20th Anniversary Trips - A PTR for a first ever Disney Cruise and a trip to California!

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Exciting News!!! I booked our flights to California this morning!! Woo Hoo!!! We had enought points to book the flight for "free" Just a processing fee. And we have points leftover. So, there is hope for a Florida Trip in December. Or we can start banking miles to fly out for the Alaska Cruise the following summer. Which honestly wouldn't be terrible, as I assume the cruise will be $$$ no matter what cruise line we go with.

We are flying out on a Wednesday evening and will be in California for 10 days. So the general plan is 5 days in San Diego and 5 days at Disneyland!!! With a red eye flight back.

I am so excited to be going back to Disneyland!

I was also talking with my sisters. We have been talking about going to Maine to spread my parents ashes. So, that may be in the cards for end of June. No real plans yet on that. But we will probably need to fly to Portland for that.

Which brings me to the "plan" I decided to try to do this year. I want to do something significant each month this year. The last 2 years has been hyperfocused on my parents and health that I want this year to be really focused on our family. Now, each month doesn't need to be a trip to Disney. BUT something. Like for this month, I am thinking a day trip into Philly to go to the art muesum and maybe dinner somewhere. (we are just outside of Philly so this isn't hard to do). So I may use this as a place to plan / talk about those side trips as well.

My list of things:
JANUARY - Philly Art Museum
FEBRUARY - Andy and I Cruise - But need a full family event as well
MARCH -
APRIL - Boston / College Tours
MAY - Washington DC Zoo
JUNE - Maine
JULY - California
AUGUST - Weekend at the Delware Beaches
SEPTEMBER - Possibly re-visit colleges or potential college
OCTOBER - This might need to be a special restaurant super locally
NOVEMBER -
DECEMBER - Pipe dream of Disney World

Obviously I don't have a full plan but that is what I am thinking so far. October will be tricky as that is peak marching band season... But I am determined to make it work!!!

 

[SEAGULL59]

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Exciting News!!! I booked our flights to California this morning!! Woo Hoo!!! We had enought points to book the flight for "free" Just a processing fee. And we have points leftover. So, there is hope for a Florida Trip in December. Or we can start banking miles to fly out for the Alaska Cruise the following summer. Which honestly wouldn't be terrible, as I assume the cruise will be $$$ no matter what cruise line we go with.

We are flying out on a Wednesday evening and will be in California for 10 days. So the general plan is 5 days in San Diego and 5 days at Disneyland!!! With a red eye flight back.

I am so excited to be going back to Disneyland!

I was also talking with my sisters. We have been talking about going to Maine to spread my parents ashes. So, that may be in the cards for end of June. No real plans yet on that. But we will probably need to fly to Portland for that.

Which brings me to the "plan" I decided to try to do this year. I want to do something significant each month this year. The last 2 years has been hyperfocused on my parents and health that I want this year to be really focused on our family. Now, each month doesn't need to be a trip to Disney. BUT something. Like for this month, I am thinking a day trip into Philly to go to the art muesum and maybe dinner somewhere. (we are just outside of Philly so this isn't hard to do). So I may use this as a place to plan / talk about those side trips as well.

My list of things:
JANUARY - Philly Art Museum
FEBRUARY - Andy and I Cruise - But need a full family event as well
MARCH -
APRIL - Boston / College Tours
MAY - Washington DC Zoo
JUNE - Maine
JULY - California
AUGUST - Weekend at the Delware Beaches
SEPTEMBER - Possibly re-visit colleges or potential college
OCTOBER - This might need to be a special restaurant super locally
NOVEMBER -
DECEMBER - Pipe dream of Disney World

Obviously I don't have a full plan but that is what I am thinking so far. October will be tricky as that is peak marching band season... But I am determined to make it work!!!

I love your plan to do something special each month. It is always great to have something to look forward to.
Sorry about the rough year for your family. Life is very tough at this point in our lives. So hard losing the ones we love. But we keep living because that is what they would want.

 

[Paulaparm]

So sorry to hear about your mom.
All of your plans sound great! What are your dates for February? We will be there Jan/Feb and wonder if we might overlap.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Departure Day

Hi Guys!! So I have a question....

We are def going to take the bus from Caribbean Beach to the Port to start the cruise but on the day we leave, we have a little bit of time to kill before our flight.

Our flight leaves at 3:24 PM, so we will want to be at the airport around 1:30. Which means we would need to leave Disney property around 1:00. I believe if we take the bus from the port to the airport, we should be at the airport around 10:00. That is a long time to be just hanging out at the airport....

