We did it! We have successfully seen both of our kids through to graduation! DD22, Julia, graduated in December with her BA in Psych and is working full time in the mental health field. DS18, Luke, made it through high school and is attending NHTI in the fall!
Both journeys had their challenges, and friends here heard them all - and supported me as I, along with my DH56 Shane, helped them to navigate those challenges and find success and a walk across the stage this spring!
We are heading to DLR tomorrow in celebration of their accomplishments! This trip was their idea - and honestly as a Disney mom who has raised them as Disney kids, I couldn’t be prouder of them for asking to go to DLR for their grad trip! They are both adults now, but as we know “Adults are only kids, grown up!” and we are looking forward to spending time with both of our adult kids at the happiest place on earth for 6 days! Neither of the kids have been, Shane has been only once with me about 5 years ago, and this will mark my third visit (my first being in 1982).
We will fly out tomorrow from MHT, connecting through MDW, and arriving to LAX just after noon Pacific time. We’ve rented a vehicle since the cost turned out in the end to be less than any car service or even Lyft would have cost, and we are able to stop off at the grocery store on our way as a result to pick up a few things to keep in our villa.
We are staying in a 2BR at Grand Californian Villas. Although TouringPlans doesn’t offer room finder for the resorts outside of WDW, I was able to find a couple online and made a room request through guest services. There are not a ton of 2br units, so while I’m hopeful that we’ll get what I am hoping for, I recognize that it’s easily as likely that we won’t.
We have plans to spend part of each day in each park, starting in one and ending in the other after a hefty midday break. We have a day off in the middle as well. With four park days and LLMP I am hopeful that we’ll get to hit everything on our list! We have a Fantasmic dining package at Cafe Orleans and a World Of Color Dessert Party planned.
I hope to keep this trip report mostly up to date, and semi-live. I’ll post questions that come up along the way in hopes my professional DLR friends will be able to help us. And I will post lots of photos! I hope you’ll join us on our first family adventure to the west coast!
Stacked washer n dryer in the room had us washing clothes just because. My daughter and I stayed Pixar place last month and I am glad all the onsite hotels seem to have all the activities offerings back. DCA or Disneyland in park morning yoga. I believe the morning run is back too. I will definitely be following along!! 
