Well, now that I've put Franco in his place....
PARKS
We couldn't rush right to the parks this trip. Instead we had to play the "wonderful parents....blah, blah, blah" and go and see the kid. Who instantly dragged us to the grocery store because she HAS NO FOOD and is STARVING!!!! I tell you, it takes a dedicated mother (and a pretty good actress) to pretend you'd rather be grocery shopping that riding Space Mountain.....but eventually we made it to the Parks.
Just a mini-rant:
Dear Parents of Little Josh or Jessica,
We know you love your children and want them to have the FULL DISNEY EXPERIENCE - but please - does this experience include letting a three year old put ALL the passes into the machine?
I'm sure they love to play with the finger scan - but - here's a shock for you - the rest of the 200 people standing in line don't think it's as cute as you do. This must drive the CMs crazy!!! I don't know how many times I saw this....and it unfailingly breaks down the machine. If your angels have to "put the card in the box", be creative back at the Resort and make them their own little ticket machine from a shoe box. Then they can slide the pass in and out as often as they like. Just use common sense, people. Thank you....
The parks were crowded that day my friend, like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli - no wait - that was a Seinfeld episode....
Well, the parks WERE crowded. I don't think I'd go back again in late February - between the stragglers from President's Week and Reading Week - it certainly helped to be a Disney pro and know how to use those fastpasses - we got to do it all - and then do it again - but it took a lot of creative useage of the pass.
But for all the crowds it was quite shocking (and somewhat heartening) that I never saw one instance of People Behaving Badly. Which is too bad - cause I think some bad behaviour always spices up a trip report).
MAGIC KINGDOM
Was crowded. But we got into the park quickly because (to paraphrase Roz) "I was scanning - always scanning..." Here's some tips - when going through security try to find the lines with the least strollers and big backpacks. Have your pack or purse open and ready to be inspected. Even better - pare down your essentials to a small purse and stuff it in your dh's shorts pocket. It always amazes me to see the things people bring to the parks -Dear Friends, we're not going on a three week hike through the Amazon Rainforest. Chances are you won't need 3 changes of clothes....if the kid gets icecream on the shirt, well, you need to buy souvenirs anyway.
And always head to the entry lines to the outside. It's amazing how sheeplike people can be and just follow whoever's in front of them...
I'm not going through this attraction by attraction. Suffice to say we did everything and then a little bit more.
So - here are some of the highlights and lowlights and some shocking things I discovered.
Tom Sawyer's Island is meant only for little boys. Of course their parents have to go along (God bless you) - but honestly - is this fun for anyone else? First you wait forever for the raft (run by what must be one of the most over-worked CM's in all of WDW. He does it all - loads the guests, steers the raft, docks the raft, unloads the people, loads the people - it never ends for this poor guy!) And honestly - does anybody have to do MORE walking at WDW - especially when it involves caves created for hyperactive 5 year olds and don't get me started on barrel bridges!
Now I remember the answer to "why haven't we gone to Tom Sawyer's Island in the last 10 years?) And Tom and Huck won't be seein' us for another 10 or more or NEVER.
Indy Speedway really makes you appreciate power brakes and steering.
The Disney Princesses are beautiful - but don't hold a candle to the four year old princesses in complete designer gear and baby Crocs.
El Pirata el Whatever has to be one of the BEST counterservices in all of the MK - why isn't it opened all the time? I had the best taco salad....
Buzz Lightyear brings out the worst in me.
Try going on Splash Mountain without thinking of Nutty - go ahead - just try...
The Jungle Cruise is more fun at night
That guy in The Laugh Factory isn't going to buy you a churro after all
Every child should be required to attend Mickey's Philharmagic as their first lesson in music appreciation. (why can't Donald neither swim or fly - he's a DUCK for pete's sake!)
I've heard the Hokey-Pokey enough to last a long, long time...just sayin'
And The Haunted Mansion is spookier at night (gotta love the renos)
Casey's makes a darn good Hotdog
Thirty minute wait means - thirty minute wait - would Disney lie to you?
I wonder if the Imagineer who created Stitch's Great Adventure is still working for Disney?
An ice cream sandwich from The Bakery serves 4 - or a small Wedding party...
Attractions keep getting fancier and fancier - but can anything be better than the People Mover when you're tired?
Most strollers probably cost more than my car...
Is anything more beautiful than the Castle?
Yes - the Castle with Wishes behind it!
And that, my friends, is the Magic Kingdom
