I made a trip up yesterday to visit Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Just wanted to share a few of the things I noted:
Animal Kingdom:
- First time I've made it there pre-opening since they killed the welcome show. One guy making a short welcome announcement at the gates, and another at the holding area on Discovery Island in front of the Tree of Life. They should have kept some sort of welcome show and character interaction, even if they cut back overall. Having two random cast members welcome you is lackluster to say the least.
- Crowds at the park yesterday were very manageable in the morning, despite it being Spring Break. Insides of stores were empty, lines weren't too bad (10 minutes at Dino at 11 a.m.) and even Africa didn't seem packed to the gills with people.
- Expedition Everest was completely lacking any form of the Yeti. No B mode, no disco mode... nothing. And the animated projection and accompanying sounds were also not working... leaving a very quiet ride. Rode twice, both times the same. On the first ride, two kids in the row in front of me made the comment "Wasn't there supposed to be a yeti on there?" as we came back into the station.
- Saw zebras on Kilimanjaro for the first time since 2007! They were on a hill way in the distance after crossing the bridge right before the clay pits. I can't wait to see their new habitat in the coming months. Also saw the white rhinos out... first time I've seen them in awhile (just my luck always missing them, it seems)
Magic Kingdom:
- Made it in the gates around 1 p.m., and noticed on both signs under the train station that it said 12 a.m. closing, despite the Times Guide and everyone else saying 11 p.m. So i stopped in Guest Relations and asked the Cast Member. She said it was 11 p.m., but would double check. She asked the other Cast Members at the desk in the corner, and came back and said "You're right, it is now a midnight close. Thanks for letting me know, because it was news to me" and she laughed. I tried to log on my phone to post here, but couldn't connect. Thankfully DisneyInsider got my text and was able to post the news.
- Spring Break crowds were definitely here. Not the worst I've seen in the last few weeks, but definitely up there. At 1:30ish Jungle Cruise was at 65 minutes, Pirates 45 minutes, Splash 90 minutes. Pirates was down at 3 p.m and 7 p.m. when I went past... but it did reopen later.
- Crane was working on the mine train coaster, which of course has been posted about elsewhere with pictures.
- Went out to Tom Sawyer's Island and relaxed for an hour at Aunt Polly's on one of the rockers. Ya, that's a great place to be on a busy day, just enjoying the goings on across the water.
- Liberty Belle definitely needs its upcoming refurb. Lots of chipped paint and board rot along the back and bottom, which of course is expected since it runs in water and all :lol:
- Scrim still up at Chapeau, and at the Bakery. The Bakery now has the photo scrim (last time up there for me it was still the plain brown one).
- Heard several people complaining about Big Thunder being down for refurb. Here's hoping its not delayed.
- First time I've ever heard the park-wide PA system used at MK. They announced the extended closing once in the afternoon.
- Got a bus to myself from MK to French Quarter at 5:15 p.m. Decided to exit the crowds for dinner.
- Noticed on several occasions in the MK, especially in Tomorrowland, smokers lighting up wherever they felt like it.
- Took pictures of the new posters up around the walls of Storybook Circus, I will post those later.
- Club 626 was hopping. I might get flak for it, but its really kinda neat. Gives teens (and anyone) a chance to dance and enjoy popular music. With characters dancing along. And a decent DJ. Detracts a little from the surrounding experience yes (especially along PeopleMover), but only in the evening when its hopping. Just wish I was with someone who danced last night :lol:
- Crowds were gone after Wishes, got to run around in the last hour and a half and hit a number of attractions with little or no wait. (Pirates twice, JC, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Philharmagic, Snow White, and Winnie the Pooh)
- Power saws a roaring over the Chapeau at 12:15 a.m. So they are doing work overnight.
- Express Monorail was not running at 12:20 a.m. They were cycling on the beam, but all guests were directed to the Resort Monorail (the ferries were also running).
Pictures coming later!
