I never thought I would be doing another one of these. It seems like it has been forever. I guess the reason is that I got a Universal/IOA Annual Pass 2 weeks ago, and I have been going there on days when I normally would be going to Disney. But, I was glad to be back home today. I had finals, and I got out of school at noon. I headed over to Disney at around 1pm. Here is ISTCrew's May 21st WDW Update!
Oh wait...Before I get started...I would just like to share with you how extremely hot it was today. I don't care what the thermometer said, today felt like the hottest day in the past 2 years. It wasn't just Oh, I'm sweating hot, it was OH MY GOD, I'M MELTING INTO THE SIDEWALK hot. Anyways, let me get started...Today I went to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Saratoga Springs...Here are the updates...
At Animal Kingdom...
--Dinosaur was still closed for rehab
--The park maps have not been updated to include the new path in Asia yet.
--2 new signs were added around the Everest area. They out do the corniness of the "something is afoot" signs. The new ones, one on a post in the ground, and the other pasted on the wall say something like "For a closer "peak", walk over to the bridge". They think of some truly awful puns.
--The new bus entrance is now being used. A small security checkpoint was built, and now has separate lanes that lead to the bus loop and backstage areas. I really do not like the new entrance. It looks like you are entering a prison. Green barbed wire fence is on the side of every lane. It really looks bad, but I guess they need to do what they need to do.
--Everest construction looks to be coming along great. A large brake run was constructed, like, 40 feet off the ground. The crane was lifting pieces of metal, while 15 or so construction workers were on the ground putting things in place.
I left AK due to the heat, and boarded a bus to Saratoga Springs. I went with the intention of looking at the new resort, and to get something to eat, since I haven't eaten since this morning.
Let me just say...I HATED Saratoga Springs. It should not of been opened the way it was. So, I got on the bus, and I was the only one on it. We pulled into Saratoga Springs, and the bus driver stopped at the gate, got out the bus, walked over to the security guard, and told him that the first curve is very difficult to drive through. So after that, he got back in the drivers seat, and we drove past the construction of the other buildings. We pulled up to the sidewalk, where a folding sign (think "wet floor" signs) stated it was the "temporary bus stop". The only thing I saw were some stairs, and the pool. I walked over to the pool, and I admit, it was very nice. I looked around over there for a bit, and then walked up to the "Artist Palette" which I was assuming was the food court. Actually, it was a counter, with a few sandwiches. You pay for your food at the same counter you pay for merchandise. I bought a soda, and went exploring some more. I saw the complete resort in under 20 minutes. I don't think even 5 buildings were complete. Many, MANY more were under construction. It looked like you were visiting a construction site. There were only 8 people at the pool, and 2 more in the entire food/merchandise/lobby building. 2 busses serviced the entire resort, and they were extremely slow. The arcade was small, and it was hidden. It looked like it was closed. The food and merchandise area is nothing more than some booths and a few paintings. The whole place was dull, boring, and very dry. It didn't feel like Disney. It felt like an "over 55" retirement village, without the fun stuff. It looked awful, and I'm sure that anyone who stays there will not be as pleased at they would be at other DVC resorts. If you have kids, forget about it. I'm sure they would rather drink medicine. I'm sure once it is open, and portables and metal and dirt isn't everywhere, it will look very nice, but for now, it is very unorganized. It should not have been opened the way it was. Maybe the pictures will prove my point.
I waited for my MK bus at the "bus stop" and I was on my way. Here are some MK updates.
--Great news!! The covered seating area by Ariel's Grotto is being refurbed. An actual tile floor was put in (it used to be wood flooring). Each support had a scaffold around it.
--Also getting refurbished was the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway viewing area.
--The ToonTown train station looks to be completely gone. The train goes very close to the wall, and guests are firmly warned to keep their feet inside. The guy on the train said the new station should be up and open in 2 months.
--The 20K Lagoon is still at the state of being drained, with the exception of a few puddles.
--I took a ride on the TTA today, and I got some Stitch news. When we went by, the doors to the preshow were open. People who said the preshow was complete...sorry to tell ya, it's not. Supports were on the floor, and it looked as if the carpeting was gone. No work has been done on the extended queue area either.
--Also gone was the clear dome on top of the "Tomorrowland" sign.
--I know for some time, just a rope was put up in front of Small World, but a construction wall is now up.
