So You Graduated. Big Deal. (Let's Go To Disney!)

[TowerDude]

If you're 18, and you've just graduated high school, and you're that combination of proud, and excited and scared about going away to college, it might be difficult to come out and say, "I want to go to Disney World."

This would usually be the job of my younger daughter, the one who plands with me. But this time - it was the elder, the graduate who told us she needed the trip. And so, far be it from me to disappoint the Advanced Regents with Honors graduate. On to Lake Buena Vita!

When: Thursday 8/6-Monday 8/10.

Where: Piop Century

Cast:

Me, Disney Dad, 52, been going to the World since 84. I try to plan hard, and then go with the flow. Yes, that sounds entirely contradictory. Try it. It works. Mostly.

DD 18, the Graduate. Usually "too cool" to plan with us, but insists on several items being in the plan, to include: Fantasmic!, RnRC, 50's Prime Time, and a stop at the Villians shop at DHS, which she still calls MGM.

DD 16, my co-planner. The ballerina prima who loves all things Disney, and has worn a poodle skirt through the parks as her nod to the 50's restaurant.

They are intelligent caring young women who deserve everything I can give them, and more.

I know we are missing free dining by just days, but the Graduate needs to be on campus shortly after we return from Disney, the days just won't work. Bummer.

I found extremely good prices on Southwest, with a very early flight down on Thursday and a late flight back on Monday, so each of those days will have a good deal of Park time in them. I found nice hopper,v water park fun and more tickets through something called ticketsatwork.com, and one of the nights at Po is in value season so it drops to $62. All in all, we're doing quite well insofar as the dollars go. Disney, to me, is Disney. Expensive, regardless, and worth it.

So. Meals, plans, surprises....to follow.

 

[TowerDude]

Last April my daughters were lucky enough to march wit htheir school band before the 3pm parade in the Kingdom as a part of Disney's Magical Music Moments. It was a thrill for my younger daughter, the graduate tried to play it cool, but she liked it, too. It's fun for a Dad to watch his kids march right down Main Street USA.

Because I am a little crazy, it seems that going to Disney in and of itself just isn't enough. There needs to be something added to the trip. So, several years back, for instance, the Graduate talked for a long time about how great Cirque du Soliel was. I do not know how she knew this, we had never attended, and, considering the dollars on top of a Disney vacation to begin with, it seemed a long shot.

But, we made it happen, and the Graduate had no clue it was happeneing. On the night of our Cirque show, we dined at Ohana. I snuck away from the table and gave the tickets to our waiter and asked him to give them to my daughter and say the envelope was left at the front desk for her. He did, and walked away from our table. B looked at me, actually scared - she had no idea what was going on. So, I mumbled "open it" and continued eating.

She finally opened the envelope, and saw 3 La Nouba tix inside and I will long remember that face. Then she realized her sister was in on it, and her girlfriend back home, and we had fun with that. And, wow, was La Nouba amazing. If you can make Cirque a part of your trip, by all means, do it.

So. What is the shocker for this trip?

 

[mom3sonstt]

We will be there the same time as you. Arriving Aug 2, leaving Aug 10. My Graduate is a Jr. College graduate, but is also "going away" to school for the first time shortly after our return. Along for the ride are his 2 younger brothers, and a neighborhood kid who might as well be our 4th child along with us - aka Mom & Dad. Also on our agenda is a lunch at PrimeTime on the 5th. Requested by....our graduate. What he doesn't know is that I turned in that it is his birthday on that reservation (well, it's 2 weeks after his birthday - but close enough!)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[TowerDude]

Congrats to your graduate. I hope that you have lots of fun. You are really good to bring along the "neighborhood kid" I hope he knows how lucky he is...and Happy Birthday to the graduate. They're going to make such a fuss at 50's.

 

[TowerDude]

I realized that at the very least, my younger daughter is liable to find the thread and then she'll know the special addition I've booked - so I'm not posting it here, yet.

But.

We have reservations for the Hoop De Doo Revue. A lot of people pass, and say that it is out of the way, and too expensive, and brutally corny. All of this is true.

But it is so much fun. From the moment they ring the dinner triangle through rattling your spoon on the washboard the Hoop is just a blast! You have to let yourself go and get int itand have fun.....

The last time I went, if my waiter said 10 punny things, he said 100. I swear. He never stopped. So, we're looking forward to swinging our napkins and we're gonna do it up.

Next: Fog on the pool....

 

[mom3sonstt]

Congrats to your graduate. I hope that you have lots of fun. You are really good to bring along the "neighborhood kid" I hope he knows how lucky he is...and Happy Birthday to the graduate. They're going to make such a fuss at 50's.

