That "once in a lifetime" trip! :D

[faulknerm]

Hi,

First of all I just want to introduce myself - I'm Marc, 20 (nearly 21) and hail from the UK. I've never been to DLRP before and am hoping to take my mum (41) and lil sister (nearly 6) for a "once in a lifetime" trip next year. :thumbsup2

I've been toying with the idea for a while now, as I wanted to arrange a special trip of somekind but wasn't sure what would be best. My mum sadly lost her partner last June (and my lil sister her Dad), so it's been a really tough year for them and I want to do something to bring a little joy back into their lives. I can't quite run to a "no expense spared" type trip, but this probably is going to be the only time that we'll get to Disney so I intend to make it unforgettable.

I'm still very much in the early planning stages, so no doubt I'll be hassling you all with hundreds of questions between now and when we go! Thanks in advance for putting up with me, as I'm already like an overexcited kid so dread to think what I'll be like in a few months time lol.

I think that the only thing I've decided on so far is that we'll be flying, as I don't fancy the drive down - and my mum doesn't drive so it would mean me doing all of the driving about. Abi (my sister) has never been on a plane before either, so it will be another magical experience for her.

Anyway, I'll leave this for now and get back to reading the threads on here and posting my first list of questions!! :yay:

Cheers,

Marc

[A Small World]

Hello and welcome to Dis.

What a wonderful thing to do for your Mum and sister. Im sure your little sister will think you are the best brother in the world.

Are you going to tell them about it or leave it as a surprise to the last minute?

[faulknerm]

Hello and welcome to Dis.

What a wonderful thing to do for your Mum and sister. Im sure your little sister will think you are the best brother in the world.

Are you going to tell them about it or leave it as a surprise to the last minute?

Aww, thanks for your kind words! :hug:

I have told my Mum that it's something I'm thinking about, but only vaguely - I'll only tell her it's definite once it's all booked and paid for. All being well Abi won't find out until we're on our way to the airport, as I want it to be a complete suprise for her - I can't wait to see the look on her face!! :cutie:

[mamaboogie]

Can I just say - what a wonderful son and big brother you sound like?

How lovely to think about planning this trip for them - I know they will really appreciate all the thought and effort you'll go to!

And you're definitely in the right place for lots of DLP advice!

Flying does make the holiday seem that much more magical! Your sister will love it!

Have you had any thoughts where you want to stay?

Shari x

[mommy2ash]

well i just have to say you are a wonderful person. i am so sorry for your familys loss and this is a lovely thing to do for them. i have to say that i dont think it needs to be a no expense spared trip to be memorable. i have seen this on both sides people who werent happy and spent a fortune and people on a budget who have had the time of their lives. cant wait to hear more as you start planning.

[faulknerm]

Oh wow, thank you all for your kind words - you're such nice people!! :hug:

At the moment I'm pretty much sold on the Disneyland Hotel - I know that it's an extra expense but as a one off I really feel that it's worth it - especially now I've seen all of the pics on here!

Other than that not a lot more has happened on the planning front, as I've been too busy on here reading all of the trip reports :rotfl:

Next up has to be deciding when we're going. I'm going to try and avoid school hols as not only will the cost be prohibitive but I don't really fancy spening all day every day queueing up - so I'm thinking either February (mmay be a bit chilly then though) or April, but will it be too busy by then? Guess I should really look at flight options and then base my decision on that as there's no point booking for February if we can't fly at convenient times...

[mommy2ash]

i went at the start of feb this year. to be honest it was a bit cold, we had snow one day. but i honestly had a wonderful time and i didnt notice the cold at all. once you are prepared for it then it shouldnt be a problem. i do have to say that the parks were so quiet it was brilliant. there were hardly ever any queues. i have a pic of fantasyland empty in mid afternoon lol. i think i will have to actually finish my trip report now lol

[faulknerm]

I was taking a quick look at flights this afternoon (ssshhh, don't tell my boss!) and it seems we'll be paying in the region of £200 for return flights for all 3 of us from Manchester to CDG.

How does this compare to others have paid? It doesn't seem too bad to me to be honest, as I was expecting to pay about £100 more than that! Prices varied from about £180 to £300+ but I could get convenient timings with Easyjet for about £200. :) This is based on us going in February.

The park being fairly empty sounds good to me, although does this mean that a lot of the attractions are closed?

[mollies_mum]

You sound like the best big brother/son EVER...:lmao:

It sounds like you and your family deserve some disney happiness,

Fire away with the questions... :goodvibes

[Mum to Belle]

I'd like to echo the other comments on here - what a lovely thing to do for your family :goodvibes

I think that the planning part is so much fun, especially with all the helpful people on this forum!! ;) I haven't even been yet but I want to go again already :rotfl:

I hope you enjoy your planning and I am sure you will all have a wonderful time :smickey: Bring on the Magic! :tinker:

[faulknerm]

I've just taken a look at the Eurostar prices, but it actually works out cheaper to fly (by quite a bit!!) and will also mean that we don't have the journey to St Pancras to arrange on top.

I actually live and work 100+ miles away from my mum, so I've already got that journey to look forward to before we can even set off for the airport. I have to admit that travelling down south after that didn't appeal to me in the slightest, so I'm really glad that we can travel from a local airport for a sensible price. :)

Looking at hotel and flight availability I'm currently looking at a 5 night stay in early February. Not sure about HB vouchers yet, need to give that some thought as neither my Mum nor sis are big eaters- although I eat like a horse! :p

[mamaboogie]

Ooh! I love it when a plan comes together!

The Disneyland Hotel would certainly be a magical place to stay - your little sister would love it I'm sure!

We always fly from Manchester when we go to Paris - it's so convenient and quick!

We're due to go back in October - last time we went was also October and it was quite cold. I don't know about anyone else on here but I love DLP in the cold - it seems to make everything more crisp and magical! Like others have said - just wrap up warm and you'll be fine!:)

Have you thought about which restaurants you'd like to eat at? Not that I'm obsessed with food or anything!:rolleyes1

Can't wait to hear more details!

[faulknerm]

Have you thought about which restaurants you'd like to eat at? Not that I'm obsessed with food or anything!:rolleyes1

Can't wait to hear more details!

I've had a good look through the restaurant reviews, but there are so many that sound fabulous that I'm really not sure. I'm quite obsessed with food myself so want to make sure that we make the right choices. None of us usually eat early in the day so if we're eating breakfast we'll probably just snack at lunchtime and then go out for dinner in the evenings. The steakhouse will have to feature somewhere though ;)

[mamaboogie]

We keep changing our minds where we want to eat! We do love the Steakhouse though! And we have to do Annettes - I think your sister would like the fun element of this place

We're also thinking about The Blue Lagoon - just to watch the Pirates boats go by!

[faulknerm]

Yeah I reckon that Abi would really enjoy Annettes so we'll have to fit that in one evening too. :)

I've finally been decisive and settled on the first week of February for our trip :yay: Obviously this is subject to change if the flights are altered etc or we need to reschedule, but it gives me a date to aim for!

http://www.********************/timers/tickers/3va2qfx4eywjd9s4.png (http://www.********************/timers/)

[mamaboogie]

Yeah I reckon that Abi would really enjoy Annettes so we'll have to fit that in one evening too. :)

I've finally been decisive and settled on the first week of February for our trip :yay: Obviously this is subject to change if the flights are altered etc or we need to reschedule, but it gives me a date to aim for!

http://www.********************/timers/tickers/3va2qfx4eywjd9s4.png (http://www.********************/timers/)

Yay! It's always good to have a date to aim for!:thumbsup2

[b4ley78]

Yes , we too found flights cheaper than eurostar . we are flying out of manchester with flybe and pretty good times too - departs 1030 and returns 2040 . We paid £80 each return inc all taxes etc .

