Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[ZapperZ]

More pictures from the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights...

Zz.

 

[GeorginaS]

Wow those lights *are* spectacular. That's one of those things someone would have had to drag me off to see, and then I wouldn't want to leave once I got there.

That's some kickass photography on your part, Zz. Nice work.

So you laughed the whole way on the ride, huh, Moonbear? That's hilarious. I somehow couldn't envision you screeching the whole way, though. Laughing seems appropriate. And, yes, someone really young or way older than you doing something that might freak you out is a source of courage.

I hope you have a terrific day lounging by the pool reading. That sounds like a terrific plan. Otherwise, you'd need a vacation after your vacation. Disney doesn't sound like a real relaxing adventure. However, it does look and sound like a bunch of fun.

 

[ZapperZ]

Speaking of Moonbie, this is a picture of her... after you feed her with a sufficient amount of booze.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

It rained during the Tournament of Roses parade. But in case you missed it, here are pictures of the Disney float in that parade. Hum... I bet a wet Mickey doesn't smell that good.

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10024690.asp

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

More pictures...

This is the picture of the tree right in front of the entrance to Disney/MGM Studios during the day, and the same tree at night when it is lit up.

Zz.

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/9259/tree19gg.jpg

 

[Moonbear]

Wow those lights *are* spectacular. That's one of those things someone would have had to drag me off to see, and then I wouldn't want to leave once I got there.

That pretty much summed it up for me. I was going for the park, Zz was going for the lights, but once they turned the lights on, and I turned that corner and saw the "streets" lit up with them, I was like a little kid just standing in awe.

I hope you have a terrific day lounging by the pool reading. That sounds like a terrific plan. Otherwise, you'd need a vacation after your vacation. Disney doesn't sound like a real relaxing adventure. However, it does look and sound like a bunch of fun.

Well, so far I haven't done much lounging. Since my resort is a hop, skip and a jump from Epcot (it takes me longer to walk out of the hotel than it does to get to Epcot...this resort is HUGE!), I wandered over there this morning. It started out too cool to sit out by the pool, so I thought I'd take a leisurely stroll around Epcot. I had some fun with pin trading...it's actually a great thing when doing the solo walk around the park...it gave me an excuse to stop and talk with people on my way (yeah, I know, as if I need an excuse to talk). I did some damage to my credit card too...the German area had a shop with Christmas ornaments...the IngeGlas ones that I collect (that's my real collecting addiction...there was a little shop in Covington, KY (just across the river from Cincinnati) just packed with German Christmas ornaments, and I discovered the IngeGlas ones there. Well, now that I've moved, I can only get them by online mail order, but that's tough when you can't just look at the ornaments in person and decide which ones you really like to look at, so I couldn't resist when I walked into that shop and saw them today. Those are being shipped home...I'm not taking any chances trying to get those into my luggage safely, they're far too fragile.

Now it's warm enough for relaxing by the pool, so I'm headed there soon. I already scoped it out, and as expected, most of the kids are off to parks with their parents, so the huge pool is quite quiet and nearly empty. Perfect!

 

[ZapperZ]

Disneyland in California has followed Walt Disney World in raising the admission price.

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2006_Jan_04/k.OCD.1136400753.html

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Pictures from today at Epcot.

Zz.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6048/epcot27ab.jpg

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Disneyland in California has followed Walt Disney World in raising the admission price.
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2006_Jan_04/k.OCD.1136400753.html
Zz.

AGAIN! Jeezy Kreezy!
I hope that us SoCal residents will still get reduced admission, at least on occasion.

 

[Evo]

Pictures from today at Epcot.
Zz.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6048/epcot27ab.jpg
[PLAIN]http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5356/epcot38zb.jpg[/QUOTE]The[/URL] first one is my favorite.

Great pictures Zz!

 

[GeorginaS]

Yes, Zz is doing an amazing job with the photography stuff.

$50.00 per day for a grown-up? Per day? Yikes.

Edit: Right. Links to German Christmas ornaments, please, Moonbear.

 

[Moonbear]

Uh oh, G, are you into the German Christmas ornaments too? I'll look up the site of the place I ordered from most recently when I get home...the boxes are still out since my Christmas decorations are still up. Their prices were fair, and everything shipped in one piece and quickly.

Park admission is pretty expensive, but when you do it as a package, like I did, you pretty much only pay for the first two days, and then it's really discounted for each additional day beyond that (I think it was only $2 difference between a 4 day and a 5 day pass when I made my reservations...it's definitely worth booking ahead).

I've also discovered that if you stay at the Disney Resorts, if you're a big eater, the dining plan they offer is a good deal. If you're a small eater like me, I'm certainly getting my money's worth, but am also majorly over-stuffing myself! It's too much food for me!

 

[ZapperZ]

More pictures from yesterday. These are from Downtown Disney taken on my shopping excursion.

Zz.

[URL]http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4921/dd31ma.jpg

 

[Astronuc]

The first one is my favorite.
Great pictures Zz!

Yeah, I would have to agree! Ooooh! Aaaaah! Pretty!

 

[Tsu]

They would have to prove we ate it first.
I've got to find some way to go next time.

ME THREE!

