HUGE Photo TR: Disney World and Universal Orlando

[cprocks22]

This will be long, scroll down now if you just want to look at the (hopefully) pretty pictures.

 

Part 1.

 

Let me start by saying its been a LONG time since I've been to Florida, way too long. Last time it was 1998 and I was 6 years old. Obviously a lot has changed between 1998 and 2007/2008.

 

The trip started by waking up early on Christmas Day and driving up to the airport to fly down to Florida. The flight was painless and we easily made it onto Disney's Magical Express. At this point I was super excited because it finally hit me that I was going to Disney World. We got there and there was LONG lines to get into the Magic Kingdom (as expected on Christmas day), which didn't help my excitement. We got off the bus and checked into our hotel for the next 5 nights, the Polynesian Resort. After getting our room we went to lunch at the Kona Cafe, delicious. After that I split off and went into the Magic Kingdom for the first time in 9 years. Needless to say there were many memories that came back, crying, shoving and hair pulling to get into the park as I could not wait any longer.

 

I walk (practically run) under the train station and pick up a map, and go around the Christmas tree and saw Cinderella's Castle. After I picked my jaw up off the ground I walked into tomorrowland wishing that the line for Space Mountain would be short, or that I could at least get a fastpass for it. Alas it was broken down, but this did not damper my happiness and I went across into fantasyland, picked up a fastpass for Mickey's Phillarmagic and went through to frontierland.

 

Seeing as its still one of my all time favorite roller coasters I went straight to BTMRR, which had a 45 minuet posted wait. I was willing to deal with it, and the ride-op gods were on my side and the wait was only 15 minuets.

 

After reliving the memories of BTMRR from my childhood, I met up with my family and we decided to do the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. Getting off that we all wanted to do the Tiki Room, and I was personally disappointed with the "under new management" theme, bring back the old Tiki Room!

 

After the Tiki Room we went back out of the park and back to the Polynesian and then to Ohana's for dinner. I think I'm the only one that really liked the food, so good, but SO much food! With that I went into Epcot by myself (pictures coming later) and then back to the Magic Kingdom since it was open till 1am (again pictures later). With that I went back to a very welcoming bed, exhausted from a 22 hour day, yet extremely happy.

Part 2 later, no pictures from dinner unfortunately so you get a giant wandless ball! Preview of what's to come! Comments are more then welcome!

Awesome lighting on the castle as we were leaving the park.

I want the old Tiki Room back

I apologize for that last caption, it was so bad I will be subjected to a flogging, whatever that is.

Nice view from the tree house.

Speaking of HITSSTTR...I got nowhere to go with that, I just couldn't think of a caption.

Yay BTMRR, even if your acronym is almost as long as HITSSTTR.

Tomorrowland, the land of talking trash-cans (that are NOT at Cedar Fair parks), spitting aliens, and broken roller coasters.

*Picks up jaw off of ground* I love this shot, I just need to get those pesky wires out of there.

Yay!!! I'm here I'm here I'm here I'm here I'm here I'm here!!!!!!

Buffalo sticky wings at lunch, YUM, though I haven't tried Robbs, these were really good.

Mickey was doing his best Lindsay Lohan impression in the gift shop.

Again

View of the lobby, its a gorgeous hotel.

again, I love this shot.

View from our room...

Let me in! I wont knock anyone over forcing my way into the park, I promise!

OMG we're here! Sorry that it's hard to see.

Hey R&E, is this where you guys stayed?

AHHH! I look awful after that flight.

Yay, we're on the ground! Okletsgo.

With as excited as I was the flight was taking way to long.

YAY!!!! We're off! It's been way to damn long!

[Erik Johnson]

You already have a good start with this photo TR. Keep them coming.

