HydroGuy's Totally Awesome, Totally Detailed, and Very Long Trip Report - June 2006

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Overall summary is provided here, to be followed by day by day report in separate posts. If you cannot keep awake for the details, each day has a short summary in Section 4 of each daily post.

Dates

June 9-19, 2006

Participants (6)

Me (43), DW (39), DS14, DS11, DS10 and DS14s friend (DSF16) we also have a DS13 who did not join us because he was on an international trip

Lodging

Fort Wilderness Cabin

Transportation

Airplane from Denver to Orlando. Used Disney Magical Express between airport and WDW. Used Disney transportation to move around WDW. Used a rental golf cart to move around Fort Wilderness.

Pre-Trip

We are Disneyland Resort (DLR) veterans and this was our first trip to WDW. At some point not now I wanted to put together a family trip to WDW. We have four boys in our family, and I have been taking one or two of them on trips with me now and then. Back in February I decided to take son #3 (DS11) and #4 (DS10) on a three person trip to WDW for four days in May. This would involve them missing a couple days of school, but the crowds would be relatively low and the weather nice. Soon after I locked in this trip I found out I had a business trip to Orlando in June to be held at the Coronado Springs Resort. This was to be held the week after our school got out, and I decided to invite son #1 (DS14) to join me and we would spend some time at WDW. Son #2 (DS13) has been planning all year to go on an international trip with teachers and students from his middle school during this time, and thus could not join us because of his schedule conflict. DS14 thought he would be lonely while I spent two and half days at a business conference, and so asked if he could invite his best buddy who is 16 (we will call him sons friend DSF16).

So originally I had two WDW trips one in May and one in June. DW is not a big Disney fan and was not feeling left out of these two trips. In April I was on an early season hike here in Colorado and overdid it which resulted in some foot inflammation called plantar fasciitis (PF). This left me on crutches which did something bad to my back, and to make a long story short we cancelled the May trip and just decided to take DS11 and DS10 on the June trip. At this point DW did not want to be left alone at home and decided to join us. Thus we had six on our trip, with three being our own boys and one other boy was a friend, and our own fourth boy (DS13) overseas and not with us.

I felt circumstances were a bit thrust upon us in that I would have preferred to plan a family WDW trip with all four of our own boys present, and would have done it at a later time. Since we already had airfare purchased for five people with high hopes of DS11 and DS10 for a May trip that got cancelled, I felt we had no other choice other than to just go for it. I did not have the luxury of getting everything setup for the June trip well ahead of time. For instance, I had one room reserved at the CSR where my conference was held. Well that would no longer be big enough. Plus DW really wanted to have some place where we could prepare meals. She does not live to cook, but the thought of eating at restaurants for ten straight days did not appeal to her. So in early May I scrambled and the only on-property choice available was a six-person cabin at Fort Wilderness (FW). So we grabbed that. The cabins at Fort Wilderness have full kitchens with a full-size refrigerator, full-size stove and oven, microwave, kitchenware, etc.

Planning

I did not feel like I needed to buy all possible information sources for WDW. Rather I was experimenting with what sources would help me most. My planning was originally focused on the four day May trip that never happened. Once we switched to a longer June trip, I rolled over the May planning for June.

I did not know much about WDW other than it had four parks, and I bought the 2006 Unofficial Guide in December 2005 and started to read it. I have been active on Disney internet sites for over the last year, including a bit of time on DIS DLR. I started hanging out on DIS WDW in December as well. I found out about TGM on DIS and tried it out in February and decided to join. Out of curiosity I also signed up for Touringplans.com. I bought a PassPorter because I read that it had good maps. And I used the RideMax DLR version in 2005 with success and I bought a RideMax WDW subscription in April and experimented a lot with that.

When I signed up with TGM my focus was on TGMs articles, but after I had a few questions I wandered over to the forum area and ended up being very active there.

Of all the resources I used, TGM was the most useful. DIS was also useful and RideMax helped too. The Unofficial Guide was useful in getting me oriented, but I would not buy it in the future. Nor PassPorter.

In travel from the Orlando airport to WDW I was originally planning to use SunRay and have a 30 minute grocery stop. That was before the Fort Wilderness cabin and decision to eat a lot of meals at the cabin. About a week before our trip we decided to cancel SunRay, hitch a ride on Disney Magical Express, and use wegoshop.com for food delivery.

I made several ADRs ahead of time, trying to guess what everyone would like on different days.

Summary

We experienced all parks on at least two days. We stuck closely with non-EMH days, and for the most part the parks were much less crowded than I expected. We got to ride all the rides we planned with many headliners multiple times. We ate about half our lunches at our cabin and half at the parks, and we ate seven dinners at our cabin and three at parks or special venues. We ate all breakfasts at our cabin, and made rope drop on all six days we tried usually 30+ minutes early.

Being that it was June (a very rainy month in Orlando) we got rained upon on most of our days. On our first park day at MK I heard for the first time about Tropical Storm Alberto. It was Saturday and Alberto was due to come in on Monday/Tuesday. On Sunday we all went to AK which did not go as smoothly as I would have liked. Expedition Everest was broken down first thing in the morning, and we got to the FOTLK 2PM show about 30 minutes early and made our way in to our seats, and then a few minutes after 2PM AK announced that the 2PM show was cancelled.

Tropical Storm Alberto turned north and for the most part missed Orlando, although there was a lot of rain on Monday and Tuesday. Fortunately we had Monday planned for Epcot FutureWorld, which meant lots on indoor activities. This was good because it rained non-stop on Monday. Tuesday was the first day of my business conference, and after three park days we planned for this to be a non-park day. This worked out well, as it got windy and stormy mid-day from Alberto before calming down in the afternoon.

I had a second conference day on Wednesday, and so everyone headed to DisneyQuest today - which was a big hit. The weather was nice on Wednesday evening, and I decided to head over to MK in the evening to see SpectroMagic and Wishes. No one else wanted to see these, but DS14, DS10 and DSF16 decided to join me and go on some rides.

On Thursday I had originally planned for a half day at the business conference, but it became clear on Wednesday that that there was not much happening on Thursday so I skipped the conference and we decided to go to our first MGM day on Thursday. And it was hot. Everyone in our group left after lunch except DS10 and I, and we only hung around another 90 minutes to catch the Indiana Jones show. All of us except DW returned to MGM that night at 8:20 to use our FastPasses, and DS11, DS10 and I watched the second Fantasmic showing at 10:30PM. So we all got back late.

With two late nights in a row at MK and MGM, we decided to take it easy Friday. Everyone slept in and had a plan to go back to DisneyQuest and see the just released Cars movie at DTD. I decided to go back to MGM solo and see some of the things we missed on Thursday. I was there for about five hours. We had a 7:15 ADR for the Hoop-de-Doo Revue tonight, and all made it back for that.

Our second Saturday was our second Epcot day, with focus on World Showcase. We did everything we wanted in FutureWorld last Monday except for Test Track which was closed most of the day because of the rain. So we showed up at 10AM to ride Test Track and get a second ride on Mission Space, and then we headed into World Showcase soon after it opened at 11AM. We had an early dinner in Italy, and it was hot again today and we left at 4:30 and no one wanted to come back. So I came back solo to see Illuminations near Italy.

On our second Sunday our group split up again. DW and DS10 wanted to go to AK again, and no one else did. So I, DW and DS10 made it over for rope drop at AK while the other three slept in and went to MGM at about noon. In the afternoon DW and DS10 went to Typhoon Lagoon for a couple hours and had fun (it was empty). This evening we got our stuff mostly packed up because tomorrow was our final day.

On our second Monday we went to MK. DW did not want to go out, and decided to stay behind and get our luggage to DME. We stayed at MK until about 2PM and then made our way back to meet up with DW to catch our DME ride to the airport at 3PM.

I think everyone enjoyed MK and MGM the most, although AK was a big hit with DS10 and DW. Epcot was everyone's least favorite park.

DLR/WDW Ride/Show/Park Comparison

Lets just get this out of the way. This represents my opinion, and usually everyone agreed with me.

Space Mountain WDW comparable to the old DLR version, but the new DLR version is way better
Splash Mountain WDW better hands down
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Slight edge to WDW
Castle Cinderellas castle at WDW is spectacular, way better than DLR
Haunted Mansion too close to call
Jungle Cruise WDW easily better
Pirates of the Caribbean was closed at WDW
Buzz Lightyear DLR better because lasers are not attached to the car and you can e-mail your photos to yourself when you are finished at WDW you have to buy them
Peter Pan hard to say because they are more different than you would expect I would give WDW the edge
Small World the DLR version has a much better exterior and entrance, while the ride itself is mostly the same. Edge to DLR.
FantasyLand Way better at DLR DLR has many more rides
TomorrowLand Way better at WDW
Adventureland DLR has Indiana Jones. Case closed.
Frontierland Comparable
Fantasmic Much better at DLR
Tower of Terror Much better at WDW
Star Tours Same, although the entrance theming at WDW is much better
Soarin Same, although the entrance theming at DLR is much better
Kali RR vs. Grizzly RR Edge to GRR because it is (or seems) longer
Turtle Talk With Crush Same, except DLR has bigger theater and hence the lines to see it are much shorter
MGM Beauty and the Beast Show vs. DCA Aladdin Beauty actually made it a closer call than I would have expected, but the Aladdin show at DCA is so good and the genie actors there use so much unscripted humor that DCA still wins. Plus the inside Hyperion theater at DCA is much better than the outside bleacher seats at MGM.

Headliner Ride Tally

Expedition Everest 2 times for everyone, 5 times for DS10 and me
Dinosaur 1 time for everyone, 2 times for DS10 and me
Rock n Rollercoaster 4 times for everyone (except DW), 5 times for two teens
Tower of Terror 3 times for everyone (except DW who rode once), 4 times for me
Soarin 1 time for everyone
Test Track 1 time for everyone (except DW), 2 times for me
Mission Space (orange spinning version) 2 times for all kids, 1 time for me, DW skipped
Space Mountain 2 times for everyone except DW who rode it once
Splash Mountain 5 times for kids, 4 times for me, 2 times for DW
Big Thunder Mtn RR 5 times for kids, 4 times for me, DW skipped
Haunted Mansion 2 times for everyone except DW who rode it once

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Friday, June 9 Travel and Check-In Day

School got out for our kids on June 8, and on June 9 we left home at 7AM for a flight to Orlando. We were too close in time to get DME (Disney Magical Express) luggage identification, although DME offered to get our luggage if we gave them airline luggage tickets and a description. We did not want to tempt the luggage gods here too much and decided to handle our own luggage. We arrived in Orlando at 3:35 and were able to get our own luggage, transport it to DME, board DME, and be in motion on DME within 55 minutes from leaving the airplane. Not bad.

Fort Wilderness (FW) was the first DME stop and we got ourselves checked-in at FW. FW has more complicated transportation issues than most other resorts because it is over a mile across. We took others advice and rented an electric golf cart to get around which ended up being a good decision. The golf cart rental closed for the day at 6PM, and we hoofed it over there and got to the rental area at 5:59. Whew!

Marge with wegoshop showed up on schedule at about 6:30 with our groceries. Marge was great and we enjoyed working with her in fact we had her do another smaller grocery run for us later in the week. DW planned some easy preparation meals for the week, and we ate in during the first night. After dinner we drove our shiny new golf cart and all six of us up to the FW Settlement area. Some of you may know about this area from the Hoop-De-Doo Revue held there.

