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Post by a1000monkeys on Jan 7, 2024 19:29:45 GMT -5
On Jan 2nd, we had reservations again for HS. My parents weren't really feeling up for going there again but it was too cold to hang out by the pool so I suggested they go scooter around Epcot. They agreed and I changed their reservation for them while the rest of us went back to HS, mainly because I had a reservation for Sci Fi Dine Inn and my daughter really wanted to go for a milkshake and fried pickles.
My parents made the better choice, HS was packed but Epcot was not. It was way too busy to get on any rides at HS so we just hit some shows: One Man's Dream, Mickey and Minnies Vacation cartoon short and the Beauty and the Beast stage show. We then had lunch at Sci Fi. The fried pickles weren't as good as I remember them. I noticed there were a few minor changes to the movie reel, that was a plus as I was tired of seeing the same one.
After lunch we headed back to BWV to relax a bit before heading to Disney Springs.
We opted to not bring the scooters to DS as I figured it would be difficult to catch a bus back without a long wait for two empty scooter areas. DS was absolutely mobbed when we arrived. The walkways were packed and the stores were packed. I had a 6:40 reservation at Raglan Road and we didn't get seated until after 7:40. Everyone was getting a bit crabby by that point.
Aside from the wait time, Raglan Road was bit of a disappointment this time. Usually I think it's great but gravy/sauce on the shepherd's pie was too sweet and it could have used a few more seconds under the broiler before coming out. Same for my mom's lamb stew. Potatoes were a bit under done. However, the new fish cakes were great and DW liked her mushroom risotto.
The entertainment was also a bit flat. last time we were there, there was four piece band. This time it was only a duo and they were pretty formulaic and didn't seem particularly enthused to be there. Dancers were still good.
Overall this day was a dud.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Jan 7, 2024 19:51:01 GMT -5
Jan 3rd was my parents last day. Gold Mobility met them in the lobby exactly at 11a like they said they would, we said our goodbye's, they left for the airport and then we headed to Magic Kingdom.
It was quite crowded. The main reason we went was try for the 1p Tron stand-by queue. It took 45 mins to get a coffee at Starbucks on Main Street. Shortly after that, DS 19 headed back to the room to fill out housing applications. I watched part of the show at center stage then we watched the parade from Liberty Square. After that we walked to Frontier Land to ride the train back to Main Street.
Once we got there it was getting close to 1p so I found a bench while the rest of my family checked out the Emporium. We ended up getting a return time on Tron that I estimated would be called sometime between 9:15-10:15p. The park was open late that night and there would been another option to grab a return time at 6p but I was not clear if we had to be in the park to grab a return time. In hindsight this turned out to be a mistake.
After we grabbed the passes we left the park and took the monorail to the Contemporary. Lines for food were long in the park but we had no problems with a walk up reservation at Steakhouse 71 and had a good and relaxed meal before we headed back to BWV for a rest.
We then headed back to MK around 7p. It was still packed. We got close to the left side of the castle for the 8p Happily Ever After show but we were packed in like sardines. Nothing like the show on Dec 30th. People were pretty crabby.
Right after the fireworks we made a beeline to Pirates and it was maybe a 20 min wait but the ride lines got very long pretty quick after that. We tried to do a walk up to Skipper Cantina but for some reason they were closing early so we at at Pecos Bill again. I would rate their food as several steps below Taco Bell which is was already pretty close to zero stars. The food had no flavor expect for maybe salt. Blah.
Around 9:30 we got our call back to Tron but when we got there the line spilled all the way back to Space Mountain. Given our prior experience I estimated this to be a two hour wait. Nuts to that I said, thinking we could hit more rides while the crowds died down. We did, we were able to do several rides but when I returned to Tron when the lines finally died down they would not less us board as our boarding pass expired. They said I could take it up with Guest Relations but all the kiosks were closed which meant I had to go back to the front of Main Street to plead my case. At first I was pretty pissed but decided it was not worth it. Now that it was after hours the lines started dying down especially as people were getting turned away because they weren't staying at Deluxe Resorts. We did Pooh with a 10 minute wait and Mine Train with about a 20 min wait.
We could have stayed another hour but it was already midnight, we were tired and had to check out the next day so we decided to pack it in and grab a few more pictures on an uncrowded main street on our way.
I'm really not a fan of the virtual queue lines, especially since they were so mismanaged on our visit. It's frustrating to have to wait so long in a virtual queue and then have no idea how long it will take when entering an actual queue. I'll be glad when they are gone.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Jan 7, 2024 20:04:12 GMT -5
Jan 4th was our last day. We checked out at 10a, dropped our bags at the bell desk and headed into Epcot. We did the Mexico boat ride, saw the a cappella singers in America then the American Adventure show, the China 360 show (surprised they have not updated this film), the mariachi band outside of Mexico and then chilled in the lounge a bit before our lunch reservation at Space 220.
Space 220 was good. However, they need more action on space windows. It's all a bit boring. Also, while the food was good, the prixe fix/per adult does not work for my family. Too much food. I doubt we will go again unless we can share an appetizer and entree.
We then walked back to BWV to catch a ride to the airport. I was very happy to see that Uber in Orlando has an XXL option. We don't have this in the Bay Area (at least not yet). UberXL and LyftXL have been very hit or miss for us as many of the vehicles do not have enough space for 5 passengers PLUS luggage. Uber XL promises seats for 6 and room for luggage. We got a Suburban. It was huge.
Our flight on AS to SFO was uneventful. The doors did not blow out and we landed 30 minutes early.
All in all, despite a crabby parent, mishaps with virtual queues, insane crowds and contracting Covid, I'd give it a 3.5/5 stars. I'm not sure if or when we'll do another NYE trip at WDW. I think I actually prefer NYE at DL and that's where we will go next year. Although the fireworks will be nowhere near as good as WDW, DL is just a lot easier and more manageable plus I won't have to deal with sky-high holiday airfares.
The next trip to WDW will be a few years off and will likely be just DW and I. Kids are getting older and the times they are a changing.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Jan 8, 2024 13:08:31 GMT -5
The first day we arrived we also got a boarding pass for Guardians of the Galaxy coaster. From the time we physically entered the queue our wait was one hour and 45 minutes. The queue barely moved. It was very frustrating especially since unlike the standby lines, I had no idea how long it would take. Fun ride but not worth over an hour wait. I still prefer GOTG: Mission Breakout for GOTG theming. I love Terry Crews but his role didn't entirely work with the theme. They should have gotten John C. Reilly since he was in the first film.
We rode it once again with a purchased LL close to park closing and we walked right into the pre-show and were on the ride in under 10 minutes. They need better virtual queue management.
Also, I was surprised how few places honored DVC discounts. None of the quick service places did and it was pretty hit or miss with table service.
Seems like everyplace in DL honors DVC discounts and it is applied when I mobile order.
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