Stacktester-Day 2 Trip Report

[stacktester]

When we came here 3 years ago it didn't seem as busy in the parks as it is now. We did MGM today and it was so crowded I swear you couldn't move. Even though it was crowded we managed to go on Tower of Terror 3 times and fastpassed RRC once. We also did Lights, Motors, Action and the entire stands were full. There were actually people standing. Since we've made this an annual trip now I'm thinking more of staying at the fort and doing things here and less park activities. The campground has been pretty packed too but not miserable.

We went to Cape May for dinner tonight. If you like mussels, clams, ribs and roast beef it's pretty good. They're charging $4 a person more right now for seasonal reasons. Never knew they did that until the bill came. CM was also packed and we had no ressie but they still seated us. One suggestion I will give is, if you go to MGM and plan on eating at a table service make sure you have a ressie. If not you will be eating a turkey leg. The ABC Comissary closes early usually and the restaurants fill up and they won't seat you. Believe me I've tried.

In between rides we watched the street performers doing their little shows. They're pretty funny and help break up the day.

When we came back to the fort we went to watch Bridge to Terabithia. I didn't think I'd like it but it was great. DD kept saying I had to see it. During the movie a security guard came to the front and asked had anyone seen a 9 y/o boy named Jordan. No one had and he left. A little while later a FW mananger did the same thing but still no Jordan had been seen. Next thing you know some people on golf carts were looking in the lakes and creeks and all around the campfire area. I guess that's the last place the parents saw him. This lady in front of us walked away for a minute and then came back with a couple CM's who were picking up a sleeping boy in the very front. Turned out it was Jordan and he had fallen asleep. The people around him had thought he was with the other people near him and vice versa. This kid was knocked out. 2 CM's picked him up and took him to a cart. I think he was still asleep lol.

We've still not seen Colson. I should've pm'ed him before we left to get his number. Tonight is our last so we're gonna hang out today and maybe go to MK. More later.................

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Wow...I cant believe its THAT packed at the parks! I leave early next Sunday and THE MAIN REASON we made Dec reservations was because its considered value season...I would have thought value season meant slow season, and was looking forward to leisurely strolling thru the parks taking our time to really enjoy them because we've never been when it wasn't busy.Maybe next week will be better...now that I think about it, it IS Thanksgiving weekend, and we were their for Thanksgiving a couple of years back and it was full of college kids.
JORDAN's parents must have been freaking out!!! What a great story, a happy ending and you got to witness it first hand. And lord knows you needed a happy ending after that tear jerking Terabithia movie!

 

[DaddyDon]

Glad your having a great time!I know when we go at christmas it's going to be crazzzy....Good thing i drink

 

[stacktester]

I've heard it gets slow this week Rog. I figured this kid was probably fine but once I saw them looking in the lake I was getting worried. I know if my DD 10 was missing I would be freaking out. Kids are sneaky and can run away in seconds.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

I'm a little suprised the parents didn't come to the movie to look for him since they're the only ones who knew what he looked like. It seems to me that would have been a logical place to look. I'm glad they found him and he was OK.

 

[Gatordad]

you should have told them you were deducting $20 for "seasonal reasons" .... Stuff like that $4 prank is why I dislike Disney.

 

[dreambound]

BigDaddy, you're going at a great time. We were there Thanksgiving weekend through first week of December two years ago and the Sat after Thanksgiving was PACKED. A total nightmare. We were at Pop that day and it was unreal. Went to MK the Sunday after Thanksgiving and crowds were unbearable. Then at 4pm they ALL disappeared. I mean MK was so empty we were walking on everything in Fantasyland, riding 2 or 3 times. Switched to Epcot that night and found the exact same thing. So empty of crowds. The rest of the week was so light in crowds that dh and I rode Pirates and Space Mountain over and over midday. We had overlap with the Pop Warner kids and we didn't see a single one.

Stacktester, thank you for your trip reports! Nothing like a live report to get the excitement going. Hope you get to see Colson. Enjoy the day!

Meg

Wow...I cant believe its THAT packed at the parks! I leave early next Sunday and THE MAIN REASON we made Dec reservations was because its considered value season...I would have thought value season meant slow season, and was looking forward to leisurely strolling thru the parks taking our time to really enjoy them because we've never been when it wasn't busy.Maybe next week will be better...now that I think about it, it IS Thanksgiving weekend, and we were their for Thanksgiving a couple of years back and it was full of college kids.
JORDAN's parents must have been freaking out!!! What a great story, a happy ending and you got to witness it first hand. And lord knows you needed a happy ending after that tear jerking Terabithia movie!

