Trip Report **COMPLETED** Our 50th Anniversary Trip

Hi everyone!
I am super behind on my trip reports (sorry).....I have two trips to write about so better get started with one

Who?
The usual suspects - My Mom (Mary) and myself (Megan)

When?
September 30- October 3

Where?
The Grand Floridian
We wanted to stay somewhere where we could walk to the Magic Kingdom!

Why?
The 50th Anniversary ! We honestly did not know if we were going to be able to go on this trip up until 1 week before. We had canceled our August trip due to COVID numbers so I watched closely and waited for permission from work to go. I finally got the green light to go after the numbers down there dropped quite a bit!

September 30, 2021
We got up at 3:15 am, got ready, and headed to the airport. Check in and security were easy and we made it to our gate with plenty of time to spare.

We did not think we would be able to eat anything because the restaurants have not been opening at the airport very early but thankfully one did and we were able to grab some bagels!

We boarded the plane on time

Magic Bands!

We always play with these things our earplanes come in and always get into a fit of hysteria over them *I'm sure it's the 3 am wakeup calls

Our flight was super easy and we were 30 minutes early!
Loved the fonorail wrap!!

Next up: more traveling

 

[Doc Disney]

Always here for your report!

Welcome

I'm in! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

Thanks for joining !!

 

[Doc Disney]

So excited! I love the coordinating pink dotted dresses!

Thanks!! We wore those in July - it was an old photo

Following along!!

Thanks for following !

 

[Doc Disney]

Here!

Welcome

Following!

Thanks for following !

 

[Doc Disney]

Following! I really hope that lil BES and I are good travel buddies someday like you and your mom.

I'm sure you will be great travel buddies!

I’m in! And I sorry but I find it hilarious that you keep getting Donald as your driver!

Oh...it is funny! Thankfully (and spoiler alert) we did not get him on our last trip!

 

[Doc Disney]

Following along

Thanks for following !

Yay! Another trip report - and one I'm not joining at page 20 bc I'm so late to the party LOL.

I am starting on page 20 of like all these trip reports these days

 

[Doc Disney]

I’m not sure if I would find it annoying or hysterical having Donald as a driver for the third time! (I think I’d lean more towards annoyed if I had gotten up as early as you had )

Thankfully we got the text the night before confirming our ride so at least I was mentally prepared

I’m here for all the fun!

Welcome

I'm here for all the fun too!!! So happy to see that you started another TR. I love how you and your mom love getting the early flights out to allow you to enjoy a full day in the parks! The walk over to the MK from the GFV is so wonderful and it's made our stays there so much more enjoyable knowing we don't have to always wait for the transportation options! How great that the Frozen wait time was only 15 minutes!!!

The walk was awesome! It is why we stayed at the Contemporary so often so it is is nice to have another option too!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued
FEA continued

We decided to ride the Gran Fiesta Tour next which was a walk on!

Next up: more Epcot

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued

Some 50th statues

We headed over towards Soarin' but we saw Pooh along the way so of course we stopped!

We waited 10 minutes !
We headed towards Living with the Land next

It was a walk on - why are all my selfies blurry this trip

Next up: more Epcot

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued

Figment was next which was also a walk on

Next up was The Seas...also a walk on. See the trend of the day?

Next up: more Epcot

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued

Spaceship Earth was next and was also a short wait.

Enjoy my terrible photos ....

After this we headed to Guest Services so we could renew my Mom's AP in person. It was a bit complicated because we needed to use a balance from tickets I bought for our next trip (so I could make park reservations) but it ended up being no big deal.
They were so sweet and the line moved very quickly. Plus it is indoors which is why we chose this one over the MK one
We figured we might as well just finish all the rides in the park so Mission Space was up next!

We were the only ones on the ride

Next up: more Epcot

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued

The park was clearly empty this day (which was nuts for the day before the 50th) but I swear everyone was in line at Space 220. We thought maybe we could capitalize on low crowds by trying to walk up to the bar but no such luck! We did also want to check out the new Club Cool but we asked about 10 CMs and no one could really point us in the right direction. Somehow along our lost walk we ended back up at Test Track

We only waited 15 minutes!

Eventually someone told us to go through The Creations store to get to Club Cool

It was so cool in there!
Thankfully we did find Club Cool after!

Next up: more Epcot

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued
No lie waiting to get into Club Cool was the longest wait of our day

Honestly I did not really like any of the pops they had. I missed some of the old ones!
We headed back towards World Showcase after this

We tried to stalk Ratatouille in the off chance we would be let in It did not work

What a nice view ....of barges...

They are at least decorated for the 50th though

We had dinner plans at Via Napoli so we headed there next. We actually were supposed to eat at Garden Grill but we ended up finding this the day before we left. We love Garden Grill but the time was a lot earlier than we wanted so this worked out better.
A nice photo my Mom took of me waiting...

We were seated all alone in the sun room area

Next up: finishing up the day!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 1 continued

We ordered some focaccia bread

And pizza of course (with olives and pepperoni)

After our delicious dinner we headed out and back to the hotel! We had planned on going to MK but we were exhausted and the next day was a big day so we relaxed in the room instead.

Next up: the 50th !

 

[lindawdw]

It looks like you had the BEST day at Epcot just walking on attractions! I was hoping to at least sit at the bar in Space 220 in December but I guess I'll have to wait and see how crowded it is! Nice view from your balcony of the beach and the DVC building. It's always good to relax early on your arrival day.

 

[mpaulam]

That pizza looks soooo good!! We ate there last trip and it's on our list again

 

[ronsouth1]

great to see a new report. looking forward to reading your experiences on this trip.

 

[amjt660]

Curious as to why you were hiding for the FEA photo!!


Max

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm here, sorry I'm late but I was in WDW. Looks like you girls had a fabulous trip so far.

 

[Doc Disney]

It looks like you had the BEST day at Epcot just walking on attractions! I was hoping to at least sit at the bar in Space 220 in December but I guess I'll have to wait and see how crowded it is! Nice view from your balcony of the beach and the DVC building. It's always good to relax early on your arrival day.

We had the absolute best time!!
The wait may not have been too bad but we did not bother to ask!

That pizza looks soooo good!! We ate there last trip and it's on our list again

It was so good!!! I love it there!

 

[Doc Disney]

great to see a new report. looking forward to reading your experiences on this trip.

Thank you for following !

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Curious as to why you were hiding for the FEA photo!!


Max

Its my lack of height that had me hiding