This is Magical, this is Horrific, and this is Epic! TR 8/27-9/7/25, Trip synopsis 12/7*

[Steppesister]

YAY for Thanksgiving trips!!

 

[PolyRob]

Hi Everyone,

RL update about my Thanksgiving trip
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First of all I am going, yay I did not cancel.

Today was FP$$ day.

I arrive late Tuesday evening with a one night stay at AS Sports I requested a room in the Hoops section on a higher floor so we shall see.
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Wednesday, I will head over to Universal Studios and Islands to look at the Christmas Decorations, find Earl the Squirrel in the tree, check out the Christmas tribute store, and most importantly pick up my Grinch magnet and pin! I plan to head back to Disney late afternoon and check into the Swan. My first stay here!
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Hopefully my room will be ready. Oh no, I just realized I will need to store my luggage at AS Sports or go to the Swan in the morning with my luggage ugh I didn’t even think about the fact that The Swan isn’t part of Disney so luggage transfer is not a thing. Oh well, I think I can add one stop with my Lyft driver so I will have him stop at The Swan to drop off my luggage before heading to Universal Studios.

Wednesday evening will be a visit to AK. There are extra evening hours at AK on Wednesday. I’m really excited to see AK at night and ride Dinosaur. I didn’t make any FP$$ for today. I have a goal to see all the parks in the evening except MK, not as important to me.

Thanksgiving Day, I plan to start at MK. I have FP$$ for PPF, HM, and PotC. I will have lunch with Stacy at Crystal Palace. I am wearing my Pooh and Friends sweater for the meal. I plan to head to DHS for the evening to see the park at night. I want to try and get a few FP$$ at DHS for the night.
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Friday, I plan on spending time in Epcot, it is the first day of the Festival of the Holidays! I imagine it will be a very busy park. I have FP$$ for Remy, LwtL, and Soarin. I hope to see Stacy again for a drink or a ride at Epcot.
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I will probably go over to MK later afternoon. There is a party this evening so I will leave at 6pm and check out the monorail resorts before heading back to the Swan.

Saturday, is AK, I have FP$$ for Dinosaur, Zootopia, FoP, and Safari. This evening I will spend time at the Epcot resorts checking out the Christmas decorations.

Sunday, is MK with FP$$ for Jingle Cruise, HM, PoTC. This is a party day so hopefully it won’t be too crowded.

My evening will be checking out Epcot at night. My plan is to get a FP$$ for LwtL at night. I tossed around going to DS at some point on the trip, and it is not ranking very high on my to do list. Just too crowded for me!

Monday is my last day. My flight leaves at 6:20pm so I plan on DHS in the morning with FP$$ for MMRR, TSMM, and ToT. I plan to end my day at Epcot with a few more Holiday treats before heading home!

I’m really excited for my solo time and taking in all the Christmas decorations. My focus will be on the little things and not rushing from one thing to another. I have absolutely no dining plans except for the one meal with Stacy. Much different than my trip in October with the BFP, haha .

I think that is it! I leave one week from today!

Sounds like a fun trip! Safe travels and have a great time!

 

[disneyAndi14]

A little synopsis of my Thanksgiving trip.

Hi Everyone!

I’m back from my latest trip! I arrived back home early Tuesday morning due to a flight delay from Minneapolis to Duluth. In bed at 2:30 am about 2.5 hours later than scheduled. I didn’t work Tuesday, thank goodness. Joe had to work and only slept 3 hours before heading off to work.

I also had to change my departure, on the fly, at the beginning of the trip! I had to leave a day earlier because of our winter weather forecast. I am really glad I did because we had our first big snowfall and 45mph winds, on the day I was to leave, yuck

I spent 2 nights at AS Sports. Really nice stay here, clean room with yes liquid soap and lotion now in the bathroom!

Quiet location in the Hoops Hotel area on the 3rd floor facing trees, perfect for me!

