Welcome Home...Three Years Later! A June 2021 PTR (Updated 6/21)

[cstorm65]

Summer Trip - Day 4 Plans

We are getting so close to spring break and we are all getting very, very excited! The boys know we are going on vacation, but they have no idea where. I can’t wait for them to find out next week at this time!

So for today I’m going to get through one final day of plans for our summer Disney trip. We are moving on to Day 4 of the trip. We had a day at Hollywood Studios the day before, but today we are heading here for our first time on the trip:

I honestly don’t know how we will do about not making it over to Magic Kingdom until day 4 of the trip, but this will be a strange trip anyway with all of the precautions and protocols and so we are just going to make the best of it. We are expecting a 9 AM opening of the park. We will certainly take this morning to hit some of our favorites:

I’m not sure where we will have lunch today, we normally like to get into Columbia Harbor House on our first Magic Kingdom day. The food is always so good here and we love it, although right now it isn’t open due to COVID. Now, they recently have started offering the menu from Columbia Harbour House at the Tomorrowland Terrace, but I’ve heard a few not so good reviews about that. So we may just settle into another of our favorite quick service spots at Magic Kingdom, Pecos Bills.

We will most likely take an afternoon break today and return to Magic Kingdom in the evening. Right now the park is typically closing at 7 PM, but I assume that will get moved a little later as the summer looks like it will be a little busier. We are penciled in to have dinner at a place we’ve never eaten before in all of our trips:

I don’t really know why we’ve never tried this, but it just seemed like a good time to try it! Being family style it is a nice hearty meal and so that is good since buffet’s and things are not operating as normal right now. So, that will do it for day 4. I’ll leave you with some throwback pictures from the Magic Kingdom.

THROWBACK PICS

DW on our first trip in 2011:

Here is a good one on DS8's first trip in 2013:

And one final throwback from DS5's first trip in 2017:

Up Next: Spring Break Vacation - Final Preparations​

 

[Paulaparm]

We just ate at LTT last Thursday. We really enjoyed it! (I have eaten there a few times in the past, too and have never had a bad meal!)
It was a nice break in the middle of the day for us.

 

[cstorm65]

We just ate at LTT last Thursday. We really enjoyed it! (I have eaten there a few times in the past, too and have never had a bad meal!)
It was a nice break in the middle of the day for us.

That is great to hear. I'm looking forward to it. It's one of those places that I'm not sure why we've never tried it, but this time we will!

 

[cstorm65]

Wow, it's been too long since I've been on here. Does anyone else, especially those of you in education, feel like time just flies after spring break. Like I haven't been able to keep my head above water these last few weeks. But, here we are only four and a half weeks away from the end of school!!! Anyways, back to the PTR for this coming summer! I'm not too far away from ADR day, so I've got to make sure the plans are ready to go!

Summer Trip - Day 5 Plans

Moving on to our day five plans for this summer and the number one goal of the morning here will be to...sleep! I’m sure we will be ready for a slow morning by this point and I’m sure we will spend some time out at the pool.

After some morning pool time as well as some rest and relaxation we will probably head to Epcot mid-afternoon. We will just have to see what we are able to do when arriving in the afternoon. It will most likely be just some fun around the world showcase and maybe trying some of the rides that don’t draw huge crowds like Nemo or Figment.

The one thing we do have in store for this day is we want to have an early dinner at one of our favorite places, Via Napoli.

We really enjoy this place and of course the boys love pizza as well!

Via Napoli is just a go to spot for us in Epcot and it seems like so long since we’ve been here!

We may do a few more things in the park this evening, but we will most likely just go spend some more time at the pool. We are super excited about just getting to ride the Skyliner back to Pop Century!

That will do it for day five. It will probably be a pretty early bedtime as we have another rope drop in the morning!

Up Next: Summer Trip - Day 6 Plans​

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Lazy days are great. And you guys go long enough that you can have a real lazy day!

I hope your spring break was good. Here in Jersey we are just starting the 4th marking period, so we have a bit more of school than you. But I feel like the last marking period does fly by!

 

[cstorm65]

Lazy days are great. And you guys go long enough that you can have a real lazy day!

That's the truth! The way we figure we have a couple of more years of being able to do longer trips until the boys get even more involved in sports and things than they already are. We'll enjoy it while we can!

I hope your spring break was good. Here in Jersey we are just starting the 4th marking period, so we have a bit more of school than you. But I feel like the last marking period does fly by!

I agree. Once you get on that downhill slope and can countdown the days it doesn't take too long!

 

[kclark9830]

I am a teacher and I agree! It has been SO busy and we still have much to do in the next 6 weeks.

I am glad to hear you love Via Napoli. We will be eating there in June for the 1st time.