[karengr]

You are such a good person. Happy planning.xx

[faulknerm]

Yes , we too found flights cheaper than eurostar . we are flying out of manchester with flybe and pretty good times too - departs 1030 and returns 2040 . We paid £80 each return inc all taxes etc .

That sounds about what I was quoted by Flybe, but the Easyjet worked out a bit cheaper for me. :)

The DLRP website seems to be having a few problems at the moment, as I've been trying to get some hotel prices for the past couple of hours but just keep getting error messages. :(

[mommy2ash]

i had a great time in feb. i will really have to finish my tr now lol. to be honest i didnt think there were many rides closed in feb this year, no more than any other low season.

[AmyMoose]

Aww I can't really help you out but I just wanted to echo everyone else is saying what a lovely thing this is to do! I hope it's an amazing trip for you (as if it wouldn't be!).

The website was working OK for me a while ago so it all seems to be up and running now. Though it might be worth waiting until this special offer expires on the 31st August if it doesn't extend to when you're going? I'm sure they'll think up something for Feb, esp. if it's quiet!

[faulknerm]

Aww I can't really help you out but I just wanted to echo everyone else is saying what a lovely thing this is to do! I hope it's an amazing trip for you (as if it wouldn't be!).

The website was working OK for me a while ago so it all seems to be up and running now. Though it might be worth waiting until this special offer expires on the 31st August if it doesn't extend to when you're going? I'm sure they'll think up something for Feb, esp. if it's quiet!

Don't worry I'm not planning on actually booking it yet, just looking for some guide prices to work into my budget. Anything that I then save against them is simply more into the "spends" pot. :)

Didn't know that the current offers ended on 32st August, so thanks - that's good to know. Will be interested to see what offer they come up with.

I'm still getting SQL errors on the DLRP website whenever I try to select dates and have tried at home and at work. Not sure what's up with it...

[faulknerm]

I've just been reading up and notice that the DLH is not included in the current offer. Is it normally excluded from the special offers, or just during the summer season?

I have got my heart set on it, but if there's a 30% (or similar) offer on at the other hotels then I don't know whether I could justify the MASSIVE price difference - the gap is big enough at normal prices, but an extra 30% would make it insane.

[A Small World]

The DLH is included in special offers but it possibly wasnt for certain dates - Im sure Patsy got DLH with 3% off for end Aug.
They seem to have the offers on for certain hotels but not others but these might differ.

The DLP site can be tempremental - sometimes its better to phone to get a quote and often playing around with dates can give better discounts (even by one day as the price goes by your date of arrival)

When you do come to book if you book by phone you only pay a deposit but if you book online you pay it all upfront

[faulknerm]

^ Thanks, very useful to know!

Nothing definite yet, but we may have somebody else coming along on this trip with us as I'm planning to ask my half sister (13) to come along too. :D

If she does want to then it will probably mean downgrading from the DLH as it may prove too costly, or cutting the trip shorter, but it will make it an even more magical experience for me to be able to spend time with them both!! :cutie:

(I won't go into details here, not the place etc. but I only got back in touch with my DSis13 this year after more than 4 years, so getting to spend some time with her at DLRP would be amazing!!)

[mommy2ash]

awww thats so lovely. personally i would prefer to downgrade hotel than to cut my trip short.

[faulknerm]

awww thats so lovely. personally i would prefer to downgrade hotel than to cut my trip short.

I agree, I'd much rather stay for the whole week in another hotel. Guess it will all depend on what offers I can get etc. ;)

Rather than actually asking my sister, I've just emailed her Mum to suggest the possibility and get her permission before going any further. If her Mum's happy then I'm going to try and organise it as a surprise for her too. :idea:

I know that Sarah (Dsis13) and Abi (Dsis5 - nearly 6) would both absolutely love DLRP as they're both absolutely Disney mad, so I'm really hoping that I can pull it off as a surprise for both of them. :banana:

[mommy2ash]

I agree, I'd much rather stay for the whole week in another hotel. Guess it will all depend on what offers I can get etc. ;)

Rather than actually asking my sister, I've just emailed her Mum to suggest the possibility and get her permission before going any further. If her Mum's happy then I'm going to try and organise it as a surprise for her too. :idea:

I know that Sarah (Dsis13) and Abi (Dsis5 - nearly 6) would both absolutely love DLRP as they're both absolutely Disney mad, so I'm really hoping that I can pull it off as a surprise for both of them. :banana:

i am loving this trip already lol.

i think the magic is where you make it. kids especially would be as happy in any disney hotel just as long as they are in disney. i got a good deal this year for feb so hopefully they will have more offers out next year.

[faulknerm]

i am loving this trip already lol.

i think the magic is where you make it. kids especially would be as happy in any disney hotel just as long as they are in disney. i got a good deal this year for feb so hopefully they will have more offers out next year.

I completely agree that the magic is what you make it - just being at Disney will be a truely magical experience but it's the quality time that you get to spend with your favourite people that makes it unforgettable.

I only wish that I didn't have to wait months to go!!!

Just waiting on Dsis13's Mum to get back to me at the moment before I can go any further as it's difficult to make plans without knowing how many will be going. I admit I had a moment of weakness today though and bought a Princess dress for Abi :rolleyes: princess:

[faulknerm]

Ooh, somebody should have warned me how dangerous it is to watch Disney video's on Youtube!! :eek::rotfl:

I decided to have a look and have just spent the past half hour watching loads of video's of parents surprising their kids with trips to WDW and DLRP and spent most of that half hour either laughing or crying along with the families! They are soo sweet, I can't wait to break the news myself now just for the reactions. :banana:

The more thought I give to it, the more I decide that I really want the DLH whatever it ends up costing...even with 4 of us (hopefully) I'm determined that we're going to stay there somehow, after all it's only money lol.

[mommy2ash]

i know lol those videos should be banned.

what dress did you get abi. i bet she is gonna love it.

[faulknerm]

It was the sleeping beauty dress. princess: Now I've just got to restrain myself from giving it to her until we go. :laughing:

[Natasha&Matt]

What a thoughtful person you are!! You are going to have a fab time x

[faulknerm]

No real updates at the moment I'm afraid, as I'm still stalling to hear back from Sarah's Mum who's been away for a few days.

I did pick up a few Disney goodies in the local "Home Bargains" shop on Friday though ready to take with us and also grabbed a DLRP brochure from a local travel agent so that I can sit and drool over it when I can't get to a computer! :rotfl:

[faulknerm]

I've just been giving a bit of thought to sleeping arrangements, and have possibly hit a bit of a stumbling block. :(

Sarah isn't related to and currently doesn't know my Mum or Abi, so it would be unfair to expect her to share a bed with either of them. I was planning on bringing a ready bed for Abi, meaning that we would need three seperate beds of some kind (singles, doubles, bunks, sofa bed or whatever) - is this possible at the DLH or any of the other hotels even?

Do all of the rooms at DLH come with either 1 or 2 double beds? How about the suites? What sort of costs are involved for the suites?

I know that it's possible at the DCR but that would mean me driving, which isn't ideal.

[A Small World]

All the rooms at the Cheyenne have 1 double and a bunkbed.

A few rooms at Newport bay have this as well but you are not guaranteed getting this. We were lucky enough to get one a few weeks ago but had taken a blowup air bed and sleeping bag so my DS and DD didnt have to share.

Could Sarah not sleep on one of these and Abi and her Mum share?

Another option is the Explorers hotel which has a double and 2 singles in each room and you can get a small room connected to them with a set of bunks

[faulknerm]

All the rooms at the Cheyenne have 1 double and a bunkbed.

A few rooms at Newport bay have this as well but you are not guaranteed getting this. We were lucky enough to get one a few weeks ago but had taken a blowup air bed and sleeping bag so my DS and DD didnt have to share.

Could Sarah not sleep on one of these and Abi and her Mum share?

