Our first family vacation
Dec. 7th to Dec. 16th
Myself (mom)
Son, Chris 15
Daughter, Katie 12
Daughter, Bailey 7
My friend, Missy
Missys daughter, Kelsey 12
I will break this down in 3 parts. We did 2 Disney parks, a 4 day Carnival cruise, then back to Orlando for the 2 Universal Parks.
Day 1
We started out from Des Moines driving to Kansas City. It is almost impossible to get affordable airfare from Des Moines so I regularly fly out of KC when I have to travel. I got $52 round trip airfare on Southwest to Tampa so the 3 hour drive was worth it. We arrived in KC at around 7:30 p.m. and although security was increased it was a quick and efficient process. We left on time at 9:00 p.m. We arrived in Tampa and I went to get the rental van while the others retrieved our luggage. I had a great $199 rate for a week from Avis. I had enrolled in their preferred member program so I handed the agent my card and she typed something into the computer, handed me a paper and directed me across the street to the cars. The whole process took less than 2 minutes. We walked across the street and they had the van waiting right there for us. We got a Chevy Venture and it was almost brand new. It only had 3000 miles on it. Very nice! We loaded our 9 bags and 6 carry-on bags in and were on our way. I found a $32 rate for a Days Inn 10 miles away and we got to our hotel and went to bed.
We got up around 8 am and went to Clearwater Beach so the kids could wade in the water and collect shells. This occupied them till lunch and we stopped and a waterfront seafood restaurant and then were on our way to Orlando.
Day 2
I rented a 3 bedroom house from Families First. It was only $79 per night and definitely worth the money! It was very spacious and decorated beautifully. We had a long day ahead of us at Disney so we just stayed in and the kids swam and worked on homework.
We got up early and went out for a $3.99 breakfast buffet. Nothing special but worth the money. We were at MGM at 8:30. I screwed up and ended up parking in the employee lot but some employees told me it was ok. This was great because it was very close. Security went through our camera bags but this went very quickly and we were on our way to RNR RC and ToT. None of us had been to MGM before so we just followed the crowds. RNR was first. We walked right on. We all loved this ride! I must say that I though I was going to pee my pants during takeoff! We next rode ToT. While I found this to be an entertaining ride it wasnt all I thought I would be. I was expecting drops more like Dr. Doom at IOA. It was fun nonetheless.
By 3:00 we had covered the park so we decided to go back to our house and get a little rest before MVMCP. I had arranged priority seating at Liberty Tree Tavern at 6:00. We had a great meal and the kids had fun interacting with the characters. We were finished right before 7 so we left and headed straight to Splash Mountain. We rode this 3 times without getting off. We then headed over to Railroad and rode this twice. Next was on to Haunted Mansion. Then we headed over to Its a Small World. This was one of my favorites from childhood. I wasnt surprised that the older kids though it was cheesy but my 7 year old didnt like it either. I told them that even if they didnt like it they would take their kids on it someday! We went on to Snow White and Dumbo then took pictures of Cinderellas carriage. This was so pretty. We headed over to Tomorrowland and rode Space Mountain and did Alien Encounter. My 7 year old isnt easily scared but this was too much for her. I really regretted taking her on this. Just as we were leaving the fireworks were starting so we stopped and watched these. Very nice! The parade was starting soon so we found a spot right on the corner by the circle. We got our hot chocolate and cookies and sat down to watch the parade. Im not much into parades but really enjoyed this. My 7 year old had pneumonia the week before so she was worn out and slept through the parade. After the parade she was wide awake and ready to go so we went over to Adventureland and rode Pirates and Jungle cruise. We got our pictures taken then were ready to call it a night. We had a really great time and wouldnt hesitate to do MVMCP again. The decorations were beautiful. We had great weather (80 during the day) but it was strange to see Chrismas decorations when it is warm! My 7 year old daughter asked me why they had Christmas decorations up in the summer! We went back to the house and collapsed so we could be up early for our trip do Miami for our cruise in the morning.
I dont know how I can ever go to the parks at any other time of year again. The crowds were almost non-existent. Everything was decorated beautifully and we were able to get so much done in such a short time. What a wonderful but short trip!
