Alll I can say is WOW!!!

[meldud]

I forgot to mention that in order to help with my daughters gluten allergy I upgraded my daughter to an adult.... we paid extra for her to have an adult park ticket so that she could eat of the adult menu.... I think in hind sight it was the right thing to do as the chefs had more flexibilty with her menu choices and pretty much could make her anything she wanted!!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Is UC empty????

This may shock you, but no, apparently not. On the phone call I referred to I was urged not to waste too much time contemplating - there were only 5 seats left in UC for one leg of the trip. I still have the notes from that phone call

Onto to the good stuff

I love your picture of the castle. Yes, I agree on the details at Disney. There are so many that you never pick them all up in one trip. Didn't you like the Tiki Room? Was it because you couldn't get the song out of your head? I have that as the current wake up alarm tone on my mobile

Crystal Palace is currently our favourite character restaurant. Not just for the characters but as the buffets go, it is awesome IMO and we have had wonderful service there. It's so cute how they call you for your table! Oh and that picture you have of Piglet is too darling. Piglet is my DD's favourite 100 Acre Wood character.

Your night time parade pics came out really nicely too. Did we not warn you about exiting the park at closing? Oops, yes it can take a while. I have learnt that if we stay to the end we don't even bother to head for the gate for at least half an hour. We grab a drink or a snack and seat ourselves comfortably while everyone fights for the buses. You can keep that in mind for next time.

Looking forward to reading all about day 2. Great review!

 

[torsie24]

Wow! I love your TR so far! It's so exciting and magical reading it, like it's my first time too!

Can't wait for more!

 

[meldud]

Day 2

Character breakfast at Cape May (BC) this morning. Quite a nice buffet, similar to the Captain's Grille next door.

The kids were prepared for this as we had Character dining the night before, so pens and camera at the ready!! Goofy, Donald and Minnie Mouse.

We loved the mickey waffles again!!

We then took a leisurely stroll around the World Showcase at Epcot, picking up a 'Kim-unicator' as we went round. The kids loved this... completing missions to save the world as we got to explore various countries around the lake. The little surprises were very clever!!

We were suprised at how empty the park seemed to be and wondered whether it was just so huge that it didn't seem cramped. We had been told to expect it to be quite busy... but it didn't appear so to us... not after the night before at MK!!!!!

Japan

Norway

Mexico

In Mexico, we had a look around the indoor (made to look like an outdoor evening market and restaurant... very clever).

We even tried on some of the traditional items....

Next not to miss was Turtle Talk with Crush.... totally dude...... how do they do that????
We ventured inside the aquarium centre to see the manatees and sharks.
My DS(10) was mesmerised by the diver in the lock out chamber, he thought it was great and watched the whole demonstration.

We were then tired and went back to the hotel for a rest and a swim.

Dinner at the Captains Grille again... I think my DH likes the steak!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Another great day!

How did you all enjoy Cape May? Was the character interaction good?

Oh we LOVE the Mexican pavillion at Epcot. It is our favorite! DD is addicted to the Grand Fiesta tour (she used to refer to it as 'Donald's Boat ) and trying on the sambreros! I also think San Angel Inn is one of the most beautifully set restaurants

You are correct in saying that due to its size Epcot tends to feel less crowded than it actually is. Last year we were there on Easter Sunday. Don't get me wrong, it was busy, but in terms of space you can't fault it. It can be a challenge on your first visit to get the size in perspective when looking at the map. All the park maps are the same size but they are not to the same scale and anyone who does somewhere like MK or DHS first and then ventures along to Epcot .... well let's just say their feet are in for a rude awakening.

I can't wait to read more. I am loving your trip report and all your great pictures.

 

[meldud]

How did you all enjoy Cape May? Was the character interaction good?

Cape May was fun ... and the characters were great. Donald made DH pose flexing his muscles and I have a great pic of that!! haha DD loved posing for all the pictures and it was a very happy place. All the staff had a bit of banter with the characters too and were very patient while pictures were taken in their way.

