Disney Vacation (15 Viewers)

[Bruce Dickinson]

The meals at Cinderella's Royal Table will last 60 minutes, 75 at the most.  They want you to see all the princesses, but also want to turn that table over.  

If you can, check in 15-20 minutes early.  They will seat you ASAP if they can.

 

[AAABatteries]

Day 2 sounds great, hitting HS for a 1/2 is perfect if no one is into SW. Its been a long time since I've done F&W, so ill let others chime in. I think @AAABatteries knows his way around there well.

Will be hitting F&W up in September for the 3rd time - may be my favorite thing at Disney - I love food, I love beer and I love other cultures and try new things.  I can't really do justice doing a writeup as 1. I'm not as well versed in all the in's and out's of F&W and 2. I'm not a very good writer.  Check out the Disney Food blog for 2016 menus (and 2017 once released).

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2017-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-booths-menus-and-food-photos/

I'll will add a few thoughts (and will also go find some previous F&W posts I've made to bump):

- Sounds like you will be having a pretty big lunch so you may not be real hungry so my recommendation would be to get the Passport first thing and determine which of the booths you absolutely don't want to miss.  There's so many that you can't realistically eat/drink something from all of them in an afternoon/evening - but it sure is fun trying!

- If you are on a budget they have convenient F&W gift cards that you can preset to your budget amount - pragmatic and it makes it faster to pay and move on to the next booth.

- Share, share, share - the prices can be a little steep and sometimes a dish you think you will like you hate and one you think you won't like you love.  Unless you are certain of the purchase (steak in Canada) consider getting just one and sharing and going back for seconds if it's a hit and the lines not too bad

- It appears you are on the DDP - you can use snack credits for a lot of the food (obviously not the alcohol)

If I think of anything else I'll post it.  Have a great time, I can't wait for my return.

 

[AAABatteries]

Some of my favorites:

- crispy pork belly in Brazil

- scallop in Scotland

- beef in France

- empanadas in Patagonia

- shrimp taco in Mexico

Those are top of head, I'm sure I'm forgetting some - the only think that didn't go well during our trip was it rained both evenings we went to F&W. I still hit over half the countries but it definitely screwed things up

bump

 

[AAABatteries]

I'm going to put that on my business cards.  Esq., F&W O.G.  The conversations will be awesome.

Ok, Food and Wine, the atmosphere has changed over the years from when it was a special Disney thing to know being the thing that every 22 year old in Florida and every middle aged guy whose wife never lets him have fun needs to abuse over and over so you have to deal with that.  But it's still a great experience.  Feel free to trip any moron that has some kind of "I got drunk at Food and Wine" or similar shirt because they don't need to be in the genepool any longer.

Payment Options

As mentioned in the thread the very best way to do this is to get the keychain credit card thing.  It can be used elsewhere as a credit card but the main thing is payment within in the lines of Food and Wine.  It's the easiest way.  You would think cash is, but for some reason it isn't.  Use the wristband credit card thing and then keep it as a souvenier when you go home.  I might have a box full of them.  

Map/Guide Options

Don't buy anything.  There is no need.  Marketplace has a free Passport as has been mentioned.  (Hopefully it's still free).  That will give you a very good breakdown of all your options.  I find that the best way to tackle food and wine is in the opposite direction that the larger crowds seem to be moving.  More often than not, people with kids will be moving towards the Mexico pavilion first to the left of the main entry walk into World Showcase because Mexio and then Norway have rides.  Going the other way there are no rides any time soon.  So you are more likely to hit small kid families and people moving out of the accepted lanes of walking traffic more often in that area.  So start to the right heading towards Canada.

Be sure to stop in the central sister stores on the lake before you begin as well.  There are always deals there and they started selling a collectors mason jar of several moonshines for Food and Wine.  Caveat there though - Disney does not allow you to carry the moonshine in the park.  If you buy it, they deliver it to the front of the park for you to pick up when you leave the park for the day.  I might have objected to that once or twice.

