Pre-Trip Report: Krista’s Spectacular Summer Split Stay (August 2024)

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VIRGINIA: Welcome back to another episode of 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: Before we get started, I wanted to remind everyone that I have a new website for the podcast that I would love for you to check out.

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VIRGINIA: It's whereilongtobepodcast.com.

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VIRGINIA: And there you can see all of the guests I have had on the podcast since the very beginning.

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VIRGINIA: You can search for episodes using keywords to find trip reports of people staying at a specific resort that you're interested in or going to a specific party or even if you want to look for a solo trip episode or a girls trip episode.

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VIRGINIA: Take a look at the site.

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VIRGINIA: Let me know what you think.

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VIRGINIA: Okay, on with today's episode.

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VIRGINIA: Featuring my friend Krista from Canucks Who Disney.

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VIRGINIA: Without further ado, here's Krista.

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VIRGINIA: Listeners, I have a very special guest with me today.

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VIRGINIA: Welcome, Krista.

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VIRGINIA: How are you, Krista?

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KRISTA: I'm doing so good and I'm very excited to talk all things Disney with you today.

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VIRGINIA: And Krista, you and I know each other through Instagram and we've actually met in person before.

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KRISTA: We have.

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KRISTA: That was so fun and I'm excited to see you again.

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KRISTA: It was so nice to meet you back in March, so it's nice to chat again.

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VIRGINIA: Yes.

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VIRGINIA: Krista was part of the big group meetup here in New York City.

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VIRGINIA: So I met her, I met her husband Phil, along with other friends.

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KRISTA: So many friends.

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VIRGINIA: I know.

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VIRGINIA: It was so much fun.

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VIRGINIA: But Krista, why don't you tell us what your handle is, or handles, I should say, because you got a second handle recently.

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VIRGINIA: And a little bit about your Disney history, your account, and just give us all the forewarned one.

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KRISTA: Okay.

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KRISTA: Yeah.

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KRISTA: So as you said, I have two.

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KRISTA: So Canucks Who Disney, Canucks Fun Play On Canadians.

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KRISTA: We are from Ottawa and here in Canada.

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KRISTA: So Canucks Who Disney is my main account.

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KRISTA: Instagram is not a fan of me and they keep throwing me in jail.

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KRISTA: So I did create a backup account, Canucks That Disney.

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KRISTA: So very similar, but I just surpassed my two-year mark.

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KRISTA: Canucks Who Disney, I started in July a couple of years ago, just kind of as a fun way, again, like so many do, to showcase some of my Disney memories, to talk all things Disney without annoying the friends and family on my personal pages that just constantly gets Disney-fied.

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KRISTA: So that's why I created the account, just to share those memories.

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KRISTA: And as you alluded to, I have met so many fantastic people along the way, have shared those memories with them, they've shared theirs, we've exchanged tips and tricks, and it's just been so amazing.

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KRISTA: This journey that I've been on having started this page and in terms of the 411 on the love for Disney, that I went once as a kid, I vaguely remember it, I was 12.

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KRISTA: I have a memory of spinning on the teacups, it's the one thing that stands out.

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KRISTA: But otherwise really started going.

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VIRGINIA: A good memory?

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KRISTA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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KRISTA: Unlike now, the teacups are hard pass, but I really started going when I was an adult, when Phil and I started dating many years ago.

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KRISTA: We went on a trip and he says as soon as he walked in, he felt that magic and he knew he was coming back and that's where he was going to propose.

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KRISTA: Sure enough, we did the next trip.

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KRISTA: He proposed so many others in front of the castle during the fireworks.

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KRISTA: That spurred the love of Disney even more.

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KRISTA: Obviously, I've always been a fan of the movies and everything like that.

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KRISTA: That started the whole love of Disney, did our honeymoon in Paris, went to Disneyland Paris, and I've been going back ever since.

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KRISTA: And it just keeps, you know, started as a once a year thing and evolved to way too many times a year.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: So coming from Canada and coming as many times as you do, do you have like a preferred airline?

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VIRGINIA: Like, what is your method of getting the best deals for flights?

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KRISTA: Yeah, that's tricky and it's so up and down.

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KRISTA: And in Canada, there's really kind of a monopoly in terms of the airlines.

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KRISTA: Recently, there's another airline called Porter that started flying to Orlando out of Ottawa, where I live.

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KRISTA: And they had a lot of sales as they were getting started up, which were fantastic.

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KRISTA: So, you know, I had to take advantage and come a little bit more.

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KRISTA: But they've been really great.

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KRISTA: It's a quick, it's just shy of three hours to fly down from Ottawa to Disney World.

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KRISTA: A bit tougher to get across to land.

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KRISTA: But yeah, so that's been great.

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KRISTA: I know others that drive.

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KRISTA: I, you know, it's I think a 22, 23 hour drive.

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KRISTA: I couldn't do that personally, let alone with a couple of kids in the car.

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KRISTA: So yeah, we fly down.

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KRISTA: And in terms of sales, sometimes I'll try and get a Black Friday, a Cyber Monday deal depending on the time of year.

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KRISTA: I use Google Flights to track, I toggle and track certain flights.

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KRISTA: And then Costco now has gift cards for some of the airlines here.

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KRISTA: So I will combine it with that and then justify all my trips that way.

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VIRGINIA: So I mean, we all find ways to justify our trips.

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KRISTA: Right?

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KRISTA: Yeah, exactly.

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VIRGINIA: So you and Phil have some beautiful children.

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VIRGINIA: What are their ages?

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VIRGINIA: And are you beholden to their school schedule in the same way that many of us are here in the US.?

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VIRGINIA: Or is it a little easier in Canada to do things for family vacations during school time?

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KRISTA: I don't know that it's easier, but we've got, there's quite a gap.

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KRISTA: So we have Jack, who's 15, and Max, who's turning seven tomorrow.

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KRISTA: So there's quite a gap.

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KRISTA: Max, seven-year-old, grade one, going into grade two, don't mind missing school that much.

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KRISTA: And in fact, when we started our annual trips, it was typically January or February to escape the winter.

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KRISTA: Fine when the kids are younger.

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KRISTA: Now a 15-year-old in 10th grade, I don't want to take him out.

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KRISTA: It's more important for him to stay in school.

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KRISTA: So we try and go the last couple of weeks of August because the kids here don't start back to school until the second week in September.

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KRISTA: So it helps with the crowds as well.

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KRISTA: And we get a little bit of a summer vacation.

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KRISTA: So I will take, like I took Max last year in November on a solo trip.

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KRISTA: So I'll still take him out of school.

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KRISTA: I did still take Jack in April, but I try and do it over like a long weekend or when they have a PD day or a day off school here so that he's not missing as much.

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KRISTA: So yeah.

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VIRGINIA: So this trip is Friday, August the 16th through Thursday, August the 29th.

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KRISTA: Yes.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: And flying out on Friday, what time of day are you flying?

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KRISTA: It's a later flight.

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KRISTA: I mean, not too, too late, but I think we leave around 430 ish.

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KRISTA: So we are expected to arrive around 730.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: Is that typically the time of day you all travel down when you go out for a trip like this?

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KRISTA: We prefer an earlier flight than you have your whole day there, of course.

