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

[disneycat321]

Welcome!!! This actually isn't our first visit to Disneyland. This will be our 3rd visit. Our first visit was VERY last minute and we didn't do any sit down restaurants. And then our 2nd visit was planned, cancelled and then rescheduled. So, sit down restaurants weren't a priority again. I am determined to get a couple in this time!

Whoops! I totally missed that, sorry! Honestly, sit down meals aren’t usually a priority for us at DLR either, though we do lots of them at WDW! But Blue Bayou is so fun just for the atmosphere if nothing else.

I had just mentioned this to Gwen the other day. And she was indifferent to going there. I was thinking of doing lunch for this. I think the girls would like the Monte Cristos and it looks like they are only at lunch.

The Monte Cristo is definitely super popular! It’s not my thing, but I know many people rave about it. Lunch is nice in the summer because you get a break from the sun and heat, which is less than at WDW in the summer of course, but a break is still nice midday!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Whoops! I totally missed that, sorry! Honestly, sit down meals aren’t usually a priority for us at DLR either, though we do lots of them at WDW! But Blue Bayou is so fun just for the atmosphere if nothing else.

That and Trader Sams are my must dos! Oh and the new asain dumpling restaurant.....

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Good Morning Everyone!!!

It is 8 Days till our trip!!! I am SOOOO ready! Andy ended up working this weekend. Usually he kind of knows when he is going to have a weekend with work and this one popped up out of no where. So, he is def ready!

I tried to get everyone to talk about a general plan for the trip but no one wanted to focus at dinner. So I am going to make executive decisions...

Wednesday morning is Lighting Lane day!!! Since it is still spring break season and we are there so short, I def think we will just do all 3 days. When we have had longer trips, we have done just a few days.

So, here is my plan I think....

Tuesday: Fly to Savannah. We have a 6:30 flight that gets us into Savannah 9-ish.
Wednesday: College Tour!!! poke around Savannah as we feel like, pick up rental car, drive to Orlando
Thursday: Hollywood Studios / EPCOT
Rope Drop Rise of Resistance
LL: Rock n' Rollercoaster
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Dinner: Flower and Garden Food Booths / Counter Service in EPCOT
Andy did request HS for our first park. His birthday is the day before and he said we should pretend his bithday is this day instead. Today would be trying to do all the things we def want to do in HS. Rope drop Rise, maybe hop over to Runaway Railway after... Eventually hop over to EPCOT for some food and Flower and Garden stuff.

Friday: Animal Kingdom / Magic Kingdom
Rope Drop: Everest / Dinosaur / Safari
LL: Tianas
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Dinner: Wailulu Bar & Grill
We could scrap the AK part, but my thought was we go to AK, it opens an hour before everyone else, so we can still get to MK not too late. But we head to AK to ride Everest, Dinasour and the Safari. I figure we could get through those fairly quickly. well the Safari will take the longest. But once we are done with AK, head to MK with LL waiting for us. And then we can head to the Poly for dinner and relax a bit to recharge for some evening fun in MK.

Question: What time should I make our first LL in MK? I want to make it so we don't feel rushed at AK, especially with the thought that we would spend the rest of the day at Magic Kingdom.

Saturday: EPCOT / Hollywood Studios / Magic Kingdom
Rope Drop: Guardians
LL: Slinky Dog
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Dinner: Beaches and Cream
And then today, rope drop EPCOT to ride Guardians, then head to HS for some more LL there. I am hoping to get Slinky Dog this day. I have a 5:10 reservation for Beaches and Cream dinner. I could pass on this but Gwen wants to eat here and a sit down meal would be nice. After dinner we would head to MK to finish off the trip!

Question: Again, what time should I make that first LL? How long would rope dropping Guardians take? Does Caribean Beach have bus service to EPCOT in the morning? I will have to check. If we take the skyliner to EPCOT I assume we would be behind the folks who rope drop from the front of the park? I will have to look for some threads here for anyone else talking about it...

This is a VERY busy schedule and I am not sure we can stand this much go go go. BUT we haven't been to Disney for this short of a time in a LONG time. The good news, I think most of it was can change on the fly. Even dinner at Beaches and Cream... we can cancel if it doesn't work with what we want to do.

I did also get some shirts and stuff, more on that later this week. Waiting on one last item to show up! Ah can not wait!!!!

 

[Stasieki]

For the first AK to MK day, I would say first pass 10:30-11:30 timeframe. For the Saturday, maybe a tad earlier like 10:00-11:00 timeframe. Instead of rope dropping Guardians, any thoughts to purchasing the individual lightning lane? But I guess ropedrop would work. I had heard nightmares about that rope drop but that was like the first week it went standby so I could be thinking of old info.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

nstead of rope dropping Guardians, any thoughts to purchasing the individual lightning lane? But I guess ropedrop would work. I had heard nightmares about that rope drop but that was like the first week it went standby so I could be thinking of old info.

