I had to be in Orlando for work, so my 14 year old son came with me and we spent Aug 11-13 hitting the parks! It was our first trip in August, and I was concerned about the heat - but it all worked out.
Our first day in Orlando, we hit Universal Studios, a first for us. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, and spent the day in the park using the Express Pass Unlimited. I loved that - I would be happy with Disney doing something like that! Did everything we wanted to do within the afternoon! Ate at the Kitchen for dinner (hotel restaurant), and went to be for the MK tomorrow!
I got up early and grabbed some breakfast for us, and we were on the road to the Contemporary around 7:45. Parked the car, applied lots of sun tan lotion, and walked to the MK. We got to go in and wait in the hub. We got there about 8:40, and for the next 10 minutes, that was the hottest we would be! Pretty blistering! We got on the Seven Dwarfs Mine cart first, then hit BTMRR 3 times, then waited in a pretty long line for Splash Mountain. It was now a little after 11, and the park was busier. We hit Pirates, then did the T-cups twice. Got a drink and snack from the Cheshire Cat (got the Cheshire Cat tail and Curioser and Curioser slushy - both very good!), and decided to head out. Took the monorail, put on the swim suits and swam for a while, and then our room was ready. First time staying in the Garden Wing. Very nice room, but we were on the far end, so it was a bit of a hike. Rested, and took the monorail back in. Did the Little Mermaid, then got some corn dog bites at Caseys, did some shopping - and got and 8:15 reservation at the Crystal Palace. Took the monorail back, and got a caricature at the Contemporary. Walked around the property and BLT some, rested, then got back on the monorail and went to the Crystal Palace. The meal we had was great!, and we saw some of the fireworks during it. We left down main street with all the lights, which is great, walked back to the Contemporary (monorail was mobbed), and called it a day.
Friday morning was DHS! I got up to signup for the Rise of the Resistance, and got a 3:00 time, which was later than I hoped. We packed up and got there about 8:40. It was great - we went right to Micky and Minnie's Train ride - a first - and they let us right into the queue before the 9:00 opening time! Great ride! We then went to the Alien Swirling Saucers, and then the Millenium Falcon (had done that before but love it) - and then got some "Blue" milk. Did Star Tours, then Toy Story Mania. Ate lunch at PizzeRizzos, then did Slinky Dog for the first time - very fun, but a long wait. Rise of the Resistance had had a number of issues, and our time was push out to after 5, and it was about time for us to leave. We headed out, drove through Disney Springs, and got to the airport (just in time for our flight to be cancelled!).
Great quick trip - last time we'd been there was in January before Covid with our daughter - Mom too smart to do such a quick trip! It was hot, but not as bad as I thought, and the lines were bigger than we usually see during off-peak time (pre-covid). Not sure what capacity the parks were at, but it seemed pretty busy. I was also worried that there were no fast passes, but it worked out ok. Regardless, we had a great time!
Our first day in Orlando, we hit Universal Studios, a first for us. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, and spent the day in the park using the Express Pass Unlimited. I loved that - I would be happy with Disney doing something like that! Did everything we wanted to do within the afternoon! Ate at the Kitchen for dinner (hotel restaurant), and went to be for the MK tomorrow!
I got up early and grabbed some breakfast for us, and we were on the road to the Contemporary around 7:45. Parked the car, applied lots of sun tan lotion, and walked to the MK. We got to go in and wait in the hub. We got there about 8:40, and for the next 10 minutes, that was the hottest we would be! Pretty blistering! We got on the Seven Dwarfs Mine cart first, then hit BTMRR 3 times, then waited in a pretty long line for Splash Mountain. It was now a little after 11, and the park was busier. We hit Pirates, then did the T-cups twice. Got a drink and snack from the Cheshire Cat (got the Cheshire Cat tail and Curioser and Curioser slushy - both very good!), and decided to head out. Took the monorail, put on the swim suits and swam for a while, and then our room was ready. First time staying in the Garden Wing. Very nice room, but we were on the far end, so it was a bit of a hike. Rested, and took the monorail back in. Did the Little Mermaid, then got some corn dog bites at Caseys, did some shopping - and got and 8:15 reservation at the Crystal Palace. Took the monorail back, and got a caricature at the Contemporary. Walked around the property and BLT some, rested, then got back on the monorail and went to the Crystal Palace. The meal we had was great!, and we saw some of the fireworks during it. We left down main street with all the lights, which is great, walked back to the Contemporary (monorail was mobbed), and called it a day.
Friday morning was DHS! I got up to signup for the Rise of the Resistance, and got a 3:00 time, which was later than I hoped. We packed up and got there about 8:40. It was great - we went right to Micky and Minnie's Train ride - a first - and they let us right into the queue before the 9:00 opening time! Great ride! We then went to the Alien Swirling Saucers, and then the Millenium Falcon (had done that before but love it) - and then got some "Blue" milk. Did Star Tours, then Toy Story Mania. Ate lunch at PizzeRizzos, then did Slinky Dog for the first time - very fun, but a long wait. Rise of the Resistance had had a number of issues, and our time was push out to after 5, and it was about time for us to leave. We headed out, drove through Disney Springs, and got to the airport (just in time for our flight to be cancelled!).
Great quick trip - last time we'd been there was in January before Covid with our daughter - Mom too smart to do such a quick trip! It was hot, but not as bad as I thought, and the lines were bigger than we usually see during off-peak time (pre-covid). Not sure what capacity the parks were at, but it seemed pretty busy. I was also worried that there were no fast passes, but it worked out ok. Regardless, we had a great time!
