show time and were seated just about in the middle (maybe a bit to the left) I got 2 popcorn but cant remember what else or how much it cost from the concession stand. The stadium was full but not so bad that you couldnt get a seat even up to 15 minutes before the show. The stadium did the Wave to pass the time and soon it was dark and time for the show. It was the same show as last year but just as enjoyable.
Saturday, April 3, 2004 CHURCH & OHANAS
This was the first day of the super-heavy crowds. April 3rd was exactly one week prior to Easter and with the return of the tourists since 9/11 the entire week was probably the busiest Ive ever seen! Even during our R&R days at the pool, all the chairs would be taken if you didnt get there by 11:00.
After breakfast, I decided to skip the pool-time today and went to the grocery store by myself instead. I found the Winn-Dixie. I had to use the bathroom about 3 times while I was there because of all the coffee I had drunk. With my discount card (gotten last year), my bill came to $72.64. A stop at the gas station (where I paid too much) followed (Note: With Hess having taken over the gas stations at WDW, it is now cheaper to gas up on-site than off!!!).
We had lunch at the campsite and then went to 4:00 pm mass. From there we went to OHanas where we had a 7:00 priority seating. When we got there, it was super busy and I had to wait in line for 10 minutes just to say I was there!!! Meanwhile, DH orders drinks for us to share. Of course (like last year), before they came we were called to be seated. The girls and I went to sit down while DH waited for the drinks.
OHanas was yummy!!! We were seated in a corner away from the action which I didnt like as well as last year, but it was okay. We got refills on most things (including the shrimp/vegetable wontons) and really got our monies worth!
After we were done eating, we walked out to the beach to see the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Immediately following that the Electric Water Parade went by and so we were able to see that.
We rode the Monorail (after a long wait) to the Grand Floridian Resort and looked around. Very classy with a very nice pool area.
Back on the monorail, off at MK and onto the ferry back to Ft. Wilderness.
DH 49 (almost 50), enjoys WDW
DD 18, Disney nut
DF 18, hasnt been in a few years
Friday, April 2, 2004 OFF TO THE PARKS
Todays park hours are shorter than the ones for the rest of our stay, so I figured the crowds were about to descend and this might be the last decent day. Little did I know just how crowded Easter break would be!!!
We got a late start to the parks (MK opened at 9:00 and we got there at 9:30) because people were lolly gagging at the bathroom. Note for rest of trip to get them up and going!!! We took the ferry to the MK and got through the security and were in. I collected all the tickets before heading off to Frontierland since we were late and I figured everyone else went to Tomorrowland. We rode Big Thunder Railroad 3 times, Pirates of the Caribbean once, Jungle Cruise once (we may have even done the Haunted Mansion) - unable to use the Splash Mountain fastpass because the ride was down and the pass was for later in the day. We gave the passes away on our way to the ferry.
We had lunch at the campsite and then drove to the Studios. Rock-n-Rollercoaster twice, Tower of Terror once (really, really fun!!), Movie Ride (got stuck in a long line!), ice cream, One Mans Dream and then off to eat dinner at the Sunset Blvd Marketplace. The place was busy but later in the trip --- oh boy, Id look back on these crowds with longing. Since it was Friday during Lent, we needed to get some non-meat items to eat. DD had a veggie burger basket and DF a Cheeseburger basket; DH and I each had a cheese pizza which was nothing to write home about.
The park closed at 7:30 and Fantasmic also started then. We proceeded into the theatre about an hour before show time and were seated just about in the middle (maybe a bit to the left) I got 2 popcorn but cant remember what else or how much it cost from the concession stand. The stadium was full but not so bad that you couldnt get a seat even up to 15 minutes before the show. The stadium did the Wave to pass the time and soon it was dark and time for the show. It was the same show as last year but just as enjoyable.
Saturday, April 3, 2004 CHURCH & OHANAS
This was the first day of the super-heavy crowds. April 3rd was exactly one week prior to Easter and with the return of the tourists since 9/11 the entire week was probably the busiest Ive ever seen! Even during our R&R days at the pool, all the chairs would be taken if you didnt get there by 11:00.
After breakfast, I decided to skip the pool-time today and went to the grocery store by myself instead. I found the Winn-Dixie. I had to use the bathroom about 3 times while I was there because of all the coffee I had drunk. With my discount card (gotten last year), my bill came to $72.64. A stop at the gas station (where I paid too much) followed (Note: With Hess having taken over the gas stations at WDW, it is now cheaper to gas up on-site than off!!!).
We had lunch at the campsite and then went to 4:00 pm mass. From there we went to OHanas where we had a 7:00 priority seating. When we got there, it was super busy and I had to wait in line for 10 minutes just to say I was there!!! Meanwhile, DH orders drinks for us to share. Of course (like last year), before they came we were called to be seated. The girls and I went to sit down while DH waited for the drinks.
OHanas was yummy!!! We were seated in a corner away from the action which I didnt like as well as last year, but it was okay. We got refills on most things (including the shrimp/vegetable wontons) and really got our monies worth!
After we were done eating, we walked out to the beach to see the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Immediately following that the Electric Water Parade went by and so we were able to see that.
We rode the Monorail (after a long wait) to the Grand Floridian Resort and looked around. Very classy with a very nice pool area.
Back on the monorail, off at MK and onto the ferry back to Ft. Wilderness.
