March 2012: Spring Break, Here we come! Threadjackers take over the world!

[Lidian]

All of your plans sound great As much as I love Disney, I have a great time at US and IOA. I just read the blog on the main page about Universal being the place to be in 2012. I did tell DH I wouldn't plan any Disney trips in 2012, I don't think I made any agreements about planning Universal trips though

Oh, I like the way you think!

I'm sorry to hear about your awful experience at GF. I hope your trip to Park Fare goes much better. I'm still on the fence about GF and whether I like it or not. It seems a bit stuffy to me, but then on the other hand the Tanners on Full House stayed there. I would like to stay there for just a couple of days one trip, just to say I did.

Honestly, I don't think I could ever stay there after such a bad experience. I mean, I'm seething over the fact that it houses 1900 PF. Yes, when I hold a grudge, I hold a grudge!! Everyone there did seem very uppity, but it was the GFC who really did me in. I mean, c'mon, the server had to ask ME for permission to bring my MOM ketchup!!!! I think she's old enough to know if she should have ketchup or not. Plus lots of other BAD experiences. I think it was the ketchup thing that did my mom in. So I can honestly say, even if we get upgraded, I'd pass. I'd ask for any other resort. (What if the snooty-ness rubs off on me? I so don't want to be one of those people. )

I am like you and never fully take the time to enjoy AK. I really tried to take it all in and just enjoy last trip, but it was DH who keep trying to move us along to the next ride. I think since we are always there when it is 100 degrees it is hard to just relax and wander.

It is hard to relax in the heat. And even if it's the coolest day of your vacation, it feels so much hotter at AK than the other parks. I think it could be snowing in the area and you'd still melt from heat at AK.

Tuskerhouse lunch sounds exciting. I am a bit scared of it too, so I can't wait to hear all about it. Our waitress for breakfast last year told us some lunch items and it seemed like there would be plenty of options for us and we are pretty simple, picky eaters. I am sure you will find plenty to eat.

I know there will be kid-favorites on the buffet, so I won't leave hungry. But I'm not sure if African-flare food will be up my alley. DH is super excited to try it, and so is DD. I'll sample some stuff, but probably after DH does and can tell me what to expect.

I hope your DS enjoys EE. Caitin loved it in 2010 but it really scared her in 2011. When she sees it on the Disney planning videos she claims it is the scariest ride ever and will never go on it again.

DS loved BTMRR in 2010, but was terrified of it in 2011. So I feel ya. DS wants to watch videos of some of the rides, but he always says its too scary and he can't ride it. I hope he'll try some new stuff this year. And if he doesn't like it, at least we can move on knowing he tried it. Right now, he's telling me he's terrified of Soarin'. He's loved it for the past two years ... so he'll ride it this year. I hope your DD will overcome her fear of EE. It's one of my favorite rides!

 

[sjs314]

Your plans seem great, very well thought out. We are skipping AK this trips but will almost cross paths with you on Monday, that is the morning we are going over to Bomas at AKL and do a little resort exploring(hopeing to get DH interested in staying there)I stayed there in 2006 with a freind and fell in love.

Dinosaur is not as bad as everyone says, personally I like it , although I could see a small child getting scared on it.

Tusker House looks interesting plus DS gets to see Donald !!!

I am surprised about your bad expierence at GF. I hope your dinner at 1900 Park Fare is better this time. I was under the impression that Lady Trimaine, the step sisters and Prince Charming were the characters there every evening during dinner?

I have never stepped foot inside even to eat, rode past on the monorail is the closest I have come to GF, because it is my dream resort I do not want to ruin the "WOW" effect if I ever do stay there someday.

 

[solana131]

Well you make me glad I cancelled our GFC breakfast. I have never even set foot in that resort and I get the stuffy-feeling already. Just from pics and DIS experiences. I plan to do a walk through of it just to see it, but I don't think I could ever stay there either. And just think....that is where they plan to send us Poly people to use their pool if ours is closed. Not fun. I guess I would rather not use a pool

Good luck! I wanted to do 1900 also, but with a DS5 and a grouchy DH, I think we'll skip it. Hopefully gonna make it back there for a girls trip with my sister-in-law and niece someday, so that would be a plan for that time.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Thanks Liddy and Corrine for pointing me in the right direction! I did learn a few new things about POR that really excited me...mainly the fact that they have a HOT TUB!!! I will so be in that baby! DH and the kids swam last March, but it was too cold for this wimp!

