Spent four nights at the Hard Rock Hotel and five nights at the Dolphin. The report for the nights at HRH are on the Universal forums.
Sunday, July 7, 2002
Got to the Dolphin about 10:30 and our room was ready. On the 11th floor with a view of MGM, Boardwalk, Epcot. Unpacked. There was a Fed Ex convention at the Dolphin with about 3000 people attending. Waived the resort fee with no problem. Rooms are fine, but the bed linens have seen better days. Our bedspreads were torn and stained, blankets were frayed.
Walked to the Boardwalk and looked around. Took a boat to MGM. Had lunch at the ABC Commissary. Did the Great Movie Ride, Muppets 3D, Indiana Jones, Star Tours. Walked on everything! Did Rock N Roller coaster (20 min. wait). While I rode, the thunder storm began. Stayed in their shop until the rain let up. Saw Beauty and the Beast. Had dinner at the Flying Fish. Took the boat to Epcot and monorail to the Magic Kingdom to see the Spectromagic Parade. We arrived about 15 minutes before it began and got a great spot! I just love this parade. I feel like a kid watching it. It was FANTASTIC! .
Monday, July 8, 2002
LOUD party last night next door at 2:30 AM. Up early to the Animal Kingdom. Got the first bus at 7:45. To Animal Kingdom by 8:15 and they opened at 8:35!! We were already in our seats on the safari by 8:45! Saw Its Tough to Be a Bug- its really fun. Walked right on Dinosaur, Triceratops Spin, and had a 10 minute wait for Primeval Whirl. Saw the 11:00 Festival of the Lion King show. I just LOVE this show. Again, I feel like a kid watching it and leave there feeling so good. Did the walk through safari. As we were leaving-about 1:00- the skies opened up and it POURED. A real soaker! Took the bus back to the hotel. Walked to the Boardwalk and looked around. Walked to the Yacht and Beach Club to explore.
To MGM- we did the Fantasmic Dinner package with dinner at the Brown Derby. Our meals were excellent! Saw One Mans Dream, which I really enjoyed. Did some people watching. The Fantasmic Dinner package cant be beat. We went in the separate entrance about 8:20. The rest of the place was jut about filled, but the reserved section was waiting for us. The seats were great. I dont think you can have a bad seat there. I LOVE Fantasmic. Especially after seeing One Mans DreamI kept thinking how proud Walt would be of his Imagineers.
Tuesday, July 9, 2002
To Magic Kingdom on the 7:45 bus. We were first at the turnstiles! They let us in at 8:50, but didnt do the rope drop until 9:00.Went right to Space Mountain, but they werent ready to open. It was 9:10 before they let us on. I have to say, Space Mountain has lost its appeal. I guess after riding the coaster at IOA its a bit of a let down. Did Alien Encounter, the Carousel, Its a Small World, Haunted Castle, Country Bear Jamboreethere was NO WAIT for any of these! Did Pirates of the Caribbean (10 min. wait). Took the monorail to Epcot to have lunch at Nine Dragons. We did their sampler lunch, which is kind of like a sit down buffet. They bring you a little bit of about seven different entrees, soup and appetizers. You can have as much as you want. Walked through the countries in Epcot. Rain. Went to the Dolphin for a little rest. Went to Downtown Disney. Had dinner at Bongos. Went to Epcot to see Illuminations. Got there about 15 minutes before show time and got a great spot at the railing on the bridge.