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KRISTA: But since I follow the deals, that's what I got.

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KRISTA: So the last few times have been arriving in the evening, which is fine.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: Where are you going to be staying for this trip?

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VIRGINIA: Is it all going to be in one spot?

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VIRGINIA: You're hopping around.

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VIRGINIA: How's that going to work?

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KRISTA: We are hopping around, which I don't know how that will be with kids, but we are spending the first leg, I think the first eight nights, seven nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and then hopping over to the Polynesian.

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VIRGINIA: Have you stayed at both of those resorts before?

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KRISTA: So we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time in April, and we've never been to the Poly before.

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VIRGINIA: I love the Poly.

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VIRGINIA: I think it's my second favorite resort after Wilderness Lodge.

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KRISTA: Oh, that's our home resort, and we've still never stayed there.

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VIRGINIA: Oh, really?

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KRISTA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Are you Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge?

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KRISTA: Copper Creek.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: Me too.

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KRISTA: Me too.

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KRISTA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Yep.

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VIRGINIA: I love it.

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VIRGINIA: I love it.

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VIRGINIA: It's just, there's something about it that's just so relaxing.

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VIRGINIA: And I love the Poly too.

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VIRGINIA: I just love the vibes there.

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VIRGINIA: But it is a little bit more trafficked just because it's on the monorail loop.

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KRISTA: So right.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: For Animal Kingdom Lodge, are you going to be in Jumbo House or in Kidani?

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KRISTA: We're in Kidani.

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VIRGINIA: OK.

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VIRGINIA: Animal Kingdom Lodge, I have not stayed in yet.

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VIRGINIA: So I am looking forward to giving that a try sometime in the next couple of years.

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VIRGINIA: Do you have a goal to stay at every DVC resort?

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KRISTA: Yes.

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KRISTA: Yeah.

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KRISTA: That's the new goal.

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KRISTA: We just became DVC in, I guess, March.

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KRISTA: So that's the goal.

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KRISTA: Got to try them all.

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VIRGINIA: For your tickets, do you have an annual pass because of how many times you go down?

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KRISTA: Yes.

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KRISTA: So prior to becoming DVC, I bought an Incredi Pass last year.

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KRISTA: That's the only pass they allow Canadians to purchase.

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KRISTA: So I had that pass and the family did not.

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KRISTA: But now that we're DVC and we have access to the Sorcerer Pass, they got a pass last time.

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KRISTA: So we all have annual passes.

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VIRGINIA: Yeah.

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VIRGINIA: I love having access to that pass because I don't remember what the first time purchase price is.

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VIRGINIA: But the renewal price, if I added up the amount that I would pay in tickets for our annual February trip for just the one week, it cost me more actually to buy a regular ticket than to renew my annual pass at this point.

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VIRGINIA: It's not much more, but it's so worth it.

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KRISTA: May as well.

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KRISTA: Then the discounts, right?

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KRISTA: Just got to buy more merch, make it worth it.

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VIRGINIA: I mean, I already get the discounts through DVC, so I can't really use that excuse because I would have had them anyway.

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VIRGINIA: But just there's something about knowing that you can go at anytime you want, even if you don't have the time to go or you can't find a good price on a flight, like the knowledge that if a good flight came up, I could just go, which is what we did a week ago.

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VIRGINIA: We just went, like we decided on a Wednesday and Thursday we went.

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KRISTA: Oh, love that.

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VIRGINIA: It was not a good price on a flight.

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VIRGINIA: We used miles, but we had the ability to just kind of spontaneously go, which was a lot of fun.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: So this is going to be your first trip where Genie Plus has gone away.

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VIRGINIA: We have the new Lightning Lane Multipass system.

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VIRGINIA: Are you someone who used Genie Plus prior to this?

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KRISTA: I did.

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KRISTA: I'm still team Fastpass.

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KRISTA: I'm not going to lie.

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KRISTA: I did use Genie Plus because not every day and not every park.

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KRISTA: I did strategize with it, but we don't like to wait in lines.

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KRISTA: I mean, who does?

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KRISTA: But we're trying to maximize the time.

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KRISTA: And especially with a younger one that's really impatient or if it's super hot out.

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KRISTA: So we did use Genie Plus probably two-thirds of the trip, I'd say, on average.

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KRISTA: So I've been watching videos, tutorials, trying to learn, see what's going on, playing in the app.

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KRISTA: And for a few minutes there, I didn't think I'd be able to use it as a Canadian.

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KRISTA: So I'm glad that they changed that.

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KRISTA: And I now can access it.

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KRISTA: But yeah, we'll be using that at least for a few days this trip.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: So you should be able to do that seven days in advance of your stay.

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VIRGINIA: Although with a split stay, I am imagining that you can only book a certain number of days on that first pass because you're hopping resorts.

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VIRGINIA: And then another seven day window probably comes into effect.

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KRISTA: I assume so, yeah.

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VIRGINIA: Okay.

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VIRGINIA: All right.

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VIRGINIA: That'll be a little bit to juggle.

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VIRGINIA: But you can do it.

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VIRGINIA: I have faith in you.

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VIRGINIA: Did you use a trip planner or are you a trip planner yourself?

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KRISTA: I am not.

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KRISTA: Normally, I do.

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KRISTA: I like to try and kind of alternate who's helping me and spread the love.

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KRISTA: This time because we were staying DVC and we all had, we all have annual passes and the party nights, a travel advisor, I believe, can get for you but not the annual pass discount.

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KRISTA: So there was no way to have someone help me.

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KRISTA: But normally, if there is even anything that I can have somebody do, I like to try and do that.

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KRISTA: This time it was just all me.

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VIRGINIA: What are you going to be your priorities for this trip?

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VIRGINIA: You go so often.

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VIRGINIA: You've probably done a lot of things.

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VIRGINIA: What is going to be your focus for this trip?

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VIRGINIA: Is there something special that you're going to be doing?

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VIRGINIA: You mentioned the party.

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VIRGINIA: Are you going to be focusing on having more resort time?

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VIRGINIA: What are you thinking?

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KRISTA: Yeah.

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KRISTA: So this is probably our longest trip ever.

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KRISTA: I think the longest part of this was maybe 10 or 11 days.

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KRISTA: This will be the longest trip ever.

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KRISTA: And the goal was to have some more resort time.

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KRISTA: And I always say that and end up at a park.

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KRISTA: But the goal is to have some more resort time, especially being so darn hot at the end of August.

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KRISTA: And then, you know, now that we're DVC and trying these new resorts, we really want to take advantage and take that all in.

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KRISTA: So and coming along with that means we have the extended evening hours.

00:14:17.366 --> 00:14:23.126
KRISTA: There's actually a DVC moonlight magic while we're there that we're going to try to get a spot at.

00:14:23.126 --> 00:14:24.306
KRISTA: We've got a Halloween party.

00:14:24.926 --> 00:14:28.366
KRISTA: So we'll be doing a lot of things in the evening this time.

00:14:28.366 --> 00:14:33.686
KRISTA: Want to check out the new drone show at Disney Springs, maybe the top of the world.

00:14:33.686 --> 00:14:34.146
KRISTA: Is that it?

