We just got back last night, and I'd like to preface this report by saying our definition of crowded is not equal to others. We love WDW so much, BUT we really prefer places with hardly any people, so it really makes no sense why we keep going back. 4th trip in 4 years, and after this one, I've decided we either figure out new things to do at WDW off the beaten path, or take a couple of years off. All that will be explained later....so don't hate me just yet.
Saturday 21st: We arrived at AKL in a stretch Navigator limo, after being upgraded by Happy Limo (awesome start to our week). Four people in front of us at check in (3:30pm), and we only waited about 8 minutes. The CM was less than enthusiastic, but I kept a smile on my face, cuz hey, I'm on vacation, and she was obviously NOT. Anyway, we were assigned a standard room on the 5th floor, facing the parking lot (first time to not be upgraded, but still, a smile on my face. I got what I paid for -$109 w/AP). The view was basically a huge tree, so we weren't staring at anything unsightly. We unpacked and headed down to BOMA for dinner ($70 but delicious). Very crowded, but it usually is on the weekends. DD and I decided to spend the evening at the pool & hot tub, and I (mom) started the vacation with a most delicious Margarita. Again, hot tub very crowded. I could feel myself stressing out and we had only been here for a few hours. Screaming babies, strollers, dodging someone every 5 ft as you walk through the lobby...ok keep calm, it's the weekend. I picked this time as it was supposed to be slow, but no one made me arrive on a weekend. Afterwards we shopped at Zahanati, stocked up the fridge, sat by the firepit for awhile and then headed to bed. Tomorrow will be better.
Sunday, 22nd: TGM said Sunday would be good to go to Epcot. Unfortunately, could not get everyone to leave early, so we ended up arriving at around 9:45. Dd wanted to try Soarin', and we knew we needed a fastpass, so we headed to that building. OMG!! It was like the mall on Christmas eve....just walking around to get down to the right level was a struggle. Be patient, it's your fault for getting here late....and here's where it gets fun, and where my NANNY 911 beacon started to go off - while standing in line with my very well behaved 9 yr Dd, we had the pleasure of watching little "Eric", around 4 yrs old, who didn't get the cookie he wanted, proceed to throw himself down in the middle of a crowd of 100's of people, and scream louder than a yeti for over 10 minutes. Everyone was trying to move around, to somehow escape this shrill shriek, while his all knowing mother just stood there ignoring it... and finally, with evil visions of how I was going to stop this brat
I started to head towards them. My Dd said "Mom look, it's time for our fastpass - don't do it, mom, just don't". So, we headed in and thoroughly enjoyed Soarin'. I totally forgot about the ignorant people that can't control thier children and seem to feel others should share in their pain when their kids explode. (ok, I feel better). We met back up with DH, did some serious shopping at MouseGear, and headed towards Mexico for lunch. We were seated at 11:15, with no wait and no reservations. Nice & quiet. The countries were not crowded at all, and the weather was wonderful. Since we knew we wanted to see Illuminations that night, we made sure we left by 2:30 so we could go back to the hotel and rest. We had the whole bus to ourselves, 
, and did some swimming, napping, chocolate moussing, etc. in preparation for our evening. A CM at the lodge said they were expecting 600 people to check out of the lodge on Monday! Next.....Disney magic at Le Cellier dinner..
Saturday 21st: We arrived at AKL in a stretch Navigator limo, after being upgraded by Happy Limo (awesome start to our week). Four people in front of us at check in (3:30pm), and we only waited about 8 minutes. The CM was less than enthusiastic, but I kept a smile on my face, cuz hey, I'm on vacation, and she was obviously NOT. Anyway, we were assigned a standard room on the 5th floor, facing the parking lot (first time to not be upgraded, but still, a smile on my face. I got what I paid for -$109 w/AP). The view was basically a huge tree, so we weren't staring at anything unsightly. We unpacked and headed down to BOMA for dinner ($70 but delicious). Very crowded, but it usually is on the weekends. DD and I decided to spend the evening at the pool & hot tub, and I (mom) started the vacation with a most delicious Margarita. Again, hot tub very crowded. I could feel myself stressing out and we had only been here for a few hours. Screaming babies, strollers, dodging someone every 5 ft as you walk through the lobby...ok keep calm, it's the weekend. I picked this time as it was supposed to be slow, but no one made me arrive on a weekend. Afterwards we shopped at Zahanati, stocked up the fridge, sat by the firepit for awhile and then headed to bed. Tomorrow will be better.
Sunday, 22nd: TGM said Sunday would be good to go to Epcot. Unfortunately, could not get everyone to leave early, so we ended up arriving at around 9:45. Dd wanted to try Soarin', and we knew we needed a fastpass, so we headed to that building. OMG!! It was like the mall on Christmas eve....just walking around to get down to the right level was a struggle. Be patient, it's your fault for getting here late....and here's where it gets fun, and where my NANNY 911 beacon started to go off - while standing in line with my very well behaved 9 yr Dd, we had the pleasure of watching little "Eric", around 4 yrs old, who didn't get the cookie he wanted, proceed to throw himself down in the middle of a crowd of 100's of people, and scream louder than a yeti for over 10 minutes. Everyone was trying to move around, to somehow escape this shrill shriek, while his all knowing mother just stood there ignoring it... and finally, with evil visions of how I was going to stop this brat
I started to head towards them. My Dd said "Mom look, it's time for our fastpass - don't do it, mom, just don't". So, we headed in and thoroughly enjoyed Soarin'. I totally forgot about the ignorant people that can't control thier children and seem to feel others should share in their pain when their kids explode. (ok, I feel better). We met back up with DH, did some serious shopping at MouseGear, and headed towards Mexico for lunch. We were seated at 11:15, with no wait and no reservations. Nice & quiet. The countries were not crowded at all, and the weather was wonderful. Since we knew we wanted to see Illuminations that night, we made sure we left by 2:30 so we could go back to the hotel and rest. We had the whole bus to ourselves, , and did some swimming, napping, chocolate moussing, etc. in preparation for our evening. A CM at the lodge said they were expecting 600 people to check out of the lodge on Monday! Next.....Disney magic at Le Cellier dinner..
Oh well, weekend leftovers, just deal with it. Narnia was ok, but the weirdest thing, (sad really) - instead of a pre-recorded spiel, there was the oldest CM alive in charge of the opening comments, and he seriously was having a hard time making it through the thing....he kept stopping, and repeating himself; and it was really awkward - I felt sorry for him. ANYWAY, back onto the street and I really wanted to try "Who wants to be a $$$". There was no wait, and I really liked it. I could have done it again, but Dd was not impressed. RRC was callin' her name! She rode it with Daddy 6 times that day, with no wait. Tower of Terror too. 3pm and I wanted to see the parade, but DD and Dd were tired, so after McD's french fries and Mickey bars, we board the bus. It was packed, and DH stood next to a Mom carrying a little girl with one of those twirly whirly things that light up and spin....well, she proceeded to light it up and spin it smacking my DH right in the face. I put my hand around it to get the Mom's attention, and she didn't look too happy, but hey, neither was DH. Back at the lodge, the crowds had started to go away, and so did my stress. We went down to the bar to have irish coffees, take pics, and enjoy our lodge. I took Dd and had a caricature made, and she loved it! Tomorrow was MK, and Dd and I were opening the park - WOOHOO!
There's just something about this park that gets you in the spirit (and makes you want to eat sugar - seriously how many Mickey bars and soft serves can one person eat?). Sounds weird but three days into my vacation, and I finally felt the Disney thing kick in. I think I'll do MK a little closer to the beginning next time. **next- 1st time visiting Polynesian**
