Visiting WDW this weekend

[txminotaur]

Howdy! I'm a truck driver, and am having one of my home times take place over at WDW this upcoming weekend. (Hopefully arriving on Friday evening or Saturday morning, ending my home time on Monday).

What I'd love to do is find someone to go to the parks with. My current plan is to go to MGM on Saturday, Animal Kingdom on Sunday, and EPCOT on Monday. (I went to Disneyland about a month ago, so I'm going to skip MK this go around, unless I go to the Princess and Pirates party.....good thing I have my pirate costume that I wear to renaissance faires in the truck!)

I'm not a big roller coaster fan, so I probably won't ride the various coasters at the parks, although I do plan to definately ride Mission Space.

I'm staying at the resort at the All Star Music resort, and even got an annual pass about three weeks ago during my last home time in Dallas (which is my home town).

It's a shame that Tarzan Rocks was taken out. I would have loved to see that show (men in loincloths are a weakness for me....).

Can't wait to visit!

C. Jackson
"The Texas Minotaur"

 

[WDWPinCollector]

Hi TxMinotaur:

Seasonal passholder here (live an hour from WDW). Don't forget your AP gets you free parking--if you have your car (and I imagine you can't park a truck in a hotel/park parking lot, not sure) you can save some time by driving from your Disney hotel to the parks instead of waiting for Disney transportation. Having a car is also a benefit should you decide to go from one park to another. This is important if you're visiting Animal Kingdom which can close as early as 5 PM.

If you're not acrophobic I'd like to suggest Soarin' in The Land at Epcot. The scenery remains the same but I could ride that attraction 10 times a day. Use your AP to get a fast pass.

Have fun.

 

[Viki]

Howdy! I'm a truck driver, and am having one of my home times take place over at WDW this upcoming weekend. (Hopefully arriving on Friday evening or Saturday morning, ending my home time on Monday).

What I'd love to do is find someone to go to the parks with. My current plan is to go to MGM on Saturday, Animal Kingdom on Sunday, and EPCOT on Monday. (I went to Disneyland about a month ago, so I'm going to skip MK this go around, unless I go to the Princess and Pirates party.....good thing I have my pirate costume that I wear to renaissance faires in the truck!)

I'm not a big roller coaster fan, so I probably won't ride the various coasters at the parks, although I do plan to definately ride Mission Space.

I'm staying at the resort at the All Star Music resort, and even got an annual pass about three weeks ago during my last home time in Dallas (which is my home town).

It's a shame that Tarzan Rocks was taken out. I would have loved to see that show (men in loincloths are a weakness for me....).

Can't wait to visit!

C. Jackson
"The Texas Minotaur"

Can't help you in any way but good to see you here!

 

[txminotaur]

Hi TxMinotaur:

Seasonal passholder here (live an hour from WDW). Don't forget your AP gets you free parking--if you have your car (and I imagine you can't park a truck in a hotel/park parking lot, not sure) you can save some time by driving from your Disney hotel to the parks instead of waiting for Disney transportation. Having a car is also a benefit should you decide to go from one park to another. This is important if you're visiting Animal Kingdom which can close as early as 5 PM.

I rode Soarin' over at Disneyland, and loved it. On one of the days I was there, I got into California Adventure about 15 minutes early, and got on with no waiting, which was pretty cool since they had a small technical problem that I got to watch them sort out. I definately plan to definately ride it at EPCOT, although I'll probably Fastpass it, just like I'm probably going to try to do for Mission Space.

As to parking at the hotel I'm staying at, I called the All Star Music resort before I booked my room to ask about that and they said there should be little problem....and more than likely I'll be just in a bobtail state (no trailer, just the truck cab). (And the view via Google Earth does show what looks to be a few trucks with trailers parked in their parking lot.). Can't drive the truck to the parks though, since it's a company truck and as soon as I get there I can't move the truck until the end of my home time.

Can't wait for the weekend!

 

[swtnikki]

I can't help you either, but I hope you have a great time this weekend!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I am SO envious! Have a great time!

 

[Tony-NJ]

wow - sounds like a fun weekend! I've never done WDW alone - but I am next Froday afternoon / night - have to be there for business.. Have a great time!

 

[CanadianGuy]

TX:

Man - if I was going to be there this weekend - I'd be right there with ya.

I'm going down Feb 25 to March 3rd tho.. and I'm travelling with a couple so that makes me the third wheel -- if you happen to be there that week.. lemme know!

Knox

 

[txminotaur]

I know this won't be my only trip down there this year. I'm actually planning on late March (to actually meet up with my parents and other family members.), and probably at least around Christmas time, mabey even on the day they tape for the Christmas parade. (That'd be really awesome to be there for that!)

Looks like I'm actually going to arrive (if all goes well) in Orlando tomarrow afternoon. Definately can't wait!

C. Jackson

 

[Tony-NJ]

I know this won't be my only trip down there this year. I'm actually planning on late March (to actually meet up with my parents and other family members.), and probably at least around Christmas time, mabey even on the day they tape for the Christmas parade. (That'd be really awesome to be there for that!)

