Anyone from General Motors going to DW June 18-23

[twinmommyks]

This is my first post to the boards, but I have been reading the posts for months now and feel abit overwhelmed at how much planning can go into a trip.

We are going on this trip compliments of General Motors as a "bonus" my dh earned and am curious if anyone else on the boards may be also going as part of this group or if anyone else on the boards are going at the same time?

We are traveling with 3 kids, ages 9 and 4 yr. old b/g twins and welcome any suggestions that will help our trip go smoother and be more enjoyable for us and our children. We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and have Park Hopper passes.

Any info, suggestions, recommendations or general info would be appreciated. My dh and I went to Disneyland 19 years ago for our honeymoon so we are so excited to be going to Disneyworld after all these years. If anyone happens to be going with the GM trip June 18 -23, please post. I'd like to visit with someone going at the same time and appreciate any info for a newbie.

Bren

 

[vicb]

Hello. My DH also works for GM. Are you going as a GM group?

We have been to wdw 3 times. Be sure to visit the GM sponsered Test Track. Bring your GM id and visit the employee lounge upstairs at TT, it is pretty cool. Also on weekends you can use your id to bypass the line and go in thru the back, there is a desk inside past the store area.

I have not stayed at AKL so no advice there. Just keep reading these boards and some disney guide books so you have an idea what your kids want to do. I always have a "cheat sheet" for each park with ideas on it.

Also, make some meal PS's. Having a set PS is very helpful at crowded meal times and sitting down for an hour to eat is very refreshing and can help kids go longer. Lastly, swim breaks in the afternoon!

Have fun.

 

[twinmommyks]

My dh is a manager at a Chevrolet dealership and won the trip for being top manager in his group. I asked one of the GM employees who was making our travel arrangements and she said there were 180 people going on the GM Disney trip. So I was hoping to connect on-line with someone who was going.

Thanks for the info about the GM test track and lounge. I had read that there was a lounge, but couldn't locate any info on where it was located. I'm sure I'll use that with my twins while my ds and dh go on test track.

I have already started my "cheat" sheet. I actually found colored copies of the park maps, had those enlarged and labeled each ride (easier than using all those number charts), and I have made some PS for the character meals.

I am trying to schedule in swim breaks, but my dh doesn't think it is necessary. I'll have to share your info with him.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I am so excited for this trip.

Bren

 

[vicb]

Bren,

The lounge will be a good place to wait with your kids. There are bathrooms and compliementary soft drinks. There are two window areas, one opens directly into the ride itself so that would be cool for the twins to see if they aren't going on the ride itself. The other windows open onto the outside que area, you can see cars go by on the outside track and look over that part of Epcot.

My Dh works at headquarters in Detroit and I hadn't heard of any group trips out of corporate that's why I asked.

I hope your trip is great, post a report when you return!

Vicki

 

[twinmommyks]

The trip is called a Lifestyle Travel Award and is sponsored by the GM Mark of Excellence program. All of the correspondence I have received is from an office out of Saginaw, MI.

My dh is a Service Manager and Collision Repair Manager and both of his dept. were top performers. There were several destinations to select from, but the Disney trip was the only one for a family. Plus, we were actually planning a trip to Disney next year (2006) for our 20th wedding anniversary, but our present just came a little early!!! However, I told DH that if this trip goes really well, we're going back next year (even if he doesn't win another trip).

Thanks for all your info.

Bren

 

[S. C.]

Congrats to your husband & welcome to the dis. The GM Lounge is open I believe mon-fri.. 9-5. After those hours & on the weekends you can still get front of the line passes by going thru the gift shop & back to the car display, there is a desk on the left that you show your work id and sign in.
My husband is retired from GM & I still work for GM at the powertrain plant in ypsilanti.

 

[twinmommyks]

Thank you for that helpful information. Both the lounge and the front of the line passes sound like great benefits!!!!! I am so glad to get this info and appreciate your taking the time to post for me.

My dh has worked at the GM dealership for 6+ years. We are enjoying this bonus that GM has allowed him to earn.

Thanks again.

Brend

 

[WVMomof3]

Just as a side note, my 4 year old LOVED test track. So if your twins are at least 40 inches, they might like to ride instead of sit out.

 

[dgaston]

And convince your husband to take breaks--it will make a world of difference in what you can enjoy at the parks.

 

[jodifla]

Hi there. We just moved to Michigan -- I grew up in Florida, and spent as much time as my parents -- then my husband -- would allow at Disney.

I would suggest getting a guide book. That will help you a lot. You can take the official route and get the Birnbaum book, or there are also "Unofficial" guide books. There's even one geared to going to disney with kids that's written from a point of view of what certain age groups like, where to get good kid foods, etc. You can pick which one will help you most.

You are staying in a really interesting hotel with nice restaurants and a terrific pool. Your hotel is closest to the Animal Kingdom park. It's a bit further afield to get to the other parks, but buses will take you right to the front entrances, so it's not a big deal.

I'd pick out a couple of restaurants to make priority seating at. The time of year you are going can get crowded. You'll also be able to take advantage of the extra Magic Hours that onsite guests get. Though it's been said a million times, getting to the Magic Kingdom when it opens can be a huge help in seeing a lot in a short time, instead of standing in line.

We found it best to hit the park early, take a swimming break & nap in the afternoon, then back into another park at night.

Message with any specific questions, and I'll try to help.