Celebrating a Disney Dream Coming True - PTR for WDW & DCL

[carmie3377]

Hey everyone and welcome to my first pre-trip report. With my new laptop in tow and my Disboards addiction, I thought it was fitting to give it a try .

So, what are we celebrating while at WDW? It's none of our birthdays. It's not our anniversary. We're celebrating taking a Disney Cruise! Yes, we will celebrate us taking a Disney Cruise with not one, but 2 trips to WDW! I have been dreaming of a Disney Cruise since being bitten with the Disney bug several years ago. Well, that dream is finally coming true!

The Crew (not all will be on all segments of trip)
DH: Not quite the Disney nut I am, but I think more so than he admits. He's just a big kid at heart and a kid magnet. Kids just love him. He just finished his pediatrics residency, but since he still has 3 years cardiology fellowship, not quite ready to celebrate yet. In 3 years when he's completely done, then it's PARTY TIME. We've been together almost 15 years and married over 13! He's the love of my life!

Me: The Disney Nut! I live and breath Disney. Outside of my family, I love nothing more. We took our first Disney Trip to Disneyland in Aug 2004. Since then, I can't get enough. I love the planning almost as much as the actual trip. If we lived near Disney (either park) I think I'd work there!

DD: Haley is 10 and a fellow nut. Says she's going to be an animal biologist some day and work at Animal Kingdom in college. Haley has been on each Disney Trip (with the exception of a one day MK trip her Daddy took in the 90s)

DS: Cameron is 3 and the Disney fever has always been with him! Took his 1st trip at 9 months and returned twice. Poor thing, 3 trips to WDW by the time he was 2.5 years old! Always talks about Mickey Mouse's Houses, says every plane is on it's way to Mickey Mouse's House, and actually requests to watch "Samantha Brown's Disney Favorite's" from the Travel Channel. We have it DVR'ed and I think we've watched it at least once a day for the past 2 weeks!

DMIL: Tisha is DH's mother and our children are her only grandchildren. We took her to WDW last Fall and she enjoyed it. However, she had some flares with her RA and hopes to have it under control for this trip so she can enjoy it more. Not a Disney enthusiast yet, but we're training her

Here is a photo of all of us last year at MNSSHP. We dressed as doctors since the "costumes" were easy and cheap. Only had to buy the kids as DH borrowed the rest from the hospital. His fellow residents and chiefs loved our idea and I think a lot of other park guests did too. We got so many "Is there a doctor in the house?" and "Cool, it's a group of surgeons", and several "patients" asking us for help. Even Captain Jack in the parade asked DH if he was "OK!" Anyway, here we are:

Here's DH and I last year on our date night. We celebrated our 13th anniversary one day after returning home from WDW last October.

And a more recent family photo. This was taken at Pikes Peak last month:

Our prior trips:
August 2003 - DH was working in LA for a 2 month medical school program so DD and I joined him out there for a couple of weeks. We visited DL Park with DH once and then DD and I hit DL park twice more and CA once. Loved DL but though DD was a bit young to enjoy CA.

Augst 2004 - After moving to New Orleans from Fort Worth, we were now able to drive to WDW. Stayed in the Fort Wilderness Cabins for 5 night. This is when the bug started biting ferociously. I was crying as we were on the boat ride back to FW on the last night.

June 2005 - Ended up being a birthday/PhD graduation celebration for DH. He had just finished grad school and celebrated his 30th birthday the day we drove out there. Stayed off site for the first and last time for 6 nights.

Dec 2006 - DS first trip to WDW! We took DH's sister with us and she had a blast too. However, all the adults on the trip got sick with some bad respiratory illness and I ended up back in the hotel several nights. However, weather was incredible and DD and I did MVMCP. Stayed at All Star Movies for 2 nights followed by 5 nights at OKW (rented points). Fell in love with DVC and seriously considered buying but put it off since we knew were moving soon back to Texas.

Jan 2008 - Best friend trip. The kids and I met up with my best friend since middle school and her 2 girls. We stayed 5 nights POR. It was cold and miserably crowded the first few days of our trip. So cold and so crowded at one point I was even questioning why I was there. It warmed up and the crowds thinned out the last couple of days and the trip ended on a great note.

Sept/Oct 2008 - After taking the plunge to buying DVC earlier for Christmas before, we planned our first trip with our own DVC points. We stayed one night at All Star Sports and then headed over to a one bedroom villa at AKL for 6 nights. Loved the resort but just a bit too far away from the action. Still had 8 great fun-filled days in the park including MNSHHP.

