The Best Trip EVER!! Pre trip report! updated 9TH June, Double Figures!!

[wideeyes]

Going in October!(renamed its going to be the best trip ever! now Going IN SEPTEMBER!!)
Cast –
Me (27 on trip)
DD (7 on trip)

The past two trips have been in September as it is the cheapest time to go while fitting in with my university course however been wanting to try October for better weather, Food and Wine festival and MNSHHP. October seems perfect; it will be busier than September I except however I don’t think that will be a problem for us. After I got back from WDW in September I booked our flights with Virgin, in premium economy, for the space and rows of twos, as I believe it will make travelling with a child less stressful with the rows of two we don’t have to sit next to someone we don’t know and the extra luggage allowance as I will only be able to manage 1 suitcase. I like to have one hand free in case to grab DD. I knw she will be 7 however people tend to cut inbetween us if I don't have hold of her.

The next thing I booked was a cruise – DD had seen this on the “plan your next Disney holiday” on the TV at All Stars Music in September and asked if we could go, and I said maybe one day. When I told her I booked the flights for next year she asked again so I decided to look at the prices as we needed to book another hotel for a few days to save on DVC points so thought we could do a cruise instead. I booked a 3 night cruise on the Disney Wonder. I was a hesitant in doing so, as it seems as worried I was going to be sat on my own with no one to talk to while DD is at the clubs I am very shy and find it very hard to start conversations with people, At least at the parks we can be on the go, however after looking into it there seems to be loads of stuff that DD will want to do with me, shows to watch and stuff and if she goes to the club for a while I can relax by the pool with a book.

Recently I have booked my accommodation at our home resort AKV. I booked the first 8 nights in a Savannah view studio; DD loves Animals so I am sure she will love this. The next 4 nights our booked in a 1 bed villa as when we did the tour I loved the villas so have decided to try one out, than it will be 3 nights on the cruise and 3 nights back at WDW in a 1 bed again (the last 3 nights still to book as more than 11 months out).

The plan this year is to just do Disney as with booking a cruise don’t want to spend loads on tickets. DD does not want to do universal studios again – she said the rides made her feel sick
We have just got the 21 ultimate tickets for us both. We plan to do MNSSHP twice next year as DD loved it and when we did it in September the night seemed to go really fast.

Well that is it till now, next to plan is ADRs.

[natalielongstaff]

Great plans Claire :)

[wideeyes]

Our accomidation is now all confirmed.

8 nights savannah view studio at AKV kidani
4 nights 1 bed value at AKV Jambo house
3 nights on the Disney Wonder
3 nights 1 bed value at AKV Jambo house.

Can't wait now!:)

[natalielongstaff]

we are booked in to ssr and okw but Joh is hoping to swap those at the 7mth point :thumbsup2

[wideeyes]

I am not sure if we will swap, I was going to for a few days as wanted to try BWI or VWL however the points for a 1 bed value at AKV are very good and I really want to stay in a 1 bed for at least part of the trip.

If DD is willing I may change the Savannah view studio to VWL as DD really wants to stay there, will see what she thinks nearer the time.

[tennisfan]

Great plans Claire, i'm sure you & your DD will have a great time:goodvibes

[mark&sue]

What a wonderful trip you have planned, especially the cruise. You will have such a great time.


susan

[wideeyes]

An update - I have canceled the cruise for vairous reasons, we are not sad about it though, as we have two trips to book, I couldn't really justify the cost espcially when we could use the three nights using DVC points saving us money, as sad its not a sad thing for us at all,

At the 7 month window I did some changes to our DVC resorts and we now have the following booked

7 Nights VWL in a studio 10th-18th
8 nights at AKV in a savannah view studio at Jambo house, 18th-25th
and our last 3 nights at Saratagota springs.

My DD has wanted to stay at all these resorts and I hope its going to be the perfect trip for her.

I am not so worried about being on my own now as we went to DLRP on our own this year and had one of our best times ever, it was great to do what we wanted when we wanted and not have to put up with rolling eyes from others.

[natalielongstaff]

Shame you have had to cancel the cruise :sad2:

[wideeyes]

Shame you have had to cancel the cruise :sad2:

It is a bit however we really don't mind as we get to stay at 3 lovely DVC resorts, which DD is really excited about. I am not sure if a cruise was the right thing for us anyway.

[wicket2005]

Sounds good to me.:thumbsup2

[CustardTart]

Sounds like a lovely relaxing trip, Claire! :goodvibes :cloud9: :lovestruc

We love VWL and I just know you'll enjoy your stay there too! :thumbsup2 The DVC part is just beautiful IMO and I spent ages reading in the lobby part... Also October is also my absolute fave month to visit - I'm now finding out it is a bit of a pain with Uni being restricted to June or September :rolleyes: so enjoy the lovely weather... :thumbsup2

It is a shame about the cruise but TBH I think it might be something you would enjoy more with other people you know. If my DD had told me we would be sharing a dining table with other cruisers there is NO WAY I would have wanted to go - she didn't and we coped but it was a bit weird... :sad2:

[wideeyes]

Sounds like a lovely relaxing trip, Claire! :goodvibes :cloud9: :lovestruc

We love VWL and I just know you'll enjoy your stay there too! :thumbsup2 The DVC part is just beautiful IMO and I spent ages reading in the lobby part... Also October is also my absolute fave month to visit - I'm now finding out it is a bit of a pain with Uni being restricted to June or September :rolleyes: so enjoy the lovely weather... :thumbsup2

It is a shame about the cruise but TBH I think it might be something you would enjoy more with other people you know. If my DD had told me we would be sharing a dining table with other cruisers there is NO WAY I would have wanted to go - she didn't and we coped but it was a bit weird... :sad2:

I have wanted to go in October for ages however couldn't because of uni.

