tinkerbell of winter
Keep Moving Forward-Walt Disney
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2004
- Messages
- 782
Well my big family adventure, six chicks at disney is now complete 
and now I have to start planning the next adventure! At least waking up with that feeling complete, wonderful residual vacation feeling this morning helped with the realization that I was not there anymore. So to set the scene, the six chicks included my grandmother-age 74 (or so), my mother-age 51, my aunt-age 43 and her daughter-age 15. The trip was my idea-age 29 and my daughter-age 9 went as well.
Day one-Sunday February 19th Airline fun
The adventure of a lifetime begins at 0600 hrs. DD and myself pick up DGM and go to DM's house. Upon arriving at DM's house, the first monkey wrench of the day is thrown at my plans. Our flight from Syracuse to Atlanta was cancelled due to ice in Atlanta, and we have been changed to a later flight leaving at 5:45 pm from Binghamton. At that point we go to DA+DC's (disney aunt and disney cousin) house to hook up with them. Off we head to Syracuse, early because of a feared lake effect storm which ended up being nothing exciting, but I was leaving plenty of time for error. Initially our plane was supposed to leave Syracuse at noon, getting us in Orlando around 6 PM. Now we were taking a van from Syracuse to Binghamton, getting on a puddle jumper to Cincy and flying from Cincy to Orlando first class. Luckily we made our connection (which was close) and found our way to Orlando at about 10:30 at night. First class was certianly no big deal, the only thing extra was that the seats are a bit bigger, and they have a bottle of water waiting for you when you get on the plane. We got to SSR around 11:30 at night, settled into our awesome two bedroom, and got ready to face tomorrow at the Magic Kingdom.
Day 2 February 20, 2006 Magic Kingdom
We awaken early, as I had been smart enough to make early PS reservations for breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 8:15 am to get into the park early. Since I had heard horror stories about the parks during President's week, I was armed with my usual plans, no fastpass rides without a fastpass, no matter what. After breakfast we started in adventureland at POTC and worked our way around, hitting Big Thunder, getting FP for Splash and working our way over to fantasyland. Everyone in the group rode BTMRR, and then my aunt tells them it was the worst ride in the park. Did HM and then off to fantasyland where we went on Small World, watched Philharmagic, did Peter Pan's flight (FP of course!), Snow White's adventures, and the Carousel. From there to tomorrowland where we got passes for Space Mountain, went on Carousel of Progress, TTA, some shopping, and then headed over to toontown to catch the train. We then rode the train to Splash, went on that and got back on the train to go to Space. My mother hated Splash mountain, but my grandmother loved it. How can anyone not like splash?? We got to Space Mtn. and the ride was down, so we abandoned that and went to find the rest of our party who had been sent shopping on Main St. We left the park around 2 PM, since DA is fixated on going to the hotel and swimming in the pool every day. We went on most of those rides with little or no wait, I think the longest wait we had was for the train in Frontierland. After some time back at the resort, DM, DA, myself and DD headed back to MK for Spectro and Wishes. Bus transportation back to SSR at park closing was not bad at all. Gripe-we have all seen them, those that pretend they are "with someone" farther up in the line crowd ahead to see that there wasn't anyone ahead of them at all. Happened today once at Snow White, and the line wasn't even that long!!!
Day 3 February 21 2006 Disney Studios/Cirque
Arrived at near opening for DS, started out with getting FP for TOT, and headed for the Great Movie Ride. After GMR, went to the Narnia attraction, then the Backlot tour. After backlot, went to Lights, Motors, Action where they omitted the motorcycle chase due to technical difficulties. After that we headed over to TOT, getting a FP for RNR coaster on the way. Went on TOT, then ate lunch and went on RNR coaster. After lunch watched Beauty and the Beast, and then headed over to Star Tours and was actually going to wait in a standby line for a change. I couldn't do it, so I grabbed a fastpass and browsed the gift shop. We then met the rest of our party, watched the afternoon parade and then headed to Hollywood and Vine for our Fantasmic Dining package. I have never gone to Fantasmic without the dining package, and doubt I ever would. DM, myself and daughter did not watch fantasmic since we were going to Cirque that night. After dinner we did star tours, then watched Indy, while DA took the girls to the Muppets. I tried feverishly to get chosen as an extra for that Indy show, but to no avail. After Indy, we headed to the resort to get ready for Cirque. Walked to Downtown Disney on the west side of the lake, it wasn't a bad walk really. Enjoyed Cirque immensely, I had been apprehensive about it initially, but ended up having a great time, it was amazing. DD fell asleep during the show, but she did catch the first few acts. DGM, DA, and DC watched Fantasmic and enjoyed it.
