We're back too - Mission Space - keep your fingers crossed.

[BongoBetty]

Hi everyone, we're back just a few hours now and yes, we also managed to ride MS one day arriving at the suggested time of 4pm (or should I say DS & DD did - what a wimp!). So anyway they both thought it was absolutely amazing and completely different to anything else. DS was commander and DD was engineer in a crew of four - pilot and navigator being the other two with each crew member having two simple tasks to complete during their mission/ride.

They both loved it so much we decided to return on our penultimate day for a repeat - NO LUCK. Non cast members were being turned away. All approaches to Mission Space were blocked by senior citizen CMs who simply asked my kids if they were cast members. Being good and honest kids!!! (they are both tall teenagers who could conceivably have got away with a deception - the scottish accent might have been a problem though) they turned back. That was our experience so it appears that 4pm is the time but not necessarily each day. Best of luck to all who who are still to go with the hope of riding MS (Disney withdrawal symptons are setting in here already). At least my two are happy to have rode Mission Space at least once this trip and can tell all their pals about it.

Other highlights (and there were so many) included the shuttle launch, July 4th celebrations, Cirque du Soleil and Fantasmic dinner package (still the best Disney show for me - simply awesome). So many great memories that will have to last at least till 2005 as eldest DD has decided to get married next July - ah well!

TT (BB's dad)

 

[Tartan Tigger]

Welcome home. What did you do on July 4th? I went to Epcot and had a great time, spent time waiting for the fireworks talking to 2 lovely families from America.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Hi Tony
Welcome home........!!!!

What day did you do Mission Space...? We did it on Saturday 5th July.

4th July....I shopped, and shopped, and shopped......so many bargains!!!!

Cath

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome home !! Great to hear you had such a fantastic trip !

Regarding Mission Space, until it officially opens on August 15th, it is going to be a bit hit and miss as to whether you get to ride.

 

[BongoBetty]

On the 4th July we decided to go to Magic Kingdom for the fireworks. A friend, a Glasgow boy who has worked his way up at WDW to become an entertainment/technology manager (envious - me? - not much!!!) advised me that the multi-display at MK was being recommended by the pyro manager. However, Epcot's already superb "Illuminations - Reflections of Earth" was being extended by an extra two and a half minutes so really it was a toss up - what a pity we couldn't have been in two places at the same time. Anyway we decided to get a PS for the Crystal Palace before the fireworks where we were royally served by Michael. Michael serenaded us with various snippets from Beach Boys and Broadway as well as bringing over a pretty young lady CM who he introduced as needing a little confidence booster for her audition as Ariel a few days later. He persuaded her to sing "Part of Your World" specially for us, which she did beautifully. A special day was had by all as the following Fireworks were as spectacular as promised as we were completely surrounded by them.

Cath - just been catching up with your trip via the boards. Sounds as though you also had a fantastic holiday.

We actually did Mission Space on Tuesday 8th. The other hit with DD & DS at Epcot was Innoventions discovered for the 1st time this year (just passed it by last time). Have to say that Epcot is not the most popular with our two teenagers though.

TT (BB's dad)

 

[bbowers]

Any chance DD would be honeymooning at WDW? If you would then promise to stay at a different resort...

 

[Olaf]

Shuttle Launch?

 

[BongoBetty]

Tip noted Olaf - however neither eldest DD nor the rest of the family will be visiting WDW next year. DD and DSiL2b as it's not their choice for a honeymoon, and the rest of us because I can't afford it after DD's inconsiderate decision to have a proper wedding (I had offered a ladder and fast car to get to Gretna Green which is not so far away.)

TT (BB's Dad)

 

[Olaf]

I wasn't trying to be "cute" or anything. I just wondered if you knew something I didn't about the shuttle.

 

[Ian.Whiteley]

Wow what a great trip. I have never heard of a Fantasmic Dinner Package. What's the deal and how do you book it? It's one of my favourite shows.

 

[BongoBetty]

The Fantasmic dinner package offers guaranteed seating at the show after enjoying dinner at one of the participating restaurants at MGM. Restaurants are Brown Derby, Mama Melrose and Hollywood and Vine, there is no additional charge for the package i.e. cost of dinner covers the guaranteed seat, but Priority seating booking is necessary. More information available from www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htmIf I can make a suggestion, take an extra T shirt if you choose H&V as we did - the air conditioning is fierce.

The area on the extreme right of the auditorium is reserved for package guests and you should still be there 30 minutes at least before the show. Having seen Fantasmic a number of times before, this was by far the best position we have enjoyed, and I managed to get a great video of the show from here. In fact three days earlier we came up trumps quite by accident. After being at MK earlier in the day we decided to race over to MGM to catch Fantasmic. We entered the park very late (8.50) and I had given up getting in never mind getting a seat with any kind of a view. We hurried up the walkway expecting to be turned back at any moment. At the top just before entering the auditorium we were diverted to the right by the CMs around the back and into the area reserved - you've guessed it - for "package" guests that was still vacant. The time by now was approx 8.57 so we just had time to sit down in these great seats as the show started. Wow, we were so lucky.

The package was certainly worth it for us. Have a great trip.

TT (BB's dad and Fantasmic fanatic)

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome Home ~ Glad you had a fantastic time!!!!!!