Just back ... some thoughts ...

[WEDway2002]

Hi all ...

I wanted to give back to this wonderful board by way of a trip report ... instead of a traditional one, I thought I would list some random thoughts, sort of "stream of consciousness" style. We recently returned from our annual pilgrimage to Micka having brought my DW's brother and family with us. We spent a night a the Wilderness Lodge, a little over a week at OKW and finished with my gang (four of us) at the Beach Club Villas (I feel self conscious as I write all this ... I know we are sooooo lucky!). Well, needless to say, the magic is alive and well at good ol' WDW and we all had a wonderful time! Below please find some thoughts ... I hope they may help in some of your own planning.

- never fear a summer visit ... we returned to NY and found similar heat ... we always visit in the summer and as long as you head out early, take a mid-day break and go back at night, you'll be fine.

- Soarin' at Epcot is like a religious experience!!! OMG! My new fave ... and my DW rode it 3 times and is usually prone to terrible motion sickness. We managed to get on line 5 minutes before closing (half hour wait ... shortest of the day, other than at opening) for our first ride. We also "bee-lined it" at opening another day ... got fast passes ... got on stand-by line, got off, got on again. If you've ever flown in your dreams, that's what it's like ... truly amazing ... very smooth.

- never used EMHs ... went the other way ... went to parks at normal opening and had very little wait times.

- if you can, visit MK on Sunday ... we did twice and found it darn near empty most of the day! I figured Sunday was a big move in / move out day and it certainly worked well!

- the DDE card is worth it's weight in gold!!! It paid for itself in 3 meals and is accepted all over the place ... even big meals like CRT and Chef Mickey's ... note that they are now issuing temporary cards which can be obtained only at Epcot guest relations (outside the gates on the right, as you look at the park). We just got our permanent cards in the mail and although we ordered them in late July, they expire late Aug. of '06.

- the meals were all wonderful ... we took my brother-in-law and family to some of our favs. : CRT, Cape May, Whispering Canyon, Prime Time Cafe (our server was not really up on the "show" ... next time I may ask for a really enthusiastic cast member), Crystal Palace, O'Hana and Chef Mickey's. I was dissappointed in the changes to the Land's food court we had always enjoyed the family friendly "down home" offerings ... now it's just a little weird for us ... ok ... but a bit of a chore to find something we liked.

- had to visit the Centra Care clinic (right near the Crossroads) ... we seem to visit there every trip ... but ... great experience as always. If you can choose your time to visit ... try to choose opening 8 a.m. ... shorter wait time.

- also visited new Walmart east on Vineland-Apopka Rd. ... very easy to find ... also a very good experience.

- have I said Soarin' is like a religious experience??!!

- fast pass is almost always the way to go ... honestly ... with maybe one or two exceptions, we never really waited longer than 20 minutes for anything in two weeks.

- AK is still the hottest park, had to catch Tarzan Rocks, though and the progress on EE is really cool to see. Also ... there is a really great short cut linking Asia with TR ... right past Everest.

- my DS (6) not a thrill seeker (until now) experienced BTM and TT and loved them ... he is now my roller coaster buddy in addition to my DD (11), who is a thrill seeker from way back.

- did BB for the first time and although I am a certified SCUBA diver and roller coaster enthusiast, I can safely say I HATE water slides! Maybe it's my age, but give me the "lazy river" anytime! We ds and I did the huge 2 person bobsled thing and I was sure we were gonna die! We were up one side and down ... FLYING down the slide ... AND climbing 7000 steps to face your imminent demise is just NOT my idea of fun! Oh, well ... we had fun anyway.

All in all, the magic lives and it was a wonderful trip (as usual) ... I'm sure more thoughts will come to mind, but I'll let you rest your eyes! Please feel free to throw any questions my way ...

Time to start planning our next trip!!!

Dave

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks for the entertaining report!

By the way, how was Soarin'?? LOL

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Excellent report. Thanks!!!!!

 

[asaj]

Great report Dave.

We are going in Oct, and I am hoping to get my 6 yr old DD on ToT. She has been talking about riding it since 2003 when she first saw it, I just hope she still wants to when we get there this year. She loves Splash Mountain, and is big on the thrill rides, but this would be her biggest yet.

Thanks again for the info.

Andy

 

[kkozma]

You know I was trying to capture what thought of Soarin' and was having trouble until I read the religious experience piece. It truly was. To be in that audience and hear all of those "WOWS" at the beginning was so cool and then the applause at the end. I wanted to ride over and over.
It really was a special ride, I am so glad we tried it as it was our last day and when given the choice the kids said "we haven't tried soaring yet, lets go there"
See ...I leave the planning up to someone else for once and it works out just fine...

 

[londonpenguin]

If you've ever flown in your dreams, that's what it's like

That is SUCH a good way of describing it!

