We're here!

[monorailmom]

Arrived yesterday, got a little panicky at first when the line for ME was longer than any line I have ever seen in my life!!! Went way past all of the car rental desks. The good news is, they started having us check in right at the ropes where you wait for the bus, instead of going to the desk. This went VERY quickly...in the end, we were at our hotel about 45 mins after arriving at the airport. Not bad!

Online checkin at SSR was okay, not sure it saves much time, BUT, though our room wasn't ready (we got here at 12:30pm), they were having us wait for a room in our requested building! I could've had a different room and not waited, but we really love Grandstand. Went to the Artist's Palette to eat--always disorganized, but we could find seats and the food was great. Then, our room was readY!! Garden Grocer came with the groceries about an hour later.

Had dinner at Chef Mickeys', always a great time. Beautiful night out. It was hot, but not that bad.


I'll try to keep updating. I love reading other people's trip reports, so I"m trying to return the favor!

Have a Magical Day everyone--off to the Magic Kingdom today!!!!

 

[toniosmom]

Have a great time!!!

 

[flipflopmom]

Have a great time! Did you actually post at 3:51 am? Love the excitement! I read on another thread that they were expecting 24,000 people to come in yesterday, guess that's why you had such a long line! Give Mickey a hug for me!

 

[Cyndibear]

Thanks for your report! Hope you are enjoying WDW! I love to read the here now reports. It makes the wait till our next trip not seem so long!

Have fun!

Cyndi

 

[liznboys]

We just got back late last night! Have fun!!

 

[Disney Princess]

Have a wonderful trip! Glad you made it through the airport relatively quickly. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[ccigliano]

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[figmentfan0724]

have a wonderful vacation!

 

[monorailmom]

Hi again!! Had a great day, but what is it with MK busses in the morning??? They never show up!! We waited 20mins this morning (which meant I missed the Welcome Song, which is my very favorite thing), but watched 2 AK busses and an Epcot bus come by. This happened last trip, too. Oh well. We had a great day. Lines this morning weren't bad, but by this afternoon most rides were at about 40mins. (We have always travelled in Nov., so by those standards, this was busy to us. Not sure if that's typical August) It's hot, but not unbearable, Carousel of Progress was having some trouble, had to watch two of the scenes twice. I think it was because people kept leaving the theater, which meant for some reason, it had to repeat.

Had dinner at 1900 Park Fare, was fun, food was good. Chef Mickey's is better!

(as far as posting at 3:51 a.m.---DS , unbenownst to us, had two grape Juicy Juice boxes, a candy bar, and a brownie before bed last night. I knew he had one thing, hubby knew he had another.......all you parents out there can do the math on how that ended up!!)


He was fine today, though!!! Going to the Studios tomorrow.,,,

 

[Corinne]

The crowds usually are not bad at all this time of year, but with "free" dining, all bets are off! We will be there on Friday!

 

[DiznyDi]

Have a great trip monorailmom... you too, Corinne!

 

[Lost in Neverland]

This is a silly question but what is the welcome song? We have been going to Disney for many years and I do not know what that is.

 

[GGOOFY1]

Oh I do remember having nights like that when my kids were younger.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi...here's hoping you get to MK one morning early enough to see the show, hear the song!

Bobbi

 

[Ms. WDW]

The crowds usually are not bad at all this time of year, but with "free" dining, all bets are off! We will be there on Friday!

Corinne - have a wonderful trip!! Someone asked me about the Birthday cake DH had ordered and sent to our room back in June. They were taking their Mom to WDW and it was going to be during her birthday. Was it you? If so, how did you make out?? If not, sorry!! Soooo many people asked me about that cake!!

Hi again!! Had a great day, but what is it with MK busses in the morning??? They never show up!! We waited 20mins this morning (which meant I missed the Welcome Song, which is my very favorite thing), but watched 2 AK busses and an Epcot bus come by.

There were days when we stayed at SSR that DH and I thought there was a "conspiracy" against us with those buses!!! They would either be pulling out just as we walked to the bus stop, or like you, take forever to show. Then, there were the days when everything worked like a charm. Go figure??

 

[figmentfan0724]

great trip report so far, can't wait to hear more....im heading down there a week from tomorrow! WOOOO HOOO

 

[monorailmom]

Hi all-- waited for Studios bus for OVER 20 mins this morning--though saw two MK buses while waiting--go figure. The park was REALLY busy. My DH waited in line for Toy Story fastpasses for 20mins, got a return time of 3hrs later. RockNRoller coaster had a 65min wait by 9:20. We got right into the shows,though. Going back for dinner tonight at Holly wood and Vine.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

WOW... Sounds like everyone hit WDW on Tuesday. I can't wait to hear more. We are heading down 2 weeks from tomorrow Hoping that none of these silly storms hit land

Keep the TR coming! I'm loving every minute of them

 

[Entropy]

Hi again!! Had a great day, but what is it with MK busses in the morning??? They never show up!! We waited 20mins this morning (which meant I missed the Welcome Song, which is my very favorite thing), but watched 2 AK busses and an Epcot bus come by. This happened last trip, too. Oh well. We had a great day. Lines this morning weren't bad, but by this afternoon most rides were at about 40mins. (We have always travelled in Nov., so by those standards, this was busy to us. Not sure if that's typical August) It's hot, but not unbearable, Carousel of Progress was having some trouble, had to watch two of the scenes twice. I think it was because people kept leaving the theater, which meant for some reason, it had to repeat.

Had dinner at 1900 Park Fare, was fun, food was good. Chef Mickey's is better!

(as far as posting at 3:51 a.m.---DS , unbenownst to us, had two grape Juicy Juice boxes, a candy bar, and a brownie before bed last night. I knew he had one thing, hubby knew he had another.......all you parents out there can do the math on how that ended up!!)


He was fine today, though!!! Going to the Studios tomorrow.,,,

Hi. We're also at SSR this week. The bus situation has been the opposite for us. In three days, our average wait has been less than 10 minutes but that includes two that pulled-up just as we arrived. I hope that it stays that way.
We're in a terrific room in The Springs that is directly above the 1BR unit that we toured three years ago that convinced us to buy. I can see the bus stop from my window and the pool is across the street. Sweet.
They've been having IT problems (continuing problems I should say). I couldn't get online last night because of a "billing server problem". When I checked in, the on-line desk had no record of my credit card or my DDP request. It took me a little longer to check in than the people at the regular desk but they did have 15 people at the counter so it went relatively quickly considering the busloads of DME coaches unloading.

 

[monorailmom]

MUCH better day today! Epcot was great this morning. Bus came after about 15 mins, and we were some of the first in line for Test Track!! We also got on Soarin, Nemo, Figment, and Ellen's Energy Adventure. Came back to chill for awhile before we head out. I swear my son loves the Grandstand pool almost as much as he loves the parks! But that's part of the reason we have our DVC, right??

Off to the Cape May Cafe and World Showcase tonight, hopefully it doesn't rain. We had one little downpour this morning, but that was it.

OH-- about the Magic Kingdom Welcome Song--- they usually start the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show in front of the Mickey floral about 15 mins prior to park opening. One of the citizens of Main Street comes out to announce that soon the train will be arriving from Toontown with Mickey and the gang to open the park. Next, more citizens come out to sing and dance to a medley of songs, and then you'll hear the train whistle blowing. They start singing part of "Casey junior's comin' down the track..." and the train pulls up with Mickey and many characters on it!! Mickey gets out with the 'family of the day' and they get to do the countdown to open the park and throw the confetti. It's really fun, and makes me cry every time!! Actually, I have the Disney Parks CD, and my kids laugh because I even tear up when I hear it in the car!!!