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Trip Log:
I left my room at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort just before 8am and headed for the bus stop to catch one to the Magic Kingdom. Arrived on Main Street USA at 8:30am. By the time I reached the hub the early morning crowd had dispersed and I was able to walk right up, scan my band, and be on my way. Decided to start in Fantasyland. Walked over to Peter Pan and it had not opened yet. The queue was full and guests wrapped outside the queue back toward the Haunted Mansion. Decided that was a lost cause so turned right and walked right onto a boat at it’s a small world. As I walked toward the Haunted Mansion the fireworks from the welcome show went off and they let the crowd go. Of course the Haunted Mansion was not opening either due to a problem. So I was zero for two. Met my group in Adventureland and joined the queue for the Jungle Cruise. The posted 20 min wait turned out to be 23 minutes. After our cruise the Haunted Mansion was open with a 13 min wait so walked there. Turned out to be 12 minutes. Returned to Adventureland and Pirates which was posted at 10. It looked longer but we decided to try it. Turned out to be 17. It was nearing 11am and the Rivers of America was coming to life. The rafts to Tom Sawyer Island did not look ready to go so boarded the Liberty Belle for a cruise around the Rivers of America. Once back on shore went over to the raft queue. They were just bringing a second one online and it was moving slow. I saw a piece of track in the air for Big Thunder so left the slow moving queue for a better vantage point. Watched them lower it into place with Big Al along the Rivers of America. Then returned and got in the raft line again which took about 15 minute to get to the Island. Walked out to the Fort and then around the far side. Watched the Festival of Fantasy parade from there then returned to main land and joined the rest of my group for a ride on the Railroad to Fantasyland. Walked through Fantasyland to the hub. Decided to exit the park and catch a bus to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While on the bus ordered some pizza from Rizzo’s. We walked up Hollywood Blvd and out to get our food. After eating stopped by for probably my last viewing of Muppet Vision 3D. Used Single Rider for Rise of the Resistance then strolled through Toy Story Land and down Sunset Blvd. Turned around and then strolled around Echo Lake and walked onto Star Tours. The rest of the wait times were more than my patience so returned to Hollywood Blvd and headed for the Skyliner. Once in EPCOT found a spot in the shade with a breeze to get caught up on some things then walked around World Showcase to Germany to catch the final performance of the day by Bohme Und Scheffler. Walked back toward the American Adventure to find the rest of my group then we headed for France to get a snack. After eating made my way to World Celebration Garden then into World Discovery. Walked around World Showcase and returned to American Gardens Theater to see the Orchestra perform. After their set spent some time in Japan for Luminous the Symphony of Us. After the fireworks walked back to the Boardwalk where I stopped for a performance by the Boardwalk Boys on my way to my room to call it a night.
Thoughts & Observations:
- This morning my transportation timing worked out that I arrived on Main Street USA just as the early morning time was beginning so I was right behind the initial rush and was able to just walk right through. The rest of my morning was not the best timing. I had no real plan so thought I would see how Peter Pan was. It was not open yet and the queue was stretching back toward Liberty Square. I could not tell how much of the interior queue was filled but it seemed like it was most likely full so I opted to skip it and instead wait until 9am and visit the Haunted Mansion. Of course the Haunted Mansion had a delayed opening too due to a technical problem. So I was zero for two and had no real benefit from the early entry today.
- I ended up waiting over the posted 20 minutes for the Jungle Cruise due to it being very slow moving at park opening.
- Speaking of slow Pirates was posted at 10 minutes and it looked longer but I was hoping the sign was right. Turns out my instinct was right and it was double the posted wait time.
- I was going to get in line and take one of the first rafts over to Tom Sawyer Island but they did not look ready to open so instead opted for a relaxing cruise on the Liberty Belle. We were almost back at port when we saw the first raft head to the island.
- I noticed a piece of track being moved into place by the large crane for Big Thunder. So I moved to a spot along the Rivers of America with an ok view. While there Big Al came and stood next to me. He started to “direct” the crane. He stayed around me for several minutes and only a few guests came by for pictures. After the piece was lowered, he hung out and then waved to the Liberty Belle as it went by, too.
- The queue for the rafts to the Island moved extremely slow. For several trips one of the rafts they were only loading a dozen guests on. The other a full load. They did change this right before I boarded but it was still a slow moving queue.
- It was nice to spend some relaxing time on Tom Sawyer Island and take in the sights of Frontierland. It was a little depressing knowing this may be my last time to do this and this entire area will be leveled for a Cars attraction. I still find it extremely short-sighted to take out this distinct area of a Disney Castle park to make it a generic land.
- The Walt Disney World Railroad continues to be an extremely inefficient attraction with slow loading, unloading and dispatching of trains.
- I had great bus luck to reach Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We walked out to the Magic Kingdom bus stops, and the bus was sitting there waiting, and it did not pull away until we were onboard.
- My tour of frustrating/disappointing Walt Disney World Management decisions continued with a visit to Muppet Courtyard for lunch at Rizzo’s and then a viewing of MuppetVision 3D. Both are slated to close in June to make way for Monsters Inc. Again, I think this is short-sighted. Disney’s Hollywood Studios suffers from a lack of capacity and things to do. So why not add Monsters Inc vs replacing existing attractions/facilities? Both had crowds that were heavier than my last few visits, so I'm not sure if that was just timing or if people are making an effort to eat there and visit before it goes away.
- I decided to give the Single Rider Experience for Rise of the Resistance a try. If your goal is to ride the transport quickly, it delivers on that. It was about 10 minutes from entering the queue to the detention cell. If you have never experienced Rise of the Resistance I would not recommend it. you miss the key story points and the opportunity to be immersed in the story by passing the queue, briefing and transport sections of the attractions.
- Star Tours was a literal walk on. I just kept walking all the way to the preshow. The stand by was quicker than the LL return since we did not have to stop to scan in.
- I seem to always walk out of Disney’s Hollywood Studios disappointed and today was no different. The park just does not have a lot that interests me and the few things it does have are clones of Anaheim but with longer waits usually. I am looking forward to the two new shows opening later this year, that should help to breath some life back into the park. I would like to see the return of more live entertainment too. I thought it was nice to see some groups out during the holidays but today there was nothing on the schedule.
- The Skyliner trip to EPCOT is a relaxing way to travel and offers some pleasant views.
- EPCOT was busy as you would expect for a Friday night. There were a lot of people moving around the park. Adding to this congestion is the lack of entertainment choices as the evening goes on. There is very little after the 6pm hour.
- Bohme Und Scheffler in Germany were very entertaining to watch. I caught their last show of the day which was just after 6pm.
- The Garden Rocks concert this evening was the Orchestra. I stopped by for a couple songs but I am not a fan of their music.
- The Boardwalk had a trio of acts performing throughout the evening which was great to see. There was a good crowd enjoying the shows and walking the Boardwalk, even after Luminous. I stopped for a set by the Boardwalk Boys on my way back to the room after the fireworks.
Pedometer Information for the day:
| Steps |
25,362 |
| Miles |
11.61 |
| Walking Time |
241 |
| Total Time |
14:21 |
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Part 1 - Magic Kingdom
Started my day at the Magic Kingdom where I spent a majority of my time in Frontierland enjoying the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
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Part 2 - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Stopped by Disney's Hollywood Studios for lunch and to see the Muppets. Plus took in a few other attractions.
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Part 3 - EPCOT & Disney's Boardwalk
Spent the evening at EPCOT exploring World Showcase and other Flower & Garden Gardens before Luminous the Symphony of Us. I closed out my evening on the Boardwalk enjoying some of the live entertainment.
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Addition Blog Picture Posts from today:
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