our best WDW trip 6/8-6/17

[Disneynut71]

Day 1 6/8 my son's 10th birthday our flight left about 45 mins late so we got in around 10 PM. I used Magical Express (which was great) and we stayed at Old Key West. Now I got the dining plan so we ate at some great places this week.

Day 2 6/9 (we celebrated Tyler's birthday this day since we spent his real birthday traveling).

Breakfast Crystal Palace. I wasn't crazy about this place. The food was great but it just wasn't as exciting as other character breakfast I have been to. We got some cute pictures of the kids with Pooh and Tigger. Piglet never made it to our table.

After breakfast we took the Family Magic Tour. This was so much fun. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't done it but I will tell you we got a special fast pass for any ride in the park (even if they didn't offer fast pass) because it was my son's birthday and a semi-private photo opp(everyone in the tour) with Peter Pan and Wendy. After Peter says hey lets go for a ride and we all walk over to philharmagic as we walk over Wendy grabs my daughters hand and they walk together through the Magic Kingdom, not only that but she sat with her in the show and made sure she gave her a big hug when it was time to say good-bye. My daughter still says it's her favorite part of the trip.

After a few more rides we headed back to the hotel for a nap and swimming.

Dinner 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella. My 3 year old daughter wore her dress and crown and was just in awe the whole night. She was greeted by Aurora at the front door and as soon as we were seated Prince Charming, Cinderella and her mice we there to make a wonderful night. Cinderella knelt down and talked to my daughter. Words could not express how my daughter looked. It was wonderful and just before Cinderella left Emmy gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek which made me want to cry it was so sweet. Dinner oh yeah the food it was great! If you have a little girl who love Cinderella I highly recomend this dinner.

After dinner we went to where else MK extra magic hours. My mother in law and daughter were tired but my son and I were ready to ride. We did the triple mountain run which was great and we didn't have more then a 5 minute wait for either of them.

It was an unbelieveable day and it only got better!!!

 

[Disneynut71]

Day 3 6/10 MGM

MGM Star Wars Weekend and it was packed. We love Star Wars so of course we were there. Came in and was ready for lunch at the backlot express and as we were coming out they had the Jedi training with Darth Vader and Darth Maul my son was so excited he didn't want to wait to try it but thought it was cool to see them.

Back Lot tour then Millionare we got a we did some shopping and then decided to go back to the hotel.

We took a nap and got dressed and headed to Downtown Disney. It was fun just walking around and checking out the shops. Dinner at Wolfgang puck express. My family and I agreed this was one place we wouldn't revisit. Service was slow and the food was just ok.

We took the boat ride from Downtown Disney back to OKW which was a great touch to the resort.

Day 4 6/11 EPOCT last day of Flower and Garden.

What a great day. Not too crowded got there around 10 and headed right to Mission Space. I rode the green version. To me it wasn't much different then the other one but I didn't feel as sick afterwards so that was a nice change. Test Track next single rider 20 min wait SWEET!!!

Checked out some of the wonderful flowers and off to the world showcase. Lunch in China and found ginger ice cream yum. My daughter decided she wanted to do the kid stop stations and my son discovered pressed pennies so we traveled to each country (missing Mexico for some reason) and ending up at UK for dinner.

Rose and Crown by far was my favorite this week. It is awesome if you have the dining plan...
fruit and cheese plate
steak and fish for dinner
and the best darn chocolate cake I have EVER had Guinness chocolate cake!!!

We finished and went to ride Soarin. I love this ride. After Turtle talk with Crush kids really loved this and all they kept saying the rest of the trip is DUDDDDEEE.

Oh yeah can't believe I forgot my princess crazed daughter found Jasmine and Belle in the countries with no big lines around them. Belle signed the box of the new toy my daughter just bought in France. She was so excited.

Another night finished home to sleep back to MGM in the morning.

Day 5 6/12 MGM

What can I say but Rain Rain and more Rain. We didn't let that keep us home. First stop Playhouse Disney. My daughter went nuts and my son who has never seen this was surprised how nice it was. After Voyage of the Little Mermaid. 30 min wait but watching more on how hard it was raining. Mermaid over we had luch at ABC since we didn't want to walk to far in the rain and my son and I wanted Rock N Roll Roller coaster. Let me tell you it rained the hardest on our way over there. SO bad I couldn't see with or without my glasses and we were soaked from head to toe (with our rain ponchos on). Ride was awesome so all forgotten and by the time we got off rain and stopped at least for a few minutes. Went on a few more rides and had PS at Hollywood and Vine. Nice place food ok wouldn't do it again. Worse the Fantasmic pass I got for dinner got canceled 10 minutes into the show

Once the show was cancelled we decided to go back to our room and get to bed early after all we were going to Animal Kingdom tomorrow and if we were going to make the rope drop we had to get up early.

