“What’s Going On In Your Brain?” “Right Now, Nothing.” - December 2025 Trip Report! (Updated 1/3!)

[hardcorestitch]

Day 1, Part 2: Dapper Holidays​

We last left off getting ready for our afternoon in our room.

Around 12:30 we were ready to head out, and decided to take the side exit that’s right by the IG since our room was down in that area.

Our goal this afternoon was to get some food and to see the Chinese storyteller/lion since that only was on the weekends and this would be the only weekend day we’d be in Epcot.

Once in Epcot, we did our normal stop at the store at the IG to pick up the Olaf scavenger hunt map and load more money on our gift card. I was surprised the CM wouldn’t let us pick up the prize for Olaf right away, usually they have no problem with this, but this time the CM wouldn’t let us. Oh well, guess we had to start hunting for Olaf!

It was about 12:45 when we left the store, so decided to book it over to China to catch the 1:00 storyteller show.

On a normal day that would have been an easy thing to do, but being a Saturday, and Dapper day, the crowds were bonkers. It was wall to wall people around WS. Fortunately we’re fast walkers, and were able to weave between groups and made it to China at 12:58! Perfect timing.

We found a spot to watch and soon after the show started.

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This was sooooo cool, I loved this storyteller!

I especially liked that afterwards we could get pictures with the lion.

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After the show we discussed what we wanted to do. Originally we had planned to check out a few of the food booths, but the lines for the booths this day were super long, so we started to walk around WS towards the IG hoping to find a booth with a shorter line.

As mentioned previously, it was Dapper Day, and while walking it was fun to check out all the amazing outfits people had on. I was so impressed with the outfits, there were some really amazing ones and I loved how most were holiday inspired!

Eventually we made it to Italy which was the only food booth without a long line. Apparently, word has gotten out about the food there, which I still do not understand. Italian food is soooooo good, how does this booth always get it so wrong?!!?

Anyways, we were hungry so decided to give it another try. We both ended up ordering the montanara, and mom got the tiramisu stout and I got the Italina red sangria.

We lucked out and managed to grab a table just as another group was leaving!

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The monanara was good, nothing to write home about, but it wasn’t bad. The drinks on the other hand were amazing! I would get both of those drinks again!

Since Epcot was so busy, we decided to cut our visit short and start making our way out after eating. We were still a bit hungry, so hoped to find a booth on the way out that didn’t have too long of a line. But every booth had super long lines, even the line for Morrocco which is just the same old stuff every festival wrapped out the door and through the pavilion!

We got almost to the IG and never passed a booth with a short line (other than Italy), so decided to just head out, worst case we could get food back at the hotel. We still had a bit of our drinks left though, so went down to the lower area by the water in front of France to finish those and enjoy the beautiful day!

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Once back in the room, mom decided to take a nap, but I was hungry so decided to head downstairs to the store to grab something to eat.

Once downstairs I saw the lobby crowds had reduced significantly, so after picking up a salad in the marketplace, I headed back to the lobby to get some pictures of the gingerbread, and stopped at the snack stand to pick up some treats for the room (macarons) and the gingerbread martini.

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I then headed upstairs to go rest out on the balcony and enjoy my salad and drink, and of course catch up on trip notes!

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Next up: Magnet Madness!​

Long lines = Disney episodes lol

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I wanted to pick up my Olaf scavenger hunt prize upon purchase too and the CM told me they were cracking easily and suggested I didn't want to carry around with me. Maybe the CM was trying to spare you? It doesn't give me great confidence about using around the house but so far so good. I am not putting in the dishwasher. Crowds that weekend were intense! I really wish there was mobile order or lightning lane for the booths!! Totally agree with you on Italy - could be so much better!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Later in the week when we were at the YC we would always bring up as we passed that side entrance how much we wished we were back in that room so we didn't have to walk any further!

As far as I'm concerned - the number one reason for staying at the Beach Club is the proximity to Epcot. It is also my husband's favorite resort. I prefer the rooms at the YC, mostly because of the showers.

It was about 12:45 when we left the store, so decided to book it over to China to catch the 1:00 storyteller show.

You must be very fast walkers. The World Showcase is bigger than some people realize.

This was sooooo cool, I loved this storyteller!

This is the one storyteller that we haven't been able to see in its entirety. The showtimes need to coordinate with the shows at Norway.

As mentioned previously, it was Dapper Day, and while walking it was fun to check out all the amazing outfits people had on. I was so impressed with the outfits, there were some really amazing ones and I loved how most were holiday inspired!