00:14:34.146 --> 00:14:35.126
KRISTA: Top of the world, the lounge?

00:14:35.126 --> 00:14:36.926
VIRGINIA: The Villains Lair.

00:14:36.926 --> 00:14:37.446
KRISTA: Yes.

00:14:37.446 --> 00:14:37.866
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:14:37.866 --> 00:14:43.486
KRISTA: So there are still a few new things that we want to try out a lot of things in the evening, which is good for the heat.

00:14:43.486 --> 00:14:46.506
KRISTA: And then, yeah, we factored in a lot of resort time.

00:14:46.506 --> 00:14:47.606
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:14:47.606 --> 00:14:53.706
VIRGINIA: Well, I know from my stay at Poly that the pool there is absolutely amazing.

00:14:53.806 --> 00:14:56.786
VIRGINIA: I actually love it more than Storm Along Bay.

00:14:56.786 --> 00:14:59.146
VIRGINIA: So great one to have some pool time at.

00:14:59.146 --> 00:15:04.086
VIRGINIA: And I heard that the pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge are amazing too.

00:15:04.086 --> 00:15:04.526
KRISTA: Yes.

00:15:04.526 --> 00:15:08.986
KRISTA: We loved, like, Kidani Village has an amazing pool and splash pad area.

00:15:08.986 --> 00:15:10.206
KRISTA: It was so much fun last time.

00:15:10.206 --> 00:15:12.146
KRISTA: So we're looking forward to that.

00:15:12.146 --> 00:15:12.426
KRISTA: All right.

00:15:12.426 --> 00:15:20.386
VIRGINIA: Let's walk through all of your days and just kind of get a general outline so that when we talk again, we will have a map of what you planned.

00:15:20.626 --> 00:15:21.526
KRISTA: All right.

00:15:21.526 --> 00:15:24.386
VIRGINIA: So you're arriving on Friday night.

00:15:24.386 --> 00:15:27.006
VIRGINIA: Do you have any plans that first night?

00:15:27.006 --> 00:15:30.046
VIRGINIA: Probably, I'm guessing, only dinner, if anything.

00:15:30.046 --> 00:15:37.086
KRISTA: But yeah, I think landing around 730 by the time we get our bags and get over to the resort, there's not going to be much.

00:15:37.086 --> 00:15:45.906
KRISTA: I do have some friends going to the Halloween party that night, and I'm so tempted to buy a ticket and join them if they're still available when I get off the plane.

00:15:45.906 --> 00:15:54.666
KRISTA: But realistically, I think it will just be a head to the resort, get settled in, wander around, and unpack and relax.

00:15:54.666 --> 00:16:02.366
VIRGINIA: Are you going to be renting a car for this trip or relying on Disney transportation and things like Lyft or Uber?

00:16:02.366 --> 00:16:03.986
KRISTA: Yeah, so we never do.

00:16:03.986 --> 00:16:09.186
KRISTA: We always rely solely on Disney transportation and then take the odd Uber or Lyft.

00:16:09.186 --> 00:16:10.186
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:16:10.186 --> 00:16:10.766
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:16:10.766 --> 00:16:15.666
VIRGINIA: So Saturday, August the 17th, are you heading into a park?

00:16:15.666 --> 00:16:21.546
KRISTA: So the plan was that that was a full resort day, and it still will be for Phil and the boys.

00:16:21.546 --> 00:16:29.386
KRISTA: But I plan to hop into Epcot because there are some other Instagram friends that are going to be there.

00:16:29.386 --> 00:16:33.406
KRISTA: So I plan on meeting up with some of them.

00:16:33.406 --> 00:16:33.786
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:16:33.786 --> 00:16:42.646
VIRGINIA: Well, when you actually come back, we will talk about who you met up with so we can make sure to tag them in the show notes.

00:16:42.646 --> 00:16:43.006
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:16:43.006 --> 00:16:45.446
VIRGINIA: What are you going to be doing at Epcot with them?

00:16:45.466 --> 00:16:46.626
KRISTA: I have no idea.

00:16:47.626 --> 00:16:59.166
KRISTA: Honestly, there's half of them I've met, half that I haven't, so I'm just really excited to connect with them in real life, and probably some drinking around the world is my guess.

00:17:00.726 --> 00:17:06.146
KRISTA: Yeah, some drinking and eating and just visiting with everyone, which will be so nice to do in real life.

00:17:06.146 --> 00:17:10.086
VIRGINIA: There will be a festival going on there, correct?

00:17:10.086 --> 00:17:11.986
KRISTA: No, for the first time ever.

00:17:11.986 --> 00:17:14.246
KRISTA: When does food and wine start?

00:17:15.346 --> 00:17:17.666
KRISTA: I think the day we leave, like the 29th.

00:17:17.666 --> 00:17:18.286
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:17:18.606 --> 00:17:21.126
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:17:21.126 --> 00:17:21.586
VIRGINIA: You know what?

00:17:21.586 --> 00:17:26.106
VIRGINIA: I've talked to so many people recently that are like, this is the first time I'm going where there's not a festival.

00:17:26.106 --> 00:17:26.666
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:17:26.666 --> 00:17:27.966
VIRGINIA: I don't know what I'm going to do.

00:17:30.406 --> 00:17:38.906
VIRGINIA: And in some ways, I think it's really cool because you can actually just focus on Epcot and what Epcot has to offer.

00:17:38.906 --> 00:17:40.926
VIRGINIA: So that will be a lot of fun.

00:17:41.186 --> 00:17:44.446
VIRGINIA: How many people in this group do you think that there will be?

00:17:46.266 --> 00:17:48.806
KRISTA: I think about eight or so.

00:17:48.806 --> 00:17:49.186
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:17:49.186 --> 00:17:50.326
KRISTA: That's a nice big group.

00:17:50.326 --> 00:17:50.746
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:17:50.746 --> 00:17:52.246
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:17:52.246 --> 00:17:52.586
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:17:52.586 --> 00:17:55.926
VIRGINIA: Sunday, August the 18th, where are you headed?

00:17:55.926 --> 00:18:00.926
KRISTA: The plan for Sunday is to hop into Hollywood Studios.

00:18:00.966 --> 00:18:05.366
KRISTA: And no real plan, just we have Hollywood Studios written down.

00:18:05.366 --> 00:18:07.966
KRISTA: So that's what we're up to that day.

00:18:08.566 --> 00:18:11.486
VIRGINIA: Are all of you big Star Wars fans?

00:18:11.486 --> 00:18:13.206
KRISTA: Yes.

00:18:13.206 --> 00:18:17.006
KRISTA: I married into the Star Wars, admittedly.

00:18:17.006 --> 00:18:21.606
KRISTA: The kids were raised in it, so that was certainly Phil's influence.

00:18:21.606 --> 00:18:24.326
KRISTA: But yes, all big Star Wars fans.

00:18:24.326 --> 00:18:32.126
VIRGINIA: And I didn't ask before, but what are you all like in terms of ride temperament?

00:18:32.126 --> 00:18:35.466
VIRGINIA: So are all of you willing to go on anything?

00:18:35.986 --> 00:18:41.606
VIRGINIA: I mean, you said you won't go on the teacups, but I feel like there's a lot of adults that won't go on the teacups.

