Kim, aka @disdreamingkim, sits down with Virginia to talk through all of the plans for her upcoming split stay. As Disney Vacation Club members, this family of five will be enjoying stays in two bedroom villas at Bay Lake Tower, Vero Beach Resort, and Disney’s Boardwalk Villas. In addition to their time at Walt Disney World, they also have a day planned for Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure. To get as much done as possible, they will be taking advantage of the Universal Express Pass.

  • Trip Dates: June 8-22, 2024

  • Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 6/2/24

 

Episode Specific Links:

 

Be Our Guest:

Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share? Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest.

 

Get in Touch:

If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Follow:

Transcript Below

00:00:12.464 --> 00:00:16.124
VIRGINIA: welcome to Where I Long to Be, a magical trip report podcast.

00:00:16.124 --> 00:00:18.944
VIRGINIA: My name is Virginia, and I am your host.

00:00:18.944 --> 00:00:21.404
VIRGINIA: Thank you all so much for listening today.

00:00:21.404 --> 00:00:27.284
VIRGINIA: If you haven't already subscribed to the podcast in your podcast app, I hope you'll do so as you're listening.

00:00:27.284 --> 00:00:30.784
VIRGINIA: That way, you'll always have the newest episode ready to go.

00:00:30.784 --> 00:00:32.804
VIRGINIA: Are you following on Instagram?

00:00:32.804 --> 00:00:36.164
VIRGINIA: If not, I hope you'll take this as your sign to do so now.

00:00:36.164 --> 00:00:39.764
VIRGINIA: It's the platform I'm most active on, and I love connecting with people there.

00:00:40.324 --> 00:00:44.784
VIRGINIA: It's also the place where you can see all the photos that go with each trip report.

00:00:44.784 --> 00:00:50.224
VIRGINIA: Today, you'll hear my conversation with Kim, who is DizDreamingKim on Instagram.

00:00:50.224 --> 00:00:55.444
VIRGINIA: Her handle is in the show note, so please make sure you check out her page and give her a follow as well.

00:00:55.444 --> 00:00:57.464
VIRGINIA: Let's just jump right into it.

00:00:57.464 --> 00:00:59.964
VIRGINIA: Here's Kim.

00:00:59.964 --> 00:01:04.664
VIRGINIA: Listeners, I have Kim from DizDreamingKim here with me today.

00:01:04.664 --> 00:01:07.564
VIRGINIA: Thank you so much for joining me.

00:01:07.564 --> 00:01:09.284
KIM: Thank you so much for having me.

00:01:09.604 --> 00:01:11.924
KIM: I'm so honored to be here.

00:01:11.924 --> 00:01:21.004
VIRGINIA: Well, you have a really big trip coming up for June 9th, all the way until June 21st.

00:01:21.004 --> 00:01:23.544
VIRGINIA: That is so luxurious.

00:01:23.544 --> 00:01:29.924
KIM: Well, because we drive, it takes us two days to get there and two days to come back.

00:01:29.924 --> 00:01:34.124
KIM: We don't like doing short trips.

00:01:34.124 --> 00:01:35.624
KIM: It's just too tiring.

00:01:36.384 --> 00:01:41.404
KIM: And we've done it a few times before.

00:01:41.404 --> 00:01:49.164
KIM: And every time we make it longer and longer, just because we remember how tired we were.

00:01:49.164 --> 00:01:50.724
VIRGINIA: Yep, that'll do it.

00:01:50.724 --> 00:01:51.244
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:01:51.244 --> 00:01:55.484
VIRGINIA: Where in the world are you coming to Disney World from?

00:01:55.484 --> 00:01:59.824
KIM: We are coming from San Antonio, Texas.

00:01:59.824 --> 00:02:02.504
KIM: And we are going to Walt Disney World.

00:02:03.044 --> 00:02:07.064
KIM: It is 16 hours per Google Maps.

00:02:07.064 --> 00:02:14.624
KIM: Depending on what time we leave, we'll make a stop either in New Orleans or in Mobile.

00:02:14.624 --> 00:02:20.624
KIM: And that's where we spend the night and then do the rest of the trip the second day.

00:02:20.624 --> 00:02:21.584
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:02:21.584 --> 00:02:34.824
VIRGINIA: So before we get into all of the details, why don't you just give me and listeners a little insight into kind of who you are and how you came to be Disney dreaming Kim.

00:02:34.824 --> 00:02:39.664
KIM: Well, I've always been a Disney fan since I was a little girl.

00:02:39.664 --> 00:03:01.024
KIM: It was not until I was married that we really became Disney adults because when my parents did take me and my brother as children, we went once to Disneyland and once to Disney World, but we didn't know what we were doing.

00:03:01.024 --> 00:03:03.824
KIM: We hardly experienced anything.

00:03:03.824 --> 00:03:06.444
KIM: We just didn't know.

00:03:06.444 --> 00:03:18.304
KIM: After my husband and I were married for a couple of years and he was done with school and we had a little bit more money that he was like, hey, let's go to Disney World.

00:03:18.304 --> 00:03:19.504
KIM: And I was like, OK, sure.

00:03:19.504 --> 00:03:21.964
KIM: I was still in graduate school.

00:03:21.964 --> 00:03:23.504
KIM: So he planned the whole thing.

00:03:24.744 --> 00:03:32.164
KIM: And he, you know, he made all the dining reservations and he researched all the resorts.

00:03:32.164 --> 00:03:38.144
KIM: And it was then that we were completely hooked.

00:03:38.144 --> 00:03:43.604
KIM: We totally loved the Disney level of service.

00:03:43.624 --> 00:03:50.724
KIM: And then when we had the chance to move to Orlando, we built a house.

00:03:51.184 --> 00:03:55.224
KIM: We, our house was 10 minutes away from the Magic Kingdom.

00:03:55.224 --> 00:04:00.204
KIM: And we just were living our best Disney life.

00:04:00.204 --> 00:04:03.684
KIM: We got the annual passes, started to have children.

00:04:03.684 --> 00:04:09.884
KIM: And then unfortunately, a few years later, we had to move away, but we still kept coming back.

00:04:09.884 --> 00:04:17.644
KIM: And really what solidified it for us is that our three kids are all on the autism spectrum.

00:04:18.804 --> 00:04:28.724
KIM: And our middle son, especially, he is non-verbal and non-speaking and pretty much non-communication.

00:04:30.004 --> 00:04:33.904
KIM: It is difficult to really vacation anywhere else.

00:04:33.904 --> 00:04:37.844
KIM: Disney has been our place.

00:04:37.844 --> 00:04:41.724
KIM: And he is the reason why we go.

00:04:41.724 --> 00:04:46.144
KIM: During the pandemic, you know, we went a little bit crazy.

00:04:47.144 --> 00:04:53.404
KIM: And my husband, he decided that we were going to join Disney Vacation Club.

00:04:53.404 --> 00:04:56.264
KIM: And so now we have to go.

00:04:57.344 --> 00:04:59.184
VIRGINIA: Where is your home resort?

00:04:59.184 --> 00:05:01.484
KIM: It is Saratoga Springs.

00:05:01.484 --> 00:05:02.184
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:05:02.184 --> 00:05:03.304
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:05:03.304 --> 00:05:07.724
VIRGINIA: Let's get the names of the people in your family so we know who we're talking about.

00:05:07.724 --> 00:05:10.464
VIRGINIA: So it's all five of you going on this trip?

00:05:10.464 --> 00:05:11.164
KIM: Yes.

00:05:11.164 --> 00:05:11.924
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:05:11.924 --> 00:05:13.664
VIRGINIA: So husband is?

00:05:13.664 --> 00:05:14.824
KIM: Husband is Eric.

00:05:15.024 --> 00:05:15.504
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:05:15.504 --> 00:05:17.864
VIRGINIA: Prince Eric.

00:05:17.864 --> 00:05:19.384
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:05:19.384 --> 00:05:21.764
VIRGINIA: What are the three kids' names and their ages?

00:05:21.764 --> 00:05:24.904
KIM: I have Alex, age 14.

