Trip Reports

General Info

Dates of trip: 10/31/1999 - 11/08/1999
Travel Method: Plane
Resort: Yacht Club
Accommodations: Water View/King Size Bed
Ages: My wife and I are both 29.
WDW Experience Represented: Frequent (new DVC Members)
Travel

Arrived: Sunday, October 31, 1999 at 9:00 AM at Orlando International
Returned: Monday, November 09, 1999 at 2:15 PM to Philadelphia International
Comments on TravelNo connecting flights, no delays, no problems.
Passes Used

LOS (Unlimited Magic) Passes were used for WDW
2-Day Escape Passes were used for Universal.
Comments on Passes: The LOS pass was part of the package. We used it to the best of our ability.
After we planned to visit both Universal parks in one day, we noticed that you had to buy the 2-day ticket in order to park hop. After seeing IOA (Islands of Adventure), I am glad there our next day trip is paid. We purchased the Universal Escape passes through the Internet and saved a small percentage.

Weather

Sunday - High in the low 80s; Low in the low 60s; Partly cloudy
Monday - High in the low 80s; Low in the low 60s; Partly to mainly cloudy; Late evening rain
Tuesday - High in the low 80s; Low in the low 60s/upper 50s; Clearing skies; early morning drizzle
Wednesday - High in the mid 60s; Low in the low 40s; Clear skies and sunny
Thursday - High in the low 70s; Low in the low 40s; Clear skies and sunny
Friday - High in the upper 70s; Low in the upper 50s; Partly cloudy
Saturday - High in the low 80s; Low in the mid 60s; Partly cloudy
Sunday - High in the upper 70s/low 80s; Low in the mid 60s; Mainly sunny
Monday - High in the upper 70s/low 80s; Low in the mid 60s; Partly cloudy
Comments on weather: The weather was a true blessing! There was only one night we had rain. Even with the rain, the evening was enjoyable. We wore our ponchos and watched Illuminations.
You might think that Wednesday would have been too cold. In reality, it was so pleasant to be out in the parks. The cooler temps made the nightly entertainment even better for us (read below under Tapestry of Nations).
Resort

Yacht Club
Room type: Water View/King Size Bed
Transportation: Buses, boat, and walkway to Epcot
Area in Resort: Room 3227
Comments on Resort: The Yacht Club is a wonderful resort with excellent service and accommodations. The rooms were nicely sized and decorated in a airy/nautical theme.
I read that some thought the Yacht Club Lobby had a more 'snobby' feel to it. I have to disagree with this. The floors are a patterned hardwood stained with a lite spice. There is a large explorer's globe in the center as well as various ship models. The furniture and trim are all set to match this very classy nautical theme. There is access direct to the dock via several series of glass doors. These doors bring plenty of light into the area and accentuate the various decor.

When we checked in to the Yacht Club, we were set for a standard view room. After checking for an upgrade, there was one available for no extra charge. The balcony overlooked part of the roof and in-line with the Boardwalk Resort.

When comparing the Yacht Club to the Beach Club, there was not a tremendous amount of difference. The layout is very similar, but the decor leaves out the hardwood and stained trim for pastel paint. This does create a more 'beach' feel. The Beach Club is a tiny bit closer to Epcot, but further from the dock.

This resort has the best pool, namely Storm-a-long bay. The bottom is covered with sand that gives a nifty feel. There is a mock-shipwreck where you can get to a great water slide. As you swim around, you notice there are currents and even a whirlpool effect. We had plenty of relaxing moments here.

Here are the pros/cons that were experienced with this resort.

Pros:

King size beds are great
The theming was done well and paired perfectly with the Beach Club
Easy walk to Epcot. This helps out a lot when Illuminations is over. Being this close also makes it very easy to take an afternoon break. Finally, being this close made it a pleasure to see the evening entertainment.
Suprisingly, the busses to Downtown Disney were plentiful. We never experienced this before.
Rooms were on the large size
View of the area was pleasant
Close to the Boardwalk
Great pool!
Friendly and courteous staff
Cons:

Some of the busses in the morning are shared with the other Epcot Resorts. Not a big item, but something to be noted.
There are some large convention facilities. We were not bothered at all, but it is worth mentioning.
Hard water! I read that there is a pipe upgrade in the works. Hopefully, they will add a softener as well.
Transportation Times Experienced. These are all approximate.

