Jersey Week 2006 - Days 1-8

[disneysteve]

Cast: Me, DW, DD-11 and MIL

We picked up DD at school at 3:30pm Friday with the van packed and ready to go. We got on the road about 3:45. We had packed food for dinner so we only needed a couple of quick stops between home and stopping for the nite. Personally, I'd drive non-stop until the gas tank was near empty but DW is usually crossing her legs and begging if I try and go much more than 4 hours . Anyway, stopped about 10:45 in Rocky Mount/Battleboro, NC at the Rodeway Inn ($35.95).

Back on the road Saturday morning at 8:15. Stopped for lunch about 11:30. We were originally going to grab something we could eat on the road, but ended up eating in at KFC. Got back on the road about 12:05 and had smooth sailing until we stopped at one of the Florida gift shop places south of Jacksonville. Its a family tradition to stop there and sample some oranges and buy pecan logs. And besides, it was nearly 4:30 by then so DW was nearing capacity (see above ). From there, we cruised the rest of the way and arrived at Windsor Palms about 6:15. We are renting a townhouse on Silver Palm Drive. The place is very nice. We unloaded and unpacked. While doing that, we called and ordered dinner from one of the local pizza places. That took about an hour to arrive but was very good.

After dinner, DW and I ran over to the supermarket to pick up some perishables that we couldn't bring from home. Went back to the house and finished settling in and planning our Monday. DD said we had to start at MK because that's what we traditionally do.

Spent a little time relaxing and posting this report and went to bed.

 

[NJFireman22]

Thank you, Steve
Keep us up to date, We are heading that way Dec 26th. btw how was the traffic/construction on Rt. 95 ??

 

[OhMari]

Good to see you over here Steve, I saw you posted something on the Budget Board and i wanted to tell you to make sure we hear from you. Good to see you here again. Thankyou for having mercy on your wife.

 

[disneysteve]

Good to see you over here Steve, I saw you posted something on the Budget Board and i wanted to tell you to make sure we hear from you. Good to see you here again.

Thanks. Its nice to be here, because that means I've got another trip to report on!

 

[disneysteve]

Jersey Week 2006 - Day 3, MK and Sweet Tomatoes

Cast: Me, DW, DD-11 and MIL

Went to MK today. Got there at opening. Park was very crowded, far more than we've seen in prior years at this time. I hope the rest of the week isn't this bad. Jersey Week might not be such a great time to come anymore if it will be this packed.

We started in Fantasyland and did Pooh, teacups, Snow White and Small World. PhilHarmagic was closed for technical problems. I said Donald probably had something to do with that. Then did Haunted Mansion and headed over to Big Thunder which we did twice.

Then we went into Adventureland to do Pirates. This was our first time seeing it since they added Jack Sparrow. Well, the new effect at the beginning with the projected image is great, but it was all downhill from there. They have totally wrecked this great classic attraction. I can't believe they did that. I may never ride it again. Very, very disappointing. I feel like I've lost an old friend.

Had lunch at Cosmic Ray's. I noticed one significant change at the toppings bar. They no longer have the hot cheese sauce. Instead, they now sell cheese fries at the counter. I guess Disney realized they were losing out on potential sales.

Headed over to Tomorrowland and did Buzz. Then rode the People Mover (sorry, old habits die hard). Got to Space Mtn and the lights were on. DD got a kick out of that. We've seen it before but she hadn't. Did Carousel of Progress and later Space Mtn. Started to head out but found out PhilHarmagic was up so went there. Longer wait than we thought, but MIL had never seen it so we stayed. After that, worked our way out down Main Street, delayed a bit by the parade ending.

Came back to our house. DD went in the pool for a while and we relaxed a bit. Then got cleaned up and went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. We hadn't been there for a few years and it is still excellent. I highly recommend it.

We're off to Epcot tomorrow.

 

[CherCrazy]

We were surprised at the crowds last year when we were there during Jersey week. I think it's because F&W has been extended so long into November.

Have fun!!

 

[disneysteve]

We were surprised at the crowds last year when we were there during Jersey week. I think it's because F&W has been extended so long into November.

This is our 5th year doing Jersey Week and it has coincided with F&W in previous years, as well, so I don't think that's the issue.

Before, it didn't get crowded until Thursday, since most schools are only closed Thursday and Friday so a lot of people come down for a 4-day weekend and it is Soaps weekend. It was never this crowded at the beginning of the week.

 

[blue_river]

Thanks for sharing disneysteve.

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy pirates. Our family loved it.

 

[Big V]

The beginning of vacation is always fun!

 

[Big V]

Love Sweet Tomatoes! Sorry to hear about Pirates.

 

[pumba]

yes indeed it is always fun to plan and START.......I would like to do the big drive some day but......26 road hours is to much I think for sitting.....thanks for your start of your vacation

 

[OhMari]

Besides being Jersey week, it should be called Midwestern states week too. I know a lot of families that went down because our kids had off of school for teachers conventions.