[cprocks22]

Part 2: Night at Epcot and Magic Kingdom

 

After a great dinner at Ohana's I split off by my lonesome and went over to Epcot for closing/EMH. When I got there I tried to get my bearings and went over to Test Track. Awesome ride, even better with hardly a wait using the sad and pathetic line (also known as the single rider line). After that I went next door to Mission Space, and opted for the less intense side as spinning rides make me sick faster then you can say Gary Sinise. While the green side still made me just a little dizzy at first, I still enjoyed it and got off without seeing my dinner again.

 

With that I went over and got my EMH wristband, and checked the wait on Soarin. The line was posted as an hour, so I went on the ride next to it that I can't remember the name of (help anyone?). I went back and it was still posted at an hour but the line looked much shorter. At least it felt short because of the mini-competition in line (that our side won!). I LOVED Soarin, my first ride was front right and it was awesome, the feeling of flying was so cool and it was just too much fun.

 

After Soarin' I went and rode the Nemo ride with no wait, then Test Track one more time in the S&P line then went on the new SSE. I can't remember the old version very well so I'm not sure what the upgrades are. Like other people have said the animatronics are obviously updated and the touch screen thing at the end is pretty cool. Other then that, from what I can remember the ride is pretty much the same.

 

After SSE I decided to go back to Magic Kingdom and see how late I could stay awake after getting up at 4:00 in the morning. I got in and saw the line Space Mountain was long still so I went over to Pooh and got a fastpass for later (I feel obliged since I loved Pooh as a kid), then went over to Haunted Mansion.

 

I remembered why this is my favorite dark ride, its so much fun! It was in great shape since they just did a rehab on it and all the effects were very very cool, old and new. After HM I went over to my favorite water ride Splash Mountain and rode that with no wait. I narrowly avoided the water cannons of doom and stayed fairly dry, which was nice.

 

At this point I was pretty dead, but HM was calling my name again so I went on that, and then used my fastpass for Pooh and did Snow White while I was there (don't quote that). Now by now I had been up for 21 hours straight and I was a walking zombie, but I was dying (no pun intended) to get in Space Mountain, lucky for me there was no wait. I went on once and rode in the back row, AWESOME ride. I forgot how intense that ride is, but that may just be the back row. I got thrown out of my seat quite a few times, and loved every minuet of it. When I got out of line the ride op was just about to close it, so how could I not turn down another ride on space? I got the back row again on the other side, which was just as fun. By the time I got out I was about to pass out. I took the boat back to the hotel and crashed. All in all it was amazing for my first day back at Disney World in 9 years.

Preview of next part, MGM and more Epcot. Part 3 tomorrow, its late now.

The only other picture I got that night unfortunately, again its blurry. Anyone who wants to donate to the get Kevin a mini tripod so he can take good night picture fund can call 1-800-867-5309... *damn the song is stuck in my head!!!*

And now for something completely different... ok not completely its still blurry.

I see you Mr. Ride-Op person!

Sorry Wes but Gary wanted to be blury today.

For those of you who actually laughed heres the big wheel thingy in Mission Space.

... Test Track! Let's all laugh at all the people in the standby line 1, 2, 3 NOW hahahaha.

... pretty fountains! Then onto...

Yay for Epcot, now its onto...

[stingrock23]

Nice report so far. I know the feeling of being exhausted. I always feel like I need to get the most out of my time there.

[Team Thriller]

So far you are off to a wonderful good start! Those blurry pictures do look kidda cool.

Anyway, love this TR.

 

--James

[piers]

Was HotFuzz Rich your ride op on Soarin?

Really enjoying your PTR, looks like you had an awesome time.

[Moose]

Piers, I thought exactly the same thing. The resemblance is uncanny.

 

 

Nice report.

[Chrissie]

Great TR so far! Very excited to see the rest!

[jappi]

what kind of ride is mission space? nice trip btw!

[Team Thriller]

what kind of ride is mission space? nice trip btw!

 

It's a one-of-a-kind simulator spinning ride thingymajig that pulls lots of Ge's and makes even men sqeak with pleasure!

 

--James

[Nemesis Inferno]

Looks good...

