Lifelong Dream- August 2014: My PTR

[BudgieMama]

Hello and welcome to my first ever PTR :-D

DH and I will be visiting WDW for the first time, staying at SSR for a week. DH says it will be a one in a lifetime trip, I hope he'll fall in love with the Disney magic and it will be the first of many, as I can't see how we'll see and do everything in just one week!

I'll post a little more when I'm on my laptop- I'm currently on my tablet, which isn't great for extended typing!

 

[BudgieMama]

So, a proper introduction!

I'm Clare. I'm 28, and I work in a High School in West Sussex.

I've wanted to visit WDW for as long as I can remember. A few years ago, my mum promised we could go when my Granny died (as we'd have a bit of money to do so for the first time). She died in July this year after many years of illness. :'(

Since Mum's promise, I got married (we celebrated our 3rd anniversary in August), and my brother is now engaged. Taking 5 people to WDW wasn't practical any more, but DH and I decided to go anyway, using the inheritance money and some of our savings (Granny has 6 children and 10 grandchildren, so there wasn't enough to cover our trip).

We initially priced up the trip at £4k, which was a bit too much. As I work in a school, the trip needs to be during school holidays even though we're two adults travelling. By dropping a day (7 nights, not 8), and BA giving us a £200 apology voucher that we used in conjunction with their sale, we managed to get a week on site at Saratoga Springs, park tickets, the dining plan and all flights and transport for £3K.

I'm really pleased we're staying at SSR (I know some people don't like it, but we wanted somewhere quite grown up, and don't mind the travelling to the parks). I have a countdown on my office wall at work, and it's amazing how many of the kids have been before. They've given me a huge pile of tips in the last week, which is very sweet of them!

As this is our first visit, I'm learning to lingo and the ins and out of a WDW holiday (booking meals 180 days in advance? Who knew?!) and reading all I can to help me get the most of what could be (although I hope it's not) a once in a lifetime trip.

Happy planning everyone!

 

[jen_uk]

Sounds great, looking forward to hearing more The only thing I would suggest is that if there is any way you could extend the trip a little I really would as there is just so much there to do.

 

[BudgieMama]

Sounds great, looking forward to hearing more The only thing I would suggest is that if there is any way you could extend the trip a little I really would as there is just so much there to do.

Sadly not, though I wish there was. It is now all booked and paid for (a very pleasant feeling). I'm just hoping DH sees sense and is up for going back... especially when we have kids. That would be awesome

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[wilma-bride]

Sounds like a great trip. It's a shame it is such a short one, for your first trip. Try not to make the mistake of trying to fit everything in - know that you WILL be back. We went for our once-in-a-lifetime trip in September 2004. Since then, we have had 9 more trips, bought DVC and have 3 more trips planned and booked. Just enjoy what you can, in the time that you have

 

[BudgieMama]

Large Amazon parcel waiting when I returned home today... turns out "The Unofficial Guide: WDW 2014" is a guide book and a half!

Perhaps it's a good thing I have 10 months to get through this book (although I'll skip the stuff on Universal, and probably the chapter on travelling with kids).

 

[Tony Bush]

Congratulations on booking. You'll get so much sound advice on here you'll be an expert within no time ! Also with guide books have a look at the Brits Guide to Orlando. Its been our family bible since we first went in 2000.

Tony

 

[BudgieMama]

Congratulations on booking. You'll get so much sound advice on here you'll be an expert within no time ! Also with guide books have a look at the Brits Guide to Orlando. Its been our family bible since we first went in 2000.

Tony

Thanks Tony, I'll check that one out too

 

[Azza1987]

We had our once in a life time trip in May this year, and were looking to go back too! Although not for a few more years just yet

We stayed in SSR as like you were similar ages & no kids, SSR is so beautiful! We were in congress park, the walk to DTD was quick & easy, the quiet pool really was very quiet & it was probably only 4-5 minutes to the springs where reception/Artist palette was! You will have a great time

 

[BudgieMama]

We had our once in a life time trip in May this year, and were looking to go back too! Although not for a few more years just yet

We stayed in SSR as like you were similar ages & no kids, SSR is so beautiful! We were in congress park, the walk to DTD was quick & easy, the quiet pool really was very quiet & it was probably only 4-5 minutes to the springs where reception/Artist palette was! You will have a great time

I've heard a lot of people complain about SSR, but we picked it because we loved the grown up look (and I think DH needed somewhere that didn't look like it had dropped out of a Disney film to take sanctuary in!!). The price was incredible too, and gave us an upgrade to the Dining Plan rather than the Quick Service DP.