Another option is the Explorers hotel which has a double and 2 singles in each room and you can get a small room connected to them with a set of bunks

Thanks - amazingly helpful as ever. :thumbsup2

I don't know why I didn't think of the obvious solution - either me or Sarah on the blow up bed instead of Abi and get Abi to share the double with my Mum - sorted :banana:

Thanks again, at least that's put my mind at rest for now. :)

[faulknerm]

Stage 2 is now under way, with Passport applications having been sent in for both my Mum and Abi. :D (both me and Sarah have current passports, but Abi has never had one and my Mum's expires in June!)

Obviously this means that I've had to tell my Mum about the plans and she's absolutely over the moon!! :woohoo::yay:

I'm glad that neither Abi nor Sarah needs to find out yet though, as I'm really hoping to keep it from them until the morning that we leave... :rolleyes1


It's all starting to come together now and I'm so excited, I just can't wait to get there! :banana:

[Mum to Belle]

Obviously this means that I've had to tell my Mum about the plans and she's absolutely over the moon!! :woohoo::yay: :banana:

Yay!! Now you will have someone else to share your excitement with before you burst!! :cool1:

[faulknerm]

Yay!! Now you will have someone else to share your excitement with before you burst!! :cool1:

Exactly!! :rotfl:

I've also been giving a bit of thought to food whilst we're there, and I'm thinking that the buffets are the way to go for us in the evenings. Generally speaking, I eat like a horse as does Sarah but my Mum and Abi don't have massive appetites - so it will probably balance out the cost of the meal between us. ;) We also all like different things, so it will be nice to have a good mixed selection to choose from.

None of us are really breakfast people and are generally satisfied with a drink and possibly a piece of toast to start the day, but as it's included I'm sure we'll all make an effort to try a bit of most things, just to say that we have lol. I'm not really into the idea of making up lunch from the breakfast table as that just seems incredibly cheeky to me, but I reckon we'll probably end up taking a pain au chocolat or something with us each day to munch on later in the morning - nothing that wouldn't be considered breakfast though just to eat a bit later, to keep hunger at bay until we look for lunch. :thumbsup2

For lunch I'd guess that we'll just be grabbing a sandwich or something if we're hungry, or maybe a burger from one of the counter service places - nothing more than that, as I personally don't normally eat much during the day and I know that the others are the same.

I'm thinking of buying some Disney shares before we go, so we should be able to take advantage of the Shareholder club perks too, including Salon Mickey which will be handy for a morning snack and cuppa if we fancy it after doing EMH.

[A Small World]

Its really coming together now. Glad your Mum is excited about it as well

If you do stay at DLH you could always do what we did and go in for EMH and then back to the hotel for a late breakfast - Im not a breakfast person either but its amazing how a few rides can really build up an appetite. You can do this if you stay at other hotels as well but its obviously further to go back. This way you probably wouldnt need lunch

[faulknerm]

Its really coming together now. Glad your Mum is excited about it as well

If you do stay at DLH you could always do what we did and go in for EMH and then back to the hotel for a late breakfast - Im not a breakfast person either but its amazing how a few rides can really build up an appetite. You can do this if you stay at other hotels as well but its obviously further to go back. This way you probably wouldnt need lunch

That's really a very good idea going for a late breakfast, thanks! :thumbsup2

I'm still thinking of 4/5 nights so we could potentially do a couple of late breakfasts, and a couple of earlier breakfasts with a stop off at Salon Mickey for "elevenses" if we fancy anything. :)

For evening entertainment (not that I think we'll need much, I can see us all being in bed for 9 lol) I was thinking probably spend a couple of hours one or two evening in one of the bars, maybe pop into the cinema at the village another night and then more than likely spend the rest of the time just chilling in the hotel room. I was planning on bringing a couple of board games with us and probably picking up some drinks (soft and alcoholic) from the local shop (the station? or maybe even the supermarket) so that we can just kick back and relax over monopoly :rotfl:

[Mum to Belle]

I've also been giving a bit of thought to food whilst we're there, and I'm thinking that the buffets are the way to go for us in the evenings. Generally speaking, I eat like a horse as does Sarah but my Mum and Abi don't have massive appetites - so it will probably balance out the cost of the meal between us. ;) We also all like different things, so it will be nice to have a good mixed selection to choose from.

I think that most of my planning has revolved around the food!! We're also planning on going for buffets, plus The Steakhouse and Auberge for the princesses.

I'm thinking of buying some Disney shares before we go, so we should be able to take advantage of the Shareholder club perks too, including Salon Mickey which will be handy for a morning snack and cuppa if we fancy it after doing EMH.

As I was reading your post I was thinking you should join so that you can go to Salon Mickey !! :rotfl:

[mommy2ash]

sounds like its all starting to come together. i am always wrecked in the evenings lol. i stay in the park till closing which is 7 when i go and then look around the shops or grab a snack.

[faulknerm]

I think that most of my planning has revolved around the food!! We're also planning on going for buffets, plus The Steakhouse and Auberge for the princesses.

I'd also like to fit in The Steakhouse (or another nice table service restaurant that does decent steak) maybe our last evening - as I do like a good steak! :thumbsup2


As I was reading your post I was thinking you should join so that you can go to Salon Mickey !! :rotfl:

Great minds eh! ;):rotfl:

[faulknerm]

sounds like its all starting to come together. i am always wrecked in the evenings lol. i stay in the park till closing which is 7 when i go and then look around the shops or grab a snack.

I'm sure we'll be the same to be honest, so may be skipping the cinema and just spending another evening flaking out in the room. :goodvibes

[A Small World]

I'm sure we'll be the same to be honest, so may be skipping the cinema and just spending another evening flaking out in the room. :goodvibes

There is very little shown at the cinema in French anyhow - mostly the films are in French

[faulknerm]

There is very little shown at the cinema in French anyhow - mostly the films are in French

You know, I hadn't even thought about that...d'oh! :rolleyes1:rotfl:

[faulknerm]

Woohoo!!!

Just heard back from Sarah's Mum and she's happy for us to take Sarah with us :yay::yay::yay:

I'm absolutely over the moon now that I know we can all be together, and I can really start making plans and organising things. Her Mum is also happy to help me out with the planning at their end, meaning that I should be able to keep it from Sarah until much nearer the time. I'm thinking that I'll probably tell her at least a couple of weeks before we go though as, being your typical teenager, she'll want to make full use of the opportunity to shop for new outfits to take with her :rotfl:

Right, now I'm off to make some more plans...think I need to give my credit card to somebody for safekeeping :p lol

[manxtatt2]

Hi Marc

just been reading through your posts , i think youre as excited as i am about going to disney lol

i so wish i was going right now lolol

your planning seems fab

cant wait to read more about your planned trip

take care

:cool1::cool1::cool1:

[AmyMarie]

Hi Marc,

Fantastic news about your trip. Think you should definately let the cat out of the bag nearer the time...... we decided not to tell our 2 girls and keep it a surprise but we were getting so excited with the planning etc felt really mean that they were not getting the chance to be excited too!!! So ended up telling them about 3 weeks before!! Good timing too, just long enough for them to shop and plan but not too long so we didn't get the ' are we there yet ', ' can't we go tomorrow ' questions!!!

Hope it all works out brilliantly for you. :dance3:

[faulknerm]

Thanks guys!! :thumbsup2

I haven't decided when to tell Sarah yet, but I reckon your idea of three weeks is about right - as you say enough time to go shopping without getting too impatient.

