When in doubt, feed the bear....but not that!!!Day 6- Last day blues

[uncw89]

We could have marked Poly off of our list of resorts we have spent the night at without even paying if it had gone much longer.






More, please.

The bread pudding - I think I dream of that stuff! Yummmmm! I am surprised to hear that there was a bite left. Was that the same pan that Marc, Anita, Jill, and I were eating from?

When we go in July, I plan to go down to Captain Cook's and get Brooklynn's food, since she won't eat the 'Ohana food. I hope they will be okay with her taking up a chair at no charge again, and we will be sure to get the bill straightened out when we first order.

I think you can get kid food at O'hana, you just have to ask.

 

[Poolrat]

I think you can get kid food at O'hana, you just have to ask.

I think so too but will they charge you the buffet price for something you can get downstairs or will they charge an a la cart price???

I found this on Allears.

NOTE: ALTERNATIVE CHILDREN'S SELECTIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

 

[uncw89]

I'm not sure! Probably kid's meal price.

 

[Poolrat]

I'm not sure! Probably kid's meal price.

That would be $15.99 according to allears. I would hope if all they offer is Mac and cheese it would be less.

 

[jenseib]

Found this and it is recent.


We will be upgrading to some new servers over the next 10 days or so
There will be some occasional periods of downtime as we get ready to migrate
Like now
We should be back up in an hour or so

Thanks for your patience
Alex

Holy cow on that bill. I can't believe she didn't count right or ask how the bill was to be done. Thats not right.

 

[Kgroo]

Wonderful pics of you and Chris!!!! You were certainly having a good picture day I can't believe the wait for the ride in Mexico - I don't even think that I knew there was a place for a line for that ride We have always just walked on.

We love O'hana - can't even fathom that bill though

Great pics and update.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This is what my son had his eye on.

He wanted to be a rickshaw driver?

As we listened, there was a meltdown going on nearby.

This is the happiest place on earth! You will have fun or else!

Once outside in the daylight, we saw our loud boys. They are the ones trying to climb the pyramid.

Been hitting the peach snap, huh?

So who actually gets in that line?

Go ahead guess how much that bill was.

I hope at the very least you got a TV with it or something.

 

[Poolrat]

Holy cow on that bill. I can't believe she didn't count right or ask how the bill was to be done. Thats not right.

I was kind of surprised she didn't either but with everything and everyone having a good time, I may not have noticed if she did.
The count may have been brought over by the reservation for 28. I guessed they never did count but with a group of that size, it was a bit nutty.

Wonderful pics of you and Chris!!!! You were certainly having a good picture day I can't believe the wait for the ride in Mexico - I don't even think that I knew there was a place for a line for that ride We have always just walked on.

Usually I walk right on too. The little queue usually is annoying enought o go through. The stanchion poles went into the ground so at one time it was set up for a longer line.

We love O'hana - can't even fathom that bill though
Great pics and update.

O'hana is great! Knowing I didn't have to pay the whole bill was enough to make me laugh.

He wanted to be a rickshaw driver?

Either that or work in a rice field.

This is the happiest place on earth! You will have fun or else!

I tried yelling that out but she was screaming too loud to hear me.

Been hitting the peach snap, huh?

They didn't have drinks in their hands but they were probably drinking around the world. :drink:

So who actually gets in that line?

That is what we were saying when I brought A and B in 2009. People standing in a line for 4 HOURS!!!

I hope at the very least you got a TV with it or something.

We almost got a night at the Poly. Any longer and we would have had to sleep there.
Considering we did not have a big bar tab, the total is pretty impressive.

 

[Poolrat]

Yikes I had to search for my own TR.


Now that the DIS is moving a bit faster ( not now of course) I will hopefully get to an update. Way to busy in real life in my neck of the woods.



Anywho.... Sometime during this trip I got a tip from a CM about the enforcement of FP times. Well it is official. Here is the article.

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/walt-disney-world-theme-parks-to-start-enforcing-fastpass-return-times/

 

[glennbo123]

Anywho.... Sometime during this trip I got a tip from a CM about the enforcement of FP times. Well it is official. Here is the article.

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/walt-disney-world-theme-parks-to-start-enforcing-fastpass-return-times/

I saw that on another thread a day or two ago. I was hoping that it was just a rumor that wouldn't come to fruition, but it looks like it has. I don't know that it will affect me too much -- I think we pretty much adhered to the return time window anyway, but it was nice to not have to worry about it.

I guess mostly I'm just not sure why they're messing with the system, it seemed to work okay the way it was.

