Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[blessedby3]

Wow...that is one amazing queue area for WTP!! Cant wait to play there...Alexa will love it! Hope you get your ressies to work out so you dont have to sleep on a lobby couch

 

[disneyfan61]

Oh boo! I arrive late on the 28th - flight lands around 8pm, so I won't get to WDW until 9-10pm...what time do you leave on the 29th/what are your plans?



[/QUOTE]

Oh Darn!! ME will be picking us up around 9:00am on the 29th.

 

[jenjolt]

Crossing my fingers for you that you get that WL request!!!! I was looking at the crowd calendar too and was happy to see that my full first day is a 4 LOL!!!!!!

The WP queue is adorable!! I loved walking through it in January!!! What a great interactive spot for kids!!!!

 

[norybell]

Catching up...

First things first: A solo trip! Woo-hoo for you!!!

Beware, though. Solo trips are dangerously addictive. This trip with family I just returned from just made me want another solo one even more. If only my sister didn't have a wedding shower in CA in May, I'd be back at WDW solo next month for sure!

That picture of Henry taking a picture of his food is hilarious! What a DISer-in-training you've got there!

Isn't the Pooh queue amazing? I was kinda sad we didn't get to spend any decent time there with my niece...it's so adorable, really gives me high hopes for all the new Fantasyland stuff!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love the Pooh queue, how much fun is that?! Think a 40+ year old woman would look foolish playing in there without any small children with her?

 

[TheDreamsComeTrue]

I missed a couple updates but now I'm caught up! Yay for the solo trip!
The Winnie queue looks really great! I can tell Henry had fun! Also can't wait to hear about The Plaza, we're eating there this June!

 

[mermaid764]

The new que looks fantastic! Henry is so cute enjoying all the new games, I love the growing vegetables and the pop up gophers.

Too funny that you guys didn't end up having time to go on the ride, I can't wait to hear about lunch

 

[Mindy5767]

haha, I find it hilarious that you didn't have time to ride the ride!!

this is exactly why it drives my DH nuts when we have ADR's... because you either have to leave a super amount of extra time to get there or you'll end up just like you did and having to leave the queue without riding! I promised him that when we go down (whenever that will end up) in August, I'll go lite on the ADR's so we've narrowed it to Restaurant Marrakesh. I said we have to do T Rex and Rainforest, but he already knows that ADR's aren't "required" because you CAN get in on the fly. We've done that. We did get in to a few restaurants without ADR's in November, one was San Angel Inn (lunch at 2) and Restaurant Marrakesh. That one was crazy because my sister was at EPCOT and she and her husband walked up and were told 45 min. or something like that.. so they texted us (we were at MK) and we hopped the monorail, they got in early, before we got there... and were already seated with beverages when we blew in, but we had an excellent meal. Which is why my Henry wants to include that one. He will also "allow" me to include Coral Reef. We could probably eat all our meals at EPCOT and be happy!!

 

[kschafer]

The Pooh Queue (and yes, that is funny!) doesn't really start now until after the play area. You can walk right through the play area and straight into the queue and keep your spot; otherwise, if you play, others will get in front of you. I thought it was going to be more part of the queue - like a little scene here, then you queue for a while, then another little play scene - but it's not. It's all or nothing! Except, they do have the honey walls in the actual queue and a few other things to look at.

Ahh, I see. I also thought it was somehow part of the stand-by line. I suspect we will try the grab-a-fastpass-play-until-it's-time strategy!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I got a room today! I am booked from May 28-June 1 at SSR. I'm happy I'm not homeless, but....I'm not happy about SSR for two reasons:

1) I've stayed there.
2) It's more points than I wanted to spend on a resort for just me (and possibly a friend).

I truly wanted to experience a new resort. So, I'm debating on renting out the 63 points and using the money to stay in a regular resort; however, there aren't ANY Value rooms right now at the TA rate, the Passholder rate OR the regular rack rate. So, if someone turns out to be interested in those 63 points, it would have to be contingent on me getting a satisfactory room. I was hoping to snag a Value room and then have the extra cash from the points rental.

I'll keep watching, just yesterday there wasn't anything in the Mods, and now CSR is open...which I would snag, but I've stayed there!