 

[Moonbear]

Well, Zz is already making plans for his next two trips in June and September, so some more folks should do this next time. He knows more about the parks than the cast members. I definitely recommend the Zz Disney Travel Service. I can't believe I have to go home tomorrow already though. It's been a great vacation...I didn't go crazy and try to go to everything in every park, just spent a nice balance of time between parks, going on just some rides and enjoying walking around, meeting new people, eating way too much, and relaxing pool side.

Since I slept through most of today, I'll be hitting the Magic Kingdom one last time tomorrow morning and early afternoon before I have to return for the bus back to the airport...I'm going to get to those last few rides I've been wanting to go on but have not had time or have had too long of lines to get on earlier in the week.

 

[ZapperZ]

Well, Zz is already making plans for his next two trips in June and September, so some more folks should do this next time. He knows more about the parks than the cast members. I definitely recommend the Zz Disney Travel Service.

You forgot one important feature of the service - IT'S FREE!

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

More pictures from today's activities. The first is the view from the ferry as it makes its way towards The Magic Kingdom.

The second is the picture of the Christmas tree and the amazing lobby of The Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The last is the view of the wildlife one gets out of one's room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Zz.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4917/out44bb.jpg

 

[scott_alexsk]

So I assume you are having a great time over there. I am just realizing that my vacation is over. It was a good run though. The highlight of our entire trip there was when we got to open the park as the selected miltary family. The gatekeeper was also nice enough to give us two no-string-attached passes, as he put it, which are essentially fast passes that can be used at any time. We got to drive through Magic Kingdom before it opened in this interesting fire engine looking car. Of all the rides that we went on we thought that the best ride was Soarin'. What do you think? Also did Mission Space honestly kill someone?
-Scott

 

[Astronuc]

The last is the view of the wildlife one gets out of one's room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Cool, Zz - now that is something I could go for. Can I play with the big cats?

 

[Moonbear]

Cool, Zz - now that is something I could go for. Can I play with the big cats?

The Wilderness Lodge was a beautiful resort. The pictures Disney put up on their travel site didn't do it justice! If I visit again, I'm seriously thinking of staying there next time. It's not as convenient to the parks, so a bit less crowded, and with the animal park surrouding the lodge, all the nice shade trees around the property, and the pool being secluded amidst a scenery of rocks and taller plants, it was about as tranquil as you can get on Disney property (it IS Disney afterall, so there are those really short people called children running around no matter where you go ).

 

[Astronuc]

Well, I love animals and I would appreciate less crowded. Hey, I could go visit the Withlacoochee Swamp.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Wilderness Lodge was a beautiful resort. The pictures Disney put up on their travel site didn't do it justice! If I visit again, I'm seriously thinking of staying there next time. It's not as convenient to the parks, so a bit less crowded, and with the animal park surrouding the lodge, all the nice shade trees around the property, and the pool being secluded amidst a scenery of rocks and taller plants, it was about as tranquil as you can get on Disney property (it IS Disney afterall, so there are those really short people called children running around no matter where you go ).

Moonbie means the Animal Kingdom Lodge, not the Wilderness Lodge. She must have been tired. :)

The Wilderness Lodge is also set out in the woods with an impressive lobby also, but no animals. So that is certainly another option if one wants a resort that looks secluded. While the Wilderness Lodge has no wild animals, unlike the Animal Kingdom Lodge, it has a convenient access to the Magic Kingdom via a boat ride.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Rumors are again running rampant about the impending deal of Pixar and Disney, causing Pixar's stock to soar to record high.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-bk-pixar010506,0,2951124.story

Zz.

 

[hypatia]

Welcome home Disney trekers! Great photos! Looks like everyone had a good time. Even Chuck

 

[ZapperZ]

I've just dropped off Moonbie back at her resort for her to catch the bus to the airport. I'm going to miss her <sniff>. She really made this trip very special, especially on my birthday.

We still have a couple of days left here at WDW, and will leave Orlando late Sunday. So there's still plenty of time to do more stuff, and do more shopping, especially for pins.

Will upload pictures from today later... Here's hoping that other PF'ers will consider joining us on our future trips to Disney World.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

More pictures from today.

The first one is the outside of It's A Small World. We did this very early in the morning, so it wasn't crowded and we managed to walk right up to the boat.

http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/8181/mk16tt.jpg

We then, of course, did the Dumbo ride!

http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/2159/mk39dy.jpg

We then had lunch at the Crystal Palace. This is another of those dinning with the characters. This time, it was with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. The food was unusually good for a buffet restaurant at the Magic Kingdom. The picture here is the tree they had in the restaurant. Be warned that there is a higher than average ratio of kids to adults in this restaurant.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5358/mk28kx.jpg

Finally, we went to the Grand Floridian resort, hoping to see the Gingerbread House. Unfortunately, they took it down 2 days ago! So we missed it. We still got to see the amazing tree they had in the lobby, so this is the picture of that.

It was a very good day...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The new baby elephant at Disney's Animal Kingdom made its public appearence at the safari ride. Too bad we didn't get to see it while we were on this attraction.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/pictures/LBV20.htm

Zz.

 

[Astronuc]

Well, I guess Moonbear has departed.

Have a safe trip Moonbear.


Zz - I guess Chuck and your other friends are still there. How many of you this trip?

 

[Evo]

Well, the ONLY way I'm ever going to Disney World is with Zz!