General Overview/Layout

The general feeling of the setup is that the new Food and Wine booths are in the areas that most closely resemble their place in the world.  The South American countries will be near Mexico for example.  So you get not only new foods and treats to try but they are somewhat organized into regions of the planet.  You will get fat in the Mexico pavilion eventually.  The food from Argentina alone is orgasmic usually.

In the main portion of the entry to World Showcase (in between Mexico and Canada) there will be countries lined up as well.  These are usually the most crowded because people hit them first as they walk in.  I usually skip them and head back to France right away but YMMV.  In this general area you are probably going to find Domincan Republic, Hawaii, Scotland, Patagonia, New Zealand and Ausralia.  Sometimes they are in general places.  I know Greece is always in that area and never by, say, Italy, for some reason.  At least not that I have seen or remember.  But, whatever you do don't get stuck in one spot - there is a ton to do.

Pricing

The prices for everything range from $4 to about $11 for some higher end stuff.  A glass of wine is usually $5 or $6 and they are small - maybe half a normal glass or a third of a glass you would pour at home.  It really is designed to be a tasting and not a meal.  The food portions are more single appetizer size.

Menu

There is too much to review, but there are some must eats.  When it comes to the wine and the various beer areas and beer flites it really is whatever you want.  I usually go for the more refreshing and light stuff alcohol wise during this endeavor because of all the food and heat.

Africa will have a pavilion that should have a beef tenerloin option.  About $5.  Awesome.  The Africa cart area has a Grey Goose flozen drink that wife loves.  Everything is awesome in Australia especially the shrimp option.  In Belgium they should have a chocolate ganache - doesn't have to be dessert time - just get it.  And all their beers are awesome.  Brazil is orgasmic in every way.  Canada does a stand that basically has samples from the LeCellier' menu.  Awesome and makes you want to run into Le Cellier' - which you cannot do.  If you don't have a reservation there you aren't getting in.  China has a roast duck option if you like that but I go with the pot stickers.  Solid.  In the American pavlion there barbeque stuff that is solid but you can get that any time so I usually ignore the USA area except the grab a Sam Adams while I walk to the next stop.  Anything near France is awesome usually without a problem.  The Hawaii pork slider - do this.  You're welcome.  If Ireland is there again they do a lobster thing that is good although you can get roughly the same thing in America with probably a little smaller line.

Italy, well if you have to ask about that area you aren't human.  Poland has a good keilbassa that is awesome.  Scottland - potato pancake.  Again, you are welcome.  If South Korea is there again you will lose a lot of money there but it is worth it.  Just get one of everything.  And of course there is alcohol everywhere.  Germany will be packed with every moron on the planet to get the regular German stock and then all the new stuff (Belgium is there usually).  The German girls are 12's on the offdee scale almost universally.  The Italians are 13's.  I digress.

Overall if you are a glutton you will spend an easy $250 if you hit every place there.  A comfortable walk and hitting only stuff every now and then could see $100.  It your choice.

Gameplan

Like I said,  start on the right side towards Canada usually always.  There will be another block of a crowd as you cross the bridge into France because of the layout.  What you can't do though is ignore the countries that are always there because they step up at Food and Wine with different stuff, collectables and other treats.  No matter what plan we do we always try to end the indulgence back in France somehow for the Patessieri.  Just bakery heaven.  There should be no reason to ever stand in a line for more than 20 minutes.  You will see groups of people break up with one standing in one line and another somewhere else and eating like Italy food while in the German line getting beer while someone else is getting dessert somewhere.  I shun those people.  If you want the enjoy the place, enjoy it.

Do not, under any circumstances, eat before you go - no matter the time.  No breakfast or lunch or dinner that day - everything you need is at Food and Wine.  I would recommend no late snacks the night before either if you aren't man enough to shove stuff down your gullet.  And ignore all the stuff in Furture World.  It's a waste of time and takes away from the World Showcase's food.  

Extras

There is a ton of other stuff to enjoy.  Shows, concerts and the like.  Don't ignore them.  Especially family wise.  And frankly, though I haven't been there yet this year I imagine that staying from Norway if at all possible is probably a smart move.  Just, let it go.  See what I did there.

