2belles'mom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2000
- Messages
- 406
Cast:
Me--Disney Addict
David, DH--Disney Addict NOT!
Katja, DD-7
Annika, DD-4
PART FIVE: The Unofficial Guide proves right! (after 4 yearsJ)--December 29, (Day 4)
I woke up at 6:30, made myself a pot coffee and got everything ready to go. Our plans were to catch the 7:30 boat to the Magic Kingdom. The girls were fairly easy to rouse AFTER they were reminded that we were going to the Magic Kingdom today. We made them bagels and cream cheese to go, made sure we had Annikas tall shoes, and headed to the dock. The boat came right on time and we were at the MK gates by 7:45. Interesting, there were no lines at the turnstiles. I suddenly realized that they had opened the park early--a sneaky trick I had read about in the Unofficial Guide, but never in 4 years of treks to the World actually experienced. In fact, four years ago on New Years Day, I had subjected David and Katja to AN HOUR wait at the turnstiles because I had followed the advice in the Unofficial Guide to a T--we arrived an hour prior to OFFICIAL opening because the guide said the park would (most likely) ACTUALLY OPEN EARLIER. Well, it didnt. We waited, and waited, and waited. Until OFFICIAL OPENING time at 8:00 when they finally let us through the turnstiles. Not a minute earlier. And boy, did David let me hear it!!!! And in the years since, we have always arrived either before or right at official opening time, I have NEVER seen MK open earlier than the advertised time.
Well, this time, MK had most assuredly opened prior to official opening time (and NO, it was not an extra magic/early entry day). Not only were the turnstiles open, there were NO ROPE BARRIERS. ALL OF THE RIDES WERE RUNNING! It was obvious the park had been open for a while already. Wow! It really does happen
We headed straight for Splash Mountain. This would be the first time four-year-old Annika was tall enough, and she was beside herself with excitement. After measuring her (a good inch to spare! The Tall Shoes gave us peace of mind insurance), we walked right on--no line at all. Annika and I rode in the front car. She loved it!!! The front car freaks me out--it looks as if you are dropping into absolute nothingness as you crest the big drop After Splash, we hopped on Big Thunder Mountain RR (had about a 10 minute wait there), then headed for Fantasyland where we grabbed FP for Pooh (40 minute wait already!), then on to Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland. Katja started complaining she was dying of hunger, so she and I got pretzels while David and Annika did the first Buzz spin. We joined then for a 2nd spin (wait was about 10 minutes each time). We then went back to Fantasyland (but first got FPs for another Buzz) and caught Mickeys Philharmagic--no wait at all. What a great show! I was disappointed that the Lion King was gone, but not after seeing this. It is a hilarious, fun-packed 3-D adventure. By now, it was time for our Pooh Fast Pass, so we did that. No wait at all, FP was a walk-on.
By now, the crowds were building and long-long lines were forming for EVERYTHING. Katja had wanted to do IASW, but EVEN IT had a 40 minute wait! We skipped it. Instead, we did a bit of walking and shopping. It was another beautiful, warm, sunny day--perfect for strolling and taking in the sights. The girls purchased darling little personalized parasols for their American Girl dolls from a kiosk near the bridge next to the castle. Our timing was good, because our position there placed us perfectly for several high schools bands marching through. The band kids put on a great show!
After one last spin on Buzz (FP:no wait J, standy-by: 60 min!), we left MK. It was about 11:00, and leaving the park was like swimming upstream. I couldnt believe the masses of people just arriving! It was so packed already these poor souls wouldnt have much of a chance to get on any rides, and maybe wouldnt even be able to get Fast Passes. (And no wonder, I just read that Christmas Week set the all time attendance record at WDW--in its 33 years of operation!).
We took the Monorail to the Contemporary and had lunch at the Fun and Food Center. After lunch, we hopped back on the Monorail to go to the Grand Floridian, location of the ALICE IN WONDERLAND TEA PARTY.
