dolphingirl47
In Search of the Tag Fairy
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2007
Day 13
This time round I had set a wakeup call and the morning was altogether more relaxed. I did not have too early a start as my first Fastpass was not until 10:30 and this was to meet Mickey at the Town Square Theater. So I figured the most sensible course of action would be to come to the park around that time so that I could head straight there. When I got to the bus stop at All Star Music, there was a bus to Magic Kingdom sitting there, but it was full to the rafters. Fortunately as soon as this bus left, another one pulled in right behind it and this was virtually empty even though it had come from All Star Sports. So this ended up being quite a pleasant trip. I had a short wait to get into the park, but actually got to the first Fastpass checkpoint a couple of minutes before my window opened. I did not know at that time that you can now check in up to 5 minutes earlier. This was not possible during the testing in 2013. So I had a quick look at the retail Magic Bands at the shop in this building and then headed back to the Fastpass entrance once my window has opened.
The Fastpass line was pretty busy and in the end I waited about 10 minutes until I got to see Mickey. Still that is significantly less than the standby line. The theming of the waiting area is great and I was only too happy to have a look at this and take some photos. Then it was my turn to see Mickey. I was absolutely wowed again by the fact that Mickey talks. He spent a fair while with me having me participate in a card trick and sharing his worries about the creepy house on Liberty Square. He asked me if it ever happened to me that a ghost had followed me home. I told him that it had not and as I live in the UK, the ghost would need a visa.
Once I had said goodbye to Mickey, I decided to stop at the Photopass shop, which again is in the same building. I never saw the ride photo for Test Track on the screen and had been told not to worry and that it would automatically appear on my Magic Band. It was still not showing up on the app so I decided to check this out as I had a fair amount of trouble with ride photos in 2013 which took weeks to resolve. They scanned my Magic Band and it had not been linked to this. So the cast member went through all the photos during the period of time when I did this ride. She even extended this further, but no joy. For some reason the photo was never taken or if it was, did not make it onto the system. What did slightly surprise me is just how many lime green t-shirts there were. I figured that my lime green t-shirt would really stick out, but there were loads of them.
I had a quick look at some of the shops while cutting through them on my way up Main Street and then headed to the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom recruitment station at Liberty Square. There I had my final bit of frustration with Disney technology. The progress that I had made on the game during previous visits had somehow been wiped off the portal key. I was not happy as I was nearly done with the easy level. Fortunately I remembered most of the villains I had previously defeated and they were able to add them on manually.
By then it was nearly time for my Fastpass window to open for Big Thunder Mountain. I slowly made my way over there. Again, my Fastpass worked just fine and I had a minimal wait. Big Thunder Mountain has always been my least favourite of the three I have experienced, but this gap has grown even bigger since the extensive refurbishment that Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland got in 2014. I have heard that the one at Magic Kingdom will get the same makeover and I am rather excited about this. For this time, it felt rather lackluster though.
After I came off Big Thunder Mountain, I wandered over to Be Our Guest for my lunch reservation. I got there a little early, but was able to check in straightaway. This was quite an involved process. They now have a check in desk outside the restaurant. As I approached bridge that marks the entrance, the cast member there asked if I had a reservation and I confirmed I had. She then directed me to the check in desk. There I was then asked if I had selected my food in advance, which I also had and was then directed to a different cast member. There was no line so I was able to check in straightaway. The cast member there scanned my Magic Band and confirmed my order with me.
I was then handed a yellow rose and sent inside. There I was intercepted by another cast member, who scanned my Magic Band again, double-checked my order and took my payment. Then I was free to find somewhere to sit. I pondered for a minute to either try the West Wing or the Grand Ballroom, but then decided to stick to the Castle Gallery where I had sat on my previous visits. I placed my rose on my table and then got my orange soda from the soda machine at the back of the room. I did not have to wait long for my lunch. I had gone for my usual for my main course: braised pork with vegetables and bacon served with mashed potatoes and green beans jardinière. For dessert I went with His Master’s Cupcake, which is chocolate sponge cake topped with Lumiere's special grey stuff. I can confirm that the grey stuff is delicious and I did not even have to ask the dishes.
Shortly after my cupcake arrived, I got a text from Pam that they had arrived in the park and would be waiting for me by the bridge. I joined them shortly afterwards. There was a Photopass photographer in this area so I decided to get some photos. I love the photos with the Beast’s castle in the background. I was also asked to hold out my hand for one photo. I had expected that probably Tinkerbell would appear, but when I looked at the photo on the My Disney Experience app later, it was actually Lumiere that was sitting in my hand.
