The vacation of a lifetime - Day 6 (part one) - The dark side of Disney Magic

[jrgutknecht]

Day 6 - May 10th –Part Two – Epcot and MK Spectromagic and Fireworks

Cast of characters: Me - 36 first trip in about 15 years
Tom - also 36, first trip to WDW

I’m splitting today’s report into two sections because I thought the Dolphins in Depth program deserved it’s own report and because the events that unfolded this night were so horrible in comparison to our morning they needed their own page so they wouldn't totally ruin what was a truly magical morning.

After we finished the Dolphins in Depth tour it was about 1:15 and we were both very hungry. We debated going to the Rose and Crown for lunch since we missed our PS for dinner there the other night, but on a whim decided to try the Nine Dragons in China. So we made our way into the park and straight to China.

We had no wait for our table (without any PS arrangements) and were seated right away. The dining room was surprisingly empty, I wondered if we had made a bad choice. But the food was delicious in spite of what I had read here on the boards. You can read my full review on the restaurant board for the details. We finished lunch around 2 o’clock and decided to explore the World Showcase for a bit before heading back to the hotel.

First we waited for the next showing of the Wonders of China. In spite of having a bad memory of this experience the first time, it was an enjoyable film. Perhaps I enjoyed it because it wasn’t as crowded as it was last time. The film is starting to show it’s age however and it looked like they could use a fresh copy of the print as many scenes were scratched and faded. One of the projectors needed a new lamp because every scene on this one screen over my shoulder had a yellow tinge and was dimmer than the rest. In spite of these small flaws, it was an enjoyable film. We did some shopping in China then worked our way around the lagoon through Germany with quick stops in Italy, Japan and France.

We headed back to Future World to stop in the Disney Gallery on the way out. We knew we wanted to pick up something really special during this trip, and although there were plenty of really cool things here, I was put off by the attitude of the CM who was working in the store. I think he thought he was working in an exclusive shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills or something. I can’t really explain it, but I just felt put-off. I did purchase a book on the Disney Imagineers (which I’ve read a dozen times now) and even while I was making my purchase he seemed to act like I was ‘insignificant.’ I was really bummed. I know they have to be careful with all the expensive stuff they have, but come on!! This is DISNEY, he could have at least SMILED!!! Oh well.

We made it back to the Hotel a little before 4. We were supposed to have dinner at the California Grill at 5:30 but neither of us was hungry so we had the concierge cancel our reservations. We’ll just have to try it next time, I was really looking forward to this meal too. We were, however, very tired so we decided to take a quick nap before heading over to the Magic Kingdom to try to catch a few rides before the parade at 9pm. We must have been more tired than we thought because we didn’t wake up until after 6! We decided we’d skip the rides we missed but still wanted to see the fireworks. We still weren’t hungry, but we grabbed some snacks from the concierge buffet on the way out.

And now the Disney Magic began to unravel at the seams.

We took the boat from the Wilderness Lodge to the MK and arrived at about 7:30. It looked a little more crowded than usual when we arrived and the boat on the way over was full, but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when we walked under the train station and into Main Street.

Main Street was total chaos. There were people sitting and standing all along the curbs with more people behind them - 4 or 5 deep in spots. Cast Members directing traffic at each crosswalk looked like they belonged in Time Square rather than Disney World. They were directing people and instructing guests with lines like “Keep moving” and “You can’t stand here” and my favorite “Keep moving, there’s nothing to see here.” As far as I could see there were people lined up to see the parade. Even the middle of the street was packed with people making their way up Main Street to try to find someplace - anyplace to watch the parade… and it wasn’t supposed to start for another 90 minutes !!!!

I have a real problem with crowds and like to avoid them if at all possible. Well I realized it wasn’t GOING to be possible tonight, so I tried to make the best of a bad situation. We had wanted to get our very own Mickey Ears hats, so we headed over to the hat shop on Main Street. Even inside the shop there was a crowd. The line for hats was out the door into the candy shop and there was only one person working inside. I wanted to grab some candy but again there was a long line and only one person at the register. I wasn’t going to wait in line to buy M&M’s.

