Here now! Just checked in!!

[lisatx04]

Monday brought us to Epcot. My FP+ were for SE 11:15-12;15, TT 12:35-1:35 and Soarin 1:55-2:55. We had a dinnerADR at Chefs de France at 6:10.

We arrived at SE at 12:05, and standby was 40 minutes. I have to say it was a zoo at theFP entrance! People were everywhere! Very unorganized. We finally found our way to the line, scanned our MB and were on our way.

TT was next. We arrived at 12:35. SB was 40 minutes. After riding TT, we wandered over to The Land Pavilion and got some lunch. It was then 1:55, and time for our Soarin FP. Standby was 60 minutes.

After Soarin, the girls went back to the resort, so DS and I went to get a 4th FP. Nothing to our liking was available. Maelstrom, Character Spot and a few minor things but nothing that I had to do. So now what? We went back to TT, where SB was 50 minutes. We rode single rider and entered at 2:40. We got on the ride in 20 minutes.

DS was kind of bored at this point and the rain was coming. We went on over to the Odyssey to see what that was all about, since they are showing the World Cup. Just so happens Brazil was playing so the crowd was quite enthusiastic.

We have been using the Disney photographers quite a lot. Still have not looked at any pictures. The kids wNt to wait until we get home.

Observations for today:
4th FP not readily available for major attractions in the afternoon.
If you want to ride TT, use single rider. Less of a wait than SB.
Starbucks, although open since October, is very unorganized. Does not seem to be able to handle crowds.

Tuesday will bring us to MK. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Great details and info--thanks!

How was Chefs de France? We have reservations for our next trip and have never been there.

 

[taiko225]

Did you have time to check photos on your iPad? I am undecided on whether to bring my MacBook or not. If iPad can see the photos... I won't be needing my Mac....

 

[mousefan73]

Right now, all 3 kids, ages 15, 17, 18, are laying on the beds, on phones, laptops and iPads. You would never know they are in Disney!!

Oh no!! My kids are only 8 and 9 and I can see this as my future.. I would take that stuff away and kick them out of the room and tell them to hit the pool.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Oh, and one suggestion. You might just want to take a quick look at the pictures if you can. I've heard stories of missing photos! People have realized something's missing and can go to the photo shop at the park and actually find them and have them loaded. Would hate to see that happen!

 

[ChgoMusicGirl]

I completely agree about the Starbucks in Epcot. We stopped in for a drink and they weren't even that busy (DH commented that most of the SB in Chicago, where we're from, are busier than they were), yet my drink was made completely wrong and they acted like it was my fault! The CMs were very rude and snotty, I would stay away if at all possible. Thankfully that was the only place we encountered any behavior or attitudes like that and now we know not to go there!
Enjoying you trip report! Helps the Disney withdrawal to live vicariously through others!

 

[MommaPeel]

Enjoying reading along.

I have 73 long days until I get to be in the happiest place on earth, but a bright note in the future is 13 days til FP+ reservations!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[mcconnellfam96]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your trip details! Looking forward to more!

 

[cheshirecatattack]

I love reading about other peoples recent Disney experiences. Thank you so much for taking time out if your days to fill us all in!

 

[jsrj21]

Hello!

Great reporting. My question is about FP+. Has it been easy changing times for rides on the day of? I'm going on Aug 4 and I not liking having to book these FP's so far in advance as it takes away from some spontaneity. Not whining but I feel too restricted to a schedule.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!!'

 

[practicallyperfect77]

My daughter, who is 17, did bring up a good point. She said that if you have a MB, you need to be careful as you won't realize how much you are spending and how quickly it adds up! I totally agree!!

Thanks for reporting back. I think your daughter has realized one of the main goals of the MBs. Much MUCH easier to spend money when not using cash. Not me tho (well hopefully). Plan on using gift cards and disney reward for my extra spending money.

 

[sbrost13]

Enjoying your posts, keep them coming!

 

[alh2011]

Thanks so much for your reports.

I have a question about the monorail schedule since you are at the parks now. I just read last night that as of June 22 they are on a new schedule starting at 830 each morning. I am needing to know how early the buses and ferry are going to start running from TTC to MK? I have an 815am ADR at CP and staying offsite. I was originally planning to use resort monorail to get from TTC to MK since it started around 715. Now I am wondering how those of us staying offsite with early ADRs can get to MK??? I will have own car so don't want to take taxi.

Is there anyway you could find out how early the buses and ferry from TTC will start running during the monorail schedule change? Thanks so much!!!

