Magic in NYC~June 2, 2012

[TopRowSeat]

Of course no Disney Cruise is complete without the wonderful castmembers who dress up as our favorite characters! They truly know how to make everyone feel special.

I have no idea what you mean here. That's the real Minnie and I'm pretty sure she has a crush on me.

 

[mariaelenak]

I have no idea what you mean here. That's the real Minnie and I'm pretty sure she has a crush on me.

Of course she is and of course she does! What was I thinking!!

 

[KristiMc]

Of course she is and of course she does! What was I thinking!!

Maria - Don't let Steve fool you - it is he who clearly has a crush on Minnie!

 

[mariaelenak]

Maria - Don't let Steve fool you - it is he who clearly has a crush on Minnie!

Yikes! I think you and Mickey better keep a close eye on those two...

 

[mariaelenak]

Hi Everyone!

Another week has flown by. We are now

weeks away from our Magical Disney sailing out of New York City!

This week I was thinking about all the delicious desserts on the Magic.
Not much to write, the photos say it all.

and of course, you can never go wrong with ice cream...

 

[KristiMc]

I loved the desserts. Our Palo brunch server made up a plate of desserts for us to take to the kids.

 

[Z Cruisers]

Hey y'all!

We are signed up for this cruise and are so excited! Our group (Z Cruisers) consists of me (Donna), DH Kevin, DD Audrey (7) and DS Alexander (5). We have cruised 1 other time ever....on the Magic in April, 2011 in the Western Caribbean. We loved it and can't wait for our NYC cruise!

Maria - can you please add us to your spreadsheet? Here's our info:
- Donna, DH Kevin, DD Audrey (7) and DS Alexander (5)
- Stateroom 5022 (SPR cabin...yeah!)
- No special celebration other than the kids' first trip to NYC!
- Not decided on doing the FE yet

 

[mariaelenak]

Hey y'all!

We are signed up for this cruise and are so excited! Our group (Z Cruisers) consists of me (Donna), DH Kevin, DD Audrey (7) and DS Alexander (5). We have cruised 1 other time ever....on the Magic in April, 2011 in the Western Caribbean. We loved it and can't wait for our NYC cruise!

Maria - can you please add us to your spreadsheet? Here's our info:
- Donna, DH Kevin, DD Audrey (7) and DS Alexander (5)
- Stateroom 5022 (SPR cabin...yeah!)
- No special celebration other than the kids' first trip to NYC!
- Not decided on doing the FE yet

Donna, you have been added!

 

[Z Cruisers]

Hey! I'm just throwing this out there for anyone who may want some helpful tips. I have been going to WDW all of my life and we are frequent visitors (I really should have my paycheck sent there directly!). I have seen lots of posts about what people are thinking of doing on our one day at the Parks. Since it looks like most of you don't live close to WDW and either have never been or been rarely, I would love to help anyone out with any questions y'all may have, helpful tips, etc.

Helpful tip #1 - for people who may want to visit multiple parks on that day, note that you should plan on it taking about 1 hour to get between parks by WDW bus transportation. For AK, the only way to get there is by bus. DHS and EPCOT are connected by boat and it takes 45 minutes to get from one to the other (you stop at the Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Clubs and Boardwalk in between). Plan on about 30-45 minutes to go between MK and EPCOT by monorail. It may take you less, and if that happens, consider it a bonus!

As I think of more helpful stuff, I will post it. In the meantime, please feel free to ask!

 

[hollypt]

You have me down as my screen name (hollypt) on the chart, but I'd like to give you my real name:


Tonia
Mike (DH)
Lindsey (11)
Nina (8)

We will be staying in room 2112 and are looking forward to the gift exchange. I am enjoying all the photos you guys are posting, and I'm getting really excited!

 

[mariaelenak]

Helpful tip #1 - for people who may want to visit multiple parks on that day, note that you should plan on it taking about 1 hour to get between parks by WDW bus transportation. For AK, the only way to get there is by bus. DHS and EPCOT are connected by boat and it takes 45 minutes to get from one to the other (you stop at the Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Clubs and Boardwalk in between). Plan on about 30-45 minutes to go between MK and EPCOT by monorail. It may take you less, and if that happens, consider it a bonus!

As I think of more helpful stuff, I will post it. In the meantime, please feel free to ask!

Great Tips Donna!

You have me down as my screen name (hollypt) on the chart, but I'd like to give you my real name:


Tonia
Mike (DH)
Lindsey (11)
Nina (8)

We will be staying in room 2112 and are looking forward to the gift exchange. I am enjoying all the photos you guys are posting, and I'm getting really excited!

Thanks Tonia! I'll update the list with your information.

 

[betsy918]

Hey! I'm just throwing this out there for anyone who may want some helpful tips. I have been going to WDW all of my life and we are frequent visitors (I really should have my paycheck sent there directly!). I have seen lots of posts about what people are thinking of doing on our one day at the Parks. Since it looks like most of you don't live close to WDW and either have never been or been rarely, I would love to help anyone out with any questions y'all may have, helpful tips, etc.

Helpful tip #1 - for people who may want to visit multiple parks on that day, note that you should plan on it taking about 1 hour to get between parks by WDW bus transportation. For AK, the only way to get there is by bus. DHS and EPCOT are connected by boat and it takes 45 minutes to get from one to the other (you stop at the Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Clubs and Boardwalk in between). Plan on about 30-45 minutes to go between MK and EPCOT by monorail. It may take you less, and if that happens, consider it a bonus!

