May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread - Part 2

[Travelbee]

We'd like that one as well. Susan went to Venice 4 years ago. I've not been and neither of us has done Greece or Turkey.

Us too. Would love to do that on a Disney ship!

We have booked the Med cruise, when we were onboard for next year, June 8th . Anyone else on that cruise ?.

Check your price. We booked June 18, 2011 back in November and the prices came down $1300 for Cat 10A for 3 of us.

 

[nanaguide]

Greetings from Florida! So good to see postings on 5/15 thread. Jane, I'm so glad you are getting to do the Dover/Barcelona trip - enjoy! Wish I was going to the Baltic next week. Remember to watch your wallet in Barcelona. Carl has finally gotten his last replacement card that he had lost with the pickpocket in the mail yesterday - it was his medicare card. It was a lot of work for him to get a new driver's license - Florida is making it tough to get them. Hope we never have that experience again.

Yes, all of you please visit WDW soon and you will love the new Harry Potter Land at Universal. We got in last Saturday with a soft opening. They let us in for 2 hours from 9 to 11 a.m. The ride is absolutely amazing. I'm not a big Universal fan (a very loyal Disney cast member) but this is definitely a big winner for Universal - the ride is Disney quality and then some. Got to share a funny story. For those of you who met Carl (he was sick most of the cruise) you know he isn't huge but he isn't small either. Well, when we went to get on the Harry Potter ride at the entrance to the castle they have a demonstration bench (4 seats) that everyone has to try. Carl thought they were checking the kids to see if they were 48 inches - nope they were checking Carl. You see the overhead bar has to click 3 times in order for you to go on the ride. Carl only got 2 clicks - he was so disappointed but he decided to walk through with us to see everything - it took us about an hour and it was well worth it - they have done an amazing job getting you "hyped" up. So we start to get on the ride and Carl decides to try again. He sucks it in and this big cast member pushes and pushes and finally gets the bar to go 3 clicks - yippee! Carl gets to ride. It is between 4 and 5 minutes - not scary - a lot like Soarin and SpiderMan. We all loved it but Carl said he won't try to fit in the seat again. The Village is so real - it is neat. The other 2 rides are old ones just redone very nicely. The shops are so small (they were trying hard to be accurate) - it is going to be mayhem in there tomorrow when they have the grand opening. All the stars and Rowling are in town for the big opening in the morning. I loved Butterbeer - especially the frozen one ($7). Carl really liked the Pumpkin Juice ($7). Aiden bought a chocolate frog ($10) and Alexys bought chocolate flies ($7). We couldn't get close to the wands - will do that another time. I highly recommend the ride.

People in the community where I live that work there have been told by management that there could possibly be 6 hour waits to get on the ride this Summer and so far we are having a hot, hot Summer. It was 101 yesterday. I'm glad they have fans in the lines.

We're also planning a Dream trip in February or March. Can't wait to try the AquaDuck. I didn't get to take the survey but I sure wish Disney would go to New York City and Canada - those are favorite cruise ports for me. We've already gotten material from DCL about our Alaska cruise next August. Nice to have cruises to plan. Sure wish I was cruising on the Magic right now - instead I'm cleaning closets and drawers. Come visit me at Epcot when you visit WDW. Anna

 

[MPS516]

Thanks Anna, may have to check it out but I will have to call ahead to see about the wait before I ever leave the resort to head over. Could not do a 6 hour wait.

We are really looking forward to our first time ever Christmas at WDW, it can not get here fast enough.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

The longest I ever waited for any ride was 2 hours for the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland not too long after it opened. Was worth it given how nicely they had done on the queue. I wouldn't even consider a wait longer than that for ANY attraction.

 

[kehonuamemano]

yes we responded and listed Venice as somewhere we would definitely do a DCL cruise. DW is going to Greek Islands over Spring break with a school tour, I will stay home with the dogs.

