Hijinks & Shenanigans but not much Mayhem@The Dark Side+Disney:Link to DL/Hawaii TR

[natebenma]

What a disgrace that I haven't been able to visit my own trip report in a week!

I've never been on PW (afraid of spinning rides lol)
I like Mark's plan! It's interesting to hear other's tp. Although our tp need to be much different bc we stay offsite now.
AK is definitely a half day park for us as well. I've wanted to see the Nemo again for the past few years but nobody in my family wants to stay for it. So I'm outta luck. I'll get back there again I'm sure.
Actually I'm thinking over Christmas will be perfect, since we won't have access to FP+ yet. We may as well see some shows since the waits for rides will be ridiculous w/out FP.
I am a little stressed about not using FPs. We've never done that before!

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We definitely avoided the crowds by going to Dinoland USA first.

Our only offsite visit in recent years was a one day trip to MK. We had originally scheduled it on an early EMH day since that is what we always do, then D'OH! We can't go early. So we switched days.

We have only seen Nemo once. The boys just are not interested in shows.

Someone on the BC/YC FAQ board just posted that people who have FP+ are no longer able to double-dip for FP (they can't both sign up for FP and then use their room keys for more). I haven't heard if all onsite resorts are in testing mode now.

Brenda is on my trip list too

We will then continue on to Hawaii:

You realize there are pictures of your resort in my Live from Waikiki TR update? the first lagoon where I spotted the bride. GREAT location, enough away from the madness but close enough at the same time.

Other than Pearl, what are you guys thinking about? Do plan around traffic and try to go off peak, it will make a huge huge difference.

You are staying very close to where we usually stay. Decent grocery story very nearby! Short drive to black rock for snorkeling

This is in an amazing area of beach and snorkeling. I have pictures of this as well from our Hawaii trip back in 2011. Gorgeous! Honestly if it were me I might try to do one more night here, and one less elsewhere. The big island is SO big...and you are quite far from the volcano if you plan to hit it, I'd hate to give up the amazing beach and Kona Town!

What a wonderful trip you have planned!

Thanks so much for your very helpful info! Even Mark was quoting it to me. I need to go back to your trip report to catch up and to re-read read it.

I can't wait to really start researching and planning activities for this trip, but I just haven't had the time to do it!

I may turn to you for specific information as I start to really get into it.

Very good plan! I am worried how the FP+ will change this for folks. We tend to grab a FP at EE or Safari and then head straight to Dinosaur to ride. I confess, I've only been on Primeval once and well, I was expecting it somehow to be more than it was given all the descriptions. It is kind of cute though but OH it's a slow loader!

That shop may be one of my favorites in all of the world. Never bought a thing there but I could look for quite a long time!

We had a fun time in Dinoland and we finished the two things we wanted to do in less than 30 minutes.

We are thinking about mid June, but not sure yet. Everything I read says that DL is extremely busy all summer. So, I'm trying to figure out the best time to go. We may not get back for a very long time, or maybe ever. So I don't want to get there and spend all week in huge lines.

When are you going??

I think that's a great idea, to break up that long trip to Hawaii. You're going to have a great time!!

We will be at DL from July 12-16. We are staying onsite so we will have access to the early opening park- plus we will still be adjusting from East Coast time, so early won't be a problem for us.

From what I have heard, the Fast Pass system at DL is pretty decent since it is such a small park, the machine tend to be close together so you don't have to do a lot of criss-crossing. One of my friends said guest at DL don't really use the FP system as much as they do in DW. I'm not sure what the situation is at California Adventure, except that the Cars Racers are the headline E-ticket ride there.

DL vets- what is the situation with Soarin and Toy Story- they are not as crazy busy as the ones at DW are, right?

I fell a bit behind on this report, but I'm back now and all caught up.

The Hawaii trip sounds amazing, and the trip to DL is the cherry on top. You are going to have so much fun planning that vacation! And then you get to have fun going on that vacation! It all sounds amazing!

I'm behind too!!!



Yup, a big part of the enjoyment for me is the planning, planning, planning! Since both DL and Hawaii are new to us, that lots of extra fun!

This is really going to be a special trip for us.

Great strategy! We usually head to the Safari first then head to Dinoland. It's nice when it's not crowded. And I know there are folks that hate this area but since EJ has always been a dinosaur fan, we have spent a lot of time here!

Ben is starting to get past his super-dino-obsession, but I know what you mean. We have had so much fun in Dinoland! And T-Rex is still our must-do restaurant in DTD.

