περιπλάνηση: Weekend Getaway Day 3

We took it easy Sunday morning as we'd gotten park reservations for Animal Kingdom only because that would allow us to hop to Magic Kingdom, where we really wanted to go but couldn't get Julie a reservation, and that wouldn't happen until 2:00.

We drove to the Magic Kingdom to park since we'd be ending our day there, and then rode the monorail and bus over to Animal Kingdom around noon.

the clouds were already gathering when we reached the entrance. I still can't figure out what all those people are doing in line at the ticket booths. There was literally not one park reservation to be had the whole weekend, much less available for walk up purchases.

And people were again leaving in heavy numbers soon after.

Here is the Tree of Life with literally no one around, thanks to the downpour.

We mobile ordered at Flame Tree since Julie had never eaten there and found a covered spot for lunch.

After lunch, the rains were INTENSE

We tried for a snack over at Everest only to find it was only available last week, so we tromped back across the park to Creature Comforts and ordered a hot Starbucks beverage and our sweets.

By 1:00 we were ready to make the trek back to Magic Kingdom, but to our surprise there was no bus running between AK and MK. So we opted to get in a space nearby with no line, which happened to be the Wilderness Lodge bus stop. Other resorts around were absolutely packed with people and with the social distancing requirements, they were going to be waiting through numerous busses before they could get on. And it appeared to be about 15 minutes between each bus arrival. Yuck.

We were on our bus first thing and didn't have to wait more than another 10 minutes for the MK bus to pick us up at WL for the 2 minute drive to MK, where there were far more people leaving than going in.

For instance, in more than twenty years, at all times of day from opening to close I have NEVER gotten a photo at the front of the train station with no one else in it. Granted, the train station is covered for refurbishment, and it is pouring rain, but still, a first!

We popped in the Emporium because Julie's poncho was already ripping at the neck.

(so we got a little distracted by the plushies)

But I was able to find the rain coat I'd had my eye on, filled with Disney cats and dogs (because it's raining . . . get it?) so Julie could wear it today and I'd have it for future rainy days.

I have the old poncho in hopes someone might need it, but as you can see, everyone around already had one!

After that we enjoy checking out the 50th Anniversary dressing the castle is getting ahead of the October 1 official start. All that swag/bunting drapery as well the ribbons around the spires has just been added and will stay up for the next year.

My beloved Peter Pan's Flight sign has been removed! I'm sure it's getting refurbished, too, but that banner is a sad replacement in the meantime.

also, good luck figuring out the length of the line!

the newly painted Tangled area is popping with color now, too

we were able to walk onto the Haunted Mansion

and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

And Pirates of the Carribean

and not quite Space Mountain (about 15 minutes wait, versus the normal hour +)

Then we sat without a wait for Carousel of Progress

I need to know what that thing on the top of the ice box is.

it's so rare for me to be here when it's NOT Christmas, I have to take photos of the Christmas pets

The PeopleMover has not been moving people in more than a year but it appears they are getting close to reopening, as the ride was moving the whole time we were walking around Tomorrowland. It's one of my favorites and this is the second trip I've had to look longingly at it.

We walked onto Under the Sea next