It is with great excitement I sit here in the Atlanta airport, Disney bound with my middle child. While this is my 5th WDW trip this year (I *may* have an addiction problem...) my DS (henceforth known as Drumr) has not been to the world in 3 years...before MagicBands! Don't feel too sorry for him...his first trip was at age 2 and he has been numerous times since. (Warning to parents of young kids...be careful what traditions you start!)
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Trip Report No Bug Movie...promise! *COMPLETED*
- Thread starter Tuvalu
- Start date
WoodyWorker
New Member
We've learned to overlook this flaw.
WoodyWorker
New Member
Tell Drumr "Go Dawgs" for me.
catmom46
Well-Known Member
We then rode the monorail to the TTC and made the transfer to the Epcot line. Due to the cap search (which took much longer than we expected) we we dangerously close to the end of our Soarin' fastpass window. Drumr and I are fast power walkers (often leaving the rest of our family in the dust) and we made pretty good time to the Land pavilion when we arrived at Epcot. Still, by my phone clock we were about 12 minutes past our FP end time.
I was prepared to ask the CM for mercy, but we put our bands up to the Mickey heads without saying a word...and Mickey turned green!
On our trip in July we pushed the 15-minute mark on our FPs several times and Mickey always turned green for us, too!
When the fastpass system was introduced years ago, getting one for slow-moving Peter Pan was a must. But now that there is an interactive queue (which in my opinion is every bit as good as the ride), a FP is not necessary provided your visit is first thing in the morning.
We lingered at Wendy's room in order to watch Tink.
We lingered at Wendy's room in order to watch Tink.
Drumr rode Splash Mountain for the first time at the age of 4...his choice, his parents did not coerce him. He LOVED it! DH and I needed to use baby swap at that time for @TrolleyFollower91, and Drumr always asked to accompany whichever parent went in after the swap (after he had already ridden it.) It remains his favorite ride to this day.
We got seated in row 1 and prepared for a thorough drenching, but we only got a little wet (thankfully.)
He LOVED it! DH and I needed to use baby swap at that time for @TrolleyFollower91, and Drumr always asked to accompany whichever parent went in after the swap (after he had already ridden it.) It remains his favorite ride to this day. We got seated in row 1 and prepared for a thorough drenching, but we only got a little wet (thankfully.)
MinnieM123
Premium Member
Fun! I love the theming of that ride. And I've been totally drenched on that before, so you were lucky you didn't get hammered on the final drop. (It all depends on how much they turn up the water cannons from the sides before you hit the water. I know in colder weather, they really tone those down. In the intense heat of the summer, however, they're a welcome cool down!)
(It all depends on how much they turn up the water cannons from the sides before you hit the water. I know in colder weather, they really tone those down. In the intense heat of the summer, however, they're a welcome cool down!)
We heard that Pirates was open today after its refurb, so we headed there next. There was a huge line outside the building and no standby wait time was posted, but the line was moving. We overheard a CM say the attraction had just opened 10 minutes earlier. We got in line.
15 minutes later we boarded a boat. When I last rode Pirates in June (immediately before the refurb closure) my party was assigned row 1. At the bottom of the drop, a giant wall of water washed over us. I am not exaggerating. Our shorts, socks and shoes were completely soaked. Then our upper bodies were drenched by a water cannon. Splash Mountain had never gotten us as wet as Pirates...it was ridiculous. I had read that the "new" boats had issues with taking on water but we weren't prepared for a bath!
Drumr and I were assigned to row 2 and I breathed a sigh of relief. Of course 2 other folks were instructed to climb aboard with us. I think couples should be allowed the courtesy of not having to share seats with strangers.
15 minutes later we boarded a boat. When I last rode Pirates in June (immediately before the refurb closure) my party was assigned row 1. At the bottom of the drop, a giant wall of water washed over us. I am not exaggerating. Our shorts, socks and shoes were completely soaked. Then our upper bodies were drenched by a water cannon. Splash Mountain had never gotten us as wet as Pirates...it was ridiculous. I had read that the "new" boats had issues with taking on water but we weren't prepared for a bath!
Drumr and I were assigned to row 2 and I breathed a sigh of relief. Of course 2 other folks were instructed to climb aboard with us. I think couples should be allowed the courtesy of not having to share seats with strangers.
