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Post by jedimom3 on May 7, 2023 9:11:36 GMT -5
Counting down and starting to really prep for our June Universal/WDW trip. What started as a resort only trip at SSR, w 2 days of Universal, has changed completely due to APs going back on sale. Now it's Universal, BWV, and AKL Kidani. Universal was only added to provide some rides/theme park fun, when we didn't think we were going to WDW, but we're just going to keep that part now. I need some butterbeer and Velocicoaster. Plus we're staying 1 night at Royal Pacific, where we haven't stayed since 2016, and will have express passes for 2 days, so that'll be wonderful
May is not as hectic as past Mays. No big kids' activities to get through, unless DS wants to plan something for his birthday. it's later in May. DS is turning 16....meaning big thing is getting that driver's license....idk about y'all, but driving with your kids, and being in that passenger seat, is one of the most stressful things! Picked up DD from UT Chattanooga. She survived freshman year of college, and it was a very good experience.DD also went to the Taylor Swift concert in Nashville this weekend and survived that craziness.Work is looking a lot different for me for a while. I was offered a chance to assist w instructing new hires. I've never done this kind of thing at all before, so it's excitement mixed with some trepidation. I do get off the phones though, for the rest of the summer, so that is the major plus! Looking forward to a nice Florida getaway!
Now for actual Disney planning: I know I'd asked about the Keys to the Kingdom tour, and was so grateful for the responses. surprisingly the kids don't seem all that interested.....I think due to the time commitment, so we didn't book it....yet. BUT DH and I are still considering it, and even if we don't do it in June, we'll work it in to our October trip. He and I really do want to do it.
DH also booked a Savi's lightsaber experience for the 2 of us. Again, kids didn't want to do it....well, it was put to everyone like this: build a lightsaber, or buy one already made at DokOndar's . DD decided she'll just get Ahsoka's. DS.....that kid. He is the MOST frugal, practical, no nonsense person I've ever met. He likes Star wars, but out of the 4 of us, he's the lesser fan. He said doesn't need a lightsaber, he'll take the money....Idk if that's an option.
DH and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary while there, and he's booked California Grill just for the 2 of us. Never been, and looking very forward.
Don't have any other dining booked yet. Might do Skipper Canteen, or maybe Boma. Probably do to-go bread service from Sanaa while at Kidani, but otherwise, winging it.
Reading all about Tron VQs. We've done the Gotg one, and get the general idea, but worried a little about making sure we get on Tron. we do plan to try for that 6pm drop on the Wed we're there. Just to make sure, we do not have to be in MK to do that right? We'll also have a chance Friday during our day
Also just realized, the 4 of us haven't all been together to WDW since Nov, 2020....all the trips since were one or the other kid.
Starting to figure out packing, outfits, Star Wars/Disney/Harry Potter shirts, etc.....well, more figuring out if my favorites still fit.....
Will be there in less than 4 wks, and can't wait!!!
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Post by cpnkirk on May 7, 2023 9:28:47 GMT -5
We'll be right across the lake from you on that first weekend!
Like you, we weren't planning to do Disney parks...until the AP went on sale again. Now we'll probably spend some time there. We're planning to go see the Spinners on Friday night, for sure. Other than that we haven't really planned a lot so we'll be enjoying SAB most of the day.
We'll be on a cruise during the week, our first time!
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Post by jedimom3 on May 7, 2023 10:26:39 GMT -5
We'll be right across the lake from you on that first weekend! Like you, we weren't planning to do Disney parks...until the AP went on sale again. Now we'll probably spend some time there. We're planning to go see the Spinners on Friday night, for sure. Other than that we haven't really planned a lot so we'll be enjoying SAB most of the day. We'll be on a cruise during the week, our first time! oooh, forgot about the Spinners. Saw them a few years ago there, and it was SO fun! Hope we can catch them again this trip! SAB will be great during the days. Hope y'all have a wonderful cruise!! |
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Post by HifromRI on May 7, 2023 11:33:07 GMT -5
That sounds like fun!!! We are doing the Disney Cruise July 8-13 on the Fantasy. The last time we did one, which was our first, was 2016. The 5 of us went and all agreed we had so much fun! The issue is now the older 2 live in Boston, work, and have busy lives, so they can't come though they want to. DD26 has a wedding and vaca for a week with the boyfriend's parents they do every year. Our son, DS28, is in 2 weddings and going on 2 associated trips (bachelorette parties are now big trips - Miami and Punta Cana- eyeroll). They just cannot take more time off of work etc. They are a bit sad. So the 3 of us (DH, me, and DD17) are going. We are staying at CC the day before and 2 days after at BW to do laundry in the 1 bedroom before going home and to stay in the Disney bubble. I figured we would just hang out, do the pool, DS etc the 2 days after by the time we check in and wing it the second day. Well...my DD17 heard that and said I want to go to the parks!!! I said it will be very HOT in July ( we have gone in July and August before tho). She wants to do Guardians (never done it) and Tron. Well, it doesn't take much for me so I said okay!! We will either go in early (which is a struggle with those 2) and/or late but for sure not be park commandos and not be there midday. So I called and filled out the forms for the military salute tickets (we have 3 left for the year), paid for them, picked them up and linked them! I thought about the AP because we are going in November too. DH is going alone for a few days to golf and DD and myself may only come for 3 days or so due to work and school so in the end not really worth it. Summer fun!!!!!!!!
