Magic in the Kingdom 2012! BIG 2/16/2014 FINAL UPDATE!

[scrapbookersdis]

Time enforcement sounds bad enough. But when you add in FP+ and pre-scheduled ride times, it just makes my head hurt. I love to plan. But once I walk in the gates, I want to have some spontaneity. That just seems to be less and less possible.

I don't like it when Disney makes you feel a sensation of Them versus Us.

Years ago, the unofficial policy was, you could use any FP (no matter how old -- even years), from the opening time of the window on the pass until the park closed. The day didn't matter, just the time. Plenty of people had four-inch thick stacks of FPs (collected over every visit). Actually, there are still people with those stacks -- I just saw one in the MK a few weeks ago. The CMs may be enforcing the closing time on the window now, but they're still not enforcing the date. Not that I'd recommend depending on it. Like you, I'm responding to the "tightening" of policies by just looking outside Disney property -- though I have a certain sympathy for people who work the dang system. Vive la revolution!

Had to chuckle sympathetically at your comment about the pass pick-up angst interfering with your photography at AoA. I am the same way -- the number of photos I take goes down in direct proportion to the amount of stress.

Looking forward to your next update!

 

[nannye]

I would guessitmate it about 7 minutes. It might be shorter if you walk faster and longer if you walk slower. Some nights it seemed REALLY far away.

Thanks Jennifer, I really can't decide if I would want to try it. The resort looks great and comparing to our 3-4 min walk at Riverside whats another 3 min, but I'm not sure I'd be feeling that extra few min at the end of a long day.

Riverside is my first choice, its just so calm and quiet. I know V would like AofA tho.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm so glad I got to come home to an update.

My flash tube died. On assignment.

OK, I'm lost What is a flash "tube"?

Janet, how long was the walk from your LM room at AOA to the bus? how long to the food court/lobby?

I want POR, but might not be in the budget this time so we may be looking at values and AOA would be nice, but the walk I've heard is not so nice and NO stroller for V this year. and Thanks! I really didn't think we were going back. V's mom hadn't mentioned it. Out of the blue I got the email on Saturday. I have 2 weeks to figure it out before ADRS (and I want a BOG ressie!)

Oh ya and V has already declared that she must have a Drizella Dress BUT she won't do BBB (really?)

I never really timed the walk at all. To me it was just more of a feeling. It was long. Yes, that's my technical assessment. For me though, it was more than just the length. It was about how it played into my decision making process. No bringing breakfast back to he room for everyone. We ate on our way out. No running to the gift shop in the evening for that one extra thing. No refilling our mugs, which were in our room, when we got back at the end of the day. But do keep in mind we keep very long hours in the parks. We were on our feet 10-12 hours a day for 9 days in a row.

I would guessitmate it about 7 minutes. It might be shorter if you walk faster and longer if you walk slower. Some nights it seemed REALLY far away.

Thanks Jen!

I don't like it when Disney makes you feel a sensation of Them versus Us.

Years ago, the unofficial policy was, you could use any FP (no matter how old -- even years), from the opening time of the window on the pass until the park closed. The day didn't matter, just the time. Plenty of people had four-inch thick stacks of FPs (collected over every visit). Actually, there are still people with those stacks -- I just saw one in the MK a few weeks ago. The CMs may be enforcing the closing time on the window now, but they're still not enforcing the date. Not that I'd recommend depending on it. Like you, I'm responding to the "tightening" of policies by just looking outside Disney property -- though I have a certain sympathy for people who work the dang system. Vive la revolution!

Had to chuckle sympathetically at your comment about the pass pick-up angst interfering with your photography at AoA. I am the same way -- the number of photos I take goes down in direct proportion to the amount of stress.

Looking forward to your next update!

Yep, nothing better than some photography time in my happy place. But my happy place is more than just being at Disney. It's being relaxed at Disney!

And I never heard such a story about FPs! You better not post that over on the FP+ threads. Oh my, I can just see the feeding frenzy. Some there thought it just sort of a felony to use a late FP on the same DAY (when the CMs said you could), let alone at a later date. It's crazy.

Thanks Jennifer, I really can't decide if I would want to try it. The resort looks great and comparing to our 3-4 min walk at Riverside whats another 3 min, but I'm not sure I'd be feeling that extra few min at the end of a long day.

Riverside is my first choice, its just so calm and quiet. I know V would like AofA tho.

