Magic Kingdom Multipass

Disney's "Fastpass" system has undergone many tweaks and changes and this was our first experience with the latest iteration. All I can say is bring back the old paper fast pass system! We didn't do too badly but it didn't quite work out as planned. Perhaps the holiday crowds threw out the algorithm but we did miss out on some of the bigger rides. Not a big deal as we had many other days left but more annoying that we couldn't use the system as efficiently as we had hoped.

I'll stop the boring rant there. There are several websites that outline the process of how to book and use the multipass LL much better than I ever can so I won't even try...

Highlights were just spending time with family and friends and watching little ones experience their "firsts"!

https://findpenguins.com/80tbgmubyiyed/footprint/6778c42da6ea37-76918424

It has been years since we've been on a carousel!

Dumbo 

Wargaming the LL...

Trying and reviewing snacks

Dinner at Batuu never gets old

Just like an American child - American tenders and mac & cheese! Love it!

Still amazing even several visits!!!

Studying for Toy Story Mania

Ride photo of the day! Uncle Steve bossing it!

Looking for our favourite characters

lol

Hopping from MK to HS. Unfortunately Jonah was exhausted so opted to rest

Epcot & Magic Kingdom

Fancy photo at Epcot

Mal's link for today. The text for the lazy man reads...

This was our big day! All the big ticket items across the two parks with the exception of 7DMT (for the non Disney initiated - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). First stop: Test track - "sorry folks it's down"! Quick to Frozen Ever After! Heather's step counter kept prompting her to admit that she was taking part in some sort of event: no, just Disney.

Coffee: gross but check. Partypeople: check. 

Our other home in the background. Villas at Grand Floridian

Photo of the pros. We moved like lightning!

Rope drop plan B. Admit it Berlee boys you loved it. We heard you singing...

Another first for us. Again better than expected!

I'm not sure we ever worked out if there was a point to this

La Crêperie de Paris, another new dining venue for us. Fixed lunch was more than adequate volume wise and tasty

Kids split off so the parents could shop!

and pretend to be Gaston

Very sweet and rich cinnamon roll and lefou's brew

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. AMAZEBALLS!

Go West!

Guess where we are!

Ahh...what a welcome sight

Another short post as we hopped across the pond to a new continent...goodbye Europe hello America!

Prior to our trip, we were informed being "downgraded" from a Lufthansa metal to Eurowings, Lufthansa's budget cousin, for our flight between Frankfurt and Orlando. Not happy Jan. But there was not much we could do about it. They didn't tell us though that our lounge access was also downgraded!! The only positive was that the plane itself was on a lease basis and run by Finnair. So it was a new plane with Finnair flight crew. All in all a pleasant flight.

We arrived into Orlando's new Terminal C, where immigration and customs took forever. Not only was it frustrating but it was also chewing into precious Disney park time! With the demise of the free Disney Magical Express, we had to organise our own way of getting onto Disney property. We decided to go with Sphinx Transportation. Hany was pleasant, quick to respond and very nice about having to wait so long for us at the airport. The car was clean and comfortable. They were also well priced. 

We were super excited to stay at the Polynesian Resort. Although it is one of our home resorts at DVC members, we had never stayed here before! Disney came through with our room request. We checked in, dumped our bags, struggled with FOMO about exploring the resort, before finally getting ourselves to the Magic Kingdom to just breathe in the Disney atmosphere. Our junk food journey began with a hodgepodge of selections for dinner including a funnel cake and it was time to head back for some much needed sleep. We had 6 hectic days scheduled ahead of us...

Nothing like a 0430 transfer to Marco Polo to start the day! Today we would be flying from Venice to Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to Orlando.

The children chilled pre-flight, the adults studied Genie+ and stacking techniques

Very precious carry-ons. Has all our star wars costumes in it...

FINALLY out of Orlando Airport. Our private transfer to WDW with Sphinx 

So tired...but so happy to finally be here!

Our first time staying at the Polynesian Resort

Our "longhouse" Tokelau

Studios are the one of the largest within WDW

I love this artwork. Couch turns to bed

The split bathroom is handy if you have 5...

The other separate shower with toilet

Just in case you forget you're at the Polynesian Resort

Too excited to get a non blurry selfie

Walking down Main Street 

Because one has to have funnel cake sooner rather than later. Let the junk food journey begin!

Our last Magic Kingdom Day

It was thankfully a slow start to the day. An early morning stroll along the boardwalk area in search of pastries and caffeine was rather enjoyable! Our planned time to leave for the Magic Kingdom was not until 10am...gasp!

With school holidays in full swing here in the states, the park was busy. I shudder to think how much worse it would be closer to Christmas. Our reservation for Cinderella's Royal was thankfully nice and early. Our meals were served quickly and we had the nicest server! With tiaras on, Lara and I were ready to meet the princesses. Oma was quick to point out how beautifully detailed their costumes were. The teen boys were good sports and were happy to be in photos with the Disney Royals.
Post lunch activities were mainly centred around maximising our remaining wild fastpasses. The family opted to go on the classics. Jungle Cruise, Dumbo and Pirates of the Caribbean won the honours. We also had one last day to shop for merchandise. Elliot finally found something that he wanted to buy! Oma gladly purchased him an ewok bag tag.

Tiaras on! 

Studying the CRT menu!

Meeting the princesses in the castle!

Be Our Guest, a reservation that we had to wait until our last park day to get, was a fitting way to end our time at the theme parks. We had to wait a long time to get seated but it was worth the wait. The ballroom was as stunning as ever and the grey stuff still delicious!

Getting out post dinner though, was mayhem. We had to abandon plans to watch the castle projection show and fireworks. The crowds were so crazy that at some point we COULD NOT move. The whole family was separated, and it took a good 40 minutes just to exit the park from Fantasyland!
After sneaking in some last minute photopass opportunities we farewelled the Magic Kingdom for another 4 years.

A last look at the gorgeous castle

Try the grey stuff, its delicious!

Magic Kingdom

We slept in leaving the villa at 9am. It was nice to take advantage of the short walk from BLT to Magic Kingdom. The new fast pass system also minimised any FOMO feelings from missing rope drop. Today was a day to hit the rides for the littlies and to tick off a few essentials like Dole Whip and Big Thunder Railroad.

We had been looking forward to trying Jungle Navigation Canteen which seems to polarise people on-line. We loved it. The setting was fun and the waiter was hilarious with a playful mix of silliness and sarcasm. Most importantly, the food was very good. The whole fish was a bit dry, but all the others were great.

Christmas themed goodies

Improving our selfie skills!

Jungle Navigation Canteen

The drinks were nice and a hit but just a touch too sweet

Noodle salad

Disney's version of Thai Beef Salad

One of the nicest desserts at the Disney restaurants! Unexpected

A slow pace day meant more time for shopping and snacks - and even a nap!
We finished the day with our much anticipated visit to Victoria and Albert's. It was certainly high end with compulsory jackets and the obligatory harpist and a 10 course paired degustation menu to match. It was lovely and certainly a treat, but if one wanted to be picky (which one certainly can be with a hefty price tag) then perhaps it lacked a bit of the creativity and playfulness that you may see in other high end joints. It is definitely worth doing for a special occasion or simply to try, but once is probably enough. The little Disney touches were really appreciated with exceptional service and complementary chocolates and roses.

Beautifully prepared and presented dishes

A surprisingly light and elegant dessert. Apple mouse shaped like an apple paired with the most delicious and unusual sour cream ice cream!