Who's Gonna Have More Fun? Two PTR's for the Price of One!

[JoBird]

Another great park post!!! I have to agree MK and EPCOT are right there at the top!!

Loved your pictures!! So gorgeous!!

I too am finding that the more times I go the more the way I see Disney also changes and I love that...no two trips are ever the same!

Thanks Jen!!!
I think that must be the reason we all just keep going back-- because no matter what your age, every time you go, it is a different trip. And based on where you are in life--- whether it is as a child, or a teen or as a Honeymooner or parent of small children or even as an older adult--- the trip always seems to feed your need at that time in your life. There's always something there that can speak to you and fill your soul.

Jo, I bet you were beyond upset that the kids said they hated WDW. That makes me feel sad. I'm so happy that they were able to go back and really experience the magic.

I wonder how many people actually do go at a crazy time and think WDW is that way, all the time? And then never return?

I admit it broke my heart, just because I was so worried that they'd never understand my love of WDW. When I told them we were going back the next year they hated the idea, but once that magic swept over them, they understood.
I know that there have to be lots of people who go to WDW when it's crowded, and even when it isn't-- and they don't ever fall in love with it- they never have those feelings that we all share. And so they don't understand how you can "keep going back". I think a lot of people become disillusioned and view it as "Just an amusement park" and it makes me sad for them. My Mom is one of those people-- she has never gone with my kids and it makes me sad that she's missed out on all of the magic we've had with them thru the trips.
I do know that if it had've been my first trip to WDW that Christmas, I never would've gone back. It was miserable beyond comprehension.

It makes me sad when ANYONE says they hated WDW but if my kids said that I'd be heartbroken. I'm glad you have had many chances to rectify that!!

I agree - MK and Epcot for me. I like certain things about each park, but if I could only do two, these would be the ones!

Here's some double digit dancing for you too Jo!

Thanks for the 'Naner dudes! You know I love them. They make me smile.
I think if they never expanded to any other parks in Florida, I'd be fine with WDW the way that it is. When I went to DL, even though I loved DL alone- it's so quaint and adorable---- I found myself missing Epcot so much-- it's just my idea of what Disney is!

 

[JoBird]

It just makes me sick to hear people say they didn't have a good time at WDW or they just hated it.... I want to say"Oh, well you didn't plan right", Or
"you went when it was too busy"...makes me want to plan them a redo!!! LOL.. Our fav parks...dang that's hard!! Def we do NOT like AK...not really-my middle one loves the dino stuff,..but that's about it. We didnt get to see many animals on our last safari, so that was a bummer! But we love all the other parks...I love MK...it's my favorite..then Epcot and WS and then DHS. I love them all in a diff way, so its really not right to pick a favorite! That's like asking a mom to pick a favorite child!!! You can't and shouldnt do it!!

They're all special in their own unique way!!!
I wonder how many people feel that way about AK? How many people would rank that park as their favorite park? I just can't imagine it.

And I wonder if my feelings will change about MK once they are finished with all the work and changes to it? I miss a lot of the old rides--- Toad and the Skyway and 20,000 leagues.... just a lot of them that are no longer there. And now they are taking out Snow White- which used to scare the tinkle out of me as a child. But I will miss it a lot.

 

[seacrestpromo]

SJS - There are 54 combinations to the ride. We were able to ride it during a soft opening at DHS, six times, all different rides. My son rode over twenty times and they were all different rides as well.

Got to ride it again this past weekend during AP previews at DL and all three rides were different, than any of my previous six rides at DHS. It is a VERY repeatable ride, the 3D is amazing, the projection and graphics are incredibly sharp, and it is a rougher, more bouncier ride.

Star Wars fans are going to love it. Everyone was clapping after the ride - they thoroughly enjoyed it. Disney has a hit on its hands!

