Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! 3/23 Some Final Thoughts

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

We hadn’t had a chance to take a monorail over there yet this trip, and it isn’t a Disney vacation if you don’t ride the monorail through Future World. I might need to post this over in the DIS Dad’s Club, because that should definitely be a MAN LAW.

Seconded!

I checked wait times and told DW I’d get her situated with lunch and then I was going to head over the Test Track Single Rider line.

Never ignore an opportunity to drive through walls

A family of 4 that didn’t speak any English was next in the standby line and he sent 2 of them to row 1 and 2 of them to row 2.

I foresee this becoming an issue in the very near.

Anyway, somehow, this left me the odd man out.

Yep…

I went back to Peter Pan and told him what happened. He proceeded to go on a rant about single riders always screwing everything up.

WHAT! Now just wait a minute here…

WHA??? Wait a minute…

That’s what I said.

I’m sure my face was as red as his hair. I was having a hard time biting my lip. I have never been treated by a CM the way he was treating me, and if I’d opened my mouth, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been good.

You’ve had to show a great deal of restraint with rogue CMs today

It was pretty uneventful after the loading fiasco, but that experience really ruined the fun for me. I just wasn’t into the ride at all.

“Have a Magical Day!” would lack a bit of its luster at this point.

Once we were back at the room, DS and DW were quickly asleep. I did a little bit of packing and took a stroller load of things we wouldn’t need anymore out to the truck. I’m sure I looked like a hobo going through the lobby, but those strollers do come in handy for more than one purpose.

Ehhhhh… “Beverly” to them.
Excellent use of the tools at hand.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I asked DW what she wanted for lunch, because I wasn’t too hungry yet, and she jokingly said the nachos from the QS at Mexico sound good.

That's what I love best about Park Hoppers.
Nachos sound good - let's got to EPCOT!
In the mood for a Dole Whip - off to Magic Kingdom.
Got a hankering for BBQ? Flame Tree in Animal Kingdom awaits!
Think some tofu will really hit the spot? Stop talking to me.

I think DW might have taken this one from the monorail. I just threw it in here, because this post is a little light on photographic evidence of anything that happened.

Which is a shame, because it would have been fun to just start taking picture of Peter Pan as he's up on his high horse!

He proceeded to go on a rant about single riders always screwing everything up.

Yup. It's all your fault. <-Not even close to thumbs.

Then again, with his attitude, I’d be rooting for Captain Hook.

I got to ride Test Track. It was pretty uneventful after the loading fiasco, but that experience really ruined the fun for me. I just wasn’t into the ride at all.

I hate stewing like that. Even at the most magical place in the world, there's no way you can calm down quick enough to enjoy the ride. Sorry you had to go through that.

Once we were back at the room, DS and DW were quickly asleep. I did a little bit of packing and took a stroller load of things we wouldn’t need anymore out to the truck. I’m sure I looked like a hobo going through the lobby, but those strollers do come in handy for more than one purpose.

Maybe if you had brought a cup and played the harmonica on your way though you could have started your next Disney Trip Fund.

I looked over at him and he picked the phone up and said “Hello. Mommy. Daddy. Landon. Bye bye.” He then hung up the phone, walked about 5 feet away, turned around and did the same thing again.

HA!! Too cute.

I decided it might be in our best interests to move the phone out of his reach.

That would be a fun conversation as you're looking over the bill on check out day.
"Honey, why did you call operator assisted long distance 43 times?"

 

[My sister's princess]

Great updates (I was a bit behind...) You are making me feel guilty for not updating lately....


I always wondered how many times they had to shoot the performances in front of the castle. I can't imagine standing in that crowd for hours watching the same thing over and over...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We hadn’t had a chance to take a monorail over there yet this trip, and it isn’t a Disney vacation if you don’t ride the monorail through Future World. I might need to post this over in the DIS Dad’s Club, because that should definitely be a MAN LAW.

I'll second that one! Love that ride. It's a great one for cheapskates who might only be in town for a couple of days and didn't buy park tickets to still get a peek at EPCOT.

