Hello everyone!
Although my posts are few and far between, and mostly on the Trip Reports forums, I thought I'd extend to you guys some random news. This past Thursday-Saturday I went down to Disney for a Mission:Space fix trip ... I had to ride it and I couldn't wait a month longer! The crowds Friday were terrific in Epcot and MGM. Saturday in MK was the MOST CROWDED day I've EVER experienced in Disney ... more than my Easter trips, more than my May trips, and more than my Thanksgiving trips. My best guess is locals and just the fact we were dumb enough to go to MK on a Saturday. Anyways, the rest of the dough is for the Trip Reports board, so here's some interesting news I'd have liked to hear about if I didn't know. Some of you may be well ahead of the game and either have explanations for this or it's old information to you...
-The HUGE crane in Epoct is up and MOVING. I watched Friday as it toiled away back in it's corner of Epcot. Upon asking a Cast Member greeting at Imagination!, I was told it was, in fact, for Soarin'. I tried to juice her for more info, but it wasn't happening. The crane itself was an attraction to me. I love seeing what we talk about on the forums.
-New directional signs are up all over Epcot. (new, as in, put up since my trip in May). The signs point to the different attractions. Boring, yes, but not until you see how many empty slots there are. Regarding the empy sign slots: 2 are pointing towards East, 2 to the West, and 1 to both north and south.
-Mission:Space is apparently still experiencing full ride breakdowns. My first ever ride ended midway and they made everyone on all the bays get off. My second attempt the whole pavillion was closed due to "technical difficulties". Likewise on my 3rd. Then finally I went on just before Illuminations started.
-Philarmagic was open and a great show for Disney movie fans and 3-D movie fans alike! I'm a 20 year old college student and I liked it, so who wouldn't!? I saw at least 3 parents get up to take their screaming kids out though (although it's no way scary at all, but the 4th dimension effects are quire powerful)
-Several constuction trucks were seen behind the old 20,000 leagues lagoon. Not sure what it's for ... perhaps the rumored "Mermaid Lagoon" attraction?
-I experienced Alien Encounters for the last time this weekend. They are letting crowds out via the exit around the back facing the castle, not the gift shop one. The gift shop itself was full of cast members stocking tons and tons of Lilo and Stich merchandise. Alien Encounters merchandise has been reduced to one rack and one shelf.
-There are at least 3 billboards up now for Mission:Space and the in-room television for Disney Info has been updated to have Mission:Space on it. It is first on the show (which, btw, I just watch over and over and over when I'm in the hotel room) followed by Test Track.
-Speaking of Test Track, Mission:Space is having a very welcomed drain on Test Track queues.
-Whatever the hotels on the opposite end of the lake at Downtown Disney are, they are coming along VERY fast. I believe it's an extension of Saratoga Springs, but I'm really kind of ignorant about S.S. and what that construction is.
-Imagination! was broke down more than it was up on the course of my two days. Thank God, too, because I would have had to been dragged on kicking and screaming by the people I was with. The original was good, the second was better, and this third one makes me want to cry.
-Haunted Mansion movie merchandise has taken over the cart at the exit. The horsedrawn hearse has also returned, looking shiny and freshly refurbished.
-Space Mountain broke down FOUR TIMES in one day and the lights all came on each time. I was there for 3/4 times (lucky me). I rode the TTA to get a GREAT view of the ride itself. Of course I forgot to bring the camera, too!
-A busdriver (I know, not a reliable source) told us 2 little rumors which I find quite far'fetched:
1) The monorail is DEFINENTLY getting an extension. Particularly through the Swan and the little "black" square in the center of the Dolphin. It will run to AK particular, also.
2) The next Disney park will be themed "Disney Villains" and will be a roller-coaster type park located directly in the vacant land across from the Caribbean Beach resort.
That's really all I can remember off the top of my head. I'll let you know some more if I think of anything. And one final personal note: I finally got to fly over Disney on the way home. It was AWESOME! You would not believe how much empty land they actually have to build on. Original Discovery Island looks like it's completely grown in, too.
"Have a magical day!"