Sea

I was just reading about the new Star Tours ride since DH is so interested in it and it seems it changes each time. The review I read said you should ride it more than once, this person rode it 5x and had a different expierence each time.
Might need more time at DHS considering what the lines for Star Tours might be like.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

More beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing, Jo

 

[T*Bird]

Jo, my list is pretty much like yours. Definitely Epcot #1 MK was also my 2nd fav, until I reconsidered after reading Shelly's list. Now I would say it is tied for 2nd with DHS. (which I think was still MGM on our last trip-when did it change?) And then, what seems to be everybody's bottom of the barrel, AK. I liked our first time at AK, when we went during Mardi Gras week. The weather was so pleasant-jacket in the morning, short sleeves in the afternoon, jacket at night. Last time it was so blasted hot that we finally gave up and cut it short.

So......for both you and Shelly.....I was wondering. Are there attractions that you know will be closed this time and attractions that were closed on your last trip that will now be open? Just a little PTR side bar, if you happen to know!

I'm so glad your area was spared the horrible weather. I know you just had the awful lightning strike, and it has to be scary seeing all these weather systems rolling through the middle of the country. The stories on TV are just too hard to watch.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Your fave parks are definitely different from mine, but I am definitely a thrill seeker.

I enjoy the classic Disney too though, like Haunted Mansion and the Mad Tea Party.

My faves are:
1. MK
2. Epcot (soo close to sharing the top spot w/ MK, if it weren't for Splash Mountain, Cinderella Castle, and that classic Disney magic that MK holds for me.)
3. AK
4. DHS

What??? DHS is last?



I imagine it is for quite a few people. I know a lot of people think it's too small and doesn't have enough rides and enough good places to eat. But I just love it!!


I enjoy the classics at MK too. Love the HM and PP. I think I could do without IASW this time though!

Shelly - DH was talking about the new Star Tours ride , all excited like, surprised me

I do not blame your DH and DS(2)if they skip AK. That park is hot when it is not hot any place else, I went there one of the times we visited in August, I remember we went early in the morning to try to beat the heat, and even early the animals were hiding to stay cool. DH and I decided to skip it this time and just have more DHS time instead, you couldn't pay me to get on EE

Are you guys going to attempt the balloon ride in DTD again? I have a morning and a night planned to head down that way in hopes that we will get to go up in it

I know, AK is always HOT even on a normal a day! I'm sure we won't last long there this time.

I still want to ride the hot air balloon. Every time we go it is closed because of high winds. Maybe it will be open this time, but I'm not so sure getting closer to the sun is a good idea!

OOh if I remember correctly the gingerbread bakers and builders get killer hats to wear! Okay, I'm down. You know how I love me a hat!!!

That RnRC pic was priceless.....
Speaking of that ride and Aerosmith...
did everyone see Steven Tyler singing last night on AI?
That man is awesome.




[]

Oh yes, you would look fabulous in one of those hats!!

I did see Steven Tyler last night!! He was awesome as always!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I was just reading about the new Star Tours ride since DH is so interested in it and it seems it changes each time. The review I read said you should ride it more than once, this person rode it 5x and had a different expierence each time.
Might need more time at DHS considering what the lines for Star Tours might be like.

I hope the line isn't HUGE! I'm sure the kids are going to want to ride it several times!!

Funny thing happened to me this morning I decided to make and ADR (late) for Raglan Road on our DTD night, then went to check my reservations on the Disney Site and on our last day I see lunch at Tokyo Dining

It is suppose to be Teppan Edo somehow when I changed our Teppan Edo last week from 1pm to 1:30 I clicked on the wrong restaurant and made the ADR for the wrong place.

Thank goodness I was able to get the one I really wanted.

That was a close one!!

 

[mari360]

Hey all!!!!! love all your lists and the reasons.

Jo - I also am wondering if the new expansion and changes to the parks are going to affect my image of MK.

Quick question I heard that Mickey and Minnie house will NOT be going to MK anymore.... has anyone heard about this?????? i LOVE that part of toontown. my DD will be so upset.

