Disney Vacation (9 Viewers)

[AAABatteries]

So, it's mostly official - we'll be getting season passes soon. I've kept up with this thread over the years but I plan to go back and skim most of it over the upcoming month (while work is slow). So, I'll start with a few questions:

1. Anything I should be aware of for season passes? There's 6 of us and we are non-Florida residents (Georgia).

2. Any recommendations for when I should buy? My thought was to get them either Feb. or Mar. and try to use them at least during Spring Break, long weekend or two during Summer (want to avoid big crowds and heat as much as we can), Fall and Winter break (definitely doing some time when Xmas decorations are out. And then use them one last time as like an early 2014 spring break. *Note - we won't go that many times but I'm trying to roughly map it out

3. My BIL has been able to buy tickets for us as extended family members in the past - any idea if we can have him buy our season passes for us at a discount?

And just for Yankee - please give me your one-year record for O'hana visits - I want to break your unofficial record.

 

[5Rings]

I want a cattle prod to start poking these fat people walking around reading their phones. Nice quality family time.

The new Cars area in California Adventure is sweet! But be prepared for lines.

 

[AcerFC]

I want a cattle prod to start poking these fat people walking around reading their phones. Nice quality family time. The new Cars area in California Adventure is sweet! But be prepared for lines.

Darn. We are going in July. Was hoping the hype was gone by now. Oh well.

 

[Todem]

So, it's mostly official - we'll be getting season passes soon. I've kept up with this thread over the years but I plan to go back and skim most of it over the upcoming month (while work is slow). So, I'll start with a few questions:1. Anything I should be aware of for season passes? There's 6 of us and we are non-Florida residents (Georgia).2. Any recommendations for when I should buy? My thought was to get them either Feb. or Mar. and try to use them at least during Spring Break, long weekend or two during Summer (want to avoid big crowds and heat as much as we can), Fall and Winter break (definitely doing some time when Xmas decorations are out. And then use them one last time as like an early 2014 spring break. *Note - we won't go that many times but I'm trying to roughly map it out3. My BIL has been able to buy tickets for us as extended family members in the past - any idea if we can have him buy our season passes for us at a discount?And just for Yankee - please give me your one-year record for O'hana visits - I want to break your unofficial record.

Well if your looking to avoid crowds....that is all you will get on long weekends, spring break and summer.We live in South Florida. So we can go whenever. We always go the last week of Ocotber. If we go again it will be in Feb or March before spring break. We never wait more than 15 mins on any lines at any of the parks (all Disney parks, Universals two parks, Sea World etc). If you don't have that felxability to go during those times.....stay away from the place like the plauge during the summer months. Fall and Winter is really the best time to go. Spring and Summer is awful.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

4 over three visits.

 

[Redwes25]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

 

[AcerFC]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

We went for the week of Halloween. MK was very crowded on Friday. Other than that, very nice with little wait time

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Just got back from the wife's 40th surprise trip. We got down there early on Thursday morning and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge on the Club Level. We had an absolutely fantastic time. I have never been a big fan of Disney until this trip. Here are a few thoughts and opinions (forgive me if I get the names wrong):

#1 - Absolute best time of year to go. Weather was great (never got over 80), the longest line we saw was for a Toy Story ride (over 45 minutes) and for Test Drive ( over an hour). Most rides we walked right into had had to wait at most 15 minutes. We fast passed Soaring, the Aerosmith coaster, and Tower of Terror. We were actually able to go right back on the Aerosmith coaster because they did not collect our fast passes. The Christmas decorations and background Christmas carols were very enjoyable.

#2 - Club Level is the way to go. The last time we were down there we stayed at one of the lesser resorts (i forget which one) and I never once got that "Disney Feel". As soon as we walked into the Wilderness Lodge we were really happy with our choice. They brought us up to the Club Level and explained all of the food options. We were able to eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack at night at no extra cost. They had free booze in the afternoon and evening and this with out a doubt saved us quite a bit of money. Every morning they had fresh fruit, yogurt, bagels, muffins, pastries, juices, & cereals. During the afternoon they had these insanely good home made potato chips, cookies, veggies, dips etc. During the dinner hour they would have bison chili, chicken dishes etc. The dinner stuff changed every night. Then at night they had all sorts of desserts and other snack type items. The best part was that they had free beer (three different kinds), several different wines and a bunch other liquor.