I went back to Peter Pan and told him what happened. He proceeded to go on a rant about single riders always screwing everything up.

Oh my. Not cool. This is a great spot to use Tom Hanks' knock-knock joke from Catch Me If You Can.

I’m sure my face was as red as his hair. I was having a hard time biting my lip. I have never been treated by a CM the way he was treating me, and for the second time in one day, I found myself having to exercise restraint to keep from being "that park guest."

If you had snapped, would you have grabbed him and made him experience the ride while clinging to the hood of the car? Because that might have been worth getting thrown out of the park.

Anyway, all they’d have to do is put green tights on him and stick him in Fantasyland. Then again, with his attitude, I’d be rooting for Captain Hook.

Sounds like you could "volunteer" him to be Tink for Wishes.

I’m sure I looked like a hobo going through the lobby, but those strollers do come in handy for more than one purpose.

Next time, I dare you to bring a shopping cart with you.

I looked over at him and he picked the phone up and said “Hello. Mommy. Daddy. Landon. Bye bye.” He then hung up the phone, walked about 5 feet away, turned around and did the same thing again. Talk about easily entertained.

All work and no play makes Landon a dull boy.

Think some tofu will really hit the spot? Stop talking to me.

 

[Harters2WDW]

Just found your TR. Looking forward to reading it -- even though you are a Purdue grad. Go Hoosiers!

 

[KatMark]

Sorry I'm a little behind...been a little busy.

Two great updates. You got a lot done in a short amount of time at the MK.

I agree with you -- Pooh is the "real" Disney bear!

Sorry you got drenched on Splash...I hate the front row.

What is it with the nasty CM's? I had no idea you needed a fastpass for each person either. They might want to stipulate that when it comes to the character greets.

And then you have to deal with Peter Pan after that? Really? Someone woke up on the cranky side that day.

 

[afwdwfan]

Seconded!

Are you allowed to agree with me?

Never ignore an opportunity to drive through walls

Did you share this bit of wisdom with Max?

I foresee this becoming an issue in the very near.



Yep…

WHAT! Now just wait a minute here…




That’s what I said.

You really need to quit thinking like me. That's kind of scary.

You’ve had to show a great deal of restraint with rogue CMs today

It was frustrating. The one with Mickey was different, because, I'm sure she was just doing her job and she wasn't being rude. This guy was just a Peanut Butter Beverly.

“Have a Magical Day!” would lack a bit of its luster at this point.

Ehhhhh… “Beverly” to them.
Excellent use of the tools at hand.

It goes back to the conversation about using a bellman at check in. It was handy, but I'm not the type of person to ask for help. I'm a 30 year old who's physically active, and to use a luggage cart, I had to have a gentleman who was working at Disney World in his retirment handle my luggage. I just felt like a peanut butter. Since we weren't in a hurry leaving, I figured I could just make a few loads this way and it would work well enough.

That's what I love best about Park Hoppers.
Nachos sound good - let's got to EPCOT!
In the mood for a Dole Whip - off to Magic Kingdom.
Got a hankering for BBQ? Flame Tree in Animal Kingdom awaits!
Think some tofu will really hit the spot? Stop talking to me.

I love Park Hoppers. They aren't really a necessity, but it is nice to be able to leave and try another park if it gets too crowded, and I absolutely love the flexibility to be able to go eat in another park if we want, or just go ride something in another park if we feel like it.

Which is a shame, because it would have been fun to just start taking picture of Peter Pan as he's up on his high horse!

Actually it would have been nice to have on video...

Yup. It's all your fault. <-Not even close to thumbs.

Of course it was my fault. I only regret pointing out the fact that the line got screwed up. It might have been better if I'd just stayed on my spot at row 2, waited for the next car and let it be somebody else's problem.

I hate stewing like that. Even at the most magical place in the world, there's no way you can calm down quick enough to enjoy the ride. Sorry you had to go through that.

