Pre-Trip Report: Kelly’s Not So Scary Saratoga Stay (September 2024)

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VIRGINIA: Welcome to Where I Long To Be, a magical trip report podcast.

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VIRGINIA: My name is Virginia and I am your host.

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VIRGINIA: If you haven't yet checked out the website, I invite you to take a look.

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VIRGINIA: On today's episode, I am welcoming Kelly, who is mouse underscore rules on Instagram.

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VIRGINIA: I met Kelly and her family on our big New York Disney Instagram friends meet up last spring and they could not have been nicer.

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VIRGINIA: I was so thrilled to be able to schedule this trip report with her and I know you're going to love it.

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VIRGINIA: Without delaying any longer, let's welcome Kelly.

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VIRGINIA: Welcome to the podcast, Kelly.

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KELLY: Thank you so much for having me, Virginia.

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VIRGINIA: I'm so excited you're here.

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VIRGINIA: This interview has been a long time in the making.

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KELLY: Yeah.

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KELLY: I'm really excited to have a chance to talk to you about this trip.

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VIRGINIA: Listeners, Kelly is one of the people that I met on the big New York meetup that we had.

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VIRGINIA: When?

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VIRGINIA: What month was that?

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VIRGINIA: I don't even know.

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KELLY: It was either the end of March or the beginning of April, but in that vicinity.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: I'm going to guess it was March.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: Well, since the listeners don't know who you are, why don't you give a little bit of information about yourself, like who are you on Instagram?

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VIRGINIA: Where do you come to us from in this world?

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VIRGINIA: Why do you love Disney?

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VIRGINIA: All the good stuff.

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KELLY: Big questions, really, the why you love Disney.

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KELLY: I'm Kelly, as we already established here, and I am coming to you from Western Massachusetts, which is not where Boston is.

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KELLY: It's about 90 minutes west of Boston and north of Hartford, Connecticut.

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KELLY: I am mouse rules on Instagram.

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KELLY: Why I love Disney?

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KELLY: I certainly have many nostalgic moments about Disney as a kid.

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KELLY: I can remember my parents packing the three of us up into our minivan and driving all the way down to Orlando and having wonderful trips that way.

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KELLY: But now that I am a mom, seeing Disney through the eyes of my daughter, it's just something that I don't really even have words for.

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KELLY: It's a place that I've been able to see her grow up.

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KELLY: And it's just magical.

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KELLY: And it's a place that my wife, Colby and I get to actually play with her.

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KELLY: Like we get to be immersed in just pure fun when we go.

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KELLY: And so I think that's probably my current reason for loving Disney.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: How old was your daughter the first time she ever went?

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KELLY: That's a great question.

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KELLY: So we took her for the first time.

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KELLY: She was just over a year old.

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KELLY: It was a trip with my extended family.

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KELLY: And we really wondered if she would be too young.

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KELLY: And I think I have this very distinct memory of being at Animal Kingdom with her and taking her to see Mickey and Minnie at the outpost there.

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KELLY: And just the smile on her face when she met them.

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KELLY: And that was the moment that I think I fell in love with being a Disney mom.

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KELLY: And so we've been going pretty steadily since then with a little COVID break in there, just like everyone else.

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VIRGINIA: How many times do you get down or how often, I should say?

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KELLY: I would say we try to get there maybe twice a year, sometimes more, sometimes less.

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KELLY: We also enjoy a good Disney cruise, so it depends on if that's kind of in the mix as well.

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KELLY: But we try to go as much as we can.

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VIRGINIA: Are you annual pass holders?

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KELLY: No.

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KELLY: Although that is on my list of trying to figure out when a good year to try that is.

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VIRGINIA: I know that it's hard as a fellow out of state annual pass holder to figure out when it's worth it versus when it's not.

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VIRGINIA: Because of course, you just want to have one because you can go, right?

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VIRGINIA: And the truth is if I didn't have the DVC discount on my annual pass, I don't know that I would be an annual pass holder because it's so much more.

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VIRGINIA: But you always have to play that game.

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VIRGINIA: It's the Disney math.

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KELLY: Yeah, I agree.

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KELLY: So, you know, we're hoping that there will be a year that we know maybe we'll be able to get down there three times and make it work.

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KELLY: But, you know, other trips kind of thrown in the mix and work schedules and all that.

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KELLY: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Yep.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: So let's talk through this trip.

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VIRGINIA: What are your dates?

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KELLY: So we are departing on Thursday, September 26th and returning on Sunday, September 29th.

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KELLY: This is a small but mighty trip.

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VIRGINIA: You know what?

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VIRGINIA: Any trip is a good trip, even if it's just a one day, which speaking of which, have you ever done that before?

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KELLY: No, but I want to.

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KELLY: Do you want to meet at the airport, Virginia, and we'll go do it?

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VIRGINIA: I mean, if you can come to New York.

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KELLY: Sure.

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KELLY: Only three hours.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah, I'm itching to do it, but it is very hard to get an early enough in the morning flight to make it worth it, because all of the super early morning, like 5 AM flights are out of Newark, which that's a little bit of a hike.

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KELLY: I feel like if I were to do it, I'd have to cheat a little bit and leave in the morning, spend the day and then crash at a resort at the end of the night and then leave the next morning.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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KELLY: Kind of cheating, but.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Either that or do the go down late night the night before.

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KELLY: Yeah.

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KELLY: Get up, do the day and come back.

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KELLY: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: So Thursday, September 26th, what time is your flight?

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KELLY: We are departing at 6:25 AM from the Hartford Airport, which is about 40-minute drive from my house.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: So if it's a 40-minute drive, are you going to be just leaving at really in the middle of the night from your house or will you get a cheap hotel room closer to the airport?

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KELLY: No, we'll just leave and drive and I'm trying to do the backwards math but we'll be up sometime around three in the morning and off we go.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: Have you all flown at that time before?

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KELLY: We have and often when we do it, we say we'll never do it again and then it just happens to be the best way to take advantage of the whole day.

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KELLY: Here we are again.

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VIRGINIA: If you have done this early flight before, how does Esme, your daughter, handle getting up that early or that late, whichever way you're looking at it?

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KELLY: Well, better as she's gotten older, on her fifth birthday, we woke her up this early for a surprise birthday trip.

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KELLY: She basically told us she didn't want to go because it was too early.

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KELLY: She got over it eventually.

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KELLY: But we'll put her to bed pretty much in the clothes that she'll go on the plane with.

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KELLY: We try to tell her, just get up, brush your teeth, and then we're going to head to the airport.

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KELLY: But now that she's Esme's almost 10 now, so she's a little bit better.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: Who is going to be joining you on this trip besides Colby and Esme?

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KELLY: Yeah.

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KELLY: We're going with our friends, the Quinns, so Pat, Julie, and their son, Conner, and Conner is 11 years old.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: Eleven years old.

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VIRGINIA: It's a good age, and Esme and Conner, good buddies?

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KELLY: Yeah.

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KELLY: They get along really well, and we're two pretty serious Disney families.

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KELLY: We've never gone to Disney together before, but Conner and Esme like to talk Disney, so it'll be interesting to see them kind of navigate the parks together.

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VIRGINIA: Have you and the Quinn family discussed what your Disney style is?

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VIRGINIA: Are you rope droppers?

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VIRGINIA: Are you sleep in?

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VIRGINIA: Are you break in the middle of the day?

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KELLY: Well, yeah.

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KELLY: So what's interesting about that is Pat and Conner are probably more rope droppers like Colby, Esme, and I are.

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KELLY: Julie, not so much.

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KELLY: She's already pretty much told us on one of the days that she'll meet us later on and she'll probably sleep in.

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KELLY: But I think that's fine.

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KELLY: I think she likes to have the more relaxed pace and we're fine giving her the time to do that.

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VIRGINIA: What time do you think you'll be landing at MCO?

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KELLY: We will be landing if everything goes according to plan at 9:20 AM.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: What airline are you flying?

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VIRGINIA: I asked this because I want to know Terminal A, B, C.

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KELLY: I know.

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KELLY: I listened to one of the podcasts.

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KELLY: You're very into the new terminal.

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VIRGINIA: I'm so into it.

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VIRGINIA: I love it.

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KELLY: I have gone in and out of the new terminal before.

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KELLY: I'm JetBlue, but this is Southwest.

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KELLY: I don't think we'll be in the new terminal.

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VIRGINIA: I don't think so either.

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KELLY: But I agree with you.

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KELLY: The new terminal is awesome.

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VIRGINIA: So good.

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VIRGINIA: So good.

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VIRGINIA: So when you hit the ground at MCO, are you going to be dropping your things off at a resort?

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VIRGINIA: And if so, what resort?

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KELLY: So we will be, but I guess to back up for a second, we're actually going to rent a car, which is not something that I normally do.

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KELLY: Where Julie arranged a suburban type car for all of us.

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KELLY: So we're going to be getting the car.

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KELLY: Before we even go to the resort, we are heading to the character warehouse, which I've never been to before.

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KELLY: So I'm really excited about that.

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VIRGINIA: Oh, okay.

