mandymouse
12-07-2008, 04:20 AM
New Year 2008 Trip – 26th December ‘08/10th January ‘09
Castmembers
Mandy (44) ~ Lover of Bahama Mama’s, Lapu Lapu’s & Epcot
Paul (43) ~ Loves Tower of Terror & Epcot
Kerry (17) ~ Loves to shop, shop and if she’s got time - shop
Becky (15) ~ Future Mrs. Joe Jonas
Bex (17) ~ Doesn’t know what she’s let herself in for
Paul & Me
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5927.jpg
Kerry & Becky
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5823-1.jpg
Bex & Kerry
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5710.jpg
It all started back in April 2008. We had already informed Kerry (eldest DD) that our Summer ’08 trip to WDW would be the last time she had to come with us, so it was a lovely surprise when one day in April she approached her dad with this ~ ‘Dad, I don’t want an 18th birthday party (b’day end of January ’09), or birthday presents or even Christmas presents, but can we take Bex (her best friend) to WDW for the New Year’. Several days later she approached me with the same request
We hated the idea of leaving her, and even though we hadn’t made any plans for Christmas/New Year – we started to check out the different websites. Virgin Atlantic prices were quite good, but we didn’t want to commit, as you have to pay in full when you book, so we found an OK deal with Travel City Direct (who we have never used before), for two weeks at the Pop Century, 2 rooms (the girls will love having their own room) and a 7 seater van. We paid the deposit, and I only told some good friends about this trip, as Paul didn’t want to say anything to the girls till work felt more secure later in the year
June/July ‘08
Before I knew it, it was time to make ADR’s. We aren’t on the Dining Plan, but we want to do a couple of character meals while Kerry’s friend is with us, so I booked :-
27th Dec ~ Crystal Palace Breakfast
6th Jan ~ O’Hana’s Best Friend Breakfast (for my birthday)
8th Jan ~ Chef Mickey’s Breakfast
Aug '08
With just a couple of weeks till we were heading to WDW, we told the girls about the New Year's trip. As you can guess they were thrilled and we spent the next week or so watching every WDW DVD and old videos that they could find. While we were away, the girls bought Bex lots of bits and pieces that she could use on our next trip, like pens, autograph book, purse, Disney gift card and Hot Topic gift card
12th September, the day Travel City Direct went bust ~ we spent a frantic day trying to find new flights for our New Year holiday. It was a nightmare, we would check availability and prices and things would change on-line constantly. In the end we booked with Virgin Atlantic, flying from London Heathrow to Miami. We weren’t thrilled to be flying into Miami, but at least we would be there, and the early flight (9.20am) was an added bonus
At the same time, we booked two rooms at the Pop Century, one for the girls, and one for us through the US DisneyWorld site
Mid-September, Virgin Atlantic change their flight times to 1.30pm, which would make us arriving at Miami at 6.30pm(ish). So we really weren’t too happy with that change
3rd October, Hubby sees Manchester to Orlando flights available on-line and after a few phone calls, he manages to change our flights and even add an extra day on
4th December, I made a Priority Seating at the Hard Rock Café for Kerry’s ‘18th’
Other
WDW Tickets ~ Bought 5 tickets through the UK DisneyWorld website
SeaWorld Tickets ~ We had 4 tickets that we didn’t use in the Summer due to Tropical Storm Fay, so we’ll buy another one when we get there
Travelodge Manchester Airport ~ We’ve got two rooms booked for Christmas Day evening ~ we won’t be traveling up there too early, as nowhere will be open
Airport Parking ~ We’ve booked through APH, and we’ve arranged the Meet & Greet service with Manchester Meteor Meet & Greet, we’ve never used these before, so I hope it all goes well
USRentacar ~ We’ve booked a 7 seater Minivan with Alamo
Plan of Action
25th Dec * Head up to the Travelodge at Manchester Airport
26th * Fly to Orlando International (fly out 1.30pm/land 5.55pm) and check in at the Pop Century Resort. We’ll probably pop to Wal-Mart for essentials (i.e drinkies/Lays chips/Oreo’s/Mountain Dew)
27th * First full day and we’re heading to Magic Kingdom, and we’ve got an ADR at the Cystal Palace. I would imagine some shopping will be done today too
28th * No plans ~ probably morning EMH at Disney Hollywood Studios
29th * No plans ~ perhaps EMH at Animal Kingdom
30th * Up early for EMH at Epcot
