Our Magical Trip Of A Lifetime Pre-Trip Report

[Plum85]

Hello All!

I'm pretty new to the DIS but I'm not new to Disney! I've been almost 15 times and I'm going again in September 2012. It's my favourite place on Earth! So here's the scoop...

There are 6 of us going in total. Me, DBF, Sister, Brother in Law, Mum & Dad. My family and I have been going since I was little, but it was DBF's first time last year and he absolutely loved it. We were back a few weeks and we booked to go again in 2012. It feels like our last holiday was a lifetime ago but I'm starting to get super excited now its only 74 days away!

DBF and I will be celebrating our 4 year anniversary in Disney World, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve..more on that later!

Here's me and DBF



We are staying off-property in Vista Cay, we stayed there last year and we absolutely loved it, it felt like home. We are sharing an apartment with my sister and BIL and we all have so much fun together. Here's some pics from last year, we are staying in the same apartment!







I've never done a pre-trip planning journal before but I love reading everyone else's so much and I want to write a trip report too. I can't wait to get started!

 

[JKMJ441724]

Can't wait to read more...

 

[Plum85]

So I guess I should do a better job of introducing myself.

I'm 26, from the UK and a Disney freak. I've been going almost every year since I was 8 and I can't get enough of the place, but you guys totally get that, right?

I met DBF in September 2008 and though we fell in love we lived 500 miles away from each other. The first year was really hard but DBF moved to my city a year later and we've lived together ever since. Last year was the first year we were able to go a 'proper holiday/vacation' and it had to be WDW. DBF was reluctant at first, he wasn't sure what to expect, he isn't a fan of roller coasters, and he's not a great flier. You can see the issues! But my whole family were going and I wanted to go so much so we made it happen. Needless to say he absolutely loved it and within a few weeks of our return we had booked our flights and I could start dreaming of being back there!

Our trip in 2011 was the first time I had gone anywhere like that 'as a couple' I'd always gone with my family so tickets etc were always sorted out for me however last year was different and I liked having a bit more independence. Now this year I'm in full planning mode and everyone around me is getting tired of me talking about Disney every day so here I am!!

Next: Itinerary!

 

[Plum85]

So here is a break down of the trip so far. I've decided to include my budget as well so I can keep track of it as I still have a few things to plan.

Flights: British Airways London - Orlando international £535pp (Booked & Paid)

Accommodation: Vista Cay 2 bedroom apartment 16 nights £200pp (Booked & Paid)

Spending Money: Currently $1800 Target $2500

Disney Park Tickets: 14 Day Ultimate Ticket £237pp (Not booked or paid)

Universal Park Tickets: 2 Day Ticket £92pp (Not booked or paid)

2 nights at the Yacht Club for Anniversary: £440 (not booked or paid)


As a super secret squirrel surprise I am hoping to book the YC for two nights over our Anniversary. I'm really struggling with the budget at the moment as I only have 3 more pay days but I need (if I want to do everything - and I do!) then I need to find another £1500 from somewhere. I have prioritised what I have left to arrange and it looks like this:

1. Disney passes. I figure at least if I can't afford to stay at the YC at least we can have some Disney magic! Also, I have already booked some ADR's and I have more on my list so this 14 day pass is a must.

2. Yacht Club. This is pretty expensive and I think I must be mad to consider spending almost £500 on a 2-night stay when a) we already have fully paid up accommodation in an absolutely beautiful apartment b) I'm really bad at keeping secrets, but I think it would make a great surprise and we've never stayed on property before. We love the boardwalk and I'd love nothing more than to spend two days alone with DBF on our anniversary.

3. Spending money. Ideally I'd like to have $2500 because I love to shop, especially as its become a bit of a tradition to get something from Tiffany&Co at the Mall at Millenia. If I'm lucky enough to get everything above and anything close to $2500 I'll be the happiest girl alive! And I can always buy Universal passes at the gate.


So I still have lots of saving to do and not a lot of time to do it in! Gulp!

