Just Back From a Spooktacular Visit!

[mom2rtk]

We're going on the 24th as well!

I'm another one with BB F! Dinner Reservations on the 24th - see you all there I'll be the one with the Aussie accent Wonderful trip report, I loved reading it all. Can't wait to fly out in a few days time.

Sounds like the 24th is the night to be there! LOL Of course it helps that it's the only Fantasmic showing in something like a 10 day span.

See you all there!

 

[Avery's mom]

What a wonderful trip report! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it ~ sounds like you had a great trip and took a few negatives in stride

We were down for Dapper Days a few weeks ago and dealt with very similar crowds and heat ~ it certainly changed the way we normally toured but we still had a great time.

I learned 2 things about the monorail that weekend that I'm sure most DL regulars know already but were new to me. I have posted about these but will include here, also:

1. The monorail doesn't run if the temps are over 95 or the heat index is over 97 ~ so walking back to the monorail station in hopes of taking it back to DTD and enjoying a short walk to your hotel in the heat of the day is not an option and only adds to your walking. I was told by a CM that it is due to the monorail not having a/c like those in Florida do and it can become dangerously hot on the monorail, especially if it gets stopped for any length of time with guests on it. Note: the CMs at the TL station telling you it is closed will helpfully suggest you head over to the train station and ride it back to the front of the park ~ a great idea, unless they have told 500+ guests before you the same thing and you have to wait for quite a few trains to actually be able to board one. Better to suck it up and push through the heat.

2. The monorail doesn't run prior to and during the fireworks so walking back to the monorail station in hopes of taking it back to DTD and having a short walk back to your hotel and avoiding the crush of humanity filling Main Street for the fireworks is not an option and only adds to your walk. Once I stopped and thought about this it was obvious as the monorail travels through the fireworks fall out zone but I had never really thought about it before.

We normally never ride the monorail back and forth - so we were really surprised to hear that it doesn't run in the heat. Thanks for the insight - I appreciate it! As far as Dapper Days, I completely agree - dressing up is hard enough at DL (IMHO) but when it is that hot - it is NOT going to happen. We went in February this year, and it was comfortable, but I'll never do a fall one - ever!

 

[DnA2010]

I hope you'll take a moment and write DL Guest Services about your Fantasmic experience. Telling you there was no room should not have been an option. And they really need to evaluate what they're selling there.

We have reservations on the 24th and appreciate the heads up. I guess we'll get there by 8. Yippee.

We're going on the 24th as well!

I'm another one with BB F! Dinner Reservations on the 24th - see you all there I'll be the one with the Aussie accent Wonderful trip report, I loved reading it all. Can't wait to fly out in a few days time.

Sounds like the 24th is the night to be there! LOL Of course it helps that it's the only Fantasmic showing in something like a 10 day span.

See you all there!

I'd still love more stories and feedback from the parties.

I'm still hoping for some feedback on what time I would need to get to the hub to get a good spot for Halloween Screams (near the castle, so no view of PTN). Since nobody has replied, I can only assume that nobody does this, so maybe I can show up 5 minutes before show time!

Wow look at us all- our reso is early- 4:20- what about your guys?

 

[Speechphi]

We'll be at RBT at 6:20, and apparently dh or I will be trying to get a spot for F! at 8

 

[Meemoo]

Wow look at us all- our reso is early- 4:20- what about your guys?

4.30 don't take my water table

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow look at us all- our reso is early- 4:20- what about your guys?

We are eating at River Belle Terrace at 5:20.

 

[DnA2010]

4.30 don't take my water table

Maybe we will be side by side

 

[Hofmanns4]

We were at the 10/8 F! too! We had BB package and was quite surprised to see the mob waiting by Harbour Galley at 7:15! I walked past and went by Splash Mtn and then my son and I went back to wait as well. It was my DH first time seeing it and I really wanted good seats. They let Blue section and Dining pkg part way in at 7:45pm. We were like cattle in a holding pen. It really was ridiculous! We stood in the pen until a little after 8 I think and they let us go and told dining pkg to go to the left and Blue section to the right. Once in the dining pkg area, people rushed to the center railing. My son and I took left front railing and thru our 4 cushions down. People filled in behind us an there was lots of room. Some were practically laying down in loved ones arms. I can see how the space was gone as it seemed like everyone behind us took lots of space. It was like a territorial thing or something. I told my DD and DH to come at 8:45 to avoid the chaos since my son and I already saved spots. About 8:40 they asked everyone behind us to move down to make room for a family. No one moved so they squeezed them in behind us in the 2nd row. I think the people that were originally behind us were mad, but if they just would have moved down, the family would have been in the back. I agree with not sitting at the railing. I waited and picked the railing so DH had a great view and he said afterward, it was a great show, just wish he did not have to look thru the railing! DOH!! So, I agree with a few rows back for a better view.

