ChEARS to 50 yEARS

[monkeydawn]

HI Everyone! Longtime reader, first time writer. I have decided that I would like to celebrate my 50th birthday at Disney next April with some dear friends. The cast includes me, April, my husband Tom, friend Judi, friend Michele, friend (and husband to Michele) Luke, and Michele and Luke's daughters A (9) and L (6). My husband and I each went to Disney a few times as a kid and then together once as a day stop on a cruise (we choose AK since that was a new park to us and I, as a former zookeeper, had a professional interest). Judi has been a few times, probably the most recent visitor of the group (but, like, 5 years or so ago). Michele has been a few times as a kid. Luke, A and L are DisVirgins! We all met many years ago in NY because I started a Chihuahua playgroup and we all have Chihuahuas. Ten years ago I moved to NC but we all still get together at least once a year. We have all vacationed together so there are no concerns there.

Here's me at the Mouse House more than a couple of years ago.



And here are some of the original Chihuahuas.



I am working on putting together some welcome gifts. the theme color is purple. Right now I have backpacks for all the girls (Vera for the adult girls and smaller Loungefly sized backpacks for the kids). I have fans and cooling towels for all the girls, blister bandages and moleskin, some fun socks for the adults (taking recommendations for cheap, cute Disney kid socks), apple watch Mickey bands and ear plugs. For the little princesses I also have bubble wands that will fit in their backpacks and autograph books. The men will get t shirts and Mickey watch bands. Guys are hard to buy for. lol Everyone is also getting coordinating sunglasses.

I had thought about water bottles but we are all kind of particular in what we want in water bottles. We are all pretty good about traveling with our general pharmaceutical needs so I think I can skip aspirin, pepto and stuff like that in travel packets. I dont want to load us down with stuff to carry in the parks. I am thinking about ponchos in purple for all but havent pulled the trigger yet. Is there anything that would be helpful to get for everyone in advance to add to their welcome bags? If I did gift cards for the little princesses so they can choose their own souvenirs/ snacks, what would be a good amount for 3 park days?

I am also planning a "Princessification Station" for the rental house. I have a box of fun hair extensions, glitter tattoos, tattoo pens, gemstone stickers, metallic "freckles", glitter gel, sheet style facial products and a lighted mirror so we can set it all up in a communal area of the house.

Another couple bits of advice I could use about customization...I was looking to customize the Chacos sandals I will get for this trip, you can get the back straps embroidered on Chacos. You can get 8 characters per sandal and they neednt be the same. You can just have one message divvied up if you can get that to work right. (Cheers 2) (50 years) would work but that just feels kinda lame. Is it better than I'm thinking or does anyone have a better idea? The other thing is I would love to have some message embroidered onto the Vera backpacks, a thanks or something but I am coming up empty. Plus if you know Vera backpacks they can be kind of busy so I am not even certain it would look great. Here is a borrowed image of the backpack.

So that's where I am with that kind of planning of stuff. I will break up the rest of the trip by day/ posts because that just feels like a better way for me to organize the information. Hope that is ok and thank you for reading along.

 

[monkeydawn]

The trip will kick off with my husband and I driving from coastal Carolina down to St Augustine, FL for an overnight stop on Tuesday. We generally stay in SA Beach but since we will only be there for one night, I was thinking that the historic area might be nice. Anyone have any feedback on Best Western Historic Bayfront, Carriage Way Centennial or Casablanca Inn on the Bay? Those are the three I am considering. I just love walking around down there and I really love the pesto tortellini at Pizzalleys and the desserts at Chocolattes. Food tax:



This will be our first time down in St Augustine without a dog with us. SA is a pretty dog friendly city but there are a few things that dogs arent allowed to do or its just much easier without a dog. It is an approximately 8 hour drive (allowing for a generous Buceees stop). I expect we will get in around 4pm as we tend to be early risers anyway and I bet I will be anxious to get going. The food places mentioned above are non negotiable so we will have maybe 2-3 hours to wander around. Is there any less dog friendly attraction that is a must do? Actually, we will be there in December with Penelope the best little Chisenji princess in the whole world so dog friendly suggestions are welcome for that trip too. I was thinking ghost/ pirate walk but I am wondering if adding a walking tour before Disney is wise...but if it is a cant miss activity...

Dog tax:

 

[monkeydawn]

This day (Wednesday) we will set out for Orlando. The travel time will only be 2.5 hours so there may be a second visit to Chocolattes in St A in the morning before we leave. I really like dessert. As in, like it should be part of every meal. And, because I am not a total glutton, despite the prior sentence, we will probably also hit a Planet Fitness.

Anyway, once we get to the Orlando area that quick drive will leave some time to hit the outlets and the Gideons satellite store and possibly even Disney Springs before our Air B and B is ready at 4. The rental is on Rocella Ct in Kissimmee. It looks like the rental is a decently close drive to the parks via Google maps and the pictures look mouse-tastic. If anyone has any info/ warnings/ whatever about the area I am all ears. The house has a heated pool, hot tub and pop corn buckets. Is it odd that it's the popcorn buckets that sold me on it?