All being well Abi still won't find out until we're on the way to the airport, as she's still young enough not to be interested in going shopping her constant "can we go yet" would be unbearable even for a couple of days :rotfl:

[PJackson]

Hi Marc

Just catching up with this thread - what a lovely guy you are :goodvibes

I know it's probably out of the window now reading some of this thread but I was the 'one' who got 30% off the DLH for this weekend coming :goodvibes:cool1: I sadly missed out on 40% off - which actually 10% doesn't sound too much but we are taking 2 rooms (my parents are coming) so actually it was around £400 we lost out on :eek: Still, we got 30% off :thumbsup2

Hope you have fun planning - sounds like you are ;):thumbsup2

[Mum to Belle]

Woohoo!!! Just heard back from Sarah's Mum and she's happy for us to take Sarah with us :yay::yay::yay:

Great news!! :goodvibes

Right, now I'm off to make some more plans...think I need to give my credit card to somebody for safekeeping :p lol

:rotfl:

[faulknerm]

Ooh, it's great to know that such offers are available at DLH, thanks. :thumbsup2

The idea of staying at the DLH is still very much alive, however a lot of it does come down to pricing when the next lot of special offers are released - especially now there will be four of us. If I can get a decent deal on the DLH then I'll definitely go for it, if not then I'll have to look at other options...

I'm having great fun planning it all, just can't wait until everythings booked and I have the confirmation in front of me...then I'll get REALLY escited :yay::rotfl:

[Ware Bears]

Just read this ~ what a lovely son/brother you are. :goodvibes

[faulknerm]

Not a lot of actual planning has happened today I'm afraid, although I did nip into the Disney Store earlier and bought a set of Minnie ears for Abi and a Pooh t-shirt for Sarah. :thumbsup2

Really think somebody needs to take my credit card off me :rotfl: I couldn't resist though, the ears are soo cute :p

[Mum to Belle]

A trip to the Disney Store definitely counts as planning!!

The ears are great aren't they?!! DD has them too - check out my pre-trip report for a photo!::MinnieMo

[faulknerm]

A trip to the Disney Store definitely counts as planning!!

The ears are great aren't they?!! DD has them too - check out my pre-trip report for a photo!::MinnieMo

Aww, your DD looks soo cute!! princess:

That reminds me, I really need to get some pics up of the cast of our trip. :)

Again today not much has really happened in terms of planning, as there's not really a huge amount more that I can do until the exact dates are sorted and booked... I have spend yet more time reading other TR's though and just generally getting excited! How i'm going to last until February I really don't know. :laughing:

I'll go see if I can sort some photo's. :thumbsup2

[faulknerm]

Okay, here goes....

Abi age 5 (will be 6 when we travel)

http://i30.tinypic.com/9urkma.jpg

Sarah age 13

http://i25.tinypic.com/2s1vwr6.jpg

I haven't got any pictures to hand of me and my Mum, but it's the 2 above that are important as they're the ones this trip is all about! :thumbsup2 When I find some of us I'll stick them up too... (just an advanced warning, mine's not a pretty sight :p)

[frontier_matt]

omg!

i'm generally not all that impressed by photos of other people's kids, but abi is just gorgeous!

my daughter's 11 now, but i'm getting flashbacks to when she was a similar age and we took her to DLP for the first time.

you'll love this trip marc - it'll be magic. :)

[faulknerm]

omg!

i'm generally not all that impressed by photos of other people's kids, but abi is just gorgeous!

my daughter's 11 now, but i'm getting flashbacks to when she was a similar age and we took her to DLP for the first time.

you'll love this trip marc - it'll be magic. :)

Aww, thanks.. :goodvibes

She is absolutely adorable...soo cute!! ;)

[faulknerm]

I've just been getting some prices on the DLRP website for the different hotels.

As you know I was originally hoping to go for the DLH, however I've given it a lot of thought and have just about decided that we're not really going to get much benefit from the additional cost as we really will just be using the hotel to crash in at night - all day every day will be spent making the most of the parks, so why pay over £1600 just for bed space?

I actually quite like the look of the Cheyenne, as whilst it is a lot more basic than DLH it is still fantastically themed (I'd guess it's probably the best themed of the cheaper hotels?). I've just done a quote online using the 1 night free offer (combined with Abi free as under 12) and it comes in at £682 for a 5 night/6 day stay!! :thumbsup2

If I was to go with this, it would leave me with a few hundred pounds extra spending money, meaning that we can afford to really go to town with the souvenirs and meals whilst we're there!

To give an example, the same stay at DLH using the same offer is £1,660 - nearly £1000 more :scared1: Just think how many character meals, glowtini's and stuffed Mickey's that could buy :rotfl:

I'm struggling now, as I really don't know whether to just take the plunge whilst the price is good or wait to see what offers come out and risk not getting such a good price later on?

[faulknerm]

Oh sod it...it may just be the half bottle of wine talking, but I think I'm gonna give DLRP a call tomorrow to get a final quote for the Cheyenne with a few extra's thrown in and if I'm happy with the final price I'll get it booked! :banana::banana:

[faulknerm]

Blimey, these Bank Holiday weekends are dangerous…!

WOO HOO

I’ve just finished booking our trip, second week in March 2010 – 5 nights/6 days staying at the Hotel Cheyenne!!! :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay:

Can't believe it's finally booked, and that we're all going in just 6 months time. :cool1:

[tashybea]

Wow. I've just caught up on this thread. What an amazing brother/son you are!

:cool1::cool1::banana::banana::banana::cool1::cool 1:

Triple Yey for booking your trip. Can't wait to read the TR.

[faulknerm]

Now giving some thought to our eating plans whilst we're there. :)

I've decided not to go with the HB vouchers, as 2 of our group don't have particularly big appetites so I feel they would be wasted if we justed wanted to snack one evening rather than eating full meals. We also intend to eat at a mixture of places across the board in terms of cost, so we'd probably lose out if using HB+ or premium vouchers whilst snacking at Chucks Wagon for example.

I'm working on the basis of us having 2 table service meals, 2 buffet meals and one fast food type meals during the week, possibly with a final table service meal for lunch on the last day before we leave. :)

So far I think that we need to eat at the steak house or the silver spur one evening (as we all like a good steak ;) ) , inventions another and of course try out the hotel restaurant Chucks Wagon one night too. I'm guessing that one night we'll be looking at something like Annettes, possibly as a take away if we just fancy flaking out in the room. We'll also be taking in BBWWS one night, so that covers the five evenings.

Some days we're likely to try and grab a late breakfast thus missing out lunch (which we tend to do when at home anyway) but on the days when we have breakfast before EMH (or during, when we will hopefully have a GMFL breakfast) then we'll probably just grab a sandwich or baguette somewhere to keep us going until dinner time.

Depending on what we feel like closer to the time, I'm thinking of possibly switching inventions with a character meal somewhere (Cafe Mickey hopefully) or even fitting a character lunch in one day before BBWWS (as we plan to go to the late show) or the evening that we just grab a fast food takeout.

[mommy2ash]

great plans so far. i have the same issue i want to eat in restaraunts on various plans so it would be a waste. if you want to eat at the silver spur i would check what time they close at. i had a meal at half five but i am not sure how much after that they were leaving people in as the parks close at 7. innventions is a character buffet and a great one at that.

[mamaboogie]

Blimey, these Bank Holiday weekends are dangerous…!

WOO HOO

I’ve just finished booking our trip, second week in March 2010 – 5 nights/6 days staying at the Hotel Cheyenne!!! :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay:

Can't believe it's finally booked, and that we're all going in just 6 months time. :cool1:

Hurray!!:yay:

Full steam ahead!:)

We are eating at the Silver Spur in October - also going to Buffalo Bill's!

[mommy2ash]

yey i didnt see you had booked. thats the way i look at it as well. we dont use the hotel so spending a fortune on it isnt worth it to me. all you need now is a ticker!!!!

[Bolanette87]

Hurrah for booking!! I've just read through your whole thread and I think your trip is going to be just fabulous.... The girls will especially love it!!