31st * We may have a lie in today as we’re meeting Jules (saratogagirl) and Ian (crispywelsh) in Mexico at 4pm for some serious drinkypoos. Jules is under the illusion that we’ll last till midnight, but being the light weight that I am, I’ll be very happy if I’ve lasted till the UK New Year in at 7pm at the UK Pavillion (LOL) http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/2.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5717.jpg
1st Jan * I’ve got a feeling I’ll be spending today recovering http://bestsmileys.com/sick/7.gif Though the last time I celebrated the New Year in Epcot, I was up early and riding The Hulk and Duelling Dragons several times
2nd * No plans ~ perhaps Disney Hollywood Studios for morning EMH
3rd * Kerry’s ‘18th’ birthday. We’re celebrating Kerry’s 18th a few weeks early today. We’re planning on having a meal at the Hard Rock Hotel tonight and we’re going to treat today like it really is her 18th
4th * No plans ~ perhaps SeaWorld
5th * No plans ~ perhaps Animal Kingdom for morning EMH
6th * My Birthday ~ woohoo !! We’ve got an ADR at O’Hana’s for breakfast with Lilo & Stitch ~ and I can’t wait. I’m going to find out about the ‘What will you celebrate ?’ event and hopefully pick up a free gift card and treat myself to something nice from Disney. Not sure what we’ll be doing today, but I hope the evening includes a few Lapu Lapu’s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5621.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5751.jpg
7th * No plans
8th * We’ll probably go to morning EMH at the Magic Kingdom today, and then we’ve got an ADR for breakfast at Chef Mickey’s later in the morning, and we’ll enjoy our last day in a Disney Park
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5741.jpg
9th * As our WDW tickets will have run out, we’re planning on using our 2nd day at SeaWorld
10th * Fly home :(
11th * Land in Manchester
I’m sure there will be lots of shopping along the way, but I am also hoping for some lie ins and mornings relaxing by the pool
We're also looking forward to meeting some friends that we met in January '07 on the Disney Wonder. Kelly, CW, Chad and Carolin are coming down to WDW on the 1st January (before the lucky so & so's join the Wonder on the 4th) and we're all really looking forward to seeing them again ::yes::
Bring it on !!!!!!!
Castmembers
Mandy (44) ~ Lover of Bahama Mama’s, Lapu Lapu’s & Epcot
Paul (43) ~ Loves Tower of Terror & Epcot
Kerry (17) ~ Loves to shop, shop and if she’s got time - shop
Becky (15) ~ Future Mrs. Joe Jonas
Bex (17) ~ Doesn’t know what she’s let herself in for
Paul & Me
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5927.jpg
Kerry & Becky
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5823-1.jpg
Bex & Kerry
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5710.jpg
It all started back in April 2008. We had already informed Kerry (eldest DD) that our Summer ’08 trip to WDW would be the last time she had to come with us, so it was a lovely surprise when one day in April she approached her dad with this ~ ‘Dad, I don’t want an 18th birthday party (b’day end of January ’09), or birthday presents or even Christmas presents, but can we take Bex (her best friend) to WDW for the New Year’. Several days later she approached me with the same request
We hated the idea of leaving her, and even though we hadn’t made any plans for Christmas/New Year – we started to check out the different websites. Virgin Atlantic prices were quite good, but we didn’t want to commit, as you have to pay in full when you book, so we found an OK deal with Travel City Direct (who we have never used before), for two weeks at the Pop Century, 2 rooms (the girls will love having their own room) and a 7 seater van. We paid the deposit, and I only told some good friends about this trip, as Paul didn’t want to say anything to the girls till work felt more secure later in the year
June/July ‘08
Before I knew it, it was time to make ADR’s. We aren’t on the Dining Plan, but we want to do a couple of character meals while Kerry’s friend is with us, so I booked :-
27th Dec ~ Crystal Palace Breakfast
6th Jan ~ O’Hana’s Best Friend Breakfast (for my birthday)
8th Jan ~ Chef Mickey’s Breakfast
Aug '08
With just a couple of weeks till we were heading to WDW, we told the girls about the New Year's trip. As you can guess they were thrilled and we spent the next week or so watching every WDW DVD and old videos that they could find. While we were away, the girls bought Bex lots of bits and pieces that she could use on our next trip, like pens, autograph book, purse, Disney gift card and Hot Topic gift card