Thanks for the Congrats - he is really looking forward to this next stage of school. He met his roommate this past weekend and seem to get along. So that's a good sign. The neighborhood kid is a good guy - they just took my youngest son with them for a long week-end trip to Adventureland. Plus it's easier having an even number of kids - they can split off into pairs and I don't have 3 of them arguing over who is going to do what. They are all teenagers, but it's still more fun to do something with someone than it is by yourself, so bringing Adam along actually makes things a little smoother for all of us. And when we are already paying for 5 - whats 1 more

 

[TowerDude]

Today I did my on-line check in, that's right, ten days now. Actually more like 9, being that the day is almost over.
I called dining tonight and had them basically read back everything I had booked, and it's all there, in place.
Over this weekend past I shared with my girls some YouTube video of the folks doing The Hustle at Pop. M, who is a fine ballerina, picked up the step pretty quickly. I understand that it inot a hard step to do, but I have three left feet and continue to convince myself that every step, no matter how simple, is difficult. Guys do this, and then feel like fools at wedding receptions. Especially because there are always six guys out of all the rest who really can dance.
Now, I don't mind that guy - that Silver Fox guy who can waltz, and cha-cha, and his wife is really good, and they enjoy it, because he made a serious effort to learn, and he's actually good.
The guys that really bother me are the ones who have figured out the Electric slide and they shmooze in there with the 26 yr old hotties and do the Slide like they're God's gift to the dance floor. You know, leaning forward, preening, biting the lower lip.....those guys, I can't stand.

Oh, boy. Dance tangent. Sorry. Have to figure out The Hustle in the next week. M will teach me.

We asked for a room on the ground floor, and also asked for close to transportation. I'd like 60's, if I can get it. We'll see what happens.

 

[TowerDude]

Testing

 

[TowerDude]

That's the first picture I've ever posted here. If someone can help me understand how to size things smaller, I'd appreciate the help.

In 72 hours, I should be on Magical Express, or really close to it. Our Thursday morning Orlando touchdown is 9:30. So, I'm laying out the Itinerary for the purpose of understand that I have things done, as well as sharing it with you kind readers.

Thurs 8/6 - Jet Blue to MCo, DME to Pop, estimated arrival at Pop, 11:00AM. Check in, etc.

Tower, maybe and Fantasmic at 9.

Friday 8/7 - Rope Drop at DHS, Toy Story Mania immediately, Fast Pass, then ride, counter lunch at DHS, DHS until it's too hot.
Back to Pop, a swim, a nap, and then some late afternoon MK, and the hoop de Doo at 7:15. EMH at MK after the Hoop, Wishes at 10.

Saturday, 8/8 - No Parks.
Early AM - the surprise.
Then 11AM, Blizzard Beach, back to Pop and late afternoon Downtown Disney, House of Blues dinner and Disney Quest. Maybe Boardwalk late, depending on time.

Sunday 8/9 - Epcot.
Morning EMH and rope drop at Ep. Soarin, Space, TestTrack, all the cool stuff.
An early lunch at World Showcase, somewhere.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare, scheduled for 4:30. Back to Ep, Illuminations at 9.

Monday, 8/10 Animal Kingdom...and late afternoon, head home.

 

[KAMKIM]

That's the first picture I've ever posted here. If someone can help me understand how to size things smaller, I'd appreciate the help.

In 72 hours, I should be on Magical Express, or really close to it. Our Thursday morning Orlando touchdown is 9:30. So, I'm laying out the Itinerary for the purpose of understand that I have things done, as well as sharing it with you kind readers.

Thurs 8/6 - Jet Blue to MCo, DME to Pop, estimated arrival at Pop, 11:00AM. Check in, etc.

Tower, maybe and Fantasmic at 9.

Friday 8/7 - Rope Drop at DHS, Toy Story Mania immediately, Fast Pass, then ride, counter lunch at DHS, DHS until it's too hot.
Back to Pop, a swim, a nap, and then some late afternoon MK, and the hoop de Doo at 7:15. EMH at MK after the Hoop, Wishes at 10.

Saturday, 8/8 - No Parks.
Early AM - the surprise.
Then 11AM, Blizzard Beach, back to Pop and late afternoon Downtown Disney, House of Blues dinner and Disney Quest. Maybe Boardwalk late, depending on time.

Sunday 8/9 - Epcot.
Morning EMH and rope drop at Ep. Soarin, Space, TestTrack, all the cool stuff.
An early lunch at World Showcase, somewhere.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare, scheduled for 4:30. Back to Ep, Illuminations at 9.

Monday, 8/10 Animal Kingdom...and late afternoon, head home.

we're almost there!!! Hope you guys have a great time! Lookin like good weather for us