Well, it’s been 3 weeks since we’ve returned home from our latest Disney World vacation. This time we went with 10 people. And before you ask, yes it was a bit insane. Although we recently bought into the Disney Vacation Club, this was not a DVC trip. My parents booked this trip for our family last March. They joined us on the vacation, as did my brother, his girlfriend, and her two adorable kids.
We originally were booked to stay at Pop Century, however, when we checked in there was a huge issue. We had three rooms booked, and all three rooms were supposed to be near one another. They were not. We were literally at check-in for 3 hours. Because of the mix-up, we got upgraded us to Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. It’s funny because SSR is actually where we bought into with Disney Vacation Club! It was pretty cool to visit our first trip “home.”
I’m apologizing now, but there’s going to be a ridiculous amount of photos. I was going to make them into collages, but then I changed my mind.
When we booked our trip back last March, Disney was running a promotion where we got their dining plan for free. This meant we had one quick service meal, one table service meal, and one snack each per day! Prior to our trip I booked all of our table service meals in advanced…otherwise we would have never got in! I used most of these as character meals, for the kids!
Of course with there being ten people, sometimes plans have to change. First my dad got sick. Followed by my brother. Next up was my brothers girlfriends kids, then Lincoln. Avery was hit next, and then my mom. Jared almost missed it, but got sick our last day.
Yeah. Eight of us got sick. I’m one of the lucky two that didn’t. It was a nasty 24 hour pukey bug. My poor Lincoln woke up at 3am getting sick all over the bed. He’s never thrown up before, so he was so scared. I was praying Avery wouldn’t get it, but literally right when we were about to go onto It’s a Small World, he got sick.
Getting sick is the last thing you want to happen when you’re at Disney World! So yeah, plans obviously had to change. We had a reservation for the Hoop-De-Doo Review dinner show, that we had to cancel. I was bummed because I heard it is pretty amazing! We’re planning on doing it during our trip in March.
At least the bug was quick. I’d say both of my boys only had it for about 12 hours, thankfully.
Other than getting sick…we still had fun. We were at the Happiest Place on Earth, after all!!
There was one night where my parents stayed back at the hotel with Avery. Jared and I took Lincoln to Epcot for the night. We had so much fun….even though it was pouring buckets of rain!
It was nice being able to give him that special one-on-one time. I know he enjoyed it, but if I’m being honest….I think Jared and I enjoyed it even more.
We were literally go-go-go every single second. Somehow I wasn’t the least bit exhausted. I think that’s the Disney adrenaline 🙂
And yes. Before you ask, we did get to meet Anna and Elsa. And no. We did not wait in a line for 3 hundred hours. We had a fast pass and we waited about 10 minutes. Lincoln was seriously in awe.
Rapunzel was super sweet with Lincoln. It is so cool how they really stay in character. I mean, I know that’s what they have to do…but they’re really good!
Lincoln was super excited to meet Vanellope again.
She even played peek-a-boo with Avery!!
You guys. Frozen really has literally taken over Disney. Hollywood Studios was still having their “Frozen Summer Fun” event. I’m lucky my Lincoln loves Frozen so much!
We purchased the Memory Maker for our trip. I would highly recommend it. Whenever you see a Disney photographer in the parks, you have them take your photo. They then scan your magic band, and your photos are delivered electronically to your account. Also, all those photos they take on the rides are included. They will even sometimes add in little special effects, called “magic shots.”
If you don’t want to pay for the Memory Maker, the Disney photographers will still happily take your photo with your camera…so your entire family can get in the shot.
We’re going back again in December, and I wasn’t going to purchase the Memory Maker again — seeing as we would have been there just two months prior. BUT, everything will be all decked out for Christmas!!! So yeah. We will be purchasing again!
So back to the dining plan. Probably my favorite place we ate at was our dinner at Ohana. It’s located at the Polynesian resort. Everything was SO SO yummy!! If you ever go there, make sure you save room for dessert…it’s sooo amazing!!
I knew Lincoln would be a rock star during our vacation. He has traveled so much. But this is all new to Avery.
Thankfully Avery completely followed his big brothers cues. He rocked his first Disney vacation!
Okay. I loved the Disney Junior lunch at Hollywood and Vine, however is it just me or does Sophia look HUGE? I think she needs to be a bit smaller…
Jake was probably the kids favorite at the lunch.
I love the bond that Lincoln and Avery are forming with my brothers girlfriends kids, Haylee and Parker. They are super sweet kids.
Back to the dining. We had dinner with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. I loved the ambiance of the venue, and the princesses were great with the kids.
These two are too much!!
Lincoln had a dance off with Goofy! It was so awesome!
As for the dining plan, it was great…because it was free. That being said, I don’t know if I would ever purchase it. There is just SO much food. There were some days we ordered our Quick Service meals, just because we had them…not because we were hungry. So it was really just time wasted. There were also SO many snack credits we didn’t use. Our last night there we went to the store at the resort and cashed them in for some goodies to bring home. That was nice and all, but I wouldn’t want to pay for that.
Our future trips will be Disney Vacation Club, and we won’t be eligible for any free dining offers. However, I think we will still spring for one character breakfast per trip! That’s really perfect for us. It’s really hard planning every single second of your vacation before you get there….especially when you have little kids!
Although there were a few bumps in the road, we still had a fabulous vacation.
Our next trip is just two months away, at Old Key West resort! I so cannot wait! Lincoln wants to start our countdown back up again. I told him as soon as we reach 30 days I will print another one out. I love that he shares our love for Disney!
It’s always sad leaving to come home, but it somehow helps knowing that we are now DVC members, and will be returning again, and again, and again… (!!!)
Shan
oh my goodness…the way he is staring at Elsa! so cute! I can't wait til we take the boys in January!
mtendere
We are about to leave for Disney so it's good to read about your adventure!
mel
OMG the smooch on Avery's forehead, I Love it! And I totally agree with Shan, the way Lincoln is looking at Elsa? Swoon!