That's the first time we had to wear a poncho in Disney! A Mar./April '11 TR DONE 9/5

[Disneyfreak616]

Hey there! Great TR so far!!!

OKW is beautiful!!

LOVE the monorail shirt BTW, I have the exact same one!

 

[jwwi]

Wisblue,
So I should have said hello. We went early to avoid the traffic and our seats were 6 rows from the cubs on deck circle. I went Saturday night, which was a fun game to see. I am sure looking forward to the season. Go Brewers.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I love the opening show too, but my tears start when I see the castle for the first time each trip, and turn to see my little ones looking at it wide-eyed and their mouths in a big o.

You got off to a great start this morning - waiting to read more about it

Aww, I bet it is neat to go to WDW with small kids. I would love to see their reactions to everything, especially for the first time.

I this update!! One of my very favorite things in the whole world is the feeling I get at the MK opening when the train arrives and the singing begins! It makes me feel 5 years old again! So needless to say, I loved your video! It really made me excited for our trip!

Anyway, how great that you got a bus quickly and beat the crowd to the park! Can't wait to hear more about your day!

Glad you liked the update! Your trip is coming up fast. Jealous!

It was really nice that the bus came quickly. Other than maybe one time we had great luck with the buses at OKW!

I totally agree with you - that first morning of your first full day is such a great feeling!

I totally get emotional watching the opening MK show (and most Disney shows period). I even got a smidge teary eyed watching your video!

Aww, I hear ya...when we got home and I was uploading everything I got really sad watching the videos. Wish I was back there now. haha

Oh Sarah, this update is making me ache for a Magic Kingdom visit!!

I love the opening show and try to make it for one at least once per trip!

I just got back and it's making me want to go to the Magic Kingdom! LOL.

We always have to go see the show too. But then again we never really miss a rope drop anywhere.

Sarah,
Your morning at MK seemed to be go well, I am sure the crowds will come, but hopefully you were able to do some other attractions quickly. Yes, it is without a doubt the most helpful advise to give anyone going to WDW for the first time. Get there early!
I did go to 6 spring training games, and 3 of this first home stand. On the 5th, 8th and 9th. 2 wins, 1 loss. You saw a great game today, and wasn't the weather beautiful? I thought I might have seen your sister at the game on Friday night, watching batting practice. Was she there?
I went to Bayshore town center, had to go to VB and pick up a gift. There are sure some great new patterns and styles. I love your new bag. Didn't really keep up with your PTR, so sorry if I missed that earlier.
I really hope you made it over to POR to see Bob the piano player....

Wow, 3 games already! That's the same as my sister. And yes, as you saw my dad's comment, she was at the game on Friday.

Oooh, VB. They really do have a lot of fun new things but it's hard to keep up! There is going to be an all-day event on the 28th...are you going to go to that?

Someone may already have said it, but I remember reading something about the audio spiels being triggered by the GPS on the bus/boat/monorails-same thing with the Magical Express videos. So no, the drivers don't do anything.

I love getting to MK that early! We arrved around that time for our 8am ADR at Crystal Palace, and it was dead. We're the opposite of you, we've only ever entered through the right tunnel.

It pays to be a party of one, also. I got to skip a bunch of people on Space Mountain that way!

Ahh, OK. Thanks for the info!

Isn't it funny how everyone sort of has their methods for doing things? It was just so weird for us to be on the right side. Though I guess technically we have entered on that side when we got to the park early for the hard-ticket events. haha

She was at Friday's game with a friend (a Cubs fan, no less) and she did say that they went early to see BP. If she was wearing a white Brewer jersey it was probably her.

It's a good thing for her the Brewers won today. We both went to Opening Day and she went Friday. So, coming into today's game the Brewers were 4-2 at home and she was at the two losses. If they had lost again today she would have been banned.

Atleast now we are off to a better start than last year. They seemed to lose every game we went to.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awesome update! I love how you guys headed to Tomorrowland. Definitely the thing I'd do, its my favorite area of MK. Space Mountain is one of my favs and its the perfect spot for one of the most popular M&Gs! Who'd have thunk? And isn't it amazing just by coming early how less crowded the parks are? I still can't believe it. Though its now saddening to watch that show without the Toontown reference Well, I can't wait until another fantastic update!