Good luck, have fun, and may the food be with you.

bump

 

[AAABatteries]

Great writeup Yankee.  I've been going back and forth on taking the wife for a long weekend - kids can do without Xmas this year, right?

I'll hit a few other of my favorites:

- Just recently (last couple years) they added a Craft Beers Marketplace

- at the refreshment port get the crossaint donut and Dole Whip with rum

- The sea scallop was solid and you can get a Scotch flight - in Scotland of course

- lobster roll in America hits the spot with moar beer.  They used to have a great iced coffee with Baileys that my wife LOVED but not sure they have it any more

- Absolutely my favorite booth is Brazil- Crispy pork belly and a Caipirinha- I could make a meal out of that

- The Braised short ribs in France are fantastic and my wife likes the Passion Martini if you are looking for a drink for the wife

My god I'm hungry and will have to start planning. 

Dear lord am I making myself hungry.

 

[odin33]

Thx @AAABatteries saved me from rooting through 280 pages

 

[AAABatteries]

Thx @AAABatteries saved me from rooting through 280 pages

Sure thing - there's a lot more I didn't bump so if you have time just do a "food and wine" search in the thread - I think it was only about 6 pages of posts.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Ah, food and wine...... How I miss thee.

 

[Osaurus]

Glad the speedway is going away:  RIP

 

[jb1020]

Glad the speedway is going away:  RIP

I saw some talk yesterday that its not replacing the speedway, but rather going in behind it.  I think there is room if I remember correctly. 

Either way, that ride looks badass and I'm all about the rides. 

In 2021 a Disney trip will take us 10-14 days. 

 

[glvsav37]

  I think there is room if I remember correctly. 

technically yes. map

but they would need to go over/under the RR tracks and it will be right next to space mountain. I'm already having a hard time seeing them put 2 coasters so close together, let along right next to each other. 

If this is indeed true, I think the speedway is a goner. The land there is huge (and the track has already was shortened 2x in its history) and would need very little demo, and it doesn't make much sense any more, it stinks of gasoline there and its just an outdated attraction. 

Ironically, the speedway was one of only 2 Tomorrowland "attractions" on opening day. Want to guess what the other was (and I put attractions in quotes for a reason)?

 

[Capella]

technically yes. map

but they would need to go over/under the RR tracks and it will be right next to space mountain. I'm already having a hard time seeing them put 2 coasters so close together, let along right next to each other. 

If this is indeed true, I think the speedway is a goner. The land there is huge (and the track has already was shortened 2x in its history) and would need very little demo, and it doesn't make much sense any more, it stinks of gasoline there and its just an outdated attraction. 

Ironically, the speedway was one of only 2 Tomorrowland "attractions" on opening day. Want to guess what the other was (and I put attractions in quotes for a reason)?

People mover 

 

[glvsav37]

People mover 

  added in 1975

 

[Osaurus]

Astro Orbiter?

ETA:  WTH is Autopia?  

 

[glvsav37]

Astro Orbiter?

ETA:  WTH is Autopia?  

nope...added in 1974 and originally called "Star jets"

Autopia was given its name b/c it was supposed to "futurize" the cars. It was Walt's fun highway of the future. I don't think the name ever officially made it over to WDW, only in DL. 

 

[Osaurus]

20,000 Leagues?

 

[The Ref]

The train?  

 

[glvsav37]

The train?  

nope

20,000 Leagues?

nope

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Carousel of Progress

 

[Osaurus]

nope

nope

 

[glvsav37]

Carousel of Progress

nope...was in DL when WDW opened

hint..it is no longer there, and its companion is now a bathroom.

 

[Osaurus]

Skyway?

 

[glvsav37]

Skyway?

the skyway was a ticketed attraction (one way only) and was one of only 2 working attractions along with a food court and a stage when the park opened in Oct 1971. There were unopened show buildings there that soon became "If you had wings" and the Tomorrowland Terrace. 

