There's a first time for everything!-Feb 2021 PTR

[MaytheforceBw/U]

We are only a few weeks out from our first WDW trip!!!!

I'm Kat, a long time Disney nerd. Disneyland is my home park. Lived in SoCal until I was 8 and my family went a lot back then in the 80s. We didn't have a lot of money back then but we got to go at least 2 times a year. What little memories that I have from way back then are from visiting DL so it holds a special place in my ❤. Last visit to DL was only a few hours on the 60th anniversary and I really need a Disney fix!

Now I will finally get to visit WDW! Along on this trip will be my DH, DS16, DS8, and DD3. My DH is not a big Disney fan so it took a lot of convincing to agree to this trip.

It will be my family's biggest trip ever and the longest flight they have ever taken. Flying from Oregon to Florida is a long way! I am probably most worried about that than anything. The kids have never flown that far. My youngest DS hasn't flown since he was a baby and DD not at all.

Our trip will be Feb 17-23. The trip includes my youngest DS birthday so it should be a blast!

We were originally planning to stay off sit and renting a car but after crunching all the numbers I figured it would only be a little extra to stay onsite. I am so excited because I had always wanted to stay at a Disney hotel! Of course, at DL the options are limited and usually when I end up going so expensive. I booked our stay at Caribbean Beach in a 5th sleeper. I have heard good and bad about CBR but since it is our first time we have no expectations. Fingers crossed it will be a great experience.

Speaking about first times, I figure that we won't know what we're missing (well I kinda know)due to Covid restrictions. Here's to no expectations!

That was a lot to type so I will have to add more later!

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

Okay I lied...I have all the expectations! My family not so much but I knows too much Anyway, I am trying to keep my expectations in check and planning to a minimum so I don't stress myself out.

Our travel days are going to be full so that leaves us with five full days. Currently, we are having 1 full day for each park and a rest day.

Day 1: Epcot
I chose Epcot for our first park because I didn't want to be at Epcot during the weekend in case it is busy due to the Arts Festival. Looking forward to snacking my way around the world as much as possible and enjoying the festival.

Day 2: Animal Kingdom
The 2 younger kids love animals so they are very excited for AK. I am looking forward to riding Everest. My DS8 really wants to see the Yeti...he saw an old video of it working. I am not about to tell him it doesn't work like that anymore.

Day 3: Non-park day
Our 3rd day is a non-park day for some rest and relaxation. Probably will go shopping and exploring at Disney Springs. Pool time and an ADR for Sanaa. We love Indian food so we wanted to try Sanaa...also the bread service looks so good!

Day 4: Magic Kingdom
I'm excited to see the differences in my favorite rides and see my little girl see the castle for the first time.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios
My son's birthday is this day and he picked what park he wanted to go to. He really is looking forward to Toy Story Land and Galaxy's Edge. I am thinking of booking him an experience at Droid Depot. Of course, reading all the tips about getting a boarding group. I think I might be super bummed if I don't get to ride RoTR.

I need to plan out meals more. We will mostly be eating quick service and breakfast in our room each morning.


Only 44 more days!!

 

[Bama Mom]

Aw, I hope you guys have a fabulous first trip. I'm sure you will.
My sisters, daughter, nieces and I are taking a girls trip in March and I can't wait. On the flip side, I've never been to DL but would love to go sometime. One of my nieces that will be on this trip lives in LA so maybe I'll make it out there to visit her sometime and hit up DL on that trip if I do.

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

Aw, I hope you guys have a fabulous first trip. I'm sure you will.
My sisters, daughter, nieces and I are taking a girls trip in March and I can't wait. On the flip side, I've never been to DL but would love to go sometime. One of my nieces that will be on this trip lives in LA so maybe I'll make it out there to visit her sometime and hit up DL on that trip if I do.

Thank you! A girls trip sounds so fun! Hope you have a blast!

DL is small but very charming. I love that it was Walt's park. Hopefully it will reopen soon and you get to visit.