Hum, sounds like that was a great strategy. Think I may just have to give it a try. We are some of the ones that head straight to the safari. Oh and thanks for reminding me of the hidden Mickey there. It's been a while since I've seen it.

Mark is a very logical guy. His reasoning behind this strategy is "Why waste so much of the low-crowd time of EMH on the safari?" By planning on arriving at the safari RIGHT at regular opening, as the rest of the guests are being let into the park, we still won't have much of a wait here, and we are able to maximize the low crowds at the other attractions.

 

[natebenma]

We left Dinoland USA and took the back path (by Finding Nemo the Musical) to Expedition Everest.

We pulled a Fast Pass with a return time of 9:30 to 10:30.

Perfect! We would have time to Ride EE, go on the safari, walk back to Asia, pull a FP or ride Kali, ride EE.

Ben last went on Expedition Everest in 2008 and has refused to ride it again since that time. But this year he was going to be brave- he said he was going to ride

And he did!!!

I don’t have any commentary so I’ll just post a few pictures from the queue and the ride:























So, how did Ben do?





He loved it! (Although it is hard to tell from this picture)


Next up: Safari- So Good!

 

[emmysmommy]

Looks like the parents liked the ride as well! I notice some ride enjoyment going on behind the boys. Glad Ben liked it!

I notice you didn't post a photo of the tiger scat!!

 

[KatMark]

Great pictures from EE. It looks like everyone enjoyed it. Tell Ben he can ride any time for me.

 

[JanetMom]

Good for Ben!

Thanks for the mini tour of EE. Unlike Ben, I've never been on that ride. Way to chicken.

 

[natebenma]

Looks like the parents liked the ride as well! I notice some ride enjoyment going on behind the boys. Glad Ben liked it!

I notice you didn't post a photo of the tiger scat!!

One of my favorite coasters. Right now, I think the rankings are

Mummy (US)
Big Thunder Mountain (MK)
Expedition Everest (AK)

Can't wait to try the Matterhorn!!!

There's tiger scat???? CRAP! I missed it? Is it in the queue? We usually have FP for EE and have only gone through the regular line a few times.

Great pictures from EE. It looks like everyone enjoyed it. Tell Ben he can ride any time for me.

Thank you! I'll have some better pictures from our ride later in the day.

For a couple of years, Nate wouldn't ride it either. We would still get FP just in case.

I rode solo once, with 3 FP in my pocket. My seatmates were a grandmother, mom and young girl riding EE for the first time. They laughed and screamed through the whole ride. When we were done, I asked if they wanted to go again, immediately. They were thrilled when I handed them 3 FP that were ready to be used.

Then in subsequent years, Nate would get to ride twice on the 4 FP we got, once with me and once with Mark. But it is really nice now that we can all ride together.

Good for Ben!

Thanks for the mini tour of EE. Unlike Ben, I've never been on that ride. Way to chicken.

Ben bravely rode EE and ToT, which he has done before, but freaked him out in the past. He also rodee RNR for the first time on this trip.

I'm glad he conquered those fears so that he will be willing to ride everything with his classmates on his 8th grade trip. Some kids do, some kids don't, but I would rather be in the group on the rides instead of waiting at the exit.

 

[MeMom]

I have done Expedition Everest one time, and that was on a Fastpass. Going through the queue to get pictures is on my list of things to do. It's one of the few places in WDW I don't have pictures of. I have no desire to ride again, but someday I am just going to get in line to take pictures. I enjoy seeing pictures others have taken until I can get to see it all myself.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Good to see everyone having fun Well done to Ben for giving all the rides a go

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Yay for Ben!!! We all LOVE EE except (DS 16). I can't remember the last time he rode it, maybe 2007. He still won't try it again ......maybe someday.

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[DisneyKid4Life]

OK very weird. Just looking through your Everest queue pictures when I noticed the one with the "Yeti Footprint" and the photo of Josh Gates. I just watched that episode of "Destination Truth" on Netflix yesterday where they found that very print. I'll have to make sure to keep an eye out next time I'm there.

 

[dtr_angel]

Yay Ben! EE is a great ride!

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[mickeystoontown]

Nice queue pictures! Yay Ben for giving Expedition Everest another try!

 

[glennbo123]

Hey Dee, I'm caught up through the Universal stuff. Looked like you had a great time there. I know that those Express Passes must have helped enormously! We never made it over to Universal (just IoA), but it looks like there are some great rides over there.

How cool that you got a picture of your hubby and son on the Hulk ride without realizing it at the time! That's a great ride.

I'm impressed with your cartoons at the start of each chapter! They're awesome!