Lidian, your plans sound great so far! I just found out my BFF and her family have JUST NOW decided to take a WWoHP/Disney vacation in March as well. And they plan to do all of this in just a 4 day vacation... Good luck with pulling that together and pulling it off! I will help her as much as I can, but man that is crazy!

 

[kittylady1972]

Yippee I'm all caught up AGAIN! LOVE all of your changes but I did have ONE suggestion for you regarding your IOA day.

If you want to do Olivanders, do it FIRST! Trust me on this one...I am still hearing about how long we waited in line for it. It's cute...but if you miss it I wouldn't be too upset. It's very short as well. However that line builds FAST and it just a very slow-to-move line. So if you see some people hovering around the door to Olivanders (like we did) don't assume it isn't open yet (like we did) as it's more likely that they are just waiting for the next show. Get in line for it FIRST...then do the rest in the order you already mentioned.

The Forbidden Journey ride is awesome, but one thing to remember is that the seating is such that you really can't see the person next to you. If I recall, you load in the car four at a time...and you are seated right next to each other but the way it's designed I don't think you can really reach out and touch each other too well because of the restraints. Something to keep in mind. Even if there is a longer wait for this one...it's worth it. The line through the castle with all of it's details is simply amazing. Even if you have non-riders with you, you can all get in line and get almost to the front and then the non-riders wait in a small room with benches and tv in it...it was playing (what else?) Harry Potter Movie on the screen. I actually think we waited a little less because we had non-riders with us and were ushered around another line for them.

I think everybody else gave you the scoop on the other rides. I don't think we managed to hit all of them back in June, but most of them. That line for the Pternanodon Flyers (or whatever it was) was the WORST one so if you even think you have a child who may not like it...skip it! DH took our DS 6 on it and I think they waited upwards of 70+ minutes for a very short ride...very low capacity ride and very slow loading. Just something to keep in mind.

And now that I've shared my "EXPERT" opinions on that stuff I must say...I'm so excited about your other plans. Glad you are still making time for 1900 Park Fare as I do think you'll enjoy it. I'm sad to hear about your previous GF Cafe experience as that was one restaurant I was thinking I'd like to try someday but now? Not so much! I always feel out of place at the GF anyway for some reason. However I must say we've eaten at Narcoosee's twice (adults only trips) and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere there...but not the price of course (one time we were on the dining plan). There are just so many restaurants in Disney, and so little time IMO to try them all but I'm doing my best! I'd still like to try Kouzina as well and who knows...maybe we can squeeze that one in on this trip? We have two "free" evenings with no dinner plans as of yet so we'll see what happens!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Your plans for DAK look great. Hoping you find the trail that has aluded you. We did both in May and they were both great.

Hope you have a great experience at 1900 Park Fare. So good that it wipes the bad memory away and replaces it with that Disney Magic. Hope that all the characters you want to see are there. I want to see a pic with your DD with the prince. And if the stepsisters are there, try to get your DS to ask one of them to marry him. I have read in TR's where boys have done this and have such funny interaction with them because of it.

 

[Lidian]

Your plans seem great, very well thought out. We are skipping AK this trips but will almost cross paths with you on Monday, that is the morning we are going over to Bomas at AKL and do a little resort exploring(hopeing to get DH interested in staying there)I stayed there in 2006 with a freind and fell in love.

Dinosaur is not as bad as everyone says, personally I like it , although I could see a small child getting scared on it.

Tusker House looks interesting plus DS gets to see Donald !!!

I am surprised about your bad expierence at GF. I hope your dinner at 1900 Park Fare is better this time. I was under the impression that Lady Trimaine, the step sisters and Prince Charming were the characters there every evening during dinner?

I have never stepped foot inside even to eat, rode past on the monorail is the closest I have come to GF, because it is my dream resort I do not want to ruin the "WOW" effect if I ever do stay there someday.

AK is one park I couldn't give up when visiting WDW. Maybe on a future visit, but I couldn't give up the Tusker House for DS. So when I started looking at what parks I would bypass, AK wasn't one of them. I'll definitely bypass Dinosaur. I don't fare well on dark rides. Especially ones where the animatronics are "trying to get you".

