4 Cali Residents in the World 1/28-2/5

jordanyosh · Feb 8, 2005

Saturday, January 29th

Got up around 9:30am (6:30am California time), we all got ready and headed to World Showcase via the International Gateway. Weather: cool, but sunny.
Crowds: Huh? Wait times: Huh?. The upside of getting to WS at opening--no lines, the downside--the outdoor entertainment doesn't usually start until later in the afternoon. I will say this--we saw every movie and the American Adventure. Every show was more than half full, most 3/4 full. Nice to see. Food/Drink: We ate dessert first at the Norway Pavilion, wine tasted in Germany, and ate lunch at the Tangierine Cafe. All first rate....I think I had a beer somewhere, but I can't remember..I think that brain cell is dead. We did do a few attractions in Future World. Journey...much better with Figment. My friends not knowing any different enjoyed the attraction.

Headed back to BCV for a little down time. We are all mid 30s and older, so we needed a little rest.

Headed to Downtown Disney. Started with the Marketplace. It was very, very busy. We headed to the Earl Of Sandwich, but the line was long. So we took a walk to the West Side and back. We walked through Pleasure Island. I understand why Disney made PI non-gated, but it really does change the dynamic of the Island. I don't like it as much. My friends didn't either and we ended up not going there our whole stay. Tangent--sorry. We finally got back to Earl of Sandwich around 10 and there was no line...Good grub for a very non Disney price--cheap.

2 of my friends--the lovebirds went back to BCV. My drinking partner and I headed back to the ESPN Club and closed it down--again...After ESPN closed my friend headed...stumbled back to our room. I stayed out and sat on the chairs on the beach in front of the Beach Club. This is ABSOLUTELY my favorite time of day or night. Looking across the lake at the Boardwalk is so peaceful and yes, magical..the water is so calm and it is so quiet. It is such a nice way to end a busy, noisy day.......

jordanyosh · Feb 8, 2005

Sunday, January 30th

Epcot--FutureWorld. Got there about 11am...could never seem to make it out of bed before 9....Crowds: Huh? Although, those PGA folks seemed to still be around. Wait times: M:S--15 mins and TT--20 mins both stand by. We FPed TT and did M:S first. The first time I rode this in late 2003, I got very dizzy for a few hours. I was a little apprehensive, but for no reason. I was fine and enjoyed the ride more this time around. My drinking partner gave it a big thumbs up. The lovebirds thought it was so-so. We headed back to TT. We ride broke down 3 times while we were in the briefing room/line. Luckily, the longest down time was while we were in the briefing room. We had a nice little rest and got to know some people from AZ and NC. Our FP ended being a little over an hour....My friends were cool with it as 3 out of the 4 of us had all worked at Disneyland. Rode Ellen's Energy Adventure. It always amazes me what people will like. My DP (drinking partner) and the male lovebird both loved this attraction...go figure. Food: Electric Umbrella. Food was at best average. No one was that impressed with their meal.

Magic Kingdom--Around 3pm we took the monorail to the MK. Got there right as the parade was starting, so we made a beeline to Tomorrowland and were able to ride Buzz and Space Mtn with no wait. Was finally able to see COP again after 5-6 years. The show was well attended. Saw Stitch. I went in with very low expectations and was still disappointed. Crowds: very light. Wait times: well, if this is any indication...we walked, I mean walked, onto Splash. Were also able to fit in BTMRR and HM all by 6:30pm.

Headed back to the resort. I have a friend who lives in Orlando. He came out and hung out with us that evening at...where else...the ESPN Club. We had a nice dinner and DP, my friend and I once again closed the bar. The Lovebirds had long ago made their exit. My friend and I ended up staying up until 3-4am talking and catching up. The BCV has alot of sitting rooms to just hang out in--this is a nice plus. Again no problem sleeping.....

billybaruch1 · Feb 10, 2005

Sounds great! I can't wait to read the rest of the story.

jordanyosh · Feb 10, 2005

Monday, January 31st

The lovebirds went to Kennedy Space Center. This left DP and me to roam freely. My local friend joined us again.

MGM---FP machines were not even open. Wait times: TOT--5-10 minutes, RnRC-10 minutes max. We rode TOT and RnRC 2x. It was much different this day from Friday. The weather was much nicer and the crowds were non existent. The only glitch was Star Tours...the wait time was listed as 5 minutes and we waited 20 minutes. No biggie. Hadn't ridden ST in years. I was pleasantly surprised that I still liked the ride even though there is newer technology out there.

Epcot--Wait times: 5 minutes for both M:S and TT. We then headed to WS...Food: Liberty Inn--food was decent because we were all beyond hungry.

