DisneyTripPlanner
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2003
- Messages
- 33
Our two bedroom BWV was ready when we checked in about 4:30 12/20--that is always magical to me! and the preferred Boardwalk view was great. We could see Spaceship Earth (we were right above the DVC office) and we were on the lobby level, so no waiting for elevators. However, once again, our walk to our room was sooooooo looooong!
As a holiday gift to my DH44 and DS's 16, 14, and 9 1/2, they did the Aqua Seas Tour in Epcot's Living Seas. They loved it. We had gone into the park that morning, but you don't need to use a park pass to do the tour (they meet you outside the gate at Guest Relations). My DD12 and I planned to be inside Living Seas at the time they would get to snorkle (with wet suit and scuba gear, but with life jackets so you can't go under) and I was able to get some great video. It was funny to hear everyone looking at the "divers" and we told them that they were our guys. The funny thing about the tour is that you pass through all the tourists to get to the entrance in the middle of the observation room after you are dressed in your snorkle gear and you exit the tank area the same way. The cm told my family that if anyone asks any questions, to try to sound like they know the answer.
DS9 1/2 picked an oyster in Japan and got a beautiful pearl. He had been wanting to do this ever since he heard about it. He was very proud of his pearl. It cost $13 and he walked away with it in a little baggie, though you could spend a lot of money having it put into a piece of jewelry.
Saw the acrobats in China; they are so flexible!
Saw the Jammitors; I love them! And the living statue in France.
The non-chickens in my family did Mission Space and Test Track numerous times.
Watched Illuminations in front of Japan and it is spectacular as always!
The trick this trip was to get moving early and be at the parks close to opening. The MK opened at 8 (not early entry!) on 12/22, Monday, and we got there about 8:15 and were able to go on Buzz twice (while some of us went on Space Mountain and then Buzz), the Speedway, Mickey's Philharmagic (WONDERFUL) twice, Snow White, raced to get FP to Splash Mountain and Railroad and went to Haunted Mansion while waiting for times. By 11-12, you could see people piling into the park along Main Street, so we went back to BWV to relax (DS16 enjoyed the weight room).
When we returned later to the MK (maybe about 6) it was so crowded that we just took the train to Splash Mountain and some of my boys did that. The rest of us went to Pirates, but it was more than 20 minutes to wait and my policy is never to wait for any ride more than that. So we ate at Columbia Harbor house and by then the people were lining up for the 8:00 parade, so we were able to go to HM again. We got a spot on the bridge bench for Wishes early and some of us went to the (I call it) People Mover (I can't ever remember the name). Wishes was so wonderful, but the trees were blocking our view of the lower fireworks, so I can see why people say to stand directly in the middle of Main Street. It was still fabulous. Took the kids to Carousel of Progress (something about the audience moving just makes me laugh).
The holiday lights in every park were beautiful and we really enjoyed the snow flakes along Main Street while leaving the Magic Kingdom.
This is not a highlight, but I just have to mention it--I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CM'S ARE ALLOWED TO START VACUUMING BEFORE THE GUESTS LEAVE THE PARK! It seems so UN-Disney!
Saw Wonders of Life for the first time in Animal Kingdom and enjoyed seeing the baby elephant (and lots of elephants moving!) and the lioness actually up and about during our safari ride. The Dinosaur! ride broke down while some of my family was in it, so they got a fast pass for a future trip (no more time this trip) and the only thing that was good about it was that my mechanical sons got to see the workings (which could really be disappointing for most people). We were leaving AK about 3:00 and I can see that this is actually a good time to arrive because the lines are short (I guess people are going back to their hotel or another park). We got to do KRR with less than a 20 min. wait.
Went to MGM later that day and it was very crowded and the FP's were gone. Half of us waited for RRC and ToT and the other three of us (chickens) went to Animation. It was great. They have changed it and the first part is very funny with a film with Mushu from Mulan, then the usual second part with a cm talking to you and then you get to go into a drawing room and a cm teaches you how to draw a character and for us it was Goofy. We really enjoyed it and there was no wait.
Us chickens saw Fantasmic while the others continued with the thrill rides.
DH and I walked back to BWV from MGM while kids took the ferry.
Got two tables (one for the kids) outside on the boardwalk at the Big River Grill/Brewery to enjoy a late night salad and quesadilla and nachos. It's amazing how much junk we ate on this trip--no veggies hardly. Lots of fries. Black bean soup at the Electric Umbrella was good in cold weather and the egg rolls are always my favorite in MK and the veggie chili in a bread bowl at Columbia Harbour House were the healthiest things I ate (oh yeah, and the Ceasar salad pizza at The Mara at AKL after checking out.
We saw AKL for the first time after checking out. Very pretty. Reminded all of us of WL. Didn't really see too many animals, but we were pressed for time.
These were some of the highlights of our trip, which of course included more eating and more rides than I mentioned.
I gave some restaurant reviews on that board.
