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

[fallonkendra]

I hope that after the refurb of BTMRR it's more like the one in Disneyland - I find the effects on that one so much better! Not that the one in WDW is bad, it's still one of my favourite rides, but DL definitely has a slight edge right now for being better.

Hopefully you were able to get everything you wanted!

 

[ariane37]

Had to swing by quickly to see your plans. BTMRR has no FP availability yet. I tried to book them, but the site says they aren't available. We will be at MK on the 19th and in the evening on the 22nd. Maybe we can work something out.

That would be awesome! As it gets closer we'll have to be in touch and figure out where/when to say hello

Also if you still want a Big Thunder FP, go try again! As you said there aren't any available for the 19th but this morning I got them for both the 23rd and the 26th

 

[ariane37]

I hope that after the refurb of BTMRR it's more like the one in Disneyland - I find the effects on that one so much better! Not that the one in WDW is bad, it's still one of my favourite rides, but DL definitely has a slight edge right now for being better.

Hopefully you were able to get everything you wanted!

I've heard about the DL version of BTMRR but don't totally know what the difference is; I know lots of people are hoping this one will be like DL when it reopens and you aren't the first to say DL is better.
I did get all we wanted, thanks! Going to post again either later this afternoon or tomorrow hopefully

 

[jandlinz]

That would be awesome! As it gets closer we'll have to be in touch and figure out where/when to say hello

Also if you still want a Big Thunder FP, go try again! As you said there aren't any available for the 19th but this morning I got them for both the 23rd and the 26th

We leave on the 23rd. I'll keep checking as time goes by. It is a must for my one son. I hope something opens on the 19th.

 

[ariane37]

We leave on the 23rd. I'll keep checking as time goes by. It is a must for my one son. I hope something opens on the 19th.

I have a feeling as it gets closer they'll open them up for the 19th, as long as it's still going to reopen by then Fingers crossed you get one!

 

[jandlinz]

I have a feeling as it gets closer they'll open them up for the 19th, as long as it's still going to reopen by then Fingers crossed you get one!

Thanks. I check daily. I read it's suppose to open on the 18th. I guess we'll see.

 

[kastoney]

It's really a damn shame......
OK sorry! I swore it was 10:00 so I guess you weren't as fashionably late as I though you were

No I'm sure I probably said ten, cause 10:15 is just too much information to recall so on Stone time it was in the neighborhood of 10ish, with a reality of 1015, meaning we showed up closer to 1030

Nope you're remembering correctly. WL WAS/IS the first stop, which Steve correctly told me. He then incorrectly led us to stop #3 and I just blindly followed him and only realized it after the nice lady started asking us about CSR and I finally looked ahead and realized there was another covered stop ahead of us that was clearly stops 1 & 2. So your memory is fine, Steve most likely can still tell the difference between 1's and 3's but just stops wherever and whenever he pleases regardless of where we're supposed to be!

Ah got ya. When in doubt just blame Steve

Two of the most awesomest women I know!

You may be surprised! Or possibly grossed out. I'm curious if you felt the same way about Il Mulino that we did

Wow, now I'm intrigued....

OT, RnRC, something else we probably won't use or possibly

I'm sure you know this already, but we've started not making 3 FP's especially at Epcot and MGM. It worked out well last time as we'd have a tier 1 in Epcot and after we used it could book another tier 1 at MGM.

 

[ariane37]

'I'm sure you know this already, but we've started not making 3 FP's especially at Epcot and MGM. It worked out well last time as we'd have a tier 1 in Epcot and after we used it could book another tier 1 at MGM.

I did know this and I should do it, especially at Epcot and what you old folks refer to as, "MGM" (I will now disclose that I'm 99% certain I have a couple years on Kari so.......). I'm already wanting to change around some of the FP's I made yesterday. You may or may not know this, but I detest making FP's 60 days out

 

[Saphire5742]

The FW tour sounds really good. I didn't think it would be that fascinating. It's looking more and more like my next trip there (in 5 years hopefully) will have to be at least 2 weeks long. That way I can have enough time to do tours (I also want to do Keys to the Kingdom), more resort visiting, and more downtime.

