Pre-Trip Report: Danielle’s Park Hopping Extravaganza (January 2024)

00:00:12.028 --> 00:00:16.268
VIRGINIA: Hello and welcome to Where I Long To Be, a Magical Trip Report Podcast.

00:00:16.528 --> 00:00:18.528
VIRGINIA: My name is Virginia and I am your host.

00:00:18.968 --> 00:00:24.228
VIRGINIA: Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Danielle of askthemouse.com.

00:00:24.768 --> 00:00:30.068
VIRGINIA: It is your go-to resource for all things Disney, so make sure you go check it out today.

00:00:30.808 --> 00:00:35.848
VIRGINIA: If you are a frequent listener and you haven't rated or reviewed the podcast yet, what are you waiting for?

00:00:35.868 --> 00:00:39.708
VIRGINIA: It only takes a minute and it really does help people to be able to find the show.

00:00:40.488 --> 00:00:42.568
VIRGINIA: All right, let's get right into it.

00:00:42.768 --> 00:00:43.628
VIRGINIA: Here's Danielle.

00:00:45.388 --> 00:00:50.008
VIRGINIA: Welcome to the podcast to Danielle from Ask The Mouse.

00:00:50.708 --> 00:00:51.588
VIRGINIA: How are you today?

00:00:52.028 --> 00:00:53.268
DANIELLE: I'm doing so well.

00:00:53.288 --> 00:00:54.928
DANIELLE: Thanks for having me, Virginia.

00:00:55.148 --> 00:00:56.928
VIRGINIA: I'm so excited to meet you.

00:00:57.488 --> 00:01:02.608
VIRGINIA: And I really am hoping that you can explain a little bit more about Ask The Mouse.

00:01:02.628 --> 00:01:10.228
VIRGINIA: I've clicked around on your site, but what can you tell listeners about your site and how it might be useful for them?

00:01:11.028 --> 00:01:22.208
DANIELLE: Yeah, so Ask The Mouse is mainly a travel resource hub for all things Disney, focusing on the parks throughout the world, Disney cruises, and then things beyond the parks.

00:01:22.228 --> 00:01:24.208
DANIELLE: So you visit askthemouse.com.

00:01:24.228 --> 00:01:33.948
DANIELLE: There are several blogs, like travel planning tips, my best day ever recommendations to have a great day at the parks.

00:01:34.108 --> 00:01:42.688
DANIELLE: And then of course I have a presence on Instagram where I'm just showcasing my love for Disney through either items or just updates in my stories.

00:01:43.208 --> 00:01:43.728
VIRGINIA: I love it.

00:01:43.748 --> 00:01:46.888
VIRGINIA: And I also love the quizzes you have.

00:01:46.908 --> 00:01:52.708
VIRGINIA: And I know I've been to Disney a million times, but they're kind of fun to be like, what ride should I ride based on my type?

00:01:52.908 --> 00:01:54.108
VIRGINIA: Thank you.

00:01:54.188 --> 00:01:55.568
DANIELLE: I'm excited if you like them.

00:01:56.128 --> 00:01:59.428
VIRGINIA: So I encourage everybody to head over to Ask The Mouse.

00:01:59.448 --> 00:02:04.548
VIRGINIA: You can get to that link just by typing it, but also like she said through her Instagram.

00:02:04.568 --> 00:02:06.448
VIRGINIA: So please go give Danielle a follow.

00:02:07.028 --> 00:02:10.708
VIRGINIA: And the reason we are talking here today is because you have a trip coming up.

00:02:11.208 --> 00:02:22.628
VIRGINIA: So before you get into all of the details of that, can you just share a little bit of like, how long have you been going to Disney and what do you love about it?

00:02:22.648 --> 00:02:23.648
VIRGINIA: Why do you keep coming back?

00:02:24.228 --> 00:02:26.468
DANIELLE: Yeah, thanks to my parents.

00:02:26.648 --> 00:02:27.968
DANIELLE: I have a love for Disney.

00:02:28.468 --> 00:02:30.788
DANIELLE: I was asking my mom about this some years ago.

00:02:30.808 --> 00:02:35.288
DANIELLE: I think my first trip was probably when I was around three years old.

00:02:35.308 --> 00:02:44.228
DANIELLE: And it was funny because from a fashion perspective, I had like the baby high waist jeans on and then now we're like back into the high waist pants.

00:02:44.848 --> 00:02:46.648
DANIELLE: It's a full circle thing.

00:02:46.668 --> 00:02:56.908
DANIELLE: But yeah, I've been going ever since I was little and heard stories from them that at the time I would cling to them when the characters would come over, but now I just run to the character.

00:02:56.928 --> 00:03:07.948
DANIELLE: So just grew a love from the movies, just the brand essence of Disney itself, how it's a family brand and you want to feel unique and special as we all are.

00:03:08.488 --> 00:03:10.568
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I love that.

00:03:11.028 --> 00:03:13.688
VIRGINIA: So where in the world are you coming to us from?

00:03:14.148 --> 00:03:17.588
DANIELLE: Yeah, so I am located in Houston, Texas.

00:03:17.628 --> 00:03:19.448
DANIELLE: So we are in the South.

00:03:20.228 --> 00:03:21.808
VIRGINIA: Yes, I grew up in North Carolina.

00:03:21.828 --> 00:03:29.668
VIRGINIA: So I love the South in many ways, but other ways it can be a challenge.

00:03:30.568 --> 00:03:35.928
VIRGINIA: Marin, who you might have heard on a previous episode, is also from Texas and I can't remember where in Texas.

00:03:36.148 --> 00:03:37.188
VIRGINIA: I want to say Houston.

00:03:38.268 --> 00:03:40.528
VIRGINIA: So I don't know, keep your eyes open for her.

00:03:40.588 --> 00:03:41.048
DANIELLE: Okay.

00:03:41.068 --> 00:03:43.668
VIRGINIA: Around the great state of Texas, which is huge.

00:03:45.048 --> 00:03:48.728
VIRGINIA: All right, so where are you headed this trip?

00:03:49.388 --> 00:03:56.888
DANIELLE: So we are going to Walt Disney World and for the first time ever, we're visiting a new hotel.

00:03:56.908 --> 00:04:04.328
DANIELLE: So we're going to Saratoga Springs, which we've never visited before, but have heard so much about it.

00:04:04.328 --> 00:04:05.568
DANIELLE: It's a large resort.

00:04:05.588 --> 00:04:19.468
DANIELLE: So I'm kind of excited to see how, you know, it functions, how it's so close to Disney Springs and then being able to experience just staying somewhere or we're not going to the boardwalk this time.

00:04:19.488 --> 00:04:21.328
DANIELLE: And that's where we usually like locate.

00:04:21.348 --> 00:04:22.028
DANIELLE: That's our hub.

00:04:22.048 --> 00:04:23.348
DANIELLE: So this will be fun and different.

00:04:24.008 --> 00:04:26.628
VIRGINIA: All right, well, what room category do you have there?

00:04:27.648 --> 00:04:29.308
DANIELLE: And that's the interesting part.

00:04:29.328 --> 00:04:33.848
DANIELLE: Like it's coming down to the final minute, literally before check-in.

00:04:33.868 --> 00:04:36.948
DANIELLE: Well, I'll know if we're at the grandstand or the carousel.

00:04:37.288 --> 00:04:41.328
DANIELLE: So we booked through one of the DVC rental programs.

00:04:41.328 --> 00:04:46.988
DANIELLE: So I won't really know where exactly we will be, but we have a studio.

00:04:47.408 --> 00:04:54.288
DANIELLE: So hopefully looking forward to, you know, the kitchenette aspect, just like a nice mini apartment stay while at Disney.

00:04:54.888 --> 00:04:58.288
VIRGINIA: Do you know if it's a preferred studio or a deluxe studio?

00:04:58.888 --> 00:04:59.908
DANIELLE: I think it's a preferred.

00:05:01.068 --> 00:05:01.488
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:05:02.108 --> 00:05:05.908
VIRGINIA: I've only stayed at Saratoga Springs once and we had a preferred studio.

00:05:05.928 --> 00:05:18.928
VIRGINIA: So we were in the building that was closest to Disney Springs, which was super nice because you can just walk over there and in five minutes, you know, longer if you get stopped by security, be in the middle of Disney Springs.

00:05:19.308 --> 00:05:23.188
VIRGINIA: It is a little bit of a ways from the main building though.

00:05:23.488 --> 00:05:26.928
VIRGINIA: So will you have a rental car or anything?

00:05:27.328 --> 00:05:30.268
VIRGINIA: Or I should ask, how are you getting to Disney World?

00:05:30.308 --> 00:05:32.608
VIRGINIA: Are you driving from Texas or are you flying?

00:05:33.388 --> 00:05:34.408
DANIELLE: We will be flying.

00:05:34.428 --> 00:05:39.208
DANIELLE: So it will be a short two hour and 15 minute flight and to Orlando.

00:05:39.388 --> 00:05:42.188
DANIELLE: And we're actually going to be joined by my parents.

00:05:42.208 --> 00:05:52.228
DANIELLE: So they're going to be coming in about an hour later, but we're planning on doing just like a group lift or a an Uber together to Saratoga.

00:05:52.808 --> 00:05:53.188
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:05:53.608 --> 00:05:59.468
VIRGINIA: So when you say we, it's yourself and your husband.

00:06:00.888 --> 00:06:03.588
VIRGINIA: Let's learn their names so that we can talk about them by name.

00:06:03.608 --> 00:06:04.828
VIRGINIA: So Danielle and?

00:06:05.328 --> 00:06:06.648
DANIELLE: Oh, here's the confusing part.

00:06:06.668 --> 00:06:08.148
DANIELLE: So it's Danielle and Danny.

00:06:08.168 --> 00:06:10.628
DANIELLE: So we're both Danielle and Daniel.

00:06:11.028 --> 00:06:12.448
VIRGINIA: That's totally fine.

00:06:12.528 --> 00:06:13.068
VIRGINIA: Totally fine.

00:06:13.088 --> 00:06:16.368
VIRGINIA: That works as long as I have two different ways to refer to you.

00:06:16.708 --> 00:06:17.028
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:06:17.048 --> 00:06:19.988
VIRGINIA: And then mom and dad, we can just call mom and dad if you want.

00:06:20.008 --> 00:06:20.268
DANIELLE: Yeah.

00:06:20.668 --> 00:06:21.088
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:06:21.328 --> 00:06:21.928
VIRGINIA: Perfect.

00:06:22.388 --> 00:06:27.088
VIRGINIA: So staying in a studio, a preferred studio, so that will be exciting.

00:06:27.108 --> 00:06:30.748
VIRGINIA: I cannot remember where the other preferred section is.

00:06:30.768 --> 00:06:34.128
VIRGINIA: I think over close to the main building, which would make sense.

00:06:34.148 --> 00:06:35.068
DANIELLE: I think you're right.

00:06:35.108 --> 00:06:40.108
DANIELLE: I looked at the view of Saratoga Springs and it's just massive.

00:06:40.128 --> 00:06:42.848
DANIELLE: So I'm excited to explore the grounds too.

00:06:43.328 --> 00:06:43.728
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:06:44.608 --> 00:06:45.788
VIRGINIA: It's a beautiful resort.

00:06:46.028 --> 00:06:48.248
VIRGINIA: Does anybody in your family golf?

00:06:49.528 --> 00:06:50.948
DANIELLE: My husband does a little bit.

00:06:50.968 --> 00:06:52.908
DANIELLE: Not an avid golfer though.

00:06:53.268 --> 00:06:53.768
VIRGINIA: Oh, okay.

00:06:53.808 --> 00:06:54.168
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:06:54.188 --> 00:06:55.548
VIRGINIA: Because they have a big course there.

