2 Week Dream Disney Vacation NOW WITH PHOTOS!! Updated 7/24

[veryblessed]

About 3 months ago......

It was time.


And I was nervous.


Every year about Feb/March Vacation talk would begin for that year.


I knew eventually I would have to say it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.


Finally one day I got up the courage and asked the million-dollar question.


Jenna: “Babe…can we go back to Disney…. (long pause)… again?”

Aaron: “ You don’t want to try something different?”

Jenna: “Well, like staying at a different resort? Yeah we could do that (interrupted)”

Aaron: “No, no, no, like GO some place different, do you want to?”

Jenna: “No!”


I was worried this wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. It was looking like I’d have to pull out plan B… but wait…. I don’t have a plan B!!! I must resort to begging… no that might look too desperate. Umm, I’d have to think of a plan B and fast. I went downstairs and pulled out our Disney Trip Folder from Oct. 2006. I strategically placed our maps, travel itineraries and other memorabilia on the counter top. He would be downstairs any minute and I just knew with one look he would be sold…


I could here him coming………


He was almost to the bottom step…


He had spotted plan B.


Aaron: “You really want to go back don’t you?”

Jenna: (nodding head with cute smile)

Aaron: “Well, if you get time on your lunch today why don’t you get some prices… ok?”


Ha, ha, ha. It worked! Hook, line and sinker! Let the planning begin (insert evil laugh)!!!

Up Next: The very confusing trip planning experience!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Hehe, great start! Looking forward for more!!

 

[OhMari]

Great start, but I am going to move you to our Pre-trip Planning Board.
Looking forward to hearing about the rest.
OhMari
Trip Report Moderator

 

[rentayenta]

Can't wait to read more.

 

[veryblessed]

Hehe, great start! Looking forward for more!!

Hey, thanks for joining!!

Great start, but I am going to move you to our Pre-trip Planning Board.
Looking forward to hearing about the rest.
OhMari
Trip Report Moderator

Opps...sorry! Thanks for moving me!!

 

[veryblessed]

Can't wait to read more.

Thank you! This trip planning is fun!!

 

[veryblessed]

It has taken me 4 months to plan and book this trip.

No joke.

We have been completely booked twice…and have completely changed everything right down to our dates and flights.

Can you say indecisive?

In March our plan was:

September 25, 2007 thru October 7, 2007.

12 nights and 13 days with Disney Dinning Plan, Magic Your Way Park Hopper Pass with Water Parks and More.

Staying at Coronado Springs. We had been to this resort last October and really loved it. We only had two complaints; one was the double beds (they were so small we ended up sleeping in separate beds a few nights) and two, we felt so far away from everything. We would come back to the room 6:30-7:00 so tired and then get a second wind at 8:00-8:30 and want to do something but felt to far away to venture out again. Luckily the World Series was on and the Tigers (we are from Michigan) were in, so we had something exciting to watch.

But…

In April/May our plan changed:

The anticipation of free dinning about killed me. When the dates were finally released we were crushed! Dinning would end 4 days before we would arrive! So to help ease the pain of NOT getting free dining and saving some money we decided to spend MORE money and upgrade from CSR to Wilderness Lodge. Makes perfect sense right???

NOT!!

We are crazy…. for DISNEY!!

We both love trying new things and since there are so many wonderful places to stay at Disney we decided that we would really like to again, try something new. We had stayed at AKL and CSR in prior years so they were out. We really wanted to stay at the Beach Club or Yatch Beach, and if free dinning had been offered for our dates we probably would have booked here. But we were already spending more than the original plan so we ended up agreeing on WL, which we were both very excited about!

But…

End of May/ Beginning of June plans changed again…

So this month I got the BRIGHT idea that we should really try to go for 2 full weeks and get there in time to be on free dinning. I looked into changing our flight first and was pleasantly surprised at how easy and affordable it was going to be to changes our dates. Once I checked into that my DH called Disney to see what (if anything) was available for free dinning (we were really hoping that we could still stay at WL). When he called the only two resorts that had any opening for two weeks on free dinning were Animal Kingdom Lodge and Saratoga Springs (which he had no idea what it was). He ended up just booking AKL since we had been there before and liked it, plus he was urged to book RIGHT THEN because things were going quick.

Later that night he mentioned that SSR was another option. I freaked! I had wanted to stay there since we first saw the resort being built on our first trip. I quickly showed him the resort online, once he saw it he remembered it and wanted to stay there too! We loved the idea of being so close to DTD and having the small kitchenette in the studio rooms, plus we LOVE trying new things! Our fingers were crossed that something at SSR would still be available. We called back and thankfully we were able to re-book for Saratoga Springs!!! I changed our flight that night and we were all set!

New trip details: (and final ones… I hope)

September 22, 2007 thru October 6, 2007.

