Post by mqvc8 on Jun 14, 2014 20:35:54 GMT -5
Here's a trip report. Hope it's not too detailed.
It was fun but very hot. It rained everyday in the afternoon/ early evening for a few hours. There was a lot of thunder and lightening too.
Saturday : It was a long first day, we were up at 3 am and on the go until 10:30pm.(also didn't get to bed the night before until after midnight, so we were working on a few hours sleep) We arrived at the airport 1/2 hour early which was a nice surprise. We arrived at CBR around 10:00 am on Saturday. Our room was ready, we stayed in Aruba building 55 just steps from the walkway and beach. We liked the location, it was approx. .25 miles from Old Port Royale. We headed over to Magic Kingdom for lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus. After lunch we did Pirates, Jungle Cruise and the flying carpets with our fast passes. We waited in line no more than 10 minutes for each ride. We saw some of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, the kids liked it especially seeing Anna and Elsa. After the parade we headed back to main street to browse the stores and let the kids pick out their hats and mickey ears. We also stopped in to see Tinker bell on the way out. For dinner we took the monorail to the Grand Floridian to catch a bus to Downtown for Planet Hollywood. The bus stop had a monitor with the arrival times for each bus, they were on time. As we were waiting for the bus, we saw a bride and groom in a horse drawn Cinderella carriage which was cool. (I took a few pictures as they went by) When we arrived at Downtown Market place we walked over to Planet Hollywood and it was crowded and a lot of construction going on. After dinner we stopped in a few stores, my wife liked the new Co Op store. After the stores we headed back to the crowded bus stops at Market place. When we finally got on the crowded bus, it took almost 30 minutes to get to the Pleasure Island bus stop. The traffic was so bad. I think since all the construction going on, they were having people park some where else and walking. We hit the showers and went to bed.
Sunday : We planned to do Animal Kingdom in the morning and Magic Kingdom in the afternoon, but since we had a very long day the day before we slept in and skipped animal kingdom and headed over to Magic Kingdom around 10 am. We walked through Tomorrow land and did Stitch(10 min wait), Monsters Inc.(25 min wait) and Buzz Light year ride(25 min wait) Since we had a late start we skipped our lunch and just had a snack. After a snack we did the Barnstormer, Dumbo and The Little Mermaid with fast passes. Again, the waits were no more then 10 minutes for each. As we waited in between fast pass times, we walked around StoryBook Circus and saw the characters in Pete's Silly Sideshow(15-20 min wait for each line) and walked around in the store. We walked through New Fantasy Land and stopped to do Enchanted Tales with Belle, the wait was approx. 30 minutes. We were in the workshop learning about Belle's father and his inventions and we were just about to move on to the next part when we were told we had to leave the building. As we walked outside, it was pouring, thunder and lightening. We didn't know what was going on so we all just stood there under cover, but was told it was a possible emergency and had to get away from the building. We ran to Pinocchio Village Haus for some shelter, but we were all soaked. It was crowded with everyone trying to stay out of the rain. After 20 minutes it was drizzle and stopped shortly after. We headed back to Tony's Town Square for dinner. The food was ok, not like we remembered from our 2012 trip. Probably won't go back. After dinner we waited up for the Electrical Parade, but it was cancelled. So we headed back down Main Street to get a spot for Wishes. It was our first time seeing it and it was amazing! After wishes we went back to CBR.
Monday: We arrived at Hollywood Studios at park opening. Once we were inside it was a mad dash to Toy Story (15 min wait). After Toy story we went across the street to see the characters (20 min wait).Then we did The Movie Ride and Toy Story (again) with fast pass, again 10 minute wait times. We did the Muppet attraction and then ate at Pizza Planet for lunch. After lunch we did the Tower of Tower with fast pass and went right on. It was the kids first time be able to go on, and they loved it and wanted to go on again. I couldn't do it, we promised them next time. After that, we browsed the stores and watched the Public Works guys, my son couldn't stop laughing. We headed to Hollywood and Vine for dinner. It was the star wars character buffet (we were only charged the 1 dinning credit as promised) After dinner we did Indian Jones, but it was cut short because of the weather. We sat down for a little than got in line for Fantasmic. That area was so crowded. They had the fast pass and the dinner package in 1 line and stand by in another but right next to each other. I remember in 2005 we did the Fantasmic package and we entered by the front of Hollywood studios. Once the ropes dropped it was crazy. We sat in the middle, great seats. After that we left and went back to the resort.
