4 Adults, 2 under 5, 1 car, 1035 miles, Completed 12/16

[Mandychelle79]

The Basics

Dates of Trip- November 30th ( Driving Day) till December 9th (back at home)
Staying At- Any old hotel in Jacksonville area on Dec 1st
Check into Pop Century on Dec 2nd

The Cast

Me- Mandy, 27, Used to be a fly by the seat of your pants type of vacationer, driving my mom nuts with all of me trip planning this time

DH-Scott, 38, Likes Disney, but is seeing a new side of me

DD-Bradyn, 4, was at Disney last year and cant wait to go back, though breaking the news that shes not tall enough for the R'n'R Coaster is not one that I want to do.

DS- Alex, 2 at time of trip, just started to like going on rides recently, usually dislikes being in the car seat for extended periods of time

DM- Carmen, My mom, DISNEY FREAK. Has been there every other year and then some since I was in Kindergarten. Thinks Im over planning the trip.

DDad- Ron, My dad, So not a the Disney Freak ( more about this soon), Amputee and will be driving in an ECV the entire time we are there against his wishes.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Well, Ive known about this trip since 2002. Yep 5 years in the making. Going to do everything with my dd that we never did growing up ( character meals, staying on property). Sure we went to Disney every 2 yrs but it was like I was missing something. Why 5 yrs? We figured 4 yrs old would be the perfect time to take Bradyn. Alex wasn't even a twinkle in the eye yet when we started to plan this trip.
After we did the cost comparisons and decided that we were staying on site with the dining plan my dad's Disney Reluctance came into play. At first he was not going to the parks at all . Then we told him he had to get tickets for at least one day to get the dining plan. Ok thats what we would do and put Mom in our room, since Alex doesn't count as a person since hes under 3, but Mom would actually stay in dad's room. So I started looking at non park restaurants for our table services. So dad which park are you going to? Oh the kiddie parks? Yes dad Bradyn will be having a lot of fun this year. Yes dad you like to see the kids having fun. Yes, dad Alex loves to be with his PAPA. Whats that dad? You are going to all the parks with us? This makes planning SOOOOO much easier. We did tell dad that he was going to rent an ECV every day as his amputation is not a "clean" one like most people have and his leg kills him after walking a few hours. And that he didn't have to stay with us the entire time, he was welcome to go back to the hotel at any time.
So now we know that 2 rooms, 1 car was the plan. I then picked out the Table Service Restaurants we were going to do. Here are the ones that we are doing while we are there.

Monday- Chef Mickeys for Breakfast
Tuesday- Spoodles for Supper
Wednesday- Boma For Supper
Thursday- 50's Prime Time Cafe Early supper
Friday- Princess Breakfast
Le Cellier for Supper

Heres our basic plan

Nov 29th- Pack up my grandparents conversion van with all of our luggage and fun things
Nov 30th- Go to work , come home, eat a quick supper and get on the road for around 730. DH will get home from work around 6:45. This was actually one of our issues about driving down. When to leave. Late Friday night, or early Saturday morning. Funny how much difference 6 hours makes. Normally leaving on Friday would mean 2 over night hotel stops and not just one. However Dad has fixed this. Hes going to drive from 730 until day break or so. Mom will then take over and drive into Jacksonville. Hopefully Alex can make it in the car. Hes not too keen about being strapped in for long periods of time.
Dec 1st- Jacksonville, will stay at any old hotel (ie fly by the seat of pants part of vacation), go to the beach. Sleep
Dec 2nd- Drive from Jacksonville to Orlando. We are going to Sea World this day before going to WDW. Check into Pop Century. Swim if we are up to it.
Dec 3rd- Magic Kindom- EMH Evening if up to it
Dec 4th- Day off, DTD and Swimming
Dec 5th- AK, EMH eve so we may go back after dinner.
Dec 6th- MGM
Dec 7th Epcot
Dec 8th- Leave Bright and Early to come home.

So now the questions come out....
Will Big Al be ok in the car for over 1000 miles?
Will me and my dad get on each others nerves so much we decide to never go on vacation together again ( real possibility, we have similar personalities and usually are good for 3 days tops together). Maybe some Disney Magic will help in this issue
Will Bradyn ride everything she wants to shes over 40 inches at home but apparently 40 inches may not be 40 inches everywhere
Have I over planned the fun out of our vacation?

