difry
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 51
We just returned from a week long trip to the World : )
We went expecting big crowds, long waits and very hot weather. We got the crowds and heat, but I was pleasantly surprised by the waits. We did make use of the fast pass system. We would enter a park with a plan for what ride we wanted to get a fast pass for and then plan our day around our return time (this is how we got on Expedition Everest, Soarin, Mission Space, Big Thunder Railroad, and the Jungle Cruise). I dont think we waited in line for more than 30 minutes for any ride.
The heat did slow us down. We took afternoon breaks and then returned to the parks in the evenings. This worked especially well for our Magic Kingdom day. We returned to the park around 8 p.m., struggled to get past the waiting for the parade crowd, ate at the Tomorrowland noodle station and then walked on to Small World, Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Railroad (which is really cool to ride after dark). We then watched the fireworks from Frontierland, got caught in the crazy crowd exiting the park and got to the dock in time to see the Electric Light Parade. It was magical.
To us, crowds seemed especially heavy in the Magic Kingdom (Wednesday), Animal Kingdom (Friday morning) and Epcot (Tuesday morning - between the front gate and Soarin was especially bad). There were a few crazy stroller/power chair moments, a woman actually ran across the back of my flip-flop with her stroller as I was taking a step, but nothing too terrible. There were some things we missed due to time and exhaustion (Rockin Roller Coaster, Test Track, Lights, Motors, Action) but overall we are all very pleased with the trip.
As I know I will never finish an actual trip report here are a few of our highlights:
Soarin got great reviews from our entire group. My kids even convinced me to ride it and I loved it (I usually avoid simulators they make me queasy cant ride Star Tours).
Big Thunder Railroad after dark was too much fun!
Finally saw DeVine! We were entering the park from the Rain Forest Café and there she was!
Fantasmic! They were announcing Standing Room Only as we made our way to the stadium, but there was a section on the end still mostly empty. Probably not the best seats in the house, but we enjoyed the show and were on the front edge of the crowd leaving the stadium.
Discovered Disney Quest! My kids, who are 21 & 23, walked around for about 20 minutes completely overwhelmed before they finally started playing games. I have a feeling this will be a regular evening outing for them on future trips!
Meals: Lunch at Mama Melroses, the Rose and Crown, and the Liberty Tree tavern and dinner at Nine Dragons. All excellent meals.
Scott the bartender at the Rose and Crown who after explaining the different ciders and beers to the adults, took the time to turn two stirring sticks and a cherry into a hidden Mickey for my 11-year-old nephews Sprite.
The Cast Member (whose name I didnt get) who heard us talking about returning to our cabin for a break, who came over and explained that the parade was going on and recommended we do the Walt Disney exhibit/movie (in Hollywood studios) before leaving. This allowed us to avoid the parade madness and find some calm air-conditioned peace that we needed before leaving the park. Plus it is a great exhibit and movie!
The impromptu sing-along on the bus to the campground Tuesday night. Everyone was soaked from the rain, packed onto the bus like sardines and the atmosphere was perfect for cranky attitudes. Instead, two or three of us started singing (Brady bunch theme, Gilligans Island, etc.) which lighten the mood and (I hope) made the trip more pleasant for everyone. I know I especially enjoyed my sisters rendition of Theres a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.
All in all a great trip. Personally, I hope I never go in June again. I much prefer Florida in September but as this trip was a gift from the In-Laws I will say nothing but thank you!
If you have any questions Ill try and answer.
We went expecting big crowds, long waits and very hot weather. We got the crowds and heat, but I was pleasantly surprised by the waits. We did make use of the fast pass system. We would enter a park with a plan for what ride we wanted to get a fast pass for and then plan our day around our return time (this is how we got on Expedition Everest, Soarin, Mission Space, Big Thunder Railroad, and the Jungle Cruise). I dont think we waited in line for more than 30 minutes for any ride.
The heat did slow us down. We took afternoon breaks and then returned to the parks in the evenings. This worked especially well for our Magic Kingdom day. We returned to the park around 8 p.m., struggled to get past the waiting for the parade crowd, ate at the Tomorrowland noodle station and then walked on to Small World, Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Railroad (which is really cool to ride after dark). We then watched the fireworks from Frontierland, got caught in the crazy crowd exiting the park and got to the dock in time to see the Electric Light Parade. It was magical.
To us, crowds seemed especially heavy in the Magic Kingdom (Wednesday), Animal Kingdom (Friday morning) and Epcot (Tuesday morning - between the front gate and Soarin was especially bad). There were a few crazy stroller/power chair moments, a woman actually ran across the back of my flip-flop with her stroller as I was taking a step, but nothing too terrible. There were some things we missed due to time and exhaustion (Rockin Roller Coaster, Test Track, Lights, Motors, Action) but overall we are all very pleased with the trip.
As I know I will never finish an actual trip report here are a few of our highlights:
Soarin got great reviews from our entire group. My kids even convinced me to ride it and I loved it (I usually avoid simulators they make me queasy cant ride Star Tours).
Big Thunder Railroad after dark was too much fun!
Finally saw DeVine! We were entering the park from the Rain Forest Café and there she was!
Fantasmic! They were announcing Standing Room Only as we made our way to the stadium, but there was a section on the end still mostly empty. Probably not the best seats in the house, but we enjoyed the show and were on the front edge of the crowd leaving the stadium.
Discovered Disney Quest! My kids, who are 21 & 23, walked around for about 20 minutes completely overwhelmed before they finally started playing games. I have a feeling this will be a regular evening outing for them on future trips!
Meals: Lunch at Mama Melroses, the Rose and Crown, and the Liberty Tree tavern and dinner at Nine Dragons. All excellent meals.
Scott the bartender at the Rose and Crown who after explaining the different ciders and beers to the adults, took the time to turn two stirring sticks and a cherry into a hidden Mickey for my 11-year-old nephews Sprite.
The Cast Member (whose name I didnt get) who heard us talking about returning to our cabin for a break, who came over and explained that the parade was going on and recommended we do the Walt Disney exhibit/movie (in Hollywood studios) before leaving. This allowed us to avoid the parade madness and find some calm air-conditioned peace that we needed before leaving the park. Plus it is a great exhibit and movie!
The impromptu sing-along on the bus to the campground Tuesday night. Everyone was soaked from the rain, packed onto the bus like sardines and the atmosphere was perfect for cranky attitudes. Instead, two or three of us started singing (Brady bunch theme, Gilligans Island, etc.) which lighten the mood and (I hope) made the trip more pleasant for everyone. I know I especially enjoyed my sisters rendition of Theres a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.
All in all a great trip. Personally, I hope I never go in June again. I much prefer Florida in September but as this trip was a gift from the In-Laws I will say nothing but thank you!
If you have any questions Ill try and answer.