Yeah, I was just too ticked off to really relax. I tried, but it just wasn't much fun after that experience.

Maybe if you had brought a cup and played the harmonica on your way though you could have started your next Disney Trip Fund.

I'll have to remember that one next time.

Actually, it might be even better to do that in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. Those people look like they're loaded.

HA!! Too cute.

Yeah, it gave me a pretty good laugh.

That would be a fun conversation as you're looking over the bill on check out day.
"Honey, why did you call operator assisted long distance 43 times?"

Better than some surprise movies on the bill. I don't think they have those at Disney World though...

 

[afwdwfan]

Great updates (I was a bit behind...) You are making me feel guilty for not updating lately....

Don't feel guilty. Just post an update.

I always wondered how many times they had to shoot the performances in front of the castle. I can't imagine standing in that crowd for hours watching the same thing over and over...

I might have exaggerated just slightly, but it was probably about 7 or 8 times. Still a whole lot of standing around with a few hundred of your closest friends for a few hours though.

I'll second that one! Love that ride. It's a great one for cheapskates who might only be in town for a couple of days and didn't buy park tickets to still get a peek at EPCOT.

What kind of person would even think of doing something like that.

Oh my. Not cool. This is a great spot to use Tom Hanks' knock-knock joke from Catch Me If You Can.

I had to keep looking at the 2 kids with the family across the rail from me. That helped keep me from teaching them new words.

If you had snapped, would you have grabbed him and made him experience the ride while clinging to the hood of the car? Because that might have been worth getting thrown out of the park.

Eh, I think I'd rather see if he can, indeed, fly.

Sounds like you could "volunteer" him to be Tink for Wishes.

See, we're thinking along the same lines.

Next time, I dare you to bring a shopping cart with you.

Don't give me ideas.

All work and no play makes Landon a dull boy.

The Shining.

Just found your TR. Looking forward to reading it -- even though you are a Purdue grad. Go Hoosiers!

Welcome. And

Sorry I'm a little behind...been a little busy.

Eh, I've been getting behind on some TR's too.

I'm just trying to stay on top of it and get updates posted so that I'm not like some other people.

Two great updates. You got a lot done in a short amount of time at the MK.

We really did. I'm thankful that so many people chose to sleep in.

I agree with you -- Pooh is the "real" Disney bear!

Thank you. DW will be pleased to know this. She wasn't too happy to see Duffy in the parks.

Sorry you got drenched on Splash...I hate the front row.

It was cold and wet, but worth it for the ride. It is just a shame you have to get wet to see all those animatronics scenes.

What is it with the nasty CM's? I had no idea you needed a fastpass for each person either. They might want to stipulate that when it comes to the character greets.

Yeah, I really wish it was clearly explained. I guess we should have just gotten enough, but we assumed one for the group was good enough and we all know what happens when you assume.

And then you have to deal with Peter Pan after that? Really? Someone woke up on the cranky side that day.

I was starting to think it was me, since I was the common factor there.

 

[amandaw]

I want to try the QS in Mexico on our next trip. Sounds yummy!

I cannot get over Peter Pan! You are a good man because I would have lit into him when he started complaining about single riders. Oh yes, I would have been that guest. That's just ridiculous. Sounds like he was the one in need of some pixie dust that day.

 

[afwdwfan]

I want to try the QS in Mexico on our next trip. Sounds yummy!

We ate there earlier in the week and had tacos, but weren't overly impressed. Anyway, she saw people walking around with the nachos. It is a pretty big serving with cheese and meat and all sorts of good stuff on them. They really were delicious.

I cannot get over Peter Pan! You are a good man because I would have lit into him when he started complaining about single riders. Oh yes, I would have been that guest. That's just ridiculous. Sounds like he was the one in need of some pixie dust that day.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I let him know I went exactly where he told me to go... but then I really had to just make myself shut up before the 4 letter words started flying.

 

[petals]

I think the standby line was something like 20 - 25 min and the FP return was about that same time frame. It really made more sense to just get the FP.
I was really disappointed that she wouldn't just let us both in... I guess we know now.
It is. Magic Kingdom is definitely my favorite park.