00:06:55.568 --> 00:06:56.568
VIRGINIA: So it's kind of nice.

00:06:57.408 --> 00:06:57.868
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:06:58.068 --> 00:06:59.348
VIRGINIA: And what are your trip dates?

00:07:00.188 --> 00:07:03.068
DANIELLE: So we are going the 25th through the 30th.

00:07:03.908 --> 00:07:06.628
DANIELLE: And my parents will have more of an abbreviated stay.

00:07:06.648 --> 00:07:11.688
DANIELLE: So still joining us the beginning of the trip from the 25th and kind of ending around like the 28th.

00:07:12.408 --> 00:07:12.748
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:07:13.428 --> 00:07:15.968
VIRGINIA: What made you decide these particular dates?

00:07:15.988 --> 00:07:17.768
VIRGINIA: Is this a typical time of year for you to go?

00:07:18.368 --> 00:07:18.748
DANIELLE: Yes.

00:07:18.768 --> 00:07:27.628
DANIELLE: So we did this for the first time last year and we loved it because we try to go when there are lower crowds than expected for rides.

00:07:28.488 --> 00:07:34.428
DANIELLE: So after the holidays, once school and work resumes a little bit after MLK Day holiday.

00:07:34.448 --> 00:07:38.128
DANIELLE: So actually I have a coworker who just came back last week.

00:07:38.148 --> 00:07:41.108
DANIELLE: So I'm actually looking forward to hear his trip report.

00:07:41.128 --> 00:07:42.948
DANIELLE: Like, did I time this okay?

00:07:43.968 --> 00:07:47.128
VIRGINIA: Are you on the app looking at the wait times?

00:07:47.808 --> 00:07:51.188
DANIELLE: All year long, but yes, I definitely am now.

00:07:53.768 --> 00:07:54.568
VIRGINIA: Oh my goodness.

00:07:54.608 --> 00:07:55.268
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:07:55.568 --> 00:08:01.948
VIRGINIA: It's when you're in the app from so far away and you're like, there's only a 13-minute wait for Haunted Mansion.

00:08:03.108 --> 00:08:06.888
DANIELLE: That is me all day long, like, oh my gosh, it's five minutes.

00:08:06.988 --> 00:08:12.128
DANIELLE: Yeah, it's going to take five minutes plus two hours and 15 minutes for me to get there.

00:08:14.228 --> 00:08:14.548
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:08:14.568 --> 00:08:16.288
VIRGINIA: What kind of tickets do all of you have?

00:08:16.308 --> 00:08:18.028
VIRGINIA: Are any of you annual pass holders?

00:08:18.688 --> 00:08:30.068
DANIELLE: Annual pass holder will be something we try to acquire for next year only because we have a Disneyland trip booked for later in the year, but we're going to do park hopping this time.

00:08:31.088 --> 00:08:33.748
VIRGINIA: And do you have park hoppers for each day of the trip?

00:08:34.868 --> 00:08:36.488
DANIELLE: Every day except the first day.

00:08:36.648 --> 00:08:46.048
DANIELLE: So we usually try to take it easy the first day, just check in, enjoy like Disney Springs, eat food, but we are actually going to go to Magic Kingdom that first day.

00:08:46.068 --> 00:08:53.408
DANIELLE: So that will be the only non-park hopper day of the trip, just so we can keep the momentum going with my parents' abbreviated trip.

00:08:54.668 --> 00:08:55.168
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:08:55.968 --> 00:09:07.668
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I normally hit the ground running and when I go in February, it's, I think it might be the first day, unless, except for counting trips where I've come in so late in the evening where it doesn't make sense to go to a park.

00:09:08.108 --> 00:09:13.128
VIRGINIA: When I come in February, it's going to be the first time where we get there early in the morning and we don't go to a park.

00:09:14.588 --> 00:09:15.728
VIRGINIA: So that's going to be strange.

00:09:16.568 --> 00:09:17.148
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:09:17.648 --> 00:09:18.968
VIRGINIA: It'll just be a little bit different.

00:09:19.488 --> 00:09:24.088
DANIELLE: You can always use the time to go shopping too, you can never have enough time for shopping.

00:09:24.908 --> 00:09:27.148
VIRGINIA: What time do you land at MCO?

00:09:27.608 --> 00:09:41.848
DANIELLE: So, we land around nine o'clock in the morning and then we'll have about an hour break or so maybe hit up the Starbucks waiting for my parents to get in and then we'll all head out to Saratoga together.

00:09:41.868 --> 00:09:44.708
VIRGINIA: Do you know, are you all flying into the same terminal?

00:09:45.728 --> 00:09:46.968
DANIELLE: That's a great question.

00:09:46.988 --> 00:09:50.468
DANIELLE: I'll have to follow up with you on that.

00:09:50.488 --> 00:09:55.588
DANIELLE: I'll see if we are because we'll have to probably just meet in baggage claim if not.

00:09:55.968 --> 00:09:59.728
VIRGINIA: Well, but there's multiple baggage claims if they're in C and you're in A or B.

00:10:01.568 --> 00:10:02.868
DANIELLE: Oh, that's going to be challenging.

00:10:02.888 --> 00:10:03.088
DANIELLE: Okay.

00:10:03.108 --> 00:10:04.208
DANIELLE: I'm glad you mentioned that.

00:10:04.228 --> 00:10:06.328
DANIELLE: I'm going to check with my mom today.

00:10:06.668 --> 00:10:07.888
VIRGINIA: What airlines are you flying?

00:10:08.688 --> 00:10:11.708
DANIELLE: So they're flying United and then we're flying Southwest.

00:10:12.508 --> 00:10:12.848
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:10:13.248 --> 00:10:15.028
VIRGINIA: I think you'll both be in A or B.

00:10:16.428 --> 00:10:21.308
VIRGINIA: Because as far as I know, C, it's mostly JetBlue and International Flights.

00:10:23.368 --> 00:10:25.368
VIRGINIA: So anyway, I think you'll be fine.

00:10:25.388 --> 00:10:26.108
VIRGINIA: I think you'll be fine.

00:10:27.008 --> 00:10:27.568
DANIELLE: Hopefully.

00:10:27.588 --> 00:10:28.508
DANIELLE: Fingers crossed.

00:10:29.528 --> 00:10:29.928
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:10:29.948 --> 00:10:32.308
VIRGINIA: Landing at 10, grabbing an Uber together.

00:10:32.328 --> 00:10:38.548
VIRGINIA: And to fit four people and luggage into an Uber, you're going to need to get an XL.

00:10:39.248 --> 00:10:39.908
DANIELLE: Oh, yeah.

00:10:39.908 --> 00:10:42.608
DANIELLE: So we will be getting a larger vehicle.

00:10:42.608 --> 00:10:44.928
DANIELLE: In the past, we've done like happy limos.

00:10:46.088 --> 00:10:52.408
DANIELLE: But I think we found last year, even if we reserve the Uber in advance, it's a lot easier.

00:10:52.408 --> 00:10:58.028
DANIELLE: So I think we're just going to try that, see how it goes on the arrival and maybe the departure is a different story.

00:10:58.568 --> 00:10:59.088
VIRGINIA: That's true.

00:10:59.108 --> 00:11:01.028
VIRGINIA: You can always change it up for the departure.

00:11:02.448 --> 00:11:02.888
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:11:03.208 --> 00:11:10.768
VIRGINIA: So heading over to Saratoga Springs, getting to know the lay of the land, what is what's going to be your first stop after you've gotten settled?

00:11:11.848 --> 00:11:22.888
DANIELLE: So I don't think our check in is until around 4pm, but we'll probably, you know, leave the bags at the front, either walk around Disney Springs and head over to Earl of Sandwich.

00:11:22.908 --> 00:11:25.368
DANIELLE: That's like our favorite place to stop for lunch.

00:11:26.828 --> 00:11:31.208
DANIELLE: And then we'll either take a break and then gear up for Magic Kingdom.

00:11:31.648 --> 00:11:35.708
DANIELLE: But later that evening, we do have Topowino's Terrorist Books for dinner.

00:11:35.728 --> 00:11:36.928
DANIELLE: So I'm excited about that.

00:11:38.228 --> 00:11:39.888
VIRGINIA: Have you been there for dinner before?

00:11:40.528 --> 00:11:46.288
DANIELLE: Yes, it's one of my favorite fine dining restaurants at Walt Disney World.

00:11:46.548 --> 00:11:47.428
VIRGINIA: It's so good.

00:11:47.548 --> 00:11:48.208
VIRGINIA: It's so good.

00:11:48.228 --> 00:11:54.168
VIRGINIA: And I feel like because it has such a good character breakfast, that a lot of people just go for that.

00:11:54.188 --> 00:11:55.808
VIRGINIA: I'm like, got to go back for dinner.

00:11:55.928 --> 00:11:58.728
VIRGINIA: It is one of the best meals I've ever had at Disney.

00:11:59.668 --> 00:12:03.328
DANIELLE: Spectacular night views as well, you can see Hollywood.

00:12:03.328 --> 00:12:06.668
DANIELLE: It's just really great because it's on the terrace.

00:12:06.808 --> 00:12:15.208
DANIELLE: And then the backstory behind it, with Walt Disney and Lilly and how they would just travel and then just the charm of it all, it's just gorgeous.

00:12:15.508 --> 00:12:15.948
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:12:16.908 --> 00:12:18.288
VIRGINIA: Have you had their creme brulee?

00:12:20.268 --> 00:12:21.228
DANIELLE: Oh, let's see.

00:12:21.248 --> 00:12:23.788
DANIELLE: I feel like I haven't.

00:12:23.808 --> 00:12:31.568
DANIELLE: I don't know if I'm like, okay, I finished this filet mignon, I'm full, so I don't do dessert, but should I get it, Virginia?

00:12:31.588 --> 00:12:32.448
VIRGINIA: I think you should.

00:12:33.168 --> 00:12:36.788
VIRGINIA: And let's be honest, creme brulee doesn't take up much space in your stomach.

00:12:37.088 --> 00:12:37.608
DANIELLE: That's true.

00:12:37.628 --> 00:12:38.508
DANIELLE: I'll make some room.

00:12:40.008 --> 00:12:42.048
DANIELLE: Maybe one less roll or something.

00:12:42.888 --> 00:12:43.868
VIRGINIA: You can always split it.

00:12:43.888 --> 00:12:45.428
VIRGINIA: Nobody says you have to eat it by yourself.

00:12:45.448 --> 00:12:58.468
VIRGINIA: Although when we had our dinner there, which we went there in, I think it was the Labor Day weekend trip, we were recommended the creme brulee by the server.

00:12:59.668 --> 00:13:02.668
VIRGINIA: And the way he described it, I was like, this is going to be really good.

00:13:03.088 --> 00:13:07.388
VIRGINIA: So all three of us ordered our own and I'm glad we did because it's not huge.

00:13:07.808 --> 00:13:08.588
DANIELLE: So okay.

00:13:09.188 --> 00:13:10.548
DANIELLE: I'll definitely give that a shot.

00:13:10.568 --> 00:13:14.788
VIRGINIA: But if you really think you don't have any room left, then yeah, certainly split it.

00:13:14.808 --> 00:13:16.728
VIRGINIA: But I think you would be fine even if you got to pay yourself.

00:13:17.368 --> 00:13:18.548
DANIELLE: Well, thanks for the tip.

00:13:19.668 --> 00:13:22.288
VIRGINIA: Earl of Sandwich lunch, Topolino's dinner.

00:13:22.468 --> 00:13:27.188
VIRGINIA: Where at Disney Springs do you like to hit up in terms of shopping?

00:13:28.448 --> 00:13:29.068
DANIELLE: Oh, gosh.

00:13:29.868 --> 00:13:34.148
DANIELLE: Of course, all of the traditional Disney shops, what is it, like World of Disney.

