Random Thoughts From Trip

Hey all,

I'm on my second night here at the Poly...and first time at WDW since October '05. Just thought I'd throw some random thoughts out there to see what y'all think!

1) First time ever staying at the Poly. Last year was at the Contemporary. Can't tell which one I like better. Poly has got the great theming, and the TTC close by made getting to Epcot easy, but it just don't have that "at the center of the world" feeling the Contemporary has.

2) Saw Expedition Everest for the first time. Actually, the first thing I saw was the back of the building that houses Everest from the parking lot. Is it me or is that totally not Disney?

3) Among the best kept secrets in Disney--Dinosaur and Cranium Command. I love George Wendt as the stomach!

4) The Transformers sold at the Japan pavillion are the American-made Transformers and not the Japanese-made transformers. Very lame.

5) Epcot was so empty today it was actually a little strange. It did, however, give us time to stop by Paris, have a capuccino and a crepe, and just relax. I swear, I really did feel like I was in France. It was awesome!

Anyhow, Magic Kingdom tomorrow and MGM Wednesday. I'm addicted to this place

 

[maggiegrace1]

LUCKY!!!!!..Im so jealous..Have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[natalia1681]

I am incredibly jealous! Can't wait to be there in a month! I'm glad that you are having a good time!

 

[Pluto_is_my_fav]

BTW - 2 quick questions:

1) Does anyone know what rides are not open during MVMCP? We have only the one day for MK, and are doing Keys to the Kingdom in the morning and want to fit everything in.

2) Just a random question from riding today, but does anyone have any pictures of the interior of SE? We kind of think seeing how the tracks are laid out would be cool.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Rob562]

1) Does anyone know what rides are not open during MVMCP? We have only the one day for MK, and are doing Keys to the Kingdom in the morning and want to fit everything in.

I don't know about this year's parties, but in the past it's been almost every attraction in the park.
-Riverboat doesn't run.
-I don't think the Tiki Room usually opens.
-Jungle Cruise has been 50/50 whether it's open or not. One year it was (and we had a GREAT skipper), the next year it wasn't.
-Hall of Presidents is closed.
-Carousel of Progress has also been 50/50 across the years.
-I *think* the MK Railroad is closed for all or most of the party because the perimeter shots for the fireworks are launched from along the tracks.

-Rob

 

[sknydave]

Epcot was very nice tonight.. easy crowds and cool weather. I had dinner at the Matsunoma Lounge and it was great

enjoy the rest of your stay!

 

[kirksheppard]

You're gonna love Keys to the Kingdom! We did it last week and it was the highlight of any trip I've been on... our tour guide was Rae and she was amazing! Enjoy yourself.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

Hey all,



4) The Transformers sold at the Japan pavillion are the American-made Transformers and not the Japanese-made transformers. Very lame.

I've found this all over World Showcase (except for in China). The ornaments in Norway said Made in China, clothing from Italy said Made in Sweeden (or something like that), etc. It's really sad. I go to WS looking for a unique shopping experience, hoping to get genuine things.

Also, i agree about Cranium Command, always has been my favorite!

 

[kennygman]

Rather than answering in the negative...here's the attractions that ARE open for MVMCP according to the map.

Fantasyland
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
It’s a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan's Flight
Philharmagic
Snow White's Scary Adventures
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain
Stitch’s Great Escape
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Country Bear Jamboree
Splash Mountain
Adventureland
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Liberty Square
The Haunted Mansion

 

[Pluto_is_my_fav]

You're gonna love Keys to the Kingdom! We did it last week and it was the highlight of any trip I've been on... our tour guide was Rae and she was amazing! Enjoy yourself.

We had Rae...agreed, she was terrific. I totally would love to share everything we learned, but we swore to Walt we wouldn't.

A few notes from day 3 (at the MK):

1) I'm noticing Rides break down more this trip than on any other trip. On Sunday it was Expedition Everest and today it was both Splash Mountain and Space Mountain. On the plus side, we went on TTA while Space Mountain was down and got some great shots of SM with the lights on. Will post when I get home.

2) Both Keys to the Kingdom and MVMCP are well worth it! (And the included lunch at Columbia Harbor House was great.)

3) We had a great monorail driver (monorail gold) on our way back to the Poly tonight. He made the entire resort circle in under 13 minutes. If you're reading this, way to go!

4) New pirates is pretty good. is it darker than the previous version? Also my first time in new tiki room...thought that was great.

Anyhow, off to bed. Tomorrow MGM.

G'night!

 

[WaltzingMatilda]

Rather than answering in the negative...here's the attractions that ARE open for MVMCP according to the map.

Fantasyland
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
It’s a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan's Flight
Philharmagic
Snow White's Scary Adventures
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain
Stitch’s Great Escape
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Country Bear Jamboree
Splash Mountain
Adventureland
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Liberty Square
The Haunted Mansion

Just wanted to say..I love your positiveity! :wave:

 

[maconMouse]

It did, however, give us time to stop by Paris, have a capuccino and a crepe, and just relax. I swear, I really did feel like I was in France.

Well said! Ah, the magic we all love at work! And the escape we truly can have while in a Disney park. I love it. Thanks for the reminder and welcome to wdwmagic.

 

[PeaJay18]

Also my first time in new tiki room...thought that was great.

I agree with you, and I applaud you for saying that in public! :lol: :sohappy:

 

[Pluto_is_my_fav]

Hi all,

Just got back from the 3-night sea portion of the trip and now sitting in the Orlando airport waiting for the flight home. Just a few more random thoughts since the last post:

1) Earlier I posted that it seemed a lot more rides were breaking down this trip than last trip. Following that, on Wednesday a truck hit one of the monorail beams, which delayed monorail service. Not necessarily a breakdown, but in addition to that, a compressor on monorail blue broke and it had to be towed back to service and a door on monorail gold broke and it had to make its way back to service. All told, a bad night for monorails, although they are still my favorite part of the World.

2) Had dinner at California Grill on last night of land portion. This was the first time I timed the reservation right so we could see Wishes from the top of the Contemporary. WOW is about the only way to describe it.

3) MGM was pretty empty on Wednedsay...so empty that the CMs weren't even collecting the fastpass tickets. Got to see everything in about 4-5 hours.

4) Cruise was great. I was reluctant to do anything that would cut into time at WDW proper, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was my 3rd cruise, but first Disney one, and this was hands down the best. Food was GREAT, entertainment even better. Question: Why are the "crew members" not called "cast members"? It seems like the "show" concept definitely extends to the boat.

5) Castaway Cay is great. Best part--you don't have to deal with an onslaught of people trying to sell you something. If I do it again, I won't even get off the boat at Nassau.

6) Finally, as a last thought, if there are any cast members reading this, thank you!!!! Everyone we interacted with this trip really made it a magical experience! Thanks!

As promised, when I get back home, I will post some pictures, including those from inside space mountain with the lights on. That's all for now.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Waiting for those pictures............... Seems like you had a great time. Thanks for the posts