I have no idea how far the rooms are out at POR, so I really can't help you with that. But if this is the first trip without a stroller, I think I'd think long and hard about AoA. Unless you want to be carrying her at the end of a long day.

But then I'm just spoiled by our previous stays at Pop where we were always able to request a close room.

Maybe you could just schedule shorter days than Katie and I do.

 

[sassie_kat]

I've been following your TRs for some time now. Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! I love that she's so "grown" and yet still dresses up in the princess dresses. I'm hoping my little girl will follow in her footsteps. Now momma just needs to improve her sewing skills and comfort at using the "fancy" fabrics!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

OK, I'm lost What is a flash "tube"?

Basically the bulb. The part that makes the light.

$675 and a trip to Indianapolis later...

I'm the proud owner of a bouncing baby SB-700 flash and a pair of pocket wizard wireless transmitters.

 

[nannye]

shorter days ha ha

I did make my decision. The walk sealed it. I'm sucking it up and booking POR. I don't want to be on vacation and regretting not booking it and I really just fell in love with it!

 

[nannye]

Oh Janet, I posted our Park Fare dinner in my TR, you'll love it, video too!

 

[mom2rtk]

I've been following your TRs for some time now. Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! I love that she's so "grown" and yet still dresses up in the princess dresses. I'm hoping my little girl will follow in her footsteps. Now momma just needs to improve her sewing skills and comfort at using the "fancy" fabrics!

Sewing with the "fancy" fabrics is the most fun!

Thanks for the nice words and

Basically the bulb. The part that makes the light.

$675 and a trip to Indianapolis later...

I'm the proud owner of a bouncing baby SB-700 flash and a pair of pocket wizard wireless transmitters.

Yuck. Replacing stuff, especially expensive stuff...... is not fun. Are the pocket wizards at least something new and different for you? I really want my next camera to be able to trigger my flash off-camera so I can start playing around with it more.

shorter days ha ha

I did make my decision. The walk sealed it. I'm sucking it up and booking POR. I don't want to be on vacation and regretting not booking it and I really just fell in love with it!

So you're not in with the "shorter days" plan? Ah, a girl after my own heart!

Oh Janet, I posted our Park Fare dinner in my TR, you'll love it, video too!

Thanks so much for the heads up Erin. I really enjoyed watching. The doll dresses were adorable!

 

[HuskerFaninIL]

Those are the best Jungle cruise pics I've ever seen!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Yuck. Replacing stuff, especially expensive stuff...... is not fun. Are the pocket wizards at least something new and different for you? I really want my next camera to be able to trigger my flash off-camera so I can start playing around with it more.

I used to check them out at school all the time.

I never used them, but it's time to get going and join the real world.

I need to be able to remotely fire my big guns while I'm shooting sports. I can use my big flash, but it has to be on the second level and I obviously can't stay attached by a cable without causing someone to fall.

I could've gone with a more inexpensive wireless transmitters BUT the reliability isn't up to snuff.

I DO like the new portable flash. It's got a fun option to use it normal, center weighted (basically a center spotlight), and a wide flare. That flare option is AWESOME!

 

[nannye]

Sewing with the "fancy" fabrics is the most fun!

Thanks for the nice words and



Yuck. Replacing stuff, especially expensive stuff...... is not fun. Are the pocket wizards at least something new and different for you? I really want my next camera to be able to trigger my flash off-camera so I can start playing around with it more.




So you're not in with the "shorter days" plan? Ah, a girl after my own heart!




Thanks so much for the heads up Erin. I really enjoyed watching. The doll dresses were adorable!

We are going to disney and paying a crazy amount of money to do so. I'm def going to get my money's worth. I find the mid day breaks a hassle to be honest especially if we only have1 day at that park, Epcot, ak and HS. I don't want to take a mid day break those days and v won nap or rest so.....

We are taking a mid week day off this time! It will be pool day! We might go to DTD for lunch and just a couple stores for shopping on that day and prob park fare for dinner but otherwise no park.

 

[nannye]

Hi, sorry for posting here I tried to PM you but you're full up. and I don't want to retype lol if anyone else has advice let me know!~


Janet, can you tell me the difference between lunch and dinner at BOG? is it just that lunch is quick service and dinner is table? It's not a character meal that I know. Just wondering if a QS credit would be good enough for our day with dinner at CRT. I "think" I remember you saying you did lunch and dinner at BOG in dec. We did breakfast at CRT once and I wasn't fond of it. I much preferred dinner last year. but then again... CRT I had the traditional breakfast and didn't like it, but looking at their menu the stuffed french toast looks good, but dinner the beef tenderloin was good last year.

