I know you are prob. all tired of updates (yeah, right :lol: ) but anyhow, here's my update from the weekend. I'll try to tell more of the nitty-gritty details, as major things, such as everest, soarin, and all that has been covered.
Let's start on Friday night:
Rode around Fort Wilderness (resort of choice for this trip) to see what was going on. River Country is indeed closed and a sign that says "River Country is Closed" is up on a construction wall by the enterance. The lights were on inside the water park, and no backyard BBQ that night, so possibly something was being done.
The Campground was 97% full, so pretty crowded around there. Best be off to bed, and get up early to Tackle Disney's Animal Kingdom as it was the early entry park for the day.
Saturday:
Got up bright and early and headed off to DAK. The Fort Wilderness bus stop at the check-in area is being redone, so off to the white tent set up in the parking lot. The New bus-stop looks almost done, the new structure is up, it is much taller and longer than the old one. The turn-around area for the buses also looks bigger. I also wish to point out that there are fans at the new stop, possibly for 2 reasons, 1-to keep you cool and 2-to keep the smell of the horse barn away from the stop. I did notice that the buses were out running early (around 6:45ish) for all the theme parks, as well as inside the campground. Well off to DAK, after the bus had to stop 2x on the way there for some reason, each time just over to the side of the road. something was wrong with it, although the bus driver would not comment (he was very nice though)
At Animal Kingdom, saw the opening ceromony which was interesting, Mickey on the Lift just near the tree of life was neat, along the charactors down on the jeep. Everest is HUGE, as you have all seen. Went on the safari and saw tons of animals, then to Primeval Whirl, which opened early (unsceduled) for resort guests. Saw the 9:40 Festival of the Lion King, which appeared to have a new cast. Can anyone confirm/deny this, or was it understudy day? lol. Vearl Jones (the chief) was in it, but he was the only one I knew, from what I could see. There were probally a few other regulars, but that was the only main charactor I knew of. So out of DAK to EPCOT!
EPCOT-Entered the park and went directly to TT for a FP. not too backed up, the crowds were not bad at all. Went to M:S, came back to TT, to find it was brocken down (go figure, test track, have "techinical difficulties", i would have never thought :lol: ) Anyhow went to eat at the Rose and Crown and had a wonderful lunch (Fish and Chips :slurp
and went back and rode TT. I went to go see Turtle Talk with Crush and I was amazingly impressed with that show. Can't saw enough about it. btw: the show is every 20 min, on top of the hour, 20 min. after, and 40 min. after, so if u are trying to plan, that's good to know. OUT of EPCOT TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM
THE MAGIC KINGDOM: Monorails all the way, the new recordings are in, and I did not mind it at all. I'm sure the Stitch thing will be removed soon, as well as the window stickers. Went in, not too bad crowd wise, about 15-40 min. for everything, so not bad. Nothing new with the parade, other than it seemed out of order to me. But it was planned. Cinderella is doing some home improvements, a large crane has been placed behind the castle on the side as the restraunt enterance. The crane was lowered COMPLETELY for Wishes, so there was no difference. Anyhow, went over to Splash Mountain.
At Splash Mountain, From what I could tell, everything was working, except the water splashes the turtles are laying on in the laughin place scene. Hoppin' Brer Rabbit was a Hoppin'!!!! No other problems with the ride, not even a back up.
On Thunder Mountain...same...evertything working.
The TTA was great, looks like some new lights and such have been put in along the tracks for nightime.
Buzz and Stitch both had big lines for the rides, as well as a fair amount of people for meet & greets inside the Timekeeper's Lobby.
SpectroMagic was great, the Little Mermaid float was missing...who knows what's going on with that.
Wishes was amazing as well, no shortage of explosives there. Tink flew without a problem.
Sunday: Had to leave
Bits of info.
The trash cans around the Fort Wilderness Parking lot still say River Country.
I was informed that you need to be either accompied by, or actually be an Adult over 16 with a valid driver's licence.
Ticket Tag is not taking as long as I thought it would have slowed things down.
There are now plastic park tickets, with the charactors.
DAK opened up the oasis 15 min. early to give you something to do while waiting for the rest of the park.
The MK parades no longer go around the hub, due to the refurb. they take the short-cut.