Day 4 February 22, 2006 Animal Kingdom
Today was the only day we had to contend with what I define as really crazy crowds. It was also super hot for some members of my party, and got my DGM a wheelchair this day. Started by arriving late than usual, and waited in a killer line for the bag check to get into the park. Once inside, grabbed a FP for Killarmanjaro and went on Kali River Rapids. After Kali, did the jungle trek. The crowds surrounding Exp. Everest were immense, but not to deter me from going on that ride. Once our fastpasses were due for KS, I got us FP for Expedition Everest. After riding KS, did the forest trail and then I headed over to Dinosaur for FP. The ride was down at the time, but I grabbed a FP anyway. Back to EE, the most AWESOME ride in all of Walt Disney World. Super smooth, thrilling, and the effects were great! Rode it twice, I had two extra FP's as my DGM and DM did not go on it. After that, we headed over to Dinosaur, got that family picture, and then most of our party went to the room. DD and myself hung around just browsing, ate at Flame Tree BBQ and then headed back to the room around 3PM. DA and DC went to play Tennis and swim in the quiet pool. We swam at High Rock Spring Pool for a few hours, then we got cleaned up and went to Downtown Disney for some shopping before catching a bus to AKL for Boma. After eating at Boma, we were lucky enough to be picked up by a "Mickey Mouse" bus which delivered us directly to our resort bus stop. Boma was excellent as usual!
Day 5 February 23, 2006 Epcot
Headed to Epcot early, got into the park quickly and then went to get FP for Soarin while the others rode Spaceship Earth. After Soarin FP, went to Universe of Energy, browsed the gift shop at Mission Space and played a few of the games there, and then headed to get FP for Test Track. Rode Soarin, the whole group enjoyed it immensely. We then headed to Imagination, rode that with no wait, and headed over to Mexico-no wait for El Rio de Tiempo, did some shopping and then to Norway for Maelstrom-not much of a wait. By then it was time for FP for Test Track, and DA, DC, myself and DD went on that. At this point it was about 2PM and DA took DC and DGM back to the room, as today was going to be DA and DC day. (Call me crazy but it seemed like that was every day!) DC was fixated on the Virgin Megastore so DA had to take her there, where she was thrilled to find a copy of RENT on DVD. Personally, I would have waited until I got home and bought it online. Anyway, once they left it was DM, myself, and DD left at Epcot. We then started our tour of World Showcase, went to Canada, UK-where we caught the British Invasion-very cool, and ate some Fish and Chips. After that we headed to France for Impressions De France, and then to Morocco for some browsing. Once in Japan we caught the Candy show twice, DD was lucky enough to have a mouse with cheese made for her during the second show. After that we went to see The American Adventure, which I really enjoyed and wish I had been able to see it the previous two trips. After that we headed on over to Italy for some browsing, then to China for the acrobats and Reflections of China. After that we headed over to Germany for dinner at Biergarten. I loved dinner at Biergarten! I had no idea it was dinner and a show, all I knew was that it was one of the only restaraunts available when I called for a PS earlier in the day. It was so cool, set amongst a German village in an Oktoberfest theme. I am by no means a fan of German food, but the entertainment was worth it. After dinner we made it outside just in time for illuminations, which DM enjoyed a lot. After that we headed out of the park, the bus stop wait was not bad. More line jumpers-a tall fat Tony Soprano sort and his fat wife and bratty kids crowded to the front of the line by acting like they were going to OKW and stopping once they got to the front of the line to wait for SSR. Oh well, i'm just glad I have appropriate line ettiquite.