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, fully caught up now. Still lovin' the cartoons! I think my favorite is the pinata one.

Your room and location look great!

That's great to read your review on La Hacienda. Dang, you guys make it hard to pin-down just a few restaurants!

 

[natebenma]

I have done Expedition Everest one time, and that was on a Fastpass. Going through the queue to get pictures is on my list of things to do. It's one of the few places in WDW I don't have pictures of. I have no desire to ride again, but someday I am just going to get in line to take pictures. I enjoy seeing pictures others have taken until I can get to see it all myself.

The EE theming is awesome. The queue has some really neat artifacts. We usually use the Fast Pass line and the only time we are in the regular queue is if the line is not long, so we really haven't had a lot of time to linger and see the fun displays.

You should definitely go thru the line some time.

Good to see everyone having fun Well done to Ben for giving all the rides a go

It is a lot more fun to ride together!

Yay for Ben!!! We all LOVE EE except (DS 16). I can't remember the last time he rode it, maybe 2007. He still won't try it again ......maybe someday.

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So sorry your son hasn't tried it again.

Like you said, maybe someday.

OK very weird. Just looking through your Everest queue pictures when I noticed the one with the "Yeti Footprint" and the photo of Josh Gates. I just watched that episode of "Destination Truth" on Netflix yesterday where they found that very print. I'll have to make sure to keep an eye out next time I'm there.

That is really funny!!! I almost didn't post that picture because of the glare.

As many times as you have been through there are details you haven't seen or noticed before. But I think you usually go through via Fast Pass or when the line is short, too.

Yay Ben! EE is a great ride!

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I totally agree!!! EE rocks!

Nice queue pictures! Yay Ben for giving Expedition Everest another try!

Thanks!!!

Very proud of Ben for some of the new things he tried this year.

Hey Dee, I'm caught up through the Universal stuff. Looked like you had a great time there. I know that those Express Passes must have helped enormously! We never made it over to Universal (just IoA), but it looks like there are some great rides over there.

How cool that you got a picture of your hubby and son on the Hulk ride without realizing it at the time! That's a great ride.

We had a blast at Universal and we loved the Hard Rock. I actually have finished my Universal (but not IoA) over on those boards. When I am done with the Disney piece here, I'll post those updates here.

I love that Hulk picture. Ben and I are still arguing over who took it though. But it was me.

Okay, fully caught up now.

Your room and location look great!

That's great to read your review on La Hacienda. Dang, you guys make it hard to pin-down just a few restaurants!

We loved that room at the Beach Club! We had some serious pixie dust sprinkled on us.

I can't say enough about La Hacienda. We had such a great meal there! Mark and I still talk about it- he says he wants to go back to Disney just to eat there.

MMMMmmmmmm!!!!

I'm impressed with your cartoons at the start of each chapter! They're awesome!

Okay, fully caught up now. Still lovin' the cartoons! I think my favorite is the pinata one.

Glad you are enjoying the comics. Wait until you see the one I have for the "Mama Scores Big on Buzz" update. I'm hoping I can get that one past the censors.

 

[tiggerfan77]

So glad Ben decided to try Everest again! Love the expression on his face though Haven't been back to Everest since I got sick my first time riding it but now that the Bonine has been worked so well this time, it's my goal to brave the yeti again!

 

[natebenma]

So glad Ben decided to try Everest again! Love the expression on his face though Haven't been back to Everest since I got sick my first time riding it but now that the Bonine has been worked so well this time, it's my goal to brave the yeti again!

Bonine

I'm a believer too!

I hope you are able to give EE another shot.

 

[natebenma]

After Ben had triumphantly conquered Everest, it was time to continue on with our early Extra Morning strategy for AK- we made our way over to Kilimanjaro Safari right around 9 am.

There was not much of a line and soon we were boarding our tour jeep.

Do you have a favorite seat on the jeep?

I prefer the driver’s side (left), window seat of course, so I can take pictures. Ben was over on the window seat on the right-hand side taking pictures from there. Our pictures are co-mingled in this post.















I would love to do this tour someday!





















Q: What Do You Have When A Giraffe is on the Path Blocking Your Jeep from Proceeding?

A: A Giraffic-Jam









We must be in elephant territory!



















Continued in Next Post:

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[natebenma]

Continued from Previous Post:




















And then we are rounding that critical corner-

Will We?

Wont We?











Not the best view I have had at the lion area, but I'm not complaining.

















Just because this cracks me up!





Next Up: On the Road to Asia

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[ProudMommyof2]

Awesome photos! We skipped AK on our last trip and I can't wait to get back next time!