henrycpa's short F&G, Baby Elephant, Moonlight Magic trip
Mar 7, 2024 14:38:25 GMT -5
jedimom3 and bakerworld like this
Post by henrycpa on Mar 7, 2024 14:38:25 GMT -5
Guys, I have photo's but not a photo site I can link to show on this site. Sorry. This will be just a quick hitter.
Cast: Henry, DW Jodi, and DP Audrey (16)
Place: VGF Standard Studio, BWV P&G Studio
So, I had a conference in Clearwater (annually) the last week of February. I took advantage to do down early and spend 3 nights with my grandbabies (wow they grow fast when do you not see them but twice per year).
We had a misunderstanding with Disney AP and was thinking that AP Magnets would still be availabile on Sunday Feb 25 so grabbed a solo night at AKV-Kidani and left Jacksonville Early for a day at Epcot before driving to Clearwater on Monday Feb 26.
Disappointment because evidently the magnet give away stopped on Friday the 24th at the end of Festival of the Arts. Bummer, first magnet we have missed in a few years.
But, upside is I had a day at Epcot with just my little Princess (ok, not so little anymore at age 16).
It had been awhile since I had been at Epcot on a non-festival day. We were in between. evidently the Disney Run had been that morning but no real traffic issues for us. We arrived at Kidani by 10am and were on the bus to Epcot by 10:15am. Crowd was not heavy but not light. Most Wait times were under 45 mins. Single Rider Test Track was almost walk on (about 10 mins). Soarin was a 20 minute wait (last time for Soarin over Cali..it is SOOOO much better than Soarin the World). Just in general a good day with my girl. We did not get the 6pm GOG. Bummer. But other than that we rode everything we wanted, got to eat our pizza at Via Napoli (They no longer list a Picante pizza but you can still specialize a Margarita to be the Picante). We were tired so decided to skip fireworks since we knew we would be back the next weekend.
My DW was able to hitch a ride from TPA to our hotel in Clearwater with my COO so Audrey and decicded to go to AK park on Monday morning. We were hoping for FOP but when we go there at 9:30 the wait was already over 90 mins. We do not do lines longer than 60 mins. We did get to watch FOTL and Dinosaur, me Yeti single rider, and last minute got on Safari where we got to see new baby Corra, an african elephan born in Dec 2023 and debuted on the Safari Feb 15th. SHE IS SO CUTE!!!!! after this we left for Clearwater...
I will skip Clearwater portion. Just suffice to say we had a GREAT Room since this was my last meeting at president of the mhca board and we saw dolphins daily in the Gulf.
Back to Disney on Friday March 1. We had some traffic that slowed us but checked into VGF (dropped luggage) by 11:30 am. Room assigned by 3pm. We were the last room on the right on 2nd floor as the monrail enters VGF main building. No privacy but my granddaughter would have loved the monorail closeness The ladies headed into MK while I went to the Hilton in Disney Springs to return the rental car. I used Avis because it was most cost effective for the duration and starting at JAX airport. Looking back it was kind of a mistake. It saved money but not being able to return to the Car Center by VGF cost me 3 hours and tons of steps. Was only at MK for a couple of easy rides then back to resort to get into room and to freshen up then off to Epcot and Moonlight Magic. The Magic gave is 3 tickets good for most kiosks and restuaurant snacks. It was a good deal but lines got long and we ended up with a couple of leftover tickes. Crowd was kinda heavy as it was also first weekend of Flower and Garden. It is about Gathering and life by music. By 10pm, the official start time GOG was basically walk on and so Audrey and I rode it twice in a Row. I have now been on a total of 6 times...have all songs but "One Way or Another". Still not 11pm yet so went to Rattatouille and rode it. By now it was 11:30 and we were tired so back to front for bus (Monorail stopped at 1pm). combined bus for BLT, Poly, and VGF but it was quick.
Next Day was back to Animal Kingdom. Did get on FOP in a reasonable time. Also did FOTL again, Safari (no elephants at all, and lions were sleeping but Cheetah's were active), and a lunch at Yak and Yeti. DW loves the Tuna Nacho's (so do I) but they have a new Lamb Shank for $39 that was TO DIE FOR! DELISH. Finished the day at AK about 6pm and just went back to resort for a balcony night since still tired from late night on Friday.