 

[Osaurus]

I loved If You Had Wings.  A childhood favorite.

 

[AcerFC]

First thing my wife said about the closure of speedway is great, we don't have to hold our breath when we walk by anymore. 

 

[arrow1]

Yeah one restaurant isn't going to ruin it. Would just be nice.

On the app it says "Tusker House restaurant dinner. Disney AK. Experience type- Character dining" The description below does not mention the dining package only safari donald and friends regardless of time of day. Dinner is at 5:45. Guessing we missed it.

CRT is for dinner 5:30 I think, maybe 5- had to call them to get it (not showing on app because had to phone it in), and disney rep was shocked it was available. Also had be our guest available. Yes park is closing at 6 (an hour earlier than usual). We'll likely miss some of that 'alone time' in the park, but hopefully not too much. No idea how long these types of meals last?!?! VMC says it starts at 8:15 so there shouldn't be any competition there. Need to do more research as to what MVMC all entails.

Wife was able to secure a character dinner each day/night we're there (kids are 9 and 6) so this was a higher priority. 

[Sorry for the long post:]

Notes:

Have park hopper

season passes at home to amusement park with water park so looking for Disney things we can't find up here. I was surprized at the lack of 'big' rollercoasters though. I know that's not their thing, but just seems a bit odd.

Arrival day (land at ~11:30) What's a reasonable commute time, I'm thinking 45-60 to get to hotel (may bypass this and check in online and head straight to MK)

-Have 'dinner/big meal' scheduled for 3:20 in MK at crystal palace 

-Hoping to get FP for 7DMT to knock at least one of the big guns out (space mountain is out for us)

Day 2 is HS for a half day (no RnR for us- I might go single rider, and they aren't into star wars), lunch with Minnie at HW & Vine. Then headed to Epcot for food and wine in the afternoon evening (free forming it here so suggestions appreciated).

Day 3 is AK with Tusker house dinner

Day 4 Epcot with Via Napoli dinner

Day 5 MK with lunch at Chef Mickeys (it's about a 1015 walk from MK to hotel right?)

Day 6 ?? Likely more of a rest/pool day but we'll hit a park. Cindy's Happily ever after dinner @grand floridian

Day 7 is CRT for dinner and MVMC

Get away day is Chip & Dales harvest feast but this will likely be cut doe to CRT taking two dining credits. Park TBD.

Sounds exhausting

 

[odin33]

Sounds exhausting

This is my one real shot to "get it right". I'd rather be tired the next week and have tons of memories. 

Planning it is exhausting, especially for rookies. I'm pretty sure all of this work will pay off though. Knowing I have something fun booked for the girls each and every day has me feeling pretty good. Actually feel much more relieved now as we can officially block off certain times to areas of a park and days to parks leaving far less to the "what doe we do now / all the good stuff is taken" blues. Makes it a lot easier to digest -we have two hours to do this area of the park vs. we're going to go to MK and do stuff.

 

[glvsav37]

if you are in the parks on Aug 19th, they are celebrating Photopass day. Not a lot of info out yet, other then extra PP photographers and some special rare character meet and greets.  

 

[glvsav37]

This is my one real shot to "get it right". I'd rather be tired the next week and have tons of memories. 

Planning it is exhausting, especially for rookies. I'm pretty sure all of this work will pay off though. Knowing I have something fun booked for the girls each and every day has me feeling pretty good. Actually feel much more relieved now as we can officially block off certain times to areas of a park and days to parks leaving far less to the "what doe we do now / all the good stuff is taken" blues. Makes it a lot easier to digest -we have two hours to do this area of the park vs. we're going to go to MK and do stuff.

in all seriousness...I just want to make sure you're 'getting it right' is to NOT be attempting to squeeze everything in and don't stop till we are dead. 

taking it slow and going with the flow is a lot better then leaving cranky and exhausted. I know you have a buch invested in this trip but keep an eye on everyones body language—esp the kids—and realize there is never enough time to do everything .

