Any suggestions, comments or ideas ? DLRP in June 2008 and WDW 2009 ?

[martinacris]

Hello everyone..it's been a while since I last posted but I keep reading the board and dreaming of going back to DLRP. I have also been reading UK Planning board, all the WDW - Universal trip reports and photos...and I am seriously thinking of planning a trip.

We went to DLRP last DEc. stayed at the NPBC for 5 nights and hasd the best of times ( thanks to all the tips and info I got from this board...) I even own 2000 shares which entitle me to the 10 % discount at on site hotels and discount on food and shopping...so I was thinking , ...I MUST go back.

My DH and I went to WDW in 1999, ( without kids ) and we had a very nice time..but it would have been better if I had planned it like I planned our Dec. trip to DLRP...

Dec.at DLRP was magical...but I was also thinking how nice it would be to go during June of next year...around the 7th, and celebrate my DD's 8th bday there !

I calculated and to go there for 8 nights...2 at the HI and 6 at the NPBC.., with atkt, taxi,food, airport parking, souvenirs...it would come to about € 3000 ( more or less). It would be my DH and 2 DD's. We could go for less time, but I prefer to take it easy and since we are already paying for the air fare, that way we get to enjoy everything without being stressed out...and since it would be June..if it's hot...there's always the pool.

THEN...I started to think about Orlando... I read all the posts about DLRP vs WDW...they are 2 different worlds and I won't get into the differences...with a DH who does not enjoy planning and is not too much of a Disney lover ( but had a great time on our vacation and ADMITTED I did great.. .) a trip to Orlando would need to be at least for 14 days...which during summer is not to good for him because of his work...so December is better.

Orlando would not only be MK, but all the other Disney parks, Universal, Sea World , Kennedy space center...and to BE in the US for 2 weeks.

I have been playing around with 2008-2009 dates and had in mind to go next June 2008 to DLRP and then go to Orlando Dec. 2009 after Christmas, Dec. 26 and be there for 13-14 nights...the girls would probably miss 3 days of school. I would love to go before Christmas, but I am not too sure my MIL would like that we don't spend Christmas with her...and I would not want to make DH unhappy ..She's pretty old and not too well ...so you know what I mean.

At the moment I am Venezuela, visiting my parents...( I could always hop on a plane and go to WDW and be there in 3 hours...but my DH is not here...and it does not sound fair !! Of course that could be my LAST resource...if he does not want to go..he keeps saying that the girls are too young. I believe the Orlando has something for every age group...I have bought from last year 2 guide books and was even thinking about using TourGuide Mike in order to plan around...


BUT..I have seen so many nice hotels. villas ( I even found one for Dec. 2009 and it is about 2200 $ for 14 nights at Windsor Hills and the whole thing ...that waiting for DEc. 2009 seems SUCH a long time to wait, that I don't know what to do.

Airfares from ITaly to Orlando are not so cheap and I would probably have to use either BA or Lufthansa...and those have to be booked as soon as the air fares are published...which will probably be next Feb ?

I know this post is very long...and you may be asking yourself...WHAT DOES SHE WANT..?? I just wanted to know those of you that have been to BOTH , DLRP and WDW...what do you think.? Should I just forget DLRP for June and go DEc. 2008, or should I go to DLRP June 2008 and then wait ( more) , save( more) and plan (more) ?? PAris is less than 2 hrs by plane and air fare at the moment for a week in June for 2 adults and 2 children is € 546

At the moment my DH has NO idea of what my plans are...if he knew he would probably say OH NO...not again.. .and say we don't have the money and so on... I would need to convince him that know that our daughters are 5 and 7, they would be a year older and would have a great time . At this time the WANT to be with us...when they become teenagers..that' will be another story !

We have a very quiet life in Italy and we don't go skiing nor spend money going for summer vacations to the beach...since we live on the beach...and the atkts to Venezuela are a gift of my parents...so in that respect we don't spend money on vacation...but since DLRP...to go back to the MAGIc is constantly on my mind...in fact I'm trying to see how I can earn some extra money when I get back !


Thanks for taking the time to read my post ....any sugestions, comments or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cyrano]

There are a few on this board as well as UK TP who can help with planning for WDW.
Might be a good idea to post on the Mousecellaneous thread for WDW ideas

Personally I can think of nothing better than planning 2 Disney trips

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Lovely to see you posting again - I hope you and the girls are having a great trip to Venezuela with the family

We have been to DLRP in early June and its a lovely time as the weather is not too hot and if you choose your weeks correctly you can avoid the school holidays and thus the crowds. Disney is such a brightly coloured place which really comes to light in the summer sun

I cannot comment on Orlando as Ive never been but there are lots who post here who have.

