Disney 2010 or Bust - PTR (Updated May 4, 2009)

[KKDonaldFan]

Hello DIS'ers.

Our family have been saving for a trip to WDW for a few years time for when our daughter is a little bit older.

However, I've been informed by my mother on her visit last week that a trip is being planned for next year!!! :yay: Looks like we are going earlier than scheduled.

Here is the tentative list of people making the trek down south from Canada.

Me (M/36) - Haven't been to WDW since the honeymoon in 2000. However, my daughter loves the videos and those Disney Treasure cartoon DVDs and she knows that "Mickey Mouse lives there".

DW (38) - Haven't been to WDW since the honeymoon....and REALLY looking forward to it.

DD (4) - This will be her first trip....this should be interesting....to see the park through a child's eyes.

Mom and Dad (60's) - Only previous trip was back in '92 during my senior year of high school....they are going to see a lot of changes.

Bro (34) - Was in WDW back in '92.

Bro GF - Don't think she has ever been there before. Another Disney rookie.

Auntie M (late 50's) - First trip (I believe) to WDW.

Bro-In-Law - Never been there before. Has shown an interest in going but don't know at this point if he is a part of this trip.

Right now, all I have is a year....I don't have a month or dates of travel, a place to stay yet.......but I'll be updating this thread as the details become apparent.

Man there is a lot of planning to do.....but it is going to be fun!!!! :cool1:

[DWGal210]

Sounds like a good group - you're going to have TONS of fun! And let the Dis help you...there are so many places to get great info and plan for your trip.

Have a good one! :cool1:

[KKDonaldFan]

Okay, since I've been told that the plan is to go to Disney in 2010, I decided to start some preliminary research. This trip has been different from my last trip for a couple of reasons.

1. This is the first WDW trip with a child.
2. This is the first WDW trip with a larger group.

Fortunately, I do have something to use as a frame of reference.

About 3 years ago, this same bunch (minus the brother in-law) went to Maryland for a cousin's wedding. We then spent some time in the area and we went to HersheyPark for a day. This was a great day...and I've learned a few things.

1. Who likes the big thrill rides and who doesn't.
2. Who likes the shows and who doesn't.
3. We will probably have to stop at every bathroom we come across (don't ask).

My daughter was just a toddler then. In the time since, she has gone numerous times to Canada's Wonderland and enjoys the rides there (for her age).

As for my brother-in-law, we did a trip with him a couple of years ago to Cedar Point. He wasn't a big fan of the mega coasters. Personally, I think that was mostly because he is a bigger barrel-chested guy and was afraid that he would be told he couldn't ride by some of the ride staff.

The biggest challenge will be doing the different attractions at WDW with a diverse group in terms of likes/dislikes. In addition, my daughter is obviously going to be too small for some stuff (not a big deal for her since those attractions would be ones she wouldn't want to go on anyway).

Fortunately, WDW has something for everybody so there won't be shortages of things for everyone to do.

Next up is the ideal length of a trip and where to stay......feel free to read and comment!!

[KKDonaldFan]

Hello DIS'ers.

Okay, with a larger group like this....the consensus right now is to stay off-site. If it was a smaller group (such as the immediate family), we would be staying on site for sure. It is a lot easier and more convenient.

However, since we can't cram 9 people in one room, we are looking at other options.

Mom suggested we should rent out a timeshare or something. This would give everyone plenty of room plus it would be cheaper for everybody in the long run.

Of course, you can guess who has started sniffing around :goodvibes

Through the boards here and in other places, I have found pretty much what sort of place we are looking for....

1. Dreams Villas of Orlando
2. Windsor Hills Resort.

Pretty much, you are renting out a house for a week or two. Has anyone ever used these places and, if so, what are they like? Would like to have a good idea before I start sending recommendations to the rest of the group for them to consider.

Next up....how long are we going and my reasons for suggesting 2 weeks.

[KKDonaldFan]

When my wife asked Mom how long she was thinking for this particular trip, she said (10 days or so). This isn't going to do.

I have several reasons to suggest increasing this to 14 days (two weeks).

1. I think some of these villas and such we are looking at require a minimum one week booking. I wouldn't be surprised if they require booking by the week.

2. Everyone knows that two vacation days are used for travelling. So I would rather have 12 full days in Florida than just 8 days...am I right? :confused3

3. This might allow for a visit to Seaworld and/or the Universal parks....hey..if in Rome....

Realistically, we will need 6 to 7 days at Disney anyway. Here's my breakdown...

Magic Kingdom - 2 days (not as much rushing around trying to see everything in one day)

Epcot - 2 days (this is a big park...we did it in one day on my honeymoon but we skipped a lot of the movies in World Showcase...and it was in early December...one of the slowest times of the year in terms of crowds)

Disney Studios - 1 day (easy enough to do...haven't heard anyone needing more than one day unless they are taking a VERY leisurely vacation....not that there is anything wrong with that)

Animal Kingdom - 1 day (I like this park but I found it hard to stay there one full day when I went....and I think we saw pretty much everything).

So that is about 6 days there. Add a day for Sea World and 2 days for Universal and that brings it to 9 days. That would give 3 days for relaxing/taking a break from the parks, shopping at outlet malls, seeing local attractions outside of these big parks and whatever else we come across.

Depending on when we go, we could cut the "Disney Days" down from 6 to 5 and have the park hopping option added to our tickets....I know....perish the thought!! :eek: However, that could be an option if we go during one of the traditional slow times of year.

However, if we are forced to cut the vacation time down, I'm more than willing to drop the Seaworld and Universal options and have strictly a Disney vacation in terms of theme parks....I certainly wouldn't complain.

If anyone has any thoughts and ideas, feel free to post! Would love to hear from people.

Next post will be discussing what time of year to go.....that should be fun deciding that.