 

[Disneynut71]

Day 6 Animal Kingdom
We woke up early to make the rope drop but really ride EE.

It was really cute Minnie, Goofy and Pluto came out in a truck talking to everyone and then Mickey calls them on the radio and he is over by the tree of life it was cool. Enough of that it was 9 and time to ride we had to walk to EE. CM's had a rope in front of the line and walked everyone to Everest. We finally got there and after two years of waiting we rode it was amazing. By the time we got off the line was past the ropes so we decided to grab a fast pass and head to dinoland. It was nice there was no line on anything since everyone was waiting at EE. 10 and it was almost fast pass time. We walked over and noticed a single rider line with the fast pass line. We still had 10 mins before we could use our fast pass but the cm said single rider is empty so we jumped on there. We walked right in. This time of day we waited longer when we used our fast passes then the single rider line. By 11 we had rode EE 5 times. My son wanted to keep going but my head was starting to hurt I needed a break. *single rider line is not very long before you decide to wait in the stand by line ask the cm how long the single rider line is you might be able to have little wait.

Lunch pizzafari (sp) which was ok but guess what happen it started to rain again. Ponchos out not that it helped the rain was hard and fast but we treked on. Tree of life and it's tough to be a bug. I love this show but I always make sure I sit up I hate getting stung in the back. By the time the show was over it stopped raining and the sun was shining.

After we went on Kilimarjaro, so awesome this was the third time but today so many animals were out today and they were very close. Animals crossing the road it was nice.

Rafiki Planet Watch, I don't know why we have never done this before a short train ride and we were there. This area is great and since my son loves nature and animals he was so happy. We went indoors and found Pocahontas another princess for my daughter she was so happy. My son was walking around looking at the bugs snakes and spiders and noticed on of the snakes cage had a lot of skin in it. He said I wish I could have that, I told him ask the worse they could do is say no. Well he did and the first said no so he asked someone else and she said yes. He got a full body skin they wrapped it in tissue paper for him. He was too excited at this point and couldn't stop talking about it. Stanley showed up just as we were getting ready to leave a quick picture and we left.

It's raining again but we decided if we are going to get wet might as well go on Kali and my daughter was just tall enough to ride. yeah! I think I got more wet from the rain then the ride itself. lol

We had PS at Boma but had time for one more ride and where else Everest for ride #6. We wanted to ride again but then we would be late for dinner.

Boma I liked this but my kids were not crazy for the food. I really liked the Animal Kingdom Lodge too I would like to stay there sometime.

Bottom line Boma is good, will I go there again? most likely no at least not with my kids.

We went home after that, the last three days we have been in wet or damp clothes and we longed for our PJ's and a nice warm bed. Day off tomorrow will see what we are going to do.

Day 7 Free day

Slept in today but as soon as we got up we went to the main pool at OKW. My daughter loved the kiddie pool and my son the water slide. I was enjoying the sun it was nice to see it shining but guess what it rained again. We had to get out of the pool so we went to the community room. Arts and crafts here we made braclets and necklaces with beads, played air hockey and my daughter played with all the toys in there and watched some cartoons on the big tv. Really nice in there I wish the Beach Club had something like that.

Rain stopped so we went back to the pool for a bit and then had lunch at goods to go. It was getting late and since it was Wednesday I decided to go to the member meeting so we went back to our room and headed to Saratoga. A bus and a walk to the member hall to find out meeting was canceled. They gave us a nice DVC silver key chain and a Mickey hand luggage tag. We had PS at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney so we took the boat. The captain on the boat let all the kids push the horn and gave them special co-capatin pins to wear.

Dinner Raglan Road very nice. To get the most out of this make your seating later then eariler. We ate too early we were told a band plays and there are irish dancers after 9.

Adventurers club after dinner. I fell in love with this place last year and this time was just as great but half of PI is tore up kinda hard to get around. Anyway...We became members for their open house and club president came over and tried to talk to my daughter but she was busy chewing on her skirt string lol. It was cool a family from Plainfield and Joliet neighbors to my home in Naperville. We stayed for a few shows and decided to call it a night caught a bus and headed back home.