So anyway, if you, or anyone you know is interested in renting points let me know!

 

[brookelizabeth]

haha, I find it hilarious that you didn't have time to ride the ride!!

You can get an AP rate still for a few of the moderates, like Coronado Springs if you need to for a night on Saturday. And if you came by my PTR, sorry it's a little lame. My PTRs are never that exciting...

Isn't that ridiculous? We had so much fun we lost track of time!

You know, I was just looking at the various rates and I didn't check the Mods for a AP rate (the Values are booked) - I have a room now, but kinda wanting to rent the points.

Hey Brook! GREAT title for this chapter!

That queue looks like a lot of fun, and it makes me wonder what it must be like sitting in the Imagineering brainstorming sessions to come up with these ideas.

Thanks! But, I can't take credit for it. BetaMouse Podcast used it for the title of the episode where they discussed the queue. I thought it was so clever that I stole it!

I can only imagine the Imagineering sessions! There is a thread on another board that a previous Imagineer posts on and people ask him these sort of questions - like favorites of his that never got built, and some are just down right hilarious!

Love love love the pictures of Henry playing in the new Winnie the Pooh queue. Like a previous poster said, I knew they had new interactive elements but had no idea there was so much to see and do.

I was surprised at how much there was to do! It's really done very well. If I ride Pooh next month I'll stop to bang a melon or two!

YAHOO for two new tickers!! The solo/girls/DIS trip will be a new experience and half the battle is the guilt! lol I strongly believe we all need time to recharge the batteries, whatever it might be. Good for you and I know you'll have a blast! It will be a new experience and so much fun! I actually took the plunge too - One of my BFF's is my "travel buddy" and we've been to local places but also Germany and Paris together on separate trips. We knew we were due to go together this year since it's been 2-3 years since we have travelled together. We talked about NYC, the Grand Canyon, etc and she told me, "honestly you know where I want to go? WDW with the Christmas decorations out". I immediately thought - i can't do that to my DS! After thinking about the "girlie" things we could do and the recharging we all need - I told her we would! Luckily I got a 30% off during the week we had saved months ago in my itineraries so we're going the week before Thanksgiving which is when we went as a family for the first time. I can't wait!

I love the Pooh queue pictures and I also love that you took the time to absorb it all with Henry! I'm looking forward to this on our next trip!

Heather

THAT IS FANTASTIC!!!!! You two will have a wonderful time!!!! And yes, we all do need that girl/recharge battery time. I keep inviting Joe and Henry, because in a way I DO want them to come, but Joe keeps refusing. He knows me better than myself.

Wow! Brook I had no idea about your solo trip. I wondered what you meant in that email when you said you'd be at WDW for your birthday this year!!! I was confused but too tired at the time to ask questions!

I can't wait to hear what you think of going solo when you get back.

I the new Pooh Queue! When we were there last June, the big tree had construction walls all around it. We could see ladders & men working at the top of the tree, but nothing else. Here's what I saw in June:

I really like the new area!!! It looks very interactive! I can't wait to see it in person! It looks like Henry had alot of fun playing inside the tree & also the different games with Joe! I am interested to hear your response to kschafer's question -- how do you know where "your spot" in line is after you are in the interactive portion of the queue? Is your place somehow held in line or do you just lose your spot & go to the back of the line?

Thanks for answering my questions about the circus area! I read something a long time ago (I think on the Disney Blog) about it, but never heard specifics! Good to know, thanks!!!

Yep! I booked a solo trip! Or possibly a girlfriends trip if my friend can make it. We'll see. Part of me wants her to, part of me wants to be solo since I'll have DIS meets. Whatever happens, happens!

The new queue is a blast! Luke will love it! The play area is almost immediately when you walk into the queue, and you can bypass it, but the queue pretty much starts after the play area. So, if you choose to play, people will get in front of you. If I remember correctly when we first walked into the queue the wait time was at 20 minutes and when we left it was at 50! So it truly can change how long you wait. There are a few interactive things in the queue too (like the honeywalls), but most of it is before the actual queueing begins. I hope that makes sense!

