Destination Magic Agency Trip – Day 3
On Day 3, my roommate and I rose early, around 6:00 am, to catch a bus from Saratoga Springs to the Magic Kingdom. The travel agents were scheduled to meet back at the Polynesian bungalow, so we opted to take the bus to Magic Kingdom and then utilize the water transportation that stops at both the Grand Floridian and Polynesian. This strategy proved to be a smart choice as there is no direct route between the two hotels when staying at the resorts.
We grabbed a quick breakfast, took group photos, and headed to our first room, a deluxe studio at the Polynesian. After exploring the studio, we took a tour of the resort amenities and were delighted to run into some familiar faces – Goofy, Chip, and Dale – who were taking photos with guests.
@waltsentme Polynesian Village Resort tours of a Deluxe Studio and Bungalow! #WaltDisneyWorld #TravelAgent ♬ Chill Vibes - Tollan Kim
Next, we took the monorail over to the Grand Floridian and were excited to run into Goofy, Chip, and Dale again. At the Grand Floridian, we had the privilege of touring one of the newly renovated deluxe studios that would make Mary Poppins proud. After a quick tour, we headed to one of the most expensive rooms at the Walt Disney World resort, a three-bedroom grand villa. I jokingly commented on the cost of living there for the rest of our lives, but the place was simply amazing. The villa boasted its own theater, a large dining room and living room, and three spacious bedrooms, one with the biggest bathtub and walk-in shower I have ever seen. Someday, I hope to spend a night in this luxurious villa, without leaving to visit the parks – just relaxing in this incredible space.
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We then headed back to the monorail, and were surprised to see that Goofy, Chip, and Dale were also taking a ride. The trio seemed to be in a playful mood as they tried to hop on the monorail.
Next, we took the monorail over to the Contemporary Resort. One of our travel agents was staying in a newly renovated room inspired by The Incredibles, so we got to see it for ourselves. Meanwhile, our group took photos, and I got the chance to see Goofy, Mickey, and Donald meet and greet guests at Chef Mickey’s. This restaurant is highly sought after and can be challenging to secure a reservation at, as it requires either an off-day plan or a trip outside the park. Nevertheless, I hope to visit Chef Mickey’s with my family one day.
@waltsentme Need help planning your next vacation? DM me #WaltDisneyWorld #disneyscontemporaryresort ♬ dance(256762) - TimTaj
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Our next destination was Pop Century Resort. We boarded the buses, but unfortunately left one of our travel agent colleagues behind. They ended up making their way to the gift shop and didn’t realize we had departed. Our group was hungry, so we headed to the cafeteria to grab some food and visit one of the other agents staying at Pop Century.
Out of all the value resorts, I would say that Pop Century offers the best value for your money. The cafeteria serves delicious food, including Walt’s Chili, and guests have access to the convenient Skyliner transportation. Although Art of Animation Resort is located on the other side of Hourglass Lake, its prices are significantly higher. While I appreciate the theming of Art of Animation, if you plan to spend most of your time at the parks, Pop Century is the more practical choice.
@waltsentme In my opinion, Pop Century is the best Value Resort at Walt Disney World.
♬ Funk Rave - Don´t Let Me Down 140 Bpm - kirtap
Next, we took the Skyliner, which is truly one of the best additions to Walt Disney World. The beauty of the Skyliner is that you can disembark at any of its stations and explore new experiences. Our travel group hopped off at the Caribbean Beach Resort station, but you could also continue to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or visit the newest resort, the Riviera. At the Caribbean Beach, we took a break for some much-needed refreshments and visited another travel agent’s room in the resort. A few days prior, I had the chance to sleep in one of the rooms, and I must say, the resort could use a renovation. Although the resort is fun, with a fantastic pool and tropical atmosphere, I was not a fan of the rooms or the location of the Skyliner. If I were to stay here or book clients at this resort, I would make sure the room is close to the Skyliner, as it offers convenient access to the various activities available.
Our tour concluded with a visit to the Riviera Resort, the newest addition to Walt Disney World. The resort boasts a sleek, luxurious design, with art pieces adorning the walls. In fact, you can even purchase a print of your favorite art piece from the gift shop. I was particularly drawn to the Wall-E and Eve print and hope to add it to my collection one day. Overall, the Riviera offers a clean and polished experience, making it a great choice for those seeking a high-end vacation.
@waltsentme One day I’ll stay here. Disney’s Riviera Resort is amazing!
♬ Sunshine - WIRA
At the end of our team meeting in the luxurious 2-bedroom villa at the Riviera, we were finally ready to relax. Some of the travel agents headed to the parks while others, including a group of 8 of us, made our way to Disney Springs. We had reserved Enzo’s Hideaway for dinner and were eager to explore all that Disney Springs had to offer. From shopping at unique gift shops to trying new treats at dessert booths, there was always something to keep us entertained.
Enzo’s Hideaway offers an unforgettable dining experience with its amazing ribeye steak. If you’re looking for a hidden gem, this is the perfect spot. The restaurant is designed to feel like an underground speakeasy, and the ambiance will transport you to another time and place. The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the steak I had was a great pick to fuel me for the big park day ahead. I highly recommend a visit to Enzo’s Hideaway.
I’m glad I had the delicious ribeye steak at Enzo’s Hideaway, as I knew I would need all the energy I could get for the big park day ahead.
Thanks for reading.
~Enrique
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