Pre-Trip The trip that is all Tuvalu's fault.

The title isn't meant to be a bait and switch... Really. This trip may never have happened if it wasn't for @Tuvalu and @TrolleyFollower91 so I am truly grateful that they have shared so many of their trips together. I've always thought of Disney being a whole family trip until the kids got older and I realized it's a great place for adults only and now a mother daughter trip.

This trip is a Mother Daughter trip.

Who: Me and C! C is graduating from High School in a couple of months and heading off to college to study Musical Theater Studies. The only things she loves more than Musicals is Disney and honestly it may be a tie.

Here are a few pictures of C through the years at Disney: She's the blond middle child.

 

[bee]

I have never seen Illuminations and that is one thing that we plan on doing. Where is a good spot, other than down wind?

There is hardly a bad spot to view IllumiNations! I've seen it from at least ten locations around the lagoon and I think my favorite recent spot was the bridge between France and the UK. We arrived about 30 minutes prior to save our spot but depending on crowd levels you may need more or less time.

Does anyone know if an 18 year old can sit in Nomad Lounge?

An 18 year can definitely be in Nomad Lounge, they have good food there too. I love that lounge, it has such a cool vibe.

I have seen families with much younger and very badly-behaved children in Nomad Lounge, so if anything the servers will be happy to see you and your well-behaved young adult daughter! We love that place and have gone every time we've been to AK since NL opened.

 

[Zipadeelady]

12 Days is very exciting, my hubs and I are at 22 days today but I'll be there with my friend in a week.

I've found that either between Norway and Mexico is a good spot for Illuminations. I've also had good luck by France and Japan especially for last minute spots.

An 18 year can definitely be in Nomad Lounge, they have good food there too. I love that lounge, it has such a cool vibe.

As for Navi, if you don't have a fast pass, I would either go right away or at park close. It is an okay ride, but not worth a wait more than 15-20 minutes. If you stay to the left side of the crush of people going to Pandora you'll be on the correct side to veer off for Navi.

I wish I knew how to score 999,999 points on Buzz. I can barely get to 100,000. I do well at Toy Story though.

I think the Kiss Goodnight happens pretty quick after park close, but they do keep running (maybe every 15 minutes) for awhile afterwards. There have been times we have just sat by the castle at night enjoying the atmosphere and sat through it at least 3 times.

You Are Awesome!! Great tip about Navi... Stay to the left! I didn't know that they ran Kiss Goodnight more than once, good to know!
Maybe someone on here knows the secret to Buzz. Have fun next week!!!

There is hardly a bad spot to view IllumiNations! I've seen it from at least ten locations around the lagoon and I think my favorite recent spot was the bridge between France and the UK. We arrived about 30 minutes prior to save our spot but depending on crowd levels you may need more or less time.




I have seen families with much younger and very badly-behaved children in Nomad Lounge, so if anything the servers will be happy to see you and your well-behaved young adult daughter! We love that place and have gone every time we've been to AK since NL opened.

C will be well behaved, I think she actually has better manners than me. Thank you both. I'm very happy C will be able to go to Nomad!

It really sounds like you can watch Illuminations anywhere.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

You Are Awesome!! Great tip about Navi... Stay to the left! I didn't know that they ran Kiss Goodnight more than once, good to know!
Maybe someone on here knows the secret to Buzz. Have fun next week!!!


C will be well behaved, I think she actually has better manners than me. Thank you both. I'm very happy C will be able to go to Nomad!

It really sounds like you can watch Illuminations anywhere.

There are a lot of good spots for Illuminations. My friend are I are doing the Frozen dessert party next week, it is a special treat since we are down there to celebrate our entrance into Club 40 (age group). We are only doing the last couple of days at Disney and spending most of our trip on the Gulf. She isn't much of a Disney person, so it should be interesting but it was her idea to go to Epcot.

 

[Zipadeelady]

There are a lot of good spots for Illuminations. My friend are I are doing the Frozen dessert party next week, it is a special treat since we are down there to celebrate our entrance into Club 40 (age group). We are only doing the last couple of days at Disney and spending most of our trip on the Gulf. She isn't much of a Disney person, so it should be interesting but it was her idea to go to Epcot.

I about fell off my chair. I read Club and started thinking Club 33. I was excited and thought we would have eyes on the inside . Ahhh so close but yet so far away. Have you done the HEA dessert party, I wonder how the two compare?

I hope your friend has fun, it's not to late to turn her into a Disney fan.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I about fell off my chair. I read Club and started thinking Club 33. I was excited and thought we would have eyes on the inside . Ahhh so close but yet so far away. Have you done the HEA dessert party, I wonder how the two compare?

I hope your friend has fun, it's not to late to turn her into a Disney fan.

I wish it was Club 33, although I have been inside the old lobby of Disneyland's Club 33 and that was a thrill. I did the dessert party quite awhile ago at the MK when it was still Wishes. I don't think it has changed too much and we did enjoy it. However, my husband and I have enjoyed the dessert parties at Hollywood Studios more, we have done the Star Wars and the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam parties. We liked the food better and that alcohol was was included. The food had both sweet and savory options. The Frozen party has the sweet & savory options as well as alcohol and a ride on Frozen so I think that makes it a splurge with some value.

As for turning my friend into a Disney fan, I've known her for over 20 years and I don't think it will happen. She did take her son to the Magic Kingdom and she said they had a fun time but she just couldn't go there without her kids. Plus she gets motion sick so she didn't even go on Big Thunder Mountain. She suggested Epcot because we have been there together before and she doesn't see that as a "kiddie" park. But miracles do happen right!?

 

[LisaBelle]

12 Days everyone!!

Time has just went so fast. We have a graduation party for C this weekend so I've been busy with that.[/SIZE
We did get our magicbands and of course I had to wear it for awhile . Pink is new to me. I'm still trying to decide if I like it. I think I'll bring my yellow one just in case.

