Omitting Epcot: an April 16-19 trip

[happiestpoe]

Who?: Me and my other half




Where?: From MA to Gran Destino Tower (our first time staying at Coronado Springs!)



Why (did you skip Epcot)?: Well, we debated staying another night, but we had some things we wanted to do at home during school vacation week so that took precedence. Also, he doesn't love Epcot like I do. I know, I know; grounds for divorce surely. But I'm gradually getting him to come around!


DAY ONE (Apr 16th): Travel and Hollywood Studios
2.15am, only just barely the 16th, our alarms sounded. Sigh. We got quickly through the shower, packed coffee to go, and were on the road by 3.15. Logan is such a mess these days that it's become easier to drive down to Providence (or Hartford). There was no traffic on 128 at that time of day, so we got down there no problem. Bit of queue at the JetBlue desk-- they could use a separate bag drop counter IMHO-- but it passed reasonably quickly. The line at security looked daunting, but it moved quicker than we thought. Before we knew it were we on the other side, and ordering our Dunkins.

The flight left about 20ish minutes late; there was an issue hooking the jetbridge up the plane. I've never heard of that in all the flying I've done, so that was interesting (not really lol). JetBlue has pretty quick WiFi, so we were able to get on Genie+ and get our LL for Minnie & Mickey's Runaway Railway. I had resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't get to ride Rise of the Resistance, but I was still hoping we'd be able to get on. The flight was smooth and uneventful.

We landed at MCO around 10am, and didn't wait long at baggage reclaim. A Lyft was there promptly to whisk us to CS. As I said, it was our first time staying there and we loved it. I'd seen video tours but it was so much more beautiful in person. Our room was not ready-- we didn't think it would be on such a busy weekend-- so we changed clothes in the lobby restroom, dropped our bags at bell services, and got on the bus to HS. The transport gods were smiling on us this trip because we never waited more than five minutes for a bus at the resort or at the parks. (The gods of air travel, however, would have some different plans for us...)

We arrived at HS around noon, and went straight to Rosie's All-American for some lunch. Our LL for MMRR was 2.55, so we had plenty of time to walk around. This was our first visit to HS since Galaxy's Edge, so we were delighted to be seeing it for the first time. But it was hot! We found it a little oppressive. The standby queue for RotR never dropped below 100 minutes during our time there, and neither of us could face that wait. Maybe someday we'll make it on. We weren't interested in Smuggler's Run, as we didn't like the idea of having to do things on the ride. That probably seems silly, I realize. After a nice walk through GE, we went to Muppetvision. It holds up really well!

As we walked to MMRR, we got the notification that it was down! We waited about 15 minutes, then walked to Toy Story Land. We had a beer and popcorn break, then went back to MMRRR. I think we waited 10-15 more minutes and the ride re-opened. It was amazing! I'd seen the ridealong videos, but my partner had no idea, so he was really impressed when the screen 'broke' and we stepped into the cartoon. Honestly, seeing it on YouTube is nothing compared to seeing it in person. I know it's become so easy to moan about WDW lately-- and much of the time with good reason-- but they do so many things so well.

We packed in around 4pm, sweaty and tired. We got back to CS, and rang for our bags. When they arrived, about 20 minutes later, we got through the shower and ordered from Rix Sports Bar for dinner. We ate in the room (definitely recommend the chicken tinga egg roll!) and were in bed by 8.30. We had a MK view from our room, and my partner was looking forward to seeing the fireworks, but it didn't happen. Too tired.

 

[happiestpoe]

DAY TWO (Apr 17th): Magic Kingdom



We set an alarm for 6.45. Promptly at 7am I went down to the Mercado to grab us some Mickey Waffles, and he stayed in the room to get an LL. He loves 7DMT, so that was his first pick. Didn't happen, but we got Haunted Mansion for our first, so that was nice.

We ate, showered, and were waiting for the bus shortly after 8am. We didn't get a seat-- the downside of staying in the tower!-- but it's a short ride. MK was very crowded. I don't know the figures for Easter (and I cbb to look them up) but it felt exceptionally crowded. We ran to 7DMT to try to get on, but by the time we got there, it was already 75 minutes standby, and the queue stretched nearly to the teacups. So I suppose, really, it was twice that 75 minute figure. We decided to do Winnie the Pooh instead, as it had a 10 minute wait. That was a nice, easy way to start our day after running (literally running; and with me in crocs!) across the Kingdom. As we made our way toward HM, we saw that It's A Small World had no queue. It's one of my favourites, so we climbed on, and I annoyed my partner by singing at him.

Like a lot of people, I'm not (yet?) sold on Genie+; there are definitely issues with the entire thing. But my other half is a planner, an intiner-er, so he amused himself quite well figuring out how it worked, and how best to plan each LL. The moment we tapped into our LL, he'd grab my phone and scroll madly through the listings and strategize his was through the queue. To each their own.

