You Get a Suite! You Get a Suite! Everybody Gets a Suite! December 2023 Trip Report! (Updated 5/16!)

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That is too funny! Sounds like some nice relaxing time at the pool and hot tub even if it was a chilly day.

We're still laughing about it! It was pretty hilarious. We had such a great relaxing day. We don't do those enough in Disney, we definitely need to try to do it more!

 

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I would have texted you if I couldn't find you.

See, that would have been the smart thing to do. My parents just went into immediate panic mode.

I've gone swimming when it was 64 degrees and sunny, but not windy. I think a windy day would be a deal breaker for me.

Yeah, if it wasn't windy it wouldn't have been too bad, still a bit cool, but that wind made it pretty uncomfortable!

 

[VAtink]

ooooh yum!

It was sooo good! I can't wait to get another!

that's hilarious!!!

It was so funny, we were all so confused!

 

[VAtink]

Brave of you guys to go in the pool! The hot tubs there looked nice when we visited the other day. Personally I feel like I wouldn't want to see the flamingo pool from the hot tub because it seems kind of gross? Like their water isn't very clear, haha, but it would be nice to have something to look at! It was weird that they were far from the pool so a parent couldn't really keep an eye on their kid from it. But maybe they are all like that, this is the only deluxe pool I've ever really looked around much!

Right? I wasn't super on board with swimming, but my mom really wanted to go, so I joined! I think she does better with the chill since she still lives up north and is used to hopping in a freezing cold ocean. I have acclimated to slightly warmer temps!

I never thought about the flamingo view being gross! I just thought it was cool to see animals while relaxing in the hot tub.

I feel like most of the Deluxe pools have hot tubs closer, or at least within the gates of the pool area. It really seems like they reconfigured it at some point at AKL since they were not located where I remembered from back in I believe 2001, but I could just be misremembering things!

 

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Day 5, Part 3: Jollywood, Part 1!

After the most relaxing day, we got ready to head out for the night.

Around 6:30 I called for a Minnie Van, and once again got one right away. I was having the most amazing luck with them this trip!

We headed down to the lobby to meet them, but when we got down there we saw a photopass photographer had set up in front of the tree in the lobby and had no line, so of course we got pictures!





The Minnie Van ended up being a bit of a ways out, so didn’t arrive until about 6:50, but it was a quick ride over to HS and we were heading in a bit before 7:10.

I had hoped arriving a few minutes after the party lines were let in it would be quick, but I was very very wrong. The lines just didn’t move, even though there were only a handful of groups ahead of us, it took over 30 minutes to get checked in and get our wristbands and lanyards.

Now, like many people, I had seen all the horror stories from the first night of this event, but was cautiously optimistic that Disney would have fixed things and it wouldn’t be a night of just waiting in line after line. So I was a bit worried when the check-in process took so long.

Once in we took some pictures!





My dad is one of three brothers, so growing up they called each other Huey, Dewey, and Louie, so I had to get a picture of him in front of their holiday display!



We ended up on Hollywood Blvd just in time to see the show on ToT, and the snoap!


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https://flic.kr/p/2pNMLkJ

We also got a few more photopass pictures while down that way.





While waiting in line for a picture, I noticed that they were already letting people into the merch shop to buy the shirt for the event, so after getting our picture we headed over there and picked up the shirt. There was no line, and it was still before 8, so I’m happy we were able to get it before the party even started!

After picking up our merch I checked the wait times and saw the wait for TSMM was super short so we started heading back that way.

On the way over the shows on the Chinese Theater were going on, so we stopped to watch. We found a fairly empty spot towards the back, there was no one within 20ft in front of us, and there were some people next to us, but also pretty far away. So we had a pretty decent view and didn’t have to deal with crowds!

Well, as we’re enjoying the show, this family comes up and stands right next to us, which whatever, that’s not a big deal, but odd since there was so much empty space there was no reason to stand so close. But then, after standing there for like 5 minutes, that family decides they need to move and stand directly in front of us. Instead of simply stepping forward to the empty space in front of them, they felt the need to shift and stand in the empty space in front of us.

Now at this point there was still about 20ft between us and the people in front of us, but this family moves from next to us, to about 1ft in front of us, they were practically touching us. Just why?!?! It seemed weirdly intentional, like they wanted to get a rise out of us.

To make matters worse, the guy was about 6’5” and stood directly in front of me! UGH. I hate people.

So we decided that two can play at that game, and we moved and stood directly in front of them, and since I’m tall I made a point to stand directly in front of the woman who was only about 5ft tall. Yes, petty, and totally passive aggressive, but whatever, they started it! (and yes, childish too ).

We ended up finishing up the shows on the theater, I was worried those jerks would try to step in front of us again, but they ended up leaving which was good.

Once the shows wrapped up we made our way over to TSL.

Had to take a picture of holiday Woody as we headed in…



There was hardly any wait for TSMM, and soon we were on! I rode with dad, and once again I beat him! And by a lot, and I got best in car, which made sense since it was just me and my parents in the car.

By the time we got off TSMM it was already after 8:30, so officially into the party time!

Next up: Jollywood Part 2!​

 

[Araminta18]

Oooh curious about your Jollywood Nights experience - can't wait to read more.

So we decided that two can play at that game, and we moved and stood directly in front of them, and since I’m tall I made a point to stand directly in front of the woman who was only about 5ft tall. Yes, petty, and totally passive aggressive, but whatever, they started it! (and yes, childish too ).

