|
Trip Log:
We were up and on the road by 3:15am to head to LAX. No delays on the drive, parking. Checked in at Delta and found no wait at TSA. We were at the gate by 5am. The plane boarded on time at 6:20am and we left a few minutes early arriving into Orlando about 15 minutes early. While in flight was able to spot Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Grabbed our bags, a bite to eat then took Mears Connect to the Beach Club Villas arriving just before 4:30pm. Our room was not ready but they switched us to one that was. Unpacked and settled in before heading over to EPCOT for the evening. Entered through the International Gateway and walked to the Christmas Tree then turned left into World Celebration Gardens. Took a look around at the new Hall and stage area then stopped by the Land to check on the wait for the Glimmering Greenhouses, way longer than our patience so back out to World Showcase and continued my walk around. Arrived in time to see the 6:45pm Candlelight Ceremony then finished my loop of World Showcase and returned to World Celebration Gardens. Walked around a bit and watched the lights on Spaceship Earth. Around 9:15pm headed back to World Showcase and found a spot on the International Gateway bridge to watch Luminous the Symphony of Us. Walked back to the Beach Club and called it a night.
Thoughts & Observations:
- I enjoy arriving in Orlando mid afternoon, but the pre-3am wake up in Los Angeles is a tough way to start the trip. The good news is at that hour there are minimal challenges on the freeway. On the way to the airport we drove by the Malibu fire and could see the flames and glow on the ridges from the freeway.
- Had no issues parking and great luck with a bus waiting for us to board for the airport. It is hard to believe we still have another year before the LAX APM (Automated People Mover) system is functional. They have started to test trains on the route but have months of testing, programming and validation ahead.
- There were only a few people in line to check in so that process went quickly. The LAX Delta set up seems to be a lot of walking back and forth with the shuttle dropping off on one side, check in on another then TSA pre-check back on the other side and then the terminal I usually get the other way.
- The flight boarded on time, the door was closed early and we even pushed back early. The flight time was just over 4 hours so we arrived in Orlando a little early.
- As we left Los Angles we flew near Disneyland and as we arrived in Orlando we flew by Walt Disney World, so that is always fun to see.
- The airport in Orlando was a mass of people as we deplaned. Many were trying to queue up for outbound flights and you had to push through them. They really need a better way to handle the crowds. Also the shuttle to the main building was reduced due to international arrivals so it was crowded and a little slower than usual.
- Delta somehow managed to crush our newest suitcase. This was the second flight for it. The first being from Orlando to LA earlier this year. They damaged the top and a corner. We went to the baggage service folks and they looked at it and handed us a card to call Delta customer service. This seemed odd but we had not dealt with an issue for years so assumed it was the standard operating procedure. We later learned this was not the case and we should have insisted on a case number and them entering the information while we were there.
- Decided to grab something to eat at the airport since we were hungry. I found it interesting the Chick-Fil-A was less expensive at the airport than our local ones in Los Angeles. Between 50 cents and a dollar for most items. The Orlando airport one is still insanely slow. To get two sandwiches it took me more time than it did the others to get McDonalds and Pizza and eat.
- We opted to take MearsConnect and found it to be uncrowded. We had to wait for a bus then once onboard to wait to depart. Once rolling we then stopped at Terminal C which is another delay. I was lucky and we were the first stop so that was a positive. It was just over an hour from when we entered the Mears queue until we exited the bus at the Beach Club.
- We arrived around 4:30pm and our room was not ready yet. Disney sent me at least a half dozen notices via text and email saying this. This was rather frustrating that they tout the frictionless checkin process but they do not have rooms ready late in the day.
- We spoke to a cast member inside the lobby and they were able to find us an available room. We ended up with a villa on the 4th floor overlooking the pool.
- The room itself was showing some signs of wear and problems. For example the shower door did not close and made an awful sound. We called and they said someone would come look at it in the morning. Also the A/C made a bunch of sounds when it turned on/off.
- We called house keeping to ask for some additional blankets and they showed up with them as we were hanging up the phone. This was incredibly efficient/good timing.
- I set off for EPCOT around 5:30pm. The park felt busy as I walked through the International Gateway toward World Celebration. Wait times were on the moderate side given how it felt to walk around.
- This was my first time seeing the completed World Celebration and Communicore Hall. I had seen a number of pictures and in person it looks just as bad as it does in the pictures. The Communicore Hall interior is depressingly sparse and plain. Even simple things like the Christmas trees in the windows were not all lit up. I do not see how this is better than the previous building.
- The lawn/stage area is a tad awkward with two stages set up (one is temporary for Joyful). This evening there was a DJ on the stage playing a random mix of music. Most of which was not Christmas. The music was loud and overpowering for the area. As you walked around World Celebration Gardens it was louder than the area music which really ruins the feel of the gardens. The DJ ends at 9pm so you get 30 minutes to enjoy the lights and original music.
- In World Celebration Gardens almost all of the lights have been restored and are working again. This was nice to see.
- The Beacon of Magic does not feature a new sequence this year. The original, Disney 100 and When We’re Together are in the rotation with Christmas music and sequences in between. I would have preferred to have seen a new Christmas song in the rotation and the EPCOT40 sequence.
- Thought about visiting the Glimmering Greenhouses in the Land but the wait was about 40 minutes and did not look enjoyable.
- Stopped by the Candlelight Ceremony. This evening Tituss Burgess was the guest narrator. I was extremely disappointed with the show this evening. He was off script and adlibbing throughout taking a solemn ceremony and turning it into something about himself. It did sit well with me or with many standing around me. There were a number of people who were laughing along and seemed to be enjoying the performance but I felt it was the wrong tone and venue.
- Remy's Ratatouille Adventure has a single rider line option. I decided to give it a try and it worked out well with about a 10 minute wait only.
- Closed out my evening with Luminous the Symphony of Us. I would really like to see them add a Holiday Tag to the show for the season. I really miss that from Illuminations Reflections of Earth.
Pedometer Information for the day:
| Steps |
15,349 |
| Miles |
7.09 |
| Walking Time |
2:30 |
| Total Time |
4:40 |
Addition Blog Picture Posts from today:
|