Typical wait for bus: 10-25 minutes.
The Magic Kingdom: 20-35 minutes (bus)
Epcot Center: 5-10 minutes (walk)
Disney-MGM Studios: 20-35 minutes (boat)
Animal Kingdom: 25-35 minutes (bus)
Downtown Disney: 25-45 minutes (bus)
Blizzard Beach: 30-40 minutes (bus)
Overall Park Touring (Fireworks/Evening Show Seen is in parenthesis)

Sunday: Magic Kingdom -> Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (Special Fantasy in the Sky)
Monday: Epcot (Tapestry of Nations and Illuminations 2000)
Tuesday: MGM till 13:30 -> Break -> MGM till 18:30 -> Downtown Disney / DisneyQuest
Wednesday: Islands of Adventure till 11:30 -> City Walk till 12:45 -> Universal Studios till 15:00 -> IOA till 17:45 -> Epcot (Tapestry of Nations and Illuminations 2000)
Thursday: Animal Kingdom till 14:00 -> Break -> Downtown Disney / Cirque Du Soleil
Friday: Blizzard Beach till 13:30 -> Epcot till 16:00 -> MK / E-Ticket (Fantasy in the Sky)
Saturday: MGM till 13:30 -> Epcot (Tapestry of Nations)
Sunday: MK till 12:00 -> AK till 15:30 -> break -> MGM till 19:00 -> Epcot (Tapestry of Nations and Illuminations 2000)
Monday: Epcot till 10:00 -> Home
Comments on Touring: After experiencing Epcot's new entertainment, we really tried our best to see it over and over again. We also were able to work in Downtown Disney and Blizzard Beach. Staying at such a nice resort, we really wanted to enjoy more than just the parks. We took plenty of afternoon breaks as well as enjoying the evening.
The plan worked really well in avoiding crowds. There were only a few rides we waited more than 10-15 minutes to get on. There were no rides we waited more than 20-30 minutes to get on. If you want to get a more detailed view of our touring strategy, then go to "The Anti-Lemming Touring Plan" page (http://www.geocities.com/andrew_dv/w...gtouring.html).

Place of Interests

Before going into each POI, I would like to share the definition of my ratings. I summarized all of the days into one to avoid confusion.

Average Wait Time Ratings (Note: This rating deals with queue time for rides and attractions)
Low: 0-20 minutes
Moderate: 21-40 minutes
High: 41-90 minutes
Oppressive: 91 minutes
Crowd Level Ratings (Note: This rating deals with the ability to navigate the park.)
Low: Easy to get around. No one blocking any views. Counter service is completely accessible. Shows are no problem to get into.
Moderate: Some change in path required to get around. Some views are more difficult to see. Counter service is still accessible, but some patience is needed. Shows fill up.
High: Slow movement around park. Views must be seen through a crowd. Counter service lines take a long time. Definite need to arrive early to get into a show.
Oppressive: One big concrete block
Used Fast Pass?
This is new to WDW. The Fast Pass System allows someone to be placed in virtual queuing system. If you arrive at an attraction that has a longer than necessary wait time, then you can get a Fast Pass Ticket. This ticket gives you an assigned period of time for you to return. When you do return, you can expect a wait of 0-10 minutes. Under this section, I will tell which rides I used the Fast Pass on.
Magic Kingdom

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low -> Moderate
Evening: Low -> Moderate (Except E-Ticket, which was at the low end of Low)
Perceived Crowd Levels
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Moderate
Evening: Moderate (High for MNSSHP, Low for E-Ticket)
Used Fast Pass?
We used this on Space Mountain once. After getting the ticket, we had lunch then went on TTA. Then we hit Space Mountain after about a 5-10 minute wait.
Comments on MK: This is such a fun park that appeals to the inner child. The different areas tend to build different crowds throughout the day.
One item we really like to do is to wait till the parade crowds exit, then stake out a seat in front of the castle. I buy some popcorn with a soda and just relax while all of the crowds scatter.

Comments on MNSSHP
This was really neat. We were having dinner at Artist Pointe and noticed that everything is in the Halloween theme. Even the various Cast Members were dressed up.

