Just got back, here's what's up!

[hauntedmansion79]

I just got back from Disney World on Wednesday. My trip was AWESOME!! It was my sixth time, but every time feels like my first. It was just as perfect as the others. I'm sure most of you know what's going on at Disney World, but for those who are wondering what the latest, here it is:

Magic Kingdom:

Dumbo is not operating
The river boat is not operating
The Astro Orbitor is not operating and has a huge construction tarp around it (it takes away from Tomorrowlands great atmosphere)
The Timekeeper is closed
Carousel of Progress is running (yahoo! I was so happy to find it operating!)
Small World is not operating
20,000 leagues has a big green wall around it
The statue of Walt and Mickey is not visible, it's encircled by a huge green wall


Epcot:

The land pavilion is closed, which includes Living with the Land and Food Rocks
The Wonders of Life pavilion is closed, which includes Cranium Command, Body Wars and the Making of Me


Disney/MGM Studios:

Everything up and running! Except the AT-AT at Star Tours is being fixed, so it's all torn apart.

Animal Kingdom:

Everything up and running! You can see Everest up close and personal from the bridge connecting Dinoland USA and Asia. It's a pretty sweet view.


The lines all week were so short! I've been in January before, but this was insane. We walked onto every ride, without any wait. Even Space Mountain, Mission Space and Rock N' Rollercoaster! We were able to do about 20 rides a day!!! We could have done more but the parks close really early this time of year.

In addition, I live on Cape Cod, Massachusettes, so I missed the Blizzard of '05!! Talk about great timing to go away!!!

Well, that's all, I had the best time, and I can't wait to go back again!!!

 

[java]

Wow you had alot of stuff closed at this time. I guess because this is considered off season? Having the two pavilions in Epcot being closed is a big deal. And why was the River Cruise closed? I knew they were doing work on Dumbo and Small world as well as the Astro Orbitor but did not about the river cruise. I wish they would bring 20000 leagues back that was my favorite as a child. But I have heard it is never coming back and they are planning something else there. Welcome home.

 

[fljelad]

Do you suppose any of that stuff will be open by the end of May? Especially the EPCOT stuff?

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

You can go to All Ears and check out the schedule updates for WDW and see what's open and what's under rehab.....

 

[DisneyPhD]

Wow that is a lot closed in MK. I am starting to worry about going in 4 weeks. I belive Dumbo should be reopened by then. (this is a family tradtion to start out every trip Dumbo 1st ride.)

 

[hauntedmansion79]

It seems as though almost everything I mentioned should be open by the spring. The only one that isn't 100% is Small World, they just say it will open in "Spring 2005".

However, it's always possible that other attractions will be down, they're always fixing things. However, they tend to close attractions during slow seasons, so late spring should be fine. Just check disney's website to find out what will be down.

 

[hauntedmansion79]

I completely understand what you mean DisneyPhd. My family had the tradition of riding Small World as our first ride, but this year we couldn't do it....major bummer. However, we substituted it with Pirates, which was a great replacement.

 

[erikthewise]

What could they possibly be doing with the statue of Walt and Mickey?!?!

BTW Food Rocks is apparently gone for good, but as far as I know Living with the Land and Circle of Life will reopen with the pavilion. Wonder of Life is supposed to be "open seasonally" -- you'd think they'd have the decency to open it when another major pavilion shuts down, even if Jan is one of the slowest times of the year.

 

[kilee]

Here is the current list of rehabs throughout WDW along w/ the anitcipated dates. This info can be found right here at the DIS, along w/ much, much more!!!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/rehab.htm

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Wow, I'm so glad I didn't go this Jan.... that's a lot of things closed! I've gone solo before in Jan and that many things weren't closed then! Kinda pointless to go in slow season if SO much is closed during that time.

 

[Tinkaroo]

They're doing some rehab to the hub of Main Street (to make viewing for Wishes and the new Cinderellabration better), thus the reason for the walls up. Don't worry, nothing is happening to the statue of Walt and Mickey - it's being protected by another box inside, so I've heard.

 

[twotoohappy]

In addition, I live on Cape Cod, Massachusettes, so I missed the Blizzard of '05!! Talk about great timing to go away!!!

Well, that's all, I had the best time, and I can't wait to go back again!!!

thanks for the update.....
Wish I had missed it

 

[andrabell]

Welcome back! Your trip sounds amazing despite the few closures. I mean, who cares, you got to ride tons of stuff with no lines and no waiting. That's a wicked lot better than missing Small World or Dumbo on just one trip. And you missed the Blizzard. Good on ya!

 

[Abba98]

Wish I'd missed the blizzard.Here in Nova Scotia we had a lot,just like you missed in Cape Cod.It'll be awhile before this spell goes and the snow melts.Can't wait to get to the and the on our next FL vacation!
Have fun with the snow!

 

[AKQJ10]

Thanks for the great update! I have some shots of the inside of the it's a small world rehab at www.Disneyworldtrivia.com!

As far as why some of the other attractions were closed, WDW often takes care of major/minor rehabs during the off-season. Plus, attractions like Timekeeper are actually "seasonal" and are not open at all during slower times (unfortunately)