Even miracles take a little time! Last minute trip 8/24-8/28 (Pre) Trip Report

[Anchored]

Hellooooo DIS'ers! Checking in for my first ever trip report!

I am planning a 3 week trip to Florida at the end of August to visit my family that we left behind, moving all around the country while my DH serves in the US Navy! Summer is about all the time we have since my oldest is going into 4th grade and we don't like missing a ton of school. And my husband likes to visit his family at Christmas in Chicago (something about the snow!)
Since we don't go back to school until after Labor Day, and my brainiac child has been involved in science camp this summer that will end on Aug 8th, this is just a great time to road trip it to Florida and see my brother, sister, new niece! and some old friends.
While talking to my mom about what we could do while we were in Florida, she suggested a last minute trip to DISNEY using the 4-day Armed Forces Salute tickets. Well, don't mind if we do! So we are booked 5 nights at Shades of Green and scrambling to make last minute plans!
This will be our first time staying "on property" (although I know it's not technically a Disney resort) but looking forward to parking our car once and never getting back in until we leave!
The cast of characters in this trip report will be myself
Keri

My 2 kids
Cameron (9)

And Kristen (5)

We will be departing Virginia in the weeee hours of the morning on August 12, spending 2 night at my Granny's house in Valdosta, GA before getting back on the road for St Petersburg, FL!
We will then spend 10 glorious days relaxing in the summer sun just lettin' off steam!

On Aug 24 we check into Shades of Green for 5 nights

With my mom
Brenda

and my 4 year old niece, Cadence

Going off the recommended parks on easy wdw I have planned the following days tentatively!

Sunday 24th Check-In, switch Salute vouchers for tickets, swim, eat, watch Wishes from the Poly
Monday 25th Epcot, then EMH at Hollywood Studios
Tuesday 26th Animal Kingdom, possibly hop to Magic Kingdom in the evening
Wednesday 27th Magic Kingdom
Thursday 28th Hollywood Studios, then late-ish evening (closes at 11) at Magic Kingdom
Friday 29th Ohana breakfast, then back on the road to Georgia to see Granny again
Saturday 30th, back to Virginia!

I was able to book the following dining reservations today (30-ish days out and a party of 5? oof!)
Monday Epcot - Via Napoli lunch (this is my son's favorite, he is thrilled)
Wednesday MK - The Plaza lunch (might cancel and eat QS)
Thursday HS - 50's Prime Time Cafe lunch (again, might cancel and eat QS but want to have insurance for rain/too hot weather that we will have a/c)

We booked a special promo at Shades of Green that includes breakfast and dinner so lunches are all we needed to book. Not booking anything at Animal Kingdom because we actually LOVE Flame Tree BBQ and are looking forward to our ribs!

I am going to be buying our tickets next Thursday, and keeping fingers crossed that we can score a couple good Fast Pass + 25 days out. We do want to do 7DMT and meet Anna and Elsa, but will just pray something pops up since we can't book at 60 or 30 days. Wish me luck!

So, if you are interested in watching me flail my way through my first trip report, grab your popcorn, kick back, and let's go!!!


Pre-Trip Planning Post 1 - Last minute outfit combos and Stroller rental
Bounding! Outfits for mama!

 

[snowweisz]

This sounds so nice! I'm checking in and gonna be reading along

 

[Anchored]

No time to order custom clothes, so we are just picking up some matching things for the girls to wear

these with hot pink tutus we already have:

these with black tutus we already have (what can I say, the girls love tutus)

These tops with heart-pocket jean shorts and BIG red bows:

Got these giraffe rompers from Crazy8 to wear to Animal Kingdom. I am going to get BIG purple bows for their hair:

Also won this pre-loved dress on eBay, but since there is only one we will see how it goes. ToT is my daughter's favorite ride

Also secured my 5 days stroller rental through APPLE SCOOTERS for $35 total delivered and picked up. I am happy with that, for the City Mini
We don't have a stroller for my 5 year old for day to day use, but I want the security of it in Disney in case she gets tired or over-stimulated. She has Sensory Processing Disorder and gets combative when over-loaded

So HAPPY to be checking things off the list!

 

[Anchored]

Decided to do a little disneybounding on outfits for myself
dresses I already had but went thrifting for accessories and feel pretty good!

Elsa:

Ariel:

Belle:

Cruella!:

Also working on a Pocahontas look in case I am hot/sweaty and want to change one day. Will also bring some extra tees/shorts

 

[cogero]

Joining in. We are actually there at the same time. Love your outfits.