By the co-author of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2020, the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook series ever.

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Quick Update on the Meet-Up, 2nd FastPass+ Test, and More



By Dave Shute

QUICK UPDATE ON THE MEET UP

Well, the big joint fan meet up with Steve from MilitaryDisneyTips.com has come and gone, and I am just beat!

Steve and Fans at the Meet UpI lost count, but Steve, the writer/webmaster of MilitaryDisneyTips.com (right, with the hat) thinks that more than forty of you visited with us.

Hundreds more dropped by virtually on Facebook and Twitter!

This site exists to help, and all the time you folks write your appreciation–see the “puffery” on the lower left for just a tiny sample.

Newlyweds and Hat at the Meet UpBut taking time out of your Disney vacation to come see and thank a balding old guy…well you take my breath away with gratitude!

The couple above ruined their honeymoon by coming to visit!

At the meet up hat giveawayThe “Glow with the Show” hats were gone within moments–the little girl got the second to last.

We’ll be announcing the winners of the hats from the virtual part of the meet up on Twitter and Facebook shortly.

The meet-up started by the hat shop, and there were four people waiting before we’d even begun!

Then a neat surprise–Josh from easyWDW.com and Lisa rolled up!

Me and Josh at the Meet UpI’d spent much of Monday afternoon with Josh scheming over some stuff, so I was a little star-struck to see him twice in one Disney World visit!

The RetreatWe all wandered closer to the flagpole for the retreat, then returned to the meet-up spot.

After it formally ended–and we are pretty formal here, you know–Josh and Lisa treated us to Fastpasses for the Jungle Cruise, re-themed as the Jingle Cruise this holiday season.  I laughed like a seven year old…

Josh and Lisa then peeled off, and Steve and I wandered the park, keeping people posted where we were and continuing to meet throughout the evening!

More details and photos will be out later, but thanks to all who came, to Allison and Leah from Destinations in Florida for their help and support, and most of all to Steve!  You rock, man…

TEST NUMBER TWO OF FASTPASS+

I’d done my first test of the new FastPass+/MagicBands system in September, focusing on rides. (Report of that test here.)

FastPass+ Character Greeting Test from yourfirstvisit.netOn this visit, my focus was on testing FastPass+ at character greetings…

FastPass+ Parade Test from yourfirstvisit.net…parades…

Illuminations from FastPass+ Viewing Area from yourfirstvisit.net…and fireworks.

I have a lot more thinking to do before I can turn these experiences into recommendations, so stay tuned…

FIRST STAY AT THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA

I began this visit at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and ended it at the Wilderness Lodge.  I’ll be updating the reviews of each soon.

But the real prize of this visit was several nights in a two-bedroom villa at the brand new Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Floor Plan Two Bedroom Villa at Disney's Grand Floridian from yourfirstvisit.netI’ll be publishing a full review shortly, and in the meantime, Denise and I are working on floor plans. When the full set is out, these will be the most accurate floor plans for these villas ever published!

OK that’s it for now, off to the airport. I’ll be putting up more on all this soon, and thanks again to all of you who stopped by!

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7 comments

1 Jodi Whisenhunt { 11.14.13 at 9:28 am }

What a great turnout, Dave! Sure wish I could have been there, but I’ll find you next time you’re in town! I’d love to combine a meetup with yourfirstvisit.net & Magical Mouse Schoolhouse 🙂

2 Dave { 11.14.13 at 10:43 am }

Hi Jodi! I’d love to! I’ll actually be back in the World in early December–arrive late 12/3, return early 12/10. You wanna?

3 Jodi Whisenhunt { 11.14.13 at 11:12 am }

Absolutely!!! I should be all settled in by then, so just let me know when & where!

4 Steve From MilitaryDisneyTips.com - YourFirstVisit.net Military Moderator { 11.14.13 at 1:57 pm }

Dave my friend, I had a great time. i really enjoyed talking to everyone.

That was you laughing on the Jingle Cruise? I thought it was the little girl next to you…

5 Dave { 11.15.13 at 7:26 am }

Steve, that little girl had a deep and manly laugh…not that there’s anything wrong with that…

6 Mike H { 11.14.13 at 5:35 pm }

Hi Dave. Great meeting everyone yesterday. Our dinner at Be Our a Guest was well worth the 180 day wait. Where did you find Mickey & Minnie in the Christmas attire? We are going to the Christmas party later this week.

7 Dave { 11.15.13 at 7:35 am }

Hi Mike it was great meeting you two as well, and thanks for coming by! Mickey and Minnie were in those outfits at the Animal Kingdom, at the Adventurer’s Outpost.

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