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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
My Photos
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 Posted - 12/25/2008 : 10:56:11 PM
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So our past two trips to WDW, I did not plan out much. We would plan to go to a park that did not have extended hours in the hopes of getting less traffic, but that was about it. There are things my kids have not seen in two trips and our next trip could be the only trip my nephews ever get. I want to try to plan this out as good as I can. I don't want to plan out every minute, but I want to make sure we get the big stuff.
We usually watch the fireworks at MK right infront of the castle. It's pretty good but sometimes the castle blocks the fireworks. Since there are so many experts here, can you please give me some quick responses to the items below?
- best place to watch Spectromagic and the fireworks at MK (good for photography too)
- best place to watch Illuminations
- best place to watch Fantasmic (what nights are they on)
- where are the talking trashcans
- where can we meet Daisy and Jack Sparrow
- is there a character dining that has plenty of princesses and characters for the boys
Thanks
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magicmom
Honorary Imagineer
Imperial, MO
289 Posts
My Photos
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Posted - 12/26/2008 : 5:35:13 PM
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last year we saw daisy at disney studios in front of the big hat, and jack sparrow was in front of pirates-thats all I know-but cant wait to read the answers to your questions since we are leaving in about a month!
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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3920 Points
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Posted - 12/26/2008 : 6:19:52 PM
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We really likes Spectromagic and the fireworks show in front of the castle in 2003.
But in 2007, the castle blocked most of the fireworks show.
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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Posted - 12/26/2008 : 10:14:56 PM
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We are booked. We are going to stay in the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness. I believe that is where MommyofSix stays, am I right?
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mommyofseven
WDW Fanatic
Port Monmouth, NJ
USA
929 Posts
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Posted - 12/27/2008 : 10:05:19 AM
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Yes you are!!! we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it there!! you can see spectromagic from the beach there - and of course there are the movies by the campfire - you guys are going to love it!!! i'm so excited for you - have fun planning! when are you going?
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Crazy for Disney! I'd live there if they'd let me!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
http://www.myspace.com/Jennifer6711
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Michael
Forum Admin
Clermont, FL
USA
6772 Posts
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Posted - 12/27/2008 : 1:41:32 PM
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quote:
- best place to watch Spectromagic and the fireworks at MK (good for photography too)
* We usually watch the parade from in front of the castle (couple turns there for nice pictures) then we head directly over to the Plaza Pavalion for Fireworks but sometimes all the good spots are gone by the time you get over there.
quote:
- best place to watch Illuminations
* Bridge between the UK and France near the International Gateway (the path that leads back to Boardwalk). Get there at least 30 minutes early... this show is pretty viewable form any location however. The best place is hard to get but a table outside, along the water at the Rose and Crown is the best.
quote:
- best place to watch Fantasmic (what nights are they on)
* Anywhere expect the extreme right side where they seat diner package people.
quote:
- where are the talking trashcans
* Magic Kingdom usually but there is no schedule for that (that I know of anyways).
quote:
- where can we meet Daisy and Jack Sparrow
* Daisy is very hard to find, I've seen her out in front of the barber shop a few times. Look for the cast members in yellow and white shirts (they are character handlers). Jack, um, there was a show they did out by the POTC ride... happens a few times a day but I don't know if you can meet him there. I'm pretty sure they only do this show duriung the Pirate and Princess parties now.
quote:
- is there a character dining that has plenty of princesses and characters for the boys
* Princesses and characters for boys? Not that I know of, generally you get one or the other. 1900 Park Fare has Cinderella and Prince Charming. Every place I think of is either just princesses or just fur characters (costumed characters). That's a tough one.
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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Posted - 12/27/2008 : 7:16:21 PM
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MOS,
We're going in the middle of March. Is there an area of Ft. Wilderness we should try to get? Are there any areas we should stay away from?
Do you do many of the activities (horses, boats, etc.)? We definately plan on a campfire and movie.
Do you sleep in the murphy bed and let the kids have the room with the double and bunkbeds?
