NEWS FLASH: You must be 4YO to go to Disney! Oct '11 PTR, 10/24 WE'RE BACK! p 18

[mousescrapper]

Another one hoping SWSA is still open in Oct too DH loves the classic dark rides and is still upset over Mr. Toad's Wild ride being gone and now this...oh when i told him, I made him sit down

I think your list is a good one...what can you NOT put on the MK list right?

w/ only 1 real day for MK touring (I'd count MNSSHP night as a bonus it's more for the party and that than the regular touring) it will be great to have this list...but I'd break it down it to some workable order of "attack" and use the touring plans lines app to help guide you in park to skip over the long lines. If you do RD you can easily bust through 6 things in the 1st hour

I love MK too....our last trip we went 4+ times there over the course of 7 park days

[Pixiedust530]

Originally Posted by mousescrapper

Another one hoping SWSA is still open in Oct too DH loves the classic dark rides and is still upset over Mr. Toad's Wild ride being gone and now this...oh when i told him, I made him sit down

I think your list is a good one...what can you NOT put on the MK list right?

w/ only 1 real day for MK touring (I'd count MNSSHP night as a bonus it's more for the party and that than the regular touring) it will be great to have this list...but I'd break it down it to some workable order of "attack" and use the touring plans lines app to help guide you in park to skip over the long lines. If you do RD you can easily bust through 6 things in the 1st hour

I love MK too....our last trip we went 4+ times there over the course of 7 park days

I think of our MK touring time the same way...just one day....the party is definitely a bonus! :D

I will definitely use Touring Plans & the Lines App to plan out our day. I have already warned my family that they need to trust me. I told them that we might be walking past a ride we want to do with a minimal line on our way to do something else that WILL get more busy. I know there's going to be some criss-crossing in the parks in order to save on wait time in the long run, but I know my grandpa...he will be grumbling under his breath "That's just silly. If we want to ride that then why are we walking right past it?" He's my Eeyore If he only knew the things I was posting about him on the internet!

[Pixiedust530]

Looking like another day of MUST DO's to post! On todays agenda.....EPCOT (my other favorite park)!

Let me give you a little background on my history with EPCOT. On my first 4 trips to Disney I was under the age of 13 and I DID NOT like EPCOT...actually dreaded going. I cringed at the fact of walking around the World Showcase exploring countries and let's face it....back in the day EPCOT wasn't exactly known for it's rides....more for it's educational value. When I went in 2006 as an adult we all decided we didn't need a full day in EPCOT, so we park hopped. AK from RD til 1pm and then EPCOT after until closing time. BIG MISTAKE! I loved EPCOT! I was so disappointed that I didn't have more time in the park. I vowed that on my next trip there would be plenty of time in EPCOT!

As you can see....EPCOT and I have a little bit of a rocky past. I now consider it one of my favorite parks. That being said, I don't know as much about EPCOT and everything they have to offer, as my last trip consisted of only a half day of touring (and that was WAY back in 2006 )

I am going to post my MUST DO list but I am going to need lots, Lots, LOTS of feedback! Let me have it. Blast me for leaving something off. Shake your finger at me. I can take it. I truly deserve it for the way I snubbed EPCOT for all those years! I will bow down to EPCOT now and beg for forgiveness!

EPCOT MUST Do's:
Soarin'
Test Track
Journey Into Imagination
Captain EO
Maelstrom (Norway)
Gran Fiesta Tour (Mexico)
Mission: SPACE (mild version)
The Seas with Nemo
Spaceship Earth
Innoventions Pavilions (I don't know much about these, but have heard they are a great are for kids to explore/play/learn about all sorts of stuff)
World Showcase Touring (Don't know much about what each Pavilion offers)
IllumiNations

Items of Interest: (we won't be upset if we miss them)
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Circle of Life

I know there is SO MUCH MORE that EPCOT has to offer, I just don't know what it is. Please help me!!! Enlighten me about areas, rides, attractions that we will want to explore!!! I'm looking forward to everyone's feedback on this one!

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ah Epcot, we have a similar relationship! I've been to WDW twice, and both times I came away wishing for more time at Epcot. No matter how I plan it, there's just not enough time in a day to do everything there! My biggest suggestion would be TIME. If you have two days, dedicate two days! One day for Future World and one for World Showcase!