Yeah, we always do Tomorrowland on our first morning. It really does pay off to go early. I know some people can't do it but it's way worth it! I can't imagine NOT doing rope drop. The new Fantasyland stuff is going to be cool but I still sort of miss Toontown.

We were there the same morning. We had an 8:05 Crystal Palace ADR with grand plans to go in the park early. Didn't quite work out that way, we were watching the opening show from the security area so we were close! Raced down Main Street (stopping every few feet to take pics) to the restaurant. It was a lovely morning weather-wise, and we really didn't think it was too overly crowded, manageable anyway.

The weather couldn't have been nicer which made the day even better. The crowds definitely were not bad at all. I took a picture of Main Street when we left, around 2:00 maybe and there was hardly anyone there.

Great start to your MK day! and on low crowds! Loved all the video's!

Glad you liked the videos!

I don't care how many of the other parks I've been to while we're in Disney, when we finally get to Magic Kingdom we finally feel like we're "THERE". the view of the castle just makes me happy.
Great, really great update. I wish I was there. Thanks for making my morning

Aww, you're welcome. Glad I made your morning.

Zip a dee do dah reference I have been listening to too much Disney music lately

for bus luck!

I just love that new banner I can't wait to see it for myself!

Sounds like MK was closed down for you two! Very awesome that you had such low crowds!

Can't wait to hear more!

Oh, you can never listen to too much Disney music.

Really, the park was not busy at all. It was great. That's why we love getting there for opening.

Love the update!! I'm just getting ready to do mine - for the same day, same park, LOL!!

I saw your update!

I can't believe how few people were in the Magic Kingdom. I've actually never been to rope drop, since it would require getting up early, which we prefer not to do. Plus, I've always sort of envisioned it extra crowded, with lots of elbowing and pushing while waiting for the rope to drop.

The show does look fun, though. And being able to ride everything without long waits would be great.

Smores around the campfire the night before sounds really fun, too. It is exciting when a TR is just beginning.

I think you should try rope drop. Yeah, it is a little packed before they open but it's well worth getting up early for. And yes, you have to try to see the opening show!

I agree with SoonerGirl, your update had me wishing to be in MK so bad right now even though it's finally a warm day here in NY.

It looked so empty at Magic Kingdom! My sister and I did morning EMH around the same date you did 2 years ago and it was much more crowded. I said never again after that day but I keep hearing people say good things about it on the DIS and after seeing your pics, I'm willing to try it again.

Well, a day in WDW is better than warm day anywhere else, right?

Sometimes it's busier than others but we've always found it helpful and we've been able to get a lot of stuff done with minimal waits.

Hey there! Great TR so far!!!

OKW is beautiful!!

LOVE the monorail shirt BTW, I have the exact same one!

Hi! Glad you are enjoying it so far...I see you have a TR too. I will have to go check that out.

haha, nice! I've been wanting that shirt forever just so I can join the "monorail t-shirt club." It seemed like everyone had it!

Wisblue,
So I should have said hello. We went early to avoid the traffic and our seats were 6 rows from the cubs on deck circle. I went Saturday night, which was a fun game to see. I am sure looking forward to the season. Go Brewers.

Maybe we will cross paths at a game again this year.

 

[jenbear123]

I'm onboard for another one of you TRs! I forgot you were in WDW that week. Oh my gosh. When I was in Vegas I remember seeing tornado warnings and crazy rain for Florida. It will be interesting to see how it affected your trip. Hopefully it didn't damper your trip too much...

 

[jelloarms]

Man, I want to try a smore! I've only had the Poptart flavored smores, never a real one. And I haven't had a fire roasted marshamallow since 1999. Sad!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm onboard for another one of you TRs! I forgot you were in WDW that week. Oh my gosh. When I was in Vegas I remember seeing tornado warnings and crazy rain for Florida. It will be interesting to see how it affected your trip. Hopefully it didn't damper your trip too much...

Yay, hi Jen! Yeah, the weather certainly was crazy. Luckily it didn't last the whole time. Stay tuned for more though...