Bob xoxoxox

[Mum to Belle]

I’ve just finished booking our trip, second week in March 2010 – 5 nights/6 days staying at the Hotel Cheyenne!!! :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay:

Can't believe it's finally booked, and that we're all going in just 6 months time. :cool1:

Great news!!! :cool1: How excited are you now..???!!! :banana:

[faulknerm]

Thanks everyone!:thumbsup2

Great news!!! :cool1: How excited are you now..???!!! :banana:

I don't think excited even comes close to covering it...I haven't stopped bouncing yet :rotfl::banana::banana:

With regard to food I've just sat and read all of the menu's on MK and am just in the process of digesting them (oh dear, I really shouldn't try to make puns like that :rolleyes:) but I think that we'll probably be sticking with the original idea of 2 table service, 2 buffet and a fast food with a character lunch on the last day before we leave. Which restaurants we decide on is still very much up for discussion though, as they all sound fantastic!

[faulknerm]

Just booked our UK transfers to/from Liverpool airport - £22.50 each way for the 4 of us + luggage. :)

[Mum to Belle]

Hey, hey!! You have a TICKER!!! :banana::banana:

[faulknerm]

I figured it was time to touch base with an update, as I haven't been around for a while. ;)

Not much has really happened in terms of planning since I last posted, other than booking our Paris transfers with EZYShuttle.

I'm also planning on telling Sarah in the not too distant future, so that she can join me in my excitement!! :thumbsup2 I had been planning to keep it from her until Christmas time, however I'm not sure that I can keep it to myself that long - every time I speak to her I'm itching to say something, so that I can get her involved in the planning...I want to come up with a really special way of telling her though, as I don't just want to blurt it out in the middle of a conversation. Not sure how yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something.

[faulknerm]

Ooo, just had a bit of a bidding spree on eBay! :rotfl:

Just a few Disney bits and pieces for Abi, a fleece and a couple of t-shirts. :love:

[Mum to Belle]

He! He! Ebay is great for Disney bits - not so great for the bank balance though!! I've had to stop myself from looking on there as I keep finding stuff to buy!! :rotfl2:

There was a lovely thread on the planning board about telling people -some great ideas!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2281566

:goodvibes

[faulknerm]

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look now. ;)

I've only won one item on eBay so far, a lovely red "Mickey" fleece to fit Abi - and a bargain at £5.50 :)

http://i26.tinypic.com/5k3x8i.jpg

[Booknut]

What a lovely top!!!! I love Ebay for all stuff but i've found some lovely Disney bits on there!

You must be getting really excited now!!!

[faulknerm]

What a lovely top!!!! I love Ebay for all stuff but i've found some lovely Disney bits on there!

You must be getting really excited now!!!

There are some lovely Disney items at the moment, if fact I'm bidding on about 5 of them :rotfl: I think the kids fleeces are fantastic, and as it's likely to be cold when we're there in March I've got an excuse to buy Abi a couple. :thumbsup2

Excited really doesn't even come close...anybody in my office would tell you that I've not stopped talking about Disney for weeks, in fact I think they probably can't wait as much as me, as at least once we've been I may get some work done again. :laughing:

[faulknerm]

I ended up winning the fleece and the coat that I was bidding on, as the prices for the others went silly in the end. Got another couple of bids in now, again I probably wont win but it's worth a shot whilst the prices are just a pound or 2! ;)

Day off work tomorrow :yay: so I may just have to make a "trip planning" visit to the Disney store! :rotfl:

[faulknerm]

Day off work tomorrow :yay: so I may just have to make a "trip planning" visit to the Disney store! :rotfl:

Naughtiness complete...and I managed to only spend £25.99 :rotfl:

I'll post a photo of the growing Disney collection later :cool1:

[faulknerm]

Sorry folks, photo's will have to wait until tomorrow - as I've just discovered that I've left my camera in work. :mad:

Anyway, todays purchases from Disney Store -

Minnie Ears
Eeyore Backpack
Minnie Messenger Bag
I Love Mickey T-Shire
Reusable Mickey Shopping Bag

My mum has also just emailed to say that she went out today, and also decided she had to go into the Disney Store. :rotfl: She came away with a Minnie dress :lovestruc

[faulknerm]

I'd managed to find bags for all of the other 3, but not for myself. Was just looking for a messenger type bag to carry with me whilst we're in the park with "essentials" in in. Just come across this and it's perfect, so I'm going to order myself one and then try and sell a couple of bits on Ebay to pay for it. :)

http://www.argos.co.uk/wcsstore/argos/images/215-0758723A71UC548088M.jpg

[faulknerm]

Got a copy of the Brit guide on Amazon today for a couple of quid, so that should be here in the next couple of days...will give me something new to read! ;)

That really does have to be the last of the Disney spending until at least payday though, unless I get my Ebay account sorted out and manage to make a few sales...

[faulknerm]

Just decided, after much deliberation, that I'm definitely going to buy some shares so that I can join the Shareholders club.

Apart from access to Salon Mickey, which will be a great bonus, I'm sure that I'd soon recoup at least some of the investment in discounts whilst we're there - as I'm bound to spend a fortune!! (and obviously I'd make sure the rest of the family got the benefit of discounts too ;) )

I'm hoping that the share prices manage to drop a bit more before I get my order in, as today's 5% drop still leaves them quite expensive compared to 6 months ago, but at the same time I've just sold off some other shares and locked in enough profit to pay for the Disney ones. :)

Once I've got my shareholders card, it gives me an excuse to spend even more whilst we're there as I'll need to get my moneysworth from the discounts! :rotfl:

[faulknerm]

Got a copy of the Brit guide on Amazon today for a couple of quid, so that should be here in the next couple of days...will give me something new to read! ;)


And how's that for service? Ordered yesterday lunchtime, delivered this morning before I left for work!!

I'm only about 20 pages in so far, but it's a great read - massive thumbs up to Simon and Susan. :thumbsup2

[faulknerm]

As promised earlier in the week, some photo's of the Disney goodies below. ;)

Sorry they're a bit rushed, X Factor was just starting when I was taking them so I had to hurry lol.

The Ebay bits haven't arrived yet, but all payments were received by the sellers today so they should be here in the next few days.

http://i37.tinypic.com/11uagp3.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2n3zfk.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/2gw807m.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2whmnh5.jpg

I'm going to watch the end of X Factor (wow, Ethan's voice was amazing!) and then go and relax in the bath with a glass of red and the Brit guide. :)

[faulknerm]

Ooh, sorry it's been so long since I last posted an update.

Anyway, Mum and Abi's passports have come through now meaning that all the paperwork is in order for our trip. :thumbsup2

I've got a big custom printed card to give to Sarah at Christmas - with Winnie the Pooh on the front, and a "surprise" message printed inside. Can't wait to see the look on her face. :yay:

Less than 5 months to go...!!! :cool1:

[faulknerm]

What's going on with the Euro rate?? It's painful! :(

Last time I bought Euro's, the rate was about 1.26-1.27 which I didn't think was too bad, but the current rates are appauling. Fingers crossed for some sort of recovery in the next few months.

[kizzabel]

Hi Marc
thats such a nice caring sweet thing to do. what a cool brother!
the best mine gave me was a dead arm!! lol

what dates are you over? im 1st to 3rd march. we could only plan a couple of days cause my mam is minding our 8month ds and it wouldnt be fair..... but the next trip i think i'll just bring my dd, leave dad and son at home to bond :rolleyes1 :idea:

hows the planning going??
ive filled up the passport forms, bought lots of tshirts from ebay, booked and paid flights and thats it! only 2 million more things to do.... Budget s done though and we can go mad!!!

did you get free meals??

[faulknerm]

Hi Marc
thats such a nice caring sweet thing to do. what a cool brother!
the best mine gave me was a dead arm!! lol

what dates are you over? im 1st to 3rd march. we could only plan a couple of days cause my mam is minding our 8month ds and it wouldnt be fair..... but the next trip i think i'll just bring my dd, leave dad and son at home to bond :rolleyes1 :idea:

hows the planning going??
ive filled up the passport forms, bought lots of tshirts from ebay, booked and paid flights and thats it! only 2 million more things to do.... Budget s done though and we can go mad!!!

did you get free meals??