I LOVE this! Brilliant. People are so weird.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm so curious to see if they offer Jollywood again this year and what additional tweaks, if any, they make. I attended the second night and really enjoyed it (granted my expectations were very low based on the night one reviews!). It definitely got me in the holiday spirit, and I'd be inclined to go again.

 

[Wood Nymph]

But then, after standing there for like 5 minutes, that family decides they need to move and stand directly in front of us. Instead of simply stepping forward to the empty space in front of them, they felt the need to shift and stand in the empty space in front of us.

That is so annoying, especially at HS where there is so much open space.

We had a wonderful spot for the MK fireworks when a big group of older teens squeezed in front of us. Then they just chatted and goofed around, instead of watching the fireworks.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

A) I would have been as petty as you although, with my big mouth, I'm sure I would have said something as well. Not TO them but ABOUT them and loud enough for them to hear.

B) I also wonder if they truly didn't realize. People are just so oblivious at Disney. Just in their own little world. So MAYBE they didn't realize. But still...see A). Because, yeah, not going to let it go. Elsa can take a leap.

 

[jrmint427]

Now at this point there was still about 20ft between us and the people in front of us, but this family moves from next to us, to about 1ft in front of us, they were practically touching us. Just why?!?! It seemed weirdly intentional, like they wanted to get a rise out of us.

It sounds like your night was off to a good start, hoping the luck with low lines continued! This is really weird with that family, like others said, maybe they were totally oblivious, but with so much space available, people should be aware of their surroundings. Glad you were able to get in front of them to keep your view!

 

[blabbermouth]

Love your pics in front of the tree!

Weird that the entry took so long, annoying start to the night! Hope the rest of the night went well.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I’ll be interested to hear your take on Jollywood Nights! The reviews seem mixed to terrible, but you tend to roll with things pretty well so hopefully you found some things to enjoy. I’m glad you managed to retrieve your view from that oblivious (?) family - good for you!

 

[VAtink]

Oooh curious about your Jollywood Nights experience - can't wait to read more.

We had fun, but there were definitely things that could have been better. I really wonder if they'll bring it back this year. If they do I hope they make it longer and a bit more organized.

I LOVE this! Brilliant. People are so weird.

Haha, yeah it was a bit ridiculous what those people did, it just felt right to do it right back to them!

 

[VAtink]

I'm so curious to see if they offer Jollywood again this year and what additional tweaks, if any, they make. I attended the second night and really enjoyed it (granted my expectations were very low based on the night one reviews!). It definitely got me in the holiday spirit, and I'd be inclined to go again.

Yeah, I wonder too. There were definitely things that we really liked, and others we didn't. I feel like they could make it really amazing if they wanted to.

 

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That is so annoying, especially at HS where there is so much open space.

Right? It was so odd, there was so much empty space all around us!

We had a wonderful spot for the MK fireworks when a big group of older teens squeezed in front of us. Then they just chatted and goofed around, instead of watching the fireworks.

Ugh, that is so annoying. People can really suck sometimes!

 

[VAtink]

A) I would have been as petty as you although, with my big mouth, I'm sure I would have said something as well. Not TO them but ABOUT them and loud enough for them to hear.

B) I also wonder if they truly didn't realize. People are just so oblivious at Disney. Just in their own little world. So MAYBE they didn't realize. But still...see A). Because, yeah, not going to let it go. Elsa can take a leap.

Haha, it is possible they were just oblivious, but it just seemed so oddly intentional, like they were standing right next to us and then just moved in front of us instead of stepping forward into the empty space in front of them. But who knows, people can be super oblivious, especially in Disney World!

 

[VAtink]

It sounds like your night was off to a good start, hoping the luck with low lines continued! This is really weird with that family, like others said, maybe they were totally oblivious, but with so much space available, people should be aware of their surroundings. Glad you were able to get in front of them to keep your view!

It was a good start to the night, and ended up being a fun night altogether! It was so weird with that family, I have no idea what they were thinking (or perhaps they weren't which is why they did it?). Fortunately there was tons of empty space so we could just move up in front of them!

 

[VAtink]

Love your pics in front of the tree!

Thank you!!

Weird that the entry took so long, annoying start to the night! Hope the rest of the night went well.

Yeah, it was oddly slow. Even getting the wrist bands put on was taking forever, it was like they were still learning how to attach them!

 

[VAtink]

I’ll be interested to hear your take on Jollywood Nights! The reviews seem mixed to terrible, but you tend to roll with things pretty well so hopefully you found some things to enjoy. I’m glad you managed to retrieve your view from that oblivious (?) family - good for you!

It wasn't terrible at all, but it wasn't the best event we've been to. We had a ton of fun, but there were some things they could have done better. Like it was too short to get much done with the number of people they let in, while I heard they really fixed the amount of waiting in line after the first night, we still did a ton of waiting in line. Most were less than 30 minutes, but for such a short party that really limited what we could do. I really wonder if they'll try again this year or just throw in the towel on this one.

Yeah, what that family did was so weird. Fortunately we could easily just move up to get our view back!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love your Santa hat ears! I hate people at times as well, lol I see this happen so many times to Andi and I! We are both petite and short. People just swarm us at times and act like we are invisible, ugh!
I have started putting my hands on my hips and stand in a stance like don’t come any closer when we are in lines or crowds, it does work some!