Animal Kingdom:
- First time I've made it there pre-opening since they killed the welcome show. One guy making a short welcome announcement at the gates, and another at the holding area on Discovery Island in front of the Tree of Life. They should have kept some sort of welcome show and character interaction, even if they cut back overall. Having two random cast members welcome you is lackluster to say the least.
- Crowds at the park yesterday were very manageable in the morning, despite it being Spring Break. Insides of stores were empty, lines weren't too bad (10 minutes at Dino at 11 a.m.) and even Africa didn't seem packed to the gills with people.
- Expedition Everest was completely lacking any form of the Yeti. No B mode, no disco mode... nothing. And the animated projection and accompanying sounds were also not working... leaving a very quiet ride. Rode twice, both times the same. On the first ride, two kids in the row in front of me made the comment "Wasn't there supposed to be a yeti on there?" as we came back into the station.
- Saw zebras on Kilimanjaro for the first time since 2007! They were on a hill way in the distance after crossing the bridge right before the clay pits. I can't wait to see their new habitat in the coming months. Also saw the white rhinos out... first time I've seen them in awhile (just my luck always missing them, it seems)
Magic Kingdom:
- Made it in the gates around 1 p.m., and noticed on both signs under the train station that it said 12 a.m. closing, despite the Times Guide and everyone else saying 11 p.m. So i stopped in Guest Relations and asked the Cast Member. She said it was 11 p.m., but would double check. She asked the other Cast Members at the desk in the corner, and came back and said "You're right, it is now a midnight close. Thanks for letting me know, because it was news to me" and she laughed. I tried to log on my phone to post here, but couldn't connect. Thankfully DisneyInsider got my text and was able to post the news.
- Spring Break crowds were definitely here. Not the worst I've seen in the last few weeks, but definitely up there. At 1:30ish Jungle Cruise was at 65 minutes, Pirates 45 minutes, Splash 90 minutes. Pirates was down at 3 p.m and 7 p.m. when I went past... but it did reopen later.
- Crane was working on the mine train coaster, which of course has been posted about elsewhere with pictures.
- Went out to Tom Sawyer's Island and relaxed for an hour at Aunt Polly's on one of the rockers. Ya, that's a great place to be on a busy day, just enjoying the goings on across the water.
- Liberty Belle definitely needs its upcoming refurb. Lots of chipped paint and board rot along the back and bottom, which of course is expected since it runs in water and all :lol:
- Scrim still up at Chapeau, and at the Bakery. The Bakery now has the photo scrim (last time up there for me it was still the plain brown one).
- Heard several people complaining about Big Thunder being down for refurb. Here's hoping its not delayed.
- First time I've ever heard the park-wide PA system used at MK. They announced the extended closing once in the afternoon.
- Got a bus to myself from MK to French Quarter at 5:15 p.m. Decided to exit the crowds for dinner.
- Noticed on several occasions in the MK, especially in Tomorrowland, smokers lighting up wherever they felt like it.
- Took pictures of the new posters up around the walls of Storybook Circus, I will post those later.
- Club 626 was hopping. I might get flak for it, but its really kinda neat. Gives teens (and anyone) a chance to dance and enjoy popular music. With characters dancing along. And a decent DJ. Detracts a little from the surrounding experience yes (especially along PeopleMover), but only in the evening when its hopping. Just wish I was with someone who danced last night :lol:
- Crowds were gone after Wishes, got to run around in the last hour and a half and hit a number of attractions with little or no wait. (Pirates twice, JC, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Philharmagic, Snow White, and Winnie the Pooh)
- Power saws a roaring over the Chapeau at 12:15 a.m. So they are doing work overnight.
- Express Monorail was not running at 12:20 a.m. They were cycling on the beam, but all guests were directed to the Resort Monorail (the ferries were also running).
Pictures coming later!
told me that they're slowly integrating the zebras back on to the reserve, so you'll be seeing them more and more in the time leading up to the opening of their new enclosure.