My local friend had to jam so my DP and I headed back to the BCV. The lovebirds had not returned at 9pm. So we headed to the ESPN Club and were greeted by hordes of people in for a Pharmaceutical Sales Conference. Lots of eye candy those sales folks. The lovebirds never joined us so we got our fill of alcohol and hotties and called it a night. I did get to spend some time alone just hanging out on the beach. What a great way to end the day.

jordanyosh · Feb 10, 2005

Tuesday, February 1st

We actually got up early...for our group... and made it to AK by 9:45am. Instead of rushing into the park, we took our time in the Oasis. It was nice to slow down for a change. Wait times: Kilimanjaro was the only one with a wait--25 minute stand by. Crowds: The park seemed busy, but we walked on every ride. We FPed Kilimanjaro. Food: We just snacked. Weather: Nice, low 70s.

Saw Flights of Wonder for the first time. Enjoyed it. Walked by Expedition: Everest. Wow. We headed out of the park after the parade and headed back to resort.

Since we hadn't eaten lunch, we moved our our PS at Spoodles up. We all enjoyed our meals there. The Coffee Creme Brulee was awesome. We then headed to Jellyrolls knowing it would be busy because it was CM night. Well, those sales folks were there as well. I don't even remember too much of the music as the drunk people around us provided much of the entertainment. I was also slightly drunk. I did many drunk and dials to friends back in California. Apparently, I was in rare form. After last call, we called it a night.

jordanyosh · Feb 11, 2005

Wednesday, February 2nd

The women were to have a day at the Saratoga Springs Spa. The female lovebird was to be there all day. The male lovebird and I headed to DisneyQuest for a few hours o' fun. Gotta love old school video games. We must've spent the first hour playing PacMan, Centipede etc. Also, played some pinball. After a few hours the DP called me saying she was done. We met up with her and headed back to the resort. We went to Beaches and Cream for malts, etc. I cannot partake because I am lactose intolerant although I can manage a bite or two......

We went to MK for their Late Night Magic Hours. Got there about 5:30pm. Did Buzz Lightyear since there wasn't much of a line. Weather: cool, light rain.
Crowds: light due to rain. Ate a quick meal at Cosmic Rays then did Pooh, Philharmagic and Peter Pan. We also attempted to watch Wishes, but many of the fireworks were obscured by clouds and smoke. We rode Splash 2x and Space 2x as well. We headed out about 9:45pm feeling we got everything done that we wanted. It was so nice to have this added perk. I was never able to make it up for the Early Magic Hours, so this worked out perfect.

The male lovebird went directly back to the room while the DP and I went to the ESPN well for a few buckets of alcohol. It was the last night of the druggie sales folks conference so they were out in full force which was no problem for me. They gave me alot to look at. They were very friendly and I met someone from CA who was very drunk, but still nice enough to order me a drink. Thanks buddy.

After everyone was asleep, I did my usual cruise around Crescent Lake to admire the view....then off to sleep

jordanyosh · Feb 11, 2005

Thursday, February 3rd

For some reason(probably jet lag), the lovebirds had a hard time getting up in the AM. This did not go over well with the DP as she was an early riser, even on East Coast Time. I was usually the 2nd one up as I couldn't sleep while she was banging around making breakfast. Because the lovebirds were not ready, the DP and I ran to the World Showcase to buy her some trinkets at the Japan Pavilion. We got back quickly and took the women to DQ. We stayed long enough to do Pirates a few times and play those old school games. It was supposed to rain this day, but ended up not until very late that night. It was actually one of the warmest days of the week. So we made a last minute decision to rent Water Mice from the Grand Floridian.
We bussed it over and did the boats for an hour. The female lovebird loves water so she was crazy out there. We took the monorail back to Epcot and headed to the World Showcase for an early PS at Chefs de France. My meal there was excellent while the rest of the group was not as impressed. Bummer.....as I have always had good experiences there. Oh well. We were able to catch Off Kilter for a few songs. Very lively group and audience. There was a group of Canadians there that were singing along to what I think was Off Kilter's version of the Canadian National Anthem. Since the female lovebird is a huge Beatles fan, we watched the British Invasion at the UK. Not too bad, but not as good as Off was. We then viewed Illuminations. I have never been overwhelmed by this show, but for some reason I really enjoyed it this time. I was even slightly verklempt by the song at the end. Go figure.

