"I"m Only Going Because My Teacher Told Me To" Nov. 2016 PTR * update 12/2 TRIP REPORT STARTED! *

[Saphire5742]

Hi all, one quick real-life update before I get back to the good stuff. I am happy and excited to announce that I have recently become a travel agent!! Or to be more specific, a "travel planner specializing in Disney Destinations"

Congrats! That's great! I am possibly considering splurging for next year's birthday and doing the SoCal/DLR ABD, once I get approval for my supervisor. I might just PM you about that.....

Yup, but it would have to wait because we noticed on the app that FEA was only a 45 min SB. Neither of us had any real strong desire to ride this but I do like to try anything new; it was about 11:00, we had nobody pestering us and weren't in a rush so we figured what the hell! The queue is done very well. We ended up only waiting 23 minutes which was awesome because to be honest, I wouldn't want to wait any longer. I have no doubt Frozen fans will love it but not being a Frozen fan 23 minutes was just right for us!

A posted 45 min for FEA at 11:00? That's pretty good. Even better that it ended up being half that. I too would not wait more than that for that ride.

I just think there's lots of empty space and I expected more.

That's a shame that the space wasn't more effectively utilized

Did I mention it was hot?

Oh yes, the Florida heat. I remember it well (and not fondly)

One of those times was as we were leaving EPCOT and I took this shot which I love while waiting at the bus stop:

LOVE it!

 

[ariane37]

Day 2 part 2
​

We headed to AK around 6:00. I had 2 FP's scheduled starting at 7:25 for the safari and 8:25 for the JB show. We didn't feel like getting wet on Kali and my plan was to ride Everest after the show so it would be full dark. The first thing we wanted to do though was eat; the ice cream we'd had for "lunch" in France was wearing off!
Although not an ADR I had planned to eat something in Harambe Market since I wanted to do that last Nov. but was outvoted. Steve wasn't thrilled but agreed nevertheless and in the end we were both happy. It wasn't crowded over there or in the park in general, so we got our food and sat at a table right by the little stands. I had the LONGEST corn dog which was actually a sausage, and Steve had Tikki Masala chicken. I found more sangria there, too And thought this sign we were sitting under was funny:



On our way to the safari we saw the band that plays in Africa - Burudika? I'm too lazy right now to look it up. Then shortly after their set was done these acrobats came out - I think they may be one of the newer acts. Loved them. I love all the entertainment in AK and wanted to see more of it like the Harambe street Parti and something they have in Asia but we didn't have enough time. I especially love the African music







So fun! I don't even think I captured what they did very well but if they're still there next time you all go, please stop and watch. Whoever they are........

It was just getting dark when we got on the safari and by the time we were through it was pretty much, well, dark. I'd read that it was hard to see lots of animals so chose not to go when it was full dark but still was interested to see any difference in animal activity evening vs. daytime. We always love the safari, had a very informed guide but weren't impressed. The majority of the animals we almost always see were nowhere to be found. No elephants! The only cool thing was when 3 zebras ran right alongside our truck, and a giraffe came over and stuck his head IN the truck. There were other animals that weren't around because they were being fed. I think from now on we'll stick to daytime safaris.

When we got back from our African adventure it was a little after 8; EE had a 20 minute posted wait so we walked to Asia since that's where JB is anyway. We walked by the FP area for the show and it was PACKED! And it was still technically like 5 minutes before our FP time. We decided not to do EE since between standing on the line and riding, we wouldn't be back to be seated for JB until very very close to 9 and I was hoping to do one other thing before we went inside the theater.......

Earlier at Trails End, Kari @kastoney and I had just missed each other. She and her family also had a FP for the 1st Jungle Book show and we were hoping to meet up and possibly sit together - which we did!



