Disney Vacation (5 Viewers)

[Bruce Dickinson]

Snacked around the world and almost hit all the countries.

Mexico-Guac and chips

China-Pot Stickers

Germany-Brat and Nudel Gratin

Japan-Sushi

Morocco-Lamb Platter

France-Crepe and Croque Glaces

We were going to do Fish & Chips in the UK and Spoon Bread in Norway, but we tapped out.

If you have not tried a Croque Glaces in the France ice cream shop, punch yourself in the face and then tell yourself you deserved it. Brioche bread sliced in half, ice cream scoop in the middle (profiterole is my choice) raspberry sauce on top. Then the other half of the bread is put on top before going into a warm press that heats the bread and seals in the cold ice cream. Um, it's good.

The Mrs. had one of those during our last day at Epcot. Pistachio ice cream with chocolate sauce. She was a big fan.I found the School Bread in Norway to be ordinary, but that bakery overall is excellent.

The Japan QSR is my favorite in the World Showcase. I love the teriyaki sampler. I really like teriyaki sauce.

Tried the lamb at Tangerine (?). Yum.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

The car traffic to get to Magic Kingdom is backed up all the way to Hollywood Studios.

So glad I got to go and see the parks in Christmas mode. So glad I'm home today.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

 

[Osaurus]

Wait times are as expected today.

 

[Capella]

100 minutes just for Big Thunder right now

Wouldn't go anywhere near that place.

 

[AcerFC]

Kids just got the call from Mickey and Minnie about the cruise. It's little things like that which makes it so much fun for the kids

 

[(HULK)]

Snacked around the world and almost hit all the countries.

Mexico-Guac and chips

China-Pot Stickers

Germany-Brat and Nudel Gratin

Japan-Sushi

Morocco-Lamb Platter

France-Crepe and Croque Glaces

We were going to do Fish & Chips in the UK and Spoon Bread in Norway, but we tapped out.

If you have not tried a Croque Glaces in the France ice cream shop, punch yourself in the face and then tell yourself you deserved it. Brioche bread sliced in half, ice cream scoop in the middle (profiterole is my choice) raspberry sauce on top. Then the other half of the bread is put on top before going into a warm press that heats the bread and seals in the cold ice cream. Um, it's good.

I did the drink around the world thing before....

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

100 minutes just for Big Thunder right now

Wouldn't go anywhere near that place.

120 for Space mountain, Peter Pan, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. 110 for Test Track and 105 for Soarin.

5 minute wait for Captain EO.

 

[Capella]

100 minutes just for Big Thunder right now

Wouldn't go anywhere near that place.

120 for Space mountain, Peter Pan, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. 110 for Test Track and 105 for Soarin.

5 minute wait for Captain EO.

dad do we have to see Captain EO AGAIN?

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Wait times are as expected today.

Folks are getting turned away at the MK doors if they have a single day ticket. Might have to shut out off-property guests this afternoon.

 

[Capella]

We have off tomorraw and the wife said maybe we should go to Disney. The sentence didn't get our of her mouth before I started laughing.

 

[NIU Kicker]

We have off tomorraw and the wife said maybe we should go to Disney. The sentence didn't get our of her mouth before I started laughing.

Anyone who lives within driving distance of disney shouldn't even think about going during this two week period.

 

[Capella]

We have off tomorraw and the wife said maybe we should go to Disney. The sentence didn't get our of her mouth before I started laughing.

Anyone who lives within driving distance of disney shouldn't even think about going during this two week period.

Yea. We will not engage.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

While we were there the renovated Polynesian lobby opened. It's nice, if a bit more generic than its predecessor. Still building those villas out on the water. Our Ohana waiter said those huts will be two bedrooms, have private pools, and the hotel will start out trying to rent them for $1000 per night.

 

[Capella]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

Yep. Some folks are getting turned away at the MK gates. To get into MK right now, you have to be staying on property, be an annual pass holder, have an appointment inside the park (dining reservations, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League), have the clock running on Memory Maker, or parkhopping.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

60 minutes for Dumbo. And there's two of those.