#3 - Osborne Lights at Hollywood Studios was absolutely amazing. When we came around the corner we saw a few people actually crying from joy. We spent a couple hours there just trying to find all of the hidden "mickeys" through out the display (we found 38/40)

#4 - The Holidays Around the World - Candlelight Processional was fantastic. Glad you guys suggested it. We had the dinner package from Tokyo (we love sushi) and got very good seats right in the middle. While in line we met a "cast member" from Disney who was there with her family. She was extremely nice and gave us all sorts of info and suggestions. I asked about the lack of insects and she talked about all the natural pesticides they use but the biggest reason for the lack of mosquitoes is that they release hundreds of thousands of lady bugs into the parks and that they do not allow any standing water.

I could go on and on but its already a wall of text. Thanks for all of the suggestions, we had a blast.

 

[AcerFC]

What is club level? Never even heard of it

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

What is club level? Never even heard of it

http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2012/01/disneys-club-level-what-is-it-and-do-i.html

 

[AcerFC]

What is club level? Never even heard of it

http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2012/01/disneys-club-level-what-is-it-and-do-i.html

Interesting thanks. I can see myself doing this the next time since I now know how awesome just spending time in the hotel can be. I used to be an all day park guy.ETA: Anyone do this and get reservations they wanted a few weeks before they arrived. The 180 day thing is crazy. Would be sweet to not have to worry about it

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

What is club level? Never even heard of it

http://www.everythin...t-and-do-i.html

Interesting thanks. I can see myself doing this the next time since I now know how awesome just spending time in the hotel can be. I used to be an all day park guy.ETA: Anyone do this and get reservations they wanted a few weeks before they arrived. The 180 day thing is crazy. Would be sweet to not have to worry about it

Our first day out we bought our breakfast down in the Wilderness Lodge Cafe - With tip the breakfast cost us $38. We then went to the park bought a couple snacks (pretzels/water) which cost about $10 a pop, we then had lunch at the english pub in epcot and that ran us $40 something, wife then bought candy in the afternoon and that was $2.50 or something like that. Dinner ran us about $125 with drinks. So we spent quite a bit on just eating and drinking through out the day. We then hit a lounge type thing where we had some drinks and snacks and I do not recall what we spent.The next day we filled up for breakfast on the club level, went to the park first thing in the AM and my wife filled her bag with "treats" from the night before that she gathered from the club level. We snacked on gummie bears, sodas etc that she took with us into the park. We came back around 6ish and had pulled pork, some grilled chicken thing etc. They had plenty of beer in the fridge and would just keep filling it up every time it got close to being empty. Now some people (not saying we did this) would just take boat loads of food, beer, sodas etc back to their fridge in their room or out to the pool. The room does cost about $100-$150 more per night, I am pretty sure it can save you some money along with just having a nicer experience at the hotel.

 

[ATC1]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

 

[ATC1]

the longest line we saw was for a Toy Story ride (over 45 minutes) and for Test Drive ( over an hour).

Toy Story is always crazy and they just reopened a newly renovated test track. Looking forward to it in January. Both are usually a FP must.

As soon as we walked into the Wilderness Lodge we were really happy with our choice. They brought us up to the Club Level and explained all of the food options. We were able to eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack at night at no extra cost. They had free booze in the afternoon and evening and this with out a doubt saved us quite a bit of money.

Doing this instead of the meal plan does make the price for the club level better. However, you have to be in the hotel for breakfast lunch and dinner which is tough while at Disney, especially with kids.

We spent a couple hours there just trying to find all of the hidden "mickeys" through out the display (we found 38/40)

Finding hidden Mickeys is a fun part of the trip throughout all of Disney. There is a book with every hidden Mickey. Wife and I did a trip and brought the book along.

I asked about the lack of insects and she talked about all the natural pesticides they use but the biggest reason for the lack of mosquitoes is that they release hundreds of thousands of lady bugs into the parks and that they do not allow any standing water.

I recommend the behind the seeds tour in the land. They go through all the natural pesticides and lady bugs they use in the parks.

 

[parasaurolophus]

the longest line we saw was for a Toy Story ride (over 45 minutes) and for Test Drive ( over an hour).

Toy Story is always crazy and they just reopened a newly renovated test track. Looking forward to it in January. Both are usually a FP must.

As soon as we walked into the Wilderness Lodge we were really happy with our choice. They brought us up to the Club Level and explained all of the food options. We were able to eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack at night at no extra cost. They had free booze in the afternoon and evening and this with out a doubt saved us quite a bit of money.

