Living the Dream Trip Report: Day 7- Solo in the Magic Kingdom (mostly!)

[BudgieMama]

After a very late night at Villains Unleashed, our final full day started with a lazy morning. Hubby decided he wanted to go to Blizzard Beach, but I was too tired for an early start, so we waved goodbye, with instructions that he needed to be in the Magic Kingdom by 6pm at the latest, as we had dinner booked at Cinderella's Royal Table at 7pm.

Obviously, I can't write much of a report for his day at Blizzard Beach, but he's a couple of shots of him braving Summit Plummet (I couldn't have done that!)

In the meantime, I went to the Carriage House to rearrange our pick up for DME the following day (we wanted to be on our way a little earlier, as they'd scheduled us for pick-up 3.5 hours before our flight, and we wanted a bit more of a cushion in the event of bad traffic) and to grab some breakfast at the Artist's Palette. There were no free tables, so I asked for take away and took my bounty platter back to the villa for a nice quiet meal. After breakfast, I went back to speak to the Concierge about the disaster of Villains Unleashed. Both the CMs I spoke to about it were really apologetic, and tried to get through to DHS for me, but couldn't. They gave me the email details, and apologised again, and I went back to my room to wrap my legs in ice towels before heading to the MK (it was one of the treatments for my heat rash!)

I was so chilled just sitting on the patio with my feet up that I nearly didn't head out to MK until much later, but I had a FP+ for the Festival of Fantasy parade, and I hadn't seen it yet.

I didn't wait long for a bus, and was soon on my way to MK. I arrived and after chatting with the sweetest bag check guy ever, I head up to the station so I could grab the train round to Fantasyland, as the lines app told me Minnie and Daisy had a short wait, and I hadn't met Minnie yet!

Daisy and Minnie were very cute in their circus outfits, so I was glad I'd stopped by!

As I'd met Donald and Goofy at Tusker House yesterday, I decided to head to another must-do I hadn't do yet- the carousel!

Selfie!

Once I'd hopped off my Carousel ride, I spotted the Tremaine family had a reasonable line. I joined it, and was told they would be going in and I could meet the Fairy Godmother (fine with me), but the line didn't move very quickly, and I needed to get to the FP+ area for the parade, so I head that way instead.

I wasn't sure whether I'd made a mistake, but I enjoyed the viewing area, especially having the Castle as backdrop for my photos... however, it was HOT HOT HOT waiting there. I was wearing my Converse, and could feel my feet burning through the soles from the pavement! Youch! I ended up buying a misting fan, and it's actually one of my favourite souvenirs. I wish I'd bought one on the first day!

I took a lot of photos during the parade, but here's just a few favourites:

I love Seahorses, so these guys were some of my favourites!

I love this shot of the fairies!

There's the money shot! Worth the heat and the waiting around for that one!!

To be continued!

 

[BudgieMama]

After the Parade, there was another experience I wanted to have: Enchanted Tales with Belle. I had a FP+ for the following morning, but there was a short wait posted, and it was one of the few things I still wanted to do before we left.

I loved the cottage details, and even though I'd seen the mirror effect on Youtube, I still don't understand it- it's incredible! I was picked as one of the suits of armour, which was cool, although meant I couldn't really watch properly! It did mean I could get a lovely shot with Belle afterwards!

After Belle, it was nearly time for my FP+ for the Mine Train. It was looking like the rain was heading our way, but only spotting when my window opened, so I went ahead to use it. They were announcing they may have to shut with no warning as I got inside, but as I say, it was only spotting, so I wasn't worried!

Once we had boarded and head outside, however, the rain had really started! It was like riding a washing machine! It was so heavy I had to shut my eyes, and I was totally soaked when I got off! I put my raincoat on (a little pointless at this point really) and decided to try and find a ride with cover... It's A Small World seemed like a good option, although on approach the line looked quite long... it turned out to be people sheltering in the line, not waiting, and it was a walk on! After IASW, the rain had mostly stopped, but I head to Haunted Mansion which was also a walk on, in case it came back!

The rain had stopped properly when I was done, and I spotted on the line app that there was only a 15 minute posted wait on Buzz Lightyear, which I hadn't had chance to do yet, so I headed over to Tomorrowland for a ride! I timed the wait for the Line app, and whilst they predicted a 9 minute wait, I was on in 4 minutes!

