We set our wake up call for 6:30 am to give us time to eat breakfast before heading to Hollywood Studios. We decided to nibble on something from Captain Cooks. I read a ton of reviews and information on the Polynesian and everyone raved about the Tonga Toast. I was not impressed and won’t get it again.
After breakfast we took a bus to Hollywood Studios and arrived in line at 8:05 am. We knew the park was going to be very busy that day, so we wanted to make sure we got there early so we could get a Fastpass and ride Toy Story Mania. When we left Toy Story Mania at 9:25 am, the line to get Fastpasses was over 100 people deep and the distributing time was between 1 and 2 pm. We saw the line get to 180 minutes that day. I can’t imagine waiting 180 minutes to ride it! Sheesh!
We took a bus over to Epcot from Hollywood and were in the gates at 9:40 am. We got our Fastpass to Soarin and then headed to Test Track. Unfortunately, we ended up waiting 35 minutes to ride it as they had to shut it down twice due to inclement weather in the area. We rode in the single rider line, so we didn’t get to ride together but our wait was a lot less than if we had. We weren’t able to get a Fastpass and use it before we left that day because of when our return window was for Soarin.
We had reservations for noon at San Angel Inn and we were able to tour Mexico, Norway and China and even ride Maelstrom before it was time to check in for our meal. The meal was very romantic and the food was delicious. We had the best service of our entire trip here and they even serenaded us in honor of our anniversary. It’s one we would definitely do again!
We decided to head back to Future World and ride Journey into Imagination with Figment. This was the first time we had rode this ride and it was cute. It’s one we will definitely take the kids on when we return in November. After the ride we played around in the gift shop. There are some really neat things there! The kids will love it. In fact, I think between the Innoventions and this, our kids could spend a whole day in Future World and not get bored.
We used our Fastpasses for Soarin next. That is one of Jason’s favorite rides and it seemed like the ride was better this time than in the past. Perhaps it was because I wasn’t freaked that one of my kids were going to fall out of their seat during the ride. I wish I wasn’t so scared of heights.
We tried to stop by the private Visa Meet and Greet, but it was too crowded and it was starting to rain, so we took the bus back to Hollywood Studios. And while we were on the bus it started to pour bucket. I forgot our ponchos, so we had to spend almost $17 to stay dry. Ouch! We spent the next hour walking around Hollywood in the rain and browsing their shops. We also saw One Man’s Dream (first time) and finally the rain let up.
Our dinner reservation was at Hollywood and Vine at 4:45. Since the park was extremely crowded that day, we wanted to do the Fantasmic Dining Experience to get our ‘Fastpass’ to Fantasmic. The meal was really good and they even presented us with FREE chocolate strawberries in honor of our anniversary. They were so good too!
Unfortunately because of the rain, a lot of lines for rides were very long that wouldn’t of normally been long (like the Backlot Tour), so we opted to stay dry and watch Indiana Jones. They weren’t able to do all the stunts because of the weather, but the show was still amazing and hilarious. It’s definitely a must see!
We decided to browse the Streets of America and the shops we came to on our way to Fantasmic. We took our seat for the show at 8:15 (it was already extremely crowded, so glad we had preferred seating) and I had the best conversation with the people around me. I love hearing out other people toured the park. We all have such different styles and strategies.
Fantasmic was right on schedule and the rain had let up so we were able to enjoy all the effects. We had never seen the show, and I am so glad we made time to see it on this trip. If Emily had seen it, it would of scared her to death. We definitely won’t be able to see it with her for a few years. She is terrified of villains.
We made it back to the Polynesian in time to see Wishes from the beach. That is the best thing about this resort, you could see the Magic Kingdom Fireworks every night!
So for one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World, I feel like we got a lot accomplished. Here’s the total recap:
Toy Story Mania *twice*
Soarin
Test Track
Toured 3 countries
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Indiana Jones
One Man’s Dream
Fantasmic
Wishes
Browsed shops
Ate at San Angel Inn for Lunch
Ate at Hollywood and Vine for Dinner
KrisTIN,
So glad you and Jason were able to do this! The one thing I would highly recomend is that anytime you want to go between Hollywood Studios and Epcot is Take the Boat! It is so lovely and sooo much faster than the bus on that route! The back entrance to Epcot is much less crowded in the mornings too. . :
We had thought about that, but we wanted to enter by the ball instead of the international gateway. We left Hollywood at 9:25 and were in Epcot at 9:40. Transportation was in our favor on this trip!
When we took the grandkids for their 1st disney trip in 2009 my grandaughter was 6.She was & is a huge tinkerbell fan & forgot she would be part of soarin.When we got to our turn she was afraid to get on it but I told her to hold my hand & she would be buckled in so she would be ok. She about broke my hand she held on so tight till tinkerbell showed up.She then let go of my hand & went to screaming trying to grab her.It was so funny to see her excitement.
BTW she also got to meet her idol & we have a huge 30X40 print of her kissing tink on the cheek.That moment made it worth every penny it took to get there.Thanks photo pass for the great pic!
Kristin- with that Fantasmic package, are the seats reserved so you can get there 10 minutes early and be ok? Or do you still have to get there early? I think we had to get there an hour early for a seat last time.
They said to get there at least 30 minutes early. The seats are reserved but they will start letting others sit in the section if it’s extremely crowded.
Just a small comment: Fantasmic theater holds 5000 people, and all the seats are good, so if u do not want to do the dinner/theater, you will always get a seat. The reserved seats are close to the main exit which is a plus when u leave.
Hippy – Not always. :( The theater was full and closed to new guests by about 8:30 pm for that show. But I do agree, almost all the seats are great. :)
LOVE Soarin’! Also, have you done the Great Movie Ride? We love that one. My kids (and my husband) love Figment. We always head that way first at EPCOT.
Another great day! We always head to TSM first and try to ride and then get a FP for later!
It sounds like so much fun and they pictures turned out great!
What a fun day! I love Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s CA Adventure. There’s no Fast Pass and the longest I’ve seen the line is 1 hour. The Soaring at DCA is over California. Is it different in Florida?
No it’s the same show. We go Soarin over California. lol