Another dream vacation...this time, in the making!!

[jaycns]

The Table of Contents...a cheat sheet to the "meat of it" posts
Post 1 (page 1)How it all started (the very early stages of planning)
Post 9 (page 1) What would we get out of the Platinum Plan???
Post 17 (page 2)An important update...dh changes things up
Post 34 (page 3)The ressies have been made!! AAA Tip Alert!
Post 36 (page 3)Pins, eBay and saving some more money
Post 37 (page 3)The cast of characters (with pictures)
Post 46 (page 4)Vacation counters are added!!
Post 59 (page4)The What Ifs set in big time
Post 64 (page 5)Oops...this changes things.
Post 81 (page 6)The tentative plans for our September trip.
Post 86 (page 6)The surprise is set! Some trip shopping is done!!
Post 97 (page 7) Some great photography tips posted by MouseTriper
Post 108 (page 8) A bump in the AAA road.
Post 116 (page 8) The bump is removed...I hope!!
Post 119 (page 8) The surprise is refined to perfection!
Post 144 (page 10) Plans that are way more refined to fit in with what Disney offers when
Post 176 (page 12)Day One Final Plans...Ressies Made!!
Post 178 (page 12)Day Two Final Plans
Post 181 (page 13)Personalized (and FREE) park maps from Disney.com
Post 183 (page 13)Day Three Final Plans
Post 184 (page 13)Day Four Final Plans
Post 194 (page 13)Day Five Final Plans
Post 195 (page 13)Day Six Final Plans
Post 205 (page 14)Day Seven Final Plans
Post 206 (page 14)Day Eight Final Plans
Post 207 (page 14)Day Nine Final Plans *departure day...sniff sniff*
Welcome to my pretrip report! I am excited that you have come to join in the fun and excited energy that comes with planning our TWO (woo hoo) upcoming 2007 WDW vacations. If you would like to read about our last two WDW vacations...I have inserted the links below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1130447 The Pick Me, Read Me TR -Sept. 2005

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1246511 The Trip of Dreams (with pix) -Sept. 2006




Hello trip boarders...and welcome to my pre trip report. I promise it will be (at sometime in the very near future) a flutter with activity. I will introduce our travel crew (or reintroduce as it may be for those who have stuck by me for my trip report BOOK...err...umm...sorry about the length...but guess what??? THIS WILL BE LONG TOO! ). I will share our plans and decisions. Our packing nightmares (you know I will have those ) and the fun and excitement unique to this trip...we are doing something we have NEVER done before...we are going to SURPRISE the kids with this vacation.

WHO IS GOING? Dh and myself...young 30 somethings with three sweet boys. I am the Disney nut. Dh is the Disney grump. We even each other out. Without him I would have moved into the castle (and probably be in jail right now for trespassing) long ago and without me dh would never go *GASP*. Also along for the ride is "Aladdin". He is 10 years old right now and loves all things Disney (as well as soccer, animals, reading, biking and sports in general). Next up is "Goofy". He is 7 years old right now and one funny little guy. I am proud to say he is another Disney lover (and also another soccer nut, animal lover, bike riding fool, artist and all around curious guy). Last but most certainly not least is "Stitch". He is 5 years old right now and our stubborn yet sweet baby of the family. He is shaping up to be a fine Disney loving child (and also likes soccer, turtles, being outside, hiking, running and playing tag).

But for now...a brief overview of our trip's status:
We usually tell the kids on New Year's Day what our travel plans for the year are. Almost every year, they include at least a week at Disney. This year, we told them we were spending two weeks with family at a lake in GA (umm...not really SSHHH) and to their credit...they took it well. YES, they asked about Disney and YES it almost killed me to try and make up excuses (enter dh who told them that it would be fun to hang out with their cousins and water ski and go tubing etc for two weeks). So...that tidbit given to the kids instead of our real plans IT IS ON!!

As of yet, I am not really having that much trouble keeping my mouth shut because I am not really sure what we are doing. I know it will be Disney...but I don't know what sort of Disney it will be. I think we have it down to five or six top choices. Good decision making skills, hey??!!

As such, I am going to post a poll. Here are the top contenders right now...vote and let me know what you think!! *Thanks!!*

Up first...

10 days at WDW in September on the Platinum Plan. Ultra inclusive, Cirque tickets, behind the scenes tours, water sports, carriage rides, child care, spa services, three full meals a day (plus snacks)....just about everything you could dream of doing at Disney thrown in....VERY appealing...but if we do Disney this way...we would be giving up a LOAD of park time. We wouldn't pay the extra for the extra and then not do them. So....it's something to think about. Post #9 explores option 1 in detail.