No characters are guaranteed at any meal (with a few exceptions, I'm sure). But I know that it's commonly Cindy, Lady Tremaine, and the sisters ... but the FGM, mice, and Prince Charming can also make appearances.

Well you make me glad I cancelled our GFC breakfast. I have never even set foot in that resort and I get the stuffy-feeling already. Just from pics and DIS experiences. I plan to do a walk through of it just to see it, but I don't think I could ever stay there either. And just think....that is where they plan to send us Poly people to use their pool if ours is closed. Not fun. I guess I would rather not use a pool

Good luck! I wanted to do 1900 also, but with a DS5 and a grouchy DH, I think we'll skip it. Hopefully gonna make it back there for a girls trip with my sister-in-law and niece someday, so that would be a plan for that time.

I've heard tons of great reviews from GFC, so don't let my bad experience ruin anyone else's. I know TK ate there in June and had an amazing time. There's waay more good reviews than bad, and I know my dinner was probably not typical. (And odds are the problem was resolved.)

I hope you can get a 1900 PF in the future! A girls trip will be great!!

Thanks Liddy and Corrine for pointing me in the right direction! I did learn a few new things about POR that really excited me...mainly the fact that they have a HOT TUB!!! I will so be in that baby! DH and the kids swam last March, but it was too cold for this wimp!

Lidian, your plans sound great so far! I just found out my BFF and her family have JUST NOW decided to take a WWoHP/Disney vacation in March as well. And they plan to do all of this in just a 4 day vacation... Good luck with pulling that together and pulling it off! I will help her as much as I can, but man that is crazy!

Glad you learned new things about your resort! I hope your friend gets everything done they plan to do! I'm sure if they have a good touring plan, they'll be fine!

Yippee I'm all caught up AGAIN! LOVE all of your changes but I did have ONE suggestion for you regarding your IOA day.

If you want to do Olivanders, do it FIRST! Trust me on this one...I am still hearing about how long we waited in line for it. It's cute...but if you miss it I wouldn't be too upset. It's very short as well. However that line builds FAST and it just a very slow-to-move line. So if you see some people hovering around the door to Olivanders (like we did) don't assume it isn't open yet (like we did) as it's more likely that they are just waiting for the next show. Get in line for it FIRST...then do the rest in the order you already mentioned.

The Forbidden Journey ride is awesome, but one thing to remember is that the seating is such that you really can't see the person next to you. If I recall, you load in the car four at a time...and you are seated right next to each other but the way it's designed I don't think you can really reach out and touch each other too well because of the restraints. Something to keep in mind. Even if there is a longer wait for this one...it's worth it. The line through the castle with all of it's details is simply amazing. Even if you have non-riders with you, you can all get in line and get almost to the front and then the non-riders wait in a small room with benches and tv in it...it was playing (what else?) Harry Potter Movie on the screen. I actually think we waited a little less because we had non-riders with us and were ushered around another line for them.

I think everybody else gave you the scoop on the other rides. I don't think we managed to hit all of them back in June, but most of them. That line for the Pternanodon Flyers (or whatever it was) was the WORST one so if you even think you have a child who may not like it...skip it! DH took our DS 6 on it and I think they waited upwards of 70+ minutes for a very short ride...very low capacity ride and very slow loading. Just something to keep in mind.

And now that I've shared my "EXPERT" opinions on that stuff I must say...I'm so excited about your other plans. Glad you are still making time for 1900 Park Fare as I do think you'll enjoy it. I'm sad to hear about your previous GF Cafe experience as that was one restaurant I was thinking I'd like to try someday but now? Not so much! I always feel out of place at the GF anyway for some reason. However I must say we've eaten at Narcoosee's twice (adults only trips) and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere there...but not the price of course (one time we were on the dining plan). There are just so many restaurants in Disney, and so little time IMO to try them all but I'm doing my best! I'd still like to try Kouzina as well and who knows...maybe we can squeeze that one in on this trip? We have two "free" evenings with no dinner plans as of yet so we'll see what happens!