 

But tell me, how packed to the gills was it overall? Since my dad is possibly plotting such a trip in the future, and of course any information shared would be loved...

[cprocks22]

^It was busy yes, but it wasn't completely packed. With a combination of Fastpasses and Extra Magic Hours I got in everything I wanted to do at least once.

 

Thanks all for the comments! They're much appreciated!

 

Part 3: MGM and more Epcot

 

Again today I started out on my own, heading over to MGM to go on Tower of Terror for my first time (seriously) and Rockin Roller Coaster. I woke up early by myself and caught a bus over to MGM. When I got there I went straight for TOT. Got on with a minimal 15 minuet wait and it was awesome. While not the most intense drop ride anywhere, it is the best themed (or only themed) and a lot of fun. After TOT I went next door to RNR which was posted as a 40 minuet wait, turned out to be about 20 minuets. While I found it a lot of fun, and not even too rough, I wasn't blown away by it. Having been on FOF at Kings Island I found some similarities, despite the different companies, albeit RNR being a tad rougher.

 

After RNR my parents called and said that my sisters plane had landed and that she would be here in a little bit. We decided to meet over at Epcot and while I still had a little time I sat down and ate some food. While eating I saw a store with TONS of Nightmare Before Christmas stuff in it. My friend being a big fan, I got her a Jack ball, and eventually I got myself one later. After shopping a little I got on a bus and went over to Epcot.

 

Once at Epcot I met up with my family, we went and got fastpasses for Test Track for later and then went over to World Showcase and went to a few countries. We started in England and went through to Japan when we had to go catch our reservations for dinner at the Coral Reef restaurant. Delicious but not something to go out of your way for, I think I got a steak of some sort. Very cool to sit next to the aquarium though.

 

After dinner we got some sweatshirts, and used our fastpass for Test Track. We then went on The Seas since it had no wait. I still love the seagulls! They're adorable!

 

My sister and I then went back to MGM for EMH to ride TOT (is that enough acronyms in one sentence?). We ended up getting 2 rides on it before the line got long. Our second time on it we got a GREAT cycle, I lost count of how many drops we had. By then we were both dead and decided to call it a day and went back to the hotel.

Last picture for now, TOT sign at night. Next, Part 4: More MGM and Magic Kingdom.

Dinner time, this is a HUGE sea turtle that was in the aquarium. It's cute! I wanted to take it home as a pet but none of the divers in there would steal it for me.

Some skywriter was writing Jesus Loves You in the sky.

I see you giant wandless golf ball hiding behind the monorail track.

Ok that last caption sucked, no more floggings please!

Un bâtiment en France

Epcot now, some vine thing in England.

Jack ball! Go buy one... now!

O no! TOT got eated by a GIANT GUITAR, KILL IT. But seriously, RNR is pretty sweet, even if it is Vekoma.

More TOT pictures cause we all know you love them.

Thats better, at least a little less blurry.

Guess what?! More blurry pictures! Seriously, donate to that fund.

Mommy I want to stay there!

OoOoOo spoooky tower....

I can't think of a witty caption for this picture, if you would like to contribute one please do.

Hey look its the good tower... so what if i reused a picture!

[UniversalGSHo22]

I hate those Sky Writers. You can be driving down I-4 or On I-Drive and one tourist will see the word jesus and ALL TRAFFIC WILL STOP DEAD!!! And all the people will get out of their cars and start snapping pictures!!! Dosen't matter if it is rush hour or not.... they make me CRAZY!!!!!

[cprocks22]

^I actually noticed that! On our way to Universal (no idea what road it is) and there was a skywriter writing something in the sky and EVERYONE on the freeway was stopped, so annoying and I don't even have to deal with it that often!

[CoasterWarriors]

Great pictures... I enjoyed them... I love the Jack's Balls... I mean Jack's Ball without an s... I wonder if there is a bony balls. Anyway... Great pictures and I can't wait to see the rest!

