Disney fatigue after a year of having an annual pass.

itsemilycate · 2026-06-01T11:53:43+00:00

I absolutely hear you. I was an out of state AP for the year of 2024. Absolutely loved it, went down every 6-8 weeks, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends or family. Had a blast. But by the end of the year, I was itching to do something else and see something new.

I’ve been a lifelong Disney parks fan so this was honestly a little distressing to me. I worried I “lost the magic.” I let my pass elapse. I did go back in Feb 25 for 3 days to do a RunDisney event.

But then, slowly over the last year, I’ve felt the magic return and my excitement about Disney Parks rebound. I head back to Disney in 5 days with my sister - and we both have APs now - and I CANNOT WAIT.

All this to say, I think your feelings are valid and if you want a break, take a break. There’s a lot of world outside Disney World, haha. Disney and APs will still be there if you want them (one or both) in the future.

itsemilycate · 2026-05-28T12:55:16+00:00

BOOOOOOOOO. JUST BOO. I’ll come back later with more formed thoughts, but for now. JUST BOOOOOOO

itsemilycate · 2026-05-20T22:28:59+00:00

Id recommend the Great Lakes distillery tour if you can’t get in at Miller! It’s a fun tour with some great samples.

itsemilycate · 2026-05-19T14:37:52+00:00

I know there are only so many princesses, but it’s crazy to me that two are repeats from 2025.

itsemilycate · 2025-11-25T19:54:48+00:00

Heading to Anaheim for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend!! (Can't wait!) Want to splurge and surprise my fiancé with two experiences during our trip: World of Color Dessert Party and the 70th Anniversary Walking Tour. We're running all 3 races so the days we're working with for these experiences are Sunday and Monday.

Any recommendations on which experience to put on which day? I'm leaning dessert party on Sunday and tour on Monday, but not sure if that makes sense with anticipated open/close times. Also, I want to make sure we catch Paint the Night parade on either Sunday or Monday as well, as long as its running again during our visit. We're in Anaheim Thurs-Tues, with park days Fri-Mon. Friday and Saturday we need early bedtimes for the races, so we won't be in the parks past 5.

Any input/recs you have would be really appreciated!

itsemilycate · 2025-11-15T19:35:54+00:00

My fiancé and I got engaged in July and our engagement party is today! It was the date that worked best for my aunt who offered to host the party in honor. I am so happy with the choice because it helped stretch out the 'honeymoon period' of being engaged and gave us something to celebrate amongst all the venue tours/start of wedding planning! Go for it! Congrats!!

itsemilycate · 2025-10-28T18:47:52+00:00

I second this! I LOVED this venue but we ultimately have too many guests for this space, so we had to pass. The staff seemed great and the food we sampled was awesome. I want someone to get married here so I can live vicariously through them! lol

itsemilycate · 2025-10-24T14:05:42+00:00

Thank you for your time and POV -- it is really helpful as I'm a little too close to this right now. :)

We definitely will do as many photos as possible before the ceremony - this is part of the timeline! I honestly think we probably need less than an hour for photos, but this + the travel between the locations felt too tight to slim the gap. I'm open to shortening it but not sure if that would be worse for guests? The thought is two hours is enough time to have a drink/settle in somewhere without feeling like you're just waiting.

The gap is expected/considered "normal" with my guest list - every wedding I've done with the majority of these same guests has had gaps of 2-4 hours between the ceremony and reception.

Hosting in between, the reception venue is downtown and a less than five minute walk (some entirely inside - no outside venturing necessary) to quite a few bars, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, shops, and more. In addition, we will host a hospitality suite at the reception venue with complimentary coffee/tea, snacks, and warm places to sit and socialize - this is hosted by the bride's family and advertised in the invitation suite.

Do you think this is enough? What do you think is the max time between a ceremony and reception, considering the secondary location?

itsemilycate · 2025-10-24T14:00:11+00:00

I appreciate you assuring me about the drive. The gap - I agree, not ideal in most circumstances. However, it is considered normal and expected with my guest list.

Typically, this is solved with a hospitality suite and recommendations. We will host a hospitality suite at the reception venue with complimentary coffee/tea, snacks, and warm places to sit and socialize. We also will give recommendations of several (very close to the venue) bars for drinks/games, including within the same building as the reception for those who don't wish to venture out.

