*The other half of the Back to the Mouse trip planning duo, Nancy, shares her experiences on a solo trip to Disney in December 2019*
In the fall of 2019, my family asked me for ideas about celebrating a big birthday milestone. After considering several options, I asked if I could visit Walt Disney World (WDW) to see Neil Patrick Harris (NPH) narrate the Candlelight Processional during the holiday season at Epcot. I’d seen the very beginning of one Processional he led in December 2017, and I’d always wanted to see the whole show with him as narrator.
Park Ticket
With a little research, the plan came together quickly. I used My Disney Experience to identify the dates NPH would be narrating (December 2-5). Given his popularity as a narrator, I wanted to book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package to ensure I could get a seat for his show, but I waited to make the reservation until my travel plans were confirmed.
Since it was a quick trip, and I planned to spend one day entirely at Epcot, I bought a two day ticket without Park Hoppers. When I realized Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) would be held on the Thursday evening of my trip, that helped to solidify my plan. I could visit Epcot Wednesday and spend Thursday morning at Animal Kingdom before heading to MVMCP.
I booked a lunch reservation for Wednesday, December 4 with a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. I’d considered visiting one of my favorite World Showcase restaurants for lunch, but decided I’d try a new-to-me restaurant and booked Ale & Compass at the Yacht Club Resort. The lunch package provided seating for the 6:45 PM seating of the Candlelight Processional.
Flights
After comparing flight options, Joe used frequent flyer miles to book me a round trip flight on Southwest Airlines from Reagan Airport (DCA) to Orlando (ORD). I would be leaving late on Tuesday, December 3 and returning early on Friday, December 6.
Lodging
With flights booked, Joe checked for lodging options at a couple of WDW hotels, but was having trouble finding availability for the length of my trip. Some sharp-eyed readers might realize what dawned on Joe as he searched: my trip would coincide with the opening of Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (scheduled to open on December 5). Ah yes, that would explain why there were not a lot of rooms on property. Joe was finally able to book lodging at the B Resort & Spa in the Disney Springs Resort Area, using Chase Ultimate Rewards Points through the Chase Travel Portal. The B Resort is technically off-property, but as a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, it would give me access to WDW Extra Magic Hours and other perks such as a shuttle bus to the Disney Parks.
Travel
On the day of the trip, I was preparing to take the DC Metro from my office to Reagan Airport when I got an alert from Southwest that my flight would be delayed by about 2 hours. Now, rather than leaving DC at 7:50, my flight would not be departing until around 9:45. Given this delay, I was planning to stay at work a little longer, but wise Joe recommended that I head to the airport “just in case the flight doesn’t end up being that delayed.” It was good advice — ultimately, the flight left closer to 9:15. Also, the trek from the Reagan Airport Metro station to Terminal A where the Southwest flights are located is quite a long one. I was happy I was able to walk at a leisurely pace rather than go hurtling through the hallways trying to make my flight.
Arriving early also gave me the chance to enjoy dinner and a beer at the Reservoir Restaurant at the airport. This is one of the two sit-down restaurants in Terminal A where you can order food and drinks from a tablet at your table. Having recently eaten at the other Terminal A restaurant (Page), I liked the food and atmosphere at Reservoir better. It’s definitely quieter since it is tucked away in a side hallway rather than right in the middle of the gates. With plenty of time to burn, I enjoyed a beer and dinner followed by coffee and dessert.
By the time we were ready to board the flight, I was feeling a little tired and anxious to get to Orlando. Joe had recommended that I take advantage of a Southwest Airlines perk called Upgraded Boarding, which lets you improve your boarding number to something in the A1-A15 range. Upgraded Boarding is an additional charge, but through my Southwest Rewards Chase Credit Card, I get four of these refunded to me each year. Upgrading gave me the A3 slot, which enabled me to secure a seat very close to the front of the plane. I would be ready to hurry off the plane, take an Uber or cab to the hotel, and get a good night’s sleep so I could maximize my park time at Epcot the next day.
The flight was relatively uneventful, and as hoped, I was one of the first people off the plane and headed to the Disney Springs area. Sometimes when I have left from DC in the winter I feel ridiculous lugging my heavy jacket around once I get to Florida. This time, I was very glad to have my winter jacket, hat, and gloves, because it was quite chilly in Orlando.
I took a cab from the airport to the hotel – it was probably pricier than a ride share, but after seeing the relatively chaotic lines in the Uber pickup area, a cab seemed quicker and easier. By the time I arrived at the B Resort, it was almost midnight and I was ready to call it a night, but I spent a few minutes taking pictures of the room for Joe and Back to the Mouse.
The B Resort rooms are quite sleek looking, with dark wooden floors and crisp white bedding. My room was clean and comfortable, although being on the first floor I didn’t get to enjoy the fireworks views that guests on upper floors rave about. I didn’t spend any time at the resort other than to walk through the lobby in the early morning and late at night, but I did see the resort has a “Disney store” as well as a coffee shop/mini mart.
Tomorrow, I’ll be heading to Epcot!
Travel | Epcot | Animal Kingdom | Very Merry Christmas Party