I’ve given myself such a bad travel itch, that even only five months after Alaska, and only about a week after Florida, I’m already wondering when my next trip will be. I have so many ideas! Austin, Texas. DisneyLAND, instead of Disney World. St. Augustine again, or San Francisco again and again. I just love that hotel life, even that airplane life, and the fact that you can be warm in January, and smiling for 12 hours a day. Even smiling makes my face ache. Name that movie quote for a kiss!
This was our fourth year in a row going to Disney World, which is a high number for someone who thought she’d never get to Disney World with her kids. It all unfolded sort of naturally and progressively. Our first trip was a gift from my aunt and my now-deceased grandfather, and we didn’t have to fret about the trip at all. Every detail was taken care of for us, including flights, accommodations, car, carseats, food, and admission to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, and both Universal Studios parks.
Our second trip started in St. Augustine, Florida – where my in-laws had rented a house for a month. They gifted us with plane tickets, and a gorgeous place to stay. We couldn’t go so close to Orlando and NOT then stay there for a few nights and theme parks. We stayed in my brother-in-law’s apartment and since my aunt still worked for the theme parks, I don’t think we had to pay for tickets. We got so lucky again! Except we did Orlando at the end of our trip, and paid the price in exhaustion!
Last year – our third year – was quite different. We paid for everything, except to stay in St. Augustine, but we had learned to do St. Augustine second! We spent five nights at a Walt Disney World Hotel – for the first time – at the Art of Animation Resort in a Finding Nemo suite. We had told the kids we were staying in a Little Mermaid room, but surprised them with the upgrade. Five nights was a bit crazy. We then relaxed for four nights in St. Augustine at the beach, and didn’t do much – other than walk, read, sleep, eat, etc. It was totally awesome, so we were refreshed to return home after warm weather and sea air.
The cost was so high that we said we probably wouldn’t do it for 2017. For that money, I was thinking the Caribbean or Aruba. Anything! Somewhere early in 2016, Des got OBSESSED with the Cars movie franchise. I couldn’t believe this because there had been a whole Cars section of the Art of Animation Resort – only a two minute walk from our Finding Nemo Suite. I had even walked around it with Scarlet, but never thought to take Des. He got into the movie shortly after the trip. For nearly a year, Des had been talking about the “Lightning McQueen” hotel. Except for Christmas time, in which he asked us to tell him Santa stories every night, he got Lightning McQueen bedtime stories. This was big! As the new year grew closer, I also knew I needed to get to Orlando to visit my aunt. My uncle had died fairly suddenly in June of 2016 and I wanted to stay with her.
We booked last minute at the tail end of last year, but still got a great deal on JetBlue. This dream was on! We were skipping St. Augustine this year, which is still bugging me and I’m dreaming about somehow going during February vacation! That dream is probably ridiculous with the price of our last trip (just last week), and that I had to buy a new lens this week.
So Athena went to stay with our in-laws, we got a great cat-sitter for Juniper, and then we packed our suitcases full of bathing suits, Disney pins, and various layers of clothing. We ONLY needed warm weather clothing, though. Magic!
The flight was uneventful, which is good, and then it took an hour to get our rental car. It rained for ten minutes right after we landed, but then we got to my aunt’s house, the sun came out, we stripped down to shorts, and went into vacation-mode:
Next up – the first two days of sunshine, and then we’ll get to the theme parks. I can assure you that this trip was one of the best of my life – just for how it tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m so game to tell these stories before I lose even a minute of them, or that they fade at all. It’s funny how a trip can be life-changing, isn’t it? Have you ever had a trip that you didn’t necessarily think would be a game-changer, but it totally was? Tell me about one of those trips you had!
Aw, what can I say that you don’t already know about my love of Disney and all things that come with it. That said bring on your upcoming recaps as I am getting excited to return for our third summer trip in a row now 😉
I can’t wait for YOUR trip! One day we will go during the same time, instead of at opposite times of the year!
It’s great you got a chance to go visit your Aunt. I’m looking forward to reading more about this Disney trip.
I’ll be writing more for Thursday or Friday! Stay tuned!
So fun! i want to go to Disney World with my kiddos some day. we are hoping to hit Disney this year during fall break and this will be Anneliese’s first time! I am glad you got to spend time with family during this trip. That is the best 🙂
She’ll love it! I want to do Disneyland next. It’s a dream!
Sounds like this is going to be an awesome story!
I hope so! I miss it so much that it will help to write it.