We were at a Dapper Days one time and it was a lot of fun. People really enjoy dressing up.

We got almost to the IG and never passed a booth with a short line (other than Italy), so decided to just head out, worst case we could get food back at the hotel.

We ducked out of Epcot once to get some dinner at the Beach Club Marketplace. The chicken dinner really hit the spot. The food booths weren't working out.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Glad to see you started a new report.

I actually saw you on 12/7 at MK. I tried saying hi but you were talking to your mom and moving quickly and I didn't want to run after you screaming.

I was also in BC when you arrived checking out the Christmas decor. I didn't see you but I will confirm it was super busy in there.

Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

 

[VAtink]

Long lines = Disney episodes lol

You would think by now we'd learn to not go to Epcot on a Saturday during a festival!

 

[VAtink]

I wanted to pick up my Olaf scavenger hunt prize upon purchase too and the CM told me they were cracking easily and suggested I didn't want to carry around with me. Maybe the CM was trying to spare you? It doesn't give me great confidence about using around the house but so far so good. I am not putting in the dishwasher. Crowds that weekend were intense! I really wish there was mobile order or lightning lane for the booths!! Totally agree with you on Italy - could be so much better!!

Oh interesting! That may be why they wouldn't let us grab it right away.

Yeah, that weekend was a bit nuts, one of these trips we'll remember to avoid Epcot on festival weekends! And yes! I would love if they had mobile order at the booths, or if they brought back that VIP seating area from like a decade ago where the CMs ran to get the food for you. I would pay good money for that!

 

[VAtink]

As far as I'm concerned - the number one reason for staying at the Beach Club is the proximity to Epcot. It is also my husband's favorite resort. I prefer the rooms at the YC, mostly because of the showers.

Definitely agree. We prefer the YC too, but do love how close the BC is to Epcot!

You must be very fast walkers. The World Showcase is bigger than some people realize.

Oh yeah, we're pretty quick, and my mom likes to walk single file (I have no idea why) so it's easy to weave between others.

This is the one storyteller that we haven't been able to see in its entirety. The showtimes need to coordinate with the shows at Norway.

It was probably my favorite storyteller that we saw, but we only got to see three of them unfortunately. It's funny, we planned to see them all, but things just go so busy we ran out of time!

We were at a Dapper Days one time and it was a lot of fun. People really enjoy dressing up.

It is so cool seeing the different outfits! I especially loved this one since most were holiday themed and just stunning!

We ducked out of Epcot once to get some dinner at the Beach Club Marketplace. The chicken dinner really hit the spot. The food booths weren't working out.

Yeah, it is nice when the booths are packed or just don't have what you want to have the option of the marketplace. They also have decent sandwiches there too that we get sometimes.

 

[VAtink]

Glad to see you started a new report.

Thanks, and

I actually saw you on 12/7 at MK. I tried saying hi but you were talking to your mom and moving quickly and I didn't want to run after you screaming.

Oh no way! We were probably rushing somewhere to get dry for a bit, we were pretty sick of being soaked after a while

I was also in BC when you arrived checking out the Christmas decor. I didn't see you but I will confirm it was super busy in there.

Haha, that's too funny! Maybe one of these trips we'll actually bump into each other! It's fun meeting fellow Dis-board members!

Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

Thank you!

 

[VAtink]

Day 1, Part 3: Magnet Madness!​

Mom woke up from her nap around 2:30 and we quickly got ready for our next adventure of the day, Animal Kingdom!

I checked the bus time on the app and saw one was coming at 2:48, so we headed downstairs a hair after 2:40 to catch that bus.

The bus was right on time, and before long we were pulling into AK!

Our first stop was out front to get a photopass picture with the tree. The line wasn’t bad, but it moved slowly, so it took about 20 minutes to get through.









Afterwards we finally made our way into the park. We were met with one of our favorite holiday things, the Merry Menagerie!







While we were standing to the side to watch, one of the bird performers had the birds swoop down right in front of these people who were next to us, but they were so focused on their phones they were completely oblivious. So the performer kept swooping the bird in front of their faces, but they never noticed. The CM even said to us “I wonder how many times I have to do this for them to notice!” (turns out infinity….they never noticed the bird like 6” in front of their faces!)

We also got to interact with some of them which is always fun!

After we got our fill of the Menagerie, we went to get in line for the AP magnets. Some advice…if you’re going to get them still, do NOT go on the weekend! The line was crazy long with multiple areas of switchbacks. Took about 30 minutes to get through the line and get magnets. Later in the week when we were back at AK the line was only like 5 people long, so go during the week if you can! While in line I got some pictures of the Christmas decor.