Once I had my photo, we decided what we would do next. We decided to check out Under The Sea: Adventures of the Little Mermaid. If I remember correctly the posted waiting time was 40 minutes. However, there was no visible line. So we decided to check this out. In the end we walked through most of the line and I think the first time we stopped was in the last cave before we got to the room where the loading dock is. The actual waiting time was less than half what was advertised. We did enjoy the ride. I remembered from reading the second edition of The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World that in this part of Fantasyland, there is a visual reference to Disney Cruise Line. As Pam also likes cruising, I would have loved to show her this, but unfortunately I could not remember the precise details and with all the stress I had when I packed for this trip, I forgot to pack the book.
By then my window for my last Fastpass had opened. This was for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and I was rather excited about this as this had not even been built the last time I was at Walt Disney World. Pam and Christine went to get a sundae at Storybook Treats, which is right opposite the ride entrance; while I went to do the ride. Unfortunately my bad luck as far as rides is concerned struck again. I had no issues with the Fastpass and as soon as I got to the second check point, I was directed to a loading position. Everything went smoothly at first and this is a fun ride and the special effects in the mine are stunning. We got near the top of the lift hill that comes after the mine and the ride stopped. This was a rather uncomfortable experience. I was glad when we were moving again. The ride stopped again when we got to the cottage, but that was actually welcome. People always complain that you pass the cottage too quickly and don’t get a proper look. Well, I got plenty of time to have a look at it. Once the ride started moving again, it just took seconds until we were back at the loading dock.
I joined the others again. They were still enjoying their sundaes and once we finished, we headed over to Haunted Mansion. This was quite busy, but we decided to go for it anyway. I think we waited for about 30 minutes and we all enjoyed this. There was a Photopass photographer by the hearse again so I stopped for some photos. Pam suggested that we should go and see the Country Bear Jamboree. In all the times I have been at Walt Disney World I have never seen this. So I was up for this. We still had a bit of time so I got a cup of ice water from Peco’s Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. Once I had finished this, we went inside. Well, I have to say, this is all rather strange. I am glad to have done it once because it is a significant part of the history of the parks, but I feel no need to repeat this.
This time round I had set a wakeup call and the morning was altogether more relaxed. I did not have too early a start as my first Fastpass was not until 10:30 and this was to meet Mickey at the Town Square Theater. So I figured the most sensible course of action would be to come to the park around that time so that I could head straight there. When I got to the bus stop at All Star Music, there was a bus to Magic Kingdom sitting there, but it was full to the rafters. Fortunately as soon as this bus left, another one pulled in right behind it and this was virtually empty even though it had come from All Star Sports. So this ended up being quite a pleasant trip. I had a short wait to get into the park, but actually got to the first Fastpass checkpoint a couple of minutes before my window opened. I did not know at that time that you can now check in up to 5 minutes earlier. This was not possible during the testing in 2013. So I had a quick look at the retail Magic Bands at the shop in this building and then headed back to the Fastpass entrance once my window has opened.
The Fastpass line was pretty busy and in the end I waited about 10 minutes until I got to see Mickey. Still that is significantly less than the standby line. The theming of the waiting area is great and I was only too happy to have a look at this and take some photos. Then it was my turn to see Mickey. I was absolutely wowed again by the fact that Mickey talks. He spent a fair while with me having me participate in a card trick and sharing his worries about the creepy house on Liberty Square. He asked me if it ever happened to me that a ghost had followed me home. I told him that it had not and as I live in the UK, the ghost would need a visa.
Once I had said goodbye to Mickey, I decided to stop at the Photopass shop, which again is in the same building. I never saw the ride photo for Test Track on the screen and had been told not to worry and that it would automatically appear on my Magic Band. It was still not showing up on the app so I decided to check this out as I had a fair amount of trouble with ride photos in 2013 which took weeks to resolve. They scanned my Magic Band and it had not been linked to this. So the cast member went through all the photos during the period of time when I did this ride. She even extended this further, but no joy. For some reason the photo was never taken or if it was, did not make it onto the system. What did slightly surprise me is just how many lime green t-shirts there were. I figured that my lime green t-shirt would really stick out, but there were loads of them.