I love this new queue!! Our next trip is girls only and my daughters are 11 & 12. A little too old probably but still, I want to check this out for sure. So, so cute!

I think your girls might still enjoy it! The gopher area is a blast. I was jumping on it while Henry and Joe did stuff.

 

[brookelizabeth]

DH and I were in this cue playing at 11:00 at night and it was dead! We were able to see all of the very cute tricks and imagined Madelyn loving this! I can only imagine prying Henry away. I think my favorite part were the "honey walls" further on in the cue. I love the surprise you get after playing with them. Very nice!

on the solo trip AND the cruise. I don't see any dates at the bottom of your cruise ticker? I know I must've missed something there.....

We never got to the honey walls! I really wanted to see them, they look amazing!

We booked our cruise the day the NYC ones were announced - so it's not until June 2012. Ugh...too long to wait. I keep pricing cruises and torturing myself. The solo trip is brand new though - that was sorta a wild hair type thing!

Love your cruise ticker! Your trip is going to be aaaaaaaamazing!

I love the new Pooh queue! We had a lot of fun with it too.

Good luck with your wait list for OKW. And I hope your friend can go along with you. That would be a lot of fun!!

I love it too! So creative. I look forward to more of those type of things in the future Fantasyland.

In ways I do hope she can join me, and in other ways I would love to come back to a silent hotel room and just do exactly as I please. So, whatever happens, I'll be happy with!

I think it BEST that I KEEP this new Queue at Winnie the Pooh from my wonderful husband. You see...Pooh is a FAVORITE of mine for all time and I have a feeling that he is going to have to "peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel" me out of there to go on the ride.

Brook, thanks for all the pictures...it looks terrific.

Keeping fingers crossed that you won't be homeless when you arrive in Florida.

Kathy, I can TOTALLY picture you having a BLAST in there! I bet Mark would join ya though, don't you think???

I hope your fingers aren't cramped but it worked! I got SSR today for the whole trip.

Good luck with finding somewhere to stay on the 28 - will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Also the new WTP Queue looks awesome!!! I'm def going to be having some fun in that line even if I do get funny looks for my over excitement as an adult!

Another finger crosser - I hope they aren't cramped by now.

Oh, have a BLAST in that queue! There were other adults playing right along with Joe and I. It was fun!! Go for it and enjoy!

I love the Pooh que too. I can't believe though that I missed that Tigger bounce area, I had no idea about it. Now I want to know the whole story about that.

Didn't know about Piglet's voice in the tree, but I do know that you can hear his voice when you knock on his tree door, which is on a storybook page in the que area. My son did knock on the door and we heard Piglet, but I can't remember what he said. Here is what it looks like. Just in case you don't remember what I'm talking about.

Funny how you guys spent too much time playing in the que. That is my only problem with the que, that you aren't really in line. Which I guess that is what they will be trying to solve with the Dumbo ride being talked about as having a queless wait or whatever.

It was hard to pull out gopher. Even after my DH and DS pulled him out, my DS had a hard time keeping him out by himself. And I was shocked that Gopher had already lost an arm, which you can see in your picture. And I'm pretty sure when we were there that one of the vegetables was broken, thought I had a pic, but I don't.

I remember seeing that area, but it didn't do anything when we knocked, so I was confused! Maybe that is what it was referring to when I read about hearing Piglet. I'll have to try knocking again on that door!

I do look forward to seeing how they will do Dumbo. I'm thinking you will get a numbered ticket and then just have time to play until they call your number and you have to queue up or something like that. I hope so anyway - we'll never get on any rides otherwise.

I didn't notice Gopher had lost an arm! Maybe he used to be easier to pull and someone whipped him so hard out of there he broke? I hope the vegetables don't break often, everything seemed really durable when we were in there...I guess time will tell how often they have to be replaced!

Wow...that is one amazing queue area for WTP!! Cant wait to play there...Alexa will love it! Hope you get your ressies to work out so you dont have to sleep on a lobby couch

It really is a great queue! I look forward to what else they are going to do similar in the new Fantasyland.

I think if I had to pick a lobby to sleep in, it would be the Boardwalk. They have those huuuuuge oversized chairs. I could sleep quite well in there.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh Darn!! ME will be picking us up around 9:00am on the 29th.