We did some shopping after getting our magnets and got one of the cute holiday sweaters.

At that point we were ready to head out to rest a bit before dinner, so we made our way to the buses. We got to the bus stop a minute before one arrived, yay! But then we ended up sitting there for almost 25 minutes before leaving! Uggggghhhhh. And during that time the bus filled up so it was packed. Double ugh!

Oh well, at least we had seats!

We made it back to the Beach Club and headed upstairs to shower and rest a bit before our dinner plans.

Next up: Flying Fish!​

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh interesting! That may be why they wouldn't let us grab it right away.

Yeah, that weekend was a bit nuts, one of these trips we'll remember to avoid Epcot on festival weekends! And yes! I would love if they had mobile order at the booths, or if they brought back that VIP seating area from like a decade ago where the CMs ran to get the food for you. I would pay good money for that!

To this day I am mad I didn't do the Food and Wine VIP experience thing. I remember it was not well-explained. I think it was only Tues, Wed, Thurs and it was unclear if you arrived on a Thurs if you'd be able to use the benefit the following Tuesday and Wednesday. Ugh. I wish I'd just tried it.

Love AK at holiday time. The menagerie is so cute. I have an odd talent for getting on the bus at shift change and sitting there for what feels like forever while they go through the process to turn over. I get so mad at myself each time but never learn to avoid.

 

[VAtink]

To this day I am mad I didn't do the Food and Wine VIP experience thing. I remember it was not well-explained. I think it was only Tues, Wed, Thurs and it was unclear if you arrived on a Thurs if you'd be able to use the benefit the following Tuesday and Wednesday. Ugh. I wish I'd just tried it.

Same here! I think it was in like 2016 or 2017, and we decided the following year we'd splurge and do it, but of course it didn't come back!

Love AK at holiday time. The menagerie is so cute. I have an odd talent for getting on the bus at shift change and sitting there for what feels like forever while they go through the process to turn over. I get so mad at myself each time but never learn to avoid.

Yes! AK has my favorite tree too, and we love the Merry Menagerie, it's so cute! That's annoying to keep catching the bus driver shift change, we've only had that happen once that I can remember and it seemed to take forever!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Following along! Curious to know if you used the magic band scan on this trip. I use it every trip now and never have to go to the front desk when I change my MB!

 

[VAtink]

Following along! Curious to know if you used the magic band scan on this trip. I use it every trip now and never have to go to the front desk when I change my MB!

, thanks for joining in! We didn't use the magic band scan this trip and I was so disappointed! For the first time ever I really wanted our magic bands to not work to open our door! I did find where to do it in the app though, so next time the bands don't work I'll be ready.

 

[VAtink]

Well I was going to update this TR today, but then I got distracted by planning for our April trip...oops! So now you get a RL update instead!

I have a dilemma for this April trip. I was looking at flights today, and we're currently planning on flying in on Sunday, but my flight times aren't lining up with my parent's at all, so I started looking at flying in on Saturday instead. I figured I could fly in on Saturday and then just stay at the airport hotel and meet my parents the following morning when their flight gets in. Flying in on Saturday is actually a lot cheaper, like $200 cheaper, so that definitely made me think this was the better option. That was until I looked at the airport hotel rates for Saturday night....guys, what on earth is happening with the airport Hyatt...the cheapest room is $530 a night!!!! In the past when we've stayed there it's been under $300, what is going on??? And no, this isn't around Easter, this is the end of the month.

But then I got to thinking...I could stay at a Disney hotel that night for way less than what the airport hotel is charging, so I looked into it. Sure enough, there are tons of options at Disney that are less, and at deluxe resorts too! But this is where my dilemma is, yes the flight is cheaper on Saturday, but if I add the hotel in it's about $200 more in total. So is it worth the extra $200 to come in on Saturday and then meet my parents at our hotel on Sunday?

Follow-up to that, if I fly down on Saturday, do I take the 7am flight so I can have the full day down there (which let's face it, my flight will likely be delayed so I'm probably not going to get said full day), or do I take the 1pm flight and get in later and just have the evening there? Both flights are the same price currently.

Decisions decisions! What would you all do??

 

[hardcorestitch]

Day 1, Part 3: Magnet Madness!​

Mom woke up from her nap around 2:30 and we quickly got ready for our next adventure of the day, Animal Kingdom!

