My first ever pre-trip report, single mum with two boisterous children. Am I mad?

[madmumof2]

I'm being pressurised to write a pre-trip report so here it is! lol

Cast;

Me; Mummy, 24 year old, Disney nut, third trip but first time as an adult!

Cameron; Son, will be 6, first trip.

Alyssa; Daughter, 3, first trip.

We are booked for 2 weeks in POP Century! I've never been onsite before so I'm very excited!

I've never been able to take my children on holiday, I'm not exactly on a good income, so I've had to save long and hard for this holiday. I started saving about 2 1/2 years ago, and finally paid off my holiday last month!

I've had the kids' passports sent off, so now I just need mine sorting and to save up our spending money!

We got our park tickets through the post a few weeks ago, suitcases ready and waiting to be packed, Disney backpacks for the kids, lanyards and 11 pins each so far, bum bag for me, photopass CD and book pre-purchased, a night at the Sofitel the night before our flight, booked and paid for and I'm part of a stroller swap that includes all the accessories we'll need which will be handy!

Here's my plan so far, although I bet it will change in the next 5 months, especially if I can't get the ADR's and times I want.

Day 0, Thursday 8th Oct
Pick Cameron up from school after getting Alyssa and drive straight to Leicester
Train or lift to the airport
Check in at the Sofitel at Gatwick airport
Have dinner in their resturant
Early night, early start tomorrow

Day 1, Friday 9th Oct
Breakfast at airport
Flight at 10:20am
Lunch on plane
Arrive at 15:05
Check into POP
Have a mooch, maybe bite to eat.

Day 2, Saturday 10th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Bus to Epcot
Collect passport and get stamps at each country
Lunch at Coral Reef
Illuminations fireworks

Day 3, Sunday 11th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Shopping at Downtown Disney (Bus)
Disney Quest
Lunch/Dinner at T-Rex
Chill by POP pools

Day 4, Monday 12th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Seaworld
Dine with Shamu for lunch
Shamu at night

Day 5, Tuesday 13th Oct
Breakfast at Donald’s safari breakfast at AK (bus)
On to Animal Kingdom for the day
Dinner at Boma at AKL

Day 6, Wednesday 14th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Get picked up and taken to Clearwater
Arrive at 11:30am
Board the Dolphin Encounter boat
See amazing views and dolphins racing you alongside the boat
Arrive back at the beach 75 minutes later
Have lunch (provided)
Spend the day relaxing, shopping, exploring Clearwater
Leave at 5:30pm. Getting back to Orlando at 6:30pm
Dinner at 1900 Park fare

Day 7, Thursday 15th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Bus to Magic Kingdom
Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern
Wishes fireworks

Day 8, Friday 16th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Bus to Typhoon Lagoon
Taxi/bus to I-Drive for some shopping
Dinner at Sizzlers/Ponderosa/Denny’s

Day 9, Saturday 17th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Bus to Hollywood Studios
Lunch at Mama Melrose
Fantasmic (preferred seating with MM dining)

Day 10, Sunday 18th Oct
Taxi to Islands of Adventure
Breakfast with Spiderman
Dinner at Café Stoo-pendous

Day 11, Monday 19th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Spend day at POP, possibly Downtown Disney
Lunch at Earl of Sandwich
Back to POP and chill at resort
Dinner at Teppan Edo (bus)

Day 12, Tuesday 20th Oct
Breakfast at POP
Taxi to Universal Studios
Lunch at Mel’s Drive-in
Evening at POP

Day 13, Wednesday 21st Oct
Taxi to I-Drive
Breakfast at Denny’s
Visit Wonderworks, Ripley’s, Gatorland,
Congo River golf
Lunch at Bahama Breeze
Evening in Kissimmee
Dinner at Taco Bell

Day 14, Thursday 22nd Oct
Breakfast at POP
Tying up loose ends, finish any rides/attractions we’ve missed
Dinner at Hoop de Doo at Fort Wilderness
Drop stroller off and enjoy the show

Day 15, Friday 23rd Oct
Breakfast at POP
Back packs, leave at luggage at reception
Last day/favourite park/attraction
Lunch at the park
Leave park at 1pm
Get back to POP in time for airport transfer
Flight at 5:05pm
Dinner at airport/on plane

I have to show you the hotel we're staying in the night before our flight. It's absolutely stunning.

http://disney-magic-plan.blogspot.com/2009/05/got-to-show-you-hotel.html

My goal for this trip is to show the kids what an amazing place it is, to see their faces on their first every holiday, and to revive some lost memories of my Dad.