The refurb did not address the mermaids. They were MIA.
And then the drop...let's just say that row 2 did not protect us from the wall of water! What parts of us that remained dry after riding Splash were now wet. Maybe it's me, but I don't want to get wet on Pirates!
The final scene of the burning village looks fabulous though...some really cool new effects.
And there is a new dog guarding those "prisoners." The pic is a little out of focus but you get the idea.
And then the drop...let's just say that row 2 did not protect us from the wall of water! What parts of us that remained dry after riding Splash were now wet. Maybe it's me, but I don't want to get wet on Pirates!
The final scene of the burning village looks fabulous though...some really cool new effects.
And there is a new dog guarding those "prisoners." The pic is a little out of focus but you get the idea.
TheMouseFan
Well-Known Member
I agree about Pirates! When we went back in Nov. 2013, the CM tried to put us in the front row and scoffed at me when I said we didn't want to get wet. He assured me that you don't get wet on Pirates, but then he proceeded to put us in the back row!!The refurb did not address the mermaids. They were MIA.
And then the drop...let's just say that row 2 did not protect us from the wall of water! What parts of us that remained dry after riding Splash were now wet. Maybe it's me, but I don't want to get wet on Pirates!
The final scene of the burning village looks fabulous though...some really cool new effects.
And there is a new dog guarding those "prisoners." The pic is a little out of focus but you get the idea.
View attachment 112238
I'm really enjoying following along with you! I hope to some day take trips with each of my kids individually.
Well it seems this newly refurbished attraction is having other difficulties...as we walked past the entrance, the queue was closed off and CMs were telling folks the ride was down and they did not know when it would be open. By our estimate, Pirates had only been open less than an hour!
Construction is moving along on Skipper's Canteen. Fingers crossed we can try it in December!
"Dreams Come True" was being performed on the castle stage (seems every time we cross the hub that song is playing!) We made it to our first FP destination of the day, the coveted 7DMT. We were a few minutes early but Mickey turned green.
Drumr thought 7DMT was very well done. He had no expectations since he hadn't read any reviews or watched a ride-through video.
By our estimate, Pirates had only been open less than an hour!Construction is moving along on Skipper's Canteen. Fingers crossed we can try it in December!
"Dreams Come True" was being performed on the castle stage (seems every time we cross the hub that song is playing!) We made it to our first FP destination of the day, the coveted 7DMT. We were a few minutes early but Mickey turned green
.Drumr thought 7DMT was very well done. He had no expectations since he hadn't read any reviews or watched a ride-through video.
When I booked this trip, it was well past the 180 days required to get a lunch ADR at Be Our Guest, so of course there were no times available. I checked periodically for a couple weeks, and then read the tip about making an ADR for a party of one and then a second ADR for one at an overlapping time. Success! Secured mine for 11:50am and Drumr at 11:55am. I still continued to check for an ADR for 2 up through this week to no avail (this is important.)
We pre-ordered our food, since I had made the mistake of not pre-ordering last time and got stuck in the scorching sun on the bridge outside for 15-20 minutes. We checked in and overheard them turning away guests trying to walk up.
There was NO line on the bridge or even outside. There was no line in the knight room, and after we had paid we peeked into the library where only a few of the ordering kiosks were in use.
The West Wing had several available tables as did the ballroom. The Rose Gallery was only about 2/3 full. Keep in mind it is NOON. And the reservation system always returned with the message "no available times for 9/26."
Anyhoo...Drumr was most pleased with his roast beef sandwich and my braised pork was delicious as always.
We pre-ordered our food, since I had made the mistake of not pre-ordering last time and got stuck in the scorching sun on the bridge outside for 15-20 minutes. We checked in and overheard them turning away guests trying to walk up.
There was NO line on the bridge or even outside. There was no line in the knight room, and after we had paid we peeked into the library where only a few of the ordering kiosks were in use.
The West Wing had several available tables as did the ballroom. The Rose Gallery was only about 2/3 full. Keep in mind it is NOON. And the reservation system always returned with the message "no available times for 9/26."
Anyhoo...Drumr was most pleased with his roast beef sandwich and my braised pork was delicious as always.