How exciting is 2015 gonna be for you guys?!?!? I'm so glad y'all are getting an American Girl for Olivia; I still have my Molly AG. It is really expensive (I bought stuff for Molly well into my 20s) but it's such a fun thing for a little girl. And they used to have dress patterns and such instead of just buying the clothing, I always enjoyed those.
Vegas baby! Sounds like a great way for mom and dad to get some RnR. And the Smokey mountains, beautiful. A week in a cabin is like a dream! And to top it off a DL trip!, not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous

you guys are gonna have such a blast!
Your Epcot morning looks like such a fun and relaxing one. It's hilarious that WS is slammed with people while you were able to basically walk onto the rides in Future World. I hear BandC is delicious, we've never been, but I'm kinda dieting to get the kitchen sink, even just for the little show they put on. :rofl:
Good to hear on the AG dolls! Pretty much everyone I talk to seems to still have their childhood dolls and had super great memories of it, so I am thinking it will be well worth our investment!
I also have already been thinking that this would be a great opportunity in the next couple years to learn to sew, and Olivia can learn along with me, it would be great for her to have the skill I was never taught, and she could start by learning to do doll clothes!
It does seem like a lot of trips! But really 2 are weekend getaways, 1 will be extended weekend (DL) and the big one is the smokies. The more research I do the more excited I get to visit there! Hopefully there will be snow, I think that just seems magical! I can picture myself out on the cabin porch in the hot tub in the winter with steam rising up and a gorgeous view *sigh*
Haha, I know, we were just trucking along in FW this morning and then we walk back to the WS and it's like, wow, where did all these people come from!?!?!? But really, I never felt it was too crazy in WS during F&W, we still were able to try some of the booths with minimal waiting and such.
I can't wait to read all your DL research--it'll save me from doing my own if we ever get there!
Awwww--your Epcot day sounds relaxing and fun! I'm glad you all got to take your time and really enjoy it. Maddie looks like she's having a blast dancing around and playing in the water!
Hahaha, so far there doesnt seem to be much to the planning, I think its more just tidbits to help park touring go smoother.
It was a super great Epcot morning, pretty darn perfect.
All your trips are so exciting!
We have thought about the cabin in the smokies a few times, it looks like so much fun! You guys will also have so much fun on your trip to the american Girl store. We have one here in STL and I love it! We got Charlotte her 1st American girl doll (the bitty baby) at 2 and I love getting her new accessories and clothes for every holiday! In fact Bob and I were just at the store Friday night, getting some Christmas stuff.
I think you will love DLR! We went for one day in 2006 and it was so much fun. The weather cooperates a little better and I love the way it feels. So nostalgic!
I didn't plan much or anything so I am of no actual help! But you will enjoy it!
Loved your update! I love how the monorail goes all the way around EPCOT. It's so cool!
Yay for AG! It's funny how almost everyone is into it and I seriously had no clue!
You should totally do a smokies trip! It is actually very affordable, especially when you're used to funding
Disney vacations!
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?
uour gone forever then BAM we are hit with ALL THIS NEWS?!?! Dallas- Vegas- AND Disneyland?!?! HOLY CROW GIRL!!!!
I am SOOOOOOOO happy for you!!!!
SO HAPPY!!! I cannot wait to hear all about the plans!!!
FANTASTIC pictures!!! I love them all i cannot pick just one

Figment.. Oh my favorite little purple mischievous maker! Just love him.. aren't the fountains a blast! we adore them! must play!!!
Hahahahahaha, I just love that gif! Ross cracks me up!!
Yes, I know, I am missing and then this news! But who else to share it with and get excited with!?!?!?!?
Thanks, I got a couple good shots, and we had so much fun with Figment and the fountains!
Yay for Disneyland! I am super excited for you. I will have to think of tips. You must see Aladdin (CA) and you must see Mickey's Magical Map (DL). Really good shows. I don't know much about the parades, since we usually don't sit still enough for those.
They do have Dole Whips but not as much selection.
Carsland is so cute. Must ride the Mater's tractor ride. Bugs Land has lots of rides for little ones.