Anyway, we arrived at HM and didn't have a long wait after combining the LL and standby queues. Our next LL was to be Splash Mountain, so after spending time with the grim, grinning, ghosts, we made our way to Frontierland. We did Big Thunder (about 40 minutes wait) and Pirates (about 25 minutes wait). Jungle Cruise vacillated between 90 and 120 minutes, so we gave it a miss. It's neither of our favourites, so it wasn't a great loss for us. We did Splash Mountain, and made our final LL for Space Mountain (his favourite). After SM, we went to Aloha Isle, and had a Dole Whip.

He'd been obsessively checking the map all morning, and we found that 7DMT was down. We went over to see what was happening, and the CM said she didn't know when it would back. We hovered for about ten minutes, then went on the teacups. While we were queueing for that ride, we saw that they were sending empty cars on 7DMT-- we figured that was a good sign! After teacups, we went back to the 7DMT queue, and waited. About 15 minutes later, they re-opened the ride. We walked straight down into the inside part, and there we waited about 35 minutes, and they were prioritizing the LL riders. Fair enough I suppose.

We stopped for lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus-- he had the pepperoni flatbread, and I had the roasted corn, and a diet coke. I don't really drink soda, but I always crave it at WDW. I suppose it's the heat/humidity. After lunch and a bit sit in the aircon, we made our way to Tomorrowland.

We went on People Mover, and then made our way to Space Mountain. I still love it, but it feels very different to ride it in one's 30s versus being, say, ten. I suppose we should have stretched beforehand! When we got back outside, the clouds were gathering-- thunder was forecasted-- so we went back to Main Street and did some shopping before taking our leave.

Back at the room we showered, changed, and watched the rain fall. For dinner, we did grab-n-go from Mercado, and ate in the room (we like to eat at home, in pyjamas, even during 'real life'). Though we managed to stay awake, there were no fireworks for the thunder and lightning.

 

[happiestpoe]

DAY THREE (Apr 18th): Animal Kingdom



Just as the day before, we were awake at 6.45am so I could make the Mickey Waffle run while my other half planned our LLs. Our first for the day was Kali River Rapids, and we had planned to make Expedition Everest and Safari our second and third. We gave the Pandora rides a miss because neither of us has seen Avatar. Also, I think I'd get a little ill on FOP-- I have some trouble with the screen rides.

We made it to AK about 9am, and went straight to KRR. I was a little nervous about starting the day by getting wet, but I was one of the fortunate ones who did not get soaked. In the KRR queue we managed to get a LL for EE almost immediately after, so we walked around Asia for a little bit before heading to that queue. Standby was only 30 minutes at that time-- I suppose everyone else was in Pandora. In the EE queue, we snagged a Safari reservation for one o'clock-ish. It was a lucky day for us!

After EE we went on the Gorilla Falls walk. It was really peaceful. I think one of the things I appreciate most about AK is all the shade, especially as a very, very pale person. We had Flame Tree Barbecue for lunch. It was our first time eating there, as I'm not a big meat eater, and he doesn't like ribs. But we thought to try it, and both enjoyed our meals (I had the fake sausage and he had the pulled pork sandwich). I had an Island Breeze, though my partner warned me against having liquor in this heat. (But guessss who suggested having margaritas like an hour later...)

After lunch it was our time for the safari. I was a little worried we wouldn't see much, but all the animals were out. The big cats were asleep, of course, but they were visible. We love cats, so that was of particular interest. The giraffes and zebras were really close to us! After the Safari, we walked the Maharajah Jungle Trek, and saw the Tiger! She was moving about quite a bit. We then stopped at Warung Outpost for drinks, and shortly we felt the effects of heat and tequila.

We went back Coronado, and had a stroll on the lake before stopping into Panchito's for some last-minute gifts/souvenirs. Then a shower, and we ordered from Maya Grill for an early, last dinner. It was excellent! And we finally got to see the fireworks at MK, which was a nice send-off.

 

[happiestpoe]

DAY FOUR: (Apr 19th): Homeward Bound

I'd received an email from JetBlue saying we should arrive at MCO three hours early, because of long queues at TSA. So that's what we did-- arrived at half nine for our half twelve flight. Which ended up being delayed by an hour; not too bad.

We had sandwich from the food court (La Madeline) and then sat by the gate with a coffee. We boarded the plane, and started down the runway. Then the pilot came over the tannoy, and said there was an issue with the computer, an we'd need to return to the gate. Maintenance met us there and did their thing-- only took 15 or 20 minutes. We were then told it would be better to deplane, as we'd be more comfortable. Back inside, we were informed that we would need a new plane-- fortunately, there was one waiting in the gate opposite! Once that plane was re-fueled, we boarded, and took off some three hours late.

The plans we'd made for the afternoon were lost, as we were now arriving late, so we just picked up a Domino's on the way home. The cat shouted at us as we ate.

It was a wonderful trip! I had a solo one in November, but this was our first together since Covid. It was too hot and too expensive, but there's nothing like that Disney magic !!

 

[DLo]

Thanks for taking the time to report. Sounds like an over all good trip !

 

[Tink03477]

Great trip report, thank you for posting it!