Live Report VWL - 10/03 to 10/10 (with pictures)

[DizGirl20]

I have always wanted to try the "Behind the Seeds" Tour. As DVC Members, are we able to purchase them in advance? How do you get tickets and how often is the tour offered?

Thanks

 

[sjs314]

Love the pics of the room, DH favorite resort is WL and I am sure we will be staying there again, have not been since they refurbished.

Sorry to hear about the bus problems and how crowded Epcot was. I just redid our park schedule changeing our Epcot day I had planned on going during the EMH at night originally (we are going the last week of F&W)so I am sure we would have hit a very crowded night too.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Thursday afternoon update -

What a great day we've had so far. Got up and headed to HS and was there in time for the rope drop. Immediately headed to get FP's for TSM and got them for 10:45. Went and got a cup of coffee and just walked around for a while enjoying the park. Then did the Backstage Tour. After finishing the tour, it was time for our FP's at TSM. I scored 103,700 and won't say what DW scored. We love this attraction, but just wish it wasn't so hard to get into.

After TSM, we did the Animation Tour. Rapunzle looks very interesting. I am so glad that Disney is still doing regular animation features. After Animation, it was time for our ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In. I love this restaurant but DW in the past hasn't been that happy with it. We actually had an ADR last trip but I cancelled it last minute. This time I'm glad we kept it. The food was delicious. We started off with the onion rings and DW had a chocolate milk shake. Then for our meals I had a Cheeseburger and DW had a Turkey sandwich. Both were very good. For dessert I had the No Sugar Added Brownie and Ice Cream. It was so good seeing a restaurant offering a dessert for people with blood sugar problems. They are few and far between.

After lunch, we did something we don't usually do. DW wanted to head back to the resort and go out and relax at the pool. So she headed back to VWL and I took the walkway over to Epcot. Checked out BWV and then just did a tour of WS. I love the movie at France. It is so relaxing, so I took it in. Then of course I had to stop by the Japan F&W kiosk and had a serving of Sushi and had a Kirin to go with it. Then I just kind of hit each country taking pictures. I love doing this and am glad that DW was enjoying the pool.

We're now about ready to head to MK for MNSSHP. We've never done this and have absolutely no idea what to expect. It should be interesting.

A few pictures from this morning -

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Thanks for the update! Enjoy MNSSHP.

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for the update! Have fun at MNSSHP tonight. I can't wait to see pictures.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Wow!!! This is an excellent trip report. The photos are great. I love my iPhone too. What name do you use on YouTube? I'd like to watch your video.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I have always wanted to try the "Behind the Seeds" Tour. As DVC Members, are we able to purchase them in advance? How do you get tickets and how often is the tour offered?

This is a special tour and you can only buy them at the stand next to Soarin in The Land. They only sell them a day or so in advance. You do get a DVC discount though. The tour is offered numerous times during the day and we haven't had a problem getting tickets (well you don't actually get a ticket, just a name tag that you complete yourself). What is great is the tour is given by the people that actually work behind the scenes at The Land. The fellow who did our tour the other day is an entomologist. I don't think many people would like this tour unless you are really into agriculture or gardening as it is very detailed. DW loves working in gardens though and really enjoyed the tour.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Wow!!! This is an excellent trip report. The photos are great. I love my iPhone too. What name do you use on YouTube? I'd like to watch your video.

My YouTube name is retiredincary. I don't really have much out there though, just a little test using our kitty. I haven't quite figured out what to do with all the videos I've taken with my iPhone. It takes terrific videos and I've taken close to 6GB worth this trip alone. But each time you take a video it makes a separate file and there are a lot of them. I know I can go into iMovie and edit them into a regular movie and all, but I don't know that I want to go to all that trouble. I look at my videos as an extended photo. I wish there was a program like iPhoto or Picasa that would help you organize your video files easily and label them without going into anything very complicated. So far I haven't found anything like that. I know one thing, when I get home I will need to get a bigger hard drive for my computer if I'm going to take 6GB's worth of videos every trip we go on vacation . Luckily I got the 32GB iPhone.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Friday morning update -

Well we did MNSSHP last night. I'm not sure what to say about it. The parade and fire works were great. And DW enjoyed the Trick or Treating (I couldn't do it since I'm diabetic). BUT it was extremely crowded. One of the biggest crowds I've ever seen at MK. I thought Monday night at EMH was crowded but last night was worse. At times you couldn't move. I kept thinking to myself, I paid $110 for this and I'm packed in like sardines. I doubt we would do it again. BUT a lot of people seemed to be having great fun. I think it might have been different if we had children with us. Oh well, been there, done it, didn't get the t-shirt .

