Day two continued…
Arriving at DP around 6:30pm it felt like coming home. It’s my favorite version of Main Street USA. And sorry-not-sorry it’s the most beautiful castle of all the parks. In 2021 it was under refurbishment so this was the kids first time actually seeing it 
We headed for IASW with only a 5 min wait. But when we arrived it quickly jumped to 20 mins. So we pivoted to Casey Jr. Then it was time to eat.
After some not-so-terrible veggie hot dogs at Casey’s (the kids really like them. They’re picky eaters. I’ll gladly take the win), we relaxed near the hub for a while.
Next we hit up Star Tours (DD6 first time. She loved it!), IASW, Teacups and Dumbo. By this time the sun was beautifully setting and it was time to head to the hub for the main event - Disney D-light (drone show) and Disney Dreams.
Fantasyland was closed for the drones & fireworks so we were rerouted to the hub via Frontierland. We arrived 30 mins before showtime, but it was absolute pandemonium. All pathways were packed and not a single CM in sight doing anything remotely resembling crowd control.
We could barely navigate with DD6’ small stroller - there were zero walking paths - and ended up joining others in an elevated planter in front of Casey’s. I really don’t think we would have been allowed to stand here in the US parks.
I saw someone else post this about DLP and I have to agree: people here are much less considerate when holding up their phones & children for the night show vs any time I can recall in the US parks.
I had a pretty ok view between two trees, with DD6 on my shoulders leaning against another tree to try and not block others’ views. But as soon as D-light began the woman in front of me shot her phone up holding it directly in my sight line. I was really annoyed, so I tapped her shoulder. It went something like…
Me: I can’t see. Your phone is in my way.
Her: yes [does not lower her phone]
Me: would you please move it? It’s hard to see
Her: yes, it’s difficult [still does not lower phone]
That was basically it. I didn’t have room to maneuver so was stuck with half a view of the castle and a full view of her phone for the entirety of both shows. C’est la vie
Before Disney Dreams started DS9 was complaining about seeing. So DD6 was plopped onto DW’s shoulders and he was hoisted up onto mine. This was equally sweet as it was punishing for both DW & I. Our backs were glad we wouldn’t be catching the show again this trip.
D-light is jaw-dropping amazing. The drones are spectacular. The US parks should really intro these. Sorry no pics, couldn’t manage with DD6 on my shoulders. Plus my photos would be mostly of that woman’s phone…
The Disney Dreams projection show was also wonderful. Perhaps not HEA-good, but still great. It was refreshing to see a castle show centered on older, classic IP - Peter Pan is the protagonist and Alice in Wonderland is also featured.
After that, we exited slowly via the Liberty Arcade and hoofed it back to Hotel Cheyenne. The next day would be a full day at DP. With temperatures above 32C / 90F 
)
. This was our first Disney visit together in 10 years, so felt pretty magical. Especially just the two of us, and that we didn’t plan for it to happen.