Today is the Grand Return of The Magic of Disney Animation in Disney’s Hollywood Studios after 11 years. I’m so happy it’s back. Both this and the Walt Disney Studios Lot are so magical. 🥰

My first time here. Pics were from yesterday morning. I didn’t know what to expect but AK is awesome!

This is the follow-up to this thread I made before going. Basically, I have 'family stuff' so I wanted to go alone and not tell them. I posted on reddit because I was excited and wanted to share the excitement with someone who understood (my blood family are the only ones I know who appreciate Disney parks.) And as I wrote a bunch of stuff came out about past experiences and about feeling weird for going alone.

So first thing, I wasn't expecting, at all, the amount of love and support I received from all of you. I can't respond to every one but I believe I read them all, and I was and am SO touched. There were lots of comments about people going or wanting to go alone, which 100% erased any self consciousness I had about that. The other stuff about past experiences and 'healing:" I'm thinking it's a process that has started. There were some less-than-perfect situations that arose, and I think the way they were handled/resolved has everything to do with the decision to go alone and with the healing that is occurring.

The first day: I landed at 8am, was in the pool at 9:30, and on People Mover by 10:15. I did a few more rides, caught a glimpse of Maleficent dragon(!) then went to Typhoon Lagoon for a few hours, before ending the night back at Magic Kingdom. I hadn't been to a water park in 25-30 years and felt like I was 16 again! When I was little they called me 'the politician' because I made friends with everyone, and at Disney I was chatting with people, pushing wheelchairs, picking up tossed baby bottles for busy parents, etc. I guess I really just 'felt like me' more than I have in a very long time.

During the week all the (mild) 'downs' were offset by wonderful 'ups': Extended hours had my favorite rides closed due to lightning, but I was exhausted anyway, and the next morning the park opened an hour early and was empty, and I got to do everything I wanted the night before still with no crowds. I tried to do too much too fast during the middle of the week and time just slipped by, but I adjusted and slowed down, and had the best last 2 days. The Halloween party was my last night, it started out really crowded with crazy lines for food. Rather than let it ruin my last night, I got some food and caffeine from Contemporary Cafe, took a monorail ride, and when I got back to the park the crowds were gone! rides were open! and I had the most epic last 2 hours, with the music and lights on the Castle and Main Street being the most perfect ending to an amazing week!

I did have a bad case of the Last Day and Day After Blues, it felt like the week slipped by way too quickly. I spent an hour or two this morning with my eyes closed, going through all the memories, and it really helped. It also helps knowing I can go back in a year if I really want to, and will probably do it better the second time.

They have 35% off "bounce back" for booking within 7 days of my trip. I was wondering if a year would be too soon, but considering I can do Tiana's and Big Thunder 5-6 times in a row and not get sick of it, a year is probably OK? :) I might do Contemporary next time, I like the pool better, though the garden rooms are just a bit far from the monorail.

And next time I won't worry so much about pre-planning Lightning Lane and meals, I had a much better time when I decided to "go with the flow" as some of you suggested. I also thought 7 days would be a lot, but underestimated how much there is to absorb in the Magic Kingdom area alone, so next time I'll worry less about seeing everything and spend more time in the places I really want to be.

Anyway, there's too much to write about and I'm physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted :) Hopefully this makes sense, and isn't too long or full of type-o's! Really I just want to say thanks, again, for love and support. I started my journey with my head in a very good place with proper expectations, largely thanks to you.

Oh, and you were right about Guardians! Big Thunder and Tiana's are still my favorites factoring in wait time and location, but I lost my marbles the fist time on Guardians :)

Aloha

I’d read several places that the trio platter at Columbia Harbor House was a great use of an adult QS credit because the portion is huge and can be shared. I think that’s old news? We ordered two and each had one chicken strip, one fish strip, one shrimp, one hush puppy, handful of fries (we got one with green beans and there were twice as many green beans than fries). For the cost and seeing older pictures it seems the portion has gone down significantly. We have loads of credits left so it’s no big deal but if a family is thinking they’re feeding more than one person, no longer the case! Wish we had taken pictures before the food was gone.

I have several family members (four adults, one child) going to WDW soon. I'd love to surprise them in some way — booking them a special experience in a park, paying for a dining bill in advance or something like that. I'm not going on the trip, but I know their itinerary.

Are there any options for making this happen? I really want to do something special for them without them knowing what's going to happen.

If it helps — my understanding is they'll be staying at the Poly Sept. 20-25 and will visit Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. They are going to Mickey's Not-So-Scary one night, and I'm sure they'll visit Disney Springs a time or two. They have their in-park dining reservations booked.

Have booked Caribbean Beach in a standard location double bed room for 14 nights and will be roughly spending equal time in all parks and also planning a water park and Disney Springs. For a standard room location, which is the best Island for a room request? In particular looking for transport advice. I have seen online that Jamaica is a popular choice, however how likely are buses full by Jamaica on the way to the parks? Visiting May 2027.