My 2nd Dismeet ever! Very cool and strange at the same time meeting someone you "know" from here Steve and I enjoyed meeting her, her cute as a button daughter Casey and her husband Jason and watching the spectacular Rivers of Light with them.
Wait
I mean, the somewhat thrown together water image/singing/dancing/ floating/lantern fire things/fire dancer/assorted other goings on Jungle Book show with them I'm not sure exactly how I felt about the show. Glad I saw it and I don't think it was the awful wreck many have said it was. It was hard to see the water projections on one side and in parts it seemed a bit disjointed. On the other hand I loved the costumes, the dancing for the most part was good, the CM's looked to be enjoying themselves and I like alot of the music from the new movie which was also in the show. Bottom line I wouldn't see it again if it was still there in November, even though the kids didn't get to see it. Pretty much the best part was getting to chat with Kari & family for awhile before it started

I didn't bother taking pictures during the show because my phone doesn't take great pictures at night but I snapped one of the float before it started. There were 3 floats, all the same:



You can see the theater was pretty full which surprise me, although I have heard the earlier show was always more crowded.
Then it was 2 walk on rides on EE in the dark which is SO much better than in the light! Except for the 45 seconds we were stuck way, way up on the hill....but still great!
The park was closing at 11 and it was only about 10 at this point but we decided to leave. We stopped for a bit to watch some of the Tree of Life Awakenings. Apparently there's different "sequences" with different names but alas, I am not up on that.

Tree lit up



One of the "awakenings"? It was a fox running around, hard to see here but it was very cool. Also saw a sequence with a bear



There were some other cool moves so I want to catch it again in November. Even though the hours are still up in the air there that month I believe the Tree of Life Awakenings will still be going on.

It was a good 2nd day! We had an almost empty bus back to WL, I got my 2nd Magic Bar from Roaring Forks to eat in the room and we called it a night. We had plans to make RD at HS in the morning!

 

[Saphire5742]

I remember really enjoying the daytime entertainment in AK. Glad you got to see some in the evening. I wish AK had had evening hours when I was there. Especially to see the Tree of Life awakenings.
And yay for Dismeets!

 

[Jfsag123]

Loving your updates! First of all, congrats on becoming a Disney Travel Planner! I am considered the resident crazy Disney person among people I now, so if anyone ever asks for a recommendation I'll send them your way!

I'm glad you got to see Ellen. Underwhelming for sure, but at least now you know. And I love the shot of Spaceship Earth you got!

Cracked up at y'all standing in the Coronado line. At least you got to meet a nice person? And congrats on the BC wait list coming through!!

We felt very similarly to you about the Jungle Book show. Ready to see the real thing next year!

 

[ariane37]

Congrats! That's great! I am possibly considering splurging for next year's birthday and doing the SoCal/DLR ABD, once I get approval for my supervisor. I might just PM you about that.....



A posted 45 min for FEA at 11:00? That's pretty good. Even better that it ended up being half that. I too would not wait more than that for that ride.

That's a shame that the space wasn't more effectively utilized

I just want to say again, so much for putting your trust in me!

I was surprised at the FEA wait; and when we walked over there it looked longer so we debated leaving. Glad we didn't because I know my boys have no interest in riding so our Nov. FP's will be for TT/Soarin. It'll be tons busier then so my chances of a low wait will be next to nothing, and now at least I can say I've ridden it!

I remember really enjoying the daytime entertainment in AK. Glad you got to see some in the evening. I wish AK had had evening hours when I was there. Especially to see the Tree of Life awakenings.
And yay for Dismeets!

I just wish they'd give me some AK info for Nov. really hoping all the street entertainment stays.......
It's so cool meeting people you've gotten to know on the boards

Loving your updates! First of all, congrats on becoming a Disney Travel Planner! I am considered the resident crazy Disney person among people I now, so if anyone ever asks for a recommendation I'll send them your way!

I'm glad you got to see Ellen. Underwhelming for sure, but at least now you know. And I love the shot of Spaceship Earth you got!

Cracked up at y'all standing in the Coronado line. At least you got to meet a nice person? And congrats on the BC wait list coming through!!

We felt very similarly to you about the Jungle Book show. Ready to see the real thing next year!

Thanks Kelley! LOL I think most of us here are AKA "resident crazy Disney people" and of course I would be thankful for any recommendation!

I don't know when I'll learn not to listen to Steve, especially when it comes to Disney The lady looked at us like we were nuts - I really wanted to tell her it was my husbands fault but when he's the only one you're on vacation with, well, some things are better left unsaid lol

I keep reading rumors that ROL is coming soon but I'm afraid to get my hopes up for November......

 

[Elevationist]

I'm so excited to do AK at night, thank you for the awesome photos! And I'm so jealous that you got to DISmeet with @kastoney ! She's my hero!

 

[ArielSRL]

All caught up! Congrats on becoming a Disney TA! Just like others have said, I get people asking me why I'm not doing that, all the time, too, but 1. I definitely don't have to for it with my full time job, 2. There are so many people that I know that do it, and 3. I did hear from a couple that it ends up taking the magic out of their own trips. I'm sure #3 isn't the case for everyone but with the other 2, I just don't think it's for me.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to FW. Interesting take on Frozen. I love the movie myself but my two boys don't so we don't watch it much. We'll do it with a FP but that's about it. Once per trip will be plenty for us I'm sure. And I have done Ellen's several times but I'm pretty much done with it unless I need a lengthy nap! Lol.

Nice evening at AK! Our nighttime safari was very fruitful so I'll probably have us do it next trip but I want to do the daytime one, as well. We missed daytime last trip so I want the boys to experience it next June for sure.

Didn't see JB and not sorry about it...lol. Hoping we will get ROL next June but I'll believe it when I see it. EE at night is ah-mazing! Definitely doing that again but I think I'm gonna have to do it alone next trip as no one else in my family will ride it.

I will definitely have to make a note in the plans to watch the Tree of Life. I just completely forgot as we were headed out of AK in June.

 

[ariane37]

DAY 3 Pt. 1
​

OK, going to try being less wordy so I can get back to my Nov. pre-planning! My original plan this day was MK near RD, stay until our Skippers lunch ADR and then do something else. But I was jonesing for my favorite rides in WDW which are at HS, so we decided to do RD there to ride a couple times. Our FP's in MK didn't start until 11:05 anyway.

Steve wasn't thrilled we had to take a bus and that we had to wait like, 13 minutes - thank goodness we got into BCV for the whole time in Nov. and can walk to 2 parks or I'd end up screaming at him! We got to HS at 8:30, they let us in 8:36 and held those of us wanting to go down Sunset Blvd. by the Trolley Car Cafe till 8:50. Another plus of having no kids with us: everyone else was jogging/running (those people got a talking to from CM's lol) just beelining down the street when they let us go, but we walked leisurely but forward. Rode RnRC twice with basically no wait then my beloved TOT twice. First time was a walk-on with a 10 min posted. Second time was posted 20 and unfortunately took like 35 because FP people just wouldn't stop coming!!
Here's an illegal picture of us on RnRC. Usually my on-ride photos are horrendous but this one is......acceptable.



It was now about 10:30 so we were heading to MK, but needed some breakfast first. Steve went to Starring Rolls for a bagel while I went to Sweet Spells for this:



If you haven't had the pleasure that's a carrot cake cookie and it-is-di-vine. And perfect for breakfast IMO. After eating we took the bus to MK and I took this picture on the way out. It looks like a storm is rolling in but we actually had no rain, at least over at MK



11:20 bag check at MK was a nightmare. There were like, 8 bag check lines but we picked the one that had every single person go through the metal detectors after having their bag checked. Oh, well!

Went right to use Splash FP and I was like a little giddy kid since it was too damn cold to ride in January. Then we went to use our Space FP but Space was down; but we passed a custodial CM drawing this on the ground in Tomorrowland:



Another one of the little touches I love! We could either wait and see if Space opened while we were still in the park or use our FP during the hour on any other ride, so we chose 7DMT in case it didn't come up. That SB line was posted 110, and as we got on the FP line they made an announcement that the FP line would be experiencing "a longer than usual wait". Ugh, ended up being like 25 minutes. Luckily we were still in plenty of time for our 1:05 ADR at Skipper Canteen and even got there 5 minutes early.