This is for V's princess day so I kind of like doing the 8 am BBB then going straight to characters aka Merida & princesses to get them done asap before lines get long. kind of makes me think the lunch at BOG and dinner at CRT would work. We would still have 2 other MK days but i have far too many wants for TS meals so kinda just wondering if BOG is a definite dinner or if lunch is "good enough".

Do you have an opinion?
Thanks
Erin

 

[jenseib]

Lunch is counterservice and a different menu. I have heard they have quite a wait for lunch too at this point since it's so new.

 

[mesaboy2]

Subbing. Somehow I missed this until now!

 

[mom2rtk]

Those are the best Jungle cruise pics I've ever seen!!!

Thank you so much! My favorite was the other boat by the waterfall because it's different from what I've taken before.

I used to check them out at school all the time.

I never used them, but it's time to get going and join the real world.

I need to be able to remotely fire my big guns while I'm shooting sports. I can use my big flash, but it has to be on the second level and I obviously can't stay attached by a cable without causing someone to fall.

I could've gone with a more inexpensive wireless transmitters BUT the reliability isn't up to snuff.

I DO like the new portable flash. It's got a fun option to use it normal, center weighted (basically a center spotlight), and a wide flare. That flare option is AWESOME!

I was glad to hear you didn't have trouble from anyone at yesterday's meet. Did it all go ok?

We are going to disney and paying a crazy amount of money to do so. I'm def going to get my money's worth. I find the mid day breaks a hassle to be honest especially if we only have1 day at that park, Epcot, ak and HS. I don't want to take a mid day break those days and v won nap or rest so.....

We are taking a mid week day off this time! It will be pool day! We might go to DTD for lunch and just a couple stores for shopping on that day and prob park fare for dinner but otherwise no park.

We feel pretty much the same way. I can rest at home. Well, I suppose if the planets lined up just right, and all my kids moved out..... I could rest. But I don't. So no need to rest at Dinsey either, right? But man, my feet were really arguing that point on this last trip. I do think your plan for a down day sounds great.

Hi, sorry for posting here I tried to PM you but you're full up. and I don't want to retype lol if anyone else has advice let me know!~


Janet, can you tell me the difference between lunch and dinner at BOG? is it just that lunch is quick service and dinner is table? It's not a character meal that I know. Just wondering if a QS credit would be good enough for our day with dinner at CRT. I "think" I remember you saying you did lunch and dinner at BOG in dec. We did breakfast at CRT once and I wasn't fond of it. I much preferred dinner last year. but then again... CRT I had the traditional breakfast and didn't like it, but looking at their menu the stuffed french toast looks good, but dinner the beef tenderloin was good last year.

This is for V's princess day so I kind of like doing the 8 am BBB then going straight to characters aka Merida & princesses to get them done asap before lines get long. kind of makes me think the lunch at BOG and dinner at CRT would work. We would still have 2 other MK days but i have far too many wants for TS meals so kinda just wondering if BOG is a definite dinner or if lunch is "good enough".

Do you have an opinion?
Thanks
Erin

Well, rarely does someone ask me a question and I don't have an opinion. So here goes:

Lunch is really very good at BOG. It is far better than any other CS option at Disney. At least in my opinion. But I did actually prefer dinner. And that's partly because it just doesn't feel as crowded. They are clearly trying at lunch to squeeze as many people as possible through there as possible as quickly as possible. We were continually asked to squeeze closer together so they could move the line up farther on the bridge. Then when you go in, the room where you order is pretty packed as well.

Once you sit down, it's just lovely. And very laid back. I had no trouble at all exploring and photographing every room.

The other difference is that the Beast is only there at dinner.

Lunch is counterservice and a different menu. I have heard they have quite a wait for lunch too at this point since it's so new.

Thanks Jen! Tell Michael I said Happy Birthday!

Subbing. Somehow I missed this until now!

Glad you found us! You haven't missed much yet.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I was glad to hear you didn't have trouble from anyone at yesterday's meet. Did it all go ok?

It went pretty good. It started late and since they did diving in the morning, they still took a break where diving should've been.

The officials disappeared for 30 minutes.

I got what I needed for this week's paper, but I had to leave early from the meet to go take newborn baby pictures for a couple that I did their wedding 2-3 years ago.

