Judy in Texas

Yes, I took the tour and it didn't ruin the magic for me.  Just like the second time I rode Soarin' I asked to sit on an end so I could watch the mechanics of the ride.  Soarin' is still my favorite ride.

Lou, I especially like the Disney parks when I visit on my own because I feel safe, I can step off the airplane and immediately start enjoying the Disney experience at MCO with Magic Express. I can act like a kid when riding the rides like Buzz and Toy Story Mania. There is always something that makes me say "WOW" and there's normally no one to puke on my fun.

Lou, I especially like the Disney parks when I visit on my own because I feel safe, I can step off the airplane and immediately start enjoying the Disney experience at MCO with Magic Express. I can act like a kid when riding the rides like Buzz and Toy Story Mania. There is always something that makes me say "WOW" and there's normally no one to puke on my fun.

Ok, I am in the minority.  My husband and I just did this tour in November and we LOVED it!!  He was always afraid of it taking away the magic.  I specifically planned that trip to do things we don't get to do when we have the kids with us.  I see it a different way.  I see how much more thought has gone into the creation and development of WDW.  The tour is about 6 hours.  It did include lunch.  If the "adult" in your party is one mature enough to see and appreciate the "engineering" parts, than I say go for it.  It was amazing.  Again I loved it and now I have some really cool Cliff Clavin facts to share with anyone who would like to hear.

Ah, Lou - dear, dear, gorgeous-when-you-were-young-but-not-so-much-now Lou.  Bless your heart.  You just can't help it, can you?  It must be that inner urge you have to rain on parades, to burst bubbles, to laugh in the face of danger.  But no one can take the magic that is Disney away from me.  
 
The minute I walk into Magic Kingdom I'm mentally transformed into that little girl of so long ago who sat mesmerized in front of the TV, idolizing Annette, Sharon, Cubby, Karen, Bobby and the rest of the Mouseketeers.  I remember a time when my parents could solve all of my problems, take away every pain, and make me laugh so hard I thought my sides would burst.  I also am reminded of a time when the only "ism" we feared as kids was Communism - even though I really didn't know what it was.  We knew nothing of sexism, racism, or the other terms that darken our attitudes and our world today.  
 
There you have it.  It's a magical escape for me, back to the land of the Mickey Mouse Club - and no other "amusement park" affords me that unique pleasure.  
 
So, go back to your puking, and I'll continue to look forward to the next time I can visit that Disney magic.

Rather than ruin the magic, the KTTW tour enhanced it for me.  The guide pointed out so many things I would have missed - symbolic things like the changing of the light posts on Main Street.  As for the backstage area, it was fascinating to learn how the park works - from the disposing of the garbage to the water system for Splash Mountain. The Utilidors part was cool, too - although short.   I really loved this tour.
 
If you have extra time, I suggest seriously considering this tour.  However, our tour was about 4 1/2 hours with lunch included.  And also keep in mind the time of year you want to do this.  I imagine it can get pretty hot standing around listening to the guide.

Yes, I took the tour and it didn't ruin the magic for me.  Just like the second time I rode Soarin' I asked to sit on an end so I could watch the mechanics of the ride.  Soarin' is still my favorite ride.

If it isn't enforced, it should be and is a very good idea.

Welcome Dalspot. I third that. My first trip I powered through just as if I'd stayed at one of the other resorts. The Fort is meant to be savored. Slow down. Smell the roses.

I do over plan, but I LOVE planning. That said, I totally agree with having some Fort days on an 8 day trip. We usually do 2 park days, then a break day where we hang out at the Fort (and repeat).

I got a good look at the new theater they're building for FOTL when I did the backstage tour in November, and they had it well underway. 
 
So unless they're moving the show for giggles, then yes... it's really happening. 

For those (young and not so young) who enjoy coloring, this website has tons of free Disney coloring pages.  The links at the bottom of the main page go to coloring pages for specific Disney movies and characters:
 
http://disneycoloringpages.net/

For those (young and not so young) who enjoy coloring, this website has tons of free Disney coloring pages.  The links at the bottom of the main page go to coloring pages for specific Disney movies and characters:
 
http://disneycoloringpages.net/

People are, by and large, idiots.  

Ha!  I was wondering what a Million Dollar Arm trailer is.   I haven't seen one at the local camper show.   :)

Thank you x 2.
 
The PGA has chaplains, too.  But I don't think he would want to be on the road so much and away from his family right now since his children are so young.  We'll see.

There you go my friend. Dont say I never did anything for you. :)

I doubt the system will be allowed to fail.  But that doesn't mean it was a good idea.  I've disliked the entire concept from the first moment I heard about it.  Just because you can create a high-tech system does not mean you should.  We aren't talking about an electronic medical records system where patient care and safety can be enhanced....real life or death stuff.  We're talking about theme parks.  I just want to go and ride rides, and see shows, and eat some stuff.  Don't complicate it.  

Think they just put people at random. My wife was given that opportunity just this morning but I had to go through the old fashioned way. Neither of us fly more than every other year at the most.

Magic bands don't allow one to go with the flow.  They are the ultimate "spreadsheet".   
 
:raspberry:

I don't care if you're a fan or not...
How 'bout them Nittany Lions?
What a game!

But when you're there without a car, therefore having to pay a cab to take you to Publix, GAG suddenly seems reasonable.
 
Yes, I'm a cool kid.

I am sorting the few pictures I have now, and will start the report. Suffice it to say, it won't be your typical "We went to the Magic Kingdom today and I had a hot dog at Pecos Bills that was so yummy and little Roger had some fries and stuck one up his nose and it was soooooooo funny and everybody laughed" trip report. It will have FWGuy's to the point, nothing held back, in your face descriptions and reviews. So if you want a report full of pixie dust about everything Disney, then go to that other site that we were all thrown off of and get your fill.

Everything I have seen is that if you have a magicband, you cannot, under any circumstances, get a regular Fastpass in the park. Forevermore.  So sayeth the Mouse.  The end.
 
 
Tell me oh great one where we can do research?
 
The only official information is that which has been doled out oh so slowly and carefully by the mouse.
 
The rest is anecdotal reports from the few folks who have been invited to test they system, such as the lady whose blog Mo referenced.  So far, none of it sounds very good.
 
No one, other than you, has said the sky is falling.  Only that this MagicBand crap is going to suck monkey butt.  Don't be so sensitive.  You just work for the place.  They haven't talked about getting rid of the bus drivers or anything.
 
TCD

Day Five continued:
When we departed PEI, the ship's captain came on the PA and let us know we would be going under the Confederation Bridge. We would clear it with 6 feet to spare!
The bridge was opened the 1997 and joined PEI and New Brunswick. It is 8 miles long and is the longest bridge over ice covered waters in the world. www.confederationbridge.com Tolls are only charged leaving PEI. $44.50 for the first two axles, $7.25 for each additional axle.
It took so long for the decision to be made to build it because people thought the ice would crush the bridge supports. Someone finally came up with the idea to have the supports wider at the bottom and narrower toward the top so the ice can rise up and fall away. Here is a link to the website to show you what I'm trying to explain: http://www.confederationbridge.com/about/confederation-bridge/design.html
It was cold and windy on the deck above the Crow's Nest:

We were up there early so we sat down on the deck to get out of the wind:

More people started coming up as the sun was setting:





That was exciting!
Since the next way was a sea day, the Indonesian crew members put on a show of their native dances and songs at 11:00 PM in the Showroom at Sea. While none should quit their day jobs, they were enthusiastic and had a wonderful time putting on the show. It was the one show we attended where no one left before the end. They received a standing ovation!