If we decided to go to Disney Springs once we got off the ship, what would be the best way to get from port to Disney Springs?

It will be slightly annoying to walk around with a suitcase, but I was thinking we could book a sit down lunch and then grab some treats to bring home with us. Probably spend 2-3 hours at disney springs. I think that is all we would have time for but I feel like it would be more enjoyable than just sitting in the airport.

Is that crazy!?!?!

I was thinking of booking Jaleo for lunch. It's a place we have talked about going to but I never do just because we have so many places we like to go to and it would be lost a little on the girls. It would be a nice last meal, hopefully a relaxing meal.

Maybe we get in line for Gideon's to bring cookies home. They are Morgan's favorite....

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Boston is no Disney but it’s still pretty good Lifelong MA girl, would be happy to give you guys any tips on your trip here (unless Morgan is looking at BC, in which case you’re in your own, I’m a BU alum!

Andy and I lived in Boston for awhile. We were in Somerville for 3 years, Andy longer than me. So we do know our way. Maybe that is why I am not as excited about it, been there.

! I was a little flabbergasted to receive a letter about C’s absences so far this year - he’s in first grade!!

Schools are crazy!! I always maxed the days they were out of school when they were younger. And sometimes I wanted to scream, relax, they are learning how to write not rocket science!! Sadly, now that the girls are in high school it is hard to miss school. But first grade... everyone relax.

We just did a trip the first week of December to hit all the Christmas festivities and it was pretty amazing. I would definitely aim for that time of year again!

I would LOVE to go back in early Christmas. Once the girls are done with school we will go.

All of your plans sound great! What are your dates for February? We will be there Jan/Feb and wonder if we might overlap.

We will be in Disney on Feb. 6th. And then get on the boat Friday. when will you be there?!?

 

[Paulaparm]

Feb 6 should be our last day in the parks. Most likely MK and Epcot. Then we will be hanging out at the Fort until we leave on the 10th.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I assume we don't need to book anything for Castaway Cay day? I saw that you can book floats for the day. And I think we would like to do that and snorkel. I assume we can do that day of? Should I add that on now? Andy doesn't think we will spend the whole day on the island. He isn't a big beach person. But I am secretly hoping ThIS beach will win him over.

We have been there on days they run out of floats, but that's on a fully packed ship and in the summer. I'm thinking you'll probably be OK to wait til day of. Also, not sure how comfy the water temp will be. When we were there in December it was pretty cold, so we just kind of dipped in and out when we got hot from the sun. I think waiting is probably OK this time of year.

My other thought was a Christmas trip to Disney. But that is also a long shot. But I am plotting!!! I want 2025 to be a great year!!!

YES! Do it! We're booked 12/21-1/2. There is nothing like Christmas at Disney World!

Is that crazy!?!?!

It is a long time to have to sit around at the airport, so I don't blame you trying to fit in something fun instead! Your best bet is probably going to be an Uber. You could always do a car service, but I'm thinking Uber is still going to be cheaper.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Feb 6 should be our last day in the parks. Most likely MK and Epcot. Then we will be hanging out at the Fort until we leave on the 10th.

We'll have to stay in touch. Maybe our paths will cross!!

YES! Do it! We're booked 12/21-1/2. There is nothing like Christmas at Disney World!

You guys love that time of year!!! I will have to see! Fingers crossed! This year would be good. I assume the girls were get the 2nd off. So, we could go and then get home without them missing school.

Where are you staying?!

Your best bet is probably going to be an Uber. You could always do a car service, but I'm thinking Uber is still going to be cheaper.

I think we are going to jsut uber. I wasn't sure if that was an option from the port.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Happy Monday everyone!

It was a slightly snowy one for us here. We got maybe 1/2 and inch of snow. But the girls did get a snow day from it. Oh New Jersey!

I just have a small update / questions today!

Check In
So, my check in day is Wednesday. Should I be staying up till midnight to check in? Or is it in the morning? If we are doing the Disney transportation, does it really matter if I do it immediately? I would prefer to NOT stay up till midnight.

Departure day
We decide we are going to try and go to Disney Springs for a sit down lunch. We will just uber there and then uber to the airport. It will be nice way to kill a few hours and it will be nice to bring some treats back for the girls.

Tips
I know we need to tip people. Should we have cash on hand? What is the edict for tipping?

