Just back. Not a drop of rain/VERY low crowds

[novafan]

We just got back from a week at WDW. It was our first trip as a family and it was truly magical. DH and I had both been as kids a few times and we were saying today and how we love WDW even more as adults and can appreciate so much more now.

The first good news is that we did not see 1 drop of rain the entire time we were there. We toted our ponchos every day and I was certain we'd at least have the usual afternoon showers. I couldn't believe the luck.

The crowd situation was amazing. So many times we felt like we had the parks to ourselves. Most rides were walk ons with a few 5 or 10 minute waits here and there. Mission Space was a walk on for us, which DH and I both thought was a phenomonal attraction.

We were so pleased with the food at Disney and I just posted a complete dining report on the Disney dining board.

We stayed at the CR using the Shades of Green deal and it was incredible. What a fun hotel! We loved the proximity to the MK (we walked to MK alot) and we loved the monorail being right there.

We had some very magical moments. DS (3) got to be the guest conductor on the WDW Train and call out "All Aboard" over the speaker system when the train pulled out. We all got to ride on the back of the last car with the train conductor and DS got to push the buttons to start the pre-recorded narrations. On 9/12, DH participated in the Flag Retreat ceremony outside of Town Hall and received a free photo, a certificate and a special pin that only vets or active duty who participate in the ceremony receive. Also, DH and I did the carriage ride at Fort Wilderness and it was very romantic.

We had quite a few other magical moments and the trip was absolutely perfect. It will probably be a few years till we get back, but I am looking forward to our return to WDW already. Any questions?

 

[EjandMD]

Excellent...we are leaving tommorrow, VERY EARLY...

 

[Montana Minnies]

Great trip report
I would like to go sometime in the fall or during the winter. Due to school and occupations we can only get to WDW during the summer when it truly is hotter than hot! But we still enjoyed it in spite of the heat and the thunderstorms.

"Montana Minnies"
Enid

 

[Spartan]

novafan (or anyone else who might know) - question for you about being a guest conductor. Is this something you can ask to do, like riding up front in the monorail? I also have a 3yo DS who loves trains (he just got to take a ride on the real Thomas last week), and I know he'd get such a thrill out of being the guest conductor. thanks.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Originally posted by novafan
We just got back from a week at WDW. It was our first trip as a family and it was truly magical. DH and I had both been as kids a few times and we were saying today and how we love WDW even more as adults and can appreciate so much more now.

The first good news is that we did not see 1 drop of rain the entire time we were there. We toted our ponchos every day and I was certain we'd at least have the usual afternoon showers. I couldn't believe the luck.

The crowd situation was amazing. So many times we felt like we had the parks to ourselves. Most rides were walk ons with a few 5 or 10 minute waits here and there. Mission Space was a walk on for us, which DH and I both thought was a phenomonal attraction.

We were so pleased with the food at Disney and I just posted a complete dining report on the Disney dining board.

We stayed at the CR using the Shades of Green deal and it was incredible. What a fun hotel! We loved the proximity to the MK (we walked to MK alot) and we loved the monorail being right there.

We had some very magical moments. DS (3) got to be the guest conductor on the WDW Train and call out "All Aboard" over the speaker system when the train pulled out. We all got to ride on the back of the last car with the train conductor and DS got to push the buttons to start the pre-recorded narrations. On 9/12, DH participated in the Flag Retreat ceremony outside of Town Hall and received a free photo, a certificate and a special pin that only vets or active duty who participate in the ceremony receive. Also, DH and I did the carriage ride at Fort Wilderness and it was very romantic.

We had quite a few other magical moments and the trip was absolutely perfect. It will probably be a few years till we get back, but I am looking forward to our return to WDW already. Any questions?

Novafan - can you tell me how your DH got picked for the Flag Retreat Ceremony? We will be at Disney in December on their military special and my kids would love to see their Dad participate in this. He just recently returned from a year's deployment overseas and this is our big vacation!

Thanks!

 

[jeleebeene]

We also just returned, and Novafan is right - no rain, and VERY low crowds. This is now our favorite time to go! On Friday 9-12, we rode Splash twice in a row! They told us to just remain seated - DH loved that!!

I was surprised that there was little to no rain. I purchased ponchos and carried them everyday, but NEVER had to use one. The weather was wonderful - HOT - but beautiful!

I now know that I will NEVER go in July again!!!

 

[novafan]

Spartan,
As for the guest Conductor, we were asked by the CM at the station. We just started talking about how both DS's love trains and my 3 year old was jumping up and down and asking to watch the train come in on the tracks. She lifted him up over the gate and let him watch. Then she turned to us and told us that she had a special surprise for us to show the conductor when the train came into the station. She gave both DS's a little card out of her pocket that said "Guest Conductor." I guess you could ask. It couldn't hurt, right? DS was in his glory!!


Mommy Poppins,
As for the flag ceremony, any active duty or veteran can participate. You go into Town Hall (right to the left of the main entrance to MK) and ask one of the CM's about the ceremony. They keep a log with the volunteers for each day. If there is a day available, all you have to do is sign up. That's it! It was a very special moment for us. Oh, and we tried to get DH signed up on September 11th (they did something special for that one), but it was already taken, so he participated on the 12th.

HTH

 

[Ted and Holly]

Nova,
Thanks for the report! Sounds like you had a great time!

On September 11, they did have a special ceremony for the flag retreat (?). They had three members of the WDW Security COlor Guard, 2 Cast Members on Active Duty in the Armed Forces, and 5 Florida State Police. They also had the Voices of Liberty sing and the Main Street Philharmonic play. It was very nice.

Do you have any photos of your DH participating? I am sure many would love to see them.

Ted