Once you get there, you';ll get a sense for how big the place is, and what the crowds look like—high vs moderate vs low in terms of what you can physically get in on a given day.

I know you got this, enjoy the parks and the family time and don't sweat the things you can't control while you are there. 

when are you going again? 
 

 

[rodg12]

bump

The Original YF23 post here needs more likes, IMO.

 

[odin33]

Nov 11-18. Weather should be starting to cool off, hopefully. Granted we'll be coming from highs in the 30-50 range so it'll feel hot for a day or two.

I get the not run-til-you're-ragged thing. We go to our park up here after work some times and spend a couple hours riding 2-5 rides and call it a day. We've spent the 'day' there as well (9 - 4ish) and that's about everyone's limit. So a split day with a nice cool down in the middle at the hotel each day should get it done. The character meals are an experience themselves so that's almost a mini break right there. I certainly don't expect to hit it all, just trying to maximize, or rather minimize the silly mis steps.

Question. When looking at the app I can see the wait times for several rides. Even when I zoom in on any given 'xxx-land' I only see about 4 or 5. Is that truly all that's in these areas?

When I was there 30 years ago it felt huge with tons of options. Granted I was 10 and perspective changes with age... maybe I need to check one if those list of rides things...

 

[rodg12]

Our itinerary for July 29-August 6 trip.    

Spoiler

Saturday, July 29
Hollywood Studios 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
    
Fast Pass 
9:10-10:10 a.m. Toy Story Mania
10:10 - 11:10 a.m. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
11:15 - 12:15 p.m. Star Tours

Day Showtimes
Beauty and the Beast Show Times - 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show Times - 12pm, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:45pm, 6pm

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
    
Evening Showtimes
Fantasmic - 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 30 
Magic Kingdom 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Breakfast
8 a.m. - The Crystal Palace

Fast Pass 
9:05 - 10:05 a.m Splash Mountain
10:05 - 11:05 a.m Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11:05 - 12:05 a.m. Space Mountain

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Be Our Guest

Monday, July 31
Epcot 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. / World Showcase 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m.  Soarin
10:05 - 11:05 a.m.  Living with the Land
11:05 - 12:05 p.m. Spaceship Earth

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Biergarten Restaurant 

Dinner
8:00 p.m. Le Chefs de France

Tuesday, August 1 
Rest/Resort Day

Wednesday, August 2
Animal Kingdom 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Kilimanjaro Safaris
10:25 - 11: 25 a.m. Expedition Everest
11:35 - 12:35 p.m. Na’vi River Journey

Thursday, August 3 
Hollywood Studios 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Toy Story Mania
10:05 - 11: 05 a.m. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
11:05 - 12:05 p.m. Star Tours

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Hollywood and Vine 

Evening Showtimes
5:00 p.m. - Pixar Friends Live in Concert 

Friday, August 4 
Epcot    9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. / World Showcase 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Soarin’
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Spaceship Earth
11:00 - 12:00 p.m. Living with the Land

Lunch
11:30 a.m. - The Garden Grille

Dinner
7:55 p.m. - Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Saturday, August 5 
Disney Springs

Lunch
11:45 a.m - T-Rex 

Sunday, August 6 
Magic Kingdom 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Splash Mountain
10:05 - 11:05 a.m. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11:05 - 12:05 p.m. Space Mountain

Lunch
1:45 p.m. - Be Our Guest 

Evening Showtimes
8 p.m. Fireworks Dessert on Tomorrowland Terrace

 

[Yankee23Fan]

The Original YF23 post here needs more likes, IMO.

Huh?  Which one?

 

[rodg12]

Huh?  Which one?

Your magnificent breakdown of how to handle the F&W festival.

 

[glvsav37]

Nov 11-18. Weather should be starting to cool off, hopefully. Granted we'll be coming from highs in the 30-50 range so it'll feel hot for a day or two.