As for the food there, I liked mine and wouldn't mind returning. Unfortunately Steve wasn't impressed and has decided he has no desire to go back SO, for now, off the table as far as adding it for Nov. Chris saw the menu and wanted to go and we told him we'd decide after we ate there. The restaurant was also mostly empty when we were there and that's a shame, because it's themed so nice and as I said, I enjoyed the food.

We had a 2:20 FP for HM which we used after our lunch so we went right over and waited on another very long and slow FP line (do you see a theme here?) Um, and this picture is completely out of order but I took it while we were walking to Splash - scaffolding around the being-refurbed BTMRR



Back to HM: I was very disappointed because the newer effect on HM where the hitchhiking ghosts hold up a sign saying your town and maybe your name?? didn't seem to be working either time we rode during this trip.
And then, we were done! I know, lame day in MK, right? No Astro Orbiter for Steve, no Mickey's Royal Friendship Fare for me and I also failed to see Judy Hops and Nick Wild in the Move It, Shake It parade So aaalllll of that is still on the list for Nov!

We took the boat back to WL again - love that so much!! walked around the resort a little bit and then showered and changed for dinner at Il Mulino. That turned out to be our best dinner of the trip!! We've eaten at Tutto Italia, Via Napoli and Trattoria Al Forno and none of them hold a candle to Il Mulino (granted, I think VN is a little different anyway). After eating we took a boat over to Epcot even though we really should have walked to work off some of the pounds and pounds of food we ate. We were done eating around 8:00 and all we wanted to do was stroll WS and get a drink. We got 2 grey good slushes and walked around. About 8:45, we realized we could see the SW fireworks perfectly over the lagoon!!







Two things about the SW fireworks: I didn't bother to go watch them from HS since we're not SW fans and I know a huge part of this "new" show is projections, and I'm sad the "old" SW fireworks were replaced since they were beautiful. But the ones we saw were lovely. 2. If you can't or don't want to watch the whole show from HS, plan to be in WS during them and you'll have a great view!

I'm really screwing up time-wise with my pictures in this post - who says towel animals (well, flowers) are dead! This was on the bed when we went back between MK and dinner



UP NEXT: OUR LAST DAY AND THE UNDISCOVERED FUTUREWORLD TOUR!

 

[ariane37]

I'm so excited to do AK at night, thank you for the awesome photos! And I'm so jealous that you got to DISmeet with @kastoney ! She's my hero!

You'll love it! And maybe, just maybe.....you'll get some ROL
It was awesome meeting Kari and her family, we had a good time hanging out. I should have gotten her autograph lol!

All caught up! Congrats on becoming a Disney TA! Just like others have said, I get people asking me why I'm not doing that, all the time, too, but 1. I definitely don't have to for it with my full time job, 2. There are so many people that I know that do it, and 3. I did hear from a couple that it ends up taking the magic out of their own trips. I'm sure #3 isn't the case for everyone but with the other 2, I just don't think it's for me.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to FW. Interesting take on Frozen. I love the movie myself but my two boys don't so we don't watch it much. We'll do it with a FP but that's about it. Once per trip will be plenty for us I'm sure. And I have done Ellen's several times but I'm pretty much done with it unless I need a lengthy nap! Lol.

Nice evening at AK! Our nighttime safari was very fruitful so I'll probably have us do it next trip but I want to do the daytime one, as well. We missed daytime last trip so I want the boys to experience it next June for sure.

Didn't see JB and not sorry about it...lol. Hoping we will get ROL next June but I'll believe it when I see it. EE at night is ah-mazing! Definitely doing that again but I think I'm gonna have to do it alone next trip as no one else in my family will ride it.

I will definitely have to make a note in the plans to watch the Tree of Life. I just completely forgot as we were headed out of AK in June.