The only problem with the character dining at a buffet is that you spend more time standing up than eating and relaxing.
Yes, we enjoyed it... but we had booked ADR's for breakfast each day at the Captains Grille and Cape May alternately. We decided to miss all, except the last one of the Cape May ADR's and go to the Captain's Grille instead. It was much quieter and calmer and we didn't get indigestion.

THE SOMBREROS ARE A MUST AREN'T THEY??? San Angel was so beautiful... the setting was fabulous... so much thought... with the volcano in the background... it really feels like it is outside again at night!!

My past experiences are Legoland, Thorpe Park and Chessington all of which were heaving and the queues were madness, so it actually seemed practically empty to us. We walked straight on to a couple of rides and we were expecting to have to queue for everything. My DH was very impressed... queuing is his most hated thing!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

C San Angel was so beautiful... the setting was fabulous... so much thought... with the volcano in the background...

I wonder if anyone who had disrupted travel due to the ash cloud will want to eat at San Angel Inn though

My DH was very impressed... queuing is his most hated thing!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree. Disney queueing systems are something to behold. They are designed to make you forget you are actually waiting and the fact that often they are a slow, continuous walk rather than standing helps a lot. All psychological, but very clever. Can't wait for the next instalment.

 

[meldud]

Day 3

Well, it was off to DHS today. A short boat trip from the marina and 15 minutes later we were entering Hollywood Studios....I have to say I think my son was really looking forward to Indiana Jones and Star Wars.... he made us go straight there to find out what time the stunt show was on and get a Fastpass for Star Tours.

Well, we didn't need a Fastpass as we walked straight on. It was worth going all the way to Disney, just to see the look on my DS face during the Star Tours ride!! He LOVED it!! We all loved it, not as much as him, but we all loved it!

We enjoyed looking out for the characters as we walked through the queuing lines inside.

We couldn't go straight back on as we needed to get to IJ. We had excellent seats on an end row, to the right of centre.

The stunts were excellent and interspersed with information about the actors and how the stunts were created, giving the techies time to reset the next scene. Again DS thought it was GREAT!!

Next on the list was Prince Caspian, which was a very long wait for what was apparently a film preview showing of the film. The kids liked Aslan's table and had a picture taken in front of it. My DH was a little bored in this, especially as we queued for 20 minutes to go in and watch parts of a film we had watched at home 5 days previously.

We made our way to the parade route for the Block Party Bash.

If you are considering watching this, you need to know that the parade started at the entrance and moved up to the Sorcerors hat, stopping here then moving along past Echo Lake. The map has **stars** for a reason... the 'Hollywood Boulevard Party Zone' means that the parade will stop here along this route and spend 10 minutes performing before moving on to the 'Echo Lake Party Zone' and stopping again.
Unfortunately we had picked a place at the Sorcerors hat and therefore could see very little of what was happening except for some people on a portable trampoline.
As the parade moved past us we could obviously see the amazing costumes and floats that are the Disney signature.

Some of the costumes looked like they had walked straight off the screen.

Outstanding.

BOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Next it was time for me to choose something to see... 'Voyage of the Little Mermaid' was my choice.

Loved it!!! Beautiful voices. I loved the first scene with the UV coloured fish....soooo clever. I am a dance teacher and put on shows myself, so I love all of these things!

Next DH wanted to see Beauty and the Beast... we saw this together in the West End before we had kids, so it was something he was keen to see again.

It was very cleverly done, again with beautiful voices... one thing that has really stuck with both DH and I is that ALL the performers put in 110% ALL of the time... they have the attitude that 'it is always somebodies first time to see them perform' and really give it some welly!!! Very impressive! (Either that or it is in their contract!! haha)

Tired out we went back to our hotel for a rest again, but on the way back we booked a boat to watch the Epcot Illuminations from.... I think DH was in the mood for splashing out... see what the fun at Disney can do for you??