00:13:35.148 --> 00:13:39.648
DANIELLE: I have my Disney debit card that I'm always ready to use to get my perks with.

00:13:40.208 --> 00:13:45.768
DANIELLE: But you know, I think I'll probably try some of the non-Disney related stores this time.

00:13:45.788 --> 00:13:52.388
DANIELLE: I know I've seen a few different shops promoting their jewelry and they'll have Disney exclusives as well.

00:13:53.548 --> 00:13:57.468
DANIELLE: I don't know if I'm ever pronouncing it correctly, but isn't it Uniqlo?

00:13:57.488 --> 00:13:58.788
DANIELLE: It's like you and I.

00:13:58.808 --> 00:13:59.908
VIRGINIA: I think it's Uniqlo.

00:14:00.248 --> 00:14:01.208
VIRGINIA: That's the way I always hear it.

00:14:01.508 --> 00:14:04.848
DANIELLE: First day ever realizing it's Uniqlo.

00:14:04.868 --> 00:14:05.788
DANIELLE: I want to go in there.

00:14:05.808 --> 00:14:18.368
DANIELLE: I've always seen it just from an online presence, but it's very cool looking and they have like affordable seemingly prices and cute Disney gear, so I'll probably hit it up.

00:14:18.848 --> 00:14:19.128
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:14:19.148 --> 00:14:23.648
VIRGINIA: Yeah, we have a lot of Uniqlo in New York City, so I see them everywhere.

00:14:23.668 --> 00:14:28.168
VIRGINIA: Of course, we don't have the Disney specific merch up here, but it is.

00:14:28.188 --> 00:14:41.608
VIRGINIA: It's really affordable, sort of basic pieces, and then at that particular location, they do have a wide selection of t-shirts and things, and they're all really, really cute designs.

00:14:41.628 --> 00:14:45.828
VIRGINIA: The only thing I wish they had that they don't is for the t-shirts.

00:14:45.828 --> 00:14:49.268
VIRGINIA: They don't really have the female-cut shirts.

00:14:49.748 --> 00:14:54.328
VIRGINIA: They're all the more kind of squarish that's, I guess, a unisex cut.

00:14:56.408 --> 00:15:11.108
VIRGINIA: If you go back and look at my birthday weekend photos on my Instagram, the shirt that I'm wearing to eat at Cinderella Castle, it's a woman with Mickey ears made out of bubbles.

00:15:12.268 --> 00:15:13.128
VIRGINIA: That's from Uniqlo.

00:15:14.008 --> 00:15:14.248
VIRGINIA: Oh.

00:15:14.588 --> 00:15:14.888
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:15:14.988 --> 00:15:16.128
VIRGINIA: And I think the shirt's there.

00:15:16.188 --> 00:15:18.988
VIRGINIA: I want to say the t-shirts are maybe $15.

00:15:19.008 --> 00:15:20.568
VIRGINIA: They're really affordable.

00:15:20.668 --> 00:15:22.788
VIRGINIA: So definitely worth a look.

00:15:22.808 --> 00:15:32.608
VIRGINIA: But don't sleep on the other things in there too, because I have my favorite park jacket that is like, I don't remember what it's called.

00:15:32.988 --> 00:15:34.828
VIRGINIA: It's like a UV jacket.

00:15:34.848 --> 00:15:35.708
VIRGINIA: It's very lightweight.

00:15:35.728 --> 00:15:44.708
VIRGINIA: It's kind of like mesh, but it's perfect because it comes in lots of colors and it folds up really small to go in your bag.

00:15:45.068 --> 00:15:49.948
VIRGINIA: And then it's great when you go into a place that's air conditioned and suddenly you're freezing.

00:15:50.188 --> 00:15:51.788
VIRGINIA: You have a little something to put on your arms.

00:15:51.808 --> 00:15:55.088
VIRGINIA: But then also, because it's lightweight, it's weird.

00:15:55.328 --> 00:15:57.128
VIRGINIA: It will keep you warm if you need it to keep it warm.

00:15:57.448 --> 00:16:06.208
VIRGINIA: But because it's lightweight and has UV protection, if it were like a super sunny day, you can put it on if you feel like your sunscreen is not doing its job.

00:16:08.408 --> 00:16:12.108
VIRGINIA: I love those, and I want to say they're like $30.

00:16:13.968 --> 00:16:20.448
VIRGINIA: Over the past couple of years, I think I have maybe like four different colors now, and I swap it out in my park bag, depending on what I'm wearing for the day.

00:16:20.948 --> 00:16:22.648
DANIELLE: Okay, you're starting a trend.

00:16:24.348 --> 00:16:24.688
VIRGINIA: You know what?

00:16:24.968 --> 00:16:27.388
VIRGINIA: I'll send you the link so you know exactly what I'm talking about.

00:16:27.388 --> 00:16:31.468
VIRGINIA: No pressure to get a matching jacket with me, but if you want a jacket, sisters.

00:16:34.888 --> 00:16:36.968
VIRGINIA: All right, anything else that first day?

00:16:37.968 --> 00:16:51.588
DANIELLE: You know, I have never ridden Tron Lightcycle Run and with us going to Magic Kingdom, I thought about it, but I'm the early bird person, logs on to Genie Plus, tries to get lightning passes.

00:16:51.608 --> 00:16:54.728
DANIELLE: So I don't think with me being in the air at 6 a.m.

00:16:54.748 --> 00:17:00.828
DANIELLE: it's going to benefit me from doing that because I can just imagine, hey, your virtual queue is now ready to go.

00:17:00.848 --> 00:17:02.788
DANIELLE: And I'm like, I'm still at the terminal.

00:17:02.808 --> 00:17:05.768
DANIELLE: So I'll probably just admire it from outside.

00:17:05.788 --> 00:17:23.008
DANIELLE: But hopefully getting on Space Mountain, that is like one of our favorites and just enjoying the park at night because I feel like once we're there without the travel day, like we start really early and sometimes we don't enjoy just the scenery of everything.

00:17:23.028 --> 00:17:25.488
DANIELLE: So I'm looking forward to just taking it all in.

00:17:26.248 --> 00:17:28.028
VIRGINIA: So what's the timing of this first day?

00:17:28.048 --> 00:17:31.128
VIRGINIA: So you have the Earl of Salon lunch, what time is the Topolino's dinner?

00:17:32.908 --> 00:17:34.388
DANIELLE: That I'll have to double check.

00:17:34.408 --> 00:17:36.588
DANIELLE: I think it's around like six o'clock in the evening.

00:17:37.568 --> 00:17:39.968
DANIELLE: So let's check in being around four.

00:17:41.428 --> 00:17:48.608
DANIELLE: I think we might hit up the park a little later, either after dinner or see if we want to squeeze in before.

00:17:49.928 --> 00:17:53.488
VIRGINIA: Yeah, that's what I was starting to wonder is like, when is this Magic Kingdom time happening?

00:17:54.788 --> 00:17:55.848
VIRGINIA: But you'll figure it out.

00:17:55.868 --> 00:17:56.488
VIRGINIA: You'll figure it out.

00:17:57.008 --> 00:17:59.248
VIRGINIA: Maybe you'll make it just in time for Happily Ever After.

00:17:59.948 --> 00:18:00.368
DANIELLE: Yes.

00:18:02.268 --> 00:18:07.308
DANIELLE: Yes, I always get so emotional with the shows and Disney pulls on your heartstrings.

00:18:07.468 --> 00:18:08.488
VIRGINIA: They really do.

00:18:08.508 --> 00:18:09.448
VIRGINIA: They really do.

00:18:09.488 --> 00:18:20.768
VIRGINIA: Sometimes I would say that's one of the top songs that I put on in the car if I'm driving by myself so that I can just belt it at full volume without my family looking at me like I'm insane.

00:18:24.268 --> 00:18:29.988
VIRGINIA: All right, so Friday, January the 26th, which park are you going to on Friday?

00:18:30.028 --> 00:18:31.708
VIRGINIA: I know you'll be hopping, but where are you starting?

00:18:33.448 --> 00:18:34.988
DANIELLE: I think we're going to start at Epcot.

00:18:37.108 --> 00:18:38.428
VIRGINIA: And it's Festival of the Arts.

00:18:39.308 --> 00:18:41.048
VIRGINIA: Are you a Festival of the Arts fan?

00:18:41.988 --> 00:18:42.608
DANIELLE: I am.

00:18:42.628 --> 00:18:53.908
DANIELLE: I mean, I love seeing all the artists renditions of whether it's Star Wars or the classic Disney characters, and then of course the food that comes with it, so it's going to be really nice.

00:18:54.708 --> 00:18:59.248
VIRGINIA: I think it's that, well, so far of all the festivals I've been to, it's my favorite food.

00:19:00.028 --> 00:19:00.248
DANIELLE: Yeah.

00:19:00.268 --> 00:19:01.648
VIRGINIA: I like it better than food and wine.

00:19:02.588 --> 00:19:03.988
DANIELLE: That is so interesting.

00:19:04.008 --> 00:19:04.408
DANIELLE: Okay.

00:19:04.428 --> 00:19:06.228
DANIELLE: There's some feedback for Disney.

00:19:06.908 --> 00:19:07.448
VIRGINIA: I don't know.

00:19:07.468 --> 00:19:15.128
VIRGINIA: I think that when I went to Food and Wine this time, it was my first time being there for Food and Wine.

00:19:15.148 --> 00:19:24.848
VIRGINIA: I had only ever been to Festival of the Arts and Flower and Garden because my son is still in school.

00:19:24.868 --> 00:19:28.688
VIRGINIA: So all of our stuff is timed around when he's out of school.

00:19:29.208 --> 00:19:39.028
VIRGINIA: And so it just, it's led to us not being able to go to Food and Wine because over the summer, he's away at Sleepaway Camp for at least a month, totally gone.

00:19:40.188 --> 00:19:46.768
VIRGINIA: So I went and I guess I was just expecting more from the food and the wine.

00:19:48.568 --> 00:19:52.628
VIRGINIA: And I just was like, no, no, Festival of the Arts is better.

00:19:52.648 --> 00:19:54.388
VIRGINIA: And then Flower and Garden is next.

00:19:54.968 --> 00:19:58.368
VIRGINIA: They just have, I guess more stuff that appeals to me personally.

00:19:58.828 --> 00:20:04.888
VIRGINIA: And then with Festival of the Arts, the nice thing is that not only is it delicious, it's beautiful to look at.

00:20:05.448 --> 00:20:05.948
DANIELLE: It is.

00:20:05.988 --> 00:20:07.508
DANIELLE: Yeah, I'm excited about that.

00:20:07.788 --> 00:20:09.048
DANIELLE: I feel like I agree with you.

00:20:09.068 --> 00:20:11.588
DANIELLE: I would rank it the same way, like Flower and Garden.

00:20:11.608 --> 00:20:15.808
DANIELLE: It's like Epcot's flowers and their topiaries are just always gorgeous.

00:20:15.828 --> 00:20:18.908
DANIELLE: But then it just looks a little bit more magical during that time.

00:20:18.928 --> 00:20:24.888
DANIELLE: And Festival of the Arts, just of course Figmen is kind of like the mascot of it at times with its colors.

00:20:24.908 --> 00:20:26.568
DANIELLE: So it's just really nice.

00:20:26.988 --> 00:20:27.368
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:20:27.788 --> 00:20:39.548
VIRGINIA: I've definitely seen some merch that I'm actually interested in this year, like some Corksicle water bottles, move over Stanley, Corksicle is coming for you.

00:20:40.888 --> 00:20:49.288
VIRGINIA: And then also there's a mug that I thought was super cute that has like colored pencils all around it and Figmen on it.

00:20:49.528 --> 00:20:50.568
VIRGINIA: It was really cute.