As soon as I found out we were staying in FW in early May I made an ADR for the Hoop-De-Doo which has shows each night at 5:00, 7:15, and 9:30. However, we were now five weeks away and all of the coveted 7:15 shows were sold out. They had only one 5:00 show available which was on a day that would conflict with an MK day for us, and so I made an ADR for a 9:30 show. I called several times hoping for a cancellation that would allow us to get into a 5:00 or 7:15 show, and the Disney gods smiled on us when a table became available about three days before our trip. It was for a 7:15 show. So I jumped on that.

However, it was not clear whether every member of our family actually wanted to see Hoop-De-Doo, and so on this first evening we were allowed to step into the back of Hoop-De-Doo for a few minutes to see if everyone wanted to see it. Everyone decided they wanted to see it. From there we made our way out to the marina to see the Water Pageant, which came by FW at 9:45PM. If you have spare time, this is a nice thing to do. But I would not recommend putting in a lot of effort to see it. After the water pageant we decided to stay and watch the MK Wishes fireworks show which started at 10PM, and at about 10:15 we made our way back to our cabin and went to bed as tomorrow we planned an early departure to MK.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 1 - Saturday, June 10

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Hot with hazy sunshine. 94 degree high reported at Orlando airport. It rained hard for about 30 minutes starting at about 7PM which cooled things off.

2. Parks and Activities

Magic Kingdom.

3. Transportation

Taxi to Contemporary and walk to MK. Arrive at MK at 8:30AM for rope drop. Boat to FW at 12:30PM for a break. Boat back to MK at 6PM. Boat to FW at 11:15PM after MK closed.

4. Day Summary

We experienced 16 rides/attractions today and saw no shows or parades.

This was our first day at WDW and MK, and I wanted to make rope drop and get a good start on the park because it was supposed to be really hot. There are no buses to MK or the TTC from FW, with a boat usually the best option. However, the first boat was not supposed to leave until 8:30AM which would mean we would not get to MK until about 9AM. So I decided to get a taxi to the Contemporary and we were able to arrive at MK by 8:30AM. We started the day in FrontierLand and spent the morning in FrontierLand, FantasyLand and Liberty Square. On the way out for an afternoon break I scooted over to TomorrowLand to grab Space Mtn FastPasses to use in the evening. We left MK at about 12:30. At about this time I started to wonder where all the people were. The crowds were very light at MK today.

We had lunch at our cabin and everyone got in bed for a long nap. We made dinner before returning to MK at about 6:30. We headed straight to TomorrowLand and did several rides there. Then we headed to AdventureLand for a night time Jungle Cruise ride and then back to FrontierLand. We finished the night in FantasyLand. The crowds were even lighter tonight than this morning, with most rides being walk-ons or short 5-10 minutes lines after 7PM. The FastPasses I collected this morning were just not needed.

5. Discussion of Day

We left our cabin at about 7:55, and rather than depend on the uncertain boat schedule from FW to MK, I decided to get a cab which dropped us off at the Contemporary. It was a hot day at MK the high was predicted to be 97 degrees and while everyone got hot we had a lot of water and it never felt as hot as I was expecting.

We got to the MK gates at 8:28. They held everyone at the tunnels until about 8:55AM (see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/1/76675845 ), and we were almost at the very front of the left tunnel. I cannot remember who used this term, but we did not run or even hurry to Big Thunder Mountain. We walked with purpose. We were over to BTMRR by 9:05 at which point I got Splash FPs and we walked on to BTMRR (except for DW who skipped it). Then everyone wanted to ride Splash through the standby. I know that riding these two FastPass rides first thing in the morning was not the best way to use our time, but we wanted to ride these twice today (not sure if we would make it back to FrontierLand later in the trip) and so we did each one through standby and then again with FastPasses. The storyline in Splash is much more detailed and complete than the one at DL, and we all liked it a lot better. BTMRR was a different rollercoaster than the one at DL, but the feeling was similar. We thought the one at MK was slightly better.

After Splash we made our way over to FantasyLand and rode Peter Pan which had a 9 minute line. By this time it was nearing time for another FP collection. So I, the FPV, went over to BTMRR to get a FP for later while everyone else took a breather. When I returned we rode Mad Tea Party (a walk-on the next cycle see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/1/76675891 and http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/1/76675898 ) and then rode our first WDW ride that does not exist at DLR Philharmagic. Philharmagic was delightful.

After that everyone made their way to Haunted Mansion while I did the FP thing one more time over to Jungle Cruise. We rode Haunted Mansion and then tried to squeeze into the Hall of President but were about one minute too late. So we went over to Country Bear Jamboree which had been an old favorite at DL until someone there had the bright idea to tear it out and add a weak Winnie the Pooh ride. After CBJ we shopped a little at the store near the Pirates of the Caribbean exit because DS10 is obsessed with this stuff. While everyone shopped I did one more FPV jaunt over to Space Mtn and reunited with my family in the hub.

I was really surprised by how uncrowded it was at MK today. It was a non-EMH day, and it was hot, but there were just not that many people. In fact I think my FP collecting actually was a detriment today as I will explain below.

We left for an afternoon break on a boat to FW at about 12:30 and were back to our room by 1:00. Everyone laid down for a nap. Everyone except me slept for at least three hours, and afterwards we got up and made dinner and then headed back to MK. We got on the boat to MK (see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/4/76676377 and http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/4/76676393) and got back through the MK gates at 6:30 and made our way to TomorrowLand. While walking into TommorowLand with my eye on getting a Buzz Lightyear FP, everyone noticed that there was a five minute standby wait for Stitch. I explained to everyone that this ride gets very poor reviews and we might want to just skip it, but I was out voted. So I grabbed the Buzz FPs and we got in line for Stitch. We were just too late for the next Stitch show and had to wait about five minutes for the next one. I have to say that Stitch was not nearly as bad as I was expecting. Yes I can see how repeat rides may be of low interest (similar to Epcots HISTA) but the actual attraction was pretty decent and worth doing at least once.

While we were riding Stitch a torrential rain started and when we exited Stitch (into the store area there) it was backed up with people. We pulled out our rain ponchos and made our way to Space Mountain. We used the FPs I had grabbed before lunch, but found out the ride had been broken down and was just restarting. So the standby line had maybe 40 people in it and when we gave over our FPs I realized the FPs had accomplished almost nothing. Oh well. I reminded everyone that the MK Space Mtn was an old ride and had not been upgraded like DL and thus not to get their hopes too high (we rode DL Space Mtn about five times in 2005). We rode Space Mtn and it was in fact similar in quality to the old DL version and thus not anywhere near as good as the new DL version.

After Space Mtn (still raining outside so we put on the ponchos again) we rode Buzz Lightyear with our FPs but the line was only ten minutes (I was expecting it to be 30+ minutes) and thus the FPs again did not help very much. While riding Buzz the ride broke down for at least three minutes but the guns still worked, so we were able to get some incredibly high scores. After Buzz the rain decreased and it actually cleared up a bit. We went over to use our Jungle Cruise FPs and, once again, there was almost no standby line. We didnt even give over our FPs and just walked on. It was dark and neat to experience it at night.

After we got off the Jungle Cruise I stopped to ask a Jungle Cruise CM about the parade route as the 9PM parade was clearly in progress. I told her we wanted to get over to Splash Mtn, and she told us not to bother because Splash was already closed for the night and that it always closes down at dusk! I knew this to be incorrect and just ignored her. However, we did get trapped on the Adventureland side of the parade and were not able to get across to Splash until about 9:50 after the parade went through. We used our Splash FPs I had picked up at 9AM that morning, but again there was almost no standby line (posted standby wait was 20 minutes but it must have been closer to 10 minutes) and we only passed up a few people. When we got off Splash the 10PM fireworks were going, and we watched them for a few minutes before getting in the Big Thunder Mtn RR line. Once again, there was no need to even give over our FPs because there was almost no standby line. Wow, I had picked up five FP sets today but none of them really helped us. MK just was empty today. After BTMRR we got in line again and rode it for the third time that day (all times without DW). Then we made our way over to Small World. We rode that and got off it at 10:57, and tried to make it over to Snow White before 11PM and I think we did make it but the CM said the ride was closed so we just missed it.

So we exited through the castle wow, what a castle much more impressive than the one at DL and grabbed a boat back to MK. We were back to our cabin by about 11:45PM. Since everyone had 3+ hour naps today I hoped that the late return and early start for AK tomorrow would be fine.

6. Rides We Went On

BTMRR (three times, once with FP)
Splash (twice, once with FP)
Peter Pan
Mad Tea Party
Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion
Country Bear Jamboree
Stitch
Space Mtn (with FP)
TomorrowLand Transit Authority
Buzz Lightyear (with FP)
Jungle Cruise (with FP, but there was no line)
Small World

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

None. Except for part of SpectroMagic when we were attempting to cross from AdventureLand into FrontierLand.

8. Meals

All meals at the cabin today.

9. Other

Upon returning for our afternoon break, we had our first of many encounters with Isabellas creations. I never met Isabella but my family did a few times. Isabella is a housekeeping CM at Fort Wilderness who specializes in using bath and kitchen towels to create animals. For example, see:

http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/9/76677559

Isabella added some extra magic to our trip, as once we realized that Isabella was creating different animals each day then whenever we pulled up to our cabin the younger boys got excited. They were as eager to get inside to see the animals as they were to get into an air conditioned room.

Soon the younger boys started leaving animal request notes for Isabella, and she came through for us.

One day in the middle of our trip she gave us all a belly laugh when she left a towel boy on one of the beds. She used props from items our boys had left in the bedroom including a pirate eye patch and a Mickey hat. Notice the television remote close at hand.

http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1583113/1/76682388

Suffice it to say that it was a pleasure leaving Isabella a large tip each day.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 2 - Sunday, June 11

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Hot and mostly cloudy. 91 degree high reported at Orlando airport. It rained hard for about 30 minutes starting at about 1:40PM which cooled things off.

2. Parks and Activities

Animal Kingdom.

3. Transportation

Caught WDW bus at 8:05AM and arrived at AK at 8:25AM. Left AK by WDW bus at about 7PM.

4. Day Summary

We experienced 7 rides/attractions today and saw one show and one parade. We also saw Devine.

We arrived at the AK gates at 8:25AM. Expedition Everest was down and by the time we got there the FastPass line was incredibly long. We got FPs for EE at about 9:25AM. From there we proceeded to DinoLand and then to Maharajah Jungle Trek. After Maharajah we noticed that EE was up again and so we rode that and got another EE FP set, and then went to Africa to ride Kilimanjaro Safari. We had lunch at Pizzafari, which put us in good position to head over to see FOTLK at 2PM. Unfortunately the 2PM show was cancelled. We went from there to see the monkeys in Asia again and to see the 3PM Flights of Wonder.

After Flights of Wonder we rode Kali River Run and then made our way towards Discovery island where we watched the Jammin Jungle Parade. We had dinner at the RainForest Café after the parade, and then had to head back into the park to ride EE for the second time as the FPs were not valid until after 5PM. After EE we used our Yeti Vision vouchers to get free pictures of our EE ride and bought some merchandise at the store there. We left the park at about 7PM.

5. Discussion of Day

This day had more things to throw us off our plan than any other day. We got to the AK gates at 8:25AM and were into the park shortly after 9AM. When we got to Expedition Everest for our first ride (Plan A was to grab an EE FP and then ride it standby) we found out that EE was down that morning. So we grabbed a FP but the FP line was incredibly long. We finally got our FPs at 9:25.