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VIRGINIA: Which one are you going to?

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KELLY: The one on Vineland?

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KELLY: Is it Vineland Ave?

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KELLY: Okay.

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KELLY: Yeah.

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KELLY: So we're going there.

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KELLY: And that's pretty exciting.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: No, it definitely is.

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VIRGINIA: Just be aware it is, I don't know if you've watched any videos on it.

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VIRGINIA: It's kind of a small space.

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VIRGINIA: So if you don't like feeling tightly packed among the racks of things, it can be a little bit overwhelming if there are a lot of people there at one time.

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VIRGINIA: So think if you're prepared mentally for that, it's probably fine.

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KELLY: But that's good.

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KELLY: I'm going to give Colby a heads up on that.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah, I would say, you know, she just needs to know that there's other places she could pop out to if she starts to feel a little claustrophobic.

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VIRGINIA: There's like a Starbucks right outside.

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KELLY: Oh, good.

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KELLY: And I've heard it's really hit or miss.

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KELLY: Like sometimes you go and it's so we'll see.

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KELLY: But it'll be fun and maybe we'll get some merch, maybe not.

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KELLY: Yeah, but we'll check it out.

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VIRGINIA: No, it's definitely fun to see what they have.

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VIRGINIA: And it is hit or miss.

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VIRGINIA: Sometimes I have walked out of there with bags and bags of things, and sometimes I have not.

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VIRGINIA: And then in terms of clothing, at least the adult sizes, there's a lot less selection with the middle sizes.

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VIRGINIA: If you're an extra small or an extra large, you are more likely to find clothing.

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VIRGINIA: But that's not to say I haven't.

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VIRGINIA: What I have found really good deals on there are ears.

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VIRGINIA: So keep your eye out for some ears.

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VIRGINIA: So after the character warehouse, where are you heading?

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KELLY: So potentially a quick stop at Publix, just for some quick groceries since we have the car.

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KELLY: But we are checking into the Saratoga Springs Resort, and I've never stayed there before, so that's going to be new for my family.

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VIRGINIA: What type of room do you have there?

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KELLY: So we have a two-bedroom villa that we're splitting with the Quinns, so we'll kind of each have a bedroom.

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VIRGINIA: Are the Quinns DVC members, or did you rent DVC points?

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KELLY: So we rented DVC points, but the Quinns just actually started a contract, so they are soon to be DVC members, and they're pretty excited about it.

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VIRGINIA: Oh, nice.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: Do you know what the home resort is going to be?

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KELLY: I'm almost positive the contemporary.

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VIRGINIA: Oh, okay.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: And if you don't mind my asking, do you know what company they rented their points from?

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KELLY: The DVC rental store.

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KELLY: Does that sound right?

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VIRGINIA: Yep.

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VIRGINIA: That's one of the, I would say probably one of the two biggest ones.

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KELLY: Yeah, I do a lot of Disney planning, but I've never rented DVC points, so Julie did all the logistics for that.

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VIRGINIA: So since you mentioned the planning, I know that you are a Disney travel planner.

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VIRGINIA: So how did you get into that?

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KELLY: So a few years ago, I guess I'll give you the brief personal story around this and know that there's a good ending here.

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KELLY: A few years back, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I went through treatment.

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KELLY: I'm absolutely fine now.

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KELLY: But I think when you're going through that experience, you really think about your life, and you kind of have this moment where you realize like nothing's guaranteed.

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KELLY: So what is it that's important to me?

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KELLY: And I think one of the things that really stood out was the travel that I do with my family.

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KELLY: So I started to try to think about ways that I could do that more.

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KELLY: And travel planning kind of came up because I plan a lot of people's Disney trips for them anyway.

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KELLY: I had people coming to me all the time, so I started kind of looking into it, and I was like, oh, this is great.

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KELLY: Even if I'm not making a lot of sales, you have discounts as a travel planner that you can utilize.

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KELLY: And then it really kind of took off more than I even thought it would.

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KELLY: So I really enjoy it.

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KELLY: I mean, I work full time at a university, so that's my kind of full time job, but I really enjoy doing this on the side.

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KELLY: And it's been a lot of fun.

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VIRGINIA: And it gives you that excuse you need to be like, no, I'm looking at this for research.

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KELLY: Yes, yes.

00:14:12.490 --> 00:14:19.370
KELLY: Well, and the reason I'm probably a bad travel planner is because I'll work with clients and they'll book this awesome trip.

00:14:19.370 --> 00:14:22.790
KELLY: And two weeks later, I'll be like, Colby, you know what we should do?

00:14:23.130 --> 00:14:29.570
KELLY: And next thing you know, I'm not saving much money because I'm off checking out some other kind of thing.

00:14:29.570 --> 00:14:31.050
VIRGINIA: Yes, but worth it.

00:14:31.050 --> 00:14:32.210
VIRGINIA: Totally worth it.

00:14:32.210 --> 00:14:33.270
KELLY: Absolutely worth it.

00:14:33.850 --> 00:14:45.610
KELLY: And I think Disney is one of those vacations that especially if you've never been to Disney before, you can really fall into the trap of overloading your schedule and trying to do too much.

00:14:45.890 --> 00:14:51.390
KELLY: And I think having a planner that can help you figure out what's realistic for your family.

00:14:51.390 --> 00:15:03.050
KELLY: You know, Disney is never going to be an inexpensive vacation, but I think there are ways to think about your budget by really kind of narrowing down what you want to do and not trying to do too much.

00:15:03.050 --> 00:15:11.970
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I think that that is one of the biggest mistakes that people make when they take these trips is feeling like they need to do everything.

00:15:11.970 --> 00:15:17.310
VIRGINIA: There's a big fear of missing out and packing too much in.

00:15:17.310 --> 00:15:28.130
VIRGINIA: And I think that you have to have moments of downtime within your plans so that you can take a break if you want to, or you can say, we're enjoying doing this thing.

00:15:28.130 --> 00:15:29.130
VIRGINIA: Let's keep doing it.

00:15:29.130 --> 00:15:51.290
VIRGINIA: Or, oh, surprise, now we have time to do this thing that we weren't sure whether we would have time to do and just have that little bit of a relaxed nature to you, which is sometimes very hard on the trip like this, especially considering the cost, like you said, because you feel like you really want to get your money's worth out of it.

00:15:51.290 --> 00:15:58.330
KELLY: But there's just, I think the more I go to Disney, the more I realize there's just so much to see and take in.

00:15:58.330 --> 00:16:02.150
KELLY: And when you slow down and really kind of enjoy it.

00:16:02.150 --> 00:16:08.070
KELLY: And I think one of the beauties of your podcast is hearing people talk about their plans.

00:16:08.070 --> 00:16:12.950
KELLY: And seeing that plans don't always work out the way people intend them to.

00:16:12.950 --> 00:16:14.490
KELLY: But you still have an awesome time.

00:16:14.490 --> 00:16:16.830
KELLY: So allowing yourself to be flexible.

00:16:16.830 --> 00:16:17.410
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:16:18.470 --> 00:16:22.090
VIRGINIA: I always get excited when somebody says, oh, we didn't end up doing that.

00:16:22.090 --> 00:16:22.510
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:16:22.510 --> 00:16:23.990
VIRGINIA: I love a change of plans.

00:16:23.990 --> 00:16:24.570
VIRGINIA: Let's hear it.

00:16:24.570 --> 00:16:25.230
KELLY: Yes.

00:16:25.230 --> 00:16:26.870
KELLY: Absolutely.

00:16:26.870 --> 00:16:27.570
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:16:27.570 --> 00:16:29.750
VIRGINIA: So where were we?

00:16:29.750 --> 00:16:39.730
VIRGINIA: So Thursday, September 26th, landing, going to character warehouse, hitting up the Publix with your rental car, checking in at Saratoga Springs in a two-bedroom.

00:16:39.730 --> 00:16:43.390
VIRGINIA: Do you happen to know if it's a preferred two-bedroom or not?

00:16:43.390 --> 00:16:44.910
KELLY: It is preferred.

00:16:45.210 --> 00:16:49.510
KELLY: And I think we did that hoping to be closer to Disney Springs.

00:16:49.510 --> 00:16:50.510
KELLY: But, you know.

00:16:50.510 --> 00:16:51.250
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:16:51.250 --> 00:16:53.390
VIRGINIA: Very convenient.

00:16:53.390 --> 00:16:58.590
VIRGINIA: Do you have any plans on this trip to utilize the new multi-pass Lightning Lane?

00:16:59.930 --> 00:17:02.150
KELLY: Yes, we do.

00:17:02.150 --> 00:17:07.670
KELLY: We're ultimately only doing one full park day with the Park Hopper.

00:17:07.670 --> 00:17:09.710
KELLY: And we'll talk about that later, I'm sure.

00:17:09.710 --> 00:17:14.050
KELLY: But yes, we are pulling out all the stops to be as efficient as we can.

00:17:14.050 --> 00:17:16.370
KELLY: As I'm just talking about slowing down right now.

00:17:16.370 --> 00:17:22.390
KELLY: I'm telling you about how we've got this jam-packed day of needing to be efficient.

