Your plans sound good! Plenty of time with your daughters, friends, some down time and a few ADR's thrown in. Our next trip (sometime in 2020!) I plan to book fewer ADR's. FP's are a must but fewer ADR's allows for a little more go with the flow - something that's now hard to do at Disney! I think you will love HDDR! We've stayed several times in cabins at Fort Wilderness. I just love the atmosphere there. Family trip in 2020 - with Josh - wow!
Yes - I feel like there is a good mix this trip - even though it's a shorter trip for us.
Agreed... We are all feeling a little more relaxed that we don't have as many ADRs this time around. And FPs are an absolute must... We have a few "junk" ones that I am not sure we are going to use? LIke Figment and Nemo in Epcot - as those are usually walk on rides anyways.
I am excited to see FW, we've never seen it, except for by boat, but we never left the boat.
Yes - a big family trip coming.
We are very excited - Josh, not so much. LOL I think he will enjoy it, as least a little bit - as he will get to see the Littles enjoying themselves - and he will get to spend some time with the girls as grown ups... It's a VERY different experience and dynamic than it was the last time he was there... 2008 and the girls were 9 and 10.
... And I had every last minute scheduled - Park open to park close 7 days in a row.
We are much more relaxed now. LOL
Sounds like you have a great trip planned.
I'm trying to figure out my next Disney trip. Sydney has a basketball tournament at ESPN wide world of sports (or other gyms in the area). I'm guessing we won't know her game schedule till 2 days before we go. We are staying at a Hilton that is 1/2 way between Disney and universal. So I know we will be at some theme park that weekend. Just don;t know which one and for how much time we will have.
DH has a work trip to France, so the girls and I are going with him to see a women's world cup soccer game and go to
Disneyland Paris. I really have to start planning that trip. Make sure that the hotels that DH picked are good. I'm flying home with the girls while DH stays for his meetings.
It sounds like you have some very busy weeks coming up!
And France! Exciting!!!! And DLP - even more exciting!!!! When does this happen?
Hi D~
It is nice to hear about your upcoming trip and it is odd that it is only 6 nights long. But it looks like you will have a lot of fun. We like going to AK at night. The buses are always empty on the way back to the park and it is almost like having a private bus.
We were disappointed with Flame Tree BBQ when we ate there last year. We like Yak & Yeti and I liked the "bowl" at the counter service restaurant in Pandora.
That is nice that you can meet up with Suzi again. How long has it been since you saw each other?
Tusker House has the best breakfast and the best characters. We really like it there. We had breakfast at the Wave and it was good, but not something I would have to do every trip.
They are replacing Illuminations with a new show in the fall. I don't know how you feel about it, but a lot of people are making sure that they see it before it goes away. I'll miss the music but not the stupid globe.
It would be nice if the gondolas were running for your trip, but I would think you are just a bit early for it in June. I can't wait until thy are running, though, because I want to ride them. It looks like fun. We rode gondolas that were almost identical to the Disney ones in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and now I have an idea of how they work. I think they will be very popular.
Many people have recommended the CS in Pandora - we may give it a try... The last time we were there, it was lunch time and it was PACKED, and we just didn't want to wait. I am hoping we might be able to get in there for dinner on our arrival night?
Suzi and I last saw eachother on my trip to Florida in February 2018, when I stayed with her and her parents in Ft. Myers. So, almost a year and a half now.
We talk almost every day though on a group chat on FB between Suzi, Mo, Ariana and I.
We love TH breakfast, and we also love The Wave... Both are must-dos for us on all trips. LOL That's what I love about WDW - there's something for everyone!
I saw that about Illuminations... We've only actually seen it once - on our 2008 trip. All of us can kinda take or leave the night time shows - while they are beautiful, we just don't do well with the crowds. We enjoy watching them from afar.
I agree - I think we will be too early for the gondolas. I am excited to see them running though while we are there - it will be nice to get a good perspective.
Hi D~!
So glad you're back here. I don't Facebook so I have no idea what you're up to (which is always something, lol!) if you don't post on the DIS.
