Just getting back after an absolutely amazing, and magical Disney vacation. Our dates were 2/29-3/4. This was my first kids free trip (since my 20s), to celebrate my 40th birthday with my two best friends. Crowds were light, weather was perfect, and I still can't believe how much we got accomplished! We stayed at the Swan, utilized
genie+, ILLs and Rope Drop.
Day 1: check in day at Swan, around 11, had a quick brunch at Garden Grove, walked around a bit them room was ready. Quick change into swim suits and we headed to the pool. Around 5, went up to shower and get ready for dinner. We had a 6:30 reservation at BluZoo. It was delicous! We started with crab nachos, and I had the Ahi Tuna. Friends had the fresh corvino. We all loved our meals. After dinner we strolled over to the boardwalk area, and checked an item off my Disney bucket list and rented a 4 person Surrey bike. The hills were work, but we had so much fun and a lot of laughs! Watched a little but of luminous from the bridge (wish they pumped in music/narration), had a quick ice cream from beaches and cream then headed back to Swan for lights out!
Day 2: HS/EP/HS: Bought multipark genie+, at 7 grabbed slinky dog LL, and 12pm ILL for ROTR. Took boat to HS, was through gates at 8:15. First ride was MMRR (walk on), headed to toy story land and Slinky was still about 30 minutes, so we decided to just hop in line and modify our genie+ to something else. We were off Slinky in 30 minutes, modified our genie+ to TSM, walked over to ToT waited about 15 minutes. Took a snack break at Woody's lunch break for some Totchos. After a little sack and rest, we used our Toy Story Mania genie+. I then switched over and started stacking genie+ for EP, first grab was Test Track. After TSM, we went to Muppets, Star Tours, walked around a bit, and just as our time came up for our Rise ILL, it went down! So instead we walked around, grabbed some blue milk- ILL changed to a anytime return for Rise, we decided to get to EP, and redeem ROTR at night when we came back for Fantasmic. I grabbed at genie+ for Soarin for a quick return. At Epcot we road Soarin (g+), Frozen (g+), Test Track (g+), and Remy (genie+). REMINDER: even when genie+ is showing as gone, use your refresh and modify and look for drop trends! Both Frozen and Remy were showing as gone, but I was able to snag them while just refreshing while in line or while taking a snack break
In between rides we explored topiaries, had some snacks and enjoyed some entertainment.
We were so efficient that by 6pm, earlier than anticipated we were ready to hop back to HS. Took Skyliner back to HS, Got on Rise (ILL) a little before 7pm, then went to Baseline Tap for some snacks and drinks. Smugglers was a walk on after. Around 9 went and got in line for 9:30 Fantasmic. Had perfect seats about 8 rows up in the center. Was back to Swan by 11ish.
Day 3: Topolino's Brunch, Pool Day, Disney Springs
Slept in, took Uber to Riviera for 11:40 reservation. We all loved our experience at Topolinos. Wasn't sure how I'd enjoy a character meal without kids, but it was just as magical. Had so much fun, food was great, service great! I do miss the days of being able to get more than one entree, but it worked out as a friend and I shared. Took Skyliner back to boardwalk area and walked to Swan. Had a relaxing afternoon at the pool. Had a 7pm reservation for Morimoto, another great meal. It was packed, service was on the slower side and we were there for 2 hours, but we weren't in any rush so it was fine. After dinner we did a little shopping, mostly at
Disney Store and pin traders, then decided to call it a night as we knew we had a very busy day coming up!
Day 4: AK/EP/MK- 7am- purchased ILL for SDMT and TRON, and genie+ 9:30 safari (which I ended up modifying to Eversest)
Roped dropped AK, arrived by 7:15, was soon through gates. Rope Dropped FOP, on and off in 35 minutes, this was all of us first ride on FOP , and WOW, we all loved it. Navi (standby 15 minutes), took some photos and explored Pandora. Then headed over to Safari, standby line was only 20 minutes so I modified my genie+ to Everest and got in standby. Had a great Safari, even got to see baby elephant Cora and her mama! After safari took a breakfast break (more totchos yum!!) After some food, headed to Everest. took some photos then we were on our way to Epcot by 11 with a genie+ for Soarin. Since we got all of our rides done our first day, we decided to focus mostly on food booths and exploring World Showcase. We did ride Soarin (genie+), Living with the Land (standby 15 minutes), Nemo (walk on), and walked through Moana. I began stacking genies for MK. If you're wondering why no GoG, two of us were overcoming some sinus issues and were afraid of GoG disorienting us or making it worse, so we decided to skip this trip as amazing as it is! At 2:30ish we hopped on monorail to MK. Arrived at MK just after 3pm, I could tell immediately upon entering how empty the park was. We got a perfect seat on the curb across from Tony's just as the parade was coming around. To give you an idea of how empty MK was, after the parade I could walk down Main street with my arms outstretched and not touch another person! Also, even though I had already purchased an ILL for TRON VQ still had availability at 3pm! So I grabbed on and got group 173. After some photos, we could tell rain was on the way, so headed toward Tomorrowland for some covered/indoor attractions. Just as we got under cover the sky opened up. We road People Mover, Carousel of Progrees, Space (genie+)- once we got off space rain had stopped and there was the most beautiful rainbow! It was now around 5, so we grabbed some sweets from Sleepy Hollow, and then went to Casey's for a seat and some Corn Dog Nuggets. Lucky us got a seat and the piano player had just started! There was still a beautiful rainbow over the castle- it was so magical! We did a bunch of rides Pirates (standby 10 minutes) Tikki Room, Jungle Cruise (genie+), SDMT (ILL). Got our spot for Fireworks at 7:30. Watched HEA, cried as always! After fireworks did Tron (ILL), BTMRR (genie+), HM (genie+). After all of that it was Dole Whip time! around 10:00 our boarding group for Tron was called. This is the beginning of the most magical last hour at MK. We got to Tron and almost NO ONE was in line. We got front row, WOW game changer! I don't think I can ride this again without being front row!! We decided to end our magical day we should take a spin on the carousel. While we were on Cinderella wandered out of somewhere and was just casually roaming Fantasyland. We got off the ride, she said hello, wished me a happy birthday, took a photo with me! We headed to the castle for one last photo, just after we took the photo I looked up and something caught my eye, I told my friends to look- guys, we saw a ROCKET LAUNCH! From MK, in front of the castle!! WHAT!!?? Our jaws were dropped open in awe of this moment. What an end to our day! After grabbing my chocolate caramel apple from the Confectionary my day was complete..... or was it?
For one last surprise, once we got back to the hotel, my friends gifted me a new pair of ears to remember by trip by- they were he new blue Cinderella ears with the little clock in the center, so thoughtful! Would you believe me if I told you I arrived at my hotel room door at exactly 11:59pm, because I did!
Day 5: check out, spa day at Ritz Carlton Great Lakes
After clockin in 32K steps on our epic park day we needed some R&R. We ubered over to the Ritz for a spa day. Highly recommended the spa there! We had a couple treatments, enjoyed the outdoor spa/pool area, spa amenities and had lunch. Our journey came to an end, and we took an Uber to airport a little after 5.
I'm still on a high and amazed on how this trip went. Thanks to DisBoards, a shout out to MamFam (IYKYK) for all the tips that help the magic happen. My only wish remaining is that you all get to have equally magical and memorable experiences!
