Just Back 07.07.2017

zebrastreyepz

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It was our first trip in Summer heat. We are from Oklahoma and thought we could deal. We. Were. WRONG.

A six day in the parks trip turned into four.

*Magic Kingdom - Liked the new security at the TTC. Still hate the TTC and entrance and exit methods from MK. Leaving on 07.02.17 we ended up walking to our car rather than wait for the tram and hundreds were doing the same. Food for the most part continues to disappoint at MK. I am going to start heading to resorts for lunch and dinner unless I have an ADR at a restaurant. Liked the new picture on Pirates of the Caribbean. The CM at Peter Pan while very nice kept loudly clapping and chanting about filling in all space side by side and it totally took me out of the moment. Not fitting for that ride at all.

*Epcot - Hadn't seen Illuminations since prolly 1998 and felt it was blah now. I could easily skip it in the future. Loved all the charging stations outside Soarin' and first time Turtle Talk with Crush and I would like to see it again even though I'm an adult without small participating children. Biergarten was once again a delight. New food tried at Karmel Kuche (marshmallow caramel and stropwaffle), Japan (Kakagori with Sweet Milk and soda from the store with the marble in it), beignet from France, Orange Slush from France. I liked it all but the Kakagori with fell flat with me. HATED how much of Future World closed at 7PM. Baymax meet n greet was rushed and the CM was borderline rude with instructions.

*Animal Kingdom - Satuli Canteen was my favorite food of the trip. I can't ride FoP because of motion sickness but my 30 year old son and 12 year old granddaughter haven't stopped raving about how amazing it is. Neither had trouble fitting on the ride but a man in their group who was 6'4" had some difficulty. Finally rode Everest twice almost back to back. Sitting near the front TOTALLY changes the experience and I highly recommend it. Finally saw a black rhino on the Safari. Pandora at night was gorgeous but due to the "setting" it is hard to see back there and rudeness levels were off the chart. My first experience with tour groups happened here, too, and the chanting was a bit grating.

*Hollywood Studios - Did our favorites...made sure to ride GMR since the rumors are that it will be gone soon. Food here continues to be a let down. We did the Hollywood & Vine Character Meal and that was soooo overpriced. I can see charging that in a place like Grand Floridian or the Castle because setting is a part of it but $50 per person for a cafeteria was no good.

Overall, crowds were much lighter than I expected. My son noticed a correlation between CM efficiency and the rise of temperatures throughout the day.
 
Sorry the heat got to you. I'm going in three weeks and I know it will be very HOT! Thanks for sharing your trip,report!
 

It was hard to see in Pandora? I thought it was all lit up?

I can imagine the rudeness would be tough in there...it seems like a tight space!
 
It was hard to see in Pandora? I thought it was all lit up?

I can imagine the rudeness would be tough in there...it seems like a tight space!
It is lit up like you would with blacklights and the bioluminescense (spelling?) but very hard to see where you are walking.
 
Thanks for your report. We have to go in the summer because of our children's schedule. We take it slow - have a lunch ADR or go back to the resort - and then go back later in the day when it cools down a little. We definitely get more done in the winter then in the summer - but we make it work.
 
Thanks for sharing.

Our vacation was June 30 to July 5. You are so right, it was HOT!!

Mornings and evenings were the only times we went to the parks.

I saw Pandora during previews and shortly after it opened and found the paths to be well lit and beautiful. This time, it felt so much darker. We couldn't read signs until right on top of them. Our sense of direction was off. Not sure if lighting changed or what?
 
I've only been to WDW twice, both in September. It was so hot then, I can't imagine June or July.

Hmmm. Sounds like it would be easy for someone to get hurt in Pandora if it's that dark.

Thanks for sharing!
 
We used to go in August when our kids were little. It does take adjusting, usually the first day or so. Drink plenty of water, always wear a hat with a visor (you just feel less "baked" with the sun out of your face). Instead of walking down the main streets in the park, walk through all those connected stores to enjoy even a few minutes of AC. As someone else said, have an ADR for lunch and take a break from the heat, or at least eat at indoor QS places.

This year we went in January and had perfect weather. It was nice to eat at some of our favorite outdoor places (like FlameTree) which we couldn't do when we went in August.

Summer months are totally doable, but you really do need to address the heat issues before they kick your can!
 
We used to go in August when our kids were little. It does take adjusting, usually the first day or so. Drink plenty of water, always wear a hat with a visor (you just feel less "baked" with the sun out of your face). Instead of walking down the main streets in the park, walk through all those connected stores to enjoy even a few minutes of AC. As someone else said, have an ADR for lunch and take a break from the heat, or at least eat at indoor QS places.

This year we went in January and had perfect weather. It was nice to eat at some of our favorite outdoor places (like FlameTree) which we couldn't do when we went in August.

Summer months are totally doable, but you really do need to address the heat issues before they kick your can!
That travel through the connecting stores tip about had me in an altercation with another guest due to crowding and I'm generally a pacifist at WDW. It was so crowded that turning around in my own space caused me to almost knock an elderly person over and the younger person with her glared at me and I was ready to get into it because I hadn't done anything but turn around which should be very reasonable.

Even the AC places like Cosmic Ray's, Restaurantosaurus, ABC Commissary and Satuli Canteen didn't feel very cool.

I did have a hat with a visor.

For some, the summer months really aren't doable. With my blood pressure issues, even using these tips proved too much for me.
 


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