I’m back from my Disney Vacation and wanted to give a quick Trip Report.
Overall, the trip was AMAZING. While things are different, it’s still Disney. The “magic” is alive and well and Disney is doing an incredible job as they evolve and fit in during this unusual time. I could write a novel about my experience but I’ll try to be short and sweet. I’m happy to expand on any of these subjects with you individually, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Safety: The protocols they have put in place are mind-blowing. I truly believe that Walt Disney World is the safest place in the world right now. I kept a list of all the things I saw, experienced and learned from Cast Members and that list is LONG! You can tell that Disney has done their research and consulted with the brightest minds in medicine, infectious diseases and logistics to make their improvements. I have a feeling a lot of what they have implemented will stay for the long term. It’s so common to come home with the flu or a cold after a trip to Disney. I don’t see that happening ever again! Masks: Disney is very strict with the mask rules. Very strict. But, it’s really not that bad. Everyone is complying so it’s not tough to make the kids wear them. You are actually the “weird one” if you aren’t wearing your mask correctly. Yes, it’s hot but I have several tips on how to combat that. I made a post-trip video listing the things I brought that made our days much more comfortable. Please view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sVHftDXPUk Crowds: What crowds??? We walked on to almost everything! The longest we waited for anything was about 25 minutes. Even the posted wait times were much longer than reality. Popular rides, like Flight of Passage, that normally have a 2-3 hour wait all day….we rode twice with no line! Disney has suspended the Fastpass program and is controlling park capacity with the new Park Pass Reservations. This has been amazing because you no longer have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to the park an hour before it opens just so you can get in front of the growing crowd in order to *only* stand in line for an hour for a popular ride. Now, you can sleep in, go when you want, ride what you want and actually return to your resort and enjoy the pool! It’s like you can finally have a vacation at Disney! There’s no more rushrushrush to the next reservation or having to change around your Fastpasses. It really gives you the most flexibility to enjoy your day and I hope this never changes. Characters: While you can’t get autographs or hug your favorite character, the experiences are adorable. They are new and so creative. It’s another thing I hope they don’t change. I’ve posted several videos on my Facebook page. The only thing I didn’t like, and this is very picky, is that there are a lot of snack carts and shops closed due to the lower crowds. Disney just can’t afford the labor costs to keep everything open while the crowds are this low. Also, the menus at the restaurants are more limited because they are socially distancing in the kitchens as well. But, we never felt like we weren’t getting something we wanted or sacrificing anything. It was annoying only because it was a big reminder of the pandemic and what’s going on back in the “real world”. I have so much more to say but don’t want to write a novel. Every family’s decision to go is going to be a personal one and I would love to discuss any concerns you have. I’m happy to go over my list of safety protocols I witnessed as well as details of how our days went. If you haven’t already, please go to my Facebook page and you’ll see all my Live Videos I posted during our trip. They are quick videos but gives you an idea of what things look like. I hope you will consider booking a trip! If it's your first trip, I understand wanting to wait until next year when things like Fireworks and character dining will return. But, if you've been before, I strongly recommend considering returning in 2020!
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So many new things this trip! Skyliner, Wild Africa Trek and The Edison!!
Just got back from a kid-free trip to Walt Disney World. These are our favorite trips. We eat too much, drink too much and laugh too much. This time, we stayed at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which was awesome. I love that resort. They are doing some work on Mizner's Bar, reimagining it to Beauty and the Beast. The orchestra is still in the lobby and they've set up a temporary bar in front of the Garden Tea Room. It's okay but I'll be glad when it's all done. It's Food & Wine season at Epcot so we sampled bites and drinks from all over the world. This gave me the liquid courage to ride the new Skyliner Gondolas to Hollywood Studios! They weren't near as bad as I thought and not scary. The breeze they create is glorious. It takes about 30 minutes from Epcot to Hollywood Studios so I don't know if it matters if you take the Skyliner or the Friendship Boats. Skyliner is definitely more fun! On Sunday morning, we got to take the Wild Africa Trek tour. O.M.G. Coolest thing I've ever done at Disney. You basically do the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction on foot. You get to explore through the woods, feed the hippos and cross a rope bridge over the crocodiles! It ends with a delicious snack on the Savannah. The pictures are incredible. It's pricey but worth every penny. Our last night, we went to Disney Springs for dinner, drinks and shopping. We stopped at The Edison for dinner and it was nice, not sure we'll go back. It just didn't wow me. Then on to Wine Bar George where George himself served us! Very cool and he's very nice. Our next trip isn't until January and I'm already missing my second home! Last week, my husband and I returned to Disneyland with several goals: Star Wars, Pixar Pier and the Grand Californian Resort and they did not disappoint.