DW is going to Greece and you are staying home with the dogs? Wow, if that is not love I don't know what is

 

[nanaguide]

Opening day yesterday was an 8 hour wait for Harry Potter ride but everyone who waited in line got to go on the ride. Can you imagine waiting 8 hours to go on 1 ride??????????? It is all over our TV/newspaper news. The line to get in was past the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant and it started forming at 5:30 a.m.
People love the ride - it is amazing! When the newness wears off I'm sure the lines will be shorter. We told Aiden we'd go back in October.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads!! Carl got a Hot Air Balloon Ride this morning at 5:30 a.m. for his present. Aiden and I were on the "chase" crew. It is a fun adventure if any want to do it when you are in the Disney area. Orlando Balloons run a top-notch program.

I've spent the last hour reading SayHello's trip report - lots of good memories. Thanks for sharing. I'm wondering how Sara enjoyed her other tour of Europe?

 

[MPS516]

DW is going to Greece and you are staying home with the dogs? Wow, if that is not love I don't know what is

Sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do.

It is an 11 day tour with only 4 on a ship, it would be a different story if it were a cruise based tour. I'm have a Judicial CLE in New Orleans this October and then get to do Christmas at WDW with my nieces so she deserves her trip.

 

[tripodjw]

My cruise pictures are now up on flickr

click here

Haven't had time to actually edit and process any yet, will get round to it eventually.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

WoooooHooooo. I just checked the prices for our cruise next year and they have already gone down. I called Disney and had my reservation adjusted and it went down $1,719.00. Doing the Happy Dance

Gotta keep checking those prices.

 

[taras]

We got back to the USA yesterday, so our 8 month long trip is finally over and we must re-enter the real world soon.

I've got pictures from the cruise on picasa. Here for the ports:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jormungander/Cruise2010Ports?authkey=Gv1sRgCPChj8zg-cGkfg&feat=directlink

And here for on the boat:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jormungander/Cruise2010OnTheBoat?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLnhN6G7LeOUA&feat=directlink

And, of course, the blog is here (pictures yet to be integrated):
http://vagabondsforbeauty.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone for making our first cruise such a great time!

--Ryan & Danny

 

[MPS516]

Thanks for sharing those great pictures, it is nice to sit and remember the wonderful time we had on the cruise.

 

[Prinny27]

We got back to the USA yesterday, so our 8 month long trip is finally over and we must re-enter the real world soon.

I've got pictures from the cruise on picasa. Here for the ports:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jormung...?authkey=Gv1sRgCPChj8zg-cGkfg&feat=directlink

And here for on the boat:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jormung...?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLnhN6G7LeOUA&feat=directlink

And, of course, the blog is here (pictures yet to be integrated):
http://vagabondsforbeauty.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone for making our first cruise such a great time!

--Ryan & Danny

Glad to see you guys are home. Great pictures!

-Heather

 

[Welsh Girl]

Hi everyone!!

Am just after a bit of advice really. My whole family( parents, brother sister their partners and kids) and us are all planning to go the Disney World next year. Having never been before would love to know what month you think is best to go...also whether to stay in villa or hotel etc

Thanks

 

[Prinny27]

Hi everyone!!

Am just after a bit of advice really. My whole family( parents, brother sister their partners and kids) and us are all planning to go the Disney World next year. Having never been before would love to know what month you think is best to go...also whether to stay in villa or hotel etc

Thanks

You are going to love it! Best month really depends on what's important to you. Cool weather and low crowds? January/early February. HOT weather? Summer - especially if you go the last two weeks of August, b/c the crowds will be a little lighter. Love gardening? Do the spring with the Flower & Garden Festival. And if you love food - do October (which is my favorite time to go) with the Food & Wine Festival, and the Halloween party will also be going on at that time.

Also, I just wanted to report back to everyone. I just got back from our July 4th trip and did Harry Potter land. It was nice, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype. The crowds just completely ruined it for us. It was so crowded that you had to wait on line to do anything - ride the rides, enter the shops, pay at the shops, eat, go the bathroom, order Butterbeer. It was really awful. The land itself is VERY tiny and they had so many people packed into it. The ride was fun, but not worth a 2 hour wait, so make sure you get there early! Butterbeer was AWESOME - go for the frozen version! And the shops were so busy you couldn't move, never mind try to buy something. So instead, shop at the huge gift shop as soon as you enter IOA - it had 90% of the HP stuff there, with no crowds at all. Overall, we enjoyed it, it was nice to see, but don't feel the need to go back anytime soon. It certainly wasn't as 'ground breaking' as they were advertising.