Michael,
Thanks for the info. If we go with a general character meal, should we just go with the Mickey's BBQ at Ft. Wilderness? We can always see the princesses at MK.
When you say "head over to Plaza Pavilion", do you mean by the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street? Do you just stand in the middle of the road?
If you are not too busy that week, I would like to meet you and say hi.
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Michael
Forum Admin
Clermont, FL
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Posted - 12/27/2008 : 8:02:13 PM
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I'm referring to the area that now has the Noodle Station but used to have the Plaza Pavilion Pizza... there is lots of covered seating over with a very nice view of the fireworks but the seats with a full sky view fill up pretty quick. Because I have seen the parade a billion times I usually just head over there around the time the parade starts to hold a few seats. I push my double stroller up to the wall because sometimes people get rather aggressive and will steal chairs while you aren't looking.
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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Posted - 12/27/2008 : 8:13:55 PM
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Yeah. I think I know that place. That's a good idea. I really liked watching Spectromagic infront of the castle.
Have you caught any more flack from carrying a tripod around. I'm going to get a mono/tripod before I go and I plan to carry it around with me everywhere.
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
My Photos
3920 Points
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Michael
Forum Admin
Clermont, FL
USA
6772 Posts
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 11:49:53 AM
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No, that was an isolated incident. Actually, I rarely carry a tripod anymore that I'm shooting with a VR lens plus having a D90 doesn't hurt. After taking it and not using it a few times i just stopped taking it. I'm almost to the point now where I won't even take my camera bag.
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 4:16:43 PM
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It must be nice. There's no way I can get a new lens before our trip. I'll still be carrying two lenses.
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 5:15:03 PM
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How much planning does everyone do? Do you micromanage the day, or do you just make sure you are in a certain place at a certain time to catch a show, or do you just go and see what happens?
Thanks.
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magicmom
Honorary Imagineer
Imperial, MO
289 Posts
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 6:29:39 PM
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We have our dining planned out pretty well, so our days are a little limited to what we do-and I am aware of the parade times, but we are not worried about them-if we get there great-if not, no biggie. I also think a day at the studios takes more planning than any other park-we know what characters and shows we want to see..we have to plan that one out a little more..one thing I have planned to do is sleep in more!
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peanut_bunny_2
Top Mouse (Forum Admin)
Howell, MI
USA
1985 Posts
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 7:26:01 PM
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We plan our dining for each day per which park we are doing that day. For instance we have a general idea for what we are doing this next trip. Here is our general idea minus the dining.
Arrival day: Either hang out at resort or head to water park for a while
Day 2: Seaworld
Day 3: Epcot
Day 4: Rest
Day 5: Epcot
Day 6: Magic Kingdom
Day 7: Rest
Day 8: Depart
Now our rest days could be just about anything that we want to do such as resort hop, DownTown Disney, etc. It is just one or two days during the trip that we don't have to get up early or do anything in particular. We have been known to just borrow some movies and stay in our room and watch them.
The only thing that we even really plan during any day is our dining and if there is anything in particular that we want to see. The rest of the day we just go with the flow.
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bakerboysmom
Honorary Cast Member
Greenbrier, Tennessee
USA
129 Posts
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 9:17:14 PM
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We plan by what park opens early on a particular day. I try to know what rides we want to hit during the whole trip. I have in the past made a list and check it off at night so that I know what we are missing or if there is something we want to ride again. We are not big on making dining reservations because we are light lunch eaters and by dinner time we go outside of the parks to eat (most of the time). I think trying to micromanage your trip would take some of the fun away. Just my two cents :)
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Michael
Forum Admin
Clermont, FL
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 10:08:27 PM
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We are Commando style with some planning mixed in... plans always change... over managing a vacation is sure way to forget to actually relax on your vacation. Don;t get me wrong. I'm a very organized, very managed person and having things very planned out helps me deal with my OCD but you have to sort of let things go when you are at Disney and let things be organic in the way they fall into place.
