6.1: Rise of the Resistance Opens, So We Went to Animal Kingdom (December 2019)

 If you missed the last update, you can read it here.

Today was actually the opening of Rise of the Resistance. It opened at 4:30 AM! Boarding Groups had already filled up before we left our room. We knew this would be opening during our trip. While it would be cool to be a part of a new attraction opening, we didn’t want to deal with all that craziness. 

Today I actually woke up with my alarm and not early. This was also the first time I didn’t want to wake up right away. But I did. I took a shower and got dressed.

We were out the door by 9 AM. Our plan was to take a bus to Animal Kingdom. The bus was there right as we walked up. Another bit of great timing this trip!

At the park, we were able to go through the annual Passholder line. The line for Dinosaur was short so we hit that up. Our picture didn’t show up on photopass which was sad. Then, we walked around Dinoland. I know a lot of people don’t like it, but I love the kitchy look and feel. It’s especially cool at night with all the lights. Primeval Whirl was still down :( 

Then, we were off to Africa to check in for the rhino tour. While we waited for the tour to start, I took a bathroom break. Then, we watched the performers. I love the whole vibe of Harambe. 

Up next: Rhino Tour!

5.4: Finishing Our Evening (December 2019)

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At 8:15 we hit up the bathrooms. The women’s bathroom line was particularly long. One mom sent her daughter into the men’s room with her dad. I was jealous. Kids with dads don’t know how lucky they are. 

Then, we headed down to the grass in front of the plaza. It was a decent view, but you do still have crowds around you.

Overall, I think the experience was worth it. It isn’t something I would do every trip, but it was nice to not have to line up for hours before the fireworks. 

When the show ended, we headed to Buzz for our FastPasses. We were like salmon swimming upstream. I won again and we got stuck in the same room again. I accidentally tapped my MagicBand for the wrong picture, but there will be another one in the future. 

Then, we did the TTA at night, because why not? I love Tomorrowland at night. It’s probably my favorite land to be in at night.

Next, we went to the Haunted Mansion even though it really freaks me out at night. I’m easily scared. Then, we hopped on the Wildest Ride in the wilderness. Our final ride was Pirates of the Caribbean. Always a risk since we got stuck on it one night before. Then, we took the bus back to the hotel and went to bed. 

Steps Walked: 20,183

Up Next: Rise of the Resistance Opens, so We Went to Animal Kingdom 

5.3: Fireworks Dessert Party (December 2019)

 If you missed the last update, it can be read here.

Next, we checked out the train that was parked at the Main Street Station. I can’t wait for the train to start running again.

We decided to try out Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom. We picked up some cards and were given a tutorial. Then, we did a mission in Fantasyland. It was fun and I think an extra fun thing especially if you’ve been several times. I definitely plan on doing it again.

Around 7, we lined up for the Happily Ever After Dessert Party. We were doing the Garden viewing. They seated us on the upper level of the Tomorrowland Terrace. The CM who seated us gave us a little tour of the food and drinks. 

There was a lot of stuff to eat and drink. And there were also savory foods like cheeseburger eggrolls. I was happy about this because I can only eat so many sweets. There was POG juice and Odwalla lemonade! The CM brought me a birthday cupcake which was nice, but a little dry. I definitely ate too much.

Up Next: Finishing Our Evening

Trip Report: 5.2 Checking Out Classics (December 2019)

Our Fastpasses for It’s a Small World were ready now. My dad definitely loves me because he hates this ride, but will suffer through it for me. The FastPass line was very long-it was out past the stand-by entrance. Definitely odd. Maybe because other rides were down and people decided to check this out instead. I think It’s a Small World is a fun little boat ride.

Then, we mobile ordered at Columbia Harbour House. This is becoming a favorite for us and we highly recommend mobile order. It’s kind of surprising because neither dad nor I are fish eaters. It was fairly busy, but we got our food quick enough. We hung out for a little bit and made more plans like another FastPass at 9. 

We stayed in Liberty Square and headed to The Hall of Presidents. I don’t remember ever doing this before and it wasn’t what I expected. I've heard people say it’s boring, but I didn’t think so. I ended up really liking it. I don’t feel the need to do it every trip, but would watch it again. And people were respectful which made me happy.

Apparently, we were checking out a lot of classics because next we did the Enchanted Tiki Room. I like the music, but don’t have the same love for this attraction as other people do.

Up Next: Fireworks Dessert Party 

Trip Report: 5.1 Late Morning Resort Hopping (December 2019)

We were having a later morning today. I set my alarm for 9 AM and ended up waking up at 8:30 naturally. We showered and got around. 

The plan was to do some resort hopping this morning. We took a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then walked to the Contemporary. We checked out their Gingerbread display. I picked up a pin. They were having a pin signing at 1 PM, but we couldn’t stick around. My dad bought a DVC t-shirt and bag. The bag would become a hit and get lots of compliments. We did have to carry this around because resort gift shops don’t ship to other resorts. I guess that makes sense, but we had never thought about it before.

Then, we hopped on the monorail and went to my favorite resort: The Grand Floridian. Again, I bought a gingerbread pin. This one was a little harder because there was a long line for the shop in the gingerbread house.

After looking around, we got on the monorail again to head back to the Magic Kingdom. I wasn’t sure about security at the monorail stations but it was pretty painless. Maybe it could get crowded when Magic Kingdom is opening in the morning and everyone is trying to get there for rope-drop. 

We had FastPasses so we headed off to Neverland first. This is a fun and classic ride. I’m sure some think it’s dated, but I love the style and old-school technology. I would love some art in the style here for my home.

Then, we had another FastPass-this one was for Buzz Lightyear. I won again! Honestly, it may not be fair because I’ve watched a lot of tutorials, but my dad could do the same. We did get stuck in that last space room-probably the most annoying room, but it’s fine.

Next, we hopped on the most relaxing ride-the TTA. Space Mountain was down and the lights were on. We saw on the app Splash Mountain and the Barnstormer went down, too. 

Up Next: Checking Out Classics

Trip Report: 4.4: A Painful Evening (December 2019)

If you missed the last update, you can read it here.

We checked out the shops on Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Season’s Greetings also played which was nice to see. But my back definitely prevented complete enjoyment. I took some Aleve and tried to rest a little.

I wasn’t almost crying. My back pain hadn’t been this bad in a couple of years. Dad asked if I wanted to just call it a night. But we had Slinky Dog fastpasses and this was our only chance to ride it. I just tried to rest and stretch until our FastPass.

Finally, it was time for Slinky Dog Dash. It was a great attraction, but definitely scared me. I’m a big baby. It did wake me up a little and helped with my back a bit. 

Next, we headed off to Fantasmic. Metal benches are not the best for back pain. IT was a great show, but it’s my favorite night time show. There were some technical difficulties though. John Smith didn’t fly on the rope and Snow White didn’t come out on her barge.

We waited for a lot of people to leave and just waited on those cold metal benches. Some guys came out to check on equipment. And they were just walking on water! Obviously, the water is actually only a couple of inches deep, but I feel so lied to. I always thought it was a deep thing of water. So did my dad.

Once most of the crowd dispersed we headed out. As we walked to the bus stop, dad decided he didn’t want to wait in line and wanted a Minnie Van instead. We got to see the fireworks while we waited.

Our driver dropped us off right at out building. And I was out almost instantly.

Steps Walked: Apparently I didn’t write it down because I was so tired.

Up Next: Late Morning Resort Hopping