I know we won't do Ollivander's first. Odds are, we'll come back to it later in the day when we have time to wait. I know it can get a wait, as they can only accommodate X amount of people, but the rides are more important. I'd love for one of the kids to be picked, but I'd rather them see the rides and shows first. (But I highly appreciate the tip!!!)

We'll probably skip the Flyers for sure, since you said it has long waits and is so slow moving. I don't think DS will like it much anyway.

Please do try GFC. And then you can tell me how awesome it was and how my experience was a 1 in a million mess up. I mean... maybe all the girls were on their monthly that night. It could have been anything.

We absolutely loved Kouzzina's, so I'm excited to get to go back! Such YUM food, lots of choices, and it really was a great place! We had an amazing server! We had to wait a bit (which we couldn't understand why, as there was a ton of empty tables), but it was well worth it. Maybe our server was still in a meeting or something. We didn't mind and she got a HUGE tip from us for being so awesome! So if you get a chance, do go! And you can tell me how right I am.

Your plans for DAK look great. Hoping you find the trail that has aluded you. We did both in May and they were both great.

Hope you have a great experience at 1900 Park Fare. So good that it wipes the bad memory away and replaces it with that Disney Magic. Hope that all the characters you want to see are there. I want to see a pic with your DD with the prince. And if the stepsisters are there, try to get your DS to ask one of them to marry him. I have read in TR's where boys have done this and have such funny interaction with them because of it.

I got lucky finding the Pangani one in May ... it was purely by chance.

Thanks Corrine! I have some plans on what I want to say to the characters. I know DS is a flirt, so I'm anxious to see if he'll flirt with any of the ladies. I know he loves Tink (I'm pretty sure she's his fave). I saw a video of one boy who brought ring pops for the sisters when he proposed.

 

[Lidian]

I dread making this post ... I know I'm going to get flamed!

We'll sleep in a bit on Tuesday. I'd like to be up around 8 or 9, so we'll grab some breakfast in the room (poptart or something) and dress. We'll head to Magic Kingdom ... probably arrive around 9 or 10.

Okay, so we're going to flame you for not arriving for RD?

No. You're going to flame me for what I'm going to say next.

What are you going to say next?

We aren't staying long.

WHAT??!!!???!!

Yeah, we'll hit a few attractions: Monsters Inc., Space Mtn., some meet & greets, and that's it.

Seriously? You're just ... leaving?

Yep. Since they pushed back Dumbo, I honestly considered skipping the park as a whole.

So ... you're just going to do nothing the rest of the day?

No, I didn't say that ... but we'll do a few things, then go grab lunch somewhere and play a round of Mini Golf. If the weather is amazing, we may go to a WP. But regardless, we're taking the afternoon off.

Don't worry, we'll be back at MK for dinner, and to hit a few more rides, but honestly, if I had to give up a park, it would be MK. HOWEVER, if they are doing a soft opening for the new FL expansion, then we'll stick around. Otherwise, nah.

For dinner, we have an ADR at Crystal Palace for 6:20. Honestly, I may change this. If I do, I'll let you know, but for now, 6:20 at CP is our dinner ADR. DS doesn't care much for Pooh, but DD is looking forward to it.

Regardless, we'll either rest, shop, swim, or play Mini Golf this afternoon. It will depend on weather. I mean, we'll do stuff at MK ... but not much. We'll just hit our "must dos" since BTMRR and the new FL stuff won't be operational.

So, no, there isn't much to say .... but we'll be in bed around 9pm this evening. I do know that much. Tomorrow is a long day. A very long day. What are we doing? Well, that's for me to know and you to find out.

Let the flaming commence!

 

[DMGeurts]

NO flaming here... As long as you are still there if we decide to run over to MK to grab a pretzel. If you're not there, that's OK, we'll just grab our pretzel with out you. For that matter, we may not even run to MK to grab a pretzel - we might run to DTD to grab a sandwich at EoS.

Now, if you screw around with Thursday and our Dismeet - then there will be flames...

D~

 

[Lidian]

NO flaming here... As long as you are still there if we decide to run over to MK to grab a pretzel. If you're not there, that's OK, we'll just grab our pretzel with out you. For that matter, we may not even run to MK to grab a pretzel - we might run to DTD to grab a sandwich at EoS.

Now, if you screw around with Thursday and our Dismeet - then there will be flames...