Thanks for the congrats! I think almost all of us here probably get asked to help plan others' trips and get asked why we aren't TA's or why we don't work for Disney I actually don't know anyone who is specifically a Disney TA, except a friend of a friend. Hopefully it doesn't ruin the magic for me! But I can see how it could for others. Right now though it's like being in a new relationship!

Yup, IMO no reason to feel like you missed something with JB. I figured since we're there, well, we'll do it. My fingers are crossed that we get to see ROL in November! And I'd do Frozen with a FP like you said, just so you can experience it. My boys are not Frozen fans either at all so I won't even attempt to make a FP for it lest they ask me why we don't have a FP for Soarin' or TT

 

[Saphire5742]

Usually my on-ride photos are horrendous but this one is......acceptable.

Pretty great ride photo if you ask me. Mine were scary/laughable

It looks like a storm is rolling in but we actually had no rain, at least over at MK

How fitting over ToT!

but we passed a custodial CM drawing this on the ground in Tomorrowland:

Cool!

Back to HM: I was very disappointed because the newer effect on HM where the hitchhiking ghosts hold up a sign saying your town and maybe your name?? didn't seem to be working either time we rode during this trip.

I didn't even know about this when i was there so didn't even notice

About 8:45, we realized we could see the SW fireworks perfectly over the lagoon!!

Awesome! Love the photo too

 

[kclark9830]

Day 2 part 2
​

We headed to AK around 6:00. I had 2 FP's scheduled starting at 7:25 for the safari and 8:25 for the JB show. We didn't feel like getting wet on Kali and my plan was to ride Everest after the show so it would be full dark. The first thing we wanted to do though was eat; the ice cream we'd had for "lunch" in France was wearing off!
Although not an ADR I had planned to eat something in Harambe Market since I wanted to do that last Nov. but was outvoted. Steve wasn't thrilled but agreed nevertheless and in the end we were both happy. It wasn't crowded over there or in the park in general, so we got our food and sat at a table right by the little stands. I had the LONGEST corn dog which was actually a sausage, and Steve had Tikki Masala chicken. I found more sangria there, too And thought this sign we were sitting under was funny:



On our way to the safari we saw the band that plays in Africa - Burudika? I'm too lazy right now to look it up. Then shortly after their set was done these acrobats came out - I think they may be one of the newer acts. Loved them. I love all the entertainment in AK and wanted to see more of it like the Harambe street Parti and something they have in Asia but we didn't have enough time. I especially love the African music







So fun! I don't even think I captured what they did very well but if they're still there next time you all go, please stop and watch. Whoever they are........

It was just getting dark when we got on the safari and by the time we were through it was pretty much, well, dark. I'd read that it was hard to see lots of animals so chose not to go when it was full dark but still was interested to see any difference in animal activity evening vs. daytime. We always love the safari, had a very informed guide but weren't impressed. The majority of the animals we almost always see were nowhere to be found. No elephants! The only cool thing was when 3 zebras ran right alongside our truck, and a giraffe came over and stuck his head IN the truck. There were other animals that weren't around because they were being fed. I think from now on we'll stick to daytime safaris.

When we got back from our African adventure it was a little after 8; EE had a 20 minute posted wait so we walked to Asia since that's where JB is anyway. We walked by the FP area for the show and it was PACKED! And it was still technically like 5 minutes before our FP time. We decided not to do EE since between standing on the line and riding, we wouldn't be back to be seated for JB until very very close to 9 and I was hoping to do one other thing before we went inside the theater.......

Earlier at Trails End, Kari @kastoney and I had just missed each other. She and her family also had a FP for the 1st Jungle Book show and we were hoping to meet up and possibly sit together - which we did!



