soccerchick
Dis Veteran<br><font color=red>My husband has rice
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Messages
- 2,300
Hi everyone,
Here's a report of our Pre-Easter week trip.
Who: Myself, DH, and 2 year old DD
Day 1: Arrival
It was snowing in Northern Va when we left on Friday am. Gorgeous, sunny and warm when we arrive after an overnight in Savannah and a visit to friends in Jacksonville. Hit the Outlets, grocery store and dinner.
Day 2: MGM
First time to this park and we didn't do as much here as we thought we would. Did have a productive morning: ToT, RNRCoasterx2 then over to Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid. Lunch, then Stars Tours(?), Backlot tour and then Beauty and the Beast. Did RNRC one last time then headed to CSR for swimming. Crowds probably seemed worse here because we didn't know our way around as well. Did see Miss Piggy, Kermit, Pooh and Tigger w/o hardly any line. Would have liked to have seen the Great Movie Ride, but will save it for next time as wait said 45 minutes.
Day 3: Epcot (3/25)
Our sleep-in day! Yeah. We got up and headed over to El Centro at CSR for the character caravan. Goofy, King Louie, Meeko, and Timon were there. There were very few kids there so we got to get pictures and autographs from all of them in just a few minutes. A good idea, but I wouldn't skip an early arrival at a park for this.
Rode Test Track using single riders line while DH took DD to the pavilion to send e-videos to grandparents. Then I stayed and DH went through TT. Next, on to Cranium Command (too loud for DD, she clinged for dear life to DH's neck). Played at some of the booths and then on to the land and the living seas. Quick stop into Cooling station for some cola samples. Loved the Kimberly Lemonade from Isreal.
Got FP for the Land and went to Living Seas. DD loved the water splashing on the rock and getting her legs wet. Saw movie, loud, but DD fell asleep. DH sat w/DD on a bench for about 45 minutes while I looked at the fish and the displays. Then we headed over to the Land for a 1:30 ps at the Garden Grill. Woke DD up, were seated within 5 minutes and waited for Mickey. Good lunch. I have a meal report on the rest. board for anyone interested.
After lunch, did our FP for The Land, then headed through the WS. I like this part of Epcot much better. Went in shops, saw most movies, did the Norway ride and the Mexico ride without much wait at all. (20 minutes start to finish for both).
As we were leaving WS, we saw a double decker bus a la London filled w/ characters. We waved and went on our merry way. As soon as we rounded the corner, we saw that they were getting off. We hurried over and saw Minnie, Baloo, Donald, Rafiki, Gepetto, and Tigger in less than 30 minutes!
Headed back to front of park and did Spaceship Earth before leaving.
This was by far the least crowded park of our visit.
Day 4: MK (3/26)
Arrived at the park around 7:45 am and lined up for gate opening. At 8 on the dot,we were let in and we headed for the castle for the rope drop for Fantasy Land. We were right by the rope for the drop and made a b-line for Dumbo. Rode Dumbo 2x, Snow White and Carousel and then went to Castle for a 9:15 CRT ressie. Great character meal!!
AFter breakfast, lines were starting to get long. Made the mistake of FPing PP and waiting for Winnie. It was our longest wait of the trip -- 55 minutes! Did teacup, small world, race track and then took train over to Adventureland. Got FP for Jungle Cruise and then did Pirates (20 min wait), Tiki Bird (5 min), Aladdin (15 brutal minutes in the sun), Swiss Family Robinson, and JC w/fp. Headed over to Libery Sq. for parade. DD loved this parade!
Got FP for HM and at a late lunch (about 3:30-3:45 at this point) at CHH. Go upstairs, no one is there!
After lunch, we did our HM w/ fp and then headed back around through Fantasy land to Tomorrow land. Rode Grand Prix (20 min.wait), TTA (no wait), went through Mickey and Minnie's houses and did Snow White (10 min).
Headed back to Main Street for a spot for SpectroMagic. Enjoyed this parade a lot, but DD crashed in my lap and did not wake up until the next morning
Crowded, but I was very happy with all we accomplished.
