Greg K.
Happy DVC Member, DIS Vet, and Catholic Deacon
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 1,788
Just finishing two great weeks (July 17-31) here in The World, and thought I'd bang out a few quick impressions. We stayed at the Board Walk Villas. 
Yes, it's hot. But it's July, what do you expect? We hit the parks first thing, at 9 sharp, and left between 11 and 12, and it was great. Crowds were manageable, and so was the heat. Fast pass worked beautifully! Can't fathom why all those other people spend 30 or 40 minutes sweating in line. Are they nuts?
People everywhere. Yep. It's true. Lots and lots of people come to WDW in July. But again, using the strategy above, we were able to do what we wanted, with little waiting or whining. We did one or two early mornings, and no evening extra magic hours (we were warned here not to!)
Changes!! Some startling changes: they no longer refill your mug with you get a refillable mug. They give you the refills in styrofoam cups. What's up with that? Health hazards or something? Also: there's a new voice on the monorail!
Bummer. After a decade of that same cheerful voice guiding me around the Seven Seas Lagoon, there's a stranger at the helm. Not only that, but he brought Stitch with him. Ick. Stitch also makes an appearance in the resort wakeup calls. Hate that. Really. What IS the fascination with him???
Soarin' is everything you've heard, and better Rode this three or four times during our two weeks, and loved it every time. During the week, if you get there first thing, you can ride with a respectable 10-15 minute wait. On weekends, it's more like 30 minutes. Otherwise, for other times, try Fast Pass.
IllumiNations cruises are worth every penny We packed up the boat and set sail last Thursday night. Just incredible.
You feel as if the fireworks are about to spiral down on you! Our captain, Scott, was funny and clever and very friendly. We gave him a big fat tip.
Greatest place to view fireworks: the train station We staked out a place there about 90 minutes before SpectroMagic, and got four seats (for me, the missus, and her parents) We took turns wandering around Main St, shopping, while others watched our turf, and we had primo viewing spots for the Big Event at 10 pm. Not only that: we were among the first out the front gate. The fireworks were over by 10:15, and we were walking up the sidewalk to our lobby at the Board Walk at 10:45. Sweet!!
The North route from the airport is faster Orlando wants you to take the southern exit, but if you want to save time (and 25 cents on a toll) go the northern route, and swing down to I-4 that way. We shaved about 10 minutes off our travel time. And yeah, for some reason, the tolls are cheaper that way.
Drop in for a meal and you might get lucky! We were planning to take my inlaws to Narcoossie's for dinner, but when we got there, my wife was disappointed in the menu. A light bulb went off, and she scurried into the GF to ask about the dinner buffet (with Cindrella!) at 1900 Park Fare. They were booked solid, but said come back at 4:30, for the first seating, and they might be able to accomodate us. We did, and they did -- and it was one of the best meals of our trip
The place was all but empty between 4:30 and 5, so the food hadn't been picked over, and the characters were generous with their time. Magic? You bet! 
Other memorable meals... Great first night buffet at Cape May Cafe, superb dinner at Jiko's (gotta LOVE that filet mignon and mac & cheese), awesome breakfast at Crystal Palace with Pooh (gotta LOVE that b'fast lasagna!), delicious pizza at Wolfgang Puck (I had bbq chicken pizza, the missus had salmon pizza), splendid grapefruit cake at Brown Derby. Mmmm.
Will write more when I think of more to write, but those are a few quick impressions. ( I'm trying very VERY hard to keep the magic bubbling...I don't wanna go home...!)
Yes, it's hot. But it's July, what do you expect? We hit the parks first thing, at 9 sharp, and left between 11 and 12, and it was great. Crowds were manageable, and so was the heat. Fast pass worked beautifully! Can't fathom why all those other people spend 30 or 40 minutes sweating in line. Are they nuts?
People everywhere. Yep. It's true. Lots and lots of people come to WDW in July. But again, using the strategy above, we were able to do what we wanted, with little waiting or whining. We did one or two early mornings, and no evening extra magic hours (we were warned here not to!)
Changes!! Some startling changes: they no longer refill your mug with you get a refillable mug. They give you the refills in styrofoam cups. What's up with that? Health hazards or something? Also: there's a new voice on the monorail!
Bummer. After a decade of that same cheerful voice guiding me around the Seven Seas Lagoon, there's a stranger at the helm. Not only that, but he brought Stitch with him. Ick. Stitch also makes an appearance in the resort wakeup calls. Hate that. Really. What IS the fascination with him??? Soarin' is everything you've heard, and better Rode this three or four times during our two weeks, and loved it every time. During the week, if you get there first thing, you can ride with a respectable 10-15 minute wait. On weekends, it's more like 30 minutes. Otherwise, for other times, try Fast Pass.
IllumiNations cruises are worth every penny We packed up the boat and set sail last Thursday night. Just incredible.
You feel as if the fireworks are about to spiral down on you! Our captain, Scott, was funny and clever and very friendly. We gave him a big fat tip. Greatest place to view fireworks: the train station We staked out a place there about 90 minutes before SpectroMagic, and got four seats (for me, the missus, and her parents) We took turns wandering around Main St, shopping, while others watched our turf, and we had primo viewing spots for the Big Event at 10 pm. Not only that: we were among the first out the front gate. The fireworks were over by 10:15, and we were walking up the sidewalk to our lobby at the Board Walk at 10:45. Sweet!!
The North route from the airport is faster Orlando wants you to take the southern exit, but if you want to save time (and 25 cents on a toll) go the northern route, and swing down to I-4 that way. We shaved about 10 minutes off our travel time. And yeah, for some reason, the tolls are cheaper that way.
Drop in for a meal and you might get lucky! We were planning to take my inlaws to Narcoossie's for dinner, but when we got there, my wife was disappointed in the menu. A light bulb went off, and she scurried into the GF to ask about the dinner buffet (with Cindrella!) at 1900 Park Fare. They were booked solid, but said come back at 4:30, for the first seating, and they might be able to accomodate us. We did, and they did -- and it was one of the best meals of our trip
The place was all but empty between 4:30 and 5, so the food hadn't been picked over, and the characters were generous with their time. Magic? You bet! Other memorable meals... Great first night buffet at Cape May Cafe, superb dinner at Jiko's (gotta LOVE that filet mignon and mac & cheese), awesome breakfast at Crystal Palace with Pooh (gotta LOVE that b'fast lasagna!), delicious pizza at Wolfgang Puck (I had bbq chicken pizza, the missus had salmon pizza), splendid grapefruit cake at Brown Derby. Mmmm.
Will write more when I think of more to write, but those are a few quick impressions. ( I'm trying very VERY hard to keep the magic bubbling...I don't wanna go home...!)
your idea about the train. Thanks for sharing.