 

Did you get a chances to go to Animal Kingdom?

[cprocks22]

^Yes I did, that is coming up soon

I apologize for the mistake I made in the last post, I went to MGM and Epcot today, Magic Kingdom at night is later.

 

Also I didn't take many pictures today so I again apologize in advance for the lack of them.

 

Part 4: More MGM and Epcot

 

Today started out with all of us sleeping in (sleep=GOOD) and going over to MGM around 10. We got in and went straight to TOT to get fastpasses for later then we went back and went on the Great Movie ride. Still as cheesy as I had remembered, but still fun with the fairly short wait.

 

After that we went to Muppet Vision 3D (one of my favorite 3D movies) and walked around the back area of the park. We all wanted to see the Lights Motors Action stunt show but the theatre was filled and we would have had to wait until 4:00 for the next show. We couldn't catch it cause we had lunch reservations at The Brown Derby. The cobb salad is SO GOOD, and I don't even typically like cobb salad. All the other food we had was delicious too but that stood out. After lunch (which gave us reserved seats at Fantasmic) we wandered around a little bit, did some shopping, then went to go watch Fantasmic. Still an awesome show but I don't remember it being so dark.

 

After Fantasmic we ran to catch our Fastpasses for TOT, still very fun. After TOT we split up for the time being. I went over and rode RNR again while my family went to go look at the dancing lights. After I got off of RNR my family had gone back to the hotel and I went over to Epcot.

 

Since I don't feel like typing heres what I did:

Soarin: Still awesome and so much fun

Test Track: Again still so much fun

Maelstorm: Honestly a little pointless but all the while fun

Preview of whats next.

Part 5: The Kingdoms! Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom!

In line for Soarin' later that night. More pictures later.

OoOoOo eeeevil dragon...KILL IT.

I don't even remember what this was but it looked cool so I took a picture of it.

Its Fantasmic! I still think the effect of projecting the movie on the water is too cool, but I'm just nerdy like that.

These guys were out on the street performing while my family was shopping. Has anyone else ever seen them?

This was stenciled in powdered chocolate, very cool touch.

From dinner, my desert: Flour-less chocolate cake with fresh berries and creme something on them, REALLY delicious.

Inside one of the gift shops I found this, a retro Haunted Mansion poster. I loved it and it wasn't too expensive so I decided to get it.

No pictures of TOT from today so heres the Great Movie Ride, I know its not as good but deal with it.

[doublex98]

Awesome photos! I cant wait for some more more more!

[CoasterWarriors]

The last photo shot look spazzlin'... Looking forward to the rest of them!

[bobafett]

Wow, it seems like you had a great time on your trip and I am really enjoying your report and pics. I remember when I first went back to Disney after a long hiatus, I was 5 years old the first time I went back in 1979, then it wouldn't be until the year 2000 until I got back there and I have been back every year since then. Keep up the good job and keep those photos coming!

[ETapley0687]

Wow the pics are great! Looks like you had a good time! Can't wait to see the rest!

[cprocks22]

Well last week was the first week back to school, which is the reason for the lack of (or no) updates. Anyway I'm back so lets continue shall we?

 

Part 5(? I've lost count): Animal Kingdom and Magic Kindom

 

I will say that the last time I was at Disney World, Animal Kingdom wasn't even built, so this is my first new park of the trip. We also had early EMH here today so the day started off with waking up at 6:00 and going over to Animal Kingdom which opened at 7:00. Of course we went straight for Expedition Everest (because it's the law... or is that hulk?) and went on it a few times and got Fastpasses for later.

 

I loved EE, don't get me wrong I thought it was great, the backwards section being awesome (but made 2 of my family members sick, hahaha I'm cruel). But the ride felt short, and altogether lacking something. That was really my only complaint about the ride, it was smooth, fun, and the yeti was massive (but I would have liked to see him a tad longer).