10 days at WDW doing the regular dining plan and staying at a concierge level room at either the Contemporary (our new all time favorite resort and on the monorail...we LOVE the monorail), the Grand Floridian ("Aladdin" wants to try this one as does his mom and once again, on the monorail) or maybe Wilderness Lodge(dh wants to try this one) or the Beach Club(I am keen on this one for the pool as are the younger boys)....????

6 days land (regular room at one of the above resorts) and then 4 days on the Wonder.

Or one of the above three options in late November/early December (after the Thanksgiving crowds leave).

Lastly, driving out west to California and doing DL (we have never been) for a week. Most likely in September.


HELP!!!! I am a bit confused. I am using others trip reports to help me and also starting to do a bit of research on my own via the internet and phone calls to Disney.

I am looking to "live another dream". After our last vacation...it will take some doing...but I know I can create a vacation option that will have just as much of a chance for magic moments as the one we took this past year. Heck, we could go to a cabin in the middle of the woods and find magic...but if we are going to spend "Disney" priced dollars I want the most bang for our buck! And I want to fit our family's interests...including dh, the grumpy vacationer.

MORE TO COME!!

 

[PrincessAlways]

Disney during the Christmas season is just so special! The decorations, music, holiday storytellers, MVMCP, Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional -- it's always a beautiful way to usher in the holidays! Since your last Disney vacation was such a wonderful time, this would be Disney with a difference. Good luck with your decision!

 

[MouseTriper]

Ohhh I am soo excited you have already started another pre-trip report. As I said in my last reply to your latest TR, I was sad to see it end and was hoping for a quick return. So.....thank you!

Okay, now to toss in my vote or rather opinions. We just took our first very family vacation ever and it was to WDW. We were there from the 6th of December through the 13th. (Much shorter than yours and just way too short in general). Anyway, the first 3 nights we stayed at the Dolphin due to our having enough Starwood points to make the room free. After that we moved to the Wilderness Lodge. Now, seeing this was our first time staying at Disney I have nothing to really compare it to BUT we LOVED the Wilderness Lodge. We had a room that overlooked the center of the lobby, up on the 4th floor. That lobby was decorated so cool for the holidays, it truly was breathtaking. I love Christmas time and I must say that Disney does Christmas right. If you have never been to Disney during the holidays than I suggest you give it a try. Magical does not even begin to describe it for me.....!

Anyway, another thing to note. I grew up in California and if I were you I would definitely stick to Walt Disney World and not Disneyland. There is so much more to do at WDW than at Disneyland, it is much bigger and the whole area is much nicer, in my opinion anyway. Don't get me wrong though, if I had a choice of doing Disneyland for a week or nothing at all, I would definitely choose Disneyland. I guess I am just in love with WDW right now...lol, however, I have not been to Disneyland since I was a kid.

Now for land and sea...I have never been on a cruise in my life so I can't help you there. I do know the days we spent at the parks in WDW, we did not seem to have enough time to do it all. If we planned all the "extras", we would barely have touched the surface of the parks. I wish I could just afford to go for a month...heck, I would settle for 2 weeks!!! Laughing...!

Ohh and I think keeping this as a surprise for the boys is awesome. Let's just hope you last!! Hahahaha.

Beth

 

[MouseTriper]

OMG, I forgot to mention that my number one choice would be the ten days at WDW on the Platinum plan!!! That sounds sooo magical and wonderful...I could only wish! Hahaha. Can't wait to read all about your decision-making and re-making, if you are anything like me. Hahaha.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Well, I chose 6 nights, followed by 4 on the Wonder, but I've never been on a cruise and am dying to try one after reading your TR! Since you just got back from a fabulous cruise, you might want to go a different route. Maybe since DH isn't all that into Disney and goes just to humor his Disney loving family (what a guy!!), you should go for option #1, it would be something different that he may enjoy more, of course you have to be sure your kids would go for the reduced park time! Tough choice! At least you get to pick a Disney vacation though, my DH said he was 'Disneyed out' and doesn't want to go this year - it's so sad! I'm thinking I'll trick him and plan a vacation to San Diego (with a little stop over in Disneyland)

 

[MomofCKJ]

I chose the land/sea but in December.

I just went in December and it is a really wonderful time to go and see all the decorations and Christmas spirit (just watch out for those Pop Warner kids). I think you would love this time to go and you could do MVMCP! Since you cruised last time and seemed to love it that is why I went for the land/sea again. I think it is such a nice combination and I hope we get to do it someday too! I love cruising! DH and I went on one alone for our 10th anniversary (Norwegian Dawn) and it was fabulous!