00:20:51.128 --> 00:20:57.708
VIRGINIA: I think my husband may shoot me if I buy any more Disney mugs as I drink out of a Disney mug.

00:20:57.728 --> 00:20:59.288
DANIELLE: She just showed an Oswald one you guys.

00:20:59.308 --> 00:21:05.608
VIRGINIA: So starting the morning classic, it's a real problem because I don't know.

00:21:05.688 --> 00:21:09.488
VIRGINIA: There's something it's my friend Nancy and I always talk about this.

00:21:09.508 --> 00:21:11.468
VIRGINIA: I'm like, what is it about drinking vessels?

00:21:11.888 --> 00:21:12.588
VIRGINIA: What is it?

00:21:12.748 --> 00:21:14.568
VIRGINIA: It's like everybody has their thing.

00:21:14.588 --> 00:21:18.968
VIRGINIA: Like for some people it's shirts, some people it's hats and I like all those things.

00:21:19.228 --> 00:21:32.208
VIRGINIA: But if I walk up and there's a display of water bottles or sip cups or coffee mugs, my eyes get really big and I'm like, which one is coming home with me?

00:21:32.488 --> 00:21:32.768
DANIELLE: Yes.

00:21:32.788 --> 00:21:35.548
VIRGINIA: And then there's limited space in the cabinet.

00:21:35.568 --> 00:21:36.748
VIRGINIA: So I don't know.

00:21:36.988 --> 00:21:38.528
VIRGINIA: I have to swap them out occasionally.

00:21:39.048 --> 00:21:40.108
DANIELLE: I have the same problem.

00:21:40.568 --> 00:21:40.908
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:21:41.368 --> 00:21:44.188
VIRGINIA: And I can't narrow it down to a favorite.

00:21:44.208 --> 00:21:49.728
VIRGINIA: Although this Oswald one, the handle is very ergonomic, which I love.

00:21:50.208 --> 00:21:54.108
VIRGINIA: It feels good because it's like curved, but it feels good from this side.

00:21:54.128 --> 00:22:05.288
VIRGINIA: It also feels good from the other side, and that's a big thing with me because if I see a mug and my hand doesn't feel good in it, then I rule it out no matter how cute it is.

00:22:07.488 --> 00:22:12.008
DANIELLE: I mean, I'm excited to see all the merch, like you said, see what they're promoting this festival.

00:22:12.328 --> 00:22:18.728
VIRGINIA: You know, I never asked your parents, are they like frequent Disney goers at this point?

00:22:18.948 --> 00:22:21.268
VIRGINIA: Or has it been a while since they've been there?

00:22:22.708 --> 00:22:26.968
DANIELLE: I would say they're frequent in terms of like, there's some type of Disney trip every year.

00:22:27.288 --> 00:22:28.268
DANIELLE: So I'll say that.

00:22:28.328 --> 00:22:36.908
DANIELLE: But Guardians of the Galaxy, that is going to be a must do ride for us again.

00:22:36.908 --> 00:22:40.248
DANIELLE: So we wrote it last year, but my mom has never written it.

00:22:40.688 --> 00:22:43.688
DANIELLE: So I'm going to be very excited to get her on there.

00:22:43.708 --> 00:22:51.048
DANIELLE: And I'm hoping we get the song I Ran that's going to be played during the ride for us.

00:22:51.228 --> 00:22:53.768
DANIELLE: I'm just going to go so crazy about it.

00:22:55.368 --> 00:22:58.008
DANIELLE: You know, I think it's just like the 80s vibe.

00:22:58.028 --> 00:23:01.088
DANIELLE: I mean, it goes perfectly with Guardians of the Galaxy.

00:23:01.108 --> 00:23:04.968
DANIELLE: But it's like you're just flying through the rollercoaster.

00:23:04.988 --> 00:23:08.068
DANIELLE: So the lyrics are blasting and it just is perfect.

00:23:08.088 --> 00:23:08.488
VIRGINIA: Uh-huh.

00:23:10.908 --> 00:23:11.188
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:23:11.268 --> 00:23:12.308
VIRGINIA: Everyone has their rankings.

00:23:12.408 --> 00:23:14.628
VIRGINIA: I Ran is actually my bottom ranking.

00:23:14.708 --> 00:23:15.668
VIRGINIA: I like all the other.

00:23:15.688 --> 00:23:16.168
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:23:16.208 --> 00:23:17.028
VIRGINIA: I don't know why.

00:23:18.168 --> 00:23:22.188
VIRGINIA: For me, when I guess it's just how your brain hears it.

00:23:22.208 --> 00:23:25.548
VIRGINIA: But for me, when I hear I Ran, it makes the ride feel slower.

00:23:27.308 --> 00:23:28.788
DANIELLE: That's a good observation, though.

00:23:29.068 --> 00:23:29.868
VIRGINIA: I don't know why.

00:23:29.888 --> 00:23:37.928
VIRGINIA: I feel like when I hear specifically one way or another, it probably feels the fastest and it's like that driving beat.

00:23:38.308 --> 00:23:42.808
VIRGINIA: And even though I Ran has a beat, it feels like a little bit more laid back.

00:23:42.828 --> 00:23:46.188
VIRGINIA: And people would probably say that about everybody wants to rule the world.

00:23:46.848 --> 00:23:51.128
VIRGINIA: And I can totally respect that.

00:23:51.748 --> 00:23:57.288
VIRGINIA: I think I'm very biased against Everybody Wants To Rule The World because it's our family song.

00:23:57.368 --> 00:23:57.808
VIRGINIA: I don't know.

00:23:58.268 --> 00:24:00.548
VIRGINIA: I can't remember if I said this on the podcast before.

00:24:00.888 --> 00:24:04.288
VIRGINIA: It's the very first song we played for Alex when he came home from the hospital.

00:24:04.768 --> 00:24:09.208
VIRGINIA: Because Charles was like, it starts out, welcome to your life.

00:24:09.228 --> 00:24:10.248
VIRGINIA: There's no turning back.

00:24:10.508 --> 00:24:13.128
VIRGINIA: And he was like, I want that to be the first song he ever hears.

00:24:13.408 --> 00:24:16.088
VIRGINIA: And so now it's like our little family anthem.

00:24:16.468 --> 00:24:19.568
VIRGINIA: And the very first time we wrote Cosmic Rewind, that was the song we got.

00:24:19.648 --> 00:24:22.308
VIRGINIA: And we lost our minds.

00:24:24.468 --> 00:24:26.308
DANIELLE: That is Disney magic, right?

00:24:26.888 --> 00:24:27.288
VIRGINIA: It is.

00:24:27.308 --> 00:24:30.548
VIRGINIA: Because we were sitting there going, please, let's get it, please, please, please.

00:24:30.568 --> 00:24:31.408
VIRGINIA: And then it happened.

00:24:31.428 --> 00:24:34.228
VIRGINIA: And like our arms flew up in the air and we're like, yes.

00:24:35.708 --> 00:24:41.788
VIRGINIA: But I know that there are a number of people who don't really love getting that song just because it is like a little bit more laid back.

00:24:41.828 --> 00:24:43.828
VIRGINIA: And that's how I feel about Iran.

00:24:43.968 --> 00:24:47.248
VIRGINIA: But I mean, at the end of the day, it's such a good ride.

00:24:47.268 --> 00:24:49.808
VIRGINIA: I will take it no matter what song I get.

00:24:50.128 --> 00:24:51.008
DANIELLE: Music or not.

00:24:51.028 --> 00:24:51.368
DANIELLE: I know.

00:24:51.368 --> 00:24:52.528
DANIELLE: It's fantastic.

00:24:52.548 --> 00:24:53.308
DANIELLE: I agree with you.

00:24:53.708 --> 00:24:54.308
VIRGINIA: So good.

00:24:54.368 --> 00:24:54.908
VIRGINIA: So good.

00:24:54.928 --> 00:24:57.348
VIRGINIA: I think it's what Space Mountain wants to be.

00:24:58.508 --> 00:24:59.428
VIRGINIA: And I love Space Mountain.

00:25:01.028 --> 00:25:01.548
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:25:02.508 --> 00:25:14.788
VIRGINIA: Anything else at Epcot or are you planning to hop over to another park in the afternoon or really whenever you'd like to hop because there's no hopping restrictions till 2 o'clock anymore?

00:25:15.208 --> 00:25:15.708
DANIELLE: Yeah.

00:25:15.808 --> 00:25:23.188
DANIELLE: I know we have lunch at Tip & Eato and then dinner later again at Epcot at the Chefs de France.

00:25:23.568 --> 00:25:30.408
DANIELLE: So, if we do hop somewhere, it may be Hollywood Studios just with the ease of the Skyliner.

00:25:31.728 --> 00:25:33.348
DANIELLE: But it's kind of up in the air.

00:25:33.368 --> 00:25:38.248
DANIELLE: Maybe we take the bus and go all the way to Animal Kingdom.

00:25:38.948 --> 00:25:41.028
VIRGINIA: That feels a little far to go, but…

00:25:42.928 --> 00:25:44.108
DANIELLE: That is us though.

00:25:44.128 --> 00:25:47.208
DANIELLE: We will just kind of do like wherever the wind takes us.

00:25:47.228 --> 00:25:50.628
DANIELLE: Like if we're like, hey, the lines are kind of low right now for dinosaur.

00:25:50.648 --> 00:25:52.408
DANIELLE: Let's just head over to Animal Kingdom.

00:25:53.988 --> 00:25:56.128
VIRGINIA: Well you have to get in before it goes away, right?

00:25:56.988 --> 00:25:58.128
VIRGINIA: Yes, that's true.

00:25:59.468 --> 00:26:06.628
VIRGINIA: My friend Maria, who has been on a previous episode, is at Disney right now and she texted me a picture of my favorite Dr.

00:26:06.648 --> 00:26:11.028
VIRGINIA: Seeker, the pre-show guy from Dinosaur.

00:26:11.108 --> 00:26:14.028
VIRGINIA: She sent me a picture of it and it says, your boyfriend says hi.

00:26:16.968 --> 00:26:18.288
VIRGINIA: I don't know, I just love him.

00:26:21.448 --> 00:26:23.888
DANIELLE: He's so fun with the dinosaur muppet.

00:26:24.448 --> 00:26:25.028
VIRGINIA: I know.

00:26:25.248 --> 00:26:35.668
VIRGINIA: No, there's just something so charming about him and I think also I can't help but compare him to the guy from the Flight of Passage.

00:26:36.348 --> 00:26:41.168
VIRGINIA: In terms of pre-show scientists, he totally outweighs Flight of Passage.

00:26:42.768 --> 00:26:43.268
DANIELLE: I agree.

00:26:43.528 --> 00:27:11.468
VIRGINIA: I've mentioned on a previous episode, I've started to not hate on the guy from Flight of Passage as much as I used to because I did hear an interview with him on somebody else's podcast where he explained that not only did they direct him to do the uhs, but there was something wrong with the audio when they recorded and so they had to go back and he had to record and like match up his vocal to what his mouth was doing on the screen.

00:27:12.288 --> 00:27:15.528
VIRGINIA: And I'm like, that explains a lot of how awkward it feels.

00:27:16.528 --> 00:27:19.008
DANIELLE: That definitely hits the nail on the hammer.

00:27:20.168 --> 00:27:22.988
VIRGINIA: When I heard that, I was like, I have sympathy for you now.

00:27:23.168 --> 00:27:23.488
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:27:24.488 --> 00:27:25.088
VIRGINIA: You're forgiven.

00:27:26.548 --> 00:27:28.128
DANIELLE: I appreciate this insight.

00:27:28.148 --> 00:27:35.368
DANIELLE: Yeah, this is good because I hear giggles during like the video and I'm like, okay, do they really just not like him?