 

After going on EE, one member of our group being sick from it (always eat before you go on rides! Seriously), I stopped at the tea stand (AWESOME idea! More parks need these!) and then went over to breakfast at the character breakfast (can't remember the name off the top of my head). Good typical breakfast buffet, NEXT.

 

After breakfast we went over to Kilimanjaro Safari's (which we had gotten fastpasses for earlier). Loved the ride, very cool to see all the animals so close. After our safari We wandered around a bit, then the other members of our group went to see the Nemo musical while I went to Dinoland USA.

 

Of course I hit dark dark Dinosaur. I actually really liked the ride, despite it being basically pitch black for a good majority of the ride (I learned fast why people call it dark dark Dinosaur). I find these rides (loved Indiana Jones at Disneyland as well) very very fun. The one thing I found odd was that some of the effects actually scared me...in a Disney park. I am not complaining, I'm all for more thrills at Disney, but I still see Disney as a kid oriented place. But thats aside the point, I'm with Dave in saying this ride is awesome.

 

After Dinosaur I met back up with my family. It was REALLY hot that day and Dinoland is the last place I wanted to be with the entire thing asphalt and no shade. We decided we had enough at around lunch time and went back to our room to rest for a little bit. I sat out by the pool and did some homework (ha yeah right, I just sat there most of the time), took a quick nap then I was off to Magic Kingdom for a little bit until dinner at the Hoop-de-Doo Revue (yeah...).

 

At Magic Kingdom it was pretty packed, so I just kinda enjoyed being there and wandered for a while. I sat and watched people get hit by the cannons of death doom and destruction for a little bit (I got many laughs out of it, I said I was cruel). After that I went on the Carousel of Progress, and the song is still stuck in my head. "EVERYBODY! Oh it's a great big beautiful tomorrow! Shining at the end of every day!" Almost as bad as It's a Small World. I also did Space Ranger Spin, fun ride, good for kids, me I could take it or leave it.

 

After BLSRS I met up with everyone back at the hotel, then went of to enjoy dinner at the Hoop-De-Doo revue. I'll be honest, I was hesitant about dinner there. I remember eating there last time we we're at Disney and all I remember was a bunch of really really loud noise. Turns out I actually really liked it. Ton's of humor, a lot for adults and kids, and the food was good comfort food: Fried Chicken, Ribs, Cornbread and Mashed Potatoes.

 

After dinner we caught a boat back to Magic Kingdom for EMH (till 3am!) in the rain, which worried me but then I remembered it was Florida and luckily it cleared up in a few minuets. We got to Magic Kingdom and went straight for Pirates of the Caribbean. They did a good job on the updates. The new effects really do blend well with the classic ride, and I'm glad that they kept the classic feel of the ride (unlike some rides in the same park *cough Tiki Room cough*).

 

After POTC we all wanted to do BTMRR, which was conveniently located right next door! BTMRR was fun as always, but caused the same member that got sick from EE earlier to feel crappy again, they went back to the hotel after the ride (turns out it was an inner-ear infection).

 

After BTMRR we decided to go do Haunted Mansion. How could I say no to my favorite ride in the park (next to SM)? HM was great as always, very fun ride, still love it. After HM we went and did the Fantasyland dark rides, which started with a fastpass for Peter Pan's flight, then going on Mickey's Phillarmagic and Hell the ride... also known as It's a Small World. MPM was still good, I like it as much as Muppet Vision now that I think about it.

IASW is still...IASM. I just want to know two things: a) How the hell do the CM's stay sane? and b) How do they stack the boats with no line? After IASW we used our Fastpasses for PPF. I like PPF for some reason, I guess it just brings back fond memories from my childhood. I loved the ride when I was three, but then again I also loved IASM.