We have done the dining pkg 2 other times and always showed up about 8:35- 8:45 and been fine. I guess it was just a busy time.

We also were at the Halloween party on the 7th. Great time and great rides. We rode Big Thunder on a train all by ourselves! It was so cool to be the only ones on the train. Not sure how we managed that, it just all timed out perfectly!

We also were at the GCH 10/3 to 10/9 and stayed in the DVC side by Goofys sky school. Was so fun to watch the ride out the door every day! We usually stay at here but had never been on this side before. They were really full and I did not get my room requests either. I usually request by the main elevator, but we checked in late and had to take what was left. Although, I am glad as we really liked the view!

 

[mom2rtk]

It sounds like they are overselling those dining packages. Unfortunately that seems pretty typical of Disney lately.

I can't imagine our night (the 24th) will be any different because it's the only night it shows that weekend.

 

[Avery's mom]

We were at the 10/8 F! too! We had BB package and was quite surprised to see the mob waiting by Harbour Galley at 7:15! I walked past and went by Splash Mtn and then my son and I went back to wait as well. It was my DH first time seeing it and I really wanted good seats. They let Blue section and Dining pkg part way in at 7:45pm. We were like cattle in a holding pen. It really was ridiculous! We stood in the pen until a little after 8 I think and they let us go and told dining pkg to go to the left and Blue section to the right. Once in the dining pkg area, people rushed to the center railing. My son and I took left front railing and thru our 4 cushions down. People filled in behind us an there was lots of room. Some were practically laying down in loved ones arms. I can see how the space was gone as it seemed like everyone behind us took lots of space. It was like a territorial thing or something. I told my DD and DH to come at 8:45 to avoid the chaos since my son and I already saved spots. About 8:40 they asked everyone behind us to move down to make room for a family. No one moved so they squeezed them in behind us in the 2nd row. I think the people that were originally behind us were mad, but if they just would have moved down, the family would have been in the back. I agree with not sitting at the railing. I waited and picked the railing so DH had a great view and he said afterward, it was a great show, just wish he did not have to look thru the railing! DOH!! So, I agree with a few rows back for a better view.

We have done the dining pkg 2 other times and always showed up about 8:35- 8:45 and been fine. I guess it was just a busy time.

We also were at the Halloween party on the 7th. Great time and great rides. We rode Big Thunder on a train all by ourselves! It was so cool to be the only ones on the train. Not sure how we managed that, it just all timed out perfectly!

We also were at the GCH 10/3 to 10/9 and stayed in the DVC side by Goofys sky school. Was so fun to watch the ride out the door every day! We usually stay at here but had never been on this side before. They were really full and I did not get my room requests either. I usually request by the main elevator, but we checked in late and had to take what was left. Although, I am glad as we really liked the view!

Sounds like we mirrored each others' trip a lot! I thought to request the GSS view at the GCH but I wasn't sure how far it would feel from the lounge and elevator. But, now having been in that neck of the woods, I won't hesitate to ask for that area - thanks for your input on that area's view!

 

[Hofmanns4]

Sounds like we mirrored each others' trip a lot! I thought to request the GSS view at the GCH but I wasn't sure how far it would feel from the lounge and elevator. But, now having been in that neck of the woods, I won't hesitate to ask for that area - thanks for your input on that area's view!

At one point, GSS broke down and we watched as people were stuck on the ride. The cars on top had umbrellas, so I assume a CM brought them umbrellas since it was so hot up there! Was interesting to watch the steps to evacuate the riders, then reset the ride. Took about 40 minutes!

I can't remember what night it was, but WOC was going at 1am! I think it was 10/7 since we were out late at the party. We spotted lights thru the curtains and when we looked out, you could see the water and lights going. No sound, so not sure what they were testing, but that was neat to see too!

Loved your report! We love the lounge too! We skipped it this trip, but will probably do again next time. The cabanas sound nice, need to try that next time!

 

[Avery's mom]

Well, either GSS breaks down a lot, or we saw the same thing! I remembered thinking that I would pee my pants if they had to evacuate me off the top of that ride! No thanks!

The cabanas were really nice to have - and really inexpensive for the haven they provide. It was nice to have a private place to rest/eat/change/nurse the baby, etc... We will do it from now on in hot weather.

I know a lot of people say the lounge isn't worth it from a financial pov, but we did have 5 ppl and used it multiple times daily. Even if we didn't eat or drink "enough" to make it worth it, I loved the relative quiet and ease of being able to pop in and relax or grab a cup of coffee, etc...I know we won't be able to swing it every trip, but I will put it pretty high on the priority list.

 

[Nonsuch]

...either GSS breaks down a lot, or we saw the same thing!

GSS breaks down quite often. I have observed several evacuations watching from VGC.