12th September, the day Travel City Direct went bust ~ we spent a frantic day trying to find new flights for our New Year holiday. It was a nightmare, we would check availability and prices and things would change on-line constantly. In the end we booked with Virgin Atlantic, flying from London Heathrow to Miami. We weren’t thrilled to be flying into Miami, but at least we would be there, and the early flight (9.20am) was an added bonus
At the same time, we booked two rooms at the Pop Century, one for the girls, and one for us through the US DisneyWorld site
Mid-September, Virgin Atlantic change their flight times to 1.30pm, which would make us arriving at Miami at 6.30pm(ish). So we really weren’t too happy with that change
3rd October, Hubby sees Manchester to Orlando flights available on-line and after a few phone calls, he manages to change our flights and even add an extra day on
4th December, I made a Priority Seating at the Hard Rock Café for Kerry’s ‘18th’
Other
WDW Tickets ~ Bought 5 tickets through the UK DisneyWorld website
SeaWorld Tickets ~ We had 4 tickets that we didn’t use in the Summer due to Tropical Storm Fay, so we’ll buy another one when we get there
Travelodge Manchester Airport ~ We’ve got two rooms booked for Christmas Day evening ~ we won’t be traveling up there too early, as nowhere will be open
Airport Parking ~ We’ve booked through APH, and we’ve arranged the Meet & Greet service with Manchester Meteor Meet & Greet, we’ve never used these before, so I hope it all goes well
USRentacar ~ We’ve booked a 7 seater Minivan with Alamo
Plan of Action
25th Dec * Head up to the Travelodge at Manchester Airport
26th * Fly to Orlando International (fly out 1.30pm/land 5.55pm) and check in at the Pop Century Resort. We’ll probably pop to Wal-Mart for essentials (i.e drinkies/Lays chips/Oreo’s/Mountain Dew)
27th * First full day and we’re heading to Magic Kingdom, and we’ve got an ADR at the Cystal Palace. I would imagine some shopping will be done today too
28th * No plans ~ probably morning EMH at Disney Hollywood Studios
29th * No plans ~ perhaps EMH at Animal Kingdom
30th * Up early for EMH at Epcot
31st * We may have a lie in today as we’re meeting Jules (saratogagirl) and Ian (crispywelsh) in Mexico at 4pm for some serious drinkypoos. Jules is under the illusion that we’ll last till midnight, but being the light weight that I am, I’ll be very happy if I’ve lasted till the UK New Year in at 7pm at the UK Pavillion (LOL) http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/2.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5717.jpg
1st Jan * I’ve got a feeling I’ll be spending today recovering http://bestsmileys.com/sick/7.gif Though the last time I celebrated the New Year in Epcot, I was up early and riding The Hulk and Duelling Dragons several times
2nd * No plans ~ perhaps Disney Hollywood Studios for morning EMH
3rd * Kerry’s ‘18th’ birthday. We’re celebrating Kerry’s 18th a few weeks early today. We’re planning on having a meal at the Hard Rock Hotel tonight and we’re going to treat today like it really is her 18th
4th * No plans ~ perhaps SeaWorld
5th * No plans ~ perhaps Animal Kingdom for morning EMH
6th * My Birthday ~ woohoo !! We’ve got an ADR at O’Hana’s for breakfast with Lilo & Stitch ~ and I can’t wait. I’m going to find out about the ‘What will you celebrate ?’ event and hopefully pick up a free gift card and treat myself to something nice from Disney. Not sure what we’ll be doing today, but I hope the evening includes a few Lapu Lapu’s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5621.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5751.jpg
7th * No plans
8th * We’ll probably go to morning EMH at the Magic Kingdom today, and then we’ve got an ADR for breakfast at Chef Mickey’s later in the morning, and we’ll enjoy our last day in a Disney Park
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MMM120/CIMG5741.jpg
9th * As our WDW tickets will have run out, we’re planning on using our 2nd day at SeaWorld
10th * Fly home :(
11th * Land in Manchester
I’m sure there will be lots of shopping along the way, but I am also hoping for some lie ins and mornings relaxing by the pool
We're also looking forward to meeting some friends that we met in January '07 on the Disney Wonder. Kelly, CW, Chad and Carolin are coming down to WDW on the 1st January (before the lucky so & so's join the Wonder on the 4th) and we're all really looking forward to seeing them again ::yes::
Bring it on !!!!!!!