My dd does not like Epcot, but I'm determined this time to make her fall in love with it! We are doing Kim Possible missions and also a fun scavenger hunt around WS that I'm working on, and passports. If you like alcoholic drinks, you must get a Grey Goose slushie in France! Hmmmm!

[Parla]

I have never gotten to eat my way around the world so that is my goal this trip. We always run out of time or get sick before the planned day to do that. My husband told the kids not to whine but mommy deserves her Epcot time. Of course they can run off and wait on Soarin' for all I care. I'm seeking out the frozen drinks!

DD's absolute favorite ride our first trip was Soarin'. The second trip it was ToT. I have a horrible experience story with Mission Space before they made a wimpy side. I will only ride the wimpy side this time.

The only thing on your list that I really don't plan on doing this time is Ellen's Energy Ride. Our very first trip it didn't have Ellen and we absolutely loved it. The last trip the ride just seemed so dated and it kept breaking down. It took us three tries to even be able to get on. Then I almost fell asleep on it. Kind of sad since I remembered so fondly the moving theater and thought it was the coolest thing.

[Pixiedust530]

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

Ah Epcot, we have a similar relationship! I've been to WDW twice, and both times I came away wishing for more time at Epcot. No matter how I plan it, there's just not enough time in a day to do everything there! My biggest suggestion would be TIME. If you have two days, dedicate two days! One day for Future World and one for World Showcase!

My dd does not like Epcot, but I'm determined this time to make her fall in love with it! We are doing Kim Possible missions and also a fun scavenger hunt around WS that I'm working on, and passports. If you like alcoholic drinks, you must get a Grey Goose slushie in France! Hmmmm!

We do sort of have 2 days planned for EPCOT. the first day will be mostly all about Future World but we do have 2 TS meals planned...both in World Showcase! Our 2nd day at EPCOT will be mostly for Food & Wine Festival & is only for a half day (we will be attending MNSSHP that night). If we happen to miss anything on our MUST DO list on Day 1 or we just need one more ride on Soarin' we might squeeze that in too.

I hope you can get your daughter to fall in love with EPCOT. It sounds like you have wonderful things planned for her! You'll have to be sure and let us know how that goes.

[Pixiedust530]

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

If you like alcoholic drinks, you must get a Grey Goose slushie in France! Hmmmm!

OH... I DO like alcoholic drinks & I really love me some Grey Goose Vodka! I will have to add the Slushie to my MUST DO list! Sounds fantastic!!!

**When I go back and read that ^^ I sound like such a lush! I swear I'm not! **

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Originally Posted by Pixiedust530

OH... I DO like alcoholic drinks & I really love me some Grey Goose Vodka! I will have to add the Slushie to my MUST DO list! Sounds fantastic!!!

**When I go back and read that ^^ I sound like such a lush! I swear I'm not! **

Oh no, if THAT sounds like a lush, I'm not sure what I sound like! I would plan my whole touring around drinks at Epcot if I could...uh...actually, come to think of it, maybe that's why I haven't ever gotten to see everything I want! Too many drinks!

[Pixiedust530]

Originally Posted by Parla

I have never gotten to eat my way around the world so that is my goal this trip. We always run out of time or get sick before the planned day to do that. My husband told the kids not to whine but mommy deserves her Epcot time. Of course they can run off and wait on Soarin' for all I care. I'm seeking out the frozen drinks!

DD's absolute favorite ride our first trip was Soarin'. The second trip it was ToT. I have a horrible experience story with Mission Space before they made a wimpy side. I will only ride the wimpy side this time.

The only thing on your list that I really don't plan on doing this time is Ellen's Energy Ride. Our very first trip it didn't have Ellen and we absolutely loved it. The last trip the ride just seemed so dated and it kept breaking down. It took us three tries to even be able to get on. Then I almost fell asleep on it. Kind of sad since I remembered so fondly the moving theater and thought it was the coolest thing.

We will be eating our way around the world at F&WF! I am so excited for this!!!

I'm not completely sure about Ellen's Energy Adventure...especially because it is so long. We'll have to play that one by ear.

