Aside from
Disneyland Paris I'm hoping to do a return to Disneyland Resort in the next year or two. I want to return to WDW for 2021 and try an do a few days on a
Disney Cruise. I'm torn between going to catch
Festival of the Arts time or Flower and Garden but avoiding spring break.
WDW summary
Character meals
I enjoyed all the meals I went to and would take any first timers to them with me. Going back with just me/a seasoned traveller...I think I'd skip Chef Mickey's breakfast (it was fun, especially for kids and I found chocolate sauce with pancakes/waffles was too much in the early morning, I'm a plain cornflakes/porridge/croissant kind of girl) and Bon Voyage it was great but a bit of a pain to get to and it was too much food. The same goes for 'Ohana and Garden Grill, solo breakfasts there...it was just too much food. Although I did like that it was quiet at Garden Grill when I went so I might be tempted to do that one again. I'd do Tusker House again. Minnie's Beach Club bash at Cape May was fun again a bit of travelling involved so going solo I'd skip. The Boardwalk did look beautiful with the sunrise on it so that makes for a lovely photo and a pre/post breakfast walk. Crystal Palace is fun too, not sure if I'll do it next time.
Skipper Canteen and Be Our Guest I loved the themes but the food was not to my taste so I would skip these on a solo trip. I know that the Hollywood and Vine dinner gets a bit of a bad rep in some reviews on the food but I didn't mind it and I loved the costumes so I would do that again, if I get a Fantasmic! FP with it, all the better.
So basically Hollywood and Vine dinner, Tusker House breakfast and maybe Garden Grill Breakfast. I shall have a lot of new things to do next time and as I found a lot of the meals too much food wise and I don't want to end up doing a lot of sit down meals I shall skip them. That's nothing against the meal/CM's/restaurant but if I have to choose between doing new and favorite things in a leisurely pace and new and old crammed into a day I'll be cutting back.
Shows
Rivers of Light: I really enjoyed watching this, I think it was the right length and just gave you a moment to relax and enjoy a different pace of Disney.
Tree of Life Awakenings: I enjoyed watching these although it was a challenge to catch it in time.
Festival of The Lion King: My second viewing and it is fun to watch.
Flights of Wonder: This was my first viewing and now its gone, my last. I thought it was fun and informative so hopefully the new show will be the same.
Fantasmic!: This is my second viewing, I did enjoy it, I think if I don't get a FP with dinner again I'd skip just to make sure I get to see other things but if I have time I'd include it as its a lovely show.
Beauty and the Beast: I've seen it twice now and I think I'm done watching it, not bad but one of those shows you don't always have to see (unless you want to).
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular: I really enjoyed this although I think I will give myself a bit more time and find a better spot.
Star Wars: A Galaxy, Far, Far Away: I think next time I shall try to catch it earlier in the day next time, I missed the very start and I was melting in the heat.
Disney Movie Magic: I enjoyed tis a lot but like the Star Wars fireworks I think next time a better spot than what I had.
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth: I've seen it twice maybe three times now and I'm not to fussed by this one so I shall skip next trip unless it has changed but that's kind of handy because I can focus more on rides or have an early night.
Festival of Fantasy Parade: I thought this was fun, whilst I got a great view of the parade from Frointerland my view from Main Street got better pictures (minus the flame from the dragon) and I was able to get a spot last minute (perk of going solo).
Move It! Shake it! Dance & Play it! Party: I thought this was fun but so much more fun if you were in a group, I also felt kids were able to get closer to the characters than solo adults.
Once Upon a Time Castle Projection Show: I enjoyed watching this, will try and watch it once or twice next time because I'm sure I'll try and get a photo on it.
Happily Ever After: I really enjoyed this, I didn't have the connection to Wishes like others have. I would defiantly try and see this at least once but aim for twice in a trip.
I enjoyed the opening show for MK, I liked being able to pop into Starbucks for a croissant and a drink and enjoy it in a quite empty Main Street and get some nice photos of an almost empty Town Square and Main Street.