D~

What time would you be heading to MK for a pretzel? We'll only be there for an hour or two in the AM, then back around 5-ish until about 8.

You know, if you want, just text me when you arrive and decide. If we're able to, we may meet up with you. (Like if you go to DTD for lunch, and we're there shopping -- or to MK for a snack and we're still around.)

And ... we haven't gotten to Thursday, yet. I do hope you're a forgiving friend.

 

[sjs314]

AK is one park I couldn't give up when visiting WDW. Maybe on a future visit, but I couldn't give up the Tusker House for DS. So when I started looking at what parks I would bypass, AK wasn't one of them. I'll definitely bypass Dinosaur. I don't fare well on dark rides. Especially ones where the animatronics are "trying to get you".

I would do the same if I had a lil guy dying to see Donald, I just find AK to be hot and crowded no matter when I have gone there and we are not big into rides so decided that this trip we would skip AK. I love photographing the animals but I can get some good pics hopefully over at AKL when we spend a morning there after Boma's

No characters are guaranteed at any meal (with a few exceptions, I'm sure). But I know that it's commonly Cindy, Lady Tremaine, and the sisters ... but the FGM, mice, and Prince Charming can also make appearances.

I thought the lineups of characters were a given 1900 PF(different depending on whether it was B or D , I know at Akershus and CRT they can vary but I really did think CP Tuskers, Chef Mickey's and Cape May were always the same ones.












We absolutely loved Kouzzina's, so I'm excited to get to go back! Such YUM food, lots of choices, and it really was a great place! We had an amazing server! We had to wait a bit (which we couldn't understand why, as there was a ton of empty tables), but it was well worth it. Maybe our server was still in a meeting or something. We didn't mind and she got a HUGE tip from us for being so awesome! So if you get a chance, do go! And you can tell me how right I am.

I had to go back and look at the menu again for Kouzzina's and I still do not think it appeals to me, It is up there with Marrakesh for me so I think trying to be adverturous at one meal is enough this trip.

I dread making this post ... I know I'm going to get flamed!

We'll sleep in a bit on Tuesday. I'd like to be up around 8 or 9, so we'll grab some breakfast in the room (poptart or something) and dress. We'll head to Magic Kingdom ... probably arrive around 9 or 10.

Okay, so we're going to flame you for not arriving for RD?

No. You're going to flame me for what I'm going to say next.

What are you going to say next?

We aren't staying long.

WHAT??!!!???!!

Yeah, we'll hit a few attractions: Monsters Inc., Space Mtn., some meet & greets, and that's it.

Seriously? You're just ... leaving?

Yep. Since they pushed back Dumbo, I honestly considered skipping the park as a whole.

So ... you're just going to do nothing the rest of the day?

No, I didn't say that ... but we'll do a few things, then go grab lunch somewhere and play a round of Mini Golf. If the weather is amazing, we may go to a WP. But regardless, we're taking the afternoon off.

Don't worry, we'll be back at MK for dinner, and to hit a few more rides, but honestly, if I had to give up a park, it would be MK. HOWEVER, if they are doing a soft opening for the new FL expansion, then we'll stick around. Otherwise, nah.

For dinner, we have an ADR at Crystal Palace for 6:20. Honestly, I may change this. If I do, I'll let you know, but for now, 6:20 at CP is our dinner ADR. DS doesn't care much for Pooh, but DD is looking forward to it.

Regardless, we'll either rest, shop, swim, or play Mini Golf this afternoon. It will depend on weather. I mean, we'll do stuff at MK ... but not much. We'll just hit our "must dos" since BTMRR and the new FL stuff won't be operational.

So, no, there isn't much to say .... but we'll be in bed around 9pm this evening. I do know that much. Tomorrow is a long day. A very long day. What are we doing? Well, that's for me to know and you to find out.

Let the flaming commence!

No flaming from me either Lidian. MK use to be my favorite park but on this trip even though we are planning on a full day there from 8am breakfast until park closing I am not thrilled with all the constuction walls and now the delay of Dumbo.