Man, I want to try a smore! I've only had the Poptart flavored smores, never a real one. And I haven't had a fire roasted marshamallow since 1999. Sad!

You've never had a real smore?! I used to eat those poptart ones all the time. They are good, but nothing compares to the real deal! Last summer we even tried making them in the microwave.

 

[sahm2two]

You've never had a real smore?! I used to eat those poptart ones all the time. They are good, but nothing compares to the real deal! Last summer we even tried making them in the microwave.

if you have a gas grill or a gas stove you can make them on those! I've actually done them on electric stoves, but it's not the same...

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am FINALLY here. I was a bazillion pages back on your PTR too. Looking forward to hearing all about this one...despite the RAIN and tornado warnings! Gotta go back and read!

 

[OhMari]

I can not believe how many pictures you took. It is so neat reading and looking at your pics.

We were suppose to have a pull out bed in our room with our 2 queen beds but we didn't. I would of never slept on it anyway.


The MK is so much more beautiful with the sun out. But we had absolutely no lines with all rain we had on Thursday, March 31st.

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a perfect way to start the trip, s'mores!!! YUM! I had no idea OKW had that fire ring, very, very cool. I'll keep that in mind for a future trip!

Loved your MK update. I have yet to see the REAL MK opening show, but I know the music - and it's my favorite!!!

As for the buses playing their spiels automatically, I do *think* it's a trigger of some sort of radio frequency. But...I honestly don't know for sure! Great question!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Thank you for taking those videos...I had to wipe away a tear myself....but I had a huge grin on my face!! Just the way the light was hitting everything...nothing better than first thing in the morning at the MK....

 

[wdwgirl03]

if you have a gas grill or a gas stove you can make them on those! I've actually done them on electric stoves, but it's not the same...

LOL...I don't think anything compares to the real deal! Gotta love smores.

I am FINALLY here. I was a bazillion pages back on your PTR too. Looking forward to hearing all about this one...despite the RAIN and tornado warnings! Gotta go back and read!

Woo hoo, you found me!

I can not believe how many pictures you took. It is so neat reading and looking at your pics.

We were suppose to have a pull out bed in our room with our 2 queen beds but we didn't. I would of never slept on it anyway.


The MK is so much more beautiful with the sun out. But we had absolutely no lines with all rain we had on Thursday, March 31st.

Yeah, we tend to go a little crazy with the pictures. The joys of digital photography!

I agree...but really all of the parks look better when the sun is shining! That's why we ended up going to Epcot and DHS so many times this trip.

What a perfect way to start the trip, s'mores!!! YUM! I had no idea OKW had that fire ring, very, very cool. I'll keep that in mind for a future trip!

Loved your MK update. I have yet to see the REAL MK opening show, but I know the music - and it's my favorite!!!

As for the buses playing their spiels automatically, I do *think* it's a trigger of some sort of radio frequency. But...I honestly don't know for sure! Great question!

I didn't either but it was a really fun surprise as we were wandering around the resort.

Really Brook, you were there for two weeks and you still didn't get to see the real opening show?! Hopefully on your solo adventure!

It really does make sense that it's triggered somehow seeing as they do always start at the same point. Maybe I'll have my sister ask once she's a cast member...she can give us the inside scoop, haha.

Thank you for taking those videos...I had to wipe away a tear myself....but I had a huge grin on my face!! Just the way the light was hitting everything...nothing better than first thing in the morning at the MK....

Aww, glad you enjoyed them. I just love the first morning at the MK so I had to finally get some fun videos.

 

[OhMari]

I got to thinking about the busses.
They must have a trigger, because on the way back to the resorts and the airport, they talk about PhotoPass and one bus I was on, was reminding everyone about going to a water park, or golfing and Disney Quest.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I got to thinking about the busses.
They must have a trigger, because on the way back to the resorts and the airport, they talk about PhotoPass and one bus I was on, was reminding everyone about going to a water park, or golfing and Disney Quest.

Ahh, interesting. I don't think I've ever heard one about golfing or Disney Quest.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi everyone!

