ThemeParkCommando

First off, let me say it's great to see a trip report here.  Enjoying reading it! 
But I also have to say, regarding the part I quoted above...I don't know what any of that means but it sounds like the garbage I deal with at work every day.  Technology that is supposed to make things better doesn't work as intended, and we waste more time trying to find a workaround than it would have taken to do it the old way.  Why would I want to do that on vacation?? 

Thank you for sharing about your trip... I can only imagine how bittersweet this visit was.  You'll be in my prayers this holiday season.
I agree with Dave's comment above regarding the hassle of technology.  Then again... I wish Disney would bring back the ride tickets, so you can balance my comment with that knowledge 

We're back. Three years of careful planning, delay due to COVID, the death of my 35 year old son who was supposed to be on this trip with us, many attempts to reserve the Candlelight Processional dining package anywhere in EPCOT, and trying get to all the new things to do... this was a trip of many emotions.

I'm glad we went. Overall, we had a good time, with a lot of laughter, a few tears, a few misunderstandings and some interesting Disney magic.

We flew into Orlando on Southwest, landing at 9:00 pm on Dec 5th. At 8:30 pm, I got a text from Port Orleans French Quarter that our room was not ready. That was odd, but since we weren't even there yet, not an issue. The Magical Express took us to the resort, and while we didn't get an automatic check in, we were able to get a room on the top floor, which we had requested.

We slogged over to building one, which was not the furthest building from the lobby at least. And it was really near the riverboat landing. We dropped off our bags, and went back to Sassagoula's. We got a pizza for dinner (actually love the pizza at the resort!) ,and some beignet's. We've been looking forward to trying those, and they were delicious! Picked up our refillable mugs and got to sleep, ready to wake up at 7:00am to get our Genie+ and ILL reservations for EPCOT on Monday.
I hope it's ok to post a trip report here, even though I am not a camper.  We didn't even make it to the Fort, although we wanted to. 
 

We're back. Three years of careful planning, delay due to COVID, the death of my 35 year old son who was supposed to be on this trip with us, many attempts to reserve the Candlelight Processional dining package anywhere in EPCOT, and trying get to all the new things to do... this was a trip of many emotions.

I'm glad we went. Overall, we had a good time, with a lot of laughter, a few tears, a few misunderstandings and some interesting Disney magic.

We flew into Orlando on Southwest, landing at 9:00 pm on Dec 5th. At 8:30 pm, I got a text from Port Orleans French Quarter that our room was not ready. That was odd, but since we weren't even there yet, not an issue. The Magical Express took us to the resort, and while we didn't get an automatic check in, we were able to get a room on the top floor, which we had requested.

We slogged over to building one, which was not the furthest building from the lobby at least. And it was really near the riverboat landing. We dropped off our bags, and went back to Sassagoula's. We got a pizza for dinner (actually love the pizza at the resort!) ,and some beignet's. We've been looking forward to trying those, and they were delicious! Picked up our refillable mugs and got to sleep, ready to wake up at 7:00am to get our Genie+ and ILL reservations for EPCOT on Monday.
I hope it's ok to post a trip report here, even though I am not a camper.  We didn't even make it to the Fort, although we wanted to. 
 

For Monday, the plan was EPCOT.  9:30am RD time for resort guests.   We woke at 7am and picked up boarding group 93 for Ratatouille, with an estimated 2:35 pm time frame.  I also paid for the ILL to the Frozen,  11:25 am start time.  Then we got our LL for Soarin’ at 12:30pm.  Not too bad for a first day, while trying to figure out exactly how the Genie+ worked. 
One snag we ran into, was that I had linked an account on Genie+ for my husband, that was one I made back in 2014 for FP+ stuff.  It was not his usual MDE account.   So, he had to add his old account on his MDE to use it for Genie+.   He could not book ILL at all, because he had no park reservations or tickets on his MDE account.  It did allow him to book LL for me and the old account though, as long as he did not include his new account. 
The parking lot for EPCOT was open when we got there at 8:15 am.  We went right into the park, and were held in the ally between the guest services building and what is going to be the Guardians ride. The early entry plan was to head for Space 220, and get on the waitlist for the lounge.  The problem hit that the lounge started taking reservations the Wednesday before we got there, so they had ditched the waitlist.  But, the CM for Space 220 didn’t show up until 10:15am to tell the crowd this information, so we all wasted our morning waiting there.
Moving on with just a bit of a sour feel to our day, we wandered slowly to Regal Eagle to get the CP dining plan.  We stopped along the way and got the Linzer cookie from Bavaria, along with the stamp book for the Cookie Stroll.  That was a good cookie!  At Regal Eagle, they opened at 11am, and we easily got our CP reservation for 8:30pm. You have to buy your food immediately to get the CP entry, so an early lunch of American BBQ it is!  I had the pulled pork and Ed had the brisket.  The sauce selection was diverse.  Ed and I both liked the vinegar based sauce.  Probably would never have eaten there otherwise, as we have plenty of good BBQ in Texas.  Still, if you are craving meat, this is a good choice. 