 

[missjackiemcg]

So, my check in day is Wednesday. Should I be staying up till midnight to check in? Or is it in the morning? If we are doing the Disney transportation, does it really matter if I do it immediately? I would prefer to NOT stay up till midnight.

Since you're already doing Disney Transportation, there's not really any great benefit to staying up late to do your check in. You'll be assigned your port arrival time by Disney anyway, so go ahead and enjoy your extra hours of sleep!!!

I know we need to tip people. Should we have cash on hand? What is the edict for tipping?

We usually pre-pay our gratuities and have them added to our onboard account. They will give you little strips of paper/receipts and envelopes for each person getting tipped (3 will be your serving team and 1 for your stateroom host). If you want to add extra, you just put the cash in those envelopes and hand them to them on your last night at dinner/leave in your room. Gratuities are automatically added on when you buy drinks onboard, so no need to have extra on hand unless you want to tip more on top of the 18%.

 

[piglet1979]

I am so sorry to her about you mom. My prayers are with your family.

I saw that you can book floats for the day. And I think we would like to do that and snorkel. I assume we can do that day of? Should I add that on now?

When we went they did run out of the floats. It was August and a packed ship though.

I know we need to tip people. Should we have cash on hand? What is the edict for tipping?

It has been awhile since we have been on a Disney cruise so I am not 100% sure the tipping here any longer. We did just get back from a Norwegian cruise (a bit different since you don't have a dedicated waite staff). We had extra cash on hand to give extra to our house keeper and DH gave extra to bartenders that he felt deserved extra. Tips were included in the drinks and at our meals.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hi Everyone!!

Happy Sunday!!!

So, I started a post on Friday morning. I tried to save it up it looks like I lost it.

So, Andy and I have spent the weekend looking at college options for Morgan. We reviewed options in the greater Northeast. Ther are options but we talked about how we want Morgan to see Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). It's ranked really high for Animation and the rate of being employeed upon graduation is super high. Andy is sold on it! Ha! The only bad thing is that it is soooo far away from Jersey. ANYWAY.... we talked about going to see it over Spring Break instead of Boston. The convo started as what other schools can we see if we drive down.... I suggested a couple schools.... AND THEN... I threw out a curve ball!!! What if we see SCAD and then drive to Orlando... Andy (2 gin and tonics deep) wasn't completely against it!!!!

We talked through a couple scenrios and I "THINK" we landed on a plan to see SCAD and do 2 parks days in Disney!!! Which would mean for 2025 I can say I got to go to Disney World twice, A Disney Cruise and Disneyland all in one year!!!! And it is making me sooooo happy!!! I also feel better about getting to go to Disney World with the girls as well!

General Plan
Tuesday Night: Fly to Savannah
Wednesday: Take 9:30 AM a campus tour, see the town/area, grab an dinner, getting a rental car and driving to Orlando once we are done seeing Savannah. (Late obviously)
Thursday: Park Day
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Park Day
Sunday: Fly hom 9:00 AM

What do you guys think? I don't know if I even care if it is crazy... I am all in...


This weekend has been crazy! Andy and I have bounced back and forth from talking about the cruise, colleges, where to visit for spring break and what to do for the Maine trip. And in between I have been planning a friend's birthday gathering. My.... brain.... hurts....


I will have to try and post this week. I have all the things I had started talking about on Friday. But things I want to talk about

• Cruise Wear
• Festival of Arts Food Booths
• Alternate plans for the cruise if it is cold
• Ahh, everything about our California Trip
• Oh and I have a trip to Maine to plan....

I have to turn my brain off for now!

 

[SEAGULL59]

Hi Everyone!!

Happy Sunday!!!

So, I started a post on Friday morning. I tried to save it up it looks like I lost it.

So, Andy and I have spent the weekend looking at college options for Morgan. We reviewed options in the greater Northeast. Ther are options but we talked about how we want Morgan to see Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). It's ranked really high for Animation and the rate of being employeed upon graduation is super high. Andy is sold on it! Ha! The only bad thing is that it is soooo far away from Jersey. ANYWAY.... we talked about going to see it over Spring Break instead of Boston. The convo started as what other schools can we see if we drive down.... I suggested a couple schools.... AND THEN... I threw out a curve ball!!! What if we see SCAD and then drive to Orlando... Andy (2 gin and tonics deep) wasn't completely against it!!!!

We talked through a couple scenrios and I "THINK" we landed on a plan to see SCAD and do 2 parks days in Disney!!! Which would mean for 2025 I can say I got to go to Disney World twice, A Disney Cruise and Disneyland all in one year!!!! And it is making me sooooo happy!!! I also feel better about getting to go to Disney World with the girls as well!