After dinner, it was time to go back to the MK for the party. The boat from the WL had the sounds and music from the Haunted Mansion playing over the speakers.

The decorations for the MK were done fairly well. There was some fog rolling over the various areas. The castle had some interesting lighting effects to give an errie feel. Also, the different lands had various props and lighting. Finally, there were also some DJs, jesters, and such in various areas providing entertainment.

Not too many people were going on the rides. The only real wait was for the Haunted Mansion. This had a very long line that stretched back out of the gates. Besides that, there were little to no waits.

The trick or treating was well done. There were many families there taking the kiddies to the various candy booths. I liked this. This party was really for children. Disney did not disappoint.

So, would I do it again? Well, if I had any children, it would be a definite event to attend. If I was to go just for the rides, I would not go to this. There are parades happening all throughout the park. This makes it somewhat difficult to navigate.

One other item to mention is the special Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks. This was slightly different from the regular show, but not by much. Still, it was worth seeing it!

Comments on E-Ticket
This is a fun event to do if you want complete access to rides and attractions. Only a small number of tickets are sold which keeps the crowd levels tiny. There are only a handful of attractions opened, but you will have little to no wait to get to them.

Epcot Center

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low -> Moderate
Evening: Low
Perceived Crowd Levels
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low
Evening: Moderate
Used Fast Pass?
Well, there was no Fast Pass running at any of the attractions. After seeing how quickly Test Track fills up, I am surprised Disney does not change the single rider queue into a Fast Pass setup.
Comments on Epcot: This park used to be my second favorite to the MK. With all of the Millennium additions, Epcot now ranks at the top of my list!
The new Millennium Village is a fun place if you like interaction. There are many people there from the respective nations. Take some time and chat with a few of them.

Tapestry of Nations is the best of WDW right now. This is a wonderful parade filled with beautiful sights and sounds. Words can not do this justice. Tapestry of Nations is not an ordinary parade. There is a great amount of symbolism in the characters, music, and narration. This is not just about some characters walking on a path. There is interaction with the guests as well as the whole World Showcase. At times, the lights dim to display the various twinkling lights from the pavilions. This is not a parade, but a living poem.

When I first heard of a parade at Epcot, I had images of crowd chaos. After experiencing it four times, I can confidently say crowds were not a problem at all. There are plenty of CMs there to guide people through the parade routes. Those who want to watch the parade are to stay behind lines.

There is not just one parade, but three going on at the same time. Each parade route is designed to take up a third of the World Showcase in Epcot.

I have to mention this. There was one night that had a chill in the air. Before the parade, we saw Impressions De France. When we left the show, we noticed the parade was just about to start. I headed off to get a good seat right by the water display in France. The best wife ever (my wife, of course) had an excellent idea! She went into Boulangerie Patisserie to buy some pastries and hot tea. As the parade was going by, we huddled close. The steam from the tea warmed the air. The sweet pastries filled our tastes. Music and dance provided the atmosphere. This was the best part of our vacation.

Only a short time after the parade, Illuminations 2000 starts. This is a very impressive display. As with previous versions of Illuminations, there is a set of orchestrated music that sets the pace for the show. I do miss the welcome introduction that was in the previous Illuminations. Still, they did an excellent job with this.

After experiencing Tapestry of Nations and Illuminations 2000, you learn why the Millennium CD is selling out all over. The music is wonderful and inspiring!

Tips/Secrets
If you can split your group into singles on Test Track, do it! The single rider line reduces your wait dramatically.

Disney-MGM Studios

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low -> Moderate
Evening: Low (read comments)
Perceived Crowd Levels
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low
Evening: Moderate -> High (read comments)
Used Fast Pass?
We did not need to use Fast Pass. This option is available at the new Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, but was unnecessary. We rode it a couple of times in a row with little wait.
Comments on Disney-MGM Studios: Well, this remains one of my least favorite places. I do enjoy coming here, but not as much as the other parks.
The new rollercoaster is a fun ride. Those who are looking for an intense ride, may be disappointed. The launch at the beginning of the ride is great. After that, you get inverted several times and go through some turns and drops. Having the coaster indoors takes away some of the perception of height, but allows for some interesting effects.

BTW, never come to this park on an early opening day (except for the first 1-2 hrs)! The day we were having dinner at Mama Melrose's convinced me of that. We were just coming in for dinner and noticed the crowds. Seems like everyone was here!

