[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by PrincessPooh

Well, it appears that I have been slacking! What was I thinking, trying to get a TR done when there is so much fun to be had! I will continue our report when we get home. This was a short trip, we're only here for 4 nights, and traveling home tonight. I can tell you that it has been cold around here! In the morning and after the sun goes down at night, it's in the upper 30's to lower 40's. We spent the day at MK yesterday for Kelsey's bday, and it was definitely a blast! Right now, I should be packing my bags to send to the airport so we can get to MK for a few hours. I'll check in again when I'm home tomorrow!

SAFE HOME!!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about Kelsey's bday celebration!

[smee57]

Zippety doo da, I live TR! You are taking pics to post when you get home, yes?? Hope you enjoyed your last day there!

[PrincessPooh]

Ok, so my camera has not been cooperating this trip. I'm really bummed because we had some great shots that didn't come out so great. It's a brand new camera, I only bought it in September, so I guess I'll have to send it back to Olympus.

Anyway, here are some pics:

The baby loved running around Donald's boat in Toontown. The water was off, but since it's a soft, padded surface, she kept bouncing down and getting up (she's only been walking a couple of weeks).

Kelsey loves pirates. In fact, she said that she knew as soon as Jack Sparrow saw her in her pirate dress, he was going to kidnap her and take her back to his ship! The dress was actually a present from Santa this past Christmas.

Now-my daughter Paityn doesn't easily go to anyone. In fact, she spent a good portion of our trip crying about the characters getting to close, and screaming if my husband tried to hold her so I could ride a ride with Kelsey. However, there is something special about Ddoll, because as soon as Paityn was around her, she started reaching and grabbing, and as soon as Deb picked her up, Paityn snuggled right in to her neck and shoulder and stayed there! Paityn even ended up riding Buzz with Deb and Lori-she didn't look for me once1 So, Deb, whenever you're ready, I'll pack her little suitcase and send her up for a visit!

The last pic is when we all got together in Tomorrowland. Shown are John (my DH), Ddoll and Paityn, me, KingOMiami, Vanna and Lori. My older daughter Kelsey was standing behind us and wouldn't join in the picture!

[Dopey]

OMG, your girls are adorable.

Heehee, Captain Jack kidnapping her. There are a bunch of older women here who are deaming about that too Tell Kelsey to get in line

[LittleMissMagic]

Your girls are so cute! Loving this TR!

[PrincessPooh]

Oh, by the way-online check in is still not available. I inquired before we left and was told by DVC member services that it should be up and online by February or March. I wish we had the option, since we waited in line for check in for 1/2 and hour or more!

[PrincessPooh]

So, we're never one to get to rope drop, but we got to DHS pretty early on Monday morning, probably by around 9:30. The very first thing that we noticed was the sea of yellow tour group flags clogging up the turnstiles! There was no way to get around them. There were easily 20+ groups, each of 30-75 people, and every single one of them from Brazil! Now, I'm not one to begrudge anyone a trip to Disney, but c'mon, did all of Sao Paolo have to travel at the same time?! So, I sent DH and the girls through the "no bags" line and I waded through the sea of yellow and green matching outfits. By the time I got through, DH and the girls were already standing just up to the hat (which is walled off for refurb, again) watching HSM3. I was appalled at these tour groups, and how they would just run up and push past my little girl to stand directly in front of her! Never looked back, never let my little 5 year old in, until I pushed her back into her spot and dished out a few very un-Disney dirty looks!