I can just go for a Grey Goose Lemonade Slushie from WS right now? this heat is crazy!!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update Jo! I know how much you love Epcot and could spend days on end there!

We spent a good bit of time there last year, but I am really looking forward to it without all the Food & Wine Festival booths (and people) making it all crowded and without all those nasty smells coming from the booths! It really took away from Epcot for me.


I hope your DH enjoys DHS a little better this time.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I can just go for a Grey Goose Lemonade Slushie from WS right now? this heat is crazy!!!!!

I'm with ya Mari, it was a long day at school!

 

[sjs314]

SJS - There are 54 combinations to the ride. We were able to ride it during a soft opening at DHS, six times, all different rides. My son rode over twenty times and they were all different rides as well.

Got to ride it again this past weekend during AP previews at DL and all three rides were different, than any of my previous six rides at DHS. It is a VERY repeatable ride, the 3D is amazing, the projection and graphics are incredibly sharp, and it is a rougher, more bouncier ride.

Star Wars fans are going to love it. Everyone was clapping after the ride - they thoroughly enjoyed it. Disney has a hit on its hands!

Sea

Wow 54 combinations I loved Star Tours and can not wait to ride the new one!

Great update Jo! I know how much you love Epcot and could spend days on end there!

We spent a good bit of time there last year, but I am really looking forward to it without all the Food & Wine Festival booths (and people) making it all crowded and without all those nasty smells coming from the booths! It really took away from Epcot for me.


I hope your DH enjoys DHS a little better this time.

I do hope we are not making a huge mistake going for F&W Festival although we do plan on avoiding it Friday night and Sat(except for a lunch ADR @ Marrakesh) and Sunday day so have my fingers crossed. I shudder when I rememeber your Epcot crowd pics from last year.
I do not smell too good so maybe the "nasty" smells won't bother me

 

[sjs314]

Shelly just noticed your ticker and drum roll please.....................

3 Months from today you will be at Disney

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I do hope we are not making a huge mistake going for F&W Festival although we do plan on avoiding it Friday night and Sat(except for a lunch ADR @ Marrakesh) and Sunday day so have my fingers crossed. I shudder when I rememeber your Epcot crowd pics from last year.
I do not smell too good so maybe the "nasty" smells won't bother me

I think you will be fine. My nose is super sensitive, so all the smells were making me a little nauseous. And you won't have little kids with you so all the people who have had a little too much Food & Wine Festival (emphasis on the Wine) that are walking around yelling profanities might not be as bothersome. I hope you don't encounter any of that though!! Or any of the crowds we did.

You'll have to tell me how Marrakesh is. We had an ADR there, but I got scared and cancelled it! I have actually changed that nights ADR 4 times. But I won't tell you what we ended up with until we get into the food part of the PTR!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly just noticed your ticker and drum roll please.....................

3 Months from today you will be at Disney

I forgot today was my 3 Month mark!!! See, I told you it was a long day!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So......for both you and Shelly.....I was wondering. Are there attractions that you know will be closed this time and attractions that were closed on your last trip that will now be open? Just a little PTR side bar, if you happen to know!

Well other than the mess going on in MK in Fantasyland I don't know of any other closures scheduled as of now...

Last time we were there Star Tours was closed, so we are excited to try the new version of it!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I think you will be fine. My nose is super sensitive, so all the smells were making me a little nauseous. And you won't have little kids with you so all the people who have had a little too much Food & Wine Festival (emphasis on the Wine) that are walking around yelling profanities might not be as bothersome. I hope you don't encounter any of that though!! Or any of the crowds we did.

You'll have to tell me how Marrakesh is. We had an ADR there, but I got scared and cancelled it!

Ok, this makes me nervous! Were you at the F&W Festival on a weekday or weekend? We've never actually been in WS during the festival but we have no choice this year since our dates are earlier. I've planned our WS day for a weekday hoping that will minimize the above mentioned problems. I can't handle that kind of stuff. If somebody started cussing around my child, it would get ugly quickly.