00:05:24.904 --> 00:05:28.244
KIM: Ryan is almost 12.

00:05:28.244 --> 00:05:35.124
KIM: He turns 12 in just a few weeks, and Caleb is 10.

00:05:35.124 --> 00:05:35.624
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:05:35.624 --> 00:05:37.604
VIRGINIA: So all boys?

00:05:37.604 --> 00:05:38.464
KIM: Yes.

00:05:38.524 --> 00:05:39.004
VIRGINIA: Wow.

00:05:39.004 --> 00:05:39.664
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:05:39.664 --> 00:05:42.584
VIRGINIA: I have an Alex who is about to be 14 as well.

00:05:45.264 --> 00:05:45.864
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:05:45.864 --> 00:05:51.264
VIRGINIA: So you're driving, so you're going to have your own car there, which is nice.

00:05:51.264 --> 00:06:00.804
VIRGINIA: Are you planning on using any of the services such as DAS, Genie Plus, or purchasing individual Lightning Lanes?

00:06:00.804 --> 00:06:02.204
KIM: Yes.

00:06:02.204 --> 00:06:09.204
KIM: We are going to purchase Genie Plus for most of the days.

00:06:10.004 --> 00:06:18.984
KIM: I am going to play it by ear, especially now when you cannot pre-purchase the Genie Plus.

00:06:18.984 --> 00:06:21.984
KIM: You have to buy it that same day.

00:06:21.984 --> 00:06:39.104
KIM: So I'll see how it's going, but I do plan on buying Genie Plus for most of the days, at least, and then I've considered getting the individual Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind and possibly Tron.

00:06:39.104 --> 00:06:41.264
KIM: I'm not certain yet.

00:06:41.264 --> 00:07:02.144
KIM: It's just that our schedule is really tight and it will just be so much less of a burden for me to know that I have a time to get on the ride because we have not been back to Disney World since 2021.

00:07:03.824 --> 00:07:06.824
KIM: And these rides were not open then.

00:07:06.824 --> 00:07:10.904
KIM: So I want to make sure that we can get on.

00:07:10.904 --> 00:07:18.904
KIM: And then I did do the virtual interview, the new way for the DAS.

00:07:18.904 --> 00:07:25.084
KIM: I did that last week and Ryan is going to qualify for that.

00:07:25.084 --> 00:07:25.484
VIRGINIA: OK.

00:07:25.484 --> 00:07:31.424
VIRGINIA: And you're able to to use your whole family when you're making a DAS reservation, correct?

00:07:31.424 --> 00:07:33.364
VIRGINIA: Even though just the one person qualifies?

00:07:33.364 --> 00:07:33.824
KIM: Yes.

00:07:33.824 --> 00:07:45.184
KIM: The new rules say that only the DAS recipient and three other people can be on the DAS.

00:07:45.184 --> 00:07:55.104
KIM: But because my children are all under the age of 18, they were able to get a waiver for that.

00:07:55.104 --> 00:07:57.904
KIM: And all five of us will be on it.

00:07:58.604 --> 00:07:58.884
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:07:58.884 --> 00:08:02.744
VIRGINIA: So the DAS user plus three is typically what it would be?

00:08:02.744 --> 00:08:03.004
KIM: Yes.

00:08:03.004 --> 00:08:04.944
KIM: It's the new rules.

00:08:04.944 --> 00:08:05.304
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:08:05.304 --> 00:08:07.444
VIRGINIA: So, I mean, that's only adding one more person.

00:08:07.444 --> 00:08:12.184
VIRGINIA: So I would have hoped they would have given you some kind of consideration for that.

00:08:12.184 --> 00:08:15.224
VIRGINIA: So that's good that you will have access to that.

00:08:15.224 --> 00:08:23.644
VIRGINIA: And is it the same with the new way that you are able to schedule a couple of pre-arrival DAS selections?

00:08:24.784 --> 00:08:33.804
KIM: I am not sure about that because in the new rules, they said that that will no longer be offered to everyone.

00:08:33.804 --> 00:08:56.064
KIM: So I don't know if they didn't offer it to me specifically, or if they are just not offering it to anyone at this time, because I'm in a few special needs groups on Facebook, and nobody has mentioned the pre-arrival times recently.

00:08:56.064 --> 00:08:57.004
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:08:57.004 --> 00:08:57.324
KIM: All right.

00:08:57.324 --> 00:09:16.784
VIRGINIA: Well, that will be interesting to see how all that goes, because I know that a number of groups that I'm in, people are discussing the new way of doing DAS, and people having challenges getting the interview times, and all of that, and maybe getting approved in the past, but maybe not this time.

00:09:16.944 --> 00:09:22.104
VIRGINIA: So I'm glad it worked out for him to be approved for this trip.

00:09:22.104 --> 00:09:27.644
VIRGINIA: And can you tell me how long when you are approved, does it last?

00:09:27.644 --> 00:09:33.244
VIRGINIA: Like if you happen to be going back in a month or two, is it still good for then?

00:09:33.244 --> 00:09:34.084
KIM: Yes.

00:09:34.084 --> 00:09:40.164
KIM: It is good for 120 days from your first park day.

00:09:40.164 --> 00:09:41.264
VIRGINIA: Very good to know.

00:09:41.264 --> 00:09:41.484
KIM: All right.

00:09:41.484 --> 00:09:45.084
VIRGINIA: Speaking of tickets, you used to be annual pass holders.

00:09:45.284 --> 00:09:49.644
VIRGINIA: Are you still annual pass holders or if not, what kind of tickets do you have?

00:09:49.644 --> 00:09:53.844
KIM: No, we are no longer annual pass holders.

00:09:53.844 --> 00:09:59.204
KIM: We purchased our tickets from undercover tourists.

00:09:59.204 --> 00:10:13.044
KIM: In the past, we've also used, you know, undercover tourists or getaway today and sometimes tickets at work, which is a site that my husband's employer offers, discount tickets through.

00:10:13.064 --> 00:10:27.364
KIM: Our tickets are seven-day tickets, no park hoppers, and the tickets expire after 10 days, I believe.

00:10:27.364 --> 00:10:27.584
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:10:27.744 --> 00:10:43.844
KIM: So we couldn't stretch out too many rest days in between, because we are also planning one day at Universal Studios and also a few days at Disney's Vero Beach Resort.

00:10:43.844 --> 00:10:46.744
VIRGINIA: Well, let's map out all of these days.

00:10:46.744 --> 00:10:52.144
VIRGINIA: So your drive, is it starting on Sunday, June the 9th?

00:10:52.144 --> 00:10:54.424
KIM: No, it starts on June the 8th.

00:10:55.104 --> 00:10:55.244
KIM: Okay.

00:10:55.244 --> 00:11:06.364
KIM: And I consider the day that we leave, and then the Disney part starts on June the 9th, because that's when we arrive at Vero Beach.

00:11:06.364 --> 00:11:07.464
VIRGINIA: That's when you pull in.

00:11:07.464 --> 00:11:08.284
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:11:08.284 --> 00:11:19.744
VIRGINIA: So 16-hour drive, a stopping in either New Orleans or Mobile, and then continuing your drive on Sunday, June the 9th and arriving.

00:11:19.744 --> 00:11:23.024
VIRGINIA: What time do you anticipate you'll be getting there?

00:11:23.204 --> 00:11:28.424
VIRGINIA: Like, afternoon or how do you schedule that drive for your arrival day?

00:11:28.424 --> 00:11:44.024
KIM: We are not super early risers, so we hope to be on the road from Mobile or New Orleans by 10 o'clock in the morning.

00:11:44.024 --> 00:11:52.684
KIM: And then we hope to arrive at our resort, which is Bay Lake Tower, at 7 o'clock.

00:11:53.024 --> 00:11:53.384
KIM: All right.

00:11:53.384 --> 00:12:03.664
VIRGINIA: So this is, like you said, you have a couple of days at Vero Beach Land, and this is a split stay for your Disney time as well.

