Aug 08 Trip Report-Go During Busy Season & Wait No More Than 10 Mins for Any Ride!

[PrincessVal]

I know they added new housing. I should say new better housing with rumored washers and dryers! I could only wish!

I was in Vista Way which was the only place to be in 1993! That was all they had back then. One of my bosses told me he was on the CP and they lived in trailers somewhere off 192. I'm sure they were very nice trailers but I was 19 and first time out on my own and I pictured a very run down trailer in the swamps the way he described them .

The year after my college program I think they started making projects due and such. I didnt have to do any college type work did you? We just went to seminars in business suits and toured the property. It was a breeze. When I heard about all of the stuff that had to be done to graduate after that I almost Poor kids!

I didnt have a car my first or my 2nd alumni CP's but I did on my 3rd. I was fall of 93 and summers of 94 and 95.

I absolutely loved that job and like I said I met my husband who was also a fellow CPer so it was the best thing I ever did! We say our kids HAVE to do this.

Yeah I had heard about those trailers. It seems like the College Program started out relatively small and now has gotten huge. There were 3 different housing complexes when I was there, Vista Way, Chatham Square and The Commons for international students. I lived in Chatham. Now when DS22 went back as an Alum one more just opened, she lived in Patterson Court.

I dont know what its like now, but we had washers and dryers at various locations around the complex. Which for me meant lugging my laundry down 2 flights of stairs and across a parking lot. I love how they gave us the option to wash our costumes ourselves or get new ones from costuming each time. Yeah like I needed anymore laundry to lug around

 

[PrincessVal]

A quick note on where I got my touring plans before we start touring...

The first couple times I went to WDW with some Disney vets so I learned from them. I went regularly enough after that that I learned as I went. If a new ride opened I knew I had to go there first. Also working down there I learned a ton. I would look up which park was having EMH and plan where to go and where not to go based on that, make some ADRs, and head on my way. I had never done much actual research before a trip. Since I love planning and was so excited to go I decided to read up, and actually ended up going, well...a bit overboard.

First I subscribed to Tour Guide Mikes website. I found that he had a lot of great information that he kept up to date. The only downside I found is that it’s somewhat difficult to navigate. If you are a vet I don't know that this level of detail is required since I did know much of the info already. I then purchased the Unofficial Guide and subscribed to TouringPlans.com. The Unofficial Guide has the most information. I think it would be great for first timers or people who haven't visited in awhile. It goes into great detail of every aspect of a trip to WDW from describing each restaurant and hotel to all of the rides. Lots of it I skimmed because I knew it or it didn't pertain to me but there was still a lot of helpful information that I think made it worth the investment. Touring Plans would be the best for someone who has an idea of what they want to do and just needs some help organizing a plan of how to best utilize their time. It also has crowd calendars for each day so you have an idea of what you are in for. Lastly I purchased Ridemax. I found this to be the most fun and flexible to work with. You pick the day, the park and the rides and it creates a detailed itinerary listing how long it will take to walk there and how long the wait will be. You can also schedule breaks for eating or going back to the hotel. I absolutely loved this software, very user friendly. Being a planaholic I wondered...why didn't I come up with this? This would however not be good for anyone that doesn't like strict plans and would rather go with the flow.

So in the end I adjusted my itinerary based on the information I acquired. I'm sure I could have gotten away with just using Touring Plans and/or Ridemax but it was still fun to read and plan.

 

[tofubeast]

Great to read about your reviews of the touring plans. We used RideMax for our recent DLR trip and it was beyond awesome. We were ahead of schedule at one point by an hour and had stocked up on many FP to use at night time. We only really waited in two big lines... Toy Story and Finding Nemo subs. Not too shabby.

Glad you had good experiences with them!!

 

[PrincessVal]

We awoke early on Monday. Our plan was to leave the hotel at 8:00 and I think we were only a few minutes behind schedule...not bad for our family. Everyone was excited to get their first glimpse of the park.

