So its kind of a late post but I got a lot of advice prior to our trip so I figured Id do a recap. We went to Disney for 4 nights (we've been many times before) but this was our first May trip. Family of 4, myself, husband (not a disney lover) son 10 and daughter 13.
Dates were May 4-8
Disney Riveria One bedroom Villa.
VIP experience on May 5th
Thursday 5th - HS and MK
Friday 6th - Epcot
Saturday 7th - AK and MK
This was hands down the best trip we've been on. We did more in three full park days then we have in years that we went for 8 nights. Three things played a huge part in that. VIP obviously, We were picked up at the resort at 8:30am and started at HS spent about 4.5 hours there. We rode our favorites more than once, our guide got us waters numerous times, got the kids a snack while we waited in a line, and she ate lunch with us which was totally ok with us. After our last ride we went to MK. Rode everything we wanted there, meanwhile I was stacking Genie+ times for when we separated from our guide. She got us all ice cream bars at MK as well. The ease of getting into parks was amazing and so worth it. We waited for nothing more than 15 min. I know this is a pricey add on but if you are able to do it its worth every penny. I was worried with being with someone all day but she was wonderful and wasn't super fast paced. We walked at a nice stroll all day. Its like being on auto pilot. We tell her what we wanted to do then she leads the way in the best order to utilize time! My husband actually really enjoyed the day and I think its because there was no moments or "What do we do now" "Which way" no one arguing etc. We did 8 hours with her, so one more hour then the minimum time! I would 100% do it again and my husband even said "NEXT TIME we go to Disney we'll do VIP" I was shocked.
Second big factor. My kids are older now. Its a given the older your kids the easier they are ha. (well in some aspects) but when it comes to theme parks its a PERK. Dont get me wrong I loved talking them younger, when my son was 2 years old and he held onto those characters like they were his best friends, just melted my heart. Or my daughter going to BBB was so magical. BUT now they dont complain, they dont tire out by noon. They ride everything! It's fun to plan and talk to them about it all. It was just easier to do long days, early mornings, later nights.
Genie+ I know this is a hot topic LOL. I do not love it BUT it worked well for us. Again VIP we didn't need it most of the day, but I was able to get us plenty of rides later in the evening at MK. Epcot it worked fine, we walked on a lot but also was able to use it for Remi, Soarin so we could ride it twice, spaceship earth and TT, other rides we didn't need it. My husband & son actually rode Mission space three times walking on. We did wait 30 min for frozen. So it was useful on Epcot day. AK day as well, just not as many rides, but it was fine. We left AK though after lunch around 2 and I continued to stack time for MK later that night. When kids and I went back to MK around 5pm to 10pm we rode 8 things and ate dinner at the plaza. 5 rides were with Genie+ 3 were walk on. I was pretty happy with that! So I do not love being on my phone non stop, its frustrating that some rides are gone so quickly in the morning. But if you know to get those top rides first you can utilize it a lot.
Crowds were completely manageable. Both times we were in Fantasyland I could walk with my arms stretched out, I was shocked. The only park that felt really crowded and we honestly had the least fun was AK, It was just a cluster, its a harder park I feel to make a good route without back tracking, my genie+ times kinda weren't the best schedule so it was a lot more back and forth and again it just felt busier and HOTTER despite it being the coolest day.
We did eat at Space 220 and I was not as thrilled as I thought, It just didn't wow me like I thought it would. From pics and blogs etc it looks so incredible but I was very underwhelmed with it. Just wasn't impressive in my opinion. Food was good but again not amazing. I liked Yak and Yeti better. HA.
The Riveria is beautiful. I would def stay there again! We rented a car which we used, but also used the sky liner for our break during epcot day and we took the bus twice in evenings from MK. Overall it was just a great trip. It was also our first trip since prior to covid we didn't have to wear masks which for my family was wonderful. Things felt so much back to normal! Cast members were friendly, we never had a hard time getting food or drinks. It was just a great trip!
If you made it this far thanks for reading!!!