It does seem kind of silly. A different CM prob would have let you esp if it was only to take a pic.

I cry when I have to leave Magic Kingdom

From your update sounds like you were having a bad CM day!

 

[afwdwfan]

It does seem kind of silly. A different CM prob would have let you esp if it was only to take a pic.

Yes, I kind of wondered if it would be different if it was a different CM working there. I'm not sure I'll ever take another chance on testing that theory though.

I cry when I have to leave Magic Kingdom

There may have been some dust in the air.

From your update sounds like you were having a bad CM day!

It wasn't great, but I guess we just have to remember everybody has a bad day once in a while. We had some great CM experiences over the course of our trip as well.

 

[petals]

There may have been some dust in the air..

Yeah dust that's what it was (DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE, DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE NOOOOOOOOOO )

It wasn't great, but I guess we just have to remember everybody has a bad day once in a while. We had some great CM experiences over the course of our trip as well.

Totally understand that. Some CM's are wonderful and go out of their way to make sure you have the most magical day possible. Others spent a little to much time with their grumpy pants on.

 

[glennbo123]

I don't know that I could have held my tongue if Peter Pan CM accused me of screwing up the works, when he should have kept his eye on the confused non-English-speaking family. Nice restraint!

 

[afwdwfan]

Yeah dust that's what it was (DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE, DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE NOOOOOOOOOO )

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Totally understand that. Some CM's are wonderful and go out of their way to make sure you have the most magical day possible. Others spent a little to much time with their grumpy pants on.

Everybody's human. You're going to have that wherever you go. It still doesn't make me like Peter Pan any better though.

I don't know that I could have held my tongue if Peter Pan CM accused me of screwing up the works, when he should have kept his eye on the confused non-English-speaking family. Nice restraint!

I'm about 6'3" and I was looking down at him. The fact that right behind him stood 2 young kids directly in my line of sight definitely helped with that.

 

[afwdwfan]

A Night With Friends

We carried a few more things we wouldn’t need for our last night with us as we headed out to the truck. For this evening’s events, we would be driving over to Hollywood Studios to meet up with some friends.

We got parked in the AAA Diamond Parking, and since some of the early risers had already left the park, we were able to park in the closest spot to the park. That was a nice way to start things off.

We got through the turnstyles, and after a phone call, found out that our friends were still not quite ready to head to the park. We decided to take DS over for a picture with Sorcerer Mickey. DS actually leaned over from me to give him a hug, unfortunately, the photographers caught him in mid-move, but didn’t quite get the hug.

We decided to walk over towards the Streets of America to check out the pre-lighting crowd and see where we might want to find a spot for the Osborne Lights. On the way I grabbed a couple of FP’s for Star Tours. We decided on a good place to watch, but there was still a bit of time before the show would begin. We went to the Backlot Express to get a kids meal for DS and a beverage for myself. I felt kind of funny ordering nothing but a kids meal and a beer though…

We headed back to the Streets of America just in time to see Mulch, Sweat and Shears finish up playing a few songs. Actually, we couldn’t really see them from where we were, but we could hear them, and it sounded like a pretty good show. Shortly after they left, my phone rang, and I saw 3 familiar faces walking down the street towards us. They arrived just in time too, because just after they got there, we saw a beautiful sight….

DS loved the show and was dancing about as much as the lights were

We watched the lights dance for a few songs, and decided to head off for some rides. One of our CM friend’s brothers was actually a CM at AK a few years ago. He absolutely loves Disney, and having only a few days to be in the parks, he wanted to make sure to hit certain highlights. In DHS, he intended to see the Osborne Lights, ride Start Tours, ride Rock n Rollercoaster, and if the timing works, see Fantasmic!

Well, with my FP’s in hand, and no objections from anyone else, the 2 of us headed over to Star Tours. We had a fun ride and got to see the opening sequence with Darth Vader. I have to say compared to the others I saw, I thought that scene was pretty awesome.