I had a quick look at some of the shops while cutting through them on my way up Main Street and then headed to the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom recruitment station at Liberty Square. There I had my final bit of frustration with Disney technology. The progress that I had made on the game during previous visits had somehow been wiped off the portal key. I was not happy as I was nearly done with the easy level. Fortunately I remembered most of the villains I had previously defeated and they were able to add them on manually.
By then it was nearly time for my Fastpass window to open for Big Thunder Mountain. I slowly made my way over there. Again, my Fastpass worked just fine and I had a minimal wait. Big Thunder Mountain has always been my least favourite of the three I have experienced, but this gap has grown even bigger since the extensive refurbishment that Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland got in 2014. I have heard that the one at Magic Kingdom will get the same makeover and I am rather excited about this. For this time, it felt rather lackluster though.
After I came off Big Thunder Mountain, I wandered over to Be Our Guest for my lunch reservation. I got there a little early, but was able to check in straightaway. This was quite an involved process. They now have a check in desk outside the restaurant. As I approached bridge that marks the entrance, the cast member there asked if I had a reservation and I confirmed I had. She then directed me to the check in desk. There I was then asked if I had selected my food in advance, which I also had and was then directed to a different cast member. There was no line so I was able to check in straightaway. The cast member there scanned my Magic Band and confirmed my order with me.
I was then handed a yellow rose and sent inside. There I was intercepted by another cast member, who scanned my Magic Band again, double-checked my order and took my payment. Then I was free to find somewhere to sit. I pondered for a minute to either try the West Wing or the Grand Ballroom, but then decided to stick to the Castle Gallery where I had sat on my previous visits. I placed my rose on my table and then got my orange soda from the soda machine at the back of the room. I did not have to wait long for my lunch. I had gone for my usual for my main course: braised pork with vegetables and bacon served with mashed potatoes and green beans jardinière. For dessert I went with His Master’s Cupcake, which is chocolate sponge cake topped with Lumiere's special grey stuff. I can confirm that the grey stuff is delicious and I did not even have to ask the dishes.
Shortly after my cupcake arrived, I got a text from Pam that they had arrived in the park and would be waiting for me by the bridge. I joined them shortly afterwards. There was a Photopass photographer in this area so I decided to get some photos. I love the photos with the Beast’s castle in the background. I was also asked to hold out my hand for one photo. I had expected that probably Tinkerbell would appear, but when I looked at the photo on the My Disney Experience app later, it was actually Lumiere that was sitting in my hand.
Once I had my photo, we decided what we would do next. We decided to check out Under The Sea: Adventures of the Little Mermaid. If I remember correctly the posted waiting time was 40 minutes. However, there was no visible line. So we decided to check this out. In the end we walked through most of the line and I think the first time we stopped was in the last cave before we got to the room where the loading dock is. The actual waiting time was less than half what was advertised. We did enjoy the ride. I remembered from reading the second edition of The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World that in this part of Fantasyland, there is a visual reference to Disney Cruise Line. As Pam also likes cruising, I would have loved to show her this, but unfortunately I could not remember the precise details and with all the stress I had when I packed for this trip, I forgot to pack the book.
By then my window for my last Fastpass had opened. This was for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and I was rather excited about this as this had not even been built the last time I was at Walt Disney World. Pam and Christine went to get a sundae at Storybook Treats, which is right opposite the ride entrance; while I went to do the ride. Unfortunately my bad luck as far as rides is concerned struck again. I had no issues with the Fastpass and as soon as I got to the second check point, I was directed to a loading position. Everything went smoothly at first and this is a fun ride and the special effects in the mine are stunning. We got near the top of the lift hill that comes after the mine and the ride stopped. This was a rather uncomfortable experience. I was glad when we were moving again. The ride stopped again when we got to the cottage, but that was actually welcome. People always complain that you pass the cottage too quickly and don’t get a proper look. Well, I got plenty of time to have a look at it. Once the ride started moving again, it just took seconds until we were back at the loading dock.
I joined the others again. They were still enjoying their sundaes and once we finished, we headed over to Haunted Mansion. This was quite busy, but we decided to go for it anyway. I think we waited for about 30 minutes and we all enjoyed this. There was a Photopass photographer by the hearse again so I stopped for some photos. Pam suggested that we should go and see the Country Bear Jamboree. In all the times I have been at Walt Disney World I have never seen this. So I was up for this. We still had a bit of time so I got a cup of ice water from Peco’s Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. Once I had finished this, we went inside. Well, I have to say, this is all rather strange. I am glad to have done it once because it is a significant part of the history of the parks, but I feel no need to repeat this.