A Magical Trip

[Kellyh123]

My husband, daughter (17), son (14) and I just returned from an 8 day Disney trip. We stayed at the Yacht Club for the first 4 nights at AKL for the next three nights and then the Marriott's Orlando Airport for the last night.

I reviewed the Disney hotels on the resort board. We enjoyed both of them but AKL was our favorite.

Last year when we went I really hated staying the last night at Disney paying all of that money and then getting up and leaving in the morning. This year I decided we would check out of our Disney hotel then spend the day at the parks and resort and go to a hotel by the airport at night. I got on priceline and we stayed at the Marriott Orlando Airport for 40. We had our Yourride driver pick us up at 10 p.m. at AKL and drop us off at the Marriott. We got an extra day at Disney without having to pay the resort price. It was much easier for me to leave this way.


I would like to thank everyone for all of there tips they were invaluable in planning this vacation.
We never had to wait for more than 10 minutes for any ride. We saw all shows and parades except for the Parade at MGM.
I even got to ride my favorite Haunted Mansion about 8 times.

The letter to the room assigner for room requests worked great.

We had a standard view at YC and I requested that it overlook the gazebo. When we got there we were upgraded to a waterview overlooking the gazebo and the lake. It was fantastic.
AT AKL I requested zebra trail 2nd floor and bunk beds. We got all three plus we were very close to Mara and the lobby.


The most invaluable tip I must say it to go early to the parks get as much done as you can and then leave when it gets hot and crowded. Believe me with my 17 year old that wasn't easy but she was even appreciating it at the end of the trip. I tried to make sure we saw all of the parades and fantasmic the first half of our trip. The second half had plenty of time for whatever anyone wanted to do. I know some people don't like to plan their vacation but at Disney if you don't you will end up spending so much time in lines that could have been spent doing whatever.

We went to the Contempary and did the mouse boats. That had to be one of the highlights of the trip. Great fun!


I made sure to ask each person in my family what they wanted to do while we were there and I incorporated it into the schedule.

My son wanted the mouse boats and DisneyQuest
My daughter enight and shopping and the muppets.
My husband the tea at the Grand Floridian and Dinner at Jikos

Everyone wanted to eat the dinner at Ohanas.

It was a wonderful trip. I know there was more but for now that is all I can remember. I hope I can help someone else as I have received so much great info here.

Let me know if you have any questions

 

[cpl100]

Thanks for your report. I enjoyed reading it and I do have one question. Did you have a PS for the tea at the GF? In the past we have called the morning we wanted to attend, but I am wondering if this is still viable. Was it crowded at the tea or were there empty tables?

 

[BurleyGirl]

Sounds like you are very organized! I am planning our first trip in October. Would love to hear your secrets to being able to get everything in and not wait more than 10 min in lines!

Any help/suggestions you could pass my way would be appreciated!

 

[Kellyh123]

BurleyGirl

Well I spent a lot of time before we left checking which days would be the slower days at each resort. We were staying on site so I also looked at what parks would have early entry which days. I checked with everyone what rides they really wanted to do. When we first got to the parks (as soon as they opened) the kids went to their favorite rides and my husband and I to our favorite rides. We got to do each of them at least once maybe a couple of time in the first hour or two the park was open. We also used fast pass on the rides that we would want to do again or couldn't quiet get to in the first couple of hours. Fast pass has changed this year and you can have more than one fast pass at a time. You just have to look at bottom of your fast pass ticket to see the next time you can use it. There were a couple of times we could get one fast pass and then another one in just about 15 minutes. Another good time to ride was during parades or if the park was closing early ( MK was closing at 7 one night and it was deserted from 5-7). For the most part we avoided the parks from about 12-4. We were at our resort or doing other things ( mouse boats etc...)

Many times we were leaving around noon and we would see people just streaming in. Hope this helps

 

[BurleyGirl]

Thanks! Good tips! We will be with out DS4, so our strategy will have to be a little different, I suppose. But, if I can be as organized as you, then I think we'll have a great time!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for sharing - Wonderful reviews!!!