00:27:35.388 --> 00:27:36.728
DANIELLE: Am I missing the joke here?

00:27:36.748 --> 00:27:37.408
DANIELLE: But I get it.

00:27:37.428 --> 00:27:39.128
DANIELLE: Yeah, there are some awkward pauses.

00:27:39.148 --> 00:27:40.088
DANIELLE: I guess I'm the person.

00:27:40.108 --> 00:27:41.568
DANIELLE: I'm like, I'm just ready to go.

00:27:41.588 --> 00:27:42.408
DANIELLE: I'm like, let's get this.

00:27:43.128 --> 00:27:45.508
VIRGINIA: You're like, stop checking me for germs.

00:27:45.628 --> 00:27:46.788
VIRGINIA: I am ready to ride.

00:27:47.728 --> 00:27:48.968
DANIELLE: No more air sprays, please.

00:27:49.348 --> 00:27:49.888
VIRGINIA: I know.

00:27:49.908 --> 00:27:50.448
VIRGINIA: I know.

00:27:50.468 --> 00:28:03.968
VIRGINIA: That is kind of brilliant how they've set that up though, that if there are delays with the ride, usually with getting people in and out of their seats and everything in the group before you, that's what they're doing is adding all of those things into the...

00:28:03.968 --> 00:28:09.708
VIRGINIA: It's like secret scenes, I guess, that kind of buy some time until it's your turn to go in.

00:28:09.788 --> 00:28:20.528
DANIELLE: You just made me think of something which would probably never happen at Disney, but imagine like there's a delay in the previous ride, so you just get so much air on you.

00:28:20.548 --> 00:28:23.688
DANIELLE: You're just getting sprayed so much for bucks.

00:28:23.988 --> 00:28:25.608
VIRGINIA: I'm like, no, you're still dirty.

00:28:25.688 --> 00:28:26.028
VIRGINIA: Here.

00:28:28.608 --> 00:28:29.308
VIRGINIA: Oh, my word.

00:28:29.988 --> 00:28:30.468
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:28:30.628 --> 00:28:35.148
VIRGINIA: Back over to Epcot for dinner at Chefs de France.

00:28:35.168 --> 00:28:38.688
VIRGINIA: I assume you've eaten there before, but have you?

00:28:39.048 --> 00:28:42.908
DANIELLE: Yes, we did for the first time last year during your trip.

00:28:42.928 --> 00:28:46.048
DANIELLE: I've always admired it from the outside.

00:28:46.068 --> 00:28:52.208
DANIELLE: Of course, it's curry, and you just love the look and feel of it, and it just gives you the charm of ratatouille.

00:28:52.228 --> 00:28:55.408
DANIELLE: But once inside, it's still the same charm.

00:28:55.408 --> 00:28:58.168
DANIELLE: The food is fantastic.

00:28:58.728 --> 00:29:07.328
DANIELLE: I'm a very beginner when it comes to the language of the French language, so I did practice a little bit with our server, but it was fun.

00:29:08.748 --> 00:29:14.548
VIRGINIA: Listen, I studied French in high school, and I'm terrible at it, so it's okay.

00:29:14.888 --> 00:29:18.128
VIRGINIA: I think as long as you're making an effort, that's what matters.

00:29:18.148 --> 00:29:18.328
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:29:19.028 --> 00:29:19.888
DANIELLE: And they're so nice.

00:29:19.908 --> 00:29:21.948
DANIELLE: They're never going to be like, that's not how you pronounce them.

00:29:23.548 --> 00:29:31.488
VIRGINIA: Well, if you like Chefs de France, I think maybe the next stop is trying to get into Monsieur Paul and see how that is for you.

00:29:31.908 --> 00:29:34.328
DANIELLE: Ah, yes, yes, that's a good idea.

00:29:34.768 --> 00:29:45.068
VIRGINIA: I actually heard them do a review on that on the Main Street Dish podcast, and they were not fans of Monsieur Paul, but they had been before and it was good.

00:29:45.088 --> 00:29:48.128
VIRGINIA: And when I went back in the day and it was excellent.

00:29:48.668 --> 00:29:57.328
VIRGINIA: So I'm really curious to see for myself exactly what has changed there, because I just remember it being an amazing meal.

00:29:58.768 --> 00:30:01.528
DANIELLE: Oh, yeah, hopefully it hasn't changed, yeah.

00:30:02.108 --> 00:30:07.888
VIRGINIA: For me at the time, because I think that was probably the fanciest restaurant I had ever been to at Disney, for sure.

00:30:08.808 --> 00:30:13.928
VIRGINIA: And I was like, if I can't go to Victoria and Albert's, this is the next best thing.

00:30:16.408 --> 00:30:25.728
VIRGINIA: All right, at Epcot, have you had the chance to see the new Luminous show yet, or will this be potentially your first time if you're going to stay for that?

00:30:25.968 --> 00:30:28.988
DANIELLE: So, yes, we did get the pleasure of seeing the show.

00:30:29.528 --> 00:30:38.928
DANIELLE: We had our new magic bands at the time, so we were able to get the lighting experience not only visually from the show, but from our magic bands, so it just made it extra magical to you.

00:30:40.108 --> 00:30:44.008
VIRGINIA: I'm really looking forward to seeing it, and I am holding off on spoilers.

00:30:44.028 --> 00:30:45.268
VIRGINIA: So I literally haven't seen it.

00:30:45.568 --> 00:30:46.988
VIRGINIA: I haven't listened to any music from it.

00:30:47.188 --> 00:30:47.568
VIRGINIA: Nothing.

00:30:48.668 --> 00:30:49.508
DANIELLE: That's how I am.

00:30:49.528 --> 00:31:00.808
DANIELLE: When there's something new, I try not to watch any YouTube videos or try to shy away from any pictures or reviews, because I want to experience it for the first time whenever I do.

00:31:01.348 --> 00:31:05.448
VIRGINIA: I really burned myself with Rise of the Resistance because I was so excited.

00:31:05.468 --> 00:31:09.968
VIRGINIA: I watched videos and then I would not let Charles and Alex watch the videos.

00:31:10.308 --> 00:31:18.908
VIRGINIA: And so when we went and we wrote it for the first time, they were experiencing it as a first time thing, and I knew exactly what was coming because I'd watched it.

00:31:19.228 --> 00:31:27.848
VIRGINIA: So my enjoyment from riding it for the first time really was more so about watching them discover things and enjoy it.

00:31:28.408 --> 00:31:40.668
VIRGINIA: But if I could turn back time, I would not have watched it on YouTube because I think it would have been so amazing to see that ride and really be surprised by everything.

00:31:40.688 --> 00:31:49.908
VIRGINIA: So since then, my policy is don't watch it until you can actually do it yourself because I think that's policy though, I mean, my mom did the same thing.

00:31:50.128 --> 00:31:52.248
DANIELLE: She watched Rise videos.

00:31:52.268 --> 00:32:08.048
DANIELLE: I mean, I think we did, I don't know if it's considered rope drop if it's 4am in the morning because it was the first year the Rise was coming out and everyone was just lining up outside of Hollywood Studios just on our phones and she knew what was about to go down and I did not.

00:32:08.068 --> 00:32:12.848
DANIELLE: So I was like, wow, Disney has really taken it up a notch and I was scared.

00:32:13.568 --> 00:32:20.068
DANIELLE: Like I am in the Resistance or I'm either about to be like shot down by the first order.

00:32:20.508 --> 00:32:20.908
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:32:22.728 --> 00:32:27.448
VIRGINIA: I love it, I love it and the cast members get so into their roles which is really cool.

00:32:28.268 --> 00:32:28.568
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:32:29.048 --> 00:32:33.688
VIRGINIA: Saturday, January the 27th, what park are you starting in for that day?

00:32:34.188 --> 00:32:37.868
DANIELLE: I think we're actually going to start this day at Animal Kingdom.

00:32:37.908 --> 00:32:45.568
DANIELLE: I mean, it's always magical when you can start the day and see the animals or do Kilimanjaro Safari in the morning.

00:32:45.568 --> 00:32:47.848
DANIELLE: So we're going to start it at Animal Kingdom.

00:32:49.328 --> 00:32:57.668
VIRGINIA: And I haven't asked yet, but do you have any intentions of purchasing Genie Plus sporadically or for every park day?

00:32:58.268 --> 00:32:58.928
VIRGINIA: What are your plans?

00:32:59.468 --> 00:33:03.348
DANIELLE: I will probably do it every park day and I have the family.

00:33:03.648 --> 00:33:12.828
DANIELLE: So my husband and my parents, they're linked to my account, so I am the main one who's going to be waking up in the morning and booking for everybody.

00:33:13.048 --> 00:33:13.348
VIRGINIA: Yep.

00:33:13.668 --> 00:33:15.268
VIRGINIA: I'm that person in my family.

00:33:15.748 --> 00:33:17.548
VIRGINIA: So someone has to do it.

00:33:17.748 --> 00:33:18.088
DANIELLE: Yes.

00:33:18.548 --> 00:33:19.748
DANIELLE: I understand the pain.

00:33:19.768 --> 00:33:26.508
VIRGINIA: I'm imagining that you do it happily though, because you want to make sure that you get everything just right.

00:33:27.288 --> 00:33:38.008
DANIELLE: Yes and no, I feel like it is stressful at times because I feel like every trip we've gone these past years, there's always something new.

00:33:38.028 --> 00:33:43.428
DANIELLE: So then there's that kind of apprehension like, am I going to book it correctly?

00:33:43.448 --> 00:33:45.368
DANIELLE: Am I joining the queue correctly?

00:33:45.368 --> 00:33:54.068
DANIELLE: So I feel that I'll have that for Light Cycle Run with Tron, but I think with Animal Kingdom, I kind of have that one under my belt right now.

00:33:54.668 --> 00:33:55.068
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:33:56.008 --> 00:33:59.008
VIRGINIA: Also, there's there's limited things to do there.

00:33:59.268 --> 00:34:02.248
VIRGINIA: So in terms of like Genie Plus options.

00:34:02.728 --> 00:34:07.548
VIRGINIA: So I think it's it's possible to feel confident that you're going to get it all done.

00:34:08.668 --> 00:34:09.088
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:34:09.668 --> 00:34:11.348
VIRGINIA: Any dining reservations this day?

00:34:12.508 --> 00:34:17.468
DANIELLE: We are going to Animal Kingdom Lodge and we are going to dine at Sanaa for lunch.

00:34:17.848 --> 00:34:20.648
VIRGINIA: Ooh, I love Sanaa.

00:34:20.668 --> 00:34:21.468
VIRGINIA: Have you been there before?

00:34:22.288 --> 00:34:22.928
DANIELLE: We have.

00:34:22.948 --> 00:34:24.248
DANIELLE: It's one of the family favorites.

00:34:24.448 --> 00:34:29.728
DANIELLE: I mean, everyone, I mean, not just our family, everyone always raves about the bread service.

00:34:29.748 --> 00:34:33.768
DANIELLE: I love the mojocis from there and just the different curries.

00:34:33.788 --> 00:34:37.128
DANIELLE: It's like, oh, my mouth is watering now thinking about it.

00:34:37.988 --> 00:34:40.228
VIRGINIA: Well, you have a limited number of days.

00:34:40.248 --> 00:34:42.408
VIRGINIA: In fact, today is January the 20th.

00:34:42.848 --> 00:34:46.548
VIRGINIA: In seven days, you will be eating this particular lunch, OK?

00:34:47.008 --> 00:34:47.348
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:34:48.608 --> 00:34:49.068
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:34:49.088 --> 00:34:49.948
VIRGINIA: That's exactly right.

00:34:50.568 --> 00:34:57.988
VIRGINIA: When you head over there for lunch, do you anticipate going back to Animal Kingdom after lunch is over or would you hop somewhere from your lunch?

