[buzz2001]

Just return this week from a fabulous WDW vacation. I think this is the best trip we ever had out of all of our trips! The weather was gorgeous. You couldn't ask for better park weather. It reached 75 - 80º all week. The key was NO HUMIDITY!! I love that. We had a few hours of rain on Saturday but that was it. On our last night (Sunday), they set a record low (around 44º). It was a bit cool in the mornings but by 9:00am all was good.

We arrived at MCO around 10:00am. Sam, our driver from Tiffany Towncar was waiting for us and within a few minutes, we were off to our grocery stop. We arrived at CSR around 11:15am. I went inside to checkin. Only one person in front of me so it only took me about 10 minutes to checkin. Our room wasn't ready but I expected that being it was only 11:15am. But I did get a cabana 9b room and that is all I cared about. So we stored our luggage with bell services and went to take a walk around the beautiful grounds of CSR. There must have been alot of guests transitioning that day because the Dig Site was empty. No one was at the pool. Lots of tables and chairs available.

After the walk we headed to the Pepper Market for lunch. Again, no line so we walked right up to the podium and were seated by Nicolas. I had to begin the trip with my favorite entree, the Wet Burrito from the Mexican station. My DD got a pizza and DW got a burger with fries. All was good. Debbie our server was great and made sure we had refills.

Then we sat out by Lago Dorado a bit to digest and I said lets try and see if our room was ready and it was! 1:30pm and we were in our room unpacking. DW called for more pillows and coffee and within minutes they showed up with the pillows and a bag of coffee (4 extra). Now off to MGM.

DD had to ride RnR and ToT. So we went to bus stop #1 and within a few miuntes we were on our way. The park was surprising not as crowded as I expected being that most of the NE was on spring break. It worked out fine. DD was able to ride both rides twice. I love RnR but I'm not as crazy about Tot. Falling just doesn't do it for me. We walked around and did a few other attractions but we didn't want to do too much since we were going back there on Wednesday. We decided to see if Lights, Motors, Action was open (it wasn't) but as we headed in that direction a CM for WWTBAM was standing out front and asking guests to come in, no wait so we did. The place does not fill up as much as in the past. Plenty of empty seats. I once read that you don't read the question, just type in the sequence of letters you like. I was able to get to the hot seat 2 years ago using this method so we tried it again. Well don't you know DW gets to the hot seat this time. She did well and lost out on the 32,000 question but got the pins, lanyard and the hat. Now DD wants to get to the hot seat. We tried a few more times but no luck, maybe on Wednesday. We then headed back to the resort for dinner and a night by the pool. Since we were up at 4:00am for our flights, we were tired. We got some chicken ceasar salads from the Pepper Market and ate by the pool. It was so nice out and very relaxing.

On Tuesday, we went to Epcot. We were they for the opening ceremony. They had some CM's in a TT car ride down in front along with a busload of characters. After the opening, we headed straight for TT. I put my AP's in the FP machine and got 3 FP's. Usually on the bottom of the FP it tells you the time you can get you next one. Well all of them said I could get another one immediately. It was my lucky day. I had read that Epcot was testing a new program to allow immediate FP's on other attractions but I didn't think I would be so lucky to test it. So I took my FP, rode TT and went over to MS and got another FP to ride MS. Then we rode MS and headed over to Soarin just to see if they were doing test runs. By chance they were and we rode that twice and finished with our last MS FP. 2.5 hours and got to ride the 3 best rides twice. It was awesome. And yes, Soarin' was open for testing with no wait time. The CM told us that the queue is the longest at WDW built to accomodate 3 hour standby times! All inside and air conditioned. The ride is great. We were able to get seated in row 1 which is the highest tier and then row 3. Great ride!! The park wasn't that crowded either. After that we headed to the World Showcase. I wanted to try El Rio Del Tiempo. I never rode it was we had to give it a try. Then we snack at Cantina de San Angel. Then it was time for a dip at the Dig Site before heading back to Le Cellier for dinner. Dining reviews are on the restaurant board. When getting off the bus at bus stop 1, we saw 2 lifeguards looking at something in the small pond by cabana 9b. He called us over and it was a small gator. My DD took a photo. The CM stated there are 3 currently living at CSR. This one has been there since it was a foot long. It is about 4 ft now. He also stated they leave them alone until they reach 4.5 feet in length then they have them removed. After dinner we decided to walk around the Boardwalk to get some sweets for dessert and watch a few of the performers. Again, it was a beautiful night to be outside. We didn't stay to watch Illuminations because we had booked the specialty cruise for Friday night. Something else I always wanted to try. So after our walk we headed back to the resort for the evening.

Wednesday we went to MGM. Again we were there for the opening ceremony. After the opening, we headed straight for ToT. I ran and got FP's for RnR while DW and DD got in line for ToT. We were able to ride both rides twice and then DD went alone on ToT for a third ride. She is getting to that age where she wants to go alone.