00:12:03.664 --> 00:12:05.404
VIRGINIA: Not that Vero Beach is not a Disney resort.

00:12:05.404 --> 00:12:07.884
VIRGINIA: It is, but what I mean is part time.

00:12:07.884 --> 00:12:08.984
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:12:08.984 --> 00:12:11.484
VIRGINIA: So how many nights are you at Bay Lake Tower?

00:12:11.484 --> 00:12:19.364
KIM: So we are there Sunday night and checking out Thursday morning.

00:12:19.364 --> 00:12:20.364
VIRGINIA: Perfect.

00:12:20.364 --> 00:12:34.324
VIRGINIA: So arriving at Bay Lake Tower at around 7 p.m., I'm imagining based on the time that you're arriving, the fact that you will have been on the road for hours and hours, that you probably don't have really anything planned besides getting settled into your room.

00:12:34.324 --> 00:12:36.984
VIRGINIA: So correct me if I'm wrong on that.

00:12:36.984 --> 00:12:47.244
KIM: We are hoping to get there at 7 and grab a bite to eat at the Contempo Cafe or the little food court that they have there.

00:12:47.984 --> 00:12:49.224
KIM: Oh yes.

00:12:49.224 --> 00:12:56.464
KIM: And then if all the driving goes well, and we get there on time, my friend, Beccy.

00:12:56.464 --> 00:12:58.124
VIRGINIA: I am also a friend of Beccy.

00:12:58.124 --> 00:13:02.104
VIRGINIA: So I'm hoping I'll see her when I'm there as well.

00:13:02.104 --> 00:13:12.124
KIM: She and Kerry, Kerry's Glitter Initiative, we are hoping to meet up briefly in the late hours.

00:13:12.124 --> 00:13:14.964
KIM: Possibly they might come over to Bay Lake Tower.

00:13:15.364 --> 00:13:22.004
KIM: We might watch Happily Ever After from there, since I can't go into the parks that day.

00:13:22.004 --> 00:13:33.944
KIM: And my kids probably won't want to do anything that late, or more specifically, I don't want them to stay up too late.

00:13:33.944 --> 00:13:35.144
VIRGINIA: Yes.

00:13:35.144 --> 00:13:39.064
KIM: And so hopefully we can just meet up briefly.

00:13:39.064 --> 00:13:46.484
KIM: And then Beccy, I think, is on her way home to Rhode Island the next day.

00:13:46.484 --> 00:13:50.364
VIRGINIA: She will be in Disney the 7th through the 10th.

00:13:50.364 --> 00:13:51.044
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:13:51.044 --> 00:13:59.784
VIRGINIA: So settling in at Bay Lake Tower for a good night's sleep, because I imagine you have some fun plans for Monday, June the 10th.

00:13:59.784 --> 00:14:01.444
VIRGINIA: So what are you doing that day?

00:14:01.444 --> 00:14:01.744
KIM: Yes.

00:14:01.744 --> 00:14:08.684
KIM: So normally I like to start my Disney trip off with a Magic Kingdom Day.

00:14:09.624 --> 00:14:33.344
KIM: However, because my tickets only last for 10 days and I have to have that Vero Beach stay in the middle of it, I could either start with Magic Kingdom or I would have to start with my Universal Studios Day.

00:14:33.344 --> 00:14:39.704
KIM: Otherwise, I would be doing my Disney ticket and then finishing my vacation with Universal Studios.

00:14:39.704 --> 00:14:42.884
KIM: I really wanted to end my vacation with Disney.

00:14:42.884 --> 00:14:46.544
KIM: We are going to start with Universal Studios.

00:14:46.544 --> 00:14:51.384
KIM: We have a to park one day ticket.

00:14:51.384 --> 00:14:54.624
KIM: I think it's called the Park to Park ticket.

00:14:54.624 --> 00:15:02.184
KIM: That allows us to go to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and ride the Hogwarts Express.

00:15:02.184 --> 00:15:02.644
VIRGINIA: Perfect.

00:15:03.944 --> 00:15:14.244
KIM: We also have the Express Pass and the Universal's version of the Disability Pass.

00:15:14.244 --> 00:15:15.484
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:15:15.484 --> 00:15:18.604
VIRGINIA: What are going to be your priorities for this Universal Day?

00:15:18.604 --> 00:15:20.484
VIRGINIA: Are you big Harry Potter fans?

00:15:20.484 --> 00:15:22.404
VIRGINIA: Will you be spending most of your time there?

00:15:22.404 --> 00:15:25.464
VIRGINIA: What do you like to do on a Universal Day?

00:15:25.464 --> 00:15:28.524
KIM: We are not very familiar with Universal at all.

00:15:29.324 --> 00:15:34.704
KIM: We have been to Universal Studios in Hollywood twice.

00:15:34.704 --> 00:15:49.144
KIM: And so our, because we are limited on time here, we have specifically scripted out the rides that are not at Universal Studios Hollywood.

00:15:50.064 --> 00:15:54.844
KIM: And then we still had to eliminate down from that as well.

00:15:54.844 --> 00:15:57.044
KIM: So we'll see how it goes.

00:15:57.404 --> 00:16:10.984
KIM: We have scheduled it or researched it very well so that we can pivot through the day, hopefully, as needed, because we know that we are limited on time.

00:16:10.984 --> 00:16:20.584
VIRGINIA: Well, I will tell you, as someone who really at this point only ever goes to Universal with that Express Pass, because I don't go to Universal all that often.

00:16:20.584 --> 00:16:22.064
VIRGINIA: I go every few years.

00:16:22.064 --> 00:16:25.284
VIRGINIA: But when I do go, I always use the Express Pass.

00:16:25.584 --> 00:16:36.944
VIRGINIA: And in my experience, with the Express Pass, you will be able to get done everything you want to get done, and you'll be able to have that flexibility that you do not get at Disney.

00:16:36.944 --> 00:16:44.804
VIRGINIA: Because at Disney, when you're booking your Genie Plus, Lightning Lanes and that sort of thing, you are having to plan a scheduled time.

00:16:44.804 --> 00:16:51.424
VIRGINIA: But with the Express Pass, you'll just be able to walk up and use it on what you want to use it on.

00:16:52.004 --> 00:16:56.704
VIRGINIA: And I have found it to be extremely flexible.

00:16:56.704 --> 00:17:01.404
VIRGINIA: So I think it makes for a nice, a little bit more laid back day.

00:17:01.404 --> 00:17:02.404
KIM: Oh, good.

00:17:02.804 --> 00:17:10.884
KIM: We had used the Express Pass in Universal Studios Hollywood before, and it worked really well for us.

00:17:10.884 --> 00:17:15.344
KIM: So we're hoping that it works equally well in Florida.

00:17:15.564 --> 00:17:28.804
VIRGINIA: I would not say this to Disney's face, but I would pay extra money to have a system like that in Disney, even more than I'm paying for Genie Plus and individual Lightning Lanes, because it just makes for such a good day.

00:17:28.804 --> 00:17:35.484
VIRGINIA: So I hope that you will enjoy that Universal Day, and we will all look forward to hearing all the details of that.

00:17:35.484 --> 00:17:39.044
VIRGINIA: But let's move into Tuesday, June the 10th.

00:17:39.044 --> 00:17:40.164
VIRGINIA: What's the plan there?

00:17:40.164 --> 00:17:49.444
KIM: So because the biggest perk of staying at Bay Lake Tower is the proximity to Magic Kingdom, you can walk over in just a few minutes.

00:17:49.824 --> 00:17:56.124
KIM: We scheduled all of our Magic Kingdom days to be the days that we're staying at Bay Lake Tower.

00:17:56.124 --> 00:18:00.024
KIM: And so that will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

00:18:00.024 --> 00:18:04.024
KIM: So Tuesday, we don't like to do a lot of walking.

00:18:04.024 --> 00:18:05.744
KIM: We don't like to park hop.

00:18:05.744 --> 00:18:12.304
KIM: We are just going to stick to like a third of the park.

00:18:12.304 --> 00:18:17.484
KIM: So Adventureland and Frontierland is what I have planned.