Okay everyone, so there's the history! Next up is how our original plans transpired.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm first! Can't wait to hear all about your plans!

 

[carmie3377]

I'm first! Can't wait to hear all about your plans!

Welcome aboard! I'll be checking out your pre-trip report too! I love hearing about other peoples' trips and plans. Someday, I would love to be a travel agent specializing in Disney Vacations so I can share my love with other people. I get giddy anytime someone brings up Disney. Once they hear me for a few minutes and realize that it's not easy to stop me once I get going, I'm sure they regret even mentioning the word Disney .

 

[carmie3377]

Your regular scheduled Pre-trip report programming will resume momentarily....

Meanwhile, please enjoy the cruise planning below.

Like I said earlier, we went last fall and enjoyed 8 wonderful days. DH really enjoys our Disney Vacation but said he really wanted something a bit more relaxing next time. He works many, many hours with a pager and phone always strapped to him. In fact, once I visited him at the hospital when he was on call and he had his pager and 3 phones clipped on his scrub bottoms. I don't even know how his pants were not falling down! Anyway, I respect him for not wanting to do a theme park vacation again for awhile so I started researching other option for us. A DISNEY CRUISE! We get our Disney Fix, get to see some incredible places, and DH gets to relax a bit. So the cruise planning began...

We thought we'd start with a 3 night cruise. We've never cruised before and we might get sick. But, is 3 nights enough? No days at sea for relaxing. Okay, we'd do 4 nights. We'd get a sea day in there, and it would give us a great chance at trying at cruising. Then, I realized that DH could just call us in something for sea sickness before the cruise so we'd be prepared. Sometimes I forget about that nice little fringe benefit. We first thought we'd just do an inside stateroom but I realized I needed at least a porthole. We decided on the Dec. 5 Eastern Carribean with stops in St. Croix and St. Martin. So, I booked the room and I realize that this is a reality. I still can't believe that I get to go on the Disney Magic...

 

[carmie3377]

But then, it hit me. We are going to be in Orlando and I'm not visiting WDW?? WHAT?!?!? This can't happen. I'm afraid the rental car might start navigating towards WDW and not Port Canaveral. Sure, I'm excited about the cruise, in fact super excited. But WDW is less than an hour from where I'll be standing and I have no plans to go there. I just couldn't let it happen. I don't think DD could either. DS wouldn't realize if we didn't say something but I'm sure between his sissy and I, he would find out.

My mind starting going in so many different direction. Should I change to 3 nights at WDW followed by 4 night cruise so DH could still get his much needed R&R? No, DH wanted the 7 night and besides, 3 nights at WDW isn't enough. Even though I've done almost everything at the parks, I want to do it all each and every time. Should I try to tackle WDW alone before or after the cruise with 2 kids, one being a true live Alien 626 (Stitch)? No, so who should I ask to come along. DH couldn't come as he can't get 2 straight weeks off. I've wanted my sister and her son to come with us as her little boy is just 6 weeks older than DS. They've never been before and I'm sure they'd love it if they tried. Well, her DH got laid off, she got pregnant and that was the end of her being able to come. My DMIL? Now that's a great idea! Her and DD are VERY close. PLus, she did enjoy our trip last fall. She agreed to come!

So now, when? Should it be before or after the cruise? The cruise is scheduled for Dec 5-12. I knew I wanted a week. Should it be the week before (Nov 28-Dec 5) or the week after (Dec 12-19)? Both weeks present a challenge at WDW. The week before has the weekend after thanksgiving attached to the beginning of the week. The week after the cruise has the last weekend before Christmas attached to the end of the week. Those weekends could be very busy. Our trip in Dec 06 and last fall spoiled me with both the weather and crowds. Hmmmm, what to do?

How about a split stay? I could start off with a few days before the cruise and finish with a few more days after. That way, I could avoid both of those weekends and it would be a shorter trip for DMIL since she would join us for just one leg of the WDW trip. It would be easier on her with her RA. Plus, I get my full week just broken up. I'd have the kids by myself for a few days, but that's fine. Sounds like the perfect plan. Now, time to run it all past DH.....