Oh yeah, paragraphs.......we went back to the resort. The lovebirds stayed in and the DP and I went to throw a few back at ESPN. It was very quiet this night. We had a nice conversation with Luis the Bartender and chowed some nachos as well. DP went to sleep after we closed the place. I enjoyed my private view of the lake from the beach at the Beach Club. I had to use an umbrella as it was raining a little.....I drifted off to sleep about 3am....

jordanyosh · Feb 12, 2005

Friday, February 4th

Our last full day at WDW

. The DP, tired of always waiting for the rest of us, took off early for some alone time at AK. When she returned we headed to MGM to ride RnRC and TOT. Wait times: Still not bad 20 minutes for both. We did wait 25 for GMR which was a surprise. We had a good Attractions Host, so it was fun. Crowds: The Dance Teams were out in full force, but didn't really have an impact today. We dined at the Brown Derby. We all had good meals. Love that Cobb Salad. The DP and I went back to the BCV while the lovebirds had shopping on their minds.

We all left for California Grill for our PS just missing the fireworks. Our service was awesome. The food even better. First class all the way. We were there for about 2 hours and enjoyed every second.

We all went to ESPN for our last hurrah and were surprised when it was packed. About 80 percent Eagles fans and 20 Pats fans. The Eagles fans were out of control.....By the end of the night, a few Eagles fans (one who decided he didn't need his shirt anymore) were trying to pick fights...with anyone. So the manager closed the bar early which didn't make the rest of the crowd happy. I was rooting for the Eagles before this night, but the Eagles fans made me change my mind. I know they may not be representative of their fans as a whole, but it was not pleasant. I am exaggerating a little, but separate me from my beer and I am not happy.

I ended my last night....yeah...enjoying the view...reflecting on one of the best WDW vacations ever.

jordanyosh · Feb 12, 2005

Saturday, February 5th.

We all checked our bags and went to MGM one more time. Wait times: RnRC--45 mins and TOT--25 minutes. It was actually one of the longest lines I have seen since I always go off season. We only did TOT and then DP had to head out. We had lunch at the ESPN Club so we could see the Football Hall Of Fame Announcements. We then went to DTD and the lovebirds spent an insane amount of money. We met our towncar at 4 and left for LAX at 7pm....

That was my trip...looking forward to December when we will be taking our first 7 day DCL.

disneyguru · Feb 12, 2005

Sounds like you all had a great time! I don't know how you did so much drinking and were still able to get up the next morning, but looks like you definetely made the most of your trip. I leave in 6 days and I can't wait. Thanks for the report!

jordanyosh · Feb 14, 2005

Some Final Thoughts

Time of year--I have almost always gone during off season times. September, October, January and Early Feb. I would have to say this time of year is my favorite. The weather, even when it's on the cool side, is much more tolerable than hot, humid weather. The only thing I missed was a few pool days and a waterpark day, but it seems like we were able to fill up our time.

MGM--While I still love this park, it has evolved so much that it really isn't the park I initially fell in love with. I guess that has alot to do with the fact that it was more of a working studio in the beginning. Now, with the animation division in Orlando being shuttered, there is no longer that sense that movies/tv shows are being made in your midst. We'll see what they do with this park in the coming years.

AK--I was pleasantly surprised with this park. I have always liked this park, but really began to appreciate it more this time. Slowing down and actually looking at exhibits was nice. I enjoyed more conversations with the different CMs they had stationed on the walking trails and learned a bit more about what I was viewing. One CM in one of the aviaries was particularly helpful and informative.

MK--Having Disneyland in my backyard taints my view of the MK a little. DL will always have my heart. That said, I do like the space at the MK. Even on a moderate day, DL can seem packed.

Epcot--I enjoyed the entertainment more than I have in the past, probably because we actually stopped and watched/listened.

Food--The food at WDW has improved so much since 1991. I like the fact that you could go your entire vacation and not have a burger. I did, but that was by choice and not because that was the only thing there was. ESPN Club has a few very good bartenders, Matt and Luis, who made sure we had the best service whether they were slow or very busy.

CMs--overall, fantastic. Never had a bad CM the whole vacation. I did notice that some attractions CMs were not smiling, but that didn't really affect my vacation. I always try and go out of my way to make sure that the CMs know how much I appreciate them having been one myself. A little kindness goes a long way.

Return date: Dec 2005. I will probably only do 2-3 days land and the the 7-day Eastern Caribbean DCL.

jordanyosh · Feb 14, 2005

disneyguru said:
Sounds like you all had a great time! I don't know how you did so much drinking and were still able to get up the next morning, but looks like you definetely made the most of your trip. I leave in 6 days and I can't wait. Thanks for the report!

I did have an awesome time. I always paced my drinking(except Jellyrolls night) so I wasn't too bad and was able to get up with the rest of my friends...Have fun on your trip.

4 Cali Residents in the World 1/28-2/5

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