00:18:20.104 --> 00:18:29.684
KIM: For lunch, we are going to do a quick service at Columbia Harbor House.

00:18:29.684 --> 00:18:46.424
KIM: And then because of the proximity, we are going to take a mid-afternoon break, walk back to the hotel, and if it's not raining, maybe use the pool or just rest up.

00:18:46.584 --> 00:18:49.244
KIM: Because, you know, it's June, it's very hot.

00:18:49.244 --> 00:18:54.024
KIM: And then we have dinner reservations at Ohana.

00:18:54.024 --> 00:18:58.644
KIM: I've never been, so that will be exciting.

00:18:58.644 --> 00:19:03.084
KIM: And then we will go back to Magic Kingdom for the night.

00:19:03.084 --> 00:19:03.444
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:19:03.444 --> 00:19:05.624
VIRGINIA: You're going to watch Happily Ever After?

00:19:05.624 --> 00:19:05.984
KIM: Yes.

00:19:05.984 --> 00:19:07.404
KIM: That is the plan.

00:19:07.424 --> 00:19:14.084
KIM: I think we will try to watch it from the Main Street area because I've never done that before.

00:19:14.304 --> 00:19:23.304
KIM: I've done closer to the castle, but I've never been further back where I could see the projections on Main Street.

00:19:23.304 --> 00:19:24.324
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:19:24.324 --> 00:19:24.684
KIM: All right.

00:19:24.684 --> 00:19:32.824
VIRGINIA: So for Wednesday and Thursday, both at Magic Kingdom as well, so you said that you were going to focus on kind of thirds of the park.

00:19:32.824 --> 00:19:36.044
VIRGINIA: So we won't go into really much detail in that.

00:19:36.044 --> 00:19:38.644
VIRGINIA: We'll get to that when you come back from your trip.

00:19:38.644 --> 00:19:43.944
VIRGINIA: But do you have any dining plans for Wednesday, the 11th, or Thursday, the 12th?

00:19:44.544 --> 00:19:53.004
KIM: For Wednesday lunch, we are planning quick service at Casey's Corner for lunch.

00:19:53.004 --> 00:19:59.564
KIM: Then for dinner, we have a reservation at California Grill.

00:19:59.564 --> 00:20:08.604
KIM: I know that some people are not liking it lately, but it has been good to us every single time we've gone.

00:20:09.124 --> 00:20:14.304
KIM: So it's something that we try to do every single trip.

00:20:14.304 --> 00:20:23.264
KIM: And I got a time that will allow us to watch Happily Ever After again, this time from the restaurant.

00:20:23.264 --> 00:20:23.844
VIRGINIA: Nice.

00:20:23.844 --> 00:20:28.704
VIRGINIA: So possibly three viewings of Happily Ever After for you.

00:20:28.704 --> 00:20:31.864
VIRGINIA: Somebody likes Happily Ever After.

00:20:31.864 --> 00:20:32.304
VIRGINIA: I love it.

00:20:32.864 --> 00:20:33.464
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:20:33.464 --> 00:20:39.644
VIRGINIA: So Thursday, June the 12th, by my calculation, you're checking out of Bay Lake Tower.

00:20:39.644 --> 00:20:43.064
VIRGINIA: So you're having that magic kingdom day.

00:20:43.064 --> 00:20:47.104
VIRGINIA: But where are you staying the night of Thursday, June 12th?

00:20:47.104 --> 00:20:51.424
KIM: So that night, we will be driving to Vero Beach.

00:20:51.424 --> 00:20:52.724
VIRGINIA: Okay, perfect.

00:20:52.724 --> 00:20:58.324
VIRGINIA: Any dining reservations for Thursday the 12th during your park day?

00:20:58.324 --> 00:21:18.424
KIM: We have a lunch at Cosmic Rays, and then for dinner, we have a reservation at Steakhouse 71, which will be super convenient because that's where our car is still going to be parked, and we'll be leaving right after that to Vero Beach.

00:21:18.424 --> 00:21:20.824
VIRGINIA: Have you eaten at Steakhouse 71 before?

00:21:20.824 --> 00:21:22.524
KIM: No, I have not been there.

00:21:22.524 --> 00:21:25.204
VIRGINIA: That will be a good meal, I am sure.

00:21:25.984 --> 00:21:42.964
KIM: Oh, one more thing for our Wednesday itinerary that is super exciting is that I got a reservation for the DVC preview of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

00:21:42.984 --> 00:21:45.284
VIRGINIA: Oh, that is super exciting.

00:21:45.284 --> 00:21:46.604
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:21:46.624 --> 00:21:53.884
VIRGINIA: I am super jealous because based on the dates of my trip, I will be gone right before they start all these previews.

00:21:54.184 --> 00:21:59.484
VIRGINIA: So, I will look forward to hearing all about that from you.

00:21:59.484 --> 00:22:11.724
VIRGINIA: I am going to avoid spoiler videos though, but I will be happy to hear how that goes and what your experience is as somebody who's presumably ridden Splash Mountain and can compare the two experiences.

00:22:11.724 --> 00:22:18.924
KIM: I have not ridden Splash Mountain in a while just because I just like, well, it'll always be there.

00:22:18.924 --> 00:22:21.904
KIM: And I had little kids who didn't meet the height requirements.

00:22:22.004 --> 00:22:26.304
KIM: So I always volunteered to stay behind and not ride.

00:22:26.304 --> 00:22:30.064
KIM: I know they have rider swap, but I just didn't feel like doing it.

00:22:30.064 --> 00:22:36.044
KIM: And so I hadn't ridden Splash in a while, but I'm very excited.

00:22:36.044 --> 00:22:44.584
KIM: I wasn't expecting to even do this because they, you know, the ride is not going to open until well after our trip was over.

00:22:45.424 --> 00:22:48.904
KIM: And so I was not even expecting to do it.

00:22:48.904 --> 00:22:55.284
KIM: And it was, it's just so exciting to add it on.

00:22:55.284 --> 00:22:59.084
VIRGINIA: How many nights are you going to be staying at Vero Beach?

00:22:59.084 --> 00:23:03.124
KIM: So we'll be staying Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday night.

00:23:03.124 --> 00:23:07.284
KIM: So three nights and basically two full days.

00:23:07.284 --> 00:23:08.124
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:23:08.124 --> 00:23:10.444
VIRGINIA: Have you stayed at Vero Beach before?

00:23:10.444 --> 00:23:12.624
KIM: No, I've never been to Vero Beach.

00:23:12.904 --> 00:23:20.184
VIRGINIA: So for listeners who are not familiar, Disney has a DVC Resort at Vero Beach, Florida.

00:23:20.184 --> 00:23:25.404
VIRGINIA: And it is a DVC property, but it is at the beach.

00:23:25.404 --> 00:23:28.524
VIRGINIA: So literally the beach right behind the resort.

00:23:28.524 --> 00:23:31.944
VIRGINIA: And from everything I've seen, it looks amazing.

00:23:31.944 --> 00:23:39.504
VIRGINIA: So I can't wait to hear about your experience with that because I have never interviewed someone who's been over to Vero Beach before.

00:23:39.724 --> 00:23:45.764
VIRGINIA: I've interviewed Miranda and Corey, who have been to Hilton Head and are huge fans of the Hilton Head DVC property.

00:23:45.764 --> 00:23:49.404
VIRGINIA: But this will be a first to hear about your Vero Beach time.

00:23:49.404 --> 00:23:51.584
VIRGINIA: So looking forward to that.

00:23:51.584 --> 00:23:58.364
VIRGINIA: Anything to note about the Vero Beach time that you have pre-planned or just excited to go?

00:23:58.404 --> 00:24:07.584
KIM: I joined some Vero Beach Resort groups to find out what I should be doing or how I should prepare for that.

00:24:07.604 --> 00:24:11.084
KIM: And the answer seems to be there.

00:24:11.144 --> 00:24:14.484
KIM: There is no preparation whatsoever.

00:24:14.504 --> 00:24:15.704
KIM: Just relax.