From there we went to DinoLand and rode Primeval Whirl and Dinosaur through the standby lines, and the lines were about 5-10 minutes long. These were longer than I was expecting, but was probably a result of EE being down which encouraged many people to head to DinoLand or Africa.

After Dinosaur my family headed to Maharajah jungle trek while I went to Kilimanjaro Safari to get FastPasses. Then I rejoined them and they had not yet entered Maharajah because they were intrigued by the Monkeys there.

So we went through Maharajah and after we finished we were walking away and noticed that EE was up again (it was about 11AM at this time). So we went to EE where I got another FP set and we rode EE with the first FP set. EE is an awesome ride. See http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1583113/1/78592303.

After EE we went to Africa to ride the Kilimanjaro Safari and there were quite a few animals out - http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/5/76676645 . When we came back to AK one week later and rode the Safari first thing we saw a lot more animals and it was a lot cooler the second day than the first day. Our data was obviously limited, but FWIW supported the do the Safari first thing when it is cooler school of thought.

We had lunch at Pizzafari and it was a relief to get some air conditioning. Under the original plan we were going to get to Pizzafari earlier, but because of the late entrance and EE problems, our schedule got thrown off a bit and we did not get to Pizzafari until 12:45. And so there were a lot of people there. But it was air conditioned and we did not mind very much.

Originally I had in mind to do FOTLK at 2PM which would give us almost an hour of air conditioned relaxation during the heat of the day, and then Flights of Wonder at 3PM which was outside but shaded. We hurried Pizzafari a little bit to get over to the 2PM FOTLK show. We left Pizzafari at about 1:30 and got in line at FOTLK. I had two boys who needed to use a restroom before the show so we left the other three in line and went to find a restroom. When we walked into the restroom the sky was merely gray. When we walked out one minute later there was a downpour. And DW had the rain ponchos over at the FOTLK line.

I think this was the only time we actually ran at WDW. Originally we did not plan to cut in line to rejoin our group, but were just going to get in line and then rejoin our group once we were inside the theater. But it was raining so hard that we gave up on that idea and muscled our way through the line to get rain ponchos. DW and the other two were just pulling them on when we got there, and by the time we got them on we were quite wet. About two minutes later we were into the theater.

We got some decent seats on the far side of the theater (it was about 1:40 by this time) and we got our ponchos off and started trying to dry out. The heavy rain continued outside, and apparently a lightning strike disrupted something and a little after 2PM a lady came out and announced that the 2PM show was cancelled. What a bummer.

It was still raining at this point, so we gave it a few minutes, and then the rain died down and we left the theater in route to Flights of Wonder to get in place for the 3PM show. When we arrived they told us they were pretty sure that the 3PM show would be cancelled due to the weather (they are outside there and thus sensitive to lightning).

So we left DS14 and DSF16 in front of the FoW entrance they said they were tired and did not want to come with us to see the monkeys. I asked them to call us on our radios if it appeared like FoW was going to be performed after all. So we headed over to Asia and I got Kali FPs and we watched the monkeys (always entertaining) and got a call from DS14 who said the 3PM show was going to happen after all. So we headed back to FoW and saw the show. This FoW bird show is really worth seeing it is much better than any I have seen before.

After FoW we headed over to Asia to ride Kali, and we were all fairly wet already from the rain. So everyone was going to skip ponchos. I decided that while I was wet, I did not want to be soaking wet, and announced that I was going to wear a poncho. At this point DW decided that it might be a good idea, as did DS10 and DS11.

Well DW got the brunt of the water on Kali, and was glad she was wearing a poncho although the water still got into her neck when we hit a large wave. I also got hit with a lot of water and was glad I had the poncho as well. DS14 and DSF16 were not wearing ponchos, and hardly any water came their way.

After Kali we headed to Discovery Island and were trying to get to Its Tough to Be A Bug before the parade got there but were about 5 minutes too late. So we watched the Jammin Jungle Parade from the DinoLand walkway area. See http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/8/76677290. And we never did get to see ITTBAB.

After the parade we had a 4:45PM ADR at RainForest Café, and for our family this was a perfect spot for dinner after a day at AK. Everyone thought RFC was great, and we ended our meal with a Volcano see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/9/76677414.

If it wasnt for our second EE FP set we could have left AK after dinner, but we had the FPs and everyone wanted to ride again. So we headed back into AK and rode EE.

Before our trip both DS11 and DS10 played the Yeti Vision game (see http://www.disneyeverest.com/) and we had two Yeti Vision Awards which were good for two free 5x7 pictures on EE (before Sept 30 FYI). So after we finished EE ride #2, DW got in line to get our pictures while we shopped for yeti shirts and stuff. While she was in line she was next to a lady and they started to talk. It turns out the lady is a frequent DIS person who had just downloaded my DLR FastPass guide from DIS and when my DW mentioned HydroGuy the lady got really excited. So I got to meet this nice lady who is heading to DLR in a few months now well prepared with FastPass guidance.

After this it was after 6:30 and by the time we got to the bus depot and the bus came, it was 7PM. We headed back to our cabin to get some more rest as tomorrow is Epcot.

6. Rides We Went On

Expedition Everest (twice, both with FP)
Primeval Whirl
Dinosaur
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Kilimanjaro Safari at 11:40 (with FP)
Kali River Run (with FP)

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

Festival of the Lion King, entered for 2PM show but it was cancelled
Flights of Wonder, 3PM show
Mickeys Jammin Jungle Parade at 4PM from Discovery Island near Dinoland entrance

8. Meals

Breakfast at cabin. Lunch at Pizzafari. Dinner at RainForest Café.

9. Other

Saw Devine.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 3 - Monday, June 12

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Gray and rained all day in pre-tropical storm Alberto weather. 80 degree high reported at Orlando airport. It rained lightly all day and rained hard at times. The airport reported 1.4 inches of rain today. It was nice not having to deal with the heat.

2. Parks and Activities

Epcot, FutureWorld

3. Transportation

Originally we had planned to catch a cab to the TTC and ride into Epcot on the monorail just for fun, but the rain made that a bad idea today. We caught a WDW bus at 8:10AM and arrived at 8:25AM. We left Epcot at 4:15PM.

4. Day Summary

We experienced 9 rides/attractions today. We did not see any shows or parades.

It was already raining when we left our cabin at about 7:55AM. We arrived at Epcot 8:25AM. We were through the gates at 8:45AM and I was the FPV ready to go to Soarin. I was at the rope drop up by the fountains towards the right. I got to Soarin and got FPs, then we rode Living with the Land through standby. After that we headed to the Living Seas and got in line for Turtle Talk with Crush at 9:30AM. After Crush we spent some time at the aquarium.

We rode Soarin after Living Seas and then went to the Imagination building to see Figment and spend some time at ImageWorks.

After that we crossed to FutureWorld East. We did Spaceship Earth and then Mission Space and tried to do Test Track with our FPs but it got shut down just as we were about to get on. We then did Ellens Energy Adventure and then we left at 4:15.

5. Discussion of Day

By Sunday it seemed clear that the weather today would not be good lots of rain caused by tropical storm Alberto as it made landfall. With Epcot FutureWorld originally planned for today, that seemed like a good match for the rain because we would be inside buildings most of the day.

We arrived at the bus stop at about 8AM and, probably because of the rain disruption, no Epcot buses had arrived yet that day. How did I know that? Because there was a poor lady there with her daughter and mother who were trying to get to Epcot for a character breakfast and had been waiting for an hour and 20 minutes for an Epcot bus.

Soon after we showed up at the bus stop the Epcot bus came, and then right behind it a second Epcot bus came. I felt bad for the woman.

We got to Epcot at 8:25AM and, because it was raining, we did not want to stand in line in the rain. So I asked if the ADR line would become a regular line at 8:45 and they said it would. So we waited near the ADR line in a covered area, and then when the regular line began we hopped in line. We were through the turnstile quickly and I headed up to the rope near the fountains and was second in line behind the rope.

There was no opening ceremony today because of the rain I would imagine and when they dropped the rope right before 9AM we followed the CM towards FW West and the Land, and I think I was first one to the Soarin FP machines.

As I got our FPs my family came into The Land and we rode Living With the Land through standby, which was a walk-on at this early time. After that we put our rain ponchos back on and walked over to the Living Seas and got in line for Turtle Talk at 9:30AM for the 10AM show. I was expecting they were going to open the theater before 10AM, but when 10AM came and went we got a little worried especially after all of the difficulties we had at AK yesterday. But they opened the theater at about 10:02 and got the show going. DS11 and DS10 headed down in front with the kids, while we got seats in the second row. While at Living Seas DS10 had to get a picture with the shark see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/9/76677424

Turtle Talk gets busy quickly, but after we got out of Turtle Talk at about 10:20 I could not believe how long the line was. Wow. DW really likes the ocean (at one point she was planning on majoring in marine biology) and so she and every one else enjoyed the aquarium there. We probably spent close to 30 minutes there. After this we went back to The Land to ride Soarin with our FPs. The standby line was about 40 minutes by this time.

We have ridden Soarin Over California (its counterpart at DLR) several times and once is always enough for us although it is a big favorite. As everyone knows, the ride is the same at both Epcot and DCA. However, it does seem strange to have the California-themed ride in Florida. And WDW is obviously planning to change the film at some point as they called the ride merely Soarin and the theming around the ride is not tied to California at all.

The entry into Soarin and the line were very sterile from a theming standpoint, as far as I could tell. The experience at DLR is definitely enhanced by the California aerospace heritage celebrated there. I love Condor Flats at DCA (the area where Soarin Over California is located) and the flight hangar appearance of the Soarin building. Although the ride is the same, the overall experience is better at DLR because of the setting. Finally, I grew up in California and this ride connected with me emotionally. Florida is just too far away to make the same emotional connection. But enough of that. After Soarin we headed up to the Imagination building to see Journey Into Imagination.

After Figment we spent at least 30 minutes at ImageWorks. The boys had fun with the image manipulations there see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/1/75592183 and http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/1/75592126 . As we tried to exit, the sky let loose with a downpour that drove every sane person inside. We were hungry and hoped to find a spot for lunch (we decided to bring sandwiches with us that day), and as we were stuck in ImageWorks we found a hallway and sat down to eat. It was not comfortable, but I think everyone will remember that lunch.

During the morning I managed to grab FPs for Test Track and Mission Space, so we had these available later.

After we finished lunch the rain had subsided a bit and we decided to head out. We threw our rain ponchos on again, and someone in our group started dancing and singing Poncho Man to the tune of the Village Peoples Macho Man. You know how it goes Poncho, poncho man, I want to be ... a poncho man. I managed to get a few pictures of this display of creativity in the rain. Here is one: http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/9/76677470

Well after this we made our way towards Spaceship Earth. We rode this rather boring ride and then went to ride Mission Space with our FPs. DW skipped this and we all chose the Orange line which means we were getting the full treatment. I cannot endure Star Tours without feeling ill, but I can handle spinning rides as long as they do not last too long. So I was half expecting for Mission Space to make me feel sick and possibly very sick. I am happy to report I and everyone felt fine afterwards except for a little light-headedness that lasted for 10 minutes in my case. I could not sense any spinning in Mission Space it all felt like linear acceleration to me. Here are a couple pictures I took (I rode with DS10 and DS11 and no, that guy behind DS11 is not me I was taking the picture, remember?)

http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/9/76677538
http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/9/76677551

After MS we noticed that they had Test Track running again in the light rain and we decided to give it a shot. So we got in the FP line and made it as far as the room with the TV where the engineers setup your test drive and then they announced that the ride was going down again due to weather. So they gave us a special six-person FP that we could use on a different day.