Eh hem, I said LOOK EXCITED! And DD please keep up. If you can't tell already my DH calls me the DN ~ Disney Nazi

We met DS22 who parked in the cast member lot and came through the entrance to meet us in line outside.

I was expecting it to be hot, but at 8:30 AM it was already extremely HOT ...yikes. Luckily I had my trusty fan on my belt

After opening we got a photopass pic. I knew since it was hot already if we got one on the way out we would be sweaty messes. As much as you want to run to that first ride, if there is a photopass person available grab them. When you get home and get to look at the pics you will be happy you did.

DS22 and DB went to Guest Relations to get a birthday pin for him since today he turned 15. The rest of us crowd surfed through the Land to get a FP for Soarin'.

We then hit up Living with the Land - no wait. We usually kinda make fun of this ride but we hadn't been on it since they got rid of the live tour guide and we were trying to do some different things we decided to ride it for the First Time since the change. It wasn't too bad. My DH liked it since we just started growing a garden of our own this year.

Afterwards we headed over to the Seas to go on the new Finding Nemo & Friends ride for the First Time - no wait. It was cute but not a must see in my mind. I bet little ones would love it, I just wouldn't want to wait too long for it.

After the ride we hung out and checked out the fish for about 10 minutes until Turtle Talk with Crush was going to start.

I love Turtle Talk. For anyone that goes to Disney a lot, attractions that change each time you go are great. This time "Crush" was awesome dude.

Afterwards since DM and myself were the FP runners we ran over to Test Track to get a FP. We stopped for a quick peak at the Jaminators on the way. Then met everyone back over at The Land. It was almost time for the surprise for my DH.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I'm looking forward to seeing how your touring plans work out. I love the UG, but I really don't know how to tweak our plans this time--I'm planning on at least 3 evening emh's, which we've never done before.

Surprises are great! Way to leave us hanging!

 

[PrincessVal]

Lets see, oh yes after getting the TT FP we met back up at the Land to use our Soarin' FP. The wait even with a FP takes a little bit of time probably about 10 mins. Afterwards we grabbed a snack at Sunshine Seasons. Sorry I forgot to take a pic but from what I can remember we got fruit, hummus, a kids Mac & Cheese, and a kids PB & J. It was all good. Sunshine Seasons is by far one of the best CS places on property with a great variety of food.

Now it was finally time for the surprise. I took DH over to the desk by Soarin' and it was just the two of us taking the Behind the Seeds tour. This was our First Time taking a Disney tour. Like I had said before we just started growing a garden this year. I thought this would be a great way to get DH more excited about Disney.

A Cinderella pumpkin! Wish we could grow our pumpkins like this.

This was a last minute idea I booked right before our trip and I'm so glad I did. It was only $14 per person and an hour long. There were 3 kids and 9 adults on our tour. They did a good job of involving the kids however I don't know how interested the kids were overall. DH loved it and learned a lot. I actually had a great time as well. I am now interested in taking more tours. Maybe next time we can try the EPCOT Segway tour I've heard is so great. If anyone has been on any other good tours let me know.


While we were touring the rest of the group went on Journey into Imagination with Figment (Figment was my favorite when I was little so I know I will be taking them on this again before the trip is over), played in Innoventions, and got another FP for Soarin' (everyone loves this ride). After the tour was over we met back up outside the Land to head over to Germany - our lunch destination.

 

[Lady Lallie]

What a great update! I have been wanting to take the Behind the Seeds tour, I might have to give it a try. It's looks like fun.

 

[iluvuwdw]

Have you ever done the Keys to the Magic Kingdom tour? I have heard that is a really good tour as well. Mind you I have never done this one before but have heard great things about it.

 

[*DisMom*]

I just found your TR and I am hooked! I love all of the pictures. Can't wait to read more!!

 

[dshouse4]

Great TR, thaks for taking the time. Great pictures too!!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Subscribing to your report--this one is good! I love the detailed pictures and can hardly wait for Epcot in November. We have never been there as a family. Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[Disneylvr]

Fabulous trip report! I am reading it with great interest since we are going NEXT August.

