MarkMichaels
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2001
- Messages
- 244
Up an at 'em this morning, we headed to Epcot at 8:40 and got our Co-pilots license this time. Second time we've snagged the front car on the monorail, but first time to actually get the license.
Security checks at the parks don't seem to be slowing people down much. With everything we are hearing that is going on, I would guess that they would be really going thru every inch of your bags, but no. Things sound crappy in the real world right now, think I'll keep Disney and only watch the Walt Disney Tour program on our tv.
Our plan today was to go to Epcot for the morning, wander over to the Boardwalk for lunch, then head to MGM with a Fantasmic diner ps at Hollywood and Vine. I knew this would be a long day, but we originally thought we would head back to the Poly after lunch and relax by the pool before MGM. Even though I love to plan, I am flexible (I actually think planning is more fun than going). We did a few things at Epcot, TT, Living Seas, um, TT, then headed towards the Boardwalk. Crowds weren't too bad except for TT, but that seems normal whenever we visist Epcot. We had never ventured over to the Boardwalk area before so this was something I really wanted to do. We took the boat, but walked back, and the walk really isn't bad, 5 minutes tops. Spoodles was closed as they were powerwashing the building so we went to ESPN (my first choice anyway) and had a great lunch. $45 bucks or so which isn't exactly cheap, but it was worth it for the 4 of us. (2 kids meals, 2 burger/sandwich platters, and an order of the fries loaded with meat, cheese, peppers, and 4 sodas) We were all, very very stuffed. We kind of decided then that we didn't need another big meal today.
Instead of heading to the resort at this point, everyone wanted to look around Epcot some more. This really is becoming our favorite park at Disney. The kids really enjoy the kidcot stations, and its just fun to look at all the details. Characters were again out in force today. We are seeing lots of new characters like the Hunchback and Robin Hood Fox (don't know who that is actually) that were not out before. The key seems to be to really wander in and around each country, they hide in the back parts and normally there are no lines because noone knows about them. At about 2:30, we took the boat over to MGM. Since we did the good rides last night during the AP event, we really only wanted to see the Indy show and take the back lot tour. By doing these today, we could spend all of Wednesday at Epcot instead of going half days to each park.
At MGM we first cancelled our dinner ps. I know we didn't have too, but hate to have a table held when I'm not going to use it. We accomplished our mission, also got in the Muppet show and another Star Tours before Fantasmic. I think it was the Back lot diner or something that we grabbed some food for supper before Fantasmic, wasn't great, wasn't cheap, but it filled us up. Heading to Fantasmic at 6:30 for a 7:30 show, I thought we would be plenty early, but they really packed in a big crowd tonight. This is the second time we've seen it and I really don't see the big deal about it. Illuminations to me is much more fun to watch. If the kids hadn't asked to see it, we would not have gone. Watching the cartoon on a spray of water is neat, but it gets old after the first 15 minutes. I also thought the Dragon spewed flames across the lake to set it on fire the first time, this time, a few sparks came out his mouth and bam, the lake was on fire.
Anyway, we lucked out and got right on the bus back to the Poly, so playing today by ear really worked out well, but I'll still plan the next trip like normal.
Final notes and thoughts- still no "magic" here at the Poly for me, no towel animals, nothing. Still love the resort, but I think we'll try something different next time, probably the Boardwalk. Maybe I should tip more, but if all I'm getting is a bed made and fresh towels, I figure the hotel pays for that, I only tip mousekeeping for going above and beyond. (and I only started tipping because of these boards, never would have heard of it in my family growing up) Talked to some folks when we got back and it sounded like the crowds were pretty manageable everywhere, even MK. Tomorrow is AK, back for a swim and the new luau show. Its also our last night at the Poly before we check out and into the Hard Rock for 4 nights. I think we'll check out at the Poly bright and early Wednesday, spend the day at Epcot and then head to the HRH after Illuminations.
Aloha, let me know if you have any questions.
Security checks at the parks don't seem to be slowing people down much. With everything we are hearing that is going on, I would guess that they would be really going thru every inch of your bags, but no. Things sound crappy in the real world right now, think I'll keep Disney and only watch the Walt Disney Tour program on our tv.
Our plan today was to go to Epcot for the morning, wander over to the Boardwalk for lunch, then head to MGM with a Fantasmic diner ps at Hollywood and Vine. I knew this would be a long day, but we originally thought we would head back to the Poly after lunch and relax by the pool before MGM. Even though I love to plan, I am flexible (I actually think planning is more fun than going). We did a few things at Epcot, TT, Living Seas, um, TT, then headed towards the Boardwalk. Crowds weren't too bad except for TT, but that seems normal whenever we visist Epcot. We had never ventured over to the Boardwalk area before so this was something I really wanted to do. We took the boat, but walked back, and the walk really isn't bad, 5 minutes tops. Spoodles was closed as they were powerwashing the building so we went to ESPN (my first choice anyway) and had a great lunch. $45 bucks or so which isn't exactly cheap, but it was worth it for the 4 of us. (2 kids meals, 2 burger/sandwich platters, and an order of the fries loaded with meat, cheese, peppers, and 4 sodas) We were all, very very stuffed. We kind of decided then that we didn't need another big meal today.
Instead of heading to the resort at this point, everyone wanted to look around Epcot some more. This really is becoming our favorite park at Disney. The kids really enjoy the kidcot stations, and its just fun to look at all the details. Characters were again out in force today. We are seeing lots of new characters like the Hunchback and Robin Hood Fox (don't know who that is actually) that were not out before. The key seems to be to really wander in and around each country, they hide in the back parts and normally there are no lines because noone knows about them. At about 2:30, we took the boat over to MGM. Since we did the good rides last night during the AP event, we really only wanted to see the Indy show and take the back lot tour. By doing these today, we could spend all of Wednesday at Epcot instead of going half days to each park.
At MGM we first cancelled our dinner ps. I know we didn't have too, but hate to have a table held when I'm not going to use it. We accomplished our mission, also got in the Muppet show and another Star Tours before Fantasmic. I think it was the Back lot diner or something that we grabbed some food for supper before Fantasmic, wasn't great, wasn't cheap, but it filled us up. Heading to Fantasmic at 6:30 for a 7:30 show, I thought we would be plenty early, but they really packed in a big crowd tonight. This is the second time we've seen it and I really don't see the big deal about it. Illuminations to me is much more fun to watch. If the kids hadn't asked to see it, we would not have gone. Watching the cartoon on a spray of water is neat, but it gets old after the first 15 minutes. I also thought the Dragon spewed flames across the lake to set it on fire the first time, this time, a few sparks came out his mouth and bam, the lake was on fire.
Anyway, we lucked out and got right on the bus back to the Poly, so playing today by ear really worked out well, but I'll still plan the next trip like normal.
Final notes and thoughts- still no "magic" here at the Poly for me, no towel animals, nothing. Still love the resort, but I think we'll try something different next time, probably the Boardwalk. Maybe I should tip more, but if all I'm getting is a bed made and fresh towels, I figure the hotel pays for that, I only tip mousekeeping for going above and beyond. (and I only started tipping because of these boards, never would have heard of it in my family growing up) Talked to some folks when we got back and it sounded like the crowds were pretty manageable everywhere, even MK. Tomorrow is AK, back for a swim and the new luau show. Its also our last night at the Poly before we check out and into the Hard Rock for 4 nights. I think we'll check out at the Poly bright and early Wednesday, spend the day at Epcot and then head to the HRH after Illuminations.
Aloha, let me know if you have any questions.