 

[marvali]

Now why am I telling you this? For 2 reasons-
1- I wanted to update a bit on why the airport fiasco came to be and…
2- To bring you to the top of the next page of course.

Glenn would be sooooo proud!

My minivan had a 25 gal tank. I went from a $70-80 fill up every week or so to $33.00 every 10- 14 days. I love having a hybrid now. So easy on the pocketbook.

Just wait until you have to replace those batteries.........

We are approaching Norway when I hear a certain Norwegian gnome. Lucky again , we stop for Julenissen.

That doesn't look like my Sigrid............

........but I'm pretty sure that is the same Julenissen!!!

Hey, he's still got MY SPOON!!!!!!

Are you sure Julenissen wasn't pointing at Marv? Kinda looks like it the way he's using that wooden spoon.

That does look like the way he kept pointing it at me! I bet he still remembers me too...........

 

[Poolrat]

I saw that on another thread a day or two ago. I was hoping that it was just a rumor that wouldn't come to fruition, but it looks like it has. I don't know that it will affect me too much -- I think we pretty much adhered to the return time window anyway, but it was nice to not have to worry about it.

I guess mostly I'm just not sure why they're messing with the system, it seemed to work okay the way it was.

I think they are ready to release next gen FP and that may have something to do with it.
The article was saying 5 min early to FP window but I think they should stick with the beginning time.
They will have to review people who miss the time and then take time to hear their excuse. ARD, travel, character meet and greet time.

It is my hope ( and only my best guess) that next gen will enable the guest to pick their time. If this happens then sicne you picked the time, you will actually show up during the time.

The negative side right now ( or after March 1 ) is that you potentially will not even pick up a FP if the return time is not convenient.
That can mean:
1 - You don't ride -
2- You wait until the window is at a more convenient time-
3- You ride stand by.

With the addition of mobile apps - perhaps you can get a virtual FP on your phone so actually visiting the FP machine does not have to happen?
That will require verification of enry into the park but hey it could happen.


I guess we shall see.

Glenn would be sooooo proud!
Just wait until you have to replace those batteries.........

Hopefully that will be along time before I have to think about replacing those batteries.

Hey, he's still got MY SPOON!!!!!!


That does look like the way he kept pointing it at me! I bet he still remembers me too...........

I actually took that picture with you in mind. I realy wanted a picture with him and the spoon but they closed the line after only a couple of kids.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Yikes I had to search for my own TR.


Now that the DIS is moving a bit faster ( not now of course) I will hopefully get to an update. Way to busy in real life in my neck of the woods.



Anywho.... Sometime during this trip I got a tip from a CM about the enforcement of FP times. Well it is official. Here is the article.

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/walt-disney-world-theme-parks-to-start-enforcing-fastpass-return-times/

This will most likely help the standby lines move a little faster, but will make those morning rushes for Soarin' and TSM even worse!

 

[MEK]

I heard that about the FP times and I have to admit that I am bummed because I do like getting FPs during the day and using them at night from time to time. Most of the time I stay in the window, but sometimes it just isn't going to happen. Oh well. Maybe more people will be giving away their FPs when they know the time won't fit.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Great photo pass pictures!!!

 

[eandesmom]

I think they are ready to release next gen FP and that may have something to do with it.
The article was saying 5 min early to FP window but I think they should stick with the beginning time.
They will have to review people who miss the time and then take time to hear their excuse. ARD, travel, character meet and greet time.

It is my hope ( and only my best guess) that next gen will enable the guest to pick their time. If this happens then sicne you picked the time, you will actually show up during the time.

The negative side right now ( or after March 1 ) is that you potentially will not even pick up a FP if the return time is not convenient.
That can mean:
1 - You don't ride -
2- You wait until the window is at a more convenient time-
3- You ride stand by.

With the addition of mobile apps - perhaps you can get a virtual FP on your phone so actually visiting the FP machine does not have to happen?
That will require verification of enry into the park but hey it could happen.

This will be interesting to see how it plays out. I heard it was definitely related to the next gen fast pass.

I heard that about the FP times and I have to admit that I am bummed because I do like getting FPs during the day and using them at night from time to time. Most of the time I stay in the window, but sometimes it just isn't going to happen. Oh well. Maybe more people will be giving away their FPs when they know the time won't fit.

We stick to the window most of the time but I'm with you, I loved knowing that I could come back and use it later if I needed to. I've probably only done it twice but both were kind of key times and I'd have been sad to have missed out otherwise.

I can't imagine that this is really abused though, the VAST majority of park visitors wouldn't have a clue!

