WDW Trip 6/22 - 6/28

[wdwgoofeeee]

We arrived on Sunday, June 22 and it was raining! We just left the Philadelphia area that had been drenched in rain all Spring!
Luckily the rain on Sunday was light and seemed to be moving away. The rest of the week the weather was absolutely beautiful! By far the best summer weather I have ever seen in Orlando.
Some observations and tips:
Arrive at the parks EARLY! All the parks were very crowded, but by getting there early and using Fast Passes wisely you can still get everything done with ease.
Use Priority Seating for dinner or you may end up in a long line.
By late evening the crowds start to break and it's possible to get on the most popular rides easily. We got on TOT on Sunday and Friday nights with almost no waiting.
Do Test Track FIRST or you won't get on at all! The Fast Passes run out around noon and the wait is like one hour plus. Get a Fast Pass first thing in the morning, get on the stand-by line and then get on again with your Fast Pass.
A tip we read here proved very helpful. Upon entering the Magic Kingdom take the train to Frontier Land to get to Big Thunder and Splash Mountain fast.
If going to Disney Quest DO NOT get off the bus at the first Downtown Disney stop. We didn't realize there was another stop and had a very LONG walk to Disney Quest. Also, get there VERY early as it gets really crowded.
Mission Space is a fantastic experience. We were lucky enough to get on four times during our stay. Seems to open around 4pm - although it is not open every day. It is TOO HOT to stay out in the sun outside the gate so be aware. It's better to arrive later. Our first two days the lines were really slow moving. The thrid day was much better. On the last day the line moved as if the ride was 100% operational. Could not believe how fast we went in.
The Cool Station in Epcot is again open. Nice and cold inside with free cold drinks. It is located near Innovations West across from Mouse Gears.
Back to Mission Space.....really fun things to do inside after the ride. You can participate in a group game which was a lot of fun. There are other games to play and you can even send free video postcards.
We walked from the Yacht Club to the Studios in 13 minutes....we were walking very fast. Probably around 20 minutes at a normal rate.
Found Donald's Breakfast in the Animal Kingdom way too crowded. The lines for the hot food were insane. Never been to a buffet so crowded and uncomfortable like this one. Also, the tables have too much stuff on them. The procedures before the park opens and they escort you in are very confusing.
Loved eating at 50's Prime Time at the Studios, Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, Cape May Clam Bake at the Beach Club, Spoodles breakfast on the Boardwalk, Rose & Crown in Epcot.
E-night on Tuesday was also very crowded. Have a plan if you are going to do this. We started at Buzz during the fireworks since the line was short. We went on again as E-night was about to start and the line was already building. Went to Space Mountain and then over to Big Thunder. If you have a plan this can still be enjoyable even with the crowds.
Overall we had a great week at Walt Disney World. I was very surprised at the size of the crowds at every park. Plan ahead so you won't be disappointed. I heard people saying the water parks were also jammed so be advised and get there early.
Best wishes to all who will be going in the near future. Hope you can experience Mission Space.
Looking forward to another great visit in the future! It's amazing how fast our week went!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINAL COUNT FOR 2003
Big Thunder - 8 times
Tower of Terror - 13 times
RnR - 2 times
Mission Space - 4 times
Test Track - 3 times
Primieval Whirl - 3 times
Dinosaur - 3 times
Space Mountain - 3 times
Splash Mountain - 3 times
Star Tours - 4 times
Millionaire - 2 times
Pirates - 4 times
Buzz - 2 times
Body Wars - 1
Backlot Tours - 1
Animation - 1
One Man's Dream - 1
Hall of Presidents - 1
American Experience -1
Tough to be a Bug - 1
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience - 1
Imagination - 1
Universe of Energy - 1
Cranium Command - 1
Great Movie Ride - 1
Transit Authority - 1
County Bears - 1

Also, don't miss the British Invasion playing across from the Rose & Crown on the stage in the back of United Kingdom. What a great group!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[TimeforMe]

Thanks for the report. How did you manage to ride Mission: Space 4 times??

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

First I must thank all the great posts on this site for the information about Mission: Space.
I knew that testing normally takes place after 4pm and that it was expected to re-open on Tuesday after being closed for a week or so.
Since we were staying at the Yacht Club (at a great discount - again thanks to someone here for posting the discount code several months ago) we figured that we would check it out from Tuesday on around 4pm. Tuesday and Wednesday they were open when we got there so we just got on line. The lines these two days moved VERY slowly and stopped altogether numerous times. Thursday we arrived before 4pm and the crowd was gathering but the gates closed. The cast members started to gather just inside the gate but someone announced that there was no guarantee of opening on this day. He said we were welcomed to stay if we wanted to, but reminded us that the official opening wasn't until August 15. It was SO HOT in the sun that we sat under a tree for a while and then headed inside to Cranium Command and Body Wars. When we came out Mission: Space was open. The line was very long but moved MUCH faster than the previous two days. On Friday we got there after 4pm and it was already opened, again with a line. This time the line absolutely flew! I really don't know, but it appeared to me that the attraction must have been 100% operational for the line to move through so quickly.
We were very fortunate to experience Mission: Space. It is unlike anything I have ever been on. Cannot even begin to explain it.
Don't miss the games inside after the ride. A lot of fun! Also, free video postcards can be sent from there. We did this two times and marvel here at home at how great they came out!

 

[pigby]

Some really good advice - thank you. We are also going to Donalds but we have the latest sitting at 10.00am on an EMH morning. Hope it's not as crowded then - my DH HATES lines at buffets much more than lines at rides.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Pigby......hate to have to tell you this. We had the 8:10 at Donald's and were out before 9:00. We went past it several times over the next couple of hours as we bounced between Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl and the line outside was really long. I assume all these people had PS but they still were on a very long line waiting to get it.
This is the only buffet that I would not recommend from what we experienced last week.
Good Luck!

 

[MzCohen]

wdwgoofeeee,
Hey we were in the parks around the same time. We went the 24th - 30th.
What a great trip!!!
I agree with all the tips you gave. We were also able to ride Misson Space. AWESOME ride!! It did make 2 people in our group a little sick!
The mime in France was wonderful. Watched 2 of his performances. Did you happen to see Mr. Disney Tatoo there? He was in Epcot when we were there.
Now I am planning my next trip in Nov. My boyfriend and I want to go w/o kids to Epcot's Food and Wine show. Boyfriend was there 26 years ago. I think after he saw our vacation pictures today he is ready to make the big trip.

Glad you had a good time.
Dianne