I get the not run-til-you're-ragged thing. We go to our park up here after work some times and spend a couple hours riding 2-5 rides and call it a day. We've spent the 'day' there as well (9 - 4ish) and that's about everyone's limit. So a split day with a nice cool down in the middle at the hotel each day should get it done. The character meals are an experience themselves so that's almost a mini break right there. I certainly don't expect to hit it all, just trying to maximize, or rather minimize the silly mis steps.

Question. When looking at the app I can see the wait times for several rides. Even when I zoom in on any given 'xxx-land' I only see about 4 or 5. Is that truly all that's in these areas?

When I was there 30 years ago it felt huge with tons of options. Granted I was 10 and perspective changes with age... maybe I need to check one if those list of rides things...

yes/no. 

it really depends, when you are talking "lands" then yes, there is generally not many when you break it down that far. But if you look at it as part of the bigger picture, Each park has generally 3-4 big ticket rides, 4-6 medium sized rides and 2-5 kid/slow type rides, and generally b/t 3-5 theater-type experiences

Ride for ride, MK has your most, followed by AK, Studios then Epcot IIRC.

Studios has an equal number of show types and big rides, not may low key rides. 

AK has 2 big shows that eat a lot of time (Lion King 20ish mins + wait, Nemo 40 min + wait), the safari is fairly long as well.

Epcot has a 3-4 main pillar attractions and then thats really it to speak of. The rest is more of an explore type of park with world showcase and a few older movies to watch. 
 

 

 

[AAABatteries]

The Original YF23 post here needs more likes, IMO.

I'm a like thief!  

 

[AAABatteries]

Our itinerary for July 29-August 6 trip.    

Spoiler

Saturday, July 29
Hollywood Studios 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
    
Fast Pass 
9:10-10:10 a.m. Toy Story Mania
10:10 - 11:10 a.m. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
11:15 - 12:15 p.m. Star Tours

Day Showtimes
Beauty and the Beast Show Times - 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show Times - 12pm, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:45pm, 6pm

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
    
Evening Showtimes
Fantasmic - 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 30 
Magic Kingdom 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Breakfast
8 a.m. - The Crystal Palace

Fast Pass 
9:05 - 10:05 a.m Splash Mountain
10:05 - 11:05 a.m Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11:05 - 12:05 a.m. Space Mountain

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Be Our Guest

Monday, July 31
Epcot 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. / World Showcase 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m.  Soarin
10:05 - 11:05 a.m.  Living with the Land
11:05 - 12:05 p.m. Spaceship Earth

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Biergarten Restaurant 

Dinner
8:00 p.m. Le Chefs de France

Tuesday, August 1 
Rest/Resort Day

Wednesday, August 2
Animal Kingdom 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Kilimanjaro Safaris
10:25 - 11: 25 a.m. Expedition Everest
11:35 - 12:35 p.m. Na’vi River Journey

Thursday, August 3 
Hollywood Studios 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Toy Story Mania
10:05 - 11: 05 a.m. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
11:05 - 12:05 p.m. Star Tours

Lunch
1:35 p.m. - Hollywood and Vine 

Evening Showtimes
5:00 p.m. - Pixar Friends Live in Concert 

Friday, August 4 
Epcot    9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. / World Showcase 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Soarin’
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Spaceship Earth
11:00 - 12:00 p.m. Living with the Land

Lunch
11:30 a.m. - The Garden Grille

Dinner
7:55 p.m. - Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Saturday, August 5 
Disney Springs

Lunch
11:45 a.m - T-Rex 

Sunday, August 6 
Magic Kingdom 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fast Pass
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Splash Mountain
10:05 - 11:05 a.m. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11:05 - 12:05 p.m. Space Mountain

Lunch
1:45 p.m. - Be Our Guest 

Evening Showtimes
8 p.m. Fireworks Dessert on Tomorrowland Terrace

Looks good - do you stay at the park all day?  Early August is brutal heat - I'd schedule some down time if possible.  Have fun!

 

[rodg12]

Looks good - do you stay at the park all day?  Early Augus is brutal heat - I'd schedule some down time if possible.  Have fun!