Doing this instead of the meal plan does make the price for the club level better. However, you have to be in the hotel for breakfast lunch and dinner which is tough while at Disney, especially with kids.

We spent a couple hours there just trying to find all of the hidden "mickeys" through out the display (we found 38/40)

Finding hidden Mickeys is a fun part of the trip throughout all of Disney. There is a book with every hidden Mickey. Wife and I did a trip and brought the book along.

I asked about the lack of insects and she talked about all the natural pesticides they use but the biggest reason for the lack of mosquitoes is that they release hundreds of thousands of lady bugs into the parks and that they do not allow any standing water.

I recommend the behind the seeds tour in the land. They go through all the natural pesticides and lady bugs they use in the parks.

The behind the seeds tour is awesome. I have some great pictures of my son releasing pest controlling bugs and feeding the fish. Very cool to learn about up close and personal. We just booked a trip for the end of January and will be doing this again for sure.

 

[Disco Stu]

I recommend the behind the seeds tour in the land. They go through all the natural pesticides and lady bugs they use in the parks.

The behind the seeds tour is awesome. I have some great pictures of my son releasing pest controlling bugs and feeding the fish. Very cool to learn about up close and personal. We just booked a trip for the end of January and will be doing this again for sure.

Dang, that's only $18? I always assumed the special tours were more expensive. Definitely adding that to the list for the next trip.

 

[Worm]

Anyone done the new Test Track?

 

[parasaurolophus]

I recommend the behind the seeds tour in the land. They go through all the natural pesticides and lady bugs they use in the parks.

The behind the seeds tour is awesome. I have some great pictures of my son releasing pest controlling bugs and feeding the fish. Very cool to learn about up close and personal. We just booked a trip for the end of January and will be doing this again for sure.

Dang, that's only $18? I always assumed the special tours were more expensive. Definitely adding that to the list for the next trip.

You get a 20% discount if you have the disney visa.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Anyone done the new Test Track?

Yes, while it was still fun, it was a let down. Guess I was expecting more. You get to design your own car etc, seemed pretty lame and no more test dummies

 

[Dragons]

Someone talk to me about the PhotoPass or PhotoCD. Wife said she heard it's $100 if you order before you go, or $150 when you get there. Give me the scoop, including if it's worth it and how to maximize it if I do it. We're going with another family, is it possible to share one "pass" between two families?

 

[AcerFC]

Someone talk to me about the PhotoPass or PhotoCD. Wife said she heard it's $100 if you order before you go, or $150 when you get there. Give me the scoop, including if it's worth it and how to maximize it if I do it. We're going with another family, is it possible to share one "pass" between two families?

Tons of people share the thing. There are message boards where 5-7 families will all share the pass and then split the cost. Can't help with price. We always buy 1-2 8x10s of our trip (in front of main structure). I take the rest of the pics with my own camera so I didn't think it was worth it for me. But if you want to go without a camera, it's a way to do it and get good pics

 

[Dragons]

Someone talk to me about the PhotoPass or PhotoCD. Wife said she heard it's $100 if you order before you go, or $150 when you get there. Give me the scoop, including if it's worth it and how to maximize it if I do it. We're going with another family, is it possible to share one "pass" between two families?

Tons of people share the thing. There are message boards where 5-7 families will all share the pass and then split the cost. Can't help with price. We always buy 1-2 8x10s of our trip (in front of main structure). I take the rest of the pics with my own camera so I didn't think it was worth it for me. But if you want to go without a camera, it's a way to do it and get good pics

My wife likes to take pictures, so I don't see how we can get away without taking the camera. Leaving it behind would be a huge advantage, though, IMO. This blog post has me leaning against it, since we don't have any character meals and both families oldest is 3 1/2, so we won't have many ride photos. If we have our own camera, the rest of the photos can be taken with our own camera, I'm figuring....Thanks, by the way. Your input helps.

 

[DerbyDad]

Someone talk to me about the PhotoPass or PhotoCD. Wife said she heard it's $100 if you order before you go, or $150 when you get there. Give me the scoop, including if it's worth it and how to maximize it if I do it. We're going with another family, is it possible to share one "pass" between two families?