00:34:59.788 --> 00:35:10.908
DANIELLE: I think we will probably hop from lunch to Hollywood Studios or maybe we'll just go back to the resort, take a break and then resume at Hollywood a little later that day.

00:35:10.928 --> 00:35:20.448
DANIELLE: But like you said, with Animal Kingdom, you can kind of maximize your day if you plan it well within like a few hours or so, so I think that's what we're going to aim to do.

00:35:20.748 --> 00:35:24.248
DANIELLE: Animal Kingdom early in the morning, lunch, and then head out again.

00:35:26.988 --> 00:35:27.388
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:35:27.408 --> 00:35:38.808
VIRGINIA: Going back to Hollywood Studios potentially for the afternoon or evening, we've already spoken about Rise of the Resistance, but what else are you looking forward to doing at Hollywood Studios?

00:35:39.248 --> 00:35:42.148
DANIELLE: Oh, so my husband loves Hollywood Tower of Terror.

00:35:42.888 --> 00:35:50.368
DANIELLE: So that will probably be accomplished at least once during the trip, but we're also big fans of Rock and Roller Coaster.

00:35:50.388 --> 00:35:58.408
DANIELLE: Unfortunately, it's going to be under refurbishment when we go, so we'll just admire the big limo and the guitar from afar.

00:35:59.248 --> 00:36:00.448
VIRGINIA: Guitar from afar.

00:36:00.468 --> 00:36:04.928
VIRGINIA: I think you should make sure that you say that.

00:36:08.688 --> 00:36:11.968
DANIELLE: But I think we'll probably do Fantastic in the evening.

00:36:12.588 --> 00:36:16.168
DANIELLE: I know it's just such a nostalgic thing for us.

00:36:17.008 --> 00:36:19.888
DANIELLE: My husband experienced it for the first time last year.

00:36:19.908 --> 00:36:25.748
DANIELLE: So of course, as you're familiar with the opening song and everyone is cheering, he's like, what is this?

00:36:27.008 --> 00:36:30.668
DANIELLE: I'm looking forward to seeing if this trip, he's going to start doing the...

00:36:30.888 --> 00:36:40.288
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I always have to do the little Mickey arm motions and that's much to the embarrassment of Alex.

00:36:41.468 --> 00:36:44.348
DANIELLE: Oh, it's Disney, like you're there for it, so.

00:36:45.988 --> 00:36:47.588
VIRGINIA: No, I'm talking about on the streets of New York.

00:36:47.668 --> 00:36:49.428
VIRGINIA: No, I'm kidding.

00:36:52.488 --> 00:36:54.068
DANIELLE: Mom, we're not there anymore.

00:36:54.088 --> 00:37:01.468
VIRGINIA: No, listen, he's at the age where if I just like say any little thing, he's just like, mom, jeez.

00:37:02.348 --> 00:37:06.208
VIRGINIA: So apparently, I'm very embarrassing, whatever.

00:37:06.808 --> 00:37:07.528
VIRGINIA: My friends like me.

00:37:09.888 --> 00:37:11.368
DANIELLE: Yes, we like you, Virginia.

00:37:11.448 --> 00:37:12.068
VIRGINIA: Thank you.

00:37:12.088 --> 00:37:12.508
VIRGINIA: Thank you.

00:37:14.108 --> 00:37:18.988
VIRGINIA: Sunday, January the 28th, what park are you going to this day?

00:37:19.008 --> 00:37:20.568
VIRGINIA: I'm imagining maybe Magic Kingdom.

00:37:21.068 --> 00:37:21.948
DANIELLE: You got it right.

00:37:21.968 --> 00:37:22.188
DANIELLE: Yep.

00:37:22.208 --> 00:37:24.268
DANIELLE: We're going to go back to Magic Kingdom.

00:37:24.748 --> 00:37:29.088
DANIELLE: That just has, it's a park of replay value in terms of rides.

00:37:29.528 --> 00:37:41.048
DANIELLE: And one of the things that I would like my mom and dad to experience this time is the people movers, preferably at night so we can go through and see Space Mountain.

00:37:41.088 --> 00:37:45.028
DANIELLE: I don't know why for the, it's like it hit me for the first time last year and we did it.

00:37:45.048 --> 00:37:49.628
DANIELLE: I'm like, whoa, we are in Space Mountain, but on the people movers.

00:37:49.968 --> 00:37:52.108
VIRGINIA: So it sounds like they've never done it before?

00:37:52.688 --> 00:37:53.428
DANIELLE: They have.

00:37:53.448 --> 00:37:55.848
DANIELLE: I think it's probably just during the day.

00:37:55.868 --> 00:38:05.648
DANIELLE: So it's just a little different at times where sometimes you get on the people mover to just take a load off and then sometimes you go just to go around Tomorrowland.

00:38:05.668 --> 00:38:10.648
DANIELLE: So I'm hoping we'll get, you know, new fresh eyes on the experience itself.

00:38:11.068 --> 00:38:11.448
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:38:12.148 --> 00:38:17.608
VIRGINIA: I mean, I know you love Happily Ever After, but if you can get on it during the fireworks too, that's also magical.

00:38:17.668 --> 00:38:25.348
VIRGINIA: Like while everybody else is over there, just because, you know, you're riding past the castle and then the fireworks are going off and it's just gorgeous.

00:38:26.108 --> 00:38:27.148
DANIELLE: That's going to be exciting.

00:38:27.448 --> 00:38:27.768
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:38:27.788 --> 00:38:36.568
VIRGINIA: Yeah, going through Space Mountain every single time, I am sitting there trying to look and see the ride and it is so dark in there.

00:38:36.588 --> 00:38:45.628
VIRGINIA: I don't know if other people experience it this way or not, or whether it's just my eyes, but I'm like, I cannot see a thing in there.

00:38:45.848 --> 00:38:48.408
VIRGINIA: It's like somebody might as well blindfolded me.

00:38:49.708 --> 00:38:52.928
DANIELLE: It's like you're blinking, but are my eyes open or closed?

00:38:53.108 --> 00:38:56.568
VIRGINIA: Yeah, you can't see anybody sitting next to you or anything.

00:38:56.768 --> 00:38:58.068
VIRGINIA: It is that dark.

00:38:58.448 --> 00:39:02.828
DANIELLE: It is eerie too, because then you'll just hear the screams.

00:39:03.488 --> 00:39:06.508
VIRGINIA: Yeah, which I'm not convinced they're real.

00:39:06.528 --> 00:39:24.988
VIRGINIA: I think that some are built in because I know for a fact that on rides like Tower of Terror, when you hear people screaming when you're approaching the ride, you're not necessarily hearing them scream, that it's a built-in sound.

00:39:26.408 --> 00:39:28.688
DANIELLE: Oh, okay, you're on to something.

00:39:28.908 --> 00:39:31.328
VIRGINIA: Maybe you're hearing some of them, but think about it.

00:39:31.428 --> 00:39:32.648
VIRGINIA: They're so far away.

00:39:32.668 --> 00:39:34.248
VIRGINIA: There's no way that you're...

00:39:34.548 --> 00:39:36.788
VIRGINIA: And I know I heard somewhere.

00:39:37.088 --> 00:39:43.928
VIRGINIA: I can't remember where I heard it, but they do it so that as you approach the ride, it's like excitement building.

00:39:44.408 --> 00:39:46.148
VIRGINIA: So it's a recording.

00:39:47.648 --> 00:39:51.088
VIRGINIA: Sorry to break the illusion for anybody who didn't know that.

00:39:51.108 --> 00:39:55.868
DANIELLE: So illusion or not, I'm still scared every time I hear it.

00:39:55.888 --> 00:40:07.768
VIRGINIA: So that's why when I go through there, I'm like, are we really hearing people scream on Space Mountain or is there a little recording of like, ah, ah, ah, as you go through that one section?

00:40:09.288 --> 00:40:11.428
DANIELLE: We're going to be like, hmm, Virginia was right.

00:40:12.168 --> 00:40:13.948
VIRGINIA: Maybe you should yell out something to them.

00:40:17.348 --> 00:40:19.448
DANIELLE: When I say Mickey, you say Mouse.

00:40:20.588 --> 00:40:21.308
VIRGINIA: I love it.

00:40:21.368 --> 00:40:21.908
VIRGINIA: I love it.

00:40:22.868 --> 00:40:23.868
VIRGINIA: Please try that.

00:40:26.828 --> 00:40:27.948
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:40:28.188 --> 00:40:36.288
VIRGINIA: Are you planning to do any hopping on this Magic Kingdom Day or do you think you'll stick around the Magic Kingdom because there's so much to do?

00:40:37.768 --> 00:40:39.228
DANIELLE: That's a good question.

00:40:40.548 --> 00:40:51.348
DANIELLE: If we do, because knowing me with Cosmic Rewind being such a favorite of mine, I might try to do a virtual queue and then we'll get on the Monorail and head back to Epcot.

00:40:53.028 --> 00:41:02.868
DANIELLE: It depends on if my mom enjoys it the first time or not because I wouldn't want her to experience something she's like, no, Danielle, this is not the ride for me.

00:41:03.588 --> 00:41:16.248
VIRGINIA: Well, this is the nice thing about the park hopping time restriction going away is that you can try to do that midday drop and then make your decision on where you're going to go based on whether it works out or not.

00:41:17.228 --> 00:41:17.808
DANIELLE: Exactly.

00:41:17.828 --> 00:41:19.008
DANIELLE: That's a good point.

00:41:19.028 --> 00:41:22.928
DANIELLE: I'm so glad that that rule is going away because the 2 p.m.

00:41:22.948 --> 00:41:26.728
DANIELLE: restriction was, you can get around it but it was just a little challenging.

00:41:26.748 --> 00:41:34.528
DANIELLE: It's like you spent the morning and the afternoon there and it's like, do I feel like going somewhere else or do I want to take a break and then go?

00:41:35.028 --> 00:41:46.448
VIRGINIA: The other restriction I'm hoping that they will do away with eventually is that for people with annual passes, you have to tap into your first park because we still have to make park reservations.

00:41:47.268 --> 00:42:08.668
VIRGINIA: I've said it before and I'll say it again, I just want to be on the record for saying this that that is so silly because the reservation system for annual pass holders should be just a general, are you coming on this day to any of the parks because if you're allowed to hop anyway and they're not going to restrict you from hopping, then they just need to know that you're coming.

00:42:08.688 --> 00:42:08.728
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:42:09.228 --> 00:42:12.068
VIRGINIA: And the fact that you have to go tap into the first park.

00:42:12.088 --> 00:42:17.028
VIRGINIA: Now I understand you can change your reservation, but why not just take that away?

00:42:17.048 --> 00:42:22.088
VIRGINIA: Take that whole thing away and make it so that you just say, yes, I'm going to be there or no, I'm not.

00:42:22.148 --> 00:42:47.148
VIRGINIA: And then you go to whichever park you want because I was reading on, maybe it was one of the Facebook annual pass holder groups, somebody was complaining that they were going to be staying over at Contemporary and they had a park reservation for Animal Kingdom and they were trying, there was no availability to move the park reservation, at least not on the day they were trying.

00:42:47.528 --> 00:42:59.128
VIRGINIA: And so in order for them to go to Magic Kingdom, they needed to take a bus over to Animal Kingdom, tap in and then come back even though they were staying at the Contemporary and they could have walked there in five minutes.

00:43:00.388 --> 00:43:06.768
VIRGINIA: So, it's things like that, but I'm like, this is just an unnecessary hoop that they're making people jump through.

00:43:06.908 --> 00:43:10.988
VIRGINIA: And I just don't, I don't want to use the word fair because it's not about fair.