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After looking at this picture I think it's time to spray the weeds, now if it would only stop raining!

Surprisingly none of our plans have changed. We are still eating at all of our original choices. The only fastpass I can't get is for TSMM. I'm assuming that it is standby only, at least that's what I'm hoping. I am fighting an internal battle debating if I want to take my camera into the parks. I just want to be in the moment and also don't want to carry my camera around all day but I know I'll regret not bringing it if I choose not to.....Oh the dilemma's I have .

I have never seen Illuminations and that is one thing that we plan on doing. Where is a good spot, other than down wind?

Does anyone know if an 18 year old can sit in Nomad Lounge?

Do I save Navi River Journey until later in the day or do I try to ride first thing? (I hate the thought of rushing with everyone that is trying to make it to FOP)

How in the hell do you score 999,999 on Buzz!? Where are those high scoring targets!!?

How long after closing does the Kiss goodnight happen?

LOVE that you wore your MagicBand around! That is totally something I would (will) do when mine arrives. So excited for you ladies!

 

[Zipadeelady]

I wish it was Club 33, although I have been inside the old lobby of Disneyland's Club 33 and that was a thrill. I did the dessert party quite awhile ago at the MK when it was still Wishes. I don't think it has changed too much and we did enjoy it. However, my husband and I have enjoyed the dessert parties at Hollywood Studios more, we have done the Star Wars and the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam parties. We liked the food better and that alcohol was was included. The food had both sweet and savory options. The Frozen party has the sweet & savory options as well as alcohol and a ride on Frozen so I think that makes it a splurge with some value.

As for turning my friend into a Disney fan, I've known her for over 20 years and I don't think it will happen. She did take her son to the Magic Kingdom and she said they had a fun time but she just couldn't go there without her kids. Plus she gets motion sick so she didn't even go on Big Thunder Mountain. She suggested Epcot because we have been there together before and she doesn't see that as a "kiddie" park. But miracles do happen right!?

I haven't done any research on any dessert parties other than HEA. I have to admit, I would prefer the savory side of it and the alcohol wouldn't be bad either. I understand what your saying about your friend. I've got a few friends that don't get my love of Disney World, honestly, they think I'm nuts.

LOVE that you wore your MagicBand around! That is totally something I would (will) do when mine arrives. So excited for you ladies!

Funny thing is I actually got in my car and was pulling out of the driveway to go to the store when C pulls up in her car and while were talking I realized I still had it on.

 

[blreinsel]

How in the hell do you score 999,999 on Buzz!? Where are those high scoring targets!!?

I can't think of all of them off the top of my head, but if you Google it they come up.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Just had to let you all know that I'm in the single digits now!! Only 9 days left!!

 

[Zipadeelady]

I can't think of all of them off the top of my head, but if you Google it they come up.

Now why didn't I think of that! I have to tell you, I forget all the time that there is a whole universe of knowledge on google.

 

[Tuvalu]

Since your upcoming trip is my “fault”, I decided to check out the HEA dessert party with Plaza Garden viewing for you.

The desserts are so yummy!!!!! An unexpected surprise and a chocoholics dream.

We are in the garden now waiting for HEA to begin. Lots of breathing room.

You won’t be disappointed!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Since your upcoming trip is my “fault”, I decided to check out the HEA dessert party with Plaza Garden viewing for you.

The desserts are so yummy!!!!! An unexpected surprise and a chocoholics dream.

We are in the garden now waiting for HEA to begin. Lots of breathing room.

You won’t be disappointed!

This makes me happy! I've heard, of course, that the viewing is great but the desserts are mediocre at best. I'm so glad that you can report otherwise. I know you've been there enough to know what's good and what's not. Thanks Tuvalu!!

What time do you recommend showing up for the party?

 

[Tuvalu]

This makes me happy! I've heard, of course, that the viewing is great but the desserts are mediocre at best. I'm so glad that you can report otherwise. I know you've been there enough to know what's good and what's not. Thanks Tuvalu!!

What time do you recommend showing up for the party?

We arrived at 8 pm. Took our time enjoying our desserts and made it to the garden at 8:45, a half hour prior to the start of HEA.

The show was amazing.

 

[Songbird76]

There's a youtube video on how to get that score on Buzz. Just go to Youtube and do a search on how to score on Buzz lightyear and it will come up with a bunch of videos.

 

[Zipadeelady]

There's a youtube video on how to get that score on Buzz. Just go to Youtube and do a search on how to score on Buzz lightyear and it will come up with a bunch of videos.

I watched some youtube videos and now you're looking at the next galactic hero! Hopefully I'll have some proof when I come back.

 

[Songbird76]

I watched some youtube videos and now you're looking at the next galactic hero! Hopefully I'll have some proof when I come back.

Yay!!! I'm so glad it worked! I will have to watch some videos before we go next Summer!!

 

[Zipadeelady]

We have made it our magical destination!! We’ve been to Disney springs to have our first Earl of Sandwich, checked into our room and now headed off to MK. I probably won’t post much more. I think I just want to be in the moment.

 

[fractal]

We have made it our magical destination!! We’ve been to Disney springs to have our first Earl of Sandwich, checked into our room and now headed off to MK. I probably won’t post much more. I think I just want to be in the moment.

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Have a great time!


and take plenty of pics!

 

[LisaBelle]

We have made it our magical destination!! We’ve been to Disney springs to have our first Earl of Sandwich, checked into our room and now headed off to MK. I probably won’t post much more. I think I just want to be in the moment.

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So excited for you! Enjoy every magical mother/daughter moment. Looking forward to the full report when you return !

 

[Swissmiss]

Have fun!