00:18:41.606 --> 00:18:47.146
VIRGINIA: But what are your thresholds in terms of rides and what you all like?

00:18:47.146 --> 00:18:47.666
KRISTA: Yes.

00:18:47.966 --> 00:18:52.726
KRISTA: And I will go on the teacups, but I will sit there, stationary, and not spin just for the nostalgia.

00:18:52.726 --> 00:18:56.606
KRISTA: But I used to do absolutely everything.

00:18:56.606 --> 00:19:04.226
KRISTA: But with age came nausea, especially those screen rides, like a Star Tours, that type of thing.

00:19:04.226 --> 00:19:06.206
KRISTA: I can't even think about it without feeling ill.

00:19:07.646 --> 00:19:11.366
KRISTA: So now I have to sit a few of those out.

00:19:11.366 --> 00:19:14.306
KRISTA: But luckily, like the kids have each other.

00:19:14.306 --> 00:19:18.926
KRISTA: And now that Max is tall enough, he's he's ridden rides that I still haven't.

00:19:18.926 --> 00:19:21.306
KRISTA: Like he's done Guardians a few times.

00:19:21.306 --> 00:19:22.166
KRISTA: He does space.

00:19:22.166 --> 00:19:23.166
KRISTA: I can't do space.

00:19:24.706 --> 00:19:34.166
KRISTA: So yeah, the kids will go on a few more than Phil and I will, and we will sit them out, which is nice that they have each other to do that with, so we don't feel obliged.

00:19:35.046 --> 00:19:39.906
KRISTA: But yeah, there's there's a few that I can't do now, so we'll just wait it out while the kids are on there.

00:19:39.906 --> 00:19:41.846
VIRGINIA: OK, what about Tower of Terror?

00:19:41.846 --> 00:19:47.486
KRISTA: Since we're in Hollywood Studios on this day, I can do it, but it's maybe a once per trip.

00:19:47.486 --> 00:19:50.526
KRISTA: And I take like a we have grab all here.

00:19:50.526 --> 00:19:52.646
KRISTA: I think it's like a Dramamine, like an anti-nausea.

00:19:52.646 --> 00:19:58.986
KRISTA: Yeah, I will pop one of those beforehand and I'll be sitting there hoping for the least amount of drops.

00:19:58.986 --> 00:20:02.846
KRISTA: But I still do it because I absolutely love the queue specifically.

00:20:03.026 --> 00:20:06.046
KRISTA: So I want to go through and I want to I love the ride.

00:20:06.046 --> 00:20:08.346
KRISTA: I wish I could still do that one.

00:20:08.346 --> 00:20:10.846
KRISTA: So usually I'll do that maybe once per trip.

00:20:10.846 --> 00:20:11.546
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:20:11.546 --> 00:20:12.966
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:20:13.226 --> 00:20:15.946
VIRGINIA: Let's talk about Monday, August the 19th.

00:20:17.026 --> 00:20:21.986
KRISTA: So that we have an Animal Kingdom Day and then probably just a good amount of resting.

00:20:21.986 --> 00:20:25.786
KRISTA: And then we're going to do the extended evening hours at Epcot that night.

00:20:25.786 --> 00:20:35.886
VIRGINIA: So since you're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge and this is an Animal Kingdom Lodge, this feels like the right time to ask you, are you people who typically go back to the room for a break?

00:20:35.886 --> 00:20:44.806
VIRGINIA: Maybe not every day, but if you're certainly staying at a resort that's very close to where you're going to be heading to the parks that day.

00:20:44.806 --> 00:20:48.326
KRISTA: I would love to just stay.

00:20:49.506 --> 00:20:51.246
KRISTA: But it depends on everyone, right?

00:20:51.246 --> 00:20:57.946
KRISTA: So especially with the kids, if they're kind of at each other, if they've had enough sun, if they're, you know.

00:20:59.106 --> 00:21:06.886
KRISTA: So now we will typically take a break, especially on days where, you know, the park maybe is open a bit later, or we've got an extended evening hours.

00:21:06.886 --> 00:21:09.906
KRISTA: You don't feel like you're missing out as much.

00:21:11.306 --> 00:21:13.986
KRISTA: So we will take breaks on those days, for sure.

00:21:13.986 --> 00:21:16.846
KRISTA: But usually we end up taking a break, I should say.

00:21:16.846 --> 00:21:19.026
KRISTA: I just don't always want to.

00:21:20.406 --> 00:21:23.266
VIRGINIA: Well, do you ever split up, though, as a group?

00:21:23.266 --> 00:21:30.686
VIRGINIA: Like, if you wanted to stay and Phil wanted to go back for a break, would you do that?

00:21:30.686 --> 00:21:32.006
KRISTA: Yes, absolutely.

00:21:32.006 --> 00:21:38.986
KRISTA: And there have been days where I'm up and I will go to a park myself for a couple hours while they're kind of waking up and getting ready for the day.

00:21:38.986 --> 00:21:40.746
KRISTA: So yes, absolutely we will.

00:21:40.746 --> 00:21:52.506
VIRGINIA: Now that you have a 15-year-old, do you or have you ever had a time when Jack and Max have gone off to do things by themselves?

00:21:53.946 --> 00:21:55.246
KRISTA: Not far.

00:21:55.246 --> 00:22:00.626
KRISTA: Jack, I will let him go solo and do a couple things because he's been so many times.

00:22:00.626 --> 00:22:02.946
KRISTA: I know he knows the park like the back of his hand.

00:22:02.946 --> 00:22:03.686
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:22:03.686 --> 00:22:07.026
KRISTA: He has a phone that I track.

00:22:07.026 --> 00:22:08.086
KRISTA: So I can see where he is.

00:22:08.086 --> 00:22:10.946
KRISTA: We can contact each other.

00:22:10.946 --> 00:22:18.366
KRISTA: I haven't let them go too far by themselves just because they are still brothers and they will go at each other.

00:22:18.366 --> 00:22:22.906
KRISTA: The youngest might push some buttons or threaten to run off or some.

00:22:22.906 --> 00:22:23.326
KRISTA: I don't know.

00:22:23.926 --> 00:22:30.346
KRISTA: So I haven't trusted the youngest to be alone with his brother in that big of a crowd yet.

00:22:30.346 --> 00:22:36.386
KRISTA: They'll go do rides and we'll sit and wait in a nearby store or restaurant or something.

00:22:36.386 --> 00:22:37.126
KRISTA: Right.

00:22:37.126 --> 00:22:39.426
KRISTA: But not for any great length of time.

00:22:39.426 --> 00:22:40.106
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:22:40.106 --> 00:22:41.246
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:22:41.246 --> 00:22:44.286
VIRGINIA: Tuesday, August the 20th.

00:22:44.286 --> 00:22:48.206
KRISTA: That is a resort day and then the Halloween party that night.

00:22:48.206 --> 00:22:50.746
VIRGINIA: Have you done the Halloween party before?

00:22:50.746 --> 00:22:51.766
KRISTA: Yes, and we love it.

00:22:51.966 --> 00:22:54.366
VIRGINIA: Have you done it in August before?

00:22:54.366 --> 00:22:55.206
KRISTA: Yes.

