When you Wish Upon a Star, Disney Dreams are not that far...

[Jenny Sanders]

90 days to go! My sons should be home any minute from their weekend excursion in Disney. I get to judge their pin contest then. I'm going to give the winner a $20. gc to Chipotle. But, they don't know that.

I wish I could figure out how to post pictures inside my blog...Anyone out there who can help???

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Well, my sons are home from Disney and the youngest won the pin contest. If I knew how to post pictures in the body of this blog, I'd show you. But, I'm totally technologically challenged, so that's probably not going to happen, unless someone can walk me through step by step. He had 3 Donald pins, a Figment pin and a really cool Jack Skellington pin. There were more, but I can't remember for the life of me which ones they were.

88 days to go...at least the weather is getting nicer. I think we will reach the mid 60's early next week. Unfortunately, it just looks gross outside. Everything is dead, dingy and to be honest, some parts of the road look like we've been bombed (the pot holes in Illinois are HUGE).

Another hidden gem of mine is The Wave in the Contemporary Resort. I believe most of the food is organically grown locally. The atmosphere isn't anything to write home about and it's located on the bottom floor (no fireworks views here). But, the food and service are wonderful. Check it out next time you need a reservation, and your favs are not available.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi Disney Friends! I'm really getting excited about going to Disney again, as I'm sure all of you who have reservations are feeling too.

Has anyone done an adults only trip? My husband and I have done quite a few. People ask me if I feel guilty about not bringing the kids, and my answer is always HELL NO!!! They have all gone too many times to count, and have never been deprived when it comes to vacations or Disney.

Disney without kids is a whole, different experience. There's no crying, begging, or meltdowns to deal with. I can do what I want, when I want. I know this will sound awful, but I secretly giggle when I see screaming, unhappy kids, when mine are at home. I'm thinking thank God I don't have to deal with that this time. Now, that being said, my kids have always been great travelers. The meltdowns were rare, and everyone was happy for the most part. I have been very blessed that way. Now, leaving the kids at home does come with a price. I end up spending WAAAAAY too much on gifts for them.

This next trip, I'm bringing my 15 year old twins. They like to sleep in, shop, try new foods, and LOVE Disney. So, this should be another great trip!!! So, my question today is...Disney with kids or without???

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good morning! Time for another pre trip report...I just learned the POTC will be down during my trip and that makes me a little sad. I know it's in great need of some refurbishments, but I will miss it nonetheless. Speaking of POTC, last time I rode it (March 2013), I had to point out to the CM that someone had vomited on the boat I was about to get on (and that was NOT going to happen). It was actually kind of funny. The CM's that were standing there when I made my announcement, looked on in complete horror. They whispered among themselves, then quickly moved the boat forward so that I could get on a clean boat. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good morning! 83 days to go...It still seems like such a long way off. That's the bad news. The good news, is that it's suppose to be in the 70's tomorrow! Woo! Hoo! I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Now, all we need is to keep the temps steady, and have a good rain to wash some of the ickiness away, and we will be all set. I don't know about all of you, but I'm a shorts and flip flops kind of girl. I don't like dressing in layers and wearing boots is for the eskimos. No thank you!

On to my favorite park...My favorite park is MK. I love how it makes me feel like I'm in a fairy tale, like I've been transported to a far away land. I'm one of those people who firsts sees the castle and gets a little teary (every single time I visit). I like the nostalgia of rides like POTC and HM. I also like the newer additions of the New Fantasyland and can't wait to ride 7DMT. I like visiting with the princesses and saying hello to Winnie the Pooh (of course they are real).
I look forward to those yummy turkey legs and Mickey Mouse ice cream bars. Let's not forget the delicious and very satisfying Dole Whip. I can already hear one calling my name...Jenny, come eat me (that was not intended to sound dirty)!!!

What is your favorite park, and why???

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't written in awhile, but I've been sick with bronchitis. I've been like that green, mucus guy from the Mucinex commercials, just a green, slimy ball of germs. I've basically been laying around, sleeping (when I'm not coughing up phlegm balls). I know, disgusting. My husband hasn't come near me in days. Actually, this is his fault. He got sick first and passed it on to me. But, better now, than in Florida.

So, did I tell you we are driving this time? We have only ever flown to Florida since we became adults, so this will be a new experience for us. After delayed flights, canceled flights, and having our luggage lost twice (on 2 separate airlines), we decided to drive. Plus, it's a heck of a a lot cheaper. This allows us to spend 6 nights at WDW and 5 nights in St. Pete. Any tips????

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Driving to Florida. Hmmmm. It's not very appealing to me, but I am honestly sick of flying. As I mentioned in my last entry, I'm sick and tired of canceled flights, delayed flights, lost luggage, cattle calls (thank you Southwest), higher than normal fares and rude, airline employees. Come on, you know I'm right. How many times do you meet a rude, airline employee over a nice one, especially when there's a problem??? Be honest!

Anyway, we booked a Hilton for our overnight on the way down. Now, we just need to find one in Nashville on the way back. We will be taking my car (SUV), so there will be plenty of space for the 4 of us. I'll have it professionally cleaned before we leave, and there will be more than enough room to bring back souvenirs, without having the worry about weighing our bags. Yes, that's happened to us too (and I consider myself a very good packer). I've actually had to open bags at check in to transfer belongings to other bags, because I have gone over the weight limit. Soooo embarrassing! This time, I can bring back all the soap I want from Basin, and it won't be an issue!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Well, we leave in 76 days. I ordered Magic Band accessories for the girls' Easter baskets yesterday. I thought it would be a cute, little something to add. I bought Ashley a set of Pluto MagicBandits, Ali a set of Stitch MagicBandits and Joe and I will be sharing a set of the Fab 4. Has anyone else bought these? Are they very secure? I would be sad if they fell off...

