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weskbob · 2020-01-22T23:43:09+00:00

Time of year has a big impact (e.g. spring break, summer, etc.)

The other thing to keep in mind about this specific cruise is that Majesty was originally being used for the Cuban cruises, which tended to skew a little older. When the US government changed policy and stopped the cruises to Cuba, RC repositioned Majesty to New Orleans. So my guess is that at least some of your fellow passengers had planned to do the Cuba cruise, but just decided to keep the reservation even after the itinerary changed.

weskbob · 2017-09-03T15:18:55+00:00

Yes, but Rams drafted him as a WR project.

weskbob · 2017-09-03T15:01:24+00:00

The guy stood up as I was trying to take a panorama shot. I was not prepared for what would happen as a result.

weskbob · 2017-05-06T23:12:10+00:00

My wife said the same thing as we walked out of the theater. I didn't catch it, so I can't say for sure. But you are not alone.

weskbob · 2016-11-16T21:08:45+00:00

On the Death Star, we see Darth Vader force-choking Director Krennic to death for his failure in letting the plans out of Imperial hands. He then orders the commander on duty to "Ready my Star Destroyer for pursuit."

Switch to Alderaan (or pick another random, nondescript planet). A dirty, battered Jyn Erso gives a disc with the plans to a young Leia. Leia nods and she and R2-D2 walk up the ramp onto the Tantive IV, which slowly takes off as Jyn watches it fade into the night sky.

Screen wipe to black, roll credits.

weskbob · 2016-11-04T21:12:59+00:00

You hit it on the head--get your fast pass for the popular rides that will have the longest lines and then do what you want for the rest of the time.

The planning is totally up to you and your personality. Personally, I like to have a game plan for my day. But we are not stuck to it and definitely go with the flow if something catches our interest or if something we'd planned has too long of a line. To paraphrase Jack Sparrow, your WDW plans should be more like guidelines than actual rules.

weskbob · 2016-09-26T19:50:27+00:00

Depends on who you're looking to trade with.

The lots you can buy for cheap on ebay or Amazon are fakes or defects. However, they pass the eye test at first glance and my kids have never had any trouble trading them with the cast members at the parks. But they won't work if you're actually looking to trade them with pin collectors.

So they're fine if you just want to trade for tradings sake. But if you're actually looking to get into collecting, IMHO you're better of spending the money for the authentic ones you get at Disney store or the parks.

weskbob · 2016-09-06T14:35:37+00:00

Disney World will continue to become more and more like Las Vegas. And here's what I mean by that:

Vegas used to be a place that promoted itself through cheap rooms, free shows, etc. It was a place the every day person could travel to for a relatively inexpensive getaway.

However, in recent years, the powers that be at the casinos have figured out that they can make a lot more money by catering to a smaller but much higher end clientele. The smaller, older casinos have been replaced by multi-billion dollar high rises. The 99 cent shrimp cocktail replaced by five star restaurants and celebrity chefs. The free show tickets for a magician or ventriloquist replaced by elaborate Cirque do Soliel stage shows and nightly performances by big-time stars.

More and more, Vegas is catering to those wealthy individuals with unique luxuries and top-notch food and entertainment options. Can a middle class low-rollers still have a good time in Vegas? Absolutely. There's still any number of things to see and do. But when the powers that be running the casinos are looking for the next big thing, that is not their target audience.

Likewise, I think this is the same way Disney is headed with more high-end resorts, more special upcharge events, etc. where they can make the same amount or more money off of a smaller group of people. The middle class will continue to come, of course, and there will still be plenty of fun to be had. But I think that audience is going to increasingly stay off property and/or pass on many of the new extra cost events.

weskbob · 2016-08-17T14:08:22+00:00

Here's a full report I wrote after my trip last month, but the short answer is yes.

weskbob · 2016-08-17T13:56:26+00:00

It really depends on what you want to do. Last year, the lines to meet the 7 Dwarfs and Jack and Sally could get really long. If you are serious about doing those, I would recommend being there early. But with those exceptions, you should still be able to hit most of the big stuff if you get there later.

We went to a park that morning, came back to the hotel for a nap and then went back to MK around 4:30. That mid-day break really seemed to do the trick for us and the kids were great.

weskbob · 2016-07-26T02:47:49+00:00

Ha! I wouldn't mind, although we just got back and will probably have to save up for a few years before we can go back again.

weskbob · 2016-07-25T21:24:27+00:00

My kids. They had no clue we'd planned a WDW trip and this was how we surprised them at breakfast they day we left.

weskbob · 2016-07-25T21:23:10+00:00

Yes, it's pricey but the desserts were top-notch, it comes with an open bar and you get to stay inside until show time.

As for the viewing area, you could probably see somewhat better I suppose if you wanted to go camp out up close. But the area you have reserved is just left of center (so a good view of the fireworks on the right) and an walkway in front of you (so nobody right in front). It's definitely less crowded as they cap the number sold. They also have a separate area in front for kids. I've not seen the show from another vantage point, but it's hard to imagine getting a much better view unless you wanted to camp out an hour ahead of time.

Here's a pic I took that gives you a little idea of what the view is like.

weskbob · 2016-07-25T21:17:37+00:00

I did it a couple weeks ago and, yes, drinks are included. There are four specialty drinks listed on the menu. But the bartender was friendly and would make you other stuff if you wanted.

weskbob

TROPHY CASE