General Plan
Tuesday Night: Fly to Savannah
Wednesday: Take 9:30 AM a campus tour, see the town/area, grab an dinner, getting a rental car and driving to Orlando once we are done seeing Savannah. (Late obviously)
Thursday: Park Day
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Park Day
Sunday: Fly hom 9:00 AM

What do you guys think? I don't know if I even care if it is crazy... I am all in...


This weekend has been crazy! Andy and I have bounced back and forth from talking about the cruise, colleges, where to visit for spring break and what to do for the Maine trip. And in between I have been planning a friend's birthday gathering. My.... brain.... hurts....


I will have to try and post this week. I have all the things I had started talking about on Friday. But things I want to talk about

• Cruise Wear
• Festival of Arts Food Booths
• Alternate plans for the cruise if it is cold
• Ahh, everything about our California Trip
• Oh and I have a trip to Maine to plan....

I have to turn my brain off for now!

I vote for the Savannah trip! Why not, right? It’s very heard great things about Savannah and getting to Disney is always great. Hope it works out for you.

 

[missjackiemcg]

What do you guys think? I don't know if I even care if it is crazy... I am all in...

You have come to the wrong place to be talked OUT of extra days at WDW!! I am 1000% on board with your plan. Anytime I've even remotely close to Florida, I am trying to find a way to add Disney days. This is a great plan!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

You have come to the wrong place to be talked OUT of extra days at WDW!! I am 1000% on board with your plan. Anytime I've even remotely close to Florida, I am trying to find a way to add Disney days. This is a great plan!

Right?!!? I am on a Disney Wish facebook group and someone today posted that they were thinking of doing a cruise and was asking what people think. Who on that group is going to tell them no?!?!

It does mean I will have to give up on my dream to go in December probably....

I vote for the Savannah trip! Why not, right? It’s very heard great things about Savannah and getting to Disney is always great. Hope it works out for you.

I wanted to go to SCAD when I was looking at schools but we never went to see it. I also decided I wanted a "typical" college expierence... basecially I wanted a football team and a quad and all of that. Morgan really doesn't care or want that. I think she will be more comfortable with all art students.

 

[piglet1979]

That sounds like a great trip. Another school to put on your radar to look into would be Cleveland Institute of Arts (CIA). I have heard a lot of good things from this school. It is in Ohio and up by Lake Erie so it gets cold and snowy. Right now Savanna sounds so nice as we started the day at -3 wind chill.

We will be spending spring break looking at colleges too but we are behind the 8 ball on this. DD is a senior and has already applied to colleges. We are just waiting to see where she gets accepts (still waiting on Brown, John Hopkins, Boston and Case Western) and then getting the award letters to see where the money takes her then we will visit ones that are her top choices. It is an exciting time and stressful at that the same time.

 

[ambula603]

Somehow I lost your trip report, but I am back!

My girls are a year younger, so 15 and 13. But we have lots of similar discussions about college and trips and how to include campus visits with the places we travel to. Speaking of, side ask:

And hey…Boston is no Disney but it’s still pretty good Lifelong MA girl, would be happy to give you guys any tips on your trip here

I could use some Boston tips! Feel free to DM me any ideas. My sophomore daughter mentioned MIT the other day. We already have a Boston trip on the books next year so might as well see what she thinks!

Anyway, back to your trips. You are about to be bitten by the DCL bug, I just know it. I really think you will love it! And hopefully, Andy will too. The 3 night cruises are far too short but they are wonderful ways to confirm you like the idea. Just know, when you do a longer one, you get even MORE relaxed! We have the Treasure booked for spring break this year and I am also counting down the days. You do have me beat with two Disney trips, a Disneyland visit, and a Disney Cruise. Last year I had one WDW trip, a Disney cruise, a Disneyland trip, and a Universal Studios visit. It will be a hard year to top (it was my 40th birthday year!)

When are you going to California? We will be there June 29-July 7. I just recently booked my park reservations. I wonder why they still do that? Regardless, I just pretty much randomly chose days. We shall see how good I did in the next few months when I need to actually plan our days. I know I can rearrange but I wanted to at least get July 4th reserved in Disneyland.

