Trip Review

[curbsideprophet]

3 adults, 1 child. Stayed at AoA in a Finding Nemo suite. We rented a car at the airport.

We arrived Friday evening. My mom got a text that the room as ready while at the airport so we went straight to the room when we arrived. Went for a dip in the pool then dinner at Sanaa.

They said it would probably be at least 20 minutes for a window seat. We said we did not want to wait for one and were seated immediately. It was right on the edge but it was a window seat so I guess we got lucky. We saw some giraffes, birds and a few other things. The bread service was great, DD loved it. She also loved the decorate your own cookie dessert. At some point we told our server we were celebrating DD's bday and he brought her a light up Tinker Bell clip. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food, I would definitely recommend!

[curbsideprophet]

Saturday - started off at Magic Kingdom. Park hours changed to open at 8 so I dropped out early BOG breakfast. We had bought some things at the grocery store the night before and picked up a few things in the resort food court before heading to the park. I don't remember what time we went out to the buses but we got there before the welcome show.

We almost had to leave someone behind at the resort because we could not figure out how to fold the rental stroller. We had two other families trying to help us. The bus had arrived and I was getting worried we would not figure it out. Finally someone else in line figured it out. Everyone cheered.

We took some pictures on Main Street and then headed to Fairytale Hall. Meet all four princesses fairly quickly. We also did Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, met Ariel, carousel, small world and had fast passes for mine train. Had a snack at Gaston's then headed over to our splash mountain FP. We also did magic carpets and pirates all before our noon Skipper's Canteen ADR.

We really enjoyed Skippers. I know some have complained that the kids menu is not watered down enough but DD enjoyed her steak.

After lunch we went to the Memory Maker meet and greet with Belle and then had a FP for Tinker Bell. We headed back to the resort for a nap and some pool time.

[curbsideprophet]

Sat evening - Animal Kingdom

We had a Tiffins Jungle Book dining package. Depending on what you order the package could end up being cheaper. I had the grilled octopus app and the Wagyu strip loin and braised short ribs entree and those two off the menu would have been more than the package cost and that is not even considering drink and dessert.

DD loved her braised short ribs and ended up eating some of mine. That might be my only complaint. I wish her portion had been a little larger. Overall the food was excellent. If you have the money and the time I highly recommend.

We met Mickey and Minnie and did Triceratop spin before heading into the show. My expectations were low but I thought it was good. I would have preferred to see ROL but it was entertaining. I would not wait hours to see it, but I feel that way about most shows/rides.

After the show we stayed a little bit later to watch the tree but DD was definitely tired so we did not stay long.

I wish we could have worked in more AK time but I was happy with what we did see.

[ssmjlm]

curbsideprophet, when we were at WDW there was a family waiting for the buses with us and the dad couldn't figure out how to folder their double city mini. I walked over and showed him to pull the straps at the seats and he was so grateful.

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 26, 2016 8:12:25 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

curbsideprophet, when we were at WDW there was a family waiting for the buses with us and the dad couldn't figure out how to folder their double city mini. I walked over and showed him to pull the straps at the seats and he was so grateful.

Lol. Well now I know the check in the seat. The pull strap was tucked under the seat. There was some writing that said pull strap under here. It was starting to fade and we probably should have seen it sooner but it did not even occur to me to look there. Once we figured it out was easy.

[was5]

curbsideprophet, did you choose the Nemo room due to proximity to the pool? Do you get a lot of noise from people at the pool while you are in your room?

[Deleted]

This sounds like an awesome trip!

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 26, 2016 10:20:45 GMT -5 was5 said:

curbsideprophet, did you choose the Nemo room due to proximity to the pool? Do you get a lot of noise from people at the pool while you are in your room?

Proximity and that is the movie she knows best. If Little Mermaid was a suite option I would have chosen that.

We were in Building 5 in the wing that points towards the Lion King section. We could sometimes hear the nightly movie but not the pool.

[Deleted]

I am wavering on my nap plan but your kids are older than mine so I can ask you. Do you think it was worth it? Did they sleep?

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 26, 2016 11:54:15 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

I am wavering on my nap plan but your kids are older than mine so I can ask you. Do you think it was worth it? Did they sleep?

DS was not with us, just DD. That being said, I thought the naps were worth it. The last day we did skip a nap and just did the pool. It was so hot out though I just wanted to spend some time inside relaxing. I think most of the adults took at least one nap during the three days. I may not have pushed naps as much in December or if we had more rest time. We were only there three full days so they were pretty busy.

DD did not want to sleep at first but I stayed with her and she did fall asleep.

[was5]

Aug 26, 2016 11:18:03 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Aug 26, 2016 10:20:45 GMT -5 was5 said:

curbsideprophet , did you choose the Nemo room due to proximity to the pool? Do you get a lot of noise from people at the pool while you are in your room?

Proximity and that is the movie she knows best. If Little Mermaid was a suite option I would have chosen that.

We were in Building 5 in the wing that points towards the Lion King section. We could sometimes hear the nightly movie but not the pool.

Thanks. Right now my boys aren't into Cars or Lion King, but by the time we go they might be.

[curbsideprophet]

Sunday - MK

We had a PPO BOG breakfast. We ordered two adult meals and one kids meal. This plus the plate of pastries was enough to share.