00:24:15.704 --> 00:24:15.984
KIM: Yeah.

00:24:15.984 --> 00:24:19.004
KIM: You just go and relax.

00:24:19.004 --> 00:24:19.824
KIM: They have the beach.

00:24:19.824 --> 00:24:25.924
KIM: They have, I think they said, the only Mickey-shaped pool on Disney property.

00:24:25.924 --> 00:24:32.704
KIM: And then they also have different resort activities, the kind of activities you might find at the other resorts.

00:24:32.704 --> 00:24:40.384
KIM: Like, there's the Mickey tie-dye shirt making and different art projects you can do, archery, things like that.

00:24:41.064 --> 00:24:47.004
KIM: They have, like, a campfire, a sing-along, just like your normal resort activities.

00:24:47.004 --> 00:24:58.464
KIM: And then, so we plan on just relaxing using the pool, the beach, and doing some of those resort activities.

00:24:58.464 --> 00:25:04.484
KIM: And then they also have a few dining options there.

00:25:04.484 --> 00:25:11.904
KIM: I made dinner reservations for both nights that we're there at the same restaurant.

00:25:11.904 --> 00:25:18.044
KIM: And then for breakfast, I also made breakfast reservations.

00:25:18.064 --> 00:25:30.884
KIM: Usually, we don't do a lot of sit-down breakfasts, but at Vero Beach, they have a special character breakfast that is only on Saturdays.

00:25:30.884 --> 00:25:40.984
KIM: And it recently came back at the end of April after several year hiatus since the pandemic.

00:25:40.984 --> 00:25:44.024
KIM: And so everyone's really excited about that.

00:25:44.024 --> 00:25:55.984
KIM: I made another breakfast reservation for a normal or weekday because they have a different menu when they have the character meal.

00:25:55.984 --> 00:26:04.644
KIM: The regular breakfast is actually a little bit fancier and has more options that are unique to Vero Beach.

00:26:05.104 --> 00:26:07.684
KIM: So we wanted to experience those as well.

00:26:07.684 --> 00:26:11.824
VIRGINIA: Is that normal breakfast reservation on Friday or your checkout day?

00:26:11.824 --> 00:26:12.924
KIM: It is on Friday.

00:26:12.924 --> 00:26:17.864
VIRGINIA: Well, that sounds like it's going to be an amazing relaxing time.

00:26:17.864 --> 00:26:20.404
VIRGINIA: So I can't wait to hear all about that.

00:26:20.404 --> 00:26:25.984
VIRGINIA: So let's get into Sunday, June 15th, which is the day you check out of Vero Beach.

00:26:25.984 --> 00:26:28.264
VIRGINIA: Where are you heading to from Vero?

00:26:28.784 --> 00:26:39.004
KIM: So we're hopefully going to arrive back to Walt Disney World property by noon.

00:26:39.004 --> 00:26:44.344
KIM: It's a two-hour drive in between Vero Beach and Walt Disney World.

00:26:44.344 --> 00:26:52.164
KIM: So we are going to be staying at the Boardwalk for the rest of our stay.

00:26:52.164 --> 00:26:55.004
KIM: And I don't think our room will be ready by then.

00:26:55.524 --> 00:27:01.664
KIM: So we will still probably park there.

00:27:01.664 --> 00:27:04.164
KIM: But we are headed to Epcot that day.

00:27:04.164 --> 00:27:08.184
VIRGINIA: Well, that's perfect because you can just walk right into Epcot.

00:27:08.184 --> 00:27:10.564
VIRGINIA: How many nights are you at Boardwalk for?

00:27:10.564 --> 00:27:15.244
KIM: So we are there Sunday night, checking out on Friday morning.

00:27:15.244 --> 00:27:15.924
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:27:15.924 --> 00:27:17.864
VIRGINIA: What does your family like to do at Epcot?

00:27:17.864 --> 00:27:21.104
KIM: I am not sure.

00:27:21.104 --> 00:27:30.804
KIM: The kids, you know, the kids are older, but they don't remember what Disney has from trip to trip.

00:27:30.804 --> 00:27:33.904
KIM: So it's all new to them every single time.

00:27:33.904 --> 00:27:34.644
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:27:34.644 --> 00:27:39.644
VIRGINIA: And there are some actual new things that have popped up since you last went.

00:27:39.644 --> 00:27:45.224
VIRGINIA: So I'm thinking specifically of like the Moana Journey of Water attraction.

00:27:45.224 --> 00:27:46.564
VIRGINIA: So that will be fun.

00:27:46.564 --> 00:27:46.844
KIM: Yes.

00:27:46.844 --> 00:27:50.864
KIM: Moana will be new to us, and Cosmic Rewind will be new to us.

00:27:51.124 --> 00:27:53.864
KIM: That wasn't open last time we went.

00:27:53.864 --> 00:27:56.684
KIM: And there's a few restaurants that are new.

00:27:56.684 --> 00:28:07.064
KIM: And of course, the Walt statue and some of the other, like I think CommuniCorps Hall will be open.

00:28:07.064 --> 00:28:08.264
KIM: I'm not sure.

00:28:08.264 --> 00:28:12.184
VIRGINIA: I think it opens June the 10th, so it should be open.

00:28:12.184 --> 00:28:15.664
VIRGINIA: So question for Guardians.

00:28:15.664 --> 00:28:18.284
VIRGINIA: You said that you might get an individual lightning lane.

00:28:18.284 --> 00:28:19.984
VIRGINIA: Will you try for the virtual queue?

00:28:20.424 --> 00:28:28.964
KIM: I will go ahead and try just to see what happens, but I've never been too successful with the virtual queue.

00:28:28.964 --> 00:28:48.404
KIM: Back when I did it for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, I did not get it until the one o'clock time, but then our boarding group wasn't until like 8 p.m., which is really super late for us.

00:28:49.124 --> 00:28:52.264
KIM: So depending on what the 7 a.m.

00:28:52.264 --> 00:28:56.744
KIM: gives me, I might go ahead and buy the individual lighting lane.

00:28:56.744 --> 00:29:07.344
VIRGINIA: Okay, so if you get the virtual queue and it's earlier than you actually can be there, just know that they are usually very flexible with that particular ride.

00:29:07.344 --> 00:29:13.724
VIRGINIA: If you show up later and just say, I'm sorry, we were still on the road, they usually will let you in.

00:29:13.724 --> 00:29:22.104
VIRGINIA: Do you think, will all five of you ride it, or are some of you roller coaster fans, and some of you not?

00:29:22.104 --> 00:29:24.204
KIM: We will all ride it.

00:29:24.244 --> 00:29:33.584
KIM: I'm the only one that sometimes gets motion sick, but I won't know until I ride it, if it's something that will make me sick.

00:29:33.584 --> 00:29:38.984
VIRGINIA: I know lots of people who experience motion sickness, who are fine riding guardians.

00:29:38.984 --> 00:29:46.724
VIRGINIA: So my advice for you is that when you are in the car, just don't try to be looking around at other things.

00:29:46.964 --> 00:29:55.844
VIRGINIA: Keep facing forward, because the car, the reason it turns, and it's not, people describe it as spinning, but it does not spin in circles or anything.

00:29:55.844 --> 00:29:57.304
VIRGINIA: It's not like the teacups.

00:29:57.304 --> 00:30:02.604
VIRGINIA: It simply is turning your car in the direction of what you should be looking in for the ride.

00:30:02.604 --> 00:30:07.284
VIRGINIA: So if you just face forward the entire time, I think you'll have a better chance.

00:30:07.284 --> 00:30:15.844
VIRGINIA: If you were somebody who gets motion sickness fairly easily, you might want to take a little Dramamine or something just before, just to be safe, because you don't want to ruin your whole park day.

00:30:16.544 --> 00:30:29.444
VIRGINIA: But if you were somebody who likes roller coasters and you get the Virtual Queue, I'm going to say you may immediately want to purchase the individual Lightning Lane just to do it one more time before you leave, because it's so good.