AK is a food desert for me, and I'm just a regular old eat-anything person. I think the Y&Y counter service is on/below par of what you could get in a mall food court. Nothing wrong with it, just not what I expect from Disney. FTBBQ looks pretty good - the chicken salad and pulled pork mac & cheese, and heck the kid's meals. Ribs and baked beans sound a little heavy for continued touring to me, but we've eaten ribs there and it was good. I would probably try Satu'li Canteen; it looks tasty, different, and has a rating of 9.2/10 on All Ears Net.
Thanks! I know - I have several readers who don't FB... I do try to stop in every once in a while.
I've read several reviews like that about Y&Y... Someone mentioned the nachos at FTBBQ??? I think it was Ariana? I can't remember now, but I was thinking I'd like to try those? I think we are definitely going to try the CS in Pandora though - EVERYONE is raving about that. I need to look at their menu to see what looks good.
Thanks for the recommendation!
I don't think I've commented yet, I usually pop in to your reports and then get sidetracked!
Just wanted to say, I feel you about being busy and trying to keep up with Dis related things. I just realized yesterday how close our own June trip is and started panicking, b/c while we have things planned, I didn't have a lot of our days laid out in a practical way. We always end up winging it to some degree, but I like having an outline in place to start!!
Hahaha - same. LOL
We kind of do the same thing when we plan our trips... And Suzi does it much the same way too. We usually plan our mornings, and then "wing" our evenings - which means that we end up at MK because that's the easiest park for us. But since this is a much shorter trip for us - we are pretty limited on where we are going and when. It's OK... I honestly think this will be a great trip - it seems that by the end of our longer trips - we are just "Disneyd out" LOL... So hopefully the shorter trip is just what we need?
Hopefully you have your June plans a little outlined by now? You should PM me your dates to see if we overlap.
Hi D. Your plans sound great. I’m excited for you and love that you’re getting some one-on-one time with each of your girls
Lovely that you are meeting up with friends while at WDW. Fun times
You certainly sound like you have a good mix of planned and unplanned meals. So relaxing sometimes to just wing it!
Even better that you have a 2020 return trip in the books before you’ve done your 2019 trip. Exciting times ahead
Thanks! We are super excited too!
And we can't wait to see all of our friends... Suzi, Cindy, Monica... And a few new friends too. It will be a great time.
Yes - and we are very excited to have a little more freedom this trip, as far as ADRs go... There are so many snacks we want to try in MK this trip, I think we will just graze all day long there.
Right? I don't think that the girls have EVER left Disney with a definite trip on the books to go back?
So this will be a very new experience for them!
Great update! It's nice to read an update on you and your family. Busy, busy. I'm sure you're VERY proud of your DD's. They are able to juggle a lot of things and do them well. They might have gotten that from their Mom?? Your trip is right around the corner! Hope you have a fabulous time and have great weather (hopefully not too hot). The next 2 weeks will be crazy for us. My son and his little family from OR will get here on Fri. and stay 2 weeks. They have a 2 1/2 year old and 4 mo. old. They rented a house so not staying with us. My 2 sisters and their husbands will also be here and we'll celebrate our Mom's #96. It will be a little crazy but fun. Looking forward to more updates and eventually your TR!
Thanks! Yes - we are very proud of them!
Hahahaha! Yes, they may have got that from me?
Thank you!
Oh that is so exciting!!! You will be so busy - and how incredibly nice that they have their own space! That is really awesome! Enjoy your time with them - as I know you will!
Your girls are SO grown up!! You must be so very proud of them as they work hard and continue their education at the same time.
Have no fear....I SAW HIM!!!! When we were at DHS for May the 4th, Ariana and I literally walked right past him. I looked back over my shoulder to see that it was definitely him (I have recognized him previously from your TRs!) We didn't stop for pics, but I promise you he is alive and well and still in action!!
Yes we are so proud of them! Love them with every inch of my soul!!!! As I know you love your Jimmy too!