Dang!!! What are your plans for late-night on the 28th? I can't say I'm going to want to do anything...but maybe...we can play it by ear perhaps? I can sorta picture myself ditching my things quick and bolting to Epcot or MK for a night show.

Crossing my fingers for you that you get that WL request!!!! I was looking at the crowd calendar too and was happy to see that my full first day is a 4 LOL!!!!!!

The WP queue is adorable!! I loved walking through it in January!!! What a great interactive spot for kids!!!!

The crowds drop DRAMATICALLY after that weekend. I would much prefer that 4 too! But I figure I'll be fine solo no matter what. And I might get to see some crazy stuff that makes great TR fodder with big crowds.

Catching up...

First things first: A solo trip! Woo-hoo for you!!!

Beware, though. Solo trips are dangerously addictive. This trip with family I just returned from just made me want another solo one even more. If only my sister didn't have a wedding shower in CA in May, I'd be back at WDW solo next month for sure!

That picture of Henry taking a picture of his food is hilarious! What a DISer-in-training you've got there!

Isn't the Pooh queue amazing? I was kinda sad we didn't get to spend any decent time there with my niece...it's so adorable, really gives me high hopes for all the new Fantasyland stuff!

I think I might have to re-read some of your solo adventures for tips! I'm a little nervous...yet excited about it! The thought of coming back to a silent hotel room is VERY appealing to me.

So are you doing a side DL trip in May???

Joe and I laughed and laughed about Henry grabbing his camera for a food picture! He knows the drill!

The queue gives me high hopes too. I hear there will be other queues like this.

Love the Pooh queue, how much fun is that?! Think a 40+ year old woman would look foolish playing in there without any small children with her?

Nope! Go for it!!!! Seriously, no one will probably even notice, they will just think you are with a kid I'm sure! There were several other adults playing!

I missed a couple updates but now I'm caught up! Yay for the solo trip!
The Winnie queue looks really great! I can tell Henry had fun! Also can't wait to hear about The Plaza, we're eating there this June!

My Plaza review might get up tonight...I'm trying for it! It's all gooooooood.

The new que looks fantastic! Henry is so cute enjoying all the new games, I love the growing vegetables and the pop up gophers.

Too funny that you guys didn't end up having time to go on the ride, I can't wait to hear about lunch

The pop up gophers were my favorite I think. They were so cute and did their little gopher chatter, it got everyone in the actual queue looking and laughing.

this is exactly why it drives my DH nuts when we have ADR's... because you either have to leave a super amount of extra time to get there or you'll end up just like you did and having to leave the queue without riding! I promised him that when we go down (whenever that will end up) in August, I'll go lite on the ADR's so we've narrowed it to Restaurant Marrakesh. I said we have to do T Rex and Rainforest, but he already knows that ADR's aren't "required" because you CAN get in on the fly. We've done that. We did get in to a few restaurants without ADR's in November, one was San Angel Inn (lunch at 2) and Restaurant Marrakesh. That one was crazy because my sister was at EPCOT and she and her husband walked up and were told 45 min. or something like that.. so they texted us (we were at MK) and we hopped the monorail, they got in early, before we got there... and were already seated with beverages when we blew in, but we had an excellent meal. Which is why my Henry wants to include that one. He will also "allow" me to include Coral Reef. We could probably eat all our meals at EPCOT and be happy!!

We go pretty light on the ADRs usually - maybe 1 every other, or 1 every 3rd day, it works good for all three of us (and the budget!).

I hear ya about the Epcot meals! We still have so many we want to try, so many yummies all around the World.

Ahh, I see. I also thought it was somehow part of the stand-by line. I suspect we will try the grab-a-fastpass-play-until-it's-time strategy!

I think that is a great strategy! Especially if the FP is about an hour or so away.

 

[rachel09985]

Loving your picture heavy trip report. I just watched some of your videos on you tube. Henry's Disney Interview was so cute!! So was the Do you want to see Mickey Today??

And I just danced to your MSEP videos! Lol. There is my excitement for the night!

