Fort Fisher North Carolina Cottages

Air Force Recreation Location Fort Fisher

Beach Cottages from Military Rec

Fort Fisher is a great location to hang out on a North Carolina Beach.  Right next to Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.  There is actually a Civil War Fort as you travel a little farther down past Fort Fisher and a cool Aquarium. They also have rentals there for any recreation activities you might want to do.  i.e. paddle boards, kayaks, golf carts ($25 and can only use there), beach chairs ($5 a day)
There is a swimming pool there and a kids activity building for arts and crafts or gaming

 Here is a link to the rates and website:  Fort Fisher Air Force Cottage Rates
 

The cottages are brand new, but to get one you need to book pretty far in advance. 

Places to eat around the facility

 

 

This is one of the older cottages, they still rent them out but they will eventually be demolished to build new ones.

 New shower in the cottage area to rinse off from the beach 

Misc. Disney World Tips

Disney Staff will take your pictures for you, just ask!  Even if they have thier own camera in their hand they won't say no.  So make sure you have your iphone ready or camera.

I used the DisneyExperience app to see the ride times and find our way through the park.  It made it so much easier than using that darn map because the app shows your walking direction. 

So you might want to invest in a phone case that has a battery pack that you can just flip on.  Totally worth it!! I was able to use my phone all day and night.  I could even recharge my husbands when it got too low.  

Buy your light up toys before you go to Disney World.  You can get them on Amazon for cheap.  Also, look for any Disney ears before you go.  Along with any Disney tshirts. Everything costs more there. 

Anyone have a birthday before your trip?  ask for Disney gift cards!!  Or even if you are trying to budget your spending, buy the gift cards with certain amount on them.

Get bottle water before you go.  You can take snacks and bottle water in the with you. 

A little video of the fun at Disney

A Few Tips on Staying at Disney Resort

Never staying at Disney World before, we didn't want to spend a ton of money, but we did want to enjoy where we were staying.  First, I wanted to go cheap, so we looked at the Pop Century Resort.  Yes, they have good prices.  After going over a ton of reviews, it seems that we would be paying for cheap rooms that apparently need some upkeep and bathrooms that are on the decline.  So we decided to go with the "medium" level resort.  We stayed at Disney's Coronado Springs, floor level room.  This was a very nice resort.  We were expecting a little bit more out of the room for the price.  (but you're not really there to be in the room, right?)  So this made us even happier that we didn't go with the cheaper room.  The restaurant and front desk are very close walking distance, and the transportation buses pick you up just outside near the front desk area.  (We picked a room for closeness to transportation.)  Buses come every 10 minutes or so.  

We purchased the "Disney Dining Plan" that is the Basic Plan.  You get a Quick Table Service, a Sit Down Table Service and a Snack.  Then you also get the refillable drink cup.  Let me fill you in about that "Refillable" drink cup.  It only works at the Hotel Resort.  You cannot fill them at any park.  
So we picked up our drink cups right when we checked in that evening.  
I think the Dining plan is well worth it, but just the Basic plan.  

By the way, I also read if you want a microwave in your room you can request one.  We didn't feel the need to after we got there, but good to know.  

GPS address to Resort: Avenida Del Centro, Kissimmee, FL

Physical Address:  1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
407-939-1000

Fast Pass Recommendations

The fast passes are linked to your Magic Wristbands.  So you just scan them when you walk up to the fast pass line.  If you use ALL your fast passes you can find a kiosk area to load more fast passes onto your wristband but you have to have USED ALL your fast passes.  Usually, by that time, most fast passes are gone.  We did manage to get maybe 1 extra ride 2 times out of our trip. Right at the 30 day out mark, you can reserve your fast passes, and that's what I did.




(First of all, get to the parks when they open.  Especially, if you are going during a busy time.  That was the best thing we did.  We had the run of the park, from opening to noon.  After that, it always got a lot busier.  I know it sucks you have to get up early for a vacation.....totally worth it!)

