Today we had planned on a full Universal day but as we had such a late night waiting for bedding etc, and also had to be around to check the room before we could move our luggage across we decided to walk into EPcot for a few hours instead. After a period of hating Frozen with a passion the girls suddenly decided they like it again this morning and wanted to wear their Anna & Elsa dresses I made and go on the Frozen ride/ do the character meet!! So, after being really organised and ironing today’s outfit last night to get as much packed as possible before this morning I found myself frantically searching through suitcases to find the relevant clothes! 🙄
We had to have everything packed by the time we left the room, as it was an 8am EMH opening it was still slightly frantic, but we were ready for 7.30am. The girls and I left for EPcot whilst Steve went to the front desk as we’d had a confusing message about needing to have our things out of the room by 10am (there was no way I was standing anywhere near him as he was already ready to blow his top after two phone calls at 9.30pm last night when the girls were asleep 🤣). The queues were already huge at International Gateway and they’d stopped checking bags to allow some to clear, but we were still in the park by 7.50 and managed to get on Frozen with no queue (although Polly was terrified as the photo shows!)
Anna & Elsa don’t meet until regular park hours which is pretty annoying, so when Steve arrived feeling much calmer and telling me he’d had a lovely lady get things sorted at the hotel (good staff make such a difference) he and the girls went on Test Track with one of the 3 free fast passes we were given (my old-lady joints were not at their best today so I sat out!) The girls love all the sections of this ride, from designing their car (think Barbie on steroids!) to the ride itself to the interactive activities afterwards.
We then headed to Soarin’ where the queue was small, but we were held up as they were having technical issues. We weren’t waiting too long though and I always love this ride (it’s about the only simulator ride that doesn’t make me want to throw up!) On the way out we passed a family whose little tiny boy was walking along with his trousers round his ankles and pants on full show whilst holding his parents’ hands. His little tummy must have been having a pre-food skinny day and they’d just slipped down. His mum & dad hadn’t noticed until Steve politely pointed it out. The little boy was in fits of giggles as were his parents, but Winnie got really concerned that he’d be embarrassed, bless her heart!
Next was the most important part of the day…the Starbucks stop!! The queue was pretty big, so we decided to go meet Anna & Elsa whilst Steve waited there. When we got to Royal Summerhouse the queue time said 60 minutes, but from doing the meet before I knew it would be nowhere near that looking at the line. We were with the characters in around 25 minutes which was perfectly doable, so I’ve no idea why it stated so long. I have to say that it really is a lottery with character meets (especially face characters) as to how much fun you’ll actually get out of it. Elsa was reciting the same lines to everyone she met, and although Anna was a bit bouncier it was all a bit flat. Mind you, my two turn into silent statues when meeting face characters so I guess they have their work cut out!!
By now it was 11am and we got a message to say our new room was ready, so we walked around world showcase (even though it’s very warm today it was still lovely to walk without turning into a puddle of sweat) back to Yacht Club. We were escorted to the new room and then collected our luggage to take there (I couldn’t face waiting for bell services) The room is lovely and what we booked so no complaints. Plus, it’s slightly closer to the lobby and not looking out directly onto the lake so hoping the boat horns will be a little less noticeable! They also gave us a room credit which was appreciated. Winnie declared that she now knows how to get what you want…by grumbling!! Not sure that’s such a good life lesson 🤣
Packing/ unpacking so many times in a few days certainly wasn’t ideal but past is in the past (do you see what I did there?) and we are now determined to relax for the rest of the holiday…well, until the two 3am marathon get-ups at least!!
We spent the afternoon chilling by the pool in the beautiful sunshine. The heat now is so much nicer than August ‘roasting yourself in the oven with the Christmas turkey would be cooler’ weather, so we are making the most of it. We had a 5pm Ale & Compass reservation at 5pm that we weren’t sure we’d keep but decided a chilled-out night was just what was needed. The food was very good (I actually managed some photos!!) and the drink was very strong, and it was so nice to be able to just walk down into the hotel to eat.
We considered going to either Ample Hills for ice cream at Hollywood Studios to watch Sunset Season Greetings, but instead settled for an early night (after looking at our beautiful balcony view) which was absolute perfection!
We have the Family Magic Tour tomorrow which we are looking forward to as it’s something new for us.
Oh, and for those who don’t know, quick service meals are now separated out into adult and child meals (there was previously no differentiation). We asked about exchanging the newly reassigned children’s quick service meals and were told that at the minute you can still swap 1 QS for 3 snacks regardless of whether it’s an adult or child QS meal. I’m guessing that will change soon as 3 snacks have a higher value than most children’s QS meals but we shall see.
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 