pianojohn

Thanks for all the great advice. Also, I have been a cast member at WDW since 1999, so I have pretty much done all of the character dining options here and don't really need another buffet type place just to meet characters. Also, I don't drink, so any of the alcoholic suggestions are cool but not for me. Are the Voices of Liberty still performing there or was that just a summer time offering? Thanks again!

Question for locals or anyone who has been to DL/DCA a LOT! I am going to the parks for my 1st time in 13 years in April. Any suggestions on MUST do's particularly foods to eat or out of the way places to visit. I have never been to DCA so everything will be new to me. And the last time I was at Disneyland, Rocket Rods was still running! I'm staying at the Red Lion Hotel right across the street from the park. My plan is as follows: Monday April 15th DL/DCA Tuesday April 16th SFMM Wednesday April 17th Knotts 1/2 day then back to DCA Thursday April 18th DL/DCA 1/2 day then flying out that evening to Portland Thanks for any advice!

Here are a few of my favorite near Cedar Point http://sanduskyberardis.com/ This was the original supplier of Cedar Point's famous french fries. Good food, decent prices, and about 10-15 minutes from the park. The GRILLED BUTTERED CINNAMON SWIRL BREAD–(their caps not mine) is to die for!! And they are on Facebook, too: https://www.facebook.com/Berardis http://www.toftdairy.com/ Of course, you can also get Tofts at the park, but if you go to the actual dairy in which it is made, the prices are better, the ice cream is fresher, and the portions are HUMONGOUS! Plus, they tend to carry all of their flavors at the same time, and they also do huge shakes and sundaes. I always stop there after a day at the Point, but check to make sure they are open late since they close exactly at closing time!! http://www.cameopizza.com/ Good pizza and decent prices. When I worked at CP in the 80's, we always remembered the rudest waitresses worked there! They may be gone, but the good food remains. All three of these restaurants are off the beaten trail and not near the more touristy ones, so you'll end up eating with locals.

Quick SFNE question: if I were to buy a SF Gold Pass online, can I show the voucher the first time I go to the park to get free parking? I am thinking of going opening weekend and need to know if they will honor the pass before it is processed. Thanks!

Thanks. I did that and they all look pretty decent. Looking forward to seeing all that's new! (Which is a LOT!)

Coming out to DLR for the 1st time time 2000 (never been to DCA!) Any suggestions for nearby and reasonable hotels? I am flying into LGB airport and am considering not getting a rental car since I am just doing Disneyland Resort and Knott's. Any advice would be great. Thanks! My dates are April 14-18

I WISH! But I did get a solo ride on Mummy which was pretty awesome!

They opened the Transformers gift shop today and had the first meet and greet with the Transformers! I left before Bumblebee came out, but Optimus (if I have the wrong one, forgive me!) looks great. On to the pics!! Oh...and I highly recommend the Photo Connect card. I paid one price for the year and get UNLIMITED downloads of all pics taken in the park, including Mummy, Men in Black, Hulk, etc. Totally worth it! Gift shop Florida specific merchandise! see? And another

Just got back from a quick trip to the park in the light rain. No crowds! And Transformers looks AWESOME! Here are some pics!

I WAS going to try and go to SFMM this summer, but after reading all of the posts, I think I would be disappointed in how the park has gone downhill. Granted, I have only been to the park twice: the first time in 1980 and the second time in 2000. Twenty years apart and I noticed things that weren't as they used to be. And while my trip in 2000 was OK, I am sure I would be disappointed in how the park has declined. I guess we can only hope for another change in management that will bring back some of the lost luster.

I love the Barq's Diet Root Beer with Vanilla. The bomb.com

as·cet·ic n. A person who renounces material comforts and leads a life of austere self-discipline, especially as an act of religious devotion. adj. Hmmm....not sure how this fits in with Transformers. Oh...he meant THIS: AESTHETIC a : of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautiful b : artistic c : pleasing in appearance Which one again proves the point that spell and grammar check are your friends!

Um. no. As someone who has worked at WDW for 14 years, that week is always the week after Christmas when the Magic Kingdom closes due to capacity several times. Islands of Adventure does as well. But I do miss the lull between Christmas and Easter when I could go to a park and ride everything with no wait. But more crowds=more new rides so I cannot complain! As far as the mini golf goes, I usually see more crowds at night after people have spent some time in the parks. And during the summer when it's WAY too hot to be golfing, it's pretty much dead. Maybe they should just do afternoon and evening hours on those brutally hot summer days.

Looks almost complete in the last web cam shot. Can't wait!

There are SO many classic quotes from the CP Facebook post with the new rendering of the front gate: UM...no it doesn't. Dumbass. Sure, before the technology was even developed. The parking lot is where it has always been. Hmmmm..doubt it. Yes. It is ready and running in mid February. Again...no. The epitome of lazy. Just do a search on the internet. Nope. I certainly hope so! Dumbass #2. Ok. You're stupid.

Yeah. It would be a shame if CP spent all that money on a new ride and MORE people showed up to go to the park, especially during August, the busiest time of the season. Good reasoning.

Awesome pics and great of Cedar Point to have ticket kiosks throughout the plaza. I am sure this will make it easier and faster for people to purchase tickets right there and also ones purchased at home. Very Orlando-esque!

Beside my usual parks (WDW, UO, Busch and Sea World), I will definitely visit Cedar Point (since I already renewed my pass for 2013) and hopefully hit some other Cedar Fair parks as well. REALLY hoping to do a Missouri trip to include my first ever visits to Worlds of Fun, Silver Dollar City, and Six Flags St. Louis. Doing a gig on the west coast (Portland, Oregon) so hoping for a few day trip to hit Disneyland, California Adventure (my 1st time there!), Knott's, and possible SFMM.

Since I have to work at WDW on Wednesday, I will either hit Space Mountain at MK or Rock and Roller Coaster at DHS.

I rode it yesterday and loved absolutely everything about it. The pre-show was fun and engrossing, the ride, though the same layout, felt brand new. And the post show exhibits were also a lot of fun. I could see spending a lot of time in the pavillion, like what Epcot USED to be like! Can't wait to ride it again and spend more time checking out all the new stuff pre and post show.

Hopefully you will see me playing piano there as I did last year! It was a blast!

Looking forward to this since I was one of those people who bought a 2013 Season Pass for 1/2 price on Black Friday!

When in January? Other than New Year's Day and MLK weekend, it should be pretty dead. You could conceivably do everything in both parks in one day! Just hope for nice weather and you'll have a great time with little to no crowds.

Took some pics today of Transformers building (HUGE) and Harry Potter Phase 2 with track. Also took some pics of the always nice holiday decor. Enjoy! Christmas decor Transformers Love this character from Despicable Me! Harry Potter And track One last shot of Transformers from Twister Happy Holidays!