Sunday was Magic Kingdom all day. Did get some rain and used an amzaing poncho provided by my wife (tongue in cheek) For first time ever I got us Genie+. Missed getting to see some fellow MagicOwners (Tom & Robin, Brian, Dan & Nancy). I hate that but schedules are tough if you do not plan ahead. I will do better next thime. Genie+ was ok. The way I think of it is it is most like the old Paper Fast Passes. You book a ride and then you cannot book another for 2 hours unless your ride on in that 2 hour period. It excludes Mine Train and Tron at MK. We basically utilized the ride to ride every ride we wanted by 6pm (Except BTMRR because it was down all day). We then sat outside plaza bout 7pm and hung out there until fireworks at 8pm. I LOVE Happily Ever After. It pains me to say it is better than Wishes. I still miss Wishes but would not want to lose HEA. Back to VGF.
Monday we transfered from VGF to BWV and then went to DHS. BWV room was aonther studio and we were over the main pool on 3rd floor room closest to elevator. I am disappointed in the refurb since ther is no table and chairs. A big blank space at end of room by TV and Sliding door. There is no where to sit in the room when the couch is pulled out. Simply put it was not a good day for us here at DHS. Lines were long to what we wanted to ride. I did get a beer and the charcuterie plate at the Beer house. But in general, we left early, went back to BWV room (was ready by 3) and then into Epcot for the Evening. Got to see We did get to see the former lead singer of Chicago who was Spectacular!!!! Rode TT single rider, and ate more from the kiosks. Just a good relaxing night. I like Luminous. It starts very similar to the old Holiday Add on of Iluminations. It is familar enough to make me happy despite the songs not being sung by the original performers unlike the previous show.
Tuesday was Epcot all day. We had done so much we mostly meandered and relaxed. Girls wanted to sleep in so I got there at 8:30 and they were already letting people in for early entry. Used to be people motored to Test Track and Soarin...but alas that is no more. All going to Rattatouille and Frozen. I basically walked on Soarin which was back to Soarin over the world and the Peyronie Disease Eiffel Tower. Just hate that they allow this type of distortion on a Disney attraction. The old Imagineers would never have stood for it. I punished the girls by taking solo pics all morning that got into their picture feeds. That will teach them. We had a good day doing a gentle touring of Epcot. Still got over 19,000 steps even though we headed back to the room by 7pm since flight back on Wed. Saw 2 shows by Richard Marx. Disappointed he did not play more hits but evidently was saving them for his final show of the night which we had to miss due to a dining ressie at CDF. We actually ate at Chefs De France for the first time in years. The French Onion soup was good, not great but would eat again. I got the Beef Borg and it was very good. Overall a good meal, not great. We have become spoiled by Sanaa, Topolino's, Amare, Yak & Yeti, and Via Napoli for what we really like.
It was a good trip. Crowds were manageable. I think Genie+ at MK is good idea, not so much the other parks with less attractions.
If any questions ask away.
Cast: Henry, DW Jodi, and DP Audrey (16)
Place: VGF Standard Studio, BWV P&G Studio
So, I had a conference in Clearwater (annually) the last week of February. I took advantage to do down early and spend 3 nights with my grandbabies (wow they grow fast when do you not see them but twice per year).
We had a misunderstanding with Disney AP and was thinking that AP Magnets would still be availabile on Sunday Feb 25 so grabbed a solo night at AKV-Kidani and left Jacksonville Early for a day at Epcot before driving to Clearwater on Monday Feb 26.
Disappointment because evidently the magnet give away stopped on Friday the 24th at the end of Festival of the Arts. Bummer, first magnet we have missed in a few years.
But, upside is I had a day at Epcot with just my little Princess (ok, not so little anymore at age 16).
It had been awhile since I had been at Epcot on a non-festival day. We were in between. evidently the Disney Run had been that morning but no real traffic issues for us. We arrived at Kidani by 10am and were on the bus to Epcot by 10:15am. Crowd was not heavy but not light. Most Wait times were under 45 mins. Single Rider Test Track was almost walk on (about 10 mins). Soarin was a 20 minute wait (last time for Soarin over Cali..it is SOOOO much better than Soarin the World). Just in general a good day with my girl. We did not get the 6pm GOG. Bummer. But other than that we rode everything we wanted, got to eat our pizza at Via Napoli (They no longer list a Picante pizza but you can still specialize a Margarita to be the Picante). We were tired so decided to skip fireworks since we knew we would be back the next weekend.
My DW was able to hitch a ride from TPA to our hotel in Clearwater with my COO so Audrey and decicded to go to AK park on Monday morning. We were hoping for FOP but when we go there at 9:30 the wait was already over 90 mins. We do not do lines longer than 60 mins. We did get to watch FOTL and Dinosaur, me Yeti single rider, and last minute got on Safari where we got to see new baby Corra, an african elephan born in Dec 2023 and debuted on the Safari Feb 15th. SHE IS SO CUTE!!!!! after this we left for Clearwater...
I will skip Clearwater portion. Just suffice to say we had a GREAT Room since this was my last meeting at president of the mhca board and we saw dolphins daily in the Gulf.