Today's plan - I'm letting DW sleep in while I do this update. I've already been down to the lobby and read the news. Plan to let her sleep until 8:30-9:00, then hope to get her up and planning to go to Polynesian to get breakfast. Sometimes we eat at Kona Cafe and sometimes we just eat at their CS restaurant (can't remember name). I just like the decor of the Poly and even though WS has a CS restaurant, I like eating breakfast at the Poly. We don't eat breakfast often as I usually just have an Atkins bar or drink and DW has Slim Fast, but I do like to eat a good breakfast once every trip.

After breakfast, we plan to drive to DTD and pickup some things from the Disney Store as well as the kitchen store there. Then I want to stop by Hess and fill up the car with gas, so I don't have to do it Sunday plus get me some more Diet Cokes and beer.

We plan to hit Epcot this afternoon and evening.

I didn't take many pictures last night as the iPhone doesn't take that good a picture in dark conditions, but here are a couple.

 

[sjs314]

I hear you about the crowds at the party, we are going to the MVMCP for the first time this year and I surely hope it is not jam packed

Have a great day!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I hear you about the crowds at the party, we are going to the MVMCP for the first time this year and I surely hope it is not jam packed

You know, I guess I'm just stupid. I guess I had it in my mind that the purpose of MNSSHP and even MVMCP was to restrict the number of tickets, so as to keep the crowds smaller so you could enjoy the parks more. I see now I was totally off base. What really bugs me is they only have one night each week now where the park is open late without paying an extra fee. I'm really kind of bummed about the entire thing the more I think about it. I remember in the old days, coming down to WDW and the parks were open late every night with no extra charge. I know they provide some extras for these special nights, but frankly I would have enjoyed Wishes more than Halloween Wishes.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Saturday morning update -

Don't you just hate the last day of your vacation? You begin thinking about all the things you meant to do, but never got around to. Or you remember those things that you have to do, but haven't done yet. Well that's what we're doing today.

You would not believe the whirlwind day we had yesterday. And we didn't get started until late (10:00). In a nut shell - we left VWL and drove over to the Polynesian for breakfast. We then drove to DTD and did some shopping. We then stopped by Hess and filled the car with gas and bought some Diet Cokes. Then drove back to VWL.

Then took boat to MK. Looked in shops some, but didn't find what we were looking for. Then took Monorail to Epcot. Looked in shops there. Rode Mission Space. Then walked to BC and took boat to HS. Finally found what we were looking for. Had it shipped back to WL to pickup today. Then WALKED back to Epcot (boat line was very long and no bus in sight). Then had dinner at Mexico. Then walked around WS, while DW looked for something for her. Hit several (well more than several ) F&W kiosks along the way. Saw movie at China. DW finally found what she was looking for in Japan (a pearl necklace). Then finally headed back towards front of Epcot after one final stop at the Belgian kiosks for the waffles one last time. Made it back to VWL around 9:00.

Wow!! We told DD after we got back, what all we had done and she couldn't believe it. Not too bad for a couple of 60 somethings.

Well today is a new day. Slept late (at least for me - 7:30). Just went down and got a list of our room charges so far (not too bad) plus picked up a package.

Plan for today is one last trip to AK (plan to drive over) and then one last trip to DTD to pickup a brownie and Rice Krispie treat for some friends of ours. Then come back to room and do our packing. Tonight we're going to MK for final ELP and Wishes. Plan to be on the road by 7:00 tomorrow morning. I probably won't update again until we get home tomorrow night, with some final thoughts.

 

[disneygrandma]

I'm so glad I found this thread. My husband & I had planned to be there this week for our 1st F&W, but had to cancel. I'm living out our trip thru your report. Thanks!

Last April, my grand-daughter & I made our 1st solo trip & stayed at VWL for the 1st time. We really loved it there. Also, the view from our room looked the same as the one in your picture, so we might have had the same villa. This was also our 1st WDW trip without a car, and we thought the VWL bus transportation was great. We must have timed it right, or were maybe just lucky?? We never waited more than 5 mins for any bus, and most of the time it was less than 2 mins. Now coming back to VWL, or switching at AK, that's a different story. Also, when leaving MK, the VWL bus was always waiting at the bus stop. We found it much nicer to take the short walk from the bus stop to our villa at the end of the day, than the walk from the boat.

Thanks again for all your pictures, descriptions, etc. I was so sad to have to cancel, but your TR has helped to transport me there.

 

[sjs314]

I became tired just reading all you did yesterday. I have the belguim waffles on my list for the F & W too the pics look delish.
I hate the cutbacks Disney has made in the park hours and nightly events too, it makes it so much harder to plan when you want to see and do everything, I am planning to visit MK on a non-party night too , so we can see MSEP and regular Wishes, but I am worried it will be busy and I decided to stay away from DHS on Fantasmic! night as there are so many reports of the terrible crowds, as long as I get to DHS to see the Osborne Lights I will be happy.
Hope your last day is everything you want it to be and more and yes I do hate our last day in Disney and always find myself saying I wish I had done this or gone there

 

[SusieBea]

Have a safe trip home. I sure wish you could stay longer. I've really enjoyed your TR.