OK, it was raining still, and I knew that we would not make it back until Friday or Saturday and I wanted to hear the popular Off-Kilter. I should have asked the info desk there, but I had never been to World Showcase and I could not imagine that they would perform in an outdoor theater that would close due to weather. Wrongo. We walked all the way over to Canada only to see the seating area uncovered and the stage all covered with a tarp. Boy, I wished I would have asked. This was one of the few personal disappointments on this trip I never got to hear Off-Kilter.

So now we made our way back to FutureWorld to ride Ellens Energy Adventure before heading back to the cabin. We left Epcot at 4:15 and got back to our cabin by 5PM. And we were all pretty soaked even with our trusty rain ponchos.

In my original plan I had hoped that we would do less of FutureWorld today and leave early for a break at maybe 2PM, and then return to Epcot for dinner at Alfredos in Italy (I had an ADR for 6:15PM) and then a viewing of Illuminations. But with the rain not even I wanted to come back to Epcot that night, so we just stayed at Epcot FutureWorld and got everything done there that we wanted (except for Test Track). Then when we came back for Epcot day #2 we could focus just on World Showcase.

6. Rides We Went On

Living with the Land
Turtle Talk
Living Seas
Soarin (with FP)
Figment Journey Into Imagination
Kodak ImageWorks
SpaceShip Earth
Mission Space - Orange Ride With Full Motion (with FP)
Test Track missed this after we got all the way into the TV room got a special FP for use on another day
Ellens Energy Adventure

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

None, except for the fountain shows which everyone liked even though it was raining.

8. Meals

Breakfast at cabin. We brought some sandwiches with us and when we came out of Figment and the Kodak ImageWorks it was raining so violently we decided to plop down in the hallway there near the exit and eat our sandwiches.

I had an ADR for Alfredos in Italy this evening but with the rain we never got back there. I made another ADR for Alfredos on the next Saturday and that one worked out. We ate dinner back at our cabin.

9. Other

None.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 4 - Tuesday, June 13

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Tropical Storm Alberto was supposed to hit today in full force. Instead it turned north. It was actually clear for much of the day. The high at the Orlando airport was 85 degrees, with 2 inches of rain reported there.

2. Parks and Activities

No parks today. After three park days this was a planned down day, which dovetailed nicely with Albertos planned arrival.

I had a business conference and did not get back to the cabin until 7PM. DW and the boys went up to the FW marina in the afternoon and rented wave riders and rode those on the lake. During the evening the weather was not bad and DS14 and DSF16 took a bus down to DTD to see a movie.

3. Transportation

I took a cab back and forth to Coronado Springs Resort as using the bus system was going to take way too much time.

DS14 and DSF16 took the WDW bus to DTD to see a movie.

4. Day Summary

We did not do very much today. I had my first day of a business conference (got to hear Colin Powell speak and was surprised by how funny he is in person). After three park days, our original plan had called for a down day. Everyone except me slept in until 11AM.

DW and kids spent time at the FW marina. Tomorrow is another down day and so it was a relaxing evening for everyone.

5. Discussion of Day

No park today.

6. Rides We Went On

No park today.

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

No park today.

8. Meals

All meals at the cabin today.

9. Other

None.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 5 - Wednesday, June 14

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Warm. 89 degree high reported at Orlando airport. It rained some during the afternoon.

2. Parks and Activities

Magic Kingdom in the late evening without DW or DS11. Everyone (except me) to DisneyQuest for the afternoon.

3. Transportation

WDW bus to DisneyQuest and back. Boat launch to MK in the evening at about 9PM. Returned by boat after MK closed at about 11:30PM.

I took a cab back and forth to Coronado Springs Resort as using the bus system was going to take way too much time.

4. Day Summary

I experienced 2 rides/attractions this evening and saw 2 shows/parades. DS14, DS10 and DSF16 experienced 5 rides/attractions this evening and saw 1 parade. All four boys spent 4-5 hours at DisneyQuest in the afternoon, and were chaperoned by DW.

I had the second day of my business conference and was gone all day. Everyone else slept in and went to DisneyQuest at about noon. DQ was a big hit.

We made dinner and I had the idea to run over to MK that evening to see Wishes and SpectroMagic. DS14, DS10 and DSF16 decided to accompany me. I watched Wishes while they went on some rides and then we hooked up for a ride before going to watch SpectroMagic at 11PM.

5. Discussion of Day

I had the second day of my business conference at Coronado Springs so took off in the morning for that and did not return until about 6:30PM where I beat everyone else home from DisneyQuest.

DisneyQuest was a big hit, and the ability to design and then ride your own roller coasters was very popular. Our boys like the PC game Roller Coaster Tycoon, and so DisneyQuest was even better because you could ride your own roller coaster designs in a motion simulator.

After we all returned we made dinner and I decided if I did not go see Wishes and SpectroMagic that night I probably would not get to see them. So I decided to go out - solo if necessary. At the last moment DS14, DS10 and DSF16 decided to accompany me.

We caught our boat around 9PM and entered the MK gates at 9:30 where we could see the 9PM SpectroMagic up in the hub area making its way towards FrontierLand. The boys wanted to go to FrontierLand, and I realized they would get hung up with all of the people still watching the parade. So I advised them to catch the WDW Railroad and sure enough as we went though the tunnel a train was loading up above so they rushed up there and rode the RR back to FrontierLand.

They and I had radios so we could hook up after the fireworks. They grabbed Big Thunder Mtn FPs and then rode BTMRR through standby twice because the line was at most about 5 minutes.

I made my way up Main Street and the hub was jammed with people hanging around after the 9PM parade so I went through the Noodle Station over to TomorrowLand and came back across the TomorrowLand bridge. From there it looked like my best bet for seeing Wishes was the Rose Garden, so I got a spot there at around 9:40PM. There were people there, for sure, but it was not what I would call crowded. Anyone solo like me could have walked up at 9:59 and easily gotten a viewing spot.

So I watched Wishes which was charming and then exited the Rose Garden towards ToonTown (there is a shortcut there) and circled around the castle through FantasyLand and made my way over to FrontierLand to hook up with the boys. They were just getting ready to get in the Splash Mtn standby line and so I joined them. It was about a 15 minute wait. By the time we got off Splash the standby line was zero it was a walk on. Since they had already done BTMRR twice they decided to ride Splash again while I decided to ride BTMRR solo with a FP if necessary but it wasnt. We hooked up after our rides and made our way to Liberty Square (it was now after 11PM and we could hear SpectroMagic coming). We got a spot there to sit down and watched the parade which was also charming. We then backtracked into AdventureLand and out Main Street to catch a boat which was just loading to FW when we arrived. It was near midnight when we got back to the cabin, and tomorrow was an early start to MGM so everyone went to sleep right away.

6. Rides We Went On

Splash Mtn (2 times for DS14, DS10 and DSF16, 1 time for me)
Big Thunder Mtn RR (2 times for DS14, DS10 and DSF16, 1 time for me)
WDW Railroad - DS14, DS10 and DSF16

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

Wishes at 10PM, only me
SpectroMagic, 11PM (me, DS14, DS10 and DSF16)

8. Meals

All meals at the cabin today.

9. Other

None.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 6 - Thursday, June 15

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Hot and bright sunshine. 94 degree high reported at Orlando airport. No rain.

2. Parks and Activities

MGM Studios.

3. Transportation

Took WDW bus to MGM. Caught bus at 8:10AM and were at MGM gates by 8:30AM. Everyone except me and DS10 left after lunch (at about 2PM) because the heat got to them, and they returned to our cabin by WDW bus. About 90 minutes later I and DS10 left by bus as well.

Everyone except DW returned to MGM that evening by WDW bus. We got back to the MGM gates at 8:20PM. DS14 and DSF16 did not want to see Fantasmic and so returned to our cabin by bus at 10PM, while I, DS11 and DS10 stayed for the 10:30 Fantasmic and did not catch a bus until 11PM.

4. Day Summary

I experienced 7 rides/attractions today and saw 3 shows. Others in our group got to experience more rides and/or less shows as we split up several times.

We all really liked MGM (second favorite park after MK for most of us), although the heat reduced our ability to experience MGM today.

We arrived at the MGM gates at about 8:30AM and they started letting everyone in at 8:45AM and we were up near the rope at rope drop. We only got FPs today for Rock n Roller Coaster (RnR) and Tower of Terror (ToT). We got two FP sets for each and rode each one through standby in the first 45 minutes.

After these two thrillers we made our way over to the magic hat area and did a few rides while I grabbed FPs for RnR and ToT here and there. We made our way over to see the 11:50AM LMA Stunt Show, and got in line there at 11:25.

We had plenty of ice water with us, but the heat that day really sucked the life out of everyone as we watched LMA. So after LMA it was about 12:30 and everyone was ready to find an air conditioned spot or head back to the cabin.

Fortunately I had made an ADR at the SciFi Diner and we had lunch there at 1PM. DS10 and I wanted to see the Indiana Jones stunt show at 2:45. So after lunch everyone except DS10 and me left to go back to the cabin. DS10 and I left after Indiana Jones.

Everyone except DW came back to the park that evening and it had cooled down a bit. We used our RnR and ToT FPs and then DS11, DS10 and I watched the 10:30 Fantasmic show.

5. Discussion of Day

My business conference had a half day left today and originally I planned to attend. So our full MGM day was going to be Friday or Saturday. However, it became clear that there was very little happening on Thursday of interest to me and I decided to skip it. That left Thursday open for MGM. So Wednesday evening we switched plans and decided to go to MGM today/Thursday.

However, I had ADRs set up for Fri/Sat/Sun because I was not sure which day we would go to MGM, and now that we were going to MGM Thursday I called on Wednesday evening and the best I could do was get a SciFi Diner ADR at 1:25PM. And it was a good thing I did because they were not accepting walk ups on Thursday at SciFi. More on this later. I also had ADRs for the 50s Prime Time Diner for dinner, but could not get this for Thursday (at least not at a reasonable time) so we never got to eat at Prime Time.

Being DLR vets, MK and MGM were most similar to DL and DCA and most of us liked these two parks best. DS10 would rank AK higher than the others. So this was a fun day.

We arrived at the MGM gates at about 8:30AM and were about the fourth group in line at the turnstile. They let us in at 8:45AM and we made our way up Hollywood Blvd where the rope was. I was the FPV on my way to RnR, so I stayed a little ahead of our group and I was about 10 people back from the rope. After the pre-show they dropped the rope at 9AM and I walked with purpose up Sunset Blvd to get RnR FPs and think I was the first one to the FP machines. My family came along a minute or so later and we rode RnR through the standby line which was about a five minute wait we walked all the way into the pre-ride theater. DW sat this one out.

RnR is one very cool roller coaster. Disney really nailed this one with the theming and ride execution. Most of us ranked RnR as our second favorite ride at all of WDW after EE. Its only flaw in our opinion is that it is about 30-60 seconds too short. But its very well done. See http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1583113/1/78592334.

