up early and drove over to Coronado springs. checked in, the room was ready! and the upgrade fairy sprinkled pixie dust -- we got a water view in the Cabanas area.
then off to Animal Kingdom. I like this park, but it's not my favorite. got there for AM extra magic hour, wanted to ride Expedition Everest. ride was down, we got a fastpass instead and headed over to Kilimanjaro Safari. By early afternoon we'd ridden all the major rides and seen the Lion King show, and we'd eaten lunch at flame Tree (dining plan!). drove over to EPCOT for the afternoon.I hadn't planned to go until evening, but we saw a lot of EPCOT that first day. I chickened out of Mission space Orange -- Drew road, and told me I should be happy I stuck with green. had dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh and saw Illuminations.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
trip report part 1
So as we were preparing to leave for the airport on Sunday, Drew's buddy says "there's a hurricane in the Carri bean, it's called Irene. It's supposed to hit Florida."
So guess what? It missed Florida altogether and hit the northeast, wreaked havoc on Long Island. the storm dominated the news the whole time we were on vacation.Instead, we got typical Florida weather -- very hot, very humid, and with short rain showers every day.
and we also missed the earthquake. the epicenter was in Washington, DC. but it was felt in NYC and Long Island.
Day one, Sunday. Afternoon flight from JFK to Orlando. Picked up our rental car, drove to Kissimmee. spent one night in a budget motel, Studio 6. Actually not too bad, clean, quiet, comfortable. spent the evening at Downtown Disney, ate at bongos. ran into one of Drew's friends coming out of Fulton's Crab house.
a good start to the trip.
So guess what? It missed Florida altogether and hit the northeast, wreaked havoc on Long Island. the storm dominated the news the whole time we were on vacation.Instead, we got typical Florida weather -- very hot, very humid, and with short rain showers every day.
and we also missed the earthquake. the epicenter was in Washington, DC. but it was felt in NYC and Long Island.
Day one, Sunday. Afternoon flight from JFK to Orlando. Picked up our rental car, drove to Kissimmee. spent one night in a budget motel, Studio 6. Actually not too bad, clean, quiet, comfortable. spent the evening at Downtown Disney, ate at bongos. ran into one of Drew's friends coming out of Fulton's Crab house.
a good start to the trip.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
rehab/refurb
checked to see what will be closed for rehab or refurbishment while we're there.
the list is short. The tiki room, as I said, just reopened after a rehab. the current list includes Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom and Voyage of the Little Mermad at Hollywood Studios. It's Tough To Be a Bug was supposed to be on the list, but that got cancelled. A number of attractions closed last year when they began the Fantasyland expansion.
over at Universal, the Jimmy Neutron ride just closed to make room for a Despicable Me attraction.
other than that, everyting should be up and running.
the list is short. The tiki room, as I said, just reopened after a rehab. the current list includes Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom and Voyage of the Little Mermad at Hollywood Studios. It's Tough To Be a Bug was supposed to be on the list, but that got cancelled. A number of attractions closed last year when they began the Fantasyland expansion.
over at Universal, the Jimmy Neutron ride just closed to make room for a Despicable Me attraction.
other than that, everyting should be up and running.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Enchanted Tiki Room
When I was planning this trip, I learned that the Enchanted Tiki Room - Under New Management was scheduled to be closed during our trip.
It was a bit disappointing. I liked the attraction, especially with Iago and Zazu cracking jokes.
There was also a bit of history with the attraction.
During our honeymoon in 1987, Drew and I did WDW commando style, arriving before the park opened and styaing until the park closed. It was July 4th weekend, and the parks stayed open way past midnight.
On Sunday we decided to see the Enchanted Tiki Room (before the addition of the "new managers"), It was dark, it was cool and the birds sang sweetly.
And we both fell asleep during the show, waking up when the lights came back on....
So yesterday, when I saw my WDW feed on Facebook, I was so happy....the Enchanted Tiki Room has reopened.
It was a bit disappointing. I liked the attraction, especially with Iago and Zazu cracking jokes.
There was also a bit of history with the attraction.
During our honeymoon in 1987, Drew and I did WDW commando style, arriving before the park opened and styaing until the park closed. It was July 4th weekend, and the parks stayed open way past midnight.
On Sunday we decided to see the Enchanted Tiki Room (before the addition of the "new managers"), It was dark, it was cool and the birds sang sweetly.
And we both fell asleep during the show, waking up when the lights came back on....
So yesterday, when I saw my WDW feed on Facebook, I was so happy....the Enchanted Tiki Room has reopened.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
APPS!
the big difference between this trip and all my prior trips?
cell phone apps.
who needs to carry a heavy guide book when you have an app for your phone?
who needs to carry a park map?
and checking out park wait times is now a breeze.
excited? me? why would you think so?
cell phone apps.
who needs to carry a heavy guide book when you have an app for your phone?
who needs to carry a park map?
and checking out park wait times is now a breeze.
excited? me? why would you think so?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
our itinerary
I haven't planned every minute of every day, I don't like to overplan. We've got the Disney Dining Plan, so I made ADR's for dinner every night. The only counter service restaurant I've planned is Flame Tree, I love that one, so the rest of the time we'll choose counter service based on where we are when we get hungry. Didn't make any dining plans at Universal, we'll play it by ear.
Sunday Fly JFK to Orlando, scheduled arrival 4:30 PM. Pick up rental car, drive to Kissimmee, stay one night in low budget motel. Visit Downtown Disney. Dinner at Downtown Disney (no ADR's).
Monday Check in at Coronado Springs. Animal Kingdom (extra magic hour at 8 AM). Lunch at Flame Tree. Dinner ADR in EPCOT -- Restaurant Marrakesh at 6:20. Illuminations 9 PM.
Tuesday EPCOT 9 AM midnight (extra magic hours),San Angel 7:15
Wednesday Magic Kingdom 9 AM – 10 PM, parade 9 PM, Wishes 10 PM, Tony's 6:20
Thursday Hollywood Studios 9 AM – 10 PM, Sci-Fi Drive In 5:40, Fantasmic 10 PM
Friday Chef Mickey’s breakfast 9:15, visit one or more parks, check in at Royal Pacific
Saturday IOA 9 AM – 8 PM
Sunday Universal 9 AM – 7 PM
Monday Downtown Disney, Rainforest Café 1:30, flight home 7:22 PM
Sunday Fly JFK to Orlando, scheduled arrival 4:30 PM. Pick up rental car, drive to Kissimmee, stay one night in low budget motel. Visit Downtown Disney. Dinner at Downtown Disney (no ADR's).
Monday Check in at Coronado Springs. Animal Kingdom (extra magic hour at 8 AM). Lunch at Flame Tree. Dinner ADR in EPCOT -- Restaurant Marrakesh at 6:20. Illuminations 9 PM.
Tuesday EPCOT 9 AM midnight (extra magic hours),San Angel 7:15
Wednesday Magic Kingdom 9 AM – 10 PM, parade 9 PM, Wishes 10 PM, Tony's 6:20
Thursday Hollywood Studios 9 AM – 10 PM, Sci-Fi Drive In 5:40, Fantasmic 10 PM
Friday Chef Mickey’s breakfast 9:15, visit one or more parks, check in at Royal Pacific
Saturday IOA 9 AM – 8 PM
Sunday Universal 9 AM – 7 PM
Monday Downtown Disney, Rainforest Café 1:30, flight home 7:22 PM
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