 

[Mandychelle79]

WHOO HOO. Got my vacation payed off today No more checking the cupboards to see what we have spare of before making my 2 week meal menu and getting to eat what we want...
My mom is definetly thinking that Im way over planning this vacation. Today when she called she asked me what I was doing. I told her. At that moment I was adding favorites to my customized maps to make sure we dont miss anything that I want to do with the kids. I also ordered them when I was done.
Went shopping with my mom after ordering the maps. And now I have enough clothes for vacation . Call them an early bday gift.

So 8 weeks to go and everything is coming together.

 

[magicaldisney11]

This sounds great.
We are going in April 08 and my family feels the same way, I'm over planning but they don't know what we know do they? A lot of the fun of Disney is planning the trip!
Waiting to hear more.

 

[Mandychelle79]

How about a 2 yr old ( next week) with a broken arm. UGHH. Boys. Luckily though it was a greenstick fracture and just needed to be put in a splint. Well after the orthopedic dr decided that it was actually broken, but that a whole nother story .

So heres hopin for some quick healin.

 

[DISNEYJAZZ]

great report and i too am over planning they say they have no clue! but neither did it till i stumbled in here in themiddle of hte night after dd said they had seen the disney vacation planning dvd...and i said " how much for a nanna and pawpaw to go?" just being silly { well i tried to look like i was being silly but i was really all ajumble on the inside with my brain going " please say you want us to come!!!' }and she said "we were gonna invite you!!! so in may we started to decided whena ndthen we booked in aug and now i am an all out dis nut! already planning trips in 2009 and 2010 with the other sets of grands!
i can't wait to hear more of your report....so sorry about your lil pirate breaking his arm! hope he heals well before the trip....happy planning to your lil princess & pirate from mine....

 

[Mandychelle79]

Well when I last left off Big Al's arm was in a splint. It is now in a cast Luckily though it should be off on November 5th. It hasnt been bothering him though.

Trip Update

Got new luggage for Alex
Ordered new luggage for Bradyn

Need to get one more suitcase for my hubby and I as my dad has taken mine for work

My mom gave me an early bday present of clothes for Disney

 

[Mandychelle79]

20 days until we leave. Or is it 21. Heck we arent sure yet. DDad is normally laid off by this time of the year ( road construction) but hes still working. We cant leave on the 30th if he has to work and doesnt get sleep but oh well what ever will be will be.

Al took his own cast off on the third, on the fifth he was declared healed and follow up on the Wednesday before we leave for one last set of films.

Both kids have their luggage and we will be packing it soon.

My mom decided to buy me a new luggage set and keep mines since my dad likes my suitcase so well.

No more planning to do. Just waiting around

 

[Mandychelle79]

By this time next Friday we should be somewhere in the Mountains of West Virginia.

Kiddos' clothes are packed. Toys to be packed on Thursday, Carry ons ( blankets and things to be done last minute.

Dh and My clothes almost done, Toys ( books, ipods and game boys to be packed on thursday) blankets and toiletries to be done at last minute, or as soon as I get home from work.

Have 2 new strollers for the world ( my Emmaljunga that I got for free at a "yard sale" and my cheapy umbrella like but better one).

New shoes for the kids, new shoes for me ( which Ive been wearing to work to break in and they are at the perfect wearing age for me). New portable DVD player for DH.

Weather report so far ( Dec 1 and 2nd) low to mid 70's in Jacksonville and Almost 80 for our Sea world Day.

The weather snapped here so this should feel really nice.

Just have to finish the packing and get some snacks for the way down.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Well, its here. The suitcases are at my moms waiting for DF to load them into the van. Just need to pack a few more essentials and we should be on the road no later than 630 PM tomorrow. Cant wait to start my TR. Thanks to all who have subbed to this one.

Oh and the bad news... DD is running a temp but hopefully its just a little cold.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Who: Me, DH, DD(4), DS (2), DM, DF



Travel Day and Jacksonville

Well Dh got home right on time. We had a quick supper of Hamburgers and hotdogs and then finished loading up the van. Got the car seat for Ds installed in the van after some struggle. Got kids into their seats, put a movie in, and we were off at about 6:30 PM. At about 9 Alex has had enough of his car seat. Actually I think that the air pressure change was bothering his ears since every time we drove into the mountains he would start acting up. Let's just say DF doesn't do well with screaming kids. Kept saying about how spoiled he was and it was to the point the DH was ready to tell him to pull over and he would take Alex back home somehow. Got the kids to sleep finally and caught some ZZZ's too. Got into FL around dawn. Stopped at the Welcome center and Changed DD's Clothes.