When I was very young, my family would vacation in Florida in the winter. I used to think that no one actually lived here, lol
I used to think something similar!! Now I know the truth, and I think those people are SMART.
I loved reading this! It’s like a summary of some sort. I only feel happiness for you and your family because of all these wonderful trips you are taking. It’s amazing and I can’t wait to read your stories for sure.
I actually told myself that I’ll take a rest from traveling this year.. but surprisingly I jumped at the opportunity of traveling again and already booked a one-way solo ticket to Singapore just yesterday, with no plans at all. I’ll do the thinking afterwards! Hmmm.
My next goal is to take the kids to Yellowstone. While it’s still there!
I think I might need a rest from travel – or my wallet does – but I will totally jump at a new chance. You know I will!
We’re headed to Florida and Universal Studios in March and I am so excited! I’m the same as you, let me hop on a plane and go somewhere warm! We’re huge Harry Potter fans so I know that will be the highlight, maybe we’ll do Disney next time!
Ohh, awesome. I want to go back so badly. Universal will ROCK your world!
Disney is on our list but we haven’t made it yet!
It will be so awesome once you do it! I think it’s awesome to wait until the kids are older! Des doesn’t remember his first 1-3 years there.
Oh Disney, Disney, how I just LOVE Disney. We’ve been doing it yearly for a few years ourself. We took a break just after Madison was born and then went back when she was 2 and have been doing it yearly again since then. We a week there in December for the holidays and it’s beautiful there at that time, with the decorations etc. We’re actually heading back again next week and again in July. My dream is to do it for Halloween. I can’t wait to see all your recap photos!
You’re there right now! And we’re having 12-18 inches of snow! Sigh. Not the same.
Can’t wait to read about your trip, and I’m in the midst of recapping ours still too!
And I can’t wait to read yours! This is fun!
I am anxiously awaiting the debut of Disney Island (somewhere in the Caribbean). They should totally do it and make you their Island Queen.
Right?? Can you start a petition for me?
You are making me really want to go. It has been many, many years. Everybody is happy at Disney – it is always a good vacation.
It really is. I’ve been unhappy there, but it’s so brief! I love that. So yes, ultimately everyone has a good day!
so funnnnnn! I’m excited to read this and the upcoming recaps because I will be there on a solo day trip NEXT WEEK! OMG! Excited is not even the word because mama needs a vacation. 🙂
I am still so envious and excited for you!!! (not even the word..)
I miss Disney World so much. We’ve been three times, and it will probably be a while before we go again. The boys are older now, and want to try new adventures. Which I’m all for – but I want to do Disney too!
I totally know that feeling, even with young kids. I want the new and old adventures!
Yay for Disney. We love it there too, but yes, it can get costly. I didn’t get as good as a deal on plane tickets this time around, but with Tom not going, it did save some, so that’s something.
Plus they are kind to the military and give us a military discount on the hotel and tickets, so that also helps. Still, we certainly can’t afford to go every year.
Love your photos, as always!
Oh, any bit helps I guess! The military discount makes me happy.
We all miss Disney – I’m hoping we can get back in three years when both kids are in college and off in January. I don’t want to wait that long, but I can’t do Disney in the summer! Catching up on all your travels…
I imagine we won’t go every year as they get older, but I like the idea of maybe every few years or so. Family trips forever!!
We’ve been to Disneyland a few times, but never Disney World. CA is driving distance for us so we don’t have to spend the money for airfare. Can’t wait to see and hear about the rest of this adventure!
Disneyland is a dream of mine! I actually had a dream last night that I was there.. on coasters.
I adore that you made sure to check in with your aunt. I’m sure you and your family were pure sunshine for her. 🙂
I want to go to Disney, and if someone would like to gift my party of five some tickets THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.
xo
I hope we were.. after we left, she went on a cruise. I hope that all helped!!
One of my closest friends and her wife just spent a week in Disney with their niece and nephews. It sounds like they had a blast and got me so excited to take Eve there one day!
Going somewhere warm in the middle of a New England winter truly is magical, especially when you go to Disney 😉
That is so awesome! Best Aunts ever!!!
I even want to go back to that Canobie Lake place, and spend more time there! And not be afraid of rides this time!
We’ve only been to Disney once with the kids, but I’ve decided to take the plunge again this summer, because Camden doesn’t even remember Disney! But it is soooooo expensive 😭.
It’s ridiculous, right? You could probably just go to Rome for that money!
Thanks for shining the sun my way. It’s rainy and cold here…
And today.. we have already a foot of snow here! We have to go back!!!