This isn’t a full trip report so much as comments and highlights.
Sunday, March 8 - We arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge at noon and were notified the room was ready as I was pulling through the entrance gates. We dumped our bags and spent the rest of the day at Magic Kingdom doing some of the things we hadn’t had a chance to on previous trips. I especially wanted to climb through the Swiss Family Treehouse as I am sure it is on the chopping block somewhere. Dinner was at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. I highly recommend the Mess Hall Duck Fried Rice. If anyone is looking for the Fab 50 golden statues on the Play Disney app Abu is hidden on the right ON TOP of the sign as you enter Adventureland. I would never have spotted him without help.
Monday, March 9 - Met our DCP kid for breakfast at Hash House a Go Go off property so she could have her car. This was the reason for the trip after all. Hubs and I spent the rest of the day at EPCOT again doing things we hadn’t done on previous trips with kids. Choza De Margarita in the Mexico pavilion makes a great blood orange margarita. If you don’t like spicy ask for it without the chili on the rim. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a great place to cool off. If you have children be aware THEY WILL GET WET. There are ways to go through it while staying relatively dry, but there are lots of opportunities to play in the water so be prepared. This was an Extended Evening Hour night for guests at Deluxe resorts. I thought great, we’ll have some time with lower crowds. WRONG! The stores stay open later, but since they are open they are packed. I don’t blame Disney. If people want to spend money they aren’t going to say no. You can’t get in line for rides if you aren’t staying at a deluxe resort, but if you are in line when the park closes you stay in line. Fair enough. But I do not want to spend my extended evening time in the park standing in a 90 minute + line. So I saw no benefit of the Extended Evening Hours. Your milage may vary.
Tuesday, March 10 - Met our DCP kid at Hollywood Studios to spend the day with her. Had lunch at 50’s Prime Time Cafe. It has been several visits since we have eaten there. It was just as fun and kitschy as I remembered. In my opinion it is probably the best value if you are doing the Fantasmic Dining package, but you have to have people in your group that will enjoy the atmosphere. I have two adult kids that would not. We managed to hit a few rides including Smugglers Run, Tower of Terror (my personal favorite), and Slinky Dog Dash. It was sad to see the Rock N Roller coaster blocked off, but my DCP kid told us about the crazy crowds on the last day. Somehow she managed to purchase a Lightening Lane for it that final day so she was able to ride it one more time in its original form. We squeezed in the Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show before heading to Fantasmic. I highly recommend it. Excellent production values as well as comfortable seats and air conditioning. And I always recommend Fantasmic. It is also a favorite.
Wednesday, March 11 - Met our DCP kid at Animal Kingdom for the morning and then bussed to EPCOT for the afternoon. Despite lots of things closed off Animal Kingdom is still worth a visit. Sooner or later though they are going to have to shut down Expedition Everest to do some work on the Yeti. He is really showing his age. Still a great ride though. While at EPCOT we spotted the Easter popcorn buckets that apparently were released that day. I am not a collector and I normally do not care about the popcorn buckets, but this one is so cute! I love Pooh so I snagged one. He and Piglet will come out every Easter.
Lunch was at Via Napoli. If you want pizza at a table service restaurant it is good, but I don’t know if I would go back. As we had a long drive on Thursday and DCP kid had to work we called it a day late afternoon, hugged our kidlet as she headed for the monorail and went back to the hotel. Since it was early we spent a bit of time in the pool and hot tub after enjoying a cocktail while wandering the paths around the savanna watching the animals. A super relaxing way to end the trip.