Best wishes to the girls and good luck convincing DH you need to do both trips

 

[BRobson]

How could you not do both I have taken both my kids to DLP and WDW since they were 15 months and have always found something to do for everyone. Our Disney trips change every year as the kids grow and last week at DLP only got to ride Small World once the whole time as it is now boring

WDW is an exhausting holiday but a fantastic one and you have to appreciate Orlando and Paris and not compare

There is plenty ways to keep the costs down on both trips so you can fit them both in.

 

[wideeyes]

I think it is a great plan to go to WDW in December 2009 with a DLRP trip in between, I think that is how a lot of people do it as it takes a bit longer to plan a WDW trip.
If you check out the WDW trip planing broad I am sure people can help you find a good deal on a villa.

 

[Ware Bears]

had in mind to go next June 2008 to DLRP and then go to Orlando Dec. 2009 after Christmas, Dec. 26 and be there for 13-14 nights...

I think this sounds absolutely perfect. This way you don't have to wait too long for a Disney trip and have lots of time to plan and save for WDW!

 

[Cass]

Hi Martina, we sure are hooked on Disney

I think your girls will be at a perfect age for WDW in 2009. Can't wait to help you with the planning of that one!

Cass

 

[Disneyparisfan]

I dont claim to be an expert in any sense on the Money aspects of travelling, but as far as Your DDs enjoying WDW as much as DLRP I dont see it being a problem.

I had 2x DLRP and 1x WDW visits last year, and am doing the same again this year. It really (and I mean REALLY) stretches the budget for me going this much, but as others have said, Its worth it. I want to go as often as I can whilst my DD is still at an age to enjoy the 'magic' that disney parks provide. As a DLRP fan you will know disney is more than just rides, its the whole atmosphere. I could just go to 'theme parks' in britain which would cost much less, but which would just be Rides. Not the same!

My DD is 8 now, 5 when we first visited DLRP, 7 when we visited WDW. Its a 9 hour flight for us to WDW which is why we waited. Hindsight -we should have gone sooner. There were younger children on the flight and they were fine.

If your DDs fly well, the parks in WDW are no more intimidating or crowded than DLRP, and the perk is- There's more of them. Disney Park and Magic Kingdom are very similar in size and content, same with both the studios. But at WDW you have Animal Kingdom and Epcot - both fantastic, and Downtown Disney- Much bigger (?better) than the Village.

You can go off site to Universal, (or Nasa, shows, shopping, seaworld, etc). There is Much Much more to do. You wont fit it all in a fortnight.

Euro for euro WDW is cheaper, but WILL cost more as you will stay longer, but it is money well spent if you can afford it.

If you find you cant, then do DLRP instead. You will still have a fantastic time and can do WDW another time. If you can do both- even better!

I wont be back to WDW after this trip for a few years, I just wont be able to afford it. I will be at DLRP a couple of times a year though, and will still enjoy every minute I am there- Its still Disney. It has the magic.

Whatever you decide have a wonderfull time, Im sure your DDs appreciate you doing all this for them, and as a DH myself, trust me- yours may grumble about cost, but will want to go!

I know Ive gone on a bit, but I hope my thoughts are a help. Enjoy!

 

[martinacris]

Thank you all for your thoughts on what seems like a big problem....( if only these were our problems... )

Anyways...it's funny..if I read the DLRP board...I can't wait to go back...If I read the UK Planning board I can't wait to go to WDW...the same occurs for the Universal board...and of course the DCL...except my DH does not want to know ANYTHING related to cruising...( we both met while working on a cruise ship in 1994...and for him it's not vacation...for me it's one of the best vacations...so since won't go cruising...we'll go to DLRP / WDW ...

All of your comments have made me think...BOTH places are magical...like Disneyparisfan wrote :

I had 2x DLRP and 1x WDW visits last year, and am doing the same again this year. It really (and I mean REALLY) stretches the budget for me going this much, but as others have said, Its worth it. I want to go as often as I can whilst my DD is still at an age to enjoy the 'magic' that disney parks provide. As a DLRP fan you will know disney is more than just rides, its the whole atmosphere. I could just go to 'theme parks' in britain which would cost much less, but which would just be Rides. Not the same!

It's the WHOLE experience...not only the rides, but the magic that's everywhere...I can imagine the DLRP is more of a relaxed vacation compared to WDW...so I will plan for June 2008 and save like crazy for Dec.2009 !!

These are the years where we can see the sparkle and magic in our children's eyes when they visit either DLRP or WDW...the magic will continue but each age has it's own...

I'll keep you all posted on what DH when I tell him my plans when I go back to Italy...he will probably say .....


YOU WHAT ?????: AGAIN ...... NEXT YEAR ????

and for 2009...YOU WANT WHAT ?????

SO...maybe I'll keep the 2009 WDW our secret until I win the lottery or try and save and show him the money in a separate vacation account !! ..or probably tell him while we are in June at DLRP , on out 11th anniversary dinner !!! He won't be able to say no !!

Anyways...thanks again for your comments. I really appreciate them !

 

[davewasbaloo]

Or you could skip them both since you have been to them and go to my favorite Disney resort, the original in California!