Skyliner Tips and Ice Cream Trips
Our Last Day
I woke up early and started packing while everyone else was still deep in dreamland. I had to be a bit of a strategist with the suitcases, organizing a dedicated bag for the wet swimsuits, while keeping the gloves, hats, and jackets within arm’s reach. It’s a strange feeling preparing for a pool day while knowing it’ll be bitterly cold the second we touch down in Maryland tonight!
A Note on Skyliner Strategy
I got everyone moving and we headed to Topolino’s for breakfast. When I was booking this reservation, I completely forgot to factor in the morning Skyliner rush. Even though the Riviera is just a hop, skip, and a jump away, it was park opening time, which means the line was no joke. Keep that in mind for your own planning—it took us 40 minutes just to wait and ride over to the restaurant. Consider that my "public service announcement" for the day!
Breakfast at the Riviera
This is easily one of my favorite restaurants. The food is always incredible, and we didn't hold back:
- Quiche Gruyère: House-made pancetta, roasted potatoes, and field greens in a lemon vinaigrette.
- Wood-fired Steak and Eggs: Served with polenta, pomodoraccio tomatoes, and wild mushroom conserva.
- Topolino Tramonto: A mix of vodka, limoncello, Aperol, and butterfly pea flower tea. (Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.)
The character interaction here is always top-notch. They absolutely loved it when they saw Priscilla was all dressed up to match Minnie—talk about a "twinning" moment!
Luggage Magic and Poolside Peace
We headed back to the room, changed, and finished packing with no second to spare. We handed our luggage over to bell services to handle getting it to Southwest. I absolutely love this service; there is nothing better than waving goodbye to your bags and knowing you don't have to lug them around all day.
Then, it was off to the pool! While we were there, Priscilla made "best friends" with just about everyone, the boys took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep, and I found a little corner to work and relax. The main pool area is so fun and vibrantly decorated with bright colors. They even have a Cast Member running group games for everyone to enjoy, and since Priscilla is our resident game expert, we stayed for quite a while. It was such a lovely, low-stress way to wrap up the visit.
The Kitchen Sink (and Extra Fudge!)
We eventually dried off and headed over to the Boardwalk via the Skyliner. This area of Disney is just so lovely and charming. We played on the beach, hit the arcade, and then decided to end the trip on a high note with the "Everything But The Kitchen Sink" at Beaches and Cream.
I’ll admit, it was surprisingly tastier than I expected! I am notoriously picky with my ice cream flavors and toppings, and I wasn't sure I’d enjoy the "flavor chaos," but you have to do it at least once, right? It was a total blast. In true Hewett-Schisler family style, not a single one of us used the individual bowls they brought. We just dug right in—messy, fun, and perfect. I did ask for extra hot fudge (of course), and they brought out a bowl so big it was practically its own zip code.
Finally, we swapped the Crocs for boots, changed into our warm clothes, and called an Uber. Off to the airport we go!
