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HAA Howdy Hey Everyone!

Welcome back to a new addition of Happily Adventures After “HAA Disney: Give Me A Review”. We are so excited to be back and reviewing our travel day to the Most Magical Place on Earth; Walt Disney World!

Since this series is still new, I want to remind you that Happily Adventures After’s HAA Disney: Give Me A Review, is your virtual concierge for all things Disney! 🎉 Just like the Hey Disney feature with Alexa at Walt Disney World, we’re here to bring the magic straight to you. Whether you’re planning a trip to Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, or exploring Disney’s best dining, park experiences, flights, hotels, and so much more, we’ve got you covered with real, honest reviews.

And guess what? We may even venture out of the Disney bubble, bringing you reviews of off-property experiences if you’re looking for even more excitement in the area! 🌟

Goin’ Down The Bayou!

We were so excited to be able to venture down to WDW in late June/early July for our summer adventure. This trip was actually taken at a different time than we expected as we normally travel for our summer trips to WDW in earlier June, end of August or late May even! We however had to make a date adjustment to our trip with the announcement of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on June 28, 2024.

Let me tell you, this trip was 110% worth the travel for Tiana’s. I will get into it more in the Magic Kingdom recap however, I want to note I (and my travel party) think that this ride was very well done. I know it has taken some heat (literally because it’s in Florida and figuratively because people like to criticize it) however we did not see the complaints (that were not stemming from operational issues) of the masses in this ride. It was very well done. 

In addition to only showing up for Magic Kingdom’s brand new ride opening, we enjoyed all 4 Walt Disney World parks, various Disney Springs experiences and of course, our favourite place to stay… Reunion Resort in Reunion, Florida. 

Without further ado, let’s get into the review of our travel day!

To Infinity and Beyond!   

The day finally arrived—Disney World travel day! My family and I were bubbling with excitement as we prepared to return to the Most Magical Place on Earth. However, our enthusiasm was slightly tempered by the 3 am wake-up call. Early mornings are never fun, especially when you’ve only had a few hours of sleep.

The night before, my husband made our annual pre-trip dinner of homemade ham and turkey sandwiches—a tradition we only missed once, and that trip was a letdown. It’s a tradition for a reason! We packed the car and headed to bed—or so we thought. I managed about 2.5 hours of sleep, while my mom, who was driving us to the airport, got absolutely none. Despite this, she somehow managed to stay wide awake and drive us safely. What a trooper!

Our 3:20 am wake-up call from Alexa was no surprise; I’d been up for a while. I brewed coffee for my husband and me, made tea for my mom, and then got ready. I prefer wearing a long sundress on summer flights for comfort, though track suits are my go-to in fall and winter.

My husband, who’s used to early hours for work, helped prep snacks and meals. Delta’s Comfort+ doesn’t include a meal like First or Business class, so we packed pancakes and waffles to tide us over. This made the early drive a lot more pleasant!

At 5:16 am, we set out. We reached the Bluewater Bridge by 6:30 am. Crossing early meant minimal wait time—a tip I highly recommend. Always budget at least 1.5 hours for border crossing to be safe, especially during peak times.

With our entry approved, we continued our 1.5-hour journey to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). My family always jokes about the sudden traffic contrast between Port Huron and Detroit. The latter’s major city status results in a noticeable surge in traffic as you approach.

We stopped at Panera Bread and Target before DTW for some essential bathroom breaks and a quick coffee. DTW’s Delta terminal has no pre-security bathrooms, so this stop was a lifesaver. We also grabbed some amazing take-home coffee from Target.

By 7:30 am, we were on DTW property. We parked in the McNamara Garage, level 6, for $30 per day for covered parking. While other garages offer cheaper rates, the convenience of this location, especially in extreme weather, is worth it.

At the terminal, we used our mobile boarding passes and breezed through security at the Delta checkpoint. The TSA staff were exceptional, handling our medical items with care and efficiency. Their friendliness made a big difference.

After security, we grabbed coffee and bottled water at Starbucks. A delightful surprise awaited us: the barista offered our order for free to brighten our Monday. This kind gesture reinforced why we love DTW.

At the gate, we encountered a helpful Delta Gate Agent who answered our questions and provided outstanding service. Delta’s in-flight experience was just as impressive. The crew was welcoming, and the flight was smooth. Delta’s in-flight entertainment and free Wi-Fi were excellent, allowing me to stay connected and enjoy the journey.

Life is a Highway!

Our flight landed at 12:50 pm, and we arrived at MCO—Orlando’s bustling airport. We boarded the monorail from Terminal B to the main gates, where Mayor Buddy Dyer’s familiar greeting made us feel at home. It’s a quirky sign of how deeply we’ve embraced our Orlando trips.