 

[PrincessVal]

What a great update! I have been wanting to take the Behind the Seeds tour, I might have to give it a try. It's looks like fun.

We really enjoyed it. Let me know if you end up going and what you think.

Have you ever done the Keys to the Magic Kingdom tour? I have heard that is a really good tour as well. Mind you I have never done this one before but have heard great things about it.

No I haven't gone on the Keys to the Kingdom tour. That might be another one to try out. I think I would love it, I would just need to find another Disney lover to go with me. I don't know that I could convince my DH to go.

 

[PrincessVal]

I just found your TR and I am hooked! I love all of the pictures. Can't wait to read more!!

Great TR, thaks for taking the time. Great pictures too!!!

Subscribing to your report--this one is good! I love the detailed pictures and can hardly wait for Epcot in November. We have never been there as a family. Looking forward to the next installment.

Fabulous trip report! I am reading it with great interest since we are going NEXT August.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! And have fun in Nov and next August. It will be here before you know it.

 

[gattra]

Great Trip report so far! I can't wait to hear more! My Fiance' and I went to DW for the first time this April and we LOVED the living with the land ride! I can't wait to suprise her with a behind the seeds tour on our next trip! Thanks for writing about your awesome vacation.

Robert

 

[PrincessVal]

After our tour we all met up and started our journey around the world. Originally we had an ADR for Whispering Canyon. I had never eaten there and I thought it would be a fun way to spend DB's bday. However when we found out DS22 had to go to work at 3:30 and she wouldn't be able to go with us I made a last minute switch the day before.

It was about 1:00 and we were all feelin' the heat.

We passed some characters along the way...

Since we were early and the Malestrom in Norway had no wait we decided to go for a ride.

Finally we were almost there. Wait The Three Caballeros? Don't you guys belong in Mexico?!?

This was our First Time eating at Biergarten.

After waiting for about 10 or so minutes we were seated.

Beers for everyone!

Ok so we only actually ordered 2 beers, but everyone wanted to try it out.

Here is my plate...
Mixed Green Salad, Roasted Potatoes with Herbs, Salmon filet with Lemon Dill Cream sauce, Glazed Carrots, Bavarian Potato Salad, Rotisserie Chicken, Breaded Pork Schnitzel, some kind of Sausage, and of course Pretzel Rolls.

Here is DH 2nd plate...

Oh and who could forget the desserts...
Florentiner Cookie, Blackforest Cake, Bavarian Cheese Cake and Vanilla Pudding with Chocolate Chips

We usually chose 1 or 2 lunches instead of dinners because the menus are similar and for a family of 7 it saves us about $60+. Overall I think it was good. DH and DD really enjoyed it because one they love German food and two they can eat more than the rest of us at a buffet. I'm just so-so on German food and I still found lots of things I like. The Cream of Potato soup was delicious even though it was blazing hot outside, the pork was good and so were the roast potatoes. DH loved the Sauerkraut, I can't stand the stuff myself. The Pretzel rolls, which I looked forward to the most seemed a bit stale but the 2nd batch that came out later were better. Oh and the desserts were fabulous especially the Pudding and Cheesecake. Ok now that my mouth is watering time to move on.

Biergarten
Service - 8
Atmosphere - 9
Food - 7
Overall - 8/10


We enjoyed some entertainment. And after everyone was feeling good we headed on our way.

Afterwards DS22 went to work. Since she works at EPCOT it was only a short walk for her.

The rest of us headed to Test Track to use our FPs.

A helpful hint...if you are going on TT and have long hair - pull it back before you ride

After TT it was time to pickup DSBF at the airport so we left EPCOT after a successful morning.

 

[PrincessVal]

Here is a pic I wanted to post at the beginning of the TR. DS22 working as a CP in Parking at the TTC. She worked on the trams and said it was tons of fun.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

 

[PrincessVal]

On the way to the airport we had some casualties. Someone must have had a tough bday and its only day 2!

After picking up DSBF we headed back to the resort to relax. Since we all had such a huge late lunch we didn't eat much dinner just a snack here and there. We then got a call from DS22 that she was going to be getting off early so we decided to head back to EPCOT to meet her.

