3 Short Trips in 3 Months...YAY!

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi everyone! This is my second attempt at a pre trip report. I'm Jenny, mom of 4, Matt (24), Tim (20), and the twins, Ali and Ashley (16) and Disney fanatic. If I lived close to WDW I'd probably get arrested for stalking the MOUSE. As it is, I live about 40 miles outside of Chicago and come down to Florida as often as humanly possible...I have 3 short trips planned this year in a 3 month period. I have been to Disney World over 30 times, getting close to the 40 count mark, and it never gets old. In fact, the more times I visit, the more I want to go back...Our last trip was a split stay last June between POR and POFQ. We were there for 6 nights.

That being said, I have 3 short trips planned this year. And, for the record, I consider a split stay as 2 separate trips. Why? Because, each resort/hotel provides a totally different experience for me.

The first trip will begin on July 1st with my wonderful husband, Joe and our twin daughters. We are staying for 1 night at the Hilton in Disney Springs. We have plans to dine at Morimoto Asia and shop til we drop in Disney Springs. We will also be popping into Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar for a pre dinner cocktail or 2...Oh, and by the way...the girls have NO IDEA this has been scheduled...They think we arrive in Disney on July 2nd...

The 2nd trip is from July 2-4 at POFQ. The 4 of us are meeting up with my sister, brother in law and 7 month old niece, Gia. We will spend the 2 days swimming at our resort, shopping and eating a ton!!! We have dining reservations at: The Wave, Paradiso 37, 1900 Park Fare Character Breakfast, Grand Floridian Cafe and Olivia's for breakfast before we head out to St Pete. The purpose of this short getaway is to take my niece to Disney for the first time and have some quality family time with my sister and her family. And, to watch the fireworks from the Grand Floridian on the 3rd...(This is the reason we are dining at the Grand Floridian Cafe that night).

Finally, the 3rd stay is for 1 night at POFQ with my husband and Ali ( 1/2 of the twins), to attend MNSSHP on October 23rd. We are actually flying into Tampa to attend my niece's first birthday party, so it was the PERFECT excuse to hop on over to Orlando for a night...We will be having Sunday brunch at Narcoosees, and dinner at The Plaza before the party begins. Breakfast the next morning is scheduled at Olivia's before heading back to St Pete.

We are 27 days away from beginning our first jaunt this year to Disney World, and I hope you will follow along... Jenny Joe Ali and Ashley

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi everyone! I hope I have a couple followers at this point...Anyway, MagicBands have shipped for the July 2-4 trip. I got one just to get one, but don't really need it. Why.........? Because, when my husband was in Disney this past March (twice in the month), he bought me a FIGMENT band. I am soooooo excited to wear it. I LOVE that purple dragon!

My lucky husband was fortunate enough to visit Disney Springs while on a business trip the first week of March, and then spent some time there when he flew in with my son, Tim the second week of March. Tim was there for a long weekend visiting his friend, Taylor who was in the Disney College Program. He stayed at ASMO for 3 nights and visited MK, Epcot and Disney Springs.

Now, back to my 2 summer trips...Been buying a lot of new clothes for the 4 of us, so we can look our finest while at Disney and then in St Pete. Yes, I am one of those crazy ladies that dresses a little above average when at the resorts and parks. Although, no heels for this girl if I'm walking around a hot, sticky park all day...That's where I draw the line.

I hope you all have a great Sunday and I will chat with you later this week...

Jenny Joe Ali Ashley

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good MONDAY! MagicBands should arrive today or tomorrow, so that makes me do a happy dance. We now have 25 days to go until we see the MOUSE, and I couldn't be happier.
I love the Hilton located walking distance from Disney Springs. This trip will mark my 3rd time staying there, and I am excited to see the Disney Springs expansion...Thus, the reason we are staying at the Hilton...I like that we can walk there and not rely on Disney transportation. Face it, sometimes those buses aren't very reliable. Last June, we waited 40 minutes for a bus from POFQ to Disney Springs and then close to an hour on the way back...UNACCEPTABLE! Ok, rant over...I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

MagicBands came yesterday!!!! 24 days to go, and we will be in DISNEY!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hello Dis Friends! Thought I'd stop in to say hello before I'm off to work...23 days to go...I know my first 2 trips to Disney will be over in the blink of an eye, but I'm still really excited! Any time I can get even a few hours in at Disney I'm happy. Now, some questions for you...