Back to Disney on Friday March 1. We had some traffic that slowed us but checked into VGF (dropped luggage) by 11:30 am. Room assigned by 3pm. We were the last room on the right on 2nd floor as the monrail enters VGF main building. No privacy but my granddaughter would have loved the monorail closeness The ladies headed into MK while I went to the Hilton in Disney Springs to return the rental car. I used Avis because it was most cost effective for the duration and starting at JAX airport. Looking back it was kind of a mistake. It saved money but not being able to return to the Car Center by VGF cost me 3 hours and tons of steps. Was only at MK for a couple of easy rides then back to resort to get into room and to freshen up then off to Epcot and Moonlight Magic. The Magic gave is 3 tickets good for most kiosks and restuaurant snacks. It was a good deal but lines got long and we ended up with a couple of leftover tickes. Crowd was kinda heavy as it was also first weekend of Flower and Garden. It is about Gathering and life by music. By 10pm, the official start time GOG was basically walk on and so Audrey and I rode it twice in a Row. I have now been on a total of 6 times...have all songs but "One Way or Another". Still not 11pm yet so went to Rattatouille and rode it. By now it was 11:30 and we were tired so back to front for bus (Monorail stopped at 1pm). combined bus for BLT, Poly, and VGF but it was quick.
Next Day was back to Animal Kingdom. Did get on FOP in a reasonable time. Also did FOTL again, Safari (no elephants at all, and lions were sleeping but Cheetah's were active), and a lunch at Yak and Yeti. DW loves the Tuna Nacho's (so do I) but they have a new Lamb Shank for $39 that was TO DIE FOR! DELISH. Finished the day at AK about 6pm and just went back to resort for a balcony night since still tired from late night on Friday.
Sunday was Magic Kingdom all day. Did get some rain and used an amzaing poncho provided by my wife (tongue in cheek) For first time ever I got us Genie+. Missed getting to see some fellow MagicOwners (Tom & Robin, Brian, Dan & Nancy). I hate that but schedules are tough if you do not plan ahead. I will do better next thime. Genie+ was ok. The way I think of it is it is most like the old Paper Fast Passes. You book a ride and then you cannot book another for 2 hours unless your ride on in that 2 hour period. It excludes Mine Train and Tron at MK. We basically utilized the ride to ride every ride we wanted by 6pm (Except BTMRR because it was down all day). We then sat outside plaza bout 7pm and hung out there until fireworks at 8pm. I LOVE Happily Ever After. It pains me to say it is better than Wishes. I still miss Wishes but would not want to lose HEA. Back to VGF.
Monday we transfered from VGF to BWV and then went to DHS. BWV room was aonther studio and we were over the main pool on 3rd floor room closest to elevator. I am disappointed in the refurb since ther is no table and chairs. A big blank space at end of room by TV and Sliding door. There is no where to sit in the room when the couch is pulled out. Simply put it was not a good day for us here at DHS. Lines were long to what we wanted to ride. I did get a beer and the charcuterie plate at the Beer house. But in general, we left early, went back to BWV room (was ready by 3) and then into Epcot for the Evening. Got to see We did get to see the former lead singer of Chicago who was Spectacular!!!! Rode TT single rider, and ate more from the kiosks. Just a good relaxing night. I like Luminous. It starts very similar to the old Holiday Add on of Iluminations. It is familar enough to make me happy despite the songs not being sung by the original performers unlike the previous show.
Tuesday was Epcot all day. We had done so much we mostly meandered and relaxed. Girls wanted to sleep in so I got there at 8:30 and they were already letting people in for early entry. Used to be people motored to Test Track and Soarin...but alas that is no more. All going to Rattatouille and Frozen. I basically walked on Soarin which was back to Soarin over the world and the Peyronie Disease Eiffel Tower. Just hate that they allow this type of distortion on a Disney attraction. The old Imagineers would never have stood for it. I punished the girls by taking solo pics all morning that got into their picture feeds. That will teach them. We had a good day doing a gentle touring of Epcot. Still got over 19,000 steps even though we headed back to the room by 7pm since flight back on Wed. Saw 2 shows by Richard Marx. Disappointed he did not play more hits but evidently was saving them for his final show of the night which we had to miss due to a dining ressie at CDF. We actually ate at Chefs De France for the first time in years. The French Onion soup was good, not great but would eat again. I got the Beef Borg and it was very good. Overall a good meal, not great. We have become spoiled by Sanaa, Topolino's, Amare, Yak & Yeti, and Via Napoli for what we really like.
It was a good trip. Crowds were manageable. I think Genie+ at MK is good idea, not so much the other parks with less attractions.
If any questions ask away.