So, we ditched the HSM3 fiasco and headed over to TSM, where the stand-by line was already at 45 minutes, and the fast pass return time was already 1-2 PM! But, I was wrong in thinking I could get away from the tour groups! As I approached the FP machine, the CM told me I would have to move to another machine or come back in a little while because the woman in front of me was "going to be there for a while." What was she doing? Getting FP's for about 75-100 people! Now, what puzzles me here is that I sat and watched her for a minute and realized she wasn't inserting room keys as those staying at a Disney resort would have. She appeared to have paper tickets, like MYW tickets. Now, I thought that FP's were only for guests staying on resort property? Well, I guess large tour groups work out another deal! So, we continued on to our obligatory journey under the sea for Kelsey to see Ariel. I actually enjoy seeing and hearing the expressions of first time visitors to this show. There is a sense of awe that is seen and heard as soon as Ariel turns into a human! The art of animation building was next, and not a bad wait. DD likes watching Mushu's antics! Inside the building the line for Sorcerer Mickey was an easy 10 minutes, so of course we stopped in to say HI! I was very excited to see Bolt and Rhino, but sadly no mittens I was unsure if Bolt and Rhino could sign autographs, but the CM assured me that they had gone through extensive training in signing their names! Of course, I had to make it a point to get a picture of the bolt on Bolt's back! Next stop? Playhouse Disney of course! The usual fun and games with all the playhouse Disney characters. Although, I have to say that I've learned to appreciate this show when you're trying to escape the flooding rains and oppressive heat and humidity of September, LOL

We enjoyed lunch at Pizza Planet for the first time, and were pleasantly surprised-even amidst the swarms of yellow and green tour group flags and shirts. At this point, my husband began to refer to these tour groups as "bumblebees" for the rest of the day! Then, we headed over to LMA! We missed it in September, and the previous year it was under refurb, so we haven't seen it a while. The girls managed to fall asleep in our arms despite all the noise and explosions. Unfortunately, when we left the show, it was time for our FP's at TSM. However, the very nice CM's at the ride saw the two sleeping children in our stroller, and told us not to worry about coming back after our ticket time. That was such a relief because I really didn't want to miss it, and FP's had already been distributed for the day, and there was no way I was going to wake up the girls from their much needed nap!

DH and I ventured over to RnR and I jumped on the single rider line while he waited with the sleeping kids. The wait was still 20 minutes, but still much better than the 60 minute standby time! I have to say that I'm so disappointed that the volume has been so significantly decreased. I think it really takes some of the excitement out of the ride. When it was time to swap, DH jumped on the line, and I journeyed up to watch BPB. We were standing in the exact same spot we stood on in September, so we watched the Monsters again. Not a disappointment by any means, I just wish I had been able to see another section. I have to say that I really love the green army men in the parade! I think they really make it come alive! Whoever did the casting for those parts did a fantastic job!

We left and headed over to Beauty and the Beast. First, we grabbed a turkey leg and a beer. To me, one of the great opportunities at the studios is to enjoy these delectables while viewing a great show. It served as our shared appetizer before dinner. When it ended, we went over to TSM, and our FP's were honored, as promised, despite the fact we were 2+ hours late! I have no idea how people top those scores in the range of 300,000 but I have yet to break 100,000!

We checked into Prime Time for our 5:30 reservation right on time, and had just enough time to sit in the living room for a minute before being sat at our table. DH enjoyed the pot roast, again, and I enjoyed the meatloaf, yet again! Unfortunately, our cousin the waitress completely ignored all the notes that we were celebrating DD's birthday, despite the fact that it was on our reservation at check in, and that the hostess wrote it directly on our seating card. Oh well, we enjoyed dessert anyway, and it wasn't Kelsey's real birthday for 2 more days. I was disappointed that we weren't offered our milkshakes to go, as we usually are. I had planned on taking them to Fantastic with us. But, we were still very full.

The biggest disappointment came when we headed over to Fantasmic at 6:45 only to be turned away as it was full to capacity! Now, we've taken 5 trips in 4 years and NEVER been turned away from Fantasmic. It is my favorite show in all of Disney, and the key reason that we visited DHS that day. It is why I planned such an early dinner for us, so it wouldn't interfere! The CM told us that the theatre had actually been completely full since 6:15 (the show didn't start until 7:00). I have such a gripe with Disney for only showing Fantastic 2x a week. I mean, if you need to cut back on staffing, you could easily show the show 2X a night on the same 2 days a week, without paying for extra staffing, just like they used to do on EMH nights. I still intend on writing a very angry letter to WDW about my disappointment in this choice. When the park is only open from 9am-7pm, I find it ridiculous for management to expect guests to get in line and wait for the show at 5 PM just to ensure they get in.