In 2009 I never set foot into MK due to "Mr Grumpy" needing a nap on our first day when we were suppose to go to MK and then again on our last night Ddil was in a mood so we went to DTD instead, luckily I did see the fireworks from the beach at Ft Wilderness the evening we went to HDDR

In 2006 I ran over to MK for about and hour, alone after my friend had to leave for home early, went to Main St bought hats for the two kids I babysat and returned to AKL.

This trip I am going come "hell or high water" as they say. While I do plan on spending the whole day there "Mr Grumpy" will not be run all that "ragged" since our first hour will be spent at CP, lunch at LTT he can rest again then from 5-9 more rest time dinner is at Tony's at 5 and the dessert party at 7 to watch Wishes then I will drag him thru the stores or he can park himself on a bench while I shop as we make our way to the exit

 

[Corrine 1973]

No flameing here as well. We all have our favorite and lest favorite things to do while in the parks. I was ver disappointed to see that both BTMRR and TT would be closed in March. I had not gone on either of these during our first trip but I went on both several time in May and they have both become well loved in my heart.

I am with D and hope you don't mess around with your Epcot day to much. One on the reasons I want to go so much when I planning to is so that I can see my two good friends Liddy and D. It's even in my plan on spending that day at Epcot. (Is the quilt trip working?)

 

[Lidian]

I thought the lineups of characters were a given 1900 PF(different depending on whether it was B or D , I know at Akershus and CRT they can vary but I really did think CP Tuskers, Chef Mickey's and Cape May were always the same ones.

None of them are guaranteed ... because they can't guarantee that a character won't fall ill at the last minute, slip and fall while putting on their makeup, etc. And they may or may not be able to contact a replacement in time. So none are guaranteed. But there are typical meals for them. And generally 1900 is Lady Tremaine and the Step-sisters. Sometimes Prince Charming makes an appearance. But I've read reviews where the FGM and the mice have been in attendance. I think I even read one where FGM was greeting at the door for pictures and the mice were circling the room (not even Cindy showed), but I could be mistaken. Some of them could be inaccurate, and some could be outdated. But I know WDW won't guarantee anything because, as I mentioned above, they know things happen.

Sure, it's easier to get a replacement for some of the characters, and they probably do have people on standby, but if the standbys and the original all ate the bad shrimp ... They gotta improvise.

I've read so many reviews were people try to argue that Belle greets (always) at Akershus and Ariel is NEVER in attendance. Which is not true. Aurora greeted us, Belle was there (in her blue "day" dress), and Ariel was in a gorgeous gown. But I do think if Chef Mickey or TH Donald was sick, they'd be able to find replacements easily and quickly.

No flaming from me either Lidian. MK use to be my favorite park but on this trip even though we are planning on a full day there from 8am breakfast until park closing I am not thrilled with all the constuction walls and now the delay of Dumbo.

In 2009 I never set foot into MK due to "Mr Grumpy" needing a nap on our first day when we were suppose to go to MK and then again on our last night Ddil was in a mood so we went to DTD instead, luckily I did see the fireworks from the beach at Ft Wilderness the evening we went to HDDR

In 2006 I ran over to MK for about and hour, alone after my friend had to leave for home early, went to Main St bought hats for the two kids I babysat and returned to AKL.

This trip I am going come "hell or high water" as they say. While I do plan on spending the whole day there "Mr Grumpy" will not be run all that "ragged" since our first hour will be spent at CP, lunch at LTT he can rest again then from 5-9 more rest time dinner is at Tony's at 5 and the dessert party at 7 to watch Wishes then I will drag him thru the stores or he can park himself on a bench while I shop as we make our way to the exit

I'm glad no flaming here, either! Honestly, we may end up cancelling CP and not going to MK at all. It's our "play it by ear" day. So we'll wait until closer, maybe arrival, and see how the first day or two goes.

I'm just all heartbroken over MK. I was excited to ride Dumbo ... but with Dumbo and BTMRR closed ... and no new content, I can honestly skip it and be okay. DD has even agreed. We had a family meeting about if we skip a park, which one it would be.

The kids voted Epcot. We all voted MK. So we have lots of room to work with this trip. I just hope you get all the MK time you need and want this year!!! Eat a steak at Tony's for me!





Semi-related to comments above ... But DD was asking yesterday about our trip. She wanted to know what happens if Cinderella, or another character, got sick for a character meal. I was trying to decide how to handle this, and was trying to word things carefully because I don't really know if she thinks the characters are real or not. So as I was pondering and trying to tell her that someone else may be Cinderella, she asked "Like Snow White?"