First we went to Soarin' with our 2nd set of FPs we got earlier. By the time we got out it was 7pm and everything except the big rides were closed in FW and everything that was still open had a long wait so we decided to head to WS. I wanted to hit up Kringla Bakeri og Cafe at Norway to try out the School Bread I had heard so much about.

I don't know if I just got it too late in the day but it seemed stale. The inside was good but the outside was hard. So I ended up giving the rest to DH. I knew I kept him around for some reason.

We then visited Mexico and saw that the Gran Fiesta Tour had only a few minute wait so we road. It was the First Time we had been on since it was rehabed from the old El Rio del Tiempo. Maybe its just me but the ride doesn't seem too much better.

We then met DS22 who had just gotten off work. We headed towards Spaceship Earth. It was a beautiful night so we took a few pics on the way.

It was our First Time riding Spaceship Earth since the rehab so I was very excited. I enjoyed the updates except for the fact that our picture didn't work at the end of the ride. It went through the whole thing but our faces weren't there. That was the part I was looking forward to the most, oh well. After we were finished we headed out to beat the Illuminations rush. Tomorrow we are going to Hollywood, Hooray for Hollywood.

 

[anne0866]

Great Trip Report! Looking forward to reading more!!

 

[PrincessVal]

Originally today was our AK day. Since it was DS22 day off work we let her choose either AK or HS since we had no ADRs either day and both were good on the crowd calendar. She picked HS because she wanted to see Fantasmic...this is ironic if you wait and see what happens tonight.

I struggled with a touring plan for HS. We always end up getting there early for the rides, seeing the shows in the afternoon, then bored, hot, and tired until Fantasmic in the evening. We even pick out secret sleeping spots inside Sounds Dangerous. To avoid this our other two options were go in a little later and risk not getting a FP for TSM or take an afternoon break and miss Block Party Bash. Since waiting in 100+ degree weather for parades isn't our thing, we chose the 2nd option.

We got going about the same time as yesterday and got to the park around 8:30 AM. While waiting for the opening show on Hollywood Blvd all you could see is a sea of people. Families around us were afraid the park was open and everyone was just stopping to watch. I assured them that you had to wait for them to officially open the park and that we were stuck where we were for a few minutes.

DS22 and I headed for TSM for our FPs along with everyone else in the park. I thought the Soarin' rush was bad, holy cow it was madness. By the time we got our FPs they were for 10:45 AM.

We went from jam packed Pixar Place to an empty NY Street. Somehow I doubt NYC ever looks like this. It was a ghost town.

We met up with the rest of our group outside Star Tours. I know I know you are thinking STAR TOURS are you crazy? But that is what Ridemax told us and what Ridemax says goes. We jumped on with no wait.

After our not so sucessful trip to the Endor moon we went to The Great Movie Ride where we had about a 5 minute wait. So far so good.

Our next task was to FP Rock 'n Roller Coaster. We had a little while before we could get another FP and since I knew we wouldn't have time for a sit down lunch we grabbed a snack at Starring Rolls bakery. I again forgot to take a pic but we got a couple bagels and muffins, nothing too exciting. DD hung out in a high chair while we ordered.

We sat on a wall listening to High School Musical and ate. This is 1 of about 17 times we would hear this (or at least it seemed like it). Next I showed the group where the best and least crowded bathroom in all of the Studios is...the one inside The Brown Derby.

Afterwards it was time for our first trip down my old home - Sunset Blvd for our Coaster FPs. DH and DM said they wanted to go on Tower of Terror twice so they FPed tower instead.

Then it was finally time for TSM. As you can see the standby line was 60 mins at 10:45 when we went in with our FPs. I expected it to be worse.

The ride was FABULOUS! I wish we had time to go on it again. It was so good it actually made our rides on Buzz Lightyear during the rest of the trip not as fun. Oh oh oh and I actually beat DH! WOOHOO. And I won...a cat?!?

Next up - which would you choose Beauty and the Beast or Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show?