Disney 2023

I know it is July 2024, but I wanted to share with you our Disney 2023 trip with friends.  I promise you will get a new travel update sooner rather than later!

We decided to rent a camper through Camper Rental Adventures - a company that rents campers of all sizes to guests staying at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort.  This was a trip that was supposed to be taken a year ago to celebrate Bridget beating cancer, but had to be moved to the next year due to her treatments.  I'm glad to say she is doing well.  The camper was set up and ready for us to occupy about an hour later than scheduled, but due to the amount of set-ups they had that day, it was totally understandable.   We were able to book during one of their specials, which meant that we got a free golf cart which came in handing traveling around the campground.  ​​

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort has camper hookups along with newly renovated cabins.  There are three restaurants on site - Hoop-Dee-Doo Review (which requires advanced reservations), Trails End, and the Meadows Snack Bar.  Trails End had an amazing breakfast.  There are also two stores on property - Meadows Trading Post and the Settlement Trading Post.   If you forgot anything for your vacation, one of these two stores will have what you need.  They also have various gifts and souvenirs for you to purchase.

While waiting for our camper to be ready, we decided to check out the Polynesian Resort and try the Tonga Toast, which we have heard was a must-try.  We took the boat from the Campground directly to the Contemporary Resort and then the monorail to the Poly.  We grabbed a seat and order our Tonga Toast.  Neither of us really enjoyed it due to texture issues, but it was something that was checked off of our Disney must-try list.  We then had the French press coffee for two at the coffee shop on the second floor of the resort.  That was definitely a win!  For dinner, we went out and got Publix subs and called it an early night in preparation for our trip to Hollywood Studios the next day.

​Due to Bridget's cancer diagnosis and subsequent medication regimen, she was able to get the DAS Pass.  This allowed her and our traveling party to secure a time window to return to a particular attraction.  

The next day, we were off to Hollywood Studios.  What's great about Fort Wilderness was that travel to the parks was extremely easy.  We were able to take a bus to HS, and from there, we were able to ride pretty much all that we wanted - Mickey + Minnie's Runaway Railroad, Alien Swirling Saucers,  Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Smuggler's Run and, my personal favorite (and my first time riding it), Rise of the Resistance.  

​For lunch, we stuck with an oldie but goodie - Woody's Lunch Box.  We had a kid's grilled cheese sandwich meal and, one of my favorite Quick Service meals, the brisket sandwich.  For dinner, we decided on 50's Prime Time Cafe.  We started off with the fried cheese, then moved over the sampler and finished it off with the pineapple upside down cake.  The food was pretty descent, but the atmosphere was great.  It was like having dinner at home in the 50s.  One kid had his elbows on the table and the server had enough - he had to face the wall with his nose holding a ticket on the wall for a few minutes.  I don't believe I saw his elbows on the table again.

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Our next day was a resort hopping day.  Our friend Toni-Ann of the Disney Crush Podcast (you have to check them out - they can be found on all major podcast platforms) gave us an AMAZING layout of hotels / resort to see and how to get there.  We started out at Disney's Wilderness Lodge to check out the tree and the rustic atmosphere.  We then took a boat to Disney's Contemporary Resort to check out the chocolate castle there.  After that, we took the monorail to Disney's Grand Floridian to check out their HUGE gingerbread house.  You are also able to purchase a piece of gingerbread if you chose.  After that, we took the bus to Hollywood Studios and then got to the back entrance of Epcot via the Skyline.  We then took off to Disney's Beach and Yacht Club and checked out the house and the carousel - both of which were great!  We then took off to Disney's Boardwalk to check out their gingerbread display - I'm pretty sure we couldn't figure out how to get in and decided to have ice cream instead.  We then decided to call it a day and headed back to Disney Springs via the bus and then back to Fort Wilderness.  Check out some of the pictures below!

Our next day was Magic Kingdom!  We took the boat to the Contemporary Resort and the monorail to Magic Kingdom.  That morning, I was determined to use the Kessler Method to score a boarding group for Tron: Light/Cycle Run.  This method involves using the clock from the military (I forgot which one, but it is official) and using that time to know when to start refreshing the page to get a boarding group.  We were able to snag Group 3!  Feeling accomplished, we went straight to Tron and those brave enough to ride said it was amazing!  The rest of the day, we were able to ride Space Mountain, Peter Pan, its a small world (out of obligation), Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, People Mover, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mad Tea Party, + Winnie the Pooh.  We also got to do Meet and Greets with Mickey and Chip and Dale.  We were a little late to see the fireworks, but saw them for the entrance to the park.  All in all, it was a great day at Magic Kingdom!

For lunch, we had Peso's Bills which was descent.  For dinner, we decided to eat at the Campground at the camper (to me, one of the best reasons to camp at Disney).

 Our next day was a relaxing day and a visit to Disney Springs.  After a day at the Campground, we headed out to Disney Springs via bus.  We decided to do the Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt and then had dinner at Raglin' Road.  We both had the shrimp risotto, which was great.  We had the opportunity to watch musicians and dancers and it is one of our favorite Disney Springs restaurants.

Our final park day was at Epcot.  We again had to get passes to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.  Again, the Kessler Method did not disappoint.  We got Group 17, which to me, was a disappointment.  Members of the Disney Crush Facebook group said they created a monster when I said I was disappointed with Group 17.  I told them it was a monster they created!  While there, were road Guardians first, followed by Test Track, Frozen Ever After, Soaring' Over California (this is the show at Disneyland in California - it was temporary while we were there - it was new to us and we loved it), The Land, Finding Nemo, and Moana: The Journey of Water.  We were also able to score Remi's Ratatouille Adventure!  It was a great 3-D ride that was fun and exciting!

For lunch, we ate at the quick service restaurant in the Japan Pavilion.  The sushi can be passed over, but the noodles with shrimp were pretty good.    

For dinner, we ate at the Contempt Cafe at Disney's Contemporary Resort.  It's been. while so I don't remember what we got, but I do remember that we will be back to that location for dinner again!

So that's a wrap on our Disney 2023 trip!  We had a blast and we hope to be back again soon.  

If you would like to keep us in mind for your next Disney trip, use our contact page on this website or contact us at [email protected].
 
Check out our friends Dave and Toni-Ann on the Disney Crush podcast for news and entertainment regarding all things Disney:  ​

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