We made our way up Main Street and tried to figure out what to do. We were both shocked. After all the last time we were here for E-ride night, the place was practically abandoned. Now it looked like a scene from a movie where everyone was trying to get out of town before the aliens attacked or some such nonsense. We decided we had three choices 1. find a place to watch the parade and just park our butts there, or 2.go ride some of the attractions we wanted to do again or 3. turn around and go back to the hotel . We should have chosen #3 but instead we decided to try and find a place to park ourselves to watch the parade.

We had special access to the Rose Garden for the fireworks that night as part of our package, so we knew we didn’t’ want to go too far into the park. We eventually ended up in Liberty Square. We waited in Liberty Square about 15 minutes before the crowds here became too thick and I suddenly had a flashback to the last time I was here. In 1986 I was here with my brothers (then 10 and 12) and I suddenly remembered how crowded it was for the parade. I remembered holding my younger brother up on my shoulders so he could see the parade. I also remembered how after the parade it took us what seemed like hours to get back to our car in the parking lot. Not wanting to miss our opportunity to see the fireworks from the Rose Garden and not sure how long the parade was, I suggested we head back to the castle and make our way to the rose garden entrance and watch the parade from there.

We headed over to Fantasyland and had to fight our way through a large school group that had decided their “meeting spot” was the archway between fantasyland and liberty square. Talk about a poor choice.. let’s get a group of 100 people and stand in the middle of the only pathway between these two large areas.

On our way through Fantasyland I noticed a hat shop and quickly ran in to see if they had Mickey Ears. They did, and there was NOBODY in the place except the CM. So we purchased our newly monogrammed Mickey Ears and headed off to find the Rose Garden. In spite of all the bad things to come, we did have one bright spot, we now had our very own Mickey Ears!!!

We walked through Fantasyland and around the castle and took the path from Fantasyland that leads around the front of the castle to the hub. We entered the Rose Garden from the entrance closest to the castle. There were already people lingering in the garden and I was trying to figure out where the “reserved area” was going to be. I was told to meet at the entrance to the Rose Garden on the Bridge to Tomorrowland. We passed the pavilion at the bottom of the garden and I noticed it was roped off, so I assumed that was where we would see the fireworks. I didn’t’ see how we would be able to see the fireworks from there since the roof would be blocking the view (as it did in Epcot) so I decided to wait to see what happened before the fireworks before committing myself to the “special access.”

We walked through the garden and came out on the bridge to Tomorrowland and decided to just wait here until the parade started. We stood here for the next 30 minutes until the parade started. The entire time we waited I watched as more and more people filled up the rose garden and the bridge. The crowd at the curb was now solid all the way back to where I was standing and by the time the parade actually started the entire bridge all the way back to Tomorrowland was wall to wall people.

When the parade went by, at first I could just see the tops of the floats but this didn’t last long as within moments children started appearing on parents shoulders. I was remembering my flashback with even greater accuracy now. At 6’5” tall I was probably blocking a few views myself, but even I had to position myself just right so I could see between the kids. At best I could only see the very top of the floats. What I saw looked pretty cool, but not worth this hassle.

There was a couple next to us the entire time before the parade and during the parade. They had three boys, about 5, 9 and 13. The mother summed it up for me when she told me “We’ve been waiting all week for this and we’ve been in the park all day. Now he (referring to her youngest son) is fast asleep and will miss it. The other boys won’t be able to see a thing unless we shove our way to the front. On top of that, I don’t think we’re going to stay for the fireworks because they aren’t until 10pm” Well one of her sons did manage to see some of the parade. He stood on the rose garden archway support with 3 other kids. There were even people in the TREES watching the parade.

This was the most disappointing experience we had the entire trip, but the worst was yet to come.