I spent time at DS and Epcot on my “extra” day, loved this.

I also went over to US and IOA on Wednesday. I mainly spent time checking out the decorations, Christmas tribute store, and butter beer ice cream!

I did spend an evening in each park at WDW except for MK so that goal was met!

The weather was excellent, with one cold day, mostly chilly because of the winds. It was still 64 out.

I only had one Dis meet this trip despite several other Disers being at the parks. I said hello to Stacy on Thanksgiving Day. I didn’t eat with her at Crystal Palace but it was nice to say hi

I loved my solo trip. I spent time doing what I wanted to do!

I moved to The Swan for 5 nights as a first timer here. I really liked it but not as much as Disney rooms. I thought the bed, pillows, and room heating and cooling not as comfortable as the Disney resorts! The buses are separate from Disney. I used the bus for AK and walked to YC for MK buses.
The staff at the Swan, awesome. I could see ToT from my room. I was on the 7th floor! I walked everywhere within the hotel, such as Epcot, DHS, and The Boardwalk area. This was awesome. I averaged 23-25,000 steps a day all by myself haha

I went to most all deluxe resorts to see the Christmas gingerbread displays. I went to AKL, WL, GF, CR, BWI, BC, YC, and the Swan.

I went to all 4 parks multiple times, rode dinosaur 3x, watched the new Zootopia (meh to me) Bugs Life was way better in my opinion and I love Zootopia!

I saw the Magical Menagerie twice and did all the rides I wanted to several times! I made great use of FP$$ getting up to 6-8 more rides after my initial 3. I did EH for deluxe guests at AK from 6-8pm, this was lovely. I enjoyed Nomad Lounge before the EH started! I rode FoP, NRJ, Dinox2 during the extra hours!

I ate like a little kid, haha, I usually had one kids meal a day or snacks around the world. It was perfect. I snacked on popcorn and candy in the evening. I did not spend much $$$ on food at all this trip.

I did the cookie stroll and got my completer prize a cute spatula and some M&Ms.

I also did LwtL 2x at night and 1x during the day! Absolutely magical!

I didn’t do any add on parties this trip.

What I would like to say, to all of you debating a solo trip, just do it! I had the best time, it was magical and full of Christmas vibes every where!

This was a definitely a favorite trip of mine, up there in the top 5 of recent trips!

Here are a few pictures of my wonderful trip!!

Epcot and LwTL




A meet with Elphaba and Glinda at Universal. I loved this!


DHS at night



AK at night in Dino Land and Magical Menagerie



The Swan at night walking back from DHS, lovely


MK PP


I got so many more pictures and shared on Facebook and Instagram. Everything during this time of year is so picturesque!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season!

 

[disneyAndi14]

YAY for Thanksgiving trips!!

It was wonderful!

Sounds like a fun trip! Safe travels and have a great time!

It really was a wonderful and magical solo trip, Thank you

 

[Wood Nymph]

I looks like a fantastic trip. There is so much to see at Christmas! The Swan is a great location. We always do a lot of walking when we stay at an Epcot resort.

Will you ever stay at the Swan again? My sister stayed at the Dolphin once but doesn't plan to return.

 

[rdkeim]

Sounds like you had a wonderful solo trip! My DH has lost interest and my sister is having foot problems. So, one of these days I may have to try a solo trip. Thanks for sharing - it looks very magical!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I'm so glad you had a great trip at Thanksgiving. I'm sorry our schedules didn't work out to spend more time together. Oh well, it just means we have to overlap some other time. LOL.

 

[disneyseniors]

Sounds like you had a wonderful solo trip! My DH has lost interest and my sister is having foot problems. So, one of these days I may have to try a solo trip. Thanks for sharing - it looks very magical!

Same with me! My husband won't travel anymore due to a worsening balance problem. So, when I go to Florida I take my daughter or son with me. I thought about solo, but haven't convinced myself yet.