How is the weather?

 

[disneysteve]

Besides being Jersey week, it should be called Midwestern states week too. I know a lot of families that went down because our kids had off of school for teachers conventions.

How is the weather?

That could be the problem if there are other states off school also. Actually today (Monday) in Epcot wasn't nearly as bad as MK yesterday.

So far, the weather has been beautiful but they are calling for rain tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

[disneysteve]

Jersey Week 2006 - Day 4, Epcot, DTD

We got to Epcot about 8:50. While waiting in line, CM Elton came over and joked with us and the family in front of us. I was hoping he was going to do some "million dreams" thing, but he didn't. Helped pass the time, though.

Went in and got FP for Test Track then rode Mission:Space. DD and I did the regular line. DW and MIL did the weenie line - I mean Green Team. The back to Test Track. Didn't need our FP as it wasn't crowded. When we got off, DD and I went on again using our FP that time.

Crossed over and went to check out the new Seas with Nemo and Friends. Yesterday, I posted my disappointment with the rehab of POC. Well, Seas was a very pleasant surprise. Disney did a great job here! They took what was an old, tired pavillion that we had stopped visiting entirely and created a fun, non-thrill ride, appropriate for all ages attraction. I really liked the effect of the movie characters projected into the real tank.

Went to The Land for lunch. Great food and selection there. I think this is one of WDWs best counter service spots. Got FPs for Soarin but never got back to use them.

Started around the world clockwise. Got churros in Mexico. Rode Maelstrom. Saw American Adventure (and Voices of Liberty). Browsed the shops. Etc.

Back in Future World, checked out the new Coke Club Cool and did Spaceship Earth before heading out. Went back to the house and crashed for a while, then went to DTD. Had dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express and did some shopping before heading home for the nite.

One of the highlights of the day was that I met 4 fellow DIS members during the day: one at Test Track, one walking in Epcot, a CM at DTD Christmas Shop and another CM at World of Disney. See, those green Mickey heads really work. Three people approached me because I was wearing one and I approached the 4th person because she was wearing one.

 

[OhMari]

I officially have 4 Green Mickey Heads from Home Depot. Exactly where do you put them. I know some make decorations for the room windows, but where else do you put them.

 

[disneysteve]

What I did was write "DIS" on them and laminated them. I poked a hole in a few and attached them to our backpack and water bottle straps. I took others and glued them to pinback buttons to wear on our shirts. The DIS person I saw with them had them clipped to her fanny pack zipper.

 

[disneysteve]

Jersey Week 2006 - Day 5, MGM, Epcot

Cast of characters: Me, DW, DD-11, MIL

We started the day at MGM today. It was EMH day there but we went anyway because they were calling for rain and we didn't want to do AK in the rain. The crowd really wasn't all that bad fortunately.

We rode our favorites, had lunch at Rosie's and basically headed out. Unfortunately, MIL has arthritic knees and can't walk great. Normally, we would have spent more time wandering through the park but we've been trying to keep the aimless wandering to a minimum this time around.

A couple of interesting tidbits from MGM. They renovated Disney Clothiers. They closed off one door (the "back" door near the lake). There is now an ATM on the outside in the alcove where the door was. And the inside has been redone with a more open floor plan. They've also updated the end movie sequence at The Great Movie Ride. They added several new film clips.

After a break, we went back to Epcot. Unfortunately, the rain decided to join us. We went to The Land to try and do Soarin but the wait was 95 minutes and FPs were gone for the day. So we had dinner and then sloshed our way through a couple of other attractions. Once we were pretty well soaked, the rain actually stopped but by that point, we had had enough and headed out. We took a drive on 192 to see if anything new had popped up on the strip, and we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for dessert. We were actually going to grab something at the Fountainview Bakery in Epcot, but in their "wisdom" Disney made it not be a bakery for the duration of Food and Wine, even though all the signs and the guidemaps all say it is a bakery. During the time we were there (my wife got coffee), 6 different people came in expecting it to be a bakery. Bad move Disney. Turned out fine for us, though. For about the cost of one pastry, we got 6 donuts.

I think tomorrow will be our non-park day. We'll probably do some hotel hopping. Maybe rent boats. Go back to DTD. I'm sure we won't be bored.

 

[averill94]

Love a live report! Sorry I missed Great Movie Ride last time-darn.

 

[pumba]

How fun to meet other dis'ers.....I have met a few that had a DIS green thing on their shirts.....I loved it....and I met AngieBelle a few years back....it is great......thanks so much for your report......I am anxious to go in December now for sure

 

[disneysteve]

I met AngieBelle a few years back

I have a funny story about how we met AngieBelle but I'm not sure if it is okay to tell. Let's just say she was onstage and on the job at the time.