Summer Trip Part 1

[kes601]

So, this is our first extended DVC trip. We had a short 3 night stay at Poly in March.

We started at BLT on June 18. Our flight arrived at 7:45a and we arrived at BLT about 8:30 (we took a car service from the airport). On the way we got a text that our room was not ready. Upon arrival we checked in with the front desk. They said that now that we were physically there they would prioritize our room, but it was the first time since Easter they had been sold out. So we headed over to MK and got there a little before 9:00. We did a few rides and then at 10:30 got an alert that our room was ready. Went back and checked in.

During the 5 nights at BLT we grew to really appreciate it. It was relatively quiet, the room (studio) was big enough and the Lake View was very peaceful. During that part of the trip we took advantage of MK for the first part. We did also bus to HS one morning. What I can say from our experience at MK is that the park can be done without fast pass availability. You just need to know when to be there and do some of the less popular rides. We throughly enjoyed it.

Yesterday we came over to Riviera for the next 5 nights. Again, earlier in the morning I had a text that our room was not ready. But when we got here at about 10:30a we checked in at the front desk, and same thing. They said now that we were physically there they would prioritize our room. We had a quick late breakfast at Primo (yummy) and then decided to go explore the Boardwalk for a bit. No sooner than we got in the Skyliner at about 11:30 we got the alert that our room was ready. Top floor with a great view.

This morning we did Hollywood. We had walked over to the CBR skyliner station to get coffee from Joffrey’s and were second in line at the Skyliner. We got to Hollywood Studios just before 8:00 and they started letting people in. At about 8:30 they walked us to the different parts of the park. We got right on Slinky Dog and then did Saucers. Mania was closed or we probably would have hopped on that as well. We got a group 8 boarding group and it was called as we were getting on saucers, so we headed over and did that after. At that point almost everything was an hour long wait except for Start Tours, which said 5. So we did that. Once we got off of it it was up to 90 (yes, Star Tours was 90 minutes). We then left.

As easy as MK was to do w/o fast passes, something needs to be done at HS. For basically every ride in the park to have an hour wait shortly after opening is not fun.

We are at Riviera for 4 more nights before moving onto Boardwalk for 7.

Also, we love Riviera. We didn’t want to love it this much, but we do. Add-on-itis might become a thing down the road…

 

[DeeBee3]

So what are the tips for MK?

 

[kes601]

So what are the tips for MK?

Now that they are back to regular rope drop, here is what we did…..

We would start with the Tomorrowland side at rope drop and do Space Mountain. Then went to Pooh (we prefer this over Peter Pan and would rather do 7 Dwarves at night at park close). After that we would hit Haunted, Big Thunder, and Splash. Following that we did Pirates. On the 8a opening days we would be done with all that by 9:30-9:45. Usually we circled back around and did Under the Sea and then called it a morning.

I know starting July 1 they will open MK at 9 so I am sure crowds will be heavier at rope drop.