Pivoting, I LOVE Savannah. You need to eat at the Olde Pink House. It was DELICIOUS! My daughter still talks about the shrimp and grits there. Plus, it is a beautiful (possibly haunted) building.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Another school to put on your radar to look into would be Cleveland Institute of Arts (CIA). I have heard a lot of good things from this school

It's on the list! I haven't gotten to the Ohio schools yet. But I will def look!!

It is in Ohio and up by Lake Erie so it gets cold and snowy

Morgan doesn't mind the cold. Honestly the big thing for Savannah might be the downside for her....

We are just waiting to see where she gets accepts (still waiting on Brown, John Hopkins, Boston and Case Western)

Smart!!! What does DD want to do?

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I could use some Boston tips! Feel free to DM me any ideas. My sophomore daughter mentioned MIT the other day. We already have a Boston trip on the books next year so might as well see what she thinks!

ivoting, I LOVE Savannah. You need to eat at the Olde Pink House. It was DELICIOUS! My daughter still talks about the shrimp and grits there. Plus, it is a beautiful (possibly haunted) building.

I will check it out!

When are you going to California? We will be there June 29-July 7.

I need to do a full post but we will be there end of July 29th - Aug 2nd I am so excited for the 70th anniversary stuff! You will have to tell me what to do and not do!

I just recently booked my park reservations. I wonder why they still do that? Regardless, I just pretty much randomly chose days. We shall see how good I did in the next few months when I need to actually plan our days. I know I can rearrange but I wanted to at least get July 4th reserved in Disneyland.

It has to be because they have so many locals there? That is a good idea for 4th of July! Remind me, when do you do dining reservations? I want to actually do sit down restaurants this trip

You are about to be bitten by the DCL bug, I just know it

We will see!!! I think Andy will really enjoy it.

We have the Treasure booked for spring break this year and I am also counting down the days.

I really want to do the Treasure JUST to go to the Haunted Mansion Bar!

Last year I had one WDW trip, a Disney cruise, a Disneyland trip, and a Universal Studios visit. It will be a hard year to top (it was my 40th birthday year!)

I am so grateful for this year to come. Not every year can be this jam packed. But sometimes the stars just align!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

random thoughts for Tuesday....

Bag for getting on the Ship
So, for anyone who has cruised, what do you keep with you when you get on the ship?

I know if we want to bring champagne / wine we need to carry it on.
SIDE NOTE: I am thinking of bringing one bottle of Champagne and one bottle of Wine. It's a short cruise and I know we will want to try the drinks at the bars.

We will probably keep our ipads with us.

Not sure we will want to swim right away... Since it's our first time, I think just wondering around and getting our bearring is probably best. So, I am thinking no baithing suits.

We both of medicines but nothing that we can't wait to get until we have our bags back.

What else? What am I missing? I feel like we could have not too much? but I am sure I will add stuff anyway.


Bag for time on the Ship
This I keep going back and forth on... I wanted something SUPER small as I really won't need much, right?

I have a belt bag but it is fuzzy winter material and well, belt bags don't look good on me. I am too top heavy...

I do have this super cute bag, that I could use. It's a little bigger than what I want but I have it and it's a Disney Cruise...

If I use this, I will probably try and use it for our park day as well. Which is fine, but I have a hard time putting a sweatshirt or something in it.

What has everybody used to carry stuff around the ship. I assume I will want my phone with me as it's basically my camera at this point. Chapstick and honestly might be it? Oh I guess my key card.
SIDE NOTE: I ordered myself a Magic Band+ yesterday!!! We have been holding out. We have so many regular ones but the batteries are starting to die. And I saw this one and loved it. Andy didn't like any, so he is going to wait.

But I figured with the trips and if you want to use a magic band it has to be the new ones in Disneyland, it was time to do it. I do hate that it needs to be charged, but I guess if the old ones could be charged, we could still be using them.


Packing in General
It's been so long since Andy and I have travelled alone, I really don't know if we can get everything into one bag or not. We are thinking one big bag and one small bag? Since we will be going to Disney Springs before we leave, we are hoping to keep it not too bad. I mean worst case it is 2 suitcases.

I am working on my outfits now and will probably start laying them out to see how much stuff I have. The good thing is most of it isn't wearable right now. So I can set it aside.

Are flat irons allowed on the ship? I usually just use the hair dryer they give but obviously a straightner isn't provided.

SIDE NOTE: I am SOOOOOOO excited to eat at Jaleo!!! It will be a really nice way to finish off the trip! And nice to try something different. And since it's tapas, I said to Andy we should be able to tailor our meal to how hungry we are by then. But it will probably be our main meal. Anyone been? What should we get?