One of my colleagues told me he stayed there two years ago with his family, and they loved it... Everytime I look at the pictures, I just want to squeal! SO excited!

 

[BudgieMama]

My Disney Bucket List​

I visited New York this summer, and wrote myself a list of all the things I desperately wanted to do/experience whilst I was there. (I managed everything expect having room service, because strangely our hotel didn't offer it!) I'm starting (in my mind) to do the same for WDW, but I know I'll forget stuff if I don't write them down... so here is my list so far!​

• Get my very own personalised Mickey ears
• Meet Belle, and get a photo with her
• Meet Mickey, and have a hug!
• Grab at least one virtual geocache on the parks
• Get a nice photo of me and DH in front of Cinderella Castle
• Meet Jen from Cake Wrecks/Epbot (I have no control over this one, but I've already emailed her to ask if it's possible!)
• Do some pin trading (particularly, acquire pins of Belle, Cinderella, Mike Wazowski, Mater, Mickey, Minnie and any character from Emperor's New Groove)
• Have one of those Mickey ice cream treats
• Get some characters autographs
• Swim in the resort pool
• See the Fireworks at MK and Epcot
• Have dinner at BOG
• Do a character meal (currently leaning towards the one in Norway at Epcot)

I think that's it for now... I'm sure they'll be more to add soon though!! I've not included rides I want to visit- I think that might need to be a separate list... but any suggestions you think I should add?

 

[bex7583]

i think thats a very good list

we had a character meal booked at norway and i was a bit worried i didnt fancy much on the menu but turned out to be one of my favourite meals of the holiday , we got a lovely photo with belle and saw loads of princess plus they had a nice cocktail list !!

happy planning it will come round in no time x

i would add fantasmic at hollywood studios to the list its fantastic

 

[BudgieMama]

OMG! I just had an email back from John, of John and Jen who run Cake Wrecks and Epbot... They said they'd love to meet up with us when we visit WDW.... Eeeeeeeek!!! Even more excited now!

 

[jockey]

OMG! I just had an email back from John, of John and Jen who run Cake Wrecks and Epbot... They said they'd love to meet up with us when we visit WDW.... Eeeeeeeek!!! Even more excited now!

Your plans sound fab...I never heard of Epbot so off to have a google!

 

[BudgieMama]

Today is a day that could only be remedied with wine and a Disney film (Beauty and the Beast tonight!)

On the plus side... one day closer to WDW!

 

[BudgieMama]

If I'm right, I think this post moves me up from "Earning My Ears" status... I wonder which one is next?

Anyway, I found out yesterday that 180 day booking window for ADRs opens slap bang in the middle of our holiday in Iceland. This might be problematic! Our hotel is supposed to have free Wi-Fi, but I hope it's reliable and I won't have any problems making the reservations over the app/using my tablet's browser. Anyone used these before?

My current must books are: dinner at BOG, breakfast at Akerhaus and dinner at Hollywood and Vine (for the Fantasmic package, which I've been told I can do on our Dining Plan).

Anything else, I think I'm not too worried about leaving for a few days, but damnit, I want that BOG reservation!!

 

[BudgieMama]

I had a HUGE box arrive from Disney Store today (I used my 10% discount!)... I was kinda surprised how big the box was, as all I had inside were 4 pin badges and a pair of PJ bottoms (with Minnie on... they are so cute!!)

I now have a small collection of pins to trade when I get to the parks. Just need to sort myself out with a nice lanyard (buy a disney one, or reuse an old one? Hmmmm...) and I'll be all sorted on that count.

I love my Minnie PJs. My mini bit of magic to keep me going until the big time! I printed out a picture of SSR today, and stuck it up next to my desk at work. It's good to be able to focus on what I'm aiming at!

 

[BudgieMama]

Today is 10 months and 5 days until we head to WDW... which means it is 5 DAYS until we can link our reservations with MDE (SSR guests can't link before 10 months out.... not really sure why but it comes up in the FAQ on their website! )

We are also 309 days out... so not long till we drop into the 200s! (I know... but I've got to celebrate my small milestones to keep me going at the moment!!)

Whoop whoop whoop!

 

[BudgieMama]

So, since we booked, I have had 1-2 nightmares a week about WDW (it's crazy, I know, but totally normal for me! I have nightmares about everything. I think my brain stops me worrying about them in the day that way)

Last night, I had my first good dream about WDW! It was awesome. I woke up, then realised I was still 10 months away and I was so gutted!

I want to go now please!