My 2nd Dismeet ever! Very cool and strange at the same time meeting someone you "know" from here Steve and I enjoyed meeting her, her cute as a button daughter Casey and her husband Jason and watching the spectacular Rivers of Light with them.
Wait
I mean, the somewhat thrown together water image/singing/dancing/ floating/lantern fire things/fire dancer/assorted other goings on Jungle Book show with them I'm not sure exactly how I felt about the show. Glad I saw it and I don't think it was the awful wreck many have said it was. It was hard to see the water projections on one side and in parts it seemed a bit disjointed. On the other hand I loved the costumes, the dancing for the most part was good, the CM's looked to be enjoying themselves and I like alot of the music from the new movie which was also in the show. Bottom line I wouldn't see it again if it was still there in November, even though the kids didn't get to see it. Pretty much the best part was getting to chat with Kari & family for awhile before it started

I didn't bother taking pictures during the show because my phone doesn't take great pictures at night but I snapped one of the float before it started. There were 3 floats, all the same:



You can see the theater was pretty full which surprise me, although I have heard the earlier show was always more crowded.
Then it was 2 walk on rides on EE in the dark which is SO much better than in the light! Except for the 45 seconds we were stuck way, way up on the hill....but still great!
The park was closing at 11 and it was only about 10 at this point but we decided to leave. We stopped for a bit to watch some of the Tree of Life Awakenings. Apparently there's different "sequences" with different names but alas, I am not up on that.

Tree lit up



One of the "awakenings"? It was a fox running around, hard to see here but it was very cool. Also saw a sequence with a bear



There were some other cool moves so I want to catch it again in November. Even though the hours are still up in the air there that month I believe the Tree of Life Awakenings will still be going on.

It was a good 2nd day! We had an almost empty bus back to WL, I got my 2nd Magic Bar from Roaring Forks to eat in the room and we called it a night. We had plans to make RD at HS in the morning!

I really loved the Tree of Life Awakenings. It was a cool touch . We tried to do the JB show on its last night, but we didn't have FP's, and we didn't make it into the first showing. We were all too tired to stay later, so we missed it. It was a bit of a bummer, but not terrible. Oh well!

 

[kittylady1972]

Loving your report so far. Sad about your DH not enjoying Canteen and though I'd like to try it we will probably save it for a future trip. All my daughter keeps talking about is the fact that we'll have season passes AGAIN for WDW after November. Hoping we'll get in a trip in the summer and the fall at this point.

 

[ArielSRL]

You guys hit 3 parks in 1 day....good job! And even in doing so, it seemed to be fairly relaxing, yes? Sounds like a nice adult-only day. One day...one day...

Glad you got your ToT rides in. Sorry the HM personalization thing wasn't working. Sad to see BTMRR looking that way but glad they pushed it back from our June trip! Love the towel flower, too! And glad you got to catch the SW fireworks from WS. Love continuing to heear any and all good stuff about WL!

Looking forward to more!

 

[Raeven]

Steve wasn't thrilled we had to take a bus and that we had to wait like, 13 minutes - thank goodness we got into BCV for the whole time in Nov. and can walk to 2 parks or I'd end up screaming at him!

If you haven't had the pleasure that's a carrot cake cookie and it-is-di-vine. And perfect for breakfast IMO.

Sounds good

I was very disappointed because the newer effect on HM where the hitchhiking ghosts hold up a sign saying your town and maybe your name?? didn't seem to be working either time we rode during this trip.

Aw I hope it's working when we go

No Astro Orbiter for Steve, no Mickey's Royal Friendship Fare for me and I also failed to see Judy Hops and Nick Wild in the Move It, Shake It parade

Aw again, the last two are on my list too. I hate heights too much to ride Astro Orbiter.

and changed for dinner at Il Mulino. That turned out to be our best dinner of the trip!!

Can't wait for this review! I've heard mixed reviews about it. I've heard it's the best Italian place and the worst. I'm curious because I definitely want to eat at an Italian place for my birthday next year. We love Mama Dellas at Universal though that was our absolute favorite Italian place. But I want to try some at WDW too.

 

[ariane37]

Pretty great ride photo if you ask me. Mine were scary/laughable

My hair is always flying behind my head and my mouth is usually doing this weird thing where it looks like I just sucked a lemon I don't know why! Steve and Chris look fine, and Ricky has what we call his "ride face" - no emotion whatsoever. I'll have to try posting an old PP one of him!