14 nights and 15 days with FREE Disney Dinning Plan, Magic Your Way Park Hopper Pass with Water Parks and More.

Staying at Saratoga Springs in a studio room!!!


Up Next: ADRs, MNSSPH, and PHOTOS!!!

 

[punkin413]

lucky!!!!!!!! i can't imagine being at WDW for two weeks...... five days is our financial limit right now. maybe some day.....

great start!

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you! This trip planning is fun!!

It is so much fun. I "made" DH and the kids watch the planning DVD again tonight!

 

[veryblessed]

lucky!!!!!!!! i can't imagine being at WDW for two weeks...... five days is our financial limit right now. maybe some day.....

great start!

I can't imagine being there for two weeks either!!! I am pretty excited!! If it hadn't been for free dinning we would not be going for that long!! So for free dinning!!

It is so much fun. I "made" DH and the kids watch the planning DVD again tonight!

Planning viedo???? What I have never heard of the planning viedo!!!

 

[veryblessed]

I can’t stop.

I think I need help.

Disney is on my mind 24/7!

Next time we go to Disney I want to book it one month before we go! I know that is impossible with ADRs, flights, and vacation time at work, but this waiting game…. it is just too much (insert sad face). I just can’t help being excited about this. It is in fact Disney, for 14 nights and 15 days!!!

Ok calm down…. deep breath.

Oct. 2006 Aaron and at Lights, Motor, Action Stunt Show


I have also been wearing my Year of a Million Dreams Pin Lanyard every morning! It drives Aaron nuts. While he is in the shower I put it on. When he gets out “SURPRISE” I have it on! It’s funny…. Well for me it is! I never really thought I wanted to do the whole pin thing; it seemed more for kids (but hey everyone is a kid in Disney … right?). When we were exciting the Kilimanjaro Safari last October the Dream Team Stopped us and everyone got a special prize, a very special pin lanyard and 2 special Year of a Million Dreams pins. We felt special. So I thought, what the heck … I’ll partake in the pin trading.

[/IMG]

You can kinda see my pin lanyard...

Next up was the daunting task of picking out and making 14 ADRs! I had experienced great luck in booking the ADRs for the family trip we are taking in August but this… I was a bit concerned about! I have a hard time picking our what to buy at the grocery store a weeks worth of meals, so trying to figure out where to eat for 2 weeks in September was a little rough!

Aaron’s input on the dilemma…

“If there is steak on the menu, I am there!”

Errr!! Me want steak.

Wow, that helps!!

Finally I got it narrowed down to about 15-16 restaurants and that included some of your favs and a bunch of new ones that we had never tried before. I still can’t believe that we get to eat at 14 table service restaurants!! This trip and our family trip in August will be our first trip on the DDP. In the past we would eat breakfast in the room and we budgeted $100 a day, which worked, but we didn’t get to eat where we wanted everyday and what we wanted. So we are very excited about this. I grew up in a family where food was very important, good food. We love food. We talk about food all the time. And that is why it is so important for us to be on DDP when we go as a family in August and on our trip in September.

So back to my ADRs… had NO problems booking any of them, had a wonderful CM (can’t remember his name) that very friendly! So our eating is as follows…

Sunday: Boma (dinner)
Monday: Raglan Road (dinner)
Tuesday: Nine Dragons (dinner)
Wednesday: Sci-Fi Dinner Theater (lunch)
Thursday: Tony Town Square (lunch)
Friday: Spoodles (dinner)
Saturday: Cap-n-Jacks (dinner)
Sunday: Le Cellier (lunch) & Whispering Canyon (dinner)
Monday: Ohana (dinner)
Tuesday: Mama Melrose (lunch)
Wednesday: Concourse Steakhouse (dinner)
Thursday: Le Cellier (dinner)
Friday: Roes & Crown Pub (dinner)

Wow, I am full just looking at it!

We have also decided to do MNSSHP! As far as costumes go I was thinking about buying the MNSSHP tee shirts when we arrive and wear those to the party and call it good. But Aaron insists that we dress up, his ideas: Peter Pan & Tink or Fred & Wilma Flintstone!! I haven’t made up my mind yet. Honestly I don’t know if I will have room for costumes! We are going to be gone for 2 WEEKS, and I have major packing issues.

I am “that” person!

I could never bring my whole closest if I had to travel on this thing!

My whole closet must be with me! I even weigh my luggage at home because in the past I have been over the weight limit according to the airline officials. It is pretty embarrassing to have to re-pack your perfectly packed suitcases at the airport in order to met the weight regulations, so now I come prepared!

 

[prncssmel]

My whole closet must be with me! I even weigh my luggage at home because in the past I have been over the weight limit according to the airline officials. It is pretty embarrassing to have to re-pack your perfectly packed suitcases at the airport in order to met the weight regulations, so now I come prepared!

