For lodging we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House. Compared to All-Star Movies, where we stayed on our last visit 2 years ago, this place was an upgrade and worth every penny. The first thing you notice is that magic, submersive feeling. You don't feel like you're in Florida anymore. It feels like Africa or Mexico, without forking out major bucks for similar places like the Polynesian. Even better, there are animals here. We saw giraffes and zebras walking around constantly, and there are even night vision goggles to see them in the dark. Other difference include an increased number of welcoming cast members (employees), and higher quality food.
On to the parks... For Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, we did the extra hours and it's worth every penny. We did Early Morning Magic for Toy Story Land, HS, which is a must. We rode Slinky Dog Dash 3 times in under an hour! During normal times the line for this new coaster is literally a half mile long, outside of the corrals. It's insane.
We also did the Star Wars Guided Tour, another awesome add on. The kids got to battle Darth Vader! We were ushered onto Star Tours, and also learned all the trivia, which got a little boring. I thought this tour was a rip off until the Darth battle at the end, at which point I was so happy I almost cried, no joke. They hype up the kids and deliver the perfect light saber scene.
We did the Christmas Party, MK, which was also fantastic. Tons of cast members gave out free cookies, eggnog, snow cones and more, all over the park. Ride lines were all super short, and the parade was great, and not too long. You must ride Jungle Cruise, renamed Jingle Cruise for the night, with a new script full of Christmas jokes.
There's a ton of Disney advice online so I'll keep mine short. Disney is an awesome time, and it's SOOOOOOOOOOO expensive, but you gotta go all out. I had such a fun time, laughing with my family. We really did get along, and it sounds so cheesy, but we bonded. Truth.
Last thoughts, tips, and favorites:
-- Don't rely on Minnie Vans, there are not enough to go around, and the app barely works.
-- If you're just getting coffee, don't buy a new mug. Only the soft drinks are automated, and the mugs still look like they did years ago, so bring your old one.
-- Take a yellow cab. Remember those? They're still around, and super (relatively) cheap. $15 hotel to anywhere, not including tip.
-- Flight of Passage is awesome, get a Fast Pass, most definitely.
-- Animal Kingdom is the most underrated park. Expedition Everest is a blast, and the whole place is so submersive.
-- Big Thunder Mountain, MK, is so damn long! Oh, my god, it's like 20 Barnstormers.
-- Spend the cash! Extra hours at night or in the morning are so useful. You'll ride coasters with barely any line.
-- Hollywood and Vine, HS, is my fave buffet for Character Dining. Garden Grill, Epcot, is the worst food, but best backdrop.
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