“Be Our Guest!” A Look Back at the Agent Education Program (Part 4)

Okay. This SHOULD wrap up this trip report! There was just so much to write about!

If you missed any of the previous trip reports (Parts 1, 2 or 3) you can get all caught up here:

“Be Our Guest!” A Look Back at the Agent Education Program (Part 1)

“Be Our Guest!” A Look Back at the Agent Education Program (Part 2)

“Be Our Guest!” A Look Back at the Agent Education Program (Part 3)

After our day touring the Disney Dream we headed back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for a quick rest and change of clothes. Friends, here’s a tip: wear LAYERS! You never know about that Florida weather. It could be warm enough for shorts during the day but once that sun goes down you may need a light jacket or sweatshirt. I freeze if it’s below 80 degrees (just ask Kelly) so I’m constantly changing clothes. So just be prepared with lots of layers!

Earlier this morning while on the bus someone noticed that there were Fastpasses available for Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which was not supposed to debut until the next week. SCORE! We all hurriedly logged into the My Disney Experience App and changed our Fastpass+ plans. We were so excited that we would be at the soft opening on the first night! It doesn’t take much to make a group of Disney travel agents happy!

I had planned to spend some time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom exploring on my own. However, I ran into some fellow travel agents and we took in Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest together. Fun!

Rivers of Light was scheduled to begin at 7:15 PM so we made our way into the amphitheater around 6:45 PM. We were seated on the very front row! I used this great seat to broadcast the show live on Facebook. It’s really hard for me to watch and truly enjoy an experience while trying to video it as well. (Guess I’m not as multi-talented as I thought.) Next visit I plan to just watch the Rivers of Light and fully experience it in the moment. In my opinion, it was a beautiful show, the water projections were clear and the music was emotionally moving. I can’t wait to see it again in May!

After the Rivers of Light concluded I wandered around Animal Kingdom for a bit and watched the Tree of Life Awakenings. I encourage you to take a moment and watch it. Gorgeous!

I boarded a bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and made it to Disney’s Hollywood Studios around 8:00 PM. Extra Magic Hours until 10:00 PM? Let’s see what all I can accomplish in that time!

Thought we might be able to hop on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster… nope, line too long. However, we were able to ride Star Tours and Toy Story Midway Mania with absolutely zero wait! I had never met that lovable Wookiee Chewbacca so we headed to the Stars Wars Launch Bay.

Y’all, my heart was beating so fast! Chewbacca was HUGE and the character interaction was fabulous! I told Chewy that I thought he was cute, and he made that Wookiee noise (you know what I mean!) and kissed my hand. He got all excited when I told him I would be back to visit again in May, but when I explained that I would have my husband with me Chewy acted sad and acted like he was going to kidnap me. So funny! If you have Star Wars fans in your house take the time to visit with Chewy and Kylo Ren in the Launch Bay. There is so much Star Wars AWESOMENESS going on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios right now and of course, there is more to come in the next few years!

By 9:30 PM I was starving and all of the quick service restaurants in the park had already closed for the evening. I made my way back to Animal Kingdom Lodge, bought some crackers in the gift shop, and quickly went to bed.

Saturday, February 11th

It’s our last day of training and last days at Disney always make me sad. However, Mickey Mouse stopped by to cheer me up tell me thanks for visiting! If you ever want to hear 40 Disney travel agents squeal with excitement just surprise them with a visit from the Big Cheese himself. We were like a bunch of little kids!

We finished up our training before 11:00 AM, and my flight did not leave Orlando until after 7:00 PM. I was smart enough to take advantage of the airline check in at my resort earlier that morning so I had already dropped off my bags to have them delivered to the airport. All I had left to do was enjoy the rest of my afternoon at the Magic Kingdom!

It was a GORGEOUS day, and the temps had really warmed up! I didn’t have anything particular in mind to do in the Magic Kingdom on this day, and I loved just wandering around and soaking in that last bit of Disney magic. I took some time to explore all the hidden details in the Tangled restroom area.

I rode Dumbo because the kids haven’t wanted to ride that with me in a while. I watched the “Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street Party.” I visited the 999 happy haunts in the Haunted Mansion (mostly I needed the air conditioning). Mickey’s Philharmagic, another of my favorite attractions, was open with no wait so I took advantage it. Finally, I couldn’t leave the Magic Kingdom without enjoying a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar. Delish!

I cried as I walked under the train station to leave like I always do. Magic Kingdom, you did it to me again!

I enjoyed the boat launch over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to walk around for a bit. We will be staying at the Poly, as it is affectionately called, this May! I wanted to pick up a few souvenirs in the Poly gift shop to take home to the family to get them excited about our upcoming trip.

I met the “Tragical Express” motorcoach back at my resort, and sadly I was whisked away to the Orlando International Airport. After a short flight to New Orleans my trip was completed.

I learned so much during the Agent Education Program. What a wonderful opportunity that many agents are never able to experience! I met some wonderful travel agents from all over the United States and was able to learn from the very best Disney trainers. I look forward to sharing more of my Disney knowledge with y’all. Contact me today and let me plan and book your next Disney Destination! I’d be delighted to help you!