So, it’s now over a week since we got back from another fabulous trip to the most magical place on Earth and I thought I’d finally get around to posting some blogs. I decided to group the first few days together as we had the same focus for most of them; to say goodbye to the 50th celebrations (and in particular 50th Donald!) and hello to our favourite, Happy Ever After!
This was a trip we never planned on taking, so was a fairly last-minute booking when the opportunity arose, and we ended up booking Port Orleans French Quarter for most of our stay and using our few remaining DVC points for 3 nights at Copper Creek at the end of the trip. We had stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter last summer for a few nights but didn’t feel we had enough time to really get to know it, so were excited to stay again and we absolutely loved it. The resort facilities are fantastic (I mean, beignets! Enough said!), the grounds are quite possibly the prettiest on Disney property, the pool area is great, the bus service is perfect and everything about the place is relaxed. The air conditioning is a bit growly and goes intermittently loud and quiet through the night, but it’s not a huge deal at all.
We absolutely nailed our 50th brief at start of the holiday seeing the 50th shows, cavalcades, doing the character meets, getting the photo-pass pictures and watching the Enchantment fireworks one last time. We got some fabulous Mickey hugs and Donald and Daisy were as wonderful as ever on the cavalcade. The girls said it was sad they couldn’t hug them, but whilst watching the Festival of Fantasy they realised neither was on a float for that and they both came to hug the girls which made their day. We even managed to stay for Enchantment on the last full day of the 50th celebrations (although it wasn’t the last night of the show), although we didn’t follow our own ‘stand at the end of Main Street against the railings’ advice and ended up with every child on dad’s shoulders in the park in front of us!! We did move back though, and it all worked out. We were so glad we got to say a final farewell to the celebrations. It was a bit emotional though, especially following the 50th cavalcade down Main Street for one last time and watching it disappear through the gates. I really wish they’d replace that cavalcade with something else as we love watching it through the day.
The following day we decided to take a break from Magic Kingdom and spend some time at Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The plan was to rope drop Hollywood Studios and knock a few rides off our list before heading back to the hotel for some pool time, then heading to Epcot in the evening for the Easter Egg trail and a few snacks from the Flower and Garden booths.
I love Hollywood Studios but I find if you don’t get there for rope drop its really hard to get the big rides done, as the queues soon fill up, so we always tend to break it up into ride day (or morning) and a show afternoon. We initially opted for Runaway Railway for rope drop, but after waiting in the queue from 8am when they opened the turnstiles, were told it was down and likely wouldn’t open at 8.30, so instead we went to join the back of a very long Slinky queue. It did move fast once the park opened though, and we managed that and Runaway Railway (which came back up) before regular park opening. We also had a lightning lane for Rise of the Resistance which we love, and met a few characters including Donald.
After an hour chilling by the pool we set off for Epcot. We always seem to choose the hottest days there, and it was no exception today, but the girls were determined to do the Easter Egg hunt so after riding Spaceship Earth which had no queue at all, we bought two maps and set off, making sure to stop at the booths for food and drinks to stay cool. The first stop was Mexico where Donald was still meeting, so we got in the queue which for once was in the shade, and moved quickly. Donald was so much fun. He tried to take the girls away with him, then asked me to go too! Fortunately (or unfortunately) for Steve, his handlers told him he couldn’t steal children or adults!
We then spent the rest of the evening finding Easter eggs and eating and drinking our way around World Showcase. We stopped at the American theatre to watch the band playing Garden Rocks, and had a really lovely leisurely evening, which was much needed.
The next morning we decided to try and get a Topolino’s reservation as although we had another Magic Kingdom Day planned, it was mainly to watch Festival of Fantasy again as I’d made the girls outfits to replace their 50th ones (on their request!!) so we had plenty of time beforehand. Loads of reservations popped up in the morning so we had our pick of times. I initially chose 9am but modified as we were ready early, and we ended up being seated at 8.30am. We had the best time. We were in a little side room, but it was great as the characters spent ages with us. Donald took Winnie away to make everyone in the main dining room cheer for her and wouldn’t bring her back until they cheered loudly enough! He then directed her to do various poses for photos. She absolutely loved it.
The food was as good as always. We all had the steak with a side of poached eggs, and it was really good. If we didn’t have the girls with us, I’m not sure I’d pay the hefty price tag as I think the breakfast steak at Trattoria is just as good for half the price and I am socially inept when it comes to Disney characters (see my Mickey ramblings later!), but the interactions they got yesterday were priceless.
We then had a quick change of tops and headed to Magic Kingdom for the early Festival of Fantasy parade. The girls were hoping that Donald and Daisy would be walking again, and as every float passed the characters/ CMs told them the ducks would want to hug them, so they were very hopeful. Luckily, they both spotted the girls (let’s face it, they’re hard to miss in those outfits!!) and ran over for the biggest hugs. We were crammed in like sardines so no photos as such, but memories to last a lifetime and two very happy girls.
We then decided to head back to spend the afternoon at Animal Kingdom as we fancied a Nomad Lounge tea, but as we’d seen the parade near Liberty Tree Tavern and cut through the Emporium side of Main Street we got to the exit before it arrived there, and there was no queue for Mickey. We decided to go in to meet him in his magician outfit, and after a bit of loitering in the foyer (because he couldn’t possibly be on the parade float and meeting) we decided he’d had enough time for a quick change and headed in. We were the only ones in there and he spent ages with the girls. Now, I am absolutely rubbish at social interactions. I get the worst anxiety, and somehow, it’s even more pronounced when it’s a Disney character. So, I somehow ended up telling Mickey that I made both the girls and their outfits but needed help from Steve with the girls! They both looked mortified, Mickey was in hysterics, and I was ready to die!! Who goes into a Disney meet and starts talking about reproduction?!
Anyway, a hasty exit later and we were on the bus to French Quarter. As the hotel isn’t far from the park buses are really regular so we’ve never had to wait as yet. A half hour cool down (it’s so hot!) and we were back on a bus to Animal Kingdom. We had no real plans other than Nomad Lounge for tea (I genuinely think the poke bowls are my favourite Disney meal) but we ended up doing Flight of Passage, the safari and the Nemo show too, which was great. We also saw Kevin as soon as we entered the park which was perfect timing, and the girls started new Wilderness Explorer books (hopefully these will take less than the 3 years they took to complete the last ones!!)
We were all flagging by this point so decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel for an early night. However, as we were walking to the room Polly decided she’d regret it if she didn’t watch Enchantment for the final night, so they quickly threw on clothes they could sleep in, and we headed back onto the Magic Kingdom bus. The plan was to head to the Polynesian to watch from the beach, but when we got to the park, we decided to watch it from the end of Main Street instead, and it was perfect. Happily Ever After has our hearts, but Enchantment has some amazing memories for us, and we have loved it.
Tomorrow is meant to be a lazy day to recover before watching Happily Ever After, but the girls informed me that they’d like to watch Festival of Fantasy again, so maybe not!
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 