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Took the boat to Epcot. They let us in early, but held the rope until 9:00. Rushed to Test Track which was already packed when I got there, so I asked where the single rider line was and was handed a single rider pass and went right in! Love that single rider line. Did Ellens Energy Adventure. It started to rain. Went to Wonders of Life- did Cranium Command- Went to World Showcase. Rode Maelstrom. Rode Rio De Tempo in Mexico and had lunch at the San Angel Inn. The rain stopped! Walked right in Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Walked right on Journey Into Imagination. Went to the Land, but there was a 50 min. wait and we didnt feel like waiting around for the fast pass time. Went back to the Dolphin and finally got to enjoy the pool. I really like their pool area. The sound of the waterfall is so relaxing. Went to Epcot to see Shock Wave. It was just OK. We had a big lunch so we just went for a quick bite at the Electric Umbrella. As we were leaving we saw there was no wait for Spaceship Earth, so we went on. Went to MK to see their fireworks. Got there just before Spectomagic was beginning. Went back to get a Dole Whip. We sat on a bench in front of the Crystal Palace, eating our Dole Whips, watching Spectromagic, and then the fireworks. Perfect way to end a day.
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Took the 7:45 bus to MK. First at the turnstile again. Did Magic Carpets of Alladin, Jungle Cruise (saw Safari Steve), Peter Pans Flight, Snow Whites Scary Adventure ( all with NO WAIT). Waited about 10 min. for Dumbo. Saw the Tiki Birkds. Took the monorail to the Polynesian to check it out. Took the bus to MGM so I could ride Tower of Terror. The sign said the wait was 20 min, so I decided not to get a Fast Pass. BIG MISTAKE! The wait turned out to be 45 min. GET THE FAST PASS! Lunch at the Brown Derby. To the hotel for a rest.
To Epcot for the 6:15 Tapestry of Dreams Parade. We got pastries in France to take back to the hotel. I have to say, they have one of the best Napoleons Ive ever had! Had a VERY good dinner at Palio in the Swan. Walked to the Boardwalk and watched the Epcot fireworks from there. Went back to the hotel to pack.
The Fed Ex convention left today and a Southern Living convention with 2200 people took their place.
Friday, July 12, 2002
Walked to the Boardwalk for breakfast at Spoodles. Finished packing. I accidentally pushed the alarm button in the elevator. I was very impressed when a voice came over the speaker saying, This is security. Is everyone in the elevator OK.
Mears was right on time for our pick up and only made one other stop. Took 15 min. to get through airport security. Our flight was late coming in from North Carolina and then couldnt de-board because of lightening. We left about an hour late.
Sunday, July 7, 2002
Got to the Dolphin about 10:30 and our room was ready. On the 11th floor with a view of MGM, Boardwalk, Epcot. Unpacked. There was a Fed Ex convention at the Dolphin with about 3000 people attending. Waived the resort fee with no problem. Rooms are fine, but the bed linens have seen better days. Our bedspreads were torn and stained, blankets were frayed.
Walked to the Boardwalk and looked around. Took a boat to MGM. Had lunch at the ABC Commissary. Did the Great Movie Ride, Muppets 3D, Indiana Jones, Star Tours. Walked on everything! Did Rock N Roller coaster (20 min. wait). While I rode, the thunder storm began. Stayed in their shop until the rain let up. Saw Beauty and the Beast. Had dinner at the Flying Fish. Took the boat to Epcot and monorail to the Magic Kingdom to see the Spectromagic Parade. We arrived about 15 minutes before it began and got a great spot! I just love this parade. I feel like a kid watching it. It was FANTASTIC! .
Monday, July 8, 2002
LOUD party last night next door at 2:30 AM. Up early to the Animal Kingdom. Got the first bus at 7:45. To Animal Kingdom by 8:15 and they opened at 8:35!! We were already in our seats on the safari by 8:45! Saw Its Tough to Be a Bug- its really fun. Walked right on Dinosaur, Triceratops Spin, and had a 10 minute wait for Primeval Whirl. Saw the 11:00 Festival of the Lion King show. I just LOVE this show. Again, I feel like a kid watching it and leave there feeling so good. Did the walk through safari. As we were leaving-about 1:00- the skies opened up and it POURED. A real soaker! Took the bus back to the hotel. Walked to the Boardwalk and looked around. Walked to the Yacht and Beach Club to explore.