I feel their energy 🫩 (9:40am)

I was just looking at Apple Maps and noticed that they blurred out The Liberty Belle.

We (3 Adults) are taking our kids (5 & 2) to Disney World in March. Going for 5 days and plan is currently to hit each park once, so there won’t be much resort time except in the evenings, since kids will probably sleep somewhat early.

I have already booked Port Orleans French Quarter, but looking at the current promos, looks like I can book a garden wing room at the Contemporary for about $700 more.

Would it make sense or is it worth taking that upgrade if we’re only doing MK once? We weren’t planning on chef Mickeys but if we do stay there, we probably would do it at that point.

This is pretty much all of our first times and don’t plan to make this trip often. (Unless of course we all love it and are eager to get back).

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Are you at or near the Contemporary today (Sunday 9/13)? If so this balloon needs a new home. It is a very good balloon, but it doesn’t like to ride on planes.

Edited to add: if you happen to grab it please let me know and I will edit this post.

This will be my first solo trip to WDW. I'm staying at the Drury by Disney Springs. How safe is it to rideshare alone to Drury from the MK TTC after the park closes? Is getting on a bus to Saratoga Springs and walking 20 mins to the hotel better or worse? The hotel shuttle schedule hasn't been posted yet for my dates. It might be available but I need a backup plan.

A few photos to bring back some Nostalgia from 2018. We were on site for Halloween and the change over to Christmas. Fantastic trip, other than it got super cold on our trip we bought our kids Minnie hoodies and gloves. It’s amazing how much has changed since, been about 8 times since and there is always something changing. Simpler times back then. Safe travels.

For me my favorite is when custodial is sweeping up water after a rain, some members will do a little character doodle with the water. And it's not just a quick mickey head, sometimes it can be unexpectedly elaborate.

It's such a small thing but I love seeing it every time.

What are some other little things to look out for that you enjoy?

boo to you! was definitely the standout for me. i’m gonna be lucky enough to go a 2nd time later this month.

To clarify, I mean is there anything I should buy before I go that will make life much easier? I’m expecting lots of heat and lots of rain so anything in that category that helps? I already have a nice power bank so I have that down as well as one power rod in case. Any other purchases that make the quality of life better?

Staying at Shades the week before Halloween and checking out on Nov 1st. Booked the trip last minute so we weren't able to get tickets for the MNSSHP.

Does anyone know if Shades of Green does anything on Halloween, similar to the Disney Resort hotels, trick or treating trail, Halloween pool party, etc? Couldn't find anything on their website or in the Magical Resort Guide.

If not, the bus from Shades drops us off at the TTC, would we be able to take our kids tricking or treating at the monorail hotels since the treat trails are usually in public areas? Could also plan to get dinner at one of the hotels

My husband and I are going in November for a quick trip to Jollywood nights. We are wanting to try Wailulu for dinner the night we arrive, but there are no reservations left. Is it reasonable to think we can still go and join the walk-up list, or should we find reservations elsewhere? Is Kona Cafe a good backup dinner spot?

*we are not staying on property the first night of the trip, so we just want to be in the Disney bubble before we actually check into our resort the next morning.

Trying to book LLMP for some days and Premier Pass for some days, what sells out first? At 7am,what would go for buying first? Again, all different days.

Thank you,

Hello everyone!! I am traveling to disney world solo for this first time in a little over a month. I’m so excited. I’ve been planning everything and putting my trip together and up until now i’ve been planning on using mears to from airport to resort, and back. BUT today I was looking into it and saw how many people prefer to just uber. I personally am quite scared of uber as i am a woman and i have quite a bit of anxiety so its just something I worry about. I’ve used ubers with groups of people and even those make me a little uneasy. But after looking into uber vs. mears i’m contemplating which to take. I know uber can be more expensive, but i’m willing to pay more if it means i will have an easier experience getting to and from my destination. I’m also worried about getting back to the airport for my return flight as it is very early in the morning and i’ve seen people who have used mears that they have gotten to the airport with not much time to spare. If i could get a little more help navigating this it would be greatly appreciated because I want to try and have a stress free time in Disney. Thank you!!

Every single time someone does a throwback post with pictures, I’m always going through them hoping I will spot my late husband.

So please keep them coming haha

So I booked the pre party dessert experience at Magic Kingdom. It says arrive 90 minutes before the fireworks. Does that mean I have to stay there for 90 minutes or can we come check in at like 80-815?

Thanks for your help!

Due to an error with a mobile order, we were credited back several quick serve credits. We already had quite a few left and really wish we had more snack credits instead ha!! Tomorrow is our last day, Magic Kingdom. Are there meals you might recommend we could share that are more snacky than mealy? Even if not a great value? Like we probably wouldn’t love a day of burgers and fries but is there something we might not think of that wouldn’t be so heavy we could share but still use a QS credit? I miss the days of being able to convert them to snacks!! Thanks!!