Drinking the Disney Kool-Aid! The second trip in 6 months!!!

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Here we go. My first real attempt at a trip report (so be nice)! I have seen so many others do it successfully, I thought I would join in on the fun! I hope you enjoy reading it!

So a little background. I am a mom of two girls. I teach high school at a large school in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. My girls are 9 and 14. My 9 year old and I went to Disney in December (yes just five months ago) for a mommy and me trip. We stayed at Coronado Springs on site. I had planned "part one" (the December trip) for about 9 months. I was very much looking forward to it! I will not go into all of the details, but we had planned four park days. Travel days on each end of that. We had a TON of problems with this trip with the "magic" bands. They were anything but magic for us. I will not relive those details with you, but we really needed a do-over. So, we are back to the Coronado Springs in early May.

The group going: Me, DD9, DD14, and the girls grandmother. My DD14 will be turning 15, and it is grandmother's first trip to the world ever! I mean seriously! I have been to WDW 6 times in 5 years, and 8 times in my life. She is an active G (grandmother) and very much loves my girls. We are blessed that she is going along. She wants to experience Disney with the girls, and I am excited to have her drink some of my Disney KoolAid! Some pics...

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Here are some pictures from our Disney trip. DD9 and me. Here is DD14 (she is excited to be coming along this time!)

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So how did she get "roped" into this? Shortly after Christmas, through some "pixie dust" and special circumstances, my DD9 and I decided to go again to Disney. We needed a better memory and a "do-over." G was over at the time, and we asked her to go. Her husband, who is a WONDERFUL grandfather to my girls, has ZERO interest in WDW. And when I say ZERO, that may be looking at it positively. He probably is more like on the negative scale.

Here she is. This picture of her is one of the few that I have. So I must do this trip justice and take lots of pictures of her! This is a few years old, but isn't she BEAUTIFUL ? And a grandmother to boot!

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They live about 3 hours south of us in the Austin area. We asked if both of them would like to come, and he has no interest. I called her and talked to her a few days later, and she was IN! I was so excited. The girls were even more excited. So, being the uber-planner that I am, I got started right away.

Those of you who drink the Disney Kool-Aid, me being in that group, know that you MUST start planning at least 7 months out! I mean, for Pete's sake, you have to book your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) at 180 days plus 10! I mean, how was I going to give her THE BEST AND ONLY Disney experience ever with throwing this together... SIGH!

So, I get busy.... I booked the resort only room. We are staying at Coronado Springs again. It is a GREAT resort. Yes, it is a convention resort. Yes, it is VERY large. Yes, it is not "overly Disney hyped" like the value resorts (All Sports, Pop, Art of Animation, etc.) but I like it.

I have stayed off property several times. On property at Pop, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Coronado on previous stays. One day, I really want to stay at Fort Wilderness Lodge, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Just as a complete side note, after our last HORRIBLE trip in December, I swore off Disneyworld. NEVER AGAIN was I going. But like I said, we had some MAGICAL things align, including G agreeing to go. One of those MAGICAL things occurring that convinced me to return was the staff at Coronado Springs. In particular, one staff member specifically. I have talked to her about this May trip many times, and she has been AMAZING. More on her later, I am sure.

Back to G.... We have traveled with both grandparents previously to Alaska. But never a GIRLS only trip. G is not big into crowds or amusement parks! I explained that WDW is not really an amusement park, right? You agree, right? I have not told her a fib! I mean think of it! Epcot: full of culture and experiences. MK small rides, and characters...the magic! HS...the shows, the drama, the interactions!
She is a retired Kindergarten teacher. She is great with the girls, and she is BOOKED! No backing out now! I just pray she likes everything I have now planned!

 

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Maybe it is Disney's trick they keep playing on the May group. But there have been more changes that I can keep up with. I was able to snag some great ADRs. I book my parks around ADRs.

We land Friday night. Our first park day is Epcot. To ease G into the whole WDW is not-really-a-theme-park, I pick Epcot for our first park day, Saturday. So, I go and snag the coveted Akershus breakfast with the princess. Pre-park opening. Yes, we will be tired. But a MAGICAL way to start our vacation, plus...the REAL reason...before the park opens I can get in line for Anna and Elsa Meet and greet!