I tell you one thing that completely freaked me out is how close to FW some of the WS pavilions are! While we were backstage discussing why the Land is the color it is, walking to the left we were behind the Canada pavilion!!! Holy crap!! TT is right by the Norway pavilion! Crazy

Wow, never realized how close they are! Certainly doesn't look like it on the surface.


Looks like your November plans are shaping up quite well.

 

[gracer9977]

Joining. Just came over from your Jan 2015 TR. Going back to catch up now.

 

[ariane37]

And It Only Took 45 Minutes.....​

to make my FP's, which I think is about 30 minutes too long! Like I mentioned above to Kari, I am not a fan of making Fastpasses 60 days out. Not a fan of making them 30 days out either. In fact the only time I didn't mind making them was for our January trip, when I made them about 14 days out. And that's all I'll say about that!
Regardless of how I feel I did get what I wanted; the only exception is that BTMRR isn't yet available for our first day, 11/19, and I wanted a FP for that day. I was able to get it for our other 2 MK days so no biggie. It's supposed to open again on either the 18th or 19th and right now seems the 22nd is the first day anyone can book FP's for it.
I'm also already wanting to change some of the ones I made but for now, I'll leave them alone. Need to think on it a little bit!
I'm getting really excited, less than 2 months now! I'm going to start doing our day by day plans one day at a time. And at some point finish our last day from August. And then eventually post some MK pics of things no longer seen there........

DAY 1 11/19
ARRIVE MCO: approx. 9:17am
check in at BCV: we won't expect our room to be ready, although with 2 exceptions our rooms have always been ready even when we arrive early. I know we will be starving since we'll have most likely only eaten something small in the airport around 5:30 that morning, and I'm not positive what we'll do . We're going to a park and I don't know that we'll (I'll) make it waiting to get there to eat! I'm thinking if our flight is on time and DME doesn't take too long that some of us might want breakfast, and maybe we'll go to the Marketplace at Beach Club. My other thought was grabbing something at Hurricane Hannah's out by the pool, but their menu isn't that big, not that Marketplace is and I also need to see when they stop serving breakfast/start serving lunch. My 3rd option, depending on if we're dying from starvation or not, is walking into Epcot and getting something in WS. This will also depend on how long it took us to actually get to our resort, because our park for the day is
MK: besides being hungry when we get there I know we'll be tired from being up so early, but with such an early arrival I'll have to do a park. I have our FP's starting at 1:00:
1-2 - Splash
2-3 - Jungle (Jingle!) Cruise
3:05-4:05 - Buzz Lightyear
I know Buzz may seem like an odd 3rd choice but remember BTMRR is down. Chris doesn't like 7DMT which Ricky can take or leave. I'd do Space for Steve and I; Ricky has ridden before but it bothers his neck too much and Chris won't ride. I. decided to make all FP's on our 1st day for rides we'd all go on.
That's all I'm really planning on doing, but if we can fit anything else in along the way, great and I'm sure we'll at least get another ride or two done. It'd be nice if I could get to watch Mickey's Royal Friendship Fare or see these guys in the Move It, Shake It parade



Both things I didn't get to do in August. I love me some Nick and Judy! I'm one who is pretty bent out of shape that their M&G is only in DL. But if we don't, we have enough time in MK on other days to fit them both in.
We'll have to leave in enough time to make our dinner reservation, 5:45 at Cape May Cafe. This one is mostly for Ricky so he can start the trip off with his mussels at a new-to-him (and us) place. Fairly positive after dinner we'll all be ready to chill, but Steve and I will most likely choose to stroll around the BW to walk off some of that food. The boys may choose to go back to our room or they may choose to come with us; they do really enjoy the entertainment out there at night and so do Steve and I.



