Unexpected hits: FEA & new Soarin-loved them even though we also liked their predecessors & were not excited about changes going in. Were able to do FEA @ rope drop w/o FPP with 5-25 minute wait (posted time said 40 min). Tried it again one night at 8:50 but it went down.
Also LOVE Tiffins lounge in evening (AK)-will be mobbed when Avatarland opens but for now it's a hidden gem. A bit pricey but lovely-quiet, romantic but even my 16 y/o enjoyed it.
Did 3 new things (usually go every 2-3 years since '74):
lunch w/ an Imagineer; Wild Africa Trek; Backstage Magic. Liked them in that order. By far our favorite was Imagineer lunch-great imagineer (Ryan), excellent food, great service & knowledgeable but not know-it-all guests; well worth the price! Each of the 4 families had teenagers.
Did FPP for safari around dusk-worked out great-cats definitely more active! Did one am safari in the rain-elephants were more active.
Also excellent: ice cream store in Epcot France-as good as what I've had in Europe. For an adult treat, try the milk chocolate orange (with bits of orange peel!) and a shot of Gran Marnier! Even better when it melts!
Uniqlo store in Disney Springs has high quality Disney & Pixar character shirts for about $15. Higher quality & different patterns than Dis stores.
Misses: monorail down but no extra buses put on TT - Epcot run to compensate at park opening.
Post SW fireworks at HS had no extra buses to move guests out. Had to wait almost an hour for bus to Poly/GF (all other resorts empty, took 5 buses to clear out queu though empty ones were passing). Never went back to watch it again because of that.
Text to let me know our room was ready repeatedly failed (we resort-hopped).
Was HOT (105 heat index throughout trip). Did mid-day break each day (sometimes coincidental with rain) but pushed too hard to do 'just one more thing' most days which pushed us into grumpy exhaustion - totally my fault.
Stayed at Wilderness Lodge despite construction-plus was reduced volume due to many wing closures for refurb but pool much more crowded because other one is closed. Lobby & restaurants feel empty. Had an attic (dormer) room-very dark!
Best character interactions were Merida in MK, Aladdin & Jasmine in Epcot, & Dug (from Up) in AK. Tigger was misbehaving & giving his handlers a hard time in MK & Pooh wasn't into it so it was more awkward than fun.
Also LOVE Tiffins lounge in evening (AK)-will be mobbed when Avatarland opens but for now it's a hidden gem. A bit pricey but lovely-quiet, romantic but even my 16 y/o enjoyed it.
Did 3 new things (usually go every 2-3 years since '74):
lunch w/ an Imagineer; Wild Africa Trek; Backstage Magic. Liked them in that order. By far our favorite was Imagineer lunch-great imagineer (Ryan), excellent food, great service & knowledgeable but not know-it-all guests; well worth the price! Each of the 4 families had teenagers.
Did FPP for safari around dusk-worked out great-cats definitely more active! Did one am safari in the rain-elephants were more active.
Also excellent: ice cream store in Epcot France-as good as what I've had in Europe. For an adult treat, try the milk chocolate orange (with bits of orange peel!) and a shot of Gran Marnier! Even better when it melts!
Uniqlo store in Disney Springs has high quality Disney & Pixar character shirts for about $15. Higher quality & different patterns than Dis stores.
Misses: monorail down but no extra buses put on TT - Epcot run to compensate at park opening.
Post SW fireworks at HS had no extra buses to move guests out. Had to wait almost an hour for bus to Poly/GF (all other resorts empty, took 5 buses to clear out queu though empty ones were passing). Never went back to watch it again because of that.
Text to let me know our room was ready repeatedly failed (we resort-hopped).
Was HOT (105 heat index throughout trip). Did mid-day break each day (sometimes coincidental with rain) but pushed too hard to do 'just one more thing' most days which pushed us into grumpy exhaustion - totally my fault.
Stayed at Wilderness Lodge despite construction-plus was reduced volume due to many wing closures for refurb but pool much more crowded because other one is closed. Lobby & restaurants feel empty. Had an attic (dormer) room-very dark!
Best character interactions were Merida in MK, Aladdin & Jasmine in Epcot, & Dug (from Up) in AK. Tigger was misbehaving & giving his handlers a hard time in MK & Pooh wasn't into it so it was more awkward than fun.
