MGM: Did EMH at opening and the crowds didn't impact wait time seriously until around noon. Did all the rides in the AM, and cruised around picking shows and less busy attractions in the afternoon. The ADR for lunch was Sci-Fi, and since we were first timers at this restaurant it was a blast. The food was good enough to not detract from the atmosphere, but the specialty drinks were awesome. Our server kept paced with our refills, etc. even though the place was filled to the max. The only thing that was a downer was a couple who were furious and mouthing off (potty words) to the hostess as we were leaving...because they hadn't made an ADR and claimed they were told they wouldn't need one.
Ohanas and Wishes Cruise: Ohana dinner...can't say enough about the relaxed atmosphere, yummy non-stop food, and wonderful "cousin" server. On the Wishes cruise....THANK YOU!!!!!!
to Mr. Disney and all the generous DISers who made this magical experience possible. We didn't really know what to expect since it was a first time thing. There was some time between dinner at Ohana's and the cruise (launched from Poly) where we sat at the end of the pier and watched the water electrical pageant, and I gave DH his Thank You Hero card where I enclosed all the greetings and wishes from DIS members. He smiled so big and his eyes watered up in a way I haven't seen since he first held DS....and this was even before getting onboard for the cruise. When we finally checked in and greeted by our driver (a double decade veteran Disney CM), it was DS's turn to squeal with delight as a gorgeous chocolate Mickey and plate of tuxedo strawberries was passed around. On the boat tour the driver was excellent at narrating the whole history of the different waterfront resorts, Disney trivia, and funny guest incidents he had encountered over the years. We were lucky enough to "park" by the GF yacht and pick up their sound feed loud and clear. During the fireworks, it was as if time stood still and we soaked in the audio/visual feast. It was an amazing experience of a lifetime, and made so much more special because of the pixie dust sprinkled from people filled with true magic.
Typhoon Lagoon: We didn't intend to visit a waterpark, but when temps passed into upper 90s and heat index over 100...Epcot in the heat of the day didn't sound so great. At TL we were able to get a great shady secluded hang-out spot near an entrance to the lazy river. Did all the water slides in the morning and shark reef swim. Switched off between lazy river and wave pool off and on for awhile. By mid-afternoon the lazy river was clogged and too much horse play from older kids to enjoy, but was lovely for most of the time we used it. The water coaster was literally a blast....jet propelled. Best waterpark ride ever! We were having a good time and staying cool, so we ended up staying from open until 4:30pm. We built a couple of fancy sandcastles and sand sculptures, and for awhile had a few audiences gather around. Great fun.
Epcot: Since we spent the morning at the waterpark, we never made it to the WS section and just focused on FW. We had ADRs at Coral Reef and the view fitted seamlessly into our thus-far aquatic themed day. Before I left home I called the Disney special occassion hotline so I could order a cake, since the meal was a special occassion make-up celebration for all the holidays, etc. that DH missed while deployed. I didn't really know what cake I wanted, so they just charged me for 6-8 serving "mystery cake" and was told to let them take care of coming up with something. I was expecting a regular cake and maybe the standard clapping thing...but at the end of the meal a trio of CMs (one wearing the Mad Hatter Hat) presented a tilted fancy red/white/blue birthday cake with sparkler candles and sang harmony accapella "Very Merry UnBirthday". Everyone in the restaurant was cheering and clapping. Then DH, DS, and I were all handed tiny wrapped boxes that each contained different collector pins with american flags on them. We also received a head of the line ride-of-choice pass. That came in really handy because it was also an Epcot EMH night and FPs were long gone by the time we got there. We had planned on seeing Illuminations, but because the Wishes experience was so great and our touring time was already reduced...we did Soarin' and Living Seas/Turtle talk while the crowds were watching the show. The pass was used on Test Track, and it was the only time I felt guilty passing so many people in line...standby was 110 mins. The last thing was Mission Space, but I chickened out at the last minute (fear of motion sickness) so DH did single rider and was through a 90 min line in 20 mins. We were more stifled by crowds (longer lines, grumpier guests, a few pushy/rude incidents) at Epcot EMH that at any other time during our visit, but were riding high on wings of Disney induced love...and were able to shake it off.
Animal Kingdom: My favorite park, but not for DH and DS...sigh.... Well, we got there at open and did all the main rides, travelled a few exploratory paths, saw Festival of Lion King, and were out by 2pm. We ate at Tusker house and food was plentiful and good. This was the least crowded park, but it was also a MK EMH day and that probably had something to do with it. Bring plenty of film to this park. IMHO, it is a landscaping wonder and I could have wandered around fascinated without ever riding anything. It was hotter than the other parks, but more shady places too.
