It's gonna be an oven, but WE'RE GOING TO WDW in AUGUST!!! Final thoughts

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[KathyM2]

I know that some fresh memories made together at Disney will be magical and a chance for a bit of a reboot.

Hey thanks for coming by!! Yeah it's been a rough year indeed. Slowly starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but I have good days and bad days. Definitely looking forward to being in the Disney bubble for a while this time! But yes, I think I need to relax the plans and just enjoy being there and have lots of pool and relaxation time. The park hoppers will be fun though because I think with being at the CR and so close to MK we will want to go there a lot, but not necessarily spend the entire day there, so it will be good to have the option to go somewhere else for the evening.

 

[KathyM2]

OK so on to our first full day plans!

Thursday August 10th plans

I was kind a torn on whether to try to take advantage of Epcot EMH on this day...but what with all the discussions about the heat etc. I think we will want to sleep a bit more and just avoid the park with EMH for the most part. So.

The first full day I decided we would go check out AK. Rope drop if possible. I want to be able to ride the Safari's twice, so I think that will be our first stop when we get in the park. Hoping that with everyone heading towards Pandora, it won't be too busy...

My FP+ wish list is as follows:

Navi River
Lion King
Safaris (round 2)

**and yes...anyone seeing all the talk (or having been) to Pandora already...I know I am INSANE for not having Flights on this list...and I may reconsider...however...I think Navi River is more our style and with the tiers it will be pretty impossible to do both of these in a day...so...there you have it. I have serious motion sickness issues even with Soarin'...so since people are saying this is Soarin' on steroids...just not sure I can handle it...that said, I am said to not even see the queue and may see if there is a chicken exit option for this...

Somewhere in there will be lunch time. I would like to try Yak and Yeti QS or maybe the new Pandora restaurant depending on crowds...or depending on how we are feeling maybe just a snack before we leave AK for the day...we have other plans for later...

I am hoping that we can accomplish all this and get on a bus around 2pm ish back to the CR for some rest and a pool break..and perhaps a gym visit if I'm feeling ambitious...

Then...we have a BOG ADR at MK for 7:20pm! I am SO excited about this. I have been to the BOG lunch but never dinner. Also, since we aren't planning any actual character meals on this trip, I'm hoping we can get at least a picture with the Beast here. I will of course hope to meet some characters in the parks but there are just so many great looking non-character ADR's that I couldn't fit it all in...of course that may change...if I can find one that works...

If there's time before or after dinner, we may try to squeeze in some rides but depends on how we feel. I want to try to have this attitude that while yes, rides and everything are fun..but let's just enjoy soaking in the magic and not stress if we don't "get a lot done" because in that heat...trying to rush around will just kill us and not be enjoyable.

Hoping to get to bed at a reasonable time because the next morning we hope to be up early!

 

[MeghanEmily]

Love your plans so far!

If there's time before or after dinner, we may try to squeeze in some rides but depends on how we feel. I want to try to have this attitude that while yes, rides and everything are fun..but let's just enjoy soaking in the magic and not stress if we don't "get a lot done" because in that heat...trying to rush around will just kill us and not be enjoyable.

I'm trying to keep this attitude, too! It's hard, because I'm a "let's do it all!" kinda person. But even in May, we found that sometimes you just have to slow down for the heat, and it wasn't worth it to try to cram things in and make ourselves less happy in the process. There's so much to absorb without doing every single ride.

 

[Monykalyn]

Trying to keep this attitude of slower for August too-with flight times now we don't leave until 7:30 so we can hit a park early in day if we feel like it, but this is still the shortest trip we've done; it is mostly a bonus trip due to taking the oldest to her DCP. November trip may be extended a day or 2 if we fly (to save $300 pp on flights!). Planning lots of pool time, early EMH or PPO breakfasts and save FP for evening.

The Navi River Journey looks amazing too. I checked just out of curiosity and there are still lots of NRJ FP available at 30 days out so I expect you will easily get that for a time that works for you.

 

[Tracy161]

Sounds great so far! And as a fellow motion-sickness sufferer, I completely understand how you feel about missing out But so many other things to experience and have fun with at least!

 

[KathyM2]

There's so much to absorb without doing every single ride.

Yes indeed. We just have to remember that lol. I usually have such a list of things I hope to get done and it's hard to not feel bad if you don't get to it all! But there are so many details that I miss by doing that so, trying to think of this as a "soak in the magic" kind of trip (more like soaking in sweat lol)

early EMH or PPO breakfasts and save FP for evening.

Saving the FP for evening...that is a good strategy which I hadn't really considered...I may rethink some of my plans with this in mind...

I checked just out of curiosity and there are still lots of NRJ FP available at 30 days out so I expect you will easily get that for a time that works for you.

