PTR July 2011 CBR - I think it's time for Annual Passes!

[cadek]

Our first day is planned for Epcot. We don’t usually eat breakfast at home, so we’ll probably have something on hand for the kids to quick grab and eat on the way. We will drive over to Epcot for rope drop. My natural instinct here is to always go to Soarin for fast passes. I love, love, love Soarin, however, Dylan loves Test Track more. In January we were able to walk right on Test Track, they didn’t even make you stop in the pre-show room, just walked right through. We did this at least 3 times in a row! I’m thinking maybe we should head straight to Test Track this time and see if we can be this lucky again. Maybe my DH will be willing to go get us Soarin fast passes while we do TT (he claims it’s too rough for him, he must be getting old!), one ride is enought for him. If not, I will send them over to TT and I’ll go get the Soarin fast passes. I am usually self appointed fast pass runner. We will grab another set of fast passes as soon as we are able, again for either Soarin or TT, for later in the day. We might then head over to Finding Nemo, Figment. We will ride Living with the Land whenever we ride Soarin. Really, after we hit those two major attractions, the rest is up in the air. Dylan and I rode Mission Space for the first time on our last trip, and don’t feel it’s something either of us needs to do again. At some point we will also have to ride Spaceship Earth. The kids love this. I think it’s just because of their pictures in the future at the end! I’m sure Evan will soon be requesting to ride Gran Fiesta Tour, one of his favorites. He just wants to stay on and ride again and again.

It will all be a learning experience, as I’m used to going in January, I might be surprised to find waits for things I usually just walk on like Spaceship Earth. We’d usually think, oh we can hit that on our way out… maybe now we will have to try and get as many rides in as we can, early.

So after we get those rides done, we will make our way to World Showcase, and the Gran Fiesta Tour. We like to eat a quick service lunch in China, but also like Four Seasons. It all depends on how we are handling the heat as far as where we eat. I think at this point it will be best to head back for a pool break. Maybe grab more fast passes if they are still available for Test Track or Soarin on our way out.

After our pool time, we will return to Epcot WS for our 4:30 ADR at Via Napoli. We will have to buy some of the candy we love in Japan, and possibly more Pokemon stuff in the store. Maybe I will finally purchase some of that perfume in Norway that is always strong enough to smell outside. My Mom dabbed some on last time, and I kept catching the scent the rest of the day. It has grown on me! I’ve been reading about Caramel in Germany(?) that I must check out, and possibly dessert in France. Multiple desserts! We try to eat healthy, so on vacation, we tend to splurge on food a lot. Must be all the deprivation at home! Of course Dylan will want to do some Kim Possible Missions. They are a fun way to get you to see and explore. As the Magic Kingdom is open late tonight, I’m hoping this will be a good night for Epcot and Illuminations, thinking most will go to Magic Kingdom.

 

[cadek]

I just booked the Tomorrowland Terrace Wishes Dessert Party for July 12, 9:00 pm! I've been stalking the dining reservation system for a while now, waiting for July to be added. The kids will be so excited to go back to this again! I looked at the price for a few seconds while paying for it, silly me.

 

[tinkerbell60]

Just joined from the July board. We are from Pittsburgh, and are driving down the same weekend, although we will probably be leaving Saturday morning. We stayed at CBR a few years ago. We liked the resort a lot but we had pirate rooms and they were a long walk from the Food Court/main pool - so we were glad we had a car. There is an internal bus but it was quicker to drive. The other word of caution since you have younger kids, there are snakes in the foilage around CBR - so be careful. We saw one after a rain storm that freaked by DD out. There was a thread a while back about a little boy bitten there. Just stay on the paths and out of the mulched areas and you will be fine.

 

[cadek]

Just joined from the July board. We are from Pittsburgh, and are driving down the same weekend, although we will probably be leaving Saturday morning. We stayed at CBR a few years ago. We liked the resort a lot but we had pirate rooms and they were a long walk from the Food Court/main pool - so we were glad we had a car. There is an internal bus but it was quicker to drive. The other word of caution since you have younger kids, there are snakes in the foilage around CBR - so be careful. We saw one after a rain storm that freaked by DD out. There was a thread a while back about a little boy bitten there. Just stay on the paths and out of the mulched areas and you will be fine.