 

[bigmac5]

Loved the report! Sounds like you had a great time. We're there Aug 28. I figure it won't be any hotter than it is here in Ontario

 

[NY Disney fan]

Hi all ...

IAND climbing 7000 steps to face your imminent demise is just NOT my idea of fun!

Dave

You said it, brother!

 

[Lizzybee]

So you thoughts Soarin' was an ok ride?

Cool report

 

[Aalore]

Thanks for the report. Seems like you had a great time!!

 

[Credit Man]

Enjoyed your report. Thanks for posting.

 

[grimley1968]

Good report! Too bad it sounds like Soarin' wasn't very entertaining for you.

 

[Pocahantas]

Sounds like a wonferful trip. I absolutely love your description of Soarin!

 

[scanmom]

is a wonderful attraction! I agree, it is like flying! We have been on the one in California Adventure many times, I was glad to hear that it is the same experience in Florida. I really don't think it can be improved!!

 

[TinkerTracy]

You know I was trying to capture what thought of Soarin' and was having trouble until I read the religious experience piece. It truly was. To be in that audience and hear all of those "WOWS" at the beginning was so cool and then the applause at the end. I wanted to ride over and over.
It really was a special ride, I am so glad we tried it as it was our last day and when given the choice the kids said "we haven't tried soaring yet, lets go there"
See ...I leave the planning up to someone else for once and it works out just fine...

I love soarin' it truly is an amazing experience

 

[disneyholic family]

- Soarin' at Epcot is like a religious experience!!! OMG! My new fave ...

- never used EMHs ... went the other way ... went to parks at normal opening and had very little wait times.

- if you can, visit MK on Sunday ... we did twice and found it darn near empty most of the day! I figured Sunday was a big move in / move out day and it certainly worked well!

- Prime Time Cafe (our server was not really up on the "show" ... next time I may ask for a really enthusiastic cast member),

I was dissappointed in the changes to the Land's food court we had always enjoyed the family friendly "down home" offerings ... now it's just a little weird for us ... ok ... but a bit of a chore to find something we liked.

- had to visit the Centra Care clinic (right near the Crossroads) ... we seem to visit there every trip ... but ... great experience as always. If you can choose your time to visit ... try to choose opening 8 a.m. ... shorter wait time.

- did BB for the first time and although I am a certified SCUBA diver and roller coaster enthusiast, I can safely say I HATE water slides! Maybe it's my age, but give me the "lazy river" anytime!

great report....
i have to agree with you on so many things (other than the water slides - which i love love love -- but now with the new ones at TL, BB pales in comparison)...

anyway....specifically - yes, soarin is the best....each time we rode it (two weeks ago) everyone applauded when it was over....just brilliant...

we also did the opposite of EMH and it worked well for us..

we were also very very very very disappointed in the changes in the food court in the Land....we used to always eat lunch there whenever we were in epcot....but there's nothing left to eat now....we bought some pre-packaged stuff.....but they took away the baked potatoes....our favorite there....bring em back...

prime time cafe....we were really lucky in our CM this time....we ate really really early....at 11:30, so the place was mostly empty...so maybe because of that he was very relaxed...and hysterically funny....and took us down many times....

we had a house call doctor from centra care (second time we've done that)....though it's expensive it's worth it....they come right away and both were impressive as good doctors...

we'll go looking for the walmart when we're back in WDW next week....when we got home we realized how many things we forgot to buy (we live overseas)....although that's not why we're going back....but since we are, we'll make a point of checking out that walmart...

again...thanks for the great report...

 

[Leota]

Great report! Thanks.

 

[LiteBrite]

we were also very very very very disappointed in the changes in the food court in the Land....we used to always eat lunch there whenever we were in epcot....but there's nothing left to eat now....we bought some pre-packaged stuff.....but they took away the baked potatoes....our favorite there....bring em back...

I realize I'm probably in the minority here, but I never liked the food court in the Land before. I gave it lots of tries over the years. It seemed like with that many choices, there would have to be something everyone would like, right? Not for us! Every time we tried it, nobody liked anything they had! I really wanted to like the place, but eventually we just gave up on it.

I also didn't expect to like it in its new incarnation, after reading the menu on allearsnet. However, when I tried it, I found that there was lots of stuff available that wasn't listed on the menu, and lo and behold, we all (me, hubby, 17yo DD) had something we really really liked! I am now officially pleased with the change.

 

[justmitype]

Thanks so much for your wonderful report. I was dying to go on Soarin before, but now I cannot wait. I've already told my family that the second we get into EPCOT it's to Soarin for a fast-pass.

 

[WEDway2002]

Many thanks to all for the kind words ... it was indeed my pleasure to "give back"!

I just remembered another thing ...

Crocs rule! They were the shoe of choice for our entire family and worked very well. One word of caution though ... be a bit careful on wet tile floors ... I took a spill, *but* I also noticed that the treads on my crocs were worn smooth.

Again ... thanks and good luck in your planning!


Dave