Tuesday: Extra Magic Hours at Epcot. Once the parked opened we went straight to Test Track (10 min wait), the kids enjoyed designing their cars. The ride was fun. Then we did Mission space. We had a fast pass for 9:35 but didn't use it because the stand by was only 5 minutes. First time on this, we did the calm side. I would hate to see the other side. I don't think I could do that again, but the kids liked it. We headed over to Nemo because of a 10 minute stand by line, again we didn't use our 11:50 fast pass. After Nemo we walked right on Soarin with our fast pass. We walked back to see our leave a legacy from 2000 and then did Space ship earth (15 minute wait) We ate lunch at Electric Umbrella and then headed to Mousegear to shop. We received a 20% coupon on our lunch receipt but had to use it before 1pm. As my wife was finishing up in Mousegear I headed to Innoventions to line up for the Visa character meet and greet. We walked back to pick up our pictures and then towards World Showcase. As we were walking it started to pour, we took shelter in African OutPost for 30 minutes. After the rain we walked through Germany and Italy. As my wife shopped the kids and I watched Sergio the juggler, my daughter threw him one of the balls. We sat in Italy for a little to relax. After we walked the rest of World Showcase and went to the Boardwalk to get a bus to downtown Disney for dinner. I sat with the kids at the front of the Market place while my wife shopped around. Just as she was getting back it started to pour again. We took shelter in the Christmas store but eventually had to leave because of dinner reservation at RainForest. We walked through the store and ran to RainForest. Once inside the store was crowded with people staying out of the rain. We really like it and would go again. We shopped in the store after dinner and then went back to the resort. There were not that many people on the bus which was a good thing because all of a sudden just as we pulled out of Pleasure Island a guy in the 1st back row seat started throwing up and I mean throwing up bad. I don't want to get into too much detail but last just say I would have rather walked in the rain then sit on the bus. At the resort we got off at the first and walked back to our room. I don't know what happened the other people on the bus or the people waiting to get on.
Wednesday: Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios. When the ropes dropped we ran to Toy Story (again) Walked right on. Then we walked through One Mans Dream and then saw the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We had a fast pass for Rock n Roller Coaster but didn't use it because the kids were just shy of the height requirements, so we did Tower of Terror. We walked right on with stand by and skipped the pre show. After we just sat and waited for Beauty and the Beast. After the show, we were split up in the crowd. I saw my wife holding my daughter who was crying. She said some one pushed her into the water fountain as they were pushing through the crowd. She has a loose tooth and it started to bleed. We relaxed some more and as we headed to Hollywood and Vine for lunch we saw the Public Works guys again. My son and daughter helped in their little show. Lunch was good, my youngest daughter loved to see Princess Sophia and Doc McStuffins. My only complaint was the people sitting next to us, they weren't waiting their turn and the characters had to keep telling them to wait and they were getting in some of our pictures and the parents just sat there. After lunch we headed back to the pool for the rest of the day. After an hour or so in the pool, the sky got dark and it poured. We played in the arcade for a little and went back to the room to change and rest before dinner. We walked back to Old Port for dinner around 7:30 and it was crowded, we ended up just getting muffins for dinner and eating back in the room.
Thursday: Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom. After the welcome ceremony, we went on space mountain with no wait. First time for the kids and they loved it! After space mountain we did Small World( 5 min wait) and the Carrousel (5 min wait) then waited for Liberty Square to open for Haunted Mansion. After that we did Big Thunder Mountain with a 5 min wait for fast pass. After we had snacks and waited for our Splash Mountain fast pass. Again a 5 minute wait for Splash mountain fast pass. We walked back to Pinocchio Village Haus for lunch. (only place that had something everyone liked) After lunch we saw Ariel. It was soooo hot waiting in line for her. There were no fans on no ventilation. The 20 minute wait seemed hours. As we were waiting for our Seven Dwarfs Mine train it started to rain, I asked the lady at the fast pass what happens if it rains. She said if they shut the ride due to weather, they will honor the fast pass later in the day. She let us in 5 minutes early anyway. We only had a 5 minute wait. It was poring outside, but they were stilling letting people get on. We were seated and just about to go when they told us the ride was closed due to the weather. We had to wait. We waited and waited for 2 hours because of lightening within 6 miles. They put to 3 trains away and left 2 0r 3 on the tracks and would cycle them empty to dry the tracks. But 2 got stuck and they completely shut the ride down and gave out fast passes for later. So we walked through the stores on Main Street to see what we were going to buy later. We waited for the Flag Retreat and my daughters were asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We then headed over to Chef Mickeys for dinner. After dinner we went back to Magic Kingdom and got finally rode the Mine ride and just as we exited, they shut down again. We shopped for our souvenirs on Main Street saw the Electric Parade and left for the resort.
Friday: Left to go home. We were delayed 20 minutes before boarding and over an hour in the plane due to downpour of rain and lightening. Finally made it home 2 hours after our original time.