After RnR we found DW and all went to ToT to ride through standby. This was a walk on and we went straight into the pre-ride room.

We rode ToT at DLR three times in 2005, and as most everyone knows the experience at WDW is much better especially with the random drop sequences. Supposedly this is also coming to DLR, but it is not there yet. We all agreed that ToT at WDW is much better than at DLR.

After ToT I got a ToT FP for later use and we made our way towards the Great Movie Ride. This got mixed reviews by my family. Personally I liked it more than I was expecting. After GMR it was time to get another RnR FP set and I did that while all four boys went over to Star Tours. I have done ST at DL many times, but in recent years it has made me feel sick so I no longer ride it. DW usually does ride it at DLR with our kids but today she did not feel like it.

So she shopped for awhile to find some air conditioning, and afterwards we all hooked up and made our way towards the LMA show. We got over to the LMA line at 11:25AM for the 11:50AM show, and were in position to get a pretty good seat. Priority number one was to get a shady spot, and most of the seats were in the shade at this time. We sat in the center towards the rear seats.

LMA was really good I do not understand why some people dislike this show and after our trip DS11 rated it his favorite attraction at all of WDW. IMO it is much better than the Indiana Jones stunt show.

But it was hot out 94 degree high and despite all of the ice water we brought in our back pack everyone was drained by the end of LMA. So everyone wanted to find some air conditioned location which is almost non-existent on the Streets of America and so we went up to the SciFi Diner to check on our ADR.

At this time it was about 12:35PM and our ADR is not until 1:25. Further, when I made the ADR last night they only could seat the six of us two at a time at three different tables. So I was expecting us to not be together, but anything with air conditioning was going to suffice.

Since we were 45 minutes early the SciFi CMs told us they could not seat us early and to come back at 1:20PM. So now we had a debate about whether to wait or just go back to our cabin to cool off. We stepped into the book store there adjacent to SciFi and had a discussion while we were cooling off. The decision was that it was not worth waiting for, and so I went to the CM at about 12:55 to cancel our ADR so someone else could get in. And I was pleasantly surprised when he told me they could take us right then and get us all at the same table. Wow that really worked out.

So we ate at the SciFi which was a huge hit while DW and I tried to explain how drive-in theaters used to work and the boys kept asking if the scenes shown on the screen were from actual (bad) movies. In any case, SciFi was a memorable experience for all. Here is a picture of us in our car: http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/10/76677565. The only criticism was that the movie loop was too short because 5-10 minutes before we finished the loop repeated and was no longer of interest. Oh yeah, the other criticism was that the chili DS14 and DSF16 ordered on the side was awful.

As we were finishing up at SciFi, everyone was given the option of staying at MGM or going to the cabin. I personally was planning to see the 2:45 Indiana Jones show (it was about 2:10 by now and time to start heading over there) and I told everyone it was my understanding that while the Indy show was outside, it was not as hot there as LMA. In the end DS10 decided to stay with me while everyone else opted for a nap at the cabin.

So we split up. I and DS10 made our way to watch Indy. After Indy I was hoping we could leave, but DS10 explained that there was some necklace or toy or something he had seen back on Streets of America and he wanted to buy it. So we made our way back there. Then we were going to leave.

But that was before Mulch, Sweat and Shears started their music set. After their first song Start Me Up (by the Rolling Stones), which included some creative lyric variations, DS10 and I stayed for their whole set of 15-20 minutes. Man those guys are really good much better than the British Invasion we were to see on Saturday at Epcot. If you have not heard of MS&S, they play classic rock (Rolling Stones/Queen/Aerosmith) on the Streets of America and are worth a walk over there to hear them. They play several times a day, but a pretty sure time to see them is after each LMA show as they know they will have a huge crowd exiting LMA through the Streets of America and so they set up there to reach the crowd. Just take each LMA show start time, add 30 minutes, and you should be able to find them at that time. Did I say they were good? Oh yeah, I think I did. They were very entertaining.

After MS&S DS10 and I left MGM and got back to the cabin where everyone was out cold taking a nap. So we joined them and slept for a few hours.

We had dinner at the cabin and left at 7:30 or so to head back to MGM. Except DW did not want to go back out with us, so only five of us went back this evening. We got back to the MGM gate at about 8:20 with two FP sets each for RnR and ToT. So we rode those.

When I had gotten the RnR FPs that day I had used everyones entrance tickets, which meant I had 12 FPs for RnR and ToT. But there were only five of us. So after two rides on RnR (where the standby line was about 40 minutes) we had 2 more FPs leftover for RnR. I gave these to DS14 and DSF16 at about 9:57PM and told them they needed to get in by 10PM if they wanted to get on one final ride. And they made it.

While the two of them left to RnR, I, DS11 and DS10 made our way into the Fantasmic theater and got great seats in the center about 6-7 rows back. I told DS14 and DSF16 they could join us for Fantasmic after RnR, but they decided not to and just returned to the cabin.

The stadium was about half full for the 10:30 show. By most accounts the WDW Fantasmic is not as good as the one at DLR, and I completely agree. I cannot understand how Pocahontas merits such a huge chunk of this show. The only thing the WDW version has going for it is the seating. Other than that, the DLR version is hands down better. The setting is better (on Tom Sawyer Island), the story line is different and better, and the ending is much, much better.

After Fantasmic we made our way out to catch a bus home. Tomorrow is another down day and for us and thus no need to get up early.

6. Rides We Went On

Rock n Roller Coaster (3 times, twice with FP for everyone except DW, and 4 times, 3 times with FP for DS14 and DSF16)
Tower of Terror (3 times, twice with FP for everyone except DW who rode it once in the morning)
Great Movie Ride
Star Tours (only four boys)

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

Lights Motor Action - 11:50AM show
Indiana Jones Show - 2:45PM show (only DS10 and me)
Fantasmic - 10:30PM show (only DS11, DS10 and me)

8. Meals

Breakfast at cabin. Lunch at MGM SciFi Diner. Dinner at cabin.

9. Other

Mulch, Sweat and Shears (only DS10 and me)

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 7 - Friday, June 16

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Warm with scattered clouds. 91 degree high reported at Orlando airport. It started raining heavily at MGM at about 4PM and did not let up even after I got on the bus at 5:30PM.

2. Parks and Activities

MGM Studios I did this solo today. The boys went to DisneyQuest and to the DTD movie theater to see the newly released Cars movie. DW stayed at the cabin and went for a horseback ride.

We all needed to be back by 6PM to get ourselves ready for our Hoop-de-Doo Revue 7:15 dinner show tonight.

3. Transportation

I took the WDW bus to MGM. I was not trying for rope drop and got there at around 12 Noon. We left MGM at about 5:15PM.

Boys took the WDW bus to DTD at about noon and returned by bus at about 5PM.

4. Day Summary

I experienced 5 rides/attractions today and saw 1 show at MGM. No one else went to a park today. We all saw the dinner show at Hoop-De-Doo.

This was an EMH Morning but I made no attempt to get there for EMH. I ate an early lunch at the cabin and left for MGM at around 11:15. I got to the MGM gate at about 12:00 Noon. I picked up FastPasses for RnR and ToT and then watched the Streetmosphere characters. I got in line for the 1:30PM Beauty and the Beast show at about 1:00. After that I headed over to see Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the Walt Disney: One Mans Dream movie.

Then I wandered over to Streets of America to see if I could catch Mulch, Sweat and Shears again. The 2:45 LMA show was just finishing and MS&S came out and I stayed for their whole set.

As I was leaving to head towards Sounds Dangerous it started to rain and by the time I got there it was raining hard. I went on Sounds Dangerous and when it finished it was still raining hard. When the rain let up a bit I went over and used my RnR FP and then my ToT FP. When I came out of ToT it started to rain violently. I eventually made it out of MGM and to the bus stop.

The boys did DisneyQuest and watched the Cars movie and made it back to our cabin by about 5:30. I did not make it back until about 6PM. DW went horseback riding around the Fort Wilderness area this afternoon.

We got cleaned up and departed to the marina (Settlement) area at 6:30 for our 7:15 Hoop-de-Doo Revue dinner show. After that we headed back to our cabin.

5. Discussion of Day

When we woke up this morning we did not have a plan. Since we had a full day at MGM yesterday, this was supposed to be a down day to allow rest before three more park days.

The boys were talking about going to a movie and going back to DisneyQuest, and were also considering a water park. DW and I decided they could do those things on their own as long as the younger two were accompanied by the older two.

I wanted to go see the Cars movie with the boys, but also wanted to see more of MGM as we did not have any more time planned there. So I decided mid-morning to go to MGM and no one else wanted to go with me. DW was torn because I was planning to see Beauty and the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid, etc. But in the end she decided not to join me. So I headed out on my own.

This was an EMH Morning and I knew this but was not really interested in going to any of the more popular attractions and figured I could work with it. If I could fit in another RnR or ToT that would be great, but that was not a priority. I wanted to see some more Streetmosphere characters and a show or two. Compared to yesterday (no EMH), I noticed the lines were a bit longer but it did not feel that much more crowded.

When I got into MGM I checked FP return times and grabbed a ToT FP first because its return window was closer. Then 45 minutes later I grabbed an RnR FP. I wanted to get in line for Beauty and the Beast at 1PM and had some time to kill. So during this time I watched one of the MGM characters for 15-20 minutes. I think he called himself Francis Falute. He was quite entertaining.

After Francis it was time to get in line for Beauty and the Beast. They seated us about 30 minutes early so I only waited in line for a couple minutes before being seated. I got a good seat about 6-8 rows back and in the center section. As I entered it became clear to me that the BATB theater was an outdoor theater. I had encouraged DW to join me at MGM today because all the shows were inside - or so I thought. When I realized that BATB was an outdoor theater I was relieved that DW decided not to come with me. Even so, it was not as hot today as yesterday and the outside theater was fine as far as I was concerned.

I had heard about Four For A Dollar but really knew nothing about them and had forgotten that they performed before BATB. So when they came out 15 minutes before BATB and started into their gig, it all came back to me and I sat back to enjoy them. OK, these guys were really good too. They performed for 15 minutes but I could have listened to them for an hour. Here is another singing group better than British Invasion, IMO.

The BATB show was very good. This was the closest thing at WDW I found to the Aladdin show at DCA in DLR. Aladdin at DLR has the advantage of being 40+ minutes long instead of 25 minutes (as is BATB) and being at a nice indoor theater (the Hyperion) rather than bleacher seating at MGM. And Aladdin is not a pure musical like BATB. The Aladdin show has a lot of laughter as they have some very talented actors who play the genie and are allowed to ad lib a lot, making each show different. However, the pre-show with Four For A Dollar combined with BATB made for high quality entertainment and I really enjoyed both.

After BATB I stopped to watch another streetmosphere character a short policeman enlisting kids from the audience and after a few minutes he did not seem very funny and so I made my way back to see Voyage of the Little Mermaid. VLM was decent and worth seeing once, but I would probably skip it next time.

After VLM I went over to the Walt Disney: One Mans Dream exhibit and movie. Since the movie was starting in about three minutes I did not have very much time to see all of the exhibits and hoped to be able to come back to that part but never made it. FWIW, the MGM exhibits were more voluminous than those at DL right now. DL has some similar exhibits at the entrance to its DL: First 50 Years show. I liked the movie at MGM, and they have a similar one going on right now at DL which is also good. However, the one at DL has Steve Martin (a former DL employee) as its narrator, accompanied by Donald Duck. So I liked the movie at DL better. I do not know how much longer they will show that at DL but hope they find a way to keep it going there after the 50th celebration ends.

