7 AM Extra Magic Hours? We're in!...NEW 12/27 p. 31
- Thread starter wdwgirl03
- Start date
wisblue
DIS Veteran
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If you're considering it, you should definitely do it, especially if you can get a Boardwalk view. I loved the mid-afternoon rest breaks sitting on the balcony looking over Crescent Lake and reading a book.
RachelNinja
Sometimes I'd rather live in VMK than in real life
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I always find it so hilarious that our accounts of our trips can be so different even though we're there at the same time just because you can take advantage of EMH! I cannot WAIT to experience EMH during my honeymoon! Of course, the crowds won't be as bad then in the first place because it's May (other than the weekends for SWW), but I'm hoping we can enjoy some super early mornings OR some super late nights (Howard can work on nighttime photography as I eat more snacks, haha). Can't wait to read about this trip!
wisblue
DIS Veteran
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Hi, Rachel.
Of course, in May there won't be as many AM EMH, and there won't be any as early as 7 AM. But, if you can do it, I really recommend that you try being at a park (especially the MK) for an 8 AM opening. There is something special about strolling through the park in uncrowded and cool conditions doing whatever attractions you want to do without hurrying. Then by the time the park starts to get more crowded, you will have all of the major attractions behind you and can move on to the lesser attractions, shopping, eating, seeing characters, taking pictures, etc.
Because I get up early all the time anyway, it's no hardship for me to be at a park by 7 or 8 AM. The tradeoff is that I have to have a break in the middle of the day (especially when it's hot) and I can't stay out and active too late more than once or twice during the week. But, the net result is a much more enjoyable trip, and this one was no exception.
TanzUnited99
DIS Veteran
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Yay you started!!! 
Can't wait to hear all about it.
Can't wait to hear all about it.
wdwgirl03
<font color=red>I'm just a big Disney Freak! :-)<b
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- 12,049
Great! Welcome.
I'm in, can't wait to read about your trip and hear about the Boardwalk!
Hey Jen! The Boardwalk was so great-I wish I could go back there right now.
Joining in! I already saw all the photos you posted on fb, they are amazing! Can't wait to hear the story that goes along with them!
haha, and I haven't even uploaded all of my pictures yet to facebook! Glad you enjoyed them!
So glad we were able to get the Boardwalk view.
While the 7 am (or 8 am) extra magic hours seem super early, it's always worth it. It might sound crazy, but regular park openings at 9:00 seem so late! LOL. We've never really been to PM EMH but if you can do it I'm sure it'll be great. I will be anxious to hear about your honeymoon trip. Once you stay on site I don't think you'll want to do Disney any other way!
Yay you started!!!
Can't wait to hear all about it.
Welcome!
I agree, I have so many TRs to read. It's a great way to get a Disney fix in between trips.
wdwgirl03
<font color=red>I'm just a big Disney Freak! :-)<b
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- Jan 8, 2004
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- 12,049
Saturday, April 7, 2012...ARRIVAL DAY!!!
OK everyone, time to get started! I always enjoy doing the first couple updates of a new trip report because it's almost as exciting as arrival day itself (almost). So here we go!
First off, I wanted to share this picture I took of the weather forecast the night before we left. So nice not to see any predicted rain! That's the Florida weather we love!
Our morning started off sort of early, though not nearly as early as a lot of our past trips (or even as early as some of the mornings once we GOT to Disney World!). Normally we get flights that leave Milwaukee around 7:30 or 8:00 but this trip our flight wasn't until 11:15 so I got to "sleep in". I was actually awake earlier because really, who can sleep when you know you're about to leave for DISNEY WORLD?!?!
As excited as I was, a little part of me was also sad. See, I kept thinking about my sister Emma and how much she wanted to go because even though she's been home for 3 months, she STILL is in DCP withdrawl. I know I shouldn't have felt bad (especially since she was there for pretty much 4 months) but I did. 
Anyways...
Once I was up, I got ready and double-checked to make sure I had everything packed and ready to go. Then it was off to Mitchell International!
Mom came along to drop us off and we said our good-byes. The airport really wasn't too busy so we were able to get our bags checked quickly. While we were doing that, I noticed a family who also had those lovely yellow Magical Express tags on their suitcases. I don't know about other people, but I always get excited when I see those tags. Makes me want to shout, "I'm going to Disney World too!" So being nosy, I had to take a peek at their tags to see where they were staying-turns out they were going to Saratoga Springs. That made me a teeny bit jealous since that's our DVC "home" but I was SO looking forward to arriving at the Boardwalk.
The line at security wasn't very long either so we got through with plenty of time to spare. As Dad says, it's always nice once you make it through security because it's just a hassle. Atleast Milwaukee tries to make a joke out of it as they have a "Recombobulation Area" after all the scanners. haha
While we waited for our flight, Dad and I split a sandwich to hold us over until our traditional arrival day meal
and I read a little bit of my Walt Disney World Trivia book that Claire gave me for my birthday. One of my favorite questions was: Where can you hear, "Flash photography? I wouldn't. It alters the homing signal and that's not good." Oh Dinosaur. Such a great Disney parks quote.
