New Year, New Trips!
Happy 2019, y'all!
I feel like I was stuck in a time capsule for 2018. So many emotions were experienced last year - excitement, stress, and change. Now that life has stabilized and I'm settled into the Pacific Northwest & fully employed, it's time to make some travel plans.
So far, we have an AMAZING trip to Disney world planned with my husband's family. His parents have planned quite the magical family vacation and I'm just grateful to be along for the ride.
We also have my cousin's wedding in June back home in NOLA, so we are doing a trip-duo.
Never heard of a trip-duo?! That's when you make two vacations out of one! We'll drive down from Seattle to the Willamette Valley in Oregon before heading back to Seattle to head to NOLA. Voila! Two for one!
So let's chat about Disney. I have a feeling there will be several blog posts about this trip. SO MUCH PLANNING goes into a Disney vacation these days. I don't know how families with kids do it! We didn't book the trip until November, so we were a little late to the game but still managed to make things happen. My mother-in-law and I were both a bit overwhelmed even though I planned a well-researched trip to Disney last year (had to cancel last minute). I am SO GRATEFUL for Sadie (with Say Magical Vacations) - we graduated high school together and she's a fantastic Disney Vacation Planner. So much has changed in even one year!
So here's what we have going on - everything from resort, to dining, to fast passes, and even a little VIP experience!
Resort:
We had quite the challenge for Sadie: we wanted a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom villa for Paul and I to share with his parents so we could have a kitchen + W/D. The 4 of us would be checking in first. His two sisters will be checking in the following day and into their own rooms.
So Sadie had to find us 3 rooms - two different check in dates - and a villa had to be one of those rooms. Whew!
We wanted to be sure the resort had a nice pool in case the weather cooperates and we also wanted to be close to Disney parks. We also wanted nearby dining options to be available. We aren't picky, not one bit! Ha :)
Sadie waved her magic wand and we all ended up with savanna view rooms at Animal Kingdom Kidani Lodge.
Dining:
I was so shocked at how much dining was available LESS THAN 180 out. I booked dining online for our group of 8 (the group has decreased to 7 now) in a short period of time because my MIL already had a list of restaurants she wanted. We weren't particular on what days, so it was relatively easy once I created a profile for everyone.
Our list:
Yachtsman (Dinner)
Sanaa (Lunch)
Brown Derby (Lunch)
Monsieur Paul (Dinner)
Yak & Yeti (Lunch)
Tiffins (Dinner)
Jiko (Wine Tasting)
California Grill (Dinner)
We will have some meal gaps here and there, so that way ALL of our dining isn't pre-planned. It's nice to leave room with some flexibility.
The only two meals that are planned for just Paul and I are Yak & Yeti lunch and Tiffins dinner. We had to deviate from the family plan one day because we are doing the Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour at Animal Kingdom.
OK let's talk about that! I can honestly say this is what I'm looking forward to most! I'll save the Fast Passes for last.
VIP Tour:
I've ALWAYS wanted to do a VIP tour, but never could commit an entire day to the Magical Kingdom 7 hour tour. With the opening of Pandora and just how popular it's been since day 1, I think this Ultimate Nights of Adventure spawned from AK's newfound popularity. It's not REALLY a night tour, it begins at 3p. The website listed our dates as blocked for not being availale. I enlisted Sadie's help due to some technical issues and guess what??
IT WAS AVAILABLE. People, CALL. Call the Disney folks because you just never know!
I will say, the price is steep. It's a 4 hour tour and it's $249/person plus tax. The total for Paul and I was $530. Yikes. Gulp.
Don't worry, I'll dedicate a blog post specifically for this tour.
Here's how the Disney website describes the tour-
So if you are looking for a way to hop on to FOP and NRJ, here's your ticket. The golden ticket.
Fast Passes:
This is the hardest part about planning a trip to Disney. First you look at crowd calendars, I use two.
- Undercover Tourist - this one is my favorite based on the way the calendar is laid out
- WDW Prep School
Once you know what parks are recommended based on crowds, then you can pick your 3 rides. I suggest choosing the most highly desired/popular rides to ensure you are able to ride those. You can always add on additional rides after your utilize all 3 of your FP.
How do I know what mood I'm going to be in when I wake up that morning? What's the weather like? Will I want to sleep in? Will I want a big breakfast and lounge before heading to the parks? Will I wake up early and want to be there at rope drop?
I mean, how does ANYONE plan each ride 60 days in advance?! I hate it. But you give in and you book.
We had to coordinate among 7 of us, 1 of the 7 does not do roller coasters. 2 of the 7 do not do 3D. So you make it work, especially if you have an amazing Disney Vacation Planner like we do!
So here's what I have booked so far based on parks:
Magic Kingdom (2 days of FP):
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Peter Pan's Flight
Seven Dwarf's Mine Train
Epcot:
Spaceship Earth
Mission Space
Soarin
Hollywood Studios:
Tower of Terror
Rock n Roller Coaster
Slinky Dog
Animal Kingdom:
Avatar Flight of Passage
Safari
Everest
I feel like I was stuck in a time capsule for 2018. So many emotions were experienced last year - excitement, stress, and change. Now that life has stabilized and I'm settled into the Pacific Northwest & fully employed, it's time to make some travel plans.
So far, we have an AMAZING trip to Disney world planned with my husband's family. His parents have planned quite the magical family vacation and I'm just grateful to be along for the ride.
We also have my cousin's wedding in June back home in NOLA, so we are doing a trip-duo.