00:17:22.390 --> 00:17:24.450
KELLY: So I'm contradicting myself already.

00:17:25.530 --> 00:17:31.110
VIRGINIA: Well, but at the same time, if you're doing one day park hopper, you have to be efficient for that one day.

00:17:31.110 --> 00:17:37.430
VIRGINIA: So you'll have the rest of the time to chillax as the kids say, or do they even say that anymore?

00:17:37.430 --> 00:17:38.490
VIRGINIA: I don't know.

00:17:38.490 --> 00:17:40.370
KELLY: I don't know.

00:17:40.370 --> 00:17:41.270
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:17:41.270 --> 00:17:45.890
VIRGINIA: So what are you going to be doing with the rest of your day that Thursday?

00:17:45.890 --> 00:17:47.450
KELLY: So check out the resort.

00:17:47.450 --> 00:17:49.790
KELLY: I really love exploring new resorts.

00:17:49.790 --> 00:17:53.530
KELLY: I think like many big Disney fans, I have a goal of trying to stay everywhere.

00:17:54.850 --> 00:17:57.090
KELLY: So getting to really kind of check it out.

00:17:57.090 --> 00:17:58.870
KELLY: I love a good resort pool.

00:17:58.870 --> 00:18:01.370
KELLY: So the weather is nice.

00:18:01.370 --> 00:18:04.270
KELLY: You can certainly find me there in the afternoon.

00:18:04.270 --> 00:18:07.670
KELLY: And then that night, we're going to head over to Disney Springs.

00:18:07.670 --> 00:18:12.130
KELLY: And we actually let Conner and Esme pick where we're going to dinner.

00:18:12.130 --> 00:18:15.430
KELLY: So we're headed to Enzo's Hideaway.

00:18:15.450 --> 00:18:16.810
VIRGINIA: Oh, interesting.

00:18:16.810 --> 00:18:18.030
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:18:18.030 --> 00:18:20.690
VIRGINIA: I would not have guessed that for their pick.

00:18:20.690 --> 00:18:21.930
KELLY: I would not have either.

00:18:22.130 --> 00:18:27.650
KELLY: Really, what we, after they told us where we wanted to go, we basically said, how did you decide this?

00:18:27.650 --> 00:18:33.590
KELLY: And they said that they went through the app and looked at all the menus and decided they wanted Italian.

00:18:33.590 --> 00:18:34.710
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:18:34.710 --> 00:18:36.450
VIRGINIA: Very mature of them.

00:18:36.450 --> 00:18:37.930
KELLY: Yes, very mature of them.

00:18:37.930 --> 00:18:42.270
KELLY: And, you know, I haven't eaten there before, so I've now watched a couple of videos.

00:18:42.270 --> 00:18:43.570
KELLY: And I think it's going to be fun.

00:18:44.690 --> 00:18:50.170
KELLY: It isn't something that would have rose to the top of my list, but it looks like a nice atmosphere.

00:18:52.010 --> 00:18:52.650
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:18:52.650 --> 00:18:57.350
VIRGINIA: Do you have any dessert plans since you'll be at Disney Springs?

00:18:57.350 --> 00:19:05.330
KELLY: Well, Colby will absolutely figure out how to do Gideon's because that is a must do for us.

00:19:05.330 --> 00:19:10.330
KELLY: Chances are we will be there Thursday and Sunday to bring cookies home as well.

00:19:10.650 --> 00:19:13.450
KELLY: So Gideon's definitely, probably some shopping.

00:19:13.450 --> 00:19:20.390
KELLY: And, you know, I think Disney Springs is one of those places I also just like to stay open and, you know, see what kind of mood I'm in.

00:19:20.390 --> 00:19:24.270
KELLY: So some kind of sweet treat, but we'll see.

00:19:24.270 --> 00:19:26.870
VIRGINIA: Have you seen The Drone Show yet?

00:19:26.870 --> 00:19:28.090
KELLY: I have not.

00:19:28.090 --> 00:19:28.410
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:19:28.410 --> 00:19:30.530
VIRGINIA: Are you interested in it?

00:19:30.530 --> 00:19:37.930
KELLY: I am interested, but I'm going to be honest and say, I have not even looked at the schedule to see if it's a possibility yet.

00:19:37.930 --> 00:19:40.110
VIRGINIA: I think it's at 9 and 11.

00:19:40.110 --> 00:19:41.830
VIRGINIA: So it plays twice.

00:19:41.830 --> 00:19:44.410
VIRGINIA: You know, if you get a chance to see it, I recommend it.

00:19:44.410 --> 00:19:50.750
VIRGINIA: Just know that the lead up to getting into the space where they have you watch it, is a little bit of a nightmare.

00:19:50.750 --> 00:19:51.050
KELLY: Okay.

00:19:51.050 --> 00:19:55.710
KELLY: Is there pretty much one viewing area, or do you have a recommendation on where to try to view?

00:19:55.710 --> 00:19:57.870
VIRGINIA: So you know what I would do if I were you?

00:19:57.870 --> 00:20:04.010
VIRGINIA: And I am saying this as somebody who has not done this, but to touch base with Becky, a Hufflepuff in Disney.

00:20:04.010 --> 00:20:04.310
KELLY: Absolutely.

00:20:04.310 --> 00:20:18.530
VIRGINIA: Because the night that I saw it from the designated viewing area, which is over there along the water kind of behind House of Blues, they funnel you in to this area, and it's just like everybody coming.

00:20:18.530 --> 00:20:24.810
VIRGINIA: And I think the entrance to get into the space is maybe six or seven feet wide.

00:20:24.810 --> 00:20:29.150
VIRGINIA: And so there's this huge pile of people trying to get through this one spot.

00:20:29.150 --> 00:20:31.650
VIRGINIA: And then when you get in there, there's plenty of space.

00:20:31.650 --> 00:20:43.830
VIRGINIA: But that very same night, Becky and some other people that I'm sure, you know, I can't remember who all was over there, but they were watching it from the Saratoga Springs side of the lake.

00:20:44.610 --> 00:20:48.890
VIRGINIA: And I think that's probably just a fine place to see it.

00:20:48.890 --> 00:20:52.010
VIRGINIA: So touch base with Becky and make sure that you can see it.

00:20:52.010 --> 00:21:01.850
VIRGINIA: I mean, it's a different angle, but the drones are putting together pictures, if you will, that are like three-dimensional anyway, and they kind of turn.

00:21:01.850 --> 00:21:07.790
VIRGINIA: So I'm guessing that standing over there by Saratoga, you're still, you know, seeing it and can tell what it is.

00:21:07.790 --> 00:21:10.050
VIRGINIA: It's just not like a head-on view.

00:21:10.050 --> 00:21:14.810
VIRGINIA: But Becky will be able to tell you exactly what she thought of that viewing area.

00:21:14.810 --> 00:21:17.770
KELLY: Great tip, and I will definitely stick in with Becky.

00:21:17.770 --> 00:21:18.230
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:21:18.230 --> 00:21:20.550
VIRGINIA: Bring a picnic blanket or something to sit on.

00:21:20.550 --> 00:21:21.130
KELLY: Okay.

00:21:21.130 --> 00:21:22.570
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:21:22.570 --> 00:21:24.670
KELLY: Maybe I'll find one at the character warehouse.

00:21:24.670 --> 00:21:25.470
VIRGINIA: Oh, yeah.

00:21:25.470 --> 00:21:26.190
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:21:26.190 --> 00:21:29.630
VIRGINIA: You could definitely find a Disney beach towel there.

00:21:29.630 --> 00:21:30.370
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:21:30.370 --> 00:21:35.050
VIRGINIA: So Friday, September 27th, is this your park day or not yet?

00:21:36.090 --> 00:21:36.930
KELLY: So not yet.

00:21:36.930 --> 00:21:45.130
KELLY: So well, I will say that Pat and Conner, so the Quinns are annual pass holders.

00:21:45.130 --> 00:21:51.510
KELLY: So Pat and Conner are going off to doing some park stuff earlier in the day.

00:21:51.510 --> 00:22:03.610
KELLY: Julie is going to join Colby, Esme, and I, and we are going to have a little bit more low-key day until we do the Halloween party at night, so that's the plan.

00:22:04.290 --> 00:22:11.590
KELLY: So I do think what we're hoping to do in the morning is maybe take the boat to the French Quarter and have some beignets.

00:22:12.650 --> 00:22:18.190
KELLY: So where fans of the beignets, I don't think Julie has had them before at the French Quarter.

00:22:18.190 --> 00:22:24.450
KELLY: So we talked about maybe jumping on the boat and going up river and doing that.

00:22:24.450 --> 00:22:26.270
VIRGINIA: Definitely a good idea.

00:22:26.270 --> 00:22:35.310
VIRGINIA: I believe from Saratoga Springs, if you want to take the boat, you I think have to go to Disney Springs first.

00:22:35.310 --> 00:22:36.310
KELLY: I think so too.

00:22:36.310 --> 00:22:43.730
KELLY: I think that's one of the many reasons we wanted to learn for that preferred room is to be a little more convenient.