Ride recommendations~


EPCOT - Morning time frame to 1 pm is when we got fast passes.  
1st Must do - Soarin' (love this ride)  
2nd - Mission to Mars
     Advice: I don't get motion sickness normally but this ride did both me and my husband in, I thought, oh Disney fun ride.  Nope, Disney throw up ride.  They have throw up bags hanging in the front with you and you are in a very tight confined space.  4 People to a space ship.  I didn't start really feeling it until the middle to end of the ride.  Then after the ride needed to sit down a little bit.  There are TWO options to ride, one is easier than the other.  I should have picked the EASY one.
3rd - Test Track
This is pretty fun for everyone

Dining - We made reservations at La Hacienda de San Angel for 7:15pm, don't get there too early if you plan on watching the Fireworks from there.  Get there just on time for a 7:15pm reservation.  Fireworks are at 9:00pm.  Ask for window seating for fireworks too.  Don't assume that they know you will be watching.  I did this because I wasn't sure how easy it was to watch fireworks was.  I think everyone can see it though from the big lake.  But.....if you want to take a seat, this is a better option.

~The location of La Hacienda de San Angel is directly across from the Aztec looking pyramid.  (There is actually a ride inside that pyramid all the way in the back that looks very similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.)  Disney Dining Plan - Sit Down Table Service Meal

Animal Kingdom -  When you first come in and you have to take that hike to the Kilimanjaro Safari right when you cross the bridge on the right side there is a booth for "Explorers"  They will give your kids a booklet and tell you about all the things they need to find as they travel and they tell them little stories about animals and stuff and mark the booklets.  My 11 year old daughter really got into it and wanted to find all the stuff in there.  Animal Kingdom is really narrower streets than the other parks, not as wide open.  

1st - Kilimanjaro Safari
Use this one first thing in the morning, make sure you get there in time.  Even with a fast pass we waited.  The animals are more likely to be out and wandering in the cool air than later when it is hotter.  Very awesome ride and long.  A giraffe literally was at our window!!  

2nd - Expedition Everest
Ride is lots of fun, good time.  Real roller coaster ride.

3rd - Dinosaur
Unexpected fun ride.  This ride is kinda hidden.  We actually went back again.  Since the line was short, we did not use our fast pass.  Then immediately after, we got back on with our fast pass.  This is a good technique to use when you see a short line.  We did this on Space Mountain too at Magic Kingdom.

Dining - We used our Disney Dining Plan for lunch at a burger place by Dinosaur called Restaurantosaurus.  Used the "Quick Service Table Meal" and it was actually pretty quick to get a table.  They don't let anyone hold tables in advance until you get your food.  
If you are planning an early day back after a park, Animal Kingdom is probably the fastest park you get through.  We planned our Sit-down meal at Disney Springs (which is just like Downtown Disney) we went to the Boat House, which counts as 2 Sit down Meals a piece.  Was totally NOT worth it.  I would rather of picked different place.  Disney Springs was ridiculously crowded.

Hollywood Studios - I absolutely loved the set up of this park!  The old Hollywood look and spacious areas we so much fun to take pictures with.  We went to the Indiana Jones show with no fast pass and it was no problem at all, so you can work that one in your schedule as needed.  I did not get a fast pass for the Tower of Terror because I did not want to get on that ride being afraid of heights.  Luckily, if you get there when the park opens, like I said.  Go to that ride first, for those that want it.  Then start into your fast passes, because that ride gets a long line.

1st Star Tours (11:15am-12:15)
It's been updated for the new Star Wars movie.  (and there is a whole Star Wars area that is open, wasn't open when we were there)

2nd Rock n Roller Coaster (1:30pm-2:30pm)
Wow! This ride totally deceived me!  I don't do upside down roller coasters, but I did this day.  You cannot see the ride AT ALL, it is inside a building.  A lot like Space Mountain is hidden.  Super fast, we took hilarious pics going in when it took off.  We literally went upside down 4 times! and I literally peed a little in my pants!

