Spent five whirlwind days at WDW with husband and two teenage children. Thanks to these boards, my advance planning made all the difference in what we were able to see in such a short time - thank you!
4/16/01 arrived US Air from Phila. Picked up rental car AVIS with no problem and headed off to hotel arriving about 4 p.m. Went for a swim then off to PS at Chef Mickey's at 8:15 p.m. Great food, fun for all, great characters, fun waiter. Rode the monorail and checked out the other resorts. Early to bed for MK next morning.
4/17/01 arrived at MK around 9:30 (we're not early risers). Walked right up main street and to the left as advised by you all and got right on Jungle Cruise-a fun way to start the day at MK-the cruise director is really funny and makes the whole attraction worthwhile! Then walked right into Pirates of the Carribean-great use of robotics, so realistic and lots of fun. Then it was off to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but we stopped for a fastpass at Splash Mountain. We only got a fastpass if the ride we wanted to go on had a wait time more than 30 minutes. This worked out well. BTMRR was pretty much your typical roller coaster ride but plenty long enough and lots of fun. Splash Mountain was a surprise with all you will see inside (I don't want to divulge all the fun) but the splash at the end isn't so bad as it looks-we got wet because we were in the very front. Then on to Haunted Mansion which isn't scary at all and the visuals are great plus it's kinda relaxing after what we've done so far. Walked right into the line at Alien Encounter but the first time we got into the back row-go up front for the best effect. It's really cool and not scary for anyone above the age of 12 (at least I don't think it should be). If you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, you'll be fine! Of course, walked around lots of stores and ate as we went along, returning to the hotel around dinner time where we ate very reasonably at the Ponderosa buffet. Then back to MK where we had a fast pass starting at 7:30 p.m. for Space Mountain-what a blast! We got stuck for about 10 minutes though, so they let us ride with the lights on first time through. Then put us at the head of the line for another ride with the lights out. If you love roller coasters, you'll love this ride! Didn't get to see Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan's Flight or Winnie the Pooh. It's the week after Easter and all the kiddie oriented rides were absolutely overflowing-couldn't even get near the fastpass stations! So we watched the parade, took in the sights, watched the fireworks, and limped back to the hotel.
4/18/01 arrived at Epcot around 9:30-10:00 and tried to get oriented. Had a little trouble navigating this park as compared to MK. Finally, got a fast pass for Test Track for later in the day, so we walked around really just sightseeing until World Showcase opened where we started at Canada. Surprisingly, World Showcase was not crowded at all for us until we got three quarters the way around til about Mexico where it started to get crowded because by that time it was heavy into lunch time. We enjoyed the sights, but most of all the people who worked in the different countries who were actually from that country and they couldn't have been nicer! Ate a wonderful buffet lunch at Norway (Restaurant Akershus) followed by Maelstrom which is really a nicely done ride and educational as well. After seeing what we wanted in WS, back to Futureworld-never did find Honey I Shrunk the Audience, but went enjoyed Living Seas, lots of fun with a fastpass ride on Test Track, and winding up the day by riding Spaceship Earth which was really relaxing and enlightening-I think a must see! Exhausted, we ate at Taco Bell and went to bed.
4/19/01 We all agreed that MGM Studios was our favorite, maybe because of it's style. The art deco look of many of the buildings, the palm trees lining the streets, the music, the lights. We got a fast pass for Rockin' Roller Coaster then got in line for Tower of Terror. Tower of Terror was terrifying but if you have someone to hold onto, you'll be fine; I went on it twice, my husband, daughter and son, three times. The picture is worth it! Rockin' Roller Coaster is very cool and scary with its upsidedown loops, but still isn't a long enough ride to cause any long-term trouble for you; I only rode it once while the rest of the family again, three times. I loved the whole them of it and the rockin roll music playing outside. A surprising thrill was Star Tours, even the queue is fun! Then on to a PS at 50's Prime Time Cafe; they turned away all walk-ins. Not only is it a cool theme and a great way to cool off in the middle of the day, but the food is very, very good! We shared everything topped off with a chocolate malt which was delicious! Went back to rest at the hotel (got a Pizza from Pizzahut) and returned to MGM that night for more return rides, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (pretty good, The Great Movie Ride (interesting and very good use of robotics) as well as relaxing and topped off the night with Fantasmic (I just loved it-bring binoculars if you can!)