After lunch, we traveled back to Norway for our Frozen LL.   On our first pass by the line around 10:30, the standby line was all the way out into the main walkway area passing Norway.  When we returned, the standby line was only just outside the door to the ride, at about a 25 minute wait.  We walked right on with the ILL.

We walked back to the Port of Entry area, and took pictures of and with the 50th anniversary statues there.  Got our Photo Pass photos with Spaceship earth, and one with Figment.   The Chase Visa Disney card photos are in the building next to World of Imagination, by the jumping water fountains.  We got our photos  (Virtual characters only), then walked towards the Land Pavilion.  We saw Winnie the Pooh interacting with a Christmas present out in a field.   It was cute, but sad that he had to be so far from the crowd.  At noon, I picked up at 1pm Living with the Land LL.  Standby was 15 minutes, but I figured 15 minutes saved was still worth it.
 

They have the technology to measure wait times. MB, Disney phone apps and facial recognition can easily measure when someone enters the ride gate and loads onto the ride. In fact since they can in theory read very person entering the ride the numbers would be more accurate than the old manual method. The question is are they using any of these methods? Assuming they are using one of these methods and the wait times are truly way off I'd say this is just another IT screw-up in Disney's long history of IT screw-ups.

Last week I was finishing planning our upcoming Florida trip and went to the My Disney Experience site. I entered the first week of our trip and we are in the Fort, October 24 thru the 29th! First time in 3 years we've been able to get reservations. We cancelled the RV park we were in for those dates and changed the other reservation we had to match.
Wow! I guess it pays to never give up!

I am so looking forward to eating here.  This restaurant is a must do for my family.  Good hot and sour soup, the spicy honey crispy chicken ( Or honey sesame chicken if you are not into spicy) is so good I found a copycat recipe to make at home.  I still think it is better here, though ( because I don't have to cook it!).  
I am not a fan of any kind of chinese beef dish, so I've never tried them here.   I may get adventurous on my upcoming trip and try the crispy duck fried rice, but I have a hard time not eating my favorite dish that I only get once ever 5 years or so from here!

Just finished the webinar. Not a ton of new information like dates and pricing most are hoping for. The way I understand the core of this though is pretty much what I wrote before. 

Details Released for Disney Very Merriest After Hours
Disney has announced dates, ticket prices and additional details for the After Hours event being held at Magic Kingdom this holiday season!
The event will take place on 24 select nights November 8th through December 21st from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Event dates are:
November: 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30
December: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21
Unlike Boo Bash, this event will include holiday fireworks and a parade! “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will include the nighttime spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the special holiday-themed parade “Once Upon a Christmastime Parade”.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Here are additional details of what Guests can experience during this limited-capacity, separately ticketed event:
Holiday attraction overlays are also making a comeback! The Jungle Cruise transforms into the Jingle Cruise, and Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor will get new jokes perfect for this joyful season.
After the park closes to day Guests, event Guests can enjoy less time waiting in line for more than 20 attractions including favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain and more.
Sightings of Disney characters throughout the park all dressed in their holiday best.
While Guests are walking down Main Street, U.S.A. they should be sure to look up to the sky, they might catch some magical snowfall!
Guests can dance and boogie the night away at themed Club Tinsel dance party in Tomorrowland.
Guests can enjoy complimentary snacks like ice cream novelties and popcorn, seasonal treats and select bottled beverages.
Specialty holiday food and drinks will be also be available for purchase.
Disney PhotoPass will offer holiday magic shots throughout the night.
TICKET SALES
Tickets will go on sale for the general public on August 20, 2021.
Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort can book their tickets as early as August 17
Tickets range from $169 to $229 plus tax for select November/December nights, and $249, plus tax on December 19 & 21. These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation.

