Can Disney be a relaxing vacation?...second family trip in August!

[TxRabbit]

My mission is to plan a WDW vacation that will be fun, full of activity, but somehow, someway, will also be veeeeeerrrrrryyyy relaaaaaaaxing. Can it be done? Stay tuned and we'll find out together.

 

[TxRabbit]

So I thought I would just add a blurb here about how I came into by current Disney obsession.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, California. My great grandma lived in southern CA and would visit her every summer for several weeks. She was the first one to take me to Disneyland. I think my Mom came on the trip too, but to tell you the truth, I am not sure she did. We didn't go every year, that would be too expensive. Actually my first memory about Disneyland is sitting in an old time theater off Main St watching black and white Mickey cartoons with my great grandma. I think I was 5.

Then the coolest thing happened during the high school years. Disneyland would have special days in November called Magical Musical Days. High school marching bands were invited to go to Disneyland and perform by marching down Main St to the castle area, stopping there for a performance and then marching back out. I did not play and instrument, but I was a part of the marching band. I was a tall flag twirler. You know, the ones with the big flags that wave them around and provide more visual interest with the marching band? That was me!

Anyway, we were able to go on a school sanctioned field trip to Disneyland every November. Disneyland was part of the trip, the main part, but we would also do other things. We went to the Air Force base in San Diego one year, another high school, San Diego Zoo, TV show tapings (back in the day when shows used to be taped in front of live audiences), etc. We would be able to touk the part on the day we performed, but the best was being able to tour the part on a different weekday. I remember running, full speed running, through the line areas to get on Space Mtn. Crowds were light, we could walk onto most rides. My memory may be totally wrong but I think that the park was only open to the particpants in the Magical Musical Days for a time, like longer park hours and EMH in WDW. I have many pictures from these trips, but none of them are digital, or I would share.

So Disneyland has always had a special place in my heart.

Flash forward many years later...about 7 to be exact. DH and I are getting married. Where to go on our honeymoon? To tell the truth, I wasn't sure what we would be able to afford. DH was still in grad school. Well...he was offered one of those package deals...you must sit through the 90 minute presentation...etc etc...I am sure you know what I am talking about...the vacation ownership deal. But this trip really was a deal. We stayed in Ft. Lauderdale, then cruised to Grand Bahama Island, stayed there a couple nights, back to Ft. Lauderdale and then on up to Orlando. And what did we do in Orlando? If you said Universal Studios, you're right! And Epcot and MK.

I remember that our fav ride on that trip was the Alien Encounter ride. We'd never experienced anything like it. It was an experience ride. What a thrill. We talked about it to everyone.

Well, I just remember thinking that I definitely wanted to go back there. We have spent the past 3-4 years relocating because of DH's work. We have moved intrastate twice and interstate twice. All vacation time has been used to move or visit family. When we went in March, it was our first real family vacation. We had a blast.

So, when I sum up my Disney experience, I realize this...there will always be another trip. I believe we can choose to live our lives purposefully, and when we desire to really do something, we make it happen. Well, I love Disney. I love the total break from reality, and being in total fantasy land for a brief time. I think I will always want to come back. And so this is how I am approaching my trip planning...for this trip we are going to have this strategy.

So, what is the strategy this time? Early days and early nights. You see, DS's first day of school is the Monday after the Saturday we get back. We are really pushing it to the end of the summer with this one. During the school year, he gets up early...and he goes to bed early. And DH's work schedule doesn't change, just because it is summer. So, for this trip, we are shooting to maintain a more normal schedule. Create a good transition into the school year...

So we'll see how that plans out...

 

[TxRabbit]

I got our airfare for the trip...Nonstop flights from Houston to Orlando on Continental.

 

[TxRabbit]

I'll get more into specifics on where I think we will be during the days and how our ADRs fit into that next time! See you then, if anyone's reading.

 

[fizz13]

I love Disney. I love the total break from reality, and being in total fantasy land for a brief time.

Hi there, this is exactly how i feel about WDW, its a very special kind of feeling. I love what you did for DS birthday party, I envy your creativity, well done you, and I bet the kids had just as much fun as any $500 goodvibes
You have some great plans and i hope you have a brilliant time, our trips overlap actually, my dates are 8/23 to 8/29, might see you there

 

[TxRabbit]

Hi there, this is exactly how i feel about WDW, its a very special kind of feeling. I love what you did for DS birthday party, I envy your creativity, well done you, and I bet the kids had just as much fun as any $500 goodvibes
You have some great plans and i hope you have a brilliant time, our trips overlap actually, my dates are 8/23 to 8/29, might see you there

Thank you for the feedback! The kids did have a good time. I like to think they had a better time with our organized play and games than during the free for all that happen in the other places. More interaction for them is more fun. I don't know exactly how "creative" I am, because I just research like crazy and adapt and use the ideas that I find. I LOVE the internet for this reason. I am hoping to become "known" for my sons parties and have them be something his friends look forward to as the years go by. We'll see. I hope you have a great vacation....I'll have to go check out your pre-trip!

 

[TxRabbit]

It is so nice to have someone take care of you! And this is what ME is like for me. I love being able to go to WDW and not have to rent a car, bother with parking, directions, etc. Really, riding WDW transportation is pretty mindless, you just have to know where you get picked up and where you get dropped off. For me, that's relaxing!

 

[TxRabbit]

My lastest research takes me into the wonderful world of camcorders.