Hi Kizzabel,

We're over for 5 nights/6 days from 1st March - so you never know, we may bump into each other. :thumbsup2

I'm pretty much at the same stage as you in terms of planning, especially the Ebay bit - I bought WAAAY too much lol. Still, I'd rather buy it cheap over here as it will leave us with more money to spend whilst we're away. :)

No free meals I'm afraid, as I booked just before the free night deal ended, but we're planning on being off site one day (to see the sights of Paris) and tend to have strange eating patterns, so I think we're best off just paying as we go.

[kizzabel]

am i jealous??
much!! :lmao:
id love to go for 5 days!!

so what are you most looking forward to seeing or doing??
everything looks so good! i cant wait to get in the main gates and see the castle. it really is what dreams are made of!

where are you flying into?
we fly into beauvais (not loving that we have to be in dublin airport at crazy o clock but we should be in the park at 11am!!)

have you told the girls yet?
we told our almost 4 year old **groan**....
shes been fairly constant with the questions since lol!!

[faulknerm]

In all honestly, the think I'm most looking forward to is the look on Abi's face when she realises where we are - as we're not telling her until we pull up outside!! :goodvibes Other than that, I personally can't wait to go on TOT.:yay:

We're flying from Liverpool to CDG.

Neither of the girls know yet, but I'm planning on telling Sarah at Christmas. Abi hopefully won't find out until we get there though, unless anybody says anything before we go...

I bet your little 'un won't stop with the questions until you get there. :lmao:

[faulknerm]

Made the final payment for our holiday today!! :yay::woohoo::yay::woohoo:

I was originally going to pay it all when I made the booking, but the money I had to pay for it was tied up in a bond which only matured last week - so if I'd withdrawn it early I would have been penalised, and I figured that it was interest free with Disney so I may as well wait until it had matured. :)

It feels so real now that I know it's all paid for...and I'm getting so excited! :banana:

[kizzabel]

:banana: yaaay! thats brill marc!
only 128days til im there!
any more organising done pet?
getting kinda lazy here lol! going to get christmas a bit more sorted before i do anymore.
questions are still constant from the 4 year old!

[faulknerm]

No real updates I'm afraid, like you say Christmas is getting in the way a bit at the moment.

One minor crisis did pop up in that my passport has gone missing :( I had to send it off as ID to a bank and it didn't arrive with them, so I'm having to apply for a new one!! At least it's happened now though rather than a few days before we leave...

It's still a secret at the moment. Abi keeps commenting everytime that she see's the DLRP adverts on TV that she could go free, but we're making a big thing out of the cost for the rest of us so that she doesn't think we can go...I really hope that we can keep it from her until we actually arrive.

[eeyorefanuk]

I love it when the children do not know until they go, wont be long now :goodvibes

[kizzabel]

Hiya Marc
any planning since?
booking transfers and the airport hotel for the night brfore we fly this weekend! Goin to do my PTR early dec. we're nearly at the 100 day mark! cant wait til it gets down to double digits!

[faulknerm]

Hiya Marc
any planning since?
booking transfers and the airport hotel for the night brfore we fly this weekend! Goin to do my PTR early dec. we're nearly at the 100 day mark! cant wait til it gets down to double digits!

I booked our Paris transfers with EZY a couple of weeks ago - although John had us pencilled into his diary for months before, lol. Think he thought I was mad asking to book transfers for March in September! :rotfl:

Not sorted anything out for this side yet, but my mum lives fairly close to the airport so we'll probably just book a normal cab for that I reckon.

My PTR has been dragging on for nearly 4 months now :lmao: so I'm going to try and rationalise it into a plan of action...watch this space! :thumbsup2

[faulknerm]

100 days!!!! :banana:

Woohoo...I can't wait! And only 35 days until I can tell Sarah all about it. :yay:

[faulknerm]

Plan of action

As promised, I've now organised all of the plans made over the past 102 posts into a rational plan of action for the 6 days that we're spending at DLRP in March. Now that we've reached our DDD (Doube Digit Day) it seemed the right time to make some sense out of the Chaos. :confused3

Who :grouphug:

Me (Marc), 21, first trip ::MickeyMo
Mum (Viv), 42, first trip :eeyore:
Dsis1 (Sarah), 13, first trip pooh:
Dsis2 (Abi), 6, first trip :tinker:

Where

Disney's Cheyenne Hotel, DLRP

http://www.disneyparis.explorertravel.co.uk/gifs/franchisees/disneyparis/disneys_cheyenne_hotel_Lge.jpg

Me travelling from East Yorkshire, Sarah from Derbyshire, Mum and Abi from Cheshire - all setting off for the magic from Liverpool Airport.


When

1st-6th March 2009 (6 days, 5 nights)

Flight departing @ 07.25
Return flight departing @ 17.40

I'm setting off on 28th February to pick Sarah up and then we're all staying at my mums for the 1/2 nights sleep that we will get.



Whilist we're there

Monday - Drop our bags off and straight into the parks!!
Tuesday - As above, a full day spent enjoying all the parks have to offer
Wednesday - Day in Paris seeing a few sights - obligatory photo's next to the tower :thumbsup2
Thursday - Back to the parks for more magic!
Friday - A more leisurely day, soaking up the atmosphere and generally seeing the sights around DLRP
Saturday - Our last fix of Disney in the morning before setting off for the Airport


Travel Arrangements :car:

Local taxi picking us up from Mum's house bright and early on Monday, dropping us off at Liverpool Airport

Flight from Liverpool to CDG with Easyjet

EZYShuttle picking us up from CDG, dropping us off at the Cheyenne

Wednesday - Train from DLRP into Paris, Metro to get us around to see the sights and then train back "home" again.

EZYShuttle picking us up after lunch on Saturday, dropping us off at CDG

Flight from Cdg to Liverpool with Easyjet

Local taxi from Liverpool Airport back to my Mum's, where I'm leaving my car


Extra Magic :wizard:

Neither Sarah nor Abi know about the trip. I'll be telling Sarah at Christmas (well, boxing day - when I see her) as it's part of her Christmas present from me. We don't plan on telling Abi at all, so hopefully she wont find out until we pull up outside the Hotel.

Food etc.

Still a WIP - I have a few idea's of where I'd like to eat, but it's got to be a group decision really and as half of the group don't know about the trip yet I can't make any firm plans.


Think that just about covers it. As and when anything else is confirmed/organised I'll add it into this post. :)

:thanks:

[markpsych]

Great plan :thumbsup2

After so many visits, I often wish I could experience that 1st time vibe again.

We did a day out in Paris one trip and it was fantastic. Watch those metro doors though....they close very quickly.

Have fun!

[kizzabel]

yaaay marc 92 days!
great planning so far! ;)
thats handy that ye're so close to the airport. we're 2 hours away but going to stay up beside dublin airport the night b4 we fly.
so excited!

[faulknerm]

Oh well, I couldn't resist putting some kind of eating plan together! lol

Obviously subject to change after discussing it with the others, but this is my current thoughts -

Monday - Breakfast at LJL airport, casey's for lunch, Toad Hall for dinner.
Tuesday - Hotel breakfast, snack type lunch - possibly McD's or maybe even rendezvous, BBWWS.
Wednesday - Hotel Breakfast, lunch out in Paris somewhere, Dinner out in Paris somewhere.
Thursday - Hotel Breakfast, Au Chalet de Marionette for lunch, Chuck Wagon for dinner.
Friday - Hotel Breakfast, Annettes for lunch, La Cantina for dinner.
Saturday - Hotel breakfast, snack from Cowboy cookout for lunch before setting off for the airport.