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Post by Ellie54 on May 7, 2023 11:42:00 GMT -5
Have fun everyone - just got back last month and cannot wait until the next one which is in September - Seems like forever!
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Post by helenabear on May 7, 2023 12:50:30 GMT -5
Have fun! I think our days overlap some. For Tron or GotG 6pm you do not need to be in the park nor have tapped into that park previously. Have a wonderful time!
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on May 7, 2023 13:41:38 GMT -5
Jan 2020 my son and DIL did the lightsabers. They loved it. I am pretty sure you will too. DS built the lightsaber with DIL as a guest. Then they did the droid with her building it. It was a great day for them. They didn’t do RotR until later because it was when you had to be in the park to do the VQ. Glad that’s gone!
Happy to read she had a good first year!!
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Post by Brian5581 on May 8, 2023 3:17:16 GMT -5
Enjoy!
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Post by annamaria on May 8, 2023 5:22:25 GMT -5
Have fun and Happy Anniversary!!!
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on May 8, 2023 6:39:19 GMT -5
Oh…missed the  anniversary! Happy anniversary! |
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Post by lephelps on May 8, 2023 7:40:24 GMT -5
Counting down and starting to really prep for our June Universal/WDW trip. What started as a resort only trip at SSR, w 2 days of Universal, has changed completely due to APs going back on sale. Now it's Universal, BWV, and AKL Kidani. Universal was only added to provide some rides/theme park fun, when we didn't think we were going to WDW, but we're just going to keep that part now. I need some butterbeer and Velocicoaster. Plus we're staying 1 night at Royal Pacific, where we haven't stayed since 2018, and will have express passes for 2 days, so that'll be wonderful Cool, we're visiting Universal for the first time in a couple weeks with younger DS (18) and also staying at Royal Pacific. We just watched a new Mammoth Club review of the resort last week (very timely) which was reassuring since we're not familiar with the Universal resorts. Since we're only going for a few days while visiting the in-laws in St. Augustine, we wanted to stay at a resort w/in walking distance to the parks and have the Unlimited Express Passes. We're excited to finally check out Universal though I suspect we're setting high future expectations by getting Express Passes for our first time.  May is not as hectic as past Mays. No big kids' activities to get through, unless DS wants to plan something for his birthday. it's later in May. DS is turning 16....meaning big thing is getting that driver's license....idk about y'all, but driving with your kids, and being in that passenger seat, is one of the most stressful things! Oh yeah, been there, done that with our two boys (older son is now 22),  and miraculously survived though I seriously wondered what would be required to install a steering wheel and brake on the passenger side of our cars for those early days. Parents talk about so many milestones during a child's life but none really talk about how frightening and stressful the driving-related ones can be until you're in the thick of it and then they tell you all the stories that keep you up at night, lol. We sent both boys through AAA's Licensed to Drive program and it was worth every penny to have a AAA driving instructor handle the basics and for them to learn proper procedure/rules (okay, and for it to not be our cars possibly involved in a fender bender  ). What's great is when you get to the other side of the experience and feel confident enough in their driving skills that you can relax/nap while they drive on long trips, like to WDW (I'm there with older DS but younger DS still needs more experience, lol). DH and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary while there, and he's booked California Grill just for the 2 of us. Never been, and looking very forward. Happy Anniversary! We just celebrated ours on May 4th...yeah, we hear "May the Fourth be with you" on that day from family and friends who are Star Wars fans.  After seeing the lightsaber pictures from this past week, I told DH we have to make sure we're in Galaxy's Edge (DHS or DLR) for our 30th in 2026 so we can stand at the edge of the crowd and pretend they're celebrating us!   |
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Post by Ellie54 on May 8, 2023 8:26:32 GMT -5
Happy Anniversary!
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Post by jedimom3 on May 12, 2023 15:52:07 GMT -5
Thanks all for the anniversary well wishes. We've been looking over the Cal Grill menu, and getting excited!
Also been looking over all the options for lightsabers. Still not sure which theme I'll go with, or what color. we already have all of the other crystals we'd gotten for the holocron. I think they're interchangeable w the sabers.
DH just got back from Sam's club. Got a few Disney gift cards, and they have a 100th shirt w Mickey on it. DD and I didn't want one, but he got it. Maybe we should've all gotten some, had a 'matching, ' day. we've done that a few times.
