My recent trip focused on the final days of Dinosaur and the Epcot Festival of the Arts.
Hotel - I stayed once again at the Wyndham - right across the street from Disney Springs. If you don’t have a car, this is usually the best deal on property if you book on Priceline. It’s a very basic hotel property but friendly staff and they have a Joffrey’s coffee right in the lobby - which is great for me.
Lots of transportation options - I can walk through springs and catch a bus and transfer - Riveria to skyliner for Epcot, - Polynesian to boat for MK, etc. I can also walk to Saratoga for a direct to park bus. Or…. Take a boat to French Quarter for Bengiets and then a bus to a park! Haha.
Another benefit of walking to Saratoga - you often see wood storks and once I even saw wild turkeys!
Had a great time at Animal Kingdom enjoying the last days of Dinosaur - on the very last day I did eat lunch at Restrauntosaurus - it was never my favorite for food but just like Pizza Rizzo - it felt right to experience on the last day. My safaris were fantastic- both days I saw cheetahs and lions out and about and one day I saw many elephants too!
Had to take the train over to Rafikis to say goodbye to the goats - a couple of goats and a sheep were out to be petted. Nice experience.
Zootopia was ok…. At least the AA and in theatre effects are nice.
Animal trails were great - meerkats are always a delight!
And flights of wonder bird show - I miss the Gwano Joe character but it’s still a fun show with lots of interesting birds. You’re missing out if you don’t sit towards the front - they fly right over your head!!!
Last rides of Dino were great - waiting in line in 45 degrees! Haha. But it was fun to go through the extended q and take it all in. I was glad it was in such good shape - fog effects, lighting etc.
Moving to Epcot -
I love the art festival!! The broadway display was excellent - it’s great to see Communicore hall used properly. I got to meet Tony Baxter yet again and get a signed copy of his “Bird Woman” painting. Watching Trevor Carlton paint is always a highlight of the festival too - he brings so much energy and passion! I even got to see him paint Figment!
David’s paper art, Noah Fine Art, and Scooter were highlight booths that I looked at multiple times. If I had more space I would have loved to buy more art - but it’s so nice to appreciate it too.
Chalk art was lovely of course - really fun to watch them being made.
And the broadway concerts! I love these concerts and think they should run more often - they feel right at home at Epcot.
Of course I also enjoyed Voices of Liberty and the Jammitors. None of the food was particularly interesting at the festival - I tried a few desserts and they were “fine.” Mostly just ate at Reagle Eagle. The Falafel wrap at Morocco is decent too if I just want a light meal.
I did spend 1 day at Studios - but only because it was a day that I was meeting up with friends and that’s where they wanted to go. It was fun to ride Rise, Runaway, Midway, etc and of course it had to get in my “last ride” on rock n rollercoaster!
Spent some time at MK the days after Dinosaur closed - the cold air made the steam look great on the railroad. All the classics were in good shape - small world, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, mansion, pirates, people mover.
Jungle cruise was in rough shape but had a great skipper.
All the shows were enjoyable.
And of course saw starlight a few more times and enjoyed the band, dapper dans and various piano players - saw Grayson, Neal, and Jeremy on different days!
I’ll post some photos in the next post - feel free to ask questions if you have any!
Hotel - I stayed once again at the Wyndham - right across the street from Disney Springs. If you don’t have a car, this is usually the best deal on property if you book on Priceline. It’s a very basic hotel property but friendly staff and they have a Joffrey’s coffee right in the lobby - which is great for me.
Lots of transportation options - I can walk through springs and catch a bus and transfer - Riveria to skyliner for Epcot, - Polynesian to boat for MK, etc. I can also walk to Saratoga for a direct to park bus. Or…. Take a boat to French Quarter for Bengiets and then a bus to a park! Haha.
Another benefit of walking to Saratoga - you often see wood storks and once I even saw wild turkeys!
Had a great time at Animal Kingdom enjoying the last days of Dinosaur - on the very last day I did eat lunch at Restrauntosaurus - it was never my favorite for food but just like Pizza Rizzo - it felt right to experience on the last day. My safaris were fantastic- both days I saw cheetahs and lions out and about and one day I saw many elephants too!
Had to take the train over to Rafikis to say goodbye to the goats - a couple of goats and a sheep were out to be petted. Nice experience.
Zootopia was ok…. At least the AA and in theatre effects are nice.
Animal trails were great - meerkats are always a delight!
And flights of wonder bird show - I miss the Gwano Joe character but it’s still a fun show with lots of interesting birds. You’re missing out if you don’t sit towards the front - they fly right over your head!!!
Last rides of Dino were great - waiting in line in 45 degrees! Haha. But it was fun to go through the extended q and take it all in. I was glad it was in such good shape - fog effects, lighting etc.
Moving to Epcot -
I love the art festival!! The broadway display was excellent - it’s great to see Communicore hall used properly. I got to meet Tony Baxter yet again and get a signed copy of his “Bird Woman” painting. Watching Trevor Carlton paint is always a highlight of the festival too - he brings so much energy and passion! I even got to see him paint Figment!
David’s paper art, Noah Fine Art, and Scooter were highlight booths that I looked at multiple times. If I had more space I would have loved to buy more art - but it’s so nice to appreciate it too.
Chalk art was lovely of course - really fun to watch them being made.
And the broadway concerts! I love these concerts and think they should run more often - they feel right at home at Epcot.
Of course I also enjoyed Voices of Liberty and the Jammitors. None of the food was particularly interesting at the festival - I tried a few desserts and they were “fine.” Mostly just ate at Reagle Eagle. The Falafel wrap at Morocco is decent too if I just want a light meal.
I did spend 1 day at Studios - but only because it was a day that I was meeting up with friends and that’s where they wanted to go. It was fun to ride Rise, Runaway, Midway, etc and of course it had to get in my “last ride” on rock n rollercoaster!
Spent some time at MK the days after Dinosaur closed - the cold air made the steam look great on the railroad. All the classics were in good shape - small world, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, mansion, pirates, people mover.
Jungle cruise was in rough shape but had a great skipper.
All the shows were enjoyable.
And of course saw starlight a few more times and enjoyed the band, dapper dans and various piano players - saw Grayson, Neal, and Jeremy on different days!
I’ll post some photos in the next post - feel free to ask questions if you have any!
