Orlando Riviera Extravaganza - Nov 2022 - Day 4
It was a Saturday at Walt Disney World which means either find a way to deal with the crowds or get out. We did a little bit of both.
After seeing the lines for rope drop at the Magic Kingdom the day before, we decided our original plan to attempt to rope drop Rise of the Resistance with an ECV on a Saturday was not the best idea in the world. We were able to, so we bit the bullet and bought the Individual Lightning Lane, doing so at 7 AM so we could get the best choice of times. It was $20 per person which is the most I'd heard of them being! But we would have felt terrible had we missed that ride. I then got a Lightning Lane for early opening at Slinky.
Pre-dawn at Toy Story Land
Standing in line for Slinky that early in the morning, as the sun rose over an otherwise abandoned Toy Story Land was so pretty. That ride is so fun, and the scenery around it so cute. After this, we walked onto Alien Swirling Saucers (it was just okay. I thought we'd love it after we loved Mater so much, but I think the reason we loved Mater was, well, Mater). After this, we grabbed a little Joffrey's coffee and settled a bet that you CAN indeed get Jack Jack Nom-Nom's at Disney Hollywood Studios (It was our favorite snack from our Disneyland trip). However, as reported by my mom, who is the only one who can eat it now, it was not warm and gooey like it was at Disneyland. Oh well. The coffee was good.
I had obtained a Lightning Lane for Star Tours upon scanning into Slinky, so we rode that. Upon scanning into that, I got a Lightning Lane for Toy Story Midway Mania. I hope you can see a pattern now. Each morning was basically back to back Lightning Lanes until about 11 AM, which was perfect because that's when we like to take a little break for the day. During break, I stack for the evening. It worked flawlessly.
Toy Story Land Holiday Decorations
After Midway Mania, it was our return time for Rise of the Resistance which was fantastic as always. And after Rise, we did a mobile order from Docking Bay 7. The food here is always fantastic and the mobile ordering at Disney works great. Our only issue on this particular day was it was so busy at Docking Bay 7 that there was not a single table free inside or outside, so we ended up eating down the stairs on a bench near the Falcon. We were very close to a Photopass photographer who was obviously taking magic shots and it was fun watching how each guest got into or didn't get into the posing for the magic shot. I had the Endoran Chicken Salad (just a 3/5 for me - basic salad), and mom had the Felucian Kefta which can be assumed was a 5/5 because we'd had it before and loved it. I do wish I could've had that but it's not keto.
After lunch, the park was getting packed. I had mentioned to mom earlier in the trip that I had never had a reason to take the boat between Disney Hollywood Studios and EPCOT and wondered what it was like. Well, now was our chance. We could've skylinered back (and we do love the skyliner), but the boat was something new and it was a very pleasant ride. It also lets off right by the skyliner station at EPCOT, so boat to skyliner, and we were back at the Riviera.
We relaxed in our room a bit and then started to think about reworking our day. The original plan had been to have our dinner, and then return to Disney Hollywood Studios for Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam. We had seen the fireworks coming from the studios from our room a few times. They were... pathetic. Compared to the drama of the EPCOT fireworks, and the beauty of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, we just felt it wasn't worth enduring those crowds in a park where we'd already done everything we wanted to do. So we decided to skip it.
With an open slate for the afternoon and evening, mom decided what she most wanted was to go to the Emporium at the Magic Kingdom and also see the Festival of Fantasy parade. So, we left shortly thereafter, and arrived at the Magic Kingdom around 2:30. Again, the bus was pulling away just as we approached the bus stop so we had to wait the maximum time again for another bus.
The best float in the Magic Kingdom parade
The characters were waving from the train station in their Christmas best - fantastic! We shopped all around the Emporium. Then, we found a trash can on Main Street and set up camp. Pro tip: Trash cans are great places from which to view parades because the trash can is flush with the curb. A guest can't get in front of you because Disney requires all guests be on the curb. So when you stand behind a trash can, you basically have a clear view and no one can squeeze in front. And you have a place to put your drink. (What? Disney trash cans are immaculately clean!)
The parade was fantastic. I usually don't make room in my day for the parade because 3:00 is the hottest time of day and the crowds can be intense, but this was worth it. And it was very pleasant outside.
Then we bussed back to the Riviera and take showers and get dressed for our Topolino's Terrace reservation. This was by far the fanciest meal I had this trip, and it was so, so good, but it was all so reflected in the price. Here's what's amazing, though... the lounge outside the restaurant was half empty. Here was have a bird's eye view of part of Walt Disney World, a lovely breeze, cushioned lounge chairs, and a glorious sunset about to happen, and it was nearly empty! Some people up there weren't even there to have drinks. They had their resort mug and a book. Had I known about this sooner, you better believe I would've been up there more often. It was glorious.
Unbelievable view from Topolino's Terrace looking toward the Caribbean Beach Resort (no, I'm not using a fisheye lens here... the sky and the shape of the landscape was just like that.)
So we sat and had our first glasses of wine out there while waiting for our table. Mom had the sea scallops. I had the filet mignon and a side of scallops. It was mouthwatering. I would rate this more than a 5/5. So good. And the sunset out the windows... *chef's kiss*. Better than California Grill. I know, I know, fighting words. But yes.
Sunset from our table at Topolino's. Yes, it is ominously setting behind the Tower of Terror.
After dinner, we were pleasantly hazy. Our original thought (again) was to just head down to Bar Riva and keep drinking and chilling, but that thought didn't take into account that we are lightweights when it comes to alcohol, so instead we decided to talk a nice walk around the lake that connects Riviera to the Caribbean Beach Resort and have a look at the Caribbean lobby. News flash: the Caribbean Beach Resort was NOT using the 50th anniversary scent. They very much had their own unique scent going, which was lovely. It was a very nice walk and a relaxing evening, which is necessary on a Saturday at Disney World.
Our nighttime walk around the Caribbean Beach Resort was beautiful
Also, at some point during this day, we learned my daughter did not have COVID. Apparently, she'd just exhausted herself staying up too late to do schoolwork, so sleeping in on Saturday helped her. Thank goodness!
Next time, we get to Disney's Animal Kingdom at 7:30 AM (yikes!) and then we do Animal Kingdom allllllll dayyyyyyyy which is exactly the way I like it. If you're liking this trip report, follow us on Facebook where you will be the first to know when new blogs are posted. Until next time...
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