Tons of people share the thing. There are message boards where 5-7 families will all share the pass and then split the cost. Can't help with price. We always buy 1-2 8x10s of our trip (in front of main structure). I take the rest of the pics with my own camera so I didn't think it was worth it for me. But if you want to go without a camera, it's a way to do it and get good pics

My wife likes to take pictures, so I don't see how we can get away without taking the camera. Leaving it behind would be a huge advantage, though, IMO. This blog post has me leaning against it, since we don't have any character meals and both families oldest is 3 1/2, so we won't have many ride photos. If we have our own camera, the rest of the photos can be taken with our own camera, I'm figuring....Thanks, by the way. Your input helps.

I've done a couple Photo Pass Shares and they have worked out great. You can find someone to share the Photo Pass with by going to facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/78167743594/?ref=ts&fref=ts

There are a lot of people looking to make groups of 4-6 people to split the cost. It works out great for us. We don't do the character meals but still get a lot of pictures with characters and pictures in front of the Castle etc using the Photo Pass photographers. I also bring my camera but it's nice to be in the pictures with the rest of the family. I always tell the photographer that we have pre purchased the CD so take a lot of pictures. Once the pictures are downloaded to their website you can edit them and add boarders and special characters and labels. After editing I ended up with over 400 pics last time we went. Well worth the $26.00 it cost me.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

--the peanut butter and jelly milkshake in the 50s prime time diner was INSANELY good. If you're there in the park just roll up to the bar of this place and get one. Best 4 bucks you'll spend all day, and it could feed two people.

Seconded. We had a 7:45 reservation at California Grill and realized around 2:00 that we hadn't eaten lunch yet. We dropped in and sat at the bar. The wife, daughter, and I ordered a chocolate shake and a PBJ shake to split between the 3 of us for lunch. They ended up fighting over the PBJ shake. It was pretty good. Combined with keeping her out past midnight 3 different nights, I'm expecting a parent of the year nomination any day now.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

BTW Cappy, if you haven't taken the gf up to California Grill to see the holiday fireworks show from their viewing platform, do it. By your descriptions, I'm guessing she'll love it.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sticky wings at Kona >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>wings at Ohana. The service sucked, though. The rest of the food was good, but I was largely underwhelmed.

Ohana was Ohana.

The beef and the Valrhona Chocolate Cake at California Grill were both excellent. Hell, my daughter's macaroni and cheese there was better than most of the meals I had the rest of the week. GB the free dining plan at that place, though. Allows me to feel much less guilty about splurging on wine, though I'm eternally annoyed by having a wine list like that and failing to store/serve it properly.

 

[Worm]

Sticky wings at Kona >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>wings at Ohana. The service sucked, though. The rest of the food was good, but I was largely underwhelmed. Ohana was Ohana. The beef and the Valrhona Chocolate Cake at California Grill were both excellent. Hell, my daughter's macaroni and cheese there was better than most of the meals I had the rest of the week. GB the free dining plan at that place, though. Allows me to feel much less guilty about splurging on wine, though I'm eternally annoyed by having a wine list like that and failing to store/serve it properly.

Yeah, service was crappy at Kona for us too.

 

[5Rings]

I want a cattle prod to start poking these fat people walking around reading their phones. Nice quality family time. The new Cars area in California Adventure is sweet! But be prepared for lines.

Darn. We are going in July. Was hoping the hype was gone by now. Oh well.

At 8:30am, the Fast Pass Line for Cars was an hour long, and the FPs were for 4:00pm. I just got in line and called the family 2 hrs later to join me.

 

[Premier]

2 hour wait for the little mermaid ride the other day.

The rest of Magic Kingdom felt positively empty -- everybody was at fantasyland.

 

[Dragons]

O'hana was delicious overall. The wing were just okay, but the dumplings were exceptional. The steak was perfectly cooked and awesome, I ordered seconds, everyone in my group claimed they were stuffed. Until the bread pudding came out.

I'm bloated. Probably put on 5 lbs. tonight.

 

[cstu]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

We were there last week. IIRC, crowd calendar said Monday was supposed to be a 5 and the rest of the week was pretty much 1-3. I didn't see much difference from day to day at any of the parks. If Monday was a 5, I'd call them all 5s. If it was a 3, I would have called them all 3. But, it was cool to see the parks all jazzed up for Christmas. For MOST rides, I'd say wait times were sub-20 minutes. Some you practically walked onto. Then there were the handful of rides with constantly excessive wait times (Test Track, pretty much everything in the new Fantasyland not named Dumbo, Toy Story, Thunder Mountain, Soarin, Space Mountain). If you get in early and manage the Fast Passes correctly or stay late after the park empties post-fireworks, you CAN manage to spend little time standing in lines this time of year. The only real exception I could see in all of that is Test Track. It seemed like it was ALWAYS 60 minutes+ on the wait time, though we hit it at the end of the night when it said 70 minutes, and it only took us 45 minutes to get on. Then when we got to the end, the group after us hadn't finished in the design room yet, so the guy let us ride again. Made it worth it.