00:22:43.730 --> 00:22:51.510
VIRGINIA: If you wanted to use the car though, when I stayed at Saratoga Springs, I had the same idea and I happened to have a rental car.

00:22:51.510 --> 00:22:56.030
VIRGINIA: Because I think that when you're at Saratoga Springs, it's worth it to have a rental car.

00:22:56.030 --> 00:23:04.510
VIRGINIA: I just popped over to French Quarter and I told the guard that was letting people pass that I just wanted to grab beignets and he let me through.

00:23:04.770 --> 00:23:14.650
KELLY: It's funny you say that, because even though I know we have a car, I'm so used to not having a car, but it didn't even occur to me until you said that, that I could do that.

00:23:14.650 --> 00:23:17.230
VIRGINIA: Yeah, it's just a couple of minutes down the road.

00:23:19.030 --> 00:23:20.490
KELLY: I guess we'll have to see.

00:23:20.490 --> 00:23:26.210
KELLY: But yeah, I think I'm just not used to the convenience of a car at Walt Disney World.

00:23:27.270 --> 00:23:28.790
KELLY: Yeah, we could definitely do that.

00:23:28.890 --> 00:23:33.790
KELLY: And then I think the rest of the day really, we're just planning to kind of take advantage of the pool.

00:23:33.790 --> 00:23:35.410
KELLY: Again, hopefully nice weather.

00:23:35.410 --> 00:23:37.710
KELLY: If not, we'll figure something else out.

00:23:37.710 --> 00:23:42.950
KELLY: But maybe a cocktail, some relaxing time.

00:23:42.950 --> 00:23:47.470
KELLY: Really to rest up for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

00:23:47.470 --> 00:23:48.930
VIRGINIA: Very exciting.

00:23:49.490 --> 00:23:54.330
VIRGINIA: Well, I'm sure you can guess what my next question is since you're going to the party.

00:23:54.330 --> 00:23:56.670
VIRGINIA: What will you be wearing?

00:23:56.670 --> 00:23:58.470
KELLY: Yeah, I knew you were going to ask this.

00:23:59.890 --> 00:24:02.150
KELLY: I don't think we're going to wear costumes.

00:24:02.390 --> 00:24:03.850
KELLY: We talked about this.

00:24:03.850 --> 00:24:06.730
KELLY: We've gone back and forth.

00:24:06.730 --> 00:24:09.290
KELLY: I don't know what I'm going to wear.

00:24:09.290 --> 00:24:12.990
KELLY: I was thinking about wearing my villain's t-shirt that I'm wearing right now.

00:24:12.990 --> 00:24:15.850
KELLY: But yeah, we're not going to dress up in costumes.

00:24:16.530 --> 00:24:20.150
KELLY: I think partly I'm okay with that.

00:24:20.150 --> 00:24:25.250
KELLY: But of course, there's always that little part of you that's like, but what if we did costumes?

00:24:25.250 --> 00:24:26.350
VIRGINIA: I know, but it's hot.

00:24:28.290 --> 00:24:30.450
KELLY: I think that was one of the things.

00:24:30.450 --> 00:24:38.150
KELLY: I think all of us are planning to wear something that's a little themed around Halloween, but I don't think we're doing costumes.

00:24:38.150 --> 00:24:57.230
VIRGINIA: That might be the direction I go when I eventually make it to the Halloween party one of these years because the thought of getting dressed up in a full out costume during the high heat does not appeal to me and the thought of wearing a full out costume and trying to do attractions while wearing it does not appeal to me.

00:24:57.230 --> 00:25:03.370
VIRGINIA: So I think a Halloween t-shirt or something like that is probably the way to go.

00:25:03.370 --> 00:25:07.030
KELLY: And this is the first Halloween party for my family.

00:25:07.030 --> 00:25:09.450
KELLY: So we're really excited.

00:25:09.450 --> 00:25:21.310
KELLY: You know, I think, and you know, a little overwhelming, right, because you're used to your own kind of magic kingdom plans and you know, you think about doing it for the party and it's really a whole different strategy, right?

00:25:21.310 --> 00:25:23.750
KELLY: You're trying to do different things and see different things.

00:25:24.550 --> 00:25:27.770
VIRGINIA: What are going to be your party priorities?

00:25:27.770 --> 00:25:35.250
KELLY: So I think that number one priority is to focus on things that are kind of unique and different.

00:25:35.250 --> 00:25:38.210
KELLY: Although fitting in some classics along the way.

00:25:38.210 --> 00:25:46.510
KELLY: So I guess I will start just by saying we are going to arrive at four and try to take advantage of those pre-hours before the party starts.

00:25:48.130 --> 00:25:53.710
KELLY: I'm glad we're not going to a park during the day because we made that mistake with the Christmas party once.

00:25:53.710 --> 00:25:57.590
KELLY: By the time we got to the Christmas party, we were just worn out.

00:25:57.910 --> 00:26:03.370
KELLY: So I'm looking forward to kind of getting there at four and being like fresh and ready to go.

00:26:03.370 --> 00:26:10.170
KELLY: So I think one priority that's really not about the Halloween party is we haven't done Tiana's Bayou Adventure yet.

00:26:10.170 --> 00:26:14.450
KELLY: So we are hoping to do that.

00:26:14.450 --> 00:26:17.590
KELLY: And for the party, they really only have a standby.

00:26:17.590 --> 00:26:23.030
KELLY: So we're thinking maybe during the first parade, trying to sneak over there.

00:26:23.030 --> 00:26:24.750
KELLY: And we know it'll be somewhat of a wait.

00:26:24.750 --> 00:26:26.830
KELLY: But that's one attraction goal.

00:26:26.830 --> 00:26:28.510
KELLY: We definitely want to do the Haunted mansion.

00:26:28.510 --> 00:26:31.430
KELLY: It's just keeping with the theme of the night.

00:26:32.530 --> 00:26:36.110
KELLY: Space Mountain, my understanding, is kind of lights off in the dark.

00:26:36.110 --> 00:26:38.550
KELLY: So we want to check that out.

00:26:38.550 --> 00:26:44.070
KELLY: And then some of the other attractions, kind of, it really just depends on what the lines look like.

00:26:44.070 --> 00:26:51.770
KELLY: But really what we're kind of trying to focus on or maybe some of the unique characters, really just kind of walking around and enjoying the ambiance.

00:26:51.770 --> 00:27:05.870
KELLY: And then during the later part of the night, the parade, the Hocus Pocus stage show, and then of course also doing the fireworks and all that good stuff.

00:27:05.870 --> 00:27:08.650
VIRGINIA: Are you a big Hocus Pocus fan?

00:27:10.050 --> 00:27:15.350
KELLY: I would say I am a Hocus Pocus fan, but my daughter really loves Hocus Pocus.

00:27:15.350 --> 00:27:18.030
KELLY: So I think she's really going to enjoy the stage show.

00:27:18.890 --> 00:27:21.470
VIRGINIA: Does she have a favorite between the Three Witches?

00:27:22.570 --> 00:27:26.690
KELLY: I don't think so, or maybe I've just never asked her.

00:27:26.690 --> 00:27:33.030
KELLY: But I think in general, she just really likes the movie, or I should say movies.

00:27:33.030 --> 00:27:43.930
KELLY: We were actually just in Salem a couple of weeks ago, and so there was lots of Hocus Pocus merchandise there as well, and she really enjoyed that.

00:27:43.930 --> 00:27:46.090
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I need to get back to Salem.

00:27:46.090 --> 00:27:49.050
VIRGINIA: I've only ever been once, and it was so much fun.

00:27:49.050 --> 00:27:52.210
VIRGINIA: It was while I was doing a production of The Crucible.

00:27:53.150 --> 00:28:00.650
VIRGINIA: We traveled to Salem for research purposes, and did some touring and stuff like that, and it was a lot of fun.

00:28:00.650 --> 00:28:06.750
VIRGINIA: But I think that Alex would really enjoy going there at some point, so add it to my bucket list.

00:28:06.750 --> 00:28:18.930
KELLY: I would say it was actually really nice because we went pre the Halloween crowd, so we got a chance to just eat some food, walk around some stores.

00:28:18.930 --> 00:28:23.950
KELLY: You could see Halloween season starting to gear up already, but it wasn't quite there yet.

00:28:23.950 --> 00:28:24.550
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:28:24.550 --> 00:28:27.650
VIRGINIA: That's like us here with Sleepy Hollow.

00:28:27.650 --> 00:28:39.050
VIRGINIA: Where we usually head every year is Sleepy Hollow to just wander around the little town, and then they have a haunted hayride, and the headless horseman comes through, and stuff like that.

00:28:39.870 --> 00:28:40.650
VIRGINIA: It's fun.

00:28:40.650 --> 00:28:42.630
VIRGINIA: It's a lot of fun.

00:28:42.630 --> 00:28:43.550
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:28:43.550 --> 00:28:46.790
VIRGINIA: So anything else for the Halloween party?

00:28:48.190 --> 00:28:52.490
KELLY: I've got a list of foods that I'm hoping to try.