As soon as the parade was over, the ropes came down and the crowd eased up a little. Many people headed for the exit. I was curious to see what the plan was for the “reserved access” area, but not wanting to loose a prime fireworks viewing area, we just stood where we were. It’s strange how you can become instant friends with total strangers when you’re standing shoulder to shoulder with them for an hour. We started up a conversation with another family who were waiting for the fireworks. Like us, they didn’t want to loose their spot, so they were standing their ground just like we were.

We all noticed at this point that sometime during the parade, someone had put up a signboard right behind us at the entrance to the rose garden that read “Please present your fireworks voucher” I realized that my earlier guesses were wrong and it was the ENTIRE rose garden that was the reserved access area not just the pavillion. But what about the people who were already in the rose garden? Surly they weren’t going to make them all leave? Disney wouldn’t do that would they?

Well in the best show yet pure Disney Magic (I’m being sarcastic when I write that J ), we all watched as a young female cast member started at one end of the rose garden and slowly but surely pushed all but the most stubborn guests out of the rose garden. She finally came across a group of guests who (as we heard them oh so loudly exclaim) been waiting there for the fireworks since 6 o’clock. I don’t know what she said to them, but I never saw her raise her voice, or threaten to call security. After about 15 minutes they finally left but not before threatening her with everything they could think of. They made a big point of taking down her name so they could “report this” but I suspect they never did as they would have had to wait in an even longer line at Guest Relations on the way out. Finally she was left with one family. The father had set up what looked to be a very expensive (and professional grade) video camera in a prime viewing location. He was, I’m sure, planning on video taping the fireworks. After a few minutes of calm discussion, he too packed up and left. Finally with all of the guests (except those who had passes) gone, they started letting guests with vouchers into the rose garden.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to even go in there now. With all the bad feelings this had created we would have to walk right past the two most irritated groups of guests just to get in. But because it was less crowded in there than on the bridge, I decided to go in. Plus Tom’s feet were beginning to bother him (we had been standing for over an hour) and there was a short wall we could sit on if we hurried inside.

We entered the garden only to find that they had closed off the majority of the path and the entire area down to the pavilion was off limits. So the guests that were allowed in had to congregate around the base of a tree just off the entrance. When I looked up, I realized the tree blocked the view of the castle. I should have stayed where I was. Just before the fireworks we saw a young couple come in with a “blue” pass. We all watched as they were escorted down to the pavilion where there was a small dessert buffet set up. I suspected they had purchased either the Grand or Deluxe plan in order to get the full VIP treatment.

Finally about 5 after 10 the fireworks started. 10 minutes later they were over. What a disappointment. The best part of the fireworks has to be the music that goes with it and not only was our “reserved area” a hassle to get into, it had no speakers, so the music was distant and hard to hear.

I’ve now learned my lesson on the reserved viewing area for fireworks at Disney World – Don’t bother.

I noticed the CM who had so forcefully propelled all of the unauthorized guests out of the rose garden standing guard over the rope that lead down to the pavilion. I approached her because I was curious about what had happened earlier. I promised myself I would remember her name but I have forgotten it already. I do remember she was from Italy, and that she spoke perfect English with barely a trace of an accent.

I did my best to be non-confrontational and I started by complimenting her on her ability to clear the area without starting a screaming match with the guests. I then told her that I was standing outside the rose garden before the parade started and pointed out that the crowd was in the rose garden before I arrived. I told her that I noticed that the sign wasn’t put up until AFTER the parade went by and asked if they had considered closing the area BEFORE the parade instead of after the parade. After all you couldn’t see the parade from the rose garden since it was lower than the walkway. So it was clear that the people in the rose garden were not interested in the parade, only the fireworks. My thinking (and those of almost every guest around us who watched this unfold) was that if the area were roped off at the same time the parade route was roped off they wouldn’t have created this problem for themselves. I’m not normally one to “butt-in” and make suggestions but I just thought maybe I could help.

