kristenhh
Why can't we go to DL for EVERY vacation?
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 398
Hello...This is my first pre-trip report!
A little background:
My DH and I went to WDW on our honeymoon in 1990, and finally managed to get back there in 2005 with 4 kids and my DM. We had a fabulous trip, and I couldnt wait to get back again, the only thing standing in my way, was of course, the cost. Anyway, I made a plan to get there in January 2008. Along the way it became apparent that we would not be able to take the whole gang, so we decided on an Adults only vacation.
As the YEARS of planning moved along, the number of adults did too. Much to the sadness of the kids, it was shaping up to be a great trip. We had a few almost disasters when some relatives made overtures about joining us, luckily the price scared them off. I have been on plenty of trips with these people, and I did not want them ruining my trip! Oh, do you really think we should eat there? I guess if that is what everyone wants. Isnt that too expensive? Well just meet you later... and on and on in passive aggressive tones.
Cast:
Me, 37, will be 38 on trip and a total lover of Disney trips.
DH, 39, never as excited as me about Disney trips, but never wants to be left out
DM, 66, lives with us, and wants to come on every trip (Is it really a vacation for me then? Hmmm.)
DMIL, 69, loves to go to the shows and shop, never throws leftover food away and will carry it all with her the entire trip. I am not kidding.
DFIL, 69, Has a bad back, but refuses a wheelchair. The poor man will be begging for mercy when this trip is over.
DSIL-1, 39 and a true Disney fan like me. She and I have been excited for years for this trip.
DBIL, 43 her husband and brother to my DH. We expect to see him about dinner time every night.
DB, 36, has not been to WDW since we were little. He and his wife work for the state dept. and currently live in Columbia, South America. They get the prize for traveling the farthest.
DSIL-2, 33?, wife of my brother, is not a fan of Disney and is grumpy about getting dragged into this. My DB booked a deluxe hotel for them (AKL) in the hopes of appeasing her. We will have fun, despite, or to spite her.
DSIL-3, 45?, sister to my DH, decided at the last minute, okay 3 months before, but isnt that the last minute when I have been planning forever?, to join us. I was really happy that I was able to add her to all of our existing ADRs without any trouble.
10 people, is that all?
The Rules:
I dont know how many people have done a Disney vacation with a large group, but in my past experience (Disneyland) it was really painful. Despite my plans, it took 45 minutes at least that is what it felt like to get from one ride to the next. Someone always had: a diaper to be changed, a needed bathroom break, someone was hungry, etc. Also, going with people on the older side also means very slow walking. Can you tell that I am not a very patient person?
My DH does not get very much vacation time, and he was really looking forward to a vacation just for us sorry honey does it help that they are mostly your family?
So I decided that every night, we would meet for a TS meal and have a leisurely time together. The rest of the time, it is every man for himself. That is not to say, that anyone who wants to come with us (and can keep up) cant. I have picked a park for everyday thanks unofficial guide! and DH and I will follow our plan. If someone calls us and wants to hook up, great.
My DM asked, does this mean you wont push me around in a wheelchair? Get ready for my cold-hearted response...Yes mom. However, I encourage you to rent an electric chair, and meet us for dinner. Now before you judge me too harshly, keep in mind that she lives with us and I have taken care of her through many surgeries and I really need a vacation from being nursemaid. Plus, she is not one to do things for herself, she would rather someone else do it, even though she is perfectly capable. After a brief tantrum, she resolved to rent something and hang out with DHs folks who will be at the same pace. Everyone is happy now!
The Plan:
We are pretty budget conscience, so we elected to stay value, all except my DB and his wife, for reasons previously explained. DH and I have been working our way down: our honeymoon was at the Contemporary, our trip with the kids was at CBR, and this time we decided to try Pop Century. We made Room Only reservations to hold the space, but when packages came out for 2008, we switched to the package including the Dining Plan. Because I tend to be on the cheap side, the DDP really works for me, because I am not constantly shelling out cash, and I can order what I want just not an appetizerthanks 2008 DDP! However, I am planning on it working well for our large party. We even booked the GG International Dinner. I hope it is fun, and I am really looking forward to reserved seats for Illuminations.
I also made a plan that includes every other day being a sleep-in half day so we are not exhausted. Everyone is on their own for CS lunches every day. I even make color coded index cards with all the CS menus on them for everybody, which should make choosing easier.
Now I am just crossing my fingers that nobody gets sick before or during, and we should be good to go. Oh, and I need cheap flights, still. Please, Please Please!
October 2007:
DH and I have a Disney Visa and jump right on the discount code that is released! So now we have better tickets (even though I am not sure we will use the added features), and we saved $228. I love saving money.
Next we turn our thoughts to a flight. If only we had bought like a month ago. Now the prices are even more, and it looks like they will rise. We bit the bullet and got some flights. They cost more than I wanted, but at least our package had been discounted.
November 2007:
The rest of our group did not have a Disney visa, so when the general public discount code was released on November 1st, I got up at 5 am and stayed on the phone for 1.5 hours and got them all a discounted package too! Total savings for our whole grand gathering: $1300. I really dont think they appreciate me enough.
Now that everything has been scheduled, it is very strange not having anything to do for the trip. I dont have to be searching for flights, discount codes or anything! I did make some really cool pass holders for everyone that they can wear around their necks. Maybe I will have to design matching t-shirts next....
We had a Disney Character Warehouse open up by us, so I did all my shopping before we even left. I got Disney presents for all of the kids and all of the people watching my kids, and it didnt cost me a fortune! Did I mention that I love bargains?