 

[amazingact21]

I'm glad you had a great Thanksgiving trip! Did you find the parks crowded that week? We went to DS that Sunday and it was packed to the gills! However, Universal on Thanksgiving wasn't bad at all.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I looks like a fantastic trip. There is so much to see at Christmas! The Swan is a great location. We always do a lot of walking when we stay at an Epcot resort.

Thank you, it really was a wonderful trip! I loved staying in the Epcot resort area. I knew when I got home, I wouldn’t be able to walk outside much anymore with the snow so I really walked as much as possible

Will you ever stay at the Swan again? My sister stayed at the Dolphin once but doesn't plan to return.

I think I would with a good price! I had a really good AP rate, you do need to show your AP when you book the rate. I honestly thought the beds and pillows at AS Sports were more comfortable than the Swan. I was really frustrated with the thermostat and temp in the room as well. It was hard to regulate!

Sounds like you had a wonderful solo trip! My DH has lost interest and my sister is having foot problems. So, one of these days I may have to try a solo trip. Thanks for sharing - it looks very magical!

I loved it and was the most solo I have been on any other trips! It was really fun and I say do it if you want to! Everyone I encountered was very friendly and no weird stares for being a party of 1.

I'm so glad you had a great trip at Thanksgiving. I'm sorry our schedules didn't work out to spend more time together. Oh well, it just means we have to overlap some other time. LOL.

Thank you and sorry I wasn’t feeling the buffet. I do have a little phobia of buffets being a nurse and germ a phobic haha I’m glad we ran into each other for a little visit. I didn’t think the crowds were all that bad during Thanksgiving week, how about you?

Same with me! My husband won't travel anymore due to a worsening balance problem. So, when I go to Florida I take my daughter or son with me. I thought about solo, but haven't convinced myself yet.

I love traveling with Andi and would love to get my son down there. He would love Epcot festivals and Star Wars, sigh maybe someday! I say do it and I am not fearful at all of solo now that I have done it a few times and really enjoyed myself!

I'm glad you had a great Thanksgiving trip! Did you find the parks crowded that week? We went to DS that Sunday and it was packed to the gills! However, Universal on Thanksgiving wasn't bad at all.

Thank you! I didn’t think the parks were super crowded at all! Epcot in the evening with a new festival felt a little crowded. LWTL had a 50 minute wait one night but it is really special with the glimmering lights! Overall not bad! I swear DS is always crowded these days! I loved all the Christmas decorations and tribute store at Universal, did you check that out?

 

[pkondz]

In bed at 2:30 am about 2.5 hours later than scheduled.

Not too bad... Better than the flight being cancelled.

Joe had to work and only slept 3 hours before heading off to work.

Ugh. Been there. Not fun.

I also had to change my departure, on the fly, at the beginning of the trip! I had to leave a day earlier because of our winter weather forecast. I am really glad I did because we had our first big snowfall and 45mph winds, on the day I was to leave, yuck

I'm not thrilled that winter has arrived.

liquid soap

I will have to remember that. Bring a bar of soap.

butter beer ice cream!

SO??????? How was it?!?!?!

I did spend an evening in each park at WDW except for MK so that goal was met!

Caroline's goals... #17. Snub MK.

I said hello to Stacy on Thanksgiving Day. I didn’t eat with her at Crystal Palace

Caroline's goals... #26. Snub Stacy and do not eat with her.

I loved my solo trip. I spent time doing what I wanted to do!

Love solo trips.

I thought the bed, pillows, and room heating and cooling not as comfortable as the Disney resorts!

Huh! Did not expect that.

I averaged 23-25,000 steps a day all by myself haha

Did you walk all the way back to Duluth?

watched the new Zootopia (meh to me) Bugs Life was way better in my opinion and I love Zootopia!

That's inside the Tree of Life?

I ate like a little kid, haha,

Pretty.