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Michael
Forum Admin
Clermont, FL
USA
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Posted - 12/28/2008 : 10:18:34 PM
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BTW, I do carry two lens myself. The only two I ever need. 18-200mm VR and a Sigma 30mm F1.4. The Sigma goes on for artisty portraits and for low light (Haunted Manson) shoots. I just got the 30mm and haven't really used it too much but I will be. I also recently added a GPS unit to my D90 so more and more of my pictures will be GEO tagged and yes I have a plan to release a system to pull those images up on Google Maps and Live.com.
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mommymeg
Earning My Ears
Pottstown, PA
USA
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Posted - 12/29/2008 : 08:27:28 AM
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I absolutely think that at least some planning is not only beneficial, but essential if you want to see at least a fracion of all there is.. Having booked the dining plan and wanting to get the most out of it, ADR's are needed, which basically also requires us to plan our days accordingly.. So we've coordinated which parks we wished to visit, and then decided which restaurants we were interested in.. Once we're in the parks, we just have a general idea of things that are "must-do's".. and we try to plan our route so that we are not wasting time in transit. I have also left time for relaxation, as well as a daily trip back to the hotel mid afternoon for a nap, swim, before hitting the Evening Magic Hours... There would be no way we'd survive if we left the hotel by 8am and didn't come back until midnight, the afternoon rest always recharges us...
For me, a trip to Disney isn't about relaxation first...it's about having a magical experience with my family...I feel like if you don't plan and do your research you run the risk of missing so much.. I know one family that went, did little to no research, wound up staying at the hotel for the majority of the trip, then complained that their vacation was overpriced...Unless you've booked a month long vacation, planning is mandatory if you want to see a fraction of what the world has to offer.. Our trip isn't until May, but I'm already fussing over details...
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mommyofseven
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Port Monmouth, NJ
USA
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Posted - 12/29/2008 : 09:50:28 AM
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we have not done the boats but i'm not one for that kind of activity anyway. the kids did pony rides, they loved it and the stable areas are very nice - horseback riding - no, too many little ones for us to do it -
we usually stay in the murphy bed and the kids go into the back room - fyi: there is a door in that back room so you might want to reinforce it so they don't try to make a late night escape!lol (my husband uses bungee and rope) there is a tv in there but no dvd or vcr. my only issue with the cabins has always been drawer space (for a place that accommodates 6 there is only one nightstand with 2 small drawers and one dresser with 4 small drawers, there is a vanity but it is only a top no drawers and then the small closet) - my only complaint.
we have found that we try to request bobcat bend (2100 loop) we have stayed there a few times and it really is centrally located (main pool, trading post). it is nice and quiet too. remember no matter what anyone else says - you will need a golfcart - the inner bus line is ok but a pain in the butt and slow it's better to drive to cart to the main bus lines and get on to go where you need to go or to drive and park to get the boat. it is expansive there and there is so much to see!!
when we were there last time we were told that construction would begin on the main pool soon (they are going to re-do it so it has a theme, it's very basic now) so you might want to find out about that and i know that in september they were doing a landscaping overall - lots of bulldozers and workers - something to keep in mind - i would stay clear of the loops closest to the front of the campground (2700, 2800)where that work was going on.
you are going to have such a good time i can't wait to hear about it! i love that place - it's like a vacation inside of your vacation!!!
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There are 58 Day(s), 23 Hour(s), 27 Minute(s), 39 Second(s)
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Crazy for Disney! I'd live there if they'd let me!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
http://www.myspace.com/Jennifer6711
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brojack17
WDW Fanatic
Owasso, OK
USA
646 Posts
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Posted - 12/29/2008 : 10:41:10 AM
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- How much is the golf cart rental?
- Can you leave the golf cart parked anywhere while you are away?
- Do you park your car next to your cabin?
- Do you take the bus to the transfer station and then go to Epcot or take the boat to MK then take the monorail?
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Edited by - brojack17 on 12/29/2008 10:46:46 AM |
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Year of a million questions
