We recently returned from a quick trip (4 days). Here's a few thoughts and highlights - Note - Travelling are me, DH and DD (7).
Stayed as ASMU. Despite requesting Jazz on reservation and faxing it, we still ended up in Country Fair - building 6 right near the boot. Probably had a lot to do with checking in at Midnight. It's not a big deal, because we drive everywhere, but it is a long walk for a cup of coffee in the morning.
Day 1 - IOA - Only bummer here was that Pteranodon Flyers was closed. Other than that, lines weren't too bad, many were walk ons, and our Reservation at Margueritaville was a savior - no wait there, either (standby waits of 45-60 minutes).
Day 2 - Epcot - Caught the Character Caravan as we entered Epcot around 9:30 ish. What fun! Saw some Characters we hadn't seen before. We were bummed that Ellens Energy Adventure was closed. After 5 trips we still haven't seen that. Now it will be after 6 trips. Oh Well, maybe next time.
Major frustration here at guest services. DH and I had reservations for party for the senses that night. I had inquired at Guest Services at the hotel and they had said check in with guest services at Epcot. OUr major concern was that we were not going to the concert so we wanted to know where to "check in" . When I finally spoke to the CM, she directed me to use the phone to call Disney dining for the answer to my question. (Or to check in at the concert.) It took me mnumerous tries to figure out that you had to dial 9, then the area code, but not 9 - 1- then area code. Of course, all this time that I'm getting a message that my call can't be completed, CM is now with another customer and I can't figure out what I 'm doing wrong. When I finally get through, I'm told you have to go to guest services OUTSIDE the park. DH had left his hat in the car, so he volunteered to stop by there, while DD and I went to innovations. When DH came back, he had said the CM there knew nothing, however there was a supervisor who said you have to check in at the American Pavillion.
We pulled a FP for TT and went on our way to the countries. I really liked visiting Epcot during F&W. We rushed a little at the end, but ultimately went all the way around by 3:30, just in time to use our TT FP on our way out. DD Loves the Kid stations. A quick trip back to ASMu to freshen up, the we parked at BC and took DD to Sandcastle club. DH and I entered Epcot through the International Gateway and proceede toward the American Pavillion. BY this time, its about 5:45. I notice all these people walking against me with orange wrist bands and figure that they're probably for party of the sense. Luckily, I also spot a woman walking with a handful of wristbands and a clip board and ask her if she is the check in person for party of the senses. She is and she stops there and gives us our wrist bands. I'm gland I saw her. I would have hated to walk all the was to America only to have to backtrack. Party for the Senses was phenomenal! We really enjoyed the food, wine and the mixing and meeting other people.
We left there around 8:30, picked up DD and headed into the MK. For arriving at 9:30, we thought it was still very crowds. Waits 25+ minutes. We were able to do a quick BTMR, SM and HM and then they were closed.
Sunday we headed to AK to try out Primeval Whirl (DD loved this!) a couple other rides and took our first trip to conservation station. DD also really enjoyed this. We stopped at Rainforest Cafe on the way out and got a bite to eat, then off to MGM. We arrived at MGM around 5:30 and while there were lines ro RNR and ToT everything else was aa walk on. Did Star tours twice without even getting off. By 7:30, Rnr and Tot had opened up and we managed rides on those without too much of a wait.
We took a quick drive to Rte 192 for a stop a grocery then got back to the hotel around 9:30.
On Monday DD did the pirate cruise, which she enjoyed. Dh and I bopped into the MK but ultimately cut it a little close when we left MK 11;30 and between the wait for the monorail and all the stops, we didn't get back to GF until right at Noon. Then it was off to Blizzard Beach for a few hours. Were were a but dismayed by waits for tubes of 10-20 minutes (so spolied by past off season visits) and Monday night back to Epcot to sample more great fare ad watch illuminations.
Tuesday we ran a slow getting out of the room and only made it to the outlet store, and not DD. Darn, I really wanted to hit the new scrapbook store.
All in all, it was little busier than past times we'd been there. Probably won't do another Veteran's day, but maybe next year we'll try over Hallloween.