Although my posts are few and far between, and mostly on the Trip Reports forums, I thought I'd extend to you guys some random news. This past Thursday-Saturday I went down to Disney for a Mission:Space fix trip ... I had to ride it and I couldn't wait a month longer! The crowds Friday were terrific in Epcot and MGM. Saturday in MK was the MOST CROWDED day I've EVER experienced in Disney ... more than my Easter trips, more than my May trips, and more than my Thanksgiving trips. My best guess is locals and just the fact we were dumb enough to go to MK on a Saturday. Anyways, the rest of the dough is for the Trip Reports board, so here's some interesting news I'd have liked to hear about if I didn't know. Some of you may be well ahead of the game and either have explanations for this or it's old information to you...
-The HUGE crane in Epoct is up and MOVING. I watched Friday as it toiled away back in it's corner of Epcot. Upon asking a Cast Member greeting at Imagination!, I was told it was, in fact, for Soarin'. I tried to juice her for more info, but it wasn't happening. The crane itself was an attraction to me. I love seeing what we talk about on the forums.
-New directional signs are up all over Epcot. (new, as in, put up since my trip in May). The signs point to the different attractions. Boring, yes, but not until you see how many empty slots there are. Regarding the empy sign slots: 2 are pointing towards East, 2 to the West, and 1 to both north and south.
-Mission:Space is apparently still experiencing full ride breakdowns. My first ever ride ended midway and they made everyone on all the bays get off. My second attempt the whole pavillion was closed due to "technical difficulties". Likewise on my 3rd. Then finally I went on just before Illuminations started.
-Philarmagic was open and a great show for Disney movie fans and 3-D movie fans alike! I'm a 20 year old college student and I liked it, so who wouldn't!? I saw at least 3 parents get up to take their screaming kids out though (although it's no way scary at all, but the 4th dimension effects are quire powerful)
-Several constuction trucks were seen behind the old 20,000 leagues lagoon. Not sure what it's for ... perhaps the rumored "Mermaid Lagoon" attraction?
-I experienced Alien Encounters for the last time this weekend. They are letting crowds out via the exit around the back facing the castle, not the gift shop one. The gift shop itself was full of cast members stocking tons and tons of Lilo and Stich merchandise. Alien Encounters merchandise has been reduced to one rack and one shelf.
-There are at least 3 billboards up now for Mission:Space and the in-room television for Disney Info has been updated to have Mission:Space on it. It is first on the show (which, btw, I just watch over and over and over when I'm in the hotel room) followed by Test Track.
-Speaking of Test Track, Mission:Space is having a very welcomed drain on Test Track queues.
-Whatever the hotels on the opposite end of the lake at Downtown Disney are, they are coming along VERY fast. I believe it's an extension of Saratoga Springs, but I'm really kind of ignorant about S.S. and what that construction is.
-Imagination! was broke down more than it was up on the course of my two days. Thank God, too, because I would have had to been dragged on kicking and screaming by the people I was with. The original was good, the second was better, and this third one makes me want to cry.
-Haunted Mansion movie merchandise has taken over the cart at the exit. The horsedrawn hearse has also returned, looking shiny and freshly refurbished.
-Space Mountain broke down FOUR TIMES in one day and the lights all came on each time. I was there for 3/4 times (lucky me). I rode the TTA to get a GREAT view of the ride itself. Of course I forgot to bring the camera, too!
-A busdriver (I know, not a reliable source) told us 2 little rumors which I find quite far'fetched:
1) The monorail is DEFINENTLY getting an extension. Particularly through the Swan and the little "black" square in the center of the Dolphin. It will run to AK particular, also.
2) The next Disney park will be themed "Disney Villains" and will be a roller-coaster type park located directly in the vacant land across from the Caribbean Beach resort.
That's really all I can remember off the top of my head. I'll let you know some more if I think of anything. And one final personal note: I finally got to fly over Disney on the way home. It was AWESOME! You would not believe how much empty land they actually have to build on. Original Discovery Island looks like it's completely grown in, too.
"Have a magical day!"