Not the best photo but the best stock picture I could find since I can't find the pictures of my boys being "assistants" to the BW performers!

Maybe some Illuminations from the BW too? And that'll be the end of our arrival day

 

[ArielSRL]

I don't think I knew you did KTTK!

It's been quite some time. Maybe 15-20 years ago! But it was a good tour!

You do need to find a way to get down more often lol! Maybe a Disboard-friends trip??

Yes! This! For sure...and I'm totally due a girls' weekend bc my hubs has had a few boys' weekends himself. One of these days I'll work it out!

I had only looked at Parksavers quickly until about 2 weeks ago. I can't believe how much cheaper than UT they are!

Fortunately I found them before I ever bought tix last February. My only regret is I never knew about the coupon code! Not that it would've saved a ton but I'm going for all I can!

I finally have my park days set (for now) and a FP plan, and will hopefully be posting tomorrow since I make FP's Tuesday!

Yay!

 

[ariane37]

The FW tour sounds really good. I didn't think it would be that fascinating. It's looking more and more like my next trip there (in 5 years hopefully) will have to be at least 2 weeks long. That way I can have enough time to do tours (I also want to do Keys to the Kingdom), more resort visiting, and more downtime.



Wow, never realized how close they are! Certainly doesn't look like it on the surface.


Looks like your November plans are shaping up quite well.

The tour was alot more interesting than I thought it would be! I was very excited to take it and figured I'd enjoy myself, but I was blown away by how much I actually enjoyed it And I had no idea FW and WS were so close either; I don't think most guests do!

 

[ariane37]

Joining. Just came over from your Jan 2015 TR. Going back to catch up now.

I did see your post on my Jan. TR so I have to go answer Thanks for jumping over here, happy to have you along!

 

[ArielSRL]

Nice arrival day plan! I hope you get in early enough and that your room is ready so you can catch your breath a bit before heading to MK. Regardless, it seems like a good ease into the trip as you'all only be there a few hours before hitting dinner. I definitely want to try Cape May for dinner one trip. Breakfast was great!

I'm sure the stroll around the BW will be a nice finish to the day!

I keep thinking that by the time you are on your trip we will know if we got WL and we will be very close to our ADR day!! So make it hurry it and get here, why dontcha?? Lol

 

[kastoney]

to make my FP's, which I think is about 30 minutes too long! Like I mentioned above to Kari, I am not a fan of making Fastpasses 60 days out. Not a fan of making them 30 days out either. In fact the only time I didn't mind making them was for our January trip, when I made them about 14 days out. And that's all I'll say about that!

45 minutes is way too long, 60 days is way too long, but heck for me anything other than I'm standing in front of your ride let me just make a fast pass right now is too long!!!!!!!!!

My 3rd option, depending on if we're dying from starvation or not, is walking into Epcot and getting something in WS. This will also depend on how long it took us to actually get to our resort, because our park for the day is

Is food and wine still going on when you all are there or is it over by then??????

I'm one who is pretty bent out of shape that their M&G is only in DL. But if we don't, we have enough time in MK on other days to fit them both in.

You and Casey both. We saw the parade last trip and she couldn't understand why they were on a float but she couldn't meet them.

We'll have to leave in enough time to make our dinner reservation, 5:45 at Cape May Cafe. This one is mostly for Ricky so he can start the trip off with his mussels at a new-to-him (and us) place.

I had mussels for dinner last night and was totally thinking of Ricky ; ) Though about a third of them weren't open and they only gave us 1 piece of bread with it so I don't think it would have gotten the Ricky seal of approval.

he boys may choose to go back to our room or they may choose to come with us; they do really enjoy the entertainment out there at night and so do Steve and I.

We always love this too! We ran into a great magician coming out of flying fish last month.

