Had an amazing trip full of pixie dust and FP+. Family of 4 (DD7 and DS4) +2 in-laws. Stayed at BLT (rented points) in 2 lake view studios, one of which had the bonus MK view, which was pretty sweet. Transportation was excellent, monorails were always up when we wanted them. Never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus, never had bus more than half full. We did 7 park days (3 MK, 2 EP, 1 each DHS and AK), and tried to hit them on days when they were "most recommended." Generally, rope dropped each day, had FP+ booked for early in the day, then after lunch continuously booked additional FP+. We rode just about every ride (at least once), and with only one or 2 exceptions, never waited in line more than 15 minutes. Crowds seemly light overall, very few sports teams, tour groups, etc. Didn't seem to be any effect of the Pro-bowl on crowds. Weather was great (highs in mid 60s to high 70s) and it only rained one morning, and it happened to be the morning of our relax day at disney springs.
1/25- arrival, swimming (which have never gotten to do on any of our 2 previous january trips), CM dinner, watched the fireworks from our room.
1/26- 8 am arrival at MK, main street mostly empty, saw the openning show, booked it though the castle, 3rd in line for Cindy/Elena, then also met Tiana and Rapunzel by 9:20. DD7 got picked to be Beast in ETwB. 'Ohana for dinner, DS4 decided to chat up the table next to us which happened to be a party with 2 off-duty CMs, one of them gave him 2 golden FP (good for 6 people each) just for being so adorable (ended up using them on re-rides of TT and TSMM later in the trip)
1/27- rope drop EPCOT, met Joy and Sadness (awesome meet!), Baymax and rode Soarin' (w/o FP+) all by 9:40am. We really enjoyed FotA, food was great, seeing the art and the artists in the kiosks was pretty cool.
1/28- rope drop DHS, 6th in line for Jedi training (without even running!) They were giving away paper FP tickets good for up to 5 people at any ride at DHS (except TSMM) with Jedi sign up (is this normal?) , they gave us 2 since we has 6 people in the group, ended up doing 5 for a star tours re-ride and 2 on RR.
1/29- rest day-- Disney springs, then QV room at V&A for me an my wife to celebrate my 40th. that was absolutely amazing
1/30 - MK with our one "poor" choice. meet talking Mickey @ open (no FP+), posted 20 min, took about 15, then meet tink (no FP+) posted wait 10 minutes, took at least 30. Anyway, we regrouped, doing just about everything in frontier, adventure, and tomorrowland (including Space) with pre-planned and day-of FP+
1/31 - AK @ RD one one of the first safari vehicles of the day. saw every show (except bugs life), every ride (except Kali, which is closed), with FP+, and then rode one of the last safari vehicles of the day. Park closed at 7:30, we left about 8:30, waited maybe 2 minutes for a bus, then was told by a CM to take the "chip & dale" labeled bus, which would be our private taxi and return us to our resort.
2/1 - EPCOT @ 9:30 or so. Park seemed absolutely empty that day. A few rides, including FEA, then mostly WS, was able to get FP+ for Illuminations around 2pm, but ended up not using it, instead we watched from the bridge between UK and France (I knew it would be a good spot when i saw the 5 illuminations cruises parked beneath us). After, we walked out slowed, and monorailed back to BLT by 10:05pm
2/2- MK for reprise of our favorites, including speedway, HM, SM, PotC, Tikiroom (!), barnstormer. Day seemed busier, but was able to get day-of FP+ for just about everything
Overall, just an amazing trip, can't wait to do it again.
1/25- arrival, swimming (which have never gotten to do on any of our 2 previous january trips), CM dinner, watched the fireworks from our room.
1/26- 8 am arrival at MK, main street mostly empty, saw the openning show, booked it though the castle, 3rd in line for Cindy/Elena, then also met Tiana and Rapunzel by 9:20. DD7 got picked to be Beast in ETwB. 'Ohana for dinner, DS4 decided to chat up the table next to us which happened to be a party with 2 off-duty CMs, one of them gave him 2 golden FP (good for 6 people each) just for being so adorable (ended up using them on re-rides of TT and TSMM later in the trip)
1/27- rope drop EPCOT, met Joy and Sadness (awesome meet!), Baymax and rode Soarin' (w/o FP+) all by 9:40am. We really enjoyed FotA, food was great, seeing the art and the artists in the kiosks was pretty cool.
1/28- rope drop DHS, 6th in line for Jedi training (without even running!) They were giving away paper FP tickets good for up to 5 people at any ride at DHS (except TSMM) with Jedi sign up (is this normal?) , they gave us 2 since we has 6 people in the group, ended up doing 5 for a star tours re-ride and 2 on RR.
1/29- rest day-- Disney springs, then QV room at V&A for me an my wife to celebrate my 40th. that was absolutely amazing
1/30 - MK with our one "poor" choice. meet talking Mickey @ open (no FP+), posted 20 min, took about 15, then meet tink (no FP+) posted wait 10 minutes, took at least 30. Anyway, we regrouped, doing just about everything in frontier, adventure, and tomorrowland (including Space) with pre-planned and day-of FP+
1/31 - AK @ RD one one of the first safari vehicles of the day. saw every show (except bugs life), every ride (except Kali, which is closed), with FP+, and then rode one of the last safari vehicles of the day. Park closed at 7:30, we left about 8:30, waited maybe 2 minutes for a bus, then was told by a CM to take the "chip & dale" labeled bus, which would be our private taxi and return us to our resort.
2/1 - EPCOT @ 9:30 or so. Park seemed absolutely empty that day. A few rides, including FEA, then mostly WS, was able to get FP+ for Illuminations around 2pm, but ended up not using it, instead we watched from the bridge between UK and France (I knew it would be a good spot when i saw the 5 illuminations cruises parked beneath us). After, we walked out slowed, and monorailed back to BLT by 10:05pm
2/2- MK for reprise of our favorites, including speedway, HM, SM, PotC, Tikiroom (!), barnstormer. Day seemed busier, but was able to get day-of FP+ for just about everything
Overall, just an amazing trip, can't wait to do it again.
