Just back from 2 weeks ... just the facts, ma'am ...

[WEDway2002]

Hi all ...
Well, I started with live reports while down at the world. The house we rented (something different) had a 'puter and I was off and running. We then moved to OKW (we are DVC members since '94) and spent another week (we are soooooo lucky ... never traveled much at all as a kid). Anyway, to "give back" to this terrific board and maybe help ease someone's next trip, I'll offer some random musings in no particular order ... just sort of "stream of consciousness". We (DW, DD12, DS7 and I) are Disney kool aid drinkers and are proud of it!

Here goes ...

- Expedition Everest is great! More intense than expected ... not unlike RnRC in a way (no inversions, but it almost felt like it backwards in the dark!).
- Soarin' is still a religious experience!
- Going to the parks on NON - early opening days worked very well for us.
- Fast Pass, Fast Pass, Fast Pass ...
- If you are able, rent a car ... we always do ... so nice to get around at our convenience.
- Johnny Depp looks really cool in the "new" pirates ... he appears 3 times ... some new effects at the beginning ...
- Weather was great ... a bit of rain, but all in all very nice ... don't be afraid to travel down in the summer.
- Make those dining reservations!!! Especially for the popular meals ... it really has to be done at least a month or two in advance if you want a decent time (saw many walk - ins turned away).
- Favorite meals ... CRT, O'Hana, Cape May, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, Prime Time, Trails End (best deal on property), Hollywood and Vine, Whispering Canyon, Liberty Tree Tavern and Tony's.
- Disney Dining Experience card has been a GREAT deal! 20% off virtually every eatery ...
- Get a hair cut on Main St. ... go for it ... color, pixie dust and all! (also a real nice cut ... they will also only do color if you like)
- Plan things out ... but stay loose and be willing to change ...
- If you can, do a few hours early ... go back and crash or swim and return later.
- Summer offering at America Gardens theater is a bit cheesy ... saw a Billy Joel show (actually only seconds of it ... couldn't take much more) ... guy in a really bad wig ... {sigh} I know there are a series of tribute bands all summer. I remember the wonderful shows when they had the All American College Orchestra backing broadway stars and "Blast". Oh, well ... maybe next year ...
- Saw Fantasmic for the first time ... very cool ... did a dinner package. Doesn't seem necessary ... every seat in that stadium seems great.
- Stitch isn't as awful as I heard ... kinda cute (it helps if you're a Stitch fan) ... my DS really liked it.
Well ... that's all for now ... if I think of anything else, I'll post again ...

Dave

 

[mjmcca]

SNIP
- Summer offering at America Gardens theater is a bit cheesy ... saw a Billy Joel show (actually only seconds of it ... couldn't take much more) ... guy in a really bad wig ... {sigh} I know there are a series of tribute bands all summer. I remember the wonderful shows when they had the All American College Orchestra backing broadway stars and "Blast". Oh, well ... maybe next year ...
SNIP

I remember seeing Lord of the Dance there a few years ago. Loved it. Wish they would get more stuff like that in that venue.

 

[TLinden16]

You ate at some of my favorite restaurants. Yum. Great tips. Thanks for posting.

 

[BratTink]

Disney kool-aid drinkers! LOVE it.

 

[WEDway2002]

Hi again ... thought of some more stuff. (BTW ... thanks, Brat Tink for getting the "Kool Aid" reference ... )

Anyhoo ...

- can you believe there is some scratched in graffiti in the queue for Soarin'??!!! Creeps! There are brushed metal walls and in one area some dopes decided to scratch their initials, etc. ... grrrrrr!

(sorry gang ... I guess I'm a little cranky today ... more negative on the way ...)

- WHY do people discard their garbage in nooks and crannies on ride queues????!!!! (especially found on Pirates) ... this is sacred ground, people ... grrrrrr!

- I am also here to, sadly, report on the death of "excuse me" in American society (especially at WDW) Now, don't get me wrong ... I know there are those of you out there still using it ... I just didn't see you on THIS trip ...

I have to admit gang ... I'm scraping now for negative things to say ...
this is like therapy ...

OK ... one more (for now ) why, oh why ... if you are approaching 7 feet tall and your wife is closing in at around 6'5", do you have to stand at the edge of the curb for ANY parade?! (I know, I know ... you have "staked your turf" for hours and will not be moved ... not even for some little tiny kid ... {sigh} ... and {grrrrr!} ... ).

Well thanks for listeni ... er ... reading ... it was most cathartic.
I'll keep you posted! Hey, I'm a punny guy!

Dave

 

[GreatBiscuit]

With all of the in-depth reports, it is nice to have a quickie now and then. Enjoyed the quick review!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Sounds great!

The band at Epcot for our dates is a cover band of ABBA! We might walk by just for grins.

I hope we can tolerate the heat/humidity next month. We plan to follow the plan of early morning at the park, back to AKL until dinner, back to the parks after dinner. We have more ADRs than you can shake a stick at - we should be all set!