Day 2 - Thursday 16 Jan
(so I just spent half an hour typing this and it disappeared so hopefully works this time)
With the park not opening until 10:30 we spent the nice sunny morning strolling through the hotel grounds, looking at Rafiki Garden and Kevin's Garden (Up). Both are really lovely and I always enjoy the changes to lamps and other items to delineate the different areas. We really are loving this hotel. Visiting the Chartroom café for a fruit salad, we moved upstairs to the lounge so we could eat with a great view over the garden and to the ocean. Today I used the lobby toilets for the first time and I loved how the theming went all the way to the doors. Yes I did take a photo! We decided to brave the mystery bags as we could feel a medium sized plushie. We did great - Lynelle got Cookie Ann and I received Stella Lou! We also got a small biscuit tin and some small items. The plush was worth it.
Into the park and to Fantasyland where Cinderella was greeting kids in front of her Carousel (well one kid). We walked on to Winnie the Pooh receiving our first sticker of the day which ended up being the first of many, many stickers. I'd forgotten people saying it was sticker heaven here. On our way to Small World we saw Olaf waiting for customers in Fantasy Gardens so we headed into the garden as cast members waved us over for a photo. Yes it's that quiet. Olaf was fun and when I walked in front of him so Lynelle could join the photo, I bumped his nose and we had a laugh as he kept pointing to his nose. Walking straight on to Small World we had a great ride and enjoyed the extra Hong Kong/China exhibit. I do enjoy this ride.
On the way to Festival of the Lion King we stopped for photos with Carl from Up - a rare opportunity. Into the show which was fantastic from the first note to the last. Those singers are amazing as are the dancers, fire dancers and acrobats, plus I loved how they mixed the Cantonese and English to bring the story to everyone. With a little time before Moana, we went to the Main St Bakery for lunch then found a seat on some steps in front of a façade to enjoy my cottage pie and Lynelle's sandwich. Good food. Moana, A Homecoming has more of a comedic slant aimed at children. No singing with just the background music being played, the actors openly discussed that everyone is just playing a part with even Moana having a few jokes at the expense of the skinny Chinese guy playing Maui. The (marginally) bigger tattooed guy with Hei Hei on his hand would have been more suited and did try to get Moana's attention for the role. He was a good Hei Hei. It was fun and I'd see it again.
Crossing the river on a raft to Tarzan's Treehouse, Lynelle noted that this is the only park where you can see so much of the terrain outside the park. The green mountains are a beautiful backdrop around the park. Next we headed to the Jungle Cruise which actually had about a 10min wait, largely due to boats going in different languages. On to Mystic Manor which I knew I could do with Brad & Rebecca introducing me to Haunted Mansion. The name had always indicated a more rough ride so we'd avoided it at previous parks. I will say this one and Winnie are both a little jerky for us and Lynelle didn't find it was good for her. I was ok and would probably do it again if I have the time.
Strolling through Toy Story Land to Main St ready for the parade. First up was the Janitors percussion band playing their rubbish bins and dust pans. So talented. This time when Flights of Fantasy stopped for the dance number, we had Jungle Book and Lion King floats in front of us. Here the performers handed out some instruments like an African maraca for the kids to shake. I'm enjoying seeing the interaction they have making this short parade so much fun. Afterwards we darted across the road to the Duffy greeting room and learnt Shellie May was next so we lined up for our first Duffy & Co character meet. Shellie May had to open the door herself and bolt it down, adding to the excitement in the crowd. When at the doorway I saw someone go in to hug Shellie May down went Shellie May! I thought it was funny, Lynelle did not
. Shellie May recovered and was fit and able to meet us and have photos. This was one of the first times I truly saw someone take photos of just the character and boy did she play up to the camera!
A quick return to the hotel to change over water bottles and pick up long sleeve shirts when we ran into Explorer Goofy so naturally we stopped for photos as Goofy is always a bit of fun. Back to Royal Banquet Hall for dinner so Lynelle could use the 50% off a combo meal which came with our ticket, while I wasn't hungry so just had the cute Piggy Pork buns. On our way out we photographed Fantasy Gardens as the lights were coming on and it really looked like a Fantasy Garden. To Tomorrowland and we stopped at the Star Wars photos to learn R2D2 and Chewbacca were waiting. With nobody else in line we went straight in and had our photos taken. Although the cast member was quick to hand back the camera, Chewie was making noise and waving us back so we took a few more photos. I introduced my sister to the competition ride of Antman & the Wasp Nano Battle and we both loved it. While I haven't done this, Della & Keith introduced me to these types back in California. We'd never tried them due to being indoors and we had no idea, plus 'Midway Mania' just sounds like a roller coaster. Another great We Love Mickey show. At the end the confetti was blown in our direction so I was one of 'those' people who bent down and picked up lots of gold Mickey Head confetti to use for decorating. Sure I don't know what I'll decorate, but it's cute.
Another great day.
1996: Disneyland & Epcot | 2001: EuroDisney | 2014: DLR & DLRP | 2015: WDW | 2017: DLR, Aulani, TDR | 2018: DLR | 2020: SDR & HKDL | 2023: WDW