Trip Report May 31- June 6

[LoriLou]

This is my first post but I have been reading these boards for the last few months to prepare for my family's first trip to Disney World. Thanks to all of you on these boards we had a GREAT trip.

We arrived late on Sunday, it was me, DH, DS 8, DD 6 and DS 5. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Maningate East and were very happy with it.

Went to AK on Monday. Got there at opening and walked right on the Dinosaur ride. We loved it. I think this is one of the best rides in all of DW. Next we did Triceratops spin and got a FP for Primeval Whirl and went to the Tarzan Rocks show which was great! After the show DH and DS8 rode the Primeval Whirl. DH got FP for Safari while I took the kids to the Boneyard to play. I was disappointed in the Boneyard. It's hard to watch your kids and the kids got really overheated from running around which almost led to a total meltdown for DS 5. An air-conditioned lunch at Pizzafari revived everyone so we rode Safari and then went to the Lion King show which was awesome. We rode Kali River Rapids during the parade (walked right on) and finished the day with another ride on Dinosaur. The CM grabbed us outside the ride and said we could walk right on and get a free family picture on the ride. It was great. Left the park at closing time.

Next day was MK. What a great day we had there. We got to the park at opening and headed right to Fantasyland. Rode Dumbo twice (5 min wait time on the second ride) and did ALL of the Fantasyland rides before 10:30. It was amazing. Rode Goofy's Barnstormer and got Goofy's autograph and then we went to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz, Space Mtn and the cars all before 12:00. We also met Mickey at the Judge's tent later that day and rode BTMRR and SM and saw the Country Bears. Getting there early and using FP whenever we could meant that the longest we waited for anything was about 25 min for the Tomorrowland speedway.

Wednesday we went to MGM. Not very impressed. DD and I loved Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Kids not impressed with Indiana Jones. All of us loved Millionaire. DH and DS8 rode RNRC and we all did Star Tours. Again, we never waited for anything. Missed seeing the Muppets and meeting Toy Story characters because the kids wanted to go home. Oh well, maybe next trip.

Thursday we went to Sea World and had a great time. Kids loved the Shamu show and the dolphin show was pretty entertaining. We all LOVED the Journey to Atlantis..that is THE best water ride I've ever been on. Wild Arctic was a fun ride though we rushed through the animal exhibit so we could get to the Shamu show.

Friday was our second day at MK. We re-rode SM, Buzz (3 times), BTMRR (2 times) and Splash Mtn. Also rode Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Aladdin (2 times) Small World and saw the Tikki Birds. Got several character autographs including Ariel and Snow White and Buzz. Finished the day with a character dinner at Chef Mickey's which was a perfect way to end our trip. The kids loved it and the looks on their faces when the characters came to our table were priceless.

We had a great trip but I have two questions...1) does anyone know what the crowds were like this past week? I mean, we saw almost everything we wanted to see and using FP meant we never waited. Just wondering if the crowds were low and that's how we were able to do so much or if it was just good planning-LOL! and 2) Why don't more people use FP? Everytime we rode BTMRR we had a fast pass and went to the front of a fairly long line of people. I just don't get why more people aren't using it! It was great and spoils you for waiting in line anyplace else!

Thanks for all the information you post here. It really helped us a lot.

 

[pumba]

the fast pass.......it is wonderful and Buzz lightyear was done once three times in a row......we sure do love that ride....I LOVE the Dinosaur ride and I don't care how many times we do it......still scares me when that Dinosaur jumps out......thanks again for your wonderful trip report

 

[Marla Hellwig]

I have no clue why people don't use Fast Pass either - but I do - a fun trip was had by all - thanks for posting!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for sharing - wonderful reviews!!!!

 

[missypie]

Glad to hear the crowds were light ... that's exactly the week I'm looking at for next year.

As for Fast Pass ... we were at DLR in CA for Spring Break this year, and every single time we used Fast Pass we got these looks from folks in the standby line like we were somehow doing something wrong. I felt sorry for the kids with them. Otherwise, as long as there are lots of clueless people out there, Fast Pass will work for the rest of us!

 

[donnsuz]

We went the next week, 6/8-6/15. We went to parks 5 days, at opening til early afternoon, back to the timeshare, then back to the park at about 5:00 til closing. Morning were great. Nearly every attraction was a less than 10 min wait and if it was more we got fast passes. Our most productive time was definately mornings...evenings were more for wandering, shopping, eating, and some of the "lesser" attractions. Afternoons were very hot, very humid and very crowded. I'll really be happy when I no longer have to schedule vacations around school schedules. I'd love to see WDW in the off times...

 

[missypie]

I agree, donsuzz. But I just can't justify taking the kids out of school for a Disney vacation. Especially now the eldest is in middle school and has major homework. It would be a real hardship on him (and us!) to have to make all of that up. And in that last week of school before Christmas and summer break when the siblings in elem. school have non-stop parties and assemblies, DS is taking exams!

 

[marijeff]

thanks for the trip report - it sounds like you had a great time!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We were there but arrived on Sat, the 31st. We had a great trip too and did everything we wanted. The only time we saw a crowd was when we dared to venture(we stayed at CR so it was an easy walk) back to MK Wed. evening. DS was upset that there was a line and we were not using fastpass(we had one for SM and could not get another). He replied that this "Just was not right" to wait 15 mins for Buzz! We did most of everything we wanted in MK Sunday(ee) by 11, and left about 1. DD and I do not care for Dinosaur. I think it is the ONLY attraction I don't like !
Needless to say, we will take advantage of our SP's one last time and go next year right before this time.