DIS Dads The DIS Dad's Club

[StarCruiser]

... I did not know what kind of crowds to expect being that it was Labor Day weekend but they were very manageable...

Hey middlebill. Thanks for this info. We're looking at going Labor Day weekend next year. Do you think the crowds dropped off significantly after Labor Day, and was Labor Day itself bad? Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[G-Duck]

Count me in, I love Disney. I meet about 1/3 of the listed requirements.

 

[1Grumpy John]

Count me in, I love Disney. I meet about 1/3 of the listed requirements.

Welcome to the club

 

[jrl153]

Best club I've ever joined. I found myself cracking up reading criteria, just about all of it described me. I even just ordered another Disney vacation DVD and the free custom maps.

 

[stopher1]

Count me in, I love Disney. I meet about 1/3 of the listed requirements.

Best club I've ever joined. I found myself cracking up reading criteria, just about all of it described me. I even just ordered another Disney vacation DVD and the free custom maps.

Welcome to you both!!

I just ordered my 4th set of maps a couple of weeks ago - came in the mail last Thursday --- gotta keep 'em "fresh and up to date" ya know.

 

[1Grumpy John]

Wow!
How was the recent trip to WDW John?

Trip Report:


We had a great time on this trip, it was our first time at the "food & wine festival" at Epcot.
We met some of our DIS friends first thing Sat. morning,

Myself in the blue shirt, DW aka EllaEnchanted in pink,
next to me is Lisa & Darrel from Jacksonville, and next to DEB is Monica from Davenport Fl.

then did all the rides out front. Rode "Mission Space", "Test Track", "Finding Nemo", "Talking Turtle with Crush", (DW's Favorite) and of course "Imagination" with my favorite Figment. Then we started to tour the world. First stop was Colon France for a glass of "White Star" . Then on to food.....

Starting in Santiago, Chile with Spicy Beef Empanada

Next stop Buenos Aires, Argentina with Beef and Corn Pie

and Grilled Beef with Chimichurri Sauce

Then we stopped at Mouse Catch for the trio of cheeses Dorothea, Asiago Pressato, and Manchengo

From cheese we moved on to Barcelona, Spain with Chilled Tomato and Garlic Soup

and Churro with Chocolate Sauce

After Spain we visited Vienna, Austria for Beef Goulash with a Bacon Dumpling and a fine Chardonnay

Then on to Shanghai China for Pork Pot Stickers

and Chicken Sha Cha

Next Bologna, Italy for Baked Ziti - this was a huge portion

and Cream Puff with Mascarpone and Gianduja Chocolate

At Cork Ireland a good "Stout" to wash it down.

By then I needed a nap!!!

 

[Bloodhound]

;welcome: to all the new dads....I am so busy trying to get caught up on everything before our trip I havnt been around awhole lot lately. I should have a few pictures with Goofy to post after I return.

 

[marvali]

Hi Dads Its just 2 weeks away to my DLR trip and I cant wait ...my first trip to the west coast... so much to do so little time

Have a great trip Bloodhound. Make sure you ride the Matterhorn; it is one of my favorites. Unfortunately the last time I was there, it was closed for rehab.

 

[marvali]

Wow 1Grumpy John, great report and love the pics. Now I am going to have to figure out how to schedule DW and I a trip during Food and Wine (tough with her being a teacher). It looks like a great time and some delicious eats!

 

[cokenut33]

Trip Report:


We had a great time on this trip, it was our first time at the "food & wine festival" at Epcot.

WOW that looks SOOOO GOOD!!!

Great job with the "photo" trip report!!

 

[1Grumpy John]

Day 2

Magic Kingdom... We started the day early and went straight to "Pirates of the Caribbean"

then we worked our way around the park riding all our favorite rides. for lunch we did a charictor lunch at Crystal Palace

(this trip was for our 18th anniversary) and this is how the cast member set the table

and of course

while we sat eating I warned my wife that Eore was coming our way but she didn't realize how close, she turned to her right and found him "in her face" she let out a scream that startled the poor thing into a dead run away from her

As you can see they made up quickly.