 

After the remaining members of my group we're dead tired so they left me on my own. I was planning on going to hit my favorite ride SM, but the line was pretty long and I had other things I wanted to do before I passed out. I decided on the TTA, since I had never been on it before. I liked the ride, it was neat to see inside space mountain from that perspective. The only thing that could have been better is if Space Mountain broke down so the lights would come on . After that I went on Stich's great escape, which I would have prefered as Alien Encounter from what I hear. On my way out I took some pictures of the castle, then caught the monorail back to our hotel and crashed.

 

If you made it through that entire part of the TR congrats, here are the pictures!

Preview of what's next: Universal Orlando! Kudos to whoever can tell what hotel this is!

 

Thats all for tonight, keep the comments coming!

I love love love this shot. It makes me sad though, I want security on Disney Vacations! I need to know that I'm going back, and soon!

I want to have this statue in my room.

Haha the drunk hippo almost made it worth it... almost...

Ahhh! Let me out, let me out!!!

Although blurry, I still really like this picture. Of course this is HM.

Saw this somewhere, I think near the front entrance. They had a bunch of retro posters that I found cool.

I only have a few pictures from that night so I'll post them now, purty castle!

LMAO, this was the most amusing thing ever.

MUAHAHAHA CANNONS OF DEATH DOOM AND DESTRUCTION!!!!

Hmm I wonder what that giant spray of water is coming from Splash Moutain?

Well hello there... =D

Good lighting on the castle again! I got lucky with this.

"*expletive* thats a large tree!" - Me

Magic Kingdom pre-dinner time! Hey Disneyland... yeah... look!

Rawr

It's time for dark dark Dinosaur!

 

I already told you its 1am here, don't expect anything great out of these captions!

This rather large guy was waiting for us when we got off the ride.

Aww the baby Rhino is so cute in a "I can kill you" kinda way. I guess I'm just weird like that.

Because the purty giraffe said so! Hi Wes, this one's for you.

I just like this shot. And why are Flamingo's pink???

I've always kinda like gazelle, I really think they're kinda cute.

Is that a ridiculously large horn on your head or are you just happy to see me?

... because our driver loves pot holes!

I have a feeling this wouldn't be a good place to park. This picture is also very blury, do you know why?...

Kilimanjaro Safari's time! Ooo pretty birdie.

Close up. I tried to count how many animals are carved in in just this part of the tree but I gave up.

Very large fake (yet strangely beautiful) Tree of Life.

Random scenery on the way back to EE to use fastpasses. I was the only person in the group that wanted to ride again so I had like 4 to use, awesome.

Hard to see in the picture but theres a baby monkey wrapped around her chest. This is about 30ft off the ground, at least the monkey is probably a better parent then Britney.

Yay it's the Yeti.

 

What do you want it's 1 am here right now!

At this point I was too tired to notice, but by the time I was up to it I was giggling like a little school girl. Also I love how this shot turned out

[UniversalGSHo22]

Portifino Bay Hotel!!!!!

[bobafett]

Portofino Bay Hotel baby! The best hotel out of the 3 on Universal's property. Did they have any of the retro Disney ride posters for sale? I'll have to pick some up the next time I get down there. My grandmother has a retro Disney sweatshirt that she bought when she went to Disney on her one and only trip there and she still wears it! That was back in 1979. I don't think that she wore it that often because it looks brand new and every time she wears I tell her she looks cool in it. She just turned 87 years young.

[cprocks22]

^Funny you mention that, I forgot to say that in my last post but they did! I got one at MGM (can't remember the store for the life of me) for Haunted Mansion, but thats the only one I saw. There might (probably) be more and/or different ride posters at other places but this is the only one I saw. Here's a pic:

Yay! Now I just need to hang it.

[mxman005]

Ive seen the streetmoshpere show in MGM (Now Disney's Hollywood Sudios) alot. All the streetmoshpere around the park are great.

 

You think its fun watching the people get wet on Splash? Its more fun to go on grad nite's, turn off the cannons, let a few logs go by so people dont know what is going to happen, and then getting a whole log full of highschoolers wet. AWESOME!!! I can now die a happy man.