 

[Mickeygolf]

Where you staying at OKW and how's the resort looking? We love OKW!!! Great rooms, great pool, and always so much to do there. We always use the bus transportation and have found it to be excellant. How's the buses running these days?

Thanks!!!

 

[mercydisney]

Thank You for posting! I am enjoying your live reports.

 

[mlittig]

I am enjoying your fun review

 

[lisatx04]

To answer the PP question-I have not switched any FP+ the day of. I knew what we wanted to do, and stuck with that plan. So far, we have been lucky with crowds. On Sunday we started at DHS, and it really felt empty. Today at MK, it felt more crowded. I never look at projected park levels. I just make a plan and go with it.

So that brings us to today, which as I stated above, was our MK day. MK is my absolute favorite park out of all of them.
Our FP+ were Buzz 10:10-11:10
BOG lunch 10:35-11:05
BTMRR 1:10-2:10
Splash 2:20-3:20

We arrived at MK a little before 10 and took our time getting to Buzz. We had to wait for our FP time. There were two guys in front of us who tried to enter the FP line but were told they were an hour early, so they were turned away. SB for Buzz said 25 minutes.
After Buzz, we headed over to BOG. We checked in and were sent on in through the FP line. I had received an email asking if I wanted this lunch FP. This was never even on my plans but it fit in perfectly with our day! We sat in the main ballroom and enjoyed our lunch.

After we headed to POC to ride SB. SB wait was posted as 40 minutes. We were on the ride in 18. Not bad.

BTMRR we arrived at 1:10. Posted SB was 50 minutes. We had time to kill before our next FP, so we went to Country Bears. Just an FYI- I had to use the ladies room and I was told to go to the one in Pecos Biill's. Well, they guard that place like Fort Knox!! I was asked at least 4 times where I was going, and obviously, each time I said to eat lunch. I did manage to use the ladies room without dining there. Lesson learned. It was now time for Splash. We arrived at. 2:20. Posted SB was60 min and the MDE posted time was 65 min.

We headed to HM to ride SB. Posted wait was 30 min. Actual wait was 35.
Monsters Inc SB was 20 min and that was actual.
We then rode the Barnstormer using the paper FP we received the other night when Winnie the Pooh broke down. We went to the Speedway, but SB was 40 min and we had a dinner ADR so at 4:40, we went to a kiosk and got our 4th FP+ for the Speedway. Return time 6:00-7:00. Space MTN was available as was Dumbo.

Observations for today:
There are two FP kiosks in Tomorrowland. One next to Buzz and one next to Stitch. The one next to Buzz was packed!! The one next to Stitch was not. Use this one if you are in the area and have the choice.

Here is my view on FP+: I hate that I cannot schedule a 4th FP and on from my phone! Those kiosks are ridiculous! You don't use your finger pad, but your finger nail. You have to hunt for a kiosk station and if you aren't near one' you need to go find one and stand in line to find if there is even anything available. I guess no different from legacy FP in that when they were gone, they were gone. Bring the ability to use our phones to schedule and I think many guests will be happy. They are all glued to their phones anyway.

I do love the ability to preschedule certain rides and know that I don't have to be running all over the park. We are not rope droppers, so for us, it has been worth it. The kids have done everything they have wanted so far.

Our next two days will be spent at Universal. Having never been, I have no idea what to expect. Then we will return to WDW. We will be at Animal Kingdom on Friday.

 

[lisatx04]

Alh-I do not know the answer but will find out for you and report back.

Mickeygolf-the resort looks great! I am currently posting under the night sky from the main pool. They removed the bridge that went across the main pool and now have a rack of life jackets poolside which I have never seen before. Gurgling suitcase has undergone a refurbishment as has Goods to Go. Goods looks like it has expanded just a bit, especially in the soda machine area. We are staying in the turtle pond area, so it is nice and quiet. Bus transportation has been great! Although we have a car, I am relying on Disney transportation. Only when we went to Chef Mickey's did I drive and I had no issues and the gate at the Contemporary.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

OP - you said in one of your posts tonight you must use fingernail. I am a horrible nail biter...no nail at the end of my fingers. Are you saying I won't be able to use the kiosk with the pad of my finger. I have no problem using touchscreens on my phone or tablet.

 

[laur roo]

OP - you said in one of your posts tonight you must use fingernail. I am a horrible nail biter...no nail at the end of my fingers. Are you saying I won't be able to use the kiosk with the pad of my finger. I have no problem using touchscreens on my phone or tablet.

Just use your knuckle. I heard one of the CMs say that today at MK and it totally works. I had trouble with my finger pad but worked fine when I used my knuckle.