Hello all. We returned home yesterday. I didn't have my laptop with me so I didn't post while we were gone. Thankfully we did not experience the same delays on our trip home as we did leaving.
On Arrival Day:
We ended up leaving our home airport around 9:00 pm. Our original departure time was 6:50. We stumbled into our resort at 12:30 am. No one had received a "your room is ready text" and we all had to check in at the desk. Because it was after midnight, the computer was a bit off with folks checking in for reservations as we were technically a day late. I think we went to bed between 1:30 and 2:00. I am sure this was the latest my 9 year-old has ever been up by a mile. Of course the first park day didn't go as planned after that; but it was still good.
On the weather:
From our perspective, it wasn't has hot as I expected or as it had been the last 2 years for us. We had brief showers off and on with some thunder; but for most of it, we were at our resort. We actually only experienced it in a park on our first 2nd and last days. On our first park day we were soaked leaving MK. On our 2nd we were in Epcot; but we were inside. We stood under the shelter while I put in our order for Electric Umbrella and by the time I finished it was just a sprinkle. On our last park day, it poured on our bus ride to MK; but it had calmed by the time we got there. We hit our fast pass for Under the Sea and by the time we emerged the rain had stopped. It was a beautiful evening and I was super grateful because I booked the Happily Ever After Fireworks dessert party (Plaza Garden Viewing).
On crowds:
It felt busy at some points; but it never felt uncomfortable. But crowds are very much a matter of perspective. One person may see a 6 out of 10 as too much whereas to us, it isn't much because we have experienced the park at 9 and 10. If someone has not experienced that, a 6 probably feels a lot more crowded to them. I don't have the super hero abilities of
@Tomh so I didn't find it as easy this year to change plans as far as fast passes go as I did last year. I made a lot of changes and got extras with ease last year. I even switched two of our park days and got the same fast passes I had; but this year I had no success doing that. But if you're in the Facebook group you marveled at Tom's fast pass prowess and how he wielded the app. I aspire to be so talented.
On this trip overall:
First we had a great time. I knew this trip would be different and it definitely was. We didn't repeat any attractions. That stemmed from spending less time in the parks than in previous years. We got started at least an hour later each day and with the exception of the first and last day we left at least an hour earlier than I planned. I got to see Illuminations during this trip. We went to Epcot earlier in the day and I went back to the park alone after getting everyone dinner from the foot court. We went to the pool twice this trip. It was fun and there were plenty of beach balls to play with.
My mom enjoyed herself a lot. We made some great memories and I am so glad we took her with us. That being said, I went out of my way to try to make sure this was a good trip in case it was the only one and I'm pretty sure based on a few things, she's going to be one and done with Disney World. She does want to come with us on a cruise in the future. Having the two rooms worked out great. Everyone's band opened both rooms and it was great having 2 bathrooms. I kind of wish we could have two rooms when it is just the 3 of us. I love the space and 2 rooms is cheaper than the suites.
The Fireworks Dessert Party:
This was my first time doing this and I was nervous mainly worried about weather cancelling the show. We really enjoyed it. It was a little hard to judge how much to eat prior. I knew this wasn't a meal so you don't want to go starving; but it's expensive so you don't want to go full. We arrived at the park around 4:30 and after riding Under the Sea, we spent the evening in Tomorrow Land. We ended up having a small meal about 90 minutes prior to the check in time (7:30). There was a lot of stuff everyone liked. The desserts were cute and tasty and we enjoyed the fruit too. Appreciated that there were multiple choices for drinks (lemonade, guava juice, apple cider, tea, coffee, water). My mom had the apple cider. The children and I had the guava juice. I also had coffee. Everyone left with a full stomach. If you had Plaza Garden viewing they said just leave when you are ready; but not to wait too long. We stayed until 8:20 or so and with a group were walked over to the viewing area. We sat until 8:59 which was exactly how I wanted our experience to differ from last year. They actually didn't make everyone stand up; but we stood since the people in front of us did. I didn't really want to be on the ground if something went wrong anyway. We had plenty of room to move around to adjust the view, which my son did a few times. I would definitely book that again with or without my mother. Last year we stood from 8 pm on including the bus ride and the 3 of us were literally limping by the time we got back to the resort. I don't mind a lot of walking; but there is something about standing for a long time.
On departure day:
I never like to have an early flight back because of how far in advance DME picks up. Our return flight was at 5:15; so we had a 2:15 pick up time. One thing I had not done on any previous trip was having any type of plans for departure day. It has generally been a hang around the resort type of day. We would make last minute purchases, eat in the food court and play in the arcade. This year I booked breakfast at Cape May. It was at 10:20. My mother and I did resort airline check in at about 9:15. At about 9:50, we stored the carry on bags and took a taxi over to the Beach Club. Breakfast was yummy and the characters were great. My son is a huge Donald Duck fan and he had a Donald Duck hat. Donald and Daisy made a huge fuss over him. It was fun.
We returned by taxi, made some purchases in the resort shop and played in the arcade until it was time to collect our carry on bags and go the DME bus stop. For the first time in all of our trips, our resort was the only stop on the route. We got on an empty bus and went straight to the airport. We had an early dinner in the food court then went to our gate. Our flight home not only left on time; but we got home 30 minutes early.
Not sure what 2020 will bring. But I do know we won't be going in August. I had already considered going back to traveling earlier in the summer and with the change in my daughter's school schedule, that is what we will have to do. Plus I have found that preparing for school and preparing for Disney is a bit of a strain even with the trip paid for already. There's so much to do when both are approaching. We have considered cruising. We have also considered Universal.
So, that brings an end to Disney 2019...or does it? Do we go back to wish Mickey a Very Merry Christmas? I will admit I have long wanted to go to that party. Even had a trip scheduled one year and had to cancel.