If we go for rendezvous (or some other "full" type meal) for Tuesday lunch we'll probably be looking at the second BBWWS. If possible I'm going to try and get a GMFL breakfast for one day, although realise they're hard to get now...

There's still loads I'd love to fit in, especially the Steakhouse, so there will probably be lots of swapping and changing depending on money and appetites ;)

[mommy2ash]

sounds good so far. on monday i would swap caseys and toad hall around. caseys is usually opened till park closing and toad hall will be closed much earlier.

[faulknerm]

Thanks for the tip!!

Casey's may well get swapped for something else anyway, but I'll slot Toad Hall in for a lunch. :)

[faulknerm]

Okay, confession time. :rolleyes1

As you know, our holiday was all paid off back in October - however I still hadn't booked the flights! :scared1:...until today :cool1:

It was a risk, but I took a bit of a gamble on the Easyjet flight prices and decided to hold off as long as I felt able, to see whether we could make a decent saving. I finally made the booking today and in the process saved myself £70 on what I would have paid had I booked back in October. ;)

I know, I was mad, but it paid off in the end!! :woohoo:

So, that's it - everything is all paid for, booked and finalised. :cheer2:

[Lisa_C]

Excellent!! Now all you got to do is restrain yourself from spending tooooo much on ebay before you go LOL! (Big tip though is to buy from the Disney Store for "surprise" gifts for those going if you plan to do so :thumbsup2)

I bet you are dead excited now it's all taken care of!! :woohoo:

[faulknerm]

Excellent!! Now all you got to do is restrain yourself from spending tooooo much on ebay before you go LOL! (Big tip though is to buy from the Disney Store for "surprise" gifts for those going if you plan to do so :thumbsup2)

I bet you are dead excited now it's all taken care of!! :woohoo:

I certainly am excited!! :thumbsup2

But nothing like as excited as Sarah was yesterday when she found out that we're going! :rotfl2::cool1:

I had a card personalised for her, from Moonpig, and when I gave it to her yesterday afternoon I think she was in shock for a few seconds as she took it in - and then the screaming and bouncing started. :rotfl:

I don't think I've ever seen her so excited...needless to say we spent the rest of the afternoon talking about it and making plans. :yay:

[Lisa_C]

Awww!! Even more exciting now Sarah knows! What a wonderful gift :) Only just three months of waiting now.....and sleepless nights because you're too bouncy to sleep LOL!

You'll all have a wondeful time!!

[faulknerm]

Awww!! Even more exciting now Sarah knows! What a wonderful gift :) Only just three months of waiting now.....and sleepless nights because you're too bouncy to sleep LOL!

You'll all have a wondeful time!!

Thanks Lisa! :)

I'm even more excited now that I can talk about it and make plans with Sarah too...it's so much more fun when you can share your excitement! :banana:

I've got all of my Ebay buys out and started sorting them out...can't wait, only 64 days to go!!! :thumbsup2

[Lisa_C]

Maybe I should have put "only just over two months to go" instead of rounding it up to three lol......it'll come even quicker now :lmao: Sarah will be like the Cheshire Cat for the next couple of weeks (and no doubt after too)!!

[faulknerm]

Maybe I should have put "only just over two months to go" instead of rounding it up to three lol......it'll come even quicker now :lmao: Sarah will be like the Cheshire Cat for the next couple of weeks (and no doubt after too)!!

That's only just over 2 months left to plan though!! :scared1::scared1::scared1:

Picked up a bargain today in Argos...3 suitcases (28", 24" and 20") in bright red, so easily identifiable, for just £24.99!! :thumbsup2

[faulknerm]

Picked up a bargain today in Argos...3 suitcases (28", 24" and 20") in bright red, so easily identifiable, for just £24.99!! :thumbsup2

Is it too early to start my packing?? :rotfl:

The cases are sat in the living room (as I have nowhere else for them at the moment!) and every time I look at them I want to make a start...I'm going to be far worse than the kids :banana:

Actually, I can probably make a start by packing all of the bits that I bought on Ebay for Abi - as they're going into my case, the largest, until we get to the hotel.

/off to get the bag of bits to make a start packing. :thumbsup2

[Mum to Belle]

I had a card personalised for her, from Moonpig, and when I gave it to her yesterday afternoon I think she was in shock for a few seconds as she took it in - and then the screaming and bouncing started. :rotfl:

I don't think I've ever seen her so excited...needless to say we spent the rest of the afternoon talking about it and making plans. :yay:

Now you can get really excited!! :yay: DD loved to look at all the little video clips of the rides on the Disney website before we went and still does now! Have fun with the rest of your pre-trip planning :goodvibes

[faulknerm]

Now you can get really excited!! :yay: DD loved to look at all the little video clips of the rides on the Disney website before we went and still does now! Have fun with the rest of your pre-trip planning :goodvibes

I don't think excited quite covers it, lol. :yay::banana::yay::banana::yay::banana:

I've spent hours looking at all of the video clips myself, on the Disney site and on youtube and have bookmarked literally dozen's of them to sit and watch with Sarah.

In fact, after Goodnight Mr Tom finishes I might just have to sit and watch a few more. :rotfl:

[manxtatt2]

Plans look good , im sure you are excited

I was like that 1st and the 2nd time we went

Havent decided if we will go this year or not as yet , as i need a sun holiday lol

:rotfl2:

[faulknerm]

I'd love a sun holiday too, as it's so long since I last had one (nearly 7 years :o) but the draw of Disney was just too great!

I'm looking at the possibility of taking a short break later on in the year though, 3 or 4 days somewhere hot and sunny, but that all depends on money of course - fingers crossed for a nice bonus from work, lol.

Whilst I haven't actually "packed" anything yet, I have sorted out all of the little bits and pieces which I bought on Ebay and split them between the three suitcases. The plan is for me to take the cases for my mum and Abi down one day when Abi is in school and hide them in their loft, so that mum can pack them without Abi finding out.

The bits which I have got for Sarah are going to be travelling in my case, so that I can give them to her when we get there. :)

Had a bit of a minor panic earlier, as I realised that I had booked an adult Easyjet ticket for Sarah (13) :eek: - as I had to book her Disney tickets as an adult, so naturally assumed the same for the flights. I've spoken with Easyjet though and they've assured me that it's fine - so long as the passport details match then there will be no problem. Crisis averted!! ;)

[faulknerm]

Less than 50 days to go!! :banana::cool1::banana::cool1:

Okay, I admit it, I went out shopping for a new "holiday wardrobe" at the weekend. :rotfl: (just realised how girlie that sounds, lol)

In fairness I didn't really buy much, just a couple of new hoodies and some new jeans/combats. All warm and layerable stuff as even if this cold snap lifts by then it's still going to be a bit fresh in early March. Now I've had my dose of retail therapy I'm all revved up and can't wait to go! These next six weeks at work are really going to drag I reckon.

Now the detailed planning can begin in earnest, with food, drink and activities all to plan (although not precisely, as we'll be on holiday and I have enough deadlines in work) and also the logistics of actually getting us all where we need to be in time to fly etc.

WOOHOO!!!

x :)

[faulknerm]

Called up today and made a couple of bookings/reservations! :thumbsup2

Booked us a table at the Chuck Wagon for the first night.

Character breakfast for the Wednesday

Table at Cafe Mickey for the Friday night.

We also have BBWWS booked for the Thursday night. :banana:

[eeyorefanuk]

Your holiday is coming around very quickly, you must be soooooooo excited:goodvibes

[faulknerm]

Woohoo, only a month to go!!! :cool1:

In exactly 28 days time, we'll all be trying to grab a couple of hours sleep, before setting out for the airport at silly o'clock in the morning.

Everything's all taken care of now I think, apart from a bit of last minute shopping for snacks and such to take with us.