Got into Jacksonville around 8 or so in the morning. By this time we were getting hungry and it was too early to find a motel so we decided to go to IHOP. Not a big deal to most but I love IHOP as we dont have any near me in Pa. Well my mom used to live in Jacksonville so we went to where one used to be. Used to be is the key word. So we continue driving towards the beach. Lots of restaurants but none for breakfast and MCD's not cutting it for us. We turn around and then mom remembers that you can put points of interest into the TOM TOM. Yeah IHOP is a POI in the TOM TOM. We get to IHOP and go in.

After our breakfast we head to the beach. We let the kids run up to the water edge with us and then found out really quick that Al doesn't like the water. He would run from all the waves.

Bradyn on the other hand loved to play in the surf. Well that was until she fell in. One minute she was standing beside me the next minute she was on her stomach and soaking wet.

Since it was cool we went to the van and changed her into a different outfit and then went shopping. Each of the kids bought their own shirts ( each of them had almost 200 spending money from change that was saved for them).

After the beach we stopped at a motel for the night. It was just your average sleeping place. Wouldn't want to stay there long but it worked for the night. Tried to turn on the TV and it wouldn't turn on. Dad came in and got it working somehow, it was something with the outlet, and then we showered and took a nap. Woke up around 6 for supper and went to the Golden Corral, which again is something that we don't have near us. Went back to the hotel, gave the kids a bath, and went to bed. Next Stop Sea World.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Sea World

We woke up at a decent time in Jacksonville and headed towards Orlando. Kids were much better in the car today and the sleep had DF in a much better mood. We ate a light breakfast from the hotel.

Got to Sea World at about 930. Got our tickets and went in.

Noticed that the Kraken was down for its annual Maintenance. Bummer. DF did not get an ECV ( hes an amputee) and this decision would come back to haunt him later. We had two strollers with us so we wouldn't have to rent any during the week.

The shows at Sea World were great. It has been YEARS since I was last at Sea World period and even longer since I was at the one in Orlando. We went and seen the Clyde and Seamore show. The mime was hilarious.

It was a cute show and when it was over we high tailed it to the Shamu show. Now it says to be there 45 mins early and we werent so it was difficult to find a seat at first. Well not difficult just had to walk to the other side of the stadium. Df and I had a minor blow up at this point because he was upset about how long it was taking me to get through the crowds with Alex. Both the kids loved the show though.

Brady and Al got a cookie, hot dog and chips to eat. We then went to the barns while DF went to a designated smoking area. After we walked though the barns we went to shamu's play area and let the kids ride on rides while DM looked for DF. DM then called my phone and asked if I had seen DF. Nope, I hadnt. So after the kids rode everything they wanted we all went looking for DF. DM must wear blinders because she had to have walked past him a few times without seeing him.

By this time I was hot and the kids were cranky so we called it a day and went to check into pop century. On the way there dad asked if I knew how to get there. I didnt but I told them the address for the resort. That caused another disturbance in the happiness but we got there with no problem. We checked in and found out we werent in the same building. This was fine by DH and I.
DM and DF needed a handicapped room but not a roll in shower because dad only needs a shower seat. They were in the 70's in building 10,

we were in the 80's in building 9

so we werent too far apart. Once we were checked in we took the kids swimming in the computer pool.

DM and DF met us there and then they went to eat at the food court. We went about a half an hour later. I had the Mediterranean Chicken Flat Bread, which was good but not what I thought it would taste like. Scott had pizza and Bradyn had Chicken Nuggets and French Fries. We got two mugs for the week. Went back to our room and got ready for Magic Kingdom.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Chef Mickeys and Magic Kingdom



When we got in the night before I set up a wake-up call for 6:15 as we had 8:30 reservations at Chef Mickey's. In all my times going to Disney as a child we never had a character meal so it was something that I wanted to do with my kiddos. Got a shower and got the kids dressed. Met up with my parents at Pop's bus stop. Got off the bus at MK and then hopped the monorail to Contemporary. Checked in at Chef Mickeys at about 8.

Did the family picture thing and then got in line for pictures with Mickey. Found out the Alex isnt too keen on the characters but as long as I was holding him he was ok with them being beside him.