 

[princessnpirate]

Wow, it's been too long since I've been on here. Does anyone else, especially those of you in education, feel like time just flies after spring break. Like I haven't been able to keep my head above water these last few weeks. But, here we are only four and a half weeks away from the end of school!!! Anyways, back to the PTR for this coming summer! I'm not too far away from ADR day, so I've got to make sure the plans are ready to go!

Summer Trip - Day 5 Plans

Moving on to our day five plans for this summer and the number one goal of the morning here will be to...sleep! I’m sure we will be ready for a slow morning by this point and I’m sure we will spend some time out at the pool.

After some morning pool time as well as some rest and relaxation we will probably head to Epcot mid-afternoon. We will just have to see what we are able to do when arriving in the afternoon. It will most likely be just some fun around the world showcase and maybe trying some of the rides that don’t draw huge crowds like Nemo or Figment.

The one thing we do have in store for this day is we want to have an early dinner at one of our favorite places, Via Napoli.

We really enjoy this place and of course the boys love pizza as well!

Via Napoli is just a go to spot for us in Epcot and it seems like so long since we’ve been here!

We may do a few more things in the park this evening, but we will most likely just go spend some more time at the pool. We are super excited about just getting to ride the Skyliner back to Pop Century!

That will do it for day five. It will probably be a pretty early bedtime as we have another rope drop in the morning!

Up Next: Summer Trip - Day 6 Plans​

Love your pre trip report! I am planning for the same time too

 

[brookelizabeth]

Joining in for the fun! I'm enjoying your report!

 

[cstorm65]

I am a teacher and I agree! It has been SO busy and we still have much to do in the next 6 weeks.

I am glad to hear you love Via Napoli. We will be eating there in June for the 1st time.

We are down to three weeks!!! Via Napoli is really good. I mean it's not the best pizza we've ever had, but its really good and its something our boys like, so that is always a plus. Also, the Arancini appetizer is excellent!!!

Love your pre trip report! I am planning for the same time too

Thanks for reading along!

Joining in for the fun! I'm enjoying your report!

Thanks for reading!

 

[cstorm65]

Summer Trip - Day 6 Plans

We will be up and at it for Day 6 as we are heading to rope drop at Animal Kingdom!

Recently the hours have been modified and it now opens at 8 AM, so it will be at least a 6:30 wake up call or something like that. But, I am so excited to get back on Flight of Passage. I mean we’ve done it a bunch of times, but I feel like this trip will be almost like experiencing rides for the first time again!

We will also of course have to make sure we get over for a morning ride on the Safari. And also head over to one of DS9’s favorite rides, Expedition Everest!

We will probably end up having lunch at the old faithful restaurant, Flame Tree BBQ! We love getting food and sitting down by the water overlooking Everest. It is such a great lunch spot!

After a break back at the hotel for the afternoon tonight the plan is to head over to Disney Springs and have dinner at a new place for us, assuming we can get an ADR that is. We want to have dinner here:

DS9 loves deviled eggs, so that will be a must. We are super excited about the fried chicken, but I’m torn because I am a huge Chicken Fried Steak fan. So, any help on what to order will be greatly appreciated!

After dinner we will probably do some Disney Springs shopping before heading back to the hotel. We have another rope drop tomorrow, so in bed at a good time will be in order. We will finish things off with a few throwback Animal Kingdom pictures:

Up Next: Day 7 Plans​

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I mean we’ve done it a bunch of times, but I feel like this trip will be almost like experiencing rides for the first time again!

You are totally right. I think the time away is def going to make everything feel new again! Which is kind of fun!

We are super excited about the fried chicken, but I’m torn because I am a huge Chicken Fried Steak fan. So, any help on what to order will be greatly appreciated!

I love the fried green tomatoes app. But I am from the north, so I have no idea how the rank in the south. That and the Thigh High Biscuits! I would love to hear how you like hte Chicken Fried Steak. I have only had it once and I can only imagine that it was not made well, as it was NOT good.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We are super excited about the fried chicken, but I’m torn because I am a huge Chicken Fried Steak fan. So, any help on what to order will be greatly appreciated!

Convince your wife to get one of them, and you get the other...then split both dishes...that's what I do with my DH!

 

[cstorm65]

You are totally right. I think the time away is def going to make everything feel new again! Which is kind of fun!


I love the fried green tomatoes app. But I am from the north, so I have no idea how the rank in the south. That and the Thigh High Biscuits! I would love to hear how you like hte Chicken Fried Steak. I have only had it once and I can only imagine that it was not made well, as it was NOT good.

Well, that's why I'm a little torn on the Chicken Fried Steak. I am a big fan of that dish, but of all of the people who love Homecoming I don't know if I have ever heard anyone talking about it, which is strange.

Convince your wife to get one of them, and you get the other...then split both dishes...that's what I do with my DH!

That's a great idea!!! I'm always up for that plan!