00:30:29.444 --> 00:30:30.244
VIRGINIA: I love it.

00:30:30.444 --> 00:30:32.304
VIRGINIA: It's my favorite in all of Disney.

00:30:32.304 --> 00:30:36.344
VIRGINIA: So do you have any dining plans for your Epcot Day?

00:30:36.344 --> 00:30:37.484
KIM: Yes.

00:30:37.484 --> 00:30:54.464
KIM: For Sunday, since it is uncertain what time exactly we will roll in, we are planning on eating at that new, or new to us, quick service Connections eatery.

00:30:54.464 --> 00:30:58.644
KIM: And so we'll grab something from there for lunch when we roll in.

00:30:58.644 --> 00:31:01.284
VIRGINIA: I highly recommend using the mobile order.

00:31:01.284 --> 00:31:02.044
KIM: Oh, yes.

00:31:02.044 --> 00:31:04.164
KIM: We always mobile order if possible.

00:31:04.164 --> 00:31:04.724
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:31:04.724 --> 00:31:05.084
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:31:05.084 --> 00:31:17.824
VIRGINIA: Especially if you're thinking like, oh, we're not ready for lunch yet, but it's around a traditional lunchtime, I would go ahead and plan out when you want to eat and do your mobile order because sometimes the mobile orders get filled up.

00:31:17.824 --> 00:31:21.604
VIRGINIA: And then you'll go in to do your mobile order and it'll be like, you can have a 2 p.m.

00:31:21.604 --> 00:31:22.684
VIRGINIA: time or whatever.

00:31:22.684 --> 00:31:27.384
VIRGINIA: So just kind of be thinking about that as you go through your day because.

00:31:27.384 --> 00:31:28.084
KIM: Yes.

00:31:28.084 --> 00:31:28.664
KIM: Good point.

00:31:28.824 --> 00:31:30.524
VIRGINIA: It gets very busy.

00:31:30.524 --> 00:31:30.984
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:31:30.984 --> 00:31:33.164
VIRGINIA: Anything else for that Sunday?

00:31:33.164 --> 00:31:35.044
VIRGINIA: Otherwise we'll move on.

00:31:35.044 --> 00:31:35.184
KIM: Yeah.

00:31:35.224 --> 00:31:39.064
KIM: We have dinner reservations for Garden Grill.

00:31:39.064 --> 00:31:40.484
VIRGINIA: Oh, nice.

00:31:40.484 --> 00:31:41.184
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:31:41.184 --> 00:31:43.004
KIM: We've never been there before either.

00:31:43.684 --> 00:31:44.604
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:31:44.604 --> 00:31:45.784
VIRGINIA: I love Garden Grill.

00:31:45.784 --> 00:31:48.164
VIRGINIA: It's one of my favorite character meals.

00:31:48.164 --> 00:31:53.684
VIRGINIA: And partly it's just because we love living with the land so much, but you get a ton of character time.

00:31:53.684 --> 00:32:03.584
VIRGINIA: So if you are somebody who really likes that, in my experience, the characters come around at least twice during your meal, sometimes even three times.

00:32:03.584 --> 00:32:04.704
VIRGINIA: And the food is very good.

00:32:04.704 --> 00:32:10.004
VIRGINIA: All of the vegetables that you will be eating will have been grown in the land pavilion.

00:32:10.004 --> 00:32:12.284
VIRGINIA: So very fresh salad there.

00:32:12.504 --> 00:32:15.164
VIRGINIA: Oh, you're going to love it.

00:32:15.164 --> 00:32:15.524
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:32:15.524 --> 00:32:18.844
VIRGINIA: Are you going to be trying to watch Luminous?

00:32:18.844 --> 00:32:20.664
KIM: Yes, I think so.

00:32:20.664 --> 00:32:35.024
KIM: It is a little bit late for us, but considering that we haven't done anything for the last few days at Vero Beach, I think we could probably hang and stay through Luminous.

00:32:35.024 --> 00:32:37.664
KIM: It will be our first time to see that as well.

00:32:37.664 --> 00:32:38.144
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:32:38.144 --> 00:32:41.164
VIRGINIA: So let's go into Monday, June the 16th.

00:32:41.344 --> 00:32:43.984
VIRGINIA: What park are you going to this day?

00:32:43.984 --> 00:32:56.484
KIM: So this will be our Animal Kingdom Day, hopefully, and because it is not too close to the boardwalk, we plan on staying there the whole day, no breaks, no leaving.

00:32:57.924 --> 00:33:03.684
KIM: It closes at 6 PM anyway, so it's not a super long day.

00:33:03.684 --> 00:33:05.544
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:33:05.544 --> 00:33:08.244
VIRGINIA: What are your priorities at Animal Kingdom?

00:33:08.244 --> 00:33:09.884
VIRGINIA: Is there anything you haven't done before?

00:33:10.744 --> 00:33:11.704
VIRGINIA: What are you excited for?

00:33:11.724 --> 00:33:21.404
KIM: I think our priorities will be to definitely ride Dinosaur in case that is going away.

00:33:22.704 --> 00:33:36.364
KIM: We would also like to see the Festival of the Lion King because I've been unsuccessful at getting into that show the last few times I've tried, and also Flight of Passage.

00:33:36.364 --> 00:33:38.904
KIM: We have never been on Flight of Passage.

00:33:39.444 --> 00:33:40.324
VIRGINIA: Oh, okay.

00:33:40.324 --> 00:33:55.664
KIM: Even though previous trip, I think I was using the desk and I got a return time for that, but it ended up being too late for our dining reservations, so we just played it safe and skipped it.

00:33:55.724 --> 00:34:02.964
KIM: Then the time before that, I had a fast pass for it, but my husband ended up getting sick.

00:34:02.964 --> 00:34:14.704
KIM: He had to stay back at the hotel, and it was just me and the three kids, and two of them did not meet the height requirement, so we couldn't ride.

00:34:14.704 --> 00:34:19.964
VIRGINIA: But now they're all tall enough, so flight of passage, here you come.

00:34:20.004 --> 00:34:23.664
VIRGINIA: I hope that you will love it as much as I do.

00:34:23.664 --> 00:34:31.924
VIRGINIA: It is so good and it smells good and you feel the wind, and it's amazing.

00:34:32.224 --> 00:34:36.324
VIRGINIA: I have one friend, Nanci, who cries every time she rides it.

00:34:36.844 --> 00:34:40.284
VIRGINIA: She's like, it's just so emotional to feel like you're flying.

00:34:40.284 --> 00:34:41.464
VIRGINIA: So I hope you'll enjoy that.

00:34:41.464 --> 00:34:45.044
KIM: I just hope that I don't get sick on that either.

00:34:45.044 --> 00:34:48.984
KIM: For lunch, we're doing a quick service.

00:34:48.984 --> 00:34:56.524
KIM: I think the flame tree barbecue, we have done that before, but that's what my husband picked out.

00:34:56.524 --> 00:34:58.204
KIM: So we're doing it again.

00:34:58.204 --> 00:35:15.824
KIM: And then for dinner, since Animal Kingdom closes early, we're going to go to Disney Springs and eat at Enzo's Hideaway, which we have never been to, but my husband thought it sounded cool.

00:35:15.824 --> 00:35:18.464
KIM: So that's what he picked out.

00:35:18.464 --> 00:35:20.884
VIRGINIA: What time is the Enzo's reservation for?

00:35:20.884 --> 00:35:23.824
KIM: I think it's at 7 or 730.

00:35:23.824 --> 00:35:24.124
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:35:24.124 --> 00:35:29.244
VIRGINIA: I have never been there either, so I'll be very curious to hear how that is.

00:35:29.804 --> 00:35:30.764
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:35:30.764 --> 00:35:33.284
VIRGINIA: Tuesday, June the 17th.

00:35:33.284 --> 00:35:34.204
VIRGINIA: Which park?

00:35:34.204 --> 00:35:44.944
KIM: This is a Hollywood Studios Day, and I think we are going to stay the whole day, just because the following day on Wednesday is a rest day.

