Excited for the 4th of July!

[bobieglo]

The last time I went to Disney World was 20 years ago. My family went for a July 4th trip. I was only 7 and I don't remember much...a beautiful beach with thousands of fireworks, some weird dragon thing in Epcot, feeling like I was going to fall into the manatee tank and getting LOST in Mexico! I've always wanted to go back and experience it again.
Two years ago Jamie, my husband, and I went on his first visit to Disney (Disneyland). He was nervous at first that he wouldn't like it, but now he claims it is his favorite trip. This year is our 5 year anniversary. This is a big one for us because we always said that we would make the first 5 years about us, then decide on children. We are ready now but want to have one last hurrah. What better place then Disney World, where we can be kids.
I started planning right away. I'm a teacher so we had to go in summer. Immediately I thought of my previous trip I just had to see those 4th of July fireworks again. Jamie knew he could get no time off in the summer because of his seniority, however his friend said he would get the time off then cancel it later in the year for him to pick up.
We went forward in our plans I researched for several months, waiting for July 2008 when I could make reservations. I contacted a great TA who insured me that if I had to cancel I could get my money back. So I booked it as well at plane tickets, I knew I would have to eat the $2000 for the plane if we had to cancel.
Fast forward to December 2008 the friend that was going to pick up our dates in Jan when Vacation could be scheduled backed out. Luckily my dad stepped in and got the dates for us (Thanks DAD). Now we just had to wait until May when he would drop it and cross our fingers Jamie would get it. The day came and we got them!
Now I can go into full planning mode. I think I have read every guide that has been published and searched every page of Disney's web page. I am a devoted reader of the Mom's Panel.
Next segment... ADR's and park planning.

 

[Mindy5767]

Hey Bobieglo,

I read your pre-trip report. How nice that you remember coming to WDW as a child of 7!! I don't remember anything about my first WDW trip shortly after the park opened. I was older 8 or 9 even. There are no pictures either. We think dad must have taken slides and those are all gone now. He was big into slides for vacation photos in the 60's and 70's.

I am confused about how your dad snagged vacation time for you and dropped it? Does your dad work at the same place as DH? Glad you got it though. We are arrving in Disney World on the 12th, so you'll probably be gone when we get there.

Will you do a post trip report?

 

[bobieglo]

We are leaving on the 13th in the evening.... so our time overlaps a little bit.

My dad and husband work together, my mom has summers off as well so he wanted to take lots of summer off so he could be with her, but gave up some of his summer time for us. He is a great dad!

 

[bobieglo]

I am a total foodie I can't wait for the food in Disney!

I chose to go to Ohana's on the 4th so we could watch the fireworks on the beach just like I did when I was 7. Silly, sentimental, call it what you want. The more that I have read about Ohana's the more excited I am to go. I love the idea of watching the BBQ in the center of the restaurant and eating all the skewered meats.

The next MUST on my list was Victoria and Albert's. Being a foodie nothing could be better then a small restaurant with the best ingredients and one of the best chefs! We will be getting the wine pairing to go with the food which I am really excited about as well. I've tried to pair food many times but I just don't do it justice. I can't wait to see what paired wine really tastes like.

Speaking of wine that is how I made my next choice of Artists Point. I am a Washingtonian and I love my Washington Wine. I thought it would be fun to go to the Northwest restaurant to see the wine list. They claim to have several Washington wines which you would never find anywhere else on the east coast. I think the food will be great as well. I've had Deer and Bear before but I haven't had Elk or Bison, so I will get to try something new.

My husband is a banana fan and a breakfast fan so when I saw the tonga toast I knew we had to go to Kona Cafe As I researched Kona Cafe I came across pictures and menus of their dinner. Their tuna and teriyaki steak look delish!

Jiko is another place I can't wait to go I want to eat the steak with the macaroni and cheese. That sounds low cal! I'm on vacation so anything goes!

I'm excited for the Hoop Dee Do Review. I'm a theater buff and love these types of shows.