Anyway, it was still early in our book. So, we hopped the bus to SSR, and decided to walk over to DTD. I really enjoy the walk from Congress Park to DTD. We spent about 2 hours there and grabbed a few goodies, then headed back from some much deserved sleep.

Hey-have I mentioned how much I love sting in a villa where us grown ups can sit up and watch TV while the kids are fast asleep in their own room! Woo HOO!!

Sorry if this is so long-it is my first attempt at a complete TR! On Tuesday, we head to AK and hop to EPCOT in the rain!

Pics to follow...

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by PrincessPooh

As I approached the FP machine, the CM told me I would have to move to another machine or come back in a little while because the woman in front of me was "going to be there for a while." What was she doing? Getting FP's for about 75-100 people! Now, what puzzles me here is that I sat and watched her for a minute and realized she wasn't inserting room keys as those staying at a Disney resort would have. She appeared to have paper tickets, like MYW tickets. Now, I thought that FP's were only for guests staying on resort property? Well, I guess large tour groups work out another deal!

Nope, anyone with valid park admission can get a fastpass. It doesn't matter if you stay on or off site, anyone can get a fastpass. We have paper APs that don't indicate if we are resort guests or not and we get the same fastpasses as everyone else. EMH are for resort guests only, not fastpasses.

[dancing4disney]

I understand your concerns with Tour Groups. On our last trip, they kept getting in front of me when I went for a fastpass. They took forever and the next fastpass time would easily move ahead an hour. You can get fastpasses with MYW tickets. We don't stay in the parks, but do use fastpasses. I just don't think a tour group should be able to have one person stand in line to get all those tickets. There should be some kind of limit or only one station where groups of over 25 can get fastpasses.
I am enjoying your trip report...despite the tour groups it sounds like you had a good time.

[PrincessPooh]

Some pics from DHS...I haven't purchased the photopass CD yet, so these are not the best pics...

[PrincessPooh]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

Nope, anyone with valid park admission can get a fastpass. It doesn't matter if you stay on or off site, anyone can get a fastpass. We have paper APs that don't indicate if we are resort guests or not and we get the same fastpasses as everyone else. EMH are for resort guests only, not fastpasses.

AHHH! I knew there was something for resort guests only! We also have AP's and used them for FP's. I just assumed AP's were able to get FP's anyway, by virtue of the fact that they are annual passes. Thanks for clearing that up!

[johnkimv]

Originally Posted by dancing4disney

I understand your concerns with Tour Groups. On our last trip, they kept getting in front of me when I went for a fastpass. They took forever and the next fastpass time would easily move ahead an hour. You can get fastpasses with MYW tickets. We don't stay in the parks, but do use fastpasses. I just don't think a tour group should be able to have one person stand in line to get all those tickets. There should be some kind of limit or only one station where groups of over 25 can get fastpasses.
I am enjoying your trip report...despite the tour groups it sounds like you had a good time.

A few weeks after TSM opened we went and got fast passes. The CM was telling people they were only allowed 4 fastpasses per person standing in line. Same thing when I was there mid December. Maybe because it was busy?

[dac921]

lovong your tr... Your daughters are so cute.

[ddoll]

Ah-ha! There are the pictures of our meet! It was a pleasure to meet you and your family, Crystal.

Gosh those babies of yours are so adorable!!
And of course that little Paityn stole my heart.

[Toriadavis]

I hate to be a negative person but DH and I had the same experience in October with all the tour groups. One day while at Animal Kingdom we were eating lunch at Yak & Yeti local foods cafe we waited behind one of these groups who didn't understand the system of pay for your food them move forward to the service window and pick your food up. After getting through all of that we found a nice table with and umbrella and began enjoying lunch. Well about half way through a rainshower passed over. The next thing we knew we had 15 or so of these tour group people huddling under our umbrella practically sitting on our laps. I am not overracting. Anyway I know it is not in the spirit of Disney to grip about such things. But it kind of spoiled things from time to time. But we still had a fantastic time and hey I guess it is an honor that they would travel so far to be a part of Disney just like us.