I keep thinking I should post something in this thread (Here Now/Recently) but a lot of it was covered. I traveled between 9/22-9/25 (ironically, that was my original plan - but then I added on the night before and then my flight was cancelled … it was a mess). I'll break it into two parts.
9/22 - checked into AKL and DME went smoothly even with the numerous changes I had. Originally I pre-purchased a MB and it was sent to ASMu as I had added the night before there (DVC rental at AKL). I called the night before, when my flight was cancelled, to let ASMu know I wasn’t coming and they could have it ready to turn-over and/or re-rent (mine was non-refundable) and to see if they could get someone to take the MB over to AKL. That took a while. I tried Mobile Magic before receiving it - life was a lot easier for me with the MB (my phone case seemed to be a problem when I went to EP).
Went to EP for the day (arrived near noon given early morning flight, DME, and then bus to EP); immediately walked to S220 to see about a reservation/lounge - they were running out of reservations but I scored a lounge visit, which was my preference. Had the chicken on waffle. It was good; but as I’ve said in S220 threads - I wanted to really like the place and it felt very boring after a couple of minutes.
Test Track was down from the time I arrived (and seemingly since open) until maybe 4 or 5? So that made things like FEA have a little bit more of a wait. Soarin was basically a walk-on and it was great (haven’t been since they changed it from CA, which I honestly preferred). Enjoyed the Hawaii booth for F&W. I needed a mid-day break (body gave out) and I waited for more than an hour (63 min - I had taken a pic of the monorail as I left the park and my bus stop was super close) before getting a bus. It was beyond frustrating (especially because then people would walk up way after me and not get in line and got on first - and mostly the heat and my body made me irritable. After that, I decided if I felt like it was a hurry, I’d Uber. After park close, etc when it felt like buses would be more reliable, I’d do that.
Made it back around 5 or 6? TT was finally up in the evening - I also enjoyed SR there (standby was over an hour at that point). Picked up a Mobile Order at Regal Eagle just as it started to pour down (and I had left my poncho in the room). It was perfect timing - and I finished eating and it stopped raining. Got a final ride on Soarin, some extra shopping, and got to a good place to see Epcot Forever - it was a full day and got everything I wanted (and avoid the departing crowds by checking out Creations).
9/23 - got a very late start (wanted to RD DHS, especially since it was the first day of not doing BG for ROTR and I worried that without RD, I wouldn’t get to go). But, I have some accessibility stuff and hadn’t taken care of myself Wed. Had a late breakfast (11:30, I think?) at Ohana and it was fantastic! Wow, wow, wow. I went to Aulani just as Covid was beginning to spread and this was a great connection back to a place I love.
Got to DHS around 1, I think. They were out of ECV and put me on a waitlist; in the meantime, I pushed myself in a manual chair (that, plus the heat and not being used to the chair created some major hand blisters. I really wish they sold gloves and I looked in just about every shop to try to find something that would help. Otherwise that went fine, except I did poorly at going up hills). ROTR was posted as a long wait - I got on within 30-40. MMRR was great although I missed a bit because I was still trying to recover from hills and the heat. ToT has lost its luster for me (it’s fine but not that exciting anymore). Single Rider line at RnRC was great (I know sometimes it doesn’t go much faster).
Really enjoyed SDD (first time doing it) and I also did it again at night (and that was amazing). SW:GE was fine (I'm not a huge SW person - all of the references beyond Chewbacca and Darth Vader are lost on me) - cool and clearly well done but just fine, for a non-fan. I really enjoyed the WWoA show (but wow do I miss Fantasmic!).