Overall a nice relaxing day. Only 2 more full days left back to EPCOT tomorrow. Kungaloosh!!!

Day 8 EPCOT

We got to EPCOT early just in time for the gates to open. Headed right for the land we wanted to ride Soarin again so we grabbed fast passes as stand by was already at 30 mins by the time we got there. My son and his grandma decided to use stand by so my daughter and I did Circle of Life. By the time they got off it was fast pass time so I rode with my son while my daughter waited with grandma. My daughter is only about 2 inches too short to ride but next year she should be tall enough. My son and grandma went on one more time and I decided to wait for Jr. Chef. For those of you that may not know what this is (since I didn't know about it until I passed it) children up to the age of 12 can bake chocolate chip cookies. They give the kids a chef hat and help them make some cookies. My son and daughter really loved this and had a blast making cookies. My daughter got to pour in the Chocolate chips and she got to do the "big plop" at the end. They each got to cookies when it was over which they wouldn't share since we didn't make them...ha ha.

After riding the land we in my son's words finally left the Land. lol went to Innovations and played a few games there. We like "where's the fire?" and our team won our game yeah. Club Cool next I really like the soda from China. Beverly is growing but still takes some time to get use to.

To the world showcase next and this time we didn't miss Mexico. We really took our time today eatting a quick meal in Mexico we colored at Kidcot and collected our pressed pennies (as my daughter is now into it) Did the boat ride and headed to Norway. We really enjoyed this day as the kids grandma went to do her own thing so it was just us and that was really nice. We took time to see the shows and try some great food.

Dinner Octoberfest at Biergarden. This was great and yes I would do this again. Food was awesome my daughter went down and tried to dance the polka. It was just so much fun. Hoy Hoy Hoy

After dinner we just kept going around the countries by the time we got to the UK it was almost time for IllumiNations so I went over to Rose and Crown to get my favorite Chocolate cake and this time my son had some he agrees the best chocolate cake. Show was great but we had to hurry still had to go to Canada and sadly shops are closed we never got our pressed penny for Canada bummer. Eventhough it was EME we decided to head back to the hotel we were tired but it was such a great day. We agree despite the rain this was our best trip.

 

[Disneynut71]

Day 9 Magic Kingdom (last full day)

up at 6:30 have to get to the Poly for our Ohana Best Friends breakfast. Lilo and Stitch but sadly no Lilo but hey Mickey and Pluto along with stitch so it was cool. YUMMY food and a wonderful view as we could see the castle from our seat. My kids were so excited to see Stitch and FINALLY we got some pics with Mickey. Time for the parade around Ohana kids grabbed there noise makers and walked around having the best time.

Breakfast over and on the Magic Kingdom. I decided to get My daughters haircut at the barber shop. She just loved this so much when they were done they put pink hair gel and Mickey confetti which as of this moment I am writting this she still has a bit in her hair she won't let me wash it out.

Aventure land to ride Jungle Cruise the skipper was funny jokes were a bit lame but hey that's the Jungle Cruise.

Rode a few more rides and stopped for lunch at Pecos Bill (sp) and then headed for fantasy land to see Ariel. After waiting around an hour my daughter again amazed and just couldn't believe it. We were too hot and decided to go back to the room for awhile and that goodness we did cause guess what...ha ha more rain it downpoured at least a half an hour. We had PS at Wispering Cannon so we took a bus to Downtown Disney and then to Wilderness Lodge.

Dinner Wispering Cannon great our second favorite of the week and would do it again.

I almost forgot my daughter wore her Snow White dress and with her hair done from her haircut in the morning she looked beautiful. By the time we got back to the Magic Kingdom they were getting ready for the evening parade. My daugter walking down Main st a woman asked me is she in the parade I told her no she then said she should be. She was so happy she was smiling from ear to ear. EMH and we planned to ride. Tomorrowland TTA, CoP and Buzz Lightyear. Pooh Playgorund (sorry) is wonderful my daughter loved loved loved it. Wishes started while we were there so I watched while my kids played. Ride times dropped so we did Winnie the Pooh and Snow White but we were just too tired and since we had to be up at 4 am to catch our bus at 5:20 to go home we decided one more ride and we would go.