We came out of the gift shop and couldn’t find the rest our families. We walked around and found his sister pushing DS’s stroller. She said DW and her other brother headed back over to the Backlot Express. A few minutes later, they came out carrying beers for everyone (except for the pregnant lady and the toddler). We were going to sit and chat for a while, but the past CM brother put us back on task. We didn’t have all night and it was time to go listen to some Aerosmith.

The first Fantasmic! was underway, and the lines were already formed the length of Sunset Blvd for the 8 pm show. We took full advantage of this and rode Rock n Rollercoaster with a really short wait. I don’t remember exactly how long it was, but we walked into the building and only had to wait a few minutes to get into the pre-ride show. As always, it was an incredible ride. It was around 7 when we got out, and DW and I weren’t sure we wanted to wait to see Fantasmic! with DS. Since the line was so long already anyway, we all decided to go see the Osborne Lights dance to a few more songs. We wanted to try to get a Photopass picture with all of us, but since that line was a mile long and there were no Fast Passes, we settled for pictures with our own camera (although we didn’t end up getting one with all of us). Our CM friend's oldest brother took these for us, while the other 2 were off getting some videos of the lights.

We enjoyed a couple of songs and headed back over to Sunset Blvd at probably about 7:40. The line had been swallowed into the amphitheater and we were walking down a virtually abandoned street at that point. We filed into the theater and parked the stroller. There were plenty of empty seats, and we got a spot about midway up, a few sections in from the left hand side. There were empty sections on each side of the theater when the show started.

It was a great show, and with the ear muffs on, DS did just fine. He actually seemed to be very into the whole thing. He watched it all very closely. He loved seeing Mickey out there on stage and pointed every time he appeared.

The problem was that DS didn’t want to believe the show was over. Every time Mickey disappeared during the show, he’d always reappear later. At the end when Mickey disappeared into the smoke, DS couldn’t figure out where he went and why he wasn’t coming back. We told him Mickey went to bed for the night and it was time for us to do the same.

Everyone started to get up, DS is still staring at the stage. “Mickey?”

Walking up the stairs. “Mickey?”

Walking around the top of the theater. “Mickey?”

Strapping him into the stroller. “Mickey?”

Walking out of the park. “Mickey?”

Basically the kid said “Mickey” once about every 30 seconds until he finally fell asleep on the ride back to Wilderness Lodge.

I think he liked the show...

We said goodbye to our friends for the evening. We wished our CM friend luck getting through her last month and told them we’d see them all back at home sometime. This was a party night at the MK and they were headed to the Poly to watch Holiday Wishes from the beach. We were going to be headed back to WL for our last night in that beautiful resort.

We put DS to bed for the night and I headed down to Roaring Forks with our mugs. DW and I never did eat anything while we were at DHS, so I grabbed a couple of flatbreads to bring back to the room for us to eat. I also made sure to get another one of those incredibly awesome brownies to have for dessert. We ate and finished packing all but the last few things we’d need in the morning. We’d get to spend a few hours in the parks tomorrow and we had a lot we still wanted to get done.

 

[amandaw]

What a fun night at DHS!

I love the Osborne Family lights....just so pretty! And the pictures of DS with Mickey & looking at the lights are adorable.

That's wonderful that he liked Fantasmic, too. I'm thinking of trying it with Reid this year since I love that show.

I really hope we get Darth Vader when we ride Star Tours this year. It is the one ride Reid is over-the-moon excited about being able to ride this year. And he loves Darth Vader. Yes, my almost 4 year old has already gone to the dark side!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

We got parked in the AAA Diamond Parking, and since some of the early risers had already left the park, we were able to park in the closest spot to the park. That was a nice way to start things off.

Pictures or it didn't happen

I felt kind of funny ordering nothing but a kids meal and a beer though…

You should move to Wisconsin. You'd fit right in.

DS loved the show and was dancing about as much as the lights were

I love that show! Glad to see your little guy is loving it too!