Day 5: Animal Kingdom 3/27
Woke up early to be at AK for opening. WE were dragging after our long day at MK the day before. Did KS first and walked right one. This was very neat and our driver, Jac, from South Africa, was FANTASTIC. After KS we headed to Festival of the Lion King (Wonderful- not to be missed), Pocahontas, and then to Tarzan Rocks(we also greatly enjoyed this, but we are fans of the movie and music to begin with). Tried to FP Dinosaur, but it was down. Did some of the kid rides at Hester and Chester, did the two jungle treks, went to Rafiki's Planet Watch and did the affection station, which DD loved though it was only goats and sheep that could be petted.
After that, we were pooped out and decided to head back to CSR for a swim and lunch by the pool.
After swimming, we headed back to Epcot for the parade, dinner at Le Cellier and Illuminations. DD enjoyed the parade, except for the drummers. Le Cellier was wonderful and it was the best behaved DD has ever been in a restaurant! DD fell asleep once the strolled got rolling, so we headed on out.
Days 6 and 7 (3/28 and 3/29): MK -- it's getting crowded
We again were at rope drop and did Fantasy Land in record time. Learned our lesson about Pooh and FP that and walked on Peter Pan. Also got FP for Space Mtn and did more of Tomorrowland than previously. Did Tom Sawyer's Island, Ferry Boat, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, but skipped SM.
Saw 3 pm parade again and now had completed everything we really wanted to do at MK. By afternoon, crowds were getting heavy. They put up ropes in Fantasyland to make one-way traffic. DD fell asleep so I took advantage and did some shopping while we waited for our 4:30 Crystal Palace PS. DD slept through the whole thing but we did get some cute pictures of the characters with our sleeping princess.
On Friday, we planned to leave early anyway and head on up the road. We took DD through Fantasyland one last whirlwind time and did a FP for Buzz and then it was on the road with plenty to plan for our next trip.
The crowds did build as we got closer to Easter but considering this is the MOST busy time of of the year, it was certainly manageable with a bit of planning and Fastpass. I was expecting much worse. We did not wait more than 20 minutes for any ride except Pooh despite signs predicting waits of 30 minutes.
Here's a report of our Pre-Easter week trip.
Who: Myself, DH, and 2 year old DD
Day 1: Arrival
It was snowing in Northern Va when we left on Friday am. Gorgeous, sunny and warm when we arrive after an overnight in Savannah and a visit to friends in Jacksonville. Hit the Outlets, grocery store and dinner.
Day 2: MGM
First time to this park and we didn't do as much here as we thought we would. Did have a productive morning: ToT, RNRCoasterx2 then over to Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid. Lunch, then Stars Tours(?), Backlot tour and then Beauty and the Beast. Did RNRC one last time then headed to CSR for swimming. Crowds probably seemed worse here because we didn't know our way around as well. Did see Miss Piggy, Kermit, Pooh and Tigger w/o hardly any line. Would have liked to have seen the Great Movie Ride, but will save it for next time as wait said 45 minutes.
Day 3: Epcot (3/25)
Our sleep-in day! Yeah. We got up and headed over to El Centro at CSR for the character caravan. Goofy, King Louie, Meeko, and Timon were there. There were very few kids there so we got to get pictures and autographs from all of them in just a few minutes. A good idea, but I wouldn't skip an early arrival at a park for this.
Rode Test Track using single riders line while DH took DD to the pavilion to send e-videos to grandparents. Then I stayed and DH went through TT. Next, on to Cranium Command (too loud for DD, she clinged for dear life to DH's neck). Played at some of the booths and then on to the land and the living seas. Quick stop into Cooling station for some cola samples. Loved the Kimberly Lemonade from Isreal.
Got FP for the Land and went to Living Seas. DD loved the water splashing on the rock and getting her legs wet. Saw movie, loud, but DD fell asleep. DH sat w/DD on a bench for about 45 minutes while I looked at the fish and the displays. Then we headed over to the Land for a 1:30 ps at the Garden Grill. Woke DD up, were seated within 5 minutes and waited for Mickey. Good lunch. I have a meal report on the rest. board for anyone interested.
