We just got back from a long weekend trip (9/8-9/12). We primarily went for
MNSSHP as we’d never done that before. It was three of us, myself, DH and DD4. DD is not big on rides or fireworks and the last time we were there was May 2021 so still had Covid precautions for meeting characters. We arrived on a 2.5 hour flight delay but lots of flights were cancelled or delayed on 9/08 due to storms and an ATC issue at our home airport so we were happy just to have gotten there on the day we were supposed to. We stayed at the GF as it ended up being cheaper than either the Contemporary or Polynesian with the fall discount.
We spent Saturday in MK and arrived at 7:30am for early entry and were let in around 7:45am. We spent some time on Main Street and joined the line headed to Fantasyland around 8:10. Let in maybe right before 8:30am and headed to PP. We also rode Winnie pre-opening. We did buy
Genie+ for the day as our main focus was meet and greets and those looked to have long lines pretty routinely. DH and I didn't care so much about riding the non-new coasters as we've done those multiple times. We also bought ILL for Tron for the evening as I didn’t want to have to cross the park/worry about missing the parade with the uncertainty and strict return times for the VQ.
Prior to the parade we met all the princesses at princess hall. We were first in line at 9am for Cinderella/Elena then used LL for Tiana/Rapunzel. Rode IASW and met Pooh/Tigger, Minnie/Daisy, Donald/Goofy, rode Dumbo a couple times then took the train to the front of the park to meet Mickey via LL and ran into Mulan at the exit. It was 11:20am when we checked into Mickey so went ahead and used a LL for the parade viewing since we’d be almost immediately eligible for another one. Watched the parade in the LL area in the hub. Great spot but it was super hot and no shade. Ate lunch immediately after at Crystal Palace with a 12:45pm reservation. The best dining for a DD who is in love with Pooh.
After lunch used LL for Ariel’s Grotto, watched parade again in Frontierland per DD request, rode magic carpets twice, then used LL for Enchanted Tales and Little Mermaid ride. Got some snacks and watched the Adventure Friends calvacade (which is amazing BTW). We all enjoyed seeing some more rare characters. Used LL for Haunted Mansion then booked one for Buzz but by the time we walked there lots of people were sitting down and line wasn’t moving so decided to bail. It was time for our ILL so DH went to that while DD and I went back to Main Street and caught the second run of the calvacade and took some PhotoPass pictures. We switched off and I did Tron while they rode Tea Cups and played with the statues around the area.
We had booked the pre dessert fireworks party. Our DD is not a fan of fireworks generally but I thought she’d like the projections so wanted to secure a good spot for that. Enjoyed all the treats and we had a good spot in the garden for her to see the castle. Not sure it’s something I’d do every trip but occasionally as a splurge. Used her headphones to block some of the noise and she enjoyed the scenes on the castle. Headed back to hotel after.
Sunday was our party day and we debated when buying tickets but ended up going to park in AM for a few hours. We had hoped MK would open at 8am as everywhere said it would and did last year but it only opened at 9am this time. Rode Buzz and Astro orbiter pre opening then headed back to watch the welcome show. Did Merida M&G then walked onto Jungle Cruise. Rode carpets and we could see Aladdin and Jasmine roaming from the ride. After we got off they ended up taking a ride on the carpets so that was fun to see. Took some pictures, watched the stage show at 10am, met Snow White on the way out and took monorail to Ohana brunch. After brunch took a 2 hour nap at hotel and walked back to MK around 2:45pm and was able to get a spot on Main Street to catch the 3pm parade. Did Monsters Inc laugh floor then picked up our party wristbands. Did party merch shopping and picked up mobile order from Friars Nook and headed to Pooh meet and greet to get in line for their party M&G.
We were group 2 around 5pm. We could have probably waited till 5:15-30 to get in line and still been fairly early on but this was priority one for us. DD didn’t complain once in our 90 minute wait but we ate dinner and I brought a coloring book for her also. But honestly she loved people watching and looking at everyone’s costumes. The line was in a perfect spot to look at costumes and the time passed fairly painless and easy. She probably wouldn't wait that long for much else except her beloved Pooh. I hadn't told her what his costume was so she had fun trying to guess and got so excited when she finally saw him come out. Such an amazing meet and photographer here did an awesome job getting a close up shot of just her and Winnie in addition to a group shot with just her and us also. Well worth the wait especially since we were done before the party even officially started.
