I'm 35, single, and had a 10-day non-expiring pass from back when they sold those, that has now dwindled down to two days. I love Disney for the design/immersion, etc, and do love the headliner rides- but at this point in my life, I appreciate it more in small doses rather than extended trips (especially with limited vacation time and competing priorities). Thankfully, I live about 7 hours away, so driving down for a few days is doable.
Those last two days are burning a hole in my pocket, but I don’t think the approach I’ve taken in the past (a whirlwind 4-parks in 2-days crazy trip) sounds particularly appealing this time around. The more I think about it, I might want to do a slower-paced trip focused on just my favorite things (I’d probably skip MK unless I happen to time a trip during one of the after-hours events) that make sense to do in 2020 (I’m excited to see Galaxy’s Edge, but may skip Epcot for now and come back when the transformation is done)- and work in some downtime.
I have a friend I frequently travel with, who’s a big Star Wars fan and who had a lot of fun when we did both CA parks a few years ago. I could probably convince him to join me and split the hotel cost. If I can, here’s what I’m thinking:
I’d like to stay in central Florida for 4 nights, with 3 of those being onsite. rent DVC points and stay at AKL. It’s the place I’ve always wanted to stay since they opened, and based on the parks we plan to visit even makes a bit of geographic sense. My friend is a big cruise person, so I think he’d appreciate a resort with so much “wow” factor, great food/wine, and so much to see and do.
Those last two days are burning a hole in my pocket, but I don’t think the approach I’ve taken in the past (a whirlwind 4-parks in 2-days crazy trip) sounds particularly appealing this time around. The more I think about it, I might want to do a slower-paced trip focused on just my favorite things (I’d probably skip MK unless I happen to time a trip during one of the after-hours events) that make sense to do in 2020 (I’m excited to see Galaxy’s Edge, but may skip Epcot for now and come back when the transformation is done)- and work in some downtime.
I have a friend I frequently travel with, who’s a big Star Wars fan and who had a lot of fun when we did both CA parks a few years ago. I could probably convince him to join me and split the hotel cost. If I can, here’s what I’m thinking:
I’d like to stay in central Florida for 4 nights, with 3 of those being onsite. rent DVC points and stay at AKL. It’s the place I’ve always wanted to stay since they opened, and based on the parks we plan to visit even makes a bit of geographic sense. My friend is a big cruise person, so I think he’d appreciate a resort with so much “wow” factor, great food/wine, and so much to see and do.
- Day 0- Drive down after work, stay either with my friend’s relatives in Ormond Beach, or an inexpensive motel
- Day 1- Check in at AKL, explore the resort, possibly have dinner at California Grill lounge and watch fireworks, and/or visit Trader Sam’s.
- Day 2 or 3 (depending on park hours/expected crowds)- Animal Kingdom, probably all day but I’d be open to a mid-day hotel break since it’s so close. This is by far my favorite park and we’d take time for a couple hours relaxing on the porch at Nomad Lounge, watching shows/live performances, etc- in addition to Pandora (day and evening) and the major attractions.
- Day 2 or 3 (depending on park hours/expected crowds)- Hollywood Studios, including Star Wars, ToT, RnRC, etc. Guessing there would be enough time today to head back to the hotel at some point and do an early dinner at Jiko or Boma before returning for evening events. Or, given that we’ve seen Fantasmic (both in CA, me in FL as well) maybe it’s better to just stay until we’re done and do a later dinner?
- Day 4- Relaxed morning, maybe breakfast at Boma or Sanaa and/or possible visit to Downtown Disney and then head home by early afternoon.