 

[Plum85]

So yesterday I was really excited to book our 14 DAY ULTIMATE DISNEY PASSES! So so happy! I have bought one for myself and one for DBF for his birthday in August. I was excited to find out the pass lets us use the Disney Transportation including the boats (never been on one before!) and we can get into DisneyQuest as well. DBF is going to love that! I'm still hoping to book the boardwalk for two nights, it's coming in at £440 and if all goes to plan I'l book that at the end of July (I hope there are still rooms available!).

9 weeks to go! Getting super excited!

 

[JKMJ441724]

9 weeks to go! Getting super excited!

14 weeks for me! Super excited for both of us!

 

[reyasmommy]

Vista Cay looks beautiful. We stayed at Lighthouse Key Resort once and it was amazing. So nice to have all that space, but it's also amazing staying on property. We're going that route this year so the kids can experience it. Hope you're able to spend a couple of nights alone for your anniversary!
Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Plum85]

Hi guys, thanks for joining in!

I had to race on here because I BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT THE YACHT CLUB! I'm so excited but because I can't tell DBF I don't have anyone to get excited with about it! I already feel like I'm going to spoil the secret and tell him thats how excited I am!! Although I'm from the UK I was able to get the US offer of 30% off the room rate through greatorlandodiscounts.com I must admit I have had great service from that website. I initially booked then wanted to change the dates - no problem!
On the 12th we have dinner reservations at Le Cellier, and on the the 13th we have dinner reservations at Portobello. Can't wait!
The two nights with pool/water view including taxes cost $692 which is about £440. Pretty happy with that!

Did I mention I'M SO EXCITED!!!!???!!!

 

[JKMJ441724]

Hi guys, thanks for joining in!

I had to race on here because I BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT THE YACHT CLUB! I'm so excited but because I can't tell DBF I don't have anyone to get excited with about it! I already feel like I'm going to spoil the secret and tell him thats how excited I am!! Although I'm from the UK I was able to get the US offer of 30% off the room rate through greatorlandodiscounts.com I must admit I have had great service from that website. I initially booked then wanted to change the dates - no problem!
On the 12th we have dinner reservations at Le Cellier, and on the the 13th we have dinner reservations at Portobello. Can't wait!
The two nights with pool/water view including taxes cost $692 which is about £440. Pretty happy with that!

Did I mention I'M SO EXCITED!!!!???!!!

That's me excited for YOU.

 

[Plum85]

So far I've managed to keep the YC a secret, but every day I just want to jump up and down and tell DBF what we have planned! I'm trying to think of a cute way of telling him about the YC on the morning of our anniversary. We always exchange cards on our balcony but I wanted to come up with a cool way of surprising him. Should I do a puzzle and make him guess? Should I just tell him outright? Should I give him a box full of clues? I need help! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[potc]

The Vista Cay looks so nice! I'm so excited for you about the Yacht Club! I've never stayed there, but I looked at some pictures and it looks Awesome! Your DBF is going to be so excited!

I'm never good with keeping stuff like that a secret so I'm not sure about ideas on how to tell your DBF

 

[Plum85]

Just checking in guys! I've still managed to keep the yacht club secret and I've figured out how to reveal all to DBF! We are now 36 days away from Disney! Can't wait!

I'll post an update with all the details of the big reveal. Now I just need to keep on keeping the secret. It's so hard!

 

[StevePWales]

Must be hard keeping the secret when you're so excited !
We loved the look of the Yacht club when we went there for dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse - which is another idea if you want a really good meal.
We also loved the boardwalk area. It's great to walk along there in the evening before/after going to Epcot.

 

[XxsmortzxX]

Wow! This sounds like it is going to be an awesome and special trip! I love what you did for your DBF for your anniversary! Yacht club is one of my favorite resorts. I absolutely love the pool they have there and that you are in walking distance from Epcot!
After reading your post, it makes me want to go back sometime sooner.

 

[princess_ariel_85]

Just joining in!

Liking your plans so far. Aww thats a lovely suprise/secret. I'd have cracked by now

Can't wait to find out how you will be revealing it to your DBF

looking forward to hearing more x