Thursday we had friend arrive from home and we headed for MK. Actually them came in Wednesday night. We headed for Chef Mickey's first for breakfast. We had 7:50am PS but since we arrived early, they took us in at 7:30am. It was fantastic as always. Still a great character breakfast. Then we hopped the monorail over to MK. Scoop Sanderson headed up the opening ceremony festivities. Characters arrived on the train and they did a song and dance routine. We headed for TL first to ride Buzz, tried Stitch's new ride and then rode SM. They we worked our way around MK hitting all the areas. Mickey's Philharmagic is an awesome 3D show. We had lunch at Pinocchio's (best fixin's bar at WDW). After lunch we finished up by working around to LS, Fronterierland and Adventureland. MK was probably the most crowded of all the parks we visited this trip and only in the afternoon.

Friday was AK day. We were there agin for the opening. They let everyone in around 8:45am to move up to the next rope by the Tree of Life. They had a new ceremony (or at least since we were there in June 2004). They had a bus pull up with Goofy, Minnie and Pluto and they reviewed a check list of the things needed to have a great day at AK. Then they got on the radio and tried to contact Mickey, the leader of their expedition. The all of a sudden, Mickey started to appear on what looks to be a ladder in front of the Tree of Life. He has a huge pair of binoculars and starts looking for the crowd. Once he spots us he goes through his routine before they drop the rope. It was really cute. They we made our way to the safari and rode that before taking the gorilla trail walk. Got some greats views of them this year. Some were right against the glass. After the walk we stop in for our traditional cinamon bun at the Tusker House and I was disappointed to find out they no longer serve them warm. They are premade and in a case. I miss the ones sitting in the skillet slightly warm. Kali was down all day so we missed that attraction but got to see Devine, Lucky the Dino and everything else at AK. Lucky is very cool. He is followed by 2 handlers that interact with him and the crowd. He can even sign his autograph for one lucky guest. He signs a 4 leaf clover.

Saturday was a "be lazy by the pool" day for DW and DD. I walked around the resort to update my photos for the website. Not much to report. Later in the day it got cloudy sop we headed to DtD and DQ. DD wanted to ride Cyber SM and I wanted PoC. 2 great rides there. The skys opened up for a bit on the walk from the bus to DQ so we broke out the disposable ponchos. They worked great and just was we got to the entrace of DQ, it stop. Murphy's Law.

Sunday DD wanted to ride ToT and RnR a few last times before heading home on Monday morning. As we waited at the rope, the CM's told us that they would be previewing LMA 12:50 and 3:15. Woo Hoo! Once the rope dropped, we did our normal dash for ToT while I got FP's for RnR. After riding both rides twice, we headed for some of the other attractions. Around 12:30pm we headed towards LMA. At first I thought I wouldn't care for the show but when I started to walk up to the stadium, yes stadium, I started to get excited. It holds 5,000 guests and they put on a spectacular show. It is definitely a must do! Herbie even makes a guest appearance.

[jk8]

What a great report! Sounds like you had an awesome time. Thanks for sharing.

[missy H]

A great report just what I needed at the end of the week! Sounds like you had a great time. I am not sure about the gators!!!!!

[tink74]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

I'll keep my eyes peeled for those gators at the resort on our trip!!

[kphil89]

Cool TR! I am looking forward to Soaring and LMA on my next trip! Thanks for sharing it sounds like you have a wonderful time...just the disney fix I needed!

[queensmama]

Sounds like Kali has been down alot lately. Hope they get it fixed.
Glad to hear that you had a great time.

[mistikbunny]

Sounds like it was an awsome trip! I wish I could go ride Soarin right now. I am so excited!

[Pooh Fan]

Your trip sounded wonderful. I am glad you had a great time. That was just the fix I needed to help hold me over until my trip.

[sandanv1]

Sounds like you had a great time. I have to agree that the weather has been beautiful here.

[Erin]

Wow! What an excellent time! You guys really know now to take it easy, and enjoy yourselves! Great job!

I liked your deal with the FP, you can't beat that :c)

I like your CSR website, btw!

[Dana]

Excellent report. Sound like a good time was had by all. Thanks for sharing it. I look forward to seeing your updates on your site.

[cinderbella]

sounds like a great TR!
I cant WAIT to ride Soarin...the AK Rope Drop Sounds SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!

[missy H]

Originally Posted by buzz2001

l (or at least since we were there in June 2005).

I just re-read your trip report and realised that you've got a time machine!!!!

[Disneyfever]

What a perfect trip! I am glad you and your family had such a wonderful time. I wish that would happen to me with the fast pass machines!!

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by missy H

I just re-read your trip report and realised that you've got a time machine!!!!

Haha...i noticed that too...I wonder if he'll let us borrow it? what do ya think missy?