Maybe some Illuminations from the BW too? And that'll be the end of our arrival day

Sounds like a great first day. Is there room for me ; )

 

[LadyD]

DL BTMRR is pretty darn awesome. They did a great job on it. Hopefully, they bring some of that awesomeness to WDW. That is so exciting you were able to get 2 FP+ days for it during your trip! I'm still bummed that and Rock N Roller Coaster are down for our trip

Hope your room is ready early and you're able to have a smooth first day at MK for your trip

 

[ariane37]

Is food and wine still going on when you all are there or is it over by then??????

Unfortunately no. It ends I think the weekend before we get there? We haven't done F&W since 2010 or 11 and I'm itching to do it again!

I had mussels for dinner last night and was totally thinking of Ricky ; ) Though about a third of them weren't open and they only gave us 1 piece of bread with it so I don't think it would have gotten the Ricky seal of approval.

Oh, that's sweet He wouldn't have stood for the one piece of bread though, he's a dip-my-bread-in-my-mussels-sauce type of guy!

We always love this too! We ran into a great magician coming out of flying fish last month.

They have some great entertainment there which is one of the reasons we enjoy staying at the Epcot resorts. Something extra to do at night if you're not in a park. And pretty much every time we've stayed at the BW, both the boys get picked by one of the guys to help with the act. Which Chris loves of course, being the sarcastic smart-a** that he is He gets up there and you know he's having fun, but he makes these awful faces at us the whole time and has even talked back to the performers before!

Sounds like a great first day. Is there room for me ; )

Of course! In fact, how about I leave all the menfolk home and just meet ya there

DL BTMRR is pretty darn awesome. They did a great job on it. Hopefully, they bring some of that awesomeness to WDW. That is so exciting you were able to get 2 FP+ days for it during your trip! I'm still bummed that and Rock N Roller Coaster are down for our trip

We were on our Aug. trip down there when the refurb was announced and I had to get right online and check dates. RnRc is one of my favorites and Ricky's 2nd favorite, so I wouldn't have been happy AT ALL if it was down for our trip! Sorry you'll miss it I'm also afraid that any day they'll announce it's closing or they're changing it to something other than Aerosmith (which is one of my favorite bands - remember, I'm old) so now I feel like every time I'm on it I have to ride like it's my last time!

Hope your room is ready early and you're able to have a smooth first day at MK for your trip

Thanks! We'll be fine if the room isn't ready, especially since we're getting in so early. It's always nice to be able to go right to your room though, so fingers crossed!

 

[ariane37]

Nice arrival day plan! I hope you get in early enough and that your room is ready so you can catch your breath a bit before heading to MK. Regardless, it seems like a good ease into the trip as you'all only be there a few hours before hitting dinner. I definitely want to try Cape May for dinner one trip. Breakfast was great!

I'm sure the stroll around the BW will be a nice finish to the day!

I keep thinking that by the time you are on your trip we will know if we got WL and we will be very close to our ADR day!! So make it hurry it and get here, why dontcha?? Lol

And I actually want to try Cape May breakfast after reading some reviews recently! I highly doubt Chris would want to switch GG breakfast for CM, so it may have to wait for another trip.
Walking around the BW at night is awesome. It's relaxing yet energetic at the same time, and between the performers and the games (and the margarita stand) it's fun for adults and kids lol!
I'm SO hoping you guys get the WL; Steve and I have started informally discussing when our first trip next year will be and I'm hoping we stay there again

 

[ariane37]

Let's Go Back to August, Just Once More​

It's bothering me that I haven't finished our last day so I'm going to get this out of the way quick. I need my closure, just like Jennifer Aniston recently got-and I have to say I'm happy for her lol!

