Just back any ?'s

[chip91]

O.K. I was a 1st timer, and from what I read, crowd levels were higher than normal for the 1st week of Oct..

It was hot, humid & long waits, but managable. We got to the parks early & got all of the "major" attractions out of the way that we could, so I didn't mind..

Wait times later in the day I noticed for Standby:
Splash & BTRR Mtns: 70 minutes
PP: 50 minutes (got a FP at 11 a.m., return time was 4:45 - 5:45, this was Monday 10/3)
Soarin: 110 minutes
Test Track: 70 minutes
TOT/RNRC: 50-60 minutes..

USE THE FASTPASS when you can, it's a great thing!

What I learned? Disney is truly magical, but some people visiting there are not! There are some rude adults, I didn't mind one child, even the crying ones, but what did I witness? One adult swearing at me with my kids in the stroller, because I didn't get my stroller out of her way fast enough (and no I didn't "ankle" her or anything), a dad smacking his kid upside the head on the monorail because the kid accidently stepped on dad's foot, while being RUSHEd onto the monorail, kid started crying & turned to Mommy who yelled at him & said it was his fault, YIKES!

Any ?'s, let me know..it was HOT/HUMID last week, we got downpoured on 10-5 at MGM studious around 5 p.m., so we left instead of waiting for Fantasmic!

Fantasmic! is worth the wait, we just got in line on Friday (10-7) afternoon around 5:30 p.m. & had no problems getting a good seat, center if you can rows 8-15 are pretty good, you don't get wet but have a great view..I did notice by about 6:30, it was pretty packed, it was cool, the ENTIRE stadium did the wave back & forth numerous times, something to humor me while passing the time.
Also, some excitement after the show, a big snack slithering around in the stroller parking area, kind of freaky & for a minute I thought it was a Disney stunt, until I saw a CM try to step on the snakes tail & the snack tried to bite at him

Chippy

 

['Canes Fan]

What I learned? Disney is truly magical, but some people visiting there are not! There are some rude adults, I didn't mind one child, even the crying ones, but what did I witness? One adult swearing at me with my kids in the stroller, because I didn't get my stroller out of her way fast enough (and no I didn't "ankle" her or anything), a dad smacking his kid upside the head on the monorail because the kid accidently stepped on dad's foot, while being RUSHEd onto the monorail, kid started crying & turned to Mommy who yelled at him & said it was his fault, YIKES!

our second favorite attractions...the guests. we sit and watch because they happen just like auto accidents. the temps here have been higher than normal this year and the sun baked us yesterday at Universal. hope you had a good time, and the pro's outweigh the con's. but at least you've seen the reality of tourism here. parents smacking their kids in WDW...it doesn't make sense.

 

[KathylovesPooh]

Glad you had a great trip, Chip. Did you get to any EMHs - wondering how they are this time of year.

 

[crow11ad]

The reason for the crowds and the wait times were more than likely the result of the free dining that just ended. Other than that, it sounds like you had a great time...

 

[Beck's mom]

[QUOTE='Canes Fan]our second favorite attractions...the guests. we sit and watch because they happen just like auto accidents. [/QUOTE]

That is so true! We witnessed a few incidents of parents behaving badly...the worst was the dad who was pushing along his 10 or 11 yo son through the line for the Rockin Roller Coaster while he was crying the whole time. When it came time to go through the final turnstile, the kid grabbed onto it with a death grip while the dad was trying to shove him through. After about 30 seconds of this, he finally dragged him out through the emergency exit and right before the door closed, we saw him shove the poor kid against the wall.
You know, I can understand encouraging kids to face their fears by going on the rides - my kids used to be terrified of coasters, but gradually they tried them and now they love them all! But I would never ever force a kid to do something that caused that much anxiety! sheesh!

 

[chip91]

Kathy - didn't use EMH, didn't stay on site, sorry I can't help you there..

Crow11, yes I'm sure your right, busy b/c end of free dining probably + F/W Fest + MNSSHP, it was o.k. though, I expected it to be busy, so I wouldn't be disappointed if it was!

Talked to a man & his son in line for Splah on Monday 10-3, it was the end of their trip, they had been there the entire week before & he said this was crowded, the week before rides were virtually walk-on.

Also, when we were at MGM on Friday 10-7, someone said Florida kids didn't have school, so it was more crowded, it's important to utilize fastpass & if you get to the parks at opening, do the most popular rides 1st & everything works out fine..

At MGM on 10-5, we did TOT & RNRC right away, had them both done in about 40 minutes & that was with a stop at the TOT giftshop to buy the photo (THAT WAS MY FAVORITE PHOTO!)..

Definately manageable crowd levels, I think the worst was at the conclusion of Illuminations and Fantasmic!

Chip