Last time we went to Disney we didn't have big breakfasts and my husband got a little sick. We wanted to schedule in a few larger breakfasts so we would be ready to start the day Tusker House and 1900 Park Fare are our two picks.


You might have caught on that I love steak, so I bet you can guess I'll be going to Le Cellier.

My husband picked Citricos from a recommendation from one of my classroom parents.

At Hollywood Studios we are going to 50's Prime Time Cafe for the funny service, and Brown Derby for the fantasmic package.

To get my Italian fix we will be heading to Tony's Town Square and Mama Melrose

 

[Mindy5767]

Boy, you are eating at a lot of restaurants. I love Ohana. 1900 Park Fare for Breakfast is an excellent choice. I'm not much of a meat eater, but we did have steak last time at Big River Grille and Brew Pub. My steak was way overcooked for medium. I would have sent it back, but I was so hungry and it was late and we were tired. I regret that decision. My husband's steak was great though. His was medium rare. They shouldn't have been so different, but mine was charred beyond recognition. We did Fantasmic at Hollywood & Vine. We had excellent seats for Fantasmic.

 

[mdsouth]

Great start to your report!

Your dad sounds like a wonderful father. I think your sentamental plans for the 4th are ideal. You will be able to enjoy the fireworks show in a romantic setting and away from the big crowds! Great plan!

The two of you will have a wonderul trip. My DH and I also went to WDW before kids and loved it. We really enjoyed our time playing in the parks.
We stayed off-site at the Radison and this was before Disney had a dining plan. It would have made it that much more special for us if we could have enjoyed some outstanding meals.

I am so glad you are taking advantage of the dining plan and going to restaurants that are up-scale and adult. Once you have kids, it might be harder to go and enjoy a meal there.

I am a teacher too. I teach Language Arts at the middle school level. So, we had to make our plans for the summer as well. Our trips will overlap a bit. We are arriving on Friday, June 26 and will be leaving mid-day on
July 4th. I am hoping that they will preview the 4th of July fireworks on
July 3rd. What days will you be there?

I have read here that they have in the past at times but it sounds like they might not this year. What a bummer.

 

[jmskinner]

Saw your post over on the July thread and I thought I would join. Too cool that your Dad helped your husband get the time off.

And I love your idea of remembering your childhood trip by doing some of the same things.

You've got some great resataurants picked out, I hope you do a TR with lots of food porn!

 

[bobieglo]

I'm not much of a meat eater, but we did have steak last time at Big River Grille and Brew Pub. My steak was way overcooked for medium. I would have sent it back, but I was so hungry and it was late and we were tired. I regret that decision. My husband's steak was great though. His was medium rare. They shouldn't have been so different, but mine was charred beyond recognition.

That is too bad about your steak, I hardly ever send food back, but I never enjoy it as much, I should just stand say something next time.

:
We stayed off-site at the Radison and this was before Disney had a dining plan. It would have made it that much more special for us if we could have enjoyed some outstanding meals.

I am so glad you are taking advantage of the dining plan and going to restaurants that are up-scale and adult. Once you have kids, it might be harder to go and enjoy a meal there.

I am a teacher too. I teach Language Arts at the middle school level. So, we had to make our plans for the summer as well. Our trips will overlap a bit. We are arriving on Friday, June 26 and will be leaving mid-day on
July 4th. I am hoping that they will preview the 4th of July fireworks on
July 3rd. What days will you be there?

I have read here that they have in the past at times but it sounds like they might not this year. What a bummer.

We will be there July 4th our plane gets in around 4:00 then we leave on the 13th. I am really excited to have the grown up dinners with the playing during they day.

Saw your post over on the July thread and I thought I would join. Too cool that your Dad helped your husband get the time off.

And I love your idea of remembering your childhood trip by doing some of the same things.

You've got some great resataurants picked out, I hope you do a TR with lots of food porn!