After One Mans Dream I made my way over to the Streets of America to catch another round of Mulch, Sweat & Shears. As mentioned on Day 6, I really liked listening to them and went out of my way on MGM day #2 to go hear them again.

After MS&S I made my way towards Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carry. On my way there it started to rain. I dont quite know what I was expecting from Sounds Dangerous, but my expectations were not close to being met. This was really a waste of time, IMO.

After Sounds Dangerous it started to rain harder. When I left the cabin that day it was very clear and I did not think to grab a rain poncho. So I waited at Sounds Dangerous for about 5 minutes and the rain did die down some so I decided to head out in the light rain to use my RnR and ToT FastPasses. And so I got one final ride on each.

After ToT the sky opened up and I hid out with others in a building there near the entrance to ToT. And I waited for the rain to die down. And waited. And waited. After probably 20 minutes it had reduced a bit. I was ready to head back to the cabin, but DS10 had seen a necklace at the shop at the exit of the Indiana Jones show and wanted me to get it for him.

So in the not too heavy but not too light rain I set out for Indiana Jones. And on the way the sky opened up again with a deluge. I sought shelter one more time and after another 15 minutes decided to go ahead and buy a $7 rain poncho.

The CM who sold it to me assured me that as soon as I put it on the rain would stop, but it didnt. I told her the poncho was defective, which earned me a laugh, and then I made my way to the Indy store which is mostly outside and thus was mostly covered up. But I found the necklace. And then in the pouring rain I made my way out to the bus stop to catch a bus back.

I got back at about 6PM and got dried off. It had hardly rained at Fort Wilderness that afternoon. We all got ready for Hoop-De-Doo, and jumped in the golf cart for the 5 minute ride to the Fort Wilderness Settlement Depot and Pioneer Hall. Our show was at 7:15.

The all-you-can eat family style meal at Hoop-De-Doo was pretty good and enjoyed by everyone, and the performance was nice. No one in our family was overwhelmed by Hoop-De-Doo, but we all liked it. If there is a next time at WDW we would probably do something different.

After Hoop-De-Doo it was back to the cabin on our golf cart and to bed.

6. Rides We Went On

It was only me at MGM today, so no one else did these rides except me.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Walt Disney One Mans Dream
Sounds Dangerous
RnR (with FP)
ToT (with FP)

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

Beauty & the Beast 1:30 show (Only me)
Hoop-De-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness

8. Meals

Breakfast and lunch at the cabin. Dinner at Hoop-de-Due Revue show.

9. Other

Francis Falute (???) streetmosphere for 15-20 minutes
Four for a Dollar (Beauty and the Beast Pre-show)
Mulch Sweat & Shears (after 2:45 LMA finished)

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 8 - Saturday, June 17

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Warm with sunshine. 88 degree high reported at Orlando airport. No rain.

2. Parks and Activities

Epcot FutureWorld briefly, then World Showcase.

3. Transportation

Taxi to TTC and then Monorail to Epcot. Did not try to make rope drop because we were planning World ShowCase today. Got to Epcot gate at about 10AM.

Left through International Gateway at about 4:30PM and caught a cab at the Beach Club.

I returned solo by bus at 7:30PM and left by bus after Illuminations at about 9:30PM.

4. Day Summary

We experienced 5 rides/attractions today and everyone saw 4 shows while I saw 6.

This was our second Epcot day. The first day was last Monday, Day #3, when it rained all day which forced us to focus entirely on FutureWorld and miss Illuminations and our ADR in Italy. Today the weather was better and our focus was on World Showcase.

We arrived by Monorail at about 10AM. With the rain last Monday the only thing we wanted to ride and were not able to ride was Test Track. First the boys rode Mission Space orange line again, and then all of us except DW rode Test Track.

By this time it was 11AM and we headed to World Showcase. We rode Maelstrom and El Rio Del Tiempo and explored those countries. We spent some time in China and Italy before heading into the American pavilion to hear some music and ride The American Adventure. We then made our way over to UK to hear the British Invasion before returning to Italy for an early dinner. On the way out of Italy we stopped to watch the World Showcase Players at which point I was conscripted into their drama. We left through the International Gateway at about 4:30PM and caught a cab back to the cabin at the Beach Club.

I came back solo at 7:30PM through the main entrance to see the Sounds Like Summer concert in front of the American Pavilion and see Illuminations which I did from in front of Italy. After Illuminations I walked back out the main entrance and caught a bus to the cabin.

5. Discussion of Day

Originally I had planned for all of us to see Illuminations on our first Epcot day which was last Monday (five days ago). However with the rain on Monday preceding storm Alberto we ended up leaving at Epcot that day at 4:15PM. So now we had a second chance to see Illuminations and World Showcase.

We also had originally planned to ride the Monorail last Monday into Epcot just for the experience. But the rain that day led us to postpone that until today. There are no buses from FW to the TTC, so we decided to just take a cab to the TTC. From there we caught the Monorail at around 9:45AM and made it to the Epcot gates at 10AM. For the first time we got to see what Epcot looks like when it is not raining.

Last Monday we were able to do everything we wanted in FutureWorld except Test Track because TT shuts down when it is raining. However they did have it going several times in the light rain and we almost made it on at one point. When it was shut down yet again they gave us a special FP for up to six people that could be used any day in June. As we headed towards TT I had that special FP with me.

The boys wanted to ride Mission Space orange line again, and so we sent them there and I went over to get Test Track FPs for a second ride on TT. I rode Mission Space once on Monday and I was fine physically but the ride did not excite me all that much so I passed on riding it again. We all met in the Mission Space exploration area at the exit of MS. The boys played around there for awhile and I tried the astronaut rescue mission simulation using the jet pack.

After that we rode Test Track with DW sitting out again. I had our special any day FP, but as we got up close to boarding the ride broke down yet again. Bummer. We waited for 15 minutes and they got it fixed and by the time they were ready to take our FPs it was 11AM and the window for the regular FPs I had picked up at 10AM was open. So I gave the TT CM our regular FPs and saved the special one for later as it was more flexible.

I thought TT was a cool ride, while the boys thought it was all right but not worth a second ride. Just in case they changed their mind I picked up another TT FP set on the way out of TT.

By this time it was a little after 11AM and we headed to World Showcase. We rode Maelstrom first and explored the Norway pavilion, and then we rode El Rio del Tiempo and explored Mexico. Both of these rides fell into the "do once and never again" category. After a nacho snack at the San Angel Inn food area there on the lagoon, we continued around WS. We stopped for awhile in China and heard a lady play a stringed Chinese instrument. Then we stopped to see the model train area. Finally we got to Italy where we stopped and I confirmed our ADR at Alfredos. Then we headed to the American Pavilion to hear the Voices of Liberty who were very good and to ride The American Adventure. After this the Fife and Drum Corps came out to perform and we watched them.

Some time while we were waiting for the Fife and Drum Corps DS10 stuck his head partially into the fountain in front of The American Adventure. DS11 decided to stick his head in further. After a series of one-upmanships they both completely submerged themselves in the fountain. I suspect WDW would not have liked this, but no one stopped them and I just let it happen. Here are some photos that show the criminals caught in the act:

http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/10/76677582
http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/10/76677654

After the Fife and Drum Corps I noticed they were setting up for a concert at the venue there in front of the American Pavilion. I noted that the group, called Transit Authority and part of the Sounds Like Summer program, were a tribute band to the rock band Chicago which is my style. So I checked the Times Guide to see that Transit Authority was playing again that evening at 8PM and set my sights on coming back to hear them.

The rain last Monday meant that I missed Off-Kilter which was a disappointment. They do not play on Saturdays but British Invasion did. Only DW wanted to hear them, so we told the boys where and when to meet us for dinner and she and I headed to UK.

Something that I have not really mentioned so far was my successful method of dealing with complaints especially from DS14. Whenever I heard a complaint about him wanting to leave or not do something, I told him he was welcome to not join us or go back to the cabin without us. Usually he did not really want to leave us but just wanted to complain, and so when he was given the opportunity to leave he chose not to leave. But he realized that complaining was pointless and so gave it up. That was nice.

In this case DS11 made it clear he wanted to go see something in Innoventions and so he set off across the lagoon in a boat with a radio so we could stay in contact. And DS14, DSF16 and DS10, who did not want to see British Invasion, were also left with radios. But as usual they followed us to the UK and watched British Invasion anyways. But without complaining.

OK, lets talk about British Invasion. From the discussions on WDW forums I was expecting something more. IMO these guys were very mediocre. As related on Day 6 and 7, I would take Mulch, Sweat and Shears or Four For A Dollar over British Invasion in a heartbeat. British Invasion was not terrible just not that good definitely something to skip next time. I did meet a middle-aged lady wearing a Beatles tee-shirt (some of you may have seen her). She told me she comes to Epcot every Saturday and stays to listen to all of British Invasions concerts. So I know they have at least one fan.

After British Invasion we made our way back to Italy and had an early dinner at Alfredos at around 3:30PM. I would have liked to have eaten later but wanted to get us out of Epcot so we could rest before coming back for Illuminations. And since I made this ADR last minute after the previous ADR got rained out, I could not get anything for later in the evening for a group our size. So we ate at Alfredos. Alfredos had a nice setting and my kids love pasta and are not too discriminating when it comes to Italian food (or any food, for that matter). My DW thought her pasta with Alfredo sauce was average, and I thought my chicken parmigian and pasta was pretty good but not great.

So we left Alfredos at around 4:15 and on the way out the World Showcase Players were setting up a drama there in front of Italy. This was their production of Romeo and Edna. They needed someone suave and handsome to play Romeo but could not find anyone like that and so chose me. Edna was chosen under similar circumstances.

So we performed our parts and at some point I was supposed to do a disco dance along the lines of Saturday Night Fever and I gave it my all which earned me a lot of laughs and applause but I have a feeling it was not for the right reasons.

In the end I got a certified pin making me an honorary World Showcase Player which I now carry with me at all times (just kidding).

Finally we could now leave Epcot and I chose to leave through the International Gateway to save us some time and conserve some energy so we could come back to see Illuminations that night. But it was all for naught, as no one would come back with me.

We walked over to the Beach Club where we caught a cab back to the cabin, and we got back at about 5PM and we cooled off and relaxed.

As it came up on 6:30PM I tried to persuade everyone or just anyone to accompany me back to Epcot but got no takers. So at 7PM I took off solo. And I had a challenge before me as I wanted to sneak in one more Test Track ride before the 8PM concert and 9PM fireworks. And I love a good challenge.

I arrived at the Epcot main entrance gate by WDW bus right at 7:30PM and I walked with purpose to Test Track at which I arrived at 7:35. I had several FPs (including the special one) but thought the single rider line would be faster and so I entered that line. After I got up to the end of the line it was clear the FP line was shorter so I hopped the rail over to the FP line and virtually walked right into the waiting area outside the TV pre-show room. I got through there and got on TT and rode it for the second time that day. I never did use the special TT FP and ended up giving it to one of our cabin neighbors at FW.