 

[ATC1]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

We were there last week. IIRC, crowd calendar said Monday was supposed to be a 5 and the rest of the week was pretty much 1-3. I didn't see much difference from day to day at any of the parks. If Monday was a 5, I'd call them all 5s. If it was a 3, I would have called them all 3. But, it was cool to see the parks all jazzed up for Christmas. For MOST rides, I'd say wait times were sub-20 minutes. Some you practically walked onto. Then there were the handful of rides with constantly excessive wait times (Test Track, pretty much everything in the new Fantasyland not named Dumbo, Toy Story, Thunder Mountain, Soarin, Space Mountain). If you get in early and manage the Fast Passes correctly or stay late after the park empties post-fireworks, you CAN manage to spend little time standing in lines this time of year. The only real exception I could see in all of that is Test Track. It seemed like it was ALWAYS 60 minutes+ on the wait time, though we hit it at the end of the night when it said 70 minutes, and it only took us 45 minutes to get on. Then when we got to the end, the group after us hadn't finished in the design room yet, so the guy let us ride again. Made it worth it.

All new areas and rides will take 2-3x as long the entire day. Toy Story, New Fantasyland, Test Track (reopened). There was need to allow certain times of admission into the new Harry Potter World year round when it opened up.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

We do Thanksgiving day through the next week or so every year. Best time of year save the food and wine festival. Down time of year so the lines aren't that bad at all - we did Kali River 4 times in a row without getting off of the raft and only stopped because we were simply too wet to not get up and move around; did splash mountain 5 times in a row with similar results. Walk on to almost everything except the newest thing - New Fantasyland is packed and Toy Story Mania is as well - which I still just don't get. The ride isn't that good but maybe that's just me.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

We do Thanksgiving day through the next week or so every year. Best time of year save the food and wine festival. Down time of year so the lines aren't that bad at all - we did Kali River 4 times in a row without getting off of the raft and only stopped because we were simply too wet to not get up and move around; did splash mountain 5 times in a row with similar results. Walk on to almost everything except the newest thing - New Fantasyland is packed and Toy Story Mania is as well - which I still just don't get. The ride isn't that good but maybe that's just me.

I wouldn't go near the thing. I don't wait 90 minutes in line for ANY ride. OK, MAYBE I'd wait that long for one titled Cabernet Plunge. Or Maggie Grace's Love Tunnel.Maybe.

 

[sho nuff]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

September was great the year we went.Son was 2...our first trip there since my wife and I had gone with our families when we were younger.Got there Labor Day (which was a little busy...but not bad at Animal Kingdom that day)...no lines on anything the rest of the week.Of course...that was before TS Mania...and with him being so small we did not ride much more than the things we could do with him and see shows and characters...but he had a blast and was so fun doing that.Also great being our first trip in so long as we had no clue or real plan to the days and just sort of went with the flow of what he wanted to do and when he was up for things or needed a nap.Had we gone when it was busier...we may not have gotten back to it as much as we go now (and now have a good grasp and a plan of what to do and where to go each day to get the maximum out of everything).Would love to go back at that point...but hate taking the kids out of school for it.

 

[ATC1]

When is the best time to go to avoid the crowds? Was thinking late October or early November. Thanks

Whole column about crowds/crowd level and other stuff like pricing here for 2013.http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Disney-World-Week-Rankings-v21.jpg

very cool

Looks like if you are willing to let your kids skip school at the beginning of the year September is the best time to go.Edit: right after Thanksgiving there's low crowds and the Christmas events.

We do Thanksgiving day through the next week or so every year. Best time of year save the food and wine festival. Down time of year so the lines aren't that bad at all - we did Kali River 4 times in a row without getting off of the raft and only stopped because we were simply too wet to not get up and move around; did splash mountain 5 times in a row with similar results. Walk on to almost everything except the newest thing - New Fantasyland is packed and Toy Story Mania is as well - which I still just don't get. The ride isn't that good but maybe that's just me.

