We went to Disneyland last fall for the first time ever with our children (aged 22, 19, and 14 at the time), and the first time since our 1st wedding anniversary back in 1996. We live in Virginia, and that's a looong trip. But we had also planned to see some National Parks (Channel Island, Sequoia, Kings Canyon) and also see LA and Hollywood. It was a fantastic family vacation. My cousin, Julie, and her husband and daughter flew in to join us for the Disneyland part of the trip. They live in Arizona, and go to DL a few times a year, so they were our "guides". We decided on that trip that they needed to join us at Walt Disney World, where they have never gone, this fall. So, we planned a family trip to Walt Disney World during the Thanksgiving season with their family, ours, and my sister's. Also, my wife's nurse (my wife is a surgeon, and we often take her office nurse with us as a Christmas bonus). In total, it was going to be about 16 people. We would just AirBNB a house somewhere in the area for the week.

Obviously, coronavirus happened. My wife and I had a 25th anniversary trip planned for May using DVC points. We had bought APs, knowing that we'd be going twice in one year. The anniversary trip was canceled, and as the pandemic continued, everyone decided that the big trip in November was not going to happen, so we canceled our dining reservations and managed to get the AirBNB rescheduled to May 2021.

My wife has been working a LOT the past four months, and desperately needs some down time. So, we decided that rather than lose our DVC points (that we were supposed to have used in May), let's take the kids who are all back home (because of the pandemic) and spend five days at Walt Disney World. We looked at school schedules and booked a 1-bedroom villa at Old Key West for the week of December 14th. We got our Park Reservations, bought the kids' tickets, and we're good to go. We didn't tell anyone.

Here's where the Disney Magic shows up...

Then last week, my cousin Julie texted me that they have decided that they also need a break, and since Disneyland hasn't reopened, that they're going to go to Walt Disney World for a few days on their own, and could we recommend some dining options and other tips for newbies. We texted back and forth, and then I commented that I was just sad that we wouldn't be there with them for their first time. She said, "Me, too. We'll be going the week of Dec. 14th." To which I responded, "THAT'S WHEN WE'LL BE THERE!"

They'll be staying offsite over in the Disney Springs area, but what are the odds that they decided to plan their first trip to Walt Disney World and it exactly lines up with ours?? So, we linked up My Disney Experience accounts, and have the same Park Reservations and I made some dining ressies as well. So excited to have them along, and to be able to be there with them! Their daughter is right inbetween my two oldest, and they're all looking forward to being able to hang out again. At first my wife was lamenting that we have to wait until December 14th for our trip, but now she's so excited! As am I! We know it won't be our normal experience, but if we frame it right (and we get to ride the Rise of the Resistance), then I think it will be a great trip nonetheless.