All in all is was fun and we'll do it again in 2 years
It was fun but very hot. It rained everyday in the afternoon/ early evening for a few hours. There was a lot of thunder and lightening too.
Saturday : It was a long first day, we were up at 3 am and on the go until 10:30pm.(also didn't get to bed the night before until after midnight, so we were working on a few hours sleep) We arrived at the airport 1/2 hour early which was a nice surprise. We arrived at CBR around 10:00 am on Saturday. Our room was ready, we stayed in Aruba building 55 just steps from the walkway and beach. We liked the location, it was approx. .25 miles from Old Port Royale. We headed over to Magic Kingdom for lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus. After lunch we did Pirates, Jungle Cruise and the flying carpets with our fast passes. We waited in line no more than 10 minutes for each ride. We saw some of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, the kids liked it especially seeing Anna and Elsa. After the parade we headed back to main street to browse the stores and let the kids pick out their hats and mickey ears. We also stopped in to see Tinker bell on the way out. For dinner we took the monorail to the Grand Floridian to catch a bus to Downtown for Planet Hollywood. The bus stop had a monitor with the arrival times for each bus, they were on time. As we were waiting for the bus, we saw a bride and groom in a horse drawn Cinderella carriage which was cool. (I took a few pictures as they went by) When we arrived at Downtown Market place we walked over to Planet Hollywood and it was crowded and a lot of construction going on. After dinner we stopped in a few stores, my wife liked the new Co Op store. After the stores we headed back to the crowded bus stops at Market place. When we finally got on the crowded bus, it took almost 30 minutes to get to the Pleasure Island bus stop. The traffic was so bad. I think since all the construction going on, they were having people park some where else and walking. We hit the showers and went to bed.
Sunday : We planned to do Animal Kingdom in the morning and Magic Kingdom in the afternoon, but since we had a very long day the day before we slept in and skipped animal kingdom and headed over to Magic Kingdom around 10 am. We walked through Tomorrow land and did Stitch(10 min wait), Monsters Inc.(25 min wait) and Buzz Light year ride(25 min wait) Since we had a late start we skipped our lunch and just had a snack. After a snack we did the Barnstormer, Dumbo and The Little Mermaid with fast passes. Again, the waits were no more then 10 minutes for each. As we waited in between fast pass times, we walked around StoryBook Circus and saw the characters in Pete's Silly Sideshow(15-20 min wait for each line) and walked around in the store. We walked through New Fantasy Land and stopped to do Enchanted Tales with Belle, the wait was approx. 30 minutes. We were in the workshop learning about Belle's father and his inventions and we were just about to move on to the next part when we were told we had to leave the building. As we walked outside, it was pouring, thunder and lightening. We didn't know what was going on so we all just stood there under cover, but was told it was a possible emergency and had to get away from the building. We ran to Pinocchio Village Haus for some shelter, but we were all soaked. It was crowded with everyone trying to stay out of the rain. After 20 minutes it was drizzle and stopped shortly after. We headed back to Tony's Town Square for dinner. The food was ok, not like we remembered from our 2012 trip. Probably won't go back. After dinner we waited up for the Electrical Parade, but it was cancelled. So we headed back down Main Street to get a spot for Wishes. It was our first time seeing it and it was amazing! After wishes we went back to CBR.
Monday: We arrived at Hollywood Studios at park opening. Once we were inside it was a mad dash to Toy Story (15 min wait). After Toy story we went across the street to see the characters (20 min wait).Then we did The Movie Ride and Toy Story (again) with fast pass, again 10 minute wait times. We did the Muppet attraction and then ate at Pizza Planet for lunch. After lunch we did the Tower of Tower with fast pass and went right on. It was the kids first time be able to go on, and they loved it and wanted to go on again. I couldn't do it, we promised them next time. After that, we browsed the stores and watched the Public Works guys, my son couldn't stop laughing. We headed to Hollywood and Vine for dinner. It was the star wars character buffet (we were only charged the 1 dinning credit as promised) After dinner we did Indian Jones, but it was cut short because of the weather. We sat down for a little than got in line for Fantasmic. That area was so crowded. They had the fast pass and the dinner package in 1 line and stand by in another but right next to each other. I remember in 2005 we did the Fantasmic package and we entered by the front of Hollywood studios. Once the ropes dropped it was crazy. We sat in the middle, great seats. After that we left and went back to the resort.