OMG, I totally understand this. I have never been over the weight limit, but I have been close -- close enough for the airline person to tell me I am very lucky! Seriously, packing all that stuff is just being prepared; people need to understand that. I am actually being very responsible b/c I am prepared for anything!

Your trip sounds fantastic. 2 weeks would be amazing! Can't wait to hear more about your plans.

 

[ThinkTink75]

I loooove your Pre Trippie! The trip my boyfriend and I are going on next month (OMG I can't believe it is close enough to say next month!) Is our second, and the first time around we were there for 10 days... We got through everything in about 5 but having the liesure time is just priceless and wonderrrrful! Anywho... I don't know if any of your restaurant picks are new to you but we did Rose & Crown and Sci Fi our last trip and loved them! Other than that we have a lot of restaurants in common- 9 Dragons, Le Cellier, Mama Melrose, and we are doing the Ohana character breakfast! In any case, I can't wait to hear more! Great TR!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Love your pre-trippie! Can't wait for the next installment!

I know what you mean about going over your limit. Once travelling to Spain, me and DBF were charged around £30 ($60) for going over our weight; and I was also charged around $15 coming back from Turkey. I always weigh my cases at home - but this time I'm so excited as I get to take 2 cases with 23kg in each with me!

 

[Avivasmom]

WOW 2 weeks...very cool. Sounds like you are eating at many good places. We love Boma!!!

 

[veryblessed]

OMG, I totally understand this. I have never been over the weight limit, but I have been close -- close enough for the airline person to tell me I am very lucky! Seriously, packing all that stuff is just being prepared; people need to understand that. I am actually being very responsible b/c I am prepared for anything!

Your trip sounds fantastic. 2 weeks would be amazing! Can't wait to hear more about your plans.

Responsible in deed!! My DH is the the other extreme, he trys to bring a little as possiable so then I end up packing for him too! He is always very happy once we are on vacation that I add to his small stack of clothes. Last year when we went in Oct. he hadn't paked any long pants!! I added a pair and he was very thankful when we woke up one morning and it was very chilly out!

I loooove your Pre Trippie! The trip my boyfriend and I are going on next month (OMG I can't believe it is close enough to say next month!) Is our second, and the first time around we were there for 10 days... We got through everything in about 5 but having the liesure time is just priceless and wonderrrrful! Anywho... I don't know if any of your restaurant picks are new to you but we did Rose & Crown and Sci Fi our last trip and loved them! Other than that we have a lot of restaurants in common- 9 Dragons, Le Cellier, Mama Melrose, and we are doing the Ohana character breakfast! In any case, I can't wait to hear more! Great TR!

One Month!! How are you sleeping???? You will enjoy the liesure time, it is so needed on a Disney trip...IMO! I am excited to hear that you liked Rose & Crown, this is a new one for us! Good luck getting through the last month!!!

Love your pre-trippie! Can't wait for the next installment!

I know what you mean about going over your limit. Once travelling to Spain, me and DBF were charged around £30 ($60) for going over our weight; and I was also charged around $15 coming back from Turkey. I always weigh my cases at home - but this time I'm so excited as I get to take 2 cases with 23kg in each with me!

Yeah, I will be bringing 2 cases for each of us and they will be at the weight limit....plus each of us will have a carry on! I know I could do laundry , but who wants to do that on vacation???

WOW 2 weeks...very cool. Sounds like you are eating at many good places. We love Boma!!!

Boma is one of our favs!! We love it!

 

[prncssmel]

Responsible in deed!! My DH is the the other extreme, he trys to bring a little as possiable so then I end up packing for him too! He is always very happy once we are on vacation that I add to his small stack of clothes. Last year when we went in Oct. he hadn't paked any long pants!! I added a pair and he was very thankful when we woke up one morning and it was very chilly out!

If I didn't pack for DF, he would have nothing also. It would be like 2 shirts, a pair of shorts and a toothbrush . . . for 2 weeks!

I can't wait to hear about SSR. I made DF watch the DVC DVD last night. I figure it will take me a few years to convince him, so I better start now before we have kids!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

You are so making me want to stretch my vacation out to two weeks. That whole, "Well we do have the free dining plan" is so making sense to me

I love the way you managed to get another trip to WDW.

 

[DreaGirl]

I just found your report and I love it!

We have many things in common:
-from MI
-Packed over the weight limit (which was VERY embarassing)
-Pack for DH
-Compulsive planner/replanner
-Thinking of our trip 24/7

I *wish* we could go for 2 weeks. I'm so jealous!!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I've been thinking lately how great it would be to go for 2-3 weeks! My trips are usually 7-10 days, which is great, but I'd love to try longer!

Looking forward to hearing about your trip! Great report so far!