40th bday trip, need ideas!

[Leota123]

I just booked my 40th bday trip for the first weekend of December. We are former AP's and generally go 4-5 times a year with our family. This year we were way too busy so we cancelled our APs and have no trips planned aside from this one. Me and my husband will be going for 2 nights (we live in Florida but flying in, arriving 8/9pm Friday and leaving 4pm Sunday). We are hoping to head to Springs the night we get in for some food and a few drinks and had plans to drink around the world Saturday and really explore Epcot. When we have the kiddos we go to the countries but we cant enjoy them like we will be able to without them. Then we considered park hopping to HS because my husband has never been to Ogas or ridden RotR. Well, its a Jollywood Night at HS so it would require us leaving Epcot earlier than we would want (probably around 5) and maybe hopping back over to Epcot if its worth it with the time to hop and park closure. So now we are considering buying separate tickets for Jollywood...The late closure (1230am) is really appealing and being able to explore that park together is also appealing bc, again, kids tend to keep us moving more than we would like at times lol. What are yalls thoughts about Epcot and then Jollywood? Worth it or overkill? I also told him we could do Abracadabra Bar or the Dance Hall after Epcot. Just trying to come up with ideas. This was originally supposed to be "JUST EPCOT" but it's so hard to keep it that way when we probably won't get this opportunity again. We also want to maximize our time and heading back to the room at 900 isn't what we want to do (but after drinking all day it might be what we SHOULD do )

 

[ahhhshmatthew]

This is awesome. I too turn 40 in December and have booked a trip to WDW (essentially entire 2nd week of December, but starting that first weekend); we are also leaving the kiddo at home for this one. Random things we are doing / plan to try to do:

-Lots of restaurants we wouldn't otherwise do with the kiddo (Wine Bar George, Sanaa, V&As, Flying Fish...kiddo actually does great but, the price for what it shakes out at doesn't make sense with her along)
-A few "drinks" centric things (monorail crawl -- we typically start at the Poly/TS, then head to Enchanted Rose, then finish at Contemp with Steakhouse 71 dinner // lots of around-the-world shenanigans // def. JellyRolls one night for the people watching)
-MVMCP (would do with the kiddo, but such a different experience with just adults)
-Really leaning into Festival of the Holidays - for obvious reasons, we tend not to over-focus on food booths with our 5YO over rides, characters, etc., but now we can
-Little bit of extra Disney Springs time - same premise, 5YOs aren't known for loving shopping / milling around haha
-Lastly, VIP tour - been saving up for this one!!

Have so much fun!

 

[Leota123]

This is awesome. I too turn 40 in December and have booked a trip to WDW (essentially entire 2nd week of December, but starting that first weekend); we are also leaving the kiddo at home for this one. Random things we are doing / plan to try to do:

-Lots of restaurants we wouldn't otherwise do with the kiddo (Wine Bar George, Sanaa, V&As, Flying Fish...kiddo actually does great but, the price for what it shakes out at doesn't make sense with her along)
-A few "drinks" centric things (monorail crawl -- we typically start at the Poly/TS, then head to Enchanted Rose, then finish at Contemp with Steakhouse 71 dinner // lots of around-the-world shenanigans // def. JellyRolls one night for the people watching)
-MVMCP (would do with the kiddo, but such a different experience with just adults)
-Really leaning into Festival of the Holidays - for obvious reasons, we tend not to over-focus on food booths with our 5YO over rides, characters, etc., but now we can
-Little bit of extra Disney Springs time - same premise, 5YOs aren't known for loving shopping / milling around haha
-Lastly, VIP tour - been saving up for this one!!

Have so much fun!

Your trip sounds great! I also mentioned the monorail crawl. I had a blast on a girls trip doing one. I wish we could get into TS but it was so stressful waiting for our call back. We were at enchanted rose and we sent a friend on the monorail ahead of us to get there while we closed the tab . We’ve never experienced the festival of the holidays and we are the same as yall with the kids at other Epcot festivals so we are excited about really getting into Epcot.

 

[ahhhshmatthew]

Your trip sounds great! I also mentioned the monorail crawl. I had a blast on a girls trip doing one. I wish we could get into TS but it was so stressful waiting for our call back. We were at enchanted rose and we sent a friend on the monorail ahead of us to get there while we closed the tab . We’ve never experienced the festival of the holidays and we are the same as yall with the kids at other Epcot festivals so we are excited about really getting into Epcot.

Haha TS is so hit and miss for getting in, but honestly, we've had a lot of fun outside on the terrace too. We are slowly indoctrinating the 5YO with foodie guides, preview pictures, etc. in the hopes that she gets as excited for food festivals as she does everything else haha.

 

[kwdw]

For a short 40th b-day trip without kids - for your Sat - I think starting at Epcot and ending at HS (Jollywood night) sounds fabulous for your full park day. BECAUSE that is going to be a long day, I'd just settle into your room when you arrive Friday night - maybe some QS food or drink at the resort if you need a meal. Since you don't leave until 4pm on Sunday - I think you have a couple of choices for Sunday - either get little sleep and hit MK at the crack of dawn (dropping any bags off at Bell Services) - OR - sleep in some and head to a really nice meal at one of the deluxe resorts. Maybe a monorail crawl to see the Christmas decorations or just head to Disney Springs.