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]

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

It was great! Thanks for joining !

 

[Doc Disney]

Sorry for the delay (again). My sister got married this last weekend so it has been pretty chaotic (in a good way) !

Day 2 October 1 2021 - 50th Anniversary
We got up at 6 am, got ready and had some breakfast in the room.
We were so happy to be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom

I love how the monorails light up the color of the monorail now. It is so simple but so cool!

Anyway we walked into the MK around 7 am and smack into a crowd. I was kind of hoping they would only open all of Main Street to resort guests but that was not the case. Anyone who had a park reservation could go in and shop. The line for the Emporium was nuts and all the virtual line spots were filled!

We just grabbed a map and we essentially did not know what to do so we wandered around.

They did open the rides to resort guests before 7:30 so we headed to Space Mountain.
It was essentially a walk on.

Missed the camera

Buzz was up next which was also a walk on!

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
We stopped for a PPP next

We made our way through the crowds to watch some of the new opening show. It was pretty meh. I feel like the crowd collectively felt disappointed by it considering it was the 50th. I think everyone anticipated something special but there was nothing.
Anyway...we decided to head to 7DMT after this

A light for you...

We actually only waited 20 minutes and that was with a brief shut down!

Then we took some more photos...

We headed over towards the hub to stalk the GMA filming after this.
We saw Bob Chapek while we were watching

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
I spy Minnie

We were only stalking the GMA filming so that we could say hi to Sam ! (I can not remember her name on here to tag her!!)

It was so nice to see her after so many years!
She actually introduced us to Ginger Zee which was so sweet and she did not need to do that!

Ginger was so nice!
Anyway after this we floated around a bit...

We got a pretzel snack

And took some water photos

Haunted Mansion was up next

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
We did not very long for this either!

We saw the new calvacade on the way out

Then more photos...

This is where our totally magical day went downhill a bit. We mobile ordered at Cosmic Rays so we checked in at 10:25. Well we waited....and waited...and waited. Half the problem was that they were selling Mickey Mouse sippers that were limited so a ton of mobile orders were just for this. We were just trying to eat. I asked a CM at one point and he said they were about 45 minutes behind. At the 60 minute mark we had it. I asked a different CM what would happen if I wanted to leave and she said if we walked out and did not pick up our food we would not be charged. Perfect. So we walked out the door (that we actually were not even supposed to be let in) and no lie as soon as we walked out I got the alert our food was ready so I walked back in.
We ordered chicken nuggets and the 1971 Meal (Barbecue Chicken Sandwich topped with Kale Slaw served with Walt's Chili & Cheese Fries, Fountain Beverage and a 50th Anniversary Themed Cake Pop). They ended up giving us 2 cake pops probably because of the wait.

The food was (unsurprisingly) cold. The whole meal was an overall disappointment. I was not happy spending an hour of my time waiting for a quick service meal. They were clearly not prepared for the 50th crowds. I heard that almost all the quick service restaurants had the same issues all day.

Anyway...the teacups were up next

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued

After the teacups we headed to Dumbo.

After Dumbo I heard someone call my name and it was @Ears to Disney !!
We were planning on trying to meet up with them at some point so this worked out great!

My 716/Buffalo pals!! The best ! We chatted for quite a bit about the 50th chaos crowds!
We ....took....some more photos after this...

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued

And a PPP

We actually ended up deciding to wait in the Emporium shopping line. We only waited 20 minutes and got some nice stuff (I will share later in a post). It was very crowded in there though so we were happy to get in and out as fast as we could!
We decided to take a break after this.
We got out just in time as it was almost park hopping time

They actually closed park hopping to MK not too long after this! I was lucky I made a MK park reservation on a whim last year!

Next up: Break time!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
My sister made is these cute 50th Anniversary bags

When we got back to the room I took a photoshoot of our purchases
A hat

This cute soap that is in the shape of Mickey Mouse, a keychain and a pin

A magnet

Starbucks cup. I was not planning on buying this but it landed in my hands by a CM so sure...

Actually let's be honest I was not planning on buying any of this stuff
And these cute ears that light up

Then it was pool time!
I love this pool at the Grand Floridian. I know it is simple but the ambiance is next level.