As I think of more helpful stuff, I will post it. In the meantime, please feel free to ask!

OMG! I had NO idea the parks were so far apart! I'm used to the 5 minutes walk between Disneyland and California Adventure. This info has me totally rethinking our plans for the day!

 

[mariaelenak]

OMG! I had NO idea the parks were so far apart! I'm used to the 5 minutes walk between Disneyland and California Adventure. This info has me totally rethinking our plans for the day!

It's not really that the parks are that far apart. It's more the time you spend waiting for a bus to arrive, the loading of the bus and finally the travel. That's what takes a long time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there is no direct bus from one park to another. For example, you can't go from Animal Kingdom to Epcot via bus. You have to either hop a bus to the Ticket and Transportation Center. From the Ticket and Transportation Center you can ride the monorail to Epcot or the Magic Kingdom or hop a bus to another park. Another option is to get on a bus to a hotel near whatever park you want to go to. So if you start your day at Animal Kingdom and then want to go to the Magic Kingdom, you can get on a bus to the Contemporary Resort and then just walk over to the MK. Walking to a park only works from The Contemporary to MK. Or you can get on a bus to the Boardwalk and walk over to Epcot. There is nothing walking distance to Animal Kingdom or to Disney Hollywood Studios.

Just plan on what parks you want to do and then research the transportation so you know ahead of time the best way to approach the transporation in order to make the most of your time/day.

But yes, definately a lot further apart than the 5 minute walk between the two parks in California!

 

[betsy918]

OK...Since Epcot is probably the least like anything we have in California, we would probably do Epcot and the MK (jut because I want to see how it compares to Disneyland.) What would you suggest our approach be? Start at Epcot? End at Epcot? I'm thinking start there, then if it's not what we are hoping we still have lots of time for MK. If we love it, we won't feel like we missed out too much spending more time there and less at the MK, as MK is, as far as I know, a lot like Disneyland. So what is the best and quickest way to get to the MK from Epcot? What would be the must see and do there as far as rides before we walk through attractions?
Thanks

 

[mariaelenak]

I thought it might be helpful to look at the times the parks are opened when we are there.

WDW Times for June 7

Epcot:
­ Future World, 9 am to 9 pm
World Showcase, 11 am to 9 pm

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 9 pm

Animal Kingdom: 9 am to 7 pm
Magic Kingdom: 9 am to 10 pm

Since the Magic Kingdom is opened the latest, I guess it would probably be good to end the day there for those of you who have the extra energy!

Betsy, Getting from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom is easy. Just hop on the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then switch over to the Magic Kingdom Monorail. Shouldn't take you that long at all.

My favorite rides at Epcot are:
Test Track - Get a Fast Pass
Soarin' (but I believe you have that in California)
Journey Into Imagination - never a wait but it's so cute with Figment
Spaceship Earth (usually packed when you first enter the park. Never much of a line later in the day. We usually go there on our way out.
The Living Seas building is really nice. Go find Nemo on the ride and then head over to Turtle Talk with Crush. It's hilarious.
I also really like the Universe of Energy with Ellen. Really funny, but it's a long show/ride.
Mission to Mars is great! But if you tend to get sick, you can opt for the non-motion ride.

While walking around World Showcase: Mexico has a cute little ride and it moves quick.

Norway has the Malestrom. There is usually a line. Last time I was there I walked out. People love this ride and I really just don't see the point of it. If I have to wait more than 10 minutes I leave. Oh, and if you do get on the ride, at the end they'll move you into a "theater". There is a door on the far side. Keep walking out the door unless you want to sit and watch a 6 minute movie about Norway.

I love walking around World Showcase and going into the stores and taking pictures and eating!

Well, those are my personal thoughts on Epcot!

 

[TopRowSeat]

My favorite rides at Epcot are:
Test Track - Get a Fast Pass

Actually Test Track will be shut down for a major refurb while we are there.

I'm a little concerned about what this will mean for our ability to get a FastPass for Soarin. Fewer E Ticket attractions to spread out the crowd.

 

[mariaelenak]

Actually Test Track will be shut down for a major refurb while we are there.

I'm a little concerned about what this will mean for our ability to get a FastPass for Soarin. Fewer E Ticket attractions to spread out the crowd.

I had thought that Test Track would be shut down, but I went to the Park Hours webpage today and I didn't see it listed as being refurbished at the bottom of the page. So I was sort of hoping we missed the closure. Darn..it's one of my favorite ones.

 

[hollypt]

Sooo disappointed to see that Test Track will be closed. That was a family favorite.

 

[mariaelenak]

Hi Everyone!

Another week has flown by. We are now

weeks away from our Magical Disney sailing out of New York City!

Yes, I'm posting at 12:34 am. I'm extremely sleepy and I'm thinking BED.
Unfortunately, when I head over to my room in a few minutes, I won't be greeted by a cute swan...

An awesome lobster...

Elephants and monkeys...

A shark and a dinosaur...

Stingray and ???? Any ideas?

This totally awesome sea turtle dude.....

and this critter. I have NO idea what this one is, so if any of you have any ideas, please post!!

Good night!!

 

[TopRowSeat]

Stingray and ???? Any ideas?

Is that Ursula?