1. What do you think of the Disney Springs expansion? Pros? Cons?

2. What is your favorite restaurant in Disney Springs?

3. What is your favorite shop (I know, soooo many more to choose from)???

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good morning! Well, we leave exactly 3 weeks from today. In the meantime, I have a lot that has to get done here...finish up with work, grocery shop for Tim (20 year old) who is staying home (he is taking a summer school class for college and he has to work), get him cash, leave him notes and directions for the dog and cat, pick up last minute trip items like sun screen, hair appointments, mani's and pedi's, print boarding passes, gather travel documents, and of course, pack. I have already booked the cleaning ladies for when we get back (don't judge, I have a 20 year old young man staying at the house alone). The lawn service will come while we are gone. Tim will get the mail and take out the trash. And, I think that covers it...There sure is a lot to do before you can go on vacation. What are some things you all have to do before you leave on vay cay???

Oh, I almost forgot the most important news...My husband and I booked another trip to Florida this year!!! We are coming down for 4 nights over Labor Day weekend. I don't think it will include any Disney time, but you NEVER know...

 

[ariane37]

Hello Dis Friends! Thought I'd stop in to say hello before I'm off to work...23 days to go...I know my first 2 trips to Disney will be over in the blink of an eye, but I'm still really excited! Any time I can get even a few hours in at Disney I'm happy. Now, some questions for you...

1. What do you think of the Disney Springs expansion? Pros? Cons?

2. What is your favorite restaurant in Disney Springs?

3. What is your favorite shop (I know, soooo many more to choose from)???

Joining! So we've been to the "new" DS a few times now and I actually like the expansion for the most part. I love the bridge across from Ghiardelli's, we've stood there and watched the Amphicars go by on a couple occasions. I also love the Marketplace and some of the entertainment they have at night now. Overall I think it's very pretty and makes me want to spend more time walking around taking in the atmosphere. On the other hand so many of the new stores aren't "Disney" and I don't like that Seems to be becoming more of a regular outdoor shopping mall in that sense.

We haven't been to any of the new restaurants so I have to go with our old favorite, WP dining room. We also love WPE. I'm anxious to try Morimoto's but DH isn't lol, so not sure when we'll get there. Same goes for the Boathouse! As for the shops my favorite is also an older one, Tren-D

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Thanks for following ariane37! I feel the same way about it becoming more of a regular outdoor mall now...I really hope they keep shops like Goofy's Candy Co., and World of Disney...

I want to try Woofgang Pucks in the future, and it's great to hear it's one of your favs!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

All the tragedies in Orlando this past week made me sad. That's probably why I haven't updated my trip report in a while...My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by the senseless crimes that took place. We need better gun laws. Enough said...

Ok, so we now leave in 13 days, and I am beyond words. I just changed a dinner reservation from Paradiso 37 to Wolfgang Pucks Cafe. I did this, because Ashley, one of my twins was struggling with the menu. She's a very picky eater, and to top it off, she HATES melted cheese. Go figure??? I don't understand how she can be my daughter...Cheese in any form is delicious!!! She also hates ground beef, the items on her plate touching and anything having to do with a salad.

Did I mention that after the Disney portion of our trip that we are going to St Pete? We will be spending 8 glorious nights on the beach...All of my husbands family and most of my family live in St Pete. It is one of our favorite places in the entire world. We will be celebrating our 9 year wedding anniversary at the Don Cesar (the beautiful, pink hotel where we were married), visiting the Clearwater Aquarium (Ali's request), and of course, laying in the sun, cocktail in hand...Oh, and spending time with our families. DUH!

I'll be back again soon. The next 2 weeks are going to fly (I hope)...