Grand Californian Resort: I will never stay anywhere else. Period. I love Disneyland Hotel for the nostalgia but nothing can beat the convenience of GCH. Wherever you are in the parks, you’re only 10 minutes from sitting on your bed with your feet propped up. The rooms are a great size, beds are comfy and the showers are amazing (hello, rain shower). As an added bonus, the newly opened pool bar serves up some amazing snacks and drinks with great live music. We didn’t want to leave. Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Holy details, Batman! (Sorry, wrong property) This land is ah-mazing. Full disclaimer: I am not a Star Wars fan. I saw the “originals” in the theaters in the 80’s and have the VHS tapes. I’ve seen a couple of the recents but couldn’t tell you anything about them except I cheered when I saw Han Solo again. But this land is incredible. The attention to detail is unmatched. The sounds of jets flying above you, the music pumping from Oga’s Cantina and the “citizens” wandering the land make you really feel like you are in a galaxy far, far away. Well done, Disney. Well. Done. We rode Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and, while the queue was neat, the ride was meh at best. You are assigned Pilot, Gunner or Engineer.. If you aren’t a pilot, you’re pretty much just along for the ride. If you are an engineer, your sitting in the back row and pretty much waiting for the bouncing to end. I’m glad I experienced it but probably won’t bother again. I got more out of Star Tours than this ride. TIP: there are 6 per vehicle so if you have a larger family, let the kids be pilots. They’ll have more fun and you die laughing watching them crash. Pixar Pier: super super cute and an amazing overlay. What a great upgrade from the old Paradise Pier. California Screamin’ roller coaster is now Incredicoaster and it’s incredible. I couldn’t get enough. Great story, great ride. The new Lamplight Lounge is a Must Do. The food is great (lobster nachos are back!) and the drinks are fun. We’ll definitely be back. Overall, this was an incredible trip. Truthfully, I wasn’t that excited about it. Our last trip wasn’t the greatest...lots of line cutting, service was bad and the other guests were pretty rude. Disneyland has completely redeemed itself and I’m dying to go back. At every restaurant and bar we experienced, a manager came by to check on us. The parks were so clean you could eat off the ground. And, I’ll say it, Disneyland’s attractions are better than those at Walt Disney World. And, after all, it IS where Walt walked.... As you already know, I'm an expert with Disney Destinations. I have planned over 1500 Disney vacations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani and Disney Cruises. They are my favorite destinations and I'm very passionate about Disney.
One of the less exciting decisions to make when planning any vacation is whether or not to purchase Travel Protection. While it can be expensive, I strongly recommend purchasing, ESPECIALLY for cruises and International destinations. Basic Travel Insurance protects you against things like trip delays and lost baggage but it also comes in handy if you were to get sick or injured while on your vacation. We certainly don't expect anything bad to happen during a vacation but, unfortunately, it can. And I've seen it happen...
So, even though it's not fun to purchase, it's vitally important. Every vacation is different and some will need it more than others. There are several companies out there that you can purchase a policy from, which I will help you with. Here's a great article that can explain further in detail: The Complete Guide to Travel Insurance from Allianz Global Assistance Hi and welcome to my blog! I've never produced a blog before and I have no idea what I'm doing. 😆 But I want to create forum where I can post tips, news, trip reports and anything else that is going on in my travel life.
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AuthorMy name is Dani Garcia and I'm a luxury Travel Advisor that specializes in Disney Destinations and Virtuoso properties. I have a teenage son, a young daughter and the most amazing husband who's my lobster. Archives
July 2020
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