We love Disney! It is a passion of ours for the past 20 years. This is our first trip in 16 years without children or anyone else accompanying us. We love going to Disney with other family and our children as we can show them all the things we love about Disney. My favorite compliment so far was from my sister-in-law. She was telling someone about their trip and she said, “We walk out of a restaurant and a parade starts. We go to a ride and walk right in. We sit down at a show and it starts right up.” We have made converts out of her and her husband. They now have Annual Passes and just returned from a three-week trip to Walt Disney World!
I finally made all our Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) and Fastpasses for our, adults only, upcoming trip. This is our first time going with Deluxe Dining (3 meal credits per day to be used at table service or quick service restaurants, 2 snacks and a drink mug). So, this trip is all about the food! Imagine that!
I tried to make a combination of restaurants we enjoy but may not have been to in a while and new restaurants to try here is what we have:
Cinderella’s Royal Table – favorite but haven’t been in 4 years
Akerhaus Royal Banquet Hall – New
‘Ohana Dinner – favorite, went last year for dinner
Captain’s Grille Lunch – New
Hollywood Brown Derby – New
Crystal Palace Lunch – Favorite, Haven’t been in 2 years
California Grill Dinner – New
Teppan Edo Lunch – Favorite, went last year for lunch
Monsieur Paul’s – New
‘Ohana Breakfast – New
The only reservation I am not totally sold on is Monsieur Paul’s. We will see. I keep checking for an ADR that sparks some interest in me to change it for but I haven’t seen anything yet.
Oh, and our fastpasses. I stayed with our tried and true favorites although I was able to snag a Soarin’ one with the new film. I can’t wait for that one. All the rests are the old school – Peter Pan, It’s a Small World After All, type except for Toy Story Midway Mania which I can’t believe is already 8 years old!
It is hard to believe but after over 20 visits in 20 years there are still things in Walt Disney World that we have not done yet. One of my bucket list items is to eat at every restaurant in Walt Disney World. This trip will bring me a few steps closer to crossing that item off my list.
I bet you are getting excited – what fun. And 20 visits in 20 years, amazing! 🙂
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Especially with the 21-23 hour car trip to get there! Lol.
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WOW, that is one long drive – you don’t do that in 1 day do you?
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No, two days. I used to do it in one but I am too old for that.
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Oh wow, is it already that time of the year for you again! I know you’ll have a great time. 🙂
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Thank you!
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Marci so you know I can not even tell you how many times as a Florida resident (and living close by) I have been to DisneyWorld and I have yet to see it all! That’s what makes going there sooooooo much fun! My children love it too. The $$ breaks we get as residents almost would be a shame to NOT take advantage of really. So, have fun and I may see you at the beach! xo LOL
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Thanks! It’s my goal to eat at all the restaurants. I have a good start on them too!
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LOL-enjoy-Marci-I know you both will!!! xx
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We had a lovely meal at Mr. Pauls in March. But the best restaurant for us, so far, has been Marimoto Asia over at the springs. The Dim Sum was fabulous.
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I want to go there too! My favorite restaurant so far has been Narcoose’s for the food. The lobster poached in butter, ahhhh.
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Haven’t tried that yet. You’ll have to share your thoughts on it with me when you return.
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Marci I just thought that if only you two were coming why on earth wouldn’t you fly down non-stop (check air rates) book in advance, contact DOTS transporation or Mears (better yet) transporation to be picked up at OIA (Orlando International Airport) then get taken directly to Disney and your resort? At each Resort there’s non stop shuttles to the Magic Kingdom? You are wasting 42 hours on the Road? Say what????????????? No, no. If you decide to go elsewhere any attraction, car rental agencies are everywhere-unlimited miles-cheap rates-etc.? Cheryl xx
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I don’t fly. I don’t have wings! I’m crazy like that.
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LOL -You do not like Commercial Airflight?
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Nope. We flew in a really bad electrical storm where the plane plunged 10,000 ft. That was the end of my flying. Listening to people getting sick and praying was tough.
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Oh my I m sorry about that bad experience for you!!! I can see why driving is your better bet. xx
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Until I sprout wings I don’t fly. I am a bit of a control freak. 🙂
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LOL-I hear you Marci!
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Have fun!
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Thank you!
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I love Ohana’s for breakfast! Cinderella’s Royal Table is an amazing place too. You are going to have so much fun! No matter how much you go, it is true, there is still so much to see and do. So many new things! Can’t wait to follow your trip!
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You must be getting really excited about your trip to Disneyland and with 20 visits in 20 years it must be a pretty special place for you and your family. I totally get why you would opt to drive instead of fly as I have a horrible fear of flying too. I can only get on a plane with Valium from my doctor to calm me down!
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Thank you! It is our “second home.” My children each made their first visits when they were between 16-18 months old. They say to not take children before they can remember it but we have so many special memories that it has been worth it. Especially them with their grandparents
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Even if they can’t remember their first visit, they will remember many visits after and it gives you memories of your children and of your children with their grandparents. You probably have the photos too . I love looking back at photos of my brothers and I as children and getting all the stories behind the photos from my parents. It would be lovely if your children carried on the tradition when they have their own children!
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I hope they do!
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Sounds great! We live in California, so we go to Disneyland, but someday we will have to visit Disneyworld. I hear it’s fantastic and I’m curious about all these places 🙂
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We are hoping to go to Disneyland next year! I want to see how really different it is. I hear how much smaller it is with less walking between rides and attractions. I can’t wait to see it!
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So exciting Marci!
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Wow!!!! We have been going for a little over 20 years ourselves! My very first time was June 1996 and I was 7 months pregnant with our fourth child,our son. We stayed at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Our girls were 2,5,and 7 and we had the time of our lives. We lived in Bradenton,Florida the whole time they were growing up and a lot of times we could be found camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground every weekend! Having to move to TN to help with family has not stopped us!!! Gary and I go a lot just the two of us and laugh and play like little kids 🙂 We take the grandkids sometimes! I hope we have walked past each other through the twenty years and smiled at each other! Jen
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How sweet! I so wish we lived a bit closer to WDW. The 2,500 mile round trip drive is tough for this non-flyer.
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I completely understand,although I don’t mind flying,we always drive straight through the night. Instead of a short 1 1/2 hour drive when we lived there,it takes us about 12 hours. But we are so excited,we talk the whole way!
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Reblogged this on JenGary New Adventures and commented:
Exploring the magic of Walt Disney World’s parks and resorts as a couple is a fantastic adventure. Preparing to make the most of your time with advance dinners and considering Fastpass thrills is a sure way to make every second count!! Hope KoolaidMoms and her husband have an incredible adventure!
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Thanks for the reblog!
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We’ve done Disneyland and Tokyo Disney and LOVED it every second of both. Orlando is just soooo far from Australia! It is on the list and when we go I want to do the best of the best, as I doubt we will ever get back! So many food options!
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Hopefully you one day! I hope to get to Disneyland Paris one day.
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