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My DD9 was desperate to see them in December, and I refused to stand in the up-to-five-hour long line for them. (Quite honestly, she agreed with me. Too much to do to waste 5 hours standing in line.) So, I super scored with my pre-park opening Akershus, right? RIGHT!

I also picked Epcot for G. I think she is going to like Epcot the most. She was a teacher. She can experience the lands. Not as fast paced as MK, (I am going to ease her into that!), plus it is past our travel day! So, a great plan! Check!

For lunch, Via Napoli and for dinner, Garden Grill.

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My DD9 loved Garden Grill in December, so back we go! She loves the food there.

Oh, jump back! G had talked to one of her good friends who had recently gone to WDW and wanted to try a few restaurants. Via Napoli (one of my favorites) and 50s Prime Time (not one of my favorites, but super convenient at Hollywood Studios). She will enjoy it. For the record, none of us are super adventurous eaters, so it works!

The plan was to eat at Garden Grill, then head over to DHS and enjoy Fantasmik! Day one, the first magical day planned! (I am not a big Epcot Illuminations fan. Plus I think we will be "done" with Epcot by that point. Is it time for MK yet?!?!?!?!??!! I try to avoid MK as much as possible on the weekends. Reason 5,076 we are going to Epcot on our first day, a Saturday!)

Then, of course, Disney announced they would be moving Anna and Elsa to MK. I understand, and quite honestly, agree with the move. But, dang! I worked for that (now canceled) Akershus breakfast!

 

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Here are the plans in a nut-shell: (One word of caution: I know it is a lot of planning! And I am trying to do a lot. I overplan with the intention of dropping the things that are not important each day. )

Friday: Leave DFW on a 3pm flight. Land at 7.
Beaches and Cream for a late dinner and start the fun. I have NEVER been here. Always been too much of a challenge to get to without a car. But, I am renting a car this time.

Have any of you tried the kitchen sink?

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Now I know that we won't be getting it, but just the idea of a burger and ice cream after our flight. The reviews are great and it will be a fun way to kick off our fun!

Then, check in at the Coronado Springs for a night of rest!

Saturday: Epcot and Hollywood Studios
Lunch: Via Napoli
Dinner: Garden Grill
Then fantasmik!

Sunday, DHS and MK!
Breakfast: Kona Cafe ( I honestly believe this will be one of G's favorites! She loves coffee! I have gone there once during a sister trip. I love the Tonga toast, but am contemplating the Macadamia Nut pancakes!) DD14 wants this:

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Last trip, I drank the wonderful juice at Ohana, and look forward to drinking it again at Kona!

Lunch: 50s Prime Time
Move to MK
Dinner: Be Our Guest. Talk about a VERY difficult reservation to snag without the 180 days! Thanks to some friends I have made online, someone shared some pixie dust. We ate there for lunch in December, but are very much looking forward to meeting the Beast. G will love the atmosphere!

MONDAY: Start at Downtown Disney
DD9 doesn't realize but her day starts at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I have a very good friend that lives in Orlando. She is trying to scout out an Anna Coronation gown. Lets hope Pixie Dust comes our way!

Then off to MK. We should be in the park by 10:15, as we have the very first BBB appointment and have our own transporation. Lets hope! (MK from 10:30-2:30. Just to visit princesses and take pictures all princess-like from BBB!)

Lunch: 12:50 Liberty Tree Tavern

This day, since DD will be dressed up we will be meeting some princess including a Fast Pass plus for Anna and Elsa! Yes, difficult to obtain! But the friends I have made online who are planners like me, who stalk the boards, alerted me to get it while the going was good!

Then we move over to Animal Kingdom. Yes some moving around this day. We will only be at AK from 3-6 when it closes. We only have a few things to accomplish there. It is more of an atmosphere thing and G to experience all parks. As I type this, I am second guessing this day!??!?! UGH! But I want to get to AK and this is the first opportunity. I could move it to Tuesday, but then that requires rearranging Fast Pass Plus, and ADRs, and oh..... you see what I mean about the changes?