After getting to sleep later than I wanted it was time to get up. The family behind us decided that 10:00 was not to late to start dinner I heard the whole process loud and clear. Who wants corn who needs a drink etc. We have a repeat day just like yesterday breakfast, bike ride, Epcot. We arrive almost the exact same time and park in almost the exact spot. Today we hit up Test track first. We really missed the design your own car and, the hands on at the end. We make are way into the countries and skip over to America. There is a little time before the next show so, we look around the little art shop. Soon we are seated and enjoying the show. We have not seen this since 2014 so it was time. After we take some photos and watch the train for a bit in Germany. We walk over to the United Kingdom. My husband and I enjoy walking around the tea garden. My son is bored by this he finds a bench and waits for us. We peek in some windows and walk over to Canada. We watch some of the show on the stage and watch the movie. We have not seen the new movie yet so something new to us. We are Shitt's Creek fans so we kept thinking about the characters from the show.  My husband got a treat here he said it was good.  
Next I think we did the butterfly garden and got some free applesauce. You read right free! Not just a sample a whole pouch for each of us. We then walk into the showplace. My husband gets something to eat I believe it was the slider at the favorites both and really liked it. We look at the garden display and hit the restrooms before leaving. I have to saw now this is a bathroom! 
We take are trip with are Imagination it was a walk on. Back in 2005 on New Years Eve I think we waited well over a hour maybe closer to two never again, live and learn. We then take a break by watching the film festival. These are always so cute. After we take some photos by the walls and, back track into the counties.
We now stop in Japan my son gets something to eat we walk around the shop we miss watching the pick a pearl. He is still hungry as I am also we make are way back to China and have a repeat meal from yesterday. Can't skip on tradition right? After dinner we buy a Mickey spinner that I saw the day before and really wanted. It is now hanging up in my backyard and I just love it!
We walk over to Mexico and walk into the orchid garden it is beautiful. It's tucked away and easy to miss walking by. We see the line for the Fiesta tour is 20 min so we jump into line. I tell my husband that there is now cardboard cutouts of the Caballeros but, wait there the little guys are in all their glory. That was nice to see they must of just arrived back.
Mission space is something I can take or leave. I could never do orange only green. My husband can't do either side my son will ride the baby side with me. We wait 5 min and we are on. We take are time and walk around looking at the flowers and I get a snack. 
We save Spaceship Earth for last and enjoy the trip. Again we miss the end of the attraction things. We stop to take some more photos on the way out. I was really dragging my feet as this was are last full day. 
We do not even attempt the pool tonight. We start to get things organized for packing up tomorrow. There some noise behind us loud but, not to bad. We did get new neighbors while we were gone but it's quiet by them. Are last night how time flies!

Thanks for writing all the trip report!  I loved following along.  It's nice to hear about folks having a good time at WDW again. 
 

Whew!  What an adventure to get there and back again.  Can't wait to hear about the good things! Sorry you had such a hard time getting there and coming back. 

We slept in today it is so peaceful here. The site next to us and across from us are packing up. We made another big breakfast this is what I love about camping no waiting in a crowded place and made just the way I like it. As we are getting are stuff ready for the comfort station to get ready for the day there is a little boy from the site at the beginning of loop riding his bike into are site. I would guess maybe 4 years old. He starts talking to us and rides with us has we head down. He tells us that he has to go home today. We say we are sorry and did he have fun? He says he did and it was ok that he was leaving he gets to play with all the new toys he got. He was super cute and it reminds me that will be us soon backing up to leave. Side note they did not leave till around noon.
When we get back my husband and I go for a bike ride while my son relaxes. We love riding around seeing all the cute decorations and all the different campers. We ride for about a hour and head back. We then decide to go mini golfing. In the past we have gone to winter and summer that is not open. I call Fantasia for a reservation and was told we don't need one. We head on out and find it with no problems. Now getting in is a little tricky has there is construction going on around it. We figure it out and put are names in. There is 2 other groups waiting before us. We wait about 10 min not to bad we don't mind waiting it's nice to just sit and look around. We have a great time here I was a little nervous we would not like it has much as winter summer but, we do. My husband was the big winner but, not by much.
We head back to the Fort and decide to play shuffle board. While getting are stuff I put are names down for the Tye Dye shirts. My son decides he doesn't want to make one. We ask about renting a canoe and was told they are not renting them today because of wildlife in the area. Not sure what that means she said they check it every morning and come back tomorrow. This was a little disappointing to my son he really wanted to do this. Maybe they should have a sign up? We head to the court and a family asks us where they can get the stuff to play. They arrive back and we give them a quick explanation on how to play this is their first time. After a couple of games this time I end up the winner! My son heads back to the camper it's time for us to make the shirts. We have done this once about 4 years ago. It is much more organized this time. We are spaced out at tables and ,told we have to wear a mask. I tell the CM running it how much better this is from last time. She says they finally listen to her that she has been telling them for years how they need to change it. The shirts already have the rubber bands on them. The dye is all lined up nice and neat. We get a little talk with some tips on how to make them and we start. We have a lot of fun making these and it seems pretty popular people keep coming in and out. After this we head back to the camper and decide the big question what's for dinner? 