I had thought about that. Andy really hates the idea of individual lighting lane. I might see how much it is when I do my lightening lanes tomorrow. My family also talks a good talk about not riding certain rides and then we get there and want to ride those rides... sigh...

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I don't believe Caribbean Beach runs buses to Epcot as long as the Skyliner is working. I have heard that they don't hold you in the UK anymore so you can get to Guardians but those entering from the front will still be closer. I agree with the previous person - if it is super important - get the LLSP. That's my plan in May so I don't have to do the running of the bulls to Guardians.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I don't believe Caribbean Beach runs buses to Epcot as long as the Skyliner is working. I have heard that they don't hold you in the UK anymore so you can get to Guardians but those entering from the front will still be closer. I agree with the previous person - if it is super important - get the LLSP. That's my plan in May so I don't have to do the running of the bulls to Guardians.

I read some reviews on rope dropping Guardians. And it sounds terrible. @Stasieki mentioned that it isn't great as well. So, I looked to see how much it would be to buy Individual Lighting Lane.... Well, Guardians is $18 a person. So we will NOT be doing that. I can NOT justify $72 to ride one ride.... We will have to suck it up and wait or not ride this trip. We will just have to see.

I don't judge if you decide to pay that, but I just can't. Paying for LL is already too much, but at least that is for the whole day and multiple rides.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Happy Lightening Lane Day!!!!

These morning are always so stressful! But I am so glad to have it back at HOME and not day of! I think I do pretty good. But let me know what you think!

Thursday
8:30 AM Rope Drop Rise of Resistance
Runaway Railway and / or Toy Story Mania
10:00 - 11:00 Rock n' Rollercoaster
10:40 - 11:40 Star Tours
Muppets 3D Vision
Snack / Lunch
12:25 - 1:25 Tower of Terror

---Park hop over to EPCOT---
World Showcase & Flower & Garden Food Booths
Maybe get in line for Guardians at the end of the night?

Friday
7:30 AM Rope Drop Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur
Everest
Safari

---Park hop over to Magic Kingdom---
10:50 - 11:50 Haunted Mansion
11:35 - 12:35 Pirates of Caribbean
Egg Rolls!!!
2:00 - 3:00 Tiana's Bayou Adventure

---Monorail to the Poly---
Dinner at Wailulu Bar & Grill
Maybe Dole Whips - Try and rest and recharge a bit

Back to Magic Kingdom for evening fun

Saturday
Maybe actually NO rope drop. Get to park in time for first LL
9:35 - 10:35 Slinky Dog Dash
10:35 - 11:35 Toy Story Mania
11:35 - 12:35 Tower of Terror
hopefully grab another Rock n' Rollercoaster LL for Morgan?
Probably see Muppets 3D again

---Lunch at Beaches and Cream---
Lunch / Dinner reservation at 3:25

---Park hop over to Magic Kingdom---
Last night whatever we want to do

What do you guys think?

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I don't judge if you decide to pay that, but I just can't. Paying for LL is already too much, but at least that is for the whole day and multiple rides.

It's easy for me to justify this because...it's just me. If I were having to pay for a whole family - also no. We can stand in line. But when it's just me, $18 is a drop in the bucket for a Disney trip. And this is the only ride I buy LLSP for. I will do fast pass for cash for a couple of days but the rest of the time, I just stand in line because, again, just me to worry about (or a few friends join but since they are CM and not staying at the resort, they can't make LLMP at the same time so it's just easier to stand in line together.)

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

It's easy for me to justify this because...it's just me

Def! If I was there by myself I would totally buy one for me. I have thought about getting ILLS for Tron for me and Gwen, since Andy and Morgan don't want to ride. But we decide that, when we are there. If there aren't any, to grab, so be it.

Andy did say we would do a day of decision on ILLS. He talks a big game and then caves....

My new plan is to have us hop in line at the end of the night, I think...

 

[Stasieki]

I like this new plan on getting in line at end of night for Guardians. Only risk is if ride went down late afternoon. If that did happen and Guardians in a must do, you could always rope drop it Saturday and lose a potential sleep in day but we are all Disney pros - haha. Your fastpasses (I will forever call it fastpass) look great. Very good times too! I was thinking your Slinky would have been later in day. Also, just for info on your potential Tron. I was very surprised how the waits got pretty low a few times a day. But I am saying under an hour low. Not crazy low.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

y. Also, just for info on your potential Tron. I was very surprised how the waits got pretty low a few times a day. But I am saying under an hour low. Not crazy low.

Both I want to do but will be ok if we don't. The one benefit of knowing we will be back at some point.

fastpasses (I will forever call it fastpass) look great.

I know, It will always be fastpass in my heart...