One slight concern is that my passport hasn't turned up yet, although worst case scenario is that I have to take a days holiday from work and go to the passport office in person to push it through same day. Hopefully not needed, but at least that covers all the bases.

I don't think Sarah's stopped bouncing yet since I told her at Christmas...and neither have I!!:banana::banana::banana:

[kizzabel]

27 days marc!!!
its come around very quickly! cant wait :thumbsup2
when did u send the passport form? stil didnt send dd's, going 2 the police station to get the forms signed tonight and i'll send it via passport express tuesday so we should have it within 10 days

[Lisa_C]

Oh how exciting for you both - I can't believe how quickly this has come a round!!

Don't worry about the passport Marc, it'll turn up - though trace it online or phone the help line with your application number and they will tell you where it's at. It might be that they tried to deliver it while you were out. They don't leave a letter to tell you, but you do have to personally sign for it from the courier as it'a legal document :thumbsup2 So it won't be missing :hug:

My best friend joined the boards yesterday but she hasn't posted yet. She goes for the second time in two weeks time - she booked as soon as she got back last June so imagine the pain her kids have gone through waiting! We're all going together in November for her son's birthday as I've given her the bug.....so I expect to see a new ticker on your return as I'm sure you'll have the disease too ha ha ha ha :rolleyes1

[kizzabel]

17 days marc!!!
yaaaay!
got some coloring books for the girls for the airplane and new trainers cause i burnt mine trying to dry them on top of my stove!!
just have 2 pack!

[eeyorefanuk]

Not long now :cool1: .......... you must be so excited :goodvibes

[faulknerm]

17 days marc!!!
yaaaay!
got some coloring books for the girls for the airplane and new trainers cause i burnt mine trying to dry them on top of my stove!!
just have 2 pack!

Not long now :cool1: .......... you must be so excited :goodvibes

Absolutely...I think the guys in work are officially sick of Disney now :rotfl:

The passport finally turned up today WOOHOO!!!!!

Now it all seems so real...in 2 weeks time I will have just finished work for the last time before we go, and will no doubt be running around like a headless chicken thinking of everything I've forgotten lol

Kizz, not sure whether you have a local Poundworld or not, but I picked up some fab Disney Princess colouring and sticker books in there last week. :goodvibes

I was meant to be on my way to the family tonight, however there's heavy traffic because of a smash - so I'm going to spend the night in front of a Disney film (not sure which yet...) with a couple of glasses of red whilst packing my case. :thumbsup2

[manxtatt2]

wow not long now

i remember when you first posted it seemed like yonks and now its nearly time to go

arghhhhhhh i so want to go back , but we decided not to this year , i wanted a sun holiday and now we aint even getting that as we are going to belfast for 5 days , woopie doooooo llfff

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

[sam1883]

I'm new to this board, read this thread I just wanted to say I hope you all have a brilliant time! Hope you update this when you get back as I want to know how your little sister reacts lol, we are going the week after you, staying in the cheyenne as well.

[faulknerm]

My SDD is getting closer and closer!! :banana::banana::banana:

Can't believe how quickly it's come around - this is officially going to be our last planning weekend before we go. :scared1:

Luckily I've managed to get tomorrow and Friday off work (well, out of the office at any rate, although I'll still be "working" on the laptop and mobile) meaning that I'm off down to mum's to get the last minute bits and pieces sorted before heading over to spend the weekend with Sarah and help out with her last minute planning too. :thumbsup2

You can tell it's getting close now, I've even dug out my Ultimate Disney CD and have been singing along to it all week in the car. :rotfl:

[Mum to Belle]

:banana::banana::banana: It'll be here before you know it!!! :goodvibes

[faulknerm]

All packed up and ready to go! :thumbsup2:woohoo:

I popped to Tesco last night to pick up a "few" snacks and things to take with us, and ended up with a carrier bag full of goodies which only just fit in my case :rotfl:

Now all that's left for me to do is change a small amount of cash into Euro's to pay for the transfers and any other little bits and pieces - oh yeah, and as my Mum keeps reminding me

Don't forget to pick up my passport!!!!!

See, I had to put a reminder to myself as otherwise I can see me making an unexpected 200 mile round trip in the middle of the night to pick it up :lmao:

By some miracle Abi still doesn't know anything about the trip - so far as she's concerned she'll be going into school as normal on Monday. I really don't know how we've managed to keep it from her :confused3 but I can't wait to see the look on her face when we arrive! :thumbsup2 Camera will be at the ready...

[Lisa_C]

By some miracle Abi still doesn't know anything about the trip - so far as she's concerned she'll be going into school as normal on Monday. I really don't know how we've managed to keep it from her :confused3 but I can't wait to see the look on her face when we arrive! :thumbsup2 Camera will be at the ready...

Abi STILL doesn't know?? WOW!! I must say, it's a GREAT place to go to school LOL!!! (I did the same to my son once, he was even in uniform....wondered why he was getting a lift to a school 5 minutes away....and an hour later we were at the airport ready to fly to Germany!)

[A Small World]

Gosh this trip seems to have come round very quickly - it doesnt seem 5 mins since you started talking about it.

Well done for keeping it a secret from Abi - I bet she will be so excited when she finds out

Have a fantastic trip and dont forget we want a trip report with loads of pics when you get home

[eeyorefanuk]

All packed up and ready to go! :thumbsup2:woohoo:

I popped to Tesco last night to pick up a "few" snacks and things to take with us, and ended up with a carrier bag full of goodies which only just fit in my case :rotfl:

Now all that's left for me to do is change a small amount of cash into Euro's to pay for the transfers and any other little bits and pieces - oh yeah, and as my Mum keeps reminding me

Don't forget to pick up my passport!!!!!

See, I had to put a reminder to myself as otherwise I can see me making an unexpected 200 mile round trip in the middle of the night to pick it up :lmao:

By some miracle Abi still doesn't know anything about the trip - so far as she's concerned she'll be going into school as normal on Monday. I really don't know how we've managed to keep it from her :confused3 but I can't wait to see the look on her face when we arrive! :thumbsup2 Camera will be at the ready...

I am sooooooooooo excited for you ......... Abi is going to be so excited ....... I really hope you have a great time, cannot wait to hear what you thought about it :goodvibes

[kizzabel]

hi marc, hope you had a great time! had a blast, cant wait to read all about your trip, i'll be a while gettin mine together as my memory card has gone haywire!!

did abi figure it out?

[mommy2ash]

i cant wait to hear how it all went. i cant believe how fast the time flew.

[faulknerm]

As Stitch would say...Aloha everyone!!!:thumbsup2

We landed back in Liverpool on Saturday evening, but to be honest I've been too cream crackered to even turn the computer on until today.

Had and ABSOLUTELY AMAZING time!! :banana::banana::banana:

I'm still tackling the photo's (over 2000 :scared1:) so the TR will follow sometime shortly, but I think it's safe to say that it really was the trip of a lifetime...hopefully not the "only" trip of a lifetime though. ;)

Glad you had a great time too Kizz, and believe it or not we kept it from Abi right up until the last moment...full details will be revealed in the TR. :thumbsup2

[Mum to Belle]

Welcome back!!! :goodvibes

Glad to hear that you did have the trip of a lifetime :cloud9: and will be waiting (not very patiently) for your TR and photos!!!!! :surfweb: Can't believe you managed to keep it a secret all that time - I'd have burst!!

:cheer2:

[Lisa_C]

As Stitch would say...Aloha everyone!!!:thumbsup2 .....and believe it or not we kept it from Abi right up until the last moment...full details will be revealed in the TR. :thumbsup2

Oh now that is absolutely brillliant!! I've had internet connection problems (i.e a new cable was laid :scared1:) but I'm so glad you had a great time :cheer2:

[eeyorefanuk]

Yay you are back .......... been wondering how you got on and how the surprise went.... off to read the start of your trip report :goodvibes