Missed:
Finding Nemo The Musical: I have seen this before I just ran out of time to see it this time, I might watch this instead of Festival of Lion King next time to try and space my days out better.
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular: Seen before, wanted to watch it again but didn't get a chance so I shall do this next time.
Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial: I saw all of it on the first trip and bits of it on this trip but that was fun but I wish the viewing area was shaded.
Voyage of The Little Mermaid: I did not managed to squeeze this in, I haven't seen it before so will try and get that in next trip.
Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire: I caught a bit of this whilst I was waiting to go to my Crystal Palace ADR, if I can catch an dearly show I shall try and watch it next time but I'm not too bothered.
Not seen:
Voices of Liberty: I've seen them at Disneyland at Christmas and I'm not too bothered by watching them, they are talented though.
Frozen Sing-Along: I wanted to only see it if a certain CM was in the show who is really funny, turns out I would have know because there's a place on social media. If he's still there and the shows about when I go I shall give it a watch.
I can never pick a number 1 park, I have too many favorites in different parks but MK and AK stand out the most too me.
I love the general theme of the MK park and I love walking in Africa and Asia in AK. I especially love the safari and I also love the countries in Epcot. I think that HS will be fun once they have the new additions up and running but at the moment is was in a sorry state.
Water Parks
I found for a solo trip I much preferred Blizzard Beach, it just felt like there were a few more options, if I was with a group I might change it up and go to Typhoon Lagoon.
Universal/Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay was a bit of a disappointment although the theming is great, it was in its first year though so bit hard to judge it now. They need time to get it running and work out any issues and make improvements.
Universal was great in with all the single rider queues but I felt more like I was on my own there and with all the trouble I had with the rides I think I'd do just a one day multi park/skip on the next trip. If there is a lot of new stuff to see then I shall make the time to see it.
Disney Springs - I loved the new layout, it looks like a lovely place to walk around and a nice mix, I think it's ideal for those in a travel party that may not be that into Disney because it's themed in a different way.
I can't really pick a favorite character meet, Goofy and Donald offered some of the most fun and a bit of Chip and Dale. I think next trip will be all about seeing the classics and then any new characters. I think Epcot's character spot, Donald and Daisy in HS and Chip and Dale too would be enough.
My favorite places to eat where Pecos Bill, Magic Kingdom and Moe's South West Grill at City Walk, Universal.
If your not used to being in the sun much and want to wear Ears I recommend doing that in the mornings/evenings and during photos and then swapping to a hat during the midday heat and sun. I burnt my scalp a little on the first or second day and after than the hat came out.
Things I would like to see Disney would change
Letting non US residents use the shopping part of the Disney app, I would love the bit where it tells you which stores in the parks have what you are after, I don't care if I can't purchase it through the app. It would save so much time.
Change the carpets in All-Star Movies a nice lino would be great.
Better bus service to breakfasts that are in resorts either by a shuttle (maybe pre-bookable when you get your ADR would be handy so they can do a multi resort pick up) or at least make the Minnie Van's accessible to non deluxe resort guests quicker.
Bring back more of their scrapbook style ranges, they could do so much and dabble into mixed media too. It is so hard to even get left overs of the US stock in the UK. Pretty sure they would sell if they market it right.
Things I wish I did differently
Did not waste my time in that silly merchandise queue at Epcot on the 35th anniversary.
Did not wear slightly heeled sandals on my first Disney day, I think my other ones would have been better.
Did not loose my Universal ticket.
Did not try and get that bus for my Bon Voyage breakfast and just get a taxi instead.
Things I want to do next time
Star Wars: A Galaxy's Edge
Guardians of the Galaxy ride
Toy Story Land
Disney Cruise
A couple of nights in Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah room
Disney Mini golf - either one.
Take a more relaxed pace
Take more video of random parts of Disney rather than just the parade and fireworks.
Either Festival of the Arts or Flower and Garden Festival