Here is a tip worth noting. If you every want the most carefree access to the park, get there around 17:30. Everyone is either cramming in dinner or heading to Fantasmic! for a good seat. The attractions are near 0 minute waits. After eating at Mama Melrose's, we thought the park was deserted. Going on the ToT at night is great and not to be missed!

Special Comments on Fantasmic!
This time around we skipped the Fantasmic! nightshow. The benches have no back support and the crowds tend to be a bit on the rammy side.

Just for the sake of knowledge, I wanted to see what it is like to show up 10 minutes before the show. NEVER DO THIS! Some groups can get really rowdy when they find out there is only SRO left. Even with only SRO, we went into the show arena. The CMs were doing more than there best directing the crowds, but sometimes that is not enough. The SRO area really needs some help. There was a large crowd build up outside of the designated area. This caused the people that were in the designated area to get a bit upset. After seeing that this was going no where, we walked out. To us, this was not a problem. We have seen it before and liked it. To someone that has not seen it before, go see it, but give yourself plenty of time to get a seat. If there is SRO only, just come back another day.

If anyone from Disney reads this, please do something about the SRO area. Personally, I would create raised bandstand seating. At least raise the SRO area a few feet and add a railing. This would help people from getting their view blocked. I would also think about doing something similar to Fast Pass here! Get a ticket for Fantasmic! starting in the afternoon that relates to a certain row and section. Something can be done to improve this.

What about Fantasmic! Priority Seating? If you do this, remember to show up at your designated time!!! I saw a group that did not get in because they showed up late.

Animal Kingdom

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low -> Moderate
Perceived Crowd Levels
Morning: Low -> Moderate
Afternoon: Moderate -> High
Used Fast Pass?
This was done only once for the Safari. The wait was right around 30 minutes. We got our Fast Pass and then withdrew into the trails for a quiet break.
Comments on Animal Kingdom: This park seems to be getting better every time I go to it. With Asia, there is more to do in the way of attractions. At first, I thought Kali River Rapids was too short. I went on it again and enjoyed it a bit more. Maybe they increased the rapid intensity, but the ride seemed more fun this time around.
I am always amazed at how crowded the main path can get while the side paths are empty. This park is not about rides, but about animals. Go on the rides, but remember the side paths. There are some great places to just sit down and enjoy a Mickey Ice Cream Bar.

Downtown Disney

No wait times here. Lots of shops, restaurants, clubs, Cirque Du Soleil, and DisneyQuest.
General Comments:
This is an enjoyable place for nighttime entertainment. Just make sure you allow plenty of time for the buses. They can get crowded at night.

Comments on DisneyQuest: We both were pleasantly surprised to find out that our LOS Passes included DisneyQuest. I really enjoy CyberSpace Mountain. You can spend about 2-3 hours here.
After being opened about a year, there is nothing really new. For a typical park, that would not be a problem. When talking about computer attractions, Disney is going to have to keep upgrading or risk getting tagged as stagnant.

Comments on Cirque Du Soleil: After reading about this show, it was put on the itinerary. The show is filled with a lot of acrobatics and feats of strength. There is a street performance feel to it as well as some techno-like music to go along.
This show does take some getting used to at first. Everything is done in a very out of the ordinary manner. Once you get over the initial awkwardness, you really enjoy it! All of the performers really push their physical limits.

Blizzard Beach

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Moderate
Perceived Crowd Levels
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low
Comments: What a great place to spend some time at! The water slides are blast to go on!
Summit Plummet was a complete walk-on as well as an intense slide. One moment you see the horizon, the next moment you are streaking downward at an incredible rate. When it is done, you look back and get this feeling of sanity. Afterwards, I noticed I received a scratch from bumping into the side. This worn as a badge of honor <grin>.

We also spent some time in the wave pool as well as going around the lazy river.

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low
Evening: Moderate
Perceived Crowd Levels
Morning: Low
Afternoon: Low
Evening: Moderate
Comments: Universal must have taken some lessons from Emeril, because they are kicking it up notches unknown with IOA! This is a great park with excellent attractions!
The Adventures of Spiderman is without a doubt, the most incredible ride I have ever gone on! The 3D effects were top notch as well as the overall theme and layout. I could not get enough of it!

