A Few Words of Thanksgiving Wisdom, Take 2

Last night we returned home from our Disney World Thanksgiving vacation. We’re all exhausted, (including our trust-worthy car), but I had to share with you some entertaining pictures and a follow-up to last year’s Thanksgiving post. In following with The Mannifesto tradition, I give to you our...

“Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for your Thanksgiving Destination Vacation”

#1 DO pick the right people to travel with. You don’t get a whole lot of choice with your family, but a lot is riding on who you go with. Luckily our fabulous friends, the Olsens, were the right pick.

#2 DO make sure you hit up a U.S. military serviceman (Air Force dentists count) to hook you up with super-duper cheap 5-day Disney passes for an incredible $99/pass.

#3 DON’T you dare think that, unlike you, everyone will be at home eating turkey and Grandma’s green beans on Thanksgiving Day. The Magic Kingdom WILL be packed to the max and people MAY or may not push you in order to get ahead of you on “It’s a Small World”.

#4 DO wait in line to see Mickey and Minney Mouse, even if you stand there for over an hour. It’s all your child will talk about for the ENTIRE trip. Don’t worry if the picture turns out atrocious; you’ve just made a memory.

#5 DON’T get separated from your spouse, even if they’ve offered to run ahead to get a valuable Fast Pass for Pirates of the Caribbean (which they don’t have). Chances are, they will leave you with the kids and stroller and it will be up to you to take on the vicious crowds and the intimidating task of cutting everyone in line (cue evil stares from random strangers) to meet up with them at the front.

#6 DO take the time to make a special Thanksgiving Feast at your rental property. DON’T be afraid, though, to take short-cuts to make it all happen, i.e. Stovetop stuffing, Reynold’s oven bag for the bird, store-bought pies, Costco rolls, etc.

#7 DO realize that if you are taking your 2-year-old, you will spend the majority of your time on the SAME ride, fashioned 8 different ways (Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Astro Orbiter, and TriceraTop Spin). Although you’ll never tire of hearing your toddler scream, “Higher, Higher!” and “Down, Daddy Mommy, Down!”

#8 DON’T hesitate to take leftover turkey sandwiches EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. for lunch. An array of complimentary condiments are available for your pleasure at nearly every food stand (FYI, bbq sauce goes quite well with turkey and rolls).

#9 DO take loads and loads of pictures of your adventures. Your hubby may have his eyes closed in 50% of them and your toddler may have her hands covering her face in frustration for the other 50%, but ONE of them is bound to turn out.

#10 DON’T think you’ll be able to take on 800 miles of the I-95 in ONE day. Be kind to yourselves and stop at a shady hotel somewhere in the middle of nowhere to get some much-needed rest. It’s totally worth the $35 bucks.