Recently back 10/1-10/9/16

[JerseyJanice]

I would have liked to write a “just back” thread right after I got home, but it's been crazy busy since I came back last Sunday.

Our original trip dates were 10/1 through 10/8, but Matthew caused us to add one more day. The weather even before Matthew was a dominant issue this trip, and that actually has never happened to us on previous Disney trips. We’ve been caught by hurricanes and rainy weather during Jersey shore vacations, but this Disney trip was the first one when weather made a big impact on our plans. When it wasn't raining this trip, it was broiling hot sun.

Rather than write a full trip report, I am going to post threads in each appropriate forum so this is my thread about our park experiences.

Edited to add that I guess I don't have a choice about where this thread goes. LOL! Well, this thread is mostly about our theme park experiences. I do plan to post about the resort and our dining experiences in those forums.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We were a group of nine family members: myself, my sister, a younger brother (all in our early to mid 50s), my oldest brother and his wife (mid 60s), my nephew and his wife (early 30s) and their two baby girls (2.5 and almost 1). The plan for our arrival day was to go to Epcot, have dinner at the Cape May Café and go back to Epcot afterward for Illuminations. This was 10/1/16, the 45th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom and I wanted to stay away from there.

The sky opened up almost right after we entered Epcot. Our group got separated when we entered through the International Gateway. My sister, younger brother and I were left behind by the others who were hurrying to make a Fastpass time for Soarin. We ducked into the Canada gift shop to get out of the rain. The rain showed no signs of stopping, so we ran to catch the Canada circle vision movie. It’s my least favorite World Showcase movie now that they aren’t showing the Norway film anymore, but it was good for staying out of the rain.

We wound up plowing through the rain to the Beach Club, where they were handing out towels in the lobby. We used one day of our park hoppers for about hour in Epcot with most of it spent hunkered down in a gift shop. LOL!

 

[JerseyJanice]

My sister and I started our park day on Sunday, 10/2 with lunch at Be Our Guest. Afterward, we rode the Little Mermaid Sea Journey (or whatever it's called) for the first time. I must say I loved it. I haven’t seen many raves about it on-line, but I think it’s great. The queue by itself is adorable with all its details like the broken shells in the concrete and the little blue crab video screens.

After that, we met up with my brother and his wife plus my nephew’s family. We then rode most of the Fantasyland rides: Peter Pan and Pooh with FP, It’s a Small World and Mickey’s Philharmagic, which broke down shortly after the movie began. It took them a solid 20 minutes to fix, but we were seated in A/C and that was good.

This was an MNSSHP night. We left the park around 5:30 and went to Ohana for dinner that night.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Monday, 10/3, we went to Epcot to sample some things at the Food & Wine Festival. We rode the Mexican boat ride, which was really cute for the babies, and did Frozen with Fastpass. I liked Frozen a lot—it’s really beautiful, but I will always miss Maelstrom. That ride was truly one of my favorites at Disney. I think it’s a shame that they have unopened buildings and empty spaces all over Epcot, but took away a beloved attraction to build a new one. We also rode the Imagination ride. Up until recently, I didn’t even realize there was even a ride there, but I read about it here and wanted to see it. It wasn’t as bad as I expected; not anything great, but it’s a reasonable place to get out of a hot sun.

After the sun went down, we heard and saw some of the Star Wars fireworks from the World Showcase. We ventured into Future World with the intention of taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom to see Wishes and MSEP. We rode Spaceship Earth on the way, a big favorite of mine. I love the scent of Rome burning. The photos are not working, and while the ride holds up well without them, I do hope they rehab the ride and fix the pictures before my next visit.

Rain was threatening when we arrived at a very crowded Magic Kingdom. The first MSEP of the night had already gone through Main Street, and people were waiting to watch Wishes. My sister and sister-in-law bailed so only my younger brother and I stayed. We got lucky in that we stopped for hot dogs at Casey’s Corner and found a table outside against a railing that had both an umbrella to shield us from any rain and a decent view of the Castle. We got to watch both Celebrate the Magic and Wishes from there.

The air seemed to dry up so we ventured onto Main Street to watch the second MSEP parade. I do love it and will miss it. I think Spectro Magic was a better parade, but I hope that the MK gets another night time parade. I find them magical! We stopped at the candy shop on the way out where I bought a candy apple for $11 and bro got some fudge.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Tuesday, 10/4 was Animal Kingdom day. We started at the Safari with Fastpasses and went to the Festival of the Lion King show afterward. I’m pretty sure that the last time I saw it, the show was in a tent. It remains an awesome show with talented performers and stunning visuals. When they opened the exit doors after the show, rain was pouring down. We ran to the Dawa Bar, and if I had my way, we would have stayed there for a couple of hours. My nephew and his family bailed out of the park, but the rest of us plowed on to Yak & Yeti where I treated us to a late lunch/early dinner. I signed up for the Safari Club and had my welcome $25 credit and $25 birthday gift plus a couple of gift cards. It was mighty cold in there since we were wet, but the sun was shining and crazy hot by the time we were done.