Her response shocked me. She said (and I’m trying to quote as accurately as I can) “We tried that and we found that we got more complaints from guests because the area was closed off. We found that we get less complaints by letting people stay for the parade and then asking them to leave unless they have a pass.”

I was shocked. What kind of logic was that? You do this because it causes less complaints? Areas of the park are always closed off for one reason or another, this didn’t make any sense to me at all. And why would you let people stand her to watch the parade? You can’t SEE the parade from here??? As much as I wanted to start arguing with her, I realized it was obviously outside of her control, so I kept my thoughts to myself.

She then went on to explain how guests don’t want to know that some people get perks that others can’t have and that’s why they don’t rope it off early. If they rope it off too early too many people will know it’s a reserved area. And then she went on to tell me about how rude guests are, and how they climb over the rose bushes to sit in the grass. If the fences in place around the rose bushes don’t keep them out a rope wouldn’t stop them either. She went on for a good 5 minutes. The logic of this totally escaped me. I really was trying to be nice and I really did want to compliment her on her abilities. I just couldn’t believe that this was normal policy and procedure. When I started the conversation I had expected (and hoped) to hear that “The crowds were bigger than we expected and we were caught off guard and didn’t get the signs and ropes up quick enough” Instead I got the same treatment the people earlier had gotten. She obviously saw me as a threat and decided to counter me with her rhetoric. She had taken a conversation that started off to compliment her and offer a suggestion and totally turned it around to make me feel like I had done something wrong.

So then I asked about the couple who had the “blue” pass and wasn’t that an example of some (only 2) people getting much better treatment that others? She told me that this was an “engagement” and that they always reserve this area for those kinds of events. It was also a surprise, so they treat it like an upgraded fireworks access so that it’s a surprise for the bride. Additionally because of the engagement they don’t want to rope off the garden too early.

Well in spite of more ridiculous reasoning, this was, at least, one bright spot in the evening – at least someone had a magical evening. How romantic to get engaged while watching the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. I secretly hoped they didn’t have to fight their way through the crowds to get here.

I told the CM to keep up the good work and noticing that she had not smiled ONCE since I had seen her, I told her “You know it wouldn’t hurt you to smile once in a while”

She responded “It’s been a long day”

This was, without a doubt, the most un-magical moment of our vacation so far. In reality it was perhaps the most un-pleasant moment in my life in a very long time.

We then spent the next 30 minutes working our way up Main Street. I noticed as we left, that all the gates were opened up. At least they weren’t attempting to count people as they left, I can’t imagine the backups if the turnstiles had been in use.

We approached the boat dock to the resorts and remembered that the boat pilot had said the last boat to the lodge would leave at 10:45. It was now 10:40 and there was a line all the way out of the boat dock back under the monorail tracks and up to the beginning of the path. I quickly estimated that there were at least 4 boat loads of people in line and that knowing how the evening had gone so far, there was probably only one boat working and if we waited it would be two hours before we got back.

I had remembered a tip I read on this board and headed for the resort monorail line. The express monorail line was already queued up all across the plaza, but the resort monorail line was almost empty. Just as we headed for the line, they put up some ropes that forced us to get into the regular line first and before we could get into the resort monorail line. We finally made it up onto the platform and go onto the second train that pulled in. We got off at the TTC and took a bus back to the hotel. We made it back to the hotel by 11:15, the next morning I over heard guests commenting that they didn’t get back until 1 am.

I don’t know if this was an unusually high crowd level or not. From everything we saw, I would have guessed that even the Disney CM’s were surprised by the crowd. I summarized the things that made me suspect this was an unusually high crowd level.