YES! SNOW WHITE MIGHT DRESS UP AS CINDY!

My DD totally believes in the characters! So I let her know that if Cindy got sick, one of her friends might raid her closet and put on her clothes.

I can see it now:
DD: Are you really Cindy or are you Snow White?
Cindy:
DD: Or are you Belle?
Cindy:
Me: She knows that sometimes you have engagements and if you get sick, one of your friends may borrow your clothes to fill in. She's just making sure you're the real Cinderella and not one of your Princess friends dressing up like you.
Cindy:
Me:

This might be an interesting trip.

 

[Lidian]

No flameing here as well. We all have our favorite and lest favorite things to do while in the parks. I was ver disappointed to see that both BTMRR and TT would be closed in March. I had not gone on either of these during our first trip but I went on both several time in May and they have both become well loved in my heart.

I am with D and hope you don't mess around with your Epcot day to much. One on the reasons I want to go so much when I planning to is so that I can see my two good friends Liddy and D. It's even in my plan on spending that day at Epcot. (Is the quilt trip working?)

Thanks for not flaming!

TT won't close until April. It'll be operational in March. The only closures I have noted are:
DHS: Backlot Studio Tour and HISTK playground
MK: BTMRR, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, Dumbo

I'll be at the DISmeet. That's not changed.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Thanks for not flaming!

TT won't close until April. It'll be operational in March. The only closures I have noted are:
DHS: Backlot Studio Tour and HISTK playground
MK: BTMRR, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, Dumbo

I'll be at the DISmeet. That's not changed.

Thanks for letting me know, I loved TT so I was upset that it might be closed. I enjoyed the tour last trip so I wont be to sad to miss it this time, but no HISTK playground . . . what will I do?
It's sad that Dumbo will still be closed, but than I would feel a little wierd riding it without any kids.

Glad to see that the DISmeet hasn't changed, but from your guilty expression something tells me that there a whole lot of changes going on.

 

[Lidian]

Thanks for letting me know, I loved TT so I was upset that it might be closed. I enjoyed the tour last trip so I wont be to sad to miss it this time, but no HISTK playground . . . what will I do?
It's sad that Dumbo will still be closed, but than I would feel a little wierd riding it without any kids.

Glad to see that the DISmeet hasn't changed, but from your guilty expression something tells me that there a whole lot of changes going on.

Well, with HISTK playground closed, you'll have no choice but to sit at the gate and whimper and beg to let you go down the slide at least once.

You can ride TT all you want when you go in March.

Lots of changes. Well, granted, everyone defines "lots" differently. But in my definition, it's "lots".

 

[sl_underwood]

Way to go Lidian... lets confuse the princessses...

 

[Lidian]

Way to go Lidian... lets confuse the princessses...

Iknowright? I just hope I don't get escorted off property.

 

[sjs314]

None of them are guaranteed ... because they can't guarantee that a character won't fall ill at the last minute, slip and fall while putting on their makeup, etc. And they may or may not be able to contact a replacement in time. So none are guaranteed. But there are typical meals for them. And generally 1900 is Lady Tremaine and the Step-sisters. Sometimes Prince Charming makes an appearance. But I've read reviews where the FGM and the mice have been in attendance. I think I even read one where FGM was greeting at the door for pictures and the mice were circling the room (not even Cindy showed), but I could be mistaken. Some of them could be inaccurate, and some could be outdated. But I know WDW won't guarantee anything because, as I mentioned above, they know things happen.

Sure, it's easier to get a replacement for some of the characters, and they probably do have people on standby, but if the standbys and the original all ate the bad shrimp ... They gotta improvise.

I've read so many reviews were people try to argue that Belle greets (always) at Akershus and Ariel is NEVER in attendance. Which is not true. Aurora greeted us, Belle was there (in her blue "day" dress), and Ariel was in a gorgeous gown. But I do think if Chef Mickey or TH Donald was sick, they'd be able to find replacements easily and quickly.



I'm glad no flaming here, either! Honestly, we may end up cancelling CP and not going to MK at all. It's our "play it by ear" day. So we'll wait until closer, maybe arrival, and see how the first day or two goes.