00:35:44.944 --> 00:35:48.124
KIM: So we'll stay the whole day.

00:35:48.124 --> 00:35:52.404
KIM: We love Hollywood Studios even before it was cool.

00:35:54.024 --> 00:36:03.764
KIM: When we were pass holders, we would come and we couldn't ride any of the rides because the kids were babies.

00:36:03.764 --> 00:36:08.784
KIM: So but we would just come and walk around and take in the vibes.

00:36:09.504 --> 00:36:12.464
VIRGINIA: What are you looking forward to the most at Hollywood Studios?

00:36:12.464 --> 00:36:19.324
KIM: For me, I just love the vibes and just walking around.

00:36:19.324 --> 00:36:27.584
KIM: We are also big Star Wars fans and Toy Story Land is really awesome.

00:36:27.584 --> 00:36:29.424
KIM: So we just love everything.

00:36:30.244 --> 00:36:30.944
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:36:30.944 --> 00:36:33.024
VIRGINIA: Hollywood Studios does have the vibes.

00:36:33.024 --> 00:36:47.764
VIRGINIA: That is something that when we go, my husband just really, I mean, he enjoys the park itself, but one of the things he enjoys most is just sitting on a bench and soaking in the music and the people watching and all of that kind of stuff.

00:36:47.764 --> 00:36:49.304
VIRGINIA: So it's a vibey park.

00:36:51.144 --> 00:36:53.204
VIRGINIA: What kind of dining plans do you have for this day?

00:36:53.204 --> 00:37:00.464
KIM: For lunch, we are going to try the Ronto wraps.

00:37:00.464 --> 00:37:03.124
KIM: We have not had that yet.

00:37:04.564 --> 00:37:15.364
KIM: Then at the very last minute, I threw in an Ogas Cantina reservation that is shortly after lunch.

00:37:15.364 --> 00:37:26.004
KIM: We've never done that before because I didn't think the kids would like that since they don't have a lot of tables and chairs.

00:37:26.004 --> 00:37:33.144
KIM: But seeing so many of my friends talk about it, I just decided to throw it in and see what happens.

00:37:33.144 --> 00:37:34.084
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:37:34.084 --> 00:37:38.144
VIRGINIA: Even if they don't like it, it's not a long experience.

00:37:38.144 --> 00:37:41.384
VIRGINIA: Even if you wanted to stay a long time, they limit how long you can stay.

00:37:41.864 --> 00:37:46.644
VIRGINIA: You go in, you have one beverage, and then you get out.

00:37:46.644 --> 00:37:51.804
VIRGINIA: If they're not enjoying it, it's not going to be for very long, so that should be fine.

00:37:51.824 --> 00:37:52.184
KIM: Okay.

00:37:52.184 --> 00:37:53.784
VIRGINIA: Anything for dinner?

00:37:53.784 --> 00:37:57.944
KIM: For dinner, we have a reservation at Hollywood Brown Derby.

00:37:57.964 --> 00:38:04.324
KIM: It is another one of the restaurants that we go to every single time.

00:38:04.324 --> 00:38:10.284
KIM: We just really like the atmosphere, and my husband is obsessed with the Cobb salad.

00:38:10.364 --> 00:38:12.964
KIM: He has to have it every single time.

00:38:12.964 --> 00:38:19.264
KIM: I'm not a big fan of it, but we enjoy the restaurant anyway.

00:38:19.264 --> 00:38:19.884
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:38:19.884 --> 00:38:22.764
VIRGINIA: He's not the only one obsessed with the Cobb salad.

00:38:24.464 --> 00:38:25.104
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:38:25.104 --> 00:38:28.604
VIRGINIA: Let's get into Wednesday, June the 18th.

00:38:28.604 --> 00:38:29.444
KIM: Yes.

00:38:29.444 --> 00:38:34.204
KIM: As I previously mentioned, this was going to be a rest day.

00:38:35.724 --> 00:38:41.004
KIM: On our rest days, we like to do a sit down breakfast.

00:38:42.164 --> 00:38:46.824
KIM: We don't do sit down breakfasts any of our park days.

00:38:46.824 --> 00:38:52.804
KIM: So we are doing the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe.

00:38:52.804 --> 00:38:54.204
VIRGINIA: That'll be fun.

00:38:54.224 --> 00:39:01.364
KIM: I tried to get Topolino's Terrace for breakfast, but could not.

00:39:01.364 --> 00:39:07.484
KIM: It was really hard to get reservations for parties of five, it seems.

00:39:09.284 --> 00:39:15.724
KIM: I was even booking 63, 64 days in advance and I could not.

00:39:15.724 --> 00:39:22.064
KIM: They had plenty of tables for four, but nothing for a table of five.

00:39:22.404 --> 00:39:27.864
KIM: I've been checking and have not been able to find anything.

00:39:27.864 --> 00:39:32.184
KIM: But that's okay because we've never done the breakfast at Cape May Cafe either.

00:39:33.644 --> 00:39:34.704
KIM: That sounds exciting.

00:39:34.924 --> 00:39:41.384
KIM: Also, we can just walk to it since it's right there at the beach club.

00:39:42.104 --> 00:39:43.064
KIM: We'll do that.

00:39:43.224 --> 00:39:49.564
KIM: Then the afternoon is up in the air.

00:39:49.564 --> 00:40:02.304
KIM: We've thought about either going to Disney Springs for a little bit to do some shopping, or maybe just hang out at the room, maybe visit the pool.

00:40:02.744 --> 00:40:13.624
KIM: We just want to rest, because in the evening, we have tickets for the after-hours event at Hollywood Studios.

00:40:13.624 --> 00:40:13.984
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:40:13.984 --> 00:40:15.444
VIRGINIA: What time does that start at?

00:40:15.444 --> 00:40:22.064
KIM: Nine o'clock, I think, officially, but you can enter the park at seven.

00:40:22.064 --> 00:40:22.424
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:40:22.424 --> 00:40:26.884
VIRGINIA: Have you ever done one of these after-hours events before?

00:40:26.884 --> 00:40:27.144
KIM: No.

00:40:27.144 --> 00:40:31.144
KIM: I've never been to the after-hours at any park.

00:40:33.364 --> 00:40:44.044
KIM: The last night-time event I've been to was a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and that was in 2008.

00:40:44.044 --> 00:40:44.784
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:40:44.784 --> 00:40:46.504
VIRGINIA: That's been a while.

00:40:47.144 --> 00:40:48.884
VIRGINIA: What are your priorities going to be?

00:40:48.884 --> 00:40:51.924
VIRGINIA: Is it going to be riding as many rides as you can?

00:40:51.924 --> 00:40:56.224
VIRGINIA: Is it going to be trying to meet as many characters as you can?

00:40:56.224 --> 00:40:58.124
VIRGINIA: What are you aiming for?

00:40:58.124 --> 00:40:59.444
KIM: A little bit of everything.

00:41:00.104 --> 00:41:05.144
KIM: Since we've never done it before, we're just going to see how it is.

00:41:05.144 --> 00:41:19.964
KIM: I know that I am interested in meeting some of the rare characters they have, and then I'm sure everybody else in my family is more interested in riding the rides, see how many times they can go on the rides.

00:41:19.964 --> 00:41:25.444
KIM: Then also, I think they are all super excited about the unlimited free ice cream.

00:41:25.444 --> 00:41:27.304
VIRGINIA: Of course.

00:41:27.304 --> 00:41:28.244
VIRGINIA: Kids dream.

00:41:29.624 --> 00:41:46.084
VIRGINIA: One thing I haven't asked about your party of five is with a family of that size, do you always stick together or are there times when you branch off and Eric goes with a couple kids and you go with another kid?

00:41:46.084 --> 00:41:48.724
VIRGINIA: Are you ever breaking up in that way?

00:41:48.724 --> 00:41:51.464
KIM: No, we're almost always together.

00:41:52.004 --> 00:42:02.544
KIM: The only times when we are not is when they're riding a super intense roller coaster.

00:42:02.544 --> 00:42:07.684
KIM: And so my husband and the two older kids will go.