Allyson

 

[Blaynexox]

Yay!! Your doing another trippie ALREADY! That just made my day! .. I picked Option 1 but in end of Nov. beginning of Dec. I've heard that this is an awesome time to go and I just think the platinum plan sounds AMAZING!! .. But any trip you decide to go on .. im totally along for the ride!!

 

[tommygirl79]

Yahoo!!! Another trippie right away!!! Way to go!!!

I picked the land/sea option, but mainly because I've never been on a cruise and the DCL is my dream! But staying in a deluxe is a dream for me too since Moderate level is all my family has ever been able to afford so any of your options are a dream to me!

Having said that, going to WDW in December is PURE magic!!! The decorations both in the parks and in the resorts are beyond compare and there are so many extra things to do that it can't be beat. Of course, it's busier but you all have the luxury of having been a bunch so you can maximize your time how you need to. You definitely have the knowledge to do so.

Also, since DH is such a doll to continue "doing" Disney, I would COMPLETELY humor him and go to Wilderness Lodge (it's MY dream resort). I can also see a non-Disney person really liking the extras like Cirque and Hoop Dee Doo, that kind of thing thrown in along with the parks. Half day park, half day other activity is not too bad depending on the busyness of the parks at the time you go.

Can't wait to read along and see what you decide.

As for us, I think we are planning an October trip because your MNSSHP pics and description sounds great for the girls to experience this year and then, DFIL is hoping to take us all crusing on the DCL the year after when the girls are 7 and 5ish. I'm trying to decide now if we can maybe push for a deluxe resort is we get free dining. Wonder what the difference in $$$ would be for about 6 or 7 nights.

Enough about me - this is about you....it's great you are surprising the kiddos!!! Can't wait to relive this vacation through you - even through the planning stages (that's so much fun too isn't it???)

 

[jaycns]

I have heard it said that the Platinum Plan is just perfect for those who have more money then sense...UM....doesn't really sound appealing when put that way...the way I do see it having GREAT appeal is if it converts dh to a Disney lover. No more having to "talk" my way into our next Disney trip. No more long suffering husband being "pushed" into WDW...how sweet would and could this be??!!

Also, I think para sailing, wave runners, a fireworks cruise and having reserved seating at the fireworks/Fantasmic being right up dh's alley. No wasting his time waiting (if anyone is more impatient then me...it's dh). I also think he would love a romantic carriage ride. And doing La Nouba has long been on his list of "I would like it" (which when it comes to Disney is very short).

That's dh...for me...oh the magic of the tours!! I would LOVE to do the tours. The Mickey tour at MK (with "Aladdin" and I having more special time together...it's only for ages 10 and up). I would love to do the dolphin interaction tour thing at Epcot with dh. Also the Segway tour at Epcot with dh. I think dh would highly enjoy both of those as well. And, with the platinum plan...we would have unlimited use of the kid's clubs as well as in room babysitting...so that would bode well for us as far as having the time out by ourselves a few times to enjoy the above activities. I also REALLY would love to do the wave runner guided tour of the natural sights on Bay Lake. That sounds like so much fun. Also...horseback riding. We would all like that. And do NOT let me forget the included spa treatment! My trouble would be picking the one I want...full manicure/pedicure, massage or a facial. HMMMM... I would also eat up the time on the fireworks cruise and having priority seating at the fireworks (I don't care if it's not "special seating"...just knowing I will have it after a long day is good enough for me).

As far as the kids. "Aladdin" has LONG wanted to do every Disney tour he hears about. He is not old enough for most of them...but we would be sure to hit the ones he was old enough for. He would enjoy para sailing (with dh or myself of course!!) and he would like to spend a morning fishing or holding on to daddy as they zipped around on a waverunner...so...yep, even he would like the package. "Goofy" and "Stitch" might be harder sells...they are still at the age where the parks are more then enough to keep them busy...but they are also very much go with the flow kids and they have had the parks done OVER and OVER and OVER for years...it might make it okay to do no more then a few park only days but to really make it about taking in everything else Disney has to offer.