We then met Ariel and Prince Eric (about 10th in line at 6:45pm and were done by 7:15). Did the treat spot there and headed to Disney Jr dance party which DD had an absolute blast at (second favorite after meeting Pooh she sad). She’s a massive DocMcStuffins fan and was super excited when Doc walked in. Stayed there till 8pm, did one treat stop on way to Adventureland. Met Jasmine and Genie (got in line at 8:20pm when Aladdin and Abu were out and met Jasmine at 8:45 which was who she was aiming to meet so timing was perfect). Got a spot for the parade nearby and DH went and got the candy corn milkshake. Super fun parade and had great spot to watch.
Headed to fantasyland and took a couple pictures with no lines on the way. Met Daisy and Donald with maybe a 10-15 minute wait but then hit Minnie on break so was another 10 minutes between the 2 groups which was a bit unfortunate. Rode dumbo once per DD request as fireworks were ending so that was kinda cool to see. Tried to hightail it to Stitch as that was our last wish list item but we just missed making it prior the fireworks being let out and got stuck at the end of a large horde of people entering and line wait jumped 20 minutes per the marker as we approached. DD had asked to watch the parade again and it would have been close if the line time was accurate so gave her the choice and she chose to go back to the dance party again and watch parade. Found maybe the last spot along the rope all the way down by town square at 11:10pm and watched the parade again and headed out.
Monday we slept in (I did wake up a bit before 7am to score a guardians VQ and book a genie+ LL and then back to sleep for a bit more). Had a Topolinos reservation at 10:30am then headed to Epcot. Met Minnie & Daisy immediately at international entrance then Alice right after in UK all with minimal wait. Headed to the imagination pavilion and timed it perfectly as Pooh was coming out. DD hung out the entire 15 minutes or so he was out (such a cute area and fun interaction). His CM was super sweet and asked DD if she wanted to walk him back inside for his hunny break and she got a little extra special time and hug from him that no other kids got. She was decked out in Winnie ears and the only one there the entire time so that was incredible of the CM to notice and offer that to her. DD was just beaming.
We met Joy inside with minimal wait and used our LL for Remy, got some snacks from France booth and met Belle. Walked around the showcase and did a couple kidcot stops, met Anna & Elsa, rode Gran Fiesta, and used LL for FEA. The Land building had been evacuated and closed around 12pm that day so was unable to book a LL for Soarin' (had been my planned 3rd LL). We did get one for Test Track for 8pm that we ended up not using as we didn't feel like heading back across the park at that point . We then headed to Guardians and set up rider switch. They rode Spaceship earth and played in the misters while I waited in VQ line. Switched and DD and I browsed the shops and got some food from a food booth nearby and DH was done pretty quick via rider switch. Guardians was awesome! We scored another VQ at 6pm for deluxe resorts then headed to the seas building. Rode Nemo and looked at the aquariums. Headed to the land and rode Soarin with about a 30 minute wait then Living with the Land walk on. Got some food from the booths around the gateway and sat down to eat around 8:15pm. Watched a few minutes of the fireworks then walked towards guardians for VQ that was called. I had planned to take DD back to Gran Fiesta or Nemo but she actually fell asleep in stroller so just hung out under the cover near creations shop and turned out it was good fortune as shortly after DH went to Guardians it started down pouring and it rained hard until after we switched and I rode Guardians. Guardians actually went down while I was almost to boarding and was down maybe 30 minutes. Upon leaving the monorail was down and this was a big mess trying to get home in the rain. I should have just tried booking a Minnie van but the line was moving for bus initially so we decided to just do the bus but then it stopped moving and took forever for more buses to arrive. Didn’t end up back at hotel for almost 2 hours. Dropped off at TTC with no real direction on what or where to go. Asked a security officer who wasn’t sure but said they thought the resort loop was running and sent us that way. Which thankfully it was but someone directing people as we got off the bus would have been helpful and saved us some wandering around time.
Tuesday we checked out, stored our bags and headed to MK. Let DD basically plan the day on her wishes. Similar start to day as on Saturday but didn’t purchase genie+ this day. Rode PP and Winnie prior to opening. Met the princesses, rode IASW and tea cups, met Pooh at 10am. Then headed to Adventureland and rode carpets a couple times and Pirates. Watched the parade and had lunch at the castle. Afterwards rode dumbo a couple times then Little Mermaid ride. She wanted to ride IASW again so did that then tea cups again a couple times. The line to meet Pooh wasn’t significantly long so we asked if she wanted to meet Pooh one last time and the answer was a resounding yes so met him again then watched the calvacade at 5:10pm then headed out to hotel and airport.
All in all a great trip and got basically everything ridden and all the characters M&G we wanted. DD was ecstatic with her surprise trip. MNSSHP lived up to what we were hoping for in atmosphere and fun unique character M&G and parades. Have no doubt we will attend another one at some point.