00:42:07.684 --> 00:42:16.524
KIM: And then my youngest, he barely is meeting the height requirements for some of those since he is kind of small for his age.

00:42:16.524 --> 00:42:18.924
KIM: And he's also a little more timid.

00:42:19.524 --> 00:42:23.444
KIM: So sometimes he'll will ask and he'll opt out.

00:42:23.444 --> 00:42:30.964
KIM: And so then I'll stay because I don't really care to ride the super intense roller coasters either.

00:42:30.964 --> 00:42:32.024
KIM: Okay.

00:42:32.024 --> 00:42:41.804
KIM: Usually this is something more along the lines of like the Incredicoaster or some of the rides they have at Universal.

00:42:41.824 --> 00:42:45.684
KIM: Usually all the rides at Disney are fine.

00:42:46.344 --> 00:42:46.864
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:42:46.864 --> 00:42:47.144
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:42:47.424 --> 00:42:49.764
VIRGINIA: They're never that intense.

00:42:49.764 --> 00:42:53.344
VIRGINIA: So if he does opt to go on them though, you go ahead and ride.

00:42:53.404 --> 00:42:54.584
KIM: Yeah, I'll go.

00:42:54.584 --> 00:42:55.144
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:42:55.144 --> 00:42:56.564
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:42:56.564 --> 00:42:57.104
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:42:57.104 --> 00:43:03.624
VIRGINIA: So Thursday, June 19th, you will have been out very late the night before.

00:43:03.624 --> 00:43:06.324
VIRGINIA: So what is your plan for the 19th?

00:43:06.324 --> 00:43:08.344
KIM: Well, it's our last park day.

00:43:08.344 --> 00:43:15.644
KIM: We're spending it at Epcot, but we're not going to try to get up early or anything like that.

00:43:15.764 --> 00:43:18.884
KIM: Whatever time we wake up is the time we wake up.

00:43:18.884 --> 00:43:28.424
KIM: Yeah, we have some dining reservations, and I think we're going to focus more on the World Showcase.

00:43:28.424 --> 00:43:32.724
KIM: And so it's going to be a more relaxed Epcot day.

00:43:32.724 --> 00:43:33.184
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:43:33.184 --> 00:43:35.984
VIRGINIA: What are these dining reservations you speak of?

00:43:35.984 --> 00:43:41.964
KIM: For lunch, we have Shiki Sai at the Japan Pavilion.

00:43:44.364 --> 00:43:52.044
KIM: We do love Japanese food, and I don't think it was open the last time we were there.

00:43:53.444 --> 00:43:56.524
KIM: I did have trouble getting a reservation for five.

00:43:56.524 --> 00:44:09.844
KIM: I don't know if they exist because as I was checking, 64 days in advance, there was nothing for a table of five, but there was every single time available for a party of four.

00:44:10.924 --> 00:44:24.584
KIM: So, I made a reservation for a party of four, and I also made a reservation for a party of one, and hopefully they can merge those reservations or at least seat us close to one another.

00:44:24.584 --> 00:44:26.564
VIRGINIA: Well, I hope that works out.

00:44:26.564 --> 00:44:31.804
VIRGINIA: I have never eaten at Shikisai yet, so looking forward to hearing about that.

00:44:31.804 --> 00:44:44.484
VIRGINIA: I know that my husband and Alex are both huge Japanese food fans, so hoping I'll hear a good report from you so that I can plan on that for our next trip.

00:44:44.484 --> 00:44:46.564
VIRGINIA: Do you have a dinner reservation as well?

00:44:46.564 --> 00:44:53.804
KIM: Yes, we are going to eat at Beer Garden, and my kids have never been there.

00:44:53.804 --> 00:44:58.144
KIM: My husband and I ate there on our 2008 trip.

00:44:58.144 --> 00:45:06.784
KIM: I think I ate there with some friends in 2009, so it's been a while for me too, but the kids have never been there.

00:45:07.404 --> 00:45:08.324
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:45:08.324 --> 00:45:19.444
VIRGINIA: It is one of our favorite meals in Epcot, so hopefully they will not only enjoy the food, but also enjoy the entertainment, because that is a lot of fun.

00:45:19.444 --> 00:45:20.064
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:45:20.064 --> 00:45:25.244
VIRGINIA: Last Park Day, Friday, checking out of the Boardwalk.

00:45:25.244 --> 00:45:28.264
VIRGINIA: What time do you think you'll be hitting the road on Friday, June 20th?

00:45:28.264 --> 00:45:41.424
KIM: I think checkout time is 11, so that will probably be the time that we get on the road, because we do have to make it to Mobile by the evening.

00:45:41.424 --> 00:45:41.844
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:45:41.844 --> 00:45:45.984
VIRGINIA: So on the drive there, you said you'd stop in New Orleans or Mobile.

00:45:45.984 --> 00:45:49.964
VIRGINIA: It sounds like maybe on the way back, you're for sure stopping in Mobile?

00:45:49.964 --> 00:45:50.784
KIM: Yes.

00:45:50.784 --> 00:45:51.224
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:45:51.224 --> 00:46:04.084
KIM: Because we definitely know that we are starting off the drive already tired, and we won't be leaving until past 11, for sure.

00:46:04.684 --> 00:46:12.724
KIM: So we know that the shorter leg of the trip is going to be the first day.

00:46:12.724 --> 00:46:13.944
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:46:13.944 --> 00:46:14.764
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:46:14.764 --> 00:46:15.404
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:46:15.404 --> 00:46:19.804
VIRGINIA: And then Saturday, June 21st, you'll arrive back home.

00:46:19.804 --> 00:46:21.684
VIRGINIA: What time are you hoping to get home by?

00:46:21.784 --> 00:46:30.764
KIM: I'm hoping to get home by 9 or 10 o'clock, depending on how traffic is.

00:46:31.004 --> 00:46:34.684
KIM: Traffic can vary so much.

00:46:34.684 --> 00:46:40.944
KIM: But sometimes it's been midnight or past midnight by the time we get home.

00:46:40.944 --> 00:46:42.464
VIRGINIA: Hopefully everything will go well.

00:46:42.464 --> 00:46:44.624
VIRGINIA: You'll get back at the time that you're hoping.

00:46:44.624 --> 00:46:56.044
VIRGINIA: And then I assume that you'll be using Sunday to rest and recover and unpack and all of those things before resuming regular life the following week.

00:46:56.044 --> 00:46:59.344
VIRGINIA: Are your kids, I assume, are out of school at this point?

00:47:00.064 --> 00:47:00.964
VIRGINIA: Yes, yes.

00:47:00.964 --> 00:47:03.024
VIRGINIA: When does their school end?

00:47:03.024 --> 00:47:08.364
KIM: Their last day of school actually was May 31st.

00:47:08.404 --> 00:47:09.404
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:47:09.404 --> 00:47:09.924
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:47:09.924 --> 00:47:10.724
VIRGINIA: That's great.

00:47:10.724 --> 00:47:14.264
VIRGINIA: Well, Kim, this sounds like a really exciting trip.

00:47:14.264 --> 00:47:19.104
VIRGINIA: You have so much planned and I hope that everything goes well.

00:47:19.104 --> 00:47:24.064
VIRGINIA: I hope it's magical and we can't wait to hear all about the details when you get back.

00:47:24.064 --> 00:47:25.724
VIRGINIA: So thanks so much for being here.

00:47:26.424 --> 00:47:28.864
KIM: Thank you so much for having me.

00:47:30.304 --> 00:47:32.784
VIRGINIA: Thank you again to Kim for being on the show.

00:47:32.784 --> 00:47:39.544
VIRGINIA: You can hear Kim's post-trip interview right now and it should be the next one in your queue if you're following the show.

00:47:39.544 --> 00:47:45.764
VIRGINIA: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to listen and don't forget to keep daydreaming about where you long to be.

walt disney world,dvc,party of 5+,boardwalk,june,family trip,disability access service (das),2024,universal studios florida,bay lake tower,vero beach,attractions assistance pass,