3rd Frozen Sing a Long (2:35-2:50)
Okay, I know after I told my husband I made one of my fast passes for this, he was like....what?!  I told him there were so many reviews to use your fast pass for this.  Well, they are right.  If you want to get in, use it.  They are maxed out at every show, and it is an absolutely fun awesome show!  Here is my video from when we went.
Frozen Live 

Dining - We made dinner reservations for our Disney Dining Plan Sit Down Table Service at Mama Melrose Ristorante for 3:55PM.  They are located, next to the Muppet Show place, but it is BEHIND it, in the corner.  (hard to find) I know that seems a little early but by the time we sat down, it really wasn't that early.  I picked this because this time/location offered the VIP package, so after the meal, they give you a VIP Seats Voucher to see Fantasmic at night.  We saw the 8:15pm show.  This was an awesome pick on my part!  Mama Melrose Ristorante was probably the BEST deal for the Disney Dining plan.  It included a 3 course Meal!  and then you got your voucher too!  The Fantasmic Firework show was WOW!!  so awesome!  To get there, it is over next to the Hollywood Tower of Terror.  Right beside it.

Magic Kingdom - Best Park there is!  and Everyone goes there.  Again, get there when it opens.  We did and before we even used a fast pass we were at the Haunted Mansion in a short line.  (I used the DisneyExperience App all day at this park, you need get around quick and find the short lines in the morning)  

1st Peter Pans Flight 
Don't do this ride, lame waste of a fast pass, but all the sites recommended it.  I guess if you have little one under 7, it's worth it.  This ride does break a lot too, I think it's an old ride.  

2nd Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
This ride is Awesome!! If you have a chance in the morning to do it without your fast pass, do it!  You won't get a chance the 2nd half of the day (afternoon).  This is a new ride and the cars on it actually swing side to side.  The ride is so smooth too, not bumpy at all. They are taking videos of you too through the ride.  I never saw it when I got off, but when I went online to see all the photos from Disney you can see them all.  

3rd Space Mountain (Must do!)
Nothing to say on this, gotta do it.

Dining - We used our Disney Dining Plan Sit Down Table Service at Tony's Town Square, it is right at the front of entrance to the Park.  Very pretty location and beside it, is where Tinker Belle and Mickey Mouse did pictures and signed autographs.  They serve Italian food and is themed with Lady and the Tramp in the decor.  Very cute place.  

And don't you dare miss those fireworks from Cinderellas Castle!  We saw Elsa from frozen freeze the castle and it was so beautiful (This was after Thanksgiving time frame, for Christmas)  You will be in awe of what they do for the Castle fireworks.  They project videos over the entire castle that are amazing, along with the huge spectacular fireworks.
 

Disney World Thanksgiving Time Frame

So based on crowd calendar Thanksgiving is an alright time to go to Disney World.  So based on recommendations we did NOT go to Magic Kingdom until the Sunday of the Thanksgiving holiday.  Which was still a lot of people there but not nearly what it had been.  I think everyone was going to Magic Kingdom ON Thanksgiving or the Friday after.  

Our Family schedule was the following:

Thanksgiving Day - Epcot
Friday after Thanksgiving - Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Hollywood Studios
Sunday - Magic Kingdom and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (extra $60 for this)

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas was spectacular!  I totally recommend it.  However, when your already in the park and you have to get your "special" wristbands to be a part of the Party, just wear long sleeves.   Not a single person asked to see our wristbands for this event.  

The Magic Castle fireworks were THE BEST show I have ever seen!!!  AMAZING, there are plenty of places up close to merge into the crowd all over to see, get in there and watch them.

 

First Trip to Disney World

First place I'm going to cover is Disney World.  I felt like I was studying for college for this trip, there is so much to do and so much to see here.  We got our 4-day park hopper tickets from the Military MWR, which is THE best deal around.  That doesn't even cover everything that they have there.  There are still the water park and animation place there.  Staying on site at a Disney Resort is still the best deal.  You don't have to get transportation to the parks, pay to park, pay resort fees at other hotels, and you get extra benefits by staying with Disney.  
~if you want to dine with characters BOOK EARLY, like 6 months in advance.  Our trip was booked 3 months out, so we are looking at it from this stand point.
I had no idea on the seriousness of Disney World trippers!
~I was able to book all my dining plans ahead of time, however, no character dining.

You can look up on places like pinterest the crowd calendar for the year.  Which is a good place to start when planning which park to start with for reservations and fast passes.

Make sure you are logged into "my disney experience" to make all the reservations and fast passes.
We went on our trip during Thanksgiving and had a great time!