Nightmare fuel. I can just see this giant glowing purple head chasing me.

A meet with Elphaba and Glinda at Universal. I loved this!

Still haven't watched that.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

I honestly thought the beds and pillows at AS Sports were more comfortable than the Swan.

That’s pretty surprising. The conventional wisdom—with which I wholeheartedly agree—is that the Swan beds are in a league of their own.

For instance: https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2024...n-disney-world-and-you-have-to-know-about-it/

Just goes to show that everything is subjective and we all have our own tastes!

 

[summerlvr]

That’s pretty surprising. The conventional wisdom—with which I wholeheartedly agree—is that the Swan beds are in a league of their own.

For instance: https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2024...n-disney-world-and-you-have-to-know-about-it/

Just goes to show that everything is subjective and we all have our own tastes!

Agreed. I've always loved those Westin Heavenly beds at the Swan. I wonder if they switched to different mattresses during the recent refurbishment.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Not too bad... Better than the flight being cancelled.

Yes I agree! Especially this time of year a flight cancellation is very common

I'm not thrilled that winter has arrived.

You and me both! Ugh

I will have to remember that. Bring a bar of soap.

I am a liquid hand soap person! I’m sure you can ask for a bar of soap, the AS value didn’t have any bar soap. Here is what was in the bathroom sink area

SO??????? How was it?!?!?!

It is the best! A must now when I am in Diagon Alley

Caroline's goals... #17. Snub MK.

To many Christmas parties to see it at night!

Caroline's goals... #26. Snub Stacy and do not eat with her.

Haha I was not feeling a buffet! Remember I was eating like a kid!

Love solo trips.

I am on this list now! Wonderful time for reflection and enjoying all the little things!

That's inside the Tree of Life?

Yes it took over Bugs Life. It was okay, at least little kids won’t be scared to death now. Haha I secretly enjoyed watching them!

Nightmare fuel. I can just see this giant glowing purple head chasing me.

Actually going through the glimmering greenhouse is like an antidepressant so calming!

Still haven't watched that.

I haven’t seen the newest one, I saw the first one!

That’s pretty surprising. The conventional wisdom—with which I wholeheartedly agree—is that the Swan beds are in a league of their own.

I like a more firm bed and the beds are to soft for me and the pillows very flat so not my favorite! I did love the resort overall.

Just goes to show that everything is subjective and we all have our own tastes!

Very true!

Agreed. I've always loved those Westin Heavenly beds at the Swan. I wonder if they switched to different mattresses during the recent refurbishment.

I’m not sure about that but I have stayed at other Westin resorts years ago and beds were wonderful but I do like more firm beds and pillows with more fluff.

 

[amazingact21]

I loved all the Christmas decorations and tribute store at Universal, did you check that out?

We did! Evie loved the Frankenstein nutcracker near the exit:

 

[pkondz]

Yes I agree! Especially this time of year a flight cancellation is very common

I heard there were lots of cancellations recently.

I am a liquid hand soap person!

I am too... but not a body wash person. For a shower I want a bar of soap.

It is the best! A must now when I am in Diagon Alley

I'm not drooling.

I'm not drooling...


Okay... I'm drooling.

Haha I was not feeling a buffet! Remember I was eating like a kid!

No excuse!

I am on this list now! Wonderful time for reflection and enjoying all the little things!

Yes it took over Bugs Life. It was okay, at least little kids won’t be scared to death now. Haha I secretly enjoyed watching them!

I'll miss that.
And the bugs in the seats at the end.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I am a liquid hand soap person! I’m sure you can ask for a bar of soap, the AS value didn’t have any bar soap. Here is what was in the bathroom sink area

I use liquid hand soap for my hands. But prefer bar soap for my face. I might have to bring my own next time we go to WDW.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We did! Evie loved the Frankenstein nutcracker near the exit:
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This is really cute and I have that same sweatshirt! I got it at the AP store for 80% off.