DisneyEnthusiastic
I love Disney World!!
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2002
- Messages
- 982
Titled so because of the summer tax credit.
Dates: August 6th to 14th
Cast: Gail (mom)
Jeff (13yr DS)
Justin (11 yr DS)
Amanda (8 yr DD)
Day One: Arrive at ASMovies around 2:30 p.m. Check into room easily. Dalmations. Had a wonderful CM check us in. She didn't mind checking various leftover passes for how many days left. This was also her last day for the College program. We happened to be on the same floor as the NY Film Academy. They had a lot of rooms. But they were not loud as they had an 11:00 lock down each evening. After unpacking and the kids exploring the resort...we headed downtown for dinner. We ate at Planet Hollywood. Food was good as we all had burgers. Checked out a few shops and the entertainment at the kids dance party in DTD. It was fun watching the DJ giving dancing lessons to the kids. We still crack up when we hear "Walking on Sunshine" Headed back to ASMo for an evening swim.
Day Two: This was to be our day of park hopping to get in one ride per park per person that we REALLY wanted to ride. No shopping...just riding. Well, the weather really put a damper on our plans. It rained and rained and rained. We weren't sure if it was going to stop. We managed to ride Mission Space at Epcot and Body Wars,and decided to head over to MK since the line for Test Track was SO long..then this huge gust of wind came and the sky opened up and poured like crazy. We rode the monorail to T&T then hopped the ferry to MK. It was still raining cats&dogs. We rode the train around to Frontierland to ride Splash Mountain. We stood in line for 90 minutes. It was lightning so they closed the ride down for a bit. We were drenched before the ride. I think our spirits were way down...so we decided to call it quits and head back to our room and try a little later after it calmed down. We were all starving so we ate lunch at the resort. Food tasted just like the other resort food courts. We were on our way back to our room to change and as we were opening the door I received a gift basket from a CM that my husband sent to us. The kids were able to swim as the rain stopped. We then showered as the rain started again. This was the evening that a tornado touched down in West Palm Beach. I also had to pick my mother up at the airport at 10:30 p.m. Her flight was delayed. She got in around midnight. After she checked in, the kids showed her around the resort. Then we called it a night.
Day Three: Started the day at the pool in the a.m. This was very nice. The pool was not very crowded. Stayed for a couple of hours before heading off to MK. We had a PS for Crystal Palace for lunch. Watched the parade after lunch. Headed over to Buzz Lightyear...which was closed because it kept stopping. Then got on the Transit Authority which was neat because when we went through Space Mountain it was broke down and all the lights were on. We rode a second time to get pictures inside SpM. Neat seeing it with all the lights on. Got off, did the Carousel of Progress, then the kids got on Sp Mountain because it had just reopened with a 20 minute wait. My mom and I waited..then it started to rain again. Headed over and did the Teacups then Small World. Around 5 we were ready to go because it kept raining. We headed over to MGM to see Fantasmic...but couldn't because we thought getting there at 8 would get us a seat..NOT..standing room only. Kids rode RNR. Headed back and ate dinner at the food court. The kids hung out in the arcade.
Day Four: The morning started off great...went to the pool for an hour before it started pouring down rain! Sat under an umbrella waiting for the shower to pass...which it did after about 15 minutes. Stayed clear for about 20 minutes...then it started coming down again! Headed back to the room and showered (don't know what for) then put on ponchos and headed for DTD and Disney Quest. It was packed! I guess when its raining..this is the place to go. The kids played for a while, we ate lunch and had some yummy cheesecake. Left and went to the movies to see Freaky Friday. Cute movie for a remake. Checked out a few shops downtown.
Day Five: Guess what? It's raining! My mom said she was disgusted with all this rain. She expected some rain/showers, but this was almost depressing to her. She decided she was heading home a day early. She was only losing one day on her room and $50 to change her flight. She gave it one last day. We put on our trusty ponchos and headed for AK. After being in AK for 30 minutes the rain stopped and the sun came out. Kids did Primeval(sp)Whirl, while we goofed around playing a couple games. Next was dinosaur then off to Tough to be a bug..(this one still creeps me out a little). Ate lunch at RFC. The food was good. Had the shrimp stuffed w/ crabmeat. Did a little shopping then headed over to Epcot to take my mom on Mission Space. Left Epcot with a couple of pretty good Cafe'Mochas. She was determined to get to Fantasmic. So we headed over to MGM and got to Fantasmic by 7. We had wonderful seats. Even though we had to sit 2 hours..it was worth it. Just makes me so mad about the people that come in 15 minutes before and come to your row and think they are going to squeeze their party of4 into an empty seat for 1. Then you have the ones that want the edge of your seat. We're all entitled to see Fantasmic, but some consideration for those of us who preplanned. It's already uncomfortable enough on those metal benches, then to have some want to edge their way onto your seat...it can make you crazy
Day Six: Took mom to DTD for some last minute shopping thentook her to the airport. It's a beautiful morning! After the airport..took the kids to Universal Studios. It threatened rain, but never did. We rode all the major rides. It was crowded and very humid. Ate lunch at Mel's Diner. Food was okay...again for burgers. Headed back to resort and let the kids swim until midnight. I had a few drinks at the pool and thumbed through some magazines. Decided we were going to sleep in the next day.