 

[Capella]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

Yep. Some folks are getting turned away at the MK gates. To get into MK right now, you have to be staying on property, be an annual pass holder, have an appointment inside the park (dining reservations, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League), have the clock running on Memory Maker, or parkhopping.

Damn.

Where do you get this info? The people getting turned away.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

Yep. Some folks are getting turned away at the MK gates. To get into MK right now, you have to be staying on property, be an annual pass holder, have an appointment inside the park (dining reservations, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League), have the clock running on Memory Maker, or parkhopping.

Damn. Where do you get this info? The people getting turned away.

WDWmagic.com

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

So this is a new one...

No restrictions to entry at MK. However the parking lot at the TTC is full. So guests driving in are being redirected to Epcot to park there, then take the monorail to the TTC, then take the monorail to MK.

If today is your first day visiting WDW and you never want to go back, I don't blame you.

 

[Capella]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

Yep. Some folks are getting turned away at the MK gates. To get into MK right now, you have to be staying on property, be an annual pass holder, have an appointment inside the park (dining reservations, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League), have the clock running on Memory Maker, or parkhopping.

Damn. Where do you get this info? The people getting turned away.

WDWmagic.com

Boy you could spend a while reading those forums.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

MK parking lot filled up again today. Car traffic is being sent to Epcot for guests to monorail it back to the TTC.

No restrictions on MK entry yet.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Must be near capacity today. These wait times are

Yep. Some folks are getting turned away at the MK gates.To get into MK right now, you have to be staying on property, be an annual pass holder, have an appointment inside the park (dining reservations, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League), have the clock running on Memory Maker, or parkhopping.

Damn.Where do you get this info? The people getting turned away.

WDWmagic.com

Boy you could spend a while reading those forums.

This post amuses me.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

MK is an capacity again.

Ten MK attractions are in WDW's "Long Wait Time" classification, greater than 60 minutes. So that doesn't include Little Mermaid or Enchanted Tales, currently posting 60 minute waits.

Peter Pan, Seven Dwarfs, and Space Mountain are 120-minute standby waits.

 

[Capella]

Wednesday should be a real hoot.

 

[TenTimes]

4 parks in 1 day =

I worked at Disney for a few months and figured even 3 in a day would be next to impossible.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

MK is an capacity again.

Ten MK attractions are in WDW's "Long Wait Time" classification, greater than 60 minutes. So that doesn't include Little Mermaid or Enchanted Tales, currently posting 60 minute waits.

Peter Pan, Seven Dwarfs, and Space Mountain are 120-minute standby waits.

Love Disney but that would be pure hell for me.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Agreed. The day would be the three FP+ attractions, and..... That's pretty much it.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Toy Story Mania is 175 minutes. That's a lot of photos of Andy's room.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

They 'shut the gates' on the 29th as well. A friend of my wife was in Florida visiting family and tried to go to magic Kingdom with her niece. They nicely told her the park was at capacity but suggested epcot as a alternative.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

MK hit Phase A Capacity before 9:30 am Orlando time this morning.

If you wanted to experience New Year's at Magic Kingdom on a single-day ticket, you had to be there when the park opened.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Soarin standby queue is posting a 210 minute wait time.

This is how busy it is at Epcot today: Captain EO has a 35-minute wait.

 

[glvsav37]

Traffic getting into MK today...yikes

 

[Osaurus]

Magical gridlock

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Traffic getting into MK today...yikes

Along the roadside in front of that welcome monument are signs reading "NO STOPPING: STRICTLY ENFORCED" to prevent folks from hopping out and taking pictures of themselves there.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Bumping because some questions asked in other threads today have either already been fielded here or would be best handled by the regulars here

 

[MAC_32]

Taking my kid for his 5th birthday, just doing a long weekend though. Will be doing two park days, not too worried about a meltdown. He's an...interesting kid. Fascinated with dangerous weather and natural disasters. Guessing he isn't old enough to appreciate Universal, so my immediate thought for one is Epcot but no clue on the other. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery? Price isn't an issue. We are not staying on site. One of my friends lives nearby, so we are staying in his spare bedroom and using their extra car on park days.