And as far as the eating thing...we did Disney dining last time and we actually had to change our eating style. We LIKE having two to three sit down meals a day. We still had WAY to much food on the dining plan...don't get me wrong, a CS meal fills your stomach the same way a TS meal would...but for our family it would be a great day if we started out with Breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Followed by lunch at Cindy's and then dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern. We have done those days in the past out of pocket...and they do add up. Now...we couldn't eat all Disney would offer at every meal...but we could and would enjoy sampling and eating sensible portions of the stuff they set before us each meal...and the meals themselves...we just like sit down meals. Could we do three a day everyday? NO...it just wouldn't work out for us. Could we do it half the time??? YEP. We are that kind of family. Then again, we don't take breaks...we use our meal times as our break time and we enjoy the time sitting around the table together much the same way others enjoy going back to their room for an afternoon of slow time. So...grand scheme of things would we, could we use three full meals a day no. Not even our dining loving family would be able to get that done...but would we, could we get our money's worth...I think so.

I also like that I would have access to an itinerary planner at whatever resort we chose to do the legwork on the reservations. That would be nice. To tell one person all of the ressies (dining, special seating, recreation, spa, etc) I wanted and then to have them secure them...leaving me free to hunt down more hints and tips in that time (via the DIS of course ).

If we did Disney this way...here is a VERY VERY early guesstimate of what our time might look like:

DAY 1 (plan to arrive by 9:00 AM)- Check in and get a bit settled then head over to MK (my boys LOVE this to be their first park of every vacation...that doesn't always work out...but we could make it work out this time). Have an early lunch in the castle with Cindy. I LOVE doing this and gosh golly...I may be the only girl...but I am gonna live it up once in a while! Also, my boys did love our last visit Sept. 2005. This time I wouldn't have to worry about credits. No credits on the premium plan...it's all equal. So only one meal each for one meal each at the castle. After that we would love to be able to use another premium feature and do the family tour at WDW. That takes about 2 and 1/2 hours. After that...free roaming through the park. Hit our very favorite attractions. Dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern. We love that place. It's on all of the boys must do lists. After that...more free time in the park until it is time to go and park ourselves in the reserved seating for Wishes. That sounds like a very busy but fun first day to me.


Day 2-We could spend the entire day at AK starting off with breakfast with Donald before the park opens. We love doing that at least once per trip. Then spend the entire day there. CS lunch. Upon finishing...head over and have dinner at the California Grill...watch the fireworks of course!! After this...a late night EMH at MK with only "Aladdin" would be nice. (Yes, these are very early dream plans and days might have to be shuttled around to fit the real offering days of certain items).

Day 3-While dh and the younger two enjoy a "lateish" breakfast at Chef Mickey's followed by a swim in the resort pool. I would be happily doing the Mickey tour first thing in the morning with "Aladdin". Before our tour we might just have to eat with at Chef Mickey's ourselves (although much earlier)!! Then upon the completion of our tour we would head over and meet them at the resort. We could grab room service for lunch (in room dining is divine!!).Then this seems like a good time to fit in a guided tour of the lake on wave runners (you can have up to three on each wave runner...so it would work out great for us to go out as a family). After that maybe "rent" them again for some free exploring (I love saying rent when it would already be paid for ). After that we could go para sailing. WOO HOO! Dh would LOVE that. We almost went while we were at Paradise Beach in Cozumel...but we ran out of time. He would be very happy to partake of it here. After a full afternoon of water sports it would be time to watch someone else do the moving. We could take in La Nouba on this night and then do a small bit of shopping at DTD before heading back for some much needed sleep.

Day 4-On this day we could get in room babysitting for the boys in the early morning (they could order their meals from in room dining for breakfast) and then dh and I could head over and do the Dolphins in Depth tour at Epcot. After which we would pick up the kids and then head back to EPCOT for the rest of the day. We would dine at the Garden Grill for lunch and at Le Cellier for dinner. We would take advantage of the plan's reserved seating for Illuminations. After this it would be once again time for some well earned sleep!

Day 5-We could spend the morning at the Magic Kingdom together. Breakfast at the Crystal Palace before the park opened. Lunch again at Cindy's. During the afternoon I would grab "Stitch" and take him to the park of his choice (or remain at MK) for some mom and me time...dh and the other two boys could chose the water sport they wanted (maybe they would like to ski then) and have at it. We could all meet for a family carriage ride at Fort Wilderness and then do the Hoop De Doo show for dinner. Maybe we feel like doing a bit of min golfing afterwards...maybe we don't...either way. A lot of fun!


Day 6-MGM...Start the day with breakfast at Hollywood and Vine (if they still do that) and follow it up with a day at MGM. Have lunch at Sci-Fi or Mama Melrose. Eat dinner at the Brown Derby. Use the plan's Fantasmic seating.