Thanks my dad is pretty great! I will most likely do a TR when I get back or at least a food report

 

[bobieglo]

Shopping: Under this section I have clothing and shoe items that we need to buy. I just bought everything I need last weekend. The biggest purchase was Tevas.

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They are not the typical sandals they are more like the Keen shoes. I've worn them around a little they have great support, but today in the heat they started to give me a blister on the back of my heel... hope I can break them in before July 4th! I bought a few tank tops and shorts too. I think I'm set there.
Under shopping, I also have the info on Garden Grocer as well a FAQ about GG and what items Jamie and I might want to buy. The last page is about the toiletry items we still need to buy. I also need to still buy my LGMH at The Home Depot.

Confirmation Numbers: In this section I have all my ADR, resort, flight and ME info and confirmation numbers

To Do Currently this hosts a packing list, I am sure that as I get even closer to our departure date I will add items we need to take care of.

Itinerary:This is one of the WORKING sections I am currently outlining each day as well as I can. What time we need to leave our hotel to get to our ADR, adding what rides are musts for the morning, etc. I'm only on day 3 and, but those days still need tweaking too.

Disney Dining: This is another work in progress. I have a page for each table service restaurant. On each page I have the menu from All Ears and any pictures of dishes I could find on line. I figure that I can bring my lap top with us to Disney and I'll have all the menus so we can have an idea of what we will want to order so we can go quickly. I want to enjoy all our TS meals but I don't want to miss out on too much park time. Hopefully I will have time to add the information about the other quick service options we are looking at.

Snacks: Last but not least I have a list of the snacks available at each park and resort so when Jamie and I trek off for the day we can know what places we might want to go get treats.

 

[Mindy5767]

We will be there July 4th our plane gets in around 4:00 then we leave on the 13th. I am really excited to have the grown up dinners with the playing during they day.

We're having our very first adults only dinner at Sanaa on this trip. DS17, niece 10 and DD7 will not care for it, so DD17 is taking the girls for dinner elsewhere... probably pizza or sandwhiches.

Shopping: Under this section I have clothing and shoe items that we need to buy. I just bought everything I need last weekend. The biggest purchase was Tevas.

[/URL]
They are not the typical sandals they are more like the Keen shoes. I've worn them around a little they have great support, but today in the heat they started to give me a blister on the back of my heel... hope I can break them in before July 4th!

I am looking at a pair of LLBean sandals that look similiar to those Tevas. I have tried on Keens, but haven't been able to buy them because they're always way too wide. They run wide, which is why for my DH and DS17, they're the perfect Disney shoe. I don't know where to look for Tevas. DD6 had Tevas sandals from Nordstrom's. They fit her well because they ran narrow. DD6 has very narrow feet. She's a tiny child.

 

[bobieglo]

We're having our very first adults only dinner at Sanaa on this trip. DS17, niece 10 and DD7 will not care for it, so DD17 is taking the girls for dinner elsewhere... probably pizza or sandwhiches.

How fun, that is the new restaurant correct? You will have to tell me how it is. Take food pics please

I am looking at a pair of LLBean sandals that look similiar to those Tevas. I have tried on Keens, but haven't been able to buy them because they're always way too wide. They run wide, which is why for my DH and DS17, they're the perfect Disney shoe. I don't know where to look for Tevas. DD6 had Tevas sandals from Nordstrom's. They fit her well because they ran narrow. DD6 has very narrow feet. She's a tiny child.

I really wanted the Keens but they just didn't fit my feet correctly. I drove my husband nuts while trying to find a pair. I think I had the sales man pull out at least 10 pairs of shoes for me. I finally decided on the Tevas because after having them on one foot for awhile and trying on shoes on the other foot, it felt like they weren't even there. Now that I have worn them a little I noticed they make my feet sweat and I started getting a blister... I might just end up wearing the old thongs, but with out support I know my feet are going to ache after a few days.