Jungle Cruise at night. I love the ride different Skipper same jokes as the one before I knew what he was going to say before he said it. I felt cheated I thought they came up with their own thing guess not.

Last and final stop DOLE WHIP!!! yum yum

Went home after this sad as the last time for awhile we would walk the gates of MK

Day 10 sorry not much here got up went home very very tired. I had suprise gifts for my kids at the airport my son a Mickey Pin wearing a rain pancho and a international coin set with all the Disney parks on them. My daughter a necklace and earring set with Cinderella on them.

Now the some finally thoughts....

Old Key West a very nice resort but if you are going to use Magical Express this is not the best resort to stay at unless you are near the main area. I was near Turtle Pond and had to take a bus to do most everything. If I wanted to go eat lunch take a bus, swim at the main pool take a bus getting there was easy getting back you could wait up to 30 mins or walk to the next bus stop and hop on any bus that goes through. The resort it self was wonderful. Pool was nice and the rooms were great.

Dining Plan yes yes yes it is great. You have to know how to use it. I heard from a few CM's that some hate it because they do not understand how to use it. If you do not make ADR's you will not enjoy it as most places fill up.

Overall everything was wonderful. We had such a great time with special surprises around every corner. Any questions please let me know I will be glad to answer. Thanks for reading my trip report sorry if it was a bit long I cut out as much as I could without losing some really great parts.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

love it! it sounds like you had a great time!!! i might have missed it but how old are your children?

Thanks for the dining reviews too! we're trying Boma for the first time!!! our DS is too young to eat and DD is too so it will just be us adults

 

[tinkerbell3747]

Wonderful I am set to leave in about 11 days reading your trip report make me feel I amalready there.

Thanks

 

[pumba]

Thank You So Much For Your Family And Your Report.....sounds Like You Did It All And Had A Great Time Too..
We Always Loved Biergarten And Outdoor Mexico Too....thanks Again For Your Views On Rides And Food And Resorts.

 

[missmun52]

I enjoyed reading your report.

I was thinking about dining at hollywood and vine in August for the new jo jo and golliath bk and lunch. Was the place really that bad that you would not go back?????

 

[Disneynut71]

DisneyMommyMichelle- my children are 10 (DS) and 3 (DD) they will be with me at the meet on Saturday so you will meet them then.

missmun52- Hollywood and Vine was ok...I wouldn't say bad just not something I would spend money on again at least not for dinner. I do want to try Jo Jo Breakfast but for the Characters since my 3 year old loves it so.

While I was eatting there I kept wishing I was eatting at 50's Prime Time which is right next door.


tinkerbell3747- I hope you have a wonderful trip. I will pray you will not get as much rain as we had while I was there. Make sure you post your report I need my dose of Disney...already

 

[Nite0wl71]

I really enjoyed your TR

It seems like you had a great time. We always go when it rains also, why stay in the hotel. That's why we take our ponchos

 

[NEMO344]

that was a great report, we are going down in 40 days and are dvc members and love staying at OKW near old turtle pond. thanks agian jp

 

[kathymc]

thanks for sharing

 

[Disney owl]

Thanks for sharing your holiday with us

 

[Disneynut71]

Glad everyone enjoyed my report.

We are going through withdrawl already. Trying to see if we can get a quick trip this year

 

[TLinden16]

What a wonderful birthday trip for your little boy! You sure had some great meals, and magical moments.

Thanks for posting.

 

[ohboyx3]

Great report! I didn't like Boma either. Sorry! Your and my son would get along great! He loves animals and reptiles, etc. HOw cool he got a snake skin! It definitely made me want to do Rafiki's planet watch next time. We missed it in January. Thanks for writing!

 

[OhMari]

How did you liek Whispering Canyon? How long did it take for you to get there and back to the MK.

 

[Disneynut71]

We loved it. You really have to like meat. There big draw is an all you can eat ribs, pulled pork, chicken all on one platter.It's really good. Make sure you don't ask for ketchup.

Have way through dinner they had the kids ride ponys around the place and gave them certificates when they were done. If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary let them know it's added fun.

It didn't take us long at all to get back to MK since it is so close. I recommend to take a walk around Wildreness Lodge the view is wonderful.

Have fun

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your reports ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[averill94]

Thanks for the awesome report!!

Didnt even give rafiki a thought - now I will.

Bummer about Fantasmic I planned on going our last night and now think I should fit it in earlier in case of rain.

Glad you had a good trip!