Well aware of the Early August heat.  My parents are teachers and my sisters and I played baseball/softball most of the summer so our Disney trips have almost always been during that time frame.  We do stay at the parks all day, usually.  We mostly spend the afternoons in shows and such to get nice breathers and rest.  Bring plenty of water into the parks with us and refill during the day as well. In the past, we've always cut out early when going to AK too.  Will probably do that again.  Possible the second day at HS we'll leave a little early as well.

It's definitely a packed experience.  Trying to take advantage of things as much as possible too since I don't know if we'll ever get the whole crew together for a trip to Disney like this again.  We're rolling 8 strong for this trip.  My parents, my sisters, brother-in-law, future brother-in-law, my girlfriend and me.  Really looking forward to it, like always.

 

[odin33]

Can we take our cups into the park and get them filled throughout the day. Pretty sure everyone on the meal plan gets a cup, right? Not sure it's worth buying a camel pack if we all have our cups and can throw in a regular backpack

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Can we take our cups into the park and get them filled throughout the day. Pretty sure everyone on the meal plan gets a cup, right? Not sure it's worth buying a camel pack if we all have our cups and can throw in a regular backpack

I'll defer the DDP cups question to @glvsav37.  Some theme parks and resorts have added some cup ID tech limiting how often they can be refilled and where.

During summer park visits, we use a couple of refillable water bottles with charcoal filters, filling them up at water fountains or at drink stations with fountains.  If the drinks they sell are via fountain, by law they have to offer water cups or refill water bottles.  If it's a cart primarily to sell ice cream bars but also have sodas in bottles, they likely don't have running water and can't refill your water bottle.  

 

[glvsav37]

Can we take our cups into the park and get them filled throughout the day. Pretty sure everyone on the meal plan gets a cup, right? Not sure it's worth buying a camel pack if we all have our cups and can throw in a regular backpack

negative ghost rider. 

the refillable cups are only good at the resorts. I know, it's stupid. And they really don't hold much as it is and are rather bulky and noisy when the clang against each other. So trekking them around the parks is not really advised.

I've never used a camelback but I've seen them in use there. I've considered it but thankfully—at least for 1 more trip—we rock a stroller and a soft cooler for drinks. We freeze a bottle or 2 at night (take a sip or 2 out b/f you do) in the hotel freezer and then pack that in the cooler with the others. 

The QS locations in the park will give you free ice water if you ask, but it depends on the location if you get a regular-sized or shot glass-sized cup. 

The mugs are worth it on the meal plan though for AM coffee, hanging by the pool and just back from the parks.

Also, whenever you eat at your QS location, the meal plan includes a bottled drink with your meal, so take it and save it for later while you use the refill mug for your meal.  

The mugs come in a handle and a handless options. Being we had so many handle versions, I opted to get the handleless ones and while it is great back at home for the car and stuff, it was a bit of a pain b/c I was usually the drink runner and carrying 4 filled w/o handles is tough. Much easier to rack all 4 handles in one hand and the grub in the other.  The downside is that the handle ones don't stack well and take up a good amount of space in a backpack. So its damned if you do, or dont. 

 

[glvsav37]

Well aware of the Early August heat.  My parents are teachers and my sisters and I played baseball/softball most of the summer so our Disney trips have almost always been during that time frame.  We do stay at the parks all day, usually.  We mostly spend the afternoons in shows and such to get nice breathers and rest.  Bring plenty of water into the parks with us and refill during the day as well. In the past, we've always cut out early when going to AK too.  Will probably do that again.  Possible the second day at HS we'll leave a little early as well.

It's definitely a packed experience.  Trying to take advantage of things as much as possible too since I don't know if we'll ever get the whole crew together for a trip to Disney like this again.  We're rolling 8 strong for this trip.  My parents, my sisters, brother-in-law, future brother-in-law, my girlfriend and me.  Really looking forward to it, like always.

As the husband of a teacher, we do the July/August trips as well. It's bearable if you plan accordingly—like you are. 

one thing that saved me is switching from cotton shirts to Under Armor/dri-tech type shirts.  They are super light and dry really quick, plus mine are usually some obnoxious neon color so my family can always find me in a crowd. 