4/20/01 Last day had PS for breakfast 8:30 a.m. at Wilderness Lodge; waited about 10 minutes for seating. Very, very beautiful, breathtaking resort. Rustic setting away from all the glitz and not stuffy at all like parts of the Grand Floridian. Just lovely. Enjoyed the breakfast and characters very much and the outdoors even more. Hard to believe you were in WDW when you walk around outside-very quiet and peaceful. Then on to Animal Kingdom. We went right to Africa and got on Kilimanjaro Safari. Took lots of nice pictures of elephants, giraffe, etc. while listening to a carefully planned theme where the driver interacts with others as if you're actually on safari in Africa. Nice in the morning hours. Then we walked through Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Very lush and cool, lots of animals and fish to see, take your time. Went to Asia and got into a line that had a wait time 30 min. for Khali River Rapids. Big mistake-it was over an hour wait for a short ride, not all that great and the worst part you will get wet, but maybe soaking wet like I did. We left AK and went back to the hotel after and missed Tough to be a Bug and Tree of Life and Dinosaur which were the other attractions I wanted to see. It was so hot and I felt so yucky, I didn't care to go back. After changing and resting at the hotel, the kids had plans with friends to go to the Polynesian Luau which they absolutely loved. We had a leisurely dinner alone at Angel's which is a Seafood Buffet. It was the best dinner we had while on vacation and very relaxing just the two of us. Went back to MGM so my husband could go on (you guessed it) RnRllrCoaster and ToT once again! Then I wanted to see Fantasmic again-good thing we already had seen, something went wrong and the show stopped towards the end and was cancelled without explanation-disappointing but lucky we had already seen since this was our last night.
4/21/01 Spent next two days at Daytona Beach.
4/23/01 Back to airport, returned car to AVIS (great service-no problems at all!) and boarded US Air for ll:00 a.m. flight back to Philadelphia. US Air was right on scheduled both ways, very good experience.
I think I did OK on our first trip to WDW due to all of the people here who give advice. I hope I can return the favor. I am shocked we saw what we did considering the crowds the week after Easter, but following all the tips on these boards was the KEY!
4/16/01 arrived US Air from Phila. Picked up rental car AVIS with no problem and headed off to hotel arriving about 4 p.m. Went for a swim then off to PS at Chef Mickey's at 8:15 p.m. Great food, fun for all, great characters, fun waiter. Rode the monorail and checked out the other resorts. Early to bed for MK next morning.
4/17/01 arrived at MK around 9:30 (we're not early risers). Walked right up main street and to the left as advised by you all and got right on Jungle Cruise-a fun way to start the day at MK-the cruise director is really funny and makes the whole attraction worthwhile! Then walked right into Pirates of the Carribean-great use of robotics, so realistic and lots of fun. Then it was off to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but we stopped for a fastpass at Splash Mountain. We only got a fastpass if the ride we wanted to go on had a wait time more than 30 minutes. This worked out well. BTMRR was pretty much your typical roller coaster ride but plenty long enough and lots of fun. Splash Mountain was a surprise with all you will see inside (I don't want to divulge all the fun) but the splash at the end isn't so bad as it looks-we got wet because we were in the very front. Then on to Haunted Mansion which isn't scary at all and the visuals are great plus it's kinda relaxing after what we've done so far. Walked right into the line at Alien Encounter but the first time we got into the back row-go up front for the best effect. It's really cool and not scary for anyone above the age of 12 (at least I don't think it should be). If you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, you'll be fine! Of course, walked around lots of stores and ate as we went along, returning to the hotel around dinner time where we ate very reasonably at the Ponderosa buffet. Then back to MK where we had a fast pass starting at 7:30 p.m. for Space Mountain-what a blast! We got stuck for about 10 minutes though, so they let us ride with the lights on first time through. Then put us at the head of the line for another ride with the lights out. If you love roller coasters, you'll love this ride! Didn't get to see Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan's Flight or Winnie the Pooh. It's the week after Easter and all the kiddie oriented rides were absolutely overflowing-couldn't even get near the fastpass stations! So we watched the parade, took in the sights, watched the fireworks, and limped back to the hotel.