For the rollercoaster riders, you have probably 2 (well 3) of the best coasters ever built. The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a wild ride! The Dueling Dragons coaster is an intertwining inverted rollercoaster that is fun to ride over and over again.

All of the islands have a very consistent theme. The various paths have plenty of space, but do get narrow here and there. When the characters are around, it can get slightly more difficult to navigate.

As with other parks, there is more to this than rides. The shows, such as a Poseidon's Fury, are very entertaining and well done.

I really like what Universal did with their land. There is a very large parking garage that empties into the City Walk. From the City Walk, you can go to either IOA or USF. This makes it so easy to get from park to the other and enjoy the City Walk as well. After a disappointing experience last year, Universal has earned my trust again.

Universal Studios Florida

Avg Wait Times Experienced
Afternoon: Low -> Moderate
Perceived Crowd Levels
Afternoon: Moderate
Comments: There are only a few attractions that we wanted to go to. Having the park hopping ability on our tickets was worth the extra money. We went over to USF and went on T2, Back to the Future: The Ride, and Twister. It was great to experience them again!
After going on Twister, I could not help notice that the wind and rain levels were higher. At one point, I started to feel as this was real.

The park is a nice place, but needs some more polish. I noticed that they are building a MIB attraction between Jaws and Back to the Future. This should round it out nicely.

USF is a true movie park. The theming is very consistent. Putting this together with IOA and City Walk should keep crowd levels balanced nicely.

Restaurants

Star Rating
* - Don't bother.
** - Ehhh, it's a meal and it did not make me sick.
*** - Good eating.
**** - Now we are talking!
***** - Can I live here?
Boulangerie Patisserie

Where: France Pavilion at Epcot
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Pastries
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Snack
Ranking: 4
Comments: If you have read my comments on Tapestry of Nations, you will know why it ranks high on my list.
The Coral Reef

Where: The Sea Pavilion at Epcot
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Surf and turf
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 3
Comments: I was amazed at all of the work that was done to the restaurant. This would have received a better review, but my wife's salmon was slightly underdone. Try the special Millennium dessert. It is a chocolate Spaceship Earth filled with various candies!
Electric Umbrella

Where: Epcot Center
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Burgers and such
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Breakfast and Lunch
Ranking: 2.5
Comments: We usually manage ending up here for lunch at Epcot. This is a good place for a simple lunch. Being close to Innoventions, allows one to enjoy the gadgets after eating. This time around, we stopped by for breakfast. There are a few simple selections, but they are adequate and fairly priced.
Pasta Piazza Ristorante

Where: Epcot Center
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Various pasta dishes and pizza
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 2
Comments: Nothing to really write about here. If you are looking for counter service different than burger meals, this is an alright alternative.
Main Street Bake Shop

Where: Magic Kingdom
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Pastries
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Breakfast
Ranking: 3
Comments: We had a nice quick breakfast here. The apple turnovers are a fair size. The decor needs some sprucing up.
Tony's Town Square

Where: The Magic Kingdom
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Italian
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Characters: No
Ranking: 3
Comments: Anyone who has eaten here can tell you that it was one of the better MK eateries. There is a wide variety of entrees that can satisfy most appetites. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the Main Street Electric Parade passed right in front of the restaurant. We had a direct view of the parade while enjoying a decadent dessert.
Tusker House

Where: Animal Kingdom
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Pastries, chicken, salads, etc.
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Breakfast and Lunch
Ranking: 3
Comments: This is a great place to spend time while waiting for your Fast Pass timeframe. The indoor area has some very nice seating areas. If you prefer, there is even an outdoor area with a full service bar. The food is not the common counter service which accounts for the higher rating. The pastry counter is in a separate area for convenience.
Backlot Express

Where: Disney-MGM Studios
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Burgers and such
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Lunch
Ranking: 2.5
Comments: Good, quiet place away from the crowds.
The Hollywood Brown Derby

Where: Disney-MGM Studios
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Variety of fish, poultry, and beef
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 3.5
Comments: Nice restaurant to relax at after spending time on ToT. Unfortunately, the Cobb Salad was listed only as an appetizer for one. In the tradition of providing top notch service to the customer, the chef prepared a larger version for us. This probably would get a 4 rating if the prices were slightly lower.
ABC Commissary