Looks like I'm actually going to arrive (if all goes well) in Orlando tomarrow afternoon. Definately can't wait!

C. Jackson

We were there for a Christmas Parade taping a few years ago - teh MK was a mob scene!!!! I heard it was crazy this year too.

Have a great weekend!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

This is pretty cool, txminotaur!

When my DH was an owner/operator we always wished we'd get a layover in WDW. It would be cool to be kind of spontaneous like that, you know a little magic in the middle of your work. But, alas it never happened for us.

But, how cool for you. Sorry we can't hang out with you but have a great time!

 

[txminotaur]

Just wanted to post an update for anyone interested....and this'll also give a little bit of insight into the life of a truck driver....

I knew today was going to be difficult. I had to get from just east of Greensboro, NC to Orlando within 11 hours (Truck drivers are legally only allowed to drive 11 hours before having to take a 10 hour downtime). I got to the GA/FL state line with three hours left and knew I wasn't going to make it.

The good news is that I did make it to Orlando to where I was to get this trailer unloaded. Unfortunately, I got there just as they were about to go home for the weekend....:-(

The good part is that I don't have to sit on this load for the weekend, which would kill *all* of my plans. I'm heading over to Lakeland, FL as soon as my 10 hour downtime ends at around 2:45 (Unless I gain some hours back at 12:45 through a split break...8 hrs down in the sleeper, then 2 hrs down after driving a few hours.).

The really sad part is that I am about five miles (as the crow flies) from WDW....would have been neat to be able to see some of the fireworks from here, but I don't think that'll happen. (Just not positioned right.)

At the moment, my current plan is to get to the All Star Music Resort between 8 and 9am, check in, and head over to MGM studios.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Hey, txminotaur!

So glad you were able to make it to Orlando! DH says lucky guy getting to layover in Orlando! Yes, it would be cool to see the fireworks but just think you'll actually get to be there tomorrow!

Have a great time! And let us know how it goes.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Just wanted to post an update for anyone interested....and this'll also give a little bit of insight into the life of a truck driver....

I knew today was going to be difficult. I had to get from just east of Greensboro, NC to Orlando within 11 hours (Truck drivers are legally only allowed to drive 11 hours before having to take a 10 hour downtime). I got to the GA/FL state line with three hours left and knew I wasn't going to make it.

The good news is that I did make it to Orlando to where I was to get this trailer unloaded. Unfortunately, I got there just as they were about to go home for the weekend....:-(

The good part is that I don't have to sit on this load for the weekend, which would kill *all* of my plans. I'm heading over to Lakeland, FL as soon as my 10 hour downtime ends at around 2:45 (Unless I gain some hours back at 12:45 through a split break...8 hrs down in the sleeper, then 2 hrs down after driving a few hours.).

The really sad part is that I am about five miles (as the crow flies) from WDW....would have been neat to be able to see some of the fireworks from here, but I don't think that'll happen. (Just not positioned right.)

At the moment, my current plan is to get to the All Star Music Resort between 8 and 9am, check in, and head over to MGM studios.

Almost 8am now! Enjoy the weekend and stop by the Poly and say "hi" if you get the chance!

 

[txminotaur]

I had a great time while at WDW last month. I had no problems parking my truck outside of the All Star Music Resort. I've got a more thorough report that I'm in the process of wording, but I wanted to touch on the high points....

The original plan was to go to MGM on the Saturday, Animal Kingdom on the Sunday, and EPCOT on Monday. I don't remember the reason, but I decided to reverse that agenda and go to EPCOT on Saturday. Good thing I did! The first attraction I rode while there was not Spaceship Earth (like everyone else was going to do), but Mission: Space, and I did the Green Team (less-intense) version....after I got off the ride, and headed to the post-show area to go play Mission Space Race, I spotted one of the Dream Squad members in the area. I knew something was going to happen.....and it did. They gave Dream Fastpasses to EVERYONE playing Mission Space Race at the same time I was. (My only gripe about playing the game was that I was put doing the Life Support glove.....I *always* get the Life Support position when I play online.) I didn't use the dream fastpass since I wanted to keep it intact as a great souvineer.

I did buy a Pal Mickey, and think it was the best investment of $65.00 that one could make. The PM gave me lots of good information about the countries in World Showcase, the various animals in AK, and things at MGM. Now, all I need to get is the Pirate costume that seems to be very hard to find!

Enjoyed my time at AK and MGM, even had a great spot to watch the Stars and Motorcars parade (some of the photos I took look like the character is waving directly at me!).

I did use the Photopass service to get some great photos of the characters, who all interacted with the PM, except for two of the Power Rangers (I can't wait to see my nephew's face in a few years when he sees the photos of how close I got to a (at least to him) real power ranger.).

I am planning to go back in late March, but that's a visit with Parents and other family members (most of which are a bit homophobic....Sigh....).

This particular note is for ConcKahuna: Sorry I didn't make it to visit any of the other hotels. I might try to do a visit to some of the other hotels on another visit (to see the atmosphere.). I'll probably be staying at one of the Value resorts the next time I go (other than the March visit).

Clayton Jackson