Jared
06-11-2008, 11:54 AM
Enough people, including Talie, have e-mailed or called me wondering when the next installment is coming, and my answer to all of them is, “It’s coming right now.”
Sunday, May 25
Originally, we planned to spend yesterday at Epcot and today at Animal Kingdom, concluding with dinner at Yak & Yeti Restaurant. After learning Toy Story Mania! Would be open during our trip, we adjusted the itinerary to spend a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I still wanted to visit Animal Kingdom today skip Epcot, but my family vetoed my wishes.
While waiting in a rainstorm outside The Seas with Nemo & Friends the night before, I attempted to change our reservation literally to any Magic Kingdom or Epcot area restaurant to no avail. The only World Showcase eateries with an available seating were Nine Dragons Restaurant and Restaurant Marrakesh, both of which we have tried and left disappointed. Even Cape May Café, the Beach Club staple, didn’t have a table earlier than 8:30 p.m. Disappointed and already hungry, I resigned myself to two counter service meals the last full day of our trip.
But when I woke up in the morning, I decided to talk to the concierge in the lobby and try one last time. I explained the situation to the Cast Member, and she magically found a table around 6 for my group at Cape May Café. I don’t know if someone cancelled, or she found a way to cheat the system, but we had a new dinner plan at a solid buffet, and everyone was happy.
So the day was already off to a good start when we started walking to the International Gateway for our morning at Epcot. It was an Extra Magic Hours day, and we arrived shortly after 8:30, but the park was already packed. Traditionally, we heed the advice of avoiding that park that opens early, and now I know why. It was utter gridlock, as seemingly everybody at all the resorts migrated to the same place. It didn’t help it was the day before Memorial Day.
The wait time for Soarin’ was around 40 minutes at 8:45, so we immediately obtained FASTPASSes and moved on to Spaceship Earth for a second try of the new version. Still didn’t like it, although the cartoon at the end was hilarious. I still say the new descent undermines the otherwise serious tone of the ride and is a major disappointment.
As Ellen mentioned in her reply to my last installment, the Project Tomorrow interactive exhibit is a vast improvement to the old Global Neighborhood. We had time to spare, so we played with the games for at least 30 minutes. My mom and I had an especially fun time playing the game with the screen on the floor, and guests use metal detector-shaped sensors to push objects around and power the city. The driving game was a hoot, too.
We wanted to ride Test Track next, but the line was already an hour long. Fortunately, we were already able to obtain more FASTPASSes, which told us to return after 1 p.m. Not wanting to ride Soarin’ until lunchtime, we decided to take a spell from the heat next door at the Universe of Energy. Here is an attraction my family adores nobody else seems to like. Ellen DeGeneres is hilarious, the concept is brilliant and the implementation is still fascinating after all these years. I know it’s outdated, but we still experience it every trip.
Our Soarin’ window was approaching its end, so we went back there now. Even with FASTPASS, we had to wait about 20 minutes, as the regular line said 100 minutes. I still don’t believe anyone would queue up after seeing that on the overhead display. I felt strange getting in line for Toy Story Mania! with a 60-minute wait the day before.
Fortunately, we were seated in the front row and had a perfect view. I hadn’t been in the front in several years, and it was a thrill to enjoy the experience without dangling feet. Soarin’ is my dad’s favorite attraction in Disney. It is truly one of the most exhilarating feelings I’ve ever had.
Now the trouble started. We all wanted to ride Test Track, but my brother desperately wanted to have lunch at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. In the months leading up to the trip, I told my family one of the real features of the Beach Club is its proximity to Beaches & Cream and its amazing ice cream treats. My brother, having looked at a photograph in the resort elevator of a hamburger, fries and shake, was determined. But considering the potential wait time there and our outstanding Test Track FASTPASSes, we did not know what to do. We lined up for Living with the Land to sort everything out.
By the time we returned from the greenhouses, we had a plan: We will have lunch at Sunshine Season Food Fair now, ride Test Track and return to the hotel. When we returned, one person would put our name on the Beaches & Cream waiting list and meet everybody back at the pool. Justin would have his burger, everyone else would just have a sundae. It was a perfect plan, and everyone was happy.
Sunshine Season Food Fair is my second-favorite counter service spot in Disney behind Columbia Harbour House. The chicken Caesar salad is always good, but I went with the turkey foccacia sandwich, which is another winner. I love the bread, and they never overload the mayonnaise. Justin and Elyssa had the salad, while my parents both had the Cuban veggie sandwich. We skipped the bakery section because we had Beaches & Cream to come later.
Less hungry and quite satisfied, we crossed the park to ride Test Track. The FASTPASS Return line extended far outside the building, and I was afraid we would have a long wait, thereby ruining the plan. Nope. We were in our car and cruising at 65 m.p.h. in 15 minutes or less. Test Track is another ride we like a lot of people complain about. I realize the tests leading up to the high-speed loop are pretty lame, but the feeling of zipping around that track is so exciting.