I'm just all heartbroken over MK. I was excited to ride Dumbo ... but with Dumbo and BTMRR closed ... and no new content, I can honestly skip it and be okay. DD has even agreed. We had a family meeting about if we skip a park, which one it would be.

The kids voted Epcot. We all voted MK. So we have lots of room to work with this trip. I just hope you get all the MK time you need and want this year!!! Eat a steak at Tony's for me!





Semi-related to comments above ... But DD was asking yesterday about our trip. She wanted to know what happens if Cinderella, or another character, got sick for a character meal. I was trying to decide how to handle this, and was trying to word things carefully because I don't really know if she thinks the characters are real or not. So as I was pondering and trying to tell her that someone else may be Cinderella, she asked "Like Snow White?"

YES! SNOW WHITE MIGHT DRESS UP AS CINDY!

My DD totally believes in the characters! So I let her know that if Cindy got sick, one of her friends might raid her closet and put on her clothes.

I can see it now:
DD: Are you really Cindy or are you Snow White?
Cindy:
DD: Or are you Belle?
Cindy:
Me: She knows that sometimes you have engagements and if you get sick, one of your friends may borrow your clothes to fill in. She's just making sure you're the real Cinderella and not one of your Princess friends dressing up like you.
Cindy:
Me:

This might be an interesting trip.

I agree it could be interesting if DD starts questioning the characters.

I was reading a TR a day or so ago and someone said they think the Characters at the Meet and greets are better than the ones at the meals? Been so long since I did any characters or meals you can not prove it by me. I did see Daisy Duck last trip over in Epcot but only from a distance.

My youngest DS was 9 the first time we visited WDW back then you wandered the parks and if you were lucky ran into a character or two. If memeory serves me right only MK had characters roaming about. At least I do not recall seeing any at Epcot. You could go to CRT which was then King Stephens Banquet and see Cinderella or CP which had Pooh and company. The character meet and greets of today we not created yet.

So I asked DS if he wanted and autograph book he said ok and off we went we ran into Pluto, Chip and Dale and Minnie twice and he went along then later in the day he said to me "He wished he was younger when we went to WDW so he would not have known there were people inside the costumes" My heart broke I felt so bad that we never took him when he was younger. Although I doubt if it would have mattered since I did have to explain to him that Chuckee Cheese was a person in a costume.

 

[Lidian]

I agree it could be interesting if DD starts questioning the characters.

I was reading a TR a day or so ago and someone said they think the Characters at the Meet and greets are better than the ones at the meals? Been so long since I did any characters or meals you can not prove it by me. I did see Daisy Duck last trip over in Epcot but only from a distance.

My youngest DS was 9 the first time we visited WDW back then you wandered the parks and if you were lucky ran into a character or two. If memeory serves me right only MK had characters roaming about. At least I do not recall seeing any at Epcot. You could go to CRT which was then King Stephens Banquet and see Cinderella or CP which had Pooh and company. The character meet and greets of today we not created yet.

So I asked DS if he wanted and autograph book he said ok and off we went we ran into Pluto, Chip and Dale and Minnie twice and he went along then later in the day he said to me "He wished he was younger when we went to WDW so he would not have known there were people inside the costumes" My heart broke I felt so bad that we never took him when he was younger. Although I doubt if it would have mattered since I did have to explain to him that Chuckee Cheese was a person in a costume.

I'm hoping she doesn't freak out the characters. That would be ... unique.

I've not been able to tell a difference between character meals and the M&Gs in the park. I know sometimes people feel like they're rushed ... but we've never noticed. And if our cases have been rushed, so are the park M&Gs. They seem to take the same amount of time. Just enough that the kids know they care, but not so much they can't do their job. Actually, the only complaint I've had is sometime's Mickey is a little "too flirty", and sometimes the face characters aren't as pretty as I feel they should be. But if the kids don't notice, then I'm golden with it all. (I got waaay too many kisses from Mickey in May, and it made me feel a bit awkward ... especially since Mickey had never given kisses before. )

I'm sorry that your DS had to learn the truth so young. Both of my kids are kinda scared of Chuck E Cheese, but they love the WDW characters. Who knows. Maybe it's a Chuck E. Cheese thing.