 

[carmie3377]

Okay, I run it past DH and he thinks it's a great idea. Now, we must decide on where to stay. We're booking our cruise on our DVC points so it doesn't leave many points for a stay at WDW. That's okay, with all the promos they're running, I figured something would come out. I've stayed at value, moderate, DVC studio and 1 BR villa. I haven't stayed in a Deluxe room, but we did stay in the 1 BR villa at AKL so I've had the benefits of staying at a deluxe resort. Obviously, I love the deluxe resorts and DVC, but are really expensive when paying cash. I think I'll save the deluxe type accommodations when I'm using my points. The moderates, I don't think the $$$ difference from a value is worth it. I've stayed in both and I can't justify paying 50% more. I know, others will disagree and I respect their opinion, but for me, the moderates are not worth it. That's the great thing about Disney Hotels. There something there for everyone! DD and I really want to stay at Wilderness Lodge, but if we want to stay for more than a few nights, I can't swing it right now. Unless an awesome % off PIN comes out, it's Value for us. We've stayed at AS Movies and Sports and we were pleased with both.

We knew we're going to stay value but I was waiting for a PIN or Disney offer before booking. I suspected something would come out since they offered a great 4/3 deal during the summer months and extended free dining out a week. I waited and waited and thought I would have to wait until late summer/early fall for the specials to be released.

In May, I received a PIN! The first PIN I received that I could actually use. I was sent "Adults Eat and Play at the Kid's Prices" Since DD is considered a Disney Adult, this would save us quite a bit. The value resorts were offered the QSDP and the moderates on up were offered the DDP. I was disappointed. I wanted the DDP but didn't want to upgrade to a moderate just for the DDP. I accepted the offer of the QSDP and now I'm really excited about it. Since those batch of PINs (some received free dining, others the same I got but all with QSDP for values), a new batch of PINs was released. All resorts were offered the DDP. It's making me wonder if a general public offer will be released soon with DDP for all. Now that I've psyched myself up for the freedom of no ADRs, I don't know if I really do want to change to DDP if an offer does indeed come out. Time will tell.

Now it was time to decide on dates. DMIL decided it would be best for her to join us after the cruise since she teaches and maintains online college courses. So, our dates are:

Dec 1-5 The Kids and I are at Pop Century in a Standard room.
Dec 5-12 DH, the kids and I are aboard the Disney Magic in a cat 9 (porthole) stateroom
Dec 12-17 The kids, DMIL and I are at Pop

Okay, hope I'm not boring people . More details to come....

 

[carmie3377]

A little background on our airfare choices. We live just outside of Houston and Southwest is by far the best option for us. The prices are the best and you still get 2 bags free. Considering we are going to be gone for 17 days, the 2 free bags is a biggie. I'm sure I'll have to do some laundry, but I want to do as little as possible.

So, I patiently waited 2 months after booking our WDW portion before airfare schedules were released. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, SWA released their schedules. Houston Hobby to Orlando was a disappointing $139/each way. I was really hoping to stay around $100 each way. I decided to check Dallas Love to Orlando since DMIL and lives about 30 miles from Love. All flights were $59 each way! WOW, I couldn't believe there was an $80 difference. Then, upon further researching, I realized that many of those Dallas to Orlando flights had stops in Houston. Too bad I can't just "miss" a Dallas flight and catch it in Houston. I knew I couldn't really couldn't do that so I choose the time that was most convenient to those taking me to the airport - a morning flight with a layover in New Orleans. For the return, I choose an afternoon flight with a layover in Houston. Since DMIL will be with us, I thought this would be the best option in case Orlando to Houston fares went on sale and I changed, we'd still be on the same plane as DMIL. (I booked hers separately because her flights are pretty set in stone and needs to fly out of Dallas) If I didn't have to check all my luggage and leave my car stranded in Dallas, we'd get off the plane in Houston! Anyway, flights are book and it sounds great until....

I start thinking about added hassle of flying out of Dallas. First, I'll have to drive to DMIL's house which is about 5 hours from my house. Then, I'll have to go through Dallas rush hour to the probably 1 hour (or more) drive to Dallas Love field. Then, the layover in New Orleans. Not just a layover, but a plane change. Do I really want to do that with my little 626 in tow? I'll have carryons for each of us and a 1 hour wait. Not sounding as nice anymore. The way home is not that big as a deal because we won't have to change planes (layover only) and DMIL will be with me to help me. So, now I'm second guessing my option to fly out of Dallas. I mean, I live 20 minutes from Hobby! I'm so hoping a DING will come out. SWA had a special of Houston to Orlando for $90 bucks but travel must be completed by 11/?. I'm really thinking something better will pop up and I can change to Houston. That is why I love SWA! You can change and not have penalties!

DH will have to fly out of/into Houston because of his time off.

So, if I'll be looking out for email sales and DINGS in hopes something will come out. Don't think I'll get the $59 each way, but I'll take $99 or even $109. I'll keep y'all updated.