Got paged and went to our seat. Our waiter told us to stick around because Minnie Mouse was on her way.

My parents went and made their plates and Al was a bit better with Minnie as she is his favorite. I then went and made a plate for one of the kids and then the other one. Finally I got to make a plate for myself, started eating and then heard the noise I hate coming from my daughter. Gagging and saying that she wanted water. This means only one thing, give her water or shes going to puke. Of course we have no water at the table and since she was allergic to milk as an infant my mom and I are pros at this kind of thing. We get her to the bath room and get her cleaned up, finish our meal, meet with the other characters and pay.

Hop back on the monorail to go back to MK by 10 .

Back at MK the first thing we do is get my dad an ECV. His leg is killing him from the day before. We then go in and find a new shirt for Bradyn cause hers reeks. The Dream along with Mickey show is about to start so we stay and watch it with the kids,

then head over to fantasy land. The first ride we went on was The Teacups. We then rode everything in Fantansy land except Pooh and Peter Pan. I loved Mickeys Philharmagic. Most of our wait times were around 20-30 mins so it wasnt too bad that way. After Fantasy Land we went to Tomorrow Land. Started off with the Speedway and then went on Buzz. We then realized that Bradyn's stroller lot a clip and the wheel would fall off. We rented a stroller for her after today. After Buzz Stitch walked out so we got his picture with very little line.

Scott and I then took off for space mountain and when we came out it was raining. After the rain stopped it was a nice temperature and we went over to Monster's Laugh Floor and then Took Bradyn on Stiches great escape. Adventure Land here we come. In adventure land we did the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Carribean. By this time hungry so we went to find a counter service place to eat. On our way we stopped and rode BTMRR with Bradyn who is just above 40 inches. She loved it. We had dinner at Pecos Bills. Scott had the Chicken Wrap, Bradyn had a cheeseburger and Fries, I had the Bacon Double Cheese burger. Everything was good. We then stopped to watch Spectro Magic.

After Spectro Magic we went to watch Wishes but didnt have a good spot so we kept walking.

Stopped and got EMH bracelets as the three rides we still wanted to ride ( HM, PP, Pooh) were all EMH rides. Walked onto HM with no wait at all. Got on PP after about 20 mins, and then rode Pooh. By this time Kids were exhausted so we got on the bus and went back to pop.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Rest Day?



We let the kids sleep as late as they wanted and then had breakfast around 930 at the food court. I had the breakfast platter and the others had pancakes. We took the drinks from the meal ( dining plan) back to my moms room as she had a fridge. We then hopped a bus to Down Town Disney. We looked through the shops, got almost all of my souvinere shopping done and let dd build a crown at world of disney. We also broke down and rented her a stroller because she was complaining and wanting held and is a bit to big for that. While in line to pay at WOD Alex started pitching a fit and it was decided that DH would take him back to the room to sleep and the girls would finsish shopping. Bradyn decided she was hungry so we went to McDonalds for a quick bite. We got back to the room and the Mousekeeping staff had arranged the stuffed animals to make it look like they were watching TV and Minnie was holding the remote and another towel animal was left.

So we then had two towel dogs. After resting a while we hopped on the bus to MGM and then took the boat to the Boardwalk for Dinner at Spoodles. I liked my meal, dh liked his, Bradyn ate my moms kabobs that she liked but didnt like at the same time ( shes weird, they tasted good just didnt like them) and dad liked his. Bradyn decided to be a little brat ( even NANA was mad at her and NANA doesnt get mad at her too often) and lost desert that night. Alex was good through the meal. Went back to the room, gave the kids a bath and they were out within minutes. Mom and I had thought about something during the day. My kids usually dont eat a big breakfast and then have a decent lunch. For the rest of the trip unless we had a sit down breakfast planned we were doing donuts in the room and then having lunch in the parks. With no breakfast plans we let the kids sleep as long as possible the next day

 

[Mandychelle79]

Animal Kingdom and Boma



We let the kids sleep late today as we had no breakfast reservations. Actually we were going to have donuts for breakfast. Well the kids woke up around 8 am and we were at DAK by 9:30 and it had opened at 9:00. We made a bee-line for EE. The wait time for stand by was 20 mins so we figured we would do the child swap so my mom could ride it too. Mom decided that she didnt want to ride it so DH and I went up the stand by lane and DF went up the single rider lane. The wait was more like 15 mins so it wasnt too bad at all. When the ride was done DH and I looked at each other and said DD would have loved it if she was tall enough. After EE we went on the safari ride and got pictures taken with Baloo and King Louie on the way. It was a 30 minute wait for the safari and then we had to wait for a handicapped jeep. We didnt have to wait too long though for one. Our driver was good. It was a cooler morning, kids wore sweatshirts and shorts, so we got to see a lot of animals.

