We just got back from a 7 night split visit at GF and HRH. We arrived at GF on Thursday, August 21st, then moved to HRH on Monday night August, 25th. Regarding the GF, whatever negative posts you may have read on these boards, forget them the GF was absolutely wonderful. Regarding the HRH at Universal, we had stayed there in 2001 during the first year it was open and the rooms were immaculate. The rooms are still very nice but the white comforters and pillows have been replaced with green bedspreads and the carpets and furniture are showing some wear but it is still a first rate hotel and the pool area is absolutely beautiful.
With regard to crowds, we have been to WDW three times in the last five years during the last week of August and found this August to be the most crowded. Not sure if it was the FTP or the child tax rebates or a pent-up demand after 911 but the place was alive and it was nice. The World looked great, and I mean everywhere, and there were no signs of cut-backs that I had been reading about.
We went to MGM on Friday at opening and there was a large crowd waiting to get in but once inside we found it to be a very relaxed atmosphere. It started to get crowded but not until about 2:00 p.m. when we where leaving. We went to E-Ticket at MK that night with a 7:00 p.m. closing. It had started raining at 5:00 p.m. and didnt stop all night. We went anyway and expected the place to be empty not! The place was crowded with long lines at Space Mountain, Buzz, Splash Mountain and a 45 minute wait at Astro-Orbiter. When we walked out of Splash at 9:45, BTMR had a 20 minute wait. I cant imagine what E-Ticket looks like on a nice night. We probably wont do it again unless they open more rides to disperse the crowds.
We did AK on Saturday morning. There was a huge crowd at opening and they did not start allowing people through the turnstiles until about 8:55. Once the gates opened, everyone seemed to disperse in different directions. We had a really nice time at AK and just walked from attraction to attraction without a problem. We then did the unthinkable and went to a water park on a summer Saturday. We arrived at BB at about 2:00 and got a locker and then did the slides for about two hours until 4:00. The big guys had long lines but other slides were not crowded and it ended up being a great spur of the moment decision. We did Epcot and Mission Space (jury is still out on this) and DQ on Sunday night then MK again on Monday morning. I know this is a Disney board but want to say that we had two great days at US/IOA before leaving on the 28th. Also, we flew Song Airlines for the first time and I will post a report on this on the Transportation Board.
Please feel free ask any questions.
Packy.
With regard to crowds, we have been to WDW three times in the last five years during the last week of August and found this August to be the most crowded. Not sure if it was the FTP or the child tax rebates or a pent-up demand after 911 but the place was alive and it was nice. The World looked great, and I mean everywhere, and there were no signs of cut-backs that I had been reading about.
We went to MGM on Friday at opening and there was a large crowd waiting to get in but once inside we found it to be a very relaxed atmosphere. It started to get crowded but not until about 2:00 p.m. when we where leaving. We went to E-Ticket at MK that night with a 7:00 p.m. closing. It had started raining at 5:00 p.m. and didnt stop all night. We went anyway and expected the place to be empty not! The place was crowded with long lines at Space Mountain, Buzz, Splash Mountain and a 45 minute wait at Astro-Orbiter. When we walked out of Splash at 9:45, BTMR had a 20 minute wait. I cant imagine what E-Ticket looks like on a nice night. We probably wont do it again unless they open more rides to disperse the crowds.
We did AK on Saturday morning. There was a huge crowd at opening and they did not start allowing people through the turnstiles until about 8:55. Once the gates opened, everyone seemed to disperse in different directions. We had a really nice time at AK and just walked from attraction to attraction without a problem. We then did the unthinkable and went to a water park on a summer Saturday. We arrived at BB at about 2:00 and got a locker and then did the slides for about two hours until 4:00. The big guys had long lines but other slides were not crowded and it ended up being a great spur of the moment decision. We did Epcot and Mission Space (jury is still out on this) and DQ on Sunday night then MK again on Monday morning. I know this is a Disney board but want to say that we had two great days at US/IOA before leaving on the 28th. Also, we flew Song Airlines for the first time and I will post a report on this on the Transportation Board.
Please feel free ask any questions.
Packy.