 

[1Grumpy John]

the next day we spent with my DD and DGSs off property, we went to the Millennium Mall in Orlando, I've got to warn you guys, if you make this mistake... hand cuff your wife to the car!! the place is huge and my credit cards will never be the same we had a nice dinner for just us two after every one left and shared a bottle of Korbel

Our last day there was spent at Down town Disney. We met with another of our DIS friends for lunch at "Captain Jack's"

Connie and Chuck

the four of us

food as alway was very good

the French dip was super
when Connie and Chuck left DEB and I rented a pontoon boat for a run around the bay and canals.

I got a good look at the new DVC Tree Tops under construction

they look like a fun place to stay you can check out the floor plans at the DVC site

 

[middlebill]

Hey middlebill. Thanks for this info. We're looking at going Labor Day weekend next year. Do you think the crowds dropped off significantly after Labor Day, and was Labor Day itself bad? Thanks for any information you can provide.

We arrived on the Friday morning before Labor Day and left the day after. We did Animal Kingdom & the Studios on the holiday and the next day we did the Studios and then Epcot (we had a late flight out). The crowds were very manageable both days. The Unofficial Guide's crowd calender had both days listed as "5". I don't think the crowds ever reached that level. The day after was a little less crowed. One factor may have been the storms that were threatening but never struck. For what it's worth, next year the holiday is listed as a "6". I would definitely do the holiday weekend again. Just remember Disney is doing a "bounceback" free dinning offer for that time next year and may offer it again to everybody. That ups the crowds, so make dinning ressy's early. I'm booked for the week before. Have fun planning your trip, I'm already messing around with my itinerary!!!!

 

[Wherem I Now]

Nice pics Grumpy John. Glad you had a good time!

 

[Bloodhound]

Have a great trip Bloodhound. Make sure you ride the Matterhorn; it is one of my favorites. Unfortunately the last time I was there, it was closed for rehab.

No doubt I will ride all the big thrill rides that are up and going....thanks we missed the Rockin Roller coaster when we last went to WDW due to rehab...but on the flip the new refrub for the Haunted Mansion was up the first day we were there and it was busy...lol .... last Sept.

 

[stopher1]

No doubt I will ride all the big thrill rides that are up and going....thanks we missed the Rockin Roller coaster when we last went to WDW due to rehab...but on the flip the new refrub for the Haunted Mansion was up the first day we were there and it was busy...lol .... last Sept.

If you like NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, you'll really enjoy what they do with the Haunted Mansion each year at DL - it's a complete overlay and the mansion is so different with the NMBC stuff all over the place. Be sure to take lots of pics.

Other things to be sure not to miss (if open, of course), are Indiana Jones and the Submarines, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin and Fantasmic - it's the original, and honestly much better than at the Studios... no seating like they put in at DHS, but definitely a better show. Take a ride on the Columbia too, if it's operating - you won't find her anywhere else. Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Land boats and Casey Jr. are all fun in Fantasyland. New Orleans Square is terrific, and yes, as Marvali says - the Matterhorn!! Have a great time at my favorite Magic Kingdom!! I'll be there myself in November and can't wait.

But of course we leave for WDW in just 8 more sleeps which is definitely taking precedence for us at the moment! I love both resorts and am so fortunate to be able to share them with my kids!!

 

[stopher1]

Day 2

(this trip was for our 18th anniversary)

What awesome pics, 1GJ! Looks like you had a wonderful time...and belated happy anniversary to you both. I'm taking DW down to WDW next February for our 15th - gonna stay at the Wilderness Lodge. We're looking forward to that one without the kids along!!

 

[Bloodhound]

Stopher thanks for the tips ...The Haunted Mansion is already my number 1 pick...we have 3 days to do everything ... over and over again....lol My daughter is now 24 and my grandaughter is now 6 months so we will look forward to there first trip together in the future.....our money is tight so we dont go often as we would like...my antiques business isnt doing well this whole year...time to dump it and start something else.

Have a great trip to WDW

 

[StarCruiser]

For what it's worth, next year the holiday is listed as a "6". I would definitely do the holiday weekend again.

Thanks again for the info. I think we'll give a try. I was thinking that next year might be a little less crowded since labor day is later. At least less school aged kids. We'll give a try and see what happens. Good luck with your planning.

 

[StarCruiser]

If you like NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, you'll really enjoy what they do with the Haunted Mansion each year at DL - it's a complete overlay and the mansion is so different with the NMBC stuff all over the place. Be sure to take lots of pics.

Man I'd love to see that. Got any pictures?

...The Haunted Mansion is already my number 1 pick...

Like stopher said, make sure you get some pictures and share them here.