After the safari we got lunch at Flame Tree BBQ. I had the half chicken, scott had the ribs and Bradyn had the baked chicken wing kids meal. After we were done eating we went into Dino Land and went on Primevil whirl while the kids went shopping with mom. We then took Bradyn on Dinosaur while Alex played in the boneyard. After that we went and seen Nemo and Bugs Life. After Bugs life it was time for the parade so we got a spot and waited. Then this woman came up with her huge double jogging stroller. I told her politely there was no way it was going to fit through as her family was on the other side of me. She said that was ok and proceeded to leave it in front of my mom which ended up taking my DH's spot. The woman then walked in front of Bradyn so then Bradyn had to get up on my dh's shoulders too see. The woman was just a rude type of person and her attitude rubbed me the wrong way. Kept putting her kids in front of people so they could see and cutting in front of people to get "the shot".

After the parade we did some more shopping and soon left to get on the bus to AKL for Dinner at BOMA. We got there way early so we walked through their shop and then went in and looked at the tree and jumped in line to say that we were there.

The computers upstairs werent working so we all walked down stairs. They were not taking any walkups so I figured we would have to wait a long time since we were about 45 mins-1 hour early. When I checked in they said they couldnt tell me how long and that I would have to wait until my time to be guarteed a seat. That was fine with us as we wanted to explore the resort some while we waited. Got up stairs and out side to let my parents know and my buzzer went off. MY dh and I liked boma other than the Mac and Cheese, had no flavor. Mom and Dad, liked it but not as much as I thought they would. We then got on the bus after debating about going back to DAK for the Lion King Show. Decided to go to DTD and we went to the Lego shop and then back to resort to sleep. Walked in to a towle angel on the lamp. Norma our Mousekeeper for most of the week always had something special for us when we got back.

 

[Mandychelle79]

MGM



One again got up and out the door to be at the park around opening. At MGM ( which is not my favorite park) we went in and first thing we did was the Muppet show. This was one of my favorite things on this day. We were waiting to go into the theater and they were doing their take a row and move the whole way over when one of the CM's said sit where ever you want. DS left the the glasses on and everything. Then we got our pictures taken with Buzz and Woody as there was no line for them.

We went to see the Jedi Training.

Mom, Bradyn and I went on Star Tours and made me sick. After the Jedi Show Scott and I with the kids went to Pizza Planet for lunch and let them play in the arcade for awhile. Dad and mom ate somewhere else. Mom called me to go to the next place and we started heading over to meet them. We were walking and I was pushing Alex when I heard crying. Then I heard the words that made my heart jump in my throat... I cant find my mommy. I yelled for Scott to come and stay with both kids, told the little girl it was ok and I was going to help her and started looking for a CM who I had just passed but they werent there any more. By the time Scott, who was only a few steps ahead of me, got back to where I was the girls mom comes over and thanks for for helping her daughter. Met up with my mom and seen the little mermaid show, the great movie ride and then playhouse disney.

Did some shopping and then walked over to TOT.

Bradyn was tall enough for it and the wait was 20 mins so we took her on it while mom and dad watched Alex. Got off the ride and got fast passes for R'n'R coaster. Went to see Beauty and the Beast and got 2nd row seats with my dad. Both kids loved the show.

Killed time until our fast passes were up

and then rode it. Went to 50's ptc for supper and had a boring waiter. Mom got a call from work ( shes the DON at a nursing home) and had to take care of it. After dinner dad left to go get cigarettes and go to the resort and we went to the second showing of fantasmic

after walking around in the osborne lights. Got back to POP after an awesome bus ride with Tammy as the driver. The Automated system was down on the bus so she talked to us. Norma had left us a teddy bear towel animal and a note thanking us as she had Friday and Saturday off

 

[Mandychelle79]

EPCOT



Had to wake up early today because we had ADR's for 8:30 with the Princesses. Bradayn dressed up with Cinderella.