00:22:55.206 --> 00:22:58.546
VIRGINIA: What does it feel like to do a Halloween party in August?

00:22:58.546 --> 00:23:05.506
KRISTA: I mean, the trick or treating is pointless because it melts instantly and you come home with a bag of mushy chocolate.

00:23:06.546 --> 00:23:08.426
KRISTA: It's just incredibly hot.

00:23:09.066 --> 00:23:14.306
KRISTA: We love Halloween, we want to dress up, but you're so limited.

00:23:15.806 --> 00:23:24.326
KRISTA: Last year we did stuff, we all wore tank tops and shorts and just did a Disney bound of Toy Story and we're doing something similar this year.

00:23:24.326 --> 00:23:32.746
KRISTA: Dressing up as the Dalmatians, just literally wearing black and white, putting some polka dots and some ears and calling it a day because it's just so darn hot.

00:23:34.166 --> 00:23:36.706
KRISTA: Yeah, it's uncomfortable.

00:23:36.706 --> 00:23:37.806
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:23:37.806 --> 00:23:49.346
VIRGINIA: I have not made it to the Halloween party yet myself, and I would really like to, but if I do go ever, it will need to not be in August or September.

00:23:49.346 --> 00:23:55.166
VIRGINIA: It's just, it's too much, and I want to be able to take advantage of things like trick-or-treating.

00:23:55.166 --> 00:24:05.806
VIRGINIA: Although I recognize that trick-or-treating at a Halloween party is, you know, getting very expensive candy when you think about how much you pay for the ticket.

00:24:06.046 --> 00:24:06.366
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:24:06.366 --> 00:24:11.226
VIRGINIA: And the fact that you could just go down the street to the Target and get the same thing.

00:24:12.446 --> 00:24:12.826
VIRGINIA: I know.

00:24:12.826 --> 00:24:16.306
KRISTA: There is some novelty for us, though, because we don't have a lot of these treats in Canada.

00:24:16.666 --> 00:24:17.426
VIRGINIA: Oh, that's true.

00:24:17.426 --> 00:24:19.326
VIRGINIA: I didn't even think about that.

00:24:19.326 --> 00:24:20.046
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:24:20.046 --> 00:24:21.206
KRISTA: But you're right.

00:24:21.206 --> 00:24:21.826
KRISTA: Absolutely.

00:24:21.826 --> 00:24:26.446
KRISTA: But it is another little element of fun for the kids because we don't have a lot of those back home.

00:24:28.366 --> 00:24:28.686
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:24:28.686 --> 00:24:30.666
VIRGINIA: Wednesday, August the 21st.

00:24:32.146 --> 00:24:40.606
KRISTA: That I have popping back over to Animal Kingdom for a bit, but mostly Resort Day and then the extended evening hours at Magic Kingdom.

00:24:41.246 --> 00:24:43.706
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:24:43.706 --> 00:24:48.286
VIRGINIA: Are the kids going to be there for all of the extended evening hours?

00:24:48.286 --> 00:24:51.006
VIRGINIA: Can they can they hang that late?

00:24:51.006 --> 00:24:53.466
KRISTA: Typically, yes.

00:24:53.466 --> 00:25:00.906
KRISTA: As it happens this trip, I mean, we have like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday with late things with the extended evening hours and Halloween parties and hopefully the Moonlight Magic.

00:25:00.906 --> 00:25:04.486
KRISTA: So that's a lot of late nights in a row.

00:25:04.486 --> 00:25:06.246
KRISTA: So we'll see.

00:25:06.246 --> 00:25:12.346
KRISTA: But typically, yeah, even the youngest, well, he'll stay out and we'll just try and sleep in or have naps.

00:25:12.346 --> 00:25:15.166
KRISTA: The goal doesn't always happen, but that's the goal.

00:25:15.166 --> 00:25:17.146
KRISTA: So yeah, typically he's been good.

00:25:17.146 --> 00:25:21.066
KRISTA: These are a lot of late nights in a row this trip coupled with that heat.

00:25:21.846 --> 00:25:23.466
KRISTA: So we'll see how we do.

00:25:23.466 --> 00:25:25.566
VIRGINIA: I mean, it's late nights for you and Phil too.

00:25:25.566 --> 00:25:27.646
VIRGINIA: Are you both night owls?

00:25:28.146 --> 00:25:28.626
KRISTA: No.

00:25:28.626 --> 00:25:33.706
KRISTA: Like I'm good to be in bed by nine typically, but you've got that Disney adrenaline, right?

00:25:33.706 --> 00:25:38.326
KRISTA: Like you're just going and you can stay up late and then just up at the crack of dawn the next day excited.

00:25:38.346 --> 00:25:42.186
KRISTA: So got that Disney adrenaline going.

00:25:42.186 --> 00:25:44.766
KRISTA: So yeah, hopefully that sees me through.

00:25:45.566 --> 00:25:46.826
VIRGINIA: Yep.

00:25:46.826 --> 00:25:48.946
VIRGINIA: Thursday, August the 22nd.

00:25:50.126 --> 00:25:54.286
KRISTA: We are back at Hollywood Studios for the day.

00:25:54.286 --> 00:25:59.226
KRISTA: And I think that's the day that I have a reservation at 50s prime time.

00:25:59.226 --> 00:26:02.706
KRISTA: We only have like two table service this time.

00:26:02.706 --> 00:26:09.386
KRISTA: And yeah, we're taking the kids to 50s prime time that day for lunch and then spending the day at Hollywood Studios.

00:26:09.386 --> 00:26:12.266
VIRGINIA: Have you eaten at 50s prime time before?

00:26:12.266 --> 00:26:16.706
KRISTA: I have when I went on a solo trip with my mom this past February.

00:26:16.706 --> 00:26:18.766
KRISTA: Her and I went there and we really enjoyed it.

00:26:18.766 --> 00:26:22.646
KRISTA: I know it's kind of hit and miss, but we really enjoyed it.

00:26:22.646 --> 00:26:25.166
KRISTA: And I think the kids would get a kick out of it.

00:26:25.166 --> 00:26:26.106
VIRGINIA: Yeah, for sure.

00:26:26.106 --> 00:26:27.526
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I love 50s prime time.

00:26:27.526 --> 00:26:31.566
VIRGINIA: I think that the the atmosphere is cool, but the food is also good.

00:26:31.886 --> 00:26:35.706
VIRGINIA: So yeah, yeah, it takes both boxes.

00:26:35.706 --> 00:26:36.146
VIRGINIA: You're right.

00:26:36.146 --> 00:26:39.426
VIRGINIA: Friday, August the 23rd.

00:26:39.426 --> 00:26:41.066
KRISTA: So this is our checkout day.

00:26:41.066 --> 00:26:49.606
KRISTA: So we're checking out of Animal Kingdom Lodge and doing the the rhino up close with rhinos.

00:26:49.606 --> 00:26:52.706
KRISTA: Oh, we're doing that tour at Animal Kingdom.

00:26:52.706 --> 00:26:54.046
KRISTA: That was very hard to get.

00:26:54.046 --> 00:26:57.946
KRISTA: So I heard that that's the toughest tour to get because it's the smallest group of people.