After TT it was 7:55 and I wanted to make it to the 8PM concert in front of American pavilion. So I really walked with purpose and made it there at 8:02 as Transit Authority was half-way through its first song. I stayed through the whole concert which ended at 8:40 and realized right after I sat down that it was Saturday and we were in a park and figured that was one song they would for sure play. And they did. They had already figured out the Saturday thing too and made a point to build up the song. Transit Authority was pretty good (better than British Invasion if you did not already guess) and I was glad I came back to hear them. Some time this summer they are scheduled to come back to Epcot for another week.

After Transit Authority I quickly made my way out of the concert area to get in position for Illuminations. I was pre-disposed to watch Illuminations from in front of Italy which was right next door, but checked the wind direction on the American Flag on top of the America building and saw the wind was blowing right at France/UK and figured Italy would be a good spot. So I watched it from there and it was a great show. I got a spot on the little peninsula there and there was one person in front of me at the railing who I could see over. It was neat how they worked all of the WS buildings into the show I was not expecting that.

After Illuminations I walked with purpose back out the main entrance and caught a bus back to the cabin at around 9:30.

6. Rides We Went On

Mission Space orange line (boys only this time)
Test Track (2 times for me with FP both times, and 1 time for the boys)
Maelstrom
El Rio Del Tiempo
American Adventure

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

Voices of Liberty 1:15PM show
Fife and Drum Corps 2:30PM show
British Invasion 3PM show (everyone except DS11)
World Showcase Players at 4:15PM in front of Italy
Transit Authority Chicago tribute band 8PM (only me)
Illuminations (only me)

8. Meals

Late breakfast in the cabin. Snack at San Angel Inn by Mexico. Early dinner at Alfredos in Italy.

9. Other

None.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 9 - Sunday, June 18

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Cloudy with some sunshine. 84 degree high reported at Orlando airport.

2. Parks and Activities

Animal Kingdom for DS10, DW and me. MGM for DS14, DS11 and DSF16. In the late afternoon DS10 and DW to Typhoon Lagoon for 2 hours.

3. Transportation

I, DW and DS10 caught bus to AK at about 8:15AM and arrived at AK gate at 8:40AM. DW left AK at about noon. DS10 and I stayed until about 2:30PM.

Other three boys slept in and left for MGM by WDW bus at about noon and stayed for 2-3 hours, returning by WDW bus.

DW and DS10 caught WDW bus to Typhoon Lagoon at 4PM and returned by WDW bus after 6PM.

4. Day Summary

At AK DS10 and I experienced 8 rides/attractions today and saw 1 show. DW experienced 3 rides/attractions today and saw 1 show.

At MGM DS14, DS11 and DSF16 experienced 1 ride/attraction today and saw no shows.

At Typhoon Lagoon in the afternoon DS10 and DW got on 14 water rides.

DS10 and DW wanted to go back to AK and so the three of us caught a bus and arrived at the AK gates at about 8:40AM. DS14, DS11 and DSF16 did not want to go back to AK for a second day and so they slept in and ultimately decided to go to MGM.

They let us into the park at 8:55 and I first picked up EE FPs before joining DW and DS10 at the Kilimanjaro Safari entrance. We rode Safari and saw a lot more animals today than we did last Sunday.

After Safari I went over to get a second EE FP set while DW and DS10 headed into Pangani Trail where I rejoined them shortly. After Pangani we saw the 10:30 FOTLK show which we liked, and then walked Discovery Island Trail for about 10 minutes. DS10 and I wanted to ride EE that day and Dinosaur one more time and DW did not, so she decided to head back to the cabin (it was about noon by now). So we picked up a Dinosaur FP and headed to EE with 6 FPs which meant we got 3 rides each. We rode EE, then went to watch the monkeys, and then EE twice more. Finally we rode Dinosaur. On the way out of Dinoland DS10 played around the Boneyard for 15 minutes. We left AK at about 2:30PM.

DS14, DS11 and DSF16 managed to watch some streetmosphere characters at MGM and get one ride on RnR with FP before deciding that it was better to have someone like me with them to advise what to do. So they left MGM after just a couple hours.

After DS10 and I returned to the cabin, DS10 and DW decided to head out to Typhoon Lagoon at about 4PM where there were almost no lines and they got to go on 14 rides in under 2 hours.

5. Discussion of Day

DW, DS10 and I caught a bus to MGM at about 8:15AM and arrived at the AK gates at 8:40AM. Our first AK day was last Sunday (7 days ago) and we hit a couple bumps in the road. One bump was that EE was down when the park opened (discussed on my Day 2 post). Another bump was the cancellation of the 2PM FOTLK after we waited over 30 minutes to see it.

When we got to the AK gates at 8:40AM the turnstile lines were so long I could not believe it. And the entrance area was not nice and open like MK, Epcot or MGM but felt narrow and cramped in comparison.

Today was the latest we had arrived at a park this week when we were attempting rope drop and so I remembered a tip I had read about looking for a line dedicated to ADR breakfasts. I found this on the right and asked the CM if the line would in fact convert to a regular line and she smiled and said it would with a knowing look in her eyes.

So we waited by this line for about 5 minutes and during this time Wes Palm came along and DS10 got a 30 second snippet of Wes as he moved through the crowds. Soon after that the CMs rolled up the Breakfastosaurus sign for ADR people and the line became a regular line and we jumped in it and were about the fourth group in line. What a great tip! This saved us at least 10 minutes of waiting in one of those really long lines at the other turnstiles.

They started letting people into AK at about 8:55 and so I was one of the first people to the EE FP machine that day with all 3 of our entrance tickets. As I was doing this DS10 and DW made their way to the Kilimanjaro Safari entrance as we were planning to ride that first.

We rode Kilimanjaro Safari with almost no line (it was 9:10) and saw a lot more animals than last Sunday when we rode it at about Noon. We had the pleasure of having a rhino cross the road in front of the truck, forcing the truck to stop and let him pass. After KS I did the FPV thing and got another set of EE FPs while DS10 and DW went into the Pangani Trail. I returned and joined them.

In the hippo area there were two hippos who were submerged close to the glass and the CM there said she had never gotten such a good look at them as right then.

After Pangani we went to see the 10:30AM FOTLK which got cancelled on us last Sunday. The show was fun.

As we exited FOTLK we entered the Discovery Island Trail and made our way through. Here is a picture of DS10 in front of the Tree of Life:
http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/13/76678224

It was now 11:30 or so and DW decided to call it quits. She did not want to ride EE any more (she rode it twice last Sunday). So guess what that meant? I had 2 EE FP sets for 3 people, but now we only had two people. Six EE FPs for two people equals three rides! So we headed into DinoLand and picked up a Dinosaur FP set and then started off towards EE. On the way through DinoLand there were three acrobats dressed as painters who drew a large crowd with their ladder and juggling tricks. We watched them for about 10 minutes and they were a lot of fun: see http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/14/76678440.

And then we went in search of the yeti once again. We used one of our FP sets at EE and then went to watch the monkeys for awhile. Someone was nice enough to snap a picture of us with Everest in the background (and a train going up): http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1558571/15/76678474

After this picture was taken it was back for two more rides on EE. On the final ride we requested the front row and waited one extra cycle to get it. It was fun riding the front after having ridden towards the back on the previous rides. One big difference is that when you go up the first hill to the broken track, although you know you are not going to hit the end, it is much closer and more disconcerting than when you are further back. If you get to ride it multiple times it is worth trying the front at least once.

After this we went back to DinoLand and rode Dinosaur. This was our second ride on Dinosaur as we did it last Sunday. This is a very cool ride - way better than the carnival-like Primeval Whirl around the corner.

When we came to AK last Sunday with DS14, DS11 and DSF16, we passed the Boneyard and DS10 said he was not interested. I could tell from his body language that, with the older boys there, he wanted to convey he was too cool/too old for the Boneyard. Now that there were no older boys around he jumped at the chance to go in. So he did the Boneyard thing for 15 minutes and then we left the park at about 2:30.

When we got back the other three boys had gotten back recently from MGM. I had given them some tips on what to do, but they had obviously depended too much on me to be the guide because they told me after they got into the park they could not figure out what to do. The first thing they did was get a RnR FP (good boys), but then they said they wandered around the street areas and tried to hang out in stores to keep cool before riding RnR with the FP. The line for ToT was not too bad maybe 30 minutes they said but the end of the line was outside the building and they were too wimpy to wait outside. So after they rode RnR they left. They did tell me that after they wandered around MGM they said to each other that going to a park without me was no fun. So I guess I am good for something at least.

On the WDW DVD we had gotten DS10 had seen Shark Reef (?) at Typhoon Lagoon and wanted to do it, and so DW and DS10 left our cabin at 3:30 to TL. Although it closed at 6PM they said they got on 14 rides because it was empty. And it had not rained that afternoon. So DS10 got to go on his shark swim. See http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1583113/1/78592314.

6. Rides We Went On

At AK - DW, DS10 and me

Kilimanjaro Safari
Expedition Everest (3 times with FP, DS10 and me)
Dinosaur (with FP, DS10 and me)
Pangani Trail
Boneyard
Discovery Island Trails

At MGM - DS14, DS11 and DSF16

Rock n Roller Coaster (with FP)

At Typhoon Lagoon (4-6PM) DW and DS10

14 rides (no specifics)

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

Festival of the Lion King 10:30AM show

8. Meals

All meals at cabin.

9. Other

None.

HydroGuy · Jun 30, 2006

Day 10 - Monday, June 19

Contents

1. Weather
2. Parks and Activities
3. Transportation
4. Day Summary
5. Discussion of Day
6. Rides We Went On
7. Shows and Parades We Saw
8. Meals
9. Other

1. Weather

Warm with sunshine. 90 degree high reported at Orlando airport.

2. Parks and Activities

Magic Kingdom.

3. Transportation

Caught taxi to MK at about 8:20AM, and got to MK gate at about 8:35AM. Returned by boat at 2PM.

Missed DME bus at 3:20PM due to some confusion (multiple DME buses) and took taxi to Orlando airport. Departed at 6PM to Denver.

4. Day Summary

We experienced 9 rides/attractions today and did not see any shows. DW stayed behind.

Today was check-out day from our cabin. DW did not want to come and volunteered to stay behind for final packing and getting our luggage ready for DME.

So off we went at 8:15AM and caught a taxi over to MK because, as mentioned on Day 1, the boats to MK do not start until 8:30 and would get us there a later than I would like. We arrived at the MK gates at 8:35AM.

There were several rides unique to MK and not at DL that we wanted to experience before leaving.

Our first stop was TomorrowLand where I picked up Space Mtn FPs and we were first to ride Astro Orbiter. Then we went on a FantasyLand ride before heading towards AdventureLand. Along the way we got one more ride on Haunted Mansion and then rode Jungle Cruise.

After JC we went to Hall of Presidents and then a final ride on Splash Mtn, lunch at Pecos Bills, and a final ride on Big Thunder Mtn RR. It was much more crowded today than on our first MK day.

We made our way back to TomorrowLand and rode Carousel of Progress and then Space Mtn. By this time it was 1:30PM and we started on our way out of the park. After a few stops on Main Street we caught a boat to Fort Wilderness and hooked up with DW.

We were supposed to get picked up DME at 3:20 but there was a mix up and we ended up taking a taxi to the airport. We ate dinner there and got on our flight home to Denver.

5. Discussion of Day

One of the goals I had was to ride most of the rides unique to MK and not at DL. We did two of those on Day 1 (Philharmagic and Country Bear Jamboree) and today we wanted to ride Hall of Presidents and Carousel of Progress.

