Back yesterday...amazing week

[kaygela]

Here's my report:
Sunday-
Breakfast at Boma- very good buffet and spent time walking around the grounds and seeing the animals
Tower of Terror- just keeps getting better!
Rock-n-Rollercoaster- absolute favorite
Behind the Scenes of The Haunted Mansion
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground-alot of fun for my DS8
Muppets 3D- still a favorite
Al's Toy Barn for Autographs
Lunch- ABC Commissary- ok burgers
Stars & Motor Cars Parade
The World of Walt Disney- loved seeing the miniatures of the attractions
Animation Tour and Class- got to draw Tigger and take it home
Dinner- Brown Derby- excellent steak and loved the creme brulee
Fantasmic -always amazes me
Downtown Disney-used AAA discount in World of Disney and bought several scrapbooks in the scrapbook store
ICe cream at Hagen Daz

Monday-
Breakfast-Princess Breakfast at Norway- very mediocre, but good interaction with Jasmine, Mulan, Mary Poppins and Aurora.
Future World-
Journey into Imagination
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Mission Space- (glad to have done it once,not sure I'd want to do it again though)
Spaceship Earth
The Circle of Life- Land Pavillion
Ice Cream Social
Test Track
World Showcase-
Walked in and around all the countries
Dinner- Le Cellier (Canada)- now I understand all the raves about the soup and pretzel bread!!!
Illuminations

Tuesday-
Breakfast- Chef Mickey's
MK-
Haircuts for DS16 and DS 8 at the Barbershop-so much fun!
Mickey's Philharmagic- love it, love it!
It's a Small World
Winnie the Pooh
Carousel of Progress
Transit Authority
Buzz Lightyear
Space Mountain
Early Dinner- Liberty Tree Tavern- got to ring the bell to start dinner and meet characters privately- very exciting.
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Haunted Mansion
Spectromagic
Wishes

Wednesday-
DS8-quick breakfast in room
Pirate Cruise at Grand Floridian- had a very good time despite the cool weather. 2 hour scavenger hunt on the seven seas lagoon stopping at different points looking for a treasure chest. He came back with treats and treasures and great memories.
DH, DS16 and I had breakfast in the Cafe at Grand Floridian while DS8 was on cruise
MGM-
Star Tours
Rock-n-Rollercoaster
quick pizza at fast food near Rock-n Roller
Do you Want to be a Millionaire
Great Movie Ride
Dinner with an Imagineer (at the Brown Derby)- absolute highlight
Downtown Disney for some more shopping

Thursday-
spent the day at Discovery Cove
Dinner-
Tappanyaki in Epcot
Illuminations
Then off to Universal for 2 days....
I think I listed everything
Feel free to ask questions

 

[Pixie glitter]

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Please tell me more about the Behind the Scenes at the Haunted Mansion--what is this?

 

[ashjohnson80]

I'm leaving this weekend and a lot of people are saying that the crowds have been horrible.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Dinner with an Imagineer (at the Brown Derby)- absolute highlight

Can you tell me more about this? Age restrictions? What is it? Cost?

Behind the Scenes of The Haunted Mansion

What's this? Sounds interesting?

Sounds like a fabulous trip! Let's hear some details. I'm particularly interested in your DS8's favorites.

 

[TwingleMum]

Were you there for Pres week? Were the crowds unbearable?? I'd also like to hear about the behind the scenes tuor of Haunted Mansion. Thanks.

 

[Baloo]

I think the Behind the Scences HM Tour kaygela is talking about is the one at MGM.From the looks of her schedule she spent the whole day at MGM.

It is located on Mickey Ave on a soundstage just past the Little Mermaid show.It's all about the HM Movie with Eddie Murphy.You view a film on the making of the movie then there are sets ,costumes and various things from the HM Movie. The sets are AMAZING...they're HUGE!!! The tour was orginally to close in Jan.2004 but has been extended through April 2004. There is no extra charge for this as it's part of looking around MGM,getting a little peek at "movie magic"!

If you get a chance check it out!

 

[kaygela]

Originally posted by Pixie glitter
Sounds like a wonderful trip! Please tell me more about the Behind the Scenes at the Haunted Mansion--what is this?

Behind the Scenes of the Haunted Mansion is at MGM on Mickey Ave (near the animation studio). You walk into the actual set of the front hall of the mansion with the grand staircase. It was very impressive. There are several props and costumes on display. The CM told me that the set was transported from LA. There was a film clip of the movie shown with some explanation of how things were shot, etc. It was worth the stop to see this if you have the chance.

 

[kaygela]

Originally posted by ashjohnson80
I'm leaving this weekend and a lot of people are saying that the crowds have been horrible.

The crowds were particularly bad at MK last week. We even saw a 45 mins wait posted at It's A Small World! But I think that was because of President's Week. Some of the CMs said the attendance was pretty high for the norm that week. Also, the funeral for the CM who was killed last week was on Monday and I heard that so many of the CMs went that it left the park somewhat shortstaffed. I didn't think the crowds at the other parks were as bad. It was manageable as long as you got your fastpasses before midafternoon.

 

[kaygela]

Originally posted by cruisnfamily
Can you tell me more about this? Age restrictions? What is it? Cost? What's this? Sounds interesting?

Sounds like a fabulous trip! Let's hear some details. I'm particularly interested in your DS8's favorites.

The dinner with an Imagineer is only held at the Brown Derby and it cost around$100/pp( a few dollars less for my DS8.) We were seated in a private room and it was just my family of 4 and the imagineer. I was told by the manager that the most they will book is 8 people. Dinner was a 4 course meal with a different wine for the adults at each course. The manager met us in the lobby and escorted us to the room where the Imagineer was already seated and we were introduced. dinner was spread over about 2 hrs and was fascinating. The imagineer was Dan Dillon who is the Principal Graphic Designer and worked on Mission Space, Mickey's Philharmonic and the new Saratoga Springs Resort. He told us about his history and how he came to Disney. We talked about various attractions, etc and he was very welcoming of questions.He was also very interested in us and learning about what we like, etc. He was wonderful with my two sons and my DS16 adn DS8 were absolutely enthralled. At the end of the meal, we were presented with a special commemorative plate which Dan autographed and personalized for us. He couldn't have been more charming and interesting. We truly felt that we had experienced a special "magic" that evening. They only book a couple of dinners a week and they do not advertise it although the word is getting out. Not all the CMs seem to know about it so you might have to be persistent in your request or try contacting the restaurant directly. The manager and the wait staff treated us like VIPs so all in all, the experience was incredible.

 

[kaygela]

Originally posted by cruisnfamily
Can you tell me more about this? Age restrictions? What is it? Cost? What's this? Sounds interesting?

Sounds like a fabulous trip! Let's hear some details. I'm particularly interested in your DS8's favorites.

My DS's favorites are:
MK-
Buzz Lightyear
Carousel of Progress
Transit Authority
Winnie the Pooh
(He's not a big thrill ride person)
And, getting his haircut in the MK's barbershop

Epcot-
Spaceship Earth
Journey into Imagination
Ice-Cream Social

MGM-
Animation Studio
Haunted Mansion

He also loved the Pirate Cruise.

And the dinner with the imagineer was something he has not stopped talking about

All the parades and nighttime shows are must sees for him.

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.