 

[Mindy5767]

How fun, that is the new restaurant correct? You will have to tell me how it is. Take food pics please



I really wanted the Keens but they just didn't fit my feet correctly. I drove my husband nuts while trying to find a pair. I think I had the sales man pull out at least 10 pairs of shoes for me. I finally decided on the Tevas because after having them on one foot for awhile and trying on shoes on the other foot, it felt like they weren't even there. Now that I have worn them a little I noticed they make my feet sweat and I started getting a blister... I might just end up wearing the old thongs, but with out support I know my feet are going to ache after a few days.

Yes, Sanaa is the new restaurant in the Kidani Village. I'm very excited about it. They didn't really have a kids menu with kid stuff like chicken nuggests (that I saw), so I decided that it would be me, DH, MIL and DD21. DS17 didn't care for the sophisticated menu and would be just as happy taking the little ones elsewhere. He's responsible. I will take food pics. I always take pics of our food. People tease me about always taking pics of food.

My DH and DS love their Keens and where them everywhere. My DS even wore them on top of the snow capped mountain in Alaska. I even took a picture of his open Keen in the snow. I have a busy weekend, but I'm hoping to be able to get to Tyson's Corner where the LLBean store is. Its 20 miles away. I have in the past, worn my Crocs all day in the parks without having any problems with sore feet, blisters or sweating. They look clunky, but who cares.. its in the name of Disney comfort.

 

[jmskinner]

You just brought memories for me. We use to live in Rockville, MD and would shop at Tysons Corner. I loved the LL Bean store.

 

[bobieglo]

sorry I haven't posted in a while I'll be back and posting once my report cards are finished and I'm back from my anniversary trip.

 

[Mindy5767]

sorry I haven't posted in a while I'll be back and posting once my report cards are finished and I'm back from my anniversary trip.

Have fun in Victoria BC. Our kids have one more week of school after this week too. Happy 5th Anniversary. Our 23rd Anniv. is on the 29th! We're not doing anything special. Saving it all for Disney!

 

[bobieglo]

Just got back from Victoria BC. It was so much fun and a great trial run for our luggage.

I also found out I needed to add a few more to-dos to the list. Mainly fill all the bottles in the toiletry bag. Shampoos, conditioner, hair gel and contact solution.

My husband also got RideMax so I have to play around with that and see how it works.

I started running today, I'm trying to shed off a few more lbs before hitting the water parks. DH is running with me, I love that, it helps keep me motivated.

4 more days of school! Then I get to work more on Disney. Right now I just finished my thank you notes for parent volunteers and am starting the personal notes for each of my students.

 

[bobieglo]

Our 23rd Anniv. is on the 29th! We're not doing anything special. Saving it all for Disney!

Wow 23 that is great! I love adding the years on to my anniversary. Disney will be the perfect place to celebrate your anniversary, even if it is a month later.

 

[bobieglo]

So I have started playing with ridemax a little. It is driving me crazy so far!

I'll put in the stuff I want to do and it will tell me that I can't do it all. So then I'll start deleting things. When I was organizing for DHS, I had to delete events until there were only two. I ended up finding out that I had an ADR during lights motor action so I had deleted all the items only for that one show. I just wish there was another way to see what all was possible, then delete and add from that.

Oh well, I can't change the program. So I will just have to work on figuring out how to use it best.

I also know it is going to be very busy in July, but it frustrates me that I can't do as much as I thought I was going to be able to do. I'm on the verge of pushing ridemax aside, but though I would go ahead and try it while I'm not stressed out about ending school.

Wish me LUCk!

 

[Mindy5767]

Wow 23 that is great! I love adding the years on to my anniversary. Disney will be the perfect place to celebrate your anniversary, even if it is a month later.

Nope.. it won't even be a month later. It is in the next month.. but since our anniversary is on the 29th, the celebration is only 12 days late!! not bad!

 

[bobieglo]

Just found a wishes cruise to join on July 8th. It should be pretty fun!