· The boat driver told us the last boat was at 10:45
· The CMs’ working mainstreet had a decidedly “despondent” attitude about them “You can’t stand here, keep moving”etc..
· The shops on Mainstreet had only 50% of their registers open.
· The crowd was 5 deep by 7:30
· Even in Frontierland the crowd was 5 deep.
· The rose garden was not roped off early.
· The CM’s working transporation exchange more than one “Can you believe this?” glance as the crowds were trying to board the monorail.
· Finally a transporation CM who approached the wilderness lodge boat dock announced “This line is for the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness only” He then expected half the crowd to walk over the the TTC boat dock. When nobody moved he shouted in disbelief “All you people are going to Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness?” When everyone nodded yes in unison he just walked away in disbelief and mumbled into his radio.

It could also be that this was the first parade / fireworks in over a week. With Grad night on the previous Saturday there was no parade or fireworks. There would be a parade and fireworks the next Saturday but I wasn’t brave enough to go back to see if the crowds were the same.

This entire experience left me with a very bad feeling about Disney. I didn’t mind not seeing the parade, but I felt bad for the kids who couldn’t see it. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect anyone to have to claim his or her seat 90 minutes before any kind of event. Additionally regardless of grad night and other special events, Disney should present these events more than once or twice per week. Finally closing the park with these kinds of events is a recipe for disaster. If the park was open until 11, or 12 as it used to be, there wouldn’t be this mad rush of people all trying to get out at once. I for one, know that given a choice, I would had much rather stayed in the park and gone on Splash Mountain or some other ride than face the nightmare of trying to figure out how to get back to the hotel.

I’m may change my mind come next year, but at this point, this is one event I will never attend again, unless some serious changes are made.

I’m reading that Disney has all new parades planned for all the parks next year in celebration of Walt’s 100th birthday. If they don’t show them more than once or twice a week, I guess I’ll have to read about them hear, because I certainly won’t be attending any of them.

 

[Curly Q]

Wow, how depressing, but at least the day was fun Maybe it was just a bad day for Disney- wait can that happen?? the next day should be better

 

[CarolA]

I hope this does not sound bad, but I am not sure why you were upset at the cast member who moved the people out of the reserved area. It sounds like she did it in as nice a way as possible. I kind of see Disney's point about not blocking the rose garden off earlier if it was that crowded. That would have just put people who did not really want to watch the parade fighting to find another place to sit. I think the cast member was right in that people will not obey the ropes and would have gone in there anyway and she would have had to boot them out.

Also, I have always found that during the so called "slow" times of the year, Saturday night at the Magic Kingdom is a NIGHTMARE! It is usually the only night with the parade so EVERYONE in the Orlando area for the week or weekend plans their trip for that day. (I know - I am doing it this Saturday!) I just kind of expect it.

 

[jrgutknecht]

Carol, I wasn't mad at the CM at ALL! I was just trying to point out that maybe there was a better way of doing something. Sometimes at places like Disney they get set in their ways of doing things and it's hard to change. However I don't totally believe the story she told me either. After thinking about it I'm convinced it was just her way of covering for the fact that they goofed. I think what really happened is that they simply didn't have enough staff to send someone to cover this area any earlier than 9pm.


There was no reason for those people to have been there other than to watch the fireworks. I have to believe that if the area was roped off and a CM stationed at each entrance starting at the same time as the parade route was roped off, that everyone would have been much happier. The people who had the reserved access who couldn't (or didn't want to) see the parade could have gone in there to wait. Instead, guests who thought they COULD wait in there were instead asked to leave just when the fireworks were about to start.

Since the CM was doing her job for MY benefit, I was truly grateful, but I couldn't help but feel guilty about using my perk because someone else was forced to leave for my benefit. I would much prefer they have not let them in to begin with. I just can't believe they would actually get more complaints because it was reserved than they would by kicking people out.

Imagine going to a restaurant where you have reservations. When you arrive there are no tables available. Since you had a reservation, they go and find someone who is seated that didn't have a reservation and hasn't yet eaten their dinner. Once they find someone they make them leave their table so you can be seated. Obviously it doesn't work like this, but that's the what I saw that evening.

I should have known to expect the crowds, but I still think it's unfair of Disney to put us through that.