 

[cstorm65]

Summer Trip - Day 7 Plans

Well, before we get to day seven I’ve got some good news! Our first dining reservation day was a success a few days ago. I got everything I needed for the first part of our trip. I’ll have to do it again this week for the second resort of our split stay. The only thing I didn’t get was Beaches and Cream on the day we wanted it, but I was able to snag it later in the trip on a night where it worked into the schedule just fine, so other than that, everything went great!

Now, onto Day 7! This will be our last full day while staying at Pop Century and if you’ve noticed we’ve done a lot of Epcot and Hollywood Studios while we are here and on the Skyliner. So, today will be one more Hollywood Studios day. Of course I’ll be up at 7:00 AM to try and get a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass again before heading to the park. Right now they are scheduled for a 9:00 AM opening. On our other rope drop here earlier in the week we probably would have hit up Toy Story Land, so today may be the day to go down to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror with DS9. DW and DS5 may head back to Toy Story again or something like that. But DS9 loves Rock ‘n Roller Coaster!

We also have a lunch reservation at a first time place for us:

I know it’s hard to believe we’ve been on so many trips, but we’ve never tried 50’s Prime Time. For some reason we’ve just never done it, but it sounds fun and I think the boys are finally to the age where they will enjoy the “fun”.

We may do a couple of things after lunch, hopefully we have already gotten on Rise of the Resistance or will do that soon and if all works out we plan to be out of the park by 3:00 and heading back to Pop Century.

Tonight is our last night here and we will need some time to get things packed up and ready to move resorts and of course get in a little more pool time:

That will do it for Day 7, but I’ll do a few throwback pictures as I have been!

Up Next: Summer 2020 Mini Trip Report Part 3​

 

[brookelizabeth]

Our first dining reservation day was a success a few days ago. I got everything I needed for the first part of our trip.

Woo-hoo!!

50's is delicious. We haven't eaten there in years though... do they still do the Peanut Butter & Jelly Shake? Man, that is (was?) TASTY.

 

[cstorm65]

Woo-hoo!!

50's is delicious. We haven't eaten there in years though... do they still do the Peanut Butter & Jelly Shake? Man, that is (was?) TASTY.

I sure hope so because I have always thought that sounded good! I am looking forward to this place for sure!

 

[cstorm65]

Summer 2020 Mini Trip Report Part 3

I am going to try and finish up the rest of our trip from last summer because I started it earlier in the PTR and want to finish it up. You can view our trip videos on YouTube for this trip:

.

After our day at Silver Dollar City the day before we slept in the next morning before heading out after lunch to play some mini golf at Dinosaur Canyon.

After a fun afternoon of mini-golf we headed back to take a rest, get some pool time, and get ready for a fund show that night. We were heading over to Dolly Parton’s Stampede. I have done this with our senior class from school and thought the boys would love all of the animals and fun.

I was right, the boys loved the show and it was a great thing to do with kids the ages of ours. The food here is just alright, except for the vegetable soup, it is awesome! The show though is super fun, a little corny at times, but for the kids it is great!

The next day was our last in Branson and we headed back for a few more hours at Silver Dollar City. This morning DS8 and I went on their newest roller coaster, Time Traveler. Let me tell you, this is an awesome coaster with a great theme! I mean you could drop it into a Disney or Universal park and it would be one of the most popular rides. It is a spinning ride, kind of like Primeval Whirl, but super smooth. So, not at all like Primeval Whirl in the smoothness! Anyways, while you are spinning like that there are also three launches, like Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. Then in addition to that you have four or five inversions. Needless to say it is an awesome design that is different than coasters I’ve seen anywhere, all the while it’s not just super scary when you are on it. DS8 loved it and wanted to go multiple times, which we did! Here are the rest of our Silver Dollar City Pictures:

We got packed up that night because we were leaving the next morning for Kansas City and a surprise we had for the boys. We did stop and eat lunch at Lamberts Cafe on the way, if you’ve never eaten here do it! You won’t leave hungry and yes, they throw rolls at you from across the restaurant. DS4 was mimicking the workers yelling, “Hot Rolls, Hot Rolls, who wants some hot rolls.”

After driving the couple of hours up to Kansas City we arrived at our surprise to the kids, a couple of nights at Great Wolf Lodge! We got a great deal here and it was kind of the whole reason we planned this trip. We got checked in and before long we were at the water park and spent the rest of the day playing there!

I’ll do one more update on this summer trip from last year with the rest of our Great Wolf time..

Up Next: Summer Trip - Day 8 Plans​

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

We have never been to Great Wolf Lodge. We do have one by us but it is always so $$$!

 

[cstorm65]

We have never been to Great Wolf Lodge. We do have one by us but it is always so $$$!

That is the same for us. Normally over $400 per month for the one in Dallas, but the Dallas one was only showing like $290 as they were trying to get people there after the COVID closure. Well, DW happened to check the one in Kansas City, which is a little further away from us and we got it for about $180 per night. So, we took it because we may never see it at that price again!