Thanks for the tips! I'm glad that we will have our car too. My DH hates the buses, and I haven't read good things about the buses at CBR either. We'll see how it goes, if we really like having a car, we might just have to rent one next time we fly. We wanted to be close to the food court and main pool, so went with the preferred room. I like having that option.

Snakes! That would freak my sons out too! Hey, that's a good reason to get them to stay on the path with us instead of running off though!

 

[JenaBear]

I just wanted to pass along that we live in Lebanon County right over the county line from you. Please lmk how the drive down is, we are thinking of doing that next year. Doing a 5 night stay at WDW and 4 day cruise (Dream) in Nov.(I can't wait). We always stay at Pop (Hubby's fav resort) we have always loved it.

 

[PirateKate]

Wow, the Wishes Dessert Party will be so fun! I've wanted to try that as soon as it started, but I've been concerned that it wouldn't be any fun with the boys. I hope they keep it around for awhile.

Your day at Epcot sounds like fun, too. Test Track is a great way to start the day, especially, if you have Soarin' Fastpasses for later. It must be so nice to be able to ride those rides all at once without baby-swapping.

 

[tinkerbell60]

Thanks for the tips! I'm glad that we will have our car too. My DH hates the buses, and I haven't read good things about the buses at CBR either. We'll see how it goes, if we really like having a car, we might just have to rent one next time we fly. We wanted to be close to the food court and main pool, so went with the preferred room. I like having that option.

Snakes! That would freak my sons out too! Hey, that's a good reason to get them to stay on the path with us instead of running off though!

If we were to stay at CBR again, I would definitely do the preferred rooms. That was our first encounter with a snake, it was right outside our door near the mulch, and it had just rained. We saw one last summer on the sidewalk at Pop Century too, it was tiny, but a snake nonetheless. I do recommend staying on the sidewalks there - just too much foilage, but that is what makes it such a pretty place.

 

[cadek]

Day 2, Monday, is planned for Animal Kingdom for AM extra magic hour. We will again get up, grab something quick to eat for the boys, and drive to AK for rope drop at 8am. I will walk ahead and grab fast passes for Kilimanjaro Safari, and then when they catch up we will ride it right away as well. After that we will most likely head towards Dinoland and the Boneyard, as I’m sure we will have heard many requests for that from the boys already. We will ride Triceratop Spin. Maybe Dylan and I will try Primeval Whirl. I'm sure they will want to play games, to win more stuffed animals we don't need. I doubt we will get the boys back on Dinosaur. Dylan will enjoy playing/digging in the Boneyard, while I follow Evan all over the place in there. He will probably find the water again, and enjoy getting wet.

I would like to fit in the Finding Nemo Show and The Festival of the Lion King show. Evan and I are the only ones that have seen Finding Nemo, over 3 years ago. He was only 18 months old, and we did it while Dylan and DH played in the Boneyard. I love Festival of the Lion King. Those are some very talented and in shape monkeys! It’s been about a year or two since we’ve done that as well. I think a show would be a nice, cool break from the heat in July too!

Again, we will go with the flow, no pressure to do anything here. I like Expedition Everest, but I’m the only one! I don’t need to do it, but maybe I’ll grab a fast pass and get a quick ride in by myself, and try to get Dylan to go on with me, but I highly doubt it! He loves Space Mountain, but hated Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster.

We have a lunch ADR for Yak & Yeti at 11:00. We love eating here! Potstickers! After lunch we might use those fast passes and ride the Safari again. We might do one of the shows, and then we will most likely be ready to head back for some pool time.

I’m excited for the pool this trip. For one, it will be warmer than January! Another reason, the kids have been taking swim lessons. Maybe we will finally get to enjoy the slide! I think the pool will be that much more enjoyable for them if they are comfortable with swimming. I’m sure Evan will still need my help though. I know when I was a kid, on vacation, the pool was where I wanted to be!

Later we will go to Epcot. We have a dinner ADR for Le Cellier at 5:10. We might ride Spaceship Earth on our way in or out, if we can. Test Track and Soarin are out as we will be getting there in the afternoon, unless there happen to be fast passes left for Test Track. I’m lowering my expectations, keeping in mind that this will be a busier time than January. We will most likely spend our time wondering World Showcase. I’m sure we will need to stop in Mexico for our required Gran Fiesta Tour. Evan loves this ride so much that I got him The Three Caballeros movie in January. Dylan will most likely want to do a Kim Possible Mission, and we will most likely want dessert in France, or anything sweet we can find! I don’t know if we will stay for Illuminations. It depends on how we feel and if we saw it already on Saturday. Going back to CBR for a swim sounds nice too.