Got into the park and got our stroller and ECV. Got signed in at Breakfast and enjoyed everything. Got pictures taken with Belle when we went in, and the princesses that came around were : Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine and Mulan.

Mulan was my favorite and she said she thought she felt horns on Alex. Everyone made a big deal about Bradyn being dressed up and she liked it. After breakfast we headed to The Land to ride Soarin. We had split up to give dad and mom a break from the kids. We did the baby swap and DH stayed with Alex while Bradyn and I rode. It was posted a 45 minute wait time and they gave Brady a red card to time. Mom and Dad ended up right behind us in line so we went on with them. Since dad has the ECV we had to sit in the 3rd row. The wait ended up being about 30 mins and we loved the blob game while waiting. Scott then went on it with Bradyn while I watched Alex. We then went on Living with the Land. We went on Figment, HISTA, played with the jumping water, Nemo, got Fast Passes for Test Track and then rode the universe of Energy to let Alex take a nap. Went shopping and Bradyn made a charm bracelet.

Mom took Alex while we used the Fast Passes for TT. Met up with them in Japan to listen to the drummers. Walked to Canada for Dinner at Le Celier. Got checked in, Dad went to smoke and we took the kids to the KIDCOT area. Got sat down and ordered dinner. Dad then noticed Bradyn's charm bracelet is missing and proceeds to make a big deal about it. Dad and I had been together too long and DH snapped at Dad and then went out to see if he could find it. Dad went on and on how we didnt listen to him yadda yadda yadda. Mom told dad she wasnt going on vacation with him again, I went to the restroom to calm down, came back and he was still going on. He said something about needing to whap me in the head for something and I told him to go ahead. I then said to him " Have you ever lost anything?" little more stewing and then it was over. We asked bradyn were she put it and Scott went out one more time and found it. She had put it between the cloth and top of the stroller. As we were leaving ( didnt stay for illuminations) some idiot cut right infront of the stroller I was pushing and I hit her.

See small Stroller, not huge one. She turned around and glared at us and my dh apologized and she turned around and kept walking. I told dh in a loud enough voice for her to hear that I wasnt sorry I hit her and if she was going to be stupid enough to walk directly into the path of someone pushing a stroller she deserved to get hit. She then glared at me again and made a big production of moving over to the side of the walk way. I mean Im a nice stroller person, try to keep my distance and not hit people. If I accidently bump into someone due to my innattention I appologize. If I cut people off who are pusing strollers and they hit me I appologize to them. This woman walked right beside me for a while and just kept walking sideways until she was right infront of me and I couldnt just stop or I would have been hit by others behind me. We bought a few things and then went back to the resort to pack.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Going Home



After we got back to the resort on Friday we went swimming a little while in the main pool. I got a drink from Petals. We got back to the room and packed up everything that was left to pack.



Got up the next morning and started to load the van. Got the van loaded and ate breakfast at the pop food court to use up our last CS meal. We also used up our left over snacks with drinks for the way home. The way home was better than the way there as we were driving during the day and Dad handled alex's crying much better. We had McDonalds for a late lunch and continued on. We drove straight through and around 9 alex and dad got cranky. We got Alex to settle down and sleep and got back to my parents house at 2:00 AM. 17.5 hours after we left. We stayed at my moms that night and came home the next morning after we got gas in my car and got the battery jumped after loading the car.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Final Thoughts

Well all in all we had a pretty good vacation. It was the first time I ever stayed at Disney and we loved POP Century. We didnt have much issues with Disney Transportation. The only thing that I didnt like is how people in ECV's just basically "cut" in line. I understand needing to load them first but I think their family should have to wait in line and when they are going to be able to get on the bus they should then load not just scoot up infront of people who have been waiting for one. And my dad uses on in the parks and then had to stand on the bus while more able bodied, ie the ones in the evc's party, got to sit. However it did seem like every time an EVC was loaded they did bring up another bus and that helped with the line. The Disney Dining Plan did save us money but I dont know if I would do it again since the changes. I perfer appitizers over desserts and dont need so many table service meals as CS work for my family too. Also the next time I go I dont want my kids to have such limited choices. Even though my dad and I have our issues they are the same issues we have dealt with for well 28 years so yes I would go on another vacation with my dad but plan more days apart. We are planning on Doing Disney again in about 4 years and are tossing around the idea of a disney Cruise as the kids will be 6 and 8 by then. And I think we will eat the cost and FLY.