Day 6 February 24, 2006 Trip home
Of course not eagerly anticipating the trip home, as that means I am leaving Disney! Hung around the resort during the morning, packed our stuff, and then had bell services store it while waiting for the Magical Express. While we had some time, myself and DD took a spin around the pond on a two seater surrey bike. Wow my legs were burning after that, I haven't ridden a bike in years! DA and DC went to do the Tennis thing again. DGM and DM browsed the gift shop. Then we were off to the airport, where we were once again "selected" for a pat down and other assorted security screenings. We were finally in Syracuse at 9:30 PM and had the 2 hour drive home to look forward to. I was disappointed, there wasn't nearly enough snow on the ground, like the weather channel had been promising! We are getting it today though, I want good snow for good skiing next weekend!!!
I was pleased with the outcome of our trip, it went off way better than I anticipated it would. I thought my daughter and cousin would fight the entire time, but they only had a few spats. DC was her usual "i'm a movie star" self, but DD was too busy to notice. My mother and grandmother had a great time, which was the goal of the trip. I bought their plane and park tickets, and paid for most of their meals, I didn't want them to have to worry, and they deserve a nice vacation. I felt that we successfully navigated the holiday week crowds, we really didn't wait long for anything. And the best part about it, I woke up today feeling refreshed with a smile on my face, and thinking about planning the next trip! This one will be a nice long 9-10 day trip, either next year, or the year after just after I graduate with my Master's degree. (Now that will be a trip!! Disney/Universal combo for at least 10 days!) I may sneak in a quick trip next year though.
My rules all still apply
Never ride a fastpass ride without a fastpass!
Never wait in a standby line longer that 20 minutes.
Never watch Fantasmic without a dining package.
And always know where you are eating at least one meal per day and make a priority seating reservation well in advance!
and now I have to start planning the next adventure! At least waking up with that feeling complete, wonderful residual vacation feeling this morning helped with the realization that I was not there anymore. So to set the scene, the six chicks included my grandmother-age 74 (or so), my mother-age 51, my aunt-age 43 and her daughter-age 15. The trip was my idea-age 29 and my daughter-age 9 went as well.Day one-Sunday February 19th Airline fun
The adventure of a lifetime begins at 0600 hrs. DD and myself pick up DGM and go to DM's house. Upon arriving at DM's house, the first monkey wrench of the day is thrown at my plans. Our flight from Syracuse to Atlanta was cancelled due to ice in Atlanta, and we have been changed to a later flight leaving at 5:45 pm from Binghamton. At that point we go to DA+DC's (disney aunt and disney cousin) house to hook up with them. Off we head to Syracuse, early because of a feared lake effect storm which ended up being nothing exciting, but I was leaving plenty of time for error. Initially our plane was supposed to leave Syracuse at noon, getting us in Orlando around 6 PM. Now we were taking a van from Syracuse to Binghamton, getting on a puddle jumper to Cincy and flying from Cincy to Orlando first class. Luckily we made our connection (which was close) and found our way to Orlando at about 10:30 at night. First class was certianly no big deal, the only thing extra was that the seats are a bit bigger, and they have a bottle of water waiting for you when you get on the plane. We got to SSR around 11:30 at night, settled into our awesome two bedroom, and got ready to face tomorrow at the Magic Kingdom.