Me--Disney Addict
David, DH--Disney Addict NOT!
Katja, DD-7
Annika, DD-4
PART FIVE: The Unofficial Guide proves right! (after 4 yearsJ)--December 29, (Day 4)
I woke up at 6:30, made myself a pot coffee and got everything ready to go. Our plans were to catch the 7:30 boat to the Magic Kingdom. The girls were fairly easy to rouse AFTER they were reminded that we were going to the Magic Kingdom today. We made them bagels and cream cheese to go, made sure we had Annikas tall shoes, and headed to the dock. The boat came right on time and we were at the MK gates by 7:45. Interesting, there were no lines at the turnstiles. I suddenly realized that they had opened the park early--a sneaky trick I had read about in the Unofficial Guide, but never in 4 years of treks to the World actually experienced. In fact, four years ago on New Years Day, I had subjected David and Katja to AN HOUR wait at the turnstiles because I had followed the advice in the Unofficial Guide to a T--we arrived an hour prior to OFFICIAL opening because the guide said the park would (most likely) ACTUALLY OPEN EARLIER. Well, it didnt. We waited, and waited, and waited. Until OFFICIAL OPENING time at 8:00 when they finally let us through the turnstiles. Not a minute earlier. And boy, did David let me hear it!!!! And in the years since, we have always arrived either before or right at official opening time, I have NEVER seen MK open earlier than the advertised time.
Well, this time, MK had most assuredly opened prior to official opening time (and NO, it was not an extra magic/early entry day). Not only were the turnstiles open, there were NO ROPE BARRIERS. ALL OF THE RIDES WERE RUNNING! It was obvious the park had been open for a while already. Wow! It really does happen
We headed straight for Splash Mountain. This would be the first time four-year-old Annika was tall enough, and she was beside herself with excitement. After measuring her (a good inch to spare! The Tall Shoes gave us peace of mind insurance), we walked right on--no line at all. Annika and I rode in the front car. She loved it!!! The front car freaks me out--it looks as if you are dropping into absolute nothingness as you crest the big drop After Splash, we hopped on Big Thunder Mountain RR (had about a 10 minute wait there), then headed for Fantasyland where we grabbed FP for Pooh (40 minute wait already!), then on to Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland. Katja started complaining she was dying of hunger, so she and I got pretzels while David and Annika did the first Buzz spin. We joined then for a 2nd spin (wait was about 10 minutes each time). We then went back to Fantasyland (but first got FPs for another Buzz) and caught Mickeys Philharmagic--no wait at all. What a great show! I was disappointed that the Lion King was gone, but not after seeing this. It is a hilarious, fun-packed 3-D adventure. By now, it was time for our Pooh Fast Pass, so we did that. No wait at all, FP was a walk-on.
By now, the crowds were building and long-long lines were forming for EVERYTHING. Katja had wanted to do IASW, but EVEN IT had a 40 minute wait! We skipped it. Instead, we did a bit of walking and shopping. It was another beautiful, warm, sunny day--perfect for strolling and taking in the sights. The girls purchased darling little personalized parasols for their American Girl dolls from a kiosk near the bridge next to the castle. Our timing was good, because our position there placed us perfectly for several high schools bands marching through. The band kids put on a great show!
After one last spin on Buzz (FP:no wait J, standy-by: 60 min!), we left MK. It was about 11:00, and leaving the park was like swimming upstream. I couldnt believe the masses of people just arriving! It was so packed already these poor souls wouldnt have much of a chance to get on any rides, and maybe wouldnt even be able to get Fast Passes. (And no wonder, I just read that Christmas Week set the all time attendance record at WDW--in its 33 years of operation!).
We took the Monorail to the Contemporary and had lunch at the Fun and Food Center. After lunch, we hopped back on the Monorail to go to the Grand Floridian, location of the ALICE IN WONDERLAND TEA PARTY.