00:43:11.008 --> 00:43:12.248
VIRGINIA: It just seems silly.

00:43:12.268 --> 00:43:13.528
VIRGINIA: It just seems silly.

00:43:13.548 --> 00:43:14.328
DANIELLE: It's less efficient.

00:43:14.348 --> 00:43:21.368
DANIELLE: It takes the magic out of the trip too, if you're almost like forced just to say I'm here when it's like, I think they know you're here.

00:43:21.848 --> 00:43:22.248
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:43:23.108 --> 00:43:23.748
VIRGINIA: Oh, they do.

00:43:23.768 --> 00:43:26.908
VIRGINIA: Whether you tap in or not, they're tracking you.

00:43:27.088 --> 00:43:29.468
VIRGINIA: I'm absolutely certain about that.

00:43:31.668 --> 00:43:36.448
VIRGINIA: So anything else going on on Sunday, the 28th?

00:43:36.468 --> 00:43:38.568
VIRGINIA: Any dining reservations or anything special?

00:43:40.028 --> 00:43:40.748
DANIELLE: Not right now.

00:43:40.768 --> 00:43:47.648
DANIELLE: I think we're just going to maybe dine at Disney Springs, just maybe do some quick service meal.

00:43:47.668 --> 00:43:48.588
DANIELLE: We'll see what happens.

00:43:48.608 --> 00:43:54.888
DANIELLE: But we tried to do a lot of the reservations at the front end of the trip and we'll just see what happens at the end.

00:43:55.228 --> 00:43:56.828
VIRGINIA: See if you have room at the end.

00:43:58.108 --> 00:44:03.548
DANIELLE: Maybe I'll be back at Topolino's for some after or after a little creme brulee.

00:44:04.548 --> 00:44:04.968
VIRGINIA: Yep.

00:44:04.988 --> 00:44:05.308
VIRGINIA: Yep.

00:44:05.328 --> 00:44:06.568
VIRGINIA: Or just go there for a cocktail.

00:44:06.648 --> 00:44:09.728
VIRGINIA: I mean, they have some amazing drinks there.

00:44:09.968 --> 00:44:10.468
VIRGINIA: So good.

00:44:10.488 --> 00:44:11.548
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:44:11.568 --> 00:44:14.188
VIRGINIA: Monday, January the 29th.

00:44:15.048 --> 00:44:16.568
VIRGINIA: What is the plan for that day?

00:44:17.408 --> 00:44:19.808
DANIELLE: So funny you say this is looking at my notes.

00:44:20.068 --> 00:44:23.128
DANIELLE: The 29th and the 30th right now are just blank.

00:44:23.768 --> 00:44:24.928
VIRGINIA: Oh, wait.

00:44:24.948 --> 00:44:27.828
VIRGINIA: And those are the days when mom and dad will not be there anymore, right?

00:44:27.848 --> 00:44:30.068
VIRGINIA: So what time are they leaving on the 28th?

00:44:30.408 --> 00:44:35.808
DANIELLE: I think their flight is going to be like early before afternoon morning flight.

00:44:35.808 --> 00:44:41.408
DANIELLE: So they'll head out to MCO like probably before 12 o'clock.

00:44:43.228 --> 00:44:43.588
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:44:44.548 --> 00:44:53.068
VIRGINIA: So mom and dad leaving and then you and Danny, Danielle and Danny are playing it by ear, it sounds like.

00:44:53.528 --> 00:44:53.968
DANIELLE: Yes.

00:44:53.988 --> 00:45:05.708
DANIELLE: So we have been known to stay out late for like Magic Kingdom, literally running from Space Mountain back to Big Thunder Mountain to just get as many rides in as we can.

00:45:05.728 --> 00:45:11.608
DANIELLE: So we might start going a little Disney crazy and just ride everything.

00:45:12.048 --> 00:45:12.428
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:45:12.488 --> 00:45:13.988
VIRGINIA: Like once mom and dad are gone.

00:45:14.008 --> 00:45:17.528
VIRGINIA: And so I mean, it's harder to travel quickly in a group of four people.

00:45:17.948 --> 00:45:20.968
VIRGINIA: So once it's just the two of you, you're going to be just flying around.

00:45:22.348 --> 00:45:23.008
DANIELLE: Chip and Dale.

00:45:23.768 --> 00:45:24.388
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:45:24.528 --> 00:45:25.308
VIRGINIA: Chip and Dale.

00:45:28.268 --> 00:45:43.588
VIRGINIA: So playing it by ear, anything, if you're playing it by ear for the rest of the trip, is there anything else special that you want to note about things that you have on your list that you know you're going to need to check off or anything like that?

00:45:44.888 --> 00:45:45.328
DANIELLE: Yeah.

00:45:45.448 --> 00:45:56.788
DANIELLE: Like knowing me, I'm the type of person if I experience a new ride, so I'm thinking I'm going to be like this, but light cycle run, I would probably want to get it in as many times as I can.

00:45:57.108 --> 00:46:07.568
DANIELLE: So that'll be probably the goal of the end of the trip, experiencing Cosmic Reride, Expedition Everest happens to be one of our favorites as well.

00:46:07.568 --> 00:46:16.948
DANIELLE: Just getting the fan favorites in, but then, you know, as you are as well with Disney influencers, we have to get our content.

00:46:16.968 --> 00:46:25.868
DANIELLE: So I'll probably be doing a lot of things like that, like going around the festival, taking pictures, doing things just to have content for more blogs in the future.

00:46:27.528 --> 00:46:27.888
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:46:27.908 --> 00:46:31.648
VIRGINIA: Well, what time on Tuesday the 30th is your flight?

00:46:32.308 --> 00:46:36.428
DANIELLE: Happily, it's not early in the morning, so we don't have to say our Disney goodbyes too soon.

00:46:36.668 --> 00:46:39.128
DANIELLE: We'll be heading out from MCO around 3 p.m.

00:46:40.508 --> 00:46:44.388
VIRGINIA: On this last day, are you going into any parks?

00:46:44.408 --> 00:46:55.228
DANIELLE: Yeah, so what we'll probably do is similar to last year, we'll probably hang around Disney Springs, and we actually went to STK for lunch, and they have a great lunch special.

00:46:56.128 --> 00:47:00.288
DANIELLE: I think it's like a six-ounce filet mignon, it was like under 20 bucks.

00:47:00.548 --> 00:47:04.448
DANIELLE: They're probably going to change the price now that I've said it, but it was really good.

00:47:05.968 --> 00:47:16.808
VIRGINIA: I have never eaten at STK before, and I think partly because it's one of those that I think there's a location in New York City, and so I'm kind of like, I could just go to that anytime.

00:47:17.228 --> 00:47:24.528
VIRGINIA: Like why waste my Disney time on something I could eat at here at home, but then I never go to it here at home either.

00:47:27.328 --> 00:47:29.908
DANIELLE: From why I ate, it was really good.

00:47:29.928 --> 00:47:39.988
DANIELLE: I would go back if we have the opportunity, but I mean, what's a Disney trip without going to Gideon's Bake House, so we might try to do that as well.

00:47:39.988 --> 00:47:47.668
VIRGINIA: I have not even looked since I don't have a January trip in my plans, but have you looked to see what the special cookie of the month is for getting?

00:47:47.688 --> 00:47:48.308
DANIELLE: I haven't.

00:47:48.448 --> 00:47:53.168
DANIELLE: Now I'm going to do this as soon as I get off the call with you.

00:47:53.188 --> 00:47:54.548
DANIELLE: I'm going to see what the cookie is.

00:47:54.568 --> 00:47:56.768
DANIELLE: I wonder if it's like a butterscotch or something.

00:47:57.908 --> 00:47:58.968
VIRGINIA: I'm not even going to wait.

00:47:58.988 --> 00:48:00.008
VIRGINIA: I'm going to Google it right now.

00:48:00.248 --> 00:48:00.968
VIRGINIA: We're going to find out.

00:48:00.988 --> 00:48:01.528
DANIELLE: Okay, here we go.

00:48:03.548 --> 00:48:08.948
VIRGINIA: Live on the spot, breaking news for the two of us because I'm sure other people have been aware of this.

00:48:10.108 --> 00:48:10.868
VIRGINIA: Let's see.

00:48:10.908 --> 00:48:18.948
VIRGINIA: There is something on the very front page that says, say hello to a new year, maple walnut chocolate chip.

00:48:20.488 --> 00:48:22.108
DANIELLE: That sounds delicious.

00:48:23.168 --> 00:48:25.028
DANIELLE: I'll get two and I'll have one for you, Virginia.

00:48:25.648 --> 00:48:26.448
VIRGINIA: Oh, please.

00:48:26.488 --> 00:48:28.268
VIRGINIA: Yes, two pounds worth of cookie.

00:48:28.408 --> 00:48:29.788
VIRGINIA: Oh, please.

00:48:31.368 --> 00:48:32.828
VIRGINIA: That does sound good.

00:48:33.328 --> 00:48:38.968
VIRGINIA: I'm not sure that I've ever had a cookie, like a maple flavor in a cookie.

00:48:39.008 --> 00:48:39.928
VIRGINIA: So that's...

00:48:39.988 --> 00:48:40.708
DANIELLE: I'm trying to imagine it.

00:48:41.288 --> 00:48:42.008
DANIELLE: Bunch, yes.

00:48:42.268 --> 00:48:43.028
DANIELLE: But cookie?

00:48:43.508 --> 00:48:47.408
DANIELLE: We'll see how it blends with the walnut and the chocolate, you said?

00:48:48.488 --> 00:48:49.788
VIRGINIA: Maple walnut chocolate chip.

00:48:50.268 --> 00:48:51.008
VIRGINIA: And it looks...

00:48:51.428 --> 00:48:53.808
VIRGINIA: Maybe that's what's dusted on top of it.

00:48:54.128 --> 00:48:57.748
VIRGINIA: It looks like the cookie is dusted in something.

00:48:58.228 --> 00:48:59.308
VIRGINIA: So I wonder if that...

00:49:00.068 --> 00:49:01.628
VIRGINIA: I don't know what I think this is.

00:49:01.748 --> 00:49:03.048
VIRGINIA: Maple dust, is that a thing?

00:49:07.068 --> 00:49:07.728
VIRGINIA: But it looks good.

00:49:07.748 --> 00:49:08.828
DANIELLE: Yeah, Gideon's is fun.

00:49:09.708 --> 00:49:12.028
VIRGINIA: What's your favorite traditional Gideon's flavor?

00:49:13.408 --> 00:49:17.328
DANIELLE: I think we tried a red velvet cake at the time, which was really good.

00:49:17.328 --> 00:49:26.948
DANIELLE: But my husband and I always love to just talk to, whether it's the owner, if they happen to be there, or just any of the shopkeepers to learn more about the story.

00:49:28.508 --> 00:49:38.308
DANIELLE: And my husband found out that many of the books that you see in Gideon's are actual books and there's like a first edition Mark Plain in there that we were like, ooh.

00:49:42.468 --> 00:49:45.148
DANIELLE: So behind the counter are some special treasures.

00:49:45.968 --> 00:49:46.308
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:49:46.328 --> 00:49:49.968
VIRGINIA: My husband is like a real sucker for those sorts of things.

00:49:50.068 --> 00:49:53.548
VIRGINIA: He would be like really excited to look for that.

00:49:53.568 --> 00:49:55.348
VIRGINIA: So I'm going to keep that in the back of my mind.

00:49:55.748 --> 00:50:05.528
VIRGINIA: I'm looking through the website now and I'm also seeing something I've never tried because I've tried all of these other traditional flavors before, but they have something on here called Gideon's Bites.

00:50:06.348 --> 00:50:14.428
VIRGINIA: And it says when an entire cookie is just too much or you need to take your cookie adventures to the next level, we present to you the Gideon's Bite.