And that's it. School it out next Tuesday, and then I'm on summer break, which means a lot more Disney. I also want to share, that my good friend Andrea got a job at Disney yesterday. She will be working MGM merchandise locations on Sunset Blvd.
Pictures up soon...toodles.
Oh wait...Before I get started...I would just like to share with you how extremely hot it was today. I don't care what the thermometer said, today felt like the hottest day in the past 2 years. It wasn't just Oh, I'm sweating hot, it was OH MY GOD, I'M MELTING INTO THE SIDEWALK hot. Anyways, let me get started...Today I went to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Saratoga Springs...Here are the updates...
At Animal Kingdom...
--Dinosaur was still closed for rehab
--The park maps have not been updated to include the new path in Asia yet.
--2 new signs were added around the Everest area. They out do the corniness of the "something is afoot" signs. The new ones, one on a post in the ground, and the other pasted on the wall say something like "For a closer "peak", walk over to the bridge". They think of some truly awful puns.
--The new bus entrance is now being used. A small security checkpoint was built, and now has separate lanes that lead to the bus loop and backstage areas. I really do not like the new entrance. It looks like you are entering a prison. Green barbed wire fence is on the side of every lane. It really looks bad, but I guess they need to do what they need to do.
--Everest construction looks to be coming along great. A large brake run was constructed, like, 40 feet off the ground. The crane was lifting pieces of metal, while 15 or so construction workers were on the ground putting things in place.
I left AK due to the heat, and boarded a bus to Saratoga Springs. I went with the intention of looking at the new resort, and to get something to eat, since I haven't eaten since this morning.
Let me just say...I HATED Saratoga Springs. It should not of been opened the way it was. So, I got on the bus, and I was the only one on it. We pulled into Saratoga Springs, and the bus driver stopped at the gate, got out the bus, walked over to the security guard, and told him that the first curve is very difficult to drive through. So after that, he got back in the drivers seat, and we drove past the construction of the other buildings. We pulled up to the sidewalk, where a folding sign (think "wet floor" signs) stated it was the "temporary bus stop". The only thing I saw were some stairs, and the pool. I walked over to the pool, and I admit, it was very nice. I looked around over there for a bit, and then walked up to the "Artist Palette" which I was assuming was the food court. Actually, it was a counter, with a few sandwiches. You pay for your food at the same counter you pay for merchandise. I bought a soda, and went exploring some more. I saw the complete resort in under 20 minutes. I don't think even 5 buildings were complete. Many, MANY more were under construction. It looked like you were visiting a construction site. There were only 8 people at the pool, and 2 more in the entire food/merchandise/lobby building. 2 busses serviced the entire resort, and they were extremely slow. The arcade was small, and it was hidden. It looked like it was closed. The food and merchandise area is nothing more than some booths and a few paintings. The whole place was dull, boring, and very dry. It didn't feel like Disney. It felt like an "over 55" retirement village, without the fun stuff. It looked awful, and I'm sure that anyone who stays there will not be as pleased at they would be at other DVC resorts. If you have kids, forget about it. I'm sure they would rather drink medicine. I'm sure once it is open, and portables and metal and dirt isn't everywhere, it will look very nice, but for now, it is very unorganized. It should not have been opened the way it was. Maybe the pictures will prove my point.
I waited for my MK bus at the "bus stop" and I was on my way. Here are some MK updates.
--Great news!! The covered seating area by Ariel's Grotto is being refurbed. An actual tile floor was put in (it used to be wood flooring). Each support had a scaffold around it.
--Also getting refurbished was the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway viewing area.
--The ToonTown train station looks to be completely gone. The train goes very close to the wall, and guests are firmly warned to keep their feet inside. The guy on the train said the new station should be up and open in 2 months.
--The 20K Lagoon is still at the state of being drained, with the exception of a few puddles.
--I took a ride on the TTA today, and I got some Stitch news. When we went by, the doors to the preshow were open. People who said the preshow was complete...sorry to tell ya, it's not. Supports were on the floor, and it looked as if the carpeting was gone. No work has been done on the extended queue area either.
--Also gone was the clear dome on top of the "Tomorrowland" sign.
--I know for some time, just a rope was put up in front of Small World, but a construction wall is now up.
And that's it. School it out next Tuesday, and then I'm on summer break, which means a lot more Disney. I also want to share, that my good friend Andrea got a job at Disney yesterday. She will be working MGM merchandise locations on Sunset Blvd.
Pictures up soon...toodles.
