When you have 15 years between visits to Disney World you have to expect many changes, but hope that some of the rides and attractions that you have come to remember and love over the years are still there. One of the changes is the use of new technology in the form of the Magic Band. When we checked into the Fort Wilderness Campground Resort, we were both given a band that you are to wear when visiting any Disney Property. This band has your daily passes on it, your Fast Passes and can be used to charge everything that you buy in the parks. You hold the pass up to a reader and then scan your fingerprint so you are not able to give the pass to anyone else. Along with the Disney World App on your phone you are able to keep track of what attractions you have Fast Passes for and the times to show up to use them. You also can see the wait times for other attractions and how long it will take you to walk to them. You can also see how long it will be till the next bus or boat will be arriving to take you to your next destination.
We spent 12 days in Disney World but only went into the parks every other day. We visited Epcot twice and on our first day we rode the Test Track Ride and Josie bruised her hand so badly holding on we had to go to first aid to get ice for her to bring down the swelling. We attended a lot of the other shows and attractions, but on our second day visiting Epcot we ate our way around the World Showcase, with the 15th annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival. When we were here 15 years ago this was just a small event but now there are over 40 kiosk's selling small plates, wines and beers from all over the world.
Josie and I used our fitbits every day and we figure we walked around 25 miles while we were here in the park.
We spent 12 days in Disney World but only went into the parks every other day. We visited Epcot twice and on our first day we rode the Test Track Ride and Josie bruised her hand so badly holding on we had to go to first aid to get ice for her to bring down the swelling. We attended a lot of the other shows and attractions, but on our second day visiting Epcot we ate our way around the World Showcase, with the 15th annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival. When we were here 15 years ago this was just a small event but now there are over 40 kiosk's selling small plates, wines and beers from all over the world.
Josie and I used our fitbits every day and we figure we walked around 25 miles while we were here in the park.
On days when we did not go into the parks, we still attended other great events, which all included more fabulous food. We visited Disney Springs, which used to be called Downtown Disney, and had a great meal at Chef Art Smith's Homecoming Restaurant. Here we feasted on Fried Chicken with Powdered Donuts, Mashed Potatoes, with Maple Syrup on the side.
One evening we attended " Savor Sip and Sparkle" on the top of the Contemporary Hotel. We were treated to Champagne and other libations as we ate small plates ranging from California Rolls to Buffalo meat Flatbreads. We then were able to watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks display from the top of the hotel. Afterwards we finished the evening with decadent desserts. On the ride back to the Campground by boat we passed the Electrical Boat Show, the oldest running show in Disney World, that started on the first day the park opened in 1971
A few nights later we attended the longest running dinner show in the park, The Hoop De Doo Review. We have gone to this show every time we have visited Disney World. It was even better this time than we remember it from years past. Somehow, we were seated right in the front row. Your meal is served family style and it's all you can eat and drink. We were thankful we could walk home from this one and work off the calories.
Another evening we attended "The Rivers of Light We Are One Dessert Party" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. We were treated to a smorgasbord of not only tasty desserts but absolutely beautiful creations. One of the cupcakes had a scene from the Lion King in the icing. Again we were glad it was a mile walk back to the bus stop so we could burn off a few of the calories.
One evening we attended " Savor Sip and Sparkle" on the top of the Contemporary Hotel. We were treated to Champagne and other libations as we ate small plates ranging from California Rolls to Buffalo meat Flatbreads. We then were able to watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks display from the top of the hotel. Afterwards we finished the evening with decadent desserts. On the ride back to the Campground by boat we passed the Electrical Boat Show, the oldest running show in Disney World, that started on the first day the park opened in 1971
A few nights later we attended the longest running dinner show in the park, The Hoop De Doo Review. We have gone to this show every time we have visited Disney World. It was even better this time than we remember it from years past. Somehow, we were seated right in the front row. Your meal is served family style and it's all you can eat and drink. We were thankful we could walk home from this one and work off the calories.
Another evening we attended "The Rivers of Light We Are One Dessert Party" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. We were treated to a smorgasbord of not only tasty desserts but absolutely beautiful creations. One of the cupcakes had a scene from the Lion King in the icing. Again we were glad it was a mile walk back to the bus stop so we could burn off a few of the calories.
We boated over to the Magic Kingdom for two of our park days. Of course, the whole park was decorated for Halloween. Josie had a fun time trying on a few of the hundreds of types of Mickey Ears that are for sale all over the parks. We saw almost all of the same attractions that have been in the Magic Kingdom for almost 50 years. In one of the newer shows, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, they put Josie's picture up on the big screen and called her the lady wearing the linoleum shirt. We believe that many of the people in the audience did not even know what linoleum is. Disney is now constructing a brand new indoor roller coaster right next to Space Mountain. It will be called Tron, after the 1990s Disney Movie by the same name.
On our final day at the resort we took the "Keys To the Kingdom Tour" Our guide Natalie, took us around the park and shared many of the little known facts about the building of the park. But the highlight was being able to go behind the scenes and see what goes on in the " Off Stage" areas of the park, including the miles of tunnels below the Magic Kingdom. We were not allowed to take any pictures in these areas. Disney has 74,000 employees, making it the largest employer at one location in the US.
On our final day at the resort we took the "Keys To the Kingdom Tour" Our guide Natalie, took us around the park and shared many of the little known facts about the building of the park. But the highlight was being able to go behind the scenes and see what goes on in the " Off Stage" areas of the park, including the miles of tunnels below the Magic Kingdom. We were not allowed to take any pictures in these areas. Disney has 74,000 employees, making it the largest employer at one location in the US.
I have always wanted to play one of the Disney Golf Courses and this trip I was able to play the Palm Course. I had a great round shooting 39 on the front nine but fading on the back nine, but still shot an 85 which is 5 below my handicap.
On our one day at Hollywood Studios we saw the Indiana Jones Show and a few of the other new shows that have been added over the past few years. But the big new draw is the new 1 billion dollar, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. If you are a Star Wars Fan and there are thousands of them visiting this new attraction, then this is right up your alley. We saw hundreds of people carrying their own custom-made Lightsabers that cost around $150 dollars each, and custom made droids that go for $100 a pop. I did ride the first of the new rides in this area, "Millennium Falcon, Smugglers Run" It is an interactive simulator ride where each of the six people riding have a task or two that they have to do during the ride. I was an engineer and had to press a few buttons and flip a few switches during the ride and if I didn't it would slow down the ride. It was fun and not too intense. When we left the park that evening just before the nightly fireworks show we were about the only ones in the bus station.
On our one day in the Animal Kingdom we took the Wild Africa Trek. It was a 3 hour tour behind the scenes of the animal enclosures. Our guide Jason, fitted us with harnesses for the trip and gave us radios so we could hear them. Josie knew there was going to be two suspension bridges to cross, but what we both did not know was they were missing many planks that the Disney folks left out for visual effects. Even though she is afraid of heights Josie did great, she had a lot of encouragement from the rest of our group and our guide Donica was with her all the way cheering her on. We were able to meet a few of the staff that took care of the animals and we got up close to many of the animals, as you can see by the pictures below. After a few hours we were treated to a fantastic African inspired meal, served to us in a canteen style container. We were even able to eat the flower that was in the meal. After the trek, I rode the Everest Roller Coaster that was just being built when we visited here 15 years ago. That evening we attended the dessert party mentioned above and then had front row seating for the Rivers of Light Show.
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