We left off with the dinner question. Before we get to that I forgot to mention on the way to play shuffle board we stopped at the horse barn. Just as we got in it started to rain. It was nice to look around. This was are first time seeing the new barn. They did a great job! Just has we are getting ready to leave the rain stopped.
 Now back to dinner. We had planned to grill out tonight but, that changed when my son heard that there was a Fuddruckers still open. Are local one closed down for good last year. This is a place he always enjoyed going. We gave in and that's where we went. It was not busy at all. We placed are order and found a table outside. The table next to us was full of garbage and not just from the restaurant. It was there the whole time. No employee ever game out to check the tables. The food was good but, we missed the toppings bar. You had to order what you wanted not the same. After dinner my son and I did a little exploring. I had heard this shopping center was going to be closing this year for a new road that will be going thru. A few of the restaurants never reopened after the covid shut down. It was interesting to see all the stuff that was left and how much damage some of these places had. We head back to the Fort.
My son had a friend down the same time. They picked him up at the front of the Fort. What do we do? Well bike ride of course. We bike around for a bit and end playing bad joke bingo with another family. This was a lot of fun even if we did not win. Now it is time for dessert we head over to  P&J takeout and we each got strawberry shortcake. We have been to the Hoop Dee Doo a few times and it is the best strawberry shortcake I have ever had. I was so happy to see it here I can not even tell you. We found 2 rockers empty and I have to say this was one of the best moments of the trip. We just enjoyed the night and people watching having a super yummy dessert.
 We head back to the camper and relaxed for a while. My son made it back and we went to bed. This was a great day!
Park day tomorrow but, we can sleep in and no rushing around.  

I've been in early January, not camping, but staying on property.   Temperatures can range from the 40's to the 80's, but the standard is in the 60's and 70's.   Too early in the year for the every afternoon rain shower, spring storms or hurricanes, so unless you just get bad luck, you shouldn't have to worry about too much rain.  Keep your poncho's handy, though.
Cold fronts have been known to push down that far south, so if you have really bad luck, it may get to freezing. 
Crowds are usually pretty low,  the Christmas/NY crowds have gone home, everyone is broke from the holidays, kids are in school and the MLK day crowds aren't there yet.   One of my favorite times to visit, because of that.
Make sure you check for what is expected to be under refurbishment.  January is prime time for rides to be worked on, so some of your favorites may not be available.  At least one water park will be closed for refurb.  They used to switch out TL and BB each year, but I don't know if the pandemic interrupted the schedule.

My brother was in journalism his whole life and he always said, "There are no more journalist, only copy writers, nobody researches the story".

I'd put it down to a natural ebb and flow, compounded by COVID issues. As things return to normal, and people start camping at the fort again, I bet there will be an uptick.  For those of you going to the Fort, be sure to advertise the site with your snarky signs and magnets. 😃
I'm one of the folks who came here through the great trip reports that show up.  I don't even camp, but I do love hearing about all things Disney.  With a number of the older poster's not as active anymore, we just need an infusion of new-to-the-Fort folks to get the board rocking again. 

I saw this coming when Magic Bands first came out.  With the ability to microchip your dog, it was only a matter of time before people started trying this on themselves. 
I think Disney would be better served, if they instead posted a rule on their website that 'subdermal microchips will not be a valid method of entry, payment or line passing.',  because someone is going to get an implant that is NOT from a Magic Band, but can be programmed to act like one. 

I saw this coming when Magic Bands first came out.  With the ability to microchip your dog, it was only a matter of time before people started trying this on themselves. 
I think Disney would be better served, if they instead posted a rule on their website that 'subdermal microchips will not be a valid method of entry, payment or line passing.',  because someone is going to get an implant that is NOT from a Magic Band, but can be programmed to act like one. 

Thank you for this website and all that you do!  I proudly have my snarky at home 2020 on my little kia soul.  
I have camping on my list this year, now to just find the tent!
Hey, maybe you can do a mens meet called:  MMM the Maniacal Men's Muster!
 

I think it would be easier if Disney just did not allow the party of the maskless people to get the picure, but did allow a fully masked party on the same ride to have theirs if they want it. 

I think it would be easier if Disney just did not allow the party of the maskless people to get the picure, but did allow a fully masked party on the same ride to have theirs if they want it. 

It always astounds me that people think that rules can't be enforced because there's no law against what they are doing.  No doofus, you didn't break any laws, but Disney is private property, and they have the right to say " GET OFF MY LAWN!" to anyone.  Guess it hasn't occurred to him yet, that he is Hopper, and the ants want to stand up against HIM. 

LOL.. I wonder how long it will take for them to publish a correction?  I'm sure that reporter is getting an earful from Star Wars fans everywhere. 
Reminds me of this ( watch at least the first minute)
Shatner at Lucas' roast