 

[Softballgirl27]

that is good that henry is good. i am happy to hear that u r going on your own trip. i hope to do that when i am in college so i can go with a friend and go at our own pac and not have to agree with four other people

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off as we had left the Pooh Queue, without riding the ride! and made our way toward Main Street, we had a 12:20 ADR at The Plaza.

Those trees were in bloom all over property - sooooo beautiful!

We made a pit stop at the Sword in the Stone to try and flex our muscles.

Shanan always has her family pose with the Castle in the background here and I finally remembered to do it too! I love how it looks!

Try as we may, that sword would not budge!

We hung a left and went around the Castle...

And on Main Street we saw the omnibus again!

The driver was off and greeting people, Henry said his hello and got to see the vehicle up close.

And we finally reached our destination. We checked in about 15 minutes early and just hung around outside.

Artsy-fartsy shot by Joe.

Joe took Henry to the bathrooms for a quick change and just before they got back this lady showed up.

And we were called in, sat, seated and ordered before 12:25!

Our view - we were at a corner table.

Picture of the new napkins...and me. LOL!

Henry had ordered the peanut butter & jelly sandwich with grapes and bananas...but we asked for apples instead of grapes and this is what we got:

I was expecting a little baggie of apple slices! It came before all the rest of our food and was actually quite nice to munch on while we waited.

Joe ordered:

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - grilled chicken breast topped with shaved ham and Swiss cheese served on a flour-dusted Kaiser.

Henry's:

Which still came with the grapes! The little fruit boy loved it! And was THRILLED with the Mickey Head PB&J. He inhaled it all.

Mine:

Turkey Sandwich - smoked turkey, bacon, lettuce, vine ripened tomato and mayonnaise on toasted multi-grain bread...but mine had no mayo and instead a side of BBQ.

Part way through our meal the same Main Street Citizen came in and made a big fuss over a woman having her birthday and we all sung to her.

And did we save room for dessert?

Of course!

We all shared:

Strawberry ice cream with pineapple topping and just a "touch" of whipped cream. Sounds pretty sweet? IT WAS! Whoa! The pineapple was a bit much for me, I expected fresh, but got the kind of jelly pineapple stuff. It wasn't bad, but just too much. We chose pineapple because that was H's favorite. And even though, it was sweet, we didn't have a problem finishing it off!

Our whole bill only came to $40 - so truly not that much more than a CS. The Plaza is a great deal when you are paying OOP!

Everything was delicious and we enjoyed our meal here immensely. The service was superb. I haven't made any ADRs for my solo trip, but this one might have to be done...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Loving your picture heavy trip report. I just watched some of your videos on you tube. Henry's Disney Interview was so cute!! So was the Do you want to see Mickey Today??

And I just danced to your MSEP videos! Lol. There is my excitement for the night!

I like your kind of excitement for the night! Thank you for reading! We take a LOT of pictures - over 5,000 from our 2 week trip! I love to share them on here and hopefully bring you as much of the magic as I can.

that is good that henry is good. i am happy to hear that u r going on your own trip. i hope to do that when i am in college so i can go with a friend and go at our own pac and not have to agree with four other people

It will make a whole world of difference I'm sure being with just one other person - I bet you'll get a TON more covered! I look forward to seeing how much I can do solo...in my head I imagine flying through everything, but we'll see!

 

[disneyfan61]

Dang!!! What are your plans for late-night on the 28th? I can't say I'm going to want to do anything...but maybe...we can play it by ear perhaps? I can sorta picture myself ditching my things quick and bolting to Epcot or MK for a night show.

We plan on being at MK on the 28th for the MSEP. Why don't we exchange cell #'s & we can play it by ear. I will PM you.

 

[OhMari]

I saw this Play area, bit unfortunately it was raining really hard and we were running from attraction to attraction.

Henry is getting so big, love his t-shirt.

We ate at the Plaza and stupid me ordered the cheeseburger-blah.

 

[KatMark]

Brook, I am SO glad you enjoyed the Plaza. It is one Mark and I must do every trip...it is just such a relaxing meal and simple food after all of the "heavy meals' we eat all week. Better not show him the PBJ picture...he may want t hat next.