Day 2 February 20, 2006 Magic Kingdom
We awaken early, as I had been smart enough to make early PS reservations for breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 8:15 am to get into the park early. Since I had heard horror stories about the parks during President's week, I was armed with my usual plans, no fastpass rides without a fastpass, no matter what. After breakfast we started in adventureland at POTC and worked our way around, hitting Big Thunder, getting FP for Splash and working our way over to fantasyland. Everyone in the group rode BTMRR, and then my aunt tells them it was the worst ride in the park. Did HM and then off to fantasyland where we went on Small World, watched Philharmagic, did Peter Pan's flight (FP of course!), Snow White's adventures, and the Carousel. From there to tomorrowland where we got passes for Space Mountain, went on Carousel of Progress, TTA, some shopping, and then headed over to toontown to catch the train. We then rode the train to Splash, went on that and got back on the train to go to Space. My mother hated Splash mountain, but my grandmother loved it. How can anyone not like splash?? We got to Space Mtn. and the ride was down, so we abandoned that and went to find the rest of our party who had been sent shopping on Main St. We left the park around 2 PM, since DA is fixated on going to the hotel and swimming in the pool every day. We went on most of those rides with little or no wait, I think the longest wait we had was for the train in Frontierland. After some time back at the resort, DM, DA, myself and DD headed back to MK for Spectro and Wishes. Bus transportation back to SSR at park closing was not bad at all. Gripe-we have all seen them, those that pretend they are "with someone" farther up in the line crowd ahead to see that there wasn't anyone ahead of them at all. Happened today once at Snow White, and the line wasn't even that long!!!
Day 3 February 21 2006 Disney Studios/Cirque
Arrived at near opening for DS, started out with getting FP for TOT, and headed for the Great Movie Ride. After GMR, went to the Narnia attraction, then the Backlot tour. After backlot, went to Lights, Motors, Action where they omitted the motorcycle chase due to technical difficulties. After that we headed over to TOT, getting a FP for RNR coaster on the way. Went on TOT, then ate lunch and went on RNR coaster. After lunch watched Beauty and the Beast, and then headed over to Star Tours and was actually going to wait in a standby line for a change. I couldn't do it, so I grabbed a fastpass and browsed the gift shop. We then met the rest of our party, watched the afternoon parade and then headed to Hollywood and Vine for our Fantasmic Dining package. I have never gone to Fantasmic without the dining package, and doubt I ever would. DM, myself and daughter did not watch fantasmic since we were going to Cirque that night. After dinner we did star tours, then watched Indy, while DA took the girls to the Muppets. I tried feverishly to get chosen as an extra for that Indy show, but to no avail. After Indy, we headed to the resort to get ready for Cirque. Walked to Downtown Disney on the west side of the lake, it wasn't a bad walk really. Enjoyed Cirque immensely, I had been apprehensive about it initially, but ended up having a great time, it was amazing. DD fell asleep during the show, but she did catch the first few acts. DGM, DA, and DC watched Fantasmic and enjoyed it.
Day 4 February 22, 2006 Animal Kingdom
Today was the only day we had to contend with what I define as really crazy crowds. It was also super hot for some members of my party, and got my DGM a wheelchair this day. Started by arriving late than usual, and waited in a killer line for the bag check to get into the park. Once inside, grabbed a FP for Killarmanjaro and went on Kali River Rapids. After Kali, did the jungle trek. The crowds surrounding Exp. Everest were immense, but not to deter me from going on that ride. Once our fastpasses were due for KS, I got us FP for Expedition Everest. After riding KS, did the forest trail and then I headed over to Dinosaur for FP. The ride was down at the time, but I grabbed a FP anyway. Back to EE, the most AWESOME ride in all of Walt Disney World. Super smooth, thrilling, and the effects were great! Rode it twice, I had two extra FP's as my DGM and DM did not go on it. After that, we headed over to Dinosaur, got that family picture, and then most of our party went to the room. DD and myself hung around just browsing, ate at Flame Tree BBQ and then headed back to the room around 3PM. DA and DC went to play Tennis and swim in the quiet pool. We swam at High Rock Spring Pool for a few hours, then we got cleaned up and went to Downtown Disney for some shopping before catching a bus to AKL for Boma. After eating at Boma, we were lucky enough to be picked up by a "Mickey Mouse" bus which delivered us directly to our resort bus stop. Boma was excellent as usual!