00:28:52.490 --> 00:28:59.790
KELLY: I personally am not, I'm not saying I don't eat any sweet treats, but I definitely gravitate towards the savory.

00:28:59.790 --> 00:29:06.850
KELLY: So I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos trying to decide like what's on my list to try.

00:29:06.850 --> 00:29:13.330
KELLY: So I think Colby and Esme probably gravitate more towards the desserts and I'm looking more at the savory treats.

00:29:13.330 --> 00:29:16.110
KELLY: So that's on my list.

00:29:16.110 --> 00:29:19.910
KELLY: And then, oh, I guess there's like a descend dance party.

00:29:19.910 --> 00:29:23.710
KELLY: So the descendants and Esme definitely wants to check that out.

00:29:23.710 --> 00:29:27.070
KELLY: She really likes the new movie Rise of Red.

00:29:27.070 --> 00:29:30.070
VIRGINIA: I have not seen any of their stuff.

00:29:30.070 --> 00:29:31.470
KELLY: No descendants movies?

00:29:31.870 --> 00:29:34.110
VIRGINIA: No, I know it exists.

00:29:36.370 --> 00:29:36.810
VIRGINIA: I don't know.

00:29:37.330 --> 00:29:38.570
KELLY: That's Esme's jam.

00:29:38.570 --> 00:29:43.390
KELLY: So we've seen all the descendants movies many times.

00:29:43.390 --> 00:29:45.610
VIRGINIA: Don't they have a book series, too?

00:29:46.930 --> 00:29:48.030
KELLY: Maybe.

00:29:48.030 --> 00:29:48.970
VIRGINIA: I think they do.

00:29:48.970 --> 00:29:50.170
VIRGINIA: I think I've seen them.

00:29:50.450 --> 00:29:57.370
VIRGINIA: I'm curious about them, but just have not made the time to see it because I think they're all descendants of villains.

00:29:57.370 --> 00:29:58.350
VIRGINIA: Is that what I've gathered?

00:29:59.510 --> 00:30:00.150
KELLY: Most of them.

00:30:00.150 --> 00:30:10.650
KELLY: So yeah, I mean, they're mostly the stars are mostly descendants of villains, but there's also descendants of, you know, they are quote unquote good guys, too.

00:30:10.650 --> 00:30:16.570
KELLY: So, you know, Bell's daughter and the fairy godmother's daughter.

00:30:16.570 --> 00:30:18.650
KELLY: So, I mean, really, it's all of them.

00:30:20.070 --> 00:30:28.310
KELLY: And yeah, so the kids, the kids trying to figure out how to get out of the shadow of their parents who may have made bad decisions.

00:30:28.310 --> 00:30:28.830
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:30:28.830 --> 00:30:29.150
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:30:29.150 --> 00:30:30.790
VIRGINIA: A tale is old as time.

00:30:30.790 --> 00:30:33.870
KELLY: Absolutely.

00:30:33.870 --> 00:30:35.230
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:30:35.230 --> 00:30:37.650
VIRGINIA: So, Descendants Dance Party.

00:30:37.650 --> 00:30:41.610
VIRGINIA: And then you said you were going to go to that second parade.

00:30:41.610 --> 00:30:45.850
VIRGINIA: That is the thing I think I'd be most excited about is the parade, because you see those gravediggers.

00:30:45.850 --> 00:30:48.970
VIRGINIA: And I just want to see that in person.

00:30:48.970 --> 00:30:49.450
KELLY: Yeah.

00:30:49.450 --> 00:30:57.270
KELLY: I mean, you know, you see when you're on Instagram and kind of our Disney community, you see so much like great footage all the time.

00:30:57.270 --> 00:31:00.390
KELLY: And there are just certain things where you've seen it in reels over and over again.

00:31:00.390 --> 00:31:02.390
KELLY: And you're like, no, I want to see that in real life.

00:31:02.390 --> 00:31:03.030
KELLY: Right.

00:31:03.650 --> 00:31:07.170
KELLY: So I feel like, you know, the headless horsemen and all that.

00:31:07.170 --> 00:31:08.670
KELLY: I just can't wait to see it.

00:31:08.670 --> 00:31:09.150
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:31:09.150 --> 00:31:10.310
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:31:10.310 --> 00:31:11.710
VIRGINIA: A lot of fun.

00:31:11.710 --> 00:31:12.330
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:31:12.330 --> 00:31:18.090
VIRGINIA: Well, let's get into Saturday, September 28th, which is presumably your park day.

00:31:18.090 --> 00:31:19.250
KELLY: That is our park day.

00:31:19.250 --> 00:31:23.650
KELLY: So we are doing a park hopper and we are going to start at Animal Kingdom.

00:31:24.810 --> 00:31:29.570
KELLY: And then we are going to end at Epcot with the Food and Wine Festival.

00:31:29.570 --> 00:31:30.010
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:31:30.010 --> 00:31:34.810
VIRGINIA: So you have made the choice not to visit Hollywood studios this trip.

00:31:34.810 --> 00:31:35.290
KELLY: Yeah.

00:31:35.290 --> 00:31:38.510
KELLY: You know, we went back and forth about this.

00:31:38.510 --> 00:31:46.930
KELLY: And, you know, I think it really comes down to, you know, deciding you really want to enjoy two places instead of feeling like you're trying to squeeze everything in.

00:31:46.930 --> 00:31:48.770
KELLY: But I love Hollywood studios.

00:31:48.770 --> 00:31:52.530
KELLY: So, you know, there's always the part of your brain that's like, what am I missing out on?

00:31:53.390 --> 00:31:55.750
KELLY: And then try not to focus on that, right?

00:31:55.750 --> 00:31:56.930
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:31:56.930 --> 00:32:06.050
VIRGINIA: Well, so doing multi-pass, you are going to be able to make your three advanced selections in just a matter of days.

00:32:06.050 --> 00:32:06.430
KELLY: Right.

00:32:06.430 --> 00:32:08.630
VIRGINIA: So what are you planning for?

00:32:08.630 --> 00:32:08.990
KELLY: Yeah.

00:32:09.310 --> 00:32:12.150
KELLY: So first of all, this is kind of mind-blowing to me.

00:32:12.170 --> 00:32:17.830
KELLY: I'm usually the one that does all the plans, but Pat and Julie are going to take care of our multi-pass.

00:32:21.010 --> 00:32:23.810
KELLY: Part of me doesn't know how to feel about it.

00:32:23.810 --> 00:32:32.690
KELLY: Then I have complete trust in them, and I guess it's kind of nice to not have to be the one trying to figure that all out.

00:32:32.690 --> 00:32:39.790
KELLY: We actually met for dinner on Friday night to finalize how we wanted to do this.

00:32:39.790 --> 00:32:59.370
KELLY: I think our first three choices are going to be Kilimanjaro Safari, Everest, and then I thought the last time I was at Disney World, I was riding dinosaur for the last time, but I guess this time I'll be riding dinosaur for the last time.

00:32:59.370 --> 00:33:06.370
KELLY: We're also, some of us are going to do flight of passage, and we're going to get a single-pass lightning lane for that.

00:33:06.370 --> 00:33:08.290
VIRGINIA: When you say some of you, who are the some?

00:33:09.310 --> 00:33:21.450
KELLY: So, Esme, it is her absolute most favorite ride at Disney, and we were going to rope drop just to get there.

00:33:21.450 --> 00:33:30.590
KELLY: And then really the reality fit in of like closing out the Halloween party, getting back to your resort, maybe an extra hour of sleep would be a good idea.

00:33:31.550 --> 00:33:37.150
KELLY: So, I believe it's going to be Pat, Esme and Conner are going to do flight of passage.

00:33:37.650 --> 00:33:38.170
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:33:38.170 --> 00:33:39.390
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:33:39.390 --> 00:33:44.970
VIRGINIA: Are you a flight of passage fan or you don't usually do it anyway?

00:33:45.510 --> 00:33:51.250
KELLY: No, I am a flight of passage fan, but it's also not on my must do list.

00:33:51.250 --> 00:33:55.330
KELLY: And oftentimes, I get off it and I feel a little wobbly for a minute.

00:33:55.330 --> 00:34:02.530
KELLY: So, it's like there's really no need to pay for the lightning lane for me.

00:34:02.530 --> 00:34:04.950
KELLY: It's not one of my top attractions.

00:34:05.690 --> 00:34:09.950
KELLY: And I know there's a lot of flight of passage fans out there, so I apologize.

00:34:09.950 --> 00:34:16.950
VIRGINIA: No, no, there are, but there are also lots of other things you can do in Animal Kingdom while the others ride.

00:34:16.950 --> 00:34:22.650
VIRGINIA: And I'm thinking specifically about you and your savory taste buds.

00:34:22.650 --> 00:34:23.290
KELLY: Yes.

00:34:23.290 --> 00:34:25.350
VIRGINIA: So many snacks to be had.

00:34:25.370 --> 00:34:27.090
KELLY: So many snacks to be had.

00:34:27.430 --> 00:34:30.490
KELLY: And so, that's exactly probably what we'll do.