We headed over to the castle for the Elena welcome show (9:05 am). Then we got in line to meet Merida (9:15 am) In hindsight we maybe should have sent someone over to the Merida line sooner.

We did teacups, Mine Train, speedway and watched Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire before headed to lunch at Pinocchio Village. We had FP for Mine Train and the Speedway.

After lunch we headed over towards Dumbo. DD did not ant to ride the LM ride so we skipped it. She enjoyed running around the splash pad but got a little too wet. My mom ended up getting her another outfit to change into. She refused to go on Dumbo all wet. Finally did Dumbo with our third FP.

Asked if she wanted to meet Daisy or do Dumbo again. She said Dumbo. I booked her and I two more FP for Dumbo while my mom and aunt got barnstormer FPs.

There were other afternoon FPs available that I would have liked (Buzz as an example) but just did not make sense for our schedule. I was able to get an evening Splash FP so I booked that for everyone.

We took the train over to Main Street. Walked around the stores for a bit then went to the Barber shop for DD's hair appt. she got a few inches taken off then they styled it in pigtails with pixie dust.

We asked DD if she wanted to stay for the FoF parade or head back to the hotel. She wanted to stay. So we went and did Carousel of Progress to be inside for a little before the parade started.

Managed to find a tree to stand under on Main Street for the parade.

Went back to hotel to nap and rest up for the evening. DD wanted to swim but we did not think we had time for nap and the pool. We mentioned that she would wash out her pixie dust if she went swimming so she eventually agreed to the nap.

[curbsideprophet]

Sat evening - MK

We ate dinner at the AoA food court. It was pretty good but not sure I would want to eat every dinner there.

We decided to try driving over to MK for the evening. The hardest part about might have been getting the stroller on the tram.

We Magic Carpets and out Splash FP then picked out our spot for the parade. I held our place while everyone else went to get snacks. Dole whips and fresh pineapple were a tasty treat.

DD enjoyed the light parade. I was glad we got to see it one more time before it heads west. We left after that. We could see some of the wishes fireworks while we were on the tram and in the parking lot.

[katrinabennett]

How old isn your DD?

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 28, 2016 11:29:21 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

How old isn your DD?

She just turned 5

[curbsideprophet]

Monday - EP

We had a PPO breakfast at Garden Grill. Pluto stopped to color with her and she thought it was hilarious when he signed her book on top of his nose.

We got out just after 9 and headed to Soarin. I think the posted wait was 15-20 minutes and we waited about 10. Then we did the Living with the land boat ride before heading over to Norway.

We met A&E then got a snack in Norway. The A&E line was not too bad, especially once you moved inside. Lots of cute things to look at and it is cool.

Went over to Mexico and did the boat ride a couple of times. DD probably would have done it again but we figured we should move on.

We stopped by China and watched the film. Then we headed to Germany for lunch. We had a 12:30 ADR and the show started at 1:15. This worked well for us. We had basically finished eating and could enjoy the show. DD was on the dance floor multiple times.

After lunch we decided to try and get to the Jasmine and Aladdin meet and greet before out FEA FP. We were the second to last family before they cut off the line but we made it. This was a fun meet and greet, Aladdin was very entertaining. This stop added a lot of walking but I knew we would not get it in otherwise.

We headed back to Norway for FEA. It was cute and there we no problems. FP line was not bad at all. After this DD was pretty much done.

My aunt and I went on Figment since she had never been while my mom tried to take DD to a penny machine we had passed earlier. She somehow got confused and they never found it. DD definitely enjoyed looking for the machines and filling up her book with new pressed pennies.

Then we headed back for some pool time.

[curbsideprophet]

Monday evening

Enjoyed the pool and decided to have pizza delivered to the room for dinner. The pizza was good but this took longer than we expected. They called around 5:45 and it took 15 minutes for someone to answer. Then they said pizza would be there within 60 minutes. So I think it was close to 7 when it finally arrived.

We ate them headed over to HS for a short evening. We met Olaf, then watched a short Star Wars movie. My mom and I went on Star Tours then we headed over towards the fireworks. DD like them at first but then midway through she said she wanted to go so we left early. This worked out well as we beat the rush out after the fireworks were over.

[curbsideprophet]

Tues - departure day

DD and I went for one last dip in the pool. She was very impatient for 9 am to arrive. She probably would have gone in at 7 if they let her.

We checked out then headed over to the Grand Floridian for brunch at 1900 Park Fare. Out ADR was for 11:30 but I think we arrived a little after that. It definitely seemed like we were one of the last tables seated but there were still other people there.

Tigger and Pooh come over right away. Alice and the Mad Hatter were close behind. We saw all of them before we had a chance to get any food. DD then did not want to leave the table to get food. She wanted to wait for Mary Poppins. We did get some food and It as not too long before MP came over.

The buffet was still fairly well stocked considering how late it was. My aunt was able to get an omelet made without too much wait.

At one point they did come by to check and make sure that Tigger and Pooh and been there before they left. Pooh came by and waved at least one more time before he left.

Our waitress brought us a cup so DD could take some gummy bears to go with her.

I wish I had known a picture as potentially an option. I would have asked.

We did a little shopping at GF then rode the monorail around once before heading to the airport.

[bronxgirl]

sounds like a great trip!

[was5]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like a great trip!