 

[jedijill]

You are going to love it! Best month really depends on what's important to you. Cool weather and low crowds? January/early February. HOT weather? Summer - especially if you go the last two weeks of August, b/c the crowds will be a little lighter. Love gardening? Do the spring with the Flower & Garden Festival. And if you love food - do October (which is my favorite time to go) with the Food & Wine Festival, and the Halloween party will also be going on at that time.

October is my favorite but I also love the first 2 weeks of December when everything is decked out in its Christmas glory and they have the Christmas parties!

Jill in CO

 

[DopeyFan1966]

We go every September. September and October are great months to go. The Halloween party is awesome, it is a must do. Disney offers free dining in Sept and Oct, you have to look for it on their website in April or May.

The crowds are low during that time, it is warm but not as hot as the summer months.

We've been other times but we really like September. I want to go in December one year to see the Christmas decorations.

Good Luck

 

[MPS516]

Hi everyone!!

Am just after a bit of advice really. My whole family( parents, brother sister their partners and kids) and us are all planning to go the Disney World next year. Having never been before would love to know what month you think is best to go...also whether to stay in villa or hotel etc

Thanks

All times are good times - beware however the mid to late summer is hot and humid. We always stay on property in order to take advantage of early and late parks as well as dining reservations. Again depends on what you like, review the hotels or look into renting vacation club points to stay at one of the resorts.

Also, I just wanted to report back to everyone. I just got back from our July 4th trip and did Harry Potter land. It was nice, but I didn't feel it lived up to the hype. The crowds just completely ruined it for us. It was so crowded that you had to wait on line to do anything - ride the rides, enter the shops, pay at the shops, eat, go the bathroom, order Butterbeer. It was really awful. The land itself is VERY tiny and they had so many people packed into it. The ride was fun, but not worth a 2 hour wait, so make sure you get there early! Butterbeer was AWESOME - go for the frozen version! And the shops were so busy you couldn't move, never mind try to buy something. So instead, shop at the huge gift shop as soon as you enter IOA - it had 90% of the HP stuff there, with no crowds at all. Overall, we enjoyed it, it was nice to see, but don't feel the need to go back anytime soon. It certainly wasn't as 'ground breaking' as they were advertising.

Thanks for the dirt on Potter, I have a friend in Orlando and she agrees with your assessment. When we do Disney Christmas we have decided to focus on WDW and will wait for Potter until a future trip.

We go every September. September and October are great months to go. The Halloween party is awesome, it is a must do. Disney offers free dining in Sept and Oct, you have to look for it on their website in April or May.

The crowds are low during that time, it is warm but not as hot as the summer months.

We've been other times but we really like September. I want to go in December one year to see the Christmas decorations.

Good Luck

We have been to WDW at virtually every time of the year except Christmas, we are extremely excited about going down on the 18th of Dec. Although Summer is a little hot for me, I find that if we take a mid day break and focus on heavy morning and evenings, including Westside and Pleasure Island, even summer is fun.

 

[sayhello]

October is my favorite but I also love the first 2 weeks of December when everything is decked out in its Christmas glory and they have the Christmas parties!

Jill in CO

I have to agree with this. October or early December. I think I'm going to go early January next year; I've heard that's a good time, too.

You couldn't pay me to go in the Summer!

Sayhello

 

[jedijill]

I will be in WDW from Oct 16-23 for F&W and my birthday. If anyone will be down there at the same time let me know!

Jill in CO

 

[Pinmeister]

We'll just miss you Jill. Frank and I will be in WDW October 10-15th. We try to go every year for the Food and Wine Festival. We love it and the Halloween parade is the best!
We'll also be ther December 5-11th. Christmas is my favorite time to go. I love all the decorations.