00:26:59.366 --> 00:27:04.066
KRISTA: So I literally, when my 60-day window opened up, I was trying to get it on the Saturday, the Sunday.

00:27:04.066 --> 00:27:07.346
KRISTA: Like I went through literally every single day until I finally found this one.

00:27:07.346 --> 00:27:09.446
KRISTA: So not ideal.

00:27:09.446 --> 00:27:10.866
KRISTA: It's at like 11 in the morning.

00:27:10.866 --> 00:27:16.226
KRISTA: So as we're trying to check out of one resort and switch over is when our tour is, but it's literally all I could get.

00:27:16.226 --> 00:27:19.846
KRISTA: So we're going to do that one, which I am excited for.

00:27:19.846 --> 00:27:23.366
KRISTA: I've done a few tours now at Animal Kingdom and I love them.

00:27:23.366 --> 00:27:25.826
KRISTA: So whole family is doing that one at 11.

00:27:25.826 --> 00:27:26.686
KRISTA: It's a pretty short tour.

00:27:27.006 --> 00:27:34.346
KRISTA: Then we'll probably grab some lunch and then head over to the Poly from there and just chill out at the resort for the rest of the night.

00:27:34.346 --> 00:27:34.886
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:27:34.886 --> 00:27:35.986
VIRGINIA: That sounds like a good plan.

00:27:35.986 --> 00:27:42.526
VIRGINIA: I desperately tried to get up close with rhinos last year and I was not able to get it.

00:27:42.526 --> 00:27:43.606
VIRGINIA: So you're right.

00:27:44.066 --> 00:27:46.306
VIRGINIA: It's pretty hard to get.

00:27:46.306 --> 00:28:02.326
VIRGINIA: So if anybody out there is trying to plan one of the Animal Kingdom tours, I recommend that you really plan ahead and leave space for it towards the end of your trip because getting it within the first couple days of your trip can sometimes be a challenge.

00:28:02.326 --> 00:28:03.346
VIRGINIA: For sure.

00:28:03.346 --> 00:28:03.686
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:28:03.686 --> 00:28:05.786
VIRGINIA: Saturday, August the 24th.

00:28:07.146 --> 00:28:12.686
KRISTA: So this is probably primarily a resort day, our first full day at the Poly.

00:28:12.686 --> 00:28:19.506
KRISTA: But we've also written down that we might pop into Magic Kingdom just being so close and it's our favorite park.

00:28:19.506 --> 00:28:24.426
KRISTA: But it is primarily a resort day with the possibility of visiting Magic Kingdom.

00:28:24.426 --> 00:28:25.006
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:28:25.006 --> 00:28:27.826
VIRGINIA: Sunday, August the 25th.

00:28:27.826 --> 00:28:30.386
KRISTA: We have nothing on that day.

00:28:30.386 --> 00:28:33.726
KRISTA: So that's the one day that's up in the air.

00:28:33.726 --> 00:28:34.766
KRISTA: So we'll see.

00:28:34.766 --> 00:28:37.786
KRISTA: We at this point haven't had a full day at Epcot yet.

00:28:37.786 --> 00:28:40.526
KRISTA: We've only been doing the extended evening hours.

00:28:40.526 --> 00:28:45.386
KRISTA: So my thought is that we will probably pop into Epcot for a little bit that day.

00:28:45.386 --> 00:28:46.306
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:28:46.306 --> 00:28:56.886
VIRGINIA: Do you ever do anything off Disney property like go to the character warehouse or hit up any other sites around Orlando?

00:28:58.386 --> 00:29:00.086
KRISTA: We used to.

00:29:00.086 --> 00:29:06.246
KRISTA: So many years ago, we would stay with my grandparents who were snowbirds and lived a bit closer to Tampa.

00:29:07.206 --> 00:29:10.426
KRISTA: We would use their car and we would drive into Disney for a few days.

00:29:10.426 --> 00:29:15.606
KRISTA: Then we went to Legoland and Bush Gardens and the character warehouse, a few places like that.

00:29:17.046 --> 00:29:20.046
KRISTA: We don't typically anymore.

00:29:20.046 --> 00:29:24.826
KRISTA: We'll usually just stay in the bubble and do a few things.

00:29:24.826 --> 00:29:26.786
KRISTA: So that's probably what we're going to do.

00:29:26.786 --> 00:29:28.706
KRISTA: We might also use that day for Disney Springs.

00:29:28.706 --> 00:29:34.486
KRISTA: But yeah, we haven't rented a car in ages or left a little bubble in a while.

00:29:35.566 --> 00:29:47.606
VIRGINIA: Well, the good thing about the outlets is it does not require renting a car necessarily, because it's close enough that the Lyft or Uber ride is pretty simple and not very expensive to go over there.

00:29:47.606 --> 00:29:50.146
VIRGINIA: I wish I could remember how much it was.

00:29:50.146 --> 00:29:52.946
VIRGINIA: I want to say like $10 or something.

00:29:52.946 --> 00:29:53.646
KRISTA: Oh, wow.

00:29:53.646 --> 00:29:55.726
VIRGINIA: Yeah, not bad at all.

00:29:56.546 --> 00:29:57.206
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:29:57.206 --> 00:29:59.066
VIRGINIA: So all right.

00:29:59.066 --> 00:30:01.266
VIRGINIA: Monday, August the 26th.

00:30:02.626 --> 00:30:08.746
KRISTA: So we have brunch at Ohana that day and then extended evening hours at Epcot.

00:30:08.746 --> 00:30:14.146
KRISTA: And that's the only solid plans we have on the schedule for that day.

00:30:14.146 --> 00:30:18.106
KRISTA: So I don't know if it'll be another resort day or if we'll pop over somewhere.

00:30:18.106 --> 00:30:23.706
KRISTA: Again, really nice that we all have the passes this time and have that flexibility.

00:30:23.706 --> 00:30:27.026
KRISTA: So yeah, so those are the only two things on the agenda for that day so far.

00:30:27.026 --> 00:30:27.486
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:30:27.486 --> 00:30:29.486
VIRGINIA: Tuesday, August the 27th.

00:30:31.046 --> 00:30:34.166
KRISTA: We are hanging out with some friends that day.

00:30:34.166 --> 00:30:36.666
KRISTA: Manhattan to Main Street is flying in.

00:30:36.666 --> 00:30:38.106
KRISTA: Sachi and Fordy are coming in.

00:30:38.106 --> 00:30:42.666
KRISTA: So we hope to connect with them and have a resort day with them.

00:30:42.666 --> 00:30:48.086
KRISTA: And then I am hoping to get the DVC Moonlight Magic that evening.

00:30:48.086 --> 00:30:50.226
KRISTA: So that goes live this week.

00:30:50.226 --> 00:30:52.006
KRISTA: So fingers crossed.

00:30:52.006 --> 00:30:53.606
KRISTA: And that one's at Hollywood Studios.

00:30:53.766 --> 00:30:56.406
KRISTA: So that's the plan for that day.

00:30:56.406 --> 00:31:00.706
VIRGINIA: Oh, I'm so jealous that you get to meet up with Sachi and Fordy in Disney.

00:31:00.706 --> 00:31:02.726
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:31:02.726 --> 00:31:04.886
VIRGINIA: Wednesday, August the 28th.