YOU DID??????? Seriously???? OMG!!!! You just made my week!!!! This makes me so happy... No one has seen him since we left and I was really starting to think he retired. YAY!!!! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Great update, D! It is nice to hear how everyone is doing. Your girls are super women! I don't think I could have juggled all of that at their age. The pictures are so nice- your outdoor spaces are to die for! The bar and everything just turned out so nice. I totally get what you mean about enjoying your time apart from your husband. Jason has done more TAD trips since we have been in Japan than ever before. Most last 1 week sometimes 2, and I am like "yeah, it is time". Even though I am sad that we will have to travel without him, selfishly, the main reason is that Quinn is often difficult when we travel (mostly not her fault-her sensory issues get triggered when we are off routine). But I will say, it will be nice to visit with my family and be able to call all the shots about where we go and all that.
Your trip plans look great. Are you nervous or excited to not have some of your dining planned out? Have you done the mobile ordering thing yet? I've never done it, but it looks like it might be a real time-saver with quick service. And, who knows, you may stumble onto a new favorite that you wouldn't have otherwise tried. It's kind of exciting. I do think your trip will overlap some of our move. Although, you will be back before we actually leave Japan. They are coming to pack up our house on the 6th and 7th of June and then we will be in Temporary Lodging for about 10days like we were when we first got here. So by June 6, we have to pack up what we can carry that will have to last us until our shipment arrives probably at the end of July or early August. We are scheduled to close on the house on July 1. I am really excited. I think we have one more inspection to do that just has to be done within 30 days of closing. We will have to tighten our budget for sure and I am looking at going back to work at least part time, but it will be a great feeling to own a home again.
I am excited to see more of your outfits and share your excitement as you count down to your trip! Have a great weekend!
Thank you! I knew you'd totally understand the need for time apart... It's just kind of how we are. I almost feel like it makes us a better couple - that we aren't 100% reliant on each other and we are independent people.
I totally get it about traveling - while I've never had to experience that - I can only guess how difficult that must be.
Wishing you LOTS of Pixie Dust on your travel days - I'll be thinking of you!
Not nervous at all about not having dining planned out - if anything, we are more excited to have extra freedom this trip.
We have never done mobile ordering yet - so it will be a new experience for us.
WOW!!!! That will be crazy!!!! I cannot imagine having to pack up to live "mobile" for such an extended period of time. How do you plan for that? At least you will be back in the States and near family - so if there's anything you need, it's easy to attain?
So excited for you and your house!!! And so excited for you to be back home again! We didn't "meet" until after you moved to Japan - but I know it wasn't easy for you to be away from your family (as I only imagine, I would be the same way) - it makes me happy that you will be near them again.
I went back to work part-time when the girls were about 4 and 5... I always took summers off though - budget wise, this always made summers and BTS time very difficult (financially) for us - but some how we made it through.... I don't think the girls ever knew that it was a financial struggle for us in the summer - they just knew that I was home and was able to spend unlimited time with them. I'd do it all over again, a million times over... The struggle was worth it.
But I always worked while they were in school - and it was pretty easy to work my schedule around that, so I think you will do great! Wishing you the best as you transition to a whole new lifestyle.
Yay!!! I'll be posting my outfits shortly!
Your girls are gorgeous Dorine, you must be very proud of them. Sounds like they learned how to work hard from their parents
Awww... Thank you! Hahahaha - probably - I don't feel like I work very hard, most of the time. LOL
I have a suggestion for you for your AK day. You should check out Satu’li Canteen in Pandora. It is a quick service, but it has Table Service quality food. Check out the menu, I think you might be surprised. The kids menu is more than enough for lunch, I ate off of it last September.
Another is the Nomad Lounge next to Tiffins restaurant. The drinks are nice and they have a small plates menu as well.
Have fun!
So many people have mentioned this to me - so thank you for the suggestion - it is now on my radar (it wasn't before), and I am hoping to try it for one of my meals. I am headed over to Allears to check out their menu as soon as I finish my posts this morning.
Ooooh - I didn't know that! Thanks! I'll check out their menu too!
Lovely photos. You look amazing!
Awww, thanks so much. It's an endless struggle these days, but I am trying to be OK with myself.
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Yay!!!!
I am all caught up on replies! Phew!!! It only took me 2 weeks!
Thanks for being patient!
Disney outfits coming right up!
D~