Day 7- After eating breakfast at the Concourse Steakhouse (YUM)...Spend the day at a water park. Most likely BB (lunch would be a CS meal). Drop the kid's off at the kid's club in the late afternoon and then head over to Victoria and Albert's for a romantic dinner. After our dinner (we would try to eat at the earliest time available) we could pick up the boys and then enjoy our Wishes fireworks cruise! Oh what a fun and romantic day that would be!!

Day 8Epcot for the morning...kicked off with a Princess Breakfast (again, I may be the only girl...but they are stuck with letting me have some fun too! ). A late lunch at the Coral Reef and then return to the resort and spend the afternoon tubing (fun!). Dinner Ohana (we love this place). After dinner maybe we would drop off the kids at the kid's club and head over for a romantic carriage ride. Ahhh...I would enjoy that.

Day 9 Dh and I could head to the spa (come on, it's a massage...he has to like that!!) while the kid's had a sitter. Then we could pick them up and head to lunch at the Crystal Palace. Dinner that night would be with Cindy again (we like the food their lots...Major Domo..YUM). They would get a lot of MK time this day as well.

Day 10 Eat breakfast in the room. "Goofy" and I could head over and do the Epcot Aqua Seas tour (notice I have worked in alone time with each boy this trip...something I did with "Goofy" (we did the sting ray snorkel together at Castaway Cay) and "Aladdin" (late night EMH at MK) last trip. This trip I wanted to have that with them again and add some time with "Stitch" as well. Dh often gets one on one time with the boys (sports stuff...shudder) but I don't...I have a lot of time with them together...but not one on one. Dh and the other boys could relax or do a tubing repeat. We could meet at Whispering Canyon Café for lunch and then head over and take a private golf lesson and then a round of golf as a family. That night either MK or Epcot.

Day 11This would be our last day...so start it with breakfast in the room again and then follow it up with time spent tubing or para sailing or maybe we would want to do wave runners again. Lunch at whatever park we want to head to for the afternoon. A sit down lunch if we can work it out. After that...say goodbye to the wonders of the Disney Platinum Plan...EXCEPT...I would be smart and have two extra nights tacked on at the Nick Suites hotel. Our Disney stuff would not expire until midnight the day of departure...so we would drop the kids off at a kid's club and do Victoria and Albert's one last time.

Then back to the Nick Suites that night. Not Disney...but fun! The next day we would head to Sea World (yep, we like Sea World and we try to go once every other year or so...and we didn't go last year...SO...). That night would be all about enjoying the Nick Suites pools and water park features. As would the next morning until it was time to depart Orlando and finally head home.

So..if we chose option number one...those would be along the lines of the plans I would have. Surely we would end up adding something else or skipping something...but that would be a rough plan in my head of what to aim for. Very active...yet with the long sit down meals and the fun time on the water it might just not kill us to do it all!

YES...I have the rest of the options in my little head! Dream option 2 will be explored soon. This pre dream is to be continued...


**LATE JAN. UPDATE: This plan was "thrown out" after careful consideration...we would be so dead tired that we would need a two week vacation at home to recover from it!! However, wouldn't it be fun to get that tired!!??**

 

[jaycns]

Disney during the Christmas season is just so special! The decorations, music, holiday storytellers, MVMCP, Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional -- it's always a beautiful way to usher in the holidays! Since your last Disney vacation was such a wonderful time, this would be Disney with a difference. Good luck with your decision!

I so want to see the lights. The Candlelight Processional...MVMCP...all of the decorations...I REALLY do want this...but I have two hitches...first...I have to wait longer And second...if we do the Platinum Plan dh might not want to do the water sports stuff due to the temps.

????? But I REALLY want to do the Christmas stuff. I haven't been to Disney at Christmas since I was a child!!!

Thanks for reminding me about all of the great things about the season!! I like the thought of "Disney with a difference" though...hmmmm...see my problem??? I just cannot figure what I want!!

 

[jaycns]

Ohhh I am soo excited you have already started another pre-trip report. As I said in my last reply to your latest TR, I was sad to see it end and was hoping for a quick return. So.....thank you!

Okay, now to toss in my vote or rather opinions. We just took our first very family vacation ever and it was to WDW. We were there from the 6th of December through the 13th. (Much shorter than yours and just way too short in general). Anyway, the first 3 nights we stayed at the Dolphin due to our having enough Starwood points to make the room free. After that we moved to the Wilderness Lodge. Now, seeing this was our first time staying at Disney I have nothing to really compare it to BUT we LOVED the Wilderness Lodge. We had a room that overlooked the center of the lobby, up on the 4th floor. That lobby was decorated so cool for the holidays, it truly was breathtaking. I love Christmas time and I must say that Disney does Christmas right. If you have never been to Disney during the holidays than I suggest you give it a try. Magical does not even begin to describe it for me.....!