Tuesday: Extra Magic Hours at Epcot. Once the parked opened we went straight to Test Track (10 min wait), the kids enjoyed designing their cars. The ride was fun. Then we did Mission space. We had a fast pass for 9:35 but didn't use it because the stand by was only 5 minutes. First time on this, we did the calm side. I would hate to see the other side. I don't think I could do that again, but the kids liked it. We headed over to Nemo because of a 10 minute stand by line, again we didn't use our 11:50 fast pass. After Nemo we walked right on Soarin with our fast pass. We walked back to see our leave a legacy from 2000 and then did Space ship earth (15 minute wait) We ate lunch at Electric Umbrella and then headed to Mousegear to shop. We received a 20% coupon on our lunch receipt but had to use it before 1pm. As my wife was finishing up in Mousegear I headed to Innoventions to line up for the Visa character meet and greet. We walked back to pick up our pictures and then towards World Showcase. As we were walking it started to pour, we took shelter in African OutPost for 30 minutes. After the rain we walked through Germany and Italy. As my wife shopped the kids and I watched Sergio the juggler, my daughter threw him one of the balls. We sat in Italy for a little to relax. After we walked the rest of World Showcase and went to the Boardwalk to get a bus to downtown Disney for dinner. I sat with the kids at the front of the Market place while my wife shopped around. Just as she was getting back it started to pour again. We took shelter in the Christmas store but eventually had to leave because of dinner reservation at RainForest. We walked through the store and ran to RainForest. Once inside the store was crowded with people staying out of the rain. We really like it and would go again. We shopped in the store after dinner and then went back to the resort. There were not that many people on the bus which was a good thing because all of a sudden just as we pulled out of Pleasure Island a guy in the 1st back row seat started throwing up and I mean throwing up bad. I don't want to get into too much detail but last just say I would have rather walked in the rain then sit on the bus. At the resort we got off at the first and walked back to our room. I don't know what happened the other people on the bus or the people waiting to get on.
Wednesday: Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios. When the ropes dropped we ran to Toy Story (again) Walked right on. Then we walked through One Mans Dream and then saw the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We had a fast pass for Rock n Roller Coaster but didn't use it because the kids were just shy of the height requirements, so we did Tower of Terror. We walked right on with stand by and skipped the pre show. After we just sat and waited for Beauty and the Beast. After the show, we were split up in the crowd. I saw my wife holding my daughter who was crying. She said some one pushed her into the water fountain as they were pushing through the crowd. She has a loose tooth and it started to bleed. We relaxed some more and as we headed to Hollywood and Vine for lunch we saw the Public Works guys again. My son and daughter helped in their little show. Lunch was good, my youngest daughter loved to see Princess Sophia and Doc McStuffins. My only complaint was the people sitting next to us, they weren't waiting their turn and the characters had to keep telling them to wait and they were getting in some of our pictures and the parents just sat there. After lunch we headed back to the pool for the rest of the day. After an hour or so in the pool, the sky got dark and it poured. We played in the arcade for a little and went back to the room to change and rest before dinner. We walked back to Old Port for dinner around 7:30 and it was crowded, we ended up just getting muffins for dinner and eating back in the room.
Thursday: Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom. After the welcome ceremony, we went on space mountain with no wait. First time for the kids and they loved it! After space mountain we did Small World( 5 min wait) and the Carrousel (5 min wait) then waited for Liberty Square to open for Haunted Mansion. After that we did Big Thunder Mountain with a 5 min wait for fast pass. After we had snacks and waited for our Splash Mountain fast pass. Again a 5 minute wait for Splash mountain fast pass. We walked back to Pinocchio Village Haus for lunch. (only place that had something everyone liked) After lunch we saw Ariel. It was soooo hot waiting in line for her. There were no fans on no ventilation. The 20 minute wait seemed hours. As we were waiting for our Seven Dwarfs Mine train it started to rain, I asked the lady at the fast pass what happens if it rains. She said if they shut the ride due to weather, they will honor the fast pass later in the day. She let us in 5 minutes early anyway. We only had a 5 minute wait. It was poring outside, but they were stilling letting people get on. We were seated and just about to go when they told us the ride was closed due to the weather. We had to wait. We waited and waited for 2 hours because of lightening within 6 miles. They put to 3 trains away and left 2 0r 3 on the tracks and would cycle them empty to dry the tracks. But 2 got stuck and they completely shut the ride down and gave out fast passes for later. So we walked through the stores on Main Street to see what we were going to buy later. We waited for the Flag Retreat and my daughters were asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We then headed over to Chef Mickeys for dinner. After dinner we went back to Magic Kingdom and got finally rode the Mine ride and just as we exited, they shut down again. We shopped for our souvenirs on Main Street saw the Electric Parade and left for the resort.
Friday: Left to go home. We were delayed 20 minutes before boarding and over an hour in the plane due to downpour of rain and lightening. Finally made it home 2 hours after our original time.
All in all is was fun and we'll do it again in 2 years