 

[PirateKate]

That sounds like a fun day. The Boneyard is so much fun for kids. I didn't know there was a place to get wet in there. Maybe they turn it off during the winter.

Expedition Everest has a pretty fast single rider line. That way you wouldn't have to waste a Fastpass.

Dinner at Le Cellier sounds great!

 

[cadek]

That sounds like a fun day. The Boneyard is so much fun for kids. I didn't know there was a place to get wet in there. Maybe they turn it off during the winter.

Expedition Everest has a pretty fast single rider line. That way you wouldn't have to waste a Fastpass.

Dinner at Le Cellier sounds great!

This was our 4th trip with children, and the first time we found the water!

I might have to hit up the EE single rider line on our way to lunch!

 

[beebeeryan]

Followed over from my PTR...great plans and I'm so jealous...2 maybe even 3 trips in 1 year!!! You're living the dream!

Your boys are adorable and about the same ages as mine. We didn't need or use a stroller last summer and haven't for years really, my kids were never good stroller riders. Then again, DS5 would never ask to be carried either. If yours will then I'd bring the stroller, especially if you've got the car.

I hear you on making ADRs so far ahead of time, it's crazy. We cancelled a few last trip and probably will this trip too. Back when we went on our honeymoon in 1998 you didn't have to do any of that, you just showed up at a restaurant and got a table. I don't remember ever being turned away.

 

[PixieMama]

Joining in!

That's the part I hate about ADR's, never know where or what you'll be in the mood for!

I'm going to WDW in September, and while trying to decide on TS meals, my sister was all, "I can't even plan my day 30 minutes ahead, and you want me to figure out where I want to eat 4 months from now?!"

 

[cadek]

Followed over from my PTR...great plans and I'm so jealous...2 maybe even 3 trips in 1 year!!! You're living the dream!

Your boys are adorable and about the same ages as mine. We didn't need or use a stroller last summer and haven't for years really, my kids were never good stroller riders. Then again, DS5 would never ask to be carried either. If yours will then I'd bring the stroller, especially if you've got the car.

I hear you on making ADRs so far ahead of time, it's crazy. We cancelled a few last trip and probably will this trip too. Back when we went on our honeymoon in 1998 you didn't have to do any of that, you just showed up at a restaurant and got a table. I don't remember ever being turned away.

Hi, and thanks for following! I'm hoping that Evan (4) will be ok with walking, especially when distracted by the excitement of Disney! WDW is the only place we use a stroller. In January it seemed like we were constantly telling them to sit down, get your feet off the ground/wheel, stop fighting, etc. How nice it will be to not have a stroller, except then I have to carry the bags and downsize!

Joining in!




I'm going to WDW in September, and while trying to decide on TS meals, my sister was all, "I can't even plan my day 30 minutes ahead, and you want me to figure out where I want to eat 4 months from now?!"

Thanks for joining in! It seems ridiculous when you think about it, making ADR's months in advance, when you don't know where you might be or feel like eating, but we all know better!

 

[Kat in GA]

Joining in!!

We are there in July, too - but leaving the day ya'll arrive. We always go in the off season, too - and I am just in denial about the crowds. Being off site, rope drop is the best I can do - and hope that the masses don't trickle in til we get what we want done

If you need a stroller at Disney, by all means, use a stroller. My youngest was rather insistent on her need for one - and it gave me something to lean on as I pushed - and a place to store all our packs and such. It was a very good thing!

 

[cadek]

Joining in!!

We are there in July, too - but leaving the day ya'll arrive. We always go in the off season, too - and I am just in denial about the crowds. Being off site, rope drop is the best I can do - and hope that the masses don't trickle in til we get what we want done

If you need a stroller at Disney, by all means, use a stroller. My youngest was rather insistent on her need for one - and it gave me something to lean on as I pushed - and a place to store all our packs and such. It was a very good thing!