______________________________________________________________
Hope you enjoyed! I'll be sending the pics. to steve, keep a look-out foe em'!!!
Let's start on Friday night:
Rode around Fort Wilderness (resort of choice for this trip) to see what was going on. River Country is indeed closed and a sign that says "River Country is Closed" is up on a construction wall by the enterance. The lights were on inside the water park, and no backyard BBQ that night, so possibly something was being done.
The Campground was 97% full, so pretty crowded around there. Best be off to bed, and get up early to Tackle Disney's Animal Kingdom as it was the early entry park for the day.
Saturday:
Got up bright and early and headed off to DAK. The Fort Wilderness bus stop at the check-in area is being redone, so off to the white tent set up in the parking lot. The New bus-stop looks almost done, the new structure is up, it is much taller and longer than the old one. The turn-around area for the buses also looks bigger. I also wish to point out that there are fans at the new stop, possibly for 2 reasons, 1-to keep you cool and 2-to keep the smell of the horse barn away from the stop. I did notice that the buses were out running early (around 6:45ish) for all the theme parks, as well as inside the campground. Well off to DAK, after the bus had to stop 2x on the way there for some reason, each time just over to the side of the road. something was wrong with it, although the bus driver would not comment (he was very nice though)
At Animal Kingdom, saw the opening ceromony which was interesting, Mickey on the Lift just near the tree of life was neat, along the charactors down on the jeep. Everest is HUGE, as you have all seen. Went on the safari and saw tons of animals, then to Primeval Whirl, which opened early (unsceduled) for resort guests. Saw the 9:40 Festival of the Lion King, which appeared to have a new cast. Can anyone confirm/deny this, or was it understudy day? lol. Vearl Jones (the chief) was in it, but he was the only one I knew, from what I could see. There were probally a few other regulars, but that was the only main charactor I knew of. So out of DAK to EPCOT!
EPCOT-Entered the park and went directly to TT for a FP. not too backed up, the crowds were not bad at all. Went to M:S, came back to TT, to find it was brocken down (go figure, test track, have "techinical difficulties", i would have never thought :lol: ) Anyhow went to eat at the Rose and Crown and had a wonderful lunch (Fish and Chips :slurp
and went back and rode TT. I went to go see Turtle Talk with Crush and I was amazingly impressed with that show. Can't saw enough about it. btw: the show is every 20 min, on top of the hour, 20 min. after, and 40 min. after, so if u are trying to plan, that's good to know. OUT of EPCOT TO THE MAGIC KINGDOMTHE MAGIC KINGDOM: Monorails all the way, the new recordings are in, and I did not mind it at all. I'm sure the Stitch thing will be removed soon, as well as the window stickers. Went in, not too bad crowd wise, about 15-40 min. for everything, so not bad. Nothing new with the parade, other than it seemed out of order to me. But it was planned. Cinderella is doing some home improvements, a large crane has been placed behind the castle on the side as the restraunt enterance. The crane was lowered COMPLETELY for Wishes, so there was no difference. Anyhow, went over to Splash Mountain.
At Splash Mountain, From what I could tell, everything was working, except the water splashes the turtles are laying on in the laughin place scene. Hoppin' Brer Rabbit was a Hoppin'!!!! No other problems with the ride, not even a back up.
On Thunder Mountain...same...evertything working.
The TTA was great, looks like some new lights and such have been put in along the tracks for nightime.
Buzz and Stitch both had big lines for the rides, as well as a fair amount of people for meet & greets inside the Timekeeper's Lobby.
SpectroMagic was great, the Little Mermaid float was missing...who knows what's going on with that.
Wishes was amazing as well, no shortage of explosives there. Tink flew without a problem.
Sunday: Had to leave
Bits of info.
The trash cans around the Fort Wilderness Parking lot still say River Country.
I was informed that you need to be either accompied by, or actually be an Adult over 16 with a valid driver's licence.
Ticket Tag is not taking as long as I thought it would have slowed things down.
There are now plastic park tickets, with the charactors.
DAK opened up the oasis 15 min. early to give you something to do while waiting for the rest of the park.
The MK parades no longer go around the hub, due to the refurb. they take the short-cut.
______________________________________________________________
Hope you enjoyed! I'll be sending the pics. to steve, keep a look-out foe em'!!!