Upon arriving at the car rental lot, we bypassed the check-in desk at Avis Rental Car, thanks to our Avis Preferred membership. We headed straight to our vehicle, a Ford Edge, an upgrade from our reserved Toyota Camry. This upgrade was a pleasant surprise, evoking fond memories of our old Lincoln MKX. Avis has been our go-to for about a decade, and their service remains top-notch.

The rental cost for a Full Size Car for 8 nights was $989.51 CDN / $706.80 USD. Avis recently introduced a $200 USD hold on rental vehicles, a new policy we encountered.

With our luggage loaded, we drove out and scanned my mom’s license at the Avis gate. We were ready to hit the road to our “Home Away from Home,” Reunion Resort.

A bonus awaited us: complimentary SiriusXM in our rental car—a great perk! We noticed the tolls had increased; each toll is now about $2, making the drive slightly more expensive. Rental vehicles come with a toll transponder, but we prefer paying with cash to avoid additional fees.

Our drive to Reunion Resort included a quick stop at Chick-fil-A, but the location was under renovation. We ended up at a different Chick-fil-A on US Highway 192, where we enjoyed milkshakes, Dr Pepper, chicken sandwiches, fries, and Oreo cookie ice cream. Satisfied, we headed back to Reunion Resort for check-in.

Family Reunion at Reunion!

There wasn’t a real family reunion, but the title fit our excitement perfectly! We approached the main gates of Reunion Resort, passed security, and made our way to the main hotel building. Our happiness was palpable as we arrived!

Checking in was smooth, with the friendly staff opening the grand lobby doors for us. We retrieved our keys and headed to our 3 Bedroom Superior Villa in the South Complex.

The total cost for an 8-night stay was $2,534.51 USD / $3,599.01 CDN. While it’s a bit controversial, I prefer this off-property fee over Disney’s on-property rates. It feels homier and allows us to cook.

Walking into our 4th-floor villa was magical. Reunion Resort has a unique scent that my family and I adore. We immediately felt at home. The villa was clean, ready for us even with an early check-in, and Reunion never disappoints.

We quickly unpacked and made a grocery list. A Target and Publix run is a tradition on our first day. We saw a traveling circus near Wal-Mart but didn’t make it, which I regret. At Target, we stuck to our list and grabbed essentials, including coffee. We were exhausted, so this trip was more about efficiency than enjoyment. Afterward, we picked up more items at Publix, including our favorite smoked Gouda mac and cheese.

Dinner, with a Side of Motor Oil (Not Really)

Dinner was from Ford’s Garage in Champions Gate. Our order included:

• 2 Estate Burgers with Truffle Fries
• 1 Lemonade
• 1 Vanilla Milkshake 
• 1 Dr Pepper
• 1 Chicken Tender and Fries
• 1 Brownie Explosion ($7.99)

Bringing our dinner back to the Resort, we drove only maybe 3 minutes to our Villa and began to bring our groceries and dinner in. As we did this, loading the elevator for only 1 trip up the stairs, we pulled everything into our Villa and settled in for the night. Turning on the oven as we put away our groceries, we warmed up our meals and got ready for bed. It was probably only 6pm at this time but we were so tired we didn’t care. After eating our absolutely delicious meals, we went to bed and had a great night rest. 

All and all it was a phenomenal travel day. It was filled with such kind people, who provided above and beyond service each time we went. I really enjoyed our day even with a lack there of of sleep. Surely it was a phenomenal travel day!  

Based on the overall experience, I would rate this travel day a 4.5 out of 5.

Here’s the breakdown:

Positives:

• Smooth and efficient travel: The journey from home to the airport, through security, and onto the flight was seamless. The friendly and helpful TSA staff and Delta crew enhanced the experience.
• Great customer service: From the free coffee at Starbucks to the pleasant encounter with Delta’s gate agent, the day was filled with positive interactions that added value to the trip.
• Comfortable in-flight experience: Delta’s free Wi-Fi, entertainment, and a smooth flight made the travel enjoyable.
• Rental car upgrade: Receiving a Ford Edge instead of the expected Toyota Camry was a pleasant surprise, improving the convenience of transportation during the stay.
• Convenient check-in at Reunion Resort: The early check-in and overall welcoming experience at the resort added to the positive vibe of the day.

Areas for Improvement:

• Lack of sleep: The early morning start and minimal rest impacted the energy levels. Despite this, the day went smoothly, but better rest could have made it even more enjoyable.
• Increased toll costs: The rise in toll fees, while not a major issue, was an unexpected downside.

This day was filled with great customer service and memorable moments, making it a fantastic start to the vacation!

Well that is it for this weeks Week in the World travel day! We look forward to seeing you back for the remainder of the trip recap series! 

As always have a blessed and wonderful day and I will see you real soon

London

Reminders When Reading

Note: Tax in the Walt Disney World area is an additional 7% on your bill

Note: The Canadian Exchange rate quoted above is 1.42 CDN on 1 USD. This is what we paid at the time, not including credit card fees added, if applicable.