I had text from DH that he was arriving at MK, so I hopped on the PeopleMover and told him to come to Tomorrowland. It had a short down time before I could board, but it meant I had my very own carriage all to myself!

As I was getting back to the end, DH was waiting by the exit, and it was getting towards our ADR time, so we head over to the Castle. We had a few minutes to wait, so I convinced him to ride the Carousel too!

Once we were done, it was time to check in, and we were waiting for our photo with Cinderella

Erm, yes... we're all matching!

To be continued...

 

[BudgieMama]

CRT was our longest wait for our ADR. We maybe were taken up the dining room 20 minutes after our ADR time, but as they had nice benches to wait on, it wasn't an issue. When we got upstairs, we understood the wait, as the dining room is tiny! We could even tell you who left to free up our table! I still think we were very lucky to get that ADR, which we booked at 62 days out, the first time we looked for one, and it was the perfect place for our final meal at WDW!

The food was really good- I had the trio of cheeses, and then the chicken, and we both opted for the signature dessert, When the Clock Strikes Midnight, which was YUMMY!

The portions weren't huge at CRT, but perfect for me to be able to eat 3 courses!

Whilst we ate, along came the Princesses!!

First time meeting Jasmine- we chatted about my t-shirt: she told me she'd seen one with her on, but never seen the blue box before. I told her it travelled in time, so to keep her eyes open!

As DH is called Philip, I made Aurora get a photo with my Prince Philip for me!

We had a FP+ for Wishes, but neither of us felt like hanging around until 10pm for the fireworks. We debated heading over the Big Thunder Mountain, but decided we were too full... which meant we forgot we hadn't visited the Tiki Room! DOH! We decided it was time to make our way back to the resort, so we could pack and get a good night's sleep, and we needed to get down Main Street before the parade came through!

We stopped at 3 or 4 photographers on our way out, hoping to get some nice photos, and weren't disappointed!

As we reached Town Square, we saw Tink had a 10 minute wait posted, and as we hadn't met her, we head in there to say hi. We actually only waited about 5 minutes, and as she wasn't busy, she was really taking her time with people. It was very cute, and DH said she was his favourite character we met, because she was SO much Tinkerbell!

And with that, we bid farewell to the Magic Kingdom, and head for our bus home. Leaving early meant it was nice a quiet, and we were soon home and packing up ready to leave... sob!

 

[Sam1]

There's the money shot! Worth the heat and the waiting around for that one!!

To be continued!

Wow, excellent photo! What is the viewing area like with fastpass+? Is it crowded, or is there plenty of space without having to get there too early?

 

[BudgieMama]

Wow, excellent photo! What is the viewing area like with fastpass+? Is it crowded, or is there plenty of space without having to get there too early?

It wasn't at all crowded. As I said, it was hot, and there was no shade so it was brutal, but I liked the view. I arrives about 2.55pm and got a spot behind a stroller so I could see fine. All the space at the rope was gone then, but I wasn't worried about that and I am tall!

I only saw the parade from the FP+ area, so I don't know of you can get a comparable view at that time without being packed in, but I had no-one behind me, so had a comfortable amount of space

 

[Azza1987]

Looks like a great last day!

Question is, are you a convert from your first visit?

After my first visit last May, I was ok for a couple of weeks then I really got the Disney blues and just knew I had to go back! Xx

 

[BudgieMama]

Looks like a great last day!

Question is, are you a convert from your first visit?

After my first visit last May, I was ok for a couple of weeks then I really got the Disney blues and just knew I had to go back! Xx

Yes and no... Yes, we want to go back, but no, we couldn't do it every year! We've just booked to go back to Iceland in February (we went earlier this year), and I could quite happily do that every year, but WDW is a bit too much.

I might see if we can do DLP in a year or two, and then we're hoping to go back to WDW in about 5 years.

 

[Sam1]

It wasn't at all crowded. As I said, it was hot, and there was no shade so it was brutal, but I liked the view. I arrives about 2.55pm and got a spot behind a stroller so I could see fine. All the space at the rope was gone then, but I wasn't worried about that and I am tall!

I only saw the parade from the FP+ area, so I don't know of you can get a comparable view at that time without being packed in, but I had no-one behind me, so had a comfortable amount of space

Oh right, I might have to take my daughter's pushchair in there for the shade then. I wasn't going to, but it sounds like she'll need it. I can't wait, the parade looks excellent!

 

[Chilly]

Brilliant dragon photo.