drp4video
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2003
- Messages
- 626
swore I was not going back in August, but my DD wanted a beach vacation before she went back to college, so I thought, Cocoa Beach and since we are sooooo close the WDW, how could we not go.
Cocoa was fun, three days, four nights, and we had great weather, lots of sun, sun and more sun. THen it was three nights at POR, but we were only going to go to the Parks on MOnday, August 21...since we were going to rest on Sunday, AUgust 20......right!
Sunday morning, it was off to the Animal Kingdom. We got there for park opening, which is something we never do as DD and I are NOT (especially DD age, almost 19), early risers. We raced over to Everest, and got on with a 20 minute wait. It was very cool. A little disorienting going backwards but after watching them build it since clearing the land, it was fun to finally ride. We got off and rode it again. This time the wait was only about 15 minutes. Everyone was in line getting Fast Passes for the ride!!!!!!!!!!! Then we went to Dinosaur..10 minute wait, Bug had no wait, and then we got muffins, sat down for a break, then got in line and waited about 30 minutes for the Safari. Then Kali River Rapids, wait time was about 30 minutes as well.
From there, we went back to POR and showered as we were sweating and full of KRR water, lol, ate a little lunch at POR, and went on over to Epcot. We didn't get to Epcot till after 4, so the wait for Soaring was 85 minutes, and it was too late for Fast Passes. So, we waited. Asked for the front row as I don't like to see the feet of the people above me. Then we went to TT which had broke down, and the single rider line wait was just as long as the regular line, so we did the regular line. Then it was over to Mexico, where we grabbed an outside table, a little dinner, and waited for the fireworks. A lovely couple and their son from England, asked if they could sit at our table and eat with us, and we had a wonderful time with them. The husband had gone to school in Canada and had been to Detroit, so we just chatted away. They had been to WDW several times before, and we compared notes, and the time flew by while we waited for the Illuminations, which I love.
On Monday, we didn't get to MGM until 11:00, and got a FP for RNR, and then went over and rode TT twice. Wait times for TT were 10 minutes each...so we had time to kill for RNR. Sat in front of the guitar at RNR , people watched and tanned. Rode RNR, then went over and did the Great Movie RIde. Had lunch at the ABC Commisary...don't like the hamburgers tho, won't get em again.
After lunch we went to the Magic Kingdom. Got there about 3:00, and went right to Pirates. Rode it twice. Loved some of the new effects, but not a lot is changed. The Jack (johnny depp) addition, was visually pleasing.
Then we got FP for Splash. Thunder RR wait was 10 minutes, more like 7 really, so we went on that. Then went to the Haunted Mansion, wait was 10 min, did Small World,,10 minute wait, Philharmagic, 5 minute wait, back to Splash and used our FP..got front row and got soaked!. Took the train to Toon Town, and walked over to Space Mountain. GOt a fast pass, and then got smoothies and popcorn. Then we rode SM twice..first with a fast pass, second time, 30 minute wait, then had to see CP, my daughter loves that!, and did Buzz. Then we got ice cream, sat down at the Terrace restaurant, and watched Wishes. Went back and had dinner at the food court at POR. (god we ate a lot...junk especially!)
Now, we have gone in the summer for the past 7 years, and usually it is the beginning of AUgust. Swore I would not go back due to heat, hurricanes (was there for Charley), and crowds. But the end of AUgust is not bad. Wait times were decent, except for Soaring, and we only waited because we got there late in the day and there were no fast passes.
This trip was not about seeing everything, which most of our trips have been about in the past. It was about riding Everest. (and we were only supposed to go to AK and MK). But we got in a lot more than I thought we would, so I was very happy. Crowds were not bad. We have gone at CHristmas for the past three years as well (althought we are not doing that anymore as I was able to go after Easter this year with my mom, and last year DD and I went after easter as she sang with her choir at Magical Musical Days) and what a pleasure with low crowds. SO now that she is in college and out the beginning of May, I think we are switching over to May, but sadly, only once a year ( or maybe every other year ...well for her...heck, I am not in college, I can squeeze in a trip whenever I want!
Had a great time, weather was hot, but not as hot as in the years past. And coming from Michigan, where a few weeks before we left it had been 96 with 100% humidity...hotter than Orlando. We just drink a lot of water, and got a break when we did an inside ride...It did not rain at all the two days we were there, which is shocking...although it drizzled about 20 minutes on Monday night, but stopped right as Wishes started but that is because the boss upstairs knows not to mess with Disney!.