Anyway, another thing to note. I grew up in California and if I were you I would definitely stick to Walt Disney World and not Disneyland. There is so much more to do at WDW than at Disneyland, it is much bigger and the whole area is much nicer, in my opinion anyway. Don't get me wrong though, if I had a choice of doing Disneyland for a week or nothing at all, I would definitely choose Disneyland. I guess I am just in love with WDW right now...lol, however, I have not been to Disneyland since I was a kid.

Now for land and sea...I have never been on a cruise in my life so I can't help you there. I do know the days we spent at the parks in WDW, we did not seem to have enough time to do it all. If we planned all the "extras", we would barely have touched the surface of the parks. I wish I could just afford to go for a month...heck, I would settle for 2 weeks!!! Laughing...!

Ohh and I think keeping this as a surprise for the boys is awesome. Let's just hope you last!! Hahahaha.

Beth

Oh my goodness...PLEASE (if you don't mind) I need to hear about the WL. How was transportation? Would it have been easy to scoot over to the Contemp. via a boat and then monorail it? How about the views?

Dh really does like the idea of WL...however, I am thinking (Oh I am the mean wife aren't I) that I could still stay at the Contemp. (it was his favorite too...he just wants to try WL cause he likes national parks) I could promise dh that we would stay in a nice lodge when we head out west as the boys get older...or we could just go back to WDW and do WL. If the Contemp. is going to be undergoing major construction I don't want to be there. Next on my list would be the Grand Floridian...on the monorail and on "Aladdin's" list of want to try resorts. The Beach Club is also high on my list for the pool stuff...however, it's not on the monorail. Funny, that NEVER mattered to me before. Now after the Contemp. and the Poly...the monorail is a big time deal to me. I just liked hopping on and no parking. Also, I hate the thought of being a bus...I don't like buses...they are not my favorite mode of transport. Way back when I was in college I took a bus trip of 6 hours to go and visit a boyfriend who went to a different college. I sat next to a smelly woman and a man with the worst nasal drip ever....it was HORRID. And oh so very cold and just terrible. I know... Disney buses are NOT that...but I get the willies thinking of PLANNING to use a bus now... I surely am a peice of work!

What you said about DL is just what I am worried about. I do really want to go there though...but I was thinking. We have plans for this big trip "OUT WEST" ( in caps cause dh says it all excited and almost screaming every time he says it) in about five years. All of the kids will be old enough for serious hiking and rafting and stuff then. Why not work in a little Disney via DL then too? BUT...I think dh would really like a mini "OUT WEST" trip now as well. We could and would have fun...but I want to be at WDW during the YoMD. One can always dream of being wisked away for a night in Cindy's castle!!

I am giving myself two weeks...at the end of that time I will have chosen an option...*gulp*

THANKS for jumping right in to our next trip with me!! I am so excited to be planning it! I think I might like the planning ALMOST as much as the trip itself!

 

[jaycns]

Good trick (the whole DL thing). All three boys are chomping at the bit to do another cruise...however, I just (as in minutes ago) talked with the family we cruised with last time and they are willing to look into going on another cruise with us in 2008 or 2009 and doing it over Christmas! WOO HOO! So...I may save dh's "cruise tolerence" for that vacation...then again...I would love to spend some time on the Wonder and the boys really do want to get back to those kid's clubs! They had such an amazing time. Also, the thought of being treated like royalty by our servers again doesn't hurt! Still confuzled here!! Thanks again for following me over!!

Well, I chose 6 nights, followed by 4 on the Wonder, but I've never been on a cruise and am dying to try one after reading your TR! Since you just got back from a fabulous cruise, you might want to go a different route. Maybe since DH isn't all that into Disney and goes just to humor his Disney loving family (what a guy!!), you should go for option #1, it would be something different that he may enjoy more, of course you have to be sure your kids would go for the reduced park time! Tough choice! At least you get to pick a Disney vacation though, my DH said he was 'Disneyed out' and doesn't want to go this year - it's so sad! I'm thinking I'll trick him and plan a vacation to San Diego (with a little stop over in Disneyland)

 

[jaycns]

OH an alone cruise with dh! What a special time that must have been! I would love to do that sometime in the future...maybe for our 20th (only 8.5 more years). MVMCP is a huge attraction to me in December (or late November). I know the boys would love it. And I am drooling over the prospect of getting to see Disney decked out for Christmas...???? This is SO not an easy choice!!

I chose the land/sea but in December.