I checked the bus time on the app and saw one was coming at 2:48, so we headed downstairs a hair after 2:40 to catch that bus.

The bus was right on time, and before long we were pulling into AK!

Our first stop was out front to get a photopass picture with the tree. The line wasn’t bad, but it moved slowly, so it took about 20 minutes to get through.

View attachment 1032741

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Afterwards we finally made our way into the park. We were met with one of our favorite holiday things, the Merry Menagerie!

View attachment 1032746

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While we were standing to the side to watch, one of the bird performers had the birds swoop down right in front of these people who were next to us, but they were so focused on their phones they were completely oblivious. So the performer kept swooping the bird in front of their faces, but they never noticed. The CM even said to us “I wonder how many times I have to do this for them to notice!” (turns out infinity….they never noticed the bird like 6” in front of their faces!)

We also got to interact with some of them which is always fun!

After we got our fill of the Menagerie, we went to get in line for the AP magnets. Some advice…if you’re going to get them still, do NOT go on the weekend! The line was crazy long with multiple areas of switchbacks. Took about 30 minutes to get through the line and get magnets. Later in the week when we were back at AK the line was only like 5 people long, so go during the week if you can! While in line I got some pictures of the Christmas decor.

View attachment 1032748

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We did some shopping after getting our magnets and got one of the cute holiday sweaters.

At that point we were ready to head out to rest a bit before dinner, so we made our way to the buses. We got to the bus stop a minute before one arrived, yay! But then we ended up sitting there for almost 25 minutes before leaving! Uggggghhhhh. And during that time the bus filled up so it was packed. Double ugh!

Oh well, at least we had seats!

We made it back to the Beach Club and headed upstairs to shower and rest a bit before our dinner plans.

Next up: Flying Fish!​

Glad you enjoyed your time at AK. Nahtazu!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Decisions decisions! What would you all do??

My sister-in-law can never get a flight as early as we can. So, three of us take our early flight and enjoy some park time until she arrives at the resort about four hours later.

If it was me and I didn't have to work on Saturday, then I would be tempted to book one night at one of the cheaper Disney resorts and go a day early. I would also take the early flight. I hate hanging around the house when I know there is a trip waiting for me.

 

[GGOOFY1]

I found the flights cheaper to fly in the night before our trip in February. So, I booked one night at POP Century and did the dining plan. We then transfer over to BW the next day, have refillable mugs for the duration of our trip, booked Cape May for dinner, just have to figure out our counter service and snack.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I vote for early flight Saturday. Hopefully you get the afternoon but at a minimum you have a nice evening, solo dinner, and get yourself in the mindset for vacation. Are there any restaurants that your parents don't like that you love?

 

[piglet1979]

Well I was going to update this TR today, but then I got distracted by planning for our April trip...oops! So now you get a RL update instead!

I have a dilemma for this April trip. I was looking at flights today, and we're currently planning on flying in on Sunday, but my flight times aren't lining up with my parent's at all, so I started looking at flying in on Saturday instead. I figured I could fly in on Saturday and then just stay at the airport hotel and meet my parents the following morning when their flight gets in. Flying in on Saturday is actually a lot cheaper, like $200 cheaper, so that definitely made me think this was the better option. That was until I looked at the airport hotel rates for Saturday night....guys, what on earth is happening with the airport Hyatt...the cheapest room is $530 a night!!!! In the past when we've stayed there it's been under $300, what is going on??? And no, this isn't around Easter, this is the end of the month.

But then I got to thinking...I could stay at a Disney hotel that night for way less than what the airport hotel is charging, so I looked into it. Sure enough, there are tons of options at Disney that are less, and at deluxe resorts too! But this is where my dilemma is, yes the flight is cheaper on Saturday, but if I add the hotel in it's about $200 more in total. So is it worth the extra $200 to come in on Saturday and then meet my parents at our hotel on Sunday?

Follow-up to that, if I fly down on Saturday, do I take the 7am flight so I can have the full day down there (which let's face it, my flight will likely be delayed so I'm probably not going to get said full day), or do I take the 1pm flight and get in later and just have the evening there? Both flights are the same price currently.

Decisions decisions! What would you all do??

I would fly down earlier on Saturday but I would stay at a Value resort for the one night to get it at a cheaper price.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I found the flights cheaper to fly in the night before our trip in February. So, I booked one night at POP Century and did the dining plan. We then transfer over to BW the next day, have refillable mugs for the duration of our trip, booked Cape May for dinner, just have to figure out our counter service and snack.

My daughter did that and it was genuis! It saved them a lot of money.