Never heard of a trip-duo?! That's when you make two vacations out of one! We'll drive down from Seattle to the Willamette Valley in Oregon before heading back to Seattle to head to NOLA. Voila! Two for one!
So let's chat about Disney. I have a feeling there will be several blog posts about this trip. SO MUCH PLANNING goes into a Disney vacation these days. I don't know how families with kids do it! We didn't book the trip until November, so we were a little late to the game but still managed to make things happen. My mother-in-law and I were both a bit overwhelmed even though I planned a well-researched trip to Disney last year (had to cancel last minute). I am SO GRATEFUL for Sadie (with Say Magical Vacations) - we graduated high school together and she's a fantastic Disney Vacation Planner. So much has changed in even one year!
So here's what we have going on - everything from resort, to dining, to fast passes, and even a little VIP experience!
Resort:
(Credit - Disney website)
We had quite the challenge for Sadie: we wanted a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom villa for Paul and I to share with his parents so we could have a kitchen + W/D. The 4 of us would be checking in first. His two sisters will be checking in the following day and into their own rooms.
So Sadie had to find us 3 rooms - two different check in dates - and a villa had to be one of those rooms. Whew!
We wanted to be sure the resort had a nice pool in case the weather cooperates and we also wanted to be close to Disney parks. We also wanted nearby dining options to be available. We aren't picky, not one bit! Ha :)
Sadie waved her magic wand and we all ended up with savanna view rooms at Animal Kingdom Kidani Lodge.
Dining:
I was so shocked at how much dining was available LESS THAN 180 out. I booked dining online for our group of 8 (the group has decreased to 7 now) in a short period of time because my MIL already had a list of restaurants she wanted. We weren't particular on what days, so it was relatively easy once I created a profile for everyone.
Our list:
Yachtsman (Dinner)
Sanaa (Lunch)
Brown Derby (Lunch)
Monsieur Paul (Dinner)
Yak & Yeti (Lunch)
Tiffins (Dinner)
Jiko (Wine Tasting)
California Grill (Dinner)
We will have some meal gaps here and there, so that way ALL of our dining isn't pre-planned. It's nice to leave room with some flexibility.
The only two meals that are planned for just Paul and I are Yak & Yeti lunch and Tiffins dinner. We had to deviate from the family plan one day because we are doing the Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour at Animal Kingdom.
OK let's talk about that! I can honestly say this is what I'm looking forward to most! I'll save the Fast Passes for last.
VIP Tour:
I've ALWAYS wanted to do a VIP tour, but never could commit an entire day to the Magical Kingdom 7 hour tour. With the opening of Pandora and just how popular it's been since day 1, I think this Ultimate Nights of Adventure spawned from AK's newfound popularity. It's not REALLY a night tour, it begins at 3p. The website listed our dates as blocked for not being availale. I enlisted Sadie's help due to some technical issues and guess what??
IT WAS AVAILABLE. People, CALL. Call the Disney folks because you just never know!
I will say, the price is steep. It's a 4 hour tour and it's $249/person plus tax. The total for Paul and I was $530. Yikes. Gulp.
Don't worry, I'll dedicate a blog post specifically for this tour.
Here's how the Disney website describes the tour-
The Magic of Nature at Night
On this 4-hour guided group adventure, discover a landscape shimmering with lights and brimming with life. Embark on an expedition through the icy peaks of the Himalayas. Ride in an open-air vehicle on the lush African savanna. Journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest on a river boat. And behold a brilliant fusion of water, sound and light unlike anything you’ve seen before! Best of all, you’ll enjoy these wonders with expedited FastPass+ access on this first-of-its-kind tour. Experience Attractions and a Show
Take a break from the fun with signature snacks and a specialty beverage (nonalcoholic or alcoholic for Guests 21 and older).
*Rivers of Light is offered on select nights. You can check the performance schedule up to 180 days in advance.
- Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (44” height requirement)
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Avatar Flight of Passage (44” height requirement)
- Na’vi River Journey
- DINOSAUR (40” height requirement)
- Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular*
Take a break from the fun with signature snacks and a specialty beverage (nonalcoholic or alcoholic for Guests 21 and older).
*Rivers of Light is offered on select nights. You can check the performance schedule up to 180 days in advance.
So if you are looking for a way to hop on to FOP and NRJ, here's your ticket. The golden ticket.
Fast Passes:
This is the hardest part about planning a trip to Disney. First you look at crowd calendars, I use two.
- Undercover Tourist - this one is my favorite based on the way the calendar is laid out
- WDW Prep School
Once you know what parks are recommended based on crowds, then you can pick your 3 rides. I suggest choosing the most highly desired/popular rides to ensure you are able to ride those. You can always add on additional rides after your utilize all 3 of your FP.
How do I know what mood I'm going to be in when I wake up that morning? What's the weather like? Will I want to sleep in? Will I want a big breakfast and lounge before heading to the parks? Will I wake up early and want to be there at rope drop?
I mean, how does ANYONE plan each ride 60 days in advance?! I hate it. But you give in and you book.
We had to coordinate among 7 of us, 1 of the 7 does not do roller coasters. 2 of the 7 do not do 3D. So you make it work, especially if you have an amazing Disney Vacation Planner like we do!
So here's what I have booked so far based on parks:
Magic Kingdom (2 days of FP):
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Peter Pan's Flight
Seven Dwarf's Mine Train
Epcot:
Spaceship Earth
Mission Space
Soarin
Hollywood Studios:
Tower of Terror
Rock n Roller Coaster
Slinky Dog
Animal Kingdom:
Avatar Flight of Passage
Safari
Everest
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