4/18/01 arrived at Epcot around 9:30-10:00 and tried to get oriented. Had a little trouble navigating this park as compared to MK. Finally, got a fast pass for Test Track for later in the day, so we walked around really just sightseeing until World Showcase opened where we started at Canada. Surprisingly, World Showcase was not crowded at all for us until we got three quarters the way around til about Mexico where it started to get crowded because by that time it was heavy into lunch time. We enjoyed the sights, but most of all the people who worked in the different countries who were actually from that country and they couldn't have been nicer! Ate a wonderful buffet lunch at Norway (Restaurant Akershus) followed by Maelstrom which is really a nicely done ride and educational as well. After seeing what we wanted in WS, back to Futureworld-never did find Honey I Shrunk the Audience, but went enjoyed Living Seas, lots of fun with a fastpass ride on Test Track, and winding up the day by riding Spaceship Earth which was really relaxing and enlightening-I think a must see! Exhausted, we ate at Taco Bell and went to bed.
4/19/01 We all agreed that MGM Studios was our favorite, maybe because of it's style. The art deco look of many of the buildings, the palm trees lining the streets, the music, the lights. We got a fast pass for Rockin' Roller Coaster then got in line for Tower of Terror. Tower of Terror was terrifying but if you have someone to hold onto, you'll be fine; I went on it twice, my husband, daughter and son, three times. The picture is worth it! Rockin' Roller Coaster is very cool and scary with its upsidedown loops, but still isn't a long enough ride to cause any long-term trouble for you; I only rode it once while the rest of the family again, three times. I loved the whole them of it and the rockin roll music playing outside. A surprising thrill was Star Tours, even the queue is fun! Then on to a PS at 50's Prime Time Cafe; they turned away all walk-ins. Not only is it a cool theme and a great way to cool off in the middle of the day, but the food is very, very good! We shared everything topped off with a chocolate malt which was delicious! Went back to rest at the hotel (got a Pizza from Pizzahut) and returned to MGM that night for more return rides, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (pretty good, The Great Movie Ride (interesting and very good use of robotics) as well as relaxing and topped off the night with Fantasmic (I just loved it-bring binoculars if you can!)
4/20/01 Last day had PS for breakfast 8:30 a.m. at Wilderness Lodge; waited about 10 minutes for seating. Very, very beautiful, breathtaking resort. Rustic setting away from all the glitz and not stuffy at all like parts of the Grand Floridian. Just lovely. Enjoyed the breakfast and characters very much and the outdoors even more. Hard to believe you were in WDW when you walk around outside-very quiet and peaceful. Then on to Animal Kingdom. We went right to Africa and got on Kilimanjaro Safari. Took lots of nice pictures of elephants, giraffe, etc. while listening to a carefully planned theme where the driver interacts with others as if you're actually on safari in Africa. Nice in the morning hours. Then we walked through Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Very lush and cool, lots of animals and fish to see, take your time. Went to Asia and got into a line that had a wait time 30 min. for Khali River Rapids. Big mistake-it was over an hour wait for a short ride, not all that great and the worst part you will get wet, but maybe soaking wet like I did. We left AK and went back to the hotel after and missed Tough to be a Bug and Tree of Life and Dinosaur which were the other attractions I wanted to see. It was so hot and I felt so yucky, I didn't care to go back. After changing and resting at the hotel, the kids had plans with friends to go to the Polynesian Luau which they absolutely loved. We had a leisurely dinner alone at Angel's which is a Seafood Buffet. It was the best dinner we had while on vacation and very relaxing just the two of us. Went back to MGM so my husband could go on (you guessed it) RnRllrCoaster and ToT once again! Then I wanted to see Fantasmic again-good thing we already had seen, something went wrong and the show stopped towards the end and was cancelled without explanation-disappointing but lucky we had already seen since this was our last night.
4/21/01 Spent next two days at Daytona Beach.
4/23/01 Back to airport, returned car to AVIS (great service-no problems at all!) and boarded US Air for ll:00 a.m. flight back to Philadelphia. US Air was right on scheduled both ways, very good experience.
I think I did OK on our first trip to WDW due to all of the people here who give advice. I hope I can return the favor. I am shocked we saw what we did considering the crowds the week after Easter, but following all the tips on these boards was the KEY!
