MichiganDVC
Can barely see my Kool-aid bath with these Rose-co
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2010
- Messages
- 1,089
Nobody loves a feel-good thread, so here's another! Just got back yesterday from a split stay: 4 nights at AKL-Kidani and the following 2 nights at Bay Lake Tower.
1. When attempting to do evening EMH at MK after spending all morning/afternoon at Epcot on a 90° day, eat a later dinner (like 8:00pm) and don't bother getting to the park until 10pm! We ate at The Wave at 6:30 and was at MK by 8:30pm. We spent 8:30-9:30 standing in unnecessary 20 minute lines, when by 11:30 the same lines were 5 mins! Problem was, we were exhausted by midnight. While losing badly at Buzz Lightyear, I just didn't even care. I was too tired to pout. In retrospect, we should have taken a nap from 4-7, eaten dinner at 8, and gone to MK from 10-1am. Much shorter lines, much more energy.
2. Quit making so many darn ADRs!!! I know it's fun to try new things, but an ADR everyday is not for me. Our best meal was the smoked chicken salad from Flame Tree BBQ at AK. I mean, the food was good, but we're just as happy with a good QS meal (if you know what to get and where to get it.) Next trip (well, after Food and Wine this November,) I will severely limit the Table service meals we have. Except Via Napoli. I'll eat there every trip...
3. Lunch at Sanaa is better. I preferred my meal (tandoori chicken on naan vs. just plain tandoori chicken) and it isn't as crowded. In fact, lunch is the only time to get an ADR from now on! Leaves my evenings free to do whatever...
4. Don't expect to have a conversation while eating at Sci-Fi Drive-in. That place is whisper quiet! The movie trailers are hilarious, though.
5. If it is hot out, or raining, but especially if it is hot, make it a point to stop in each and every unique gift shop. No, I don't work for Disney. I didn't say you had to buy anything! We did this at World Showcase because one afternoon we were just sweating profusely. It was a welcome 10 minute break - a chance to cool off, look at some interesting items, etc... We actually never bought anything and we love our Disney chachkies as much as anyone! Our favorite stores were in Mexico, China, Germany, and UK. The store in Italy was too scary - everything looked expensive and breakable! Looking back, though, we missed Japan this year. I'm not sure how this happened....
6. Order the pitcher of Moretti at Via Napoli. It is just $3 more dollars than ordering two beers and there are at least 4 beers worth in that pitcher.
7. If you have been drinking beer around the world for a couple of hours in 90° heat prior to dining at Via Napoli, do NOT order the pitcher of Moretti.
8. If you have been drinking around the world in 90° heat AND you decide to go ahead and get the pitcher of Moretti, do not expect to stay awake for evening EMH at Magic Kingdom that night...
9. Take the Liberty Square Riverboat! It has awesome views of BTMRR, provides a respite, some shade and a decent breeze, and shows you what Tom Sawyer Island looks like if you think you'd be interested in that, too.
10. Best place to be for Illumnations? In Germany right by the miniature train. You can see all fireworks and the Earth do its thing. Plus, it's not as crowded as other areas. And there is a last-minute beer stand nearby...and bathrooms...
1. When attempting to do evening EMH at MK after spending all morning/afternoon at Epcot on a 90° day, eat a later dinner (like 8:00pm) and don't bother getting to the park until 10pm! We ate at The Wave at 6:30 and was at MK by 8:30pm. We spent 8:30-9:30 standing in unnecessary 20 minute lines, when by 11:30 the same lines were 5 mins! Problem was, we were exhausted by midnight. While losing badly at Buzz Lightyear, I just didn't even care. I was too tired to pout. In retrospect, we should have taken a nap from 4-7, eaten dinner at 8, and gone to MK from 10-1am. Much shorter lines, much more energy.
2. Quit making so many darn ADRs!!! I know it's fun to try new things, but an ADR everyday is not for me. Our best meal was the smoked chicken salad from Flame Tree BBQ at AK. I mean, the food was good, but we're just as happy with a good QS meal (if you know what to get and where to get it.) Next trip (well, after Food and Wine this November,) I will severely limit the Table service meals we have. Except Via Napoli. I'll eat there every trip...
3. Lunch at Sanaa is better. I preferred my meal (tandoori chicken on naan vs. just plain tandoori chicken) and it isn't as crowded. In fact, lunch is the only time to get an ADR from now on! Leaves my evenings free to do whatever...
4. Don't expect to have a conversation while eating at Sci-Fi Drive-in. That place is whisper quiet! The movie trailers are hilarious, though.
5. If it is hot out, or raining, but especially if it is hot, make it a point to stop in each and every unique gift shop. No, I don't work for Disney. I didn't say you had to buy anything! We did this at World Showcase because one afternoon we were just sweating profusely. It was a welcome 10 minute break - a chance to cool off, look at some interesting items, etc... We actually never bought anything and we love our Disney chachkies as much as anyone! Our favorite stores were in Mexico, China, Germany, and UK. The store in Italy was too scary - everything looked expensive and breakable! Looking back, though, we missed Japan this year. I'm not sure how this happened....
6. Order the pitcher of Moretti at Via Napoli. It is just $3 more dollars than ordering two beers and there are at least 4 beers worth in that pitcher.
7. If you have been drinking beer around the world for a couple of hours in 90° heat prior to dining at Via Napoli, do NOT order the pitcher of Moretti.
8. If you have been drinking around the world in 90° heat AND you decide to go ahead and get the pitcher of Moretti, do not expect to stay awake for evening EMH at Magic Kingdom that night...
9. Take the Liberty Square Riverboat! It has awesome views of BTMRR, provides a respite, some shade and a decent breeze, and shows you what Tom Sawyer Island looks like if you think you'd be interested in that, too.
10. Best place to be for Illumnations? In Germany right by the miniature train. You can see all fireworks and the Earth do its thing. Plus, it's not as crowded as other areas. And there is a last-minute beer stand nearby...and bathrooms...