Hi,
We just got back from 4 days at the parks. We were at MGM on Saturday April 27, AK on Sunday April 28, Epcot most of the day on Monday April 29 and MK at night for the parade and fireworks, and MK on Tuesday April 30.
First of all, the parks were very busy. Much more so than I'd ever had thought for this time of year. The weekend was particuarly busy. MGM seemed crowded, and AK was packed. The narrow walkways in AK (compared to Epcot) made it difficult to move around with a stroller. Our big disapointment was that our 4 year old who is 41 inches high could not go on Primevil Whirl. We had seen on the web site a while back that the height requirement was 38 or 40 inches, but in reality it is 48. You can even see on the measuring posts at the ride where they coverd up the old measurement with tape. Fantasmic was standing room only 30 minutes before showtime.
Our day at Epcot was great since it felt so nice to have all that space to walk around in. We did not know about the "soft opening" of the park at 9:30. We got there right at 10:00 when the brochures say it opens, and was surprised to see a 30 minute wait for test track. We spent an hour and a half in the land doing the shows there and eating - all in airconditioning. It was hot - in the mid to low 90s.
We went to the MK on Monday around 7:00pm so that we could catch the parade at 8:30 and fireworks at 9:30. At 7:00, people were lined up for the parade. So we tried to do a few rides, and even with the long lines, we were able to get to Haunted Mansion and Small world before the parade started. After the fireworks, everyone headed out. Considering how densley packed we were leaving, the outflow was smooth and we got back to our car in a resonable amount of time. Disney knows how to get people out. There are not so good at getting you in. The finger ID system is still slow.
Our full day at the MK on Tuesday was good also. The crowds were not as big as the night before. Getting there first thing in the AM, we were able to ride Big Thunder and Splash two times each without any wait. We used Fast Pass and some other "front of the line" passes later in the day when the ride waits got longer. Pooh and Peter Pan were over 45-60 minutes. In fact, the Pooh fast pass line was longer than the stand by line at one point. My biggest gripe of the day was that on nearly every ride, (Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pooh, Pirates, Peter Pan, Small World, and Buzz Lightyear), there was some sort of delay where the ride stopped, the music stopped, and the announcer came over the speakers and told everyone to remain seated. On many, this happened more than once during the ride. A lot of the Magic is lost when this happens. I understand if it happens on one or two rides due to the loading of handicapped or something, but on nearly every ride there timing was off.
But I did not mean for this post to be all negative. We had a great 4 days at the parks, and are going back in September when I hope the crowds are lower. Fast pass is the best. By good management of time and location, it really allows you to get in more rides, not to mention the great feeling you get by waiting on 5 minutes for a ride when the signs outside say 45 or 60. What many don't know is that you can get another fast pass right after the first time indicidated on your current fast pass. So if you get one for Pooh and it says come back between 2:25 and 3:25, you can get another fast pass at 2:26.
Hopefully for anyone going to Disney in the next few weeks, the crowds should be smaller. Don't forget your sunscreen.
We just got back from 4 days at the parks. We were at MGM on Saturday April 27, AK on Sunday April 28, Epcot most of the day on Monday April 29 and MK at night for the parade and fireworks, and MK on Tuesday April 30.
First of all, the parks were very busy. Much more so than I'd ever had thought for this time of year. The weekend was particuarly busy. MGM seemed crowded, and AK was packed. The narrow walkways in AK (compared to Epcot) made it difficult to move around with a stroller. Our big disapointment was that our 4 year old who is 41 inches high could not go on Primevil Whirl. We had seen on the web site a while back that the height requirement was 38 or 40 inches, but in reality it is 48. You can even see on the measuring posts at the ride where they coverd up the old measurement with tape. Fantasmic was standing room only 30 minutes before showtime.
Our day at Epcot was great since it felt so nice to have all that space to walk around in. We did not know about the "soft opening" of the park at 9:30. We got there right at 10:00 when the brochures say it opens, and was surprised to see a 30 minute wait for test track. We spent an hour and a half in the land doing the shows there and eating - all in airconditioning. It was hot - in the mid to low 90s.
We went to the MK on Monday around 7:00pm so that we could catch the parade at 8:30 and fireworks at 9:30. At 7:00, people were lined up for the parade. So we tried to do a few rides, and even with the long lines, we were able to get to Haunted Mansion and Small world before the parade started. After the fireworks, everyone headed out. Considering how densley packed we were leaving, the outflow was smooth and we got back to our car in a resonable amount of time. Disney knows how to get people out. There are not so good at getting you in. The finger ID system is still slow.
Our full day at the MK on Tuesday was good also. The crowds were not as big as the night before. Getting there first thing in the AM, we were able to ride Big Thunder and Splash two times each without any wait. We used Fast Pass and some other "front of the line" passes later in the day when the ride waits got longer. Pooh and Peter Pan were over 45-60 minutes. In fact, the Pooh fast pass line was longer than the stand by line at one point. My biggest gripe of the day was that on nearly every ride, (Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pooh, Pirates, Peter Pan, Small World, and Buzz Lightyear), there was some sort of delay where the ride stopped, the music stopped, and the announcer came over the speakers and told everyone to remain seated. On many, this happened more than once during the ride. A lot of the Magic is lost when this happens. I understand if it happens on one or two rides due to the loading of handicapped or something, but on nearly every ride there timing was off.
But I did not mean for this post to be all negative. We had a great 4 days at the parks, and are going back in September when I hope the crowds are lower. Fast pass is the best. By good management of time and location, it really allows you to get in more rides, not to mention the great feeling you get by waiting on 5 minutes for a ride when the signs outside say 45 or 60. What many don't know is that you can get another fast pass right after the first time indicidated on your current fast pass. So if you get one for Pooh and it says come back between 2:25 and 3:25, you can get another fast pass at 2:26.
Hopefully for anyone going to Disney in the next few weeks, the crowds should be smaller. Don't forget your sunscreen.
:lol: