Final Thoughts
Alrighty, let’s get this trip report wrapped up with some final thoughts on the trip.
Dates - This was our first time doing WDW in September. I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet that we were there just a few days after the parks were closed for a couple days for Hurricane Dorian. We think a lot of people cancelled their trips for that week, because the crowds were as low as we’d seen them in several years. We chose our dates because they were a few days after Labor Day, which seems to be that sweet spot between when families in areas that start school in September have ended their summer break, and when schools that start in August start having their fall breaks. The unfortunate side of going in September is the heat. Holy Hannah is it hot. Apparently not hot enough to keep us away though, since we’ll be going the same week this year!
Extra Extra Magic Hours - Jason and I both wake up early for work. While I don’t mind waking up around 6:30-7:00 on vacation to make it to rope drop, waking up at 5:30 for EEMH just felt wrong. HOWEVER, the extra two hours in the morning in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom allowed us to get so much accomplished early in the morning, and we were able to take longer afternoon breaks. So, did we enjoy getting up stupid early on vacation? Heck no. But we’d do it again if they did Extra Extra Magic Hours again in the future.
Galaxy’s Edge - Seeing Jason’s reaction to Galaxy’s Edge was reason enough to go on this trip. Just being in a new land was so special. The whole land is incredibly themed, and we can’t wait to be back and finally (hopefully) experience Rise of the Resistance. And eat another Ronto Wrap, because those things are delicious!
Fort Wilderness- Wow wow wow did we love Fort Wilderness. Jason keeps saying that he could stay there every single trip. It has quickly become one of our favorite places on Earth. It is so peaceful and laid-back, and the grounds are just beautiful. It really feels like more of a community than a resort - every guest we encountered was really friendly and happy to be there, and it is so fun to see how people decorate their campsites and cabins. The cabins are a great option for families, or couples who want a little more room to spread out and relax. The kitchen is not what I’d consider to be a full kitchen, but it’d definitely be functional for a family who wanted to cook some of their own meals. My #1 recommendation for anyone who is planning a stay at Ft. Wilderness would be to rent a golf cart. The property is three times the size of Epcot, so it’s not as walkable as other resorts. They do have an internal bus system, but it can be confusing to navigate. Plus, there is not car parking at the pools, or at the Settlement, where most of the dining is located. Having a golf cart made getting around Ft. Wilderness so easy, not to mention really fun. We will definitely be back to Ft. Wilderness, very soon.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since Jason and I have been to WDW together, with the exception of our quick trip to Disney Springs when we were in Florida last month. It will have been a full year by the time we’re back in September. I keep saying “if only we had known then what we know now...” We would have lingered a little longer, just soaking in the atmosphere. We would have cherished every single moment of that trip. And I probably would have convinced J to meet me in WDW after my cruise back in February.
I know that we are so lucky to be able to visit WDW as often as we are, so I always feel like I’m whining when I’m sad that we can’t be there, but Disney is a huge, important part of our lives. WDW feels like our home away from home - the place that holds so many of our most cherished memories together - and to have been away for so long just makes it feel like there’s something missing from our lives.
Now that the parks are back open, it finally feels like our lives are somewhat returning to “normal” (although I don’t think we’ll see our old normal for a long time). I know they’ve re-closed Hong Kong, so there’s still a part of me that’s a little trepidatious for our upcoming trip. I go back and forth between “They won’t re-close WDW, it’s the largest employer in Florida and Disney has been bleeding out money” and “they could re-close WDW, Americans are crazy and this virus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.” I suppose only time will tell. For now, I’ll be holding on to hope, counting down the days, and obsessively listening to Disney parks music to get me through my work days.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for following along on my trip down memory lane. I really feel like I’ve found my people on the Trip Report boards. 99% of people are so friendly and kind, and it’s so nice to escape from everyday reality by reading and sharing trip reports with other people who just get it. I hope to start a new thread for our September trip sometime in the coming weeks, and I hope you all will follow along!
3) They added the Bride to the Haunted Mansion unit, and she was “floating” on some type of hoverboard-like contraption. We really liked this addition!
We all feel that way about leaving WDW at the end of a trip but we never knew how long it would take to get back with all that has happened! Loved seeing all your Halloween parade pictures!