00:34:30.730 --> 00:34:43.030
KELLY: The rest of us will probably walk around, grab something for breakfast, and wait for them to get off, and then kind of hit the other three rides we want to do.

00:34:43.030 --> 00:34:47.750
KELLY: So, and I think, so, you know, this whole multi-pass is new.

00:34:47.750 --> 00:34:53.630
KELLY: But basically, once you check in for your first multi-pass, then you can start adding more.

00:34:53.630 --> 00:34:58.630
KELLY: And then I think our goal is to start adding some Epcot ones once we've checked in to the first.

00:34:59.490 --> 00:34:59.970
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:34:59.970 --> 00:35:03.890
VIRGINIA: And do you have a sense of what time of day you might hop?

00:35:03.890 --> 00:35:10.130
KELLY: Probably around, I'm going to make a guess around 1 o'clock, 1.30.

00:35:10.130 --> 00:35:14.790
KELLY: We want to go to the Nomads Lounge, which none of us have gone to.

00:35:14.790 --> 00:35:18.710
KELLY: So our goal is to kind of do the attractions that we want to do.

00:35:18.710 --> 00:35:27.150
KELLY: You know, I think one of all the parks, Animal Kingdom is just such a great park to walk around and enjoy the site.

00:35:27.390 --> 00:35:36.890
KELLY: So I think we're really hoping to kind of have a leisurely morning and then go over to Nomads Lounge and grab something to eat, but really just enjoy the view.

00:35:36.890 --> 00:35:39.010
VIRGINIA: Lots of good things to eat at Nomads Lounge.

00:35:39.010 --> 00:35:44.950
VIRGINIA: So will that be your lunch or you'll simply have a snack and then save lunch for Epcot?

00:35:44.950 --> 00:35:46.990
VIRGINIA: Because lots of good food over there too.

00:35:46.990 --> 00:35:54.170
KELLY: Yeah, I think probably a light lunch because there is lots of food to be had at the Food and Wine Festival.

00:35:54.830 --> 00:35:56.070
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:35:56.070 --> 00:35:59.050
VIRGINIA: Can you remind me, when does Food and Wine end?

00:36:01.110 --> 00:36:05.170
KELLY: I want to say towards the end of October, but I would have to double check that.

00:36:05.170 --> 00:36:05.870
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:36:05.870 --> 00:36:06.170
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:36:06.850 --> 00:36:08.730
VIRGINIA: They've changed the dates this year.

00:36:08.730 --> 00:36:13.850
VIRGINIA: I think they've gone back to what they were prior to the pandemic.

00:36:13.850 --> 00:36:17.390
VIRGINIA: But I did not ever go to Food and Wine prior to the pandemic.

00:36:17.390 --> 00:36:22.030
VIRGINIA: So my idea of Food and Wine is it lasts forever and it's like in the summer.

00:36:22.330 --> 00:36:28.330
VIRGINIA: Then this year, it was not happening on either of my summer trips.

00:36:28.670 --> 00:36:33.730
KELLY: I just looked it up, August 29th to November 23rd, so well into November.

00:36:33.730 --> 00:36:34.170
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:36:34.170 --> 00:36:38.730
VIRGINIA: So that's basically they're going to flip it right over into Festival of the Holidays.

00:36:38.730 --> 00:36:39.470
KELLY: Yes.

00:36:39.470 --> 00:36:40.050
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:36:40.050 --> 00:36:40.430
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:36:40.430 --> 00:36:46.970
KELLY: I mean, it does seem now with Epcot that there's always something going on, thematic there.

00:36:46.970 --> 00:36:53.870
KELLY: Because you'll have Festival of the Holidays, then it'll roll right into the Arts Festival, and so there's always something.

00:36:53.870 --> 00:36:55.570
VIRGINIA: Do you have a favorite festival?

00:36:57.510 --> 00:37:02.590
KELLY: I think the Festival of the Arts has been my favorite so far.

00:37:02.590 --> 00:37:09.130
KELLY: But I've only been to Food and Wine one other time before, and it was kind of an accident.

00:37:10.150 --> 00:37:18.010
KELLY: It was before Esme was born, and Colby and I, I think I was the one who had a conference that was actually in Disney World.

00:37:18.010 --> 00:37:25.070
KELLY: I don't know why I don't have conferences there now, but pre Esme, there was a conference there that was right over in Coronado.

00:37:25.070 --> 00:37:30.570
KELLY: And Colby and I went over to Epcot and it was just kind of happening, and we didn't even realize it was happening.

00:37:30.570 --> 00:37:34.690
KELLY: So that was really our only exposure to Food and Wine.

00:37:34.690 --> 00:37:36.290
VIRGINIA: A happy accident.

00:37:36.290 --> 00:37:38.570
KELLY: A happy, it was a really happy accident.

00:37:38.570 --> 00:37:47.630
VIRGINIA: Yeah, no, there's occasionally, I have conferences that have been in Disney World, but it's never been a time when I was going to be going.

00:37:47.730 --> 00:37:53.150
VIRGINIA: But this year, we have a conference that's happening in Anaheim.

00:37:53.170 --> 00:37:58.090
VIRGINIA: So you know what I'll be doing every night after all my sessions are done.

00:37:58.090 --> 00:37:58.870
KELLY: Absolutely.

00:37:58.870 --> 00:38:01.850
KELLY: Yeah, we just, we went to Anaheim about a month ago.

00:38:01.850 --> 00:38:02.810
KELLY: We loved it.

00:38:02.810 --> 00:38:03.290
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:38:03.290 --> 00:38:03.630
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:38:03.630 --> 00:38:04.730
VIRGINIA: I love Disneyland.

00:38:04.730 --> 00:38:05.350
VIRGINIA: I love Disney.

00:38:05.570 --> 00:38:14.490
VIRGINIA: I have to decide though, based on Alex's last day of school happening right around then, like, do I fly him out to be with me?

00:38:16.010 --> 00:38:21.250
VIRGINIA: I don't know that Charles would fly across the country just to go to Disneyland for a day or two, but Alex certainly would.

00:38:21.250 --> 00:38:22.970
VIRGINIA: Alex is a diehard like me.

00:38:22.970 --> 00:38:25.590
VIRGINIA: So all right.

00:38:25.590 --> 00:38:30.410
VIRGINIA: So hopping over to Epcot, what are your Epcot priorities?

00:38:30.410 --> 00:38:37.230
KELLY: So we're doing the single path, Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind.

00:38:37.410 --> 00:38:42.630
KELLY: I think across our whole group, it's a top attraction for all of us.

00:38:43.310 --> 00:38:49.210
KELLY: I can't speak for everyone and say it's their favorite, but for most of us, it's definitely a top attraction.

00:38:50.010 --> 00:38:52.670
KELLY: So that is a priority.

00:38:52.670 --> 00:38:55.770
KELLY: I forget who in the group really wants to do Thorin.

00:38:55.770 --> 00:38:58.490
KELLY: I think it might be Pat and Conner.

00:38:58.790 --> 00:39:01.050
KELLY: But Thorin is definitely on our list.

00:39:01.570 --> 00:39:05.150
KELLY: Esme is really into mission Space Orange now.

00:39:05.690 --> 00:39:06.750
VIRGINIA: Oh, why?

00:39:06.750 --> 00:39:08.170
VIRGINIA: How did that happen?

00:39:09.670 --> 00:39:18.930
KELLY: I used to really like mission Space Orange, but now that I've gotten older, you go on it and you need a good hour before you can do anything else.

00:39:18.930 --> 00:39:20.730
VIRGINIA: I can barely do green.

00:39:20.730 --> 00:39:21.170
KELLY: Yeah.

00:39:21.730 --> 00:39:27.130
KELLY: So when we were there in, I think December last year, Esme was like, I want to do orange.

00:39:27.130 --> 00:39:28.610
KELLY: I want to do orange.

00:39:28.610 --> 00:39:30.050
KELLY: We were traveling with some friends.

00:39:30.050 --> 00:39:34.970
KELLY: So my friend Kate and I, we took Esme on orange and I got off it.

00:39:35.410 --> 00:39:37.850
KELLY: I was fine, but I was definitely unsteady on my feet.

00:39:37.890 --> 00:39:40.110
KELLY: Esme was like, that was amazing.

00:39:40.110 --> 00:39:43.630
KELLY: So she already let me know she wants to do mission Space Orange.

00:39:43.630 --> 00:39:47.710
KELLY: So you'll have to check back in the post show to see if I did it or not.

00:39:47.710 --> 00:39:48.410
KELLY: Okay.

00:39:48.410 --> 00:39:48.970
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:39:48.970 --> 00:39:51.490
KELLY: Well, personally, I think it's Colby's turn.

00:39:51.490 --> 00:39:55.950
VIRGINIA: Well, Colby's turn or maybe one of the Quinn family will be up for it.

00:39:55.950 --> 00:39:57.570
KELLY: Maybe.

00:39:57.570 --> 00:39:59.070
KELLY: So we'll see.

00:39:59.070 --> 00:40:02.410
VIRGINIA: How old do kids have to be to ride something by themselves?