 

[ksanftleben]

I bet your DH will love WDW once he gets there and into the spirit; it's almost impossible not to unless the crowds are overwhelming. Also, if he happens to be a veteran, on active duty, or in the reserves or national guard, check out Disney's Armed Forces Salute. Big discounts on tickets and WDW resort stays. Oh . . . when you arrive, be sure to pick up a free personalized birthday celebration button for your youngest DS at any park guest service office or store; it will make the week even more special.

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

I bet your DH will love WDW once he gets there and into the spirit; it's almost impossible not to unless the crowds are overwhelming. Also, if he happens to be a veteran, on active duty, or in the reserves or national guard, check out Disney's Armed Forces Salute. Big discounts on tickets and WDW resort stays. Oh . . . when you arrive, be sure to pick up a free personalized birthday celebration button for your youngest DS at any park guest service office or store; it will make the week even more special.

Thank you so much for the tips! I am a veteran so I will be sure to check that out. I am hoping he will love it too once we get there. He is a big fan of Star Wars which will help and he loves the Muppets so at least there are things he is interested in.

 

[ksanftleben]

Great, you're welcome. How sexist of me to think that he, but not you, might be a veteran. My sincere apologies. And . . . although I always think it sounds a little trite when people say it to me, "Thanks for your service!"

Anyway, for what I think is the best place to find continuously updated info about Disney's 2021 Armed Forces Salute, do a google search for "Military Disney Tips Armed Forces Salute". And while you're there, I recommend browsing through all of that website's articles and posts and signing up for email updates as well.

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

Only 24 more days until our trip!

I am still trying to figure out where we plan to eat...we don't want to eat burgers for every meal so I have been searching for QS meals with a variety of choices. Also added an ADR for The Plaza Restaurant on our MK day. I have heard mixed reviews soit will work out.

I also had some trouble with my airline tickets. We are flying on Alaska and the kept changing my flights! I was assured there will be no more changes. We had an 11am departure at the end of our trip which they moved to 7am! I really did not want to get up that early to catch the DME to go back home! This was the second time that they changed it to 7am. However, it all worked out in our favor. I called and was able to move our departure flight to 6:30pm. Yay! So I changed our 4 day tickets to 5 day. Now we will be able to spend an extra few hours in one of the parks. For now I reserved HS just in case we don't get RotR on our original day.

I am so excited for our first Disney World Trip! We just had 6+ inches of snow dumped on us yesterday so I am ready for some warm sunshine!

 

[Bama Mom]

I also had some trouble with my airline tickets. We are flying on Alaska and the kept changing my flights! I was assured there will be no more changes. We had an 11am departure at the end of our trip which they moved to 7am!

I am so excited for our first Disney World Trip! We just had 6+ inches of snow dumped on us yesterday so I am ready for some warm sunshine!

My group is flying from 4 different places and 3 of those have had slight flight time changes. One worked out for the better and that was my sister's arrival flight. She was going to arrive at MCO at 9pm and now she arrived at noon! WOOHOO. The rest were just 15 minutes or less time difference so far.

You can send that snow to Alabama. My husband would love to have it.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

How exciting that you get to take your first WDW vacation! We will be there the same time- the 18th-24th. We've been many times but it'll be my son's first trip!

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

You can send that snow to Alabama. My husband would love to have it.

❄❄❄Sending snow your way...lol❄❄❄

By the way, I loved your Minnie ears that you made for your trip that you inspired me to make some. I've only made 1 pair so far but they are kinda addictive to make These are for my 3 year old.

 

[DLo]

Following along. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

1 week or 7 days or 168 hours or 10080 minutes!!!!

We are so close to our first trip!! I am beyond excited and obsessing over the weather in Orlando. It is supposed to snow again pretty hard here overnight so I am sure the chance of rain in Orlando is not going to bother me too much.

Now about this being our first trip...I feel the need to explain since there are some who think its crazy to go now with the limited offerings and well it might be crazy lol. But in reality, I need a break and I don't care! To me, it just means I will have to come back later to try all the things that are not open now. I don't have to stress about doing everything or about scheduling fast passes or huge crowds. So I think it is worth it and darn it I just want to go!

 

[MaytheforceBw/U]

On the plane ready to go! We arrive today!