I really loved the Tree of Life Awakenings. It was a cool touch . We tried to do the JB show on its last night, but we didn't have FP's, and we didn't make it into the first showing. We were all too tired to stay later, so we missed it. It was a bit of a bummer, but not terrible. Oh well!

I don't usually like to put down rides/shows/restaurants since everyone's tastes are different, but glad you don't feel bad about missing JB-not worth any sadness lol. Still glad I saw it since we were there but as I said, wouldn't bother a 2nd time. The tree of life awakenings though, I could stand there for an hour! Looking forward to seeing it again in Nov.

Loving your report so far. Sad about your DH not enjoying Canteen and though I'd like to try it we will probably save it for a future trip. All my daughter keeps talking about is the fact that we'll have season passes AGAIN for WDW after November. Hoping we'll get in a trip in the summer and the fall at this point.

Thanks! I need to get back over to yours Skipper's is definitely worth a try and it seems most people like it. I think if he ordered something a little more adventurous it would've helped - he got a salad Nothing wrong with salad! But kind of hard to mess up and it wasn't a particularly interesting one.
My fingers are crossed for a Flower and Garden trip! I love that time of year Glad your daughter is excited; at least if there's anything you guys miss in Nov. you know you should be back soon!

 

[ariane37]

You guys hit 3 parks in 1 day....good job! And even in doing so, it seemed to be fairly relaxing, yes? Sounds like a nice adult-only day. One day...one day...

Glad you got your ToT rides in. Sorry the HM personalization thing wasn't working. Sad to see BTMRR looking that way but glad they pushed it back from our June trip! Love the towel flower, too! And glad you got to catch the SW fireworks from WS. Love continuing to heear any and all good stuff about WL!

Looking forward to more!

We did hit 3 parks! And back in January we actually did 4 parks in a day, completely unplanned and it was awesome. Not stressed at all - without the kids of course. I don't think I'd try more than 2 with the boys, even at their ages. Mainly b/c I'd have to hear the complaining about all the time we'd spent getting to and from You'll get there someday, promise!
I'm glad BTMRR wasn't closed for you and I'm so happy it opens the day before we arrive in Nov., especially since it's a favorite of both boys. We also miss the HM refurb by like 2 days and Dinosaur and IASW will be back up. Fingers crossed I don't think anything major is supposed to be down while we're there.

Aw I hope it's working when we go

Aw again, the last two are on my list too. I hate heights too much to ride Astro Orbiter.


Can't wait for this review! I've heard mixed reviews about it. I've heard it's the best Italian place and the worst. I'm curious because I definitely want to eat at an Italian place for my birthday next year. We love Mama Dellas at Universal though that was our absolute favorite Italian place. But I want to try some at WDW too.

I hope the HM effect is working for you too! I'm not completely sure exactly what it does but almost positive it has to do with the hitchhiking ghosts.
As far as the heights and Astro Orbiter, I don't mind heights but I can't spin in circles. However back in 2014 I did MK by myself on a morning they opened at 8 b/c the rest of my family were being losers and wouldn't come. I'd never ridden AO and decided to do it. The views are gorgeous from up there and height was fine, but the going around and around I'll ride it once more for Steve though!

I'll try to do another dining report update soon! But I can't see anyone saying Il Mulino is bad - they're crazy lol!!

 

[Raeven]

I hope the HM effect is working for you too! I'm not completely sure exactly what it does but almost positive it has to do with the hitchhiking ghosts.
As far as the heights and Astro Orbiter, I don't mind heights but I can't spin in circles. However back in 2014 I did MK by myself on a morning they opened at 8 b/c the rest of my family were being losers and wouldn't come. I'd never ridden AO and decided to do it. The views are gorgeous from up there and height was fine, but the going around and around I'll ride it once more for Steve though!

I'll try to do another dining report update soon! But I can't see anyone saying Il Mulino is bad - they're crazy lol!!

