Here now...random tidbits

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

My wife and pair of teenagers (15 and 14) arrived at DLH Friday, 03 June for six days in the parks. Here are my tidbits to date:

* Similar to comments made by Hydroguy and others, teenagers are wired to rise late and stay up late. It's been a challenge because DL closes at 11 PM (Midnight for Saturdays) and DCA closes at 9 PM. We're still doing the 7 AM RD, but the kids crash in the afternoon followed by dinner which doesn't leave much time to do much in the PM except tour the parks and shop. DL doesn't clear out (relatively) until about the 11 PM closing and DCA is very challenging with a 9 PM closure.

* Touring wise, Saturday and Sunday were awesome. Knocked out both parks by lunch (DL Sat and DCA Sunday). First on PP and Dumbo on Saturday and first on TSM on Sunday. DCA was really a breeze. Walked on TSM and Screamin three times each and Soarin by 8 AM. ToT slowed us down. Used FPs in the afternoon. We did RD and FPs.

* Frozen. The line starts at the Carthy Circle and builds back towards the gate. FPs are first come first serve and start with the first show and end with the last show. We wanted to enjoy a relaxing lunch at Cove Bar thus desired the 2:30 show. Tickets for the 2:30 started to be issued at 8:45 AM. Waited 45 minutes just to get the FPs.

* Frozen. The FP time was from 1:35 PM to about 2:15. We got there at 1:30 and were close to be the last ones there! Are seats were in the Mezz.

* Frozen. With so many people going straight to RSR or Frozen, the other rides at DCA are WIDE open until about 8:30 (with EMH opening at 7 AM).

* Frozen. Entertaining show. Can't compare to Aladdin. Apples to oranges. Aladdin was more comedy and Frozen is more Broadway. A lot of effort, time and energy has gone into Frozen. Still working out the kinks.

* ECV. Beware of fast ECVs. We were exiting out of Indy when an excessively fast ECV was driven like a bowling ball into a bunch of pins (exiting customers). She was entering Indy via the exit corridor while everyone else was exiting the ride. She didn't slow down or evade. Just plowed into us. Everyone got out of her way except my son. His leg got hit resulting in a baseball size swell on his shine. We went to First Aid and made a report. That ended our day (Tuesday) at DL. She was made at us for not getting out of her way. Can't really complain. Hydroguy once had to visit the emergency room which dented his DLR vacation. Just beware of fast moving ECVs.

* Cove Bar. Our favorite restaurant at DCA. Good food and scenery. Drinks were disappointing on Monday.

 

[bethwc101]

Uh oh I feel an ECV debate coming up. But glad to hear the parks were nice and empty for you guys.

Have a fun trip. Jealous I'm not there.

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

Some more tidbits from current stay...

Railroad. Spoke with an Engineer today. He stated Disney is currently ahead of schedule for at least the new riverbed/ berm/ railroad. Hope to be operational by June 2017. The track will actually be 1,100 feet longer with the new route. The railroad will have several upgrades including watering view the New Orleans water tank vice using a water hose.

Grad Night. My fears and worries were unfounded. Grad night has made no significant impact on crowds. No poor behavior. All of the grads I have noticed have been exceptionally well behaved and just having fun like everyone else.

Downtown Disney Quiksilver/ Roxy store. Going out of business in July. Currently having a storewide 40% sale for all Quiksilver/ Roxy merchandise. Bought a lot of shorts and shirts for the family!!!

 

[WillowRain]

I too was there during the weekend, which was surprisingly lovely on Saturday. Weather cooled down, we did SO much at DCA on Saturday morning. I need to do a trip report, but I need the rest of my parties pics first! But happy to report for certain that the Grads were not a problem, like not at all. There were a ton of them, but no disrecpectful ones, although my sister did speak to a security guard for a length of time (our rental stroller was stolen, more on that in my report). He told her that some of the grads were naughty on some rides. Namely HM which has TONS of cameras LOL.

