Trip Reports

May 26, 1998 through May 31, 1998

This newsgroup (RADP) was VERY helpful in planning our recent trip to WDW so figured the least we could do was offer some information about our recent trip. Please remember that all that follows is my opinion and not "official". We also were basically three adults (youngest member in our family is 20) and all had been to Disney World before so we didn’t feel the need to see everything again like we would have if this was our first visit or if we had young children. We just saw new (to us) things and enjoyed things that were "favorites".

The very best way to get a child close to a character for any substantial length of time is through a character meal. We attended two while on site. We went to Chef Mickeys for breakfast one morning. Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, and Goofy were there. We all had a wonderful time. We didn’t have any (official) kids in our party - the youngest was 20 - but the characters paid us lots of attention anyway. We took pictures and they cut up with us (kissing hands, dancing with us, etc.) anyway. I would definitely encourage a character breakfast even if there are no youngsters in your party and ESPECIALLY if there are. We got great pictures with all the characters there and lots of happy memories. Food at Chef Mickeys we thought was really good and the variety ensured that everybody could find something they liked. We also attended the Character Lunch at the Crystal Palace with Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore. Again, the characters were attentive and playful. The only drawback here is that the restaurant is so large, the characters only circulate to your table about every hour or so. We were in no hurry so lingered and got a second visit from Eeyore (a favorite of ours) but for young children with short attention spans, this might be a problem. Again, we thought the food was very good and one of the best meals we had on the property (in the parks) while we were there. Please understand, you can find characters throughout the park all during the day. In fact, we noticed that many of the characters were in the City Hall, Train Station area for time with children throughout the day. However, each time we saw them there were LONG lines waiting. For us, the character meals worked really well.

We also ate at the House of Blues while there. As we left we noticed a number of people at Disney Quest across the street. I went over to talk to a cast member to see if it was open, etc. He told me that it was open and had been for almost two weeks. He said it was a "soft" opening to test the equipment, how it would respond to heavy use, how long it would take to boot up, etc. Official opening will not be until June 19th. He said they were telling people coming in that they were still "working out the bugs". For example, he said that the day before they had had to close due to "ventilation" problems with some of the computers. Don’t know what that meant but anyway. . .Admission (and costs) are on three levels, giving you a certain number of tokens (although that’s not the term they used) during your visit there. He explained that activities inside "cost" differing number of tokens with the most popular, more complicated activities taking more tokens (as many as 18, although he said some also may take only 2 or 3). He said the building is 5 stories tall and has many activities inside. We unfortunately had other plans and did not go in. Realize we probably missed a golden opportunity but we will go back another time. Oh well. . .

For those not accustomed to heat (and lots of humidity), the weather can get to you in a hurry. We saw many people throughout the parks with those handheld fans with water spray bottles attached. They are sold in the park but are expensive ($20). They are also cumbersome to carry around all day. We went to the 24 hour grocery at The Crossings the first night there and got a smaller, hand held (fits in your palm) one. It saved us on our longer waits outdoors (like for the Safari in Animal Kingdom). Although I got several "souvenirs" while there, this one made the trip more enjoyable while there and was well worth the $11 or so paid for it !!!

We took one day out and went to the Disney Institute. I had been there before on a previous trip and was anxious to go back. We went as "Day Visitors" and each took one course. My daughter took a cooking class (Taste of the World: Ellis Island), my husband took Disney Architecture, and I took Outdoor Photography. Everyone came away pleased and we all noticed the enthusiasm of the instructors. They were all excellent. This was the second photography class I had taken at the Institute (had taken Candid Portrait Photography on a previous trip) and found BOTH photography classes VERY beneficial. Instructors are very patient and knowledgeable - My pictures have improved dramatically and I can only attribute that to these classes and the instruction received. While at the Institute, our family met for lunch (between everyone’s classes) at Seasons (their restaurant there). Food was very good and price wise was comparable with other sit down, full service restaurants on the premises. People we met who were taking a number of cooking classes told us that they rarely bought other food in restaurants, etc. In the cooking classes you cook whatever and then eat what you cook. They told us that it was like a meal and they were rarely hungry afterward.

One of the things we enjoyed most was talking with people we met along the way this trip. Waiting is lines, on trams and monarails, at community tables at dinner, we met some lovely, interesting people from all parts of the country. While the usual cautions about talking with strangers surely apply (even at Disney World), we enjoyed meeting a variety of nice people during our visit.

Test Track (in Epcot) was not open during our visit. Cast members told us that the expected opening date will be around the end of 1998. We had expected it to be open and were apparently looking "lost" looking for the entrance. One of the cast members present asked if he could help us, and explained the later opening. My daughter said something like "Awwww, well we’ll have to come back, won’t we???" The cast member asked how many there were in our party (there were only three) and if we would like to go in. We (of course) did and he took us on a lengthy tour, explaining how the attraction was to work. This was something he certainly didn’t HAVE to do and we very much appreciated. The only rule was that no pictures at all were allowed inside. The ride "looks" pretty finished (especially in the exhibit area) but technical "things" are being worked out still. For example, he said that, when in full operation 29 cars will be working at one time. The testers for the ride thus far had 16 cars able to operate correctly at the same time. So, they’ve got a while to go. One reason we were probably allowed inside is that there were no small children in our party. We all had to stay right together, listen to the cast member, etc. and some parts of the attraction were still being worked on. This was a highlight and something we very much appreciated.

We followed a suggestion I had seen printed here and took our time leaving Epcot after Illuminations. We had a leisurely walk around the lagoon and enjoyed a quieter atmosphere. We also had an unexpected treat by doing this. In Future World there is a large, several level shop. We had decided to stop here on our way out. As we approached we saw a number of characters inside. Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, Tigger, and either Chip or Dale (not sure which) were there greeting, posing for pictures, etc. There were very few people there since it was so late.

Also, in response to suggestions read here we went to the 11pm (instead of the 9pm) Spectromagic parade on Saturday night. It was MUCH less crowded and we got a good place to watch from. We arrived in time for the 10pm fireworks and then saw the parade at 11:00. Also, after the parade most of the crowd clears out but the rides (on the Saturday night we were there) are open until midnight. We rode a number of things with VERY short waits (usually we just were able to walk right on). We stayed up until midnight and enjoyed a much quieter, less crowded time in the park.

We especially enjoyed the Keys to the Kingdom tour. We have never taken the longer tour that’s also offered so have no means of comparison. However, we all really enjoyed this tour. Our guide (thank you Christy from New Orleans!!!!!!!!!) was very professional and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed her tour and learned lots about the Magic Kingdon we didn’t know before. If all members of your party are over 16, this is highly recommended from our family.

Some of the best suggestions we read on this newsgroup before leaving were to start as early as your family is comfortable with (to avoid crowds) and to take a break in the afternoon (especially in the hot months). Also suggested was to remember the purpose of the trip was to enjoy yourself and not to spoil the enjoyment by trying to keep to someone (even a "professional’s") prescribed touring plan. Many thanks to this newsgroup for all the help and information!!!!!!!

Kasey Woodfin

Eeyore6980@aol.com

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