10 Nights of Magic in The Orlando Trifecta-TR - COMPLETE!! 12/10 About This Page:

[purplegal]

The lobby looks very relaxing and inviting, your report is really making me want to stay at this resort.
I hope you get to AK on time.

[lindawdw]

It really is such a beautiful bar now that the refurbishment is completed! I actually don’t always enjoy the atmosphere of a hotel when there is a convention center because I don’t like mingling with work groups when I’m on vacation. Did you feel that way at all at The Dolphin resort?

[Tara O'Hara]

My goodness, what beautiful lobby!! Sounds like a lovely evening, Dave!!

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by chezp

My goodness, that bar was very crowded for that hour! I can only put it down to the fact that it was probably a lot of convention goers enjoying their evenings?

Great photos from all around the lobby - it's such a huge improvement from what was there before.

I was surprised how crowded it was but normal I guess when their are a lot of convention attendees. The lobby is such a vast improvement from before and enjoy the look and layout of it.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by purplegal

The lobby looks very relaxing and inviting, your report is really making me want to stay at this resort.
I hope you get to AK on time.

It's a great resort and especially being close to Epcot and Studios as well as the Boardwalk. Much more reasonably priced than the WDW resorts in this area. Although, not cheap they do offer some good deals.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

It really is such a beautiful bar now that the refurbishment is completed! I actually don’t always enjoy the atmosphere of a hotel when there is a convention center because I don’t like mingling with work groups when I’m on vacation. Did you feel that way at all at The Dolphin resort?

They did a great job with the lobby and new bar. It was a bit noisy from the convention attendees but not as bad as it could have been as I was on the other end of the bar. A lot of the WDW resorts also have convention centers such as Coronado and Contemporary. The convention atmosphere didn't bother me at all as I just think of them as guests.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara

My goodness, what beautiful lobby!! Sounds like a lovely evening, Dave!!

It is so beautiful in the hotel than previously and quite a contrast! A nice way to wind down my evening!

[Cam22]

Nice finish to your evening! The bar was really hopping this night.

[SuperDave]

I enjoyed my evening so much as always at WDW! I was quite surprised how busy the bar was at the Dolphin tonight and I think the Bellevue Lounge as so quit would have been a better option! More tranquil is always better for me!

[pamcarey]

I was really behind, but I finally got all caught back up again! Your nighttime photos are amazing, and the Swolphin area is gorgeous all lit up at night. Now I want to stay in one of those resorts!


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[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

I was really behind, but I finally got all caught back up again! Your nighttime photos are amazing, and the Swolphin area is gorgeous all lit up at night. Now I want to stay in one of those resorts!


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Glad you are enjoying the photos. It is quite beautiful here during the evening. It's quite a nice resort and with the remodel done is a good reason to stay.

[HeatherD]

Phew! Just caught up and I have a few comments over the course of entire trip thus far. What a great trip so full of adventure!

I live in Vegas. My daughter is dating the son of one of the first responders to 1 October and he and his wife are some of our best friends. It's nice to see that other locations recognized it with flag at half-staff and such. There was so much going on here that we didn't hear a lot about what went on elsewhere.

I love Harry Potter. LOVE it! And, while Gringott's needs to be experienced once, I only did it once and then went on Forbidden Journey over and over. I loved being able to go through Hogwarts. I'm not sure I'd use the fast queue, though (they weren't offering it yet when I was there in '16) because I wouldn't want to miss anything on the grounds. I could spend all day just visiting Hogsmead and Diagon Alley (I'm literally watching a HP marathon as I type).

Did you find Knockturn Alley? It is the cool dark arts part of Diagon Alley.

We stayed at Portofino for our USO visit. Originally booked Cabana Bay but when we looked at adding the MaxPass, the cost difference was the same as upgrading the resort and getting the passes for free. My sis was at Portofino, which is why we looked into it in the first place.

Originally Posted by SuperDave

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I enjoyed this very much and probably the Goat Cheese most. All the accompaniments were all good and worked well with the various cheese selections. These included various nuts, some sugar concoctions and honey.

Hopefully, the picture came through in the quote. In post 461, when you show the cheeses, you included a dessert picture that I think is of the banana dessert you mention in a later post.

Everyone is talking about IllumiNations going away. I've never felt an attachment to any of the WDW fireworks, but I grew up with DLR and I was gutted when we lost MSEP. So, while I look forward to what they might put in its place, I get the feelings of loss...

[SuperDave]

Glad you are enjoying my TR! I love that photo of the dessert as well and almost too good to eat! I enjoyed USO very much and glad I stayed at the Royal Pacific as quite nice. But I enjoyed my visit for dinner at Portofino as so nice and especially the piazza.



I'm hoping Illuminations doesn't get replaced but it just might. We'll see. Interesting about your daughter and the first responders from last year. I'll be on vacation in Vegas in October. Looking forward to it.

[SuperDave]

Will Those Damn Buses Make Me Lose Out on A New FastPass+ Experience?




Tuesday, October 10th (Part I)
I was up at about 8:30 am. Today, I was going to the Animal Kingdom for my first visit to Pandora and the World of Avatar. I was very much looking forward to this new land in the Animal Kingdom! I’ve heard and read so much about it and looks amazing! I have a Fastpass+ for one of the new attractions with Na’vi River Journey.