I really hope we get all the ADR's listed, I've had such a struggle picking and choosing, and will most likely change them again before the 90 day cut off! lol

Like I said, I'm now saving my spending money, and since paying of the holiday I have put $550 on my fairfx card! I want at least $3000 for all the ADR's I want, shopping, treats, taxi's etc without having to watch every cent all holiday.

I hope you all enjoy my ramblings in the months to come! lol I'm sure there'll be a lot! lol

Lots of pics will follow lol

 

[Natasha&Matt]

Bout time girly

Haha u r such a mad for it planner!! And u doing a great job!! Defo a MADMUM!

Really admire you going it alone to Disney with ur 2 babies, they r gunna have a magical time!

Well done hun in paying it off so proud of ya done a great job! xxx

 

[wickesy]

Looks like a great trip but I spotted something that you might not have realised. Gatorland isn't on I-Drive, it's back out near the airport so that is going to be another taxi ride for you.

We always stay at the Sofitel - it really is going to be a great start to your holiday.

Look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

 

[madmumof2]

Oh thanks for that! Never mind, we'll skip gatorland lol.

 

[wickesy]

Oh thanks for that! Never mind, we'll skip gatorland lol.

Well you need to leave something for next time.

 

[scottish mum]

Great pre trip. You will love the boat ride in clearwater, that was one of my favourite parts of our holiday

 

[irisheyes123]

Sound like you have a great trip planned you and your children will have a wonderful time

 

[CustardTart]

Mad Mum? Maybe... Lovely Mum?? DEFINITELY!!!

Sounds like Cameron, Alyssa and you are in for a wonderful time and I like the way you've mixed it up with the trip to Clearwater... Your photos of your babes are gorgeous BTW... I shall look forward to reading all about it and looking at all your pics when you return...

 

[natalielongstaff]

I love reading about kids 1st trips, it always makes me remember the look on my kids faces when they 1st went

Your plans sound fantastic take lots of pics for us x

 

[Pinky166]

Your trip sounds lovely. I am looking forward to reading more.

 

[DCLMan]

You are there the same time we are.

 

[Pegasus928]

What busy and fun filled days you have ahead. So pleased to see that you have stuck a couple of relaxed days around the pool in there. They are always welcome - especially by the little ones.
One thing that stood out to me - we have only been to Clearwater once before and I am pretty sure it took us more than an hour to get back - and we were staying on the H27 turn off on I-4, so probably about 20 minutes closer to Clearwater than Disney resorts.
I don't know what time you were thinking of booking for your dinner for that night but you might want to bear that in mind.
Great pre-trippie though
Looking forward to reading all about it and seeing some great pics.

 

[jackieleanne]

Great pre-trippie I love your plans so far. Your kids will have such a wonderful time as will you im sure.

 

[jjk]

great pre trip report, all your plans sound lovely, really looking forward to reading all about it

 

[madmumof2]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Kenny, we were going to have dinner about t8-half 8 anyway just in case. I always over-estimate how long it'll take lol. I'm guessing about 2 hours.

I'll be adding some more pics and details later hopefully!

 

[wicket2005]

What beautiful children you have and they will have a fantastic time. Well done on managing to save all that money, it is expensive but you will give your kids a lifetime memory.

The only other thing I saw was that you are planning to shop on IDrive, there isn't really that many shops there, the mini golf if good and your kids will like that. At the very top of IDrive is the Prime Outlets but I think it is a fair walk to the restaurants you mention for little legs, so a taxi drive would be in order there.

I am looking forward to hearing more of your plans. That hotel looks fantastic for the night before and such a relaxing way to start a holiday.

 

[irongirlof12]

wow sounds amazing - go for it and love every moment

 

[jockey]

Lovely pics of your DS & DD. Your plans sound fab, I see that you are planning dine with Shamu, we loved this meal it was great, the food was nice and the experience was great!

 

[raph_b]

Sounds like a great trip you've planned, your kids will love it, they are very lucky to have a great Mum like you

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Cant wait to read more, you and your kids are going to have a magical time