Our flight was a little late because the plane started off in Tampa and then went to Baltimore before arriving in Milwaukee (or something like that...), and I think there were some weather issues. But, it was nothing major, and as it turns out, we arrived in Orlando a little early.
(sorry for the bad picture-took this one on my phone!)
Ahh, MCO. So great to see you again! It's always exciting walking off that plane, riding the tram, and seeing all the theme park stores. I love it! Before heading off to get the Magical Express, Dad and I went to grab some lunch at Chick-Fil-A. As a lot of you know from my other TRs, this has become somewhat of a tradition for us. We don't stay at the airport though-we take our food with us so we can eat it on the bus. So with our food in hand, we then made our way to the Disney Welcome Center. I was wondering if it was going to be busier than it usually is (it seems like we hardly ever have to wait there-not that I'm complaining or anything!) since our flight was later and we didn't arrive until mid-afternoon, but nope. The place was pretty empty. There were a couple families waiting at one of the counters but we were able to get in line and were waved right onto a bus. YEAH!!!
Thankfully we got one of the real Magical Express buses and not one of the boring regular yellow Mears buses. It's the small things that make me happy.
And I thought this waterpark bus was pretty cool.
(another lousy phone picture)
We might've waited 15 minutes or so before our bus pulled out and we were on our way. I enjoyed eating my chicken nuggets and watching the ME video as always. It wasn't too long before we could see one of the greatest sights ever:
WELCOME TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!!
Home at last. It never gets old driving under that arch and seeing all the familiar sights in Disney.
Our first stop on the Magical Express was Port Orleans. I was kind of excited to stop there, since we've never been to Port Orleans (even on the ME). Obviously you don't get a feel for the resort by just stopping there on the bus but it was still neat.
The bus was at most half-full, and a whole bunch of people got off there. Since the front of the bus was now open I told Dad to move up, mostly so I could get some better pictures as we got closer to the Boardwalk.
As we continued on our way and got closer to the Epcot resorts, I spotted the Tower of Terror looming in the distance.
And then...we reached Epcot Resorts Boulevard and pulled into our home for the next week. We made it to the Boardwalk!
up next: Checking in and our amazing Boardwalk view
OK everyone, time to get started! I always enjoy doing the first couple updates of a new trip report because it's almost as exciting as arrival day itself (almost).
So here we go!First off, I wanted to share this picture I took of the weather forecast the night before we left. So nice not to see any predicted rain! That's the Florida weather we love!
Our morning started off sort of early, though not nearly as early as a lot of our past trips (or even as early as some of the mornings once we GOT to Disney World!). Normally we get flights that leave Milwaukee around 7:30 or 8:00 but this trip our flight wasn't until 11:15 so I got to "sleep in". I was actually awake earlier because really, who can sleep when you know you're about to leave for DISNEY WORLD?!?!
As excited as I was, a little part of me was also sad. See, I kept thinking about my sister Emma and how much she wanted to go because even though she's been home for 3 months, she STILL is in DCP withdrawl. I know I shouldn't have felt bad (especially since she was there for pretty much 4 months) but I did. Anyways...Once I was up, I got ready and double-checked to make sure I had everything packed and ready to go. Then it was off to Mitchell International!
Mom came along to drop us off and we said our good-byes. The airport really wasn't too busy so we were able to get our bags checked quickly. While we were doing that, I noticed a family who also had those lovely yellow Magical Express tags on their suitcases. I don't know about other people, but I always get excited when I see those tags. Makes me want to shout, "I'm going to Disney World too!" So being nosy, I had to take a peek at their tags to see where they were staying-turns out they were going to Saratoga Springs. That made me a teeny bit jealous since that's our DVC "home" but I was SO looking forward to arriving at the Boardwalk.
The line at security wasn't very long either so we got through with plenty of time to spare. As Dad says, it's always nice once you make it through security because it's just a hassle. Atleast Milwaukee tries to make a joke out of it as they have a "Recombobulation Area" after all the scanners. haha
While we waited for our flight, Dad and I split a sandwich to hold us over until our traditional arrival day meal
and I read a little bit of my Walt Disney World Trivia book that Claire gave me for my birthday. One of my favorite questions was: Where can you hear, "Flash photography? I wouldn't. It alters the homing signal and that's not good." Oh Dinosaur. Such a great Disney parks quote. Our flight was a little late because the plane started off in Tampa and then went to Baltimore before arriving in Milwaukee (or something like that...), and I think there were some weather issues. But, it was nothing major, and as it turns out, we arrived in Orlando a little early.
(sorry for the bad picture-took this one on my phone!)