I just went in December and it is a really wonderful time to go and see all the decorations and Christmas spirit (just watch out for those Pop Warner kids). I think you would love this time to go and you could do MVMCP! Since you cruised last time and seemed to love it that is why I went for the land/sea again. I think it is such a nice combination and I hope we get to do it someday too! I love cruising! DH and I went on one alone for our 10th anniversary (Norwegian Dawn) and it was fabulous!

Allyson

 

[kimwim8]

Wow! You really put a lot of thought into option #1 already! You blow me away with all of your planning!

I chose option #1 in September. What a wonderful, magical experience that would be (I thought I knew a lot, but I had no idea that even existed - maybe because I'm DVC and it wouldn't be offered to us ). I agree that if you're going platinum, I'd do it in September to get enough water time in. November-December weather can be VERY iffy. You'd have to pack both warm and cold weather clothes and every day you just don't know what you'll get (we were just there in Nov this year, Dec in 05).

I've never been on the DCL (I'm dying to try it) but I would think weighing the choice of platinum vs. cruising and a "regular" stay....I'd go platinum!

I can't wait to hear what you've decided. And I LOVE that you're surprising the boys. I really want to do that some time with my kids.

 

[momoftriplets]

Hi, Jay!!! (I kind of feel like a stalker, following you all over the place!! ) Too many options! OMG! My head would explode! You're just like me, though. The ultimate planner. "If we do this, we could do this, but if we did THIS, then we could do This...." Drives DH nuts. So I plan it all & let him in on the "Major" decisions. I don't even have an opinion on which of your options to chose because any one of them would be fabulous. My first time to the World was just after Christmas 1995. Loved the decorations, HATED the crowds. Can't wait to hear your decision! Good luck.
Barb

 

[MouseTriper]

Oh my goodness...PLEASE (if you don't mind) I need to hear about the WL. How was transportation? Would it have been easy to scoot over to the Contemp. via a boat and then monorail it? How about the views?

Dh really does like the idea of WL...however, I am thinking (Oh I am the mean wife aren't I) that I could still stay at the Contemp. (it was his favorite too...he just wants to try WL cause he likes national parks) I could promise dh that we would stay in a nice lodge when we head out west as the boys get older...or we could just go back to WDW and do WL. If the Contemp. is going to be undergoing major construction I don't want to be there. Next on my list would be the Grand Floridian...on the monorail and on "Aladdin's" list of want to try resorts. The Beach Club is also high on my list for the pool stuff...however, it's not on the monorail. Funny, that NEVER mattered to me before. Now after the Contemp. and the Poly...the monorail is a big time deal to me. I just liked hopping on and no parking. Also, I hate the thought of being a bus...I don't like buses...they are not my favorite mode of transport. Way back when I was in college I took a bus trip of 6 hours to go and visit a boyfriend who went to a different college. I sat next to a smelly woman and a man with the worst nasal drip ever....it was HORRID. And oh so very cold and just terrible. I know... Disney buses are NOT that...but I get the willies thinking of PLANNING to use a bus now... I surely am a peice of work!

What you said about DL is just what I am worried about. I do really want to go there though...but I was thinking. We have plans for this big trip "OUT WEST" ( in caps cause dh says it all excited and almost screaming every time he says it) in about five years. All of the kids will be old enough for serious hiking and rafting and stuff then. Why not work in a little Disney via DL then too? BUT...I think dh would really like a mini "OUT WEST" trip now as well. We could and would have fun...but I want to be at WDW during the YoMD. One can always dream of being wisked away for a night in Cindy's castle!!

I am giving myself two weeks...at the end of that time I will have chosen an option...*gulp*

THANKS for jumping right in to our next trip with me!! I am so excited to be planning it! I think I might like the planning ALMOST as much as the trip itself!

I LOVED the Wilderness Lodge!!! It had such a cozy and comfortable feel to it. It is a beautiful resort with some great pools and the geyser of course. They have a cool boat dock which is not far away at all, really just passed the pools. We easily took the boat directly from the WL to the Contemporary and ate at Chef Mickey's for our very 1st Character meal. We didn't have to wait very long at all for the boats. Like you said, from there you can easily take the monorail to the MK. One night we watched the water parade on the WL dock and were it felt so magical. Now remember, I have never stayed at other WDW resort so I can't say if I would like another resort better. I can tell you this...my DH who is **not** that into Disney either but knows that I am now in love with it said he may be inclined to go back again if we stay at the WL and not the Dolphin...hahaha.