It's really the only ride there kids can do under 40 inches. (Star Tours, Rockin RollerCoaster, Tower of Terror.) A bunch of shows, backlot tour?

 

[sho nuff]

And who actually waits for rides like that anyway?

Get there early...get the fast pass or be very fast to get back there and ride it right away.

Otherwise...tough cookies.

 

[Premier]

Got a last minute dinner table at Ohana for Saturday night.

 

[Usual21]

Got a last minute dinner table at Ohana for Saturday night.

NICE!!!

 

[Usual21]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.

Here's my updated plans.

12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm

12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm

12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm

12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)

12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm

12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pm

I haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

 

[Premier]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

 

[Dragons]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

What time were you there? We got a last minute reservation for last night too (we were seated about 7). I pretty much assume half the joint is filled with FBGs, so I was sitting there thinking about a signal I could give to identify myself to other FBG, but since I suck at schtick, I couldn't come up with anything.

 

[Premier]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

What time were you there? We got a last minute reservation for last night too (we were seated about 7). I pretty much assume half the joint is filled with FBGs, so I was sitting there thinking about a signal I could give to identify myself to other FBG, but since I suck at schtick, I couldn't come up with anything.

Lol. We got seated at 7:30. Funny.

 

[Usual21]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

Thanks GB.

 

[Dragons]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

What time were you there? We got a last minute reservation for last night too (we were seated about 7). I pretty much assume half the joint is filled with FBGs, so I was sitting there thinking about a signal I could give to identify myself to other FBG, but since I suck at schtick, I couldn't come up with anything.

Lol. We got seated at 7:30. Funny.

I have no idea what time we left, but we were definitely there at 7:30. If you were seated in the main dining room, you probably walked right by us. We were seated straight out from the fire (2 tables away, closest to the kitchen).

 

[Premier]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

What time were you there? We got a last minute reservation for last night too (we were seated about 7). I pretty much assume half the joint is filled with FBGs, so I was sitting there thinking about a signal I could give to identify myself to other FBG, but since I suck at schtick, I couldn't come up with anything.

Lol. We got seated at 7:30. Funny.

I have no idea what time we left, but we were definitely there at 7:30. If you were seated in the main dining room, you probably walked right by us. We were seated straight out from the fire (2 tables away, closest to the kitchen).

Ha. Walked right by there 3 times. Does that count as a cornhole?

 

[Dragons]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

What time were you there? We got a last minute reservation for last night too (we were seated about 7). I pretty much assume half the joint is filled with FBGs, so I was sitting there thinking about a signal I could give to identify myself to other FBG, but since I suck at schtick, I couldn't come up with anything.

Lol. We got seated at 7:30. Funny.

I have no idea what time we left, but we were definitely there at 7:30. If you were seated in the main dining room, you probably walked right by us. We were seated straight out from the fire (2 tables away, closest to the kitchen).

Ha. Walked right by there 3 times. Does that count as a cornhole?

I'm counting it.

 

[Premier]

Just called one last time to see if I could upgrade any restaurants or find ones we wanted in case someone dropped a reservation. I was able to get Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner. My son is gonna go NUTS.Here's my updated plans.12/25 Magic Kingdom/Chef Mickey 7:00 pm12/26 Hollywood Studios/Brown Derby 6:20 pm12/27 Animal Kingdom/Tusker House 6:15 pm12/28 Legoland/'OHANA 9pm (just me and Mrs. Usual!)12/29 Epcot/Kona Cafe 7:05 pm12/30 Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare 6:00 pmI haven't been this excited for a vacation in a LONG time.

Awesome. Have a great trip. Ohana last night was fantastic. We asked just for the shrimp instead of the pork, chicken and steak and boy......they delivered. Good lord. They must have put 40 of those amazing little things on my plate and I cleaned house. Goes phenomenal with the spicy dipping sauce. Mouth watering now just thinking about them.

What time were you there? We got a last minute reservation for last night too (we were seated about 7). I pretty much assume half the joint is filled with FBGs, so I was sitting there thinking about a signal I could give to identify myself to other FBG, but since I suck at schtick, I couldn't come up with anything.

Lol. We got seated at 7:30. Funny.

I have no idea what time we left, but we were definitely there at 7:30. If you were seated in the main dining room, you probably walked right by us. We were seated straight out from the fire (2 tables away, closest to the kitchen).

Ha. Walked right by there 3 times. Does that count as a cornhole?

I'm counting it.