Hi, and thanks for joining in! Yes, we are a bit spoiled going in off season, but I'm hoping going early we'll get as much done as we can before the crowds and heat get too bad! At least we won't have rides closed for refurb, and it will be hot enough to use the pools! My son is always disappointed as Splash Mountain has been closed for most of our trips in January.

 

[cadek]

Day 3 – Magic Kingdom

We will be getting up early to take advantage of the morning extra magic hours at Magic Kingdom, and will be there for rope drop. I’ve never seen a rope drop at Magic Kingdom. Do they still do the welcome show for EMH or regular park opening? Either way, we need to be there, because I am off season spoiled, and have a hard time waiting in lines! We will head right to Rapunzel meet & great, where Chris will wait in line for us. I will take the boys and grab fast passes for Space Mountain. I hope to get fast passes as much as I can for whatever I can or feel I need at the time. I’ve subscribed to Tour Guide Mike in the past, I’ve read touring plans, and having been there before, I have a general idea of what to do. Really though, it will kind of be just going with the flow. What do the kids feel like doing? We will stick to the major rides first. So I will take the kids on a few rides before we have to go back to meet Rapunzel. Evan really wants to meet her, and was disappointed we didn’t in January. Dylan will enjoy it too, though he will act like he doesn’t. We will try to ride to hit all the rides in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland that we can. I have two days planned for Magic Kingdom, but I still feel the need to do as much as I can! While listening to the Four Parks cd yesterday, Dylan said he wants to go on Carousel of Progress again. I think he’s all about the Hidden Mickeys, which we started looking for at the end of our last trip. There’s an app for that of course!

So I will also be getting fast passes when I can, definitely for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is where we will start heading to after Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. We will ride Haunted Mansion, and at some point, Splash Mountain. Will we get all this done before lunch? If not, it will be after lunch. Speaking of lunch, it will be at our usual spot, Pecos Bill’s. I will get the pork sandwich like I always do.

Now will we leave and go back to CBR for swimming? We will be back for the Wishes Dessert Party that night, so we can get more rides in then. I’m sure we will need to grab a light meal or snack before the Dessert Party. Pirates of the Caribbean is a must! I’ve heard Jungle Cruise at night is nice, maybe we’ll save it for then.

So we will have the Dessert Party at 9:00, Wishes at 10:00, and the park closes at 11:00. Will we get on more rides after Wishes?

We have never done Stitch’s Great Escape, which the kids inquired about when the music for it came on in the car, but I’ve never felt the need to do for bad reviews. Also Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor, Astro Orbiter, Tom Sawyer Island, Tiki Room (will it be open by then?), Country Bear Jamboree, and Liberty Square Riverboat.

I’d also like to walk through the shops on Main Street. Can I convince Chris that I need a Dooney / Mickey bag?

Basically I want to do it all, take lots of pictures, but try to slow down and take it all in, enjoy the small things. The Disney details. This is why I love WDW so much.

I like to watch shows about WDW, the Travel Channel shows, and Modern Marvels. Hearing and seeing how it all came to be, how he came up with all these ideas for the parks... it amazes me. I started reading Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas. It is amazing to think about what Disney is today, and read about how he got started, when he was just a nobody. I've still got a lot to read, but I'm loving it. I'd love it even more if they had it for the Kindle! That book is heavy to hold laying in bed! Oh how technology has spoiled us!

 

[PixieMama]

On our trip last October, DH and my brother-in-law took all the kids to Stitch's Great Escape... sis-in-law and I sat that one out. I've also read nothing but negative reviews of this ride, and had zero interest in it. Kids said it was just OK (and that's even coming from one who is a HUGE Stitch fan)... DH and BIL said they won't ever do it again, LOL!

I need to look into this Wishes Dessert Party...

 

[beebeeryan]

me my Kindle!

Stitch's Great Escape....meh. If your kids are even slightly afraid of the dark avoid it. It doesn't DO anything, you just sit and follow along on some mission, I didn't pay too much attention because when the rollercoaster type harness comes down over you, it was hurting my shoulders and the boys were freaking out about it, thinking we were launching off or something, but nothing happens other than the room goes PITCH black. I mean PITCH BLACK. And it lasts awhile, not just a few seconds. Eric, who was 4 was just fine but Matthew who was 7 freaked out and I wasn't beside him and DH was on the other side of some thing between the seats so neither of us could really reach him to calm him down. He survived but declared he was never going in there again when we got out. He still talks about how horrible that ride was He has no problem with TOT or RnR though. Go figure.