 

[SEAGULL59]

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Where the heck was I?! I just realized I hadn't been here in awhile! Good work on your Lightning Lane Day! My Mom and I have one MK day before our cruise in a couple weeks, and we're going to buy the multipass since we are trying to squeeze in as much as possible into our ONE day! We haven't used it ever before, so I'm super nervous about booking....even though I feel like I'm prepared. I just hope I can get everything she has her heart set on and that it works around our schedule for the day. We booked a Keys to the Kingdom tour first thing in the a.m. and I need to fill in our LLs for the afternoon/evening part of the day.

 

[amazingact21]

I'm so happy I realized you had pre-trip reports going. You've had/have so many amazing trips in the works! I'm with you on cruising. Not a huge fan but love Castaway.

I hope you all have a wonderful time in Savannah and WDW!

We went to DL last July and it wasn't a bad time to visit. A little hot but absolutely nothing compared to WDW in the summer. Plus, it was a little less crowded because Magic Key holders are blocked out several days of the week.

I can't wait to hear about Maine, as well! My MIL visited Maine last fall and when she'd call, I'd see her surroundings and think, "Dang, I really want to visit there!" It looks gorgeous.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hi Everyone!!!!

First off Sorry for the delay in coming back here. We got back and life has been busy! end of the school year gets busy busy! We still have 3 weeks of school here and a bunch of things to still do!

Tomorrow the girls will be marching in 2 Memorial Day Parades. Morgan HATES these. But it is to be fairly cool tomorrow, so hopefully it won't be too bad. It has been kind of a wash here in New Jersey for the weekend.

I wanted to let you all know that I have started my trip report for this latest trip. So, if you want to hear all about it, you can find the report here; https://www.disboards.com/threads/2...n-an-april-trip-report.3967611/#post-66164661

Maine
As for planning, I have been busy figuring out our Maine trip with my sisters. We have a loose plans....

3rd: Drive all the way to Bar Harbor, MA We are planning on leaving at 4 or 5 AM to get as far north as possible before everyone else gets on the road for the holiday.
4th of July: poke around Bar Harbor, Lobster Rolls for lunch or dinner, see local fireworks
5th: Cadallic Mountain, hiking and memorial for my parents & spreading ashes and lunch at a restaurant that our father never let us eat at because it was "too expensive" (it's not... )
6th: Just my sister Lindsay and Husband to do more things in area, possibly a harbor tour
7th: Drive allllllll the way home
8th: Rest! Hopefully a pool day at home.

I need / want to come up with lots of things to keep us entertained in the car. When the girls were little and we drove to Myrtle Beach, I had bags prepped for each hour of the drive. I am thinking of doing something similar but obviously more grown up.

Some ideas I had:

• We have a few Disney trivia board games, so I was thinking of taking out cards to use for trivia in the car.
• Maybe some "Emergency Candy" bags for traffic.
• I was also thinking of going to the Asian market and see what weird snacks I could find to try.
• Andy suggested we each make a play list for a certain amount of time.
• Maybe some traditional games, alphabet game, liscence plate game

I would love some suggestions for the drive! We are terribly out of practice on road trips. I did tell Andy if Morgan ends up at SCAD, we will have to drive down sometimes. And we will have to get used to long drives again.

Disneyland Trip
I have also started to plan out more for California trip. Mostly, figuring out exactly what we want to do in San Diego. I have had a list of items for awhile now but I am trying to figure out exactly what we want to do and how much we can do.

We are planning to get a rental car the last 2 days in San Diego. This way we can do things that a car is better to getting to and from and then use the car to get us from San Diego to Anahiem. And then ditch the car. I will come back with more San Diego plans later, as I am still figuring some of that out.

What is coming up is the 60 mark for dinning!!! Which is hard to believe!!!

My dining hit list:

• World of Color Dessert Party on our actual Wedding Anniversay. The dessert party isn't cheap and it just feels festive to do on our actual anniversary!
• Din Tai Fung for dinner. I am tempted to make 2 reservations here. It looks right up our alley for a meal.
• Blue Bayou for lunch. This places feels to me like eating at Cinderella's castle. You need to do it at least once. Lunch has the Monte Cristo which I think the girls will enjoy.
• Trader Sam's is my last item. I am thinking early dinner reservations, so we can go back to the hotel and relax for a bit, head to dinner and then back into the parks?

And I think that is it. There is a ton of good counter service food in Disneyland. Am I missing anything?

 

[Stasieki]

Lamphouse Lounge for the lobster nachos!! So so good. But you are correct... the counter service options there are really good! The grilled cheese and tomato soup at the jolly holiday bakery (and of course the raspberry mickey head macroon there. So so good.

 

[missjackiemcg]

We still have 3 weeks of school here and a bunch of things to still do!

Glad I'm not alone in my end of year suffering! LOL. I'm in til June 13th this year!!!!!

I love your ideas for the road trip. Everyone getting some playlist time sounds great. Trivia and snacks along the way always help to pass the time. We always do the license plate game, and for some reason it's always fun even though there's really nothing to it. Maybe you can make it a competition between two teams and have a prize bag for the winners.

I'm off to the TR!!