Day Seven: Decided to sleep in today. Hung out by the pool for most of the day. Made PS for Chef Mickey's at 6. It was a hot day. We were all burnt! Ouch! Headed to CM...this is a tradition for us. Got back to resort and took advantage of the Golf tickets from check-in package for room only. Went to Winter Summerland. It was really cute. We had a good time. Of course it was lightning the entire time. But fun.
Day Eight: Had to pack everything into this last day. We headed to MK (packed again...and raining) rode a few rides, shopped mainly, then over to MGM...rode TOT...then did lots of shopping. You can tell we were pretty much Disney'd Out. So much rain and the crowds...mixed with the heat. Headed to DTD for more shopping. I love to shop and this was MY shopping day. Went back to the room...took lots of pictures of the resort...then did some laundry while the kids hung out at the arcade again. I didn't mind since they were having fun and I was getting the packing done. Of course it was still raining. Have to leave tomorrow.
Check out day Nine: Checked out by 9 am. I was going to stay for part of the day...but guess what...it was raining!! Decided to get going. It's a long drive!
Conclusion: I still love Disney World despite the rain. You just have to be creative. I doubt I will ever go in August again. The heat was horrible and the rain made it worse. The crowds weren't that bad. I've seen them worse during the holidays. It was nice doing a lot of relaxing as we have been so many times over the past few years. It's nice to enjoy some of the resort amenitities. Even the value resort. The theming is very cute. Yes, I would stay here again. Thinking about AKL next time though.
Dates: August 6th to 14th
Cast: Gail (mom)
Jeff (13yr DS)
Justin (11 yr DS)
Amanda (8 yr DD)
Day One: Arrive at ASMovies around 2:30 p.m. Check into room easily. Dalmations. Had a wonderful CM check us in. She didn't mind checking various leftover passes for how many days left. This was also her last day for the College program. We happened to be on the same floor as the NY Film Academy. They had a lot of rooms. But they were not loud as they had an 11:00 lock down each evening. After unpacking and the kids exploring the resort...we headed downtown for dinner. We ate at Planet Hollywood. Food was good as we all had burgers. Checked out a few shops and the entertainment at the kids dance party in DTD. It was fun watching the DJ giving dancing lessons to the kids. We still crack up when we hear "Walking on Sunshine" Headed back to ASMo for an evening swim.
Day Two: This was to be our day of park hopping to get in one ride per park per person that we REALLY wanted to ride. No shopping...just riding. Well, the weather really put a damper on our plans. It rained and rained and rained. We weren't sure if it was going to stop. We managed to ride Mission Space at Epcot and Body Wars,and decided to head over to MK since the line for Test Track was SO long..then this huge gust of wind came and the sky opened up and poured like crazy. We rode the monorail to T&T then hopped the ferry to MK. It was still raining cats&dogs. We rode the train around to Frontierland to ride Splash Mountain. We stood in line for 90 minutes. It was lightning so they closed the ride down for a bit. We were drenched before the ride. I think our spirits were way down...so we decided to call it quits and head back to our room and try a little later after it calmed down. We were all starving so we ate lunch at the resort. Food tasted just like the other resort food courts. We were on our way back to our room to change and as we were opening the door I received a gift basket from a CM that my husband sent to us. The kids were able to swim as the rain stopped. We then showered as the rain started again. This was the evening that a tornado touched down in West Palm Beach. I also had to pick my mother up at the airport at 10:30 p.m. Her flight was delayed. She got in around midnight. After she checked in, the kids showed her around the resort. Then we called it a night.