An app for Hidden Mickeys really? I need to find that. Might be something fun, I started pointing some out to the boys last trip, they might get more into it this time.

Astro Orbitor is more like a ride that you find anywhere, it's fun and gives great views of the park since it's the highest point, but it's a slow loader. Even when we went and there were no lines for anything, that one was always 15-20 minutes and we did it when it said 15 and it took more like 30. SLOW. And coming back down takes time too. And to top it off, some crazy couple thought it wise to take their newborn baby, I mean this was a tiny tiny little baby girl on it. She was sleeping the whole time in line. Get on, start spinning, Daddy is cradling her asleep. Get off, she is screaming bloody murder whole elevator ride down and who knows how much longer. Don't think the barely 1 month old if that, liked that ride at all. You get that feeling in your stomach on that ride, the rollercoaster feeling. Poor baby was probably traumatized for life!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Stopping over from my PTR.

We're neighbors! We're in Lehigh County, but only about 5-10 minutes from the Berks County line. My daughter rides horses in Kutztown!

I love reading all your detailed plans for your trip! Driving takes so much more time, but really cuts the costs. We've never flown. I looked into the AutoTrain a few times, but driving is so significantly cheaper. My kids are so good on the drive, so I really can't complain!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

 

[cadek]

me my Kindle!

Stitch's Great Escape....meh. If your kids are even slightly afraid of the dark avoid it. It doesn't DO anything, you just sit and follow along on some mission, I didn't pay too much attention because when the rollercoaster type harness comes down over you, it was hurting my shoulders and the boys were freaking out about it, thinking we were launching off or something, but nothing happens other than the room goes PITCH black. I mean PITCH BLACK. And it lasts awhile, not just a few seconds. Eric, who was 4 was just fine but Matthew who was 7 freaked out and I wasn't beside him and DH was on the other side of some thing between the seats so neither of us could really reach him to calm him down. He survived but declared he was never going in there again when we got out. He still talks about how horrible that ride was He has no problem with TOT or RnR though. Go figure.

An app for Hidden Mickeys really? I need to find that. Might be something fun, I started pointing some out to the boys last trip, they might get more into it this time.

Astro Orbitor is more like a ride that you find anywhere, it's fun and gives great views of the park since it's the highest point, but it's a slow loader. Even when we went and there were no lines for anything, that one was always 15-20 minutes and we did it when it said 15 and it took more like 30. SLOW. And coming back down takes time too. And to top it off, some crazy couple thought it wise to take their newborn baby, I mean this was a tiny tiny little baby girl on it. She was sleeping the whole time in line. Get on, start spinning, Daddy is cradling her asleep. Get off, she is screaming bloody murder whole elevator ride down and who knows how much longer. Don't think the barely 1 month old if that, liked that ride at all. You get that feeling in your stomach on that ride, the rollercoaster feeling. Poor baby was probably traumatized for life!

Thanks! I'll cross those two off my list. It's never bothered me to go on Astro Orbiter, because like you said, it's just another ride. I thought the view might be nice. Dumbo is another one it doesn't bother me to do, but I'll do it if Evan wants to. The view is nice there too, especially with the Fantasyland expansion!

Ok, so if they ask to do Stitch, it's the one thing I'll say no to them on! The only reason they'd ask is because of the music on the Four Parks cd.

Yes, Kindle!

Stopping over from my PTR.

We're neighbors! We're in Lehigh County, but only about 5-10 minutes from the Berks County line. My daughter rides horses in Kutztown!

I love reading all your detailed plans for your trip! Driving takes so much more time, but really cuts the costs. We've never flown. I looked into the AutoTrain a few times, but driving is so significantly cheaper. My kids are so good on the drive, so I really can't complain!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

Hi neighbor. I noticed how close we are in your PTR. I'm looking forward to the drive, I always like roadtrips, seeing something new. I'm going to have to think of some fun things to do with the kids in the car to keep them entertained. As if a DS and DVD player aren't enough! I'm thinking it's a perfect time for a Disney movie marathon! I think I would like to make this an annual trip, driving in the summer, and hope to keep the winter trip as well! Flying in the winter though, because of taking Dylan out of school.