Just back today! (October 13) Here's what we thought!

[Leota]

Thanx for the mini-report.

Did you spend any time at the F&W Festival? Any comments on that?

 

[ont/ohana]

Great report- just confirms my resolve to do the MNSSHP in 2008! We are going to MVMCP this year. THANKS

 

[madge]

How were the crowds toward the end of the trip, say 12th or 13rd?
What days did you do what parks, and how do you think that went?
Sorry, leaving in TWO days1!

We felt like the crowds sort of leveled off after Saturday. And as I said in my OP, it was strange, there were a lot of people around but the wait times were minimal. For example, on Thursday afternoon (around 2:35-ish) we could have walked onto Buzz Lightyear. Looking at the crowd in Fantasyland, we certainly didn't expect that. The mask stations at the World Showcase were largely uncrowded during the week as well, in spite of many people wandering around over there.

Our schedule was this:

Thursday, October 5: Arrived at the Dolphin around 5:30, unloaded our stuff and went to Epcot at 6:30pm. Stayed there for a couple of hours and stopped at the Boardwalk.

Friday, October 6: Morning at the Magic Kingdom, Evening EMH at the Animal Kingdom

Saturday, October 7: Epcot in the morning, pool in the early afternoon, Studios in the late afternoon/evening. We left before Fantasmic.

Sunday, October 8: We switched resorts on this day - did that early (before 9am) and got the the Studios around 10:00am. Stayed there all day, and left after the parade.

Monday, October 9: Magic Kingdom in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon/evening

Tuesday, October 10: Downtown Disney in the morning, went to MNSSHP around 4:30pm

Wednesday, October 11: slept in after the party, went to Epcot around 11am and hopped to the Magic Kingdom for the evening. Stayed to see wishes After seeing the crowds around the castle hub, we chose to watch from the train station.

Thursday, October 12: early EMH at the Magic Kingdom (we got there around 8:30am) and stayed through the afternoon parade. We had fastpasses for Winnie the Pooh after that, and then hopped to Epcot for a few hours. Didn't get to do much - The Seas was packed, fastpasses were gone from Soarin', and the World Showcase was pretty busy. It was nice to walk around a little more, though. It was our last night in the parks. We ended our trip riding Journey Into Your Imagination, which my youngest DD fell in love with this trip, LOL. My husband and oldest son left before the afternoon parade at the Magic Kingdom to go ride Expedition Everest at the AK. The met up with us at Epcot.

Friday, October 13: we were on a plane at 7:05am, headed for home

 

[Foladar]

Sounds good, thanks! Did you see alot of 'walk ons' or was it mostly 25-40 minute waits? We went first week last year of October, saw waits ~40 minutes and upwards of 60 but figured it might be due to F&W and free dining ending so we tried for later in the month, heres to hoping!

 

[JulyGirl]

While talking to a couple of cast members, I learned that people are already stalking the Dream Squad in the parks and complaining about not winning prizes

I knew that would start happening.

 

[Karnak]

Super Dooper A+ Report! It was really refreshing to be able to read a trip report on one thread, without having to roam all over the place to read it all. Really a nice job, neat and to the point.

I'll attempt to do the same thing after my upcoming visit to The World.

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome home, nice review. How is the Dolphin?

 

[Andrewt72]

Well let me start by saying that this website helped us alot before we went so keep reading before you go.

We had so much fun on our trip. It was me, wife, daughter(4y/o). We drove from Va. and boy are we glad. There is bus service from all of the resort hotels, but they are always crowded.

I am just going to number things that we thought were great and not so great.

1. Dining plan awesome-get it!! It will save you big bucks.

2. It doesn't seem to matter what time you go during the day it is always crowded-although later is better.

3. Try to sit up front on the Monorail- just ask the conductors-you may have to wait but it is worth it.

4. Go to character meals, best one we went to was in Cinderella's castle for breakfast. You get an awesome meal, Free photo package, and meet lots of princesses. Also it is beautiful inside.

5. Fireworks are a nightmare as far as the crowd goes. The show is great, but the crowd is horrible.

6. Get a hat- the sun was very hot. Sunscreen- remember you are closer to the equator!!!

7. Don't buy Pal Mickey. I hate to say something negative but he is worthless as far as info goes and he is 65.00. Also you cant hear him most of the time.

8. Eat at the Crystal Palace at least once(in Magic Kingdom across from Cinderellas Castle) it is great and it is a great charecter experience.

9. Use FastPass

10. Have FUN!!!! It is wonderful!!!

 

[Kath816]

Folander, I was at the exact same parks & DD as the OP on Monday and Tuesday. Most waits were 10 to 20 minutes. Last Saturday Star Tours & Tower of Terror had the longest waits at 20-25 minutes. We found that the signs with the wait times outside the attractions seemed to add about 10 minutes to most waits. It was great.