Here Now, I "see the light"

[Tia1977]

Here for our 1st family trip. While my family is currently sleeping (yeah, so NOT on my plan for right now) (well, in fact neither was MK RD this am til LAST night lol), wanted to share and "give back" to DIS ( bc you guys seriously have been my life the past year w/o even knowing it):

1. I had no idea just how much this would mean to me. I cried for joy like a baby 3 diff times yesterday; overwhelmed and immersed with how the "magic" brought my love out for my family (I'm so blessed).
2. Memory Maker is absolutely worth EVERY penny (capturing that family magic). Pics of my very own family looking like a WDW commercial; what?!?. PRICELESS. I'm almost tearing up thinking about some of them right now!
3. FP+ really is an amazing tool (and the WIFI in the parks is def still patchy). But, I'm getting used to switching things around real-time on the fly; due to a gazillion unforeseen circumstances ( Cept for those hard-to-come-by-already-unavailable ones. I've already warned my family I didn't stay up til 1am the night of booking availability for nothing lol).
4. All of my planning, research, etc (including stalking this board) has def come in handy.
5. What's ALSO come in handy is your advice on going with the flow and not allowing that "plan" to rule, bc NO day has gone at all like my "plan".
6. Your advice on knowing your kids limits, and knowing your own family's "style"; SO true. DD is 12 and I'm convinced nocturnal. So is DH. Made plans fitting "us" until we got here. Then, we all got caught up in the mania of doing/seeing it all.
7. RD really isn't for everyone (hence #6). Yes, it worked perfect yesterday at AK & we enjoyed the day so very much (til we left early being pooped out). Yes, the (short) welcome show @ MK this am was cute. Yes, awesome to ride rides in the daylight as "walk ons". But, sucks really bad having a b&$$@ 12yr old girl scowl instead of jump for joy their first MK experience (and domino effect, it got me b&$$@ too). We eventually laughed it off and had our come to Jesus moment, right before deciding it was time to leave for a break (lol). The rest of these next 2wks, I'm going back to my original plans; doing things "our way". (Hence them snoozing right now for us to go back later and night tour instead).
8. Holy Moly over everything alive. When MK is forecasted at an 8, that 8 stands for how many people can you pack down Mainstreet and in every land without a simoutanious combustion. All 3 of us (DH, DD, myself) were almost gasping for air by the time we left for our break (around 1). Totally get you die hards avoiding vacation season to come. We just unfortunately couldn't take DD out of school for 2wks.

Thank you for letting me pass the time bf waking my sleepy heads. More importantly, thank you to each and every one of you who've come to my aid this past year. Can't imagine anyone coming to WDW without this board!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Sounds like the pixie dust is in effect for your family! Enjoy!

#5 is indeed the most important advice I give to anyone going.

#1 Also happens to me....often

 

[For]

Have a memory making holiday. Sounds like it's going to be that way. Enjoy!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Even my sleep til noon teens willingly get up early for rope drop at WDW as long as they can have an afternoon nap. The nap is key for my family. You have to do what suits you! Have a great two weeks!

 

[Lisaloo]

Wow! Loved your post. Hope your trip stays magical!

 

[joannamet]

Love this. Have a magical time!

 

[TVmom]

great to see your follow up post! Hope you enjoy your trip, can't wait to hear more! (we'll be there next week so I'm enjoying the last minute tips!)

 

[DisneyFive]

Fun read. Thanks for sharing. Have an awesome rest of the trip!

Dan

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Thank you for sharing. If you like Memory Maker now, you will like it even more after your vacation. All the editing makes you stay in your vacation mode longer. LOL Enjoy the rest of your time at the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[BrianL]

RE: Number 8...you should see a 10!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Uh oh... You're one of us now. There no therapy for this addiction and no intervention.

 

[elaine amj]

Glad you are figuring out what works for your family and adjusting as needed.

And yes, they must pipe pixie dust into the air because nowhere else is like Disney!

 

[cakebaker]

Try to wait until you're home to start planning that next trip - great post! Hope it continues to be magical for you!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Great read! Glad you figured out what works best for YOUR family!

Oh, and #7... That may not change until she is ... 22. Enjoy the ride

 

[MmmSuite]

These boards made my trip last year AWESOME! Don't fight it, you will be back, just book the bounceback! I'm already planning next year's trip for just me and my best friend!

Keep having all the fun you're having!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kmoore7]

Great post! Glad to hear you're having fun. Smart move getting MM. Enjoy the rest of your trip

 

[TB'sWidow]

AWWWW what a great post I loved it an I have cried too!! Enjoy the rest of your trip

 

[jazz0007]

What a great post from a first timer!! You've totally seen the light....and that is rare on your first trip! Love this post. Have a great time!!!

 

[MataHari22]

Glad you are having a good time and have been able to adapt when needed.

Hope the rest of your trip is magical, too!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Awesome post! Enjoy the rest of your trip