mini trip report...back from 5 days...

[Butterfly123]

Hi all! Back from a fabulous 5 day trip. It was hot, crowded, and a blast! I'll give a quick summary of the things people might want to know:

Sunday:Rope drop at DL. Got there about 40 min early. Got a lot done before the it go crowded and hot...both by about 11:00. Tried to get on the Lily Belle, but couldn't. We were third in line, but the first in line was a large group, and they were only running once that day. That was okay, we had a very productive morning! Took a three hour break around 1:30. Napped and came back refreshed. Saw the Paint the Night parade and fireworks from the hub. Got to a spot on the street at 7:20, right in from of the castle , and we could also see the Matterhorn. We stood for the parade, and since people on the street line were sitting, we could see it perfectly. Both were amazing! We wern't squished in tightly, and people were very friendly. We brought a twin sized sheet from home to sit on while we waited, and that worked perfectly.

Monday: Rope drop at DCA, arrived about half hour early. Again got a lot done, took three hour break around 2:00, napped. Saw the later WOC that night from the yellow section. Had picked up FP earlier in the day. Thet had been giving out FP for the early show, but the CM there exchanged them for us for the later show. Got the yellow section, my favorite. Lined up for the show about 40 minutes early and had a great spot right at a rail. We could have even come a half our early and it would have been fine. We liked the show, but weren't overly wowed.

Tuesday: Rope drop at DL, but did some hopping. We were able to get on the Lily belle, it ran twice, once at 9;00 and once at 10:00. Really amazing, and I would highly recommend it! After we pretty much followed the same pattern, except saw Fantasmic, the later show. Had to stop by the FP spot several times to get the later show. They told me that for the later show they give out the colors randomly because it doesn't always sell out, and they like each section to have some people, rather than squish them all into one if there is extra room. We got blue, and had a good spot by doing the lightpole trick. We arrived about half hour early.

Wednesday: Rope drop at DL, then hopped. Were able to see Peter Pan with about a 40 min wait. It was good, but a long wait for a short ride! We only did it once. Saw the earlier Paint the Night parade and fireworks from Main St. We sat for a while but were right behind the curb people, so we had to stand for the parade, then move into the street for the fireworks. We arrived about 7:00 and had a fabulous spot. It was fun seeing the parade and fireworks from both the hub and Main St.

Thursday: Rope drop, then hopped, finishing up the last things on our list. Caught a little of the parade and fireworks from both IASW and Fantasmic area, as we were moving around, going on rides. I really recommend either the hub or Main st. for the fireworks if you can.

If I can answer any questions, I will. It was a really great trip despite the heat and the crowds, which can be worked around!

 

[chickapin parterre]

peter pan, i know of the refurb crowd, but was your trip at rope drop or later in the day?

 

[Butterfly123]

We went at rope drop. it was a little nuts, people were running. We walked for our time. I wouldn't have waited longer, because throughout the day the ride was often berween a 40 to 50 minute wait. But it was nice to do it before it got hot, as the line is in the sun. I believe the people at the end of the line waited about 70 minutes.

 

[jhoannam]

How was the Matterhorn wait? That's the one must do for me, that's the one memory I have as a child.

 

[Butterfly123]

We rode the Matterhorn three times, each time was at rope drop, or close to it. We didn't wait more than 15 minutes. Our other DL rope drop was for Peter Pan. We only did rope drop at DCA once, and used that for RSR.

The new changes they've made to the Matterhorn were fantastic!

 

[elaine amj]

Thanks for your very helpful report! I hope to replicate your trip.

 

[Pyrotechnictigger]

Great report, thanks! New to these boards, what's the lightpole trick? Thanks

 

[Butterfly123]

There is a lightpole that is large, painted black, with several spotlights on it that are used during Fantasmic. It is located in what is now known as the "blue" section. While they are setting up for the show it is down at eye level, and would be impossible to see around...therefore people don't tend to stand behind it. Right before the show starts the lights are raised up, leaving only the base of the lightpole to see around. So you can often show up a little later and still get a good spot...as long as others in the know aren't already standing there!

 

[chickapin parterre]

.....the light pole trick...legend has it, when folks were civil, they could spread blankets on the ROA concrete and enduring the hardness to hold spots for large families, for hours Be they non planners those blanketed folks. But there grew a wisdom that waiting for such a long time was unnecessary, that using mechanics, CSI skills and PLANNING A TRIP could give you a fainstasmic view, with only waiting for 10 mins. 10 mins. You see.....the lights that illuminate the show on the water....automatically raise from the walkways moments before the show...what was a barrier the size of a king mattress is now an empty spot to see the show because those lights are now on a pole up high in the air, leaving a grand view of open viewing.

now....you are no longer new to the board, initiated ye be!!!!

 

[Pyrotechnictigger]

Can't wait to use this in late August, thanks y'all