After lunch, did our FP for The Land, then headed through the WS. I like this part of Epcot much better. Went in shops, saw most movies, did the Norway ride and the Mexico ride without much wait at all. (20 minutes start to finish for both).
As we were leaving WS, we saw a double decker bus a la London filled w/ characters. We waved and went on our merry way. As soon as we rounded the corner, we saw that they were getting off. We hurried over and saw Minnie, Baloo, Donald, Rafiki, Gepetto, and Tigger in less than 30 minutes!
Headed back to front of park and did Spaceship Earth before leaving.
This was by far the least crowded park of our visit.
Day 4: MK (3/26)
Arrived at the park around 7:45 am and lined up for gate opening. At 8 on the dot,we were let in and we headed for the castle for the rope drop for Fantasy Land. We were right by the rope for the drop and made a b-line for Dumbo. Rode Dumbo 2x, Snow White and Carousel and then went to Castle for a 9:15 CRT ressie. Great character meal!!
AFter breakfast, lines were starting to get long. Made the mistake of FPing PP and waiting for Winnie. It was our longest wait of the trip -- 55 minutes! Did teacup, small world, race track and then took train over to Adventureland. Got FP for Jungle Cruise and then did Pirates (20 min wait), Tiki Bird (5 min), Aladdin (15 brutal minutes in the sun), Swiss Family Robinson, and JC w/fp. Headed over to Libery Sq. for parade. DD loved this parade!
Got FP for HM and at a late lunch (about 3:30-3:45 at this point) at CHH. Go upstairs, no one is there!
After lunch, we did our HM w/ fp and then headed back around through Fantasy land to Tomorrow land. Rode Grand Prix (20 min.wait), TTA (no wait), went through Mickey and Minnie's houses and did Snow White (10 min).
Headed back to Main Street for a spot for SpectroMagic. Enjoyed this parade a lot, but DD crashed in my lap and did not wake up until the next morning
Crowded, but I was very happy with all we accomplished.
Day 5: Animal Kingdom 3/27
Woke up early to be at AK for opening. WE were dragging after our long day at MK the day before. Did KS first and walked right one. This was very neat and our driver, Jac, from South Africa, was FANTASTIC. After KS we headed to Festival of the Lion King (Wonderful- not to be missed), Pocahontas, and then to Tarzan Rocks(we also greatly enjoyed this, but we are fans of the movie and music to begin with). Tried to FP Dinosaur, but it was down. Did some of the kid rides at Hester and Chester, did the two jungle treks, went to Rafiki's Planet Watch and did the affection station, which DD loved though it was only goats and sheep that could be petted.
After that, we were pooped out and decided to head back to CSR for a swim and lunch by the pool.
After swimming, we headed back to Epcot for the parade, dinner at Le Cellier and Illuminations. DD enjoyed the parade, except for the drummers. Le Cellier was wonderful and it was the best behaved DD has ever been in a restaurant! DD fell asleep once the strolled got rolling, so we headed on out.
Days 6 and 7 (3/28 and 3/29): MK -- it's getting crowded
We again were at rope drop and did Fantasy Land in record time. Learned our lesson about Pooh and FP that and walked on Peter Pan. Also got FP for Space Mtn and did more of Tomorrowland than previously. Did Tom Sawyer's Island, Ferry Boat, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, but skipped SM.
Saw 3 pm parade again and now had completed everything we really wanted to do at MK. By afternoon, crowds were getting heavy. They put up ropes in Fantasyland to make one-way traffic. DD fell asleep so I took advantage and did some shopping while we waited for our 4:30 Crystal Palace PS. DD slept through the whole thing but we did get some cute pictures of the characters with our sleeping princess.
On Friday, we planned to leave early anyway and head on up the road. We took DD through Fantasyland one last whirlwind time and did a FP for Buzz and then it was on the road with plenty to plan for our next trip.
The crowds did build as we got closer to Easter but considering this is the MOST busy time of of the year, it was certainly manageable with a bit of planning and Fastpass. I was expecting much worse. We did not wait more than 20 minutes for any ride except Pooh despite signs predicting waits of 30 minutes.