Cocoa was fun, three days, four nights, and we had great weather, lots of sun, sun and more sun. THen it was three nights at POR, but we were only going to go to the Parks on MOnday, August 21...since we were going to rest on Sunday, AUgust 20......right!
Sunday morning, it was off to the Animal Kingdom. We got there for park opening, which is something we never do as DD and I are NOT (especially DD age, almost 19), early risers. We raced over to Everest, and got on with a 20 minute wait. It was very cool. A little disorienting going backwards but after watching them build it since clearing the land, it was fun to finally ride. We got off and rode it again. This time the wait was only about 15 minutes. Everyone was in line getting Fast Passes for the ride!!!!!!!!!!! Then we went to Dinosaur..10 minute wait, Bug had no wait, and then we got muffins, sat down for a break, then got in line and waited about 30 minutes for the Safari. Then Kali River Rapids, wait time was about 30 minutes as well.
From there, we went back to POR and showered as we were sweating and full of KRR water, lol, ate a little lunch at POR, and went on over to Epcot. We didn't get to Epcot till after 4, so the wait for Soaring was 85 minutes, and it was too late for Fast Passes. So, we waited. Asked for the front row as I don't like to see the feet of the people above me. Then we went to TT which had broke down, and the single rider line wait was just as long as the regular line, so we did the regular line. Then it was over to Mexico, where we grabbed an outside table, a little dinner, and waited for the fireworks. A lovely couple and their son from England, asked if they could sit at our table and eat with us, and we had a wonderful time with them. The husband had gone to school in Canada and had been to Detroit, so we just chatted away. They had been to WDW several times before, and we compared notes, and the time flew by while we waited for the Illuminations, which I love.
On Monday, we didn't get to MGM until 11:00, and got a FP for RNR, and then went over and rode TT twice. Wait times for TT were 10 minutes each...so we had time to kill for RNR. Sat in front of the guitar at RNR , people watched and tanned. Rode RNR, then went over and did the Great Movie RIde. Had lunch at the ABC Commisary...don't like the hamburgers tho, won't get em again.
After lunch we went to the Magic Kingdom. Got there about 3:00, and went right to Pirates. Rode it twice. Loved some of the new effects, but not a lot is changed. The Jack (johnny depp) addition, was visually pleasing.
Then we got FP for Splash. Thunder RR wait was 10 minutes, more like 7 really, so we went on that. Then went to the Haunted Mansion, wait was 10 min, did Small World,,10 minute wait, Philharmagic, 5 minute wait, back to Splash and used our FP..got front row and got soaked!. Took the train to Toon Town, and walked over to Space Mountain. GOt a fast pass, and then got smoothies and popcorn. Then we rode SM twice..first with a fast pass, second time, 30 minute wait, then had to see CP, my daughter loves that!, and did Buzz. Then we got ice cream, sat down at the Terrace restaurant, and watched Wishes. Went back and had dinner at the food court at POR. (god we ate a lot...junk especially!)
Now, we have gone in the summer for the past 7 years, and usually it is the beginning of AUgust. Swore I would not go back due to heat, hurricanes (was there for Charley), and crowds. But the end of AUgust is not bad. Wait times were decent, except for Soaring, and we only waited because we got there late in the day and there were no fast passes.
This trip was not about seeing everything, which most of our trips have been about in the past. It was about riding Everest. (and we were only supposed to go to AK and MK). But we got in a lot more than I thought we would, so I was very happy. Crowds were not bad. We have gone at CHristmas for the past three years as well (althought we are not doing that anymore as I was able to go after Easter this year with my mom, and last year DD and I went after easter as she sang with her choir at Magical Musical Days) and what a pleasure with low crowds. SO now that she is in college and out the beginning of May, I think we are switching over to May, but sadly, only once a year ( or maybe every other year ...well for her...heck, I am not in college, I can squeeze in a trip whenever I want!
Had a great time, weather was hot, but not as hot as in the years past. And coming from Michigan, where a few weeks before we left it had been 96 with 100% humidity...hotter than Orlando. We just drink a lot of water, and got a break when we did an inside ride...It did not rain at all the two days we were there, which is shocking...although it drizzled about 20 minutes on Monday night, but stopped right as Wishes started but that is because the boss upstairs knows not to mess with Disney!.
Hate to wish away my life, but bring it on! 
I don't know if you drink beer, but we plan on doing this Sunday nite. I'll remember you in my "toast" to "kids are in college".
