2017 was such an exciting, action packed, fun-filled year! So much so, 2018 has a lot to live up to. I believe in you, New Year! You can do it! Adventure is out there and we’ve got a big Disney to-do list ahead of us. Since I’m not one to make official New Year’s resolutions, this is as close as it gets…
New Year, New Disney Plans
Disney Park Firsts – Raymond and I have an unbelievable four Disney trips planned this year with opportunities to try some things for the first time.
- New Festival: We’re excited to have a couple of days to experience Epcot’s Festival of the Arts later this month. The festival’s 2017 inaugural year went so well, we heard nothing but glowing praise for this brief, but fun event from everyone we knew that attended.
- Tiger Cubs! It’s no secret that I’m an Animal Kingdom fan & have often touted the joys of the Maharajah Jungle Trek…these new babies are yet another reason to spend all day in this park!
- Disneyland (Finally!): After last year’s anniversary trip was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma and 2016’s family vacation was interrupted by Hurricane Matthew, Raymond and I are taking no chances this year. We’ll be celebrating our 29th anniversary on the West Coast and we couldn’t be more excited to finally get to explore Disneyland’s parks and restaurants. I’ll be working on my must-do list shortly and welcome any and all suggestions you may have!
Disney Movies to See – Nick, Dave and I just talked about Disney’s 2018 movie line-up on The Disney Exchange (Episode 159). There’s a lot to look forward to! Honestly, I’m pretty stoked about Solo: A Star Wars Story (May) and Wreck-It Ralph 2 (March), but if I narrow down the list to my top three, I’m most excited about these…
- Avengers: Infinity War (May) – I’m geeking out about this one! It had better be as good as it looks because my expectations are really high. Avengers and Guardians…how could that not be awesome!?!
- The Incredibles 2 (June) – We’ve only been waiting 14 years! That’s practically forever. The original has always been one of my all-time favorite movies and with the way it ended, didn’t we all thing the sequel was right around the corner? It’s about time!
- Mary Poppins Returns (December) – I didn’t care for Saving Mr. Banks at all, so I’ve got my heart pinned on this movie to recapture the magical, whimsical wonder that was the original Mary Poppins. C’mon, Disney, don’t let me down.
Disney Recipes to Try – I’ve barely tried anything from the Raglan Road cookbook I got for Mother’s Day last year, so cooking up some Irish dishes is high on my priority list. I’d also like to try Sanaa’s Naan Bread, ‘Ohana’s Stir Fried Noodles, Jiko’s Macaroni & Cheese.
RunDisney 2018 – This year, Megan will be joining Joseph and I for her first runDisney events. The three of us are headed for Disney World in February for the Enchanted 10k and the Princess Half Marathon (now called the Fairy Tale Challenge). Of course, Raymond will be there to cheer us on. (I feel like the luckiest mom in the universe.)
West Coast Disney Cruise: Before we go to Disneyland, Raymond and I are sailing on the Disney Wonder’s 4-night repositioning cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. The last time we sailed on the Wonder was in 2011 on an Alaskan cruise and that was an outstanding vacation. I’m sure this trip will be fantastic as well…can’t wait!
Still here? I’ll let you in on something – there are a couple more things planned for 2018, but I can’t share them quite yet. Check back in about two weeks and I’m sure I’ll be able to elaborate then on what special secret adventures our family has coming up soon.
Your Turn! What are your 2018 Disney plans?
I am so far behind on reading my Disney blogs. I am diving in and reading all of the posts I have missed right now.
Wishing you and your family a happy new year.
I am so excited you are going to Disneyland. I am from the UK and went for the 1st time in 2014. When I walked through those gates, I burst into tears. There I was, finally walking in the footsteps of my hero in the place he created.
One of the best things I did was get a Jolly Holiday Combo, a Matterhorn Macaroon and sit outside with a Castle view taking it all in.
Happy New Year, Kelly! Just yesterday I booked our hotel & tickets at Disneyland. I’m looking for suggestions, so if you’ve got more, please share. Especially restaurants! I will add Jolly Holiday Combo & Matterhorn Macaroon to our wish list!
Hey Lisa! I was on my own for my trip so I didn’t do much in the way of table service. But Naples in DTD was very nice. Beignets at Ralph Brennan’s were delicious but you also feel like you have to have Mickey shaped ones and a mint julep to go with (I hear its vastly improved from the one I had) in DL.
Make your own ice cream bar at Clarabelle’s was a delight too.
Make sure you don’t miss New Orleans Square at night, there is just an awesome vibe there (in my opinion its a much better area than Liberty Square).
I also did the World of Color Dessert party – as I was solo I didn’t want to spend hours waiting for the show on my own. It was very nice, great views & nice cocktails.
This is so helpful, Kelly! If you think of anything else, I’m all ears! Thank you…Lisa
YYYYYEEHA holly cow green clan that is some fun Disney time !!! shhhhh jina wants to go to festival of the arts . problem is with this polar punch 28* this am, we are going through here in florida the battery bizz is good right now so kinda hard to get away. wow west coast cruise & then Disneyland looks like you guys beat me to it huh. but will looking forward to any tips your trip can help me with . CUBS you say, any type I am a sucker for. well I am getting misty eyed thinking of all the fun you guys are going to have . stay safe in your training but most of all have fun .
Thanks, Dusty. Raymond and I are so fortunate our kids want to spend so much time with us! We need to get busy on planning the details of the Disneyland part of our West Coast vacation & having never been, I must do research (which I love)!!!!