Just back after 12 magical days! few comments to share!

[tazz23]

Thought Id leave you this tread ive just posted on another forum- Just like to add that we flew virgin atlantic and I found the cabin crew really helpful and friendly, coudnt much fault, except maybe that the flights are too long! lol.

We just got back from disney after spending almost 2 weeks there!(3rd til 15th sept) and there really was no crowds at disney! the longest line I saw was for peter pan which was 20min but we just got a fastpass and rode all the other rides which had lines of 5 min or under!
Another great thing was that as it was empty, the characters had little wait too so they had time to interact much more with us and the other children making it so much more special!
On the down side(and there wasnt many!) quite a few of the rides weren't working as they were doing maintenance on them, for example the aerosmith rollcoaster, festival of the lion king(i really wanted to see that as well ) and thunder mountain. The only really crowded day was sat 13th as spectromagic was on and I guess everbody went to see that- lines were awful- we waited 40 min for pirates of the caribbean But it was so worth going anyway, ive never seen anything so amazing, It felt so magical!

We also saw universal and seaworld but unlike disney they were fairly busy- not sure why?! Think I prefered disney to these parks, as disney has more atmosphere and I was just overcome with happiness every time I set foot in the parks! gosh i sound silly!
One last thing- We stayed on International Drive and as we didnt rent a car, we took buses practically everywhere and it was fine! Everyone was really helpful and it saved a lot of money (tickets were about one dollar (75p for the english) for unlimited travel on the i-ride trolley which goes along international drive per day with children going free and for the public bus to disney 10 dollars (about £8) for unlimited travel for a week) it also meant we didnt have to worry about parking or driving on the wrong side and we met so many families from all over the world doing the same thing! I'd definately recommend doing this if you have any doubts about driving- international drive is a really nice place to stay and there are so much shops! I was in heaven in the discount outlets!
Feel free to ask anything, until then im counting down to the next holiday!!!

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome back !

I was just overcome with happiness every time I set foot in the parks! gosh i sound silly!

...... you don't sound silly to me That's something many of us feel too

 

[Hilary]

Welcome back! Glad you had such a magical trip

Your non-driving tips will be really useful to many others, I'm sure.

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome Home ~ Thanx for the wonderful reviews.

 

[kazzie]

Great to hear you had such a good time.

For non-drivers it's helpful to hear how painless and easy you found it without a car

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome Back

Glad you had a wonderful time!

 

[mkingdon]

I was just overcome with happiness every time I set foot in the parks!

AMEN!!

 

[Bellis Belles]

Hi
Glad you had a good time. Did anyone know why the parks were sooo quiet. I have read several reports from people just back saying the parks were eerily quiet. We are going 2 weeks today and I just hope we get your luck, There is nothing better than not having to que is there.
Nicky

 

[Goog'n'Giz]

We went last year at this time and are doing same this year (only 8 sleeps to go!!!)

I feel the parks were nice and quiet then and I think the reason is that from one side of the world to the other there seem to be no schools on holiday, this may explain it.

 

[Bellis Belles]

Hi GoogNgiz

I am glad my family are not the only ones to works things out by sleeps. 2DD 6 and 9. Each day we have a sleep countdown. Only 12 sleeps for us. You beat us by 4. Have a fab time.
Nicky

 

[Goog'n'Giz]

Thanks Nicky, I'm sure we will have a fab time, same as yourselves I bet!!!

My DS who is 5 and a bit (which I am not allowed to forget), has his countdown on his blackboard in his room which is marked of every morning before he even has time to stretch!! My DD is will be 3 at the end of this year and can't wait to cuddle Cindaella (in her words, not a spelling error!!)

Enjoy your hols,
Glenda

P.S. Do you know if Philarmagic will be on when we are there?

 

[Bellis Belles]

Hi Glenda
Not sure but will try and find out and let you know.
Cheers
Nicky

 

[wigeboo]

I'm glad you had a nice time

one question could you tell me what bus company you used please?

thanks

2000 all stars movies
2001 off site
2002 off site
2003 off site

 

[tazz23]

Thanx for all the replies!
Bus services: Theres the 'I-ride trolley' that travels up and down international drive. There's stops every 30 metres or so- so very frequent! and the buses arrive every 20 minutes(but often a bit quicker). There are many many maps you can use and places to visit along this- check out the shopping malls at both ends- they were brilliant! The 'iride' trolleys have two lines: Northbound and southbound so as long as you know whether the place you want is south or north of you, its easy to follow! (if in doubt look at their map or ask the driver)
The other bus service we used was the 'Lynx' service. The number 50 takes you to disney (Transportation and ticket centre where there is free transport to whichever disney park you want to visit that day). You can board this bus from the stop by Seaworld. The Iride takes you there (stop number 37 i think) so just get off the iride at seaworld and then board the Lynx50. The Lynx 50 comes every 30 min(at 08 and 38 minutes past i think, i can check that if you need to know for certain). There is also a Lynx8 that takes you along international drive, but we only used this in the evenings when we were eager to get home!
Im not sure what else you'd like to know?
Hope that helps for now

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Good reviews.
The Non-driving part was helpful,as a friend of the family is going next year and they havent hired a car,so i can pass your review on

Glad you had a great time.
Know the feeling about counting down till next time!!

Beth

 

[Bellis Belles]

Hi Glenda

Philharmonic starts on the 8th October so there when we get there. The reviews have been fantastic.
Nicky.