Grand Finale: We ended our visit by heading back to MGM for Fantasmic. Arrived at the park around 6pm, watched Beauty and Beast show, Man and His Dream show, and camped out for Fantasmic playing with our nifty light up/glowing toys and doing the Wave over and over. The show was the perfect finale to a spectacular vacation. We all agreed that this trip was filled with so many unforgetable memories that it may never be topped....not that we won't someday find our way back to Disney World to try
P.S....I will follow this up with some pics as soon as I buy a new battery for digital camera.
Ohanas and Wishes Cruise: Ohana dinner...can't say enough about the relaxed atmosphere, yummy non-stop food, and wonderful "cousin" server. On the Wishes cruise....THANK YOU!!!!!!
to Mr. Disney and all the generous DISers who made this magical experience possible. We didn't really know what to expect since it was a first time thing. There was some time between dinner at Ohana's and the cruise (launched from Poly) where we sat at the end of the pier and watched the water electrical pageant, and I gave DH his Thank You Hero card where I enclosed all the greetings and wishes from DIS members. He smiled so big and his eyes watered up in a way I haven't seen since he first held DS....and this was even before getting onboard for the cruise. When we finally checked in and greeted by our driver (a double decade veteran Disney CM), it was DS's turn to squeal with delight as a gorgeous chocolate Mickey and plate of tuxedo strawberries was passed around. On the boat tour the driver was excellent at narrating the whole history of the different waterfront resorts, Disney trivia, and funny guest incidents he had encountered over the years. We were lucky enough to "park" by the GF yacht and pick up their sound feed loud and clear. During the fireworks, it was as if time stood still and we soaked in the audio/visual feast. It was an amazing experience of a lifetime, and made so much more special because of the pixie dust sprinkled from people filled with true magic.Typhoon Lagoon: We didn't intend to visit a waterpark, but when temps passed into upper 90s and heat index over 100...Epcot in the heat of the day didn't sound so great. At TL we were able to get a great shady secluded hang-out spot near an entrance to the lazy river. Did all the water slides in the morning and shark reef swim. Switched off between lazy river and wave pool off and on for awhile. By mid-afternoon the lazy river was clogged and too much horse play from older kids to enjoy, but was lovely for most of the time we used it. The water coaster was literally a blast....jet propelled. Best waterpark ride ever! We were having a good time and staying cool, so we ended up staying from open until 4:30pm. We built a couple of fancy sandcastles and sand sculptures, and for awhile had a few audiences gather around. Great fun.
Epcot: Since we spent the morning at the waterpark, we never made it to the WS section and just focused on FW. We had ADRs at Coral Reef and the view fitted seamlessly into our thus-far aquatic themed day. Before I left home I called the Disney special occassion hotline so I could order a cake, since the meal was a special occassion make-up celebration for all the holidays, etc. that DH missed while deployed. I didn't really know what cake I wanted, so they just charged me for 6-8 serving "mystery cake" and was told to let them take care of coming up with something. I was expecting a regular cake and maybe the standard clapping thing...but at the end of the meal a trio of CMs (one wearing the Mad Hatter Hat) presented a tilted fancy red/white/blue birthday cake with sparkler candles and sang harmony accapella "Very Merry UnBirthday". Everyone in the restaurant was cheering and clapping. Then DH, DS, and I were all handed tiny wrapped boxes that each contained different collector pins with american flags on them. We also received a head of the line ride-of-choice pass. That came in really handy because it was also an Epcot EMH night and FPs were long gone by the time we got there. We had planned on seeing Illuminations, but because the Wishes experience was so great and our touring time was already reduced...we did Soarin' and Living Seas/Turtle talk while the crowds were watching the show. The pass was used on Test Track, and it was the only time I felt guilty passing so many people in line...standby was 110 mins. The last thing was Mission Space, but I chickened out at the last minute (fear of motion sickness) so DH did single rider and was through a 90 min line in 20 mins. We were more stifled by crowds (longer lines, grumpier guests, a few pushy/rude incidents) at Epcot EMH that at any other time during our visit, but were riding high on wings of Disney induced love...and were able to shake it off.
Animal Kingdom: My favorite park, but not for DH and DS...sigh.... Well, we got there at open and did all the main rides, travelled a few exploratory paths, saw Festival of Lion King, and were out by 2pm. We ate at Tusker house and food was plentiful and good. This was the least crowded park, but it was also a MK EMH day and that probably had something to do with it. Bring plenty of film to this park. IMHO, it is a landscaping wonder and I could have wandered around fascinated without ever riding anything. It was hotter than the other parks, but more shady places too.
Grand Finale: We ended our visit by heading back to MGM for Fantasmic. Arrived at the park around 6pm, watched Beauty and Beast show, Man and His Dream show, and camped out for Fantasmic playing with our nifty light up/glowing toys and doing the Wave over and over. The show was the perfect finale to a spectacular vacation. We all agreed that this trip was filled with so many unforgetable memories that it may never be topped....not that we won't someday find our way back to Disney World to try
P.S....I will follow this up with some pics as soon as I buy a new battery for digital camera.
I am looking forward in seeing the picture that you have.
