First off, I have to say it is unbelievably hot and HUMID. We usually come down in Oct/Nov/Dec so we knew it would be hotter than we are used to, but WOW. The last 2 days have been the hottest of the year down here and toda is supposed to be the hottest!!! No rain whatsoever.
We are staying offsite, purchased our tickets through
Undercover Tourist, booked our FP's 30 days out and decided to buy Magic Bands for the four of us.
So far the FP+ and
MDE have worked flawlessly. But it seems like we are actually getting less done than we usually do. Now of course the crowds are higher than the fall months,but they aren't horrible. We are not rope droppers so I know that does limit us but we never have been rope droppers and we usually get everything done.
We did have a surprising night at MK last night. Had a swim, shop day. Didn't get to MK until 6:45 pm. Plans worked great. We planned to maximize staying until closing.
First FP was 7:30 so we went to the Country Bears to kill a little time. After that our time was ready and we rode Big Thunder with our first FP. We wee'n able to ride our next staggered FP(Mine Tain) until 8:55 so we walked over to new Fantasyland and did Little Mermaid(10 minute posted, on and off in about 15 minutes), then the Barnstormer(20 minute posted, on and off in 12 minutes) and then headed over to the Mine Train. Entered the FP entrance at 8:55, got to the front, requested last car, got right on, and we were off by 9:12. Not great, but it was a fun ride. It will be something I will make sure to hit each visit once the hype settles down. Started walking over to find something to snack on, headed over to Cosmic Rays and found a seat facing the castle and watched the early Electrical Parade go by as we ate. When we finished we had about 15 minutes to kill before our Space Mountain FP so we went on one of our no wait favorites, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
When we finished we walked over to Space Mountain used our FP. Entered at 9:54 and were off and back outside at 10:02. Watched the rest of Wishes on our walk from Tomorrowland through the back of Fantasyland. Great views behind Fantasyland, I think we found a new place to watch them. Sure you give up the projection show, but you can find a fantastic viewing place without the crazy Main Street Crowds.
Our plan was to finish the nigh with a dark Jungle Cruise and Pirates ride if we had time. Made the trek all the way across the Park to Adventureland. Walked on the 5 minute stand by Jungle Cruise at 10:13 and were off by 10:25. Then scooted over to the 5 minute stand by at Pirates walked on, were seated at 10:33 and were out at 10:45. We wanted to beat the 11:00 Main Street Parade so we could get out so we hurried to Main Street and the throngs of people were leaving. Crossed over to the other side and my son and daughter decided they wanted something from the Bakery/Starbucks.
By the time we received our pastries and drinks it was 11:01 so we figured we're going to be in the crowds anyway, and it wasn't crowded along the parade route, so we may as well stay and watch the parade tonight then we don't have to worry about hitting it on Friday or Saturday. We made our way to the beginning of Main Street. We walked past the first 2 floats as we walked around the front loop to the train station side. We walked up and found an open curbside seat for all 4 of us. We stayed until the American Float entered the street and then left hoping to beat some of the big push of people leaving after the parade. I couldn't believe it, we walked right up the ramp and onto the monorail and were back to the TTC in a flash(seems like the monorail was moving much faster than usual). huge back up for the trams so we decided to walk to our spot at Scar 116. I'm glad we did. By the time we made it to our car exactly one tram came past us in the Villians lot and we would have had t wait at least for 4 or 5 trams before we got on.
We are staying out off of I-4 a little bit up the Palm Parkway. We went from watching the parade on Main Street at 11:20 to home at our Condo by 11:43.
Sure helps when you know how to navigate shortcuts through Disney Property.
We have been averaging about 12 minutes from where we are staying to each of the Parking Booths. We didn't time it to AK because we went there before we checked in on Sunday, stright from the Airport.
A few things
They really need to dump some old classics and find new experiences for Park guests at a few attractions.
Country Bears is terrible. The theater was about 1/4 full, it looks dated.
Maybe they could repurpose it and move it over as an attraction at Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge?
Ellen has to go. We took our kids on it for their first time ever just for a laugh. They could not believe how long and boring it was, but the did say, hey, 40 minutes of air conditioning. If they got rid of Ellen they would have that entire area along with the Wonders of Life Pavillion to make another high level attraction/thrill ride.
Carousel Of Progress, close it, use the area for something updated. I know it's a classic, but hardly anyone rides it.
Last but not least, as I said I rarely visit in the summer, but you would think that they would have some sort of system(sails, canopies, ect) for creating more shade in the waling area around the Parks, especially in Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. AT least EPCOT has many areas where you can duck in for some airconditioning like the WOrld Pavilions and Innoventions.
Booked a dummy room at Portofino Bay for two days of Express Passes. Headed to Universal to check out Diagon Alley today and tomorrow.
That's what I like to read!!
But...
Every pic of me from that trip is with my pink cooling neck towel around my neck!