I agree about the cruise, I am very shy and don't think I would of enjoyed it, I think that is why I don't feel sad about not going. I may take my sister with me for her 21st next year, when she old enough to enjoy a cocktail with me.:thumbsup2

[jockey]

Your plans sound great, shame about the cruise but hey more time in the parks:thumbsup2 We are staying at AKV in a few weeks :banana:

[irongirlof12]

sounds like a great trip planned :cutie:

[jen_uk]

Sounds like a great trip :thumbsup2

[Snowy-girls]

You're plans sound lovely Claire.x.

[mandymouse]

Shame you decided to cancel the Cruise Claire, but your plans still sound great. Enjoy the rest of your planning :)

[Cyrano]

I'm sure you and DD will have the best of times and trip :thumbsup2

[wideeyes]

After all that I have had to change my plans as now need to keep October free as been making plans for my future .

I have been on the phone this morning and now going a few weeks earlier in September. Managed to change my flights with VH and accomadation with DVC and now going for 14 nights we are staying 11 Nights at Beach Club in a studio much to DD excitement and the final 3 nights at AKV Savannah View studio at Jambo House.

[Lizzybear]

Just noticed you changed your dates, was gonna say we may see you during your first week as we'll be there 11th-18th :) Happy planning and enjoy your trip :goodvibes

[wideeyes]

wow, just seen your ticker Lizzy, I really want to go to Boston.

I have applied for a PG course though don't know if I will get in, if I don't I will be doing another course and reapply for the PG course next year so need october free.

[Lizzybear]

Ooh good luck with that Claire, hoping to do a PGCE myself but rethinking a little as the job prospects aren't that great for primary teachers.. If you do end up doing the postgrad your trip will be a nice break before you start studying again :goodvibes

[natalielongstaff]

After all that I have had to change my plans as now need to keep October free as been making plans for my future .

I have been on the phone this morning and now going a few weeks earlier in September. Managed to change my flights with VH and accomadation with DVC and now going for 14 nights we are staying 11 Nights at Beach Club in a studio much to DD excitement and the final 3 nights at AKV Savannah View studio at Jambo House.

good luck with your new plans x

[wideeyes]

Ooh good luck with that Claire, hoping to do a PGCE myself but rethinking a little as the job prospects aren't that great for primary teachers.. If you do end up doing the postgrad your trip will be a nice break before you start studying again :goodvibes

I have applied to do a PG in Childhood studies with EYP status, not many uni offer it at the moment though so maybe quite hard to get on too if there is not many places. If I don't get on to it this year I am going to get some work experience and try again next year and do a UG unit in childhood studies with t as it should increase my chances as my degree is in English. I know that primary is quite tough to get into with not many jobs, my uni has cut the number of places on there courses which is why I looked at EYP.

[wideeyes]

Well I am now in Double figures and I have planned my itinerary and waiting now to book ADRs, I am not booking many ADRs as my DD said she prefered last years holiday when we ate mostly counter services to the year before when we had the free dining plan. I have planned our Counter service meals in adavnce so I know there will be something that DD is happy to eat, much easier than trying to decide at the time.

I have based our itinerary on how we have spent our time on our last trips.

we tend to spend most of our time at Epcot as we often go there for dinner and usually just do Magic Kingdom for the rides however I am fitting in spectromagic this year as we didn't see it last year we may leave before wishes though as we are going to MNSSHP so can watch fireworks then, will see how we feel at the time.

We usually only do a half a day at animal kingdom however going to aim to spend the whole day there this year as we have never seen the parade at Animal Kingdom before.

Also we don't plan on seeing Fantasmic this year, I just can't be bothered with the hassel of getting in and the crowds as we have seen it before.

oh and I am so excited to finally be going to a Disboards meet, I can't wait to meet everyone there.


Wedesnday 16th – fly from Man – Orlando, with Virgin Atlantic, check into the Beach Club Villas

Thursday 17th –
AM Breakfast at Cape May, Hollywood studios,
PM -Dinner at ABC commissary.

Friday 18th
AM- Breakfast at Studio, Magic Kingdom, Lunch at Peco bells.
PM – Resort, Pool, Down Town Disney.


Saturday 19th
AM- breakfast at Studio Epcot Future World
PM – late lunch at Cyrstal palace(book for between 3-4pm), Spectromagic and wishes 8 and 9 pm.

Sunday 20th – AM-Breakfast at resort, Animal Kingdom all day.
PM dinner at Yak and Yeti,

Monday 21st
AM- breakfast at resort
PM epcot world show case, fish and chips for dinner, Illuminations at 9pm.

Tuesday 22nd,
AM breakfast at resort, pool.
PM- UK Disboards meet at the Poly 1pm, dinner at Kona café 3pm, MNSSHP 7pm
(see http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2185269 if you would like to join us)

Wedesnday – 23rd
AM – breakfast and relaxing at resort all day .
PM- Lunch at Beaches and cream,

Thursday 24th
AM- Breakfast at resort, Hollywood studios
PM- Epcot dinner at WSC, Morocco counter service.

Friday- 25th
AM – breakfast at resort, Magic Kingdom
PM- pool, DTD= puck express café for dinner

Sat 26th
AM-Resort day
PM- Yachtsman Steak house for dinner.

Sunday 27th- check out of Beach Club villas
AM - Disney Hollywood studios
PM- check into AKV. Counter service dinner at resort

Monday 28th-
AM- Breakfast at Boma, resort day.
PM- Epcot, illuminations 9pm

Tuesday 29th- Magic Kingdom

Wedesnday 30th – going home day. DTD check in, Lunch at Epcot,(france Counter service. Home,