If I could afford it, I would definitely stay at one of the hotels that had the monorail running through it. Like you, I feel the monorail is the best way to travel through the World...too bad the monorail doesn't go to all the WDW resorts and parks. Just imagine if the monorail went to AK!!! Whoooohooo!

I had to laugh about your "bus horror" adventure while you were in college. I had a horrible experience on a public bus when I was a little freshman in high school. I went to a strict Catholic high school and wore a uniform. So this one day, for the 1st time, my twin sister and I had to take a public bus home. My sister and I been arguing and so I refused to sit next to her on the bus. I, still in my Catholic school uniform, take a seat by a window and my sister who has on gym clothes takes a seat away from me. Before I know it I have this really creepy religious freak sitting next to me, talking to me and creeping me out for the entire 20 minutes ride home. I could hear my sister laughing in the back. Uggg...the horrors, your story made me relive my horrid story... thanks alot! Hahahaha...just kidding. Laughing, so I know what you mean. We still took the buses around WDW but we had to wait quite awhile for some of them and they are a pain when you have a stroller!

Have you ever thought about splitting up your Disney time? Perhaps one week in Sept and then another week in early Dec? Good luck on the decision making, I know it is hard. Ohh and by the way, I never knew there was an actual "premium" Disney plan, I thought that was just something you called going all out. Hahahahaha.

 

[jaycns]

UPDATE!!!

Dh is a prince...or maybe a poo...not sure which one...I will probably go with prince. Dh has totally poo pooed my dreams of a 12 day vacation in either September or December... BOO HISS DH.

HOWEVER...He has agreed to either a 7 day cruise (with 2 days before hand at the parks) in September OR 7-8 days at WDW in September on the Platinum Plan....and the prince part (as if that is not enough...yes, I am too spoiled for my own good I know)....IF I DON'T BUG HIM about staying longer in September or him going in December (he said with work it would be a huge headache to get off then)....DRUM ROLL PLEASE...I can go back!!!! I can take the boys the Sunday after Thanksgiving until that next Sunday and enjoy WDW then too!! WOO HOO!!!


So...my long vacation dreams are now gone...but I have replaced them with something just a good...a year with TWO Disney vacations!!

Dh also nixed the idea of a split vacation land and sea....he said it's either long on land and then go home or long on sea (ie the 7 days) although I did talk him into spending 2 days before the cruise at WDW. I think he would be leaning towards the idea of doing the land part...

So now I am busy trying to readjust my thinking...Now the question is...with a shorter vacation...is the platinum plan the way to go or would it be more cost effective to stay concierge (thus still get the pre arrival person to help arrange things) and then pay out of pocket for stuff like wave runners, parasailing and the fireworks cruise. I just want this year to be different...something he will love. I am so hoping that this will be the year that I convert dh from the Disney grump he currently is to the Disney lover I know he has hidden somewhere inside of him (buried WAY deep down!).

ALL of that said....I have new choices for resorts. For our September stay I am thinking WL (for dh) or the Beach Club (again, dh would like that and the kids would LOVE the water features) or AKL (our second favorite deluxe).

For December...that is easy, either the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary. Without dh to do the driving...I want to be on the monorail for the ease of it all. I am a bit nervous about taking the boys by myself...but I know it will all be good!!

Tonight I am going to call and get a quote from Disney. I have put in for a quote from Dreams Unlimited and I am also going to try AAA on Monday.

I guess I have had my decision made for me.

Just a few more "big" things to settle and then I am on to other aspects of planning...so much fun!!

 

[Vivsmom]

I am so excited that although the last TR ended you haven't left us in the dust. I so enjoyed your last trip report and am looking forward to going through the decisions and then finally the trip with you again.

I live with a Disney Grump and guess what he has never been. We are going for 11 days in just 26 days. He is all worried that there isn't going to be enough to do. Oh the ignorance!

I hope to convert him with just one trip. DD and I love to go and I already have thoughts of a quick girl trip in September?/Oct.

Sorry to ramble, am looking forward to going through this trip with you. Your family is precious.

Happy planning!

 

[SoonerGirl]

WOO HOO!! Two trips in one year - you are a lucky girl!! Have fun planning!

 

[jaycns]

Yay!! Your doing another trippie ALREADY! That just made my day! .. I picked Option 1 but in end of Nov. beginning of Dec. I've heard that this is an awesome time to go and I just think the platinum plan sounds AMAZING!! .. But any trip you decide to go on .. im totally along for the ride!!

Hiya Blayne and thanks for joining in this pre trip so soon! I look forward to SOON seeing your trip report! Just a little over a month for you to go!! Have fun and make sure you let us in on all of the fun you guys have!!