Still More Disney Firsts

Every time I get to visit the Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts, I like to make sure I experience some Disney Firsts. Whether it's something big (like a major attraction), or something small (a new snack offering, perhaps?) there's always more to experience, no matter how many times I visit. You can read about some of my previous Disney Firsts here, here, and also here.

So what  firsts do I have on tap for my upcoming trip in early January? Read on:

First runDisney 10K - As this post goes live, I'll be on my way to Walt Disney World for the runDisney Marathon Weekend. While I'm not running the marathon, or the half...I AM running my very first 10K! This is a huge step for me, and it's something I've been working toward for a long time. It's been a major goal, both physically and emotionally, and completing this race will be a major milestone for me- and for more than just the running aspect. This is big, folks. Wish me luck.

First Value Resort stay- At the risk of sounding like a resort snob... I've never stayed at a WDW Value resort, and to be honest, I hoped to keep it that way. There are just so many things I love about the moderates and the deluxe resorts, and I've been fortunate - ok, spoiled- by having some great resort experiences. As things go, circumstances led me to have to do this trip on a very tight budget- so Pop Century it is! I'm thinking positively, and looking forward to checking it out. I think. We'll see...

O Canada! - Could this actually be the trip where I make it to O Canada!, the Circle-Vision 360 movie in the Canadian pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase? For one reason or another, O Canada! always seems to get bumped from my list of things to do. It remains the only movie in WDW that I haven't seen. Could this be the trip?? I'm putting it on my list, and maybe this time, it'll stick.

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And by request, here's an update on how things turned out with the firsts I had planned for my last visit:

Splash Mountain- I finally experienced this classic attraction! And I was...underwhelmed. I know this is a favorite for a lot of people, but it didn't do anything for me. I don't really like the big drop, and I don't like the big splash. The whole theme of this attraction just isn't my thing. The one aspect I did like- the length of this attraction! It seemed like it went on and on. It may seem strange that I like a longer length on an attraction that I just admitted was not my thing- but a longer run time is such a welcome rarity these days. With so many attractions that seem like they're over before they even get started, it was nice to experience one that lasted a while. I did love the post-drop scenes- so maybe I was just anticipating the drop too much to enjoy the earlier scenes?

Restaurants- Captain's Grille and Todd English's bluezoo were both on the agenda, and we made it to both (for a change!). The verdict: Captain's Grille was pretty mediocre. There was absolutely nothing special about this meal. The food, the service, the atmosphere- all mediocre and unmemorable. I don't foresee a return visit here. As for bluezoo? One of the best dining experiences I've had! The restaurant is gorgeous, service was impeccable, and the food was divine.

Osborne Lights- I can't remember ever being more unexpectedly impressed with a WDW experience. I was surprised. Shocked, even. I like holiday lights as much as the next person, but I feared the over-the-top extravaganza would be a bit... tacky. Was I ever wrong! It was beautiful, festive, and really incredibly impressive. I'm so glad I got to experience this, and I hope I get another chance in the future. If you have the chance to go- do it!

Yacht Club- Despite several problems with check-in, some magic band issues, account problems at the front desk....I can say that this is one of my top WDW resorts! I loved Yacht Club. The location is ideal, the atmosphere is fantastic, and it just seems a little bit of a step above many other resorts. It's got all the benefits of Beach Club, but with a little less traffic. Perfect. Plus- GIANT GLOBE.


What Disney Firsts are you looking forward to on your next visit?

Even More Disney Firsts

As I've written about here and here, I like to make sure I experience some Disney Firsts every time I visit.

Here are the firsts I have on tap for my upcoming trip in early November:

Splash Mountain- Can you believe I've never done this attraction? For several years, I was scared of the drop. I decided to get past that. Then it became a series of bad timing problems- a few trips happened during rehab down times, a few were during cold/wet spells, and then there were some random ride closures thrown in for good measure. Plus...I'll be honest- I've never really been drawn to the theming. It just doesn't sit comfortably with me (much like Port Orleans Riverside... but that's a post for another time). After hearing so many people declare this as one of the best attractions ever, I know I have to do it! This is the time. I have a FP+ booked, and I'm finally taking the plunge. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.

Restaurants- I try to visit at least one new-to-me restaurant on each visit. This time, I have two- Captain's Grille and Todd English's bluezoo. I have high hopes for both!

Osborne Lights- I'm rarely visiting WDW during the holiday season, and I'm pretty much never at Hollywood Studios at night. This time, though, I'm making a point of it, just to see the lights. I fear they will be going away soon, and I'd hate to have missed them forever.

