Highs, Lows and Future Plans ✨️

[Enchanted]

Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages about my dad sadly dying on the day we left Florida.

I thought I'd do our highs and lows to think about something positive and reflect on the amazing trip we've had. My parents first took me in 1989 and I know he dreamed of me taking his grandchildren there - I'm so happy he lived to see that happen.

HIGHS

Being there! Just being there - 35 years after my very first trip I got to take my own children - something I've always dreamed about and it lived up to every dream and expectation I had.

Seeing DH experience his first trip there and just absolutely fall in love with it all.

DS6 and DD3 - they were just absolutely amazing! We did 20 back to back theme park days in temperatures of 30+ degrees and humidity and they managed briiantly, often staying out until 10/11pm without any complaining.

Cabana Bay - loved it here, had a big room, pool view, it's a gorgeous hotel and the 10-min walk to Volcano Bay from our room was amazing.

Universal and Islands of Adventure. We ALL loved these parks. I was talked into going on Hagrids and SOOO pleased I was as it was just WOW! DS6 loved riding it twice with child swap! DD3 scraped 40inches in her new Skechers and could ride loads, they really loved all the simulators, DS loved the Harry Potter rides and they both bought Interactive wands and loved doing the spells. We visited both parks 3 times and VB twice. Volcano Bay is great, the kids area is particularly good.

Longhorns - best meal ever! Steak and shrimp 😋 We also enjoyed Dennys and Red Lobster.

Dezerland - DH really wanted to do this but we all ended up really enjoying it. We especially loved all the cars from the movies.

Pirates Cove Golf - this brought back so many good memories of being there as a child and we all loved it.

POP Century - great theming, lovely bright and colourful hotel which just screams Disney! The rooms and beds were comfortable, great location and the Skyliner is absolutely brilliant, 10mins to Hollywood Studios!

MNSSHP - we had the best night ever here and loved dressing up as Peter Pan characters. ❤️ We enjoyed the parade, fireworks, rides and trick or treating. The candy kept us going 2wks and we still couldn't get through it all.

The Disney parks - I was worried after reading lots and lots of negatives on here during the run up to our trip but the Disney magic was still there 100% for us! The parks, cast members, rides, shows, characters, everything was just about perfect and more! We were running late for our Trex reservation after deciding to get a boat from POR and so they whisked us there on a speedboat! Soooo much fun.

DH's Birthday 🎂 I was so happy we could make it so special for him. Me and the kids decorated the hotel room with banners, I brought all of his cards and got him a badge. We had a pool morning, went to Galaxy's Edge (wow! ) Sci Fi Diner which all 4 of us LOVED and then front row seats for Fantasmic.

New rides - I haven't been for 9yrs and the new rides and lands are just breathtaking. My favourite rides were Hagrids, FOP and Rise. DH's was Hagrids, Rise and Velocicoaster, DS6 loved Rock n Rollercoaster, ToT, Tron and Rise, DD3 loved EVERYTHING!

Fireworks dessert pre-party at Magic Kingdom, I booked this as a surprise on our second from last night. The desserts were just 'ok' but that view...Worth every penny!

Savi's Workshop - DS6 had Birthday money to build a Lightsabre, it was the best experience of his life according to him and DH she'd a tear being with him, very special and emotional experience.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - just wonderful! DD3 felt like an absolute princess, so very special for her and the experience itself was magical, the castmembers were exceptional. We also paid for DS6 to do the basic Knight package so me and DH could both be there and this was such good value. While DD certainly got most of the fuss (it was her special treat) DS also felt really special, they did his hair with gel and confetti sparkles, and presented him with a sword and shield - all for just $20.

Memory Maker - beautiful photos that we'll treasure forever ♥️

Lows

Seaworld - it really pains me to say this but it's gone so much downhill. I understand why the focus has had to change but its a shadow of what it was, the animals might as well no longer be there, shows were extremely short and poor, the prices/up selling extortionate and staff actually rude. If you're a big Coaster fan it might still be worth a trip but doubt we will ever return again, even the kids didn't like it.

Transport - we used Uber instead of car hire and this worked out really really well and much cheaper but did mean we stayed and ate onsite more. It's not really a low but wish we'd had a trip to Walmart and ihop!

Leaving - just absolutely gutted it's all over.

Future Plans

2025 - Next summer we're trying something completely different and going to take the kids interailing in Europe - our tentative itinerary is Holland, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and France. Really excited for this.

2026 - Disneyland Tokyo for DH's 50th Birthday.

2027 - Disneyland Paris and Barcelona.

2028 - possible interailing to Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

2029 - We are hoping to return to Florida.

[Nanna Frozen]

So brave of you to sit down and write that .
I know you have said how close you were to your parents, I hope you can get some comfort in knowing how happy your dad was that you took his grandchildren on such a wonderful holiday.

Of course now is a really tough time for you , your mum and all of your loved ones, but hopefully you will be able to gain some comfort eventually knowing how happy you and your lovely family made your dad by having that lovely holiday.

[Pep]

Thanks for taking the time to post your highs and lows Enchanted. We were there just before you and totally agree Disney still has the magic.
We had the time of our lives and can't find anything negative about the place .

[Mexy02]

What a lovely review and so glad you had a fabulous time , please take comfort from it’s what your dad wanted and you granted his wish ❤️❤️❤️

[DisneyDaffodil]

I’m so pleased that the holiday gave you such a magical experience making wonderful memories with your children. Your dad would have been so happy to know that you and his grandchildren were making these precious memories together, as he had similar cherished memories of your childhood I’m sure 💞

[Stitchesmumanddad]

Thank you for posting your happy memories - brought a tear to my eye as I first went with my mum and dad in 1979 and then took my boys with my parents. I always think of them and Disney when I hear Take Thats song, Never Forget ( Someone else's dream ) ❤️

You have some fabulous plans to look forward to. So sorry to hear about your dad x

[2point]

What a fabulous trip.

We hope our daughter (who first went aged 2) can do a similar trip with her family (she has no kids yet) and relive her childhood memories with her own.

You've done that and sounds like you spoiled them rotten - fantastic.

We're long term planners, I have an affinity to you having mapped out what you want to do for the next few years.

Happy planning and enjoy those memories.

[scottishmum]

I really enjoyed all your updates Sam , so sorry about your dad . Also it’s nice to see what your future plans look like .

[Minniebella]

So sorry to hear about your Dad but so glad you had the best holiday.I love that you have the next few years planned out😍