 

[Disney Princess]

What a productive day you had! I hope your last day is wonderful; have a safe trip home!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Saturday afternoon update -

This morning we drove car to AK. Got our Safari FP's and then walked the Gorilla trail again. We then did our Safari. Not as many animals out this time plus the cars were going rather slow as the park was very crowded. After the Safari we did the Tiger trail. For lunch we went to Flame Tree BBQ. This was the first time we have eaten there and it was great. DW and I shared the ribs and some onion rings. We will definitely go back there next trip. As many times as we've been to AK, I don't know why we haven't tried it before.

We then left AK and stopped by our 2nd favorite DVC resort, AKL. Went into the little room on the left of the lobby and saw four giraffes right next to the balcony. Really cool. We then left AKL and went to DTD. Took a long time to find a parking place. Huge crowd once again.

Now we are back in the room rating our feet. Plan to make a run to the car with a load of a stuff shortly. Then plan to head to MK around 5:00.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Final update -

Well we're back home - bummer .

We had no problems getting home. Basically it's 10 hours door to door with most of it very boring driving. I listened to the golf tournament on XM radio most of the way home.

Going back to where I last left off. Saturday night we hit MK for the final time. Did a couple of rides and then watched ELP and Wishes. The crowds were once again huge. Left MK right after Wishes and didn't have to wait too long for a bus. Got back to room and did final packing and that's about it.

Some final thoughts -

1. We absolutely loved F&W. In fact, next year we will be going the first week of November and taking DD32 with us and am already looking forward to next year's F&W.

2. I think we will pass on MNSSHP until we get some grandchildren. Just too crowded and expensive for my tastes. I understand how a lot of people like it though and I'd love to see the parade again (may look on YouTube and see if anyone has posted it).

3. Not to beat a dead horse, I still am amazed at the crowds we saw last week. I had so hoped we'd have small crowds and we did at the first of the week, but Epcot and MK got so it was impossible to move at times. I know it was the first week of F&W and also they only had MK open late two nights for those who didn't want to pay extra for MNSSHP, but still I wasn't prepared for the crowds we ran into. They rivaled crowds we've seen at Christmas. I am hoping next year by going the first week of November we will see smaller crowds. But I've also heard that is "Jersey Week".

4. I was very happy that I was able to take our home router (Linksys) and used it for WiFi at VWL. It worked so easy. Just unplugged it here at the house, plugged it in at VWL, turned on my iPad, pulled up Safari, clicked "Accept" on the sign up screen that warns you about possible charges if you're not DVC and we were connected. Once connected it worked fine with my iPad and our two iPhones. You just need to go through the sign up screen once a day after your 24 hour period is over. I took my Mac mini with us, but really didn't need it and won't take it from now on.

5. I was so pleased how good my pictures turned out that I took with my iPhone 4. I never used my regular digital camera at all this trip. I just don't need it anymore. I am also super pleased at how good the HD videos turned out that I took with the iPhone. When I get some time, I'll try to take some of them and edit them in iMovie and will post them to YouTube.

6. Time to start planning our next trips. Our next DVC trip is a Disney Magic cruise next April. It will be DW, DD and myself and we're very excited as we've never done a DCL cruise before. After that DW and I are going to HHI the last week of August. Finally for next year, the three of us are returning to WDW the first week of November. I will be making our 11 month ressies at AKV, but hope to change to OKW at 7 months to get the larger room.

Well folks, that's about it for this trip. I hope everyone has enjoyed my trip report.

PS - I have uploaded ALL my photos for this trip to Google Photos. The link is below in my sig.

 

[eliza61]

Welcome Back Woplfpack and thank you for sharing your vacation with us.

We've gone to WDW 2X during Jersey week. We are batting 50-50 with the crowds. The first time back in 2007 the crowds were really light but we had a cold snap that made it uncomfortable. we needed heavy jackets and the kids couldn't swim. the 2nd time crowds were really heavy, I'd say ~40-60 min wait on all the major rides.

I'm a firm believer that with all the deep discounts and free dining, Disney has been giving away there really are no more "slow" times. 1 or 2 weeks at best.

 

[sjs314]

Glad to hear you made it home safe and sound, I cringed slightly reading about the crowds at MK, since just recently I changed our park days to the only night MK is open late and showing MSEP and Wishes, since while we are there 3 nights are MVMCP nights and one night MK is closing early for a private function. I am not to worried about Epcot even though it will be the last week of F & W since we are going mid week and not the weekend.
I have gone many times during very busy times of the year, Easter and Summer but I think at least for me now that I am older(57) the crowds and heat bother me more, so keeping my fingers crossed the 2nd week of November meets my expectations, crowd and weather wise.

Your future plans sound great, have never done the cruise either.....yet
And from everything I have read Jersey week does not impact the crowds at Disney very much.

Thank you again for the great live TR and wonderful pictures still hard to believe you only used your I Phone, who would have thought.