 

[ntsammy5]

It's been getting more crowded year by year. The first Christmas trip we made was in 2001 and the parks were completely empty. It's been getting more crowded year-by-year. MGM is a small park and on weekends can get crowded. Hopefully crowds will get smaller the next two weeks.

 

[dreambound]

you should have told them you were deducting $20 for "seasonal reasons" .... Stuff like that $4 prank is why I dislike Disney.

Every single thing that you type sounds like something my dh would say.

 

[ntsammy5]

... Stuff like that $4 prank is why I dislike Disney.

That's why we'll eat at Ale House and CiCis (I hope) except for the Biergarden for Candlelight Processional. Disney does know how to turn a buck and alienate people!

 

[AuburnJen92]

We went to Cape May for dinner tonight. If you like mussels, clams, ribs and roast beef it's pretty good. They're charging $4 a person more right now for seasonal reasons. Never knew they did that until the bill came.

BTW- They are going to do that for all holidays and all summer from now on, from what I hear. I think it stinks personally.

 

[dreambound]

That's why we'll eat at Ale House and CiCis (I hope) except for the Biergarden for Candlelight Processional. Disney does know how to turn a buck and alienate people!

I love CiCi's. In college we got to be such regulars that the manager would bring over whole specialty pizzas to us.

Have you been to Biergarten before ntsammy? We're going for the first time this trip. We've both done all of the great bierhauses in Munich (Hoffbrau, etc.) and the big thing to do back then was sneak out the steins. I drank my pals under the table in those days...

 

[dreambound]

BTW- They are going to do that for all holidays and all summer from now on, from what I hear. I think it stinks personally.

That's nuts. They just tack on $4 on the bill? Or $4 per person? Is there any notice of the charge before you order? That's just crappy.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

That's nuts. They just tack on $4 on the bill? Or $4 per person? Is there any notice of the charge before you order? That's just crappy.

Wouldn't it be better marketing if they just raised the prices by 4$ and offer a 4$ DISCOUNT during non-holiday seasons? That way at least value seasoners would feel like they are getting a deal instead of holiday seasoners feeling like they are getting the stick?

 

[Gatordad]

That's nuts. They just tack on $4 on the bill? Or $4 per person? Is there any notice of the charge before you order? That's just crappy.

Your husband is a wise man.

 

[dreambound]

Your husband is a wise man.

Except when he says it it usually starts with, "WOMAN!!!"

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Except when he says it it usually starts with, "WOMAN!!!"

HEEEEY!!!!! Thats MY wife's name, too!!!!!!!

 

[AuburnJen92]

Wouldn't it be better marketing if they just raised the prices by 4$ and offer a 4$ DISCOUNT during non-holiday seasons? That way at least value seasoners would feel like they are getting a deal instead of holiday seasoners feeling like they are getting the stick?

That makes sense, Disney doesn't work that way.....

 

[Shannone1]

There were actually people standing. Since we've made this an annual trip now I'm thinking more of staying at the fort and doing things here and less park activities. The campground has been pretty packed too but not miserable.

There is so much to do at the fort....we are going to spend about half of our time at the parks and the other half at FW. I also want to explore Downtown Disney too.

We went to Cape May for dinner tonight. If you like mussels, clams, ribs and roast beef it's pretty good. They're charging $4 a person more right now for seasonal reasons. Never knew they did that until the bill came. CM was also packed and we had no ressie but they still seated us. One suggestion I will give is, if you go to MGM and plan on eating at a table service make sure you have a ressie. If not you will be eating a turkey leg. The ABC Comissary closes early usually and the restaurants fill up and they won't seat you. Believe me I've tried.

I am looking at 50's Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Drive In for our next visit to MGM. Cape May would be a waste of money for my family....they are not into seafood.

This lady in front of us walked away for a minute and then came back with a couple CM's who were picking up a sleeping boy in the very front. Turned out it was Jordan and he had fallen asleep. The people around him had thought he was with the other people near him and vice versa. This kid was knocked out. 2 CM's picked him up and took him to a cart. I think he was still asleep lol.

Thank goodness they found him safe and sound. I can only imagine how scared his parents must have been.

We've still not seen Colson. I should've pm'ed him before we left to get his number. Tonight is our last so we're gonna hang out today and maybe go to MK. More later.................

Maybe he is hiding over by his sign

 

[Gillian]

I'm pretty upset about the $4 they're charging in December (starts the 16th, our check in day). And I wouldn't know about it if I didn't read it on the DIS.

Did you say that you're in the 1400 loop? How do you like it? Can we start a new thread to discuss it?