My biggest thing on the day was avoiding teenage boys in speedos that didn't want to get splashed with water.

 

[Caretames1]

One update the whole time I been busy! YAY!!

I had an issue at AoA later in our trip and I found the people behind the desk to be less than helpful. Sorry it took so long and was such a hassle to finally get your tickets picked up.

I love the elephants on Jungle Cruise! The babies are my favorite!

Chip & Dale are the best character interactions! Such sassy chipmunks!

It feels good to finally be in the swing of MK doens't it?

 

[molitva]

@nannye I wasn't able to get a reservation for BOG dinner so we made a point of seeking it out for lunch. We lined up around 10:25 a.m. and were at the end of the bridge leading up to the doors. We were sitting with our food right around 11 a.m. They opened the doors at 10:30.

We LOVED it! It was a combo of the food and the atmosphere and the "newness" of it. BF was so impressed that he requested it as our lunch on departure day. Even the second time it didn't disappoint. I wasn't bothered by the wait for an early lunch, even though I was probably giving up some prime touring time.

 

[nannye]

Hi! So glad you found us!

TST is almost always Cindy, Aurora and Rapunzel now. Snow White is still out in the hub area.

And you are correct, Belle is now only at Epcot in France (without the Beast now) and Akershus. She is not at CRT any longer. And while you can get a quick photo with her after storytime (participants) it's not a traditional meet & greet. It is very rushed there are no autographs. The only place Belle signs now is at Epcot.

YEAH for getting your trip booked! So is the AG doll coming along with her wardrobe?

I completely missed all this! So the only place to see Belle in the yellow dress is storytime with Belle That kinda sucks. and no Beast at Epcot! we missed them last time I was dissappointed We were for sure going to see him this time. And Belle is not at CRT, has anyone replaced her or is it just 3 princesses now?

Oh well.

 

[mom2rtk]

My biggest thing on the day was avoiding teenage boys in speedos that didn't want to get splashed with water.

LOL, I can imagine that was a challenge all its own! At least that has to be better than cross country where you have to avoid their stench!

One update the whole time I been busy! YAY!!

I had an issue at AoA later in our trip and I found the people behind the desk to be less than helpful. Sorry it took so long and was such a hassle to finally get your tickets picked up.

I love the elephants on Jungle Cruise! The babies are my favorite!

Chip & Dale are the best character interactions! Such sassy chipmunks!

It feels good to finally be in the swing of MK doens't it?

I know, I need to get another update done, but life has just been throwing me too many curve balls. Hopefully it will settle back down again soon.

I'll be curiuos to see what your AoA issue was. I will say that when we stopped by later that night to pick up those tickets (the ones they told us that morning they couldn't print for us.....) they were really very helpful. But that morning really did have me sweating bullets.

I think the elephants really are my favorite part of Jungle Cruise.

And our family really bonded with Chip and Dale in 09. Timmy was along on that trip at age 14 and they really hassled him. He had a way that year of wandering off any time we got into a character line. Only this time I tipped off Chip (or was it Dale?????) and he left the meet & greet spot to go DRAG Timmy back for a family photo. Thankfully Timmy's a good sport and played along.

And yes, it felt awesome to be back in the MK. We spent a TON of time in the MK this time and you know what?

It STILL wasn't enough!

@nannye I wasn't able to get a reservation for BOG dinner so we made a point of seeking it out for lunch. We lined up around 10:25 a.m. and were at the end of the bridge leading up to the doors. We were sitting with our food right around 11 a.m. They opened the doors at 10:30.

We LOVED it! It was a combo of the food and the atmosphere and the "newness" of it. BF was so impressed that he requested it as our lunch on departure day. Even the second time it didn't disappoint. I wasn't bothered by the wait for an early lunch, even though I was probably giving up some prime touring time.

It really is quite a remarkable experience, isn't it? BOG really was one of the highlights of the trip for us.

I completely missed all this! So the only place to see Belle in the yellow dress is storytime with Belle That kinda sucks. and no Beast at Epcot! we missed them last time I was dissappointed We were for sure going to see him this time. And Belle is not at CRT, has anyone replaced her or is it just 3 princesses now?

Oh well.

Belle is still at Akershus in her yellow. And if you really want to see the Beast, dinner at BOG is the only way to do that.

Jasmine is at CRT now, usually with Aurora, Snow White and Ariel in the dining room, with Cindy in the lobby.