We had a fun ride and got to see the opening sequence with Darth Vader. I have to say compared to the others I saw, I thought that scene was pretty awesome.

That one is much better than the other. Vader sure it quick with that lightsaber, isn't he?

A few minutes later, they came out carrying beers for everyone (except for the pregnant lady and the toddler). We were going to sit and chat for a while, but the past CM brother put us back on task. We didn’t have all night and it was time to go listen to some Aerosmith.

Beer & Aerosmith. Hard to beat that night!

The line had been swallowed into the amphitheater and we were walking down a virtually abandoned street at that point. We filed into the theater and parked the stroller. There were plenty of empty seats, and we got a spot about midway up, a few sections in from the left hand side. There were empty sections on each side of the theater when the show started.

It's amazing how many people that theater holds.

Everyone started to get up, DS is still staring at the stage. “Mickey?”

Walking up the stairs. “Mickey?”

Walking around the top of the theater. “Mickey?”

Strapping him into the stroller. “Mickey?”

Walking out of the park. “Mickey?”

Basically the kid said “Mickey” once about every 30 seconds until he finally fell asleep on the ride back to Wilderness Lodge.

Never give up! He's coming back, I just know it!

We’d get to spend a few hours in the parks tomorrow and we had a lot we still wanted to get done.

Those last few hours are awesome, but when you leave, you really leave.

 

[KatMark]

Awesome update.

Love the Osborne Lights (one of these years I am going to get there for that). The pictures of you, DW and DS in front of them are great.

Glad you were able to get in a couple of attractions while at it.

And so glad that DS enjoyed Fantasmic. It is so cute that he was looking for Mickey all the way out of the park.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Are you allowed to agree with me?

Depends on the subject.
You ain’t right all that often, but when you talking Disney you do better.

Did you share this bit of wisdom with Max?

Naaaa….
He’ll figure that one out on his own
(when I’m not the one paying for the vehicle in question)

You really need to quit thinking like me. That's kind of scary.

All part of my diabolical plan…
The older you get… the more alike we will think!!!

Bwahahahaha!!!!

We got parked in the AAA Diamond Parking, and since some of the early risers had already left the park, we were able to park in the closest spot to the park.

Promising start

I felt kind of funny ordering nothing but a kids meal and a beer though…

Y’all are only just getting started on this young’en raisin’ thing. I give it six more months top before a beer and a kids meal will seem far more necessary then “funny”.

We headed back to the Streets of America just in time to see Mulch, Sweat and Shears finish up playing a few songs.

That’s an entertaining show. They interact a lot with the guests. Heck they even gave me a well deserved hard time during one performance. When Landon get a bit more age on him, try to catch that one and see if they don’t pick him out of the group for some of the festivities.

Cool! I love this show.

Nice shot threre!
R-e-a-l-l-y nice shot.

he intended to see the Osborne Lights, ride Start Tours, ride Rock n Rollercoaster, and if the timing works, see Fantasmic!

A sound plan

Well, with my FP’s in hand, and no objections from anyone else, the 2 of us headed over to Star Tours. We had a fun ride and got to see the opening sequence with Darth Vader. I have to say compared to the others I saw, I thought that scene was pretty awesome.

Looking forward to seeing many of these…
but it’s going to be a while yet

A few minutes later, they came out carrying beers for everyone

You married well.

He watched it all very closely. He loved seeing Mickey out there on stage and pointed every time he appeared.

The boy knows what he likes.

Everyone started to get up, DS is still staring at the stage. “Mickey?”

Walking up the stairs. “Mickey?”

Walking around the top of the theater. “Mickey?”

Strapping him into the stroller. “Mickey?”

Walking out of the park. “Mickey?”

Basically the kid said “Mickey” once about every 30 seconds until he finally fell asleep on the ride back to Wilderness Lodge.

Great story…
And great stories are one of the reasons we all go down there in the first place.


I

think he liked the show...

I don’t know…
he seemed a little iffy on it if you ask me.