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Happy Father's Day! Just a quick update with some exciting news...We are now staying at the Grand Floridian for our October trip. It made more sense since we are attending MNSSHP that night. When I suggested it to my husband (fully expecting him to say no) he happily told me to book it. So, I booked it, and rescheduled brunch at Narcoosees for an earlier time, so we have more time to lay around at the pool sipping cocktails... All hail my wonderful husband!!! LOL!

 

[brittanidp]

I totally agree with your daughter, I'm not a cheese fan (like not even on pizza!) and I don't like ground meat (it's a textures thing) and I can definitely pass on the salads!! I'm also from Chicago but live about 30 miles from downtown now! I hope you enjoy all of your trips! We aren't going until December and it's killing me!!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

December is a beautiful time to go!!!! You are VERY lucky!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hello everyone! We officially hit the single digit mark this week. YAY!!! I wish I could figure out how to add pics (unfortunately, I am so technologically challenged). Anyway, Father's Day was awesome! Joey got some new clothes for the upcoming vacation. And, before you know it, 2 trips will be done with...At least I have October to look forward to. Did I also mention that Joe and I are going down to St Pete for 4 nights in September (no Disney though)???

 

[ariane37]

Happy Father's Day! Just a quick update with some exciting news...We are now staying at the Grand Floridian for our October trip. It made more sense since we are attending MNSSHP that night. When I suggested it to my husband (fully expecting him to say no) he happily told me to book it. So, I booked it, and rescheduled brunch at Narcoosees for an earlier time, so we have more time to lay around at the pool sipping cocktails... All hail my wonderful husband!!! LOL!

That is awesome about the GF! Until recently I never had any desire to stay there, but on our last 2 trips we ate at Narcoossees and Citricos and all of a sudden, it's on my list of places I need to stay lol.
Also very cool that you changed your ADR to WPC I hope you enjoy it as much as we have in the past!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi Ariane37! Thanks for following along! I am very excited to be eating at WGP!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

10 days to go and another curve ball, thrown my way...My son, Matt and his girlfriend, Kerri have decided to join us VERY last minute for our first 2 trips in July (you know, the back to back ones, the split stays...They want to surprise Matt's sisters, and my sister's family!!!! YAY!!! I say curve ball, because I had to literally rearrange 3 dining reservations, and you all know what a pain that can be (especially last minute)...So, here goes...

We have now moved our 615 reservation at Marimoto Asia to 4 on July 1. That's really not a big deal, but I didn't want to have dinner that earlier, but hubby really wants to eat there and it's the only available time.

We are no longer having breakfast at The Wave, because Matt and Kerri begged for a character meal...they are in their mid 20's. Sigh!!! We got availability at Ohana at 825 that Saturday, which again is fine (we were going to eat at The Wave at 830). But, it is SERIOUSLY one of my least favorite meals. It's just so darn LOUD!!! But, I guess it's fate, because Matt and Ashley both LOVE Pluto and Kerri and Ali both LOVE Stitch. At least the juice is delicious...

Now, for Wolfgang Pucks...I couldn't get a table for 8, but I was able to get a table for 2 at the same time. I'm hoping WGP's can move Matt's table next to ours...

What we do for our kids...

Although I would NEVER wait 5 hours for the Frozen ride or any other ride...God bless all of you who did today or would in the future!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi everyone! 8 days to go! We booked the limo to and from the airport last night. It's picking us up next Friday at 3am. Which means, this girl will be sleeping on the plane...Might be going out today to buy new luggage...

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Bought the new luggage today...now it's totally getting real.

 

[ariane37]

Hi everyone! 8 days to go! We booked the limo to and from the airport last night. It's picking us up next Friday at 3am. Which means, this girl will be sleeping on the plane...Might be going out today to buy new luggage...

Holy moly lol! Our flight in Nov. leaves 6:15 am; we have to leave our house about 4:30 which means I'll have to be up by 3. I thought that was bad enough but you'll be up earlier than I will
It's all worth it though, given where we're going!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi Ariane37! It really does suck having to get up that early, but it is DEFINITELY worth it!!! Where are you staying in November???