3 wks from now hope to be making our way through Georgia about this time, with an obligatory stop at the Buccees. hopefully farther into Florida also. If we do make it all the way, or very far, might try and use our free Sea world tickets Saturday. Not sure, since they have a new coaster, Pipeline, that'll be open by then, meaning crowds may be crazy. Also, Mako is closed for refurb. Very bummed about that, because that is the main reason I wanted to even go to SW. we'll see....If not, we'll have extra time at Universal
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Post by jedimom3 on May 12, 2023 16:12:02 GMT -5
Cool, we're visiting Universal for the first time in a couple weeks with younger DS (18) and also staying at Royal Pacific. We just watched a new Mammoth Club review of the resort last week (very timely) which was reassuring since we're not familiar with the Universal resorts. Since we're only going for a few days while visiting the in-laws in St. Augustine, we wanted to stay at a resort w/in walking distance to the parks and have the Unlimited Express Passes. We're excited to finally check out Universal though I suspect we're setting high future expectations by getting Express Passes for our first time. Hope you have a great first visit to Universal. That Mammoth Club video was really well done. Lots of great info. I had misremembered my dates. Our last stay there was 2016! I was glad to watch their video for a refresher. We might eat at Jake's one evening. have heard/read good things about their burgers. DS is always wanting a good burger. The 'other' site has really good Universal info/threads. Rix Flix and Pugh Two are good channels also. It's not Disney. It's got its own vibe, but it's great. I think I"m going to finally get an interactive wand and try some spells. DD has one, but I want my own. Just not sure which one to get. Happy Anniversary! We just celebrated ours on May 4th...yeah, we hear "May the Fourth be with you" on that day from family and friends who are Star Wars fans. After seeing the lightsaber pictures from this past week, I told DH we have to make sure we're in Galaxy's Edge (DHS or DLR) for our 30th in 2026 so we can stand at the edge of the crowd and pretend they're celebrating us! What a fabulous day for an anniversary! the Force will be with you....always! |
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Post by lephelps on May 13, 2023 0:11:08 GMT -5
Hope you have a great first visit to Universal. That Mammoth Club video was really well done. Lots of great info. I had misremembered my dates. Our last stay there was 2016! I was glad to watch their video for a refresher. We might eat at Jake's one evening. have heard/read good things about their burgers. DS is always wanting a good burger. The 'other' site has really good Universal info/threads. Rix Flix and Pugh Two are good channels also. It's not Disney. It's got its own vibe, but it's great. I think I"m going to finally get an interactive wand and try some spells. DD has one, but I want my own. Just not sure which one to get. We might check out Jake's as well; it seems like a good choice if grabbing a bite at the resort and the pretzel rods immediately caught the attention of our DS. We all agreed we'll be trying the Tuk Tarts too. I watch a lot of videos from the "other" site (we're talking the DIS, right, lol?). I'm not a big user of their forums (watch quite a few of their YouTube channels though) but did look through the Royal Pacific thread to find info on the different towers and how to make room requests along with some other tips. As far as the parks, we're looking forward to checking out the Harry Potter sections at both parks and hoping we catch people doing wand spells to watch the effects; we like Harry Potter but aren't the level of fan that would buy a wand...now lightsabers on the other hand we could easily spend stupid money on.  Over our two trips last year, older DS visited Dok-Undar's to buy Count Dooku's lightsaber and then pick Cal Kestis' (both boys had to explain to me who he is) as a birthday gift from us and his GF...then after he had Cal's he found out Mace Windu's was new to the collection but 'twas too late, lol. He also picked up the darksaber for a co-worker and that one was pretty cool. Anyway, back to Universal. I hope you find your wand this trip (or does it find you?) and then have fun casting spells.  What a fabulous day for an anniversary! the Force will be with you....always! LOL, thanks. We always remind people the 4th was our anniversary before it was a Star Wars holiday but we don't mind because it makes it easy for people (like our sons) to remember the day when they otherwise wouldn't. |
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anniversary! Happy anniversary!
and miraculously survived though I seriously wondered what would be required to install a steering wheel and brake on the passenger side of our cars for those early days. Parents talk about so many milestones during a child's life but none really talk about how frightening and stressful the driving-related ones can be until you're in the thick of it and then they tell you all the stories that keep you up at night, lol. We sent both boys through AAA's Licensed to Drive program and it was worth every penny to have a AAA driving instructor handle the basics and for them to learn proper procedure/rules (okay, and for it to not be our cars possibly involved in a fender bender 
After seeing the lightsaber pictures from this past week, I told DH we have to make sure we're in Galaxy's Edge (DHS or DLR) for our 30th in 2026 so we can stand at the edge of the crowd and pretend they're celebrating us! 
