js3901 wrote:they're distributing FPs away during EMH now? I thought they closed down the kiosks shortly before the official park closing (before EMH).
on our last trip (December 2006), they weren't giving them out during EMH. but based on your timeline, it seems they were. what's the story?
Yes yes yes! We were surprised to see this. What they do is time the normal public fp tickets to run out by closing time. Then at the official start of EMH they turn them on again. My wife waited in line at 6:55pm at the Rock n' Rollercoaster kiosks while I rode ToT so that she could get the passes. Having fp options during EMH turned out to be quite handy.
Day 6: Monday January 22
Since Monday night was EMH at Disney's Hollywood Studios (7p-10p) we took a day trip out to Kennedy Space Center. This is another good reason to have a rental car and the drive is an easy straight shot East on the Beeline Expressway. Or from WDW, you can take 417 on a south loop under the airport. You still hook up with Beeline but you avoid the airport congestion and the never ending roadwork between the airport and International Drive.
Anyway, I had been to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) only one other time, in the carefree days of pre-9/11 1994. Back then, I remember that the bus tour took you around the space shuttle launch pad. Nowadays, they only take you to a "gantry" observation deck about three miles from the pad. A bummer, as Atlantis was on the pad prepping for its next trip to the ISS.
Speaking of the ISS, they have this cool part of the tour where you can overlook the preparation of modules for the space station. We saw the new Japanese module "JEM" as well as the Canadian "claw" or robot hand that will go onto the mechanical arm on the station. Amazing.
KSC itself has grown up too. It's like a little theme park, replete with shows, a simulator ride (extra charge) and two IMAX theaters. If you are a Far Out Space Nut you can easily spend an entire day there. For us, the three hour bus tour was enough.
We grabbed a late lunch at the Village Inn in Titusville just north of KSC and then headed back to WDW for our final night in the magic.
After freshing up at the hotel we took the Friendship V over to DHS. I have to pause here and point out that we had the YOUNGEST crew ever on a Friendship boat. The "captain" was under 20 and the "co-captain" was about 20 and on the college program. We even talked to them about it before disembarking and they acknowledged that the Friendships are crew'd primarily by salty old men who smoke bad smelling pipes on their breaks. Funny.
Entering DHS at about 6:15, we immediately got our wristbands for EMH. We have learned this other tip: get your wristband as early as possible. Distribution begins about two hours prior to normal park close.
I was a little bummed that we didn't get there in time to see the stuntcar show - I have never seen that. Oh well, something for next time. Instead, we did the Walt Disney Story/tribute exhibits (sans movie) and then headed over to ToT. My wife does not like dropping from high places so she opted to wait at the fp kiosks for them to reopen at 7pm while I rode the Tower. I practically walked onto the ride. Again, no waiting.
At 7pm there was still a 40 minute wait for RnRC so we decided to ride in the single rider line first and come back later for a fastpass ride together. The wait for single riders was about 5 minutes. We had a great deal of luck with the single rider line during our trip as you can see.
Next we saw the Voyage of The Little Mermaid. The CM there was very nice. She asked us our names and what year anniversary we were celebrating. Then she made a special announcement during her intro spiel and everyone applauded. Finally, she escorted us to front row seats. Actually, second row, as she said the first row wasn't as good. Great special treat, even though the water effects during the show seemed especially pronounced for us (i.e. we got wet).
After the show, we rode the Great Movie Ride. The CM's did a good job here too - one was particularly good as the "gangster" who hijacks our tour.
We wrapped up the evening a bit early, a little past 9pm, with a final ride on RnRC. We were a bit hungry and wanted to get a bite back at the Boardwalk before it got too late.
Dinner was again at Big River Grille. Then a milkshake at Beaches N' Cream for dessert. A great final night at WDW.
Pedometer reading: 7.44 miles.
