Back at Disney World

- May 06, 2020

When I started planning my trip to the US for December last year I wasn't planning on visiting Disney World, but I couldn't help myself. It just wouldn't be right to travel all that way and not visit my former workplace. I navigated my way through Orlando airport to Disney's complimentary Magical Express transportation service, and was driven to the All Star Movies Resort.

The newly renovated room included a murphy bed, which I actually found pretty easy to put down.

I was joined by Bailey for the first few days of my Disney trip. We'd both work at Pizza Planet together, back in the day. He's quite the Star Wars fan, so convinced me to head into Hollywood Studios incredibly early the next morning to secure our chance to ride Disney's newest ride, Rise of the Resistance. I've never seen any Star Wars movies, but I'm always keen for new Disney experiences. I was reminded of the time I lined up for 3.5 hours to ride the Avatar ride, Flight of Passage, even though I'd never seen that movie.

We arrived at the park just after 6am and joined the queue to enter the park.

We were allowed into the park just before it's scheduled 7am opening.

Once inside we joined the Rise of the Resistance virtual queue and received our boarding group number. At any point during the day it could be our turn to ride. Hopefully it wouldn't interfere with our fast pass and dining reservation.

Our first stop was Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land.

Next up was Toy Story Midway Mania. When Bailey and I worked at the park the wait times for this ride were astronomical, but the addition of new lands and new rides meant a significantly reduced wait time. I sadly, but not unexpectedly lost. I'm not particularly skilled at rides that require coordination.

I couldn't pass up a ride on the Alien Swirling Saucers.

Then we headed over to Stars Wars Land: Galaxy's Edge.

Bailey was pretty pumped about checking out the new land. He loved the land so much he even tried the blue milk. He does not recommend it.

We made the most of the Memory Maker photo service included in my ticket. I pretended I totally knew what it meant to use the force.

Still in Star Wars land, the Millennium Falcon - Smugglers Run was our next ride.

In this simulator ride there are 2 pilots, 2 gunners and 2 engineers. Bailey and I were both pilots.

I don't anticipate changing my career path towards aviation any time soon.

Back in Toy Story Land we met up with a few friends.

All the characters (and character attendants) loved Bailey's lanyard. He was even given a sticker. I'm not sad I didn't get a sticker. It's fine.

Jesse noticed my Pizza Planet shirt, and my ears from Disneyland Shanghai.

It was time to use our Tower of Terror fast pass.

A little boy in the second row started screaming just as the ride began to move. He continued to scream through the entire ride, all the way off the ride, and through the gift shop. The traumatised child's screams continued as we walked away from the ride. I think we can assume he won't be going on that ride again.

Next we stopped by our former workplace, which is no longer Pizza Planet, but PizzeRizzo.

Then our Rise of the Resistance boarding group was called forward. We had a window of time to ride, but immediately walked over and joined a line that was dramatically shortened by the use of the virtual queue.

The line for this attraction seamlessly and impressively leads riders into the rivalry between the Resistance and the First Order. (I may or may not have used Wikipedia to find out the names of the groups.)

Imagineers have created an incredible immersive experience, and this is coming from someone who has never seen any of the Star Wars movies. It was worth the early start.

We walked through the bazaar. I marvelled at all the effort that had gone into the new land while Bailey did a little shopping.

We made our way back to Toy Story Land.

The Green Army Men were goofing off,

but then quickly got back to work.

We met up with Buzz in his Christmas hat.

Here we have a Christmas Hamm.

We tried our hand at modelling with the Incredibles' Edna Mode.

After watching Voyage of The Little Mermaid I heard someone shout, "Clary!"

I was delighted to turn around and see Shawn, who I'd also worked with at Pizza Planet.

We traipsed through the park to our late lunch/early dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby.

The butter sprinkled with fancy, pink salt was a highlight.

Our meals were delicious. I kind of can't wait until it's safe to go to restaurants again.

I should probably be embarrassed to admit I've been to the Frozen Sing-A-Long more times than I can count, but I'm not. This time I roped Bailey into going with me.