Here I am being a slacker again and taking a week in between updates. And I was doing so well too. Anyway, before I do the update, we had a little bit of a Disney night last night. The Beauty and the Beast show was in town so we went to see that at the theater for my sister's birthday (sort of). It was the third Disney musical, along with The Lion King and Mary Poppins (which we actually saw on Broadway) we've seen and it didn't disappoint! I hadn't seen the movie in a loooong time, or even the BATB in Disney World, so it was fun to see again. Disney sure knows how to put on the show. Two of the best parts were the "Gaston" number and of course, "Be Our Guest." It was funny because they actually had a little bit of a malfunction at the beginning of the show...some streamers came down which were clearly meant for Be Our Guest. Oops! It was also really cute seeing all the little girls in Belle and other Disney princess dresses. Just like in WDW. So overall, it was a fun night and a great show!

Alright, now back to the TR!

Sunday, March 27, 2011 cont'd (part 2)

As I mentioned in the last update, when we were waiting in line for the speedway we could tell there weren't too many people over at the teacups. And since we'd be going that way to get over to Frontierland we decided to go for a spin (literally). At that point, there were more people but we still didn't have to wait. I always prefer to have other people on the ride. It's kind of strange when there's people on just a couple teacups. haha Claire took a couple pictures of the details:

Once we got going, we decided it would be fun to try to get another one of those "blurry teacup pictures." It didn't work out to well but they're still kind of fun.

I look like I'm raising the roof or something.

As we walked through Fantasyland we saw the signs for the expansion. Boy, when this is done Fantasyland is going to be huge. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Emma's going to have fun "seeing" the construction coming along when she's down there for the CP.

Because we usually save the rest of Fantasyland for our second MK day, we pretty much just walked right through. The only other ride we stopped for was Peter Pan because we know how popular that one is! The wait was only about 10 minutes. Such a classic. Claire also took a few pictures of the old Skyway landing. We both miss that ride.

And another random Fantasyland shot:

Sadly, I don't have too many pictures of the other things we did that morning but it really was amazing how much we were able to get done. By the time we were done with Peter Pan, it was probably a little after 9:00 and we had already done 5 rides. And the pace never really slowed down for us! The crowds just never really seemed to pick up, or get too out of control.

When we got to Frontierland, we did Splash Mountain first which was a literal walk-on. It was funny riding now with the lap bars. To complete the "triple mountain whammy" we also did Thunder Mountain. Again, really short wait-almost a walk-on.

Wanting to get all of the major attractions done, we headed toward Adventureland where we had a minor hiccup. We had hoped to do Pirates of the Caribbean but we could see there were CMs at the entrance telling people the ride was down. So it was off to the Jungle Cruise instead. (and no worries about POTC, we went back a little later and it was running then!).

Ready for your virtual ride through the Jungle Cruise?

I didn't realize my sister took so many pictures...the only one I took was of the elephants!

After the Jungle Cruise I think we might've went to see what the line was like for the Rapunzel/Flynn Rider meet and greet. It didn't seem too bad so we asked the CM what time they were waiting for. Well, it was for atleast an hour out and we weren't quite ready to wait. But we knew we'd have to wait eventually considering we really wanted to meet them and when our parents and Emma were there, Emma waited for an hour and a half I think! Still, we decided to save it for later, or another day when we could get their right away.

up next: more Magic Kingdom!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Great update! I love the pictures of the Fantasyland Expansion posters. So excited for that! I've yet to go on the Jungle Cruise so it was nice to see some pictures. I heard they are going to take down the old Skyway stations, hopefully they'll find something new to put there though I think the Skyway would be great to have rebuilt

Can't wait to here about more of your adventures!

 

[jenbear123]

Now I know what that little house is for in Fantasyland. I swear this is me right now = That totally makes sense how it was the Skyway landing. I would always walk by there and wonder what the heck that was used for. Oh I hope you got to meet Flynn Rider and Rapunzel! Do you think they'll be permanent meet and greet characters? Or at least be there when I go in July? I still haven't met Princess Tiana and Naveen either.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Nice update! I miss the sky ride too!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I'm enjoying your report. I agree, I think the buses have some sort of GPS system that controls the speakers and what you listen to.