The weather was in the 70's which was perfect for the parks and the nights were rather chilly and we wore winter coats.
Now I'm planning my next trip which I hope will be longer than 4 nights and 3 park hopping days!
As a holiday gift to my DH44 and DS's 16, 14, and 9 1/2, they did the Aqua Seas Tour in Epcot's Living Seas. They loved it. We had gone into the park that morning, but you don't need to use a park pass to do the tour (they meet you outside the gate at Guest Relations). My DD12 and I planned to be inside Living Seas at the time they would get to snorkle (with wet suit and scuba gear, but with life jackets so you can't go under) and I was able to get some great video. It was funny to hear everyone looking at the "divers" and we told them that they were our guys. The funny thing about the tour is that you pass through all the tourists to get to the entrance in the middle of the observation room after you are dressed in your snorkle gear and you exit the tank area the same way. The cm told my family that if anyone asks any questions, to try to sound like they know the answer.
DS9 1/2 picked an oyster in Japan and got a beautiful pearl. He had been wanting to do this ever since he heard about it. He was very proud of his pearl. It cost $13 and he walked away with it in a little baggie, though you could spend a lot of money having it put into a piece of jewelry.
Saw the acrobats in China; they are so flexible!
Saw the Jammitors; I love them! And the living statue in France.
The non-chickens in my family did Mission Space and Test Track numerous times.
Watched Illuminations in front of Japan and it is spectacular as always!
The trick this trip was to get moving early and be at the parks close to opening. The MK opened at 8 (not early entry!) on 12/22, Monday, and we got there about 8:15 and were able to go on Buzz twice (while some of us went on Space Mountain and then Buzz), the Speedway, Mickey's Philharmagic (WONDERFUL) twice, Snow White, raced to get FP to Splash Mountain and Railroad and went to Haunted Mansion while waiting for times. By 11-12, you could see people piling into the park along Main Street, so we went back to BWV to relax (DS16 enjoyed the weight room).
When we returned later to the MK (maybe about 6) it was so crowded that we just took the train to Splash Mountain and some of my boys did that. The rest of us went to Pirates, but it was more than 20 minutes to wait and my policy is never to wait for any ride more than that. So we ate at Columbia Harbor house and by then the people were lining up for the 8:00 parade, so we were able to go to HM again. We got a spot on the bridge bench for Wishes early and some of us went to the (I call it) People Mover (I can't ever remember the name). Wishes was so wonderful, but the trees were blocking our view of the lower fireworks, so I can see why people say to stand directly in the middle of Main Street. It was still fabulous. Took the kids to Carousel of Progress (something about the audience moving just makes me laugh).
The holiday lights in every park were beautiful and we really enjoyed the snow flakes along Main Street while leaving the Magic Kingdom.
This is not a highlight, but I just have to mention it--I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CM'S ARE ALLOWED TO START VACUUMING BEFORE THE GUESTS LEAVE THE PARK! It seems so UN-Disney!
Saw Wonders of Life for the first time in Animal Kingdom and enjoyed seeing the baby elephant (and lots of elephants moving!) and the lioness actually up and about during our safari ride. The Dinosaur! ride broke down while some of my family was in it, so they got a fast pass for a future trip (no more time this trip) and the only thing that was good about it was that my mechanical sons got to see the workings (which could really be disappointing for most people). We were leaving AK about 3:00 and I can see that this is actually a good time to arrive because the lines are short (I guess people are going back to their hotel or another park). We got to do KRR with less than a 20 min. wait.
Went to MGM later that day and it was very crowded and the FP's were gone. Half of us waited for RRC and ToT and the other three of us (chickens) went to Animation. It was great. They have changed it and the first part is very funny with a film with Mushu from Mulan, then the usual second part with a cm talking to you and then you get to go into a drawing room and a cm teaches you how to draw a character and for us it was Goofy. We really enjoyed it and there was no wait.
Us chickens saw Fantasmic while the others continued with the thrill rides.
DH and I walked back to BWV from MGM while kids took the ferry.
Got two tables (one for the kids) outside on the boardwalk at the Big River Grill/Brewery to enjoy a late night salad and quesadilla and nachos. It's amazing how much junk we ate on this trip--no veggies hardly. Lots of fries. Black bean soup at the Electric Umbrella was good in cold weather and the egg rolls are always my favorite in MK and the veggie chili in a bread bowl at Columbia Harbour House were the healthiest things I ate (oh yeah, and the Ceasar salad pizza at The Mara at AKL after checking out.
We saw AKL for the first time after checking out. Very pretty. Reminded all of us of WL. Didn't really see too many animals, but we were pressed for time.
These were some of the highlights of our trip, which of course included more eating and more rides than I mentioned.
I gave some restaurant reviews on that board.
The weather was in the 70's which was perfect for the parks and the nights were rather chilly and we wore winter coats.
Now I'm planning my next trip which I hope will be longer than 4 nights and 3 park hopping days!