Next up: more randomness

 

[cgersic]

Yay for Magical meetups! I recognize Sam's face - it seems like it has been several years?! And I am in LOVE with your 50th outfits!!

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
We had dining reservations at Trail's End (because we could not find anything at the MK even 60 days out), but we had our reservations about going there. Mostly we really wanted to get back to the MK and we were fearful we would be there for a long time and the boat situation would hold us up.
Anyway...we ended up ordering room service instead.
We ordered the fried chicken with potatoes (they were under the chicken) and spinach.

And Neapolitan Cheesecake

It was SO delicious!! We were happy to enjoy our peaceful meal in the room
After this we walked back to the MK

It was PACKED and people were already lined up for fireworks which was nuts. At this point it was at least 3 hours before fireworks. However, it worked to our advantage because everyone was so interested in the fireworks that the wait times were low.
Everything was 15 minutes or less for the most part!
Winnie the Pooh was up first.

Then we headed over to the Carousel

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Yay for Magical meetups! I recognize Sam's face - it seems like it has been several years?! And I am in LOVE with your 50th outfits!!

Aw thanks! Yes I have not seen Sam on here in awhile! I just communicate with her via text and Instagram now

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
My photos just keep going downhill this whole evening sorry
IASW was next

Then BTMR
A light for you...

POTC next
Another light...

After this we had another meet up!! We were so happy to see @blreinsel again! It felt like it had been so long since we last saw her! We chatted for a bit then went along our way again

We decided to hop on Aladdin after this since it was a walk on

Next up: more MK

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 2 continued
We got to stay on again so ride number 2!

We had a choice of heading to watch fireworks or riding Jungle Cruise. We elected to ride Jungle Cruise because it's an opening day attraction and we figured we would just watch the fireworks from all the way back on Main Street anyway.

THE BACKSIDE OF WATER!

After this we walked towards the front of the park. It was so crowded that we were not even given the option to go to the hub - we were directed to the front of the park via a backstage area. We got to the front and it was so crowded that we got incredibly COVID nervous.
We ended up going to the Train Station to watch.

We did hop into the park for part of the fireworks to see if we could see the projections from all the way down Main Street.

Ok...in full disclosure I did not see most of the projections but .....these fireworks are AWFUL. The music is terrible, the fireworks themselves are bad and I just expected way more for the 50th. I was so disappointed. I was not Happily Ever Afters biggest fan but these fireworks are dismal in comparison. Sam told me they were bad (they saw the preview with GMA the night before) but I was hoping maybe for some reason they weren't complete when she saw them. Turns out she was right
I got a lot of Instagram messages confirming my feelings so I know I am not alone!
Anyway - fireworks and lunch quick service mishap aside we had the best time celebrating the 50th Anniversary !

Next up: Day 3

 

[ArmoredRodent]

We had dining reservations at Roaring Fork (because we could not find anything at the MK even 60 days out), but we had our reservations about going there.

 

[mpaulam]

Cute outfits!
You got some nice 50th merchandise

 

[Katiekitten]

I love your tops and bags! I'm a little late but I'm here.

 

[Doc Disney]

I wondered if someone would notice

Cute outfits!
You got some nice 50th merchandise

Thank you! We did get some good merchandise !

 

[Doc Disney]

I love your tops and bags! I'm a little late but I'm here.

Thank you!! My sister made both of them for us

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 3 continued
We got up at 6:30, got ready and headed down to Gasparilla Grill for breakfast.
My Mom got Mickey waffles and bacon

I got a side of bacon and a side of tater tots

We were planning on taking an Uber to DHS but the bus was supposed to come in a few minutes so we headed to the bus stop instead.
My Mom was making this face because she was wearing a Star Wars shirt and she does not actually like Star Wars

I spy the Skyliner

We were in the park and at a Rope Drop by 7:55. I thought the park opened to resort guests at 8 for some reason but it was actually 8:30

The park opened right at 8:30 am for us.

Next up: more DHS

 

[Doc Disney]

Day 3 continued

We were really far up in the RD line

So far up that we got to go through the FP line

Andddddd we were on the first ride of the day! Big Disney Check!!

The wait was still short so we hopped back in line!

Next up: more DHS