After the meal, my younger brother went back to the resort while my sister, older brother, sister-in-law and me stayed in the park. None of us wanted to get wet again so that took out Kali River Rapids. My sister-in-law would have ridden Expedition Everest if someone else went with her, but no one else wanted to do it. I rode it once and that was enough. It’s a bit too thrilling for me. Instead, we did the tiger exhibit and then It’s Tough To Be a Bug, which is always fun.

We went back to Epcot that night, arriving in time for Illuminations and evening EMH. We got to ride Frozen again and Test Track for the first time since it changed from GM to Chevrolet. The whole design your own vehicle part is not very entertaining IMO, but the ride itself is fun and plenty thrilling enough for me.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We went back to the Magic Kingdom Wednesday, 10/5. We got to see the Festival of Fantasy parade with the babies who really enjoyed it. My sister-in-law and I rode the Seven Dwarves Mine Train with Fastpass. It’s really cute, but so short! I would have been seriously miffed if I waited in line an hour to ride it. The older baby rode Dumbo with her dad and Nana, then we all got on the train for a full loop. Actually, my sister-in-law and I stayed on the train when the rest got off at Main Street. We rode to Frontierland, then went to the Haunted Mansion. I booked a Fastpass for Splash Mountain and we did that next, then walked through Adventureland and stopped to ride Pirates before we went back to the resort. We didn't go back out that night.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The night of Thursday, 10/6 was when Matthew was supposed to hit. My nephew’s wife was freaking out at the thought of being in a hurricane and insisted that they rent a car to drive 16 hours home. My younger brother lives in Florida about an hour north of the World so he went home to be with his cat. The rest of us hunkered down at the Swan Resort which seemed like our best option.

Around noon that day, the rest of us donned our ponchos and headed to Epcot. Before we left the resort, a recorded message from the Swan told us that Disney was operating normally. But while we were on the dock waiting for the boat, someone came out and told us that all parks were closing at 5:00 p.m. The captain announced the 5:00 closing on the boat as well and let us know that the last boat would leave Epcot at 6:00.

The park seemed nearly empty, and the weather switched frequently between sun and rain with fewer sun breaks as the day went on. In preparation for the storm, the country/name signs on the Food & Wine kiosks had been taken down, and all the tables and seating that had been put out for F&W were stored away. They wrapped together big groups of garbage cans with packing tape so they wouldn’t be blown around during the storm.

We stayed in the World Showcase and got in another ride on Frozen since the wait wasn't bad (20 minutes). My sister and I did Pick-A-Pearl in Japan. Then we went to the movie in China. What happened to the Terra Cotta Army? I think they replaced it with Disney Shanghai propaganda. We saw the American Adventure, and in between all that, we did some eating and drinking at the kiosks. We tried to see the movie in France, but missed the last show. But we stopped in the France gift shop, and I got to check out the new French bakery. I think adding indoor seating there is a big improvement although I got my order packed to go. I bought a goat cheese tartine and crème brulee for later that night or the next day.

The rain and the wind kicked up big time just as we were leaving. Seemed like a bit of Disney magic for Hurricane Matthew to arrive just as the parks were closing.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The parks were closed the next day, Friday, 10/7. It was windy and rainy all day. We changed our flight home from Saturday to Sunday so that we could spend an extra park day and use up the passes we bought.

We made Saturday, 10/8 another Epcot day. It’s just so easy and enjoyable to travel there by boat from the Swan. We did a lot this day. Rode Test Track and Ellen’s Energy Adventure and crossed the park. Went to Club Cool, then to the Land to ride Soarin’ (Fastpass) and Living with the Land. We spent a good amount of time in the Living Seas. Rode Nemo, saw Crush, and checked out the sea creatures in the aquarium.

We went to the World Showcase and ate dinner by cruising the kiosks for various items. Got to see a wonderful band in Canada called Bodh’aktan. I have no idea how to pronounce that, but this was a talented group of young men playing Drop Kick Murphies style music. Really a fun show! We went back to the resort so my brother and his wife could move into their new room. They were in a suite, but we couldn’t get it extended for the extra night.

We left it up to my sister whether to go to the Magic Kingdom that night or back to Epcot. She picked Epcot, which is great because it’s so easy. We finished our trip with Illuminations, which is my favorite thing in all of WDW.