The hitchhiking ghosts are my favorite so anything involved them sounds great. I'm not really big on spinning either but spinning and heights together sound even worse

I've heard it's very good, but then I have touringplans and it's rated one of the lowest on there. Some people said it was amazing and some people said it was awful. I'm thinking of giving it a try though.

 

[kclark9830]

**Hi all, one quick real-life update before I get back to the good stuff. I am happy and excited to announce that I have recently become a travel agent!! Or to be more specific, a "travel planner specializing in Disney Destinations" I've been wanting to do this for awhile and finally got off my butt and did something about it last month. I don't have any clients yet but I'm looking forward to helping lots of people plan their way to magical Disney vacations!!**

Okay, now back to the fun -

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OK, somehow I missed this! That's awesome! I would love to do it, but I've got to have a few more trips under my belt before I'd feel comfortable being an "expert". And...we're considering doing a Disney cruise in Feb. 2018, so I may be in touch .

 

[ariane37]

OK, somehow I missed this! That's awesome! I would love to do it, but I've got to have a few more trips under my belt before I'd feel comfortable being an "expert". And...we're considering doing a Disney cruise in Feb. 2018, so I may be in touch .

I'm lucky in that I don't work outside the house; I do TONS of stuff with the PTA at Chris's school but next year is his last year there, and there really isn't as much to do at the Jr. High school. I think I'll get kind of bored then, so I decided, why not put all my useless Disney info. to work for me lol?
The cruises look like SO much fun! I would love for you to keep me in mind if you decide that's something you guys want to do

 

[Whit64130]

1. As @Jfsag123 now knows, neither Steve nor I have ever been on Ellen's Energy Adventure Now that it's closing this will be a must-do for us next week. Works out well that it'll be hot; gives us a nice break! Off hand I can't remember if they've given a closing date, but I'm kind of hoping it's still open for our Nov. trip so the kids can experience it.

It wasn't my favorite experience buttttttt it was one of the longest uninterrupted naps I took during the heat

Now that it's a definite JB won't be, but NOT definite ROL WILL be, I'm thinking the actual hours won't be solid until way after I make our FP's next month and we may or may not want/need as much time.

I can't stand the unknown! I am soooo hoping for ROL and that they extend AK hours beyond 6pm. I would love if they wouldn't wait until last minute so I wouldn't have to rearrange my whole AK schedule last minute.

**Hi all, one quick real-life update before I get back to the good stuff. I am happy and excited to announce that I have recently become a travel agent!! Or to be more specific, a "travel planner specializing in Disney Destinations" I've been wanting to do this for awhile and finally got off my butt and did something about it last month. I don't have any clients yet but I'm looking forward to helping lots of people plan their way to magical Disney vacations!!**

Yay for being a travel agent!!! If we ever get this 8-10 person trip finalized I may recruits your services to help with dining, fast passes and general expertise! You will have to send me a link to your page if you have one already!

Good news guys! We got an email yesterday from the person we're renting points from, and she got us Beach Club for our whole stay!! Now we don't have to switch to Coronado for the last 3 nights Not that we minded remember, but after our stay at WL we were a little sadder that we weren't going to be so close to a park/parks for our entire stay. I'm really surprised we were able to get those nights because I know a few others who have wait-lists and they haven't come through yet.

Yay!!! Glad you got what you wanted and hopefully a smoother trip!

Ok so once I realized I was super behind I decided not to quote every thing I wanted to. I think we would be here until next week.
But anyways I am all caught up....
Super Glad y'all got a great room at Wilderness!!
Was Trails End breakfast worth the haul from WL?
The more I hear about this grey goose slush the higher it's getting on my Epcot list.
Also please tell me as hot as it was in August that there is a huge difference in weather during November!
That is all for now!! Well wait a min one more...Do you have you Fast passes planned out for November yet? I'm a little nervous about making them since I have only done it once and then they changed it a bit from last year. Not to mention I work the night before and won't be off work yet when I can start making them.