It goes back to the old argument about park hours. If I pay for park admission in May when the park closes at 8, shouldn't I be paying LESS than people who go in July when the park closes at 11???

If I only get one or two opportunities to see the parade, shouldn't I get some reduction in the price?

Thanks Carol, and please let me know how your Saturday experience is. I still think this was an unexpectedly large crowd.

 

[tigerlilly]

I am so sorry your evening stank! At least your Chinese food was good that afternoon-. I have to agree with you on the parade and firework situation-especially in the Magic Kingdom. Even when you go at off season you are paying the same ticket price as the in season-also they show Illuminations every night and Fantasmic every night. Yet the Magic Kingdom is by far the most popular park and has the parades and events most geared to small children-but they only have the parade maybe once per week during the "off" season-and increasingly the off season includes anytime that is not associated with holidays or spring break. Now having said all of this it must also be noted that Disney has been doing what it can to decrease costs-and maybe limiting parade and hours is helping them do that-this is their logic certainly not mine-. Ok off the soapbox-hopefully tomorrow your trip gets much better! inkbounc

 

[pumba]

roped off the area......and yes I have seen plenty of people jump fences and watch what they can in an area that is off limits......oh well.........I am glad that the rest of the day was fanatastic......thanks again

 

[Jane E.]

We were there on a Saturday night in February. It didn't seem to be that busy during the day. We couldn't believe how busy it got at night for the parade and fireworks. When we were leaving it was wall to wall people. Our family has decided that it was fun to do once, but we're not going to bother with the parades again. It sounds like you had a nightmare evening! Thanks for posting!

 

[Tinkbell]

I know how you feel about the parade/fireworks fiasco. On my last trip in 1996, I had to try to push my grandmother down mainstreet in a wheelchair about 30minutes prior to parade time. Talk about unmagical! I also recall parade goers sitting in trees and climbing lamposts for a better view. . I now opt to skip MK night time events.

 

[swankybeth]

I totally understand what you're saying about the crowds for parade/fireworks time. It's terrible! My boyfriend and I usually go in off season (January) so there is generally only one chance to see the parade. We usually get so put off by the crowds that we skip it. Other times we try to get there fairly early, then take the railroad to Frontierland and try to find a nice spot in the Frontierland/Liberty Square area. Usually much less crowded than Main Street!!! It's never perfect, but unfortunately, they only do parades once a week.

Beth

9 days until WDW!!!

 

[kathymc]

Yup - weve' experienced the Saturday night fiasco in December. What crowds! But they clear out after the first parade (luckily there was two the night we went). Sorry the night wasn't as much fun as the morning. But at least you are in DW!

 

[luvpooh]

Yuk! I'm sorry you had such a rotten experience, and I totally agree with your points that you made about less parades causing more crowding and such.

We went to the MK on a Saturday night last August to see the parade. What a mistake! We were right by the hub of the castle and were continually being pushed by people trying to walk behind us, even though there wasn't a pathway to walk on. Some bright guy came through with one of those huge double strollers and knocked me over into a bunch of strangers! Boy was my face red!

In contrast, we went to the parade on April 20 of this year, which was the last Friday during Spring Break. We went to the 9 PM parade, the only one that night, and got a seat in front of Pecos Bills in Frontierland about an hour before the parade started, right on the curb! We had something to eat, and made some phone calls, and we had a front row seat for the parade! On the other hand, when we entered MK around 6 PM, there were already people waiting for the parade on Main St. IMHO, the parade wasn't even worth the hour we spent waiting, but it was something that we just had to see for the sake of having said we saw it.

Still enjoying your reports!

 

[CarolA]

I will let you know how it is Sat night. However, we probably won't even try for the parade!