So I left off with us finishing up our awesome Undiscovered Futureworld tour. We ended in the China pavilion which was very convenient since we had a lunch ADR at San Angel Inn; our first time there. We liked it; I haven't gotten that far in my dining review but I'll tell you the best part was this:


Avocado margarita, checked off my list! The best part of this-and believe me, everything about it was good-is that you get your veggies with it

By the time we were done it was about 2:30. We were a bit tired since we'd been up early for the tour and while alot of it was inside, it was still lots of walking. We walked a little more around WS, I really wanted to see the new entertainment in Germany and Morocco but neither performed on Tuesdays. We did happen upon the Vikings in Norway, and since they're new since our last trip we followed them a bit. First they were messing around with a young(ish) girl. Then they started walking back toward the FEA ride and a bunch of kids/people were following them, including a family with a young girl in a wheelchair The Vikings noticed her and went up to her. She had one of those dolls you flip around and each side has a princess, this one being Anna and Elsa. The Vikings don't talk they just grunt to each other. One took the doll, did an "abracadabra" thing and flipped the doll. The other Viking grunted and acted like he was fascinated with it, which thrilled the little girl. They did this a couple times and then took a picture with her, even pushing her wheelchair into a better picture position and then pretending to run away with her after. She loved it and the reason I wrote all this out is because 1. when I first heard about the Vikings being out I thought it sounded dumb but they're not, and 2. they made this little girls day and it was great to see.





We continued on, getting lucky by running in to one of those wonderful character trainings by the American pavilion! I'm pretty comfortable meeting fur characters by myself but face characters not as much; I'm a dork and never can think of anything clever to say. I just felt bad hugging these guys given how grossly sweaty I was



But then I started thinking about all the other grossly sweaty people hugging them, which didn't really make me feel much better!



Remember, Donald loves to be told he's #1

I love meeting Mickey in his classic outfit!



Eeyore, Mr. Smee, and Rafiki were also there. I was pretty happy when we were done and also sweating my butt off, so we got to France and grabbed a final grey goose slush. Our plan was to finish walking WS and then head to the busses; however, as we were approaching the IG I looked down by the boat dock from the bridge after France and saw the MOST AWESOME TRAINING M&G EVER!!!! So we got in line behind like 5 people and soon my not too sexy looking self was meeting this very sexy guy (because in my head this WAS Johnny Depp)



We look like we disgust each other, right? Well first of all this guy was spot-on Capt. Jack with everyone. Now when we got in line the CM with him told me I couldn't bring my drink up when I met him, so as I walked up to Johnny - oops! Jack - I downed what was left of my slush and handed the empty cup to Steve. Capt. Jack saw this and asked why I drank all the rum......anyway the whole interaction was perfect. He told me I can't be part of his next crew because I'll drink all the rum so I told him to just bring more. As I left he told me to go and replenish. The woman in front of me was holding her 5 month old baby when she met him; he had a look of disgust on his face even better than the one in my photo and asked her what was that in her arms and said to keep it away from him!



We also noticed that back in the corner of France, not far from where Aurora meets, the Stepsisters were meeting. I realized both they and .Jack Sparrow were training for the MNSSHP's starting in a couple days.
After this we did indeed leave Epcot. As we pulled in to WL the skies opened up and the worst rain/only real storm of our trip happened. It started around 4:30 and didn't stop until about 8, but continued to drizzle on and off. It was ok though; we took a walk through the villas, hung in our room and packed, took a few more interior pictures. We were trying to decide about dinner since we had no plans, and as we watched the rain POUR down we really didn't feel like venturing out. In the end we ate at the Territory Lounge right there at the resort and I don't think we could've made a better choice. It was only lightly drizzling when we were done around 8:30 so we walked around outside one more time, by the pool, watched the geyser again. We had to catch ME at 6-freakin-30 in the morning, so that was our night and although I'm used to ending our trips in a park, this night was perfect.
Last but not least, in the morning we were the only ones in the lobby when we initially headed down; not even any staff except one lone maintenance guy. I walked up to the 2nd level and took these 2 shots looking down; might be a bit boring but I thought they were kind of cool:



Steve sitting all by his lonesome in the lobby



And that is officially THE END! Thanks again guys for putting up with my mid-report interruption