I love Disney and can't wait to go back. In spite of everything that happened with the weather and some medical emergencies that I didn't go into on this thread, we still managed to have a blast. I will say that for Theme Parks, Epcot was our favorite. This is the third time I've gone to the Food & Wine Festival, and I love it.

 

[mcjaco]

There the same week. Had to change to hopper tickets, and cram more in before Friday, but like you we had a lot of fun.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This was 10/1/16, the 45th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom and I wanted to stay away from there.

The sky opened up almost right after we entered Epcot. Our group got separated when we entered through the International Gateway. My sister, younger brother and I were left behind by the others who were hurrying to make a Fastpass time for Soarin. We ducked into the Canada gift shop to get out of the rain. The rain showed no signs of stopping, so we ran to catch the Canada circle vision movie. It’s my least favorite World Showcase movie now that they aren’t showing the Norway film anymore, but it was good for staying out of the rain.

We were there Oct 1st to 5th and we also decided to avoid MK on the 45th Anniversary. We went to Epcot after we arrived and it was very hot and crowded. We rode Soarin' for the first time since they updated the film and loved it. Then we went back to our resort to swim. We went to DHS to see the Star Wars fireworks after dinner and that is where we caught the downpour. We were soaked by the time we got back to our room. But it was the only time during our short five days that we got caught in a downpour. We managed to avoid the heavy Tuesday afternoon rain by luck. We happened to be back in our resort by then. But in general the weather wasn't very good. I would compare it to our June trip, except maybe even more heat, humidity and rain.

 

[disneyduonj]

How did you like the Swan. I am staying there in January. First time trip.

 

[JerseyJanice]

How did you like the Swan. I am staying there in January. First time trip.

The Swan was the biggest highlight of our trip! It is an excellent resort. The ease of going to and from Epcot make it an obvious great choice, but the service and resort amenities are spectacular. The rooms and beds are huge! The towels, beds and bedding are the most luxurious I’ve had in any hotel. Everyone who works there is so welcoming and accommodating. They constantly ask how you are doing and if you need anything.

Extra special touches abound. There are free drinking water stations set up around the pool grounds. In the lobby, containers of complimentary drinking water are infused with fresh cut lemons and limes. Starbucks is the in-room coffee. Ask housekeeping for anything—extra towels, coffee, bottled water or shampoo—and they give you plenty.

There are four hot tubs and I’m not sure how many pools. The main grotto pool is gorgeous and very large. The pool at the Swan itself is salt water so it’s a little warmer than the others. You can have lunch and cocktails at the poolside restaurant Cabanas, or you can order it from the wait staff who circulate around the grotto area.

We ate lunch at a table in Cabanas one day, and I used my AAA card for 20% off the food. I loved the skirt steak sandwich I got there. The AAA card is good for 20% off the food at all the casual restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin. We used it at the Garden Grove for their Friday night Seafood Sensation buffet which was excellent, and I highly recommend. GG normally has characters at dinner, but since the parks were closed for the storm the day we ate there, Goofy and Pluto were unable to make it. You don’t have to deal with a Disney ADR there, which makes it even more convenient. You can make an Open Table reservation probably any night or just do a walk-up. I discovered this trip that ADRs can be a real pain, and unless I have a dining plan, I won’t bother with many in the future.

I have stayed at many different Disney resorts at all levels, and so far, the Swan was my favorite in every aspect. I am a board of education employee and my sister-in-law is a registered nurse, so we got a good rate. Costco Travel can also get you a decent deal here. If you don’t care about getting the Magical Express and the Disney Dining Plan, the Swan is far and away the best option on Disney World IMO.

 

[kfcamm]

Good information about Swan. Never been there before. Looks like you had a great time! Kinda jealous that you saw the Canada film though. Every year we get in line and something happens or we have to go catch up with the kids and we end up never seeing it. One of thse days, eh?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Good information about Swan. Never been there before. Looks like you had a great time! Kinda jealous that you saw the Canada film though. Every year we get in line and something happens or we have to go catch up with the kids and we end up never seeing it. One of thse days, eh?

I missed the movie in France tho and while I'm bummed about that now, it gives me an extra reason to plan another trip.

I need to post on the Swan/Dolphin FAQ thread about the resort and share some things I learned about it, but here is a tip that can be very useful if you have our kind of luck with weather.

The boats do not run if there is lightning, and you probably will not find that out until you get to the dock at the International Gateway. My advice is to keep going toward the right and enter the Beach Club lobby. Go through the building and out the other side, then hail a taxi there. It cost us $6 plus a tip to go to the Swan lobby from there. So well worth it if the rain continues to pour and/or there is lightning.

 

[disneyduonj]

I can't wait to read all your tips about the Swan