I have been mostly lurking around here for years and have always enjoyed reading everyone’s trip reports. I thought it might be a good idea to give one a shot but have always been a bit nervous to do so because I’m an introvert and I’m just not as witty as many of you here. My trip report will most likely be more informative in nature, but I welcome any witty banter that anyone would like to interject!
I do like the idea of having instant access to advice/suggestions when I need to make decisions on the fly, so I am going to try my best to update our activities daily, but I also don’t want to have my face buried in my phone the whole time, so we’ll see how it goes.
I have been to Disney probably about 10 times in the last 20 years, but this may be my last trip for quite a while because I have two teens approaching college - a DS who is a senior and a DD who is a junior. So, with two kids who will be in college at the same time, I suspect Disney funds may not be available a while.
This trip is actually only happening because we had a cancelled trip in 2020 that all 4 of us were supposed to go on. We ended up rescheduling in 2022 but only 2 of us ended up going so we still have 2 park tickets in our account that I am using up. Also, airfare and hotels are being mostly covered by air miles so this is basically a free trip – how could I not go?
The overall plan is this:
Me (Mom) and DD15, flying out of Westchester County Airport, leaving tomorrow 8/12 and returning Monday 8/21. 3-way split stay with 4 nights at Dolphin, 4 nights at Margaritaville, and 1st night at Buena Vista Palace. Have stayed at BVP once before for a quick 2 day trip, but this will be the first time at Dolphin and Margaritaville (have previously stayed at WL, FW Cabins, AK Kidani, CBR, CSR, BC, ASM, and offsite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek). Planning to do a lot of late nights to avoid the stress of trying to get DD out of bed and moving in the mornings (my preference would be to rope drop every day, but it’s not going to happen at this stage as she is NOT a morning person). Top priorities are getting on GOTG as many times as possible and trying out Tron.
Saturday: Fly in arriving just before noon, Mears shuttle to Buena Vista Palace. Lunch at the hotel bar restaurant and pool time. Disney Springs in the evening with dinner at The Edison (first time trying). Grab something from Gideons if possible (first time).
Sunday: Check out, head to Disney Springs for lunch. May pop over there earlier in the morning by myself and attempt to get something from Gideons if not successful the prior evening. Uber to the Dolphin, check in and get settled, maybe a little pool time. Dinner at Beaches n Cream and stroll the Boardwalk.
Monday (EPCOT): Epcot all day with a long resort break mid-day, staying for EEH. Dinner at Via Napoli (first time), wing it for lunch and either grab something on the way out for resort break, or grab something at the Dolphin.
Tuesday (Hollywood Studios): Sleep in to recover from EEH. Head to Hollywood Studios in the early afternoon and stay till close. Quick service lunch and dinner (probably Docking Bay 7 and ABC Commissary or Backlot depending on where we are when we get hungry). Have a 9:55 Oga’s reservation but may cancel and do Fantasmic instead since we did Oga’s last year.
Wednesday (Magic Kingdom): Ale & Compass breakfast (first time), relax at the pool. Head to MK in the afternoon, staying for EEH. Dinner at Skipper Canteen. After fireworks Dessert Party.
Thursday (Epcot): Sleep in to recover from EEH. Check out of Dolphin, pick up car rental and transfer to Margaritaville. Settle in, check out the pool, make a grocery run. Epcot After Hours party at night. Lunch at Margaritaville, Dinner at Epcot F&W booths during pre-party time.
Friday (Animal Kingdom): Sleep in to recover from After Hours Party, head to AK around noon and stay till close. Lunch at Satu’li Canteen, Snacks/Drinks at Nomad Lounge (first time), Dinner at Saana after AK.
Saturday (Magic Kingdom): Sleep in, relax at pool. Head to MK after lunch and stay till close. Lunch at Steakhouse 71 (first time), Dinner at a quick service (maybe Sleepy Hollow or Pecos Bills).
Sunday (Animal Kingdom): Head to AK for opening and stay till around 2:00. Breakfast/Lunch at Tusker House. Back to resort to rest and freshen up. Hoop Dee Doo 8:30 show.
Monday: Check out and head home, flying out late morning 
Boarding passes have been acquired, packing is being finalized – we are almost set to go!
Can’t wait to follow along! Just feel free to bow out if it gets to be too much. I’ve started 2 trip reports and really only finished to the 80% mark (mostly in follow up and last days of trip details).