Day Three: Started the day at the pool in the a.m. This was very nice. The pool was not very crowded. Stayed for a couple of hours before heading off to MK. We had a PS for Crystal Palace for lunch. Watched the parade after lunch. Headed over to Buzz Lightyear...which was closed because it kept stopping. Then got on the Transit Authority which was neat because when we went through Space Mountain it was broke down and all the lights were on. We rode a second time to get pictures inside SpM. Neat seeing it with all the lights on. Got off, did the Carousel of Progress, then the kids got on Sp Mountain because it had just reopened with a 20 minute wait. My mom and I waited..then it started to rain again. Headed over and did the Teacups then Small World. Around 5 we were ready to go because it kept raining. We headed over to MGM to see Fantasmic...but couldn't because we thought getting there at 8 would get us a seat..NOT..standing room only. Kids rode RNR. Headed back and ate dinner at the food court. The kids hung out in the arcade.
Day Four: The morning started off great...went to the pool for an hour before it started pouring down rain! Sat under an umbrella waiting for the shower to pass...which it did after about 15 minutes. Stayed clear for about 20 minutes...then it started coming down again! Headed back to the room and showered (don't know what for) then put on ponchos and headed for DTD and Disney Quest. It was packed! I guess when its raining..this is the place to go. The kids played for a while, we ate lunch and had some yummy cheesecake. Left and went to the movies to see Freaky Friday. Cute movie for a remake. Checked out a few shops downtown.
Day Five: Guess what? It's raining! My mom said she was disgusted with all this rain. She expected some rain/showers, but this was almost depressing to her. She decided she was heading home a day early. She was only losing one day on her room and $50 to change her flight. She gave it one last day. We put on our trusty ponchos and headed for AK. After being in AK for 30 minutes the rain stopped and the sun came out. Kids did Primeval(sp)Whirl, while we goofed around playing a couple games. Next was dinosaur then off to Tough to be a bug..(this one still creeps me out a little). Ate lunch at RFC. The food was good. Had the shrimp stuffed w/ crabmeat. Did a little shopping then headed over to Epcot to take my mom on Mission Space. Left Epcot with a couple of pretty good Cafe'Mochas. She was determined to get to Fantasmic. So we headed over to MGM and got to Fantasmic by 7. We had wonderful seats. Even though we had to sit 2 hours..it was worth it. Just makes me so mad about the people that come in 15 minutes before and come to your row and think they are going to squeeze their party of4 into an empty seat for 1. Then you have the ones that want the edge of your seat. We're all entitled to see Fantasmic, but some consideration for those of us who preplanned. It's already uncomfortable enough on those metal benches, then to have some want to edge their way onto your seat...it can make you crazy
Day Six: Took mom to DTD for some last minute shopping thentook her to the airport. It's a beautiful morning! After the airport..took the kids to Universal Studios. It threatened rain, but never did. We rode all the major rides. It was crowded and very humid. Ate lunch at Mel's Diner. Food was okay...again for burgers. Headed back to resort and let the kids swim until midnight. I had a few drinks at the pool and thumbed through some magazines. Decided we were going to sleep in the next day.
Day Seven: Decided to sleep in today. Hung out by the pool for most of the day. Made PS for Chef Mickey's at 6. It was a hot day. We were all burnt! Ouch! Headed to CM...this is a tradition for us. Got back to resort and took advantage of the Golf tickets from check-in package for room only. Went to Winter Summerland. It was really cute. We had a good time. Of course it was lightning the entire time. But fun.
Day Eight: Had to pack everything into this last day. We headed to MK (packed again...and raining) rode a few rides, shopped mainly, then over to MGM...rode TOT...then did lots of shopping. You can tell we were pretty much Disney'd Out. So much rain and the crowds...mixed with the heat. Headed to DTD for more shopping. I love to shop and this was MY shopping day. Went back to the room...took lots of pictures of the resort...then did some laundry while the kids hung out at the arcade again. I didn't mind since they were having fun and I was getting the packing done. Of course it was still raining. Have to leave tomorrow.
Check out day Nine: Checked out by 9 am. I was going to stay for part of the day...but guess what...it was raining!! Decided to get going. It's a long drive!
Conclusion: I still love Disney World despite the rain. You just have to be creative. I doubt I will ever go in August again. The heat was horrible and the rain made it worse. The crowds weren't that bad. I've seen them worse during the holidays. It was nice doing a lot of relaxing as we have been so many times over the past few years. It's nice to enjoy some of the resort amenitities. Even the value resort. The theming is very cute. Yes, I would stay here again. Thinking about AKL next time though.