 

[Poolrat]

This will most likely help the standby lines move a little faster, but will make those morning rushes for Soarin' and TSM even worse!

I have no idea if they had a problem with the lines in the fastpass line getting longer later in the day.
I think mid day it will affect people more. You arrive at 1 and the FP return for let's say SM is 4:30. But standby is 50 min. You have ARDs at 5:30 at resort but the park is open until 1 am. You can't use a FP late so do you get in line and wait or not ride? OR hope if you come back the line will be shorter at night?

 

[Poolrat]

I heard that about the FP times and I have to admit that I am bummed because I do like getting FPs during the day and using them at night from time to time. Most of the time I stay in the window, but sometimes it just isn't going to happen. Oh well. Maybe more people will be giving away their FPs when they know the time won't fit.

I do the same thing. I usually don't pay too much attention to the end time. At MK for instance there is a real possibilty to have a couple of FP that will come due at the same time and still be across the park. Think BMTRR and SM or Buzz. That could add an element of stress to my touring.

Great photo pass pictures!!!

Thanks !!

 

[Poolrat]

This will be interesting to see how it plays out. I heard it was definitely related to the next gen fast pass.

I really hope the next gen is a "pick your time". Way back when we went to Universal and IoA they were introducing a system and it had the option of 2 or 3 windows to pick. That way you can still have a bit of control over the return time.

We stick to the window most of the time but I'm with you, I loved knowing that I could come back and use it later if I needed to. I've probably only done it twice but both were kind of key times and I'd have been sad to have missed out otherwise.

I can't imagine that this is really abused though, the VAST majority of park visitors wouldn't have a clue!

I usually do. Where I get into 'saving' them is return times during meal time. A return time an hour or even two is usually used during that time. A return time 4 or 5 hours later is usually used later.

If they are making exceptions for being at a meal they are going to open themselves up for some people who will be unhappy when they are told no. The inconsistency of being able to do it sometimes is what makes people nuts. I work with the public, I know.

 

[Poolrat]

Day 2 Dec 30th
A Disney night becomes a Disney day. With parks opening at 7 and 8 am I opt for one with an 8 am rope drop. I was up and here by 7:15.

I let the bear sleep.

Morning coffee was on board so I actually remembered to take notes.
The bus went in this order:
Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park and then the Springs.


Where was I going?
DHS

We were just about a t the park. I had a front seat on the bus so I could see the doors. Just as we were going to pull a left into the DHS parking lot, a van cut us off.

YES a van cut off a HUGE Disney bus. The van was so clueless. Suddenly the bus screeched and swerved. I could see the vans tail lights practically at the bus doors. We missed each other by inches. Well if anyone was still groggy from getting up so early that woke us up.
With everyone now like this we pullinto DHS


This time we pull over to the SSR stop. Most of my times when I stayed at the values we were left off at the curb by the EPCOT bus stop.

It was 7:44 and no lines at the turnstiles but they appeared to be open. Had I miscalculated?

Nope they were open. So I walk right in and say hey to BO.

No real crowds but clearly the park was open.
There was this nice girl at the end of street making all sorts of announcements and welcoming everyone to DHS.

Yes, she waved just for me.

Just in case you were wondering, I was in shorts and a sweatshirt.


As I walked down the street I hear her announce a flash mob at 2:30 right before the parade.


HA I knew it was a flash mob that I saw in Oct.


Crowds

Of course I hustled right to TSM to get a FP.

I hoped the stand by was reasonable. I was greeted with

Score.

Going through the stand by line gave me the opportunity to try to get a better avatar shot

Anyone notice ??? I think it is a bit clearer.

I still have a problem with this crayon. I know in the FP line there is a crayon with the same color name, but it is not the same shade.

I know silly but Disney does not make that mistake.

I was zooming through in record time. By the time I got here, I told him I was a party of 1.

Up the right side.

I was on the stairs by 8 am. I did ask a CM what time they opened this morning and he said about 7:45. He said we were ready so we opened a little early.

Where else does that happen?!?!?

Then I see John, the CM. You have to trust me on the name, I did not get a picture of the name tag.

This child was on it. Now I say child because

Well, he looks twelve. They were pulling everyone in to work.

Don’t let his youthful face fool you. He was moving that line and keeping it all straight. He was keeping the # in the party and the rows to send them all clear and calm. I even told him what a great job he did.

Soon I was off and shooting. My arm was hurting.

A horrible score. I just needed to warm up.
Even though it was still the best in the car.

My FP was for 9:25 and it was only 8:15. What else should I do before my FP window opens?