Hungry Bear restaurant is one of our favorites for QS. We have never done a sit down there, but the character breakfast at DL looks to have a variety of characters. For CA, we like the pasta and pizza place (over by Mickey's Silly Symphony Swings) and we like Flo's V-8 cafe in Carsland. We went 2nd weekend in April and for a weekend, California Adventure was not crowded at all. There were longer wait times at Disneyland, but we rode everything we wanted.
There are no fastpasses for TSMM. Even in April, that was our longest non Carsland wait (about 30 minutes). You don't really need a fastpass for Soarin. For the Cars ride (the main ride in Carsland), we waited 75 minutes for Single Rider. You MUST get fastpasses. Try to ride as early as possible, because it breaks down a lot in the afternoon and fastpass riders end up having to wait just as long to ride. It is really cool to ride at night, so try to get fastpasses again at night. Grizzly Roaring Rapids ride is fun, you can get really soaked.
You will love World of Color. Try to see that.
Check ride closures. Indiana Jones was closed when we went last April.
I will try to think of more. Feel free to ask questions. Marissa will be there in 2 weeks.
Yay! I am making notes! These are all fantastic tips! I actually did check ride closures and I am super bummed that the Matterhorn will be down!
I was hoping if anything would be closed it would at least be a ride that has a WDW duplicate, so booooooooo. But I suppose I will live...
Just some more random thoughts. I am super excited for you.
The character breakfast is at Plaza Inn. It is called the Plaza Inn Minnie & Friends breakfast.
I really couldn't decide if I wanted PP or not. I am glad I did. It was $70 pre-order.
You have to try the Mickey shaped Beignets at the Mint Julep Bar (by the New Orleans Square Train Station). Plus, Tiana meets near there between Haunted Mansion and Train Station.
Peter Pan and Alice and Mad Hatter can be found usually between Matterhorn and teacups. Alice and Mad Hatter do not stop until closer to the Its a Small World ride. Peter Pan will usually hangs close to Matterhorn.
Flynn Rider can be found at random times outside the Princess Storybook meet and greet and show.
We still have not met Flynn so that will be HIGH on the list of character greets this time!!!!!! Making notes!!
I have very fond memories of my American Girl Dolls and the first one Santa Ever Brought me has to this day held an extra special place in my heart. What a fun christmas ahead for you!
How fun to get a trip to Disneyland in!! I have never been myself, but I can give you the logic I used for deciding the dates for my upcoming May Trip to WDW.... If you are looking at that time frame that puts you around Mother's day. If you are thinking that time anyways how awesomely cool would it be to get to spend Mother's day in Disney? Dole whip and Fireworks... Sounds like a great mother's day to me!
Yay for figment and jumping fountains. How could you ever go wrong there? I can't wait to see Little Miss enjoy them on our trip.
Wonderful Monorail pictures! Looking forward to hearing about beaches and cream.
Oh, so happy to hear that about your first AG doll! I really hope Olivia is that way too!
Very true about Mothers Day! I will have to consider that!!
Beaches & Cream coming right up!!
Oh darn! I'm all caught up already! Just joining in (I know, super late to the party) but I'm loving it so far!!
Yay! April is here!
YAY Disneyland trip!! Being a west coaster (& growing up in so cal) I am super excited for you!! I love wdw, but DL is just so great. Be sure to check out the petrified tree by the rivers of America. Walt gave that to his wife as a present and she was like "um, yeah... You can put that in your park." I love that story!
Also be sure to check out the light on top of the firehouse. It's walt's apartment - not sure your kids will be up for the walk in walts tour, but definitely check out the DL threads to get nuggets of fun facts that you can interject throughout your trip.
If you hand any questions or want to bounce ideas off of anyone, I'm happy to help. Went twice last year with my <1 year old at the time, have gone on 20+ DL trips with my 3 nephews at various ages, and am headed back in 2015 for 4 more DL trips!!
Wow! I heard about the firehouse light, but not the tree! Yes, yes, yes! Taking notes! Love all this info! Have you ever asked about the train car for Walt's wife? I want to ride in it!