Ahhhhh.....Mission: SPACE. I have quite the story about the UNmild version. I love ALL thrill rides...BIG coasters, things that drop you, hang you upside down by your toes....you know, the GOOD stuff! I'm not scared of anything! I get queasy riding in the back seat of a car or going around in circles (think Dumbo or a Carousel) but I can do any thrill ride and be just fine. When I went in 2006 I was excited to ride Mission: SPACE & jumped right in to do the extreme version. About halfway through I thought I was going to hurl. Thank goodness I didn't! When we got off I had an awful headache and was a little off & queasy for the next few hours. Well, come to find out I was pregnant at the time so that may have played a small part in me feeling that way. I also found out that part of what makes the extreme side so extreme is the spinning motion. Hmmmmm?? Either way....I won't be chancing it so I will be on the mild version.

[Pixiedust530]

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

Oh no, if THAT sounds like a lush, I'm not sure what I sound like! I would plan my whole touring around drinks at Epcot if I could...uh...actually, come to think of it, maybe that's why I haven't ever gotten to see everything I want! Too many drinks!

They do have an 11 step program for that Karen.... it starts in Mexico and proceeds clockwise around World Showcase to Canada! Bwahahaha

[stephielela]

I LOVE Epcot. I can't say I always have, but probably since I was in my early teens. Actually, I love the World Showcase. I am a shopper at heart so I love to browse through all the shops. I also tried the Grey Goose and Grand Marnier slushes this past trip, and both are yummy!

My tip would be to make sure you are there at RD to do Soarin, then get a FP for Mission:Space. I would skip Ellen unless you need a loooooong break from the heat. It does break down frequently so don't count on it being open. Test Track also is one that seems to encounter technical problems frequently, so don't get in line if you are cutting it close to your dinner reservations! Nemo is great and quick, I haven't done Turtle Talk yet. Spaceship Earth is a must do, and there is rarelt a wait longer than 10 minutes. Some kids find it boring, some think it's amazing, but you have to be able to say you've been inside the golf ball!!

I am getting a passport made for my DS for the World Showcase to hopefully entice him to be more interested in going to all the countries. There's a spot for a stamp and some writing for each country. There's a seller on Ebay who personalizes them with your kids info and picture, and it's pretty cheap.

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Originally Posted by Pixiedust530

They do have an 11 step program for that Karen.... it starts in Mexico and proceeds clockwise around World Showcase to Canada! Bwahahaha

Ok, now I HAVE to share a picture with you. I'll put it on my PTR though and link it so I don't bog down your PTR with drunken pictures of myself! I failed at the 11 step Epcot program...failed on the VERY FIRST STEP! Started in Mexico...

Why I fail at Epcot...

[Pixiedust530]

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

Ok, now I HAVE to share a picture with you. I'll put it on my PTR though and link it so I don't bog down your PTR with drunken pictures of myself! I failed at the 11 step Epcot program...failed on the VERY FIRST STEP! Started in Mexico...

Why I fail at Epcot...

OMG! I was literally laughing out loud hysterically! Wayne looked over at me like I was crazy! Then I read him what you wrote and showed him the pic & he was laughing too! That is priceless! you can post drunken pics of yourself on my PTR anytime! Too funny! Thanks for sharing Karen! It's people like you that make the DIS so much fun!

[exwdwcm]

Originally Posted by wilma-bride

We have the same dates too - Oct 15-22 at Villas at Wilderness Lodge (also DVC). I am also a compulsive planner but, since we are normally at WDW for a fortnight and we only have a week this time since we are cruising our second week, I have had to accept that we can't do EVERYTHING. I'm determined to squeeze as much as possible into those first 7 days though

I hope to bump into some of our fellow October travellers while we are there

woo hoo- another one for our week! well since you are DVC, at least you know you don't have to squeeze everything in, since you know you will be back, right?

Originally Posted by Pixiedust530

I can't get Disney off the brain...go figure! I am on Spring Break this week and am starting today out with NASTY severe thunderstorms and the possibility for tornadoes. I guess there's nothing better to do than hang out on the DIS, right?

I though I would share the list of our MUST DO's in each park. Let's start with one of my 2 favorite parks....Magic Kingdom!