Yacht Club- I'm looking forward to this stay. I've stayed at Beach Club a few times, but this will be the first time at the sister resort. The location is still ideal, and there's a giant globe in the lobby. A GIANT GLOBE. I collect globes, and have a longstanding love for them. I think I'm going to dig this resort. Time will tell...

I think that's it for my firsts this time- a short visit!

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And by special request, an update on how things turned out from my last visit's planned firsts:

UnDISCOVERED Epcot Tour- Loved it! Recap coming soon...

Sailing on the Disney Dream: I'm a cruise convert. I hope to sail again soon.

Tropical Running: The Castaway Cay 5K is no joke! Hot. H-O-T. HUMID. brutal. So glad I did it!

The Wave- had to cancel. A spur-of-the-moment decision to visit Sanaa early in the trip derailed my food budget. Something had to go, and it was The Wave. Maybe next time...

What Disney Firsts are you looking forward to on your next visit?

More Disney Firsts

No matter how many times I visit Walt Disney World, I always manage to experience at least a few things for the first time on each trip. It's one of the beautiful things about this place- there's always more to experience. I first wrote about my Disney Firsts back in November.  I'll be leaving shortly for a family vacation, and this time I'm looking forward to these Disney Firsts...

Cruising on the Disney Dream: I've been reluctant to try a cruise, but another member of my family really wanted to do this. After much deliberation and planning, we decided to go for it- we set sail on the Disney Dream this week! We'll be staying onsite at WDW a few days before and after the cruise, so we'll (hopefully) be able to experience the best of both worlds.

Tropical running: If all goes as planned, I'll be running my first 5K in the tropics! I plan to run the Castaway Cay 5K during our trip. I'm very nervous about it, beacuse I'm not quite as trained as I would like to be, and I tend not to run well in the heat. But how often do you get the chance to run a race on a private island? I have to give it a whirl.

The Wave:  Every visit, I try to go to at least one restaurant I've never tried before. This time it's The Wave.  We'll be going there for dinner the day we're off the cruise, so hopefully we won't still be in cruise-food-coma mode.

The UnDISCOVERED Future World: It's no secret around this blog that Epcot is my favorite place. I'm really excited for this 4-hour behind-the-scenes walking tour, which is billed as "a trip back in time to see how Walt’s vision of a futuristic utopia became the Epcot we know today". It's possible that this tour might provide me with an opportunity to visit another secret lounge. Time will tell...

Family firsts: OK, maybe these shouldn't count because they're not firsts for me, but I'm very excited to be sharing a few things that will be firsts for my family. For starters: our first stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge together. I stayed here with my sister during my last runDisney weekend, and loved it so much I changed our family trip to this resort. I know they're going to love it. Also new to them will be all of  New Fantasyland. This will be their first visit since it was completed, and I can't wait for them to see the whole area, and the ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

There will also be some lasts on this trip- but that's a post for another time.

Now, I'm off to pack...

Disney Firsts

Through the magic of prescheduled blog posts, this post will go live while I am in the midst of a visit to Walt Disney World. Even though I've visited the parks and resorts many times over the years, this particular trip is filled with lots of Disney Firsts for me...

First runDisney race- The Jingle Jungle 5K! I've been training, and I'm ready to tackle this race!

First Food & Wine Festival- Visiting during this festival has long been a goal for me- I've got my must-try list in hand, and I'm ready to eat and drink and experience the last days of the festival!

First time staying on the Monorail loop- Simply a dream come true. I never imagined that I would ever actually be staying at a Monorail resort!

First time staying at the Polynesian- See above. But also- there's something really special to me about the Poly. All the Monorail resorts have special features and great things that you won't get elsewhere, but The Poly- this was the quintessential Disney resort when I was growing up, the dream stay that I used to imagine when I was a kid.

First time visiting with my mom, as an adult- As I've written about before, my mom worked really hard to bring my sister and me to Walt Disney World in 1977. I've been many times since, but never with her! This past Mother's Day, I wrote this post in which I talked about my hope to visit with her again. That post was the impetus for this trip- a reunion trip of sorts, just the three of us once again. I can hardly believe we made it happen!

First time using Magic Bands and FASTPASS+- I've kept largely silent on these big changes, because I really want to give the system a chance, and I'm trying embrace the new reality! I want to see them in action before I weigh in. I hope I have some good things to report when I return.

First Artist Point, First Kona, First California Grill since the refurb- I'll be eating well on this trip, for sure!

Lots of Disney Firsts for me! I'll be back in a few days, with plenty to share...


And the significance of the photo above? It was the inspiration for my first runDisney costume!