00:31:05.966 --> 00:31:12.166
KRISTA: That we have nothing again, planned other than the extended evening hours at Magic Kingdom.

00:31:12.166 --> 00:31:21.446
KRISTA: So we'll probably, I imagine, spend some time at Magic Kingdom during the day as well, and then stick around for the extended evening hours.

00:31:21.446 --> 00:31:23.226
VIRGINIA: I love those extended evening hours.

00:31:23.546 --> 00:31:28.246
VIRGINIA: Totally worth it because you can get so much done without the crowds.

00:31:28.246 --> 00:31:29.726
KRISTA: Oh, yeah.

00:31:29.726 --> 00:31:32.606
KRISTA: After-hours parties are our favorite things.

00:31:32.606 --> 00:31:39.006
KRISTA: I mean, they don't have some this time of year because of the Halloween party, but yeah, the extended evening hours have been great.

00:31:39.006 --> 00:31:43.926
VIRGINIA: Thursday, August the 29th is sadly your departure day.

00:31:43.926 --> 00:31:45.726
VIRGINIA: What time of the day are you leaving?

00:31:47.186 --> 00:31:50.186
VIRGINIA: If it's not until later in the day, what are your plans for your departure day?

00:31:51.606 --> 00:31:55.726
KRISTA: So I believe our flight is around 2 o'clock that day.

00:31:55.726 --> 00:32:06.506
KRISTA: And so being considered an international flight, they like a surrogate three hours prior, so it doesn't give us a ton of time in the morning for leaving the resort around Hennish.

00:32:06.506 --> 00:32:15.906
KRISTA: So we will very likely just pack up, maybe take our time having breakfast, wander around the resort one more time, and then head over to the airport.

00:32:15.926 --> 00:32:21.966
KRISTA: I'm thinking that I'm probably going to pop over to the Magic Kingdom one more time, just to say bye quickly.

00:32:22.146 --> 00:32:23.066
KRISTA: We're so close.

00:32:23.066 --> 00:32:24.706
VIRGINIA: Have a morning coffee.

00:32:24.706 --> 00:32:25.626
KRISTA: Exactly.

00:32:25.626 --> 00:32:27.106
KRISTA: Yeah, with the castle.

00:32:27.106 --> 00:32:35.706
KRISTA: So that's what I'm thinking I will probably do, but realistically just a lot of packing up and getting everyone organized and ready to head to the airport.

00:32:36.746 --> 00:32:46.386
VIRGINIA: For getting from the airport to your resort and going back on this departure day, what is your travel plan?

00:32:46.386 --> 00:32:48.086
KRISTA: So we've tried a few things.

00:32:48.926 --> 00:32:53.586
KRISTA: Again, team FastPass, I also missed the Magic Express, but I digress.

00:32:53.826 --> 00:32:58.586
KRISTA: We took mirrors one time and they were great.

00:32:58.586 --> 00:33:02.346
KRISTA: But the last couple of times I've taken an Uber or a Lyft.

00:33:02.346 --> 00:33:10.146
KRISTA: It's just when we got on the mirrors, it never fails wherever we stay, we seem to be the last stop.

00:33:10.146 --> 00:33:19.946
KRISTA: So when we're getting in particularly late at night with the kids, we have to stop at all these other Orlando hotels before finally getting, and you just want to get to the resort.

00:33:19.946 --> 00:33:27.366
KRISTA: So it's about the same, if not less cost-wise to take an Uber or Lyft for everyone.

00:33:27.366 --> 00:33:31.386
KRISTA: So we've just been doing that and it's been so much better so far.

00:33:31.386 --> 00:33:31.986
VIRGINIA: Okay.

00:33:31.986 --> 00:33:38.866
VIRGINIA: Considering that you're staying at DVC resorts, what room type are you in at each resort?

00:33:40.086 --> 00:33:45.626
KRISTA: So we are trying to spread out the points, having burned through them really quickly.

00:33:46.166 --> 00:33:50.766
KRISTA: This time, we're just doing a standard room at Kidani.

00:33:51.586 --> 00:33:52.546
KRISTA: Same with Poly.

00:33:52.546 --> 00:34:01.346
KRISTA: So we did the Savannah View in April and that was amazing.

00:34:01.346 --> 00:34:03.706
KRISTA: I absolutely love that.

00:34:03.706 --> 00:34:10.206
KRISTA: Didn't have enough points left this time, so we're staying at a standard at Kidani and then a standard at Poly as well.

00:34:10.206 --> 00:34:12.886
VIRGINIA: Is it a studio, a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom?

00:34:12.886 --> 00:34:13.466
KRISTA: Just a studio.

00:34:13.786 --> 00:34:22.586
VIRGINIA: Okay, so since you've stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a Savannah View before, I mean, I'm sure it's amazing to look out and see the animals there.

00:34:22.586 --> 00:34:29.186
VIRGINIA: How much time did you realistically on that trip sit around on your balcony watching animals?

00:34:29.186 --> 00:34:29.906
KRISTA: I did.

00:34:29.906 --> 00:34:35.226
KRISTA: So I think I forget what it was, maybe two or three point difference for that.

00:34:35.226 --> 00:34:36.846
KRISTA: Definitely worth it.

00:34:37.466 --> 00:34:41.106
KRISTA: I would wake up and go out and sit and watch the animals.

00:34:41.106 --> 00:34:42.106
KRISTA: The boys would come out.

00:34:42.166 --> 00:34:44.606
KRISTA: We'd be sitting on the bed like watching Mickey cartoons.

00:34:44.606 --> 00:34:49.546
KRISTA: And in our peripheral, we would see like a giraffe wander by.

00:34:49.866 --> 00:34:50.466
KRISTA: It was amazing.

00:34:50.466 --> 00:34:54.346
KRISTA: And then when we came back for afternoon break, we would sit out and watch them.

00:34:54.346 --> 00:35:01.506
KRISTA: And in the evening, even when it was dark, you could hear them, which was just kind of funny, but you couldn't necessarily see them.

00:35:01.506 --> 00:35:03.446
KRISTA: So I did spend a lot of time out there.

00:35:03.446 --> 00:35:04.266
KRISTA: We'd bring our breakfast.

00:35:04.266 --> 00:35:06.446
KRISTA: We always order groceries.

00:35:06.446 --> 00:35:10.226
KRISTA: So we would just bring our breakfast out and we would sit and watch the animals.

00:35:10.406 --> 00:35:11.446
KRISTA: And we were lucky.

00:35:11.446 --> 00:35:13.886
KRISTA: We were right in front of a spot where there was a feeding.

00:35:13.886 --> 00:35:16.626
KRISTA: There was something on the tree where they would come and eat.

00:35:16.626 --> 00:35:18.166
KRISTA: So it was a really good spot for that.

00:35:18.166 --> 00:35:24.086
VIRGINIA: Yeah, I was sort of looking at Animal Kingdom Lodge for our upcoming February trip.

00:35:24.086 --> 00:35:27.346
VIRGINIA: But we have a couple other places we wanted to stay before that.

00:35:27.346 --> 00:35:32.686
VIRGINIA: So I didn't end up going for it, but it was on my list of like, oh, if I can't get this, then I'll go here.