Magic Kingdom MUST DO's:
WDW Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
It's A Small World
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Peter Pan's Flight
Mickey's Philhar Magic 3-D
Tomorrowland PeopleMover
Haunted Mansion
Main Street Electrical Parade
Wishes Fireworks

Items of Interest: (we won't be upset if we miss them)
Jungle Cruise
Tom Sawyer's Island
Liberty Square Riverboat
Enchanted Tiki Room
Dumbo
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Swiss Family Treehouse

(Items in italics are those that Caden is too short too ride or I think will be too intense for him. We will utilize rider Swap and/or my grandparents so Wayne and I can ride these)
We only have 1 day in MK (1.5 if you count MNSSHP) and I know we just can't do everything! I know some of you are probably thinking that I am CERTIFIABLY CRAZY putting Dumbo, Aladdin & Tom Sawyer on the "secondary" list since this trip is for my 4 year old son. :P There IS a method to my madness...he's not a huge Dumbo or Aladdin fan and there are SO MANY other rides that he is tall enough to ride and I think he would enjoy more than just going in circles. As for Tom Sawyer, this will become a MUST DO if Caden is breaking down and just needs to run off some steam...otherwise, we will just fit it in if we have time.

I would love to hear your opinions... REALLY! Is there something on the MUST DO list you think I could ditch? Is there anything on the secondary list you thing should be a MUST? Did I leave anything off completely that you think we should consider?

i think you know your family best and what you guys will enjoy, so stick wtih that. i know we really enjoyed Tom Sawyer Island (just DH and I, before Will was born), so i want to take him this trip- i think he will love running around and exploring. as for Epcot- we loved seeing the Jammitors- Will is really obsessed with trash cans, so he loved this. they are usually found over by one of the innovention walkway areas. Also, the character spot there is nice if you beat the lines. We also spend a ton of time in the store in Japan- just so much fun. of course the kidcot stops were fun and this year i am going to buy or make him a passport! oh and you must go to the Karmel Kitchen shop in Germany, whatever the official name is- so yummy! We will spend more time in innoventions this time too- i know there is a trash display, again, Will is obsesse with it, so we will do that!

Originally Posted by Parla

Call me crazy but this time Country Bears Jamboree and Tiki Room are actually on our must do list. I've never done them myself and want to make sure the kids experience them since I don't know how long they will be there.

lol- i haven't seen the country bears since i was a kid and not sure i could stomach it. that sounds awful, doesn't it? lol, but i did see Tiki birds- it was part of our tour in DL last Sept, so i am fine on passing on it for a bit too.

Originally Posted by Pixiedust530

OH... I DO like alcoholic drinks & I really love me some Grey Goose Vodka! I will have to add the Slushie to my MUST DO list! Sounds fantastic!!!

**When I go back and read that ^^ I sound like such a lush! I swear I'm not! **

love the grey goose slush and the gran marnier one too! definitely worth a stop.

Originally Posted by Pixiedust530

We will be eating our way around the world at F&WF! I am so excited for this!!!

I'm not completely sure about Ellen's Energy Adventure...especially because it is so long. We'll have to play that one by ear.

Ahhhhh.....Mission: SPACE. I have quite the story about the UNmild version. I love ALL thrill rides...BIG coasters, things that drop you, hang you upside down by your toes....you know, the GOOD stuff! I'm not scared of anything! I get queasy riding in the back seat of a car or going around in circles (think Dumbo or a Carousel) but I can do any thrill ride and be just fine. When I went in 2006 I was excited to ride Mission: SPACE & jumped right in to do the extreme version. About halfway through I thought I was going to hurl. Thank goodness I didn't! When we got off I had an awful headache and was a little off & queasy for the next few hours. Well, come to find out I was pregnant at the time so that may have played a small part in me feeling that way. I also found out that part of what makes the extreme side so extreme is the spinning motion. Hmmmmm?? Either way....I won't be chancing it so I will be on the mild version.

LOL- oh no! i can't believe you were preggo! i am surprised you didn't get more sick! lol

Originally Posted by Pixiedust530

They do have an 11 step program for that Karen.... it starts in Mexico and proceeds clockwise around World Showcase to Canada! Bwahahaha

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

Ok, now I HAVE to share a picture with you. I'll put it on my PTR though and link it so I don't bog down your PTR with drunken pictures of myself! I failed at the 11 step Epcot program...failed on the VERY FIRST STEP! Started in Mexico...

Why I fail at Epcot...

Love it!

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh I love epcot too. Soarin, test track and spaceship earth are my favorites there. Oh I loved the boat ride in mexico too. My daughters loved to add more decorations to their masks as we went around the world showcase. Next trip they want to do the passports. The cms that talk to the kids at the kidcot spots are great. You'll love the innoventions pavillions too. Pretty cool stuff in there.