Judi will be flying in that day. The plane lands that afternoon and we will either grab her or she will Uber, that's TBD. Michele, Luke and the girls are driving in from visiting some family nearby. We will all be excited and probably stay up way too late. Not sure what we will do for food that first night, we will probably just grab a pizza somewhere. Any suggestions on something close to that area?

The next day will kick off our parks visit which I will get into more details in the next few posts. The tentative plan is MK (Thursday), AK (Fri), Epcot (Sat). The next day (Sunday, duh) will be Easter. Let me know if you would organize the days differently and why.

 

[DLo]

Following along. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[monkeydawn]

Following along. Looking forward to reading more.

Welcome and yay! Glad to have someone following along. Thank you.

 

[monkeydawn]

So here is a random question that I havent seen addressed...how much memory should I have on my phone for 3 days worth of photo pass pictures? I know this will vary a ton but I assume we will stop for all reasonable wait opportunities, 5 adults and 2 kids so probably a few combos per station.

I am asking because I am trying to decide if I should upgrade my phone or not. Right now I have an 11 Pro. Prices on 14 Pro/Max and 15 Pro/Max are just too high for used IMO (cant get unlocked new that I can find). That pushes me to the 16. But since I am considering that I am having the interna debate on if the Max is just too big for me (like physically, my hand I mean). Every place has them on lockdown so I cant event try to hold it and use it. But the battery life sounds a lot better between the Pro and Pro Max. Meanwhile, I like my 11 Pro, has reasonable battery life (or at least prior to this latest update, grr), love my case and works well for me. Plus it's just another $1+K I could save by not upgrading. But I am concerned the freed memory I have isnt enough.

 

[monkeydawn]

Another question...Right now there is the Adult ticket for child price discount going on. Is this about the best I can expect to do for adult tickets? How long does this sale typically last, I dont see an expiration date posted in the terms. What is the regular AAA discount? I cant see it because they are running this special. If it is only a few dollars difference, I may wait to purchase tickets but if this is the best deal I will get then I would like to buy now.

We do have group access to a military rate but last year the week before Easter was blackout days so I am guessing military rate will do us no good.

 

[monkeydawn]

Our first park day will be Magic Kingdom. I think I have my outfit nailed down for this day.


Shoes each day will be silver Chacos Z2 Cloud and I will also have the Vera backpack from an earlier post. I have been using the backpack for about 6 weeks and really like it so far. I wear Chacos most days and know that I can put serious miles on them and that they are great in the rain. And, of course I will be sporting a Birthday button!

Food: I do not eat meat, including fake meat substitutes, so I have been looking at menus tying to find places where I have an option or two. Currently the plan is we will likely grab some food before we leave the house and then Sleepy Hallow for a late breakfast of waffles. I am looking at Cosmic Rays and Pecos Bills for other meals for the day. Any input on if one is better for lunch or dinner? None of the table service looks to be great for me, other than Tony's and we will have pizza at least one other day (probably two).

Activity I am most looking forward to doing this day: the Magic Kingdom Fireworks cruise. I really hope we can book this without issue. As I was looking up the exact name of this for this report, I was reminded that you board at a resort. At this point I am uncertain if I choose the resort or if we get told where to go. I guess I should look up the restaurants at the hotels that are boarding possibilities to see if there is a food option at one of those that would work better for our dinner. If anyone has any input about this cruise, I would love to hear it. I already have earplugs packed for everyone so hopefully the ferry horns (and fireworks booms) wont be too loud.

Rides: I would like to try to do the Jungle Cruice, the Pirates of the Carribean, Haunted Mansion, 7 Dwarves Mine Ride (note to check height 38"), Walt Disney Railroad. Maybe the People Mover, Tron (height 48"), Dumbo, It's a Small World, Mad Tea Party, The Little Mermaid, Liberty Square Riverboat. I'd like to do Tiana's but that feels like something I shouldn't set my heart on with it going down so much. Is this list too ambitious?

Shows: The Enchanted Tiki Room, A Pirate's Adventure Treasures of the Seven Seas and Mickey's Philharmagic. Id love to catch at least one parade and the Dapper Dans. I believe there should be an Easter parade on the days leading up to Easter, I'd love to see that one. I'm confused about the Circus shows. I never see them mentioned...are they new?

We will also likely stop for all reasonable wait time photo opportunities. The Castle shot is the only one that I know I really want. Well, obviously, pictures with Mickey too.

Tear my plan apart. What can I do better with? What have I missed? Have I too many wants or not enough?

 

[monkeydawn]

Booking window opens soon. Reworked our plan somewhat. Will try for a Luminous Fireworks cruise on arrival day with Beaches and Cream walk up window after for sundaes. For our first day, our MK day, we are still eyeing Tony's. Hoping for a 2:45 outside so maybe we catch the parade. The next day, our AK day, we should finish a bit early and have shifted the HEA fireworks cruise to this day. No food reservations for this day or the next, our Epcot day. I am planning on eating around the world plus food booths being sufficient. Then on the day we are leaving we are trying for Cape May reservations as early as possible so we can get to Port Canaveral as early as possible.