00:35:33.226 --> 00:35:44.006
VIRGINIA: And I was like, I feel like I have to have a Savannah View the first time I stay there, just to really experience everything that Animal Kingdom Lodge has to offer.

00:35:44.006 --> 00:35:55.186
VIRGINIA: But I imagine once you've done it, then maybe it won't be as high a priority to stay in Savannah View if you want to save points, because it doesn't make a difference.

00:35:55.186 --> 00:35:56.686
KRISTA: Yeah, no, for sure.

00:35:56.686 --> 00:35:58.426
KRISTA: And definitely trying to save points.

00:35:58.426 --> 00:36:00.006
KRISTA: But I'm so glad I did it.

00:36:00.006 --> 00:36:01.766
KRISTA: It was worth it, in my opinion.

00:36:03.566 --> 00:36:05.446
KRISTA: And we stayed at Kidani.

00:36:05.446 --> 00:36:06.566
KRISTA: We're staying at Kidani again.

00:36:06.566 --> 00:36:08.906
KRISTA: We visited Jumbo House.

00:36:08.906 --> 00:36:12.766
KRISTA: It looked much, much busier over there.

00:36:12.766 --> 00:36:18.686
KRISTA: So Kidani was lovely, except the walk to our room from the lobby.

00:36:18.686 --> 00:36:20.226
KRISTA: It felt like forever we timed it.

00:36:20.226 --> 00:36:22.006
KRISTA: It was eight minutes.

00:36:22.006 --> 00:36:23.866
KRISTA: That's a long walk.

00:36:23.866 --> 00:36:25.546
KRISTA: Yeah, from the lobby to our room.

00:36:25.546 --> 00:36:27.966
KRISTA: That's probably a half a mile.

00:36:29.506 --> 00:36:34.546
KRISTA: Yeah, we got a good amount of steps in before we'd even started our day, just getting up to the lobby, but it was good.

00:36:34.546 --> 00:36:41.126
KRISTA: I mean, we were very far out, so there seemed to be a lot of animals, so that part of it was good, but a lot of walking there.

00:36:41.926 --> 00:36:42.206
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:36:42.566 --> 00:36:47.526
VIRGINIA: That's one thing that I've heard about Kidani specifically.

00:36:47.526 --> 00:36:55.586
VIRGINIA: It makes me think if I ever stay in Kidani, I might consider renting a car just because you can pull in and park right under your rooms there.

00:36:55.586 --> 00:36:55.866
KRISTA: Yes.

00:36:57.266 --> 00:36:57.686
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:36:57.686 --> 00:37:00.426
VIRGINIA: Well, this sounds like an amazing trip.

00:37:00.426 --> 00:37:01.486
VIRGINIA: It's a nice long trip.

00:37:01.926 --> 00:37:13.246
VIRGINIA: I'm guessing you're probably going to have to do some laundry at some point during this trip unless you're packing for that many days, which in the high heat of August, that would be a lot of clothes because it is-

00:37:14.306 --> 00:37:14.546
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:37:14.546 --> 00:37:15.146
VIRGINIA: Right.

00:37:15.146 --> 00:37:15.526
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:37:15.526 --> 00:37:17.566
VIRGINIA: It's gross.

00:37:17.566 --> 00:37:23.286
VIRGINIA: So hopefully you'll have access to the DVC laundry fairly close to your room.

00:37:23.726 --> 00:37:26.806
VIRGINIA: At Poly, you should not be too far from it, for sure.

00:37:26.806 --> 00:37:28.726
VIRGINIA: I don't know where it is in Animal Kingdom Lodge.

00:37:28.726 --> 00:37:28.966
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:37:28.966 --> 00:37:33.326
KRISTA: We did find it last time when we were exploring and made a mental note for August.

00:37:33.326 --> 00:37:34.866
KRISTA: So yeah.

00:37:34.866 --> 00:37:35.666
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:37:35.666 --> 00:37:39.046
VIRGINIA: And everybody says like, why would you want to do laundry on vacation?

00:37:39.046 --> 00:37:47.786
VIRGINIA: But I have to say that A, it helps with your packing, but B, there is something that really makes you feel like, I live here.

00:37:47.786 --> 00:37:49.326
VIRGINIA: This is my home.

00:37:49.326 --> 00:37:58.406
VIRGINIA: If you're doing something as mundane as laundry one evening, and it gives you an excuse to just chill for a couple of hours.

00:37:58.406 --> 00:38:02.966
VIRGINIA: Like I did laundry and I got a drink from the bar.

00:38:02.986 --> 00:38:05.266
VIRGINIA: I read my book.

00:38:05.406 --> 00:38:06.326
VIRGINIA: Yeah.

00:38:06.326 --> 00:38:07.146
KRISTA: That's the thing, right?

00:38:07.146 --> 00:38:11.006
KRISTA: You throw it in and go do something else and come back.

00:38:11.006 --> 00:38:11.366
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:38:11.506 --> 00:38:12.266
KRISTA: It's perfect.

00:38:12.266 --> 00:38:16.406
KRISTA: Like on a resort day, it needs to be done in August, that's for sure.

00:38:16.406 --> 00:38:17.166
VIRGINIA: Oh my gosh.

00:38:17.166 --> 00:38:18.386
KRISTA: Yeah.

00:38:18.386 --> 00:38:18.886
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:38:18.886 --> 00:38:21.966
VIRGINIA: Well, Krista, this has been so much fun chatting with you.

00:38:22.086 --> 00:38:27.286
VIRGINIA: I can't wait to chat with you after your trip is over and hear how it all went.

00:38:27.286 --> 00:38:33.686
VIRGINIA: I hope you have all the luck with the weather and that you get into Moonlight Magic.

00:38:33.686 --> 00:38:39.106
VIRGINIA: I'm crossing my fingers for you as someone who's never gotten to go to a Moonlight Magic because it's never coincided with a trip.

00:38:39.106 --> 00:38:42.626
VIRGINIA: I want to live vicariously through you and hear how it is.

00:38:42.626 --> 00:38:44.366
VIRGINIA: But I hope you have the best time.

00:38:44.366 --> 00:38:45.066
KRISTA: Thank you.

00:38:45.066 --> 00:38:45.946
KRISTA: Thank you so much.

00:38:45.946 --> 00:38:46.486
VIRGINIA: All right.

00:38:46.486 --> 00:38:47.266
VIRGINIA: Talk to you soon.

00:38:47.266 --> 00:38:47.426
KRISTA: Bye.

00:38:49.386 --> 00:38:52.426
VIRGINIA: Thank you to Krista for joining me on the podcast.

00:38:52.426 --> 00:38:58.926
VIRGINIA: Listeners, please make sure that you head over to Instagram and give Krista a follow if you aren't following her already.

00:38:58.926 --> 00:39:05.866
VIRGINIA: The link is in the show notes and she's Kanucks who Disney, or her backup account, Kanucks that Disney.

00:39:05.866 --> 00:39:07.286
VIRGINIA: That is all for today.

00:39:07.286 --> 00:39:13.146
VIRGINIA: I hope everyone has a magical week, and don't forget to keep daydreaming about where you long to be.