 

[HydroGuy]

* ECV. Beware of fast ECVs. We were exiting out of Indy when an excessively fast ECV was driven like a bowling ball into a bunch of pins (exiting customers). She was entering Indy via the exit corridor while everyone else was exiting the ride. She didn't slow down or evade. Just plowed into us. Everyone got out of her way except my son. His leg got hit resulting in a baseball size swell on his shine. We went to First Aid and made a report. That ended our day (Tuesday) at DL. She was made at us for not getting out of her way. Can't really complain. Hydroguy once had to visit the emergency room which dented his DLR vacation. Just beware of fast moving ECVs.

Yes an ER visit. Not due to an ECV though if anyone were to read that into the PP.

 

[KelliLee702]

Uh oh I feel an ECV debate coming up.

Sorry to ask but what is an "ECV" ??

But glad to hear the parks were nice and empty for you guys.

Have a fun trip. Jealous I'm not there.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

ECV is an electric 'wheelchair' basically

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'm so sorry about your son!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I too was there during the weekend, which was surprisingly lovely on Saturday. Weather cooled down, we did SO much at DCA on Saturday morning. I need to do a trip report, but I need the rest of my parties pics first! But happy to report for certain that the Grads were not a problem, like not at all. There were a ton of them, but no disrecpectful ones, although my sister did speak to a security guard for a length of time (our rental stroller was stolen, more on that in my report). He told her that some of the grads were naughty on some rides. Namely HM which has TONS of cameras LOL.

OMG! I never hear of reports of stolen strollers. Makes me want to use my soft carriers only. Can you provide more detail here?

 

[courtneybeth]

Downtown Disney Quiksilver/ Roxy store. Going out of business in July. Currently having a storewide 40% sale for all Quiksilver/ Roxy merchandis

Husband is in need of a suitcase and I love their clothes. 40% off is much better than an annual pass discount, so we're heading there tonight to see what we can grab.

I wonder if they'll put in a Volcom store instead, like in Disney Springs. I loved that QuikSilver location but I know their business has been taking a massive hit recently.


THANK YOU FOR THE HEADS UP!!!!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Even just looking at the original plans for the new RR route, it looked to me like it would be longer. It sounds like Disney is really going to plus this wonderful old attraction.

 

[bumbershoot]

In once knew someone who used her scooter like that. Definitely not safe in the smallest way.

Uh oh I feel an ECV debate coming up.

I think most can see that she's not downing scooter users. She's commenting on someone who was using her scooter most unsafely.

I've spent time at dl with someone who used a scooter as a method of conveyance and was polite and serene about it. And i've spent time with someone who used hers as a battering ram. With the former you could see how clueless people on feet can be. With the latter I just wanted to call the police on the woman lol.

OMG! I never hear of reports of stolen strollers. Makes me want to use my soft carriers only. Can you provide more detail here?

It happens. Park your stroller with the front facing out. Makes it harder to just walk away with it. Don't leave bags etc on it. (Or food. Squirrels are total thieves!) Some bring a bike lock and put it around the back wheels. Allows for cast members to move strollers as needed, but makes it really awkward for a thief to take away.

 

[corinne76]

Oooh I do hope the RR is up in June 2017! We're hoping to return October 2017.

Hope you all enjoy your trip guynhawaii! I'm on Oahu

 

[BriannaRuth]

OMG! I never hear of reports of stolen strollers. Makes me want to use my soft carriers only. Can you provide more detail here?

Sometimes they're "stolen" mistakenly by someone who takes the wrong one in a sea of strollers. Especially the Disney ones that all look alike. Be sure yours is easily recognizable. Alternatively, make your stroller look distasteful. You tie a bag on the handle that LOOKS LIKE it has a dirty diaper in it and no one will steal it! It's been a while since my kids were that age so I don't remember what was used -- chocolate pudding or something.

We used to buy cheap umbrella strollers just for DL and leave them. They're small and easier to deal with when you have to fold them in crowded spaces. Or rent a DL stroller. If someone takes it, you just go get a (free) replacement. They don't let them out of the park so they give you another for no charge.

There's good information on this kind of thing in the Parenting in the Parks forum.

 

[mom2rtk]

OMG! I never hear of reports of stolen strollers. Makes me want to use my soft carriers only. Can you provide more detail here?

While not an epidemic, strollers do get stolen. It's probably more common with personal strollers though since thieves probably aren't going to leave the park with a park rental stroller. Just be careful, leave the high dollar stroller at home, and never leave anything in the stroller unattended that you can't afford to lose.