 

[RnR]

Ok, nerds. I interned here for a semester as an undergrad about a decade ago. What behind the scenes stuff do we want to know?

 

[Capella]

Ok, nerds. I interned here for a semester as an undergrad about a decade ago. What behind the scenes stuff do we want to know?

All of it.

 

[RnR]

Ok, nerds. I interned here for a semester as an undergrad about a decade ago. What behind the scenes stuff do we want to know?

All of it.

I'll start here: One of the Snow Whites was "involved" with one of the Cinderellas.

 

[Capella]

Ok, nerds. I interned here for a semester as an undergrad about a decade ago. What behind the scenes stuff do we want to know?

All of it.

I'll start here: One of the Snow Whites was "involved" with one of the Cinderellas.

Nice! Are they as arrogant to other cast members as I imagine them to be?

 

[RnR]

Ok, nerds. I interned here for a semester as an undergrad about a decade ago. What behind the scenes stuff do we want to know?

All of it.

I'll start here: One of the Snow Whites was "involved" with one of the Cinderellas.

Nice! Are they as arrogant to other cast members as I imagine them to be?

Oh god, yes. "Performers" considered themselves one step away from Broadway.

 

[glvsav37]

Taking my kid for his 5th birthday, just doing a long weekend though. Will be doing two park days, not too worried about a meltdown. He's an...interesting kid. Fascinated with dangerous weather and natural disasters. Guessing he isn't old enough to appreciate Universal, so my immediate thought for one is Epcot but no clue on the other. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery? Price isn't an issue. We are not staying on site. One of my friends lives nearby, so we are staying in his spare bedroom and using their extra car on park days.

Kinda tough question ...it really varies interest to interest.

IMO, Epoct with a 5 year old would not be my 1st choice.

If you/he has never been before, then you must do the magic kingdom. Its the flagship park, and hands down has the most attractions and entertainment for him at that age

After that, I would recommend the Disney Studios for the 2nd day. If he like anything on Disney Jr, then thats the place for him. They have the most TV and recent Movie characters there —Big Hero 6, Jake, Oso, Handy Many, Doc mcStuffins, Toy Story, Monsters U...etc. He my recognize them quicker then some of the older ones. Do a late lunch at Hollywood and vine where he can see most of them right there. Plus you have Toy Story Mania (a must) Star tours, Indy Jones Stunt show, Muppets, Dis Jr show, Frozen (if he's into that) and Jedi Academy (sign him up early for that if interested)

Animal kingdom is a close 2nd there...If he is really into animals, I'd say go there, but Studios wins by a nose hair.

Why not Epcot? 1/2 of Epcot is the world showcase, which in itself is amazing, but not sure through the eyes of a 5 year old. You said hes an "interesting kid" so if that involves learning about other countries, then by all means go. I'm not knocking it, there is real amazing things and people to learn from there, but I rank that as part of a longer, multi-day experience.

Outside of that, you do have some good rides, but not sure of his tolerances..Test Track, Soarin, are the bigger ones. Space Ship earth is nice, Turtle Talk is fun, and Energy Adventure is slow and could be boring (45 mins long and only part of it is with cool dinosaurs)

Back to Studios and Animal Kingdom. Both of them can be done by 5-6pm easily. As a matter of fact, a lot of the characters are done by 5 and if you dont want to sit around waiting for Fantastic, can I suggest a fun excursion? And i'm assuming you are not getting a park hopper ticket.

Go get diner reservations at Chef Mickeys at the contemporary. Afterward, book the Pirates and Pals Cruise that launches right from that resort. Its a cocktail hour type party with dessert and such, pictures with Capt hook and Smee then followed by a boat ride out to the center of the lake to watch the MK fireworks...they pipe the music into the boat.. The boat pirate 'Patch' is a fun guy who sings songs with the kids, does trivia and each kid gets a small prize. Back at dock you are 'surprised' by Peter Pan.