We left our room at about 8:15 and caught a taxi which got us over to the Contemporary from where we walked to MK. This is the same thing we did on Day 1.

We arrived at the MK gates at 8:35AM and made our way into the plaza outside the tunnels. We were about 30 feet back from the tunnel when the pre-opening show began. They let us through the tunnel at 8:55AM and we made our way up Main Street and used the Noodle Station shortcut to TomorrowLand. They held everyone at the TomorrowLand entrance until 9AM. When they let everyone go I made my way to the Space Mtn FP machines and then met the boys at Astro Orbiter.

The Astro Orbiter ride at DL used to be up above TomorrowLand like at MK, but someone decided to have it moved down to the ground a few years ago. Dumb, dumb, dumb. I wanted the boys to experience Astro Orbiter as it was meant to be, up above TomorrowLand and so we did that first.

After this we made our way through FantasyLand and rode Snow White, which was a walk on. At this point we wanted to cross the park and although I knew that the ToonTown area was not open yet and I wanted to catch the WDW RR. At DL this is right in front of TT, but at MK I guess it is around behind TT because we could not board a train there. So we started off on foot.

After exiting FantasyLand we decided to do one more Haunted Mansion ride (our second this trip). Then I walked with the boys through Liberty Square and sent them to Jungle Cruise while I walked with purpose over to Splash Mtn to get FPs. My next FP pickup time was 10:05AM and I got there at 10AM and so I had to wait a few minutes but finally got them and made my way over to JC. We rode JC on our first park day, but it was night then and I thought a day time ride would be fun. JC was a walk on. JC is a better ride at MK than at DL because of the tunnel areas.

After we exited JC it was coming up on 10:30AM and I really wanted to get into the next Hall of Presidents because it is on a 30 minute cycle. We just made it there by a couple minutes to see the 10:30 showing. DL does not have HoP and so this is one of the ones I wanted to do because of its uniqueness to MK.

After HoP we went over to Splash Mtn to use our FPs, but before we got on I got Big Thunder Mtn FPs. It was a little after 11AM and the standby line was about 30 minutes long.

After Splash Mtn we had lunch at Pecos Bills at about 11:30, and it was very crowded today. We found a short line down towards the end and the food there was pretty good we all got burgers of some kind.

After Pecos Bills we used our Big Thunder Mtn FPs at around 12:15 and by now the standby line was 40 minutes and we walked past tons of people. It was quite clear by now how much more crowded it was today than on Day 1.

We ride Big Thunder Mtn for the final time before heading out to TomorrowLand. The final ride unique to MK was Carousel of Progress, which they did have at DL at one time but not for many years. We rode CoP and then went over to Space Mtn where the standby line was 40 minutes long. We used our FPs and this was our final ride of the trip.

After Space Mtn we had some time to kick around Main Street and the boys went into the Virtual Magic Kingdom theater to create some VMK characters while I shopped at the Emporium.

We exited MK and caught a boat back to FW at about 2PM. We made our way to the Fort Wilderness lobby, and got there at 2:40 where DW was waiting for our 3:20 DME pickup.

Here something went awry when a bus marked only as Mears showed up a few minutes before 3:20. The bus driver walked into the lobby, walked right past us, signed in at the desk, and left. At 3:19 a DME bus pulls up behind the Mears bus. We figured that must be our bus. So as we make our way back to the DME bus the Mears bus pulls away. The DME bus driver then informed as that the Mears bus was our bus. We asked how that could be, since the Mears bus said Mears on the side. He explained that Mears and DME are the same company. When we asked what we should do, he said he could not do anything to help us although he was very friendly.

It would seem reasonable that a DME bus driver who walks into a lobby should say something to announce his bus is leaving especially if his bus says Mears on the side and his uniform says Mears. I thought DME was supposed to be easy, and here they were making it hard.

So we explained what happened to the concierge at FW and she tried to call DME and finally gave up and called us a cab. Then she gave us $50 for cab fare. So that worked out OK, I guess. But now that we knew how fallible the DME system is, we got concerned because no one had even scanned our DME vouchers. I could just see someone at DME not sending our luggage to the airplane because we never showed up for DME. So we had to have the cab driver drop us off near DME so I could walk down there to confirm our luggage would be sent through and they assured us it would. And when we got Denver all our luggage was there.

6. Rides We Went On

All except for DW who skipped MK

Astro Orbiter
Snow White
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
Hall of Presidents
Splash Mountain (with FP)
Big Thunder Mountain RR (with FP)
Carousel of Progress
Space Mountain (with FP)

7. Shows and Parades We Saw

None.

8. Meals

Breakfast at cabin. Lunch at Pecos Bills. Dinner at airport.

9. Other

None.

HaleyB · Jun 30, 2006

OMG you wrote a book! :rotfl2:

I love it!
Thanks for the report, I am not finished reading it yet, it should keep me busy most of the weekend. All I can say is wow.

Now for a partial rebuttal on a subject I know and love:

DLR/WDW Ride/Show/Park Comparison

Lets just get this out of the way. This represents my opinion, and usually everyone agreed with me.

My Credentials:
Lived in SoCal for over a decade and was a season pass holder for 8 years.

Space Mountain WDW comparable to the old DLR version, but the new DLR version is way better

100% agree.

Splash Mountain WDW better hands down

Funny thing, there is so much more to do in DL/DCA I almost always skip this there. I enjoy it but other rides rank above it.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Slight edge to WDW

I prefer the on in DL. Might be nostalgia.

Castle Cinderellas castle at WDW is spectacular, way better than DLR

Disagree, but know I am a small minority on this topic, I find the castle in DL to be more 'fairytale ish' and like it better. Also I saw the WDW castle when it was decorated as a pink cake (I think that was what they were aiming at) and it was a monstrosity. So that may effect my judgment.

Haunted Mansion too close to call

Disagree. Much better at DL where it fits the theming of the area it is in. The ride through begins later in WDW, part of it is walk through, not nearly as nice. Also the "secret" graveyard in DL gets points.

Jungle Cruise WDW easily better

I am torn on this. I have always had better captains in DL. Otherwise better in WDW.

Pirates of the Caribbean was closed at WDW

That is too bad. This is one of the rides DL really kicks WDW's bottom on. In every way DL is better.

Buzz Lightyear DLR better because lasers are not attached to the car and you can e-mail your photos to yourself when you are finished at WDW you have to buy them.

Agree. But if you were a red neck you would have known there is a work around for having to buy the photo.

Peter Pan hard to say because they are more different than you would expect I would give WDW the edge.

I agree.

Small World the DLR version has a much better exterior and entrance, while the ride itself is mostly the same. Edge to DLR.

I would give it more than an edge, but otherwise agree.

FantasyLand Way better at DLR DLR has many more rides

100% agree, also the theming is more detailed and the over all effect as you walk in is much nicer.

TomorrowLand Way better at WDW

Wow, really? Why? I like that Startours is in Tomorrowland in DL. More on that in a second.

Adventureland DLR has Indiana Jones. Case closed.

Exactly.

Frontierland Comparable

Yeah I guess that is a good call.

Fantasmic Much better at DLR

100% agree. Hands down. So much better it is sort of sad.

Tower of Terror Much better at WDW

Agreed.

Star Tours Same, although the entrance themeing at WDW is much better

True, but, it seems so out of place. More magical at DL and inside (line) props/theming better at DL.

Soarin Same, although the entrance themeing at DLR is much better

Agree.

Kali RR vs. Grizzly RR Edge to GRR because it is (or seems) longer

Agree again.

Turtle Talk With Crush Same, except DLR has bigger theater and hence the lines to see it are much shorter

You are on a roll, I agree again.

MGM Beauty and the Beast Show vs. DCA Aladdin Beauty actually made it a closer call than I would have expected, but the Aladdin show at DCA is so good and the genie actors there use so much unscripted humor that DCA still wins. Plus the inside Hyperion theater at DCA is much better than the outside bleacher seats at MGM.

I agree 100% and for the exact reasons. Beauty and the Beast is still a don't miss show in my book, but Aladdin wins.

Avivasmom · Jun 30, 2006

WOW that was great. I liked the format you did it in. Sounds like a very memorable trip.

Thanks for sharing.

KathyRN137 · Jun 30, 2006

HydroGuy, I've got to say that your TR was truly awesome, detailed, and very long (in a good way!), just as promised. I enjoyed it very much! I learned a lot from you as well.

My dad is an electrical engineer and you sound a lot like him! You must be in a technically-oriented profession.

So glad your family had a great time!

Kathy

HydroGuy · Jul 1, 2006

HaleyB said:
Quote:
Pirates of the Caribbean was closed at WDW

That is too bad. This is one of the rides DL really kicks WDW's bottom on. In every way DL is better.

Yeah, I have heard. So I was not disappointed to have missed this.

HaleyB said:
Quote:
TomorrowLand Way better at WDW

Wow, really? Why? I like that Startours is in Tomorrowland in DL. More on that in a second.

DL's TL is making a comeback, but was destroyed under previous management. With Space Mtn open again and Buzz added it is starting to gain some of its former luster. And submarines again next year. But Innoventions is such a waste. And the Astro Orbiters down on the ground? Bad, bad, bad.

But when you walked into TLand at WDW, wow. It had energy and there was a lot there. And it felt more tomorrowish.

HydroGuy · Jul 1, 2006

KathyRN137 said:
HydroGuy, I've got to say that your TR was truly awesome, detailed, and very long (in a good way!), just as promised. I enjoyed it very much! I learned a lot from you as well.

My dad is an electrical engineer and you sound a lot like him! You must be in a technically-oriented profession.

So glad your family had a great time!

Kathy

I plead guilty - mechanical engineer here.

Disney owl · Jul 1, 2006

You were right - very long but very interesting too. Thanks

Minniespal · Jul 1, 2006

Excellent, detailed report ~ Thanx for sharing.

bjakmom · Jul 1, 2006

Hi HydroGuy :wave:

- I'm the DISer you met in the EE gift shop!! :wave2:

BTW - I can't get page 1 to come up at all on firefox - switched to IE and was able to read all but the last few posts on page 1 - anyone else having any trouble with it?

Anyway . . . awesome trip report :thumbsup2

- sounds like you guys had a lot of fun at 'my' favorite place! Isn't it wonderful travelling with teens?

- WDW is one of the few places that I could give my kids so much freedom when they were teens (and give myself an occasional needed break from them). It was so great to meet your ADORABLE family !!! . . . and give your DW a 'hi' from me :wave2:

- as soon as she said she was from CO (my 2nd favorite place to visit) we started to chat it up - and when she mentioned that you were writing about your trip I knew you must be a DISer - when she told me your name I said "you mean HydroGuy, the FP guru (or maybe I said 'god'

from DL?" Well, we had a good laugh - meeting such great people from all over the country (and world) is one of the things we love the most about WDW - and it sure makes the lines a lot less boring :goodvibes

.

I can't wait to go to a totally 'new' disney park (DL/CA)- reverse situation as yours - I've been going to WDW since it opened - raised my kids on vacations there and now visiting with my little nephew and first grandchild - even the big kids like to go again (if I'm paying, that is) - I really enjoyed reading your comparisons and can't wait to experience the differences for myself :smooth:

PS:The Rockies must be beautiful right about now - wish I was hiking! :cool1:

HydroGuy's Totally Awesome, Totally Detailed, and Very Long Trip Report - June 2006

A Pirate's Life For Me

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A Pirate's Life For Me

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