Hey that's great! I will still try to book that and the frozen ride first since of the things on my list I think those will be the toughest...and of course TSMM. My only worry with having only one DHS day is that we'll probably only get to ride that once since SB lines for that are ridiculous. But maybe we will get lucky at night...

And as a fellow motion-sickness sufferer, I completely understand how you feel about missing out But so many other things to experience and have fun with at least!

Yeah kinda stinks but what can you do. The only bonus as I'm trying to see it, is that at least I won't have to fight for FP's for some of the more adventurous rides lol

 

[irene_dsc]

Dumb question - so, with a 10 day trip, how many days did you get tickets for? Are you going to AK another time, or just once? It seems like with a longer trip, you have the opportunity to switch up your Tier 1 FPs.

I'm also not looking forward to the idea of more rides that aren't good with motion sickness. As I get older, that seems to be more of an issue. (I also blame the bifocals, lol). But then, I don't have any trips even in the planning stages right now!

 

[KathyM2]

so, with a 10 day trip, how many days did you get tickets for? Are you going to AK another time, or just once? It seems like with a longer trip, you have the opportunity to switch up your Tier 1 FPs.

Yeah the trip is 10 days in total. I am only getting 8 days of park tickets though. I figure no park on arrival day - we'll just hang at the hotel. Departure day is out too because we have to leave early in the morning, and there is also likely one other non park day in the middle somewhere for a break. But you are right, even still with 8 days I will have more than one day for sure in each park - or at least the ones we want to. Right now my plans are looking like 1 DHS day, 2 AK partial days, and MK and EP days mixed around because of some park hopping...

So yes, with the tiers there is a chance for different FP's if we go twice so I may have a chance at say both Flights and Navi River in Pandora...but...I'm still not sure my stomach can handle it. And also, I just am not sure I want to chance feeling gross because the heat alone will likely do that lol...I am going to try to be super careful about hydrating and taking breaks too...my DD I'm sure will be all "mom you're old..." but what can you do...

 

[MeghanEmily]

And also, I just am not sure I want to chance feeling gross because the heat alone will likely do that lol...I am going to try to be super careful about hydrating and taking breaks too...my DD I'm sure will be all "mom you're old..." but what can you do...

Not to be nosy and respond to other people's conversations, but I was worried about this even in May, and I know it'll be worse in August! It was pretty toasty last weekend though. Saturday got up to 99 at one point when I was out in Orlando shopping at the outlets. One of our two days I did really well, and one not so much. The day I did better I think was partially because I hydrated proactively rather than waiting to get thirsty. I drank a full bottle of water before we even left the hotel, and then kept drinking all day. The day I didn't do so hot, by the time I started trying to hydrate it was too late and I was playing catch up all day. I'm going to try to learn from my mistakes in August.

 

[KathyM2]

I drank a full bottle of water before we even left the hotel, and then kept drinking all day. The day I didn't do so hot, by the time I started trying to hydrate it was too late and I was playing catch up all day. I'm going to try to learn from my mistakes in August.

This seems like a really good idea and I am going to make a conscious effort as well. I think I may also order some bottles of water and other beverages from one of those places that deliver to the resorts just to make sure that this is feasible...

 

[MeghanEmily]

This seems like a really good idea and I am going to make a conscious effort as well. I think I may also order some bottles of water and other beverages from one of those places that deliver to the resorts just to make sure that this is feasible...

Good call! This last time we had a rental car so we just stopped for groceries, but the trips before that we ordered flats of water from Amazon. We never needed enough to get a grocery order delivered, but I'd like to try it sometime if we thought it would be worth it. We supplemented with the occasional vitamin water/sports drink or whatever, too.

 

[suse66]

Hi from a fellow Canadian and August traveller! I'm sorry to hear that you have been having a hard time. How nice that you are going to the best place in the world for some time to enjoy and recharge. I am looking forward to hearing all about your plans. The CR looks great!

 

[KathyM2]

We never needed enough to get a grocery order delivered,

I will have to check what the minimum is for groceries...I think I used Garden Grocer? I want to get some water and also maybe Gatorade and some other snacks and breakfast items so that on early mornings we can just eat in the room. Hoping that will be enough for delivery.

Hi from a fellow Canadian and August traveller!

Welcome and thanks for coming by!! I will go check out your PTR!! Where in Canada are you from?

 

[suse66]

Welcome and thanks for coming by!! I will go check out your PTR!! Where in Canada are you from?

You're welcome! Sounds like this trip is just going to be perfect for you and your daughter. I live just about 15 minutes outside of Newmarket, ON but grew up on the East coast in PEI.

 

[KathyM2]

I live just about 15 minutes outside of Newmarket, ON but grew up on the East coast in PEI.

Nice! I have always wanted to visit PEI. My soon to be ex-husband never wanted to go. Now I may get my chance at least!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Finally caught up!