Or...if you already seen the MK fireworks....and money isnt an option. Charter a pontoon boat from the Beach club to go over to Epcot and watch illuminations from the lake. Very cool experience. It might be a nice way to bring the friends you are staying with. No park ticket needed. If you go to Disboards.com, there are people looking to split the cost of the boat, so you can save money there. Afterward, spend a few hours on the Boardwalk enjoying that atmosphere.

Enjoy!!

 

[glvsav37]

Ok, nerds. I interned here for a semester as an undergrad about a decade ago. What behind the scenes stuff do we want to know?

Where did you work...I was at Pecos Bills in the Mk.

Back when I was there, it was only Vista Way...but man...VW was the ####!!!!!

 

[prosopis]

Ready to plan our Disneyland trip. Any thoughts on where to stay close by at a good price? I went to Costco to buy some three day passes but they do not sell them anymore. I heard some grocery stores do. Does anyone here have reputable place that sells three day park hopper passes ?

* Seems like this thread is all Disney World. Does the info transfer to Disneyland?

 

[glvsav37]

Ready to plan our Disneyland trip. Any thoughts on where to stay close by at a good price? I went to Costco to buy some three day passes but they do not sell them anymore. I heard some grocery stores do. Does anyone here have reputable place that sells three day park hopper passes ?

* Seems like this thread is all Disney World. Does the info transfer to Disneyland?

Page Bruce Dickinson...I think he is a DL guy

 

[prosopis]

Ready to plan our Disneyland trip. Any thoughts on where to stay close by at a good price? I went to Costco to buy some three day passes but they do not sell them anymore. I heard some grocery stores do. Does anyone here have reputable place that sells three day park hopper passes ?

* Seems like this thread is all Disney World. Does the info transfer to Disneyland?

Page Bruce Dickinson...I think he is a DL guy

Not sure who that is.

 

[MAC_32]

This is why I asked. Haven't been there in more than two decades and didn't have a great time when I went. That Disney Studios knocked one day outta the park though. Thank you.

I'm probably over thinking the other day and should just do Magic Kingdom.

Food is all covered. They are treating us one night and the day I'm treating them we will go to a restaurant another friend of mine is chef. Some flying fish thing on site. The park days I'm not planning food in case we over stay his energy levels. Guessing they will cook one night then I'll get some steaks to grill by the pool the other night.

 

[glvsav37]

Ready to plan our Disneyland trip. Any thoughts on where to stay close by at a good price? I went to Costco to buy some three day passes but they do not sell them anymore. I heard some grocery stores do. Does anyone here have reputable place that sells three day park hopper passes ?

* Seems like this thread is all Disney World. Does the info transfer to Disneyland?

Page Bruce Dickinson...I think he is a DL guy

Not sure who that is.

He's a few posts up in this thread..PM him or just wait..he is here often.

 

[glvsav37]

This is why I asked. Haven't been there in more than two decades and didn't have a great time when I went. That Disney Studios knocked one day outta the park though. Thank you.

I'm probably over thinking the other day and should just do Magic Kingdom.

Food is all covered. They are treating us one night and the day I'm treating them we will go to a restaurant another friend of mine is chef. Some flying fish thing on site. The park days I'm not planning food in case we over stay his energy levels. Guessing they will cook one night then I'll get some steaks to grill by the pool the other night.

Flying fish is a great restaurant...its on the Boardwalk...it dovetales nicely into the renting the private boat for illuminations being the beach club is right on the other side of the lake.

 

[MAC_32]

This is why I asked. Haven't been there in more than two decades and didn't have a great time when I went. That Disney Studios knocked one day outta the park though. Thank you.

I'm probably over thinking the other day and should just do Magic Kingdom.

Food is all covered. They are treating us one night and the day I'm treating them we will go to a restaurant another friend of mine is chef. Some flying fish thing on site. The park days I'm not planning food in case we over stay his energy levels. Guessing they will cook one night then I'll get some steaks to grill by the pool the other night.

Flying fish is a great restaurant...its on the Boardwalk...it dovetales nicely into the renting the private boat for illuminations being the beach club is right on the other side of the lake.

oh, really?Ok, sending email now with potential amended plan. Thanks again