Cruise review
USF/IOA review
Dec. 7th to Dec. 16th
Myself (mom)
Son, Chris 15
Daughter, Katie 12
Daughter, Bailey 7
My friend, Missy
Missys daughter, Kelsey 12
I will break this down in 3 parts. We did 2 Disney parks, a 4 day Carnival cruise, then back to Orlando for the 2 Universal Parks.
Day 1
We started out from Des Moines driving to Kansas City. It is almost impossible to get affordable airfare from Des Moines so I regularly fly out of KC when I have to travel. I got $52 round trip airfare on Southwest to Tampa so the 3 hour drive was worth it. We arrived in KC at around 7:30 p.m. and although security was increased it was a quick and efficient process. We left on time at 9:00 p.m. We arrived in Tampa and I went to get the rental van while the others retrieved our luggage. I had a great $199 rate for a week from Avis. I had enrolled in their preferred member program so I handed the agent my card and she typed something into the computer, handed me a paper and directed me across the street to the cars. The whole process took less than 2 minutes. We walked across the street and they had the van waiting right there for us. We got a Chevy Venture and it was almost brand new. It only had 3000 miles on it. Very nice! We loaded our 9 bags and 6 carry-on bags in and were on our way. I found a $32 rate for a Days Inn 10 miles away and we got to our hotel and went to bed.
We got up around 8 am and went to Clearwater Beach so the kids could wade in the water and collect shells. This occupied them till lunch and we stopped and a waterfront seafood restaurant and then were on our way to Orlando.
Day 2
I rented a 3 bedroom house from Families First. It was only $79 per night and definitely worth the money! It was very spacious and decorated beautifully. We had a long day ahead of us at Disney so we just stayed in and the kids swam and worked on homework.
We got up early and went out for a $3.99 breakfast buffet. Nothing special but worth the money. We were at MGM at 8:30. I screwed up and ended up parking in the employee lot but some employees told me it was ok. This was great because it was very close. Security went through our camera bags but this went very quickly and we were on our way to RNR RC and ToT. None of us had been to MGM before so we just followed the crowds. RNR was first. We walked right on. We all loved this ride! I must say that I though I was going to pee my pants during takeoff! We next rode ToT. While I found this to be an entertaining ride it wasnt all I thought I would be. I was expecting drops more like Dr. Doom at IOA. It was fun nonetheless.
By 3:00 we had covered the park so we decided to go back to our house and get a little rest before MVMCP. I had arranged priority seating at Liberty Tree Tavern at 6:00. We had a great meal and the kids had fun interacting with the characters. We were finished right before 7 so we left and headed straight to Splash Mountain. We rode this 3 times without getting off. We then headed over to Railroad and rode this twice. Next was on to Haunted Mansion. Then we headed over to Its a Small World. This was one of my favorites from childhood. I wasnt surprised that the older kids though it was cheesy but my 7 year old didnt like it either. I told them that even if they didnt like it they would take their kids on it someday! We went on to Snow White and Dumbo then took pictures of Cinderellas carriage. This was so pretty. We headed over to Tomorrowland and rode Space Mountain and did Alien Encounter. My 7 year old isnt easily scared but this was too much for her. I really regretted taking her on this. Just as we were leaving the fireworks were starting so we stopped and watched these. Very nice! The parade was starting soon so we found a spot right on the corner by the circle. We got our hot chocolate and cookies and sat down to watch the parade. Im not much into parades but really enjoyed this. My 7 year old had pneumonia the week before so she was worn out and slept through the parade. After the parade she was wide awake and ready to go so we went over to Adventureland and rode Pirates and Jungle cruise. We got our pictures taken then were ready to call it a night. We had a really great time and wouldnt hesitate to do MVMCP again. The decorations were beautiful. We had great weather (80 during the day) but it was strange to see Chrismas decorations when it is warm! My 7 year old daughter asked me why they had Christmas decorations up in the summer! We went back to the house and collapsed so we could be up early for our trip do Miami for our cruise in the morning.
I dont know how I can ever go to the parks at any other time of year again. The crowds were almost non-existent. Everything was decorated beautifully and we were able to get so much done in such a short time. What a wonderful but short trip!
Cruise review
USF/IOA review
