May the Force Be With Us: A Family Trip Report Summer 2021

Caught a Pixar cavalcade on our way out of the park. The kids were so excited to get a Moana themed gondola at the Skyliner.

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Hey Edna! :heart_eyes:

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During our last trip in July of 2018 my teenagers were SO excited to see Edna that we followed her around Tomorrowland …on two separate days!

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Current Covid seating configuration in ToT:

They are currently boarding all rows on both sides. Only one party per half row, unless you can fit an empty seat between two parties (typically 2 + empty seat + single rider). The back row only has plexiglass between the two halves of the row. The remaining rows have an aisle so no plexiglass needed.

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We took some Photopass photos on our way out:

Also got our SDD photo from this morning - well, one of them anyway:

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While I’m waiting for my Boardwalk pizza to come up, I have some thoughts on SWGE. First some pics:

When SWGE first opened, I remember hearing one big complaint was the absence of John Williams’ iconic score in the land. Yes, he composed a piece specifically for the land, but the original scores to his films are not heard around the land.

However, his music is heard in the rides. In RotR, I heard the following themes, some of my absolute favorites by the way, and there are more that I need to listen for more closely next time:

Tagging for spoilers just in case y’all consider this spoilery

Empire strikes back motif during end escape from Star Destroyer
Rey’s Theme
Kylo Ren’s motif
Motif heard during final attack / explosion and escape from first Death Star
Throne Room theme

Hearing this music made the experience much more emotional and thrilling for me. I’m glad they broke the rules to include it.

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I went on Alien Swirling Saucers back during my solo trip in January 2020. As an adult, it was kind of boring, but I can absolutely see how kids would love it. I would probably like it more if I experienced it with one of my kids when they were younger. I will say that the theming on this ride is top notch though. Even though the ride itself wasn’t my favorite, I would go again just to check out all the details.

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For those who have been on Mater at DCA, it is just about the same ride, but the theming is not as fun IMO. Bonus points for being covered though. It is helpful to lean into the whips, which at least makes it seem like you are whipping faster.

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Pizza is delish. It’s exactly the kind of pizza I like - bready crust with sweet sauce and plenty of cheese.

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That family photo is fabulous!!:heart:

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I have to know… Did the little darling ever get her Porg?

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Ha ha! We actually have a porg at home. But we are going to get her something while we are here at Disney. She already got a Pygmy puff at Universal. :joy:

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We made our way into Epcot after dinner - it’s so nice to have a hotel room next door to the park! We’re in line for Soarin’ now. Posted wait is 20 min.

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About to board:


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We love this ride. Soarin’ Over California is better, but this version has aged well for me. I think associating it with nostalgia (ie, having ridden it years ago now) helps give it extra heart. The distortions don’t bother me too much, which is good cause we were in the very bottom right corner of the screen - E3 I think. I prefer middle middle (B2?).

DW and DSIL are using the rider swap pass with DD7 and DD4. Once again the CM said she hated to break up kids, so we got four spots instead of three in the return ride. :slight_smile:

Now DBIL, DD2, DS9, and I are chillin in Sunshine Seasons. I’ve always felt like this pavilion feels like a mall, like I’m in suburban Minneapolis instead of WDW. :joy: But hey, I’d take a mall with a Soarin’ in it any day of the week!

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Totally agree. I want it back.

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Agree.

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I miss the smell from the orange groves.

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Yup hands down. It didn’t go wonky

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Soarin’ over California>>>>>Soarin’ Around the World. (Though both of them are great)

I actually wish they’d do a Soarin’ Around America one. The parts of Soarin’ Around the World where they’re in Monument Valley and so on are incredible. There are so many other natural places in the US that could be featured in Soarin’. It would also be nice if they had a slate of several Soarin’ films they could run throughout the day so you could have different experiences. I’m sure that’s wishful thinking but it would be nice!

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