06/26 - DHS / Epcot
 

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Thursday, June 26th, 2025              

Today I was joined at Walt Disney World by Grandma Terry, Uncle Steven, Aunt Erica, and Samantha. We planned to start our day at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and by the time we arrived everyone was already hungry for lunch.

We decided to try something new today, so we headed back to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, where we opted to eat at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Since we were unsire on the meal choices here, some of us decided to share meals. Sam got her own dish, the Peka Tuna Poke, which is raw tuna tossed in a spicy sriracha dressing served with green papaya salad, pickled mushrooms, fresh herbs, and crispy garlic. I was not impressed, but Sam enjoyed it. Steve and I split the Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato (smoky beef braised in tamarind sauce and served with harvest vegetables). This meal was OK, but I wouldn't rush back for it. I apparently didn't make note of what meal Grandma Terry and Aunt Erica split, but I think it was the Endorian Fried Chicken Tip Yip (crispy chicken served with macaroni & cheese and roasted harvest vegetables).

After lunch we headed off to the Animation Courtyard to catch the new The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure show. Though some of us had seen it, neither Sam nor I had, so it was something new and different to try. Although the show is similar to the prior version in this theater, it definitely has been updated. It was enjoyable, but probably not a must-do for me.

I was able to secure a reservation to Oga's Cantina earlier in the day, and it was now time for us to return to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge for our return time. None of us had been here before, so it was a new experience for each and every one of us! This bar basically offers drinks and appetizers, so of course we had to sample some of each! Grandma Terry ordered The Outer Rim (Patrón Silver Tequila, Stirrings pomegranate liqueur, lime juice, pure cane sugar, with black salt and an exotic fruit purée). Samantha got the Corellian Spike Cold Brew (Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Joffrey's Coffee cold brew, vanilla, brown sugar syrup, and orange bitters topped with purple vanilla-Ube foam). I don't think either was wowed by their choice of alcoholic beverage, but Grandma Terry probably liked hers more than Sam enjoyed hers. Steve got the Hyperdrive (Punch It!), a POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast, white cranberry juice, black cherry purée, and Sprite. I opted for the Blurrgfire (Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, pomegranate juice, and habanero-lime). Of course Steve was unable to provide much feedback on his drink, but I liked the kick that mine had. For an appetizer we chose two - the Happabore Sampler (cured and roasted meats, cheese, and pork cracklings) and the Thruster Roasted Bantha Flatbread (Naan flatbread topped with spiced chorizo beef and a four-cheese blend). Though neither were terrible, I'd probably opt for the sampler over the flatbread were I ever to return. I would also like to try the Carbon Freeze drink (POWERADE Lemon Lime, wild strawberry, blueberry, and green apple popping pearls) and for an appetizer, the Umbaran Cheese Roll (spice-dusted pretzel bun stuffed with herbed cheese and a dipping sauce).

After our afternoon snack, we headed off towards Sunset Boulevard to take in the Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, the show that took over the old Lightning McQueen show. We made a quick side trip through Pixar Place, just to check things out. We met a free roaming Frozone today, so Uncle Steve and Sam managed to get some pictures with him.

As we continued on, Grandma Terry realized she was missing her phone. Her and Erica took off to return to the most recent restroom we used in search of it, while Uncle Steve, Sam, and I headed off towards the show to get in line. Unfortunately by the time they got there, we were already seated and the doors were closed, meaning we watched the show without them. Thankfully they had seen it once before, so at least they didn't miss out completely. I enjoyed the show, and found it worth a repeat viewing, though I do think the villain chosen was not the villain that received the loudest audience ovation. Not sure if this was a one-time thing, or if my hearing is that bad!

After the show we decided to park-hop, so we chose to take the boat ride over to Epcot, a transportation method most of us had not employed previously...

 

Disney's Hollywood Studios


 

The entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

 
 

Samantha and Uncle Steve showing their Pride support...

 
 

...and a closer look.

 
 

A look at the closed off Muppet Courtyard. A sad day indeed...

 
 

Some scenes from the new The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure show...

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

We got to see the Green Army Drum Corps...

 
 

...on our way back to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

 
 

The entrance to Oga's Cantina...

 
 

...and a sign near the doorway.

 
 

Some shots of the interior of Oga's Cantina...

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

Uncle Steve, Samantha, and Rodney.

 
 

Sam and Rod enjoying their time together.

 
 

Another angle of Uncle Steve, Samantha, and Rodney.

 
 

A light inside of Oga's Cantina.

 
 

Samantha posing for photos with...

 
 

...Frozone from The Incredibles!

 
 

A few shots of Uncle Steve with Frozone...

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

The stage for the Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show...

 
 

...and some photos from the show...

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

After our boat arrived at Epcot, we headed to the Creations shop to pick up the Annual PassHolder magnet for both Uncle Steve and Samantha (she didn't care to have hers, but I gladly took an extra!).

With magnet in hand, Sam and I headed off to go for a spin on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This is one of my must-dos at Disney, even if I don't manage to ride every time I go, and likely my all-time favorite roller coaster! While we were waiting in line and enjoying the ride, Grandma Terry, Uncle Steven, and Aunt Erica wandered the shops and sat and waited patiently for us.

At this point we were ready to call it a day, so we decided to take the Skyliner back to Hollywood Studios...

 

Epcot


 

Some photos from the queue of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind...

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

When we arrived at the Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station, we heard the ominous sounds of a fire alarm. We were hopeful that they would send us along, but instead they evacuated the entire facility. As we were escorted away from the building, we watched as fire truck after fire truck pulled in. Although there was clearly no fire (or any signs of fire, such as smoke), I understand that they have to be thorough and check things out. Unfortunately for us, that meant a wait. And a wait. And a wait. They never did restart the Skyliner while we were there, as though shuffled us off to a bus station to await a bus. Unfortunately that wasn't a quick process, as they had to add busses to the resort, and many were already full upon arrival. We finally made it on to a bus, and when we got back to Hollywood Studios we found our way to the car to make the drive home, over an hour later than planned.

While not a great way to end our day, it didn't ruin the fun we had!

 

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort


 

Our initial view of the Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station, with emergency vehicles showing up behind the palms...

 
 

...and a wider view, with still more vehicles showing up.

 
 

Samantha, Aunt Erica, Grandma Terry, and Uncle Steve waiting across the street from the Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station.

 
 

A view of some of the crowd waiting.

 
 

This cool bus (not ours unfortunately) showed up at the Caribbean Beach Resort bus station.

 
 

"Ice 'em!"

 


 

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