Have fun with the group, your itinerary looks solid!! 

 

[glvsav37]

I'll defer the DDP cups question to @glvsav37.  Some theme parks and resorts have added some cup ID tech limiting how often they can be refilled and where.

During summer park visits, we use a couple of refillable water bottles with charcoal filters, filling them up at water fountains or at drink stations with fountains.  If the drinks they sell are via fountain, by law they have to offer water cups or refill water bottles.  If it's a cart primarily to sell ice cream bars but also have sodas in bottles, they likely don't have running water and can't refill your water bottle.  

each mug has a chip in it that reacts with the machine. You can fill up once and then every 2 minutes after that. There is usually a display on each sod machine that will tell you how long you need to wait. Overall though there is not limit to how many times you can fill it up during your stay. 

you dont need to use the chip on coffee, hot chocolate, tea or iced tea (where available) 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

each mug has a chip in it that reacts with the machine. You can fill up once and then every 2 minutes after that. There is usually a display on each sod machine that will tell you how long you need to wait. Overall though there is not limit to how many times you can fill it up during your stay. 

you dont need to use the chip on coffee, tea or iced tea (where available) 

Thanks!  I was conflating that policy with some single-use "refillable" cups we got at Universal Cabana Bay.  If you didn't buy the resort's refillable mugs, you got a cup that detonated in two hours after first use.  Could refill it every 15 minutes in the window but was done after two hours.  I recall doing a slow-motion action movie race-against-time to get a final refill that amused the kid as much as it annoyed the wife, one of those times the Mrs. jokes she's a single mom raising two kids and a dog.

 

[glvsav37]

Thanks!  I was conflating that policy with some single-use "refillable" cups we got at Universal Cabana Bay.  If you didn't buy the resort's refillable mugs, you got a cup that detonated in two hours after first use.  Could refill it every 15 minutes in the window but was done after two hours.  I recall doing a slow-motion action movie race-against-time to get a final refill that amused the kid as much as it annoyed the wife, one of those times the Mrs. jokes she's a single mom raising two kids and a dog.

its crazy b/c I've heard that Disney doesn't even pay for the syrup, Coke gives it to them in exchange for the exposure. 

but that said, my old editor at the Birnbaum books told me once she saw a family bring down the hotel ice bucket and proceed to fill that up at the soda fountain and share it while eating. so I guess that's what you get. 

 

[glvsav37]

also @odin33 the fountains at the QS and pools usually have Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Sprite, Orange soda and either a lemonade or Powerade. 

Also, at the QS they have coffee and tea all day, hot chocolate and most have a selection of unsweetened ice teas. 

 

[rodg12]

As the husband of a teacher, we do the July/August trips as well. It's bearable if you plan accordingly—like you are. 

one thing that saved me is switching from cotton shirts to Under Armor/dri-tech type shirts.  They are super light and dry really quick, plus mine are usually some obnoxious neon color so my family can always find me in a crowd. 

Have fun with the group, your itinerary looks solid!! 

Did this the last trip 2 years ago.  Never going back.  Bought some sweet Lululemon ones for this trip and added a couple Nike ones as well.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Star Wars Land model on display at D23

 

[glvsav37]

thanks @Bruce Dickinson ...if they can pull this off....well, lets just say I could cut glass right now with a set of certain body parts...lol

here is a video of that same model set

and here is first look at the "First Order Ride" vehicle ...not sure what that ride is, but the car looks similar to Spider Man at Universal and prob will be a 3D screen based ride. 

 

[jb1020]

thanks @Bruce Dickinson ...if they can pull this off....well, lets just say I could cut glass right now with a set of certain body parts...lol

here is a video of that same model set

and here is first look at the "First Order Ride" vehicle ...not sure what that ride is, but the car looks similar to Spider Man at Universal and prob will be a 3D screen based ride. 

Yeah, I doubt its going to be a "dinosaur" type ride, I'm betting its the screen based 3-D like Transformers.  Which is good by me.