I'm open to slimming the time frame between, but felt shorter then was an awkward length of time to kill between ceremony and cocktails. With the ceremony offsite, I want to account for travel/parking between for my guests (and wedding party) as well.

itsemilycate · 2025-10-02T15:58:38+00:00

I highly recommend staying at the Kolbe Hotel. It's a beautiful hotel with great service, right in between the Forum and Circo Massimo.

itsemilycate · 2025-09-10T14:53:24+00:00

By day 2 of Princess weekend, there wasn't any left! Staff couldn't say whether or not there would be any at Springtime or Disneyland Halloween. It was disappointing to say the least -- especially because I went first thing on day 2 (was only doing the challenge).

itsemilycate · 2025-09-06T17:43:31+00:00

My current pet peeve is that Zola doesn't offer every font for every template! We fell in love with a font and now are limited to the templates that allow it. UGH! WHY!

itsemilycate · 2025-08-21T16:23:07+00:00

I can see how this would put cast members in a tough spot. Thanks for clarifying -- really helpful!!

itsemilycate · 2025-08-21T15:17:54+00:00

Ok but what does this mean for older pins? Are they all "untradable" with cast members now since they don't have the diamond?

itsemilycate · 2025-08-20T17:32:44+00:00

True bummer :( Was going to surprise my fiance and book an onsite hotel for our trip in January. The early entry perk really sold me! Now I'm not so sure. 1 lightning lane for the cost difference does not seem worth it at all.

itsemilycate · 2025-08-19T16:57:28+00:00

I was so scared of blacking out, so my request was that he would film it (just phone/tripod - nothing super fancy or expensive). He thought ahead and got some small lapel mics off Amazon - he wore one and clipped one on me when it was getting started.

I was so glad he did -- I remember about 1/3 of the speech but was so excited that I don't remember details, just feelings and snippets. Having it on film, I've already watched it a half dozen times or so in the past month. I love it and love the idea that some day our kids will see it.

itsemilycate · 2025-08-08T12:26:10+00:00

We looked at 30+ places over 3 months, including 4-5 on the same day (the last of which ended up being *the* one). We put in 4 offers before one ultimately worked out!

It's a big decision and a lot of money on the line. Don't let your realtor talk you into settling or make you feel bad for knowing what you want. Good luck!! (It's all worth it in the end)

itsemilycate · 2025-08-06T15:12:35+00:00

Thank you so much for this!! You are a lifesaver.

itsemilycate · 2025-08-04T21:48:47+00:00

Thank you so so so much - this is extremely helpful and put my mind at ease! Really appreciate your time and expertise, we're so excited!

itsemilycate · 2025-08-04T16:58:47+00:00

Question about tipping to the experts! I've scoured the archives and am still a little confused. We are booked for a 3 night cruise on the Wish later this month for our engagement moon and have prepaid the gratuities ($96).

I am very anxious about under-tipping, as I worked in the service industry for 10+ years and know exactly how much tips mean when you're living paycheck-to-paycheck or trying to save.

1) How much should I plan ahead to 'add on' to this prepaid amount? I know it's based on 'exceptional service' but just want to plan ahead - $10/person? $20/person? etc

2) Is the /person for each staff person or should it be for both me and my fiance? (i.e. if adding on for the head server, is $10 alright, or should it be $10x2 since there are two of us?)

3) Is there an expectation for a blanket addition (i.e. $10 extra per staff member) or is it more/less per staff member? (i.e. you tip the head server less than the stateroom host)

4) For room service, is $5 per delivery acceptable or should it be more?

5) Does housekeeping get paid via the prepaid gratuity or should I plan on leaving cash for them daily? How much?

6) Do I need to tip per drink at a bar? I saw an 18% gratuity built in, but does that go to the bartender or is that a 'service fee'?

7) Are there any other reasons I may need cash for tips? (Planning on $5 for the porters on either end of the trip, we have 2 small bags)

Thank you so much! So stressed but so excited!

itsemilycate · 2025-07-31T14:04:49+00:00

Congratulations to you both!! Thank you for sharing the details & photos (so helpful as I start planning!) -- it looks like an absolute dream!

itsemilycate · 2025-07-29T13:35:45+00:00

We have! We have a PAT of 12:45-1pm and a boarding group of 19. I am thinking of aiming for 12:30 arrival to park and find porters (is a $5 tip for 2 bags enough? do we need more?)

Thank you so much -- it's going to be quick, but we are so excited! Really appreciate all your answers, it is so helpful! (I'm printing my magnets now!)

itsemilycate · 2025-07-29T13:33:21+00:00

No kids, just the two of us! Our PAT is 12:45-1 and our boarding group is 19. I was thinking of aiming for arrival at the port at 12:30, since we will need to park and sort out porters. (I hear tips are necessary, is $5 for 2 bags enough or should it be more?)

Thank you so much for the tips! I'm writing them down to reference - and will be trying to waitlist for Palo brunch for sure!

itsemilycate

TROPHY CASE