Seeing this made me smile though. I am so conditioned by WDW. I was at Disneyland Paris last November and they had a big Christmas parade with a tree lighting immediately after. The parade was at 3 (I think) About an hour and a half prior to the parade I wandered over to main street and no one was there. I came back about 30 minutes later (still no people!) I decided that my limited french had failed me and there really was not a parade, but since it was now just about 30 minutes prior to the parade I asked someone. Yep parade starts in 30 min. NO ONE showed up until about 5 minutes prior! Of course we did have quite a few line shovers, but my years of training at WDW enabled me to hold my space! It certainly was different than Florida where even on slow days people start camping out 90 minutes in advance!

 

[erica_mutterer]

i have to thank you for reminging me about the "nightmare on Main Street"!!!! We were there last september & I so badly wanted to see the MSEP (a childhood favorite) that we stuck it out and my daughter and i sat in frontire land on the grown by the rope while my husband hung out with the double stroller and our son on his shoulders in the back. The crowds were horrible!!! So many people pushing and being down right nasty it's no wonder the castmenbers get short and not very pleasant during this time. Disney allows way too many people in the park for this!!!!!!! We saw people basically getting trampled on the way out and if you have a double stroller or wheelchair it can be down right dangerous!!! This was the 2nd time in the past couple years we have experienced this. Disney needs to run it's night time parades more than just Fri and Sat nights during off season!!!! Oh well, my main reason for posting was again to say thanks for reminding me of this. On our up-and-comming trip in November we had planned on our 1st night, A SAT., going to watch Spectro Magic but I have changed my mine. we'll stick to epcot that day and see the TON parade, which is my 4yr old and 2yr old's favorite anyway! I have enjoyed your reports and i'm glad most of your trip was great.

 

[bobcat]

When we saw the MSEP the Sat. after Thanksgiving this is what I expected but we got lucky and it rained! We had decided to skip the first parade and watch the second because we figured the crowds would be smaller for the second but since it was raining we wanted make sure we saw it this trip. Because of the rain many people left and we were able to walk up and get a good spot in Liberty square about 15 min. before the parade started. I too hate huge crowds and we will skip something if the crowds are insane.

Thanks for the tip about the TTC! We are staying at Ft. Wilderness next trip and I didn't even think about being able to get a bus back from the TTC. If we run in to big crowds for the launch we will try this.

 

[Melissa]

I hear you! We just did This last Sat. night and while it is really pretty, I said, I don't think we'll bother again, it is just too stressful.

 

[Sugar223]

I've been enjoying your trip reports a great deal. We just returned from our trip May 1-10. There was no MK parade while we were there. I think the night you went to see SpectroMagic, was the first night it ran after it returned to the MK. For the last 18 months or so I believe they ran the Main Street Electrical Parade, so I can understand why there was such a great mob. This happened to us once a couple of years ago. Very scary.

I think I know exactly which cast member you are referring to at the Art of Disney in Epcot. Very snooty, never smiles, about 50-ish?

Anyway, thanks for posting. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your reports. Hope the pixie dust hasn't worn off yet!

 

[jrgutknecht]

Yes, that shounds like the right one. Very snooty..

 

[wheatenwalker]

I know that CM as well. I was in the store with my two teenage sons and you would have thought we had guns in our hands the way he was looking at us!

 

[LAWalz23]

We had the sme problem with the afternoon parade the day we went to MK. It was a Friday and seemed very busy. Luckily, my older nephew was with us and he and my bil put my niece and nephew (3 1/2 yr old twins) on their shoulders so the kids could see the parade. We arrived 30 minutes before the parade and the crowd was already 3 or 4 deep. There were even people fighting about spaces. My sister would not even take the twins to Spectromagic after that and thankfully we were at the Poly and could watch the fireworks from the beach. The kids were happy with that and a snack. I went by myself the next day (Sat) and while I enjoyed it, I am still trying to decide if it was worth fighting the crowds.

 

[Blondie]

Sounds like my Easter break at the MK!

Our first WDW parade experience is our last!

It's nice to see once in your life, but I can't see waiting curbside 90 plus minutes for it. And trying to leave before it was finished was like swimming upstream.

Nope. Never again!