My FP+ wish list is as follows:

Navi River
Lion King
Safaris (round 2)

**and yes...anyone seeing all the talk (or having been) to Pandora already...I know I am INSANE for not having Flights on this list...and I may reconsider...however...I think Navi River is more our style and with the tiers it will be pretty impossible to do both of these in a day...so...there you have it. I have serious motion sickness issues even with Soarin'...so since people are saying this is Soarin' on steroids...just not sure I can handle it...that said, I am said to not even see the queue and may see if there is a chicken exit option for this...

There is a chicken exit for FoP. It's pretty cool to see the line though and see the Avatar floating in water. I still think the ride is not that bad. Because the movement correspond to what you're seeing which for me, was better than just sitting in Star Tours being tossed around, LOL. I hope you get to try it one day!

 

[KathyM2]

I can't believe it's June!! And that means it is only about a week until FP+ day!! Gah!!! I better firm some of them plans!!

So here goes the next day of the plan..

Friday August 11th

This day has us waking up super early for morning EMH at MK. I am a bit torn about this because I know that getting up will be hard, especially depending on how late we were up the night before. But the thing is I feel like at least once we need to take advantage of the fact that we are staying at the CR so if we are going to do EMH...it kinda makes sense to do it here...

So...hoping to get our butts outta bed, maybe eat a snack in the room and then head over to MK. Speaking of room snacks...I am debating between Garden Grocer and Instacart for ordering some water and granola bars and other supplies. Garden Grocer is cheaper but Instacart has a lot of stuff all in one place that I couldn't find at GG...something to think about...

Anyway...morning EMH at MK...

Standby ride wish list for EMH: run towards 7DMT and...if DD refuses to go...I will go myself!!! And she can either wait or go on any of the nearby rides and meet me after!! I'm so excited that this time whether she wants to go or not..."I" will be riding 7DMT at last lol. Bad mom alert lol. But we have gone twice and both times I booked FP+ and she refused to go on lol. So...if we get that done..great. Then...maybe PP and hopefully a little HM and a few other Fantasyland rides before the lineups get nuts.

Then if we are hungry, we will hit up one of the QS locations around there - love to try Friar's Nook if it's open...we'll see what else looks good.

After that, hoping to head out of the park because it will be hot and crowded by lunch for sure.

Then planning to stroll back to the CR...I love the sound of that...being able to walk back to the hotel just sounds so luxurious!

Probably spend a couple hours lounging by the pool Maybe squeeze in a workout at the gym if I'm feeling ambitious.

Then...when we have the energy...head over to DHS for the late afternoon/evening.

This is where I hope to use our FP+ for that day.

FP+ wish list for DHS - TSMM of course, then maybe Nemo or something....not entirely sure what else since we are ride wimps lol. Wish we could just use all three on TSMM lol. Hoping to check out SW launch bay as well if there's time either before or after dinner.

Then we have an ADR for 50's Prime Time.

After dinner we will see how tired we are. Hoping to hang for Fantasmic but I just hate the late night crowds there. I'm also thinking we check out the lines for TSMM to see if we can't get a second ride in during Fantasmic because that's probably the only chance we'll get to ride it again...

And that will be a wrap on another day...

 

[MeghanEmily]

Getting up early is hard, I'm sure even more so with a kid in tow, but it's soo worth it to get those morning EMH! Especially if you're staying at CR and you don't have to get up as early as if you were staying somewhere like AKL or CSR, etc. Hopefully you can make it happen

Hopefully DD will join you on the mine train, but good that you finally get to go no matter what! I'm a ride wimp, but I find this one isn't too intense, so maybe she'll be up for it this time. The ride in the front/middle is different and less intense than the ride in the back in our opinions.

We have the same issue with FP at DHS since I'm not much of a thrill rider either. If you don't do Tower of Terror or Star Tours, there's not much to use your other FP for. Sometimes I'll FP the Little Mermaid show since if there happens to be a long standby line sometimes you have to wait an extra 20 minutes for the next show. But it's slim pickin's!

 

[suse66]

Then planning to stroll back to the CR...I love the sound of that...being able to walk back to the hotel just sounds so luxurious!

It does sound so luxurious! I just love the idea of walking to and from the Magic Kingdom!

Then we have an ADR for 50's Prime Time.

I am eating here on my trip too! It's the first time eating here for me as my picky 17 year old (he could live on burgers) never really saw anything he liked on the menu. Plus the boys always want to go to Sci-Fi on our DHS days. Long story short, I am finally getting to try it and am really looking forward to the fried cheese app, the crab cakes and the apple crisp with ice cream! Yum. yum.

Then if we are hungry, we will hit up one of the QS locations around there - love to try Friar's Nook if it's open...we'll see what else looks good.

I have wanted to try the mac'n'cheese here...it looks great!

Do you like the Great Movie Ride? It might be another option if you don't like the more intense rides. I am really looking forward to the "Music of Pixar Live", I know someone who just came back from Disney and they said they really enjoyed it.