I got ready for my day and then went downstairs to Fuel for a quick breakfast. It was quite busy here and seems like a popular place already with just being open for about ten days. I had a croissant and coffee, which were good. After finishing my breakfast, I went outside and it was quite hot and humid already, although no rain was in the forecast today.

I returned to my room and got everything together that I would need for the Animal Kingdom as I wouldn’t be returning to the Dolphin until later this evening. My phone was fully charged, which is good for all the photos I’d be taking today. I will also be bringing my camera as well to alleviate some of this. It will be a long day and night in the Animal Kingdom. I also finished writing up my notes from yesterday as well as checking my FP+ and ADR times to make sure I knew this and had it all lined up.

I went downstairs and went outside the main entrance and wait for a bus to the Animal Kingdom over at the depot. My first FP+ was for 10:20 am, but I have until 11:35 am with the 15 minute grace period Disney gives you, so this shouldn’t be a problem. It was just about 10 am now. There were quite a few guests waiting for buses to the various Disney parks.

About fifteen minutes went by and no sign of an Animal Kingdom bus, although a few arrived for some of the other parks. In the meantime, I got a couple of photos of the resort pool, which was close by.






Main entrance at the Dolphin

More time went by and still no Animal Kingdom bus, although I saw at least two for the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. Do they need to be running buses this often for Disney Springs this time of day? I can’t think of that many guest visiting there in the morning as most go there in late afternoon or evening. It was over 30 minutes now and will those damn buses make me lose out on a new Fastpass+ experience? I usually wouldn’t be worried but it’s a good distance by bus to the Animal Kingdom and who knows how the traffic will be with all the road construction going on around Disney and vicinity.

There was at least one more bus arrival for the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. This is the opposite of my problem two days ago with so many Animal Kingdom buses and not one for the Magic Kingdom.

Finally, after a 40 minute wait an Animal Kingdom bus arrived! It was quite crowded as it stops at the Swan prior to this. I had to stand, but at least I’d be getting there! It was around 10:45 am and I had 50 minutes to make my Fastpass+ for Na’vi River Journey. Not the one I want to miss. It takes time to get there once you arrived at the park, wait in line to scan your Magic Band and walk to Pandora. I should be ok, but we’ll see!

It didn’t seem like a long ride, even though I was standing and we made good time to the Animal Kingdom with no real traffic problems. We arrived at about 11:05-11:10 am. I had 25 minutes to make my FP+, but will depend on the security and entrance lines.




I still took photos, even though time wasn’t 100% favorable!

When I arrived at the security check the lines were about 5-6 people deep but moved fast. I was through in just over a minute. The MagicBand lines were very long on the left side, where most entered from but not bad over on the right, where I went to. I was through and it’s 11:15 am and have twenty minutes to spare!




This is a welcoming sight and I knew I was close once I passed Tiffin’s, where I’d be going for dinner as part of my Rivers of Light dining package.

After speed walking for a bit, I came to the bridge and saw my first glimpses of Pandora!





Once, I arrived in Pandora I looked for the Na’vi River Journey FP+ line, but couldn’t find it at first. After a quick circle through this area I asked a CM and was guided to the right direction.

Once I arrived at the FP+ line for Na’vi River journey, there were a few people ahead of me, but I could quickly scan my MagicBand and all was good as I saw a green Mickey! The FP+ line was quite long but I was getting on a boat within ten minutes, which is fine.





It was quite a ride and I enjoyed it very much. Many of the scenes and characters look so life like and they did a great job with it. I did take a few photos, but they didn’t come out well as quite dark in here.

After, exiting the ride I explored Pandora as so much to see and experience with my first visit here. It is so well done and nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced in any theme park as just overwhelming! Only Harry Potter at Universal can compare to this with the theming and detail.








What a great use of water in Pandora with the streams and all the various details


Location for Flight of Passage entrance, which I’ll be experiencing later in the week. I saw the wait time for standby was 75 minutes and nothing like the lines have been.




Love this waterfall!


Very difficult to describe the look and theming of this land, unless you’re here.




Sort of the signature structure in Pandora








Love this upward view of the waterfall!




In front of Windtraders store in Pandora


A little early for lunch as I only had breakfast a short time ago. I hope to try this new eatery later in the week.


Inside Satu’li Canteen. Like the ceilings







I’m enjoying this new addition to the Animal Kingdom so much as I love the theming and so much to see, explore and take in. I would like to spend more time here and certainly will later in the week. Unfortunately, my next FP+ is in its’ window and I needed to head over there and to Africa. It was about 12:15 pm and I have until 1:05 pm to make my time. I didn’t need to be in a rush this time.


Storm damage from Hurricane Irma a few weeks ago near Pandora





Shortly, I arrived in the Harambe Market area of Africa and my FP+ location was very close by and plenty of time to spare.




Always good entertainment here but more lively in the early evening




I watched these musicians perform for a few minutes before going over to my FP+. It was quite hot in this area as very open with no shade!



NEXT: I Wasn’t Expecting This!

[patclairesmom]

I feel your stress trying to get to your FP+. I'm glad you were able to make it, despite the late bus. I feel like it was the same for us trying to make our FP+ to FOP. Great picture of Pandora, Disney really did an outstanding job.

[Cam22]

Glad you were successful in making your FastPass for Nav'i River. Great photos around Pandora. The theming here is very immersive.