Our next trip is President's week. not sure how the crowds will be then.
Stayed as ASMU. Despite requesting Jazz on reservation and faxing it, we still ended up in Country Fair - building 6 right near the boot. Probably had a lot to do with checking in at Midnight. It's not a big deal, because we drive everywhere, but it is a long walk for a cup of coffee in the morning.
Day 1 - IOA - Only bummer here was that Pteranodon Flyers was closed. Other than that, lines weren't too bad, many were walk ons, and our Reservation at Margueritaville was a savior - no wait there, either (standby waits of 45-60 minutes).
Day 2 - Epcot - Caught the Character Caravan as we entered Epcot around 9:30 ish. What fun! Saw some Characters we hadn't seen before. We were bummed that Ellens Energy Adventure was closed. After 5 trips we still haven't seen that. Now it will be after 6 trips. Oh Well, maybe next time.
Major frustration here at guest services. DH and I had reservations for party for the senses that night. I had inquired at Guest Services at the hotel and they had said check in with guest services at Epcot. OUr major concern was that we were not going to the concert so we wanted to know where to "check in" . When I finally spoke to the CM, she directed me to use the phone to call Disney dining for the answer to my question. (Or to check in at the concert.) It took me mnumerous tries to figure out that you had to dial 9, then the area code, but not 9 - 1- then area code. Of course, all this time that I'm getting a message that my call can't be completed, CM is now with another customer and I can't figure out what I 'm doing wrong. When I finally get through, I'm told you have to go to guest services OUTSIDE the park. DH had left his hat in the car, so he volunteered to stop by there, while DD and I went to innovations. When DH came back, he had said the CM there knew nothing, however there was a supervisor who said you have to check in at the American Pavillion.
We pulled a FP for TT and went on our way to the countries. I really liked visiting Epcot during F&W. We rushed a little at the end, but ultimately went all the way around by 3:30, just in time to use our TT FP on our way out. DD Loves the Kid stations. A quick trip back to ASMu to freshen up, the we parked at BC and took DD to Sandcastle club. DH and I entered Epcot through the International Gateway and proceede toward the American Pavillion. BY this time, its about 5:45. I notice all these people walking against me with orange wrist bands and figure that they're probably for party of the sense. Luckily, I also spot a woman walking with a handful of wristbands and a clip board and ask her if she is the check in person for party of the senses. She is and she stops there and gives us our wrist bands. I'm gland I saw her. I would have hated to walk all the was to America only to have to backtrack. Party for the Senses was phenomenal! We really enjoyed the food, wine and the mixing and meeting other people.
We left there around 8:30, picked up DD and headed into the MK. For arriving at 9:30, we thought it was still very crowds. Waits 25+ minutes. We were able to do a quick BTMR, SM and HM and then they were closed.
Sunday we headed to AK to try out Primeval Whirl (DD loved this!) a couple other rides and took our first trip to conservation station. DD also really enjoyed this. We stopped at Rainforest Cafe on the way out and got a bite to eat, then off to MGM. We arrived at MGM around 5:30 and while there were lines ro RNR and ToT everything else was aa walk on. Did Star tours twice without even getting off. By 7:30, Rnr and Tot had opened up and we managed rides on those without too much of a wait.
We took a quick drive to Rte 192 for a stop a grocery then got back to the hotel around 9:30.
On Monday DD did the pirate cruise, which she enjoyed. Dh and I bopped into the MK but ultimately cut it a little close when we left MK 11;30 and between the wait for the monorail and all the stops, we didn't get back to GF until right at Noon. Then it was off to Blizzard Beach for a few hours. Were were a but dismayed by waits for tubes of 10-20 minutes (so spolied by past off season visits) and Monday night back to Epcot to sample more great fare ad watch illuminations.
Tuesday we ran a slow getting out of the room and only made it to the outlet store, and not DD. Darn, I really wanted to hit the new scrapbook store.
All in all, it was little busier than past times we'd been there. Probably won't do another Veteran's day, but maybe next year we'll try over Hallloween.
Our next trip is President's week. not sure how the crowds will be then.
I really enjoy that cool and relaxing ride 