00:40:02.410 --> 00:40:11.730
KELLY: I don't know because Esme, we finally did Single Rider for the first time at Disneyland, and that was a game changer, right?

00:40:11.730 --> 00:40:15.950
KELLY: But I can't picture putting her on a ride by herself.

00:40:15.950 --> 00:40:17.190
KELLY: Yes.

00:40:19.130 --> 00:40:24.710
VIRGINIA: That day is in your future where you go grab a beverage and then you wait for her at the exit.

00:40:24.710 --> 00:40:25.150
KELLY: Yes.

00:40:25.150 --> 00:40:29.430
KELLY: Well, this could be her last ride on mission Space with one of us.

00:40:29.430 --> 00:40:31.350
KELLY: We might have to tell her like this is it.

00:40:31.350 --> 00:40:33.810
KELLY: After this, you have to wait to go on by yourself.

00:40:34.930 --> 00:40:37.670
KELLY: I'm not getting any younger here, Virginia.

00:40:37.670 --> 00:40:39.630
VIRGINIA: None of us are, really.

00:40:41.310 --> 00:40:42.690
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:40:42.690 --> 00:40:44.630
VIRGINIA: What else are you going to be doing at Epcot?

00:40:44.630 --> 00:40:48.230
VIRGINIA: Are you going to exploring the countries?

00:40:48.230 --> 00:40:48.830
KELLY: Yeah.

00:40:48.830 --> 00:40:59.910
KELLY: I think once we do those handful of attractions that we talked about, I really think we're just headed over to the World Showcase and enjoying the Food and Wine Festival.

00:41:00.950 --> 00:41:04.210
KELLY: I should let you know it's Julie's birthday.

00:41:04.210 --> 00:41:05.450
KELLY: Okay.

00:41:05.450 --> 00:41:08.850
KELLY: Julie is probably more reserved than the rest of us.

00:41:08.850 --> 00:41:11.510
KELLY: Of course, we went and bought matching t-shirts.

00:41:13.470 --> 00:41:17.270
KELLY: That say birthday squad and Julie says my birthday.

00:41:17.270 --> 00:41:19.270
VIRGINIA: Does Julie know about this yet?

00:41:19.270 --> 00:41:19.810
KELLY: She does.

00:41:20.030 --> 00:41:23.050
KELLY: We broke the news to her.

00:41:23.050 --> 00:41:33.150
KELLY: I also, and I'll have to give you the name for the show notes, but I ordered snack around the world tattoos.

00:41:33.370 --> 00:41:35.750
VIRGINIA: Is it Park Aesthetic Co.?

00:41:35.750 --> 00:41:36.750
KELLY: Yes, absolutely.

00:41:36.750 --> 00:41:37.510
KELLY: That's who it is.

00:41:37.510 --> 00:41:38.450
KELLY: Okay.

00:41:38.450 --> 00:41:41.990
VIRGINIA: I will put that in the show notes and I have a discount code for it.

00:41:41.990 --> 00:41:42.670
KELLY: Oh, great.

00:41:42.670 --> 00:41:42.990
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:41:44.050 --> 00:41:47.890
KELLY: The drink around the world is fun, but family-friendly here.

00:41:47.890 --> 00:41:49.930
KELLY: We've got two kids with us.

00:41:49.930 --> 00:41:54.730
KELLY: I think instead in honor of Julie's birthday, we're going to snack around the world.

00:41:54.730 --> 00:42:02.850
KELLY: I'm just not sure how we're going to handle the fact that there's all those extra booths, so we'll have to maybe make some substitutions along the way.

00:42:02.850 --> 00:42:10.590
VIRGINIA: I mean, I feel like whatever country the booth is closest to, it counts for that country.

00:42:10.830 --> 00:42:11.750
KELLY: I think that works.

00:42:11.750 --> 00:42:14.250
KELLY: I'm going to call those Virginia's rules.

00:42:16.070 --> 00:42:23.330
KELLY: You'll know that when we're in Epcot that day, if someone's trying to make a decision, I'll say, Virginia says, this is what we can do.

00:42:23.330 --> 00:42:27.970
VIRGINIA: I think it's like how everyone plays uno slightly differently.

00:42:27.970 --> 00:42:28.510
KELLY: Right.

00:42:28.510 --> 00:42:32.930
VIRGINIA: I think you just, whatever the house rules are of your family, it's good to go.

00:42:32.930 --> 00:42:33.390
VIRGINIA: It doesn't matter.

00:42:33.390 --> 00:42:35.110
KELLY: I think we're going to play by your rules.

00:42:38.150 --> 00:42:40.590
KELLY: So we'll let you know after how it goes.

00:42:40.590 --> 00:42:41.030
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:42:41.030 --> 00:42:44.970
VIRGINIA: And nothing says you can't have a drink while you're snacking around the world.

00:42:44.970 --> 00:42:49.810
KELLY: Well, so I think that a drink can sub for a snack.

00:42:49.810 --> 00:42:58.590
KELLY: So if you're in France and you decide you want a bubbly cocktail, I think that can sub for a snack.

00:42:58.590 --> 00:42:59.110
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:42:59.450 --> 00:43:00.790
VIRGINIA: That's Kelly's rule.

00:43:00.830 --> 00:43:01.990
KELLY: That's my rule.

00:43:01.990 --> 00:43:04.090
VIRGINIA: Mish mash everyone's rules together.

00:43:04.090 --> 00:43:06.690
VIRGINIA: And there you go.

00:43:06.690 --> 00:43:11.850
KELLY: I mean, I think no matter what, I mean, I think what I will say is we're not doing any dining reservations.

00:43:11.850 --> 00:43:14.130
KELLY: We're just going to enjoy walking around.

00:43:14.130 --> 00:43:18.930
KELLY: And certainly, I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos.

00:43:18.930 --> 00:43:28.670
KELLY: I know what the menus are, but I kind of feel like it's good to have a pre-plan, but you also just got to let your mood dictate what it is you want to focus on.

00:43:28.670 --> 00:43:40.370
VIRGINIA: Do you have a list or anything you've already sort of pre-marked festival things that you want to try for, or will you literally just walk up, read a sign and go, that sounds good to me?

00:43:40.370 --> 00:43:40.790
KELLY: No.

00:43:40.790 --> 00:43:44.150
KELLY: So I have the menu printed out.

00:43:44.390 --> 00:43:45.690
KELLY: So I've got it all.

00:43:45.690 --> 00:43:50.210
KELLY: And then we watched The Mammoth Club and Molly's whole take.

00:43:51.730 --> 00:44:00.030
KELLY: And I think for me, I think one of the big factors is Colby and I don't eat beast anymore.

00:44:00.030 --> 00:44:04.450
KELLY: And this does seem to be a pretty beast heavy menu.

00:44:04.610 --> 00:44:08.430
KELLY: But there's also a lot of good other options as well.

00:44:08.430 --> 00:44:13.350
KELLY: So the Belgian waffles sound pretty delicious.

00:44:13.350 --> 00:44:16.390
KELLY: There's a lot of good cheese focused dishes.

00:44:16.590 --> 00:44:20.530
KELLY: So we'll probably do some of those as well.

00:44:22.390 --> 00:44:22.890
KELLY: Yeah.

00:44:22.890 --> 00:44:24.710
KELLY: Off the top of my head, I can't remember.

00:44:24.710 --> 00:44:26.510
KELLY: There were so many.

00:44:26.770 --> 00:44:28.810
KELLY: But yeah, we have kind of like a short list.

00:44:28.810 --> 00:44:31.410
KELLY: Like we were watching and Colby was like, oh, I want to try that.

00:44:32.390 --> 00:44:35.190
KELLY: So we have some ideas of what we want to focus in on.

00:44:35.190 --> 00:44:35.390
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:44:35.390 --> 00:44:39.690
VIRGINIA: Well, I will look forward to hearing what the hits of the festival were for you.

00:44:40.690 --> 00:44:40.910
KELLY: Yes.

00:44:40.910 --> 00:44:42.990
KELLY: We'll keep a list.

00:44:42.990 --> 00:44:45.910
VIRGINIA: What about the show?

00:44:45.910 --> 00:44:49.570
VIRGINIA: Are you going to be staying for the fireworks?

00:44:49.570 --> 00:44:51.130
KELLY: Yeah, I hope so.

00:44:51.130 --> 00:44:56.650
KELLY: I feel like my family has bad Epcot luck.

00:44:56.650 --> 00:45:08.370
KELLY: It always seems like when we go to Epcot, it's the day that we fizzle out and we have all intentions of staying late and then eight o'clock hits, and we're like, we're done.

00:45:09.730 --> 00:45:18.990
KELLY: So I'm really hoping that because this is a short trip and that we'll power through and really stay to the end.

00:45:18.990 --> 00:45:22.310
VIRGINIA: Are you driving to the parks this day?

00:45:22.310 --> 00:45:23.970
KELLY: I don't know.

00:45:23.970 --> 00:45:25.930
KELLY: I guess maybe.

00:45:25.930 --> 00:45:30.290
KELLY: It's like I keep thinking the answer is no, but yeah, maybe.