A little background:
My DH and I went to WDW on our honeymoon in 1990, and finally managed to get back there in 2005 with 4 kids and my DM. We had a fabulous trip, and I couldnt wait to get back again, the only thing standing in my way, was of course, the cost. Anyway, I made a plan to get there in January 2008. Along the way it became apparent that we would not be able to take the whole gang, so we decided on an Adults only vacation.
As the YEARS of planning moved along, the number of adults did too. Much to the sadness of the kids, it was shaping up to be a great trip. We had a few almost disasters when some relatives made overtures about joining us, luckily the price scared them off. I have been on plenty of trips with these people, and I did not want them ruining my trip! Oh, do you really think we should eat there? I guess if that is what everyone wants. Isnt that too expensive? Well just meet you later... and on and on in passive aggressive tones.
Cast:
Me, 37, will be 38 on trip and a total lover of Disney trips.
DH, 39, never as excited as me about Disney trips, but never wants to be left out
DM, 66, lives with us, and wants to come on every trip (Is it really a vacation for me then? Hmmm.)
DMIL, 69, loves to go to the shows and shop, never throws leftover food away and will carry it all with her the entire trip. I am not kidding.
DFIL, 69, Has a bad back, but refuses a wheelchair. The poor man will be begging for mercy when this trip is over.
DSIL-1, 39 and a true Disney fan like me. She and I have been excited for years for this trip.
DBIL, 43 her husband and brother to my DH. We expect to see him about dinner time every night.
DB, 36, has not been to WDW since we were little. He and his wife work for the state dept. and currently live in Columbia, South America. They get the prize for traveling the farthest.
DSIL-2, 33?, wife of my brother, is not a fan of Disney and is grumpy about getting dragged into this. My DB booked a deluxe hotel for them (AKL) in the hopes of appeasing her. We will have fun, despite, or to spite her.
DSIL-3, 45?, sister to my DH, decided at the last minute, okay 3 months before, but isnt that the last minute when I have been planning forever?, to join us. I was really happy that I was able to add her to all of our existing ADRs without any trouble.
10 people, is that all?
The Rules:
I dont know how many people have done a Disney vacation with a large group, but in my past experience (Disneyland) it was really painful. Despite my plans, it took 45 minutes at least that is what it felt like to get from one ride to the next. Someone always had: a diaper to be changed, a needed bathroom break, someone was hungry, etc. Also, going with people on the older side also means very slow walking. Can you tell that I am not a very patient person?
My DH does not get very much vacation time, and he was really looking forward to a vacation just for us sorry honey does it help that they are mostly your family?
So I decided that every night, we would meet for a TS meal and have a leisurely time together. The rest of the time, it is every man for himself. That is not to say, that anyone who wants to come with us (and can keep up) cant. I have picked a park for everyday thanks unofficial guide! and DH and I will follow our plan. If someone calls us and wants to hook up, great.
My DM asked, does this mean you wont push me around in a wheelchair? Get ready for my cold-hearted response...Yes mom. However, I encourage you to rent an electric chair, and meet us for dinner. Now before you judge me too harshly, keep in mind that she lives with us and I have taken care of her through many surgeries and I really need a vacation from being nursemaid. Plus, she is not one to do things for herself, she would rather someone else do it, even though she is perfectly capable. After a brief tantrum, she resolved to rent something and hang out with DHs folks who will be at the same pace. Everyone is happy now!
The Plan:
We are pretty budget conscience, so we elected to stay value, all except my DB and his wife, for reasons previously explained. DH and I have been working our way down: our honeymoon was at the Contemporary, our trip with the kids was at CBR, and this time we decided to try Pop Century. We made Room Only reservations to hold the space, but when packages came out for 2008, we switched to the package including the Dining Plan. Because I tend to be on the cheap side, the DDP really works for me, because I am not constantly shelling out cash, and I can order what I want just not an appetizerthanks 2008 DDP! However, I am planning on it working well for our large party. We even booked the GG International Dinner. I hope it is fun, and I am really looking forward to reserved seats for Illuminations.
I also made a plan that includes every other day being a sleep-in half day so we are not exhausted. Everyone is on their own for CS lunches every day. I even make color coded index cards with all the CS menus on them for everybody, which should make choosing easier.
Now I am just crossing my fingers that nobody gets sick before or during, and we should be good to go. Oh, and I need cheap flights, still. Please, Please Please!
October 2007:
DH and I have a Disney Visa and jump right on the discount code that is released! So now we have better tickets (even though I am not sure we will use the added features), and we saved $228. I love saving money.
Next we turn our thoughts to a flight. If only we had bought like a month ago. Now the prices are even more, and it looks like they will rise. We bit the bullet and got some flights. They cost more than I wanted, but at least our package had been discounted.
November 2007:
The rest of our group did not have a Disney visa, so when the general public discount code was released on November 1st, I got up at 5 am and stayed on the phone for 1.5 hours and got them all a discounted package too! Total savings for our whole grand gathering: $1300. I really dont think they appreciate me enough.
Now that everything has been scheduled, it is very strange not having anything to do for the trip. I dont have to be searching for flights, discount codes or anything! I did make some really cool pass holders for everyone that they can wear around their necks. Maybe I will have to design matching t-shirts next....
We had a Disney Character Warehouse open up by us, so I did all my shopping before we even left. I got Disney presents for all of the kids and all of the people watching my kids, and it didnt cost me a fortune! Did I mention that I love bargains?
