Just back--I stayed at All-Star Music from 1/15-1/19. Had "Hey Disney" in my room for the first time--loved the soundscapes.
This was my first trip where I didn't rent a car and just stayed on Disney property the whole time. It was surprisingly easy to fill my time and maybe a little more relaxing than usual, haha.
First day was at EPCOT, it was pretty empty. Went through Journey of Water for the first time--I was one of the poeple who was looking forward to it, and I think it's cute and well-done but maybe more for kids than adults. Got the jambon beurre at Les Halles, and it's worth the hype! Was hoping to do the Animation Academy at the
Festival of the Arts but the first one was cancelled (I think because it was supposed to rain).
Second day I went to Disney Springs, which was also pretty empty, at least in the morning. It was cold enough to wear my winter coat but not uncomfortable. There were some great life-sized
Lego versions of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Rey, Chewie, Kylo, Captain Cardinal (I think?) and Phasma outside the Lego store. Was disappointed the Wonderground Gallery seems to be completely gone (I noticed where postcards were still being sold, they were now matted and $15 apiece). Great birdwatching, especially near the Marketplace Dock. Got a chicken tikka naan pizza at Eet, which I really enjoyed.
Last day back at EPCOT, better weather and more people but still not crowded by any means. Did Soarin' Over California (which I like better than the World version). Tried the tomato soup and grilled cheese, rainbow cake (which was surprisingly good!), empanada, and coconut and passionfruit smoothie. Finally got to the Animation Academy and we drew Kovu and Kiara from Lion King 2, which was fun. Unfortunately not much chalk art yet (maybe they were late getting started after the rain a couple days earlier?).
Overall it was a fun trip, although as someone who started visiting Disney after the pandemic, it was the first time I started missing things that used to be there.
Oh, and I started feeling sick the night before my departure--it wound up being a pretty bad cold but luckily not COVID!