To MGM- we did the Fantasmic Dinner package with dinner at the Brown Derby. Our meals were excellent! Saw One Mans Dream, which I really enjoyed. Did some people watching. The Fantasmic Dinner package cant be beat. We went in the separate entrance about 8:20. The rest of the place was jut about filled, but the reserved section was waiting for us. The seats were great. I dont think you can have a bad seat there. I LOVE Fantasmic. Especially after seeing One Mans DreamI kept thinking how proud Walt would be of his Imagineers.
Tuesday, July 9, 2002
To Magic Kingdom on the 7:45 bus. We were first at the turnstiles! They let us in at 8:50, but didnt do the rope drop until 9:00.Went right to Space Mountain, but they werent ready to open. It was 9:10 before they let us on. I have to say, Space Mountain has lost its appeal. I guess after riding the coaster at IOA its a bit of a let down. Did Alien Encounter, the Carousel, Its a Small World, Haunted Castle, Country Bear Jamboreethere was NO WAIT for any of these! Did Pirates of the Caribbean (10 min. wait). Took the monorail to Epcot to have lunch at Nine Dragons. We did their sampler lunch, which is kind of like a sit down buffet. They bring you a little bit of about seven different entrees, soup and appetizers. You can have as much as you want. Walked through the countries in Epcot. Rain. Went to the Dolphin for a little rest. Went to Downtown Disney. Had dinner at Bongos. Went to Epcot to see Illuminations. Got there about 15 minutes before show time and got a great spot at the railing on the bridge.
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Took the boat to Epcot. They let us in early, but held the rope until 9:00. Rushed to Test Track which was already packed when I got there, so I asked where the single rider line was and was handed a single rider pass and went right in! Love that single rider line. Did Ellens Energy Adventure. It started to rain. Went to Wonders of Life- did Cranium Command- Went to World Showcase. Rode Maelstrom. Rode Rio De Tempo in Mexico and had lunch at the San Angel Inn. The rain stopped! Walked right in Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Walked right on Journey Into Imagination. Went to the Land, but there was a 50 min. wait and we didnt feel like waiting around for the fast pass time. Went back to the Dolphin and finally got to enjoy the pool. I really like their pool area. The sound of the waterfall is so relaxing. Went to Epcot to see Shock Wave. It was just OK. We had a big lunch so we just went for a quick bite at the Electric Umbrella. As we were leaving we saw there was no wait for Spaceship Earth, so we went on. Went to MK to see their fireworks. Got there just before Spectomagic was beginning. Went back to get a Dole Whip. We sat on a bench in front of the Crystal Palace, eating our Dole Whips, watching Spectromagic, and then the fireworks. Perfect way to end a day.
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Took the 7:45 bus to MK. First at the turnstile again. Did Magic Carpets of Alladin, Jungle Cruise (saw Safari Steve), Peter Pans Flight, Snow Whites Scary Adventure ( all with NO WAIT). Waited about 10 min. for Dumbo. Saw the Tiki Birkds. Took the monorail to the Polynesian to check it out. Took the bus to MGM so I could ride Tower of Terror. The sign said the wait was 20 min, so I decided not to get a Fast Pass. BIG MISTAKE! The wait turned out to be 45 min. GET THE FAST PASS! Lunch at the Brown Derby. To the hotel for a rest.
To Epcot for the 6:15 Tapestry of Dreams Parade. We got pastries in France to take back to the hotel. I have to say, they have one of the best Napoleons Ive ever had! Had a VERY good dinner at Palio in the Swan. Walked to the Boardwalk and watched the Epcot fireworks from there. Went back to the hotel to pack.
The Fed Ex convention left today and a Southern Living convention with 2200 people took their place.
Friday, July 12, 2002
Walked to the Boardwalk for breakfast at Spoodles. Finished packing. I accidentally pushed the alarm button in the elevator. I was very impressed when a voice came over the speaker saying, This is security. Is everyone in the elevator OK.
Mears was right on time for our pick up and only made one other stop. Took 15 min. to get through airport security. Our flight was late coming in from North Carolina and then couldnt de-board because of lightening. We left about an hour late.