00:50:14.788 --> 00:50:18.208
VIRGINIA: These bites are quartered Gideon's cookies completely dipped in chocolate.

00:50:18.608 --> 00:50:22.008
VIRGINIA: The extra chocolate gives bites a different flavor profile.

00:50:22.028 --> 00:50:23.668
VIRGINIA: They are not meant to be samples.

00:50:23.908 --> 00:50:25.428
VIRGINIA: They are a whole new experience.

00:50:25.648 --> 00:50:31.368
VIRGINIA: Mix and match with your East End pre-order or look for bite bags in the shops filled with mystery flavors.

00:50:31.668 --> 00:50:41.308
VIRGINIA: So it's like it's quarters like they have it displayed as a whole cookie, but it sounds like you don't necessarily get four pieces you get however many you want.

00:50:41.328 --> 00:50:44.068
VIRGINIA: But each one is completely coated in chocolate.

00:50:44.088 --> 00:50:48.128
VIRGINIA: And then like the Oreo one has like a little slice of Oreo kind of stuck in the chocolate.

00:50:48.208 --> 00:50:52.428
VIRGINIA: And then the pistachio one has a little pistachio and some sea salt on.

00:50:52.448 --> 00:50:56.468
VIRGINIA: So it looks good, but I've never gotten that.

00:50:56.468 --> 00:50:58.848
VIRGINIA: That should probably be the next thing on my list.

00:50:58.988 --> 00:50:59.988
VIRGINIA: My personal Gideon's list.

00:51:01.008 --> 00:51:03.628
DANIELLE: And I think they also had like some non-baked goods.

00:51:03.648 --> 00:51:05.788
DANIELLE: Like I think they had candles when we were there.

00:51:05.808 --> 00:51:06.168
VIRGINIA: Oh, they do.

00:51:06.188 --> 00:51:08.548
DANIELLE: Or some other like really cool looking things.

00:51:09.988 --> 00:51:16.788
VIRGINIA: I'm nervous to buy the candle even though I'm sure it smells delicious because it probably makes your home smell like Gideon's.

00:51:17.548 --> 00:51:20.528
VIRGINIA: And then you will just be constantly hungry for sweet things.

00:51:22.348 --> 00:51:29.288
VIRGINIA: So STK lunch perhaps, Gideon's perhaps, and heading over for a 3 p.m.

00:51:29.308 --> 00:51:29.688
VIRGINIA: flight.

00:51:29.968 --> 00:51:32.028
VIRGINIA: Do both of you have TSA pre-check?

00:51:32.468 --> 00:51:33.008
DANIELLE: We do.

00:51:33.248 --> 00:51:37.248
DANIELLE: And we're going to give clear shot this time to see if that helps.

00:51:37.408 --> 00:51:39.428
DANIELLE: So we'll see how that goes.

00:51:40.488 --> 00:51:44.088
VIRGINIA: When you are doing clear, that's something that you've already signed up for?

00:51:45.088 --> 00:51:51.088
DANIELLE: So we signed up for it, but we haven't gone to the airport to actually verify we are who we are.

00:51:51.108 --> 00:51:59.268
DANIELLE: So we'll do that as we go to Orlando and then hopefully the flight back home to Houston is like, yeah, you're still you.

00:52:00.188 --> 00:52:00.648
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:52:00.848 --> 00:52:01.328
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:52:01.548 --> 00:52:14.008
VIRGINIA: Well, I will be interested to hear how that goes because I have never really looked into getting clear and I'm curious if it would be a benefit to me as somebody who has pre-check.

00:52:14.028 --> 00:52:16.188
VIRGINIA: So you're going to be the test case for me.

00:52:16.208 --> 00:52:16.408
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:52:16.428 --> 00:52:22.448
VIRGINIA: I want to hear how that goes and perhaps make a decision on whether I want to pursue it further.

00:52:24.508 --> 00:52:24.928
DANIELLE: All right.

00:52:24.988 --> 00:52:40.668
VIRGINIA: Well, this sounds like a really fun little trip with your mom and dad for part of it and then just the two of you getting to kind of run amok all over, amok, amok, amok, all over Disney World together.

00:52:41.308 --> 00:52:44.148
VIRGINIA: Anything else you want to note before we say goodbye?

00:52:45.608 --> 00:52:54.488
DANIELLE: Yeah, I just would say like part of the magic of a Disney trip is not only being there, but for us, just like the anticipation, the excitement of going before.

00:52:54.508 --> 00:53:01.948
DANIELLE: So we've just been loaded up on watching like the Imagineering show or behind the attraction on Disney Plus.

00:53:01.968 --> 00:53:07.228
DANIELLE: So we're going to be like having our eyes set on these like little Easter eggs in the ride.

00:53:07.248 --> 00:53:16.988
DANIELLE: So we're very excited to just see the rides almost in a new set of eyes just because hearing the story makes it that much more like emotional.

00:53:17.048 --> 00:53:18.968
DANIELLE: So I'm excited about that.

00:53:19.448 --> 00:53:35.188
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I would encourage anybody who has not watched the behind the attraction on Disney Plus, go check that out because it is especially if you love Disney and you really love learning stuff about history, it's just so fascinating to watch.

00:53:35.208 --> 00:53:41.448
VIRGINIA: And it does give you kind of a feeling of closer connection to the ride because you know it's backstory.

00:53:43.388 --> 00:53:45.048
VIRGINIA: And I understand the anticipation part.

00:53:45.068 --> 00:53:49.108
VIRGINIA: Sometimes it's not that I don't want to go on the trip.

00:53:49.128 --> 00:53:49.988
VIRGINIA: I want to go on the trip.

00:53:50.288 --> 00:53:54.648
VIRGINIA: But I know that once I'm on the trip, it's going to end eventually.

00:53:54.848 --> 00:53:55.268
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:53:55.288 --> 00:54:03.188
VIRGINIA: It's like we're nearly to the end because you spend months feeling like you're anticipating it and all of this excitement around it and then it actually happens.

00:54:03.548 --> 00:54:06.928
VIRGINIA: And the only cure for that is to have another trip planned.

00:54:07.488 --> 00:54:16.968
VIRGINIA: So I'm going to ask you right now, before you've even gone on this trip, do you have an anticipation of when you might go next or not?

00:54:17.368 --> 00:54:18.708
DANIELLE: Yes, I do.

00:54:19.008 --> 00:54:20.768
DANIELLE: And it's kind of like a rule of the trip.

00:54:20.788 --> 00:54:22.688
DANIELLE: I can't talk about this trip on the trip.

00:54:23.108 --> 00:54:33.008
DANIELLE: But we are actually going to Burbank later in August on a Disney Studios tour and then we're going to pair that with Disneyland.

00:54:33.028 --> 00:54:34.188
VIRGINIA: Oh, that's so much fun.

00:54:34.488 --> 00:54:34.968
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:54:35.388 --> 00:54:40.688
VIRGINIA: So the Disney Studios tour, that's actually the studios where they do their work, right?

00:54:40.928 --> 00:54:41.328
DANIELLE: Yes.

00:54:41.428 --> 00:54:45.528
DANIELLE: So we got that through the Movie Insiders.

00:54:45.608 --> 00:54:51.828
DANIELLE: So that's going to be fun that we could redeem it with eight of our closest family members and friends.

00:54:52.388 --> 00:54:54.188
VIRGINIA: I don't know what Movie Insiders is.

00:54:54.208 --> 00:54:56.648
VIRGINIA: Can you describe what it is?

00:54:57.148 --> 00:55:00.028
DANIELLE: Movie Insiders has been around for some years now.

00:55:00.088 --> 00:55:12.668
DANIELLE: But anytime guests go to the movie theaters, or let's say you purchase a Disney DVD, there's usually a code inside of the DVDs and you can redeem that code for points.

00:55:13.088 --> 00:55:17.588
DANIELLE: Same as if you go to the movie theater, maybe you just watch Wish.

00:55:18.608 --> 00:55:26.068
DANIELLE: Movie tickets can be redeemed on their app for points and the points accumulate pretty quickly and you can get free gifts.

00:55:26.088 --> 00:55:34.108
DANIELLE: So, whether it's one of the nice Disney table cover books or saving up for years like I did and then you can redeem for like a studios tour.

00:55:34.688 --> 00:55:35.208
VIRGINIA: Oh, wow.

00:55:35.788 --> 00:55:37.688
VIRGINIA: I don't know how I've missed this.

00:55:38.028 --> 00:55:40.428
VIRGINIA: Do you have like a referral code or anything?

00:55:41.128 --> 00:55:45.028
DANIELLE: No referral codes are needed, but on Ask the Mouse, there is a blog about it.

00:55:45.048 --> 00:55:48.488
DANIELLE: I mean, it's free, easy for anyone to just get started on it.

00:55:48.508 --> 00:55:52.668
DANIELLE: Simply downloading the app and then just start redeeming the codes you have.

00:55:52.888 --> 00:56:01.948
DANIELLE: There are also fun trivia opportunities so you can get points even if you don't have a movie that you just saw and you just want to gain points through the trivia.

00:56:02.408 --> 00:56:02.888
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:56:02.928 --> 00:56:03.348
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:56:03.368 --> 00:56:04.608
VIRGINIA: I'm going to look into that.

00:56:04.628 --> 00:56:12.908
VIRGINIA: That sounds like something that would be right up my alley because I've probably been potentially earning points all these years and just not doing anything with them.

00:56:13.128 --> 00:56:16.908
VIRGINIA: I wonder how far back you can go for putting in movie tickets.

00:56:19.408 --> 00:56:28.648
DANIELLE: I think there might be a date limit for some of the in-theaters, but if you have DVDs, then you can redeem them if they haven't been redeemed already.

00:56:29.228 --> 00:56:30.328
VIRGINIA: Oh, gosh.

00:56:30.548 --> 00:56:41.108
VIRGINIA: If it came inside the DVD case, I'm not sure it's still there because most of the Disney DVDs I have are from when Alex was very little and so they are well-loved.

00:56:41.768 --> 00:56:45.968
VIRGINIA: They have been in and out of those packages so many times.

00:56:47.328 --> 00:56:48.648
VIRGINIA: I'm going to check that out.

00:56:48.768 --> 00:56:50.468
VIRGINIA: Well, that sounds exciting.

00:56:50.488 --> 00:56:51.828
VIRGINIA: That's going to help get you through.

00:56:52.948 --> 00:56:59.468
VIRGINIA: Then for Disney World, do you have any sense of when the next time, will it be this time next year?

00:57:00.348 --> 00:57:04.328
DANIELLE: Probably, if not in January, sometime early on.

00:57:04.348 --> 00:57:13.028
DANIELLE: I know that we want to go with my sister and her husband and my sister-in-law as well, so we're going to probably plan a more extended family trip.

00:57:13.728 --> 00:57:14.108
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:57:14.248 --> 00:57:14.668
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:57:14.768 --> 00:57:15.408
VIRGINIA: That'll be fun.

00:57:16.108 --> 00:57:25.528
VIRGINIA: Well, Danielle, I cannot wait to hear all about this trip, so I wish you safe travels and we will talk when you get back.

00:57:25.788 --> 00:57:26.708
DANIELLE: Thanks, Virginia.

00:57:28.668 --> 00:57:33.388
VIRGINIA: Thank you, Danielle, for sharing all of your plans with me and for sharing your love of Disney.

00:57:33.828 --> 00:57:37.888
VIRGINIA: Again, I encourage everyone to go check out askthemouse.com.

00:57:38.188 --> 00:57:42.868
VIRGINIA: Danielle's Post-Trip Report is live and up next, so make sure you give that a listen.

00:57:43.188 --> 00:57:46.988
VIRGINIA: And until next time, keep daydreaming about where you long to be.