Where: Disney-MGM Studios
Type of Service: Counter
Type of Food: Burgers and such
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Lunch
Ranking: 2.5
Comments: The menu here is not too much different than the other counter service stops. The inside is kept clean and has a calm feel to it. I was a bit surprised that the monitors were advertising some of ABC's more adult-oriented shows. For WDW, this type of advertising should be avoided.
Mama Melrose's

Where: Disney-MGM Studios
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Italian/Seafood
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 3.5
Comments: I almost gave this restaurant a rating of 4 because of the overall experience is always pleasing. The food is above average quality, and the service always is prompt and courteous. My wife and I shared various appetizers, entrees, but split the heavy chocolate dessert.
Artist Pointe

Where: Wilderness Lodge Resort
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Wildgame, seafood, and beef
Characters: No (there are character breakfasts)
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 4
Comments: This was the best meal we had on our trip. I think that part of the positive experience comes from being in such a beautiful resort.
Yacht Club Galley

Where: Yacht Club Galley
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Seafood and standard fare
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 3
Comments: I expected more from this restaurant, but was not disappointed. The food was good, but not spectacular. I would go here again, but would expect more of a standard meal.
Cape May Cafe

Where: Beach Club Resort
Type of Service: Buffet
Type of Food: Seafood
Characters: No
Meal Experienced: Dinner
Ranking: 3
Comments: This is an above average seafood buffet. There are plenty of options to choose. For dessert, try the chocolate covered Oreos!
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville

Where: Universal City Walk
Type of Service: Table
Type of Food: Jimmy Buffet's Favorites
Characters: No
Meal Experienced:
Ranking: 3.5
Comments: OK, so we only had Margarita's and cheeseburgers (Cheeseburger in Paradise, that is), but it was great! Being a big fan of Jimmy Buffet, I could not wait to see his place. It was exactly as I expected it. There is a very beachy-relaxing-fun feel to the restaurant. The music, of course, was Jimmy Buffet's collection played on large screens. There are various decorations that relate to his style. I band stand at the front suggests that nighttime entertainment occurs. A definite favorite for lunch!
General Comments

Best Of
Best Park: Epcot
Best Parade: Tapestry of Nations
Best Firework Display: Illuminations 2000 (Fantasy in the Sky is a very close 2nd)
Best Ride: The Adventures of Spiderman
Best Immersion Ride: The Adventures of Spiderman
Best 3D: The Adventures of Spiderman
Best Coaster: The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Best Show: Cirque Du Soleil (Poseidon's Fury is honorable mention)
Best Dinner: Artist Pointe
Crowd effect of the Millennium Celebration
For months before hand, I was speculating on crowd levels. I poured over all of the tid bits of information that could be found. There were some who thought the area would be packed, while others thought it would be normal. The end result was that there was slightly higher volume than last year. There were definitely more people, but the WDW staff handled everything quite well. Lines continuously moved and there were only a few attractions closed.

During the week, most attractions were a walk-on. Even on the weekends, the crowds did not bother us. All in all, the increased crowd volume had little impact.

My take on Fast Pass
There was little benefit of this system in our trip. The crowd levels were so low, there was no real need for using the system. We did use it just to see what it was all about.

One observation to note is that this lowered the Stand-By times for Safari. During the week, the wait for the Safari barely went over 20 minutes. The concept of distributing the queue was really showing here. If everyone was to use the Fast Pass, the Stand By waits would be small. Of course, not everyone utilizes this system.

In the peak times, I can see the usefulness of having this available.

One attraction that desperately needs this is Test Track. In the morning, the waits were small. After a few hours, the waits shot up to 30 minutes.

Conventions
Let me note that there were a large number of conventions taking place.

Finally

We had a wonderful time yet again. After coming home, I can not help wanting to plan the next trip. Each trip allows us to enjoy a new facet of the WDW area.

I am completely convinced that joining the DVC is a great idea. The reason to join is not just to go to WDW, but to enjoy the quality of service you only find in a Disney resort.

If anyone is wondering whether to go or not during the Millennium Celebration, they should stop wondering and start planning. This celebration should not be missed.

AndrewDV

http://www.geocities.com/andrew_dv/

Andrew Della Vecchia

AndrewDV@adelphia.net

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