Day 5 February 23, 2006 Epcot
Headed to Epcot early, got into the park quickly and then went to get FP for Soarin while the others rode Spaceship Earth. After Soarin FP, went to Universe of Energy, browsed the gift shop at Mission Space and played a few of the games there, and then headed to get FP for Test Track. Rode Soarin, the whole group enjoyed it immensely. We then headed to Imagination, rode that with no wait, and headed over to Mexico-no wait for El Rio de Tiempo, did some shopping and then to Norway for Maelstrom-not much of a wait. By then it was time for FP for Test Track, and DA, DC, myself and DD went on that. At this point it was about 2PM and DA took DC and DGM back to the room, as today was going to be DA and DC day. (Call me crazy but it seemed like that was every day!) DC was fixated on the Virgin Megastore so DA had to take her there, where she was thrilled to find a copy of RENT on DVD. Personally, I would have waited until I got home and bought it online. Anyway, once they left it was DM, myself, and DD left at Epcot. We then started our tour of World Showcase, went to Canada, UK-where we caught the British Invasion-very cool, and ate some Fish and Chips. After that we headed to France for Impressions De France, and then to Morocco for some browsing. Once in Japan we caught the Candy show twice, DD was lucky enough to have a mouse with cheese made for her during the second show. After that we went to see The American Adventure, which I really enjoyed and wish I had been able to see it the previous two trips. After that we headed on over to Italy for some browsing, then to China for the acrobats and Reflections of China. After that we headed over to Germany for dinner at Biergarten. I loved dinner at Biergarten! I had no idea it was dinner and a show, all I knew was that it was one of the only restaraunts available when I called for a PS earlier in the day. It was so cool, set amongst a German village in an Oktoberfest theme. I am by no means a fan of German food, but the entertainment was worth it. After dinner we made it outside just in time for illuminations, which DM enjoyed a lot. After that we headed out of the park, the bus stop wait was not bad. More line jumpers-a tall fat Tony Soprano sort and his fat wife and bratty kids crowded to the front of the line by acting like they were going to OKW and stopping once they got to the front of the line to wait for SSR. Oh well, i'm just glad I have appropriate line ettiquite.
Day 6 February 24, 2006 Trip home
Of course not eagerly anticipating the trip home, as that means I am leaving Disney! Hung around the resort during the morning, packed our stuff, and then had bell services store it while waiting for the Magical Express. While we had some time, myself and DD took a spin around the pond on a two seater surrey bike. Wow my legs were burning after that, I haven't ridden a bike in years! DA and DC went to do the Tennis thing again. DGM and DM browsed the gift shop. Then we were off to the airport, where we were once again "selected" for a pat down and other assorted security screenings. We were finally in Syracuse at 9:30 PM and had the 2 hour drive home to look forward to. I was disappointed, there wasn't nearly enough snow on the ground, like the weather channel had been promising! We are getting it today though, I want good snow for good skiing next weekend!!!
I was pleased with the outcome of our trip, it went off way better than I anticipated it would. I thought my daughter and cousin would fight the entire time, but they only had a few spats. DC was her usual "i'm a movie star" self, but DD was too busy to notice. My mother and grandmother had a great time, which was the goal of the trip. I bought their plane and park tickets, and paid for most of their meals, I didn't want them to have to worry, and they deserve a nice vacation. I felt that we successfully navigated the holiday week crowds, we really didn't wait long for anything. And the best part about it, I woke up today feeling refreshed with a smile on my face, and thinking about planning the next trip! This one will be a nice long 9-10 day trip, either next year, or the year after just after I graduate with my Master's degree. (Now that will be a trip!! Disney/Universal combo for at least 10 days!) I may sneak in a quick trip next year though.
My rules all still apply
Never ride a fastpass ride without a fastpass!
Never wait in a standby line longer that 20 minutes.
Never watch Fantasmic without a dining package.
And always know where you are eating at least one meal per day and make a priority seating reservation well in advance!
We are going this October for 6 days/5 nights and wish I could expand it to 10 days like our last trip. Hope I am as organized as you were in getting to see so much.