Sunday, May 25
Originally, we planned to spend yesterday at Epcot and today at Animal Kingdom, concluding with dinner at Yak & Yeti Restaurant. After learning Toy Story Mania! Would be open during our trip, we adjusted the itinerary to spend a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I still wanted to visit Animal Kingdom today skip Epcot, but my family vetoed my wishes.
While waiting in a rainstorm outside The Seas with Nemo & Friends the night before, I attempted to change our reservation literally to any Magic Kingdom or Epcot area restaurant to no avail. The only World Showcase eateries with an available seating were Nine Dragons Restaurant and Restaurant Marrakesh, both of which we have tried and left disappointed. Even Cape May Café, the Beach Club staple, didn’t have a table earlier than 8:30 p.m. Disappointed and already hungry, I resigned myself to two counter service meals the last full day of our trip.
But when I woke up in the morning, I decided to talk to the concierge in the lobby and try one last time. I explained the situation to the Cast Member, and she magically found a table around 6 for my group at Cape May Café. I don’t know if someone cancelled, or she found a way to cheat the system, but we had a new dinner plan at a solid buffet, and everyone was happy.
So the day was already off to a good start when we started walking to the International Gateway for our morning at Epcot. It was an Extra Magic Hours day, and we arrived shortly after 8:30, but the park was already packed. Traditionally, we heed the advice of avoiding that park that opens early, and now I know why. It was utter gridlock, as seemingly everybody at all the resorts migrated to the same place. It didn’t help it was the day before Memorial Day.
The wait time for Soarin’ was around 40 minutes at 8:45, so we immediately obtained FASTPASSes and moved on to Spaceship Earth for a second try of the new version. Still didn’t like it, although the cartoon at the end was hilarious. I still say the new descent undermines the otherwise serious tone of the ride and is a major disappointment.
As Ellen mentioned in her reply to my last installment, the Project Tomorrow interactive exhibit is a vast improvement to the old Global Neighborhood. We had time to spare, so we played with the games for at least 30 minutes. My mom and I had an especially fun time playing the game with the screen on the floor, and guests use metal detector-shaped sensors to push objects around and power the city. The driving game was a hoot, too.
We wanted to ride Test Track next, but the line was already an hour long. Fortunately, we were already able to obtain more FASTPASSes, which told us to return after 1 p.m. Not wanting to ride Soarin’ until lunchtime, we decided to take a spell from the heat next door at the Universe of Energy. Here is an attraction my family adores nobody else seems to like. Ellen DeGeneres is hilarious, the concept is brilliant and the implementation is still fascinating after all these years. I know it’s outdated, but we still experience it every trip.
Our Soarin’ window was approaching its end, so we went back there now. Even with FASTPASS, we had to wait about 20 minutes, as the regular line said 100 minutes. I still don’t believe anyone would queue up after seeing that on the overhead display. I felt strange getting in line for Toy Story Mania! with a 60-minute wait the day before.
Fortunately, we were seated in the front row and had a perfect view. I hadn’t been in the front in several years, and it was a thrill to enjoy the experience without dangling feet. Soarin’ is my dad’s favorite attraction in Disney. It is truly one of the most exhilarating feelings I’ve ever had.
Now the trouble started. We all wanted to ride Test Track, but my brother desperately wanted to have lunch at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. In the months leading up to the trip, I told my family one of the real features of the Beach Club is its proximity to Beaches & Cream and its amazing ice cream treats. My brother, having looked at a photograph in the resort elevator of a hamburger, fries and shake, was determined. But considering the potential wait time there and our outstanding Test Track FASTPASSes, we did not know what to do. We lined up for Living with the Land to sort everything out.
By the time we returned from the greenhouses, we had a plan: We will have lunch at Sunshine Season Food Fair now, ride Test Track and return to the hotel. When we returned, one person would put our name on the Beaches & Cream waiting list and meet everybody back at the pool. Justin would have his burger, everyone else would just have a sundae. It was a perfect plan, and everyone was happy.
Sunshine Season Food Fair is my second-favorite counter service spot in Disney behind Columbia Harbour House. The chicken Caesar salad is always good, but I went with the turkey foccacia sandwich, which is another winner. I love the bread, and they never overload the mayonnaise. Justin and Elyssa had the salad, while my parents both had the Cuban veggie sandwich. We skipped the bakery section because we had Beaches & Cream to come later.
Less hungry and quite satisfied, we crossed the park to ride Test Track. The FASTPASS Return line extended far outside the building, and I was afraid we would have a long wait, thereby ruining the plan. Nope. We were in our car and cruising at 65 m.p.h. in 15 minutes or less. Test Track is another ride we like a lot of people complain about. I realize the tests leading up to the high-speed loop are pretty lame, but the feeling of zipping around that track is so exciting.