Over spring break, we will start summer clothes buying for the girls. I just added 2 more pairs of shorts to my wardrobe!!! Is anyone else obsessed about looking cute in the parks? OK, I wouldn't say obsessed, but I like to look nice at WDW. Let me just say this, I definitely wouldn't be someone who was picked to be on the show What Not to Wear...

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Nothing like a hot, cup of coffee in the morning. It's the best way to start my day. Speaking of coffee, super excited about all the Starbucks additions to WDW. I'll probably purchase about $100. in gift card for the parks and DTD. That way, I won't have to use my snack credits. Why didn't Disney think of this sooner? Who else is a Starbucks junkie like myself???

When my husband and I last visited in March of 2014, it was such a joy to get a Starbucks at midnight, to keep us awake until park close at 3am. Although the latest the parks are open is midnight during my June trip, it'll still be great to get that afternoon pick me up...

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good afternoon Gang! Can you believe we got 3 inches of snow this morning? What happened to my spring? Seriously, it's the end of March and I'm looking at the dreadful, white stuff again.

So, who knows of a nice Hilton brand hotel in or around Nashville? That's the last thing I need to book in terms of my vacation. Oh, and Memory Maker...My husband and I used it last year and LOVED it. It was definitely worth the money!!! We got some awesome pictures. We never had any problems with pictures showing up and the quality was great.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hello Disney Lovers! I just made mani and pedi appointments for me and my girls before we go to WDW. I always have my nails done (I do the chip proof), but I thought this would be a nice treat for my teenagers. Plus, it's a good way to relax after all the planning and packing that goes into a Disney vacation. If you are like me, and I'm sure almost all of you are, the planning starts at LEAST 6 months in advance. It's exhausting.

Speaking of planning for a WDW vacation, I love doing it. It's so much fun figuring out where to say, how long, what parks to visit, where to dine, what meal package to use, and the list goes on and on and on. I take pride in planning the perfect vacation, and I think it shows at the end of the trip, when everyone is begging to go back, before we've even left for home.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

My MagicBandits came today and they are sooooo cute! I cannot wait to get to Disney and put them on my MagicBands! Has anyone bought these, and if so are they secure? Have you had problems with them falling off?

By the way, 72 days to go and 12 days before I can officially do on line check in for the first resort. Hurray!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

11 days before I can start booking FP+. I hope it goes smoothly. I have read about so many people having issues. The one time I did it last year was good, so I'm hoping for the same luck this time.

I definitely want to book 7DMT. I heard it's not that great of a ride, but it's new, so I need to try it, regardless of whether it's cool or not. At AK, I want to book Everest and the safari. At Epcot, it's Test Track for sure! What are some of your FP+ musts???

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We are at the 70 day mark today. So, the girls and I celebrated by going shopping. Yay! Then, we did some damage online. The girls each got some shorts, and tanks. Ashley got a really cute purse. Ali got a cute pair of flip flops. I got myself a pair of white, cropped chinos. Hey, we're a fashionable family. Plus, we are sick to death of wearing winter coats and boots. It was nice to shop for summer clothing. So many people are on spring break this week and out of town. It felt nice to do some shopping for our upcoming vacation.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We leave in 67 days and in 68, we will be checking into our POR, Royal Room!!! We will probably hang out at the resort until our dinner reservations at Maya Grill. We have never dined here, so this will be another first. Then, off to our carriage ride. A perfect way to end our first night in Disney. What does everyone like to do on their first evening in WDW?

 

[Jenny Sanders]

So, I couldn't leave well enough alone...I canceled dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe (have dined there too many times to count) and canceled Turf Club (it was going to be another first), and booked Narcoossees in their place!!!! I LOVE Narcoossees!!! And, my twins have never dined there, so it will be a first for them. I just couldn't resist the charm of the restaurant and the delicious lobster!!! Plus, we will stay and watch the fireworks at MK as well as the electrical water pageant.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Good morning ! Is anyone reading my pre trip report? It's full of all kinds of fun, interesting facts about my families upcoming vacation...Anyway, if you are reading, leave me a comment. I am open to everything Disney. I would love to hear your tips and suggestions...

 

[allybabba98]

I have been following along and enjoying your pre-trip planning. I live in Toronto, Canada so totally understand the need for warmer weather...I think this week will get into positive digits as right now we are still in our winter coats
I have young children and if air fare was not so expensive I would do what your boys did and just hop on a plane for the weekend. I have often told my DH that I would be content going for a long weekend every four to five months. Needless to say he just rolls his eyes at me.
Hope you get all your fastpasses!

Take care

 

[Jenny Sanders]

My husband constantly rolls his eyes at me too, especially if it has to do with Disney. But, he's a good sport. Honestly, he should have banned me for more than a year (I would never tell him that tho ). Thanks for reading!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I think MDE is experiencing some issues this morning. I tried to log in to look at my reservations, and got the message that I had the incorrect log in (which I didn't). This seems to happen a lot at this site. They are constantly experiencing technical difficulties...Anyone else have problems this morning??? I hope I don't have a problem when I try to book my FP+...That would suck!!!