And I also want to know why you chickened out on Marrakesh??? (I have a feeling I already know the answer )

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Ok, this makes me nervous! Were you at the F&W Festival on a weekday or weekend? We've never actually been in WS during the festival but we have no choice this year since our dates are earlier. I've planned our WS day for a weekday hoping that will minimize the above mentioned problems. I can't handle that kind of stuff. If somebody started cussing around my child, it would get ugly quickly.

And I also want to know why you chickened out on Marrakesh??? (I have a feeling I already know the answer )

We went on weekdays and weekends. We arrived on a Saturday and we went straight to Epcot. Crowds everywhere! We went back to Epcot on Monday for a bit and it was still fairly crowded. We went again on Thursday and it was pretty crowded again and that is the evening we ran into lots of people who had way too much to drink. Then we went back on Saturday and it was more crowded than I had ever seen it before.

Hopefully it was only because it was the last week of the F&WF and you won't encounter this when you go.


Marrakesh -- well remember the comment about all the funky food and smells at the F&WF? I really really wanted to be adventurous, but just couldn't do it. We are however still trying something new that night!

 

[sjs314]

I think you will be fine. My nose is super sensitive, so all the smells were making me a little nauseous. And you won't have little kids with you so all the people who have had a little too much Food & Wine Festival (emphasis on the Wine) that are walking around yelling profanities might not be as bothersome. I hope you don't encounter any of that though!! Or any of the crowds we did.

You'll have to tell me how Marrakesh is. We had an ADR there, but I got scared and cancelled it! I have actually changed that nights ADR 4 times. But I won't tell you what we ended up with until we get into the food part of the PTR!!

I am not overly enthusied over Marrakesh myself but DH has been wanting to go there since the first time we went to Epcot, back then I used the excuse that neither of our DS would like the food although they both were game for the belly dancer

My plan is the day we are having lunch at Marrakesh, we have dinner at 'Ohana so if I do not eat much lunch no biggy, let me at those pot stickers and wings etc

I have changed things a dozen time in fact DH had wanted to eat at Yak & Yeti for the Kobe burger then then we cancelled going to AK. I now see Big River Grille has a Kobe burger on their lunch menu(I did not tell DH yet) Not sure if I want to try shifting things around again since we have a few "must do" this trip and since I do not have to worry about an ADR for Big River maybe just play it by ear? I know you like that place from your last TR so it is now a serious option

Can you get food to go at Big River? If so could just get DH his burger some afternoon.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

They're all special in their own unique way!!!
I wonder how many people feel that way about AK? How many people would rank that park as their favorite park? I just can't imagine it.

And I wonder if my feelings will change about MK once they are finished with all the work and changes to it? I miss a lot of the old rides--- Toad and the Skyway and 20,000 leagues.... just a lot of them that are no longer there. And now they are taking out Snow White- which used to scare the tinkle out of me as a child. But I will miss it a lot.

WHAAAAAAAT????!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me? This is one of my all-time favs!!!! I am appalled...the first one Walt did and they are axing her?!!!! Surely to do something even better for her? I am just floored......speechless....
(and yes, I remember 20,000 Leagues too!! )

 

[Pluto_fan]

I love them all in a diff way, so its really not right to pick a favorite! That's like asking a mom to pick a favorite child!!! You can't and shouldnt do it!!

This is so true, Shawna!
(but I like MK and Epcot best)

I think they are planning to close Snow White after the new Seven Dwarfs mine train ride opens. Maybe they figure one movie shouldn't get two attractions? I do miss a lot of the old Fantasyland things I remember from when I was little. I have a Viewmaster reel from the mid-70s that includes the Skyway, Mr. Toad (the big devil at the end!), 20,000 Leagues...aw, I need to dig that out and look at it again!