00:45:30.290 --> 00:45:32.550
VIRGINIA: I think you have to get your money's worth out of the rental car.

00:45:32.550 --> 00:45:42.370
VIRGINIA: But the reason I ask is if you wanted to give yourself a little bit of a leg up, because it sounds like it will be a long day.

00:45:42.370 --> 00:45:43.170
VIRGINIA: It's one day.

00:45:43.170 --> 00:45:45.510
VIRGINIA: Yes, you have to make the most of it.

00:45:45.510 --> 00:45:58.210
VIRGINIA: But if you're planning on being at Animal Kingdom fairly early, even if you're not there right at rope drop, and you do want to stay till the fireworks, you could, in theory, say, let's go back for one hour.

00:45:58.210 --> 00:46:00.990
VIRGINIA: Let's just go rest for one hour.

00:46:00.990 --> 00:46:08.750
VIRGINIA: And then that way you're, you know, more able to ensure that you'll be there all the way till the end.

00:46:08.750 --> 00:46:10.270
KELLY: Yeah, I think that's a good tip.

00:46:10.270 --> 00:46:12.230
KELLY: We'll see if I follow through with it, right?

00:46:12.230 --> 00:46:14.330
KELLY: Because again, fear of missing out, right?

00:46:14.330 --> 00:46:16.450
KELLY: I'm going to take a nap, and what will I miss?

00:46:16.450 --> 00:46:21.390
KELLY: I also know that I won't lay down and fall asleep anymore, anywhere, during the day.

00:46:21.390 --> 00:46:22.690
KELLY: OK.

00:46:22.690 --> 00:46:23.390
KELLY: So I don't know.

00:46:23.390 --> 00:46:23.910
KELLY: We'll see.

00:46:24.150 --> 00:46:29.130
KELLY: But I think the idea of trying to find some midday rest is important.

00:46:29.130 --> 00:46:29.770
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:46:29.770 --> 00:46:35.070
VIRGINIA: Well, Sunday, September 29, what time do you leave Orlando?

00:46:35.410 --> 00:46:37.850
VIRGINIA: Do you have any time for fun?

00:46:37.850 --> 00:46:42.430
VIRGINIA: I know you said that you thought you'd go to Disney Springs, but how much time do you really have?

00:46:42.430 --> 00:46:42.690
KELLY: Yeah.

00:46:42.690 --> 00:46:46.370
KELLY: We actually don't fly out until 5.30 at night.

00:46:46.370 --> 00:46:46.650
VIRGINIA: OK.

00:46:47.110 --> 00:46:52.410
KELLY: So we pretty much have a full day to check out of the resort.

00:46:52.410 --> 00:46:57.530
KELLY: Again, because we've got the car, we can just put all our bags in the car.

00:46:57.530 --> 00:47:02.530
KELLY: I think our goal is to really focus on Disney Springs for the afternoon.

00:47:02.630 --> 00:47:08.810
KELLY: We do have a reservation at Summer House on the Lake, which I'm really excited about.

00:47:08.810 --> 00:47:12.070
KELLY: The Quinns have eaten there before and really liked it.

00:47:12.070 --> 00:47:15.390
KELLY: I'm really excited about the Mimosa flight.

00:47:15.390 --> 00:47:16.790
KELLY: OK.

00:47:16.790 --> 00:47:19.130
KELLY: In general, just having a nice breakfast.

00:47:19.130 --> 00:47:21.230
KELLY: So we'll do that.

00:47:21.230 --> 00:47:25.470
VIRGINIA: Are you going to get cookies there and compare them to Gideon's?

00:47:25.470 --> 00:47:26.730
KELLY: We should, right?

00:47:26.730 --> 00:47:28.150
VIRGINIA: I heard they have good cookies.

00:47:28.150 --> 00:47:29.770
VIRGINIA: I don't know, but that's what I heard.

00:47:30.230 --> 00:47:34.650
KELLY: I think we should, and I think you'll have to ask me about that at the follow up.

00:47:34.690 --> 00:47:35.590
KELLY: I will.

00:47:35.590 --> 00:47:40.130
KELLY: I'll tell you what I think in terms of, I could see myself going either way.

00:47:40.130 --> 00:47:45.810
KELLY: Colby is so diehard Gideon's that I doubt anything's going to get her to change her mind, but we'll see.

00:47:45.810 --> 00:47:46.590
KELLY: We'll try.

00:47:46.590 --> 00:47:47.670
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:47:47.670 --> 00:47:48.950
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:47:48.950 --> 00:47:53.630
VIRGINIA: So if your flight's at 5.30, what time does that put you home approximately?

00:47:53.630 --> 00:47:55.830
KELLY: Well, OK, there's a story here, Virginia.

00:47:57.870 --> 00:48:00.630
KELLY: So the Quinns are taking a direct flight.

00:48:00.630 --> 00:48:04.670
KELLY: They are leaving right around the same time as us, and they're going right back to Hartford.

00:48:04.670 --> 00:48:11.850
KELLY: When I went and booked my ticket to go through Chicago, saved us about $550.

00:48:12.970 --> 00:48:17.890
KELLY: And so I normally do direct flights.

00:48:17.890 --> 00:48:24.790
KELLY: And I think because I think of this as like this was a bonus trip, like it wasn't an initial plan for this year to go.

00:48:25.010 --> 00:48:27.190
KELLY: I was like, we should really save the money.

00:48:27.190 --> 00:48:35.930
KELLY: But as you can imagine, for the entire last week, I've been checking Southwest to see if there's a change in price or anything.

00:48:36.070 --> 00:48:40.530
KELLY: I actually checked today and now it will be like $650 to go to the direct flight.

00:48:41.290 --> 00:48:48.750
KELLY: So basically, that's my long way of saying, we do not land in Bradbury until 11:40 PM.

00:48:48.750 --> 00:48:51.470
KELLY: So we are going to be tired on Monday.

00:48:52.070 --> 00:48:54.990
VIRGINIA: How long is your layover in Chicago?

00:48:54.990 --> 00:48:56.030
KELLY: An hour.

00:48:56.030 --> 00:48:56.370
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:48:56.370 --> 00:49:01.450
VIRGINIA: So just enough time to recreate the home alone running through the airport scene as a family.

00:49:01.450 --> 00:49:02.070
KELLY: Exactly.

00:49:02.070 --> 00:49:06.490
KELLY: So if we're lucky enough, maybe get a snack before we get on the plane.

00:49:06.770 --> 00:49:09.350
KELLY: But no, we'll probably be running through the airport.

00:49:09.350 --> 00:49:10.330
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:49:10.330 --> 00:49:14.290
VIRGINIA: Then last question, you're getting home very late.

00:49:14.290 --> 00:49:17.590
VIRGINIA: Do you both have to work the next day?

00:49:17.590 --> 00:49:18.830
KELLY: Yes.

00:49:18.830 --> 00:49:19.970
KELLY: I actually have one.

00:49:21.630 --> 00:49:23.850
KELLY: I actually think both of us teach on Mondays.

00:49:23.850 --> 00:49:26.250
KELLY: So we both work at the same university.

00:49:26.670 --> 00:49:30.910
KELLY: So I might be able to go in a little bit late, but I will definitely have to work.

00:49:31.710 --> 00:49:34.230
KELLY: We will definitely be sending Esme off to school.

00:49:34.230 --> 00:49:36.530
KELLY: So she will be tired.

00:49:36.530 --> 00:49:37.210
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:49:37.210 --> 00:49:38.030
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:49:38.030 --> 00:49:38.550
VIRGINIA: Worth it.

00:49:38.550 --> 00:49:39.750
VIRGINIA: Worth it for the mouse, right?

00:49:39.750 --> 00:49:41.970
KELLY: Always.

00:49:41.970 --> 00:49:42.690
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:49:42.690 --> 00:49:48.990
VIRGINIA: Well, I hope you have an amazing trip and we will follow up on all these unanswered questions.

00:49:49.150 --> 00:49:53.450
VIRGINIA: When you get back and just have the best time.

00:49:53.450 --> 00:49:54.370
KELLY: Well, thank you so much.

00:49:54.590 --> 00:50:02.510
KELLY: I can't wait to talk to you when it's over and let you know how your festival rules went with snacking around the world.

00:50:02.510 --> 00:50:03.270
KELLY: All right.

00:50:03.270 --> 00:50:05.710
VIRGINIA: I will talk to you later.

00:50:06.930 --> 00:50:11.250
VIRGINIA: Thank you so much to Kelly for sitting down to chat about her trip plans.

00:50:11.250 --> 00:50:21.390
VIRGINIA: If you have a trip coming up in 2025 and you'd like to be a trip report guest, please go to whereilongtobepodcast.com and follow the instructions in the interest form.

00:50:21.390 --> 00:50:24.270
VIRGINIA: That is a wrap on today's pre-trip episode.

00:50:24.270 --> 00:50:28.650
VIRGINIA: The post-trip episode is up next, so I'll meet you over there.

00:50:28.650 --> 00:50:32.030
VIRGINIA: In the meantime, keep daydreaming about where you long to be.