One of the best things is being at a resort in DW so you can just hop on and off the public transport with our ParkHopper tickets. This place really is a world however you can use the card they issue you with at the outset for everything even paying for dinner at top notch restaurants Downtown, buying anything in the parks, anything, anywhere. They have this amazing systems spread across thousands of businesses so it is just so easy. Gab and Nat can stay late in the parks and come home by boat, or monorail or bus when they're finished. We keep in touch via our Tmobiles (getting a local sim was a great idea as we don't pay to talk to each other).
The timing was not great as the crowds are huge being vacation time for the locals. You need incredible patience and be willing to wait for the premium rides and shows. Yesterday we waited for 80 minutes to see the Lion King show but it was really worth it. Can't believe I'm saying that.
One per
k we get staying in the resort is Extra Magic Hours. They open the parks either early or late just for the resort guests. It rotates so we sat yesterday and planned the rest of the trip around EMHs. For example Thursday morning b/t 8 and 9 and Sat evening b/t 9 and 12 are EMHs for Animal Kingdom and Epcot so very little queueing to do. We'll be there no doubt.Day 1 Disney
We tackled the Magic Kingdom first. Hard to describe it. Teaming with people. Made of about 6 or 7 different lands...Adventureland, FrontierLand, Tomorrowland, ToonTown, etc. The centrepiece is the Magic Kingdom castle which has to be seen to be believed at night. Takes half a day to see one of the lands. We left the girls on their own for the evening. Every few hours there is a parade and everyone clears the way to watch it.
Highlights included the Tiki Room, the kids meeting their fav characters and the rides. All the kids have got autograph books and it is really fun to watch Goofy or Pluto trying to sign their names with their big fluffy paws.
Another big things is the collector pins/badges. It's huge. You buy a starter kit at the outset (we've said the kids can get a new pin each day and they're using money they got from fam b4 the trip for this too), then you can walk up to any staff member at any time and pick one off the badges they're wearing and swap them. Benj swaps with every person he bumps into. Loads of fun to watch.
No doubt we will be back to the MK as it's huge however the crowds are daunting. We wrote our mobile numbers on Benj's leg just in case but I'm holding him tight.
Nice to catch a ferry home in the dark with all the lights shining. (the Grand Floridian is right near the MK).
Day 2
We did Animal Kingdom next. The Lion King and rides were highlights. Kids and Mum took a rollercoaster ride which they loved. Again the scale has to be seen to be believed. We had to catch a bus there as further away. I think the one day is enough for this one.
Food has been a bit of a problem. Meat is the default. Can't imagine how many animals are killed every day in this country. Only sandwich options in the park are turkey and ham. People walk around eating these HUGE turkey legs off the bone. We have really struggled to find decent options for us. Eventualy found a tuna sandwich in the MK.
All the restaurants are booked out however we've managed to squeeze our booking for the rest of the week via the concierge including last night which was at Portabellos DownTown. Despite having a booking we still had to queue for 20 minutes. However the food was outstanding. Best I've ever tasted. Got lucky and spoke to the matre'd by chance and charmed him into finding a time for us again tonight. Being NYE they were totally full however he pulled strings for us and we're in at 6:30. We will then bus it back to Epcot for fireworks, etc. He told me a bit abt the history and how Disney and 5 other guys managed to buy up all this swampland in the late 50s. Apparently 5 or 6 of them secretly checked into a hotel and then each bought up bits, put it together to go after their grand vision. Amazing.
After dinner we cruised the shopping district called the Downtown Marketplace. Each shop is better than the next. We need a crate for all we want to buy. Helene wants to buy presents for everyone. Stressing over how we'll get it all home.
Undoubtedly the highlight for me was a place called T-Rex. Only 3 months old. Combined restaurant, educational facility, 'build-a-bear' Dino facility, shop. It is the most pheonomenal fitout I've ever seen with moving dinosaurs throughout as well as live fishtanks. Do yourself a favour, go on YouTube and search Disney T Rex Cafe. There is footage of the grand opening of this amazing place. I cannot begin to describe this place to you to do it justice. I walked around with my mouth open. Must have cost $50m plus to fit out. The guy at Portabellos told me they take 20 year leases!
From there we went to the lego shop, the Disney signature shop, Pooh bear shop, Once Upon a Toy...the list goes on. and youcan spend literally hours in each one, easily. Benj stirring, might be time to hit the road again.
I want to wish you all a Happy, Healthy New Year!!! Have a great night. We love youse all! We pray for peace in Israel soon and that everyone be safe! Thinking of you all.
- Brad, Helene, Gab, Nat and Benj -
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