We ended up on a litle pirate boat

which we were told is used for a childrens treasure hunt, apparently you can book a place on the boat for the kids to be taken out (no adults allowed)... I will ask DH about this again as he was the one who was told about it.

We went for a mini cruise around the lake past the Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk towards DHS and then back again past the Boardwalk

and Beach Club

towards Epcot.
The boat driver Todd has an amazing amount of knowledge and told us so much information and facts about Disney and the people who work there. Facts about the firweorks and the music used. It was so interesting... he must have been... because my normally timid children were quite happy to ask him questions that they wanted to know the answers to.


Epcot Illuminations............WOW!! (I've said that before!!)

My DD asked if it was supposed to be sad... we decided it was supposed to be 'moving'. And it was!!

WOW!!!!

 

[meldud]

I wonder if anyone who had disrupted travel due to the ash cloud will want to eat at San Angel Inn though

 

[Netty]

Sounds like you all had such a fantastic first visit!!!
your photos are brilliant, maybe you should join the uk community photo comp
looking forward to reading more!

 

[Tink2312]

Loving reading your reports! It's so nice to see it through the eyes of a first-timer and it reminds me how lucky I am to have spent many childhood and early adult holidays at WDW
Looking forward to reading more and seeing some more beautiful photos!

 

[2Tiggies]

Illuminations is one of my favourite things in the whole of WDW. I absolutely love it and get goosebumps the moment it starts - every time! I think it is quite moving. Perhaps because it makes you feel so small Everything is so dramatic but so real. Beautiful!

What an awesome treat to watch it from a boat! Your DH really outdid himself on that one!

 

[PJB71]

Just caught up on reading your report

It's lovely to hear you had such a fantastic time, looks like you have the "disney bug"

 

[Netty]

can you tell me what camera you used as your photos are fantastic!!

 

[2Tiggies]

can you tell me what camera you used as your photos are fantastic!!

I have been thinking the same.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

your photos are brill.

I said to DH out of all the restaurants/hotels we visited beach club/yacht is one of the only ones i would like to say at.

 

[Bumbleink]

I am so pleased you had a great time. We stayed at the BCV's this yr, our first DVC trip home and absolutely loved it there. The only thing i didn't enjoy was sharing the small pool by the DVC villas with a family of ducks!! But then i am scared of birds lol.

We went on our first Disney trip in 2007 and this yr was our 3rd time and first as DVC owners and i still get that warm glow as you step into Disney's world. I just wish you could bottle that feeling and sell it, my budget for the next trip would be sorted tenfold.

 

[buzz for boys]

lovely read cant wait to read more updates !!
Your photos are amazing

 

[2Tiggies]

your photos are brill.

I said to DH out of all the restaurants/hotels we visited beach club/yacht is one of the only ones i would like to say at.

Funny thing, last night I was playing with quotes on the Disney US site looking for good deals on the Poly (again ) and when you run a quote, the site throws in alternative options as well. For a 7 night stay the Beach Club flashed up at $900 odd I know it is room only but that is ridiculously cheap to the point it must have been a system glitch. It was hard not to book then and there, but I know that trying to pull together flights and park tickets plus food money on top of that by Feb would be a tall order. Just thought I would mention it.

Meldud, we are waiting in great anticipation for the next chapter

 

[meldud]

can you tell me what camera you used as your photos are fantastic!!

We treated ourselves to the new Sony NEX-5 before we left. It is a compact camera with SLR capabilities (to a degree) and quite small by comparison. It is pretty much point and shoot... although you do need to use the zoom by hand!!
I bought it with two lenses and only used the 18/55 mm lens (ie with zoom). I used Picasa to crop the pics.

I have to say that I am normally rubbish taking pictures, but this camera defies all odds. I would say that 7 in 10 photos I take are normally blurred with my compact camera and I have to delete them. I would say that out of the 1000 photos we took while we were away, less than 20 were blurred. It is definitely not me, but the camera..... and no I don't work for Sony!!!

Thanks for the compliments!!!