Ahh, MCO. So great to see you again! It's always exciting walking off that plane, riding the tram, and seeing all the theme park stores. I love it! Before heading off to get the Magical Express, Dad and I went to grab some lunch at Chick-Fil-A. As a lot of you know from my other TRs, this has become somewhat of a tradition for us. We don't stay at the airport though-we take our food with us so we can eat it on the bus. So with our food in hand, we then made our way to the Disney Welcome Center. I was wondering if it was going to be busier than it usually is (it seems like we hardly ever have to wait there-not that I'm complaining or anything!) since our flight was later and we didn't arrive until mid-afternoon, but nope. The place was pretty empty. There were a couple families waiting at one of the counters but we were able to get in line and were waved right onto a bus. YEAH!!!
Thankfully we got one of the real Magical Express buses and not one of the boring regular yellow Mears buses. It's the small things that make me happy.
And I thought this waterpark bus was pretty cool.(another lousy phone picture)
We might've waited 15 minutes or so before our bus pulled out and we were on our way. I enjoyed eating my chicken nuggets and watching the ME video as always. It wasn't too long before we could see one of the greatest sights ever:
WELCOME TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!!
Home at last. It never gets old driving under that arch and seeing all the familiar sights in Disney.
Our first stop on the Magical Express was Port Orleans. I was kind of excited to stop there, since we've never been to Port Orleans (even on the ME). Obviously you don't get a feel for the resort by just stopping there on the bus but it was still neat.
The bus was at most half-full, and a whole bunch of people got off there. Since the front of the bus was now open I told Dad to move up, mostly so I could get some better pictures as we got closer to the Boardwalk.
As we continued on our way and got closer to the Epcot resorts, I spotted the Tower of Terror looming in the distance.
And then...we reached Epcot Resorts Boulevard and pulled into our home for the next week. We made it to the Boardwalk!
up next: Checking in and our amazing Boardwalk view
xoktenox
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2008
- Messages
- 3,176
Hey Sarah! I'm subbed and in
Great first update! There's nothing that can compare to the feeling of finally landing in MCO and hopping on the ME! Where is Chic-Fil-A in MCO? I've read almost all of your TRs and heard people raving about this place for years now...I need to try it!!!
Can't wait to hear more. That picture of the WDW entrance gates just drew tears from my eyes!!
Great first update! There's nothing that can compare to the feeling of finally landing in MCO and hopping on the ME! Where is Chic-Fil-A in MCO? I've read almost all of your TRs and heard people raving about this place for years now...I need to try it!!!
Can't wait to hear more. That picture of the WDW entrance gates just drew tears from my eyes!!
Angies1274
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2007
- Messages
- 2,375
Sounds like a smooth arrival day so far! Yay for getting a real Magical Express bus!!!! Aww...there is nothing better than seeing the Walt Disney World sign! Love it!
You got a great picture too! I still haven't got a good picture of it. Hopefully next trip!
Can't wait for more!
Yay for getting a real Magical Express bus!!!! Aww...there is nothing better than seeing the Walt Disney World sign! Love it! You got a great picture too! I still haven't got a good picture of it. Hopefully next trip!Can't wait for more!
Jazzabelle508
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2011
- Messages
- 835
Just saw this pop up on the man TR page and so I clicked on it and now that I know that this is your TR of course I have to subscribe sorry i didn't see this or subscribe sooner but i'm hear and can't wait to hear about this trip
sorry i didn't see this or subscribe sooner but i'm hear and can't wait to hear about this trip 
Caretames1
Mom of Girls
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Messages
- 3,370
I'm here! I didn't even see you started this! Now gotta go read!
The DIS has been so bad at notifications
The DIS has been so bad at notifications
Nermel9
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2009
- Messages
- 7,114
Yay Arrival day! Glad the weather for the week looked good, I'm hoping for the same forecast in 2 weeks! 
I love arriving in MCO, I always want to stop and look around, but I'm in too much of a hurry to get our bags and our car and get to Disney already!
Love the pictures of the welcome sign! I can't wait to be there soon!
Glad the weather for the week looked good, I'm hoping for the same forecast in 2 weeks! I love arriving in MCO, I always want to stop and look around, but I'm in too much of a hurry to get our bags and our car and get to Disney already!Love the pictures of the welcome sign! I can't wait to be there soon!
marDgreen88
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2011
- Messages
- 3,925
I'm here!!! I'm so excited! Is it weird that I thought of you when I had Chick-Fil-A the other night? Hahah I seriously did. I'm sorry I'm such a creeper. 
(That new clown guy looks like a creeper too.) Whatever hahah, anyways, I'm excited to hear all about it!
PS. I would have been excited to see the resorts for the first time too! Can't wait to see pics of the Boardwalk!
(That new clown guy looks like a creeper too.) Whatever hahah, anyways, I'm excited to hear all about it!PS. I would have been excited to see the resorts for the